by C V Ricks
My grandpa Joseph came toward me, smiling. I returned his smile. He was young and handome, the way he looked in his wedding photo.
When he saw the envelope in my hand he turned toward the people in the room and spoke up, “Everyone, Josie has her assignment.”
As my family gathered around, I blushed at the attention.
“Go ahead, open it,” my grandfather said, anxiously.
Butterflies swirled around in my stomach. Pulling the flap, the envelope opened easily and I took out a piece of parchment paper.
“Congratulations,” I read. “You are assigned to the Guardian Angel Academy. Only one percent of all of heaven's angels are chosen to attend the Academy and go on to serve as Guardian Angels. Your spouse will join you on this assignment, when his life is through.”
My family shouted out of joy and excitement. I felt honored. Then a sad feeling came over me and a tear spilled from my eye.
“You miss your children and husband, don't you?” Grandpa Joseph said gently, putting his arm around me.
“Yes.” Even as I answered more tears gushed out. I wiped them away as quickly as I could so everyone wouldn't see.
“Everything will be okay,” my grandmother reached out to embrace me. “After your four week training you will get to be the guardian angel for your own children and your husband. And someday you'll be together with them again.”
“Yes,” said Joseph. “And in the meantime, for the next month, Rachel and I will watch over them.”
A feeling of peace came over me extinguishing my fears. Then I said goodbye to my relatives. I could come back and visit them later. I followed the angel out of the room. He directed me to another angel in a white gown, who took my hand and lifted me into the sky. We flew in the air speedily for what seemed to be many miles, toward our destination. As a child, I had dreamed of someday flying, and now I was. I wasn't scared because I felt like I couldn't fall. It seemed that gravity was different here. As we neared the campus of the Guardian Angel Academy, I could see the sparkling golden spires atop the ornate buildings. As we dropped in altitude, closing in on the ground, I could see the pathways between the buildings were also golden. Neatly trimmed grass and shrubbery and flowers of lustrous color surrounded the walkways. Statues and fountains filled each courtyard. We landed gently in one of the courtyards.
Here the angel directed me to the freshmen dormitories. I walked along the path to the building. Once inside, I was greeted by a kindly lady who gave me a room assignment. I then stood in the clothing line with other freshmen new to the Academy. Females received green gowns and males green robes. I then walked outside and along the path that led to my dorm. I felt like everything was so shiny and immaculate. Each building looked like a little palace. Each door had a sensor, opening for me when I neared it. I found my room, a large room that I was to share with five other girls. I brought my gowns back to hang in the closet next to my bunk. A girl near my bunk smiled as I came in. Her green eyes sparkled as she brushed her long shiny blond hair. She set down the brush and reached out her hand to shake mine.
“Hi,” she said. “My name is Journey. It looks like we are roommates.”
“I shook her hand. “Nice to meet you. I'm Josie.”
I dressed and examined myself in the full-length mirror on the door of the closet next to my bunk. I no longer had a body, just a spirit. But my spirit body was in the image of my physical body and looked the way I looked in life when I was eighteen, except without the pimples. My silky dark hair flowed slightly beyond my shoulders and my big brown eyes augmented my pretty face. I had my youthful slender figure. Although my spirit looked like my physical body, it felt different, an airy substance.
Journey laughed when she saw me moving my hand up and down my arm.
“Weird, huh?” she said. We're spirits.”
“Yeah, I guess.” I looked at the bunk bed. “By the way, I thought angels didn't have to sleep.”
“Uh, huh, that's true,” said Journey. “But I asked the lady at the clothing counter and she said we do sleep until we graduate. And you know what's weird?”
“What?” I asked.
“The other students who aren't freshmen, don't even have bunk beds. They sleep-float.”
“What's sleep-float?” I asked.
“Why it's sleeping in mid-air. They don't even need a bed.”
“Crazy,” I said.
“Yes,” said Journey. But after we graduate we won't need to sleep at all.”
“Oh, good,” I said. “Who would want their guardian angel sleeping on the job?”
“Yeah, right?” Journey chuckled.
The dinner bell chimed and we looked at our map and then headed to the dining room. Other angels going in the same direction smiled as they greeted us. I couldn't believe how friendly everyone was. But, this was heaven and I was among the purest most loving souls, so what should I expect?
Journey and I joined the dinner line. Ahead of us were several other freshmen and roommates. A freshman named Felix stood in front of us in line. His dazzling dimpled smile greeted us as he raised his hand to say hi. His short brown hair was combed to perfection and he peered at us through dark-rimmed glasses. I thought it was strange he wore glasses, because angels have perfect vision.
So I asked him, “Do you need those glasses?”
“Oh, no.” He chuckled. “I just haven't got used to being without them yet. I wore glasses in life.”
“I see,” I said.
A server floating behind the serving table asked me my choice of main dish. I looked at the vast variety of entrees and chose a large salad.
Felix turned to Journey and me. “I'd like you two to meet my roommate Kevin. We just met yet I feel like we're best buds.”
Kevin, who was standing next to him, was a half-foot taller than Felix. His blond hair sported a few natural curls.
“Nice to meet you,” his smile broadened as he reached to shake my hand.
I accepted his hand with a shake and nodded. “I'm Josie and this is my new friend and roommate, Journey.”
Felix looked about sixteen. So once again, my curiosity got the better of me and I blurted out, “Felix, you look younger than the rest of us.”
“Yes,” his curved mouth flattened into a straight line and he lowered his eyes. “I died when I was sixteen,” his voice softened. “Those of us who died young, still look the age we were when we died. We will eventually mature to our prime age.”
My eyes widened taking in what he was saying. “I'm so sorry.” I blushed for having asked the question.
“No problem. I'm sure it was meant to be.”Felix looked up, again smiling, but I couldn't imagine dying at such a young age. How hard it must be for his parents.
As we neared the buffet, I saw fruits, vegetables and an array of delicious breads and rolls. Journey and I took some food and then sat by Felix and Kevin. As I ate, I noticed other tables filled with green-robed angels smiling, laughing and eating. I couldn't keep my eyes off the server angels floating to and fro from the kitchen to the serving line. How graceful, how easy. And no need for legs and walking.
The next morning after breakfast, Journey and I followed the other students to the auditorium for instructions. When Angel Persephone, the director of the Academy, floated to the front of the room, we all stared at her beauty and magnificence. She wore a gown of crushed stars. Her long white hair was pulled back in a bun from which long curly locks cascaded down her shoulders. Each jewel in her sparkling tiara symbolized a life-saving event.
I noticed, unlike auditoriums on earth, this one had no seats. The students were huddled and whispering with their groups of friends, some touching the floor, others floating just above the ground. The students wore colored robes and gowns. We were greenies and wore green, symbolizing that we were not yet ripe. I assumed the other colors indicated the level of the students.
Angel Persephone floated high above the ground so all could see her. “May I have your attention please,” she ann
ounced. “We will begin with Mendelsohn's Hallelujah Chorus. I expect all of you to have it memorized by now except for the freshmen. Please go to your places as if on risers. I would like green-robed angels on the floor, red second level, yellow third level, and blue fourth level. Young men will be on my right side and young women on the left. Breathe deeply and formulate beautiful tone quality. I want you to sound like the angels you are.”
The upper level students floated to their places for the choir number. Alex, Kevin, Journey and I walked up to where all the other freshmen were and took our places. Journey and I joined the women on the left, noticing sheet music was only given to the freshmen.
When everyone was in position, Persephone waved her baton. “Hallelujah” filled the air. Freshmen who hadn't even sung before were able to carry the pitch. The music poured out in clear true harmony, near perfection, until the sound of rustling papers interrupted the melodious praises.
“What is this I hear?” Persephone waved her hand through the air to put a stop to the music.
“I'm sorry,” a freshman spoke up from the front row. “I lost my place.”
“Bertrand if you cannot keep your music quiet, you will spend extra time in the study hall memorizing the words. It is imperative we not hear any papers rustling.”
“Yes, Angel Persephone. I’m so sorry.” Bertrand gazed at the floor.
“Nevertheless, you will go to the study hall this evening during free time from nine to ten o'clock and memorize this. We can't have anything but the sound of angelic voices coming from our choir.”
“I’m so sorry,” Bertrand said once again, shaking his head back and forth, rubbing his fingers through his light brown hair as he clutched his music in his other hand.
“You are forgiven,” Angel Persephone smiled. “All right, we will run through it one more time and then we will give you your schedules for the week.” Angel Persephone resumed her starting position with her baton in the air.
Persephone's tiara sparkled atop her head as she waved her baton. Her eyes lifted with glee, her smile radiant as the beautiful music filled the air.
After the music, Angel Angelique, one of the two assistant directors, floated up to the front of the great room and called out the classes for the first week freshmen.
First hour: Thought-Instillation
Second hour: Controlling the Elements
Third hour: Glowing
Fourth Hour: Suicide Prevention
Lunch
Fifth Hour: Evil Spirit Confrontation
Sixth Hour: Choir
Seventh Hour: Floating Techniques
Eighth Hour: Invisibility
“Freshmen will start with Thought instillation 101. All other students will go to your registered courses. Your schedules can be viewed from your message box in your hand-held devices. You are excused.”
Angel Angelique floated back to speak with the other two directors. Her long shimmering black hair was secured by a sparkling jeweled headband. Although she had much experience as a guardian angel, she appeared about the age of twenty-nine, as did the other directors. Angel Persephone, Angelique and Crystal discussed their plans. Crystal, the other assistant director's medium-length blond hair shimmered as she smiled warmly at the others. Her beads and jewels sparkled from her necklace and belt of her shimmering white gown.
Felix, Kevin, Journey and I walked out of the great hall towards our first class.
“I feel sorry for Bertrand,” Felix mumbled. “Tonight while we have free time he’ll be in the study hall memorizing the Hallelujah Chorus.”
“Yes, too bad for him,” said Kevin, looking at his schedule. “We’re going to be playing a game of flotationball, whatever that is, and having angel food cake at the Eatery.”
Too bad Bertrand has to miss it,” Felix frowned. Then he smiled. “I can't wait to find out what flotationball is.
Chapter Four
“Welcome to Thought Instillation 101. I am professor Walter.” The sash around Walter's waist and the lapels of his white robe glistened. He looked to be in his thirties with white hair and a firm athletic build. I tried to count the sparkling jewels to estimate how many life-saving instances he accomplished as a guardian angel. I guessed two-hundred.
After he had everyone's attention, he addressed the class. “First I’d like to ask you to think, why thought instillation. What is the purpose of thought instillation and when might it be useful?”
Felix raised his hand. Angel Walter nodded.
“We can save a person by instilling an idea in their mind.”
“Okay. Can anyone give me an example?”
I raised my hand.
“Yes, Josie?”
“You could use thought instillation to give a person the idea not to cross the street at an unsafe time.”
“Yes, Josie,” acknowledged professor Walter. “Good example.”
Kevin raised his hand confidently.
“Yes?”
“You can give a person an idea to call a doctor, or take a certain medication or go to the hospital to have something checked.”
“That’s good. All of those things could save a person's life. Any other ideas?”
Journey slowly lifted her hand.
“Yes, Journey?” Professor Walter asked.
“I think that in a life or death situation, such as say, someone drowning, you can put the idea into another person’s head to grab a branch or log for them.”
“Yes, all very good ideas. Now, however, is the difficult part that we are going to explore. How we go about instilling thoughts into people’s heads. Please turn to page nine in your textbooks where it reads, How to begin the process of thought instillation.”
As we opened our textbooks, Professor Walter looked out upon his class. The soft seats were in a semicircle starting with the bottom row and gradually ascending until the top row overlooked them all. The seats all had desk attachments. Only the freshman classrooms had seats. The higher levels were expected to float in place without any chairs and use air formed desks. Freshmen, however, had not mastered floating or firming air, and were allowed to sit on seats.
All four of us sat in the same row. I, teasingly whispered into Kevin’s ear, “I’d like to use mind instillation to get Angel Walter to give me an A.”
“I heard that,” Angel Walter exclaimed, not in an angry or disapproving way, but rather in an amused sort of tone. “Just so you know,” he continued, “I have excellent hearing. It is a fact that our senses develop and become stronger the longer we serve as guardian angels.”
“Oops,” I giggled.
“So,” he paused, “As some of you may have heard, we do not give letter grades here such as A's and B's, it is only pass or fail, but since Josie wants an A so badly, we’ll start with Josie reading the first two paragraphs.”
I grabbed my textbook and as usual, I wished I hadn't opened my big mouth.
I began reading aloud. “Mind instillation requires a great amount of focus. You must clear your mind of all other thoughts. Think only of the person you are trying to help. If you have any personal thoughts or desires, extinguish them immediately. Selfish desires only interfere with the process and cause you to fail.
Focus on the problem at hand. Think of the thoughts that you want to instill. For example, if you want the subject to think, I do not wish to cross the street right now. Think that over and over in your head. Put yourself in the constituent’s place. I do not wish to cross the street right now. I do not wish to cross the street right now. I do not wish to cross the street right now. Paralyze yourself as you wish them to be paralyzed. Do not move a muscle. Finally say the words, As Guardian Angel, I command it. To add a little umph you may get out your baton and wave it after you say the words. This is not required, but many like to do it. Sometimes a guardian angel's 'magic' flows better through the baton.”
We all received batons upon arrival to be used when directing the choir. I was relieved to learn that freshmen weren't required to direct th
e choir. We kept our batons in a special pocket in our robes and gowns.
“Okay,” Angel Walter spoke to the class. “What is the significant component of the passage Josie just read?”
One of the freshmen in the back raised his hand.
“Yes?”
“I think the important part is to only think about helping your assignment. Don’t think about yourself. It isn't about you.”
“Exactly. We are here to help others. Eventually you will find that as you help others, you help yourself. It is an important lesson to learn. Evil spirits work in just the opposite way. They wish only to help themselves and in so doing, they destroy themselves.”
Felix asked, “Will we get to practice this?”
“Indeed you will. We are out of time for today, but tomorrow we will begin the practicum. The practice rooms are the only place you are allowed to use your powers while here at the Academy. We will go there together as a class tomorrow. Please read the remainder of the chapter tonight and come back prepared to try it out. You are excused.” As soon as Angel Walter got the words out of his mouth the bells chimed. Unlike the blaring of the school bell on Earth, this bell sounded like church bells, a sweeter more heavenly sound.
I walked with my new friends along the golden pathway lined with perfectly trimmed hedges and sweet smelling flowers of all colors and varieties; some varieties of flowers I hadn't ever seen before. We walked toward our second hour class, Controlling the Elements. I watched in awe as the upper classmen floated effortlessly by, not on the path but in the sky.
“Don't you guys wish we could fly like that?” Felix asked.
“Yeah, it’s much quicker than walking,” I said.
“It looks a lot more fun than walking, too,” Kevin said, looking up at the passing angels.
We entered an ornate building with golden spires on top. As I entered the lobby of the vast building, I could see a staircase winding up to the second floor. Green-robed angels walked up the staircase. Other angels floated up. The lobby contained a few chairs and couches which were occupied by freshmen. Other students were float-sitting in the room and the walls were adorned with beautiful paintings. A large skylight filling almost all of the ceiling, opened to the view of the heavens. We walked down the hall, looking at the room numbers as we passed each room. Finally, we found room number seventy-six.