“Yeah, absolutely. But not like most of the people in my community. They never actually see the people who need the help; they just throw their money at it. I like to get my hands dirty every now and then. Before the accident, I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity over a couple of Spring breaks and my dad and I always went to the soup kitchens on Thanksgiving to serve meals.”
“And do you plan to continue helping and volunteering now that you’ve recovered?”
“I hope so. I missed half of my junior and almost all of my senior year. I’m really behind. I’ve been taking virtual classes since I got out of the hospital, but I still have to take classes over the summer to earn my diploma. Maybe after that I can volunteer during breaks in college. Penn agreed to let me start a semester later due to the circumstances, so I won’t be too far behind when I start.”
David cringed when she spoke about her plans. While she could technically still go to college, she won’t have the bright future she planned for herself. Her future would be one of secrets, solitude, and hiding from those who hunt her. “I think you’ll make a big difference in this world one day, Tessa,” David told her, smoothing a stray piece of hair from her face, delighted to see the blush appear on her cheeks. “I think you’re destined for greatness, but do you really think you should rush your recovery? I think they’d understand if you took another year.”
Tessa folded her arms across her chest. “Gee, thanks for the advice, Dad.” Who did he think he was telling her what to do?
David realized too late he said the wrong thing. “Oh, uh, I just meant…” He shook his head and let his hands fall to the sides. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I didn’t mean it.”
Tessa bit her cheek to suppress a smile. He was too cute when he squirmed. “You’re forgiven.”
He smiled back at her and let out a breath. “Thanks. But I do want to explain why I’m here. I’m not like other people you’ve met—”
Before he could continue, Katy Perry’s newest hit sang out from Tessa’s pocket. She jumped a little at the vibration and blushed even deeper when David laughed. Grabbing the phone, she hit “slide to answer” and began speaking to someone on the other end.
“I’m fine, I’m fine. I promise, Erika. I totally forgot about it. No, no need to come here. Enjoy your time with your family,” she said to the other person in reassuring tones. She turned away to get a little privacy, but David could hear both ends of the conversation. He smiled and went to the stove to refill their teacups and give Tessa the illusion of privacy while she talked.
“No one you know. No, I can’t talk about that now. We’ll talk tomorrow. No! He’s not spending the night. Yes, I know what time it is, but from the sounds of it, you’re not in bed either! Listen, I’ve gotta go. We’ll talk in the morning. And I promise to update it right now. I’m sorry I worried you. Goodnight.”
Tessa hung up the phone and slid it back into her pocket, lowering her head to conceal the bright blush that dominated her face. David returned with the tea and she smiled awkwardly and thanked him. There was a moment where they stared at each other, neither saying a word. David started to talk again, but before he got even a word out, she jumped up from her chair. “Oh crap! I almost forgot again. Hold on a sec.”
She opened her phone and furiously typed with her thumbs. Using the stove as a reflector, he could see she was on her Facebook page. “Everything alright?” he asked.
“Yeah. I forgot to update my Facebook to let everyone know you hadn’t killed me,” she nervously explained, “Apparently people were forming a mob and were going to storm the place. It’s okay, I’ve fixed it. Hopefully.” The last part didn’t sound very convincing. “Listen, it’s late, and I’ve had a really long day. I know you didn’t get a chance to tell me whatever it was you came here to say, but can we pick this up again tomorrow? I can meet you for coffee or something?” Tessa tried to fight off a yawn.
“Absolutely, not a problem,” David agreed and went to the sink to rinse out his cup. “I’m free all day, just let me know when.”
“Why don’t you give me your number, and I’ll text you?”
“Um, I don’t have a phone,” David admitted. Living on his own without friends and on the run, he never needed one. But since this was practically unheard of for someone of his pretend age in the twenty-first century, so he quickly followed up with, “I’m changing providers, and it’s being shipped to me. It should arrive in a few days.”
Tessa nodded. “Oh, okay. How about the Starbucks on Allegheny River Boulevard at 1:00 p.m.? Does that work for you?”
David smiled and gathered his coat from the back of one of the barstools. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you then.”
Tessa walked him to the door and stood in front of him. She couldn’t keep still, shifting her weight from side to side and repositioning her hands as if unsure where to put them. Her stomach fluttered as she imagined momentarily a goodnight kiss. This wasn’t a date and I barely know him. Why do I feel so nervous all of a sudden? Should I kiss him? Does he want me to kiss him? Would that be weird?
She was broadcasting her emotions so loudly, It took all of his will power to keep from leaning in and granting her request. She thought about kissing him, and that simple thought alone made his heart practically jump out of his chest.
“Sleep well, Tessa. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight,” she replied as she closed the door and locked it behind him.
He walked down the stairs and paused, watching her draw the curtain and turn out the light. The need to make sure she was safe and protected was one of the strongest emotions he’d felt in a while. He stood straighter, pushing his shoulders back and setting his jaw. His eyes scanned the area, alert for any threat. His usually laid back attitude was overridden when it came to Tessa. He’d fight like hell for her, no matter what.
Giving a final look at the house, he slowly walked away. He wanted to talk to her alone, and Starbucks wasn’t the most ideal place for the conversation, but he couldn’t deny her anything. He would find a way to make it work.
***
Tessa turned out the light and lay back in the bed trying to contain the hundreds of thoughts swirling in her head. Did she really almost lean in and kiss someone she’d only met hours before? And now she was going to meet up with him alone? What did he want to tell her? What happened with her hands earlier? Did David know about it? Everything was beginning to overwhelm her, and she felt a headache coming on.
She tossed and turned in bed, wide awake and unable to get comfortable. Staring at the ceiling, she couldn’t stop thinking about her mom and dad. Where would she be if they hadn’t died? She’d be on the verge of graduating and heading off to college; instead of almost a year behind, alone, and confused with her life crumbling around her. She needed a change, a catalyst that would give her hope for the future and help her stop mourning the past. As she finally drifted off to sleep, David’s bright green eyes were all she could see. She smiled. Maybe he’d be the change she needed.
Tessa ordered her favorite hazelnut mocha frappachino with extra whip and scanned the crowded coffee shop for David. She’d tossed and turned all night, and her dreams were filled with visions of him smiling, but then her hands began to glow, and he ran off screaming that she was a freak. She sighed as she shook the dream away and resumed scanning the coffeehouse for David. She chose a small table back away from the crowd and sat facing the door and sipped her frothy, frozen drink. He opened the door a few minutes later and started toward her. It was all Tessa could do to contain the cheesy smile that showed her giddiness. Finally, a guy who is genuinely interested in me and doesn’t look at me with pity, she mused. She waved him over and placed her clammy hands in her lap, wiping them on her jeans in a vain attempt to dry them.
“Good afternoon, I hope you slept well,” David greeted her as he slipped into the seat across from her.
“Wow, I haven’t heard someone so formal since the charity high tea lu
ncheon,” she teased.
David chided himself silently and felt heat stain his cheeks red. “Sorry, my parents were kind of old fashioned I guess.”
“No, I was just teasing. It’s cute.” They sat silent for a moment, each beholding the other’s gaze in an almost hypnotic trance. Emotions ran across her eyes as heat flooded her body. Finally, Tessa turned away, breaking the spell. “Um, did you want anything to drink?”
“No, thanks, but do you mind if we talk and walk at the same time? It’s such a lovely day outside.” He stood, not waiting for her reply and held out his arm. She nodded and slipped her arm in the crook of his elbow, letting him lead her outside. They headed for the park, which prevented any nervousness about being alone with him. Signs of warmer weather were finally emerging, so it was a perfect day for a walk. They walked along the bike path next to the river, admiring the blossoms and trees that marked springtime. Fox Chapel sat in a valley surrounded by hills of green trees and a flowing river that led into the city and looked beautiful this time of year. A few people were out running, walking their dogs, or riding their bikes along the path, but for the most part they were alone as they leisurely strolled along. After twenty minutes of silent walking, David finally spoke.
“I don’t know where to begin, Tessa. I keep trying to figure out a way to tell you, but everything seems to be the wrong thing to say. I don’t want you to hate me.”
Tessa tilted her head to the side. “Why would I hate you? It’s not like you’re the person who shot and killed my parents, right?”
“No. I would never take a life. But what I did was still life altering.”
“You’re right. You did alter my life. If not for you, I’d be dead. You saved my life. I can never repay you.”
David sighed, knowing she wouldn’t feel the same after he delivered the next blow. “Tessa, you should’ve died that day. Your injuries were fatal. Everyone said it was a miracle you survived, and they’re sort of right.” He studied her face and honed in on her emotions to see how she took his news so far. She was confused, and he knew he was doing a lousy job explaining, so he sucked up his anxiety and took the direct approach.
“I kept you from dying that day Tessa, but not by mortal means. I healed you. I was an angel of God for hundreds of years specializing in healing. But a few decades ago, I had a—“, he paused, avoiding her eyes, “disagreement with God and cut off my wings, but I still retained my powers. When I saw you get shot, I used my abilities to help you survive. You weren’t supposed to live, but I couldn’t watch you die. You were so close to death—so very close—I continued to heal you over the next few weeks at the hospital. That’s why you survived.”
Tessa stopped walking, let go of his arm, and stared in disbelief. She debated running away and screaming or calling Western Psych and getting him admitted. It was obvious he needed professional help if he believed any of the things he’d just said. She watched him closely as she backed up slowly, ready to run if he grabbed her or if he posed any other type of threat. She tried to remember where her phone was to call 9-1-1. Just how deep were his delusions? Would he hurt her if she didn’t play along? As she reached into her back pocket for her phone, he said the one thing that prevented her from moving another inch.
“When I heal, my hands glow like warm candlelight.”
Tessa looked into his eyes and saw desperation. Her mind reeled and her knees went a little weak, but before she could fall, he had a hold of her and helped her sit on a nearby bench. Was this some kind of sick joke? Was he being cruel on purpose? she wondered. Unable to look at him, she stared at her hands. After a few minutes of allowing her to digest what he said, David continued.
“I healed you with my hands. It’s an ability given to all Healer angels. Our hands are blessed by God and we have been granted the ability to make any living thing better and to take away pain, from healing cancer to mending the broken wing of a butterfly. We are immortal beings that serve and protect life against many forces of destruction.”
“But—What about—I—“Tessa stuttered, unable to form thoughts or questions.
David’s throat was thick as he spoke, barely able to choke the words out. “I healed you, but I went too far. Instead of stopping when your body was able to heal itself, I kept taking your pain away. I used too much of my ability and transferred some to you. I’m so sorry Tessa.” He dropped his chin to his chest, arms hanging limply at his side. He loathed himself at this moment, for burdening her with this.
“What does this mean?” she asked, still not believing his story but attempting to make sense of it.
David winced. He hated what he was about to tell her next. “You’re one of us now. You’re immortal. You have the ability to heal by touching someone. That’s what happened when your friend Morgan got hurt and when the bump on your head went away after you fell. You healed them.”
Tessa snorted. She’d be joining him in the loony bin if she continued to give credence to this ridiculous line of thought. Even so, she found herself thinking more about it, and she reluctantly asked him more questions as she remembered the incident at the restaurant. “But you said it was an ability given by God. If your story is true, God didn’t bless me, so how can I do this?”
Hope swelled within David. The simple fact that she asked him questions meant she considered the possibility of what he said. Maybe she wouldn’t hate him for centuries after all. He swallowed hard and answered her. “Most angels originate after their human life has ended, but that’s not the only way to create them. There are exceptions, and you’re one of those exceptions.”
“How did you create me? I mean, how did this happen?”
“Like I just said, I kept visiting you in the hospital to heal you—“
“No, I mean how do you know I’m immortal or whatever? Maybe you can’t make another angel. Maybe I’m still normal and you’re simply mistaken.” Fear rose in Tessa as her heart raced. This can’t be happening. I’m just a normal girl. I am not a freak.
“I’m sure Tessa.”
“How do you know for sure?”
“Because I’ve seen proof. I saw you heal. It was while you were still in a coma. A nurse came by to change some bandages one evening. As she bent over, I saw a soft glow begin. When I leaned over and focused more closely, I noticed the nurse had a small wound on her thigh from walking into a portable x-ray machine earlier in the evening. Without even trying, your hand lifted toward the wound and you healed it. Luckily, the nurse was distracted with other things and never noticed. But I knew instantly what happened.”
And what went wrong, he thought, recalling the incident. When he saw her heal that nurse, his eyes widened like saucers, catching the attention of the nurse. He scrambled out of the chair and rushed out of Tessa’s hospital room. It was the last time he visited her.
Tessa still looked skeptical. He needed to give her proof, so he went with the first idea that came to him, just hoping she didn’t faint this time. He sliced a small section of his thumb with his pocketknife and held it out to Tessa. Their eyes locked, and she held her breath. This is it, now or never, he thought. When she didn’t move, he placed his thumb in her hands and they glowed. He smiled when her jaw dropped and she couldn’t form words. After a minute, the pooled blood disappeared back inside the wound, and his skin sealed itself as if nothing ever happened.
Horrified and refusing to believe any of this could be real, Tessa dropped her drink, shoved David away and ran back to her car. It was too much; she needed to get away from him—from all of this.
David didn’t follow. It broke him to see the tears welling in her eyes. He watched her run and tried to shut out the emotions blaring in his head. Knowing he hurt her was one thing, but feeling the true extent and knowing he was the cause was something almost unbearable. He would give her a day or two and see if she would be ready to talk then. She sped out of the parking lot and away from him, tires squealing as her rear end fishtailed. At least I don’t need to worry about her being hur
t in an accident, he thought grimly.
Tessa sat in her car at the stoplight and rested her head on the steering wheel as she attempted to calm her breathing. She couldn’t shake the queasiness and dizziness as her thoughts spun around and around. She had no idea what her next step should be. Should she go home and pretend none of this happened? Should she go to the police to report a crazy lunatic out on the loose? Maybe she should call Morgan and tell her what happened? A car behind her honked, snapping her back to attention and the green light in front of her. She pulled through the intersection, but had no idea of her destination. Before she could decide, her phone rang. With her hands still trembling, she reached out to pick it up and gave a slow smile seeing the caller ID.
“Hey, you!” she greeted, hoping it wasn’t obvious that she was faking her chipper tone. She didn’t want to worry Erika.
“Hi, Miss Tessa!” little Beatrice sang. “I miss playing with you; can you come over and play?”
A wide smile spread across Tessa’s face when she heard the sweet little girl who could turn Oscar the Grouch into Elmo. “Oh, sweetie, I miss playing with you too. I’d love to come over. I bet you want to play Hungry, Hungry Hippos, right?
“Yes, yes, yes,” the little girl squealed in delight and Tessa heard her jumping up and down, probably still in her Dora the Explorer footy pajamas.
“Okay, but we have to ask your mommy first. Can I talk to her?”
Tessa heard the phone drop and little feet patter down the hall. The next thing she knew, Erika picked up the receiver. “Tessa? Is that you? I’m sorry. I didn’t even know Beatrice had the phone. She must have hit redial since you were the last person I called last night. She’s growing up so fast; I didn’t know she could do that yet!”
“Don’t worry about it Erika. I’m always happy to hear from you guys. Beatrice said she wanted me to come over. I have some free time right now. Do you want me to babysit for a while?”
Echo of an Earth Angel (The Earth Angel Trilogy: #1) Page 5
