The Journal: A Prophecy, A President & Death

by Parker, W. Leland

  • • •

  Walking up to the building James takes Lauren’s hand, which she just shakes free as they approach the hospital doors. She says to him, “Don’t you see those government cars?”

  James, “I’m a straight-A student, remember? I spotted all the cars, I know that Hinton, Levy, and Reese are all here.”

  “And probably my boss! We’ll have to save hand-holding ’til we meet in Maryland.”

  “Oh, now I see how it’s gonna be, you love me when we’re alone, but when you get around your agent buddies–”

  “What? All I’m saying–”

  James, with a huge grin says, “Gotcha!”

  Instantly, and with force, Lauren punches him in the arm. She follows with, “Besides, I never said that I loved you.”

  “Oh, yes you did—and, ow!”

  “I most certainly did not.”

  “You said it with you eyes.”

  “That doesn’t count.”

  “Says, who?”

  “Says me, they’re my eyes. I only said you were the man of my dreams.”

  “And are you accustomed to dreaming of men you don’t love.”

  “No—and gotcha back!”

  “So you do love me.”

  She pauses a moment and then says thoughtfully, “Like no other man I’ve ever known.”

  Joseph spots them coming through the glass doors, James smiling at Lauren, and she, smiling back. James says something that causes her to look at him very playfully, all of which has Joseph wondering what in the world has happened between them.

  As they approach the information desk, Joseph catches up to them and says, “They’re this way, exam B. The Deputy Director and an FBI manager are all here! What took you guys so long?”

  As they walk towards him James smiles and says, “I’ll tell you later,” and gives Lauren a look.

  Leading them down the hall, Joseph says, “C’mon you guys, something’ going on, here? Jimbo? Agent Coles?”

  Lauren looks at Joseph, and with the slightest of smiles says, “Please, you can call me Rachel.” and winks!

  Joseph stops dead in his tracks! Eyes big as nickels, he covers his mouth from gaping open as he watches them proceed towards the room! They both look back at him and Lauren puts one finger up to her mouth to say, “Shhh.”

  Cheers erupt as Lauren and James enter the room! There’s so much congratulating going around! Robert says, “There’s my hero!”

  Lauren deflects the accolade saying, “This was a team effort, requiring the quick thinking and support of everyone in the room, and forces beyond.”

  To which Robert says, “Amen.”

  Hinton then says, primarily to his boss, Ramirez, “So, now what? Do I join the pursuit of Miss Brayson?”

  “Lord, forgive me if I’ve been so neglectful!” says Robert, “I believe I know where Mrs. Brayson is!”

  “What?” say Joanna and Hinton in unison.

  He continues, “I have every reason to believe that she is in a church, just outside Boston. She’s in trouble, and needs our help.”

  “And how could you know that?” Asks Hinton, while Danning and Ramirez listen.

  Taking Joanna’s hand, Robert tries to explain. “When I was in the ranger station, I had a vision—a death experience. One of the things I learned was that Carla Brayson’s life was in danger by her own countrymen, and that she’s hiding in Helmsford Church.”

  Hinton, “Very convenient this vision, did it give up the phone number?”

  “That’s sufficient Mr. Market,” says Deputy Director Danning, “we’ll take it from there.”

  Danning orders Levy to contact the Secret Service office in Boston to look into the new lead.

  There is a slight pause as they await for the attendant to take Robert for his MRI. Agent Reese remains at the door, and Agent Levy has stepped out to make phone calls. Bruce Watson breaks the silence saying, “Well it looks like … you know, I’m done here. I’ve got to get back. But before I leave I definitely want to thank James, his call on the radio, plus getting that gate open really helped me get there in time!” James smiles as Lauren looks at him with pride.

  Joanna, “I want to thank God for all of you! You really are all such wonderful people that God used to save my husband’s life!”

  Feeling somewhat circumspect, Agent Hinton hands Robert his cell phone and says, “I believe this is yours and … I’m sorry about the way I came off earlier about your vision, sir. I suppose in some ways I’m just a little envious. It’s hard for me to–”

  “There’s no harm done Agent Hinton, I understand your ambivalence; in a different measure I’ve shared it!” Robert positions himself where he can see everyone’s faces and says, “Everyone expects that ministers and pastors—those who serve in the church—have it all figured out, but that is no more true than you can tell me all that’s going on in the FBI,” and motioning to Danning, “or you, sir, the Secret Service. We’re just people, and we too have days where—well, we learn more than we achieve. Even if it’s of our own shortcomings.”

  Hinton, feeling even more ashamed at Robert’s grace, drops his head.

  But Robert commends him saying, “You, sir, are on a good path. I recognize it now that I’ve gotten off of a very bad one.”

  Due to the emotion he’s feeling, Robert chooses his words carefully as he continues, “When I was out, when my life had separated from my body, I was given a chance that few men ever have; an insight into my life that most would do well to envy. The success of my life was made clear to me, and it had very little to do with my job. Rather it was the people I had helped, my impact on those around me, things that will long out last my years here or any salary or award I could receive. Oh, it’s privileged information indeed, to know that you matter. To know– Earlier, you said something, when I had decided to go to the office.”

  Hinton shakes his head in shame. “I’m sorry about that too, I just thought I might open your eyes to–”

  “No, no; I appreciate your efforts. What you miss on subtlety, sir, you more than make up for in accuracy! You see it was only a minute earlier that I had looked at myself in the mirror and asked God, what was I doing! But the better question would have been, what was I becoming. See I um, I was on the wrong road—the wrong path—and headed for disaster.”

  Joanna takes his hand in hers as he continues:

  “It started nine years ago, when I took my first part-time job outside of ministry. It was shortly after that when Joey got his first insight, when he first wrote in his journal. My desire to be successful, to do something great, started me down a road that, well,” motioning to indicate his hurt ankle and bruised head, “it appears that only death itself could fix. It took me dying, to kill that part of me that was killing the man my sons admire, and my wife love. The man who so impressed Carla Brayson that she found it impossible to set a death sentence over his son. That’s what I saw while I was there, when I was in the ranger station.”

  Hinton, “Thanks, you’re very gracious. Speaking of the ranger station …”

  Robert’s eyes glaze over as he says, “I don’t know. I cannot explain it, really. My father, or a vision of my father, or– I don’t know, but this: he took me to a place of truth and acceptance.” He pauses and takes a deep breath to get hold of his emotions. “I don’t know how else to describe it. When I was there, my consciousness—my being—was there. It was like a blinding bright light, that didn’t hurt your eyes. Rather it soothed me. It soothed my everything, my soul. It– I can’t explain it.”

  At this pause, no one moves or says anything for fear of interrupting.

  He continues, “This being took me there; he drove my car and walked me into this place. All I can say is that I understood it to be the only chance I had; that on my own, the path I had chosen—my destiny—was ruinous and dark: a sleep-deprived fatal car accident and a devastated family. He didn’t tell me per se, but in that place you didn’t have to be told; you just understood, and were fu
lly understood. It was unbelievable.” He shakes his head and fights back tears, says, “Unbelievable how I–” he looks at Joanna and Joseph, “I’ll never put success ahead of my family, again.”

  Ramirez moves forward to ask, “Sir, are you saying that our jobs, that protecting the president, and protecting the people of this country is to be second to our family, our neighbors and friends?”

  A knock at the door interrupts Robert’s reply, as the attendant and Dr. Holman have come to take him for his MRI. Agent Levy slips by and hands Danning a note. The attendant, seeing all the visitors and all the suits, just props the door without going in. Dr. Holman guides him to step back into the hall with him to give Robert a moment to get ready. But Robert, not distracted by their arrival, motions to let them know that he’ll be right with them, after answering Ramirez’ question:

  “We all have this desire to do something great; men, women—everyone. But what we often forget is that greatness is tied to the character of its possessor. It’s not enough to do great things, the person needs to be a decent human being: a good spouse, parent, friend—neighbor even. What more proof do you need than the recent fall of sports figures and politicians? Even our president, at his most popular, would fail to secure a single vote if there were news of him beating his wife, or being abusive to his children. So I answer you this way: yes, serve your country, work an honest day’s work, but also let the measure of your success be found in those close enough to see the truth about you.”

  Joanna nudges her husband to remind him of the waiting attendant, whom he waves to come in and help him get ready. The agents seem to take what Robert said to heart. But Hinton is still troubled by something and it is revealed in his next question. “If taking care of those close to you is so important to God, why does he allow such tragedy to happen to them?”

  Lauren immediately looks at James, remembering she had asked nearly the exact same question during their drive! Almost involuntarily, out of her mouth comes the reply, “Because Godly results can actually be the end product of our human tragedies.”

  Hinton and Levy both look at Lauren with great surprise. Hinton says, “Excuse me?”

  Lauren, “It’s true.”

  Danning interrupts, “As much as I’d like to continue this discussion, it appears we have an update. I was just handed a note that states that Agent Morris, from Boston, reports that they have contacted a Pastor at Helmsford Church; and that a lady matching Carla Brayson’s description is being held there.”

  The agents and James look at Robert, now in a wheel chair in preparation for his MRI. They are stunned that what he said the angelic being told him has come true. Hinton looks back at Lauren, expecting her to explain her last comment, but all he gets are sincere sorrowful eyes that say, I’m sorry, and I understand what you’re feeling. His agitation fades, and he then focuses back on yet another unexplainable event with this family. Joanna, not at all surprised that this new revelation has come true, just squeezes her husband’s hand.

  Also seeming to take it in stride are Joseph and Deputy Director Danning, the latter of which takes a deep breath and says, “We’re gonna have to go,” and turning to Agent Coles, says, “Do you want to see this through in Boston?”

  Almost surprised by the offer, Lauren answers, “Uh, no, sir. I mean, if it’s just the same, I’d sooner get back to Maryland.”

  And with the slightest of smiles, Danning says, “You mean, Washington.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Alright then, we’ll add any pertinent info to the case file.” Speaking to the room and his team, he says, “Markets, it has been a pleasure. Gentlemen.”

  As the agents prepare to depart, James says, “Dad, I’m going to walk Agent Coles to her car.”

  At his son’s expense, and only loud enough for him and Joanna to enjoy, Robert jokes, “Why, doesn’t she know where it is?”

  To which Joanna nudges him, and says, “That’s fine, we’ll see you back here, or in the waiting room.” Her smile warms even further as she says, “and, goodbye again, Miss Coles.”

  “Goodbye Joanna.” She and James head down the hall.

  Joseph pokes his head out of the examining room and says, “Goodbye, Laurachel, uh, Lauren.”

  James and Lauren can barely contain their laughs as they swiftly proceed ahead of the other agents. James sees her to her car where, upon opening her car door for her—which he does almost as an act of love—he says: “The greatest three days of my life will now be followed by the three most miserable!”

  “Aw, c’mon. Why three?”

  “Well, I won’t be back to school ’til Wednesday, and I won’t have a chance to see you—assuming you’ll be free—’til the end of the day. So that’s all of Monday, all of Tuesday, and almost all of Wednesday.” Lauren looks around and then plants one on James. Smiling, she gets into the car, which prompts him to ask, “What?”

  “Jimmy-sunshine—you silly boy! I’m coming to give you a lift back to school on Wednesday morning!”

  And she drives off, leaving James with a silly, silly smile.

  • • •

  Back in the hall outside of the exam room, Ramirez congratulates Hinton on an excellent job, and tells him that he’ll want him to debrief NSA IA Deputy, Alice Wheaton, in DC. Hinton tries to find out why he has to go personally, but all Ramirez tells him is that he believes might serve to forward his career, knowing full well that it is an orchestration of his hopelessly romantic wife, Marcy.

  As the attendant wheels Robert into the hall he says to the agents, “Thanks again, everyone. Agent Hinton, Levy, thank you. And it’s okay to be somewhat skeptical. I agree that life here seems to have a natural bend towards disappointment and problems. It’s hard to take much of what purports itself as good and true, when so much proves otherwise. At worst, you might consider yourselves observant. But I want to tell you that life’s disappointments do have a counter balance, one with a natural bend towards satisfaction, joy and peace. It’s real, and it never fails. If you ever want to talk to me more about it, call, and ask for Ministry Bob. I’ll be back on duty full time just as soon as I’m up and around.”

  Upon hearing that, Joanna squeezes him with a hug so tight he can only get out the sound, “Ack!”

  • • •

  As Deputy Director Danning and FBI Manager Ramirez lead the rest of the agents down the corridor, Ramirez asks Danning, “So, how exactly are you going to file this case? Closed?”

  “Well, with the two threats taken into custody, we could close it out.”

  “But you won’t, will you?”

  Danning reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out an audio cassette—the one that was given to him by Agent Levy. It’s the recording of Joseph speaking Latin that Reese had Levy search for, while doing one last sweep of the Phelps home. He looks at it, and then at his old friend and says, “We’ll you know me. I like things …”

  They both say together, “… tidy.”

  Danning, “Yeah.”

  • • •

  Three months later, Agent Hinton is assigned to NSA Information Assurance Deputy Alice Wheaton to monitor and consider possible National Security implications of Joseph Market’s new prophetic dreams. It turns out that the two of them work very well together.

  Lauren is in charge of investigating some new research that Mary Sorensen is handling from a certain cassette recording. And Robert gets a letter that he holds up dancing around to show it off to this family who are trying to watch TV. It’s an invitation for all of them to go to the White House—officially, in gratitude for allowing the government to use their home in the capture of Calvin Stone. While they are there, they celebrate a pregnancy announcement that three months ago, no one could have known anything about … not even the first lady, or her doctor. It was a very good day.

  The End.