An Awakening

by Laura Sweat

  His master leans in even closer to his left and whispers loudly to him, putting emphasis on every sound, “Tibet.”

  Zain realizes that it is over. This is the one secret that could mean his end. If he gets a chance, he will make Adrian pay for this.

  I have a hard time understanding what has just been revealed to me. There is a certainty to it all that is somehow comforting. I look more intently at Stephen and am filled with more questions.

  “It is okay, Jeriley. What do you want to know?”

  “So many things. How? Why? What does all of this have to do with me?”

  “He loves you.”

  “He? Loves me?” Now I am just confused.

  “Very much.”

  “Who?”

  “The one who wrote the Book”

  “The Book.” I know exactly what Stephen is telling me. As obscure as the conversation sounds, it makes perfect sense.

  “Yes. He wants you to realize what you mean to him. He has tried to get your attention several times before.”

  I remember the day on my back porch when I heard someone, but dismissed it. I recall the scenery changing for just a moment. I also remember the time in my car when I heard something. That time it was not as easily dismissed.

  “That was God?” I ask and Stephen lets the question hang between us.

  “It was.”

  “Talking to me?”

  I study Stephen’s face. I see the certainty. He is telling me the absolute truth. This is becoming harder to believe by the moment. First of all, I see myself lying in a hospital bed. I am suspended above everything, yet I am right in the middle of it all. One of my dearest friends is telling me that he is an angel and to top it all off, he says that God has been trying to talk to me.

  “Why?” I want to know more.

  “He loves you.”

  “Yeah. You said that already, but why is He going to so much trouble to make sure I get it?” I ask this question, putting emphasis on myself. Why me?

  “It is very important to Him that you learn the truth. Someone very dear to Him has prayed for you and made specific requests on your behalf.”

  I immediately remember praying with Grandma. I remember times when I would hear her praying aloud. I learned very quickly that this was something Grandma did often. Memories that had somehow been forgotten come flooding back.

  “Grandma,” I answer quietly as if to myself.

  “Yes. She petitioned for you regularly and because she was so faithful, He honors her requests.”

  “Honors? As in, He still does?”

  “Oh, yes. She is with him now and her prayers for many things are still being answered.”

  This takes me by surprise. I know that people believe in prayer, but I have never given a single thought to the validity of a person’s prayers once they passed on. It does make sense. Words are powerful things that, once said, can never be taken back. When someone dies, the words they say are remembered by their loved ones or enemies. If God is one who communicates, why wouldn’t He remember what was said to Him? He would. Of course, He would.

  I am trying to pace myself and keep my thoughts from jumbling. It is difficult to do seeing as how each thing that Stephen says to me adds another barrage of questions and thoughts to the previous ones.

  “Are you the only angel I know?” The question sounds bizarre as I ask it, but what is normal about this situation anyway?

  “I am not.”

  I look at him questioningly and wonder why he is so short with his answer.

  “Can I ask how many others I know?”

  “One.”

  “Who is it?”

  Stephen hesitates slightly then goes on with his answer. He looks me squarely in the eyes and says the one thing I did not want to hear.

  “Adrian.”

  His name hangs in the air like a weight. Images of him float around in my mind and create a wall of thought. I blink and look at Stephen intently.

  “Adrian?” I ask.

  “Yes.”

  “But he isn’t like you.” I’m confused.

  “No.”

  “Why is he different?”

  “He is on a different mission.”

  “Mission?”

  “Yes. My job has been to protect you and help you find the truth.”

  “That explains many of the conversations we have had, but what is Adrian’s job?”

  Stephen decides to take a different approach. “Do you want to hear a story?”

  “A story?”

  “It will explain a great deal.”

  “Okay. Tell me a story.”

  CHAPTER 17

  Lydia spends another night in the hospital, never far from Jeriley. She spends most of her time reading her Bible and praying, sometimes aloud. There doesn’t appear to be any change in her condition. During the two days that she has been here, the nurses and doctors come and go without giving any clues at all as to whether or not Jeriley is improving. Lydia begins to wonder how much longer things will go on this way.

  There haven’t been any visitors other than Alex. She wonders where Stephen and Adrian might be. Why haven’t they been by? It is possible that she could have missed them, but highly unlikely. She has only left Jeriley’s side to go down and grab a bite to eat a couple of times each day. She even sleeps in the chair some nights. Still, it seems like someone would have come by. It just seems odd.

  Her cell phone goes off and she looks down to see the office number on the screen.

  “Hello?”

  “Lydia, it’s Alex. How are ya?”

  “I’m doing ok.”

  “Good. I was just thinking about you guys and thought I would check in.” He sounds a little anxious, which is very strange coming from Alex.

  “She’s the same. There hasn’t been any change at all.”

  “Maybe that’s not a bad thing. She hasn’t gotten worse.” He sounds hopeful.

  “No. She doesn’t seem worse.”

  “I’ll come by later today. Can I bring you anything?”

  “No. I don’t think I need anything unless you want to bring something from the office for me to do.”

  “Lydia, the office is fine. If you just want something to do, I can bring you some of your requisitions to go over, but I assure you, all of that can wait.”

  “No. I know. If you’re coming by anyway, would you bring me a few? I don’t want things to be piled up when we get back.” Lydia is optimistic that things will get back to normal soon.

  “Okay, if you’re sure. I can always have Becca work on them.”

  “No. I would rather do them myself. I appreciate it, but it might help me pass the time if I have something to do.”

  “I’ll get a few things together for you. Let me bring you some lunch, too. What would you like?”

  Lydia considers all of her options. She thinks of the places that he’ll go by on his way.

  “I can’t think of anything I want specifically. Surprise me.”

  “Are you sure?

  “Yes. Absolutely. I’m not a picky eater.”

  “Alright. I’ll see you in a few hours. Tell Jeriley I said hi.” This last statement is out of his mouth before he realizes it, but he doesn’t take it back.

  “I will. Thank you, Alex. Be careful.”

  Lydia hangs up as a nurse comes in to check vitals, IV bags, and whatever else it is that she does. She is in the room for about fifteen minutes. Other than general pleasantries, they don’t talk much.

  The nurse goes out and Lydia is left once again to pray.

  Alex leaves his office and walks down to Becca’s desk.

  “Good morning, Becca.”

  “Good morning, Mr. Donovan.”

  “Lydia would like a few of her requisitions to go over while s
he’s out. Would you mind going through a few of them and getting them ready for me? I’m heading over to Bay later this morning and I want to take them to her.”

  “Oh, I don’t mind doing them for her.” Becca doesn’t want Lydia worried about work right now. Everyone in the office is concerned about Jeriley and they all agree that she doesn’t need to be alone at a time like this. Although Donovan is a large company, they are like family. It’s one of the things the employees here value most.

  “I know. She just wants a little something to keep her busy.”

  “I understand. I’ll get some together in a bit. Can I do anything else for you this morning?”

  “No, thank you. I appreciate it, Becca. I’ll be in my office for a bit.” Alex turns to head back down the hall and Becca answers her phone on the second ring.

  He walks into the quiet of his office and shuts the double doors. His view of the gulf across the street is as beautiful as ever. The waves are constant. There is a breeze blowing the sea oats just down the beach in the dunes. The sky is cloudy with only peeks of blue sky struggling to break through now and then.

  His thoughts shift to Jeriley and the first time he met her. She walked into his office and confidently shook his hand. Her smile was genuine. She was professional, but she was easy to talk to, unlike some of the other candidates he had interviewed. He remembers the way she wore her hair. It was wavy with the front pulled up. Her outfit was sensible right down to the shoes. She was just right for the job.

  She had an easy way about her that was welcoming. Her smile was bright and genuine, her voice warm and friendly. She was efficient and good at her job. She brought something to the company, just as he knew she would.

  Alex realizes that his thoughts are consumed by Jeriley. He smiles to himself, rubbing his hand over his face. He walks over to his desk and calls Andreah. She has been his assistant from the beginning.

  “Andreah, good morning.”

  “Morning, Boss.”

  “Do me a favor, would ya? I need my schedule cleared for a while today. I’m going to Bay to check in on Lydia and Jeriley. I should be back late this afternoon.”

  “Not a problem the only thing on your book today is a few return phone calls and you already have those messages.”

  “Sounds great.”

  “How is Jeriley?” Andreah feels bad that she hasn’t kept up with the news about her co-worker, but she has been fighting her own fires lately.

  “She is hanging in there. She’s still under, but they said it would be this way for a few days at least.”

  “Alex, may I ask you a question?”

  “Of course, Andreah. What’s up?” He recognizes her tone as she gets serious.

  “Are you okay?”

  He’s caught off guard by her question and doesn’t answer right away.

  “Alex?”

  “Yes. I’m okay. Why do you ask?”

  “I don’t know. I just get the feeling that something is bothering you.”

  “Well, I am concerned about Jeriley. I think everyone is.” He answers a bit defensively, but he smiles.

  “Are you sure that’s all?” Andreah knows him well.

  He is hesitant once again and she waits for his answer.

  “Yes. I’m fine. I just want everything to be okay,” he says quietly.

  “Me too.”

  He clears his throat and sits up in his chair.

  “I’ll be leaving around midmorning. Becca is bringing me a few requisitions to take to Lydia. She wants something to keep her busy.”

  “Oh, that’s a good idea.”

  “It was Lydia’s idea.”

  “Of course.”

  They laugh a little at Lydia’s overly efficient manner and hang up the phone to get on with their individual tasks.

  Alex tries to focus on work, but he isn’t very successful. He struggles through the next couple of hours until he finally gives up and decides to head out.

  He leaves his office checking in with Andreah once more, then he walks down to Becca’s office to pick up the work for Lydia.

  “Perfect timing. I was just about to bring these to you,” Becca says cheerfully.

  “Thanks a million, Becca. I’ll see you later.”

  “Be careful and send them our love.”

  “Will do.” Within ten minutes he’s cranking his car and heading out.

  CHAPTER 18

  Stephen begins to tell me about one of the oldest stories in existence. It is not myth or fairytale, fable or folklore. It is fact. To many, it has been believed to be fiction in the most creative form. The very simple truth, however, is that it is very, very real.

  “Angels were created before the earth was formed. We were made to do His will. There are many references to us and our work in the Book. Some of us have different assignments and functions.

  One of us was created more beautifully than the rest. He was the most beautiful and wise creature ever created. His name was Lucifer. He became full of pride and jealousy. He convinced many other angels to follow him in his feeble plan to overthrow his maker. They were all cast out of Heaven and are doomed to a terrible fate.

  After the fall, Lucifer assigned his followers to help in a new plan. He could never overthrow his creator so instead, he vowed to take what the Lord loves most. He wants every human being created to join him in his eternal torment. He is committed to this task to such a degree that his hatred and darkness is often misunderstood to be equal with God’s greatness. Though his hatred is great, nothing could ever compare to the greatness and goodness of God the Creator.

  This is where ‘good and evil’ began. This war has been underway since before man was created. It affects the lives of every human being and that is a very, very abridged version of the story. There is much more, but it’s too much to tell in a single story.”

  I try to absorb all that I have been told. I recognize some of the story from talks with my grandmother.

  “So Adrian is one of the fallen?” I ask this hoping that I have misunderstood.

  “Yes.”

  “But why is he with me? There must be some mistake.”

  “There’s no mistake, Jeriley. Like me, he has a master who gives him orders. He has been on assignment. You are his assignment.”

  “No, Stephen. See he was in the wreck with me. He’s probably banged up, too. Not as badly as I am, but—”

  “Jeriley.” Stephen interrupts me, placing his hand over mine.

  This stops me and memories of Adrian come flooding back. The effect he had on me, the feeling of uneasiness that seemed to shroud me when he was around, all comes back. I look Stephen in the eye and want to cry.

  “He told me he was in the business of procurement when I asked about his job.”

  “Souls, Jeriley. He ‘procures’ souls for his master. It’s all part of the warfare I told you about. He was assigned to take you out before you made the choice.”

  “Take me out?”

  “Yes, or at least keep you from making the choice before you die.”

  “What choice?”

  “The one that will determine where you will spend eternity.”

  I know instantly what he is referring to. I’ve always known. I’ve just ignored it like it might just go away. I finally admit to myself that it isn’t going to go away. This is for real.

  “And you?”

  “Just as I said, I am assigned to lead you to the truth. I told you before that you are important to Him. I was assigned to show you the truth and to protect you.”

  “Protect me? Then how did I end up like this?” I point to my body in the bed.

  “Another caused the accident, trying to take your life. Adrian was not behind this. I was instructed to protect you from death, but the incident was allowed to give us this opportunity. I softened the blow so you wo
uldn’t be killed.”

  I am stunned. I don’t know what to say so, we sit in silence as I let it all sink in. I begin to see parts of my life fall into place like puzzle pieces that I just couldn’t make fit before.

  “Thank you,” I say almost inaudibly.

  “You’re welcome.” He answers just as quietly.

  I remember, once again, the conversation with Stephen at the park. “Everything has a purpose.” “Nothing is random.”

  “So what now?” I know that my life will never be the same, but I don’t know what to expect at all.

  “What do you want to know specifically?”

  “Will I come out of this?” I point over in the direction of myself in the hospital room again.

  “Yes.”

  “So, I’ll be okay?”

  “You will be fine. The outcome of the rest will be up to you.”

  “You are referring to the choice.”

  “I am.”

  CHAPTER 19

  Alex’s thoughts have been on Jeriley more and more since the accident. This drive to Bay Medical is no different. He rides with no radio on, trying to focus strictly on the task of driving. His phone is silent for the duration of the trip. Still his thoughts run away and he thinks of her and pays less attention to the road. He is hopeful that there will be good news today. Maybe she will even wake up. What then? What happens when she wakes up? He is stumped. He hasn’t thought that far ahead. His mind has been only on her present state and memories of her before the wreck. Once again, he finds himself in unchartered territory. Usually, he is a step ahead. There is always a plan in place. Not this time.

  He drives on, entertaining his thoughts. He doesn’t try to fight them or figure them out. Today it is more comfortable to just let them be. He rather enjoys thinking about her.

  With Lydia’s lunch picked up, he pulls up at the hospital, shuts the car off and sits back in the driver’s seat for just a moment. He says a silent prayer, asking God to let Jeriley come out of this alright. He takes a deep breath, gets out of the car with his hands full of work and food and heads inside.

  Jeriley’s nurse for the day is very nice. All of the staff here are friendly, but this one talks to her patient in a different manner than the others. She smiles and greets Lydia as well and asks if she has any questions.