In the corner of a room a Black old school clock radio strikes 7am and the alarm goes off with the radio.

Smooth jazz is all we play. Day and night. So to start this early morning lets start off with something energetic kool & the gang - summer madness.

Why is jazz being played in the afterlife? With all my misdeeds, that wouldn't lead me somewhere this pleasant.

Opening my eyes I cannot help but notice a familiar ceiling, too familiar. Examining the room more closely from the bed after sitting up, I'm noticing this place looks awfully like my room at my “moms” house.

“So is this hell?”. I can't help but let words slip out my mouth.
That's the only explanation because only hell would drag me back here.

(A muffled voice in the distance)

(BANG BANG BANG — pounding on the door)

“YOU BITCH. WAIT UNTIL I GET YOU.”

This voice sounds really familiar.
How is her voice louder than the pounding on the door?

“EVEN IF I HAVE TO BREAK DOWN THIS DOOR AND BURN THE WHOLE HOUSE DOWN. YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE OPEN THAT DAMN MOUTH OF YOURS.”

My stomach is twisting as I realize who this voice belongs to. It's “mom”.
Yeah this is hell. I know she didn't make it past the pearly gates after she died.

“I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU. WE HAVE NO WAY TO SURVIVE NOW THAT HE'S GONE. BECAUSE OF YOU! OPEN THIS DOOR YOU BRAT.”

As I get off the bed and walk over to the door to the very familiar scene which seemed to have played out before in my life, I can't help but wonder: why is hell choosing to replay this moment in life.
As I reach the door and open it I'm greeted with a big hot red slap across the face. Along with some hair grabbing.

I'm struggling to free myself but as I work hard at it all I hear is:

“YOU RUINED US. ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS SMILE AT HIM AND SAY, RON I THINK YOUR HANDSOME. I MEAN WOULD IT HAVE KILLED YOU TO SMILE FOR ONCE.”

As my mother continues to scream I’m finally able to make out some of what she is speaking of.
Ron???? Wasn't Ron her sleazy ex-boyfriend that was bankrolling her.
The same one who tried to pick me up at school to get me to spend some "personal" time with him.

I remember at some point I kicked him in his family jewels and gave him a black eye before fleeing home.
The next day after that incident my mom was very upset because apparently it was her idea for us to get “close”.

Why is she screaming about that loser?

Majestic voice: Well if you let this continue you will end up in the same predicament as last time. On the same path.

Why am I hearing a voice in my head? It sounds familiar.

All of a sudden everything paused.

This doesn't feel real, it feels like an outer body experience.
All of a sudden I was spun around and I am faced with a very beautiful man in a very questionable outfit.

He is wearing clothes that I have only seen in books or in cosplay.
Its a black top hat, black cane, and silver hair with red intimidating eyes and a pale white skin tone.
He looks like a dead man walking.

Majestic voice: Oh now dead is kind of mean. I think my white skin makes me look timeless.
You look surprised. Is it because of my beauty or the fact we are speaking in your head?

You, you're the voice I heard right before coming to hell!!

Majestic voice: Your voice is quite loud. Please bring it down.

What's happening?

Majestic voice: What do you mean?
With a smile on his face he said in the next sentence:
I've given you a chance to go against fate and prove her, I mean it, wrong.
You get to try to choose another path. And carve out your own destiny. Angie this is a once in a lifetime chance you should thank this great one.

Great one? fate? Are you a Deity?

Majestic voice: Oh you are quick one, but I knew you from the start.

Well I my mother spoke non-stop about ancient gods and rituals in when I was young.
Then this is not hell?

Majestic voice: Very much not.

This is …confusion and panic on my face.

Majestic voice: 5 years before the mishap.

5 years — that means this isn't a memory and this is really that time.
This can't be.

Majestic voice: Yes ma'am.

Why?

His red eyes seemed to have started to glow.

Majestic voice: Why not?

Huh?

Majestic voice: Why not? You seemed desperate and I wanted a good show.
It's been quite some time since someone this interesting had shown up.

Deities don't just do things for generosity or entertainment, they usually do things that would put them at an advantage.
“Why did you help me when I have nothing to offer?”

Majestic voice: Yes yes she was right, you're quite smart.
Even sometimes too smart for your own good.
That brain of yours is why you got killed off so early.
Brilliant but deadly in the wrong hands and an enemy in another's.

Looking directly at me he said with a playful smile on his face:

Majestic voice: A bet between me and another is what had caused this moment.
See if you are able to avoid the fate bestowed upon you by fate then I win something I've been looking for.

Why should I trust you?

Majestic voice: You shouldn't.
I don't even trust me, but I will say I'm not as cruel as fate though.
She knows she made a mistake in your regard and rather let it play out than admit she's wrong as usual.

Wrong? What do you mean?

Majestic voice: Well your fate was never to be so dreadful but she mixed it up with someone else and instead of admitting so she had deemed it her will anyway.
Don't take it personally. She has always been a little too uppity for my taste.

Wait so I never was supposed to have a hard life, then what life was I supposed to have if not this?
What was my original fate?

The Being, noticing my interest, said:
Why does it matter since now you can make your own fate?
You have the chance to right all the wrongs done to you.
Use this chance starting with this situation.
You have the chance to change it from the original miserable outcome it was.
Do what you really want.

Ding ding ding.

Majestic voice: Oh it seems my time has run out before I leave.
Know I will be watching and I will contact you again soon so make me a proud little one.

The man disappeared in a white glow.

And just like that, time has resumed—my mother’s hand still clutching my hair, her screams ringing in my ears.
But now… I have knowledge. A chance.
But how the hell did I have a second chance, and I'm taking it by the horns like a bull.