by Gay N. Lewis
“Oh, my.” The taller woman read from a page. “I had no idea Beth was this wealthy.”
“Here, let me have that.” The woman grabbed the sheaf of papers from the other. “I’ll take care of it. Go back to the front desk in case we have a visitor.”
When the taller of the two left, Miss Shorty Pants hurried to some sort of machine. Sarah hung above the woman and watched. After manipulating a few gadgets, duplicates of the file came into view. Shorty Pants then opened a secret drawer and placed the originals inside. After folding the spreadsheets, she stuck the reproductions into her skirt’s rear waistband. The red jacket covered the notes she’d pilfered. Glancing about and making sure no one looked her way, she slipped from the office.
Sarah scratched her head. What in the world?
Realization hit hard. Clearly, she’d enabled a thief to steal important documents from Bryan Wingate. Now on her heavenly resume, a notation would read, “Successful accomplice to a crook.”
Merciful heavens!
CHAPTER FOUR
Following Miss Shorty Pants seemed the best course of action. When the lady reached the front desk, she sat down with an invisible angel watching every move.
The tall woman glanced up. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, I locked the files in Bryan’s desk.”
“I heard him invite you to dinner when he came in from his visit with Mrs. Marsh. I guess you can tell him later about locking away the records. Where is he taking you tonight?”
“Probably the little Italian bistro over on Astoria Lane. It’s one of our favorite places.”
With narrowed eyes, Sarah glared at Miss Shorty Pants. This woman and Wingate were involved in a relationship. If Shorty Pants and Tall Woman could see her shaking wings and balled fists, they might sense immediate danger from this one diminutive quaking angel.
Wait a second now. Shorty Pants may not know that this man was stringing Beth along too. Shorty may be innocent. On the other hand, she did steal documents. That said something about her character. Maybe she and Wingate plotted together against Beth. Or maybe Bryan was just a jerk. Sigh. So many puzzles to solve.
Breathing deeply, Sarah calmed herself.
When the telephone rang, Shorty picked up the receiver. “Wingate Properties. May I help you?”
While Shorty Pants spoke into the phone about a list of houses for sale, Sarah scrutinized the thieving female. The woman stood taller than Sarah, but then Sarah stood short as angels go. Honey-blonde hair, fashioned in a becoming wispy style, emphasized the woman’s cheekbones. Sarah guessed men would describe this curvy lady as attractive. No jewelry adorned her fingers. Must be single.
After cradling the phone, Shorty spoke to her desk companion. “That does it, Gwen. I’m going home to shower and change for Bryan.”
Aha! Tall woman’s name—Gwen.
“Have fun. I’ll lock up in a bit.”
Sarah flew above Shorty’s automobile and tried to make mental notes of landmarks. With no sense of direction, and no notations on the map, such proceedings presented a challenge. When they arrived at Shorty’s apartment, Sarah found no surprise. The mystery lady dressed beautifully, and her home reflected the same exquisite taste. Although small, the decor resembled a model home. Dark chocolate accessories accented the muted colors of tan, cream, and white furnishings.
When Shorty entered the shower, Sarah stayed behind. Humans deserved privacy, and angels gave it. Seeing through surfaces presented no problems, but in this case, discretion offered the nobler option.
Wonder if any of the guardians happened to be around? So far, no other angels presented themselves. She better look out for Beth.
Uh-oh! Sarah slapped herself on the forehead as she remembered her first mission. On that assignment, since no other angels identified themselves, she mistakenly assumed she must do double duty and act as protector. She learned quickly—the shielding task belonged to others. At times, the Superiors failed to permit angels to see each other. Could be the same now.
Wandering around the living room and kitchen presented no clues to Shorty’s family or personal life. A quick check of the bedroom gave no telling hints either. No personal pictures adorned any shelves.
Wandering again to the living area, a vanilla-colored club chair with a matching ottoman invited her to rest weary feathers. Might as well wait for Bryan and try to solve this mystery later.
When the doorbell rang, Sarah jumped. Oh my! Nothing like a nap to disorient an angel. What’s going on? Waking up and looking about, she quickly adapted to the setting.
Shorty’s heels clicked on the snowy, tiled floor. Knockout time! Dressed in a short, black dress with a low-cut neckline, this woman planned to turn heads. The five-inch pumps made her taller too.
Sarah gazed at her own white slippers peeking from beneath the muslin robe and sighed. Females on earth wore such attractive clothes and shoes. Did she dare try those adorable shoes again? How could she resist? Especially stilettos—red—with platforms. Maybe she ought to find a way to practice walking in them before returning to The Heavenlies.
“Hi, Bryan, come in. Care for a drink before we go?”
As her jaw dropped in appreciation, Sarah stared at Wingate. With his coal-black, shimmering hair and his sparkling emerald eyes, the word handsome did not adequately describe this dude. He might be as much as twenty years older than Shorty, but he knew how to arrive in style. A woman of any age would notice him.
“Hello, sweetheart.” Bryan leaned down to kiss Shorty’s cheek. They made an attractive couple.
Sweetheart? Merciful heavens! The bloke asked Beth to marry him just this afternoon, and now he addressed Shorty with a term of endearment. Surely this guy must be the weirdo.
“Maybe a nightcap later, Sheila. I made reservations and we barely have time to get there as it is.”
Sheila—so that’s Shorty’s name. Shorty Sheila…hmmm, wonder if kids in school called her by that nickname.
A rumble rolled across the sky.
“Do we need umbrellas? I hear thunder.” Shorty Sheila reached into a closet behind Bryan.
“Possibly. I don’t want that gorgeous dress ruined.”
While they gathered coats and rain supplies, Sarah grimaced. Then the Lieutenant’s message reverberated in her mind. Don’t resort to human behavior or ugly thoughts. You don’t know the circumstances.
Okay, so it wasn’t nice to use unkind nicknames. Sorry. At cloud time, she intended to pray about her wicked contemplations toward these people. No one should judge, not even angels. Only the Almighty assumed that privilege. After all, she could be wrong about both of them.
At the restaurant, aromas of garlic bread tantalized Sarah’s nose. When had she last eaten? Not since that bit of cheese at Beth’s, and then there’d been that disastrous coffee experience, so she missed out on that hot treat. A full meal and warm beverage would be good right about now.
Bowls of steaming pasta were set before guests at various tables. Her stomach rumbled. Food beckoned her as a necessary substance.
While Sheila and Wingate ordered from their menus, Sarah slipped outside the bistro to change into human form. Walking a few yards down the sidewalk, she came to a small park. With darkness as a shield, she materialized behind a tree—appearing in a white robe without wings. What to wear to an elegant establishment? She chose a dark brown skirt with matching sweater and added a tan wool coat for warmth. For her feet, she chose brown flats. Glancing at the shoes, she grimaced. Not cute, but serviceable, and surely she could walk in them without falling down.
Smoothing her blonde curls, she promenaded toward the bistro.
“How’d ya do that? Ya weren’t there and then ya were. Ya was all dressed in white, and now ya got on brown. Ya a ghosht or somethin’?”
Merciful heavens! A man sprawled on a nearby bench gazed at Sarah, an empty whiskey bottle in his hand.
“Just thought I’d pop in,” Sarah replied as she strode by.
“Hey now
. Hold up, lil’ spook. Where’d ja come from?”
Turning on her heel, Sarah gazed at the man who slurred his words. “I’m not a ghost or a goblin. I’m one of God’s good creations.”
The inebriated man staggered to his feet. “Maybe you’re not real. You’re a pigment of my ’maginashun.” His tongue failed to cooperate with his words, and he reached for Sarah.
She disappeared.
“Huh? Where’d ja go?”
“I’m back here, and the word is figment, not pigment.”
The man rotated to the sound of her voice. Sarah stood a few feet behind him.
“How’d ja do that?”
Sarah vanished and reappeared at his left side.
“Do what?”
When the man glanced down at her, she once more left his sight, and he wobbled.
“Over here.” She failed to keep the giggle from her voice.
The man turned to his right side, and his bleary eyes grew wide. He lurched forward, fell against the bench, and rubbed his scruffy beard. When he removed his hand, Sarah stood directly in front of him.
“You mean this?” She disappeared and then reappeared.
“Yeah, that.”
“If I were you, I’d stop that alcohol abuse and go home to my wife and family. I’d dedicate myself to God and live a life for Him. If you do that, chances are you will never again see pink elephants or things that aren’t there.”
“Never sheen a pinky elephant, but I see you. Hear ya too, and ya stand right in front of me.” He pointed a finger at Sarah.
“God forbids strong drink and abuse of one’s body.”
“Just had me one drink from theesh bottle.”
“Look at the flask.”
The man followed instructions. “My booze is gone. Where’d it go? Did you drink it?”
“From your garbled speech and appearance, I’d say you did.”
“Oh yeah. Tha’s right. Just wanted to forget my troubles for a while.”
“God loves you. He will help you if you ask.” Sarah vaporized into a misty form but remained where he could see her.
“I need my eyes examined. I can see through ya.”
“No, you don’t require a visit with an optometrist.”
“But sometimes I see ya and then I don’t, and now ya look fuzzy. Who are ya anyway?”
“Just consider me a messenger from the Almighty.”
“The Almighty? Whoa!”
The guy fell to his knees and clasped his hands in prayer in front of him.
“Don’t worship me. Worship Him.” With that, Sarah trailed away in a vaporous image.
The man grasped the bottle he’d left on the bench and looked skyward. “Never again, Lord. Never again.” He dashed the empty liquor container to the ground.
CHAPTER FIVE
At the entrance to the bistro, Sarah heard her name called.
“Oh, Mother Goodness! Am I in trouble for my encounter with that human man?”
“No, my dear. Actually, the Commander sent me to tell you that the confrontation with the man will benefit him.”
“I’m not in trouble with the Superiors? I was afraid I’d blundered again. The man accidentally saw my unplanned appearance.”
“Unintended to you but intended for him, for nothing is ever unforeseen to the Almighty. Our Creator knew the man would witness you make an entrance to his world, and God allowed it. That dear mortal needed the message you gave, and your arrival will have a valuable effect on him. He will remember enough about tonight’s incident to abate his alcohol habit. His wife and children will reap the advantages of a sober husband and father.”
“He’s going to have a real bad head-hanger in the morning.”
Mother Goodness chuckled. “I think the Earthlings call it a hangover, but I expect your choice of words is more accurate. He will definitely hang his head in shame tomorrow.”
“Will he tell people about our exchange and my disappearing act?”
“No, child. He knows he would be ridiculed, and people would attribute his story to alcohol, but everyone will see a dramatic change in this man’s life.” Mother Goodness hugged Sarah. “You did well. Now, is it all right if I join you for dinner?”
“Oh, yes, please.”
Sarah held the door open for Mother Goodness. Like Sarah, she appeared in her natural form—sans the gigantic feathered wings. Silver hair framed a gentle, lined face and accented sparkling blue eyes. A navy dress and coat adorned her ample midsection. Glancing at her shoes, Sarah shrugged. No-nonsense two-inch navy pumps. When the necessity to appear human came her way, would she forever be destined to wear that same kind of ugly footwear?
“They don’t serve fried foods in this establishment, but they offer a lovely dish of chicken piccata. I’ll have that. What do you wish to eat?”
Sarah closed her menu. “On my last visit to Earth, Laney requested shrimp with angel hair pasta. When she selected it, I thought anything that resembled someone’s hairy head couldn’t be tasty, but when the waiter brought the dish, it looked yummy. I decided to try it sometime, and this is a good place for Italian fare.”
After they placed their order, Sarah nodded toward Bryan and Sheila. “Do you know anything about those two?”
“No, my dear, but your assignment is to solve Beth’s dilemma, and they are part of the mystery.”
“You’ve been at this longer than I have. Does it ever get easier to accept the unknown?”
“Hmmm—not really. I know more than you, but less than God.”
“I know more than the earthbound creatures, but less than any of my heavenly Superiors.”
“The undetermined and unfamiliar in our lives cause all God’s creatures—human and angel—to depend on Him.”
“I seem to need Him more than any of you do. Am I in trouble for any of my goofs this trip?”
“Not that I know anything about. The Commander sent me here to compliment you on the message you gave to that unhappy and needy gentleman.”
“So an accident on my part was a divine appointment. The Almighty is amazing, but I don’t know where to start with this new quandary.”
“One step at a time, little angel; one step at a time. Our Father will reveal His plans to you.”
“He’s always come through for me in the past, so I shouldn’t fear in this circumstance. The Lord will not let me down.”
When Mother Goodness beamed a smile bright enough to light up the room, several people gazed in her direction. “I’m pleased to see how much you are growing.”
“Thanks, but I’m not where I want to be in the maturity department. Doubts often overwhelm me.” Sarah allowed a frown to come to her face. “After we eat, can you show me the way back to Beth’s house? The Commander’s map showed Beth’s mansion and Mr. Wingate’s office, but all these other places aren’t on the diagram. I have no idea where I am.”
Mother Goodness laughed. “See how magnificent our God is? You don’t need a GPS because I’m here and can help you find your way.”
When their food arrived, they bowed their heads and Mother Goodness prayed. “Father, we thank You for this lovely earthly meal. Although we have mouthwatering food in The Heavenlies, it is a treat to have Your provision here. Amen.”
While they ate, snatches of Bryan and Sheila’s conversation drifted to their ears, but not one word gave a clue as to their plans with Beth or even to their personal relationship. The couple under surveillance finished their meal and left the bistro.
“I doubt they will plot anything at this late hour. Come, Sarah. I’ll take you to Beth’s.”
“Thanks. I’m going to attend some sort of meeting with my charge tomorrow night. I’ll obtain my first glimpse of Charles Chadwick and may be able to tell if his attention is genuine. But right now, I’m grateful for your guide service. What was it humans used to say? Go west with the rest?”
“Yes, that phrase is attributed to Horace Greely, an American author, but tonight we are going east.”
&nb
sp; “Oh.”
* * *
With nothing to do but wait, Sarah sat quietly on Beth’s roof and spent the day with the Good Book. Fascination consumed her as she read how God used earth creatures in previous times. These people on the pages were her friends in The Heavenlies.
Leftover pasta from the night before, carried out in a little container, sustained her through the day. No worries today about finding her way back to Beth’s. Ahh, a day of rest and rejuvenation. Why didn’t humans take down time? Didn’t they know it would be good for them?
As the sun slipped beyond the horizon and the cold seeped in, Sarah touched her wrist to raise her internal thermostat and ordered up a white cloak to go over her simple attire. Not that she needed it, but a bit of weight felt good now and then—kind of comforting.
Soon it would be time for Charles Chadwick to arrive. Hmmm. This guy planned to take Beth to a meeting where she’d find bored people. What kind of thingy could that be? Some sort of dreary gathering where people grew weary of each other? No fun in that. Why should people get dressed up and go to a get-together to become apathetic, tired, or exhausted? These beings manufactured some unusual events. Excitement took place in The Heavenlies—no boredom there. In that realm, no tedium existed and certainly no world-weariness. Inhabitants anticipated interest and pleasure at every venture.
A fancy black car pulled into Beth’s drive, and Sarah employed her x-ray vision to look at the man getting out. Okay, so this one looked good too. Didn’t Beth know any men who were unattractive? Wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt, and red tie, Charles rang the bell.
Sarah zoomed in for a closer inspection. Hovering above the guy, she discovered a tiny bald spot making its appearance in the center of his scalp. Gray studded his temples and a few steely sprinkles found their way throughout his side-parted hairstyle. Well, at least this one grew real hair, no toupee and no dye in his locks.
Maria opened the door. “Come in, Señor Chadwick. Señora Beth be here in a minute.”
Chadwick followed the housekeeper into the elegant living room and chose to sit on a white damask-covered sofa. Sarah scrutinized him. Not as tall as Wingate, but of medium height, no mustache and eyes the color of chocolate. Wonder if his teeth are genuine? Guess it didn’t make any difference. Just curious.