Wings of Deception

by Pamela Carron

  SEVENTEEN

  It was over a year since Kim had passed. Dwight took Gem to her gravesite to put flowers on it. His little girl was walking now, running everywhere and being as curious as only a child could be. He put her down while he put the flowers in a vase that was designed into the tombstone and brushed off the acrylic covering his favorite picture of Kim. He knew it was only a shell that she had left behind but like most others who buried loved ones, he needed that memorial to visit every once in a while, and for Gem.

  It was a tough year for him but he had learned much from being a single father. That and the church kept him so busy he had no time to feel sorry for himself and time had been his friend for truly his pain had lessoned.

  He watched Gem as she plopped down on the grass that surrounded her mother’s grave, trying to catch a cricket that was hopping frantically to get away from her. He laughed and it felt good.

  Yes, he missed Kim still, but the desperate mourning was not there as it was the last visit. He swung Gem up in his arms and said, “Gem, you are so like your mother, yes you are!” Whatever Gem was babbling back at him could be anyone’s guess, but Dwight liked to think she was agreeing with him.

  Before they reached the car his cell phone rang. It was about Carol. He was needed at the hospital so he buckled Gem in and headed there. It sounded serious and he did not want to waste time calling a sitter. Of course as soon as he got there Jean took her over. He went in to find Joe and Brenna both in tears.

  Carol was comatose and her body was shutting down. Dwight prayed with them. He prayed that God’s will be done and for the strength for them all to accept that will.

  Jean volunteered to take the baby home so Dwight could stay with Joe and Brenna. Several relatives and friends waited in the waiting room for any news.

  It was a long murky night and they could hear distant thunder that promised to bring relief with a good rain storm. By midnight everyone had left going home, sure that by morning it would all be over. Left to themselves, Dwight, Joe and Brenna sat close to Carol’s bed. Dwight and Joe both tried to get Brenna to get some rest on the sofa turned cot, but she refused to leave her post watching while Carol struggled for each breath and terrified that each one would be her last.

  The night passed slowly and eventually Brenna dozed in her chair, while Dwight and Joe talked in hushed tones…until the monitor sounded its alarm and Brenna woke with a cry that was more like a loud moan. Nurses rushed in and after checking everything and finding no sign of life, pulled the cover up over Carol’s head. One left to call the doctor, the other stayed to help Dwight console the broken- hearted parents.

  It was recorded that Carol Bowler died at three-thirty-seven, July nineteen, two thousand and ten. Exactly three minutes later a cry from beneath the sheet sent Brenna into a dead faint and Dwight and Joe and the nurse into shocking disbelief.

  The nurse reacted quickly and jerked the sheet off Carol’s face. A sleepy looking little girl looked up at her and said, “I’m thirsty.”

  The nurse had pushed the call button to the station almost simultaneously with uncovering Carol so that the other nurse appeared back on the scene. The chaos worsened when the doctor arrived in a disheveled state to get there as fast as possible. Dwight was holding Brenna trying to revive her, while Joe almost broke his neck getting to his little girl.

  She had not uttered a word for three days. She had had no intake of food nor drink for almost forty-eight hours, but here she was now asking for a drink!

  The doctor moved to where he could get to Carol and examine her while the nurse held her head and gave her sips of water.

  “Carol, this is Dr Walker, I am going to take a look at you, is that alright?”

  “Uh-huh.” She laid her head back down with the nurse’s help.

  Brenna came to and huddled close as she could on the other side of the bed with Joe holding her for support.

  “Oh God, she is still alive, our baby is not dead Joe, she is still alive. Thank you Lord!”

  She was crying and Carol looked worriedly toward the sound of her mother’s voice, “Don’t cry Momma? I’m not dead ‘cause Jesus told me I’m not ready to come live with him. Heaven is so beautiful and I wanted to stay with Him but He said not yet.”

  Brenna burst into a fresh bout of tears.

  The doctor was conversing with the nurses who adamantly insisted there was no life in Carol when they came in response to the alarm. He believed them. Although he was baffled at the fact that since they had disconnected the drip providing her with pain meds, she was not screaming with pain. Instead she almost acted as if….

  “I’m sleepy, Poppa can I go back to sleep now?”

  “Yes you can my baby girl, you just close them eyes and go back to sleep. Me and Momma, we going to be right here when you wake back up. I promise.”

  Dr Walker instructed one of the nurses to stay in the room and went out with the other one and Dwight.

  “I have never seen anything like this and I have seen a lot. You know it is only a reprieve for she cannot live in the condition her body is in. No way. I do not even understand how she is tolerating the pain. Dwight, what are you thinking?”

  Dwight was fighting doubt himself but it gave way to his unshakable faith that God was the only one who could know what had happened or what might happen. He shook his head and said to them, “Todd, I think we have just witnessed a miracle, whether Carol lives or dies, tonight she and those two people in there with her got a miracle from God. I think I am going to go home now, I am sure you will call me if you need to.”

  “I am going to hang around till morning,” He looked at his watch. “It will be daylight soon anyway.”

  “Thanks, tell them I will be back later today, unless they need me before.”

  He left the hospital and found that the promised rain had come and gone, leaving a sweet savor in the air and he breathed it in deeply thinking, God, I know that you would not tease those poor people, so I am going to start right now praising you for Carol’s healing. You are a wonderful and awesome God and I am thankful that you have heard our prayers!

  Carol slept as sound as she could with her parents touching her and whispering for the next couple of hours. The magnitude of what had happened had not hit them yet but when the room filled with the light of the day and Carol sat up in her bed rubbing her eyes, they too realized that something extraordinary had happened in the wee hours of the morning, in the small hospital room in Philadelphia, Mississippi.

  The fact that Carol was hungry and demanded something to eat, further convinced everyone including the doctors, that something had changed with Carol’s condition. She was given a very light meal before she was subjected to tests. A new MRI was ordered and every doctor connected with the hospital was eager to see it.

  Word spread at the speed of modern day technology and within hours anyone who had a phone, computer or was connected in any way, knew about Carol’s radical turn for the better.

  When the MRI came back showing nothing but scar tissue where the tumor had been, the entire medical world took notice. Philadelphia was overrun with media, news reporters and curiosity seekers and Carol was a national news item. Two days after her parents thought they were going to say good bye, they instead secretly took Carol with the help of family and friends away, where Carol could regain her strength.

  Dwight had missionary friends in the southwest part of Mexico who welcomed them so that in privacy Carol could recuperate. Her sight had not returned to normal but Joe and Brenna were thrilled that she was alive and knew God was answering their prayers.

  EIGHTEEN

  Sheila’s move went smoothly and Honey welcomed her into her home with enthusiasm. When the complete story unfolded concerning her last year in New York, Honey proved to be a good friend to the younger woman. It was another reason Jacks wanted to have her to stay with Honey, knowing that the emotional support she could give would prove invaluable. He was right; the fact that both were Christians gave th
em a common bond that grew into a strong friendship.

  Sheila got settled in her new surroundings and job easily and began looking for a place of her own right away though she was assured there was no hurry.

  She was introduced to the members of the church Dwight pastored and began making new friends. She and Jean were of the same age group and both single so they hung out and became best of friends. Her life was slowly navigating back to one she was comfortable with and though she could never go back to the person she was before Morgan, she was excited at the possibilities her new life offered. The wonder of Carol’s miracle embedded within her a new faith in God that she so desperately needed and Jacks was relieved to see some of the old Sheila return.

  He had worried that Morgan’s damage to her might be permanent but with her settling in so well, he concentrated on his upcoming meeting in New York with a man he was curious to meet. He told himself to leave things alone but something would not allow him to let it go.

  The two weeks passed quickly. Sheila’s move and his work where he was accomplishing much. The ACAA quietly dropped the Bowler case which he was glad to have happen, for he no longer believed Carol was a victim. Her medical turn for the better caused him to speculate for he had never before witnessed a miracle but now could not deny they did happen, for she had surely been given one. However, it had occurred he was still sure there was some reasonable medical explanation for it. For if God were responsible, would He not have healed her eyes too?

  After Honey called him bubbling over with excitement about what had happened and that the family would be going away for a while, he agreed that it was a good thing to do. The poor people had been through hell and partly due to him and the ACAA. They deserved a break.

  He began to talk less with for he was feeling that he was beginning to have some serious feelings for her. He would not let that happen, he could not, for any sort of relationship beyond friendship would not work between them.

  When he left for New York it had been a week since they had spoken and he missed their conversations. She had a way of making him think too much on things he didn’t want to think about. To his dismay, she was what occupied his mind the entire trip on the plane.

  He checked into a hotel near his old office was and after calling some old buddies up, met them at the bar for catching up time and a few drinks. He was careful not to overdo it though, remembering the last time he had a horrible hangover he ended up at Morgan’s with Sheila for the infamous dinner.

  The next day he contacted Abe to let him know he was in town and would be ready at the designated time to be picked up by a car that was to be sent for him. He had no idea where it would take him but would be prepared for anything with the carefully tucked in derringer under his belt.

  It was eight PM and he sat at the bar where he could watch for the car. When the long black sedan pulled up, he did not wait but immediately went out knowing it was for him. He slid into a back seat facing Abe on the opposite one. They exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes before Abe cautioned him.

  “Jacks, it is not too late to change your mind you know. Just say the word and I will have the car turned around.”

  Jacks did not answer right away, but when he did he was sure.

  “Are you kidding Abe? Why ever would I even think of doing that?”

  Abe nodded his head. “I didn’t really think you would.”

  After that he was silent.

  Jacks’ tried to get some landmarks logged into his head but the combination of the night darkness and the dark paneled windows would not allow it.

  They left the lights of the city behind. After an hour of riding they pulled up to a gate which was promptly opened. The car proceeded to wind its way down a long curvy drive until it stopped in front of a stone house that showed no lights.

  Large wooden doors, which were centered in the middle, opened and Jacks at least saw some light coming from within. He got out following Abe through the doors and stiffened when they closed behind them with a bang. Okay Jacks, don’t go losing your nerves now. You are a big boy and there is no such thing as monsters. But it sure was spooky in there with only the dimmest of lighting showing a long hallway which he thought was never coming to an end. When it did there were stairs going down and they kept descending until Jacks had to ask, “Abe, where the hell are we going anyway?”

  Abe stopped and gave Jacks a strange look.

  “Please do not use the word ‘hell’ so casually Jacks, some of us live there.”

  They began walking again and Jacks held his tongue. For all he knew the stairs had already been long enough to go to the fabled ‘hell’ and this meeting was getting creepier by the minute.

  Just when he was about to say, ‘enough’ they came to the opening of a large sparsely furnished room, but they did not stop there. Three doors graced the walls and Abe went to the one that was to the far right and opened it, holding it open for Jacks.

  “Wait a minute! You are not going in?”

  Abe shook his head.

  “This is as far as I go. The man wants to see you alone.” He shrugged and his white brows came together in a frown. “You had your chance to change your mind and you only get one.” Seeing defiance in Jacks eyes he prodded, “Look Jacks, you asked for this and for some reason you were granted something most wait a decade for. Go on, you are expected.”

  Jacks turned and squinted to see in the dimness. He was in another huge room and there was a curtain he was certain had a bed behind it. Two women appearing to be servants came out and one pulled the curtain back revealing a large four poster bed.

  Propped up on pillows in the center, was an elderly man whose age Jacks could not determine as the lighting still left a lot to be desired. His hair was white, thin and straggly and looked as if it were pulled back into a ponytail. Jacks walked to the foot of the bed and stopped. This is what I came to meet? An old man that is so old he just may die while I am here! Damn!

  The man studied him with dull eyes that held no color that Jacks could tell.

  “Come around here, Jacks. As you can see I am far too old and feeble to bite.”

  His attempt at laughing was more of a cackle and Jacks did as he was told and stood at the old man’s side. A chair appeared from nowhere and he supposed one of the women put it there, though he saw no one.

  “Sit down my boy.” And Jacks sat. He crossed his legs more to have something to do than anything else and said to the man, “I am at a disadvantage here. You seem to know who I am but we have not been introduced. I am sure you have a name.” This was more of a question than a statement and he waited to find out who this strange man was. Surely he was not the powerful person on which he wished to vent his anger.

  Instead of responding, the man went into a coughing fit so that one of the women appeared with a glass of water. When he settled down, he waved her away.

  “Damn this old age. How old do you think I am Jacks?” His eyes staring steadily into Jacks’ own dark brown ones made him feel as if he could read his mind.

  Without hesitating Jacks replied, “Old.” And the man laughed causing another spasm of coughing.

  “Yes I am, but do not underestimate me for my age is just something of a nuisance. It in no way defines who I am. You could call me many names but for the time being, just call me Asa.”

  “Asa.”

  Now that his eyes were getting more accustomed to the lighting in the room he could see that there was a wheelchair nearby and thought, so he is not only old but old and crippled!

  “I see you spotted my steel legs. Tell me Jacks, what do you want of a useless old man? You asked for this meeting, now what can I do for you?”

  His words caught Jacks off guard and he blurted out, “I want to know the origin of your powers for obviously they are extensive.”

  “Ah, so you are curious…and why should I tell you? Give me a reason.”

  Jacks tried to appear nonchalant and giving a twist to his mouth answered, “No reason except
that your underlings were carrying out your orders when they interfered with my life and it is my nature to want to know why you were interested in me in the first place to have me blackmailed.”

  “Blackmail is a strong word, I like to think you were being prodded by…uh…certain forces to come into your legacy. I had nothing to do with that imbecile’s actions, after you turned down your chance to become a senator. That fool Morgan, became a liability after he met that woman.”

  “What legacy would that be? I am sure that you know everything there is to know about me, so you must know I was an orphan and I have no such legacy, I assure you.”

  “Ah, but you are wrong on both accounts Jacks. You were no true orphan and you do have a legacy, one that had to wait forty years to come into effect, one that you will not be able to refuse.”

  Jacks stood. “I did not come here to hear bull crap from a dying old man. Obviously you will be no help to me and how could I possibly vent my anger on such as you. I will say good night and leave, that is assuming I am not a prisoner and can leave?”

  He looked straight into the man’s eyes. It was a mistake for he became mesmerized and Jacks found that he was unable to look away. “You have freewill to choose to do whatever you want my boy, but first there is a story I would like to tell you please, if you will indulge an old man. Please sit back down; you’ve nothing to lose by giving me a few more minutes of your time. I have waited a long time.”

  Jacks was not sure why he did as he was bid but he sat back down and gave the old man a nod. “Okay, I am listening.”

  The man smiled and when he finished his story, Jacks took his leave freely as promised but carrying a revelation almost too heavy to bear.

  NINETEEN

  It was unlike Jacks to snap at her and Sheila was disturbed. Returning from New York he was a maniac at the office and pushed everyone else to the point of exhaustion. When she tried to talk to him about it, he as much as told her to mind her own business. She knew him too well to have hurt feelings but she left him alone, figuring he would work through whatever it was.