The Golden Angel

by Gilbert, Morris

  “Don’t believe I have, but I’m mighty glad to meet you.” Rev stuck his hand out, and when Derek took it, he smiled at him. “Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb, brother?”

  Wells’s face suddenly grew pale. Both Erin and Rev noticed it, and Erin said, “Don’t be shocked, Derek. That’s the way Rev greets everybody, even generals.”

  “It brought back some memories. My dad always did the same thing.”

  “Your dad? Was he a preacher?”

  “Never was ordained. He was a bricklayer, but he preached on the streets. He’d ask everybody he met if they were converted. That’s the clearest memory of my boyhood, I think.”

  “Sounds like a fine man, Mr. Wells.”

  “He was. I’m very proud of him. He never had a dime, but he took care of us the best he could, and he was very generous. He was the finest man I ever knew.”

  Quaid walked up, and his eyes were fixed on the actor. When Erin introduced him, Quaid said, “I’ve seen your pictures. I like some of them very much.”

  Wells laughed suddenly. “Do I dare ask which ones? No, don’t tell me. Then I’d worry about the others.” He grew serious then and studied Quaid. “I read in the papers about your service in France. Every time I meet someone who really did something over there, I feel like a heel.”

  “No need to feel that way,” Quaid shrugged. “I read in the papers how you raised millions for the war effort selling Liberty bonds.”

  “Oh yes. I did that. I tried to enlist, but they wouldn’t have it. The president himself asked me to go on tour selling Liberty bonds. I did it because he asked me to, but I always felt like a slacker.”

  “Oh, Derek,” Erin spoke up. “You did what you were asked to do. That’s all any man can do.”

  The four of them walked off the field and went to the café, where they had doughnuts and coffee. Although everyone recognized Derek, he seemed to pay no attention to it. And Erin didn’t mind a bit that he paid almost no attention to her. He began pumping questions at Quaid, mostly about politics. He seemed keenly interested.

  “Do you think the Germans will stay down? After all, you fought in the war to end all wars. That’s what they called it anyway.”

  Quaid shook his head. “I don’t think so. In this world there can always be another war.”

  “I’ve been thinking of doing a picture about the last war—especially the air war. Would you be available to work on it?”

  “Why, I’m no actor.”

  “No, but you were there. You can be sure that if I do it, it’s going to be done right. I’m not interested in prettifying it. I know men were killed. I read a lot of the stories about ‘the knights of the air’ and all that, but I doubt if it was all that glamorous.”

  “No, it wasn’t.” Quaid shook his head. “It was a bloody, brutal business, and toward the end they were sending up seventeen-year-old boys with no more than ten hours of training. There was nothing knightly or chivalrous about it.”

  “That’s the kind of thing I want to show! I don’t know that I’m going to do this, but if I do, can I count on you to at least be an advisor and perhaps do some of the flying?”

  Quaid shrugged his shoulders. “It would have to work in with our schedule.”

  “Well, I know that’s busy. How does it feel to be famous?”

  Quaid suddenly laughed. “Me—famous? Here’s the famous one—the Golden Angel.”

  Erin flushed. “That’s not so. I tell everybody that you’re the real secret of our success.”

  “But I don’t have long blond hair and a nice figure, and I never killed a lion with a spear in Africa,” Quaid teased.

  “Oh, hush!”

  The four had a fine time together, and when it was time for Wells to leave, he had a moment alone with Erin. “I’ve never had so much fun with a woman as I had today with you. I’d like to see you again.”

  “Why, I think that would be fine, Derek. I had fun, too.”

  “You’re not afraid of me?”

  Erin blinked with surprise. “Why, of course not.”

  “You know my reputation.”

  Erin suddenly laughed. “Well, now you know mine.”

  He reached out and took her hand, held it for a moment, and then kissed it. “Good-bye,” he said. “One day you’ll look up, and I’ll be there. By the way,” he said. “I talked to DeMille yesterday. He talked about you.”

  “About me? Why, I’ve never met him.”

  “He reads the papers, though. He asked me if I thought you’d be interested in being in a movie.”

  “Me! Why, that would be ridiculous. I’m no actress.”

  “DeMille doesn’t make light statements. I wish you’d think about it. Maybe we could do one together. That would be fun.”

  “No, I don’t think so, Derek. Hollywood’s not for me.”

  “I thought you’d say that, but it was worth asking anyway. Well, good-bye, then, and thanks for a lovely flight.”

  When Erin walked to where Quaid was standing underneath the plane talking to Rev, she said, “Don’t you two forget. We’re going to take some time off and visit my grandparents in New York.”

  “It sounds good to me,” Quaid said.

  “And remember this, too. You promised to think about a way to work some wing walking in.”

  “I don’t think I remember that.” Quaid frowned.

  “Well, I do, and I’m not going to forget it. You know how stubborn I am.”

  Quaid suddenly laughed. “I know that well enough. It’ll be good to see your grandparents again.”

  “We’ll all have a rest there. I think we need it.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  The Door Opens

  By the time they had arrived at the airfield in New York, Erin, Quaid, and Rev were exhausted, for the past days had been packed solid with performances. The trio had traveled across the entire country, giving performance after performance in state after state as they made their way east. Now the blistering heat of New York seemed heavy and oppressive after the dry heat of California.

  Erin had obtained promises from both men to stay at her grandparents’ house for at least a week, and now she watched Quaid as he drove the rented car. He looked tired and drawn. Part of this, she understood, was the responsibility of seeing that the act went well and that every safety device possible would be used. She realized how she leaned on him, and a wave of gratitude rose in her as she studied his face in profile. He had never told her how he had come by the scars on his forehead, but she assumed it had something to do with flying.

  Suddenly Quaid turned and found her watching him. “What are you looking at?” he demanded.

  “Oh, nothing.” Erin quickly turned back to look at Rev, who was folded up in the back seat, his long, gangling arms and legs somehow arranging themselves as he curled into a ball like a spider. “Rev doesn’t worry about a lot of things, does he?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “It must be nice to be like that.”

  Quaid swerved to miss a dog that had apparently been possessed by a suicide wish and tried to throw itself in front of the Marmon. “Stupid dog,” he grunted. Then when he straightened the car out, he glanced at her. “Are you worried about something?”

  “Oh, just the usual things. Not worried really, but we’ve been under a lot of pressure lately.”

  “Well, we’ll be able to uncoil a bit now.”

  “I’m looking forward to it. We all need it.”

  Neither of them spoke for the next ten minutes, and then Erin said, “There’s the house. Turn right there.”

  “I remember.” As he turned, Quaid shrugged his shoulders somewhat impatiently. “I’m not sure this is such a good idea.”

  “What, Quaid?”

  “Barging in on your grandparents like this.”

  “Don’t be foolish! They’re looking forward to it. I think they get a little bit lonesome out here.”

  Quaid was unconvinced, but he said no more. He steered the car
down the road, which was flanked on both sides with flower beds, and stopped in front of the house. He shut the engine off, and the silence at once brought Rev out of his sound sleep. He pulled himself up, rubbed his eyes, and glanced around. “Are we here? Is this it?”

  “This is it. Come on. We’ll bring the luggage in later.”

  The trio got out of the car and walked up the steps. They were greeted at the top, not by Mark and Lola, whom Erin had expected, but by Amelia and Phillip Winslow. They burst out calling her name, and Phillip picked her up and spun her around while Amelia laughed, then she took her hug when Phillip set her down.

  “What are you two doing here?” Erin asked. She was glad to see them, for they reminded her of home, and she asked, “Did Mom and Dad come with you?”

  “No, they couldn’t get away, but they’ll be coming soon. We have a long letter for you.”

  “Well, what about you two?”

  Amelia was radiant. “We finally persuaded our parents to let us come to the States. Phillip’s going to school, and I’m going to get a job of some kind.” She turned then to face Quaid and put her hand out, saying, “I’m Amelia Winslow, Erin’s disreputable cousin.”

  Quaid found this amusing. He took her hand, noting she had a strong grip. “We ought to get along well. I’m her black-sheep partner.”

  “I’m sure we will,” Amelia said. There was a directness in her gaze, and her grip was firmer than that of most women. Erin noticed that their handshake was lasting longer than normal and so did Phillip, who came forward and said, “Stop holding hands with him, Amelia.” He took Quaid’s hand and said, “I’m Phillip. I’m so glad to meet you. We read everything we could about your flying.”

  At this moment Lola came out wearing a light green dress, and she called, “Erin, come inside and bring your friends. Give your grandmother a hug.”

  Erin ran to Lola and hugged her and asked, “How’s Grandfather?”

  “Fairly well,” Lola said noncommittally. She turned to meet Rev, who had said nothing. When Erin introduced her grandmother to the tall, spidery pilot, Lola smiled. “We’re so glad to have you. I hope you’ll enjoy your stay here.”

  “Why, I’m sure I will, Mrs. Winslow. Is there any chance you’re a handmaiden of the Lord?”

  Lola smiled, for Erin had mentioned Rev’s peculiarity in her letters. “I like to think so,” she said. “I’ve been a Christian for more years than you’ve been alive, Rev.”

  “Well, ain’t that fine, now! And your husband, I expect he’s a born-again believer, too.”

  “Certainly is. One of the finest Christians I’ve ever known.”

  Amelia was standing close to Quaid. When she was finally introduced to Brown, she said immediately, “Don’t ask me if I’m a handmaiden of the Lord.”

  Revelation Brown took in the tall young woman and did not argue. He simply said, “I’m pleased to know you, Miss Amelia, and you, too, Phillip.”

  Lola herded them all inside and soon they were seated on deep overstuffed chairs in the large drawing room. Though richly furnished like the rest of the house, it was, nonetheless, a comfortable room, where they did most of their entertaining. Framed paintings added a splash of color to the walls. Long windows on the east wall admitted pale shafts of sunlight, and the rich oriental carpet on the floor gave the room a regal feel.

  “I can’t believe you’re here, Amelia, and you, Phillip,” Erin said. “You’ve got to tell me everything.”

  Amelia had somehow seated herself close to Quaid on a love seat. She turned to him now and leaned over so that her shoulder brushed against his. “I’ve been anxious to meet you, Quaid. I’ve never met a real live war hero before.”

  “You haven’t met one now! I just did my job over there.”

  “Oh, that’s not true! I want to hear all about it.”

  Erin took this in with a swift glance, and her eyes then went to Phillip. She saw that her young cousin was disturbed, and when their eyes met, an understanding passed between them. Both were aware that Amelia was out of the will of God—in fact, she had clearly been ignoring Him for some years. Neither Erin nor Phillip felt they could trust her, and watching her flirt with Quaid was making them both very uncomfortable.

  Mark came in just then, and after greeting everyone, he seated himself and took the tea that his wife poured for him. He inquired about the tour, and Erin gave him the particulars.

  Amelia listened intently, and when Erin mentioned having gone out with Derek Wells, she screamed, “You don’t mean it! Derek Wells in the flesh?”

  “In the flesh.”

  “What’s he like? I’ll bet he’s something, isn’t he?”

  “You know, he’s not what I expected.” She nodded to Quaid and said, “He could talk to Quaid about politics and to Rev about engines, and he wasn’t at all stuck up or egotistical the way I thought Hollywood stars were.”

  Amelia was entranced. “I’d give anything to meet him.”

  “Well, you might get your chance,” Quaid said. “He’s supposed to get in touch with Erin again.”

  “You’ve got to introduce me, Erin! Why, he might help me get into the movies.”

  Erin smiled and shook her head. “I expect there are about twenty million young women who would like to do that. I’m not sure it’s a good idea, though.”

  Amelia opened her mouth to protest, but before she could launch into an argument with her cousin, Lola quickly interjected, “I’m sure you’re all exhausted. Why don’t you go take a shower and lie down? We’ll have a fine dinner tonight, and then we can talk until midnight.”

  The gathering broke up and they all went to their respective rooms, except for Lola, who walked slowly with Erin to her room and went inside. She sat down on the bed and watched Erin unpack her suitcase. She inquired tactfully about the activities of the past few weeks and listened as Erin spoke.

  “You’ve changed a little, Erin.”

  Erin turned quickly. She was holding a dress she had just put on a hanger and saw that her grandmother was serious. “What do you mean I’ve changed?”

  “Well, of course, it was impossible that you would remain the same. You take a young girl who has been in the bush in Africa and throw her into the spotlight, put famous people around her and reporters and all that I’ve been reading about—well, it’s bound to change you.”

  Slowly Erin ran her hand over the dress and studied her grandmother with a cautious look. “Do you think I’ve gotten a big head?”

  “I’d be surprised if you didn’t,” she smiled, “but I don’t think so. I just wanted to warn you that it could happen.”

  Erin turned and hung the dress up, then came back to sit down beside her grandmother. She picked up Lola’s hand and held it with both of her own. “I don’t want that to happen, Grandmother. God has been so good to me. You don’t know how unhappy I was when I was growing up.”

  “I know. Because you did poorly in school.” Lola suddenly squeezed her hand and smiled. “I have something I want you to do.”

  “Anything, Grandmother. What is it?”

  “I want you to meet with a doctor.”

  “A doctor? But I’m not sick. I’m in wonderful health.”

  “He’s not that kind of a doctor. He’s doing some kind of special work with people who don’t do well in school. He thinks he might have an answer. His name is Michael Oz. He’s a professor at the university here and does a lot of work with patients in the charity hospitals.”

  “Oz? That’s a peculiar name, but I don’t see how he could help me. It’s too late now.”

  “Just go see him. I think you’ll like him. He’s a member of our church. That’s the way I got to know him. We got to talking about you one day, and I told him how poorly you’d done and how able you seemed in other ways. He at once showed interest and said he’d be glad to talk to you.”

  “I’ll go if you say so, Grandmother, but I don’t see that it will help.”

  “We never know what will help. Maybe God ha
s put him in your way.”

  Erin suddenly laughed and threw her arms around the silver-haired woman. “I love you, Grandmother. You always blame everything on God, but I’ll do it,” she said as she released her. “I’ve always wanted to find out why I’m so stupid, and maybe he can tell me.”

  ****

  When Erin came down the next day, she noticed that Amelia and Quaid were not at the breakfast table. When she asked after them, her grandfather said, “She took him out to play tennis. She’s very good, you know. I think she could do well in a major tournament if she wanted to dedicate her time to that.”

  For some reason the absence of the two disturbed Erin. She said little during breakfast, but afterward she went with Phillip to the sunroom, where they sat among the foliage of the exotic plants, enjoying the coolness. For a long time Erin plied Phillip with questions about things back home.

  Finally she said, “I know you’re happy to be here, and Amelia, too.”

  “I think Amelia would have driven our folks crazy if they hadn’t let us come.” He was a fine-looking young man of eighteen, and the sunlight caught his auburn hair, causing it to give off red tints. He turned his piercing green eyes on Erin. “Quite frankly, I’ve never been so worried about Amelia.”

  “I know. She’s been a problem to your folks for a long time.”

  “She’s just out of step with everything Mom and Dad have tried to teach her. She’s got a rebellious streak in her. She got involved with a man back home after you left. It was pretty bad, Erin. He was a good-looking fellow—had lots of money—but everyone knew he was a woman chaser.”

  Erin shifted uneasily and put her eyes on Phillip. “I suppose you talked to her.”

  “Of course I did, but it’s like talking to a stranger.” Misery showed in Phillip’s fine eyes, and he shook his head. “I love Amelia, but she’s headed for trouble. Try to talk to her, Erin.”

  “I’ll do what I can, but if she won’t listen to you, I doubt if she’ll listen to me.”

  ****

  Mark Winslow walked slowly and carefully, seeming to plan each step as he moved along the gravel pathways that led between the flower beds. Quaid moved beside him, adjusting his long strides and listening as the older man spoke of how much pleasure his wife had gotten out of the flower garden.