by S S Bazinet
Peggy reached over and stilled Carol’s hand. “I think a honeymoon is going to be the perfect opportunity for you and Kevin to reconnect, to find that spark that attracted you two in the first place.”
Carol smiled. “I do still find him terribly attractive.”
“Trust me, it’s going to work out. I’m sure it is.”
Later that evening, while Peggy made supper, she didn’t feel as confident about her statement to Carol. She stood at the sink watching seven month old Sara. Peggy’s worries were clearly lost on the baby. Sara sat in her highchair, completely absorbed with the food on her tray. Her intense, dark brown eyes were focused as her tiny fingers targeted her cheerios.
“Anybody home?” Tim called out from the foyer.
Peggy’s face brightened as she took off her apron and glanced at Sara. “Want to see your daddy?” she cooed.
The little girl didn’t look up from her task. She seemed oblivious to anything but her quest for her cereal. Even when her tall father walked into the kitchen, she barely acknowledged his presence.
Peggy was her opposite. She smiled broadly. “Supper is almost ready. Are you hungry?”
Tim’s steel-gray eyes lit up. “You bet,” he said as he walked over to the highchair. Sara was happily munching on a bit of cereal as Tim bent down and planted a kiss on her golden curls. “Looks like somebody couldn’t wait for supper.”
Peggy laughed. “She needed something to keep her occupied while I was cooking.”
Tim came over and kissed Peggy next. “How’s my beautiful wife?”
“Happy to see you.”
Tim stood back and studied Peggy’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing. I’m just kind of concerned.”
Tim’s brows furrowed deeper. “About what?”
Peggy stared up at him. At six-foot, three-inches, Tim was an inch shorter than her brother, Kevin. Both still had the strong, muscular bodies of college football players. Tim was only six months older than Kevin, but he seemed so much more capable when it came to tuning into a person’s mood. He could take one look at Peggy and know exactly how happy or sad she was. “Carol and I were talking this morning, you know, about stuff. Kevin came up.”
“Let me guess. Carol isn’t happy with him.”
“It’s not her fault. Kevin’s my brother, and I love him but he’s a little dense.” She pulled back and twisted a button on her shirt. “I’m worried that he’s going to ruin everything, his marriage and his relationship to Carol.”
“Honey, please, Kevin is taking her to Paris.”
“Yes, but that trip wasn’t entirely his idea, was it?”
Tim turned and grabbed a carrot stick off of the counter. “I might have made a few suggestions.”
“Because you’re worried too?”
“No, not exactly. Kevin and I were talking, and he asked for a little advice. He’s crazy about Carol. He wants her to be happy.”
“How did you come up with Paris?”
Tim chewed a bite of carrot thoughtfully. “Carol has a couple of posters in the house. I noticed the Eiffel Tower in both of them. I figured that she must want to go to France someday.”
Peggy snatched up a carrot stick too and snapped off a piece with a scowl. “See, this is why I worry. You notice things. Kevin doesn’t.”
“He may not see some things, but he noticed that Carol’s been unhappy. Otherwise he wouldn’t have asked for advice.”
“I guess, but I hope he gets it together on this trip. It’s an opportunity to let Carol know he can be involved.”
“He is involved. He loves Carol. But maybe she’s not letting herself feel that he does.”
“I just hope they can work things out.”
Tim latched on to her shoulder and pulled her into his arms. “Sweetheart, I know you get very concerned, but you have to let them solve their own problems.”
“What if I did that with Arel? Do you remember how he pushed us all away at first? Goodness knows what would have happened if I’d let him go his own way. And speaking of Arel, I’m getting some funny feelings about him too.”
“What now?”
“He seems distracted. I can’t pin it down exactly, but I think it has to do with that friend of his in London. I get a very bad feeling about all that.”
“Look, Peg, we don’t know what’s going on with those two, but again, it’s their business.”
“I know. I’m just being a friend.”
“And I want to be Arel’s friend too, you know that. When I thought he needed help, I even made that trip to New York.”
“You’re right.” Peggy glanced at Sara again. The baby was still contentedly going about her task of cereal retrieval. “I need to get my mind off other people and focus on my own life. In fact, I could do what Michael does. He’s always reading those flower magazines and planning out his garden. Maybe that’s how he stays so calm around Arel.”
Tim smiled. “After supper, maybe you can call him and ask to borrow a few.”
Four
MICHAEL REMAINED IN the corner of William’s downstairs living area. He was there to observe Annabel as she acquainted herself with William. Her excitement over a possible assignment was evident. She sparkled brightly, and her energy flared several times. Of course William was none the wiser. Michael and Annabel were in their ethereal forms. Annabel could sparkle like the sun and still go undetected. “So what do you think about William?” Michael asked telepathically.
“Goodness, I might not get a chance to help. He’s in a very poor state.”
“Yes, but if he’s anything like Arel, he won’t give up easily on whatever he sets his mind to.”
Annabel’s energy flared again. “But William’s not at all like Arel, is he? Arel can be consumed by guilt and remorse. William seems almost devoid of such concerns.”
“William feels that his only sin is that he loved and trusted someone he considered a brother. When it came to the rest of humanity, he never held himself accountable for his actions. He never realized that his hatred of humanity isn’t a part of his true nature.”
“So he was happy before—”
“Before Arel passed on my blood? Yes, William considered himself very content with what he’d made of his life.”
Annabel studied William from different angles. He was resting in his recliner. As he dozed, his pale, hollow cheeks and gaunt features were totally exposed to her scrutiny. From what Michael had said, he was a shell of his former, handsome self. His ailing, compromised body heaved in and out with every breath. “On the surface, his control is evident, but on a very deep level, he’s still harboring a lot of negativity.”
“William is very analytical in his approach. He believes in keeping his emotions in check.”
“Interesting. Even in his dismal state, I sense a courageous presence about him in spite of whatever he’s believed.”
“He’ll need that courage in the days ahead. As you observed, his health is very fragile. He’ll have to face the possibility of dying soon. Hopefully, you’ll have an opportunity to interact with him before that happens.”
“I see.” Annabel hesitated. “This time I’ll be on my own when I’m in physical form. Do you think that I’m ready?”
“More importantly, are you sure that you want this assignment? After working with a person like Arel, who wants to change, who tries to cooperate, I still find it—”
“A challenge?”
Michael’s energy filled with a touch of caution. “Helping William to acknowledge that something exists beyond his small world of solid facts will be extremely difficult.”
Annabel smiled. “I’ve always enjoyed a challenge.”
Michael laughed. “You and Gabriel both.”
“He’s still going by the name of Carey, right?”
“Yes, and Arel is none the wiser about who he really is. I think he’s enjoying his role. In fact, we can refer to him as Carey while he’s in that role.”
“He’s a
great teacher. When I joined him on that trip to New York with Arel, he helped me to understand how to behave. His instructions were so detailed that I managed to look like I was lost and unable to handle life.”
“Carey said that you did a very fine job at playing a homeless girl.”
“Thank you, but will I be able to do a convincing job with William? I don’t have much experience in the physical world.”
“You’ll always have support from our side, but you’ll have to stay in physical form most of the time. Are you prepared for that?”
Annabel’s luminous body shimmered a little less consistently. Some angels had a lot of trouble living within the boundaries of the material realm, especially for extended lengths of time. She looked up at Michael. “You’ve been in corporeal form on and off for years. Do you have any recommendations?”
“The feeling of confinement and heaviness can be difficult, but there are beautiful compensations.” He opened his mind to her, giving her a taste of what he’d experienced. Sweet memories were shared. He loved the feel of the earth and the act of touching the rich loam in his garden. In autumn, he gloried in the crisp, fresh currents of the wind on his face. The first time he’d inhaled the fragrance of a rose had been exhilarating. “To gaze at a sunrise with physical eyes or to hold a newborn is incredible.”
Annabel lit up with fresh anticipation. “When I helped out Carey, I learned a lot about laughing in a human sort of way. I know the energy of happiness very well. The tricky part was learning how a body responds to something like a joke. I must say, my physical form made some very loud and surprising noises when I tapped into that aspect of the body.”
Michael shrugged. “Arel doesn’t understand my humor. He says I’m always using it in an inappropriate way.”
“But Michael, your humor is meant to lighten up a situation.”
“Yes, but perhaps it’s better if Arel sees me as a serious type. It comforts him to know that I understand his plight, that I never fail to realize when he’s suffering.”
“I see. So you’ve adjusted how you present yourself to best suit his personality.” Annabel glanced at William as he moved his injured hand and moaned. “I have a question. With this situation being so dire, why have you enlisted my help? Aren’t there many others who are more accustomed to being in physical form?”
“Yes, but it’s because you haven’t much experience that you’ll be perfect. William despises most of humanity because he sees it as weak, cruel and needy. I believe that he needs an angel who is a little more removed from physicality, one who behaves in a very strong, resolute way.”
“Not like a floundering waif?”
“That’s right. You’ll have to adapt quickly and adjust to his personality, but I think you can handle what he throws at you.”
Annabel smiled. “I have an advantage over humans. Even if I assume a physical form, I won’t get lost in the emotional moods that govern most people.”
“That’s correct. Our love and concern can never become so personal that we forget our connection to the truth of who we are. However, it’s much harder to maintain that knowing when you’re in the physical.” Michael paused, opening another inner portal, allowing Annabel to access something that was rarely shared. When he did, Annabel’s wispy, bright essence was temporarily diminished. When she was able to comment, her communication was slow and halting. “I don’t really understand what I just felt, but it was very disturbing.”
“It’s what humans call sadness. It’s one of many negative feelings that people experience. You won’t have to entertain that feeling yourself as long as you stay aware and focused. You can’t allow yourself to be drawn into William’s turmoil.”
“Michael, tell me, how do you know so much about such emotions?”
“I’ve purposely lowered my energy on certain occasions so that I could tune into Arel’s feelings. As a result, my ability to understand and act with compassion has improved.”
“But what I just experienced has left me slightly off kilter. What would happen if one of us tapped into that kind of energy for a sustained period of time?”
“I believe I know what you’re asking.”
Annabel paused. “Could one of our kind lose themselves in this type of assignment?”
“Absolutely, however, we can usually come to an angel’s aid before that happens.” He turned to William. “In this case, you would have to remain very aware. William is battling to stay in control on every level. His energy is very intense. If you’re not very careful and keep an objective attitude, you could get caught up in the chaos too. That’s why I want you to take your time in deciding on what is best for you.”
Annabel’s answer was given without a moment’s hesitation. “I’ve already decided. I want to do this.”
Michael nodded. Annabel was a very committed angel. She loved taking chances and trying out new roles. “Remember, William is very entrenched in his attitudes. He’ll fight to keep it that way.”
“But what if I could help him to open up to other possibilities?”
“He might not allow you to help at all.”
Five
THE LONDON AIR was heavy with drizzle and cold as William made his way back home. He’d gone out earlier to meet with one of his connections, a man who could usually get him what he wanted. And William wasn’t disappointed with the results. He was returning with a powerful and very expensive prescription antibiotic in his pocket.
Let’s just hope this med works.
He’d been careful in tending to his wounded palm, keeping it scrupulously clean and bandaged. Recently it had started to fester in spite of his efforts. His hand was swollen and red. He was also running a fever.
Probably the end of the line for me.
He should have been more upset, but life didn’t hold much interest anymore. As a young man, he’d been the recipient of a gift. He’d been given a virus that gave him an extended life span and other grand benefits. But his gift had been snatched away. His wondrous “vampire” days were behind him. He only trudged on because of Arel’s promise that he’d been given another gift.
The idiot almost had me convinced until his damnable blood brother ceremony.
Arel did exhibit amazing strength at times. He also had an ability to go from burning up with fever to perfect health in a matter of minutes. Sometimes his eyes appeared to glow like golden flames that could mesmerize a person. Whatever his disease, it was a mysterious one with very weird and potent symptoms and extraordinary side-effects. Unfortunately, William didn’t get anything that was beneficial. His body was racked with pain, period. Now, his hand was going to finish him off.
Good, I can finally rest in peace.
He couldn’t find a cab, so he was on foot. Normally it would have been an easy walk back, but the pain and infection continued to sap all his strength. A half block from his home, he leaned against a building wondering if he’d make it the rest of the way.
“Are you alright?” A woman called out as she walked towards him. “Do you need help?”
Oh hell, what now?
It was late. The streets were deserted or so William thought and hoped as he stared at the person in front of him. The woman had stopped a couple of yards away. Her face was shrouded in the shadows.
“Are you ill?” she asked sweetly.
For William, her caring, kindly tone was an immediate affront. “I’m fine,” he hissed back.
“I just thought you might like a little assistance.”
“What I need is to be left alone. So if you know what’s good for you, you’ll be on your way!”
“Sorry,” the woman said as she quickly moved past him.
Her fragrance lingered in the damp air. It was sweet, like her youthful voice. It reminded William of lilacs and his summers as a boy when he still believed that some good existed in the world. For a brief moment, he almost called the woman back, wishing he had someone there to share his pain. That was before his hand delivered a shock of excruciat
ing torment that brought him back to reality. His resolve was reinforced. He’d never trust again, never.
I did you a favor, young lady. It doesn’t pay to help someone, I know.
His own selfless act, his singular altruistic attempt to help another person, ended up costing him everything. But what did it matter. Better not to give the past another thought. He’d simply turn into Arel’s clone, blaming others instead of believing in himself.
He tried to gather himself up, to find the strength to continue on, but a bout of utter weakness flooded his body. The winter cold penetrated his heavy, wool topcoat and invaded his bones. He began to shake with another bout of chills. Would he have the strength to go on? Or would he die then and there on the street with no one to care that he’d ever lived. The thought was too much. The bottom suddenly dropped out of his world. Dread, that extreme fear, that he’d seen in the eyes of his former victims flooded in. He knew what had horrified them. As their final moments of life were being torn away from them, they understood the true meaning of helplessness, of having no power over anything.
I refuse to die like one of them! I’m better than that!
He gritted his teeth and used sheer determination to stand up. Bracing his shoulders, he staggered a few feet, gasped in more air and kept going.
* * * * *
Annabel continued down the London street, walking briskly forward. She’d had one chance with William and failed to intercede in a meaningful way. “Sorry, Michael,” she whispered to the ethers. She knew her message got through. In fact, Michael’s calm energy was instantly by her side. A moment later, he was walking next to her, dwarfing her lithe, feminine form with his own tall, masculine presence.
“You did your best,” he said quietly.
Annabel dug her hands deeper into her jacket pockets. “The encounter was so brief. I never got a chance—”
“Getting a chance to help William was a long shot, but we had to try.”
As they neared a street light, its glow highlighted Annabel’s fine, delicate features and large, emerald eyes. Her twinkling gaze was reinforced by her animated attitude. She gave Michael a sideways glance. “I don’t know William very well, but I already like him.”
