With Wally as close to him as possible, Norman lifted his finger and touched Wally’s forehead. “Here,” said Norman, “It’s my love.”
Wally squealed with delight. A feeling of intense satisfaction came upon him, and he began to purr like the happiest kitten on the planet. He could feel Norman’s arms around him, Norman’s lips on his, the warmth of Norman’s body, and even Norman’s breath as a whisper in his ear. “I love you, Wally.” But Norman had not moved.
“Wow,” exclaimed Wally. “You’re incredible.”
A low rumble, like thunder, got their attention. A whistling sound, like the wind, went here and there throughout the room. Everything became quiet. Then a resonant masculine voice spoke, “Norman!. Haven’t we warned you about such behavior with humans?”
Wally’s mouth flew open. He gasped. “That must be God! Oh, good heavens, what have we done?”
Norman looked at Wally. “No, that’s not God. That’s the Arch-Angel Superior, Gordon. He’s my boss. I guess it’s time for me to go. I’ve done it again.”
Wally’s spirit sunk within him. “Don’t leave me, Norman.”
“I have to. Listen, you’re going to be OK. I just put some of my love in your heart, to stay there forever. He looked at Wally and blew another kiss. “I love you, Wally.”
“I love you, Norman,” said Wally, trying to hold back the tears.
The thunder rumbled again, and the wind whistled. The room shook, but the resonant masculine voice did not speak.
Instead, a breeze as fresh as a spring day meandered around the room. It moved as a gentle whisper, a winsome presence scampering across Wally’s face, a soft sound like that of fingers rubbing the rim of a crystal goblet. Delicate wind chimes began to clink and tinkle. Wally’s mind transported him to a time when he was ten years old, to a swing on his grandmother’s porch. He remembered his conversation with God, how he had thanked him for the beauty of the flowers, the sky, and the clouds.
The breeze paused. The music stopped. Wally snapped back to reality as Norman made a low whistling sound to get his attention.
“Wally!. God, himself, just came into the room. I think I am in big trouble.”
A gentle voice--mixing all the pleasant qualities of a favorite aunt, a grandfather, a lady who tells stories at church camp, and a kid brother--broke the silence, “OK, Gordon. You can go back to your office. I am going to handle this.”
Norman chewed his amber-glowing angelic lip. Wally shook with fear. He was tempted to close his eyes but curiosity got the best of him.
The gentle voice spoke again. “Norman, you have committed some very serious infractions of the code of angelic behavior. Yet, in my onmiscience, I understand why you acted as you did.”
Norman gulped. “You do?”
“Yes, my child. You were in love with young Wally, here.”
Norman remarked. “Yes, sir. I mean, Your Holiness. No, that’s for the Pope. Yes, sir, Your Righteousness. Oh, darn. I keep messing up.”
“Norman,” said God in a gentle, motherly tone. “Just call me God. That’s my name.”
Norman relaxed. “OK, God. I was. . . I mean, I am in love with Wally. They told me I had malfunctioned. They are going to reprogram me or recycle me, or something. It doesn’t sound good.”
“No, it doesn’t. That’s why I decided to intervene. I know what love is because I created it. I run my universe on it. And, I, God, wrote the book on it. You know--the Bible. I will admit that your behavior was improper. Then I looked at the why and the how. I recalled a young boy who talked to me like I was sitting next to him on a porch swing, and told me how beautiful my creation was. That little boy grew up, and you fell in love with him.”
God spoke to Wally, “Just for the record, young man, I was sitting beside you in that swing, and it was a delightful afternoon. Thank you.”
Wally dropped to his knees. “Oh, Lord. I mean God, sir. I love you as much as I did then. I want to please you. But, I’ve got these feelings for Norman. It’s a mess.”
“No, young Wally. It’s a mystery. It defies human understanding. I am going to overrule Norman’s superior. Here is my pronouncement. Norman, get on your knees like Wally.”
Norman hopped off the foot of the bed and knelt beside Wally.
God continued, “Norman of the Amber City, you shall continue to glow for two days, sixteen hours, and twenty-four minutes. During that time, your holographic presence will gradually return to virtual flesh. As the glow subsides, the virtual flesh shall become real flesh.”
Norman’s face glowed even brighter as a wide smile spread across it.
“Wipe that grin off your face. I am still issuing my pronouncement.”
Norman’s countenance became more serious.
“Listen carefully to me, both of you. During the two days, sixteen hours, and twenty-four minutes, you, Norman, and you, Wally, are not to touch each other in any way, and neither of you is to leave this apartment for any reason. Wally, you will be permitted to phone your boss that you are unable to come to work. Norman, you need to do that, also.” God paused to reflect that he had covered everything. “Now, for the consequences,” he resumed. “If you disobey me, Norman, your virtual flesh will never become real flesh. If you disobey me, Wally, you shall glow in shimmering amber color for the next five years. I am sure that will create a stir at the shopping mall and at work.”
“You mean we can live together with your blessings?” asked Norman.
“No,” said God. “You may inhabit this apartment together. No doubt, your love affair will continue whether I permit it or not. I cannot condemn love. However, the Church will have to get some discussions going and make a determination about issues like this. It is becoming more widespread. I will be watching. Once in a while I might nudge somebody to speak his mind. But, it will be my people who decide. That is why I gave them brains.”
The winsome presence began to leave the room. The gentle breeze meandered close behind. At the corner of the room came God’s admonishment. “OK, guys. I am really serious about the two days, sixteen hours, and whatever. Exercise your self-control and keep your paws off each other. Is that clear?”
Wally stood up and began to jump with glee. “Oh, Norman, I could hug you and kiss you until you would have to come up for air.”
“Now, wait a minute, Wally, oh boy. You heard the man--you know God, as in God, God. He’s going to give me real flesh to cuddle up next to you. You think the virtual Norman was hot? You ain’t seen nothing till you end up on the mattress with the real Norman.”
“Well, I guess you’re right. It will be worth waiting for. Do you reckon we can pull it off?”
Norman looked at Wally. His countenance was stern. “Listen, Wally. Go take a cold shower. After that, let’s not be in the same room at the same time until the trial period is over. Then, I’ll make it up to you. I love you, man. This time, I’m going to get it right.”
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