by S S Bazinet
As Myra continued to pet Dantela, the cat began to purr so loudly Myra couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, I know, you love him too, but you’re more patient. Anyway, I had to tell him it might be better if we stop seeing each other for a while. And do you know what he said? He told me I should do whatever I wanted. Don’t you think that’s a terrible thing to say to me?”
Dantela stood up, arched her back in a big stretch and meowed at Myra. Myra laughed. “I’m sorry I’m complaining, but I guess I’m more upset than I’d thought I’d be. After all, I’ve been living on my own for a long time. I should be used to it. But I let myself think Rolphe and I had something special. I guess I was wrong.”
Dantela meowed again before settling back down on the cushion. Myra grabbed her book and started reading. She’d only read a couple of paragraphs when she heard a voice. It was loud and direct, but it wasn’t coming from someone on the outside.
“Myra, your boyfriend, Rolphe, is in terrible danger! Call Arel, and get Rolphe the help he needs!”
This voice was in Myra’s head. The message was so alarming she dropped her book. Dantela seemed to pick up on Myra’s distress. The cat jumped up, hissed and jumped off the sofa. She went running for her cat carrier. It was the place where the cat felt safest.
Myra wished she could run to some safe place too. The voice she’d heard had a very disturbing tone. It was so sinister it made her heart pound and her skin crawl. She’d never experienced anything like the voice before. Perhaps it was her imagination, but she didn’t think so.
After she managed to settle her nerves a little, she grabbed her phone. She needed to talk to Rolphe and make sure he was okay. After a couple of rings, her call went to voice mail. Clutching the phone, she had to think about what to do next. Before she reached a decision, she had a very brief flash of a face. A shudder went through her body. The face she’d seen was as close to demonic as any she’d ever seen, even in movies. She nearly dropped her phone after the briefest contact with the being’s cruel eyes. Thankfully, the vision didn’t last.
She decided to reach out to Arel next. It was no easy task with her shaky hands. When Arel picked up on the first ring, Myra didn’t wait for him to say hello. “Arel, something terrible has happened to my sweet Rolphe! You have to do something, now!”
In the next instant, she was sobbing. She’d been denying her true feelings. She didn’t only love Rolphe, she was in love with him. There was a difference. When a person was in love, they were already joined to the other. In this case, she had taken Rolphe into her heart, and she wanted to be with him, even if she had to share him with his art and with his devotion to his Creator. But what if the voice was right? What if something dreadful was going to happen to the man she wanted to spend her life with?
* * * * *
Arel pocketed his phone and looked at William. “I guess the conversation we were going to have will have to be put on hold. That was Myra, Rolphe’s old girlfriend. I think Col managed to get a message through to her.”
William shoved his hands in his pockets and started for the door. “Let’s discuss it in the living room.”
Arel looked around the bedroom as he followed William. “I agree. We need a change of scenery. After our experiences in here, the vibes in this bedroom are claustrophobic.”
William led the way to the living room and slumped down on the sofa. “So exactly what did Myra tell you?”
Arel sat back in his chair. “She sounds really scared. I did what I could to calm her down. And I tried to assure her Rolphe was fine, but I don’t think she totally believed me.”
William sat quietly and shut his eyes. “When I tune into Rolphe, I don’t sense that he’s in danger. What about you?”
Arel let his mind reach out to the place he’d set up for Col. “No danger. Barriers are holding. My little park is still there, but things have changed. There’s not much left around it.”
“If Rolphe’s going to remain there permanently, I’m sure he’s probably got his own ideas about the setting.”
Arel thought about Rolphe and how formidable the man could be. “I think the call to Myra was Col’s way of trying to upset Rolphe’s plans. I better tune into Rolphe himself and see if all is well.”
“I’m getting the feeling this Col problem is far from settled.”
Arel tried to ignore William’s statement. He needed to stay positively focused. “Then it’s time for me to take a little astral trip.”
William sat up, looking suddenly very anxious. “Arel, be careful. I’d go with you, but my energy is crap.”
Arel smiled back. “Thanks, Will, I appreciate your concern.”
“Right, but if there is something wrong, keep your shields in place. Don’t let Col get to you.”
Arel heard what William was really telling him. Col had nearly destroyed William twice, and William didn’t want Arel to suffer the same fate. “I’ll be careful. I promise.”
William stared at the palm of his hand. “You’re a good man, Arel, a bit crazy at times, but I think you’re coming into your own.”
“Am I finally becoming an adult?”
William smiled. “Yes, I guess you are.”
Forty-Eight
Once Rolphe let go of everything that connected him to the physical, he’d been lulled into a blissful state. Col interrupted that blissful state when he reached out to someone dear to Rolphe. Col’s transmission was the slap on the face Rolphe needed to quickly come back to himself. In an instant, he became fully aware, and his thoughts went to the woman Col had contacted.
Rolphe loved Myra, but he hadn’t allowed himself to think about her very much. She’d recently told him she wanted to break up with him. It had been a shock. However, he tried to honor her wishes. Myra probably found his actions strange even hurtful, but Rolphe was trying to do what was best.
Before their breakup, he knew he adored Myra. He’d almost asked her to marry him. However, with his latest painting project, he’d gotten lost in his art. He spent the bulk of his time at his easel. Meditating and praying were also very important when he was immersed in creativity. He needed clarity and inspiration during those times. In truth, he became so self-absorbed he often forgot to even call Myra. Maybe that was why he decided she was right to sever her ties with him.
Shortly after the breakup, the situation with Col took precedence. Rolphe got a call from Arel, telling him to come to London. As the dilemma with Col unfolded, and Arel offered to sacrifice his life and stay with Col, Rolphe saw things differently. He’d viewed himself as the person who had the fewest attachments to the physical. Arel and William had wives. Rolphe only had a cat, and Myra would see to Dantela.
He hadn’t considered Myra’s feelings when he was making his decisions. Recently, he’d informed Col that the two of them would check out for a million years. But what about the woman he knew still loved him? Before he left his body and entered the astral realm, he hadn’t even written Myra a note. He’d judged Arel’s actions, but what about his own failure to think about Myra. Reflecting back, it seemed almost unthinkable that he could dismiss her so easily.
Perhaps he thought Myra was better off without him just like William wanted to distance himself from Annabel. Whatever the reason, he saw the error of his ways now that Col had contacted her.
Disturbing thoughts about how to correct his mistakes were swirling around in his mind when Arel appeared. Rolphe hadn’t expected that. He’d been so completely committed to his duty he’d put aside his thoughts about his friends. Before they spoke, they both glanced at Col. He was standing a few feet away, looking very satisfied with himself. Arel quickly put an end to that.
Rolphe laughed when Arel enclosed the two of them in a partitioned off space lined with opaque walls.
“It’s soundproof too,” Arel said with a wide grin.
When their eyes met, Rolphe could see Arel had changed in the brief time they’d been separated. His energy was more relaxed, and he had an air of strength in the way h
e stood. But it was Arel’s happy face that made Rolphe realize why he’d loved the Earth. In the physical, there were smiles to be shared in special moments. And laughter. How many times had Myra laughed at one of Rolphe’s silly jokes? Her soft, brown eyes would sparkle when she reached out and caressed his face.
Rolphe had put all of that behind him when he committed himself to guarding Col. In exchange he had the bliss of being in a realm where one could experience a continual peace and tranquility. There was no pain where he existed, unless he thought about Myra.
Arel sighed, clearly in tune with Rolphe’s feelings. “Yes, my friend, we have a problem.”
Before Rolphe had a chance to respond, he had a second surprise. William showed up too. Rolphe saw a look of apprehension on Arel’s face.
“William? What are you doing here? I thought you didn’t have enough energy to travel,” Arel said.
William ignored Arel’s concern, and looked at Rolphe instead. “I’m tired of being the one who’s lacking, and—”
“Lacking?” Rolphe roared with robust humor. “William, I’ve been over the records, and you’ve stayed the course more faithfully than any of us. Yes, you’ve had some serious downfalls, but believe me when I say you weren’t alone in those dark times.”
William was silenced by Rolphe’s statement for only a short moment. “Well, it’s time for me to prove myself again. Tell me what you have planned for Col, and I’ll take your place.”
“I was going to put Col into a sleep state and let myself exist as light.” Rolphe lowered his gaze. “Does that sound stupid to you?”
William straightened his etheric form a little and laughed. “Actually, it sounds very peaceful. I could use some time off from the physical.”
Rolphe backed up. William had changed too. He didn’t seem to have as much of an edge to his voice, and his expression was softer. “But Annabel loves you.”
“Annabel doesn’t need me. She only thinks she does,” William replied. “No, as far as I’m concerned, your plan is a good one.”
Arel held up his hands. “Hold on, both of you. I don’t think we’re addressing the real issue. We need to understand why Col is the way he is and change his attitude.”
“I’ve meditated on that issue,” Rolphe said, “but it gets very complicated. We’re talking about so many lifetimes, lifetimes when all of us interacted. We’ve all had our ups and downs, but in Col’s case, he went so far down, he decided there was no way up for him.”
“I see,” Arel said. “Then we better tackle something easier to start with.” He looked at Rolphe. “You have to get back to your body and straighten things out with Myra.”
Rolphe felt an inner pang of desire. “But what about Col?”
“I’ll stay,” William said. “At least until we come up with a better solution.”
Arel objected. “No one has to stay. We’ll keep the barriers up. And we’ll also work on finding out how to bring Col back from wherever he thinks he is.”
Rolphe brightened. “That’s it, Arel! You’ve got it!”
William stared at Rolphe with eyes that were the palest of blues and as clear, wistful and filled with mystery. They made Rolphe wish he was in his studio where he could paint them. If only he could capture their unearthly quality on canvas, he’d be very pleased with himself.
William brought Rolphe back to the moment with a snap of his wispy fingers. The sound was crisp and pleasing even though William was in his astral body. However, William’s tone was impatient. “Rolphe, tell us what you’re talking about.”
“Oh yes, I’m sorry,” Rolphe said trying to remember his insight.
Arel stepped closer. “We were talking about how to get Col back to reality.”
Rolphe smiled with relief. “Yes, that’s right. Our discussion made me think about Col’s mind games. He’s mired himself in those dark lies and has repeated them for so long they’re the only thing he thinks about. He’s also learned to share them with others in so much detail and with such extreme emotion his victims believe the lies too.”
William looked away. “Yes, I’m proof of everything you’re saying.”
Arel nodded. “He suckered me in completely too. That fall back into my body almost killed me.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourselves,” Rolphe insisted. “When we’re born into the physical, we’ve all been taught to believe what we’re told. But in Col’s case, it’s even worse. He’s a soul who’s been traveling in darkness for so long I think he’s terrified of the light. The thought of me having control over him and exposing him to that light made him desperate to find anything that might prevent that from happening. Now, he’s involved Myra.”
“Speaking of Myra, you better get a move on,” Arel said. “She sounded extremely anxious about your welfare.”
Rolphe agreed. In fact, he immediately reached out to Myra, wanting to send a reassuring telepathic message to her. Before his message could be delivered, he was caught up in Myra’s busy mind. She was thinking of all the things she needed to do. First of all, she’d be leaving Dantela with a close friend who would take good care of the cat. Myra had also rearranged her schedule. She was tidying up all the details that revolved around taking a trip.
Rolphe looked at William, then Arel. “It’s all getting more complicated.”
“More complicated?” William asked.
Rolphe quickly shared his news. “Myra is packing as we speak. She’s planning on coming to Chicago.”
* * * * *
After returning from their astral trip to see Rolphe, William and Arel took stock of their situation. “Do you think Rolphe’s body is okay?” William asked. “He’s been away from it for a couple of days.”
The question spurred Arel into action. He grabbed his car keys and headed to the door. “You’re right. I better drive to the motel Rolphe mentioned and check things out.”
William stood up too. “I’ll come with you.”
“No, you have to get your strength back before you do anything else.”
William rubbed at his brow. “I don’t know why I’m not recovering faster.”
Arel laughed. “Really? Did you notice how much blood you threw up. I’m wondering if you have an ulcer. You’ve been under a lot of stress for a long time.”
“I suppose it’s possible.”
Arel walked back to the living room. “I’m pretty good in the healing department—”
“Maybe later. I’m more concerned about Rolphe. I don’t want to have to tell Myra she can check on him in the morgue.”
“You sound like your feelings towards him are softening.”
“I respect what he’d tried to do to help us out. So keep moving and make sure he’s okay.”
“Fine, but while I’m gone, take it easy. If you do have an ulcer, you don’t want to aggravate it.”
William smiled. “Yes, mother, I’ll behave myself.”
Arel stared at his car keys. “And about Annabel—”
“Arel, please, I thought you wanted me to relax!”
“I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”
“That’s right. It isn’t.”
Arel turned to let himself out of the condo. Before he shut the door behind him, he glanced back at William. “I do agree with you, about Annabel that is. She’s obsessed with losing her wings. It’s not helping. She has to let go of all that and start making peace with her decision. Until she does, I don’t think she’s going to be happy no matter what you do.”
William didn’t reply, but after Arel was gone, his advice didn’t go unappreciated. It helped sooth the pain in William’s gut, the one that started up every time he thought of failure and every time he thought of Annabel. The two seemed to reinforce each other. But perhaps he had to get beyond them and give himself other options.
Forty-Nine
AREL ARRIVED AT the motel with hopes that Rolphe was okay. After a couple of good raps on the door to Rolphe’s room, he was pleased when Carey answered. The youthful ange
l’s stress-free face was a good sign.
“Join the party,” Carey said as he welcomed Arel in. “Did you bring donuts?”
Arel knew Carey was enjoying himself, but he couldn’t help but offer his counsel. “I think you’ve had enough donuts, Carey. That thin, wasted look you once had is long gone.”
Carey’s smile turned into a grin. “What can I say? Life is good.”
Arel glanced around the room. “Where’s Rolphe?”
“He’s in the shower.” Carey lowered his voice to a whisper. “Between you and me, I think he’s worried about seeing Myra.”
“Why’s that?”
“I should let Rolphe answer that kind of question.”
“Oh come on, Carey, you might be an angel, but you also like to gossip.”
“Gossip? Is that what you think I do? I never thought of it that way.”
“Just tell me how Rolphe’s doing physically. Is his body okay?”
“One of us has been keeping watch while he’s been in the astral realm. When Rolphe returned, there didn’t seem to be any adverse effects. It’s more like he’s been sleeping for a couple of days.”
Rolphe came walking out of the bathroom. His hair was still wet and his facial hair needed trimming. When he saw Arel, he seemed pleased. “You didn’t have to come, but it’s nice to see you again.”
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Just a little sluggish.”
“I wanted to let you know I got another call from Myra. She’s arriving tomorrow and asked if we could meet. She wants to talk to me.”
Rolphe frowned and sat down on the bed. “Did you tell her I was fine?”
“I had to hedge a bit and tried to sound reassuring, but she’s wondering why you haven’t answered her calls.”
“I gave my phone to you.”
“Thanks for doing that,” Arel said as he reached into his coat pocket, fished out Rolphe’s phone, and handed it to him.
Rolphe stared at his phone with furrowed brows. “I think I’ve made quite a mess of things with Myra.”