The Stranger in the Lifeboat

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a large table crashed into her head and shoulders. She’s been slipping in and
out of consciousness for the last twenty-four hours.
Were we at home, she’d be in a hospital for sure. But out here, adrift, you
realize how often we take our placement on this Earth for granted.
The new man leaned over Bernadette. Jean Philippe watched, his eyes
widening.
“Are you truly the Lord?”
“Do you believe I am?”
“Prove it. Let me speak to my wife again.”
I glanced at Yannis, who raised his eyebrows. How quickly we trust
someone when the life of a loved one is threatened. All we really knew of
this stranger was his wild claim, and that he’d wolfed down a package of
peanut butter crackers.
Then I saw little Alice take Jean Philippe’s hand. The new man turned
toward Bernadette and put his palms on her shoulder and forehead.
Just like that, her eyes opened.
“Bernadette?” Jean Philippe whispered.
“Cherie?” she whispered back.
“You did it,” Jean Philippe said to the Lord, his voice reverential. “You
brought her back. Thank you, Bondyé! Bernadette! My love!”
I have never witnessed anything like that, Annabelle. One moment she was
unconscious, the next she was awake and talking. The others began to stir and
take notice. Geri poured Bernadette some water. Nina hugged her tightly.
Even rigid old Mrs. Laghari seemed pleased, although she mumbled,
“Someone must explain how this happened.”
“The Lord did it,” Nina said.
The new man smiled. Mrs. Laghari did not.
Eventually, we gave Bernadette and Jean Philippe their privacy and moved
to the back of the raft. The stranger followed us. I studied his face. If this was
a miracle, he was taking it in stride.
“What did you do to her?” I asked.
“Jean Philippe wished to speak to her again. Now he can.”
“But she was nearly dead.”
“The distance between death and life is not as great as you imagine.”
“Really?” Yannis turned his way. “Then why don’t people come back to
Earth after they die?”
The stranger smiled. “Why would they want to?”