by Laura Sweat
CHAPTER 32
An impenetrable hedge has been placed around Jeriley’s physical being that he cannot break through. He has tried every angle and he cannot get near her. He has only been able to call her so he calls every day. He must be careful to keep himself together. He must think this through. There is one who could give him the answers he needs about why she is under guard again. He considers his options and seeks him out. He knows just where to find him.
It has been only a little while since Stephen left Jeriley at home. He hangs around the dunes reflecting on their talk and the paths she has taken to get her this far. It still amazes him to think of the unnecessary detours that most humans take to get to the different points in their lives. That is all a part of the complication of free will, but it is as the Master wishes it to be. He understands.
“I thought I might find you here.”
“Yes, well, I knew you would show up sooner or later,” Stephen answers calmly.
“What is going on? I can’t get through. What has changed?” He wastes no time playing mind games. He is too anxious.
“She has a new boundary around her. You will have to do your homework if you are going to continue to pursue her.”
“She has not decided—”
“She has all but decided. She has not spoken a decision, but—”
“She is still fair game!” Adrian counter interrupts with a shout. His fury is uncontainable.
“And you still have access, just not in the same manner.” Stephen’s voice remains calm. “My advice to you is to look elsewhere for your entertainment. It isn’t like you to find yourself in this position with an assignment. Perhaps it is time to move on.”
“I will never give up on her. I will finish what I started. If it takes the rest of my miserable days in this place, I will win.” He storms off in a fit of rage that Stephen has never seen from him before, but he is not alarmed. He knows that furious or not, he is no match. The One who tells the wind to blow and the tides to rise and fall is the One who is in control.
CHAPTER 33
As the weeks go by I feel stronger as my injuries heal. I begin to find answers to some of my questions. These answers sometimes lead to more questions and I am beginning to realize that the deeper I go, the more there is to learn.
I have shared much of what has happened with Lydia and she is helping me to understand it all. We spend more time together away from the office than we did before all of this occurred and we are becoming the best of friends.
Work is going well and I have had no problem getting back into the swing of things. As expected, everyone seems excited to have me back and more than happy to help me get caught up.
I seem to see Alex more around the office and he has called me at home a few times. He is easy to talk to and he is not as intimidating as I use to think.
I have not seen Stephen again and I miss his easy smile and carefree air. Sometimes I think I would like to see him again; then I remember why we met and I am thankful once again.
I have been avoiding Adrian since my talk with Stephen. It has been hard. He is very persistent. I stopped answering his calls and haven’t seen him again. I fear that I may be forced to talk to him again at some point and I have no clue how I will handle that. I wish he would just disappear, but I don’t know what the chances of that might be.
I have been studying and praying a little every day since Stephen left. Some things are becoming clearer to me as I read and search things out. I am gathering quite an impressive collection of books that are either biblically based or inspirational in some other way.
Sometimes I start to question why I was given this opportunity. I begin to analyze and try to make it make sense and I just can’t. I don’t deserve it. I certainly haven’t earned it. The only thing I can come up with are the words that Stephen said as he explained it to me. He said He loves me. It’s the only thing that makes sense. I read testimonies of people who have made the choice and I am encouraged by them. Though few I’ve read so far have been as unbelievable as mine, each one is unique and just as life changing.
I realize that Stephen was right when he said that some of it would come back to me. It’s as if the basic knowledge of it all has been lying dormant somewhere deep inside and is waking up.
As memories of what I know come back, I realize that I have wasted a lot of time ignoring what I know to be true. I made my choice the night that I returned home, soon after Stephen left my house. In the short weeks since, I’ve come a long way, but I know I have a long, long way to go.