Open and Go To Heaven: 100% Money-Back Guarantee

By Andrew Rolston

Bernadette is a rural country girl like any other. She has grown up in a good family, is true in her faith, and is popular among her friends. She enjoys her alone time with God in the woods, where she can get away from it all and cultivate her soul in prayer without distraction. All that changes when she makes a disturbing find—one that threatens to send her to the place she fears above all others. Seeing their daughter spiral into an uncharacteristic depression, her parents send Bernadette away to live with family as a last resort, hoping she will come around. What follows is a summer that will change her life forever. Will she succumb to the evils that threaten to have their way with her, or will she find redemption?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667861487

Book preview

ONE

I’m sure Heaven smells like fresh-baked cinnamon rolls with the icing still wet and sun-dried bed sheets right off the clothesline, Bernadette said to herself as she breathed deeply, and took in all the sights and sounds around her. The birds were chirping, the grass was lush and green, and the sun was warming her body and soul. It had been a good day. She saw the woods ahead and found her steps quickening as she got closer. The woods and everything they held were so wonderful to her—the gateway to her happy place where everything else faded away and she could have quiet time with God.

Bernadette was a teenage girl in the rural Midwest. Living with her parents and sometimes-obnoxious little brother, she counted herself very blessed. The Catholic high school she attended was small, but she had a handful of good friends she had grown up with since childhood. She attended church every week and enjoyed her spiritual relationship with nature—the nature God created.

She crossed the gravel path outside the woods and found the old birch tree that signaled its entrance. The tree had stood for many years, and as she passed by, she gently touched the paper-thin bark, white and pure yet sturdy and robust. On that day, she pondered how the tree was symbolic of her, strong in her faith and pure in her actions. It brought a smile to her face as she continued to walk among the trees, following an unmarked trail that her feet had memorized over the years.

Ahead was a small clearing with her favorite spot to sit. A boulder stood guard and welcomed her to sit and take in the beauty of the town she called home. As she gently walked toward the rock, the branches cracked underfoot, and a startled squirrel scurried up a neighboring tree. She took her seat, closed her eyes, and began to pray

Dear God, thank you for the beauty that surrounds me, for the friends I hold so dear, for my parents, and even for my little brother Patrick…

Just then, Bernadette was startled by the sound of leaves rustling as if something was coming near. She looked around but didn’t see anything at first. Her pulse quickened as she wondered whether some kind of large animal was nearby.

It was probably a deer. She often saw deer during her prayer and meditation sessions in the woods. Deer were harmless, but she still called out and said, Shoo. Immediately after that, she heard giggling from the brush behind her. She turned just in time to see the dirty hair of her pesky little brother turning to run away. She jumped up to chase after him, but he had too much of a head start. Obviously bored and with nothing else to do, he had decided to spy on her. He was the only person who knew the location of her happy place in the woods.

Now that her serenity had been interrupted, Bernadette decided to head home. As she did, she tried not to think about Patrick. He was four years younger than her and a lot less mature. She wished he would find some friends of his own, so she would no longer be the target of his constant mischief.

Still muttering under her breath, she walked up the long dirt road to her house. She saw her mother hanging laundry in the backyard and decided to head back to help her. Her mother was a beautiful woman with a kind-hearted soul. She smiled at Bernadette as she approached.

How was your day?

Good Bernadette replied. We had a math test, and I’m pretty sure I did really well on it. We also had a pep rally where some of the teachers played a volleyball game against the students. That was funny to watch! I went for a walk after school to the woods, but Patrick decided to cut that short. He’s so annoying sometimes, Mom. Can’t you tell that little brat to just leave me alone?

Her mother held up her hand, and Bernadette trailed off. Bernadette knew her mother hated it when she and her brother fought. Despite her annoyance, Bernadette knew enough to stop complaining. Her mother, loving as she was, could be strict and expected her children to behave appropriately toward each other and those around them. Her father expected the same.

When will Dad be home? she asked, changing the subject to get her brother out of her hair.

He should be home by six o’clock, so we can all eat dinner together. Can you help me get the food started?

Bernadette didn’t love doing chores, but she really did enjoy cooking, especially when she was able to spend time with her mother doing it. Sure. How about I start peeling potatoes?

Her mother smiled gently and went back to finish up the few pieces of laundry left to go on the line. I will be in shortly.

Bernadette turned to head into the back door of the house. She could see Patrick’s eyes peeking out from one of the upstairs windows. Even at home, he was still spying on her. Her frustration waned as she walked inside, the screen door slamming behind her. She yelled up the steps to Patrick, Hey, munchkin. I know you’re up there. I saw you peeking through the window. Come on down here. I want to show you something.

Patrick came bounding down the steps, almost missing the last one. What do you want to show me? he said excitedly.

I want to show you how to peel potatoes! Bernadette replied with a sly grin.

Awwww, that’s nothing fun. Come on! Patrick whined. But he followed her into the kitchen and pulled up a stool to the sink.

Bernadette handed Patrick a potato peeler and kept another for herself. She selected a half-dozen potatoes from the pail below the kitchen sink and cautioned Patrick not to cut himself. The two bantered as they washed and then peeled the potatoes. When they heard the family car pull into the driveway, Patrick quickly abandoned his post, dropping the potato he was holding.  It rolled across the floor as Patrick ran out the back door to greet their father. Bernadette rolled her eyes and shook her head but couldn’t help smiling at her younger brother’s carelessness. She retrieved the potato and rinsed it off in the kitchen sink. When everybody else finally made their way back into the house, she had all the potatoes in the pot and ready to go on the stove. Her father walked up behind her and kissed the top of her head. He was a man of few words, but Bernadette loved the little ways he showed he loved her.

How’s my little pumpkin doing today?

Daaaad, Bernadette moaned, you know I’m not a little girl anymore!

But you will always be my little pumpkin, and there’s nothing you can do about that! he joked in return.

I’m good, Dad, she said, smiling at how he snickered. She knew he was right.

Bernadette’s mother was busy getting dinner finished as the rest of the family set the table and prepared for the meal. It was very important to them to eat as a family whenever possible. The kids sometimes preferred to eat in the family room or on their own like many of their friends did, but they both understood the importance their parents placed on family time. And also on their faith. No meal ever started without a proper blessing giving thanks for the food before them.

Hands held around the table, the prayer began: Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty…

No one noticed or corrected Patrick for saying by bounty, as he always did.

Through Christ, our Lord, they all said in unison, Amen.