by Mary May
“Have you ever seen such a beautiful cross? It was blessed by a very strong minister!” The woman cringed slightly then stepped back slowly, eyeing the cross, Cleo and Gideon. Cleo continued to hold out the small cross, smiling at the possessed woman and taking a step forward every time she would step backwards.
“Yes, it’s lovely, but I just remembered that I have to be somewhere else.”
Cleo continued to “walk” the woman down the hall to the front door. “That’s right, you do have to be somewhere else, you evil thing, and it better not ever be here, do you hear me? Now scat!”
The woman turned and with a long hate-filled look she walked out the door. Cleo shut the door then leaned against it, clutching the cross to her chest. “Oh, Mr. Gideon, I know you were right with me just now, and I surely do thank you. I could feel your strength holding me up!”
Gideon looked around for something to write with. He didn’t see any paper handy, but he spotted some dirt on the floor tracked in by all those little feet. He knelt down and wrote “closet” in the dust.
Cleo watched as the word appeared in the dirt on the floor. She had to hand it to the guy -- he was creative! She scuffed out the message then hurried down the hallway to her “prayer closet.” She had stocked it with a dry erase board and markers. figuring that Gideon could erase whatever he had written easier than destroying the paper.
When she entered the closet, Gideon already had his first message waiting on her. “Good job!”
Cleo sat down in the chair and just shook her head. “Mr. Gideon, I was scared spitless! That woman was eat up with evil!”
The words disappeared then new ones appeared: “Possessed, by a low-ranking demon, very evil but weak.”
Cleo read the words then nodded her head. “If you say so. Why do you reckon it was here today?”
The words once more vanished then in a few seconds this appeared. “Not sure. For some reason they seemed to be very attracted to this family. I fought off a very high-ranking demon leader and his minions a while back. They were trying to attack Sabrina and Charlie in a parking lot. Something is luring them here.”
Cleo’s eyes widened as she read the new message she held out her hands. “That don’t make any sense! These are good God-fearing folks! I’ve never met a sweeter person than Miss Sabrina, and her family is real fine, too. What on earth would be bringing something like that evil woman here?”
This time Gideon had written,“ I don’t know, but I WILL find out!”
A few hours later after the crowd had cleared Cleo, Sabrina, and Edgar were in the kitchen cleaning up when the doorbell chimed. Still feeling a little nervous that it could be the possessed woman returning, Cleo fisted her cross in her hand and had a fierce scowl on her face when she opened the door… to find her daughter standing there!
“Maman? Why are you frowning so? Are you not happy to see us?”
Cleo cried out in joy then reached with both arms to pull as much of her family into them as she could. “Ah, merci, merci! Yes, my angels! I have missed you so much my heart near stopped beating from it!”
They were all standing there smiling at her. Daughter Shayla with her husband K.C., and three little stair-stepped children, Hannah, Sophie, and baby Dominique. Lined out behind K.C. stood her four sons, Jon, Brennan, Kanan, and Stefan. Cleo hugged each of them tightly, wiping away tears as she ushered them all into the house to meet her new extended family.
“Miss Sabrina, look who done showed up at our doorstep!”
Sabrina came out of the kitchen followed by Edgar. She was smiling at the cluster that surrounded Cleo; she had no doubt that this was her family. They all had inherited her trademark smile, at least her daughter and grandchildren had. Her sons didn’t look real happy at the moment.
“Oh, my goodness! Cleo, they are so beautiful! Welcome to our home. Please, let’s go into the den. It’s been crazy here today!”
Cleo watched as her children had the same reaction to the splendor of the house as she did. K.C. was nearly tripping over his own feet as he looked up and around, every direction but straight ahead. Shayla and the girls looked spellbound while her sons glowered. She knew what they were thinking. They had a natural distrust of people that were well off. They had been treated very poorly in the past by people of “means,” but Cleo knew it wouldn’t take them long to come to love her new family.
After they had settled into the den, refreshments were handed out, and they started to get to know one another. Shayla was sweet and so pretty that Sabrina kept staring at her in awe. K.C was a charmer with a wonderful sense of humor. He had her laughing as he told Cleo how his church was doing and some of the messes his daughters had gotten him into. Cleo laughed and cried tears of joy at being with her family again.
“You know your little monkeys are gonna be handful sure enough, K.C. Ponteria, don’t be pretending you’re all shocked and surprised…they are your children!” Sabrina had been flirting with baby Dominique, and the eighteen month old finally came toddling over to sit in her lap. She watched to see what Charlie’s reaction might be, but her daughter was too thrilled to have more playmates and had taken to Hannah and Sophie very quickly. She tried to engage Cleo’s sons in conversation. While they were very polite and answered her questions, they didn’t offer anything more. She finally just decided to let them join in when they felt more comfortable doing so.
After an hour or so Sabrina, got up and announced she had to get started cleaning up in the kitchen. She stopped Cleo when she started to rise and join her. “Absolutely not! You stay right here, and you visit with your family. Edgar and I got this.”
When Sabrina had left, Cleo turned back to her family and smiled. “What do you think of Sabrina? I loved her almost instantly!”
Shayla smiled, and nodded. “She is very sweet, and she almost has a pure essence about her; I like her. Now that butler… he has a different vibe altogether.” Shayla shook her head, sending her mass of wild curls flying. “He has a story to tell, that one does, I bet!”
Cleo turned to her sons and they each just nodded and agreed that she seemed very nice. Stefan motioned around the room? “Do you really feel at home here, Maman? It’s like living in a fancy hotel or something, and a butler?”
Cleo looked around the room, “Yes, it’s mighty big and it’s very nice, but once you get to know Sabrina and her family, you kinda forget all of this, and Edgar is really more like family. That how Sabrina works; if you live here, you’re family by blood or not!” She waved her hand around the room. “She has big plans for turning this place into a spiritual retreat, so I want each of you praying to the good Lord about that, you hear?”
Jon leaned forward and took his mother’s hand into his. “Maman, when will you be done here and come home? I know that these people are real nice, but we are your true family, and we miss you!”
Cleo knew her children missed her, and she missed them terribly, but it wasn’t time for her to leave yet. She prayed for wisdom to help them understand that. “Do you remember when Shayla was carrying her babes? I left home, and went down to their home when her time got close to help her. I had to stay until her babies were born and make sure she was well enough to handle everything on her own before I came home. This is something like that. I have to wait until I have done what I was sent here to do, and that hasn’t happened yet. I’m not sure how long it will take for this “baby” to be born. Do you understand me?” Everyone nodded in agreement except for Kenan. He just got up and walked over to the tall windows to look out at the sprawling manicured lawn with its flowering beds and walking paths. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his chin was set in that mulish expression that Cleo knew was trouble. Her oldest always was the most hardheaded out of the bunch, but he also loved the deepest.
She walked over and tapped his arm. “What is it, Kenan? Talk to me.”
He was silent but she could see the wheels spinning in his mind. He finally looked down at her and spoke. “You need to come home.
You have been here for six months…maybe this baby isn’t ever gonna be born. You can’t stay here forever.”
Cleo reached and turned him around to face her. “Son, I’m not going to be here forever. I will be here as long as the Lord has me here. You are a grown man, and you have your brothers and your sister. I am just a phone call away or you can come visit. You are more than welcome and we have plenty of room, but please don’t ask me to go against what the Lord has asked me to do.”
Kenan sighed. “I don’t belong here, and neither do you. This isn’t your home, and they are not your family. Let the Lord find someone else to baby watch or whatever.”
Cleo smacked his arm. “Kenan Saul, do not use that tone with me. Now I have done told you all I’m going to that I’m not done here yet. I know where my home is and I most certainly know who my family is. Stop acting like a child, you hear me?”
Kenan knew when to leave it alone, so he wisely just nodded and gave his mother a kiss on the cheek.
Shayla cleared her throat. “Maman, I have something, well, that is, K.C and I have something we need to discuss with you.”
Cleo noticed that she looked nervous and was holding her husband’s hand for support. “Ok, what is it?”
K.C. stood up and paced for a moment. “Maman, I have been selected to head a missionary trip to Kenya. We are scheduled to leave in less than a month.”
Cleo looked at Shayla who smiled and nodded her head in confirmation. “Kenya? Really? That’s…something.” Cleo didn’t know what to feel about this at all. She was scared; that was her first emotion.
K.C. walked over and took her hand. “Talk to me, maman. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
Cleo laughed softly; that was exactly what she had just said to Kenan. “I’m concerned. That’s the truth, but I’m excited for you, too…I know this will be a wonderful opportunity…but I am concerned.”
Shayla got up and stood next to her husband. “We have prayed really hard about this…We understand the risks and the dangers that we will face. We believe in our hearts this is God’s will for our lives right now. That’s why we came to get your blessing and your prayers. Please tell me you understand, and you support our decision!”
Cleo looked at the hope shining in their eyes. She knew that K.C wouldn’t take Shayla anywhere that he didn’t feel the Lord was leading them. She also understood Kenan’s attitude now. He was hoping she would put a stop to his sister’s leaving the country. But she knew that wasn’t what she needed to do here. So she did what she knew she needed to do. She prayed over her family for the Lord’s protection, guidance and blessing. Then she hugged their necks one more time and walked them to the front door…
That night after everyone had left, Gideon was in Edgar’s room talking to him about what had happened earlier. Edgar looked grave as Gideon told him the details. Then he nodded his head. “So, that’s what had the other guardians so worried.”
Gideon nodded in agreement. “Most likely.” Then he stopped and cocked his head at Edgar. “Wait…What?”
Edgar looked at him like he was a little slow then repeated his statement. “I said, that’s what had the other guardians so worried.”
Gideon stood to his feet and stared down at the old butler. “You can SEE the other guardians?” he asked in disbelief.
Edgars raised both of his bushy white eyebrows. “Yes.”
Gideon flung his arms out. “Why didn’t you tell me this? All this time I could have used you to communicate with them and we could have had this house secure! Why would you keep this from me?”
Edgar shrugged his shoulders. “I think the better question would be why would I have to TELL you? If I can see YOU, wouldn’t it stand to reason that I could see the others as well? Or did you think you were just that special?”
Gideon stood there for several long seconds trying to come up with a comeback for that when he finally just heaved a sighed and sat back down. “Actually…yes… I guess I did think that.”
Edgar puttered around his kitchen for a few moments, giving the angel time to come to terms with his revelation. He made some tea and brought two cups to the table.
Gideon looked at the cup that was set before him. “You know I don’t eat or drink.”
Edgar pointed to the cup. “I know since you don’t NEED to eat or drink doesn’t mean you can’t. Have you ever tried?”
Gideon picked up the cup and sniffed at the liquid. “No, I never had a reason to before.”
Edgar sipped at his tea. “Well, it’s very soothing and you could use some soothing right now to smooth your ruffled feathers.” Edgar then chuckled at his own joke. “Ruffled feathers…”
Gideon looked at him, rolling his eyes, then he put the cup to his lips and allowed a small amount of the warm tea into his mouth. He immediately started coughing and gagging. He wheezed and grabbed his throat, trying to catch his breath. Edgar jumped up, pounding his back between his wings until he stopped coughing so hard. Gideon looked at Edgar with teary eyes and shoved the cup across the table. “You did that on purpose!”
Once Edgar realized Gideon was okay, he started laughing. “Oh, come now, don’t be such a baby! I didn’t think I would have to tell you to swallow it! You can’t just let it slide down; you have to work your throat muscles and push it down!” The butler walked back around to his side of the table and sat down. “That wasn’t bad for your first try.”
Gideon cleared his throat, still a little choked. “First and last try, thank you.”
Edgar picked up his cup again. “So, you really thought I could only see you?”
The angel across the table nodded. “I really did. You never mentioned the others. Do they know you can see them?”
Edgar scoffed, “Of course not! You wouldn’t know if you weren’t such a busy- body and knew your place.”
Gideon drummed his long fingers on the table. “Are they aware that I am here?”
Edgar shook his head. “If they are, they don’t show it.”
Gideon got up and paced the room a few times. “How did they react today? To the demon?”
The butler thought for a moment. “They were very watchful and stayed close to their human, but they didn’t brandish swords or weapons, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Gideon paced some more. “Okay, not counting the guests today, can you describe the guardians for the family for me? Male or female?”
Edgar ticked them off on his fingers. “Sabrina’s is a female, Catherine’s and Evan’s are both male; Keelie has two now that she is with child and they are both female, and Carl’s is a male. If Cleo has one, I can’t see it.”
That stopped him in his tracks. “What do you mean you can’t see Cleo’s? Why not and what about yours?”
Edgar shrugged his shoulders. “I mean I can’t see Cleo’s and I can’t see mine either. I don’t know why.”
“Okay, I need you to let them know that I am here and that you can see them. I can speak to them through you and we can make a defense plan for the house.”
Edgar folded his arms across his chest. “I don’t think so, angel.”
Gideon glared down at him. “That’s not a request.”
Edgar glared back, undaunted. “I didn’t make it to live this long by letting all the ‘others’ know of my little gift. I do not intend to start now. If you want to play army, you’re going to have to do it without me.”
Gideon felt his jaw muscle start to tic…not a good sign!
“Edgar, I just told you that something very ugly and very evil was in your house this very afternoon. Are you honestly going to sit there and tell me that you refuse to help protect the family that you claim to love?”
The butler got up and did some pacing himself. After a few minutes he looked back at Gideon. “Are you absolutely certain that there isn’t another way of protecting them?”
Gideon answered without hesitation, “No.”
Chapter 15
Edgar and Gideon tiptoed down the hallway to Sab
rina’s room. “I cannot believe that with all your thousands of years of war planning THIS is your best idea for getting their attention!”
Gideon smiled at the exasperated tone in Edgar’s voice. “Yeah, well, this maneuver is a little unprecedented for me, too, old man.”
They reached Sabrina’s room and Edgar turned one more time to plead with the angel behind him. “Surely something else will work. Let’s just go think a few minutes longer!”
He tried to walk past Gideon and back down the hallway when Gideon grabbed his arm. “This is the quickest and most simple, so get in there!”
Shooting Gideon a final death glare, Edgar eased opened Sabrina’s door and poked his head inside. He waited a moment for his eyes to adjust; then he spotted Sabrina’s guardian standing by the window looking out at the swan pond. She turned to look at him when he opened the door. “Psstt! You there! Angel girl! I need to speak with you!”
Charlotte heard the door to Sabrina’s room open. When she turned to look, she saw Edgar poke his head in; then he looked right at her and spoke to her. Charlotte froze, not at all sure what she should do. He could most definitely see her because he was pointing at her and motioning for her to follow him out into the hallway.
Edgar looked back at Gideon. “She is just standing there! I think she is in shock!” he whispered.
Gideon laughed softly. “I know the feeling. Tell her that I am here, that it’s okay to come out in the hallway.”
Charlotte watched as the butler pulled his head back and spoke to someone then stuck it back in the bedroom. “Listen, Gideon, is out here and he told me to tell you that it is okay to come out.” Charlotte heard what the man said but she didn’t believe it. Why would the commander over the warriors be here? Again Edgar spoke to someone. “Charlotte, Gideon will explain everything. Just please come out in the hallway so we don’t wake Sabrina!”
