CHAPTER 6
In his hotel room, Ryan stared at his TV in disgust. Puccini seemed so...sober on the news. He was actually cheerful during the meeting! That wasn’t as sober as he could get! Puccini wasn't sorry at all. It was an act. He was just faking his sorrow, his supposed caring. Ryan rubbed his hands on his jeans as he leaned back in his chair.
Ryan clicked off the screen. Puccini had given repeated press conferences, each time talking about his theory, and answering questions. Ryan had to admit, it was logical. Still, it made no sense why clothes had been left behind. Puccini had just been asked that very question. His response was almost hurried.
“Although unconfirmed by scientists, my personal belief is that the radiation was not powerful enough to destroy cloth or metal of any kind, only human tissue.”
Ryan thought it was just too convenient. There was something up with Puccini. Ryan couldn’t get what, but he could have sworn that what Puccini had said was out of his mind. Puccini had threatened him, plain and simple. Although Ryan didn’t understand how, he feared he had gotten himself into danger by accepting this job. He couldn’t believe what he’d gotten himself into.
As he stared down at the cellular phone by his side, for the umpteenth time, Ryan wondered if Richard and Christina were OK. Unfortunately, phone lines were still jammed with people contacting their loved ones and making sure they were all right. Ryan had been trying to get through to his sister and brother-in-law every hour or so, without success. He’d resigned himself to trying to convince himself they were all right and focusing at the task at hand. I’ll try again later, he thought.
But what exactly was the task at hand? Ryan felt guilty for deciding to bring a sweet lady like Monica into this mess, but Puccini had asked for the best, and that’s what Ryan recommended.
A wave of exhaustion swept over him. It had been a long day, that much was sure. His muscles still throbbed from the hard physical labor he'd put them through earlier, and jet lag was taking its toll on him. He wanted nothing more than to just crawl into bed, go to sleep, and wake up to find himself dozing on the plane and discovering that all of this was nothing but a nightmare.
Although the last part of the wish was a little far-fetched, Ryan couldn’t help himself as he collapsed onto the bed. A two-hour nap wouldn’t hurt a thing. The mattress sagged under him as he curled on his side and laid his head on his left arm.
_______________________
Christina's eyes widened in shock. She could barely comprehend what she was hearing and seeing. For a moment, it felt as if she’d lost all ability to speak. Finally, she was able to respond to Gloria's claim and new appearance. The soft couch mattress sagged under her hand as she pressed it down on the mattress’s surface.
“No way!” was all she could say, as she gaped up at her angelic friend.
Gloria just smiled. “It’s true.”
Christina still didn’t believe it. Was she hallucinating? Or having a bad dream? If only I was, she thought. I’d love to wake up and find out that none of this had happened!
Suddenly, from out of nowhere, another form appeared. She looked African-American and had a heavy-set figure. Her hair was a silvery color. She too, was glowing. A diamond brooch rested on her chest, just underneath her collar.
“It’s true, baby. My name is Tess, and both Gloria and I are angels. Sent from God.”
Christina's hand flew to her mouth. She leaned back against the couch backrest. This was too much. Her new friend was an angel, and now there was another angel standing in her living room. “Are--are you the friend Gloria told me about? The one who loaned her your car?” Tess nodded. Christina gaped at her for a long moment, then at Gloria.
“What--what are you doing here? Why has God sent you to us? Because we lost our Jessica?” Christina’s voice trembled.
“Well…” Gloria hesitated. “Yes and no.”
By this time, tears had started to stream down Christina's face, tears of fear, tears of grief, tears she’d thought she‘d used up. “What do you mean?” she nearly shrieked.
This time, Tess responded. “God sent us here, because He knew you’d need His love at this time as you never have before. What Gloria, here, told you about the Rapture is true. God has taken His Body--the Church--into Heaven. They are now, at this moment, standing before His judgment seat, receiving rewards for service. And they will stay in Heaven for the next seven years.”
Christina bit her lip. “Something’s terrible is going to happen, isn’t it? That’s why He took them.” She paused. “He took the babies, too?”
Tess nodded. “All babies, and all children under the age of accountability. And yes, a terrible time is coming upon the world. God wanted to protect His children from it, and He did. Your Jessica is safe in His hands, Christina. You don’t have to fear for her anymore.”
Christina rose to her feet. As she trudged toward the wall, she took deep breaths. “And my mother?”
“Yes, baby. Your mother not only is safe, she has a new body that can never be hurt. Or grow old. Or die. And so does Jessica.” Tess’s warm voice comforted Christina. “Your mother is alive once more, Christina. She will never die again. And your little girl, Jessica, will never know what it is to die or suffer.”
For a long moment, Christina leaned against the wall’s smooth, sturdy surface, mulling over Tess had just told her. She twisted a strand of hair around her right index finger and took several deep breaths. Slowly, she turned to face the angels. “What--” She cleared her throat. “Uh, what does God want me to do?”
“Give your heart to His Son.” Tess approached her. “Bask in His love. Listen for His voice. In the dark period that is approaching, you will need His love, His protection, and His guidance as you’ve never needed it before.”
Christina laughed mirthlessly. “That dark time may be sooner than you think. When Richard learns of this, he will do everything in his power to make me miserable. He’s an atheist--he doesn’t believe in God.”
“I know.” Tess shook her head. “He’s not beyond God’s mercy, Christina--not even now. God is working on your husband even as I speak. He’s going to send an angel into Richard’s life, to help him see the truth.”
Christina smiled, as gratitude flooded her heart. “As Gloria, here, helped me.” Gloria smiled. Christina covered her face with her hands, and whispered a prayer. “Please, Jesus, come into my heart. Please lead me, and help me through this terrible time. Amen.”
“Amen,” Tess echoed softly.
Peace flooded Christina’s heart. As she raised her face, a smile spread across her face. “I feel His presence,” she said softly, then raised her head toward the ceiling. “Thank You, God! Thank You.” She brushed some strands of hair out of her eyes.
“What are you doing?!”
Christina whirled around. Richard framed the doorway, his face etched in a scowl. “I’m praying, honey,” she said softly. “To God. I’ve just accepted Jesus into my life.”
Richard glared at her as he stalked toward the couch. “And tell me this: how can you possibly pray to a so-called--mythical God who doesn’t exist anyway?” he snorted. He clenched his hands into tight balls.
Christina glanced at Tess, who shook her head. “He can’t see us now,” she said. “God will give you the words. Ask Him!”
Silently, Christina did, then turned toward her husband. “He does,” she said softly. “I know it now. My mother is up in Heaven with Him, and now, so is Jessica. I want to be right with Him, Richard, so I can be with our little girl again, one day.”
Richard’s face turned beet-red. He pressed his lips into a tight line of displeasure. A knot formed in Christina’s stomach; she knew she was in for it now! She held her breath as she awaited his response.
“You--you--!” Without another word, Richard stormed out the front door, slamming it behind him.
Tears welled up in Christina’s eyes. “Please, God, help him!” she begged.
Tess laid a hand on her shoulder. “He will,” she assured Christina. “As we told you, the Father is working on your husband. And not just Richard, but your brother, Ryan Whittaker. He’s sending Ryan an angel as well.”
Christina wiped the tears out of her eyes and smiled wanly. “Well, with four angels helping us, we have no reason to worry, do we?” She took a deep breath.
“No, you don’t.” Tess squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t say anything more to Richard just now; just pray for him. And read the Bible Gloria gave you. Read it every day, and ask God for insight.”
Christina nodded. “I will, Tess. Thank you. And you, too, Gloria.”
Tess straightened her back. “I must leave, now, but I’m leaving Gloria here with you.” She disappeared.
Christina smiled at Gloria. “Would you like some coffee?” Gloria nodded and smiled back.
_______________________
Monica walked slowly around the apartment she’d been given for this assignment. It was a nice place that fit her simple tastes well. Pausing, the Irish-tongued angel ran her hand over the coffee-brown table. The smooth, polished wood felt good under her fingers.
As she looked the living room over, she realized that what made the place so comfortable was the furniture. She felt oddly detached from this apartment. As if this place was only a small part of her assignment and she would have to move on soon.
The part that confused her most, yet seemed the most connected to her assignment, was the phone. Monica walked into the living room and plopped down on the beige couch. It was a comfortable couch, and if Monica had been sleepy in the least, she might have fallen asleep right there. But before she even got the chance to let her mind consider the possibility of sleep, someone else appeared in the room.
“Hello, Angel Girl.” Tess’s voice broke into her thoughts.
A startled Monica pushed herself up and swung her legs off the couch. “Hello, Tess,” she said quickly, hoping Tess wouldn't be irritated at her for nearly falling asleep on an assignment. “I really like this apartment. I don’t understand why the Father gave it to me but it’s really nice, and the tables and furniture are great. And I really like the coffee table, Tess, but I don’t understand why the Father gave me a phone.” She propped her fingers as she babbled on. “I don’t think I’ll need it or anything but…”
Tess interrupted. “Miss Wings, Miss Wings, Miss Wings.” Monica looked at her supervisor, swallowing a lump in her throat. Clasping her hands in front of her waist, Tess continued to speak. “You were given the phone because your assignment will begin with a phone call. You were given the apartment so your move will seem more realistic, and you were given the furniture to live on for the next month or so.”
Monica sighed with relief at her supervisor’s obvious lack of anger. The mattress sagged and creaked underneath as she shifted position. She started to speak when the phone rang. She hesitated, but when Tess gave a quick nod, she picked up the receiver. “Hello?”
“Miss Welleye?” said a man with an Italian accent. Monica recognized the voice as that of Antonio Puccini, the man who had been making those ridiculous claims about the Rapture really being the effect of nuclear testing. Welleye, she thought, as she recalled the last name she had assumed when God had assigned her to serve jury duty once, almost two years before. How had President Puccini gotten hold of that information?
“Yes?” Monica responded, her own Irish accent thickening in her nervousness. She glanced at Tess, who leaned against the wall.
“Yes, Miss Welleye. This is Antonio Puccini.”
Although she already knew that, Monica almost shot up in her seat, surprised that he was calling her. An exchanged glance with Tess told her this phone call was the key to her assignment. I wonder why, she thought.
“President Puccini,” Monica said, “what a surprise.”
“You must be wondering why I am calling you,” Puccini continued.
Monica nodded, then she remembered that Puccini couldn’t see her, and said, “Yes.” She rested her left hand on the arm of the couch.
“Well, it so happens I am in need of a new senior flight attendant on my personal plane. And you have been recommended to me as among the best flight attendants on Pan-World Airways. I am requesting that you transfer from your current job.”
Monica’s heart was racing. So this was her assignment! She was to be a senior flight attendant for Antonio Puccini, for what reason she didn't know. Yet somehow, this didn’t seem like the normal assignment for her. For one, she was being hired in the same ways as humans, instead of the Father getting a job for her.
Monica looked uneasily at Tess. Something inside her made her want to receive some reassurance about this job offer before agreeing to take it.
“I’ll have to give that some thought,” Monica said. “Is there any way I can contact you when I make my decision?”
Puccini quoted a phone number to Monica, which she scribbled down on a piece of paper.
“Thank you for the offer, President Puccini. I’ll be in touch when I make my decision. Goodbye.” Monica knew she sounded hurried and almost rude, but she had to talk to Tess...and pray about this. She hung up before he could get in another word.
“Tess,” Monica protested. “I don’t understand this. Is Antonio my assignment?”
“No, baby,” Tess said. “Have you forgotten? His pilot, Ryan Whittaker, is your assignment.”
Monica let out a long sigh. “That means I have to take the position. It’s part of my assignment.”
Tess nodded, and Monica put her hands on her knees. At that moment, the sunlight pouring through the French doors that stood open, facing the balcony, disappeared under a bank of clouds, giving her the chills. She didn’t trust Puccini. She wasn’t sure why, but something about him gave her an uneasy, creepy feeling. She didn’t want to tell Tess, let alone ask her, about that creepy feeling. Maybe she would be able to judge him better when she met him in person. Perhaps after a cup of coffee, she would feel better about the assignment. She took a long, shuddering breath, then faced her supervisor.
“Tess…” Monica protested.
“Don’t ‘Tess’ me, Angel Girl. This is a big part of your assignment. Now I know it’ll be hard for you, but you have to do it. Now that the Tribulation’s almost upon us, it’s even more dangerous to walk out on assignments than it’s ever been before.”
Monica slumped against Tess. Tears started to well up in her eyes. Tess wrapped her arms around Monica and held her in a comforting embrace.
“It’s gonna be all right, baby,” Tess said softly. “It’s going to be all right.”
END OF CHAPTER 6