by Laura Sweat
“I guess that’ll be alright. What do you want to do?”
He is quiet and doesn’t answer immediately. “Adrian?”
“Yeah, sorry. I was just going through our options. We could take a drive down the coast. Maybe hit a few shops over in PC. How does that sound?”
“I’d like that. I can be out right at five. Meet me at the office?”
“That sounds great, only you never told me where you work.”
I answer with a giggle. “Oh, that. I work at Donovan.”
“Oh wow! Nice.”
“I’m doing pretty well for myself, yeah.”
“I’ll say. Well, I will meet you at five tomorrow.”
“See ya then.” I hang up the phone and shudder. This guy is dangerous. I really need to be careful. I sit back and close my eyes. I try to empty my brain for just a moment by concentrating on the blackness behind my eyelids. It isn’t working. Adrian infiltrates my thoughts. Everything about him, from the way he talks, says my name, the way he looks, and smells all comes flooding back. I get up and walk to the kitchen to get a drink. As I’m leaning on the counter, I turn and look out the window. The dunes offer a beautiful view as I contemplate my thoughts of Adrian. I begin to daydream and before I start to drift off out the window, I have a change of heart. It isn’t Adrian who is dangerous. It’s me. He has given me no reason to think he is like anyone else I’ve ever met. He has been the perfect gentleman. I just get carried away. My history is evidence of that.
I put my glass in the sink and the phone rings. This time, it must be Stephen.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Jeriley.” It is so refreshing to hear from him. I realize, just now, that he has the exact opposite effect on me than Adrian has.
“Hey, Stephen. I’m glad you called.”
“I said I would.”
“Yes, you did and your timing is perfect.”
“Glad to hear it. How did your day go after lunch?”
“It was okay. It’s good to be home, though.”
“Yeah. I know that feeling. So, when do you want to go for that boat ride? I am pretty flexible. We can go whenever you want.”
“Well, how about Wednesday when I get off work?”
“Works for me. I can pick you up say around six, give you time to get home and change if you’d like?”
“That would be perfect.” I give him my address and we hang up after some small talk.
The next several weeks are spent much like this one. I find myself settling into work quite well and my personal time after hours is spent balanced between Stephen and Adrian. The more time I spend with each of them, the closer we become. Both are quickly becoming very important figures in this new life of mine, yet both seem to be polar opposites in some strange way.
Stephen proves himself to be trustworthy and well grounded. He is an easy spirit who continues to have an uncanny calming effect on me. No matter what mood I’m in when we first meet or talk on the phone, I always find myself relaxed and steady after a few moments with him. He is a deep thinker and is confident without being arrogant or haughty. He also proves to be full of wisdom and chivalry. We have had more than one conversation about things that get me thinking.
Adrian, on the other hand, is different. While he is chivalrous, he has a more carefree attitude. He is smart, fun, and always ready for adventure. And as he is becoming increasingly attractive, if that is even possible, I find that I have very little self-control in his presence. In fact, my thoughts get jumbled, my heart races and my imagination wanders to nether regions when I spend time with him.
Lydia and I are becoming close friends. She is lighthearted and generally cheerful. She is exceptionally dependable, and although the opportunity hasn’t arisen, I get the impression that she would be a good listener if I ever needed one. We talk easily with each other and genuinely like each other’s company.
I am thankful that I have developed these relationships so quickly and find it ironic since I was weary, in the beginning, at the thought of letting anyone get to know me here. The weeks turn into months and I find myself loving my new life. My job is every bit as rewarding as I had hoped it would be. I have escaped the dark cloak of my past and have been granted a chance to start over. Things are definitely looking up.
CHAPTER 6
The area surrounding the dark cave is full of commotion. There is a sense of dread in the air that seems heavy combined with the sense of agitation that is constant here. The smell of fear grows stronger as Adrian approaches the Master’s chamber.
“What news do you bring?” The Master wastes no time with greetings. He doesn’t even turn to face him as he enters.
“She loves me. I have her complete trust. I am sure of it,” Adrian answers with a smirk on his face.
“You have carried this out much longer than you were instructed.” He turns with his arms folded to face Adrian fully. Adrian tries to gauge his mood but it is impossible.
“I have reported fully and faithfully. My progress is sure. I have begun preparations to destroy her new friend, Lydia, as well.”
“That would certainly be a prize.” He places his index finger on his bottom lip in contemplation. He would revel in this unexpected prize if Adrian were to be successful in gaining this believer.
“I thought you would approve.”
“Indeed, I do. I have been watching you myself recently with the girl. You are enjoying yourself, are you not?”
“I am, Master.” He bows his head slightly and holds this position as the Dark One moves forward.
“Perhaps I was hasty in my initial plans for this one. You are accomplishing much with her. I have seen it. Carry on as you wish. Do not get careless. Much caution should be used with Lydia as well. I would love to have her.”
Adrian bows his head slightly lower as he waits for his dismissal. He listens to the chanting and screaming that comes at him from every direction. After centuries of this incessant noise, it can still be overwhelming at times. After all, they were not created for this life. They have not always dwelt in this place or in these conditions. Life for the fallen took a drastic turn when they decided to follow the Father of Pride.
“I will be watching closely, Adrian.” He flicks his hand to shoo his servant away.
He has many other servants to admonish as it seems many are failing him regularly these days. Perhaps he isn’t torturing them enough. It could be that he is delegating too much. Maybe he should be more hands on in the war. His time is running out. More destruction, more damage, more carnage must be accomplished. He abhors the thought of approaching the Throne but it is necessary to gain permission to reach certain ones. Those who have accepted salvation are protected. The very thought of the word fills him with loathing. Even some who have not accepted have been earnestly prayed for by those who have been, granting them some level of protection. He will not go now. He will wait.
The celebration is in full swing. The hosts are singing and dancing and the Son is smiling. How magnificent it is to behold the salvation of one lost. A man in his sixties who avoided this for decades has made Jesus his Lord and Savior. Stephen is taking it all in as he anticipates again what it will be like to celebrate Jeriley’s miracle of salvation. He longs to see the smile on the Savior’s face when Jeriley accepts him as Lord. The Heavens are brightly lit with His glory and the joy is unspeakable. Before this celebration has come to an end, there is another beginning. How magnificent. This one is for a young boy in his twenties. His mother has been praying earnestly for his soul and now he has made the decision. What joy! Songs and dancing continue. Praises are shouted and it is the most beautiful music ever created. All the hosts marvel at each event, never having had the need for redemption, they do not fully understand. They inquire about it regularly. Oh, the conversations held in the heavens!
There is a constant flow of activity here that is orchestrated smoothly
and harmoniously without any sense of chaos. At any given time there are angels who are ministering, guarding, rescuing, or reporting. Some are making themselves present on earth unbeknown to those who encounter them.
It is peaceful and more beautiful than anyone on Earth has ever imagined. People have been trying to imagine, for centuries, what it is like. Some have only wondered what it looks like. Others have thought about the angels. Some have entertained deeper thoughts and marveled about travel and other specific questions pertaining to this realm. There have been countless variations about Paradise in the imaginations of the flesh. Some entertain the idea that when a person dies they become an angel. Some even believe that it is a place where their loved one has gone automatically at the time of death. Perhaps this is the saddest assumption made. No one enters but by The Way. There is no point system. No amount of good works has ever been or will ever be sufficient. A price of immeasurable worth was paid and His praises are sung continuously.
CHAPTER 7
The weather is chilly now, making the atmosphere quite different on the coast. It’s even starting to look cold outside. The leaves are falling, making the trees bare and I am reminded of that feeling in the air when the seasons change. I am not used to being here during the offseason. The tourists are gone and the overall pace of things is slowing down with the coming of fall.
There’s a tap on my door and I snap out of my daze and turn my chair from the window to face my desk.
“Yes?”
Lydia sticks her head through the doorway holding the handle with one hand while pulling the door towards her with the other. She hugs the door like this frequently when she peaks into my office.
“You want lunch? I’m going out. I can bring you back a Philly.”
I hesitate, trying to decide.
“You know you want one,” she says quietly in a sing-song voice.
“Yes, I do. I haven’t had one in a while. That would be great. Can you bring me a side of that slaw and a Coke, too?”
“Yes, ma’am. I will,” she answers as she releases her hold on the door to leave.
“Wait. Lydia?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you just going for lunch?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you mind if I tag along? I need to get out of here for a bit.”
“Not at all. I’ll grab my purse and meet you out front.”
“I’ll be right out.” It will be nice to spend some time with another girl for a change. Lydia and I became fast friends, but we don’t spend much time together outside of the office. We chat here and there throughout the day, getting to know each other a little more as time goes by.
She has a cute little blue Juke that is just right for her. It matches her personality perfectly. I am discovering a side of Lydia that I didn’t notice before. She is the picture of professionalism at work, but as I’ve gotten to know her, I have seen a little spunky side to her. She is comfortable with herself. I admire her confidence and I think it’s contagious. I hope so anyway.
She cranks the car and turns the radio down. Like me, she keeps her radio on whenever she is driving. She looks over at me and smiles as she sings the words to the song that is finishing. She closes her eyes at the end and pretends to bask in the spotlight as the song ends. We both laugh as she backs out of the parking space.
“Bravo! Bravo!” I clap as we approach the road. “You have a beautiful voice.”
“Really?” She wrinkles up her nose and looks questioningly at me. “I sing at church every once in a while, but not much.”
“That’s great. You should do it more.”
“I don’t know, I guess I could.”
We ride along in silence for a few minutes with the radio playing softly.
“So are you still spending time with Adrian?” She asks with a sideways glance.
“I am,” I say, nodding my head as my thoughts begin to drift off to all things Adrian. I don’t know how long I sit staring off into space, but she interrupts my thoughts.
“You really like him, don’t you?”
“Hmm?” I am brought back to our conversation by her question.
“He must be pretty special to get you all starry eyed like that.” She is grinning ridiculously.
“What!” I say incredulously.
“Oh, come on! You went into la-la land at the mention of his name.”
I have absolutely no explanation. I can’t explain it away or deny it so, I just look at her and admit it. “Yes, we spend a lot of time together. I do enjoy his company quite a bit.”
“Mm-hmm. How long have you been seeing each other?”
“We actually met the day after I got moved in down here. I guess we have been seeing each other since then. We haven’t really discussed our relationship. We just spend a lot of time together and things appear to be going well.”
“Well, you should have him come by the office sometime and let me check him out for you. Ya know, so I can make sure he’s a good quality guy. What does he do?”
“He says he’s in the procurement business. He’s been kind of vague about his job. He says it allows him to work on his own schedule and he gets to move around a lot. He must make really good money, though. He drives a car made in Italy.”
“Are you serious? What is it?”
“A Maserati Granturismo. It’s black and it is unbelievable.”
“I’m impressed. I assume he treats you well.” She says this with the tone of a statement, but her look is one full of questions.
“So far he has been the perfect gentleman. He is a spur-of-the-moment kinda guy. He definitely keeps things interesting.”
We have arrived at Boomer’s where Adrian and I shared our first meal. We get out and go in. I always find myself admiring the sign. It reads “Boomer’s By the Sea” in red letters and there’s a shark twisted in and out of the two o’s in “Boomer’s” that looks like he’s about to bite the B in “By”.
We pick a booth and I sit back to relax in the comfortably cushioned benches. We both know what we want so when the waitress comes over, we order and resume our conversation.
“Do you have a special someone that I don’t know about?” I am curious to know more about my new friend.
“I’m not seeing anyone in a serious way right now. I am waiting for Mr. Right I guess you’d say. I want to avoid as many mistakes as I can, so I don’t go looking for trouble.”
“Looking for trouble?”
“Yeah. I would rather let the Lord pick the right guy for me and send him my way. If I tried to pick Mr. Right I would get it wrong every time. I’ve seen enough of that from the mistakes some of my friends have made and I just don’t want all that drama.”
“I have never thought about that option. I suppose if someone could pick Mr. Right, it would be Him.”
We sit there quietly for a moment and I feel I don’t know what to say now that the conversation has turned in this direction. I have certainly made my share of those mistakes. After a moment, I decide to open up a little.
“I have never considered myself to be the religious type. Remember my grandmother that I told you about? She talked to me about God and the Bible when I was little. She taught me how to pray and I remember those talks and the things she taught me. I’ve just never applied any of it since I’ve been on my own. I’m not sure I’d know how, after all this time.”
“Sure you would. Did she pray with you often?”
“All the time. It seemed to come so naturally to her. I can remember the things she talked to me about and looking back, I guess there were lots of lessons in the talks we had. When she died, I sort of let all of that stuff slip away.” There. I confessed.
“How long has she been gone?”
“She passed away when I was fourteen. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. I always felt so close to her.
She always loved me, no matter what.”
“She sounds very special. I guess grandmas are like that. To their own grandchildren, I mean. Mine made me feel the same way.”
“Yeah. It must be a gene that grannies develop when grandchildren are born,” I say with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.
By this time our food arrives and we begin to eat. As usual, it is delicious and the conversation is flowing easily for me considering the subject.
“I think it’s wonderful that you still remember so much about your grandma, and in such detail.” Lydia begins to stir her coke with her straw in seemingly deep thought while I polish off the last of my lunch.
“So when’s the last time you tried it?” Lydia has come out of her trance and I’m puzzled at her question.
“Tried what?”
“Praying,” she answers.
“Oh, I don’t know. Um, I guess the last time I prayed was right before Gram passed. I mean, I just don’t take the time you know, life gets busy.”
I am taken back to my childhood to a time before all of my grief and confusion began.
It is summer time and I am twelve years old. We are walking to the post office and the day is about as perfect as it can be. Birds are singing and there is an easy breeze cooling the air just a little bit. Grandma and I are admiring the flowers in the yards we pass. She loves flowers. She always seems to be able to name any flower I ask her to. I think Grandma knows everything. She always seems so wise and thoughtful. The streets are quiet and so far, not a single car has passed by. We make our way through the neighborhood up to Main Street. Turning, we head uptown where the road becomes wider in front of the old abandoned shops.
“Don’t that breeze feel good,” Grandma says as we turn north. There aren’t many so when we feel a breeze, it deserves to be mentioned. It is early summer and it is already hot. We know it will only get worse.
“It sure does. Wish it would blow more,” I answer. We walk along a little further without saying much at all. I am too busy taking in everything from the empty yards and abandoned buildings to the shades of blue in the sky. I look down at our feet as we walk. Grandma has one of her dresses on that I’ve seen her wear many times before. It is short sleeved and has a collar and buttons going down the front. She has several dresses that are made like this. She always looks so comfortable.