by Mary May
“Hi, Mama! Hi, Cleo! Hi, twin terrors!” Charlie called out as she flung her backpack into the corner. Both boys came running and tackled her legs, nearly knocking her to the ground.
“Charlie! Charlie!” They chanted.
“Ok! Ok! I’m happy to see you, too! Now let me go get something to eat!” She pried their arms from around her legs then walked into the kitchen where her mama had her cookies and milk waiting for her. There were certain things she had come to depend on: The sun rising in the east and setting in the west, the twins always touching her things and her mama always having cookies and milk waiting for her when she got home from school.
“Hey, baby, how was your day?” Sabrina was busy making gingerbread men cookies and was carefully placing the buttons down the tummy of one in an even row. Charlie’s gingerbread men always looked a little deformed.
“It was good. All done for two whole weeks!” Cleo patted her shoulder.
“Well, now, I know you sure gonna hate not getting up early for two weeks, so I’ll be happy to set my alarm clock for you.”
Charlie nearly choked on her cookie. “Cleo, don’t you dare! I’m looking forward to not getting up early more than anything!” Charlie protested. Cleo laughed as she washed up some baking pans.
“Oh, hush! You know I was just kidding! Probably take a train horn to blast you out of bed anyway on Christmas vacation. Lucky for you, I happen to be all out of train horns.”
Charlie slid off the stool after eating the last cookie. “Thank God.” She smiled at the two women then went to see Edgar. She tapped gently on the old man’s door and waited for his raspy voice to tell her to come in.
“Hi, Edgar! I am officially home on Christmas vacation! No school for two whole weeks!”
He smiled then patted the side of his bed for her to come sit next to him. “Well, now, that sounds fine, Charlie, just fine! Tell me, how did your exams go? I know you were worried about your math. Did you do well on it?”
Charlie nodded. “I think I did ok on it. I know I tried my best. Math is so hard for me. I can do regular math; that makes sense, but fractions give me a brain cramp and now we are starting algebra. When will I ever in my life need to know how to add a number and a letter together? Honestly?”
Edgar chuckled softly. “Depends on what you decide to do with your life, Miss Charlie. I would think some careers such as chemists or biologists would use those equations every day.”
“I can say with all my heart that neither one of those is on my top ten list of career choices, Edgar; I’m just saying. So they are frying my brain cells for no reason.”
He reached out and tapped the side of her head with a finger. “Working your brain will only make it stronger, my girl; remember that, only stronger.”
Charlie smiled as she sat there swinging her legs on the side of the bed. “I don’t know, Edgar, sometimes after math class my brain feels like mush. It sure don’t feel stronger, that’s for sure.”
“Do you have an exercise class in school, Charlie? Maybe a class where you play sports?” Edgar asked.
“Sure, we have P.E. Why do you ask that?”
“Have you ever played a sport or worked out really hard and felt very tired afterwards?”
Charlie nodded her head. “Yeah, sure, lots of times. What does that have to do with math?”
Edgar tapped the side of her head with a finger. “Your brain is a muscle, and the more you work it, the stronger it gets. Don’t worry that it feels like mush afterwards. That’s a good thing. It means you pushed it to learn something new. You are capable of anything you set your mind to, Charlie. The only limitations are the limitations you set upon yourself. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
Edgar looked at her seriously and Charlie nodded before jumping off the bed and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Do you need anything, Edgar? I’m going to go help Mama and Cleo make cookies.”
“No, I think I’ll just take a little nap, Charlie. You go bake your cookies.” Charlie walked to the door, turning back to smile at him.
“Love you, Edgar.”
“And I love you, Miss Charlie,” Edgar replied. Then she quietly shut the door…
Charlotte and Gideon along with Kavik sat perched on the staircase above the kitchen watching as mounds of cookies and other Christmas goodies were being made. The scent of vanilla and cinnamon filled the air, making the angels sniff the air longingly.
“No way they can actually taste as good they smell,” Charlotte said wistfully. “Have you ever tried to eat anything, Gideon?”
Thinking back to the time he tried a sip of Edgar’s tea had him grinning. “Actually I did once and I don’t recommend it. I’ll leave the actual chewing and swallowing to the humans. I’ll just enjoy the sniffing. It’s less painful.”
Kavik nodded. “I hear you, brother. I tried a bite of Cleo’s shrimp boil once.” When he trailed off without elaborating, Gideon looked at him with a grin. “Was it bad?” he asked.
“Words cannot describe.” Kavik’s deadpan reply made them all laugh.
Casting a worried glance toward his friend’s room, Gideon couldn’t help but wonder just how much longer he would have him here to talk to. Following the direction of his gaze, Charlotte knew what he was thinking.
“His time is coming soon, isn’t it? Who will lead him to heaven, I wonder? Usually the guardian takes them, but Edgar doesn’t have one.”
Charlotte’s question took him by surprise. He hadn’t even thought about that! Who would lead Edgar to heaven?
Chapter 8
It was three days before Christmas and Sabrina was in Edgar’s room. He was napping and she was standing at the window looking at the gray skies that threatened to snow at any moment. The world outside looked the way she felt…gray and gloomy. Devon was home and her parents were due to arrive any moment, so she should be happy. Only Keelie and Carl couldn’t make it because the snow had hit their area first, making driving too hazardous, especially with Kinsley.
Hearing laughter coming from the barn, she looked and saw Charlie and Devon hanging cedar branches with red ribbons over the barn doors because Charlie said the horses wanted to celebrate Christmas, too. Sabrina thought that was fitting because the very first Christmas was actually in a barn of sorts. Sighing deeply, she tried to summon the Christmas spirit that she had felt earlier in the week, but it was no use. All she felt was a deep sadness.
“You will soon fog the window up so much you won’t be able to see a thing with all of your sighing, madam.” Edgar’s voice was so weak that it came out barely above a whisper.
“Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to wake you.” Then she smiled. “You haven’t called me madam in ages.”
Edgar reached out his hand. Sabrina walked over and sat down in the chair next to his bed. “You reminded me of the way you looked when you first came to the estate, sad and lost. Tell me, why do you look sad and lost today?”
Sabrina stared at the floor for a moment then she looked at him. “I’m sad because I know that soon you will be leaving us and I will lose you.”
“Tell me, have you ever seen a caterpillar change into a butterfly, Sabrina?”
“Of course I have.”
“Did you mourn the loss of the caterpillar?”
Sabrina opened her mouth then closed it as she realized the point Edgar was about to make.
“You know that like the caterpillar I’m transforming, changing into something beautiful and glorious. I am ready for that transformation; I am ready for my heavenly body and my heavenly home. Don’t mourn the loss of the caterpillar, Sabrina; rejoice in the freedom of the butterfly. You know that you never truly lose the ones you love, for we are always here in spirit.” He gently touched the area over her heart. “Promise when my time comes that you will do that for me?”
Holding his hand over her cheek, Sabrina nodded her head as tears slipped down her cheeks. “I promise.”
Later that night Gideon stood at the same window wa
tching the first snowflakes fall to the ground. He had been spending his nights in Edgar’s room only going to check on Charlie and the rest of the family every so often. Tonight he wouldn’t even do that unless something happened because when he came in the room and approached the bed, he could barely feel his friend’s life force. Edgar had awakened briefly and given him a smile almost like he knew; then he drifted back to sleep. Gideon did what he did best in situations like this… he paced. He walked from the foot of Edgar’s bed to the window and back a thousand times. He would stop and straighten his covers and pace. He would stop and stare out of the window and pace. He had been staring out of the window when he felt the sweet presence of God and a glow start to fill the room. Turning around quickly, he saw that the glow was coming from above. As it came closer, he saw someone walking down a brightly-lit tunnel. Soon he recognized who it was.
“Hey there, big guy! I was hoping you would be here!” Sherrilyn stepped from the tunnel with a brilliant smile and gave Gideon a warm hug.
“Lord sent you to come take Edgar home?” he asked.
Sherrilyn nodded as she walked over to the bed and looked down at her old friend who lay still and quiet on the bed.
“I actually asked if I could, you know, being that he didn’t have a guardian and all.” Then she grinned. “What do you say we wake the old guy up?” Gideon swallowed a suspicious lump in his throat but he nodded. Sherrilyn reached and took Edgar’s hand.
“Hey, you snooty old man! You gonna lay around for all eternity or what?” Edgar blinked a couple of times and then he slowly opened his eyes at the sound of Sherrilyn’s voice.
“Are you ready to go home, Edgar?” she asked softly. Edgar looked at her in amazement as he rose up and then stepped away from his old body. Standing before her not the stooped withered old butler that she knew but a tall strong young man with coal black hair and striking silver blue eyes.
“Why, Edgar! You’re a hottie!” Sherrilyn laughed as she hugged her dear friend tightly. He pulled back and studied her face that was beautiful and perfect without deep burn scars. He reached out to caress her cheek with his hand.
“Madam, you are so beautiful! Your scars…they are…” he trailed off at a loss for words.
“Yes, they are all gone! I really think you can call me Sherrilyn now, don’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am, I mean Sherrilyn.” He chuckled then he looked over at Gideon who was staring at him in disbelief.
Gideon knew that no one was old in heaven, that everyone was a perfect healthy age somewhere between 25 and 30, but to see it happen right before his eyes was a bit of a shock. Edgar didn’t look at all like the Edgar that he knew. He truly had transformed from the caterpillar to the butterfly, as he explained to Sabrina. He only wished the family could see it. Edgar walked over to him and pulled him into a tight embrace, slapping him firmly between his wings.
“It’s still me, warrior. Now let me journey on to my new home with Sherrilyn. I’m anxious to meet my Savior.” As he said the words, he looked to Sherrilyn, looking a little stunned.
“I really am about to meet Jesus, aren’t I?” His voice shook as he said the name of the One he so longed to meet. Sherrilyn smiled and took his hand as the tunnel once more opened up.
“Yes, my dear sweet friend, you are and He is absolutely wonderful, so much more than anything you have ever imagined!” As they approached the tunnel, Gideon could see more figures waving and could hear laughter and voices calling out to Edgar. As one voice in particular grew louder, Edgar’s head jerked up and tears spilled down his cheeks. A couple that were holding hands stood waiting for him. The last thing that Gideon saw right before the tunnel closed was Edgar falling into the arms of the couple who must have been his mother and father, surrounded by the rest of his family that he had lost so many years ago.
Turning back, he looked at the body that remained on the bed, and he knew that it was exactly that…a body, an empty shell. For Edgar, the spirit and the life, his friend and his mentor, was no longer there, and Gideon rejoiced for the freedom of the butterfly; he did not mourn the loss of the caterpillar…
They laid the body of Edgar Mechel Bornstein to rest on December 27th. It was a small gathering of people that braved the cold as Brother Eddie preached a short but very moving sermon.
“Edgar was so much more than an employee; he was a member of this family and well did he know it. He lived a simple life and I would say few knew the man behind the starched suits and polished shoes, but Edgar lived his life much as Jesus did. He served. He was a man that put the welfare and needs of others before his own. He was humble and quiet-spoken. Not to say that he didn’t have an opinion -- he did and would even speak it on occasion. A lot of people would be surprised to know that Edgar was a Christian because he wasn’t one to flaunt his convictions or faith by outlandish measures. He lived his faith just as he lived his life, with quiet dignity and grace, not calling attention to himself or seeking awards or accolades. Few if any knew how much money he donated to the local charities. If it weren’t for his support, the local animal shelter would have closed years ago. Edgar Bornstein was a great man in this community, though most will never know it, and I know that he would like to keep it that way.
“I will end with this scripture, Mark 10:45 – ‘For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ Edgar served but was not a servant, because he served out of love and respect for each of the families that he cared for. On a personal note I will add that they just don’t make them like Edgar any more, and I will miss him greatly. Until we meet again my old friend, keep the kettle on for me.” Clearing his throat and wiping his eyes, he motioned for Sabrina to step forward.
She stepped up to the podium and didn’t even try to stem the flow of tears that cascaded down her cheeks. After taking several deep breaths, she began.
“A few days before Edgar passed he had me make him a promise that I wouldn’t mourn the loss of the caterpillar as it transformed into the butterfly. I’m afraid I’m not doing a very good job at keeping my promise, but I’m trying! He was exactly as Brother Eddie said, a member of our family. He helped me raise Charlie and used to sneak her cookies all the time when he thought I wasn’t looking.” Everyone laughed as they wiped tears.
“He was so wise and he knew how to cut right to the heart of things without a lot of words and fuss. He was simple and direct and I had no idea about the animal shelter thing, but I shouldn’t be surprised -- he was always doing something or making something unexpected. I think…I think that’s what I will miss the most about him.” She stepped down and Charlie took her place.
“I have known Edgar all my life. I can’t remember a time when he wasn’t there, and Mama, he really did use to sneak me a lot of cookies! I know that it will feel really strange not have him around to talk to any more, but I’m not really sad for Edgar because he told me this story a couple of weeks ago when I was sick. He told me when he was a boy just a little older than me he got real sick and died. He traveled to this beautiful place where all he could feel was love and peace and he wanted to stay there forever, but they told him that he couldn’t, that he had to come back here. Edgar said he begged them to please let him stay there, but they said no, it wasn’t his time yet, so they sent him back. I know that Edgar went to heaven that day and I know that is where he is now. He told me he was looking forward to finally being able to go there and stay forever. His family is there that he hasn’t seen in a very long time and he has missed them, so I know he is happy and he isn’t sick any more.” Charlie looked at Sabrina, who was leaning her head on Devon’s shoulder crying.
“Don’t cry, Mama, be happy for him! He finally went home.”
After the service Sabrina found Charlie sitting on the couch petting one of the three house cats.
“Hey, can I join the party?” She asked before sitting down next to her and running the silver tabby’s fluffy tail through her fingers.
�
�Can I ask you a question? Did you really mean what you said at the service about not being sad for Edgar?”
“Sure, I meant it. It’s kind of hard to be sad for someone when you know they are really happy right now. I know I will miss him and be sad for me sometimes, too, but if you had seen the look of…of…I guess homesickness in his eyes as he told me the story, then you wouldn’t be sad for him either, Mama.” Sabrina laughed then reached over and hugged Charlie.
“You know, I was worried about trying to prepare you for this and look at you helping me. You are growing up too fast, my beautiful girl. I am really proud of you. I will be happy for Edgar and stop being so selfish and wishing him back here with us.”
The next few weeks Gideon tried hard to stay busy to keep his mind off of missing his friend. He practiced drills with the other angels until they all threatened mutiny if he didn’t ease off. Even easygoing Charlotte was getting hostile. She lay sprawled on the lawn gasping for breath after yet another round of drills.
“No more! Gideon, seriously! That’s it! I’m done…finished…not one more drill! Even my feathers are having cramps!” she groaned as she rubbed at her wings. Skye and Raphael were not in any better shape. The only one not begging for mercy was Zareck. Charlotte decided he had to be a mutant of some sort, or maybe it was a warrior thing because Gideon was ok, too.
“What gives, G? I know we can’t actually die, but, man, you sure have been testing that theory lately! What’s the deal?” Skye collapsed on the lawn next to Charlotte, shortly followed by Raphael. Zareck just rolled his eyes at their obvious lack of stamina.
