The Angel's Daughter

by Jody Sharpe

  “Me too,” says Andy.

  “I think I’ll go over and have coffee with Helen and your Dad,” Sissy says. “You all want to come too?” Sissy walks toward the back door and the others follow.

  Laurjean quips, “Don’t you worry, honey, now you make light of those nasty piranhas pretending to be people.” They say goodbye walking out the back door into the alley. Taylor and I look at each other. Andy hangs back a minute.

  “If you need me, holler. But I know between Taylor and Josh you’re pretty covered.”

  “Thanks Andy, you’re a great friend!”

  Andy smiles, “You too.” Taylor locks the store’s front door and puts the closed sign up. Tiffany is reporting from outside The Mystical Me Bakery across the street. A small crowd has gathered. Bambi is there among them looking my way and gloating. Gramps is walking away. I run like hell to the bathroom.

  When I come back Taylor asks, “Are you all right?”

  “I’m okay, but still shaking. Do you mind if I go to the beach for a little bit? It always calms me down.”

  “No, of course. Go.”

  “I don’t really know what I would have done if you weren’t here Taylor.”

  “You have to admit it was incredible, almost funny! Those people are awful.” Then we start laughing in spite of everything.

  “Did you see the expression on Tiffany Gould’s face when I said I was you and Bambi told her I was your boyfriend?”

  “I know and did you see the cameraman shake when he saw Donnie and Jim?” Taylor and I typically start laughing when things get tense. “And how about Tiffany’s hair…I mean I thought about giant cotton candy!”

  Taylor laughs hard. “Don’t worry, I’d win anytime against a cotton candy-haired blonde and someone named Bambi! Whoever named that girl was way off.”

  “She’d give a witch a bad name. I’m just glad she didn’t pinch me.”

  “Assault and battery, Hannah,” Taylor warns only half kidding. “And how about Gramps? That old man just wants money. It’s extortion. He’ll never own up to dumping Dawn in the woods.”

  My cell rings. It’s Meredith. She’s seen Bambi and troop across the street. I explain what’s happened and tell her I’ll call her when I get back from the beach.

  “Taylor, I love you like the brother I never had. You were terrific, so tough and funny. I hope you don’t have to do it again.”

  “Me too, I never thought of myself as a knight in shining armor but stranger things do happen. I will hit people for you if necessary.” He smiles and I smile back at my dear, dear friend.

  “I’ll stay and unpack in case they do try to come back. I want them to be as afraid of me as they were of Donnie and Jim.” He flexes his muscles. “I’m channeling “Iron Man” for sure!”

  “You channel “Iron Man” and I’ll be back soon.” I give him a hug then walk out to the alley. I spy Dawn and Duke playing with a ball in the yard. Dad comes out of the back door. Bubbles must be back with my aunt and our friends. I wonder if Bubbles is on her shoulder waiting for a cookie.

  “Red, you all right?” He hugs me tight then let’s go. There’s concern on his face.

  “Yes.”

  “So that reporter and Sam’s ex-wife came in with the Jacobs fellow?”

  “Yes, they were horrible demanding to know if I’m an angel and Jacobs accused me of stealing Dawn. Donnie and Jim saved the day. And Taylor, well, I’ve never seen him mad.”

  “Look I’ll take over the shop.”

  “No that’s okay. I am going to the beach for a few minutes. We already closed up shop for a while but Taylor’s going to stay. I want to feel like we’re flying over the water again. You understand don’t you, how I wish I could fly with you away from all this?”

  “Red, I wish that too. I’m going to practice some night, to see if I can fly higher again. I’m almost sorry. I know I made you love it so.”

  “Listen, I wouldn’t give up those memories for anything. I just need to look at the lovely ocean and pretend I’m flying.” I hug my father. “I love you Dad.”

  “Love you too. Helen’s cheering our friends up with coffee and cookies, so I’ll go back in.” We hug again.

  I drive out of the alley turning left when I get to Main then on Moon Road, the shortcut winding to the beach where Dad and I would fly. I pass Bob’s Pizza, Little Ones Daycare and Madam Norma’s Parlor. There are so many good people in our little town. I see my dear friend Larry Strong, our City Manager and resident energy healer, walking down the street. He and I were in high school together. He waves at me and I think of the peace he always has in his face and manner. That’s what I want, to be like him…peaceful, centered. I pull over.

  “Hey Larry, got a minute?”

  “Sure,” he says leaning in the passenger car window. “What’s up?” His long brown hair is pulled back in a ponytail.

  “I’ve got a big problem. I need your help if possible?”

  “Sure, anything,” he says.

  “A man I used to date has written a novel and made me the heroine… I’d like to talk to you about it. Do you have time to work with my energy soon?”

  “Probably tomorrow would work. Give me a call in the morning. In the meantime remember to wish him well Hannah….that will help until I see you. Okay?”

  “Okay, Larry thanks.” He smiles and walks on. He’s the picture of tranquility. Maybe it’s not a coincidence I saw him.

  I turn past Beach Tails Veterinary Hospital where Josh is hard at work then drive a few streets further into the small public parking lot. No one is out today and it’s become blustery all of a sudden. The clouds look like big white feather pillows floating in the sky. The sun is moving high on this beautiful day. I take off my shoes and run to the vast rippling waves at water’s edge. The wind in my face blows my hair around wildly and the windswept sand feels good even if it’s cold. Closing my eyes it’s easy to imagine my father and me flying like we used to in the star-studded night, where the twinkling lights of our little harbor town looked like a fairyland, where nothing could harm us. I imagine us the night we found Louie….a breath away from the moon’s shimmer on the Pacific. I take in the deep salty air. I open my eyes, the waves are glistening, spraying their cold magic, and the moon still hangs in the sky. Pelicans fly overhead. I count seventeen of them as I try to hear the rush of wings but the sound of the surfs rhythm overwhelms them. Far away a boat moves onward, sails dancing in the new breeze. In the distance the spout of a whale sprays towards the sky. I close my eyes and take in the deepest breath I can again trying to center myself.

  Opening my eyes I’m suddenly hovering out of my body above the water. I don’t feel the wind. I feel nothing but joy as if I’m looking at Uriel. Now I’m high above the enormous whale. His gray skin shines like patent leather. He jumps turning his body towards me as if to say, “hello”. He’s communicating and launches himself high enough for me to touch his perfect skin. He’s an angel of the sea in pure delight. With a giant splash back down he sets waves in motion. Where is he going, whom does he love? He seemed aware of me but is this a day dream? Instantly, I’m back standing on the beach again. Did I really leave my body perched above a magnificent whale? Looking up, the sun is in the same place warming my face. To my right the white streak of an airplane trail moves north. God gave me this joyful gift of experiencing a higher plane. Can it help me conquer this dark chapter in my life?

  To: Hannah’s email@…..

  From: Sblakley’s email@…..

  FYI Remember we talked about a plastic surgeon for you? Just read about San Francisco’s Maury S. Goldstein, M.D. Google him. See you later.

  Love, S

  If Tiffany Gould’s report was on the TV, we didn’t see it. No one called either so maybe it was just a momentary interest on her part, at least I’m hoping. Larry and I sit on a large braided rug in his studio. He’s done some hands-on energy healing and I do feel calmer. We’ve discussed the events taking place the past few days. But the onl
y thing is I’m not being honest and it’s getting to me. I’ve left out the part about Sam’s plagiarizing and of course that my father is an angel. But I do need to tell him about my time at the beach.

  “I had something either strange or amazing happen to me after I saw you yesterday. I had an out of body experience for just a moment. I was above a whale and felt euphoric, and then was back in my body again. What do you think is happening?” Larry pauses so I continue. “I need someone who’s connected to spirit and might understand this phenomenon.”

  “This is special, Hannah. I know of only one person who has out of body experiences and in fact that person is me. It is possible others can do it too but so few have been able to truly leave the body. Yet it’s always within the power of the soul. If you can do it then you have found ultimate control. It can help you in tough situations. It changes your perspective on life. You realize the spirit can exist outside the body. It can take away pain and help others. Your energy has the ability to heal your worries. Use it to heal the pain of Sam’s betrayal.”

  “Larry, you always help me so much. Tell me more about leaving your body?”

  “It doesn’t happen all the time but today I felt myself leave my physical form and look down as we worked. I could move my arms and legs but my mind and energy were above you, moving the negative energy away from you. It’s almost indescribable as you know. Don’t worry, at some point you’ll be able to control it and be out longer. It’s a gift, Hannah, embrace it.” Larry smiles and I feel less fear and that’s good.

  When we finish talking I hug him and leave his studio above his partner Sal’s hair salon. I walk down to “The Wild Hair Salon” where Sal is waiting for me. Their tired old Brittany, Sassi, sleeps on a dog bed near his chair. In years gone by she would sit outside the door greeting people coming in as the welcoming lady.

  Sal asks, “Did you have a good session with Larry?”

  “The very best, I feel better now.” I do feel somewhat better but of course worry is still present. I tell him about Sam and the book and that I want to go blonde and cut the hair.

  “Whoa, are you sure?” sighs Sal. “All that beautiful red hair, blonde honey?”

  “I can’t look like the woman on that book. I need the change to cope with this whole mess.”

  “Of course….let’s get started but let’s just put in lots of blonde streaks and leave some of it red.” As he works I fill Sal in on the rest of the situation. Talking and chatting always helps calm me and it’s easy with Sal. He makes me laugh when I tell him about Tiffany Gould’s hair. “Giant cotton candy hair? That’s so eighties. And she’s a TV reporter? Someone should have told her that style went out with shoulder pads and poodle perms.” He promises to watch her on TV. I tell him about Bambi’s shoe polish black hair and he laughs his head off.

  “Humor helps us Hannah. It’s very healing as Larry always says.” As I leave the shop, the streetlights have just turned on. Despite Sal’s misgivings, he put an amazing amount of blonde in my hair. Sal stands at the door as I go.

  “Looks, pretty good. You definitely don’t resemble the old you but I still prefer your natural color. Women would kill for that red, men too.”

  “Sal, you did a great job, I look like a real blondie now. Maybe no one will recognize me.” He also cut my hair to shoulder length and blew it out straight. Now I don’t resemble the angel on the cover of the Sam’s book any longer. Larry joins us at the door.

  “Thanks guys. You are awesome friends. I feel better now.”

  I’m going up and down with my emotions, but who wants to listen to that? As if he can read minds, Larry says, “Stay focused on all the good. Turn the worry energy into healing energy.” Then he hugs me and I hug Sal too. “I will.”

  Walking back home with almost a slight skip in my step for the first time in a few days, I stop like I have brakes across the street from Dear Dogs Etc. My heart goes to my throat because there are two trucks parked in front. One says San Francisco’s KFWE TV, the other WGS news. I thought Tiffany was the only reporter interested in me. Walking as quickly as possible by the trucks I notice a few people gathered. Tiffany Gould stands outside our store reporting. Andy’s father, Willie, is talking to the local reporter. I imagine he’s asking them to leave the streets of town. Tiffany does glance my way for a moment but obviously doesn’t recognize me. But it’s only a matter of time. I go round the corner and turn down the alley towards home where I used to feel safe.

  My confidence shifts. If I was a real angel I would have kept the secret and this would never have happened. The lights on the back porch bring me home. Dinners on the table, the people and animals I love are waiting. What am I saying?

  Love, I realize it is happening. I’m falling in love with Josh. But why would he want someone involved in such a wasps nest? Of course I can’t tell him the truth. When I saw him again on my birthday I didn’t realize how good my life really was at that point. Now I’m waiting for some miraculous solution to end this and go back to the way it was. But somewhere deep down I know it never will.

  The reaction to my hair is a no-brainer. The animals don’t even recognize me as I walk in the back door and Dad, Aunt Helen and Josh look at me like I’m a weird carnival performer. Their mouths drop open a bit, their eyebrows rise.

  “Hey, what do you think, do I look like the lovely Tiffany now?” I try to act funny, it isn’t working.

  Dad stands up, “Why you look as pretty as ever.” Bubbles hides in Dad’s shirt, leery of the stranger.

  “It’s lovely dear,” Aunt Helen says softly.

  I start to cry, wiping the tears with my sleeve. Josh comes over to me and puts his arm around me.

  “You look beautiful. I like it, I really do. Oh Han, don’t cry.”

  “Red, we do like it, but this has been too much for you. That you felt you had to change your hair…let’s talk about it.”

  “No, I’m all right. I just can’t figure why they don’t leave me alone. I’m nobody, just a small town woman. Tiffany Gould and her van and local TV are outside the store. Could this story be that big? It’s just a book.”

  Aunt Helen says, “Please call Hattie. I really wish you would.”

  “No,” Dad and I say in unison. My aunt and Josh seem taken aback at our strong feelings.

  Josh says quietly, “Wouldn’t it be best to have a consultation at least to know where you stand? It’s harassment and plagiarism.” His arm around me feels so good. I lean my head on his shoulder.

  “We just want to wait it out,” Dad remarks in a soft voice. “Please understand we’re not the lawsuit type of people.”

  “Yes, we’re a strong family. We’ll stick together,” my aunt adds as she gets up from the table. “Now, please eat. Watching people enjoy my dinner makes me feel good inside. Does anyone want to take the chance and try this new loc cal vegetarian dish I invented?”

  “Of course,” says my father. He gets up and comes over to me and kisses my cheek.

  “I want to talk to Josh. Can you save it for us?”

  “Sure,” my aunt smiles. The dogs, fawn and squirrel are watching her hoping they’ll get lucky.

  Josh and I go out across the yard and up to my apartment. The night is cool and tiny drops of rain start falling harder now so we close the windows. Jesse seems glad to have me back which she tells me by twining herself around my legs. I feed her. Josh and I don’t talk while I tend to her. He sits on my couch and runs his hands through his hair. I walk over and sit by him.

  “We need to talk Josh.”

  “I know what you’re going to say. No, I’m not psychic but you’re about to tell me again how we should break things off, right?”

  “You are psychic I guess.” I want to cry again but stop myself.

  He wraps me in his arms. “This is very traumatic for you. If you want me to leave you alone I will, but I don’t think that’s what you really want. I don’t care about Sam or the book. I want to be with you, I want us. We’re starting to fall
in love, Han.”

  “Josh, I’m scared to fall in love. Everything is such a mess.”

  “We don’t have to talk about it now. But you need me here. I’ll do anything to help. Do you really want me to go?”

  “No, don’t go.” He kisses me and I feel myself relax in his big arms. Our kiss is endless, taking me flying again for the moment. For right now, there’s only us.

  To: Hannah’s email@…..

  From: Sblakley’s email@…..

  Hannah darling,

  I need to reschedule our evening, ex-wife issues. Call me when you can.

  Love, Sam

  A few friends have called us to ask about the media in front of our store. A couple of them saw the interviews. My story is short and clean. I tell them that I’m confused too. I try to make light of it saying, “I dated the guy, he wrote this novel which turns me into some sort of angel in California and that’s all I know.”

  I don’t know if I’ve gotten away with it. Tiffany’s WGS truck has been here for two days. Although she knows she’s not allowed in our store, she’s tried to get interviews around town. A customer just left, Taylor will be here any minute and I’m going to go back up to my apartment. Through the window I see Tiffany and her cameraman walking down the street now. This morning when I opened two reporters were waiting. I told them, “no comment” and to “please leave so I can resume business.” I decide to put a “Back in a Minute” sign up. But our old family friend, Phil Doherty comes in the store instead. “Morning Phil, how’re you doing?”

  “Great Hannah, but I’m concerned for you seeing these trucks out front. There’s been more media around town this morning. What can I do to help? I’m only at the Christmas tree farm on weekends so I’d be happy to sit at the door all day and prevent press from coming in.”

  “Phil, you’re sweet. I think I can handle it. Donnie said if they get out of hand, he’ll put a policeman here, probably Jim Nero, and he’ll be intimidating enough. I wish they’d leave though, I really do.”

  Guy Benfield walks in, “Hey Hannah, Phil. I came over to see if you want to make a comment?”