Chapter Nine
“Father Drake – Friar Tuck – St. Gabriel”
Gabriel means “man of God.” He is the most well-known angel to appear in Scripture. Each time he is mentioned, we see him act as a messenger to impart wisdom or a special announcement from God.
“And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.” St. Luke 1:19.
It was Friday morning. I checked my appointment book. The rest of the day was clear, as usual. It was still way too early for my type of client to be calling. They usually don’t wake up until late afternoon and just in time for a smoke and a chug of the spirits. After what I’ve been through lately, I was of thirst for a shot myself. “Where did I put that bottle of who-shot-John? Wait, I need to see Father Drake. I need to know: what was that Clown person?”
My rude nemesis hanging on the wall: “ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring!” I eased up after those 7 chirps and picked up the receiver. I paused just a second to gather myself with a deep breath. I was afraid that it might be someone who “used to be dead” named The Employer or The Clown. But I took a chance: “Hello, this is Riffle, may I help you?”
“Eddy, this is Father Drake. We need to talk. First, you need to upgrade your phone system to the latest technology – I can’t text a wall dinosaur. Second, last night I had a meeting with a very interesting and mysterious person, and it left me bewildered. Can you stop by the church – preferably today? I think that it’s urgent.”
“Sure, Father Drake.” (I was glad that he called. I needed information, but I didn’t want to let him in on too much). “I have a client meeting this afternoon and maybe go get a new walkie-talkie. So, I’ll stop by on the way about noonish. Won’t take too long, will it? I’m awful busy with work. There’s a lot of sin stuff going on out there right now and they need my legal common-man expertise. What you’re preaching to them ain’t sinking in.”
“Just get here on time. I need to prepare my Sunday sermon about you.”
Not being sure of what was going on in Father Drake’s mind, I could not prepare myself about what to talk about except my past and I just want that forgotten. But I respected him so I made my way to the church. When I opened the huge entry doors, I found Father Drake sitting in the front row of pews. He was looking up at a couple of statues. He had a soft expression on his face – you know, the kind of look that makes you feel warm and cozy, if you are in the mood. “Well, I was not in the mood and not sure about opening up about all my problems!”
“Eddy, I’m glad you came. Sit here beside me and let’s talk.”
“Father Drake, I must admit this is a bit unusual. I come to church services sometimes but I’m not involved in much, no choir, no committees, no calling, not much help I’m afraid. You do know that I’m a deacon in the Church of Christ, but long ago and now inactive – lost my way. So, with all of that, what can I do for you? And, by the way, who are those statues that has your attention?”
“Those images are of St. Michael and St. Gabriel. I look at them while I meditate or have a need. They remind me that they are angels of heaven but have earthly duties to perform. Eddy, I also have duties and this morning you seem to be the task. For some time now, I’ve tried to counsel you about your self-inflicted low esteem and how you torture yourself and how you have turned your back on your beliefs. It’s very clear that you are not progressing out of the ‘I’m to blame’ mode and have regressed into the ‘I need more punishment’ mode. And, I’ve had a visitor. It was last night and concerns you.”
“You are right as rain, Father. I am what I am and I have no one to blame but me. It haunts me day and night. I’m having these awful nightmares and they are violent and getting worse. Sometimes I wish they would just come for me and get it over with! I need to pay the price.”
Father Drake put his hand on Eddy’s shoulder: “I was working last evening when the big church doors opened and in walked someone I had never met before. He looked peculiar because he was dressed in a brown robe that looked to me like Friar Tuck – like in Robin Hood movies. He also had a rope tied around his waist that he used for a belt and he carried a walking rod which had a hypnotic beam of light for its tip. When looking at that glow, I felt calm and under its influence – it was a strange feeling. He said that his name was not important and that he was not here for a confession but to deliver a message. What’s more intriguing about the whole thing is that you, Eddy Riffle, was the center of his dialog. So, I just sat and listened and he did all the talking.”
Eddy spoke up: “I know all about that light trick, but keep going, Father. What did this sackcloth have to say about me? You have my undivided attention – sorry about the pun.”
“He basically told me to do my job and help you because you are not able to help yourself – except in the sass department. He said that you have lost the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. This vacuum has been filled with other attitudes. Further, he said that you are generally a good and fair person – except for a little over charging now and then. And now you have become spiritually lukewarm and are not grasping the fullness of God’s grace.”
Eddy could only muster a meek reply: “Not sure where this is going, Father!”
“Well, to put it simply: You can’t forgive yourself for many things. But God will forgive you if you repent. In the old testament time, King David of Israel was guilty of adultery and murder and God forgave him of his sins because he sincerely prayed and ask to be forgiven.”
“David’s sin: Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; and the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.” 11 Sam. 11:3-5.
“David’s murder: Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.” 11 Sam. 11:15.
David’s prayer: “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” Psalms 32:5.
“All of us are important to God. In the Bible, He used some of the worst sinners, like King David, to do his will. He has jobs waiting for all. This visitor arrived with a message and to convey it, he blessed me with the feeling that there is something special for you to do – just ahead and you should be ready to accept. But a warning: ‘I will not open the windows of heaven and pour down upon you a blessing if there is not room in your heart to receive it.’ Do you understand the messenger?”
“I think so, Father, and I’ll try to figure it all out. I’ll let you know next time I stop by and how it’s going. I think I’ll be alright now that we’ve had this talk. It’s been a tough road but I’m ready for my soul to unburden itself. I’ll kneel tonight and ask. But, answer me this: Why so much attention directed at me? I’m just a simple-minded nobody, a common person that’s just trying to survive. Why would God or even Friar Tuck waste the time?”
“I’m not sure what’s going on, Eddy. But it could be a sign of some sort. Take it as a blessing. One thing for sure, if it is not a blessing, then it must be a warning! Or, maybe there is a job for you to do – a calling. God uses all of us to do his will especially those with willing hearts. We all have different talents and He must see something in you that the rest of us are missing, ha, ha! But, no joke, God knows all about Eddy Riffle and also all about The Deacon, so don’t be stubborn.”
“Not sure about all of that stuff, Father, but thanks for the concern. It’s a mystery to me. I must go now – it’s time for my client meeting.” I was sorry that I had to tell a fib. I really didn’t have a client meeting but I needed an escape excuse. Getting up to leave and under my breath, I whispered: “Sorry, Father, but I’m getting the creeps. Friar Tuck, no less! No calling for me. I have no talents!”
Father Drake shook my hand: “See you
later and Merry Christmas. That’s tomorrow, so say your prayers and come for services.”
I thought: “That helped a lot. All I need is another lonely holiday!” My nerves were now totally frayed and firing on all cylinders like a flock of chickens running in all directions while evading the hatchet. When and where would the ax fall? “And on my deserving neck?”
From Father Drake a little wisdom as he walked Eddy to the door: "Our conscience is but a thin veil that separates right from wrong; as a spider’s web that’s so easily shattered by the breath of an urge. Once a desire is devoured, it becomes flimsy deceit with an elusive repentance longed for like salve for an itch. Peace of mind will not come by mere wishing. Can a tattered web or conscience be mended? Little child, put your footsteps in His and follow the path to The Shield; He will not deceive you."
Getting into my car, I could only think: “Why for me? God and I are strangers and how does he know about The Shield?”
Chapter Ten
“Christmas Eve”
“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” Matt. 25:35-39.
It’s been a month since Thanksgiving Day and both Eddy and Ellie are emotionally ready to reconcile. What’s holding them apart? Sometimes it might take that one right moment, or that one right happening, or that one right sparkle of the eye.
“Hey, Mister, Move Over a Little Bit!
It’s Crowded Tonight.”
It was Christmas Eve and Eddy was alone to soak in his misery. No place to go and no one who cared.Since Thanksgiving, Ellie had been hinting that she was ready to forgive but she still had the vision of Aebra on her mind. So, he walked the city streets hoping the lights and the bustle of people still doing their thing would bring him needed solace. It was soon evident that he would not find comfort this night. Traffic was light because most people did not celebrate Christmas out in the open anymore. It was because of friction and harassment.
Eddy was wandering aimlessly when suddenly a brightly lit nightclub blocked his passage. “Might as well go inside and see if I can find some Christmas cheer – the wet kind. I’m getting nowhere out here alone in this obnoxious and scary-acting crowd.”
Inside the establishment, there were gangs of people that seemingly knew everybody in the place. There was dancing, laughing, drinking, and plenty of noise making. But no matter what Eddy tried, he could not find a friendly soul that would offer a smile or a nice hello. Most just wanted to know if he had a spare joint.
Eddy obtained a frozen drink of some sort and sat by himself at a booth where he could look out the front window. He watched the people coming and going. Not very exciting but it was something to do on Christmas Eve. Then, the front door opened and in proceeded the “down and out” folks – it was the usual time for the homeless and castoffs to arrive and make their plea for eats.
The manager scurried over and cuddled his arms like a shepherd tending a flock of sheep: “Go to the back door and hurry – it’s unlocked. There’s a room there. Go on in and I’ll be right with you. I’m full tonight and I don’t want you to scare off my crowd. And I don’t want them to know that you are here – they frighten easily – they live in another world.”
Eddy saw this as an opportunity for companionship and joined the vagabonds around to the back. The manager soon appeared and began a process of distributing bags of foodstuffs to eagerly waiting hands. Eddy received his bag and then settled down with the others. The manager then announced that all would be allowed to congregate in that back room where there was plenty of water and other necessities. And, they were able to stay all night if they wanted. As he said: “It’s Christmas Eve, Merry Christmas!”
Before the manager left to attend to his business needs, Eddy asked him: “Why did you do this act of kindness?”
The manager responded: "It’s the least that I could do considering the example. It’s the one that says:
‘For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.’" Matt. 25:35-39.
After many hours of talking with the multitude of homeless, helpless, and destitute, Eddy realized his personal misery was not alone but had plenty of company. So, he decided to spend the rest of the night with his new and only friends. The lights went out and everyone found a place to stretch out and it was somewhat crampy.
“Hey, mister, move over a little bit! It’s crowded tonight.”
It wasn’t the Christmas Eve that Eddy wanted but it might have been the one that he needed. And, maybe it was one that The Deacon needed!
Chapter Eleven
“The Fight with Michael on Christmas Day”
"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day."
It was Christmas Day and for The Deacon, solitaire was the only game in town. It would be a Christmas to remember;
As the day passed, I conceded that it was a blue Christmas without you and decided it was time for a merry nip. After a few sips, I was singing: “You ain’t nothing but a burned-out old flop-eared dog leading Santa’s sled on a foggy night with a wet nose.” Maybe my song words were off but the message was clear. My mood: “It’s going to be a long day. And, it was!”
It was not yet midnight and another Christmas Day was dragging to a close. I made my way to the coffee pot for a stabilizer. “No sleep or merry dreams tonight. I’ll just stay awake and play more solitaire or something.”
Outside I heard a noise. Sounded like a “whinny snort.” It’s was a horse sound. “What would a horse be doing outside my window at midnight? That’s it – reindeer! Maybe it’s Santa Claus and he’s making late deliveries.”
I made my way over to the window and opened the sash. I peeked out and yes, it was a horse. A black horse and he was indeed stomping, snorting and whinnying. It looked like a horse that I had seen before. It was like the one that Michael rode when he paid me that surprise visit. He said that he would be back. But this time: “I’m not going to be taken so easily. He’s in for a Christmas surprise. So, let him come!”
The best place to hide was behind the file cabinet beside the office door. It was dark and he would have to take a few steps inside to see anything. “I’ll jump him and beat him senseless. Maybe angels have a glass jaw!”
Crouching, I could see the front door. I focused on the knob. It started to twist slowly. I held my breath and told myself: “Be still my thumping heart. I must not make a sound. I can’t give him any advantage.”
It was quiet – really quiet. Then, a sudden burst with a foot that flung open the door. “Ta-ta. So, they call you Eddy! Are you there?”
I gave no response and remained poised for an attack. My hands began to twitch, warning me that I was lapsing into the past. I was helpless to deny my brain. Then, the shadowy figure inched further into the office and toward the back room where I surely was sleeping. A few more steps and I would pounce. I have done this many times before: “We’ll see if this intruder can take a good round-house punch to the chin and then a karate chop to the jugular vein.”
The time was right. I stood up and leaped. Landing on my target’s back, we both went sailing over my desk and onto the floor. I got my first view and all my fears were accurate. “It was Michael and he was not a happy angel!”
Time was lost as we struggled in the darkness – my trance and military training against his angel training. Tables, chairs, lamps, cabinets, everything was busted in the endless wrestling. No quarter was given. Hours passed and my strength was waning. I knew that I could not relent or he would take my soul. I also figured that he would not quit or even give an inch because to do so would be failure for his heavenly mission.
My last bit of energy has entered blast off mode. We were chest-to-chest, face-
to-face, and breath-to-breath. It was a dead-heat, so far. I was about to yell “uncle,” when the morning sun began to peek through the torn curtains that barely hung. What a mess a little scuffle can make of a business office. As we rolled about, my attention was drawn to a hanging mistletoe that only possessed one bead – all alone – on the last twig. It precariously dangled from the doorframe as if refusing to drop without receiving at least one lasting sincere kiss. Then, a revelation: “Is that mistletoe sending me a message that I’m still hanging by that single hair of horse’s tail and doomed without a kiss from my love, Ellie?”
We both was near exhaustion when sunlight began to lighten the mess of my office. Michael halted and looked at me with his wide-open eyes. It wasn’t hard to see me because we were almost eyeball-to-eyeball. Then, he released his grip just long enough to speak: “Let go of me – for the day breaks.”
Not about to waste my opportunity: “I will not release you until you admit that you did not prevail against me and you will not take my soul until I’m good and ready. Do I have your word on this?”
Michael had a strange look: “Once before this occurred. It was a long time ago to a fellow named Jacob. What happened back then set a precedence that is recorded in the Holy Scriptures. Today, I thought Christmas would be a good time to remind you whose birthday we should be celebrating and how this blessed event is part of your mandate. I will acknowledge that we have wrestled all through the night and I have not, nor at this time wished to, prevail against you – after all, you are The Deacon.”
We then released each other from the strangle holds. Michael did not say another word, eased up and then departed. I rushed over and peeked out that beat-to-a-pulp window, I could see Michael gingerly mounting that black horse and poof they were gone. “I guess I messed up his Christmas and maybe mine also. Wow, even he knows what my army buddies once called me – amazing!”
The Deacon and the Shield Page 9
