Angel Promises Fulfilled

by Angel Promises Fulfilled (v5. 0) (epub)

  She began to feel alone. In some small way, this is how Jesus must have felt, moments before he died on the cross. He felt abandoned, too, and yet He was obedient unto death.

  Am I to pick up this cross, Jenny wondered? I did so many times during my marriage. So many times I died to myself. But Henry coming back into my life is what I have dreamed and longed for, Jesus…It’s all so close and near to fulfilling my dreams and heart’s desire.

  Must I die again?

  Rays of sun covered Jenny’s face and brought some soothing relief of hope, but it only lasted a moment. The warm, midmorning summer breeze carried another message; the soft whisper of Jesus…

  Yes, Jenny, that is My will for you.

  Chapter Fifty Nine

  For over an hour, Jenny drifted back and forth on the swing, unable to move. She replayed the conversation she just had with James over and over. Life had lost its direction and her heart searched for hope…A cloud of confusion surrounded her. It was mingled with so many emotions that they were no longer definable. Her dreams were shattering as the realities of life worked their way into the cracks of her heart. Oh where was this all heading?

  Suddenly, Jenny felt a soft touch on her shoulder. Normally it would have startled her, but she instantly recognized its warmth. It was more of a loving caress.

  “I hope I didn’t frighten you, Jenny?”

  Jenny reached back and touched Henry’s hand. “I knew it was you.”

  “James called, didn’t he?”

  Jenny nodded and tears surfaced. She couldn’t speak. She squeezed Henry’s hand. He came around and sat beside her on the swing. He raised his arm and Jenny collapsed into his chest.

  “Oh, Henry, I am so confused. I love you so much…I am so afraid what the future might bring.”

  Henry felt a rush of love sweep through him. He wanted his dear sweet Jenny more than life. He felt her heart pounding and her chest heaving and didn’t know how to console her…she was caught in between so many conflicts; pressure coming from him, would only add to her troubled spirit. He remained silent and stroked her shoulder, setting the swing into motion.

  It was the sound of nature that eventually promoted Henry to speak. “Isn’t the sound of that meadowlark beautiful, Jen? Of all the birds I hear, it’s the sound of the meadowlark that is the most melodic and soothing of all. So many times I walk down the country dirt road, I hear the buzzing of bees, the hum of the wires overhead, but every now and then I am fortunate enough to hear a meadowlark sitting on the telephone wires singing a song for me. The melody instantly touches my heart.”

  Jenny and Henry gazed skyward and there it was sitting on the wires.

  “The tune it sings is so beautiful. Its name is beautiful, too…meadowlark, such a soothing name. I can just see it singing in the meadows at your farm. Imagine walking through all those beautiful daisies listening to that.”

  “It reminds me of a Scripture I once memorized; in fact, I used to memorize a lot of them when I attended university. Julean was amazed how I would spout Scripture after Scripture. But it helped to calm my nerves when I was worried about things.”

  “What were some of them, Henry?”

  “Like I said, hearing the meadowlark reminded me of what Jesus said in Matthew 6: 25-26, I think it was that we should not be worried about life. And later on in that Scripture, He comments on the birds in the sky and that they do not fret or worry about their food or life and God makes sure they are fed and He asks, ‘Are we not considered of more worth to the Father?’ And still later in that same chapter, Jesus says, ‘Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.’”

  “That’s beautiful, Henry…can you recall some others?” Jenny found it soothing.

  “Yeah, Matthew 11:28, ‘Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.’ And verses 29 and 30 are helpful too, Jenny. ‘Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.’”

  “Henry, that’s amazing that you can remember and quote those Scriptures!”

  “I have to admit I used to say them over and over…it almost became a way of life.”

  “Tell me another one…”

  “You’ll like this, Jenny, it has to do with bringing you peace—”

  “Oh, tell me quickly…I sure can use that.”

  “It’s John 14:27: ‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.’”

  “Oh, Henry, that’s beautiful. I can just feel the peace of Jesus calming my heart. I bet that’s what the meadowlark was singing.”

  Henry squeezed Jenny and they fell into a silence once more.

  “Do you have a favorite Scripture, Henry?” Jenny wanted to know.

  “I do Jenny, the one that has helped me cope with situations more than once is Proverbs 3:5: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.’”

  “That’s exactly what I need to do right now, Henry.” Jenny sat up and looked at Henry. “It’s our thinking of all the worst case scenarios happening that gets us all so bogged down. What you just said made me think of a favourite of mine as well. I can’t think of the Scripture like you can, but it has to do with trusting God as well to turn all things into the good.”

  “That’s Romans 8:28, Jenny. That’s the one Father Engelmann quotes all of the time. You know, Jenny, why don’t we pray about that right now. I know exactly what Father would say if he were here.”

  Henry reached out with both of his hands and Jenny’s were right there for him to take. He smiled so lovingly at his dear sweet Jenny. Henry closed his eyes and squeezed Jenny’s hands, “Dear Jesus, give us the grace and strength to do and accept that which reflects Your will in this difficult situation. I love Jenny so much and yet she has a husband and family that love her too and want her back. Please help me, Jesus, to let Jenny be free to decide what is best for her to do. And help us both to trust in You knowing that You will turn it all into good for all concerned.”

  “And I thank you too, dear Lord, for my darling, Henry, for His love and understanding and support.”

  Jenny squeezed Henry’s hands, then let go and walked over to the Angel of Thanksgiving. She bent down and plucked a yellow daisy in the wildflower patch. “Thank you so much for Henry.”

  Jenny placed the daisy in the angel’s basket next to the one from James.

  “I gave the Angel of Thanksgiving a name, Henry…”

  “I bet it’s Hannah…”

  Jenny nodded. “As soon as Father David told me the name of my guardian, I knew right then that’s what I would call the Angel of Thanksgiving. It’s perfect. My angel is always surrounding me with blessings.”

  Jenny’s face brightened “Before you came, Henry, I was so troubled and now I feel like such a weight is lifted off me. Thank you so much for coming…”

  Henry gazed at his sweetheart lovingly. He knew as did Jenny, that this was just a momentary respite in the difficult journey that lay ahead. What was she really thinking and feeling?

  Please dear guardian angels, help us…

  Henry got up and made his way to Jenny. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her, “I love you so much, Jenny.”

  “I love you too.”

  They warmly embraced and parted.

  “It’s such a beautiful day, Jenny, what do ya’ say, we go for a drive in the country?”

  “Yes,” Jenny responded, her eyes flashing, “And let’s get out and walk down a country dirt road with our guardian angels at our side.”

  “Yeah, and maybe, just maybe, we all might be serenaded by a meadowlark!”

  “Yes, and maybe, just maybe, there might be two of them sitting on the wires, wouldn’t that be something! Just think, a duet!”

  “Now, that would be a miracle, Jenny!”

  Jenny looked straight into He
nry’s eyes, “I believe in miracles, sweetheart…don’t you!?”

  Chapter Sixty

  Yeah, okay Nick, let’s keep it in abeyance for the time being should she initiate the procedure.”

  James couldn’t believe that Jenny asked for an annulment of their marriage. He barely made it to the kitchen table and sat down.

  “Can I get you some tea, Jim?”

  “Yeah…” answered James, clearly sounding dejected and in pain.

  “Couldn’t help over hearin’…and, ain’t none of my business, what’s this annulment t’ing or whatever that Miss Jenny be asking for?”

  “Never heard of it before either, Matilda. That’s why I called one of the lawyers in our legal department. Apparently, the Catholic Church doesn’t allow a divorced Catholic to re-marry in the church. They must have their first marriage annulled. That is, to show that there wasn’t a valid marriage in the first place—”

  “How can that be!? Of course you two be married…why I recall to this day you be bringin’ that fine little t’ing to the estate. My, my, never seen such a pretty lady. First thing I be saying to myself, Mr. Hamilton sure done hit the jackpot! Now, the Bible say, Jim, when two people swear before God they be loving each other come hell or high water or heaven or bliss they got to work things out one way or the other. All too many, now days don’t take their marriage serious; know what I’m saying—”

  “Enough, Matilda, I know what you’re saying but in some cases it doesn’t work out and separation is best for all concerned.”

  “Now, you look at your marriage, Jim. You be wanting back in. Now…I may be speaking out of turn, but if you be trying to get along with Jenny right from the start maybe, you wouldn’t be in this predicament. What I’m sayin’, too many people just don’t try. Why if I get married and swear to love and honor in good times and bad, why I be throwin’ away the key. There be no back door for me to back out of…that be for sure.”

  “Well in my case, it might work to my advantage. My lawyer says for an annulment to be approved, it’s best for both parties to agree. The Church further promotes reconciliation and trying again and that’s exactly what I want. And, as far as I’m concerned, it would be impossible to show that there wasn’t a marriage in the first place. Marjorie did have trouble saying the vows but…everyone’s nervous when they make a commitment like that.”

  “I be agreeing with you a marriage took place, Jim, but I have to say…and I don’t mean no offense… but it sure didn’t seem like you two be married. You hardly be home and when little J.J. come along…oh, Jim I be speaking out of turn. Sometime, my mouth just don’t know when to keep closed.”

  “Oh, Matilda there was a time when I would have fired you on the spot for saying something like that, but you’re right. There really wasn’t a marriage and I regret deeply treating Marj—I mean Jenny the way I did—”

  “Here… you best be taking your medicine, I can see you need it.” Matilda handed James a plastic vial and some water.

  “The doctor says you be better off in the hospital.”

  “To hell with them damn doctors and that research…they still can’t figure out how to cure a simple disease…”

  “I ‘spect it be more complicated than that, but I do agree it be best to stay in this lovely estate for as long as you can than be lookin’ at four walls—“

  “And waiting to die…ooh, geez, Matilda, maybe give me some more of that red pill and where is Doctor Reiner, anyway?”

  “He be making a call and picking up more medicin’. He insists that you allow more medical staff on the estate if you plan to stay at home. I be agreeing with him, Jim, and what about them two technicians from that company that are going to be freezing your body. The tall one say the contract be no good if you are not in the hospital.”

  “Those two guys give me the creeps, if the truth be known…”

  “Amen…”

  “To be honest, Matilda, I like having you look after me better than any stranger might. There is more care…you know what I mean?”James added with a wink.

  “Now, ain’t them be the kindest words I be hearin’ all day.” Matti made her way over to James and rubbed his shoulders.

  Just then, there was a tap on the patio door and it opened, “Matti, just checking to see if you’re coming to the shed with coffee. Oh, hi James…I hope I’m not interrupting.”

  “My, my, Thomas, I done forgot to make you coffee. Jim and me having a discussion and I got distracted. I get it going straight away. Be no more than ten minutes.”

  “Come on in, Thomas, have a chair.”

  Thomas closed the patio door and sat down at the end of the table next to James.

  “I was just telling Matti that Marjorie asked for an annulment of our marriage. Are you familiar with that?”

  Thomas nodded. “Yes, I am, James. I’m also of the Catholic faith and I do recall lawyers on our staff back in London working on one or two of those cases. Annulments are very difficult to come by; it must clearly be shown that the marriage contract was invalid. That is to say, in some cases one of the parties was forced into the marriage, or wasn’t aware of what they were doing, some mental deficiency and I can’t really recall all the conditions that might be relevant.”

  “So in the case of Marj and me, it would be difficult to annul our marriage?”

  “I would say so, Jim…now, I don’t know all the facts, but seems to me it was valid.”

  “It was valid on paper, but Marjorie doesn’t think it ever was in our marriage…and unfortunately I would have to agree.”

  No one spoke or responded to James’ truthful analysis of his marriage to Jenny. A calm silence fell in the kitchen. The ticking of the wall clock, although not loud enough to be irritating did announce that with each tick, time was running out for James in more ways than one. His illness was progressing rapidly, especially this past week and most of the time he was unable to walk around the grounds, but still managed some in his wheelchair.

  The silence was broken by the coffee pot percolating. The water kettle was also steaming and just beginning to whistle. Matilda made her way over to the counter and unplugged the urn. She took two cups and saucers from the cupboard and set them on the counter. One she filled with coffee and other she placed a tea bag and added steaming water.

  “What about Ramon, Thomas?’

  “If you give me two mugs and the pot I’ll take it out to him. He and Carlos are in the shed.”

  “How about you chat with James for awhile? I’ll take it out to the boys.”

  “That would be fine, Matti, I’d enjoy chatting here a little longer.”

  After Matti left, James was the first to speak. “You know, Thomas, I never thought my life would come down to this. For years I thought I had the world by the tail. I could buy and have anything I want and now I see it was all meaningless. I enjoy sitting here and chatting with you more than all the corporate meetings and impressive speeches I made and…well, I’ve learned a huge lesson…a little late, but at least I’ve learned it. This is what life is all about. Friends, helping each other out, taking the time to enjoy what you have and sharing. I have to say this last while, having dinner with you folks and talking around the dinner table have been the best and most fruitful board meetings of my life. I just wish Dad could have lived to see what is happening here on the estate.”

  Thomas took a sip of coffee and smiled.

  Suddenly the patio door opened and Matti returned.

  “Met Ramon comin’ up the walk looking to see what was keeping you. He took the coffee back to the shed. It be getting late, thought I best come back and get dinner started.”

  “Dinner can wait, Matilda, sit down, maybe you can give me your two cents worth; I know you will even if I don’t ask…” James looked at Matilda and nodded with a slight grin forced over his pain.

  Matti took a chair next to Thomas and across from James.

  “There may be just one other way I could convince Marjorie—I mean Jenny…no
, damn it, I do mean Marjorie, I like calling her by her first name and is more sincere coming from me than Jenny…anyway, how the hell do I get that kid of mine to come around, Thomas? I’m afraid I taught him well. He’s more stubborn and arrogant than I could ever be. The thing is, I know down deep he wants his mother back as much as I do…”

  “I agree, James. Most of what he’s doing is acting out, defending himself—”

  “From what, Thomas?”

  “Well, it may be from being further hurt, not wanting to disappoint you, fear, angry with Miss Jenny or blaming her for not making the marriage work. It’s hard to say.”

  “What do you mean defending himself from further hurt? No one hurt him?”

  Before Thomas could reply, Matti jumped in. “One thing I did see right from the start, Jim, was little Jimmy didn’t know who to love. More than once he tell me he would like to call Marjorie, Mommy, but he was afraid to disappoint you or get a scolding. He may not have been able to say it in so many words. He still be caught in between—”

  “You may be right, Matilda, the other day when I spoke with him, he said he sees Marjorie as a stranger and doesn’t know how to relate with her.”

  “He might be blaming Miss Jenny for that and that she didn’t get more involved,” offered Thomas.

  “But she try again and again, but Mr. Ham—” Matti looked at James, and said, “I be so sorry, Jim, I don’t want to say something. I be sorry—”

  “No, hell, it’s true, it’s all true and I told J.J. that it was all my doing, but he says it’s all too late. I was ready to take a strip of hide off that boy, but for some reason I held it in.”

  “That might be the best thing, Jim. Fightin’ and screamin’ ain’t going to win him back or make him listen. He be a young man now and don’t want to be told what to do even if you be right.”