“It won’t happen again,” he growled.
Overwhelmed, I managed only a nod.
“I’ll give you a few minutes to ready yourself.” His voice was softer now, but he pointedly slammed the door behind him when he left.
As if someone had yelled “Go!” I sprung off the bed and grabbed my travel bag. I wanted out of that room! I dug out a pair of jeans and a blue cashmere sweater. I held them up the mirror. This was just going to have to do. It was far too cold for anything more feminine.
I almost poked my eye out with the tip of a mascara wand when a knock at the adjacent door startled me.
“Samantha, are you decent?” he called out impatiently.
“Coming,” I hurried, adding the finishing touches.
I yanked opened the door and raced to get my knee-length black jacket. I could feel him watching me from behind. He stood with his weight shifted heavily to the right, and in a stance more relaxed than before. I was happy to see he was not wearing ancient Roman armor, geared up and ready to slay the three headed dragon that I feared was still in my room. And me, without a Mr. Jigs!
In one erratic motion, I jammed one arm through a sleeve while leaning precariously over furniture to reach my scarf.
“It looks cold outside,” I said, as I straightened my jacket’s lapel and fastened the buttons.
With a toss of a dark red scarf around my neck, I was finally ready. My chestnut hair flowed across my shoulders as I turned and almost bumped into Elvis.
“Ready?” He extended me his hand, and an easy smile flickered across his face.
While he carried a black wool coat, matching gloves, and a hat in one hand, he held me in his other. He drew me close as we walked. I admired his jet black hair, combed perfectly straight back and not a single hair out of place. I pondered why God would create a man so handsome, tell me not to touch him, and then say it loud enough for the devil to hear? Even I knew that Satan couldn’t resist opposing God. And I was sure the dark angel was having a good laugh at how easily I was led astray.
Elvis was right. The fight between good and evil was like a game of cat-and-mouse. And, it went so far back one couldn’t help but wonder if anyone really knew what they were fighting about. The point was lost to me, I thought as we exited the room, and I watched Elvis pull the hat down low around his face. The Bible says the Devil loses in the end, I reminded myself. I guess Satan doesn’t read, I chuckled and then looked around.
“Where are we going?” I moved closer to my protector.
“It’s a surprise.”
***
In the faint afternoon light we strolled. I leaned against his sturdy frame and followed his even strides, not bothering to watch where I was going. Instead, I looked up at the sky that hung over our heads like an abstract work of art. Safe by his side, I became lost in the colorful strokes of orange and purple signaling the sun’s last hurrah of the day. Soon the night’s shadows will have their turn at splendor, and judging by how quickly the sun was sinking to the horizon, it was destiny that I enjoy it with an angel.
God is a talented artist, I thought. And as I was considering if I had ever walked in a more prefect evening, with a more wonderful escort, my cell phone beeped. Elvis moved back, and I reached for my bag, keenly aware of the odd mix of curiosity and impatience that radiated by my side. Though he had once owned the first cell phone, I don’t imagine he'd have ever guessed they would one day be small enough to get lost in a lady’s purse. And I was flipping my cell phone open even before it was fully exposed. The word “Steve” flashed in and out of focus. I hit read.
You leave town without a word?
My heartbeat skipped. Instantly, my thoughts flashed to that unidentified car drifting so unassumingly in the shadows as we fled Memphis last night. And if that wasn’t enough to rattle me, there was always Tupelo.
“I-I will return this later,” I looked around, forced a smile, and snapped the phone shut.
The park was only a few short blocks, but Elvis’ gate was now more of a march than his normal easy glide. As I walked in double-time steps, battling his stride, my mind spun with worry. Ahead, I could see a cemented path, lined with trees, and filled with pedestrians. He headed straight for it.
“Who do people see walking next to me?” I hoped to discuss anything outside of Steve or the happenings back at the hotel.
“They see what they want to see,” he said pointedly.
It was impossible to miss the vibe of a troubled Elvis. Alive, he wore his emotions on his sleeve. And though he was an angel, this hadn’t changed, and I knew better than to push. We were well in to our walk before I felt his arm muscles relax, and that centered angelic demeanor return.
All around us, cars filled the streets. They whisked by as workers, freshly released from cubicles all over town, got a reprieve for the day. And just like in Tupelo I couldn’t help but tense up. I repeated, under my breath, God is in control — another one of my daddy’s tips — and after saying it ten times, I began to feel that circle of warmth that meant God was close.
Soon, my senses sharpened and the night came alive. I enjoyed the sweet smell of a tulip poplar tree, filling the early evening air. And while I drew in a deeper breath, relishing the comforting scent of nature, I heard raised voices. Like the teenagers who loudly played field games in the last moments of daylight.
“In case you’re wondering, Steve is the man I met while looking for you back at Graceland,” I explained. “He’s a fan of yours.”
“I’m aware of who he is.” Elvis turned to face me.
His face looked grim, worried even, and I was holding my breath, waiting for him to continue, but the moment was cut short by an object that fell from the sky. We both jumped as a football wobbled at our feet before settling onto its side.
“Hey, mister, can you get the ball for us?” Cracked the voice of a tall boy from across the field.
Smiling politely, Elvis bent down and picked up the football, rolling it around in his hands. Gripping it like a pro, he leaned back, and with a whip of his arm, sent the ball flying through the air. A crowd of teenage boys scrambled to catch it, all falling short, and miscalculating the power and distance of the throw.
“Ah, man,” they collectively moaned.
Elvis smirked, his satisfaction obvious as he bent over to pick up his stylish hat that had tumbled to the ground. Placing it firmly back in place, he grabbed my hand and guided me away from the game. In light of all that had happened, explaining Steve was never more important. And I tried to broach the subject with him, only to be shut down with talk about the weather and the distance of the drive that still lay ahead. Finally, I just gave up. What was one more day? It could wait till tomorrow. Our time together was precious and it was such a lovely evening.
***
Centered in the middle of town, the park was larger than I imagined. Of course that was of no concern for Elvis. Once inside the park, he knew exactly which way to travel. At every cross section, he moved without hesitation, and every turn always led to yet another well maintained path and another direction. I was beginning to wonder if he had a destination in mind until we finally arrived at a tranquil picnic area with a small lake just off in the distance.
Water gently lapped at the shore. We were not alone, but only a few couples lingered. They huddled close together for warmth and strolled along a tree-lined path around the water’s edge. They looked happy, and in love. And my own heart skipped, happy to share the last remaining hours of the day with my love. A romantic at heart, I wanted nothing more than to watch the sun as it slipped below the horizon, a real heaven on earth moment.
A green park bench sat at the edge of the moderate shore line, and Elvis motioned for me to take a seat. While I looked around for my surprise, he let out a grunt and sat down by my side, lifting his arm around my shoulder. A light breeze tousled my hair, and his. Still puzzled, I looked back over my shoulder to the children playing in the sandbox a short distance behind us and smiled.
Each child sat digging with the passion of tiny gold miners. And when one turned our way, my smile widened even further.
“What is so special about this lake?” I continued to watch as the shy little princess stepped out of the sand. Her long blonde ringlets bounced, giving her the air of purpose as she walked our way.
She only briefly glanced to me as she circled around to her intended mark. I watched Elvis' eyes widen in surprise as the little miss crawled up on to his lap without so much as a word. Smiling broadly, he took her by the elbow and gave her a boost.
“Well, hello, sweetness. What can I do for you?” He glanced around, temporarily mystified. I nodded toward the direction from which she had come.
She lifted her tiny little hands over her mouth, and leaned in closer to his ear. As the tiniest whisper hummed next to his ear, Elvis’ smile was dazzling, and his teeth shined white against the paleness of her doll-like skin.
“She did?” He beamed.
“Yup,” said our small guest, folding her hands in to her lap.
“Well, I’ll be.” Elvis’ eyes twinkled as if the sweet child had just told him the most wonderful news.
“And…” The little blonde girl paused to look at me as if considering whether she could say what was on her mind. And after giving it some thought, she leaned back to continue her conversation with Elvis in private.
I instinctively longed to have a child as lovely as her, and I could not help but want to hold her. And while I drifted away, lost to a fantasy filled with bed time stories and afternoons spent baking cookies, Elvis’ laughter burst out into the evening, interrupting my dreams of motherhood.
“Ok darlin’. I’ll be sure to do just that.” Elvis hugged her to his chest and her little arms clutched his neck.
“Grace!” A distressed call rang out from behind.
The little girl’s eyes got wide as she slid off Elvis’ lap. I extended her my hand, but she sprung down all on her own. Glancing over my shoulder, I could see what I assumed was little Grace’s mom, displaying that look of fear all parents get when they cannot find their children.
“She’s over here,” I waved to a relieved looking woman who picked up her pace and trotted toward us.
“Sorry!” The woman called.
“It’s quite alright. She’s a doll.” I yelled back.
Pulling her knee-length jacket down like a well trained little southern lady, Grace circled around the bench. She walked back to mom slowly, which only caused her name to be bellowed in a tone that made even me flinch. And I couldn’t help but chuckle over the sight of Grace skipping along, and not the least bit worried.
Having gone just a few steps, Grace suddenly stopped, spun around, and raced back our way. My heart skipped a beat as this time she ran toward me, not Elvis. Out of breath from all the excitement, she stretched up onto her toes in order to reach my ear.
“He smells like candy!” She whispered excitedly before dropping down and running back, her steps quicker than before.
“What’d she say?” Elvis poked me.
“She said you smell as sweet as candy,” I laughed and Elvis smirked while also blushing.
“Well, you are awful charming, you know,” I reached over and pinched his cheek.
“Ah… stop fussin’ on me now. Look… the mom, she’s comin’ back.”
I glanced up to see Grace’s mom dragging her off the playground by one arm.
“No, she’s not.” When I turned back, he was already up and walking down to the lake, his laughter echoing in the breeze.
“Oh, you’re a brat.” I raced after him.
My intention was to pass him, but with reflexes like lightening, he snatched me by the waist and pulled me back into his arms.
“Come here, you.” He spoke through clenched teeth while encircling me from behind.
Laughing, I rested my back against his sturdy chest. “What did little Grace share with you?”
“She asked for me to give her grams a kiss for her when I get back to heaven.”
“She knows you’re an angel?”
“Children see much more than we give them credit for.” Leaning down, Elvis pressed his warm cheek against my cool face. “And, they rarely miss the miracles.”
Standing at the lake’s edge, wrapped in his strong embrace, I watched the water as it stirred; gently moved by a cold night’s breeze. Heat radiated from Elvis’ body and I snuggled closer to his warmth as though he were a campfire.
“Was Grace what you wanted to share with me?” I spoke softly, hesitant to break this peaceful silence.
“No, your surprise lies here.” Elvis pointed towards the water.
As if on cue, the wind stopped. Strands of my hair fell softly to my shoulder.
“Watch closely, baby girl.” His breath felt hot against my ear.
All was still. My breath slowed in anticipation of Elvis’ gift. Even nature held its breath as not even a leaf fluttered in the trees. And when a small swell began to spread over the glassy surface, Elvis loosened his embrace. I leaned in for a closer look.
Chapter 13
As though an unseen rock had dropped into the calm surface, the water began to ripple. The circles grew larger, and slowly a familiar reflection came into focus. I watched as the two people I love most, my mother and my father, walked hand in hand. The sun was high in the sky over their heads, and as bright as any Atlanta day in June. Like a mirror to the other side, I imagined this beautiful scene to be a glimpse into heaven. A lump grew in my throat. My heart longed to join them.
But when my father turned and placed a soft kiss on my mother’s lips, I felt a rush of concern.
“My daddy, is he… he’s not…” I dared not utter the word out loud.
“No baby girl, he’s very much alive. He’s only dreamin’.” Elvis gathered me back in to his arms, encircling me from behind, and I exhaled my relief in to the cold pre-dusk air.
I closed my eyes and fell back against Elvis’ sturdy frame. My rapid heartbeat slowed, and quickly I reopened my eyes not wanting to miss one blessed moment.
“This is the type of love God wishes for you Samantha,” Elvis uttered close to my ear.
His words sank in deep, stirring my thoughts as I watched my parents holding each other.
“A God sanctioned love, blessed in this life and the next.”
My heart was listening, and I understood his meaning, but my attention was locked onto my mother. It had been more than two years since I had seen her. Tears swelled in my eyes as I remembered how tired and frail she looked on her last days on Earth. She looked so happy here, resting in my father’s arms, no sign of the ravaging cancer that had taken her life.
Oh, how I’d missed her. And I was pondering my life without her when my mother’s eyes turned to look out from her watery stage right into mine. I jumped back against Elvis’ chest, and his arms tightened around me for comfort.
“Easy, honey.”
“Did you see that?”
The same gentle smile that had calmed me as a child glowed. My father’s lips moved silently as he chatted by her side, unaware of our connection. Mother watched me while she quietly listened.
“Your mama is quite the lady.” Elvis spoke as if he knew her firsthand. “She wishes for you the same happiness she had with your father. We all do.”
The lake began to stir again, and the forms of my parents became blurry, and then began to fade. My mother’s smile widened, in one final goodbye, just as the doorway to heaven closed.
“Mama told Daddy they would never be apart.”
My mother’s bedside promise to my agonizing father was still vivid in my mind. I could clearly see my father, kneeling beside her, holding her as she took her final breath.
“She is a wise woman.” Elvis kissed my temple.
“How did she know?”
“She knows God.”
“And love?” I was beginning to understand.
“Baby, if a man and a woman have God, they have everything.”<
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A bird struck up a tune somewhere in the park.
“Have you always believed this?” I asked and a long silence followed.
“My mama preached it, but I guess I thought my situation was too complex to practice it.” He paused as if contemplating the lesson inside his own words, “Had I a bit more time, I would have done things differently.”
“Too bad you can’t go back.”
Elvis turned me around to face him.
“No. It’s too late for me.” His eyes were soft as they scanned my face. He rested his palms gently against my cheeks, cradling my face, and the warmth from his soul seemed to reach out to my own.
“Are we having “the talk”?” My eyes narrowed, and he began to chuckle, light at first but growing by the minute.
When Elvis laughed, he laughed with his whole heart. It was impossible not to join in.
“God has a great plan for your life, Samantha,” his chuckles settled, “And, let’s just say that I was sent to ensure you get over a few bumps, “safely”, and get on with it.”
I should have felt happiness to hear that God had a plan — Lord knows I didn’t have one — but still my wide smile faded. I’d hoped these bumps were long behind me.
“So… about these challenges I have to “get over”. Is one of them you?” I asked, and I knew I was right when I saw that sideways smile of his.
***
A light mist moistened the night’s air as Elvis and I walked along the now-empty streets, our footsteps echoing in the night. A soft glow from the street lamps lit our way. The city had gone to bed. We strolled, both of us content in the stillness.
Keep God at the center, Elvis had preached back at the lake. My parents had set a great example of love transcending time, but I had never experienced anything close to what my angel was suggesting. I had been more than a little left behind in the love department, and I pondered my forever-single situation the whole way back to the hotel.
Dream Angel : Heaven Waits Page 10