The Journal: A Prophecy, A President & Death

by Parker, W. Leland

  They never found Lauren’s father’s body; there was never any closure. Sure there was a ceremony, and the heart-felt condolences, but she never saw his face again. That nauseating feeling was beginning to return; and she too, is very worried. Trying to be strong for James, she reaches her hand over to comfort him. The look he returns says it all, she’s seen that face in her own mirror: hopeful, but sick to the stomach over what might be. If only they had the slightest hope.

  A car approaches, placing silly grins on both their faces, but it is only Bruce Watson. They pull their cars next to each other and Watson says, “Good evening, Agent Coles. James.”

  Lauren, “We certainly hope it is …”

  “Bruce Watson,” whispers James.

  “Commander Watson,” she says, “how did–”

  “Agent Pratt told me to help out, and that you were kind of in charge of the search. Look, I’ve been out all the side roads East of this stretch from their house. Anything in particular you want from me? Otherwise, I was gonna start checking these roads that lead away to the West.”

  Lauren, careful not to ask whether he thinks they’ll find him, only says, “Just do as you think best. I’m sure this isn’t your first search and we’ll here from you as soon as you have anything. Are you on radio?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay; and thank you.”

  James, “God bless you, Bruce;” and they drive off.

  • • •

  Lawrence Market takes Robert to the ranger station. Walking up a back path, Robert wonders why they didn’t park in the parking lot. He looks back to see where their car is and notices it is off the road in a ravine! Robert asks, “What happened back there, Dad? How’d our car get like that?”

  “Bobby, I don’t have time to go into that right now, it’s snowing, and you’re getting cold. Perhaps after we get inside.”

  Robert, noticing a fine powder on his clothes says, “What is this stuff? This isn’t snow.”

  “It’s from the airbag. We can talk about that after we get inside also.”

  As they walk, Lawrence guides his son along the rocky terrain. Robert’s foot drags a little, as he seems to have a little numbness in his right side. And there only seems to be one set of footprints in the snow behind them. When they finally get to the ranger station, the men sit down and have a heart to heart.

  “Bobby, do you know why I’m here?”

  “I think I do, Dad,” says a very peaceful Robert Market.

  “Well, let me explain a few things.”

  “Sure, Dad, but–”

  “I know. You want to guess don’t you, son?”

  “Well.”

  “I would love nothing more Bobby, but you see, you have limited time.”

  “But I thought–”

  “It’s not quite as simple as you’re thinking son. You’re not dead.”

  “I’m not?”

  “No, not yet. I’m not necessarily here to escort you.”

  “But we did have a car accident, didn’t we?”

  “Yes, but the accident was not fatal.”

  “But how did I get here from the car?”

  “Angels helped you out, and I walked you up here, but people will think you managed on your own.”

  “I thought you helped me.”

  “No, your guardians do all the heavy lifting. I’m more your personal attendant, a connection from your past to help you think this through.”

  “Okay.”

  They sit down on the floor of the small log-cabin-styled ranger station. It measures only 15 by 20 feet, and is quite sparse as ranger stations go. It has a wood burning stove, a small kitchen area with a desk and a cabinet with some communications equipment. There’s a closet full of various items to aid in the rescue of a lost or stranded hiker. The desk has an assortment of maps and safety pamphlets.

  Lawrence, “Bobby, I need to tell you that you’ve done some terrific things here, and we are very pleased with your success.”

  Robert lowers his head, ashamed. Still looking down he says, “You’re not talking about my work with Phone Tools are you?”

  “No, son.”

  “I didn’t think so.”

  His dad sees his disappointment and says, “Hey, hey! Don’t feel that way; there’s always a way with God. It’s where you take it from here that’s important.”

  Robert turns his head away, not able to cope with what his dad has said and having left his family tonight.

  “Seriously Bobby, you’ve done nothing so far that is beyond repair, if fact the best might just lie ahead for you!”

  Hearing that, gives Robert great relief. He exhales like he’s been holding his breath since he first accepted the full time position with his company. A heaviness and stress that aged his face begin to fade. He actually looks younger! He says, “So, my marriage—the boys. I can–”

  “You can, but Robert,” says Lawrence, sternly, “this current path–”

  “You mean with Phone Tools.”

  “Well, yes and no. The company is a part of it, but more specifically, what it’s doing to you. What is unearthing in you has the potential to do a tremendous amount of damage.”

  “Damage to …?”

  “To you; your sons, your marriage, townspeople who still look up to you. Even co-workers.”

  “I, I can’t–”

  “James and Joey both have very large rolls in the Kingdom son, and it all starts now! Right now!”

  “But I– What? How?

  “With the revelation of Joseph’s prophecy, this local congregation is on the brink of something really big, with many, many lives changed for the Lord.”

  “Dad, how can I, I mean– I can’t see me—I … I’m just a guy; a part-time minister.”

  “Truth is, you’re not even that any longer!”

  “What?”

  “You used to serve them, but you no longer have any goals or direction for them. They’re your flock, where do you want them to go, son? Shepherd!”

  Robert listens and takes the words to heart. But at the same time, his breathing is beginning to get shallow.

  Lawrence continues, “Even your boys, and Joanna.”

  “What? I have goals for them.”

  “But have you done anything to help them realize those goals?”

  “I–”

  “Since Jimbo got into college.”

  “I–”

  “And Joanna. Did you know that she wants you two to start something together for your twentieth anniversary?”

  Rubbing his forehead, “My God, our anniversary—that’s next week!” His father just looks at him as he continues, “But she didn’t say–”

  “Does she have to? She didn’t before.”

  Robert thinks about it. His eyes begin to bat back tears.

  “Open your eyes Bobby! Even Carla Brayson follows you! What God has put inside of you has his power, and it directs people’s lives! Right now, Miss Brayson is at Helmsford Church just outside Boston. She could have had Joey killed, but because of you she fought in favor of capturing him; a decision that ultimately placed her own life in jeopardy as she has fallen out of grace with her countrymen.”

  “She– It is?”

  “But one word from you and she’d turn herself in.”

  “But, but of course I’ll do that!”

  He pats Robert on the head and says, “Don’t miss the point of this, Robert; you can do these things. You have that gifting upon you.”

  “But, I have to quit Phone Tools.”

  “I’m not saying you do, I’m saying that you could have an important role to play in all of these lives, but you’ll need to keep your focus on what’s important. You’ll have to keep careful watch where you store your treasure.”

  “Dad, you always–”

  “Sure, I worked hard, and I supported us, and, though I made mistakes, this is not one of them, it’s not one you can afford to make. I always put God before family, and family before work.”

  Ro
bert lowers his head again. He is acutely aware of his failures in that area. “I try, but I can’t– I can’t do both! With work, I saw measurable results, people appreciated my dedication.” Lowering his eyes, he says, “I felt inadequate as just a minister, nothing ever seemed to change; people just kept doing the same things. They enjoyed the light on Sunday, but crawled back into darkness come Monday morning—hell, Sunday afternoon!”

  “So as a solution, you took away the Sunday light?”

  “Well …”

  “Robert, stop looking at everything with natural eyes, measuring everything based on what you can see and understand. Give God some leeway!”

  Robert looks right at his dad, who seems to almost glow, and says, “Yes, sir.”

  “And you did see progress, and you saw lives change. Someone has fooled you into weighting each victory at five pounds, and each let down at fifty! God sees the true value of your effort. Ask him if you should step down from ministry, he is not like men, he has no concern over telling you the truth. If he has not told you to stop, there must be a reason son!” Lawrence looks at his son in the eyes and says, “Whose appreciation would you rather have?”

  “Dad, I just didn’t know I was having any success. I felt like a failure by Monday night.”

  “Bobby, it’s not always for you to see, but rather for you to trust. That’s your part in the miracle. God uses you to teach those who will listen, but he uses those who won’t listen to teach you humility and trust!”

  Robert Market thinks about what his father has said and asks, “What do I do now?”

  “Well,” says Lawrence, who truly is beginning to glow, “you’ve got a choice. Right now, if you were to come with me, the boys would do better than if you went back to the path you were on!”

  “Really?”

  Lawrence glances away then says, “That is certain.”

  “And by coming with you, you mean–”

  “Yes, you’d leave this world and be swept into the glow of everlasting pure joy and boundless never-ending love.”

  “Wow!”

  “In fact you may already feel the draw of tens of thousands of people who love you, and want to embrace you, and thank you, and celebrate with you forever.”

  “Woooow!” says Robert, who gingerly lies back on the floor, sitting himself up on his elbows. His heart rate has slowed considerably.

  Lawrence continues, “But, if you do go now, some people will never have the opportunity to be touched by the particular anointing God placed in you.”

  “I’m sorry, but my boys—and to be with God!”

  “And someone, who has enjoyed your touch, will never be the same again.”

  Robert, too week to sit up any longer, lies back and looks up at his dad who now glows very brightly. Tears roll off the side of his face and into his ears as he says just one word, “Joanna.”

  “That’s right son, and we haven’t much time; you’ll have to decide.”

  “But, Dad, I-I have so many questions. How can I be sure not to mess things up? Is it better that I go now?”

  “Robert,” says his dad sternly, “I cannot answer those questions.” He looks over to a section of the room like he sees someone. Like whoever or whatever it is, it has some control over what he can do. Robert struggles to see what his dad sees, but there’s nothing there.

  “Rest still son, there’s nothing for you to see there.”

  “How come we don’t have more time? I thought we could. I thought time would be–”

  Lawrence looks again to the one that is in the room and then says, “I am not bound by time son, but you still are!”

  “But.”

  “You must decide now son.” He takes his hand, “Robert Lawerence Market, you have served God and man, you’ve fought the good fight, God has blessed you to hear the truth of things that have happened and yet to come;” and looking at him more intensely, says, “for he loves you and has given you choices. Would you like to come with me now?”

  Robert smiles, closes his eyes, and slips into unconsciousness.

  • • •

  Arriving to the Market’s house, Officer Anderson and Agent Levy talk outside from car to car, discussing what they should do. They are at a loss as to where Mr. Market could have gone, and can only hope that Bruce Watson will have better luck. A couple of the neighbors come over, curious as to what’s going on. Officer Anderson explains the situation and sends them home. Inside, Joanna sits alone at the table, while Joseph paces back and forth from the living room to the dining room. Agent Reese stands at a respectable distance, and Agent Hinton sits in the chair closes to the front door. Suddenly Joanna gets a strange sense. She looks at Joseph, looking to see if he feels it to, but he doesn’t seem to. He asks, “What is it, Mom?”

  Joanna has a most unsettling feeling. She looks at him and says. “I– I’m afraid.”

  • • •

  Bruce Watson’s truck sits only a mile from where he encountered Agent Coles and James. He’s got the strongest feeling; a sense that this is where he should be. It’s just like when he had the urge to go talk to Hinton. He can’t figure it out, but he’s not moving. He turns on his flashing lights and just holds his position.

  • • •

  Lauren and Jim continue on, working their way slowly back towards the house. The falling snow, which has increased in intensity, makes everything very quiet, and somewhat surreal. The heavier the snow, the more surreal things get.

  Lauren, “How far are we from your house?”

  “About seven miles.”

  “And Agent Pratt is about fifteen, twenty miles out. The fireman …”

  “Bruce”

  “By now I’d say he’s about ten miles”

  “Yeah.”

  “Levy’s probably gone at least that far in the other direction, with the patrolman.”

  “Anderson.”

  “Yeah, with him somewhere in between.” She thinks a moment, and then, feeling overwhelmed says, “My God, where can he be?”

  “We’ll find him. You can do this!”

  Lauren is both encouraged and amused by James words. She cuts her eyes at him with a smile. The first she’s had since they got into the car.

  James asks, “Wow, what brought that on?”

  “Nothing, not seeing your face, the way you just said that reminded of– Gasp!” Lauren’s eyes grow huge and she slams on the brakes! Even with antilock brakes, in the snow the car begins to slide towards the embankment, she corrects it, and it slides in other direction, heading for opposite side of the road! One more correction places the car on the side of the road with its light shining deep into the woods.

  James, “What happened?”

  Lauren, staring forward, “Look.”

  Staring back from inside the woods is the large 10-point buck! His eyes gleam, reflecting back their headlights. James stares at the impressive animal and says, “Can that–?”

  “I—uh … it has to be!”

  “What do we do now?”

  “You’re askin’ me?”

  “Yeah. You’re in charge, right?”

  “Let’s follow him.”

  “What about my dad?”

  “I don’t know! You said I was in charge! I think we should follow him! Maybe God’s trying to show us something.”

  “Shouldn’t we radio in and tell them where we are?”

  Lauren, “Right, right, good thinking.” She goes for he walkie-talkie, and looking up again it is gone. “Wha– What happened? Where’d he go?”

  James, “Ugh, I looked down for a second!”

  Lauren, still trying to spot him says, “Oh, noooo! Well, maybe he–”

  “He what?”

  Lauren, squints, and with her eyes focused on something says, “What’s that? Are those red eyes?”

  “Where?”

  She pulls him close and points, “Right where the deer was. Look!” She hands him her radio and opens her door to stand up for a better look.

  Squi
nting, James says, “It looks like—a car tail lights!”

  “It could be your dad’s car! It could be him!”

  The panicked stop, at the sight of the deer, had caused their car to slide into a position where its lights were pointed directly at Robert’s car! It is in the same direction where the deer—their deer—had been standing! But it’s much further into the woods, and appears to have gotten there from another road.

  Lauren, “How would he have gotten there?”

  James, “I think he’s off of the access road to the ranger station.”

  “How do we get there?”

  “Well, the road is closed, but we can get near.”

  Lauren sits back in the car, and with James’ turn-by-turn directions, she brings it to the access road entrance in a couple of minutes.

  “Can you see the car? Is it his?” asks Lauren,

  “No,” says a distracted James.

  “James, please!”

  James is distracted by an unexplainable bright glow up the road. Looking deep into the woods he says, “Wait. Yeah, I see it. Oh, my God!”

  “What?”

  “It’s jammed between two trees!”

  Proceeding on, she asks, “Do you see your dad?”

  “Slow down a second;” says James, and Lauren brings the car to a crawl. “No, I don’t see him. Drive up a little further; you’ll see a clearing for cars to turn around, and a few parking spaces. That’ll be the closest we can get.”

  “James, you know how to use a radio, right?”

  There’s no answer, as James looks straight up the road they’re on, and at the glow that has grown even more brilliant.

  She looks at him, and then in the direction he is looking, and says, “What’s wrong? What’s that glow?”

  “I-I think it’s the ranger station. It’s through there, over that hill.”

  “So?”

  “It’s never glowed like that before.”

  Pulling into the small parking area she says, “Maybe somebody’s in there.”

  “Lauren, it’s not lit; it’s …”

  “C’mon, James, let’s go! The car should be about a hundred yards in that direction. We can check into the mysterious light later!”