by S S Bazinet
Arel leaned forward, holding his chest. His heart was racing so fast, he didn’t know if his chest wall could restrain the vessel. “What is going to happen to my soul? Did your blood do something to it that can’t be reversed?”
“Arel, just listen—”
“You’re the one that started the soul thing, Michael, don’t get mad at me.”
“I don’t get mad, you know that.”
“And vampires don’t bite angels and come down with a terminal case of death.” Arel’s body began to sway precariously. “I don’t feel well. I think I need to lie down.”
Michael paused for a long moment. “You don’t want to have this conversation. Is that what’s happening?”
“Maybe.”
“I had something very positive to tell you, but you’re not going to let me, are you?”
Arel hugged himself nervously. “Just give me time to adjust. You keep springing things on me. I’m just a weak, human being. I can’t keep up.”
Michael stood up. “Fine, we’ll talk later.”
Arel remained in his seat as Michael walked out of the room. Michael was right. Angels didn’t get mad, but sometimes they did know things that humans weren’t always privy to, especially when it came to a person’s soulful nature. He decided he was better off in the dark.
* * * * *
Michael opened the kitchen door and stepped out into the back yard. He was still going over his conversation with Arel. When he saw Abrigail waiting for him in the rose garden, he waved. He walked over and joined her on the stone bench.
“How did our shepherd and lion do?” she asked.
Michael gave her a look of bewilderment. “The shepherd barely said two words, and the lion was running for cover.”
Abrigail gave him a sideways smile. “He was a cowardly lion?”
Michael gazed upwards, studying the white, fluffy clouds overhead. “Not cowardly, but he’s still got all of his defenses ready in case he needs them.”
“And he wasn’t willing to learn more about his soul self?”
“No, not yet.”
“What are you going to do now?”
“Arel doesn’t want my advice, but hopefully, when the group comes over tonight, he’ll let them help him.”
Fifty-Six
AREL SAT AT the dining room table dealing out cards, trying to distract himself from his earlier talk with Michael. But in spite of being surrounded by his new friends, he was finding it difficult. “Anybody want to play for pennies instead of chips,” he asked, hoping for a change of pace. Winning all the time was getting boring.
Peggy snatched up each card that was dealt. “Maybe next week.”
“Maybe next year,” Carol giggled, letting her cards alone until Arel was finished dealing them out.
“How about you two?” Arel asked, looking at Tim, then Kevin.
“Forget it,” Tim said in a brusque tone.
Peggy stopped and studied Arel. She zeroed in on his trembling hands and anxious face. “Sweetie, you look a little worried. Is there something we should know?”
Arel put the deck aside and placed a finger to his lips, giving everyone the ‘Be quiet’ sign. Glancing around, he waved them closer. “I need to talk to you,” he whispered in an almost inaudible tone.
As all four at the table leaned in, Kevin frowned. “What’s up?” he asked in a normal voice.
“Shh!” Arel scolded.
“What is it?” Carol whispered.
Arel pushed himself out of his chair a few inches and scanned the living room for Michael’s presence. “Good, he’s gone,” he said with a gasp of relief. For a moment he hesitated, trying to catch his breath. When he had enough oxygen, he continued. “Have any of you ever heard of ‘soul death’?”
“Soul death?” Tim exclaimed loudly.
Arel gave him a fierce glance. “Keep your voice down, please!”
The group exchanged puzzled looks. As the phrase, “soul death,” was mumbled back and forth, everyone started shaking their heads. Everyone was saying ‘No’ at the same time.
Carol reached out to Arel. “Do you know something about soul death?”
Arel shrugged. “Not too much, but I was having a conversation with Michael earlier and—” He paused, not knowing how to go on.
“And he told you about it?” Peggy gasped. “That’s absurd. There’s no such thing.”
Arel did an eye check to make sure the living room was still unoccupied and returned his gaze to the group. Their faces were all anxious and completely focused on him. “Please, everyone, we have to discuss this as quietly as possible,” he ordered in a hushed tone.
“Why? What are you whispering about?” Michael asked as he came out of the kitchen.
Arel jumped and grabbed for his heart. “Bloody hell, Michael! Where did you come from? I thought you were in your room. How did you get here without my seeing you?”
“I walked down the hall and around.”
Peggy looked up at Michael. “Have you been telling Arel that there’s such a thing as soul death?”
“Of course not,” Michael replied.
Kevin spoke up. “Well Arel said you did. So what’s going on?”
Arel held up a hand. “Everybody, please, don’t blame Michael. I think that he’s as confused about it as any of us.”
Michael moved closer to the table. “I’m making an announcement. There is no such thing. A soul cannot die.”
Everyone nodded in agreement, and then they looked at Arel.
“Sweetheart,” Peggy said putting her hand on Arel’s. “Does this have something to do with how you feel about your condition?”
Arel looked at Peggy's hand on his and realized that he found it comforting now. “I guess it does,” he said as the full impact of losing everything, including Michael and his new family, hit him. What little color he had in his face drained away. “I’m afraid that Michael was right when he told you about the possibility that I might—”
When Arel paused, Tim gave Peggy a quick glance. Usually the most reserved, he reached out and took hold of Arel’s arm. He spoke in a tone that was very direct. “Listen to me, Arel. We haven’t known each other for very long, but if you need some extra support, I have a lot of leave saved up at work, I’ll be happy to spend some time helping you get through this.”
Tim’s gesture and his firm grip of support sent a wave of solidarity through Arel. He even got a flash of their lost ties. He had a vision of their connection in another life. Tim was running towards Arel, trying to help him. Arel knew that they’d not only been friends, but they were best friends.
“I know this sounds pathetic, but I don’t want to die,” he whispered.
Tim tightened his hold on Arel’s arm. “If I have anything to do with it, you’re going to get better.”
Arel glanced over at the strong, muscular man. Tim’s eyes were the same loyal, devoted ones that he remembered. And he knew that he cared about Tim as much as any real brother.
“Thank you,” he gasped as he began to look at each one of the group. “I’ve gotten myself into a pretty bad situation. Thank you for being here for me.”
* * * * *
Later that night, Michael reflected on the interaction between Arel and his friends. As Arel explained his plight and everyone responded with offers to help, Arel did the unexpected. He threw open emotional doors that he usually kept hidden away. He’d invited people into areas of his life that had been off limits for many lifetimes. It was a surprising turn of events.
Fifty-Seven
THE AFTERNOON SUN was beating down on the dining room side of Arel’s house. Tim tugged at his collar as he sat at the table, but he didn’t blame his heated condition on the temperature of the room. “Why do I feel like I’m swimming in shark infested waters every time I play poker with you?” he asked, staring at Arel and letting out a snort of weariness.
Arel answered with a shrug. “Show me your cards, and I’ll tell you why you’re going to lose again.”
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“I’m not showing you my cards! And you don’t know for sure that I’m going to lose.”
Arel gave him a smile of satisfaction. “Oh, but I do.” He spread out his own cards on the table.
“What? No way. How the hell did you get four aces?”
“I told you that I’m lucky, but I also know how to play my cards. You and Kevin should listen when I try to give you pointers.”
“Yeah, sure. I have listened, and your damn pointers don’t work.”
Arel sat back in his chair. “Sorry, the only explanation I can come up with is that you two are pretty hopeless when it comes to poker.”
Tim glared back and threw his cards down on the table. Arel’s voice had an irksome ‘I know that I’m great’ tone to it, and his eyes glowed more brightly than those of the kid who’d just robbed the candy store. “You can be very irritating, Arel. How does Michael stand your attitude?”
Michael was sitting close by in the living room, reading a gardening magazine. “You’re finding out what a charmer he is, aren’t you?”
Tim let out a sigh of disgust. “He’s a charmer alright. I let him talk me into playing for my spare change, and now I have no money in my wallet. If Arel keeps this up, he won’t be the only one who doesn’t eat regular meals. I won’t have money for groceries.”
Arel pushed his chair back and stood up. “I wouldn’t want you to go hungry. It’s getting late, and you didn’t have lunch. I’ll fix you a sandwich. Maybe it’ll improve your mood.”
“Maybe you better let me do that,” Tim said hastily. Arel was perpetually threatening to fall prey to a bout of weakness at the slightest exertion.
“Nonsense, you’ve done enough. The windows never looked so good,” Arel said as he went to the kitchen. He paused in the doorway. “But I did see a rather large smudge that you missed on one of them in my bedroom.”
Tim stifled a protest as he stood up. “I’ll get it after my sandwich, okay?” Walking into the living room, he went over to Michael and leaned in. “Between you and me, Arel is a piece of work. I’m here on a mission of mercy and when I leave, I feel like I’ve been sucked dry.”
Michael stared at him for a moment, looking rather amused. “He gets a little spirited.”
“I could kiss a coral snake and fare better,” Tim groaned as he made his way to the sofa. He took a seat with a thud of exhaustion. “I hope that he’s feeling stronger soon. I didn’t realize that cheering a person up could be so draining.”
“Be assured that he’s never been happier,” Michael said with a broad smile. “You and the ‘gang’ as Arel refers to your group, are doing a great job.”
“I believe that he thinks the poker massacre I just endured was my reward for washing the windows and cleaning the garage.”
“I’ve tried to offer my services, but he says you do a much better job with everything. I didn’t realize how inadequate he thought I was until all of you started helping out.”
“That’s comforting,” Tim grumbled. He laid his head back, using the moment to relax. He was just closing his eyes when the front door flew open.
“Hi everybody!” Peggy came into the foyer looking her happy self.
Tim got to his feet again and welcomed her in to join them. “Thank god, you’re back.”
Peggy gave him a sweet smile. “Hi honey, did you have a good day?”
Tim returned a blank stare. “What do you think?”
“Oh my, was Arel a little restless again? What did you do?”
Tim looked at his hand and started counting off his fingers. “We had to play Arel’s favorite computer game, but we stopped when he got bored with beating me. Then he wanted to get some prep work done for dinner tonight, but as soon as we got started in the kitchen he felt tired and had to go lay down. I ended up peeling about six pounds of potatoes and washing a crap load of salad stuff. Excuse my French, Peggy, Michael. Somewhere along the line, I washed some windows. When I was finished, I went in to check on him. He was having trouble sleeping so I read him two chapters of War and Peace. After that, he took a ten minute nap and woke up wanting to play poker. And now my wallet is light thirty bucks.”
“Wow,” exclaimed Peggy. “Sounds like the poor baby had a full afternoon.”
Tim started towards the foyer stairs. “I know that I’m ready for bed. Tell the little darling that I’m downstairs taking a nap.”
“Sweetie, you’re taking a lot of naps over here, are you okay?”
“Yeah, sure, I’ll be back up in a little while.”
* * * * *
Michael watched as the young man disappeared down the stairs. Both Tim and Kevin seemed to be using the lower quarters as an “Arel free zone” where they could escape for short periods. He hoped that Tim got a good nap in. There was a dinner party planned for that night. Tim was first on Arel’s list of helpers.
Peggy walked over to where Michael was sitting and frowned. “Tim’s been so tired lately.”
“He’s a very caring person. He’s doing a great job, and—” Michael paused when Arel came into the living room carrying a sandwich.
“Great to see you, Peggy,” Arel said with a smile. “I heard you and Michael talking about someone doing a great job. Were you discussing me again?” Before Peggy could answer, Arel glanced around the room. “Where’s Tim? I made him something to eat.”
Peggy went over to Arel and hugged him carefully, as if he might break if she squeezed too tight. “Hello, sweetheart. Tim’s taking a nap downstairs. But that was so thoughtful of you to make him something. You’re such an angel.”
Arel beamed back at her. “Why don’t you eat it? Are you hungry?”
Peggy nodded. “Yes, hungry and tired from shopping. It’s a good thing we postponed our wedding for a month. With my accident and everything, it would have been too much. By the way I picked up your shirts from the cleaners, but the drugstore was out of that special brand of toothpaste that you use.”
“Thank you so much. You’re so considerate and helpful” Arel said with a sigh. “But I really wish you hadn’t postponed your wedding. I feel like I’m a big part of why you had to push back the date.”
Peggy gave him a dismissive wave. “Don’t be silly. It’s worked out better this way.”
Arel’s face was still contrite as he held out the sandwich. “At least eat this. You need your strength,” he insisted.
Peggy took the sandwich and started for the dining room. As she was about to sit down, Arel held up a hand.
“Allow me, my lady,” he said as he pulled out her chair.
Peggy's eyes sparkled brightly. “Thank you, sweetie. You’re such a gentleman.”
After Peggy sat down, Arel tried to help push the chair back in and gasped. “Ow, ow, ow.” He made short, plaintive sounds as he grabbed his chest.
Peggy was off the chair instantly. “You and Tim overdid it, didn’t you?” she cried out. “I have to talk to him.”
Michael hurried over too. “What can I do?”
Arel ignored him and turned to Peggy for help. “Don’t worry, it’ll pass, but maybe I should sit in the living room.”
Peggy responded at once. “Of course, lean on me.”
“Thank you,” Arel gasped as he grabbed Peggy’s arm and let her help him over to a recliner. “And please promise me that you won’t say anything to Tim. We were just having fun, really.”
Michael watched as Arel’s second victim of the day was called into service. He tried to intervene. “Peggy, I’ll stay with Arel while you eat your lunch.”
Peggy barely looked up at him. Instead, she hovered anxiously over Arel, pushing back his hair and cooing at him as if he was her child. “That’s okay, Michael, I’m fine.”
Arel still had a hand on his chest as he looked up at her. “Michael’s right. Go eat, please,” he said breathlessly.
“Yes, you need to take care of yourself,” Michael suggested. Of course, being an angel, he could feel Peggy’s energy of rising concern. Saving her from the
fragile beast in the recliner wasn’t going to happen.
Peggy smiled back at him sweetly. “Arel’s health is more important than my lunch.”
Arel frowned and shook his head. “No, Peggy, you need to take care of yourself too. Besides, I put lots of love in that sandwich. You can’t let it go to waste.”
Peggy blushed and then kissed Arel’s cheek again. “You are the sweetest baby, aren’t you?” She looked at Michael. “Would you be a dear and bring over my sandwich? I’ll sit on the footstool and eat it here, close to Arel.”
Michael watched the interaction between the twosome. Arel’s eyes were dreamily focused on Peggy as she fanned him with a section of newspaper. As he started to retrieve the sandwich, Peggy called out to him.
“And please, Michael, turn down the air conditioner,” she said. “Arel looks like he’s getting too warm.”
As Michael left them to carry out his duties, he was quite amazed. Arel was not only an impeccable poker player, but his people management skills were faultless.
* * * * *
By evening, Arel felt stronger. He insisted on going ahead with the scheduled, dinner party. He felt even better when Carol and Kevin arrived. They were holding hands, with Kevin looking very cheerful as he clung to Carol like found treasure. The feeling seemed to be mutual. Carol’s face was radiant whenever she glanced up at him.
Arel had never seen her glow like that before, but he knew that look. Justina had once gazed at him in that way. Now he was overjoyed that the couple could share that same feeling of bliss. In a small way, he’d helped to bring it about, but he’d never dared to hope that they could fall so deeply in love after their rocky break-up.
“It’s good to see you both,” he said with a smile.
Carol let go of Kevin and rushed over to where he was sitting on the sofa. “You’ve been wonderful. Your advice has been so helpful,” she whispered as she hugged him. “Thank you.”
Kevin caught up a moment later. “How’s it going, old buddy?”
Arel released Carol back into Kevin’s arms and smiled. “I’m fine, but Peggy and Tim chased me out of the kitchen. They insisted that I stay here until they tell me otherwise.”
