Ransom found her again later. “Miss Priss, you throw the best parties!”
“I’m just a guest, same as you.”
“But if it wasn’t for you being you, I probably wouldn’t be here . . . wearing white.” With a sidelong glance, he said, “It’s lame to say thanks when it’ll be forgotten, but there ya go.”
Prissie fidgeted. “I’ll remember.”
His eyebrows jumped, but then he shrugged. “In that case, make sure you remind me that I’m way lucky to have Marcus for a friend.”
“You knew that already.” She tried to think of something nice to say. “Tamaes said that this memory will be waiting for you when you get to heaven. Like a treasure.”
“In that case, I’m gonna make sure these memories are priceless!”
To Prissie’s surprise, Ransom sauntered right up to Tamaes. “Excuse me, Mr. Guardian. You look strong.”
The warrior shifted uncomfortably. “Thank you.”
Ransom boldly said, “This is potentially awkward, but they tell me I’m going to forget everything in the morning. Nothing to lose, right?”
Tamaes peeked in Prissie’s direction before replying, “That is so.”
“Perfect!” Ransom clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “So do you give rides?”
After a long morning ferrying jars from the kitchen to the root cellar, Prissie had earned a break. Placing one foot in front of the other, she picked her way around puddles in the rutted lane that cut through the orchard. “It wasn’t like this last year,” she informed Aquila, who rode on her shoulder. “Don’t ask me why I remember little things like dust and dry grass. But I do, clear as day.”
When she reached the tree where she’d first spotted Koji, Prissie slowed to a stop. “I think he was just as surprised to see me as I was to see him. And he thought I was praying to your momma.” Scratching her half-grown kitten behind his ear, she mumbled, “Isn’t that the most ridiculous thing you ever heard?”
Aquila closed his eyes and rumbled contentedly.
Slipping through the gate, Prissie followed the gravel road, then steadied her pet as she climbed to her usual perch on the white-painted board fence. Bees bumbled among the purple coneflowers, and locusts droned in the heat of a July afternoon. Right on schedule, a faded green car rolled to a stop in front of the twin mailboxes. “Hey, Miss Priscilla,” greeted Milo as he propped an arm out the window. “It’s been a few days. Everything okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s the garden that’s out of control.” Prissie twirled the end of her braid around her finger. “The cucumbers Koji planted are coming thick and fast. There’s so many, Grandma Nell is going all out. Six kinds of pickles this summer.”
“Bless every baby gherkin,” the mailman said with a chuckle.
There was a certain comfort in small talk, but these weren’t the things Prissie really wanted to say. “Do you know what today is?”
“Thursday.” There was a twinkle in the Messenger’s eye. “Is today special for some reason?”
“You know it is.”
Turning off the engine, Milo slid out of the car. “Yes, I do. It’s not every angel who has a birthday.”
He joined her on the fence, quiet and companionable. Prissie was glad Milo was the kind of person who was as comfortable with chit-chat as he was with silences. That gave her time to steady herself. After several slow breaths, she whispered, “Don’t keep me in suspense. Is there anything for me?”
“As a matter of fact . . . !” the mailman replied, sliding something from his shirt pocket. “This one didn’t arrive through the usual channels. I caught Lavi trying to sneak it into my mail bag at the post office. It wasn’t going very well — small hands, big buckles.”
Prissie’s heart beat faster. “I thought Lavi stayed with Ephron all the time.”
“The need must have been great,” Milo replied lightly, holding out a bundle of pages held shut by a seal.
Her hands trembled slightly as she accepted the letter. It was definitely from Koji, for the heavy parchment shimmered with a light and life of its own.
Milo took charge of Aquila, cradling her cat in the crook of his arm. “Aren’t you going to open it?”
She knew it was ungrateful, but Prissie had been hoping for a reunion. Hadn’t Koji wanted to spend his birthday together with her? Although she was thankful for a letter, she was afraid that words wouldn’t be enough.
“Fear not.”
Prissie smiled wanly. “You think I’d remember that by now.”
Milo simply smiled and turned his gaze toward the sky, giving her a little privacy.
Carefully breaking the seal, she unfolded the pages. Detailed sketches. Luminous paintings. Blunt observations. Snippets of songs. Each portion overflowed with Koji’s personality. Prissie could almost hear his voice reciting as she read, “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”
“He was always reaching for stars,” she whispered.
“The way I remember it, he was always reaching for you,” remarked Milo.
Prissie’s lip trembled as she unfolded another section of parchment. There were pressed flowers from Abner that smelled faintly of paradise, and Ephron had composed a poem. Every detail pointed to Koji’s thoughtfulness. Every line reminded her that he remembered her. But the best gift came at the end, where a final message waited — May your dreams be filled with song.
With a gasp, she looked to Milo and begged, “When?”
One word was enough. “Soon.”
“Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
– Revelation 22:20
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
In the first chapter, Prissie is amazed by the simplicity of Jedrick’s apology and Ephron’s acceptance. She asks herself if people can go back. What can’t an apology fix? What does that tell us about the value of forgiveness?
When you have something you love, do you want to share it with everyone so they’ll love it too . . . or keep it all to yourself? Give an example.
Ransom is envious of stuff Prissie takes completely for granted. What kinds of things do you find easy to take for granted? What kinds of things do you wish others were more grateful for?
Kester says, “Do not underestimate compassion, Prissie. It begins with the simple act of noticing when another is in need.” How can you cultivate a compassionate heart?
Baird calls confusing times an invitation to “give it all up.” What does he mean?
Prissie’s father bakes fancy little cakes as an expression of love for his family. How do you usually show someone that you care?
Ransom claims to be using peer pressure as a power for good. Is that possible? What are some of the ways you can influence your friends or classmates in positive ways?
When Prissie complains about not having a choice, Marcus replies, “Not about how things are going to go down. But you do have a choice in how you’ll deal.” Have you ever been in a situation where the only thing you have control over is your attitude?
Words could be a gift. Better than any present. How can we share words with one another?
Beau keeps a notebook for prayer. Ransom memorizes Bible verses. Does your faith show up in practical ways?
THRESHOLD SERIES
GLOSSARY
ORDER OF ANGELS
Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
– Psalm 103:20 NIV
Orders of Angels. They’re variously called the hosts of heaven (Neh. 9:6), powers and principalities (Rom. 8:38), thrones and dominions (Col. 1:16), angels and authorities (1 Pet. 3:22), and ministering spirits (Heb. 1:14). Throughout the Threshold Series and its various companion stories, I’ve divided these servants of God into distinct orders. While their characteristics are inspired by the Scriptures, bear in mind that these varieties are the author’s invention. Each of their proper names is spun from a Hebre
w word related to the order’s unique role . . . and parallels those of the two kinds of angels specified in the Bible — cherubim (Ex. 25:22) and seraphim (Is. 6:2).
Protectors. In the Bible, cherubim are protectors of God’s name and image. They’re usually described as beings who devote themselves to blessing, praising, and adoring Him. In my stories, Protectors fight the Fallen. Taller than humanly possible, these muscular warriors are wellequipped for battle.
Guardians. The hadarim watch over the lives of individuals. The Guardians’ name is taken from haderes, which means “hedge of protection.” In the Threshold Series, members of this order are famously bashful and show incredible fierceness when defending their charges.
Messengers. Malakim comes from malak, which means “messenger.” They’re responsible for communication within the ranks of heaven, and they’re known for being outgoing and talkative. Language poses no barrier for Messengers. Members of this order are skilled at drawing others into dreams and visions.
Worshipers. The zamarim derive their name from zamar, “sing with instruments.” Although all angels express themselves through song, Worshipers truly live to praise God with everything they have. One thing that sets apart this order of musically-inclined angels is their wings, which are designed more for beauty than for flight.
Observers. The archivists of heaven are adahim. They get their name from adah, “to witness, to testify.” Observers watch the intricate plans and purposes of God unfold throughout history. Writers, thinkers, artists, poets — the adahim ponder all they’ve seen and heard and record their thoughts in books.
Caretakers. Earth-movers and storm-bringers, the samayim were granted cataclysmic power in order to care for the created universe. There’s very little a Caretaker cannot do, but at the same time, they’re limited in what they’re allowed to do. In the Threshold Series, the samayim show an affinity for nature, minister to the injured, change the physical appearances of people, and tend flocks of yahavim. Their name means “heavens.”
Manna-makers. Despite their diminutive size and playful nature, all the hosts of heaven depend heavily upon the yahavim. This lowest order of angels is responsible for producing manna, the food of angels. Their name comes from yahav, which means “provide.” They’re drawn to those in need.
ANGELIC TERMS
Angelic Jargon. Several terms come up over the course of the Threshold Series, and while the angels take them for granted, maybe you’d like a little more explanation.
The First. In this storyline, not all angels were created at the same time. Some have been around for millennia, but others are newly-formed. When an angel is described as one of the First, it means that he was alive before Time began. First Ones remember the rift that divided the Fallen from the Faithful, and they witnessed creation of the heavens and earth as described in Genesis 1.
Faithful. An angel who lives to serve God.
Fallen. An angel who has set himself against God. Fallen angels are demons.
Mentor. When an older, wiser angel is given a newbie to train, he becomes their mentor. A small, silvery cuff on the shell of the left ear indicates their rank. Mentors may train several apprentices over their lifetime, but only one at a time.
Apprentice. When angels are Sent out of heaven to serve, they always go in pairs. Sometimes, these two-angel teams involve partners on equal footing, but more often, a newer angel is apprenticed to a mentor. Some apprentices end up partnering with several different mentors before their training is considered complete.
Legion. For the purposes of this storyline, one Legion is a company of 12,000 angels.
Flight. The Faithful are organized into twelve-angel teams that are headed up by a captain. That means a Legion is comprised of 1,000 Flights.
Hedge. A group of Guardians serving together in one area is called a Hedge. The hadarim form a perimeter around individual homes, but also in crowded places — schools, apartment buildings, businesses, shopping centers, concerts, sporting events, etc. Because guardian angels come and go whenever their charges do, Hedges are in a constant state of flux.
Graft. When an angel takes on human guise and becomes a part of society, he’s said to be grafted in.
Raiment. The Faithful wear raiment, clothing said to have a light and life of its own. The woven fabric is beige, faintly luminous, and resistant to spot and wrinkle. Design varies slightly depending on the needs of the wearer, and the patterns stitched on the collar and cuffs indicate flight, rank, and order.
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