When Angels Cry

by Marylu Tyndall

  “You are not going to tell him about Isaac.”

  “That’s none of your business.” Though that would be the last thing she’d do.

  “It is my business. It’s always been my business.”

  She studied him, remembering what a fun partier he used to be, yet at the same time, always so unsure of himself. But a hardness had taken over his expression, impenetrable and permanent. “Twelve years is a long time, and here you are still lurking in his shadow. Maybe you should get a life of your own, Thomas.”

  He shoved his angry face toward her as if he intended to strike her, but then that plastic grin splattered on his lips again. “You aren’t going to ruin this for me.”

  “I’m not trying to hurt you, Thomas. I’m just trying to do the right thing. Maybe Isaac deserves to know the truth.”

  He tightened the grip on her arm. “Here’s my truth,” he seethed. “You even consider telling Daniel, and there’ll be no son left for him to embrace.”

  Terror went on a rampage through her heart, leaving her breathless. “What does that mean?”

  Releasing her arm with a jerk, he sauntered away. “You figure it out.”

  She started after him, but the tremble in her legs stopped her. Heart in her throat, she stumbled to the wall for support, trying to find air and feel her legs again. When she did, she ran from the church as fast as she could.

  Thomas threatened to kill Isaac…Thomas threatened to kill Isaac. The words kept blaring in Angelica’s mind as she drove home from the church. Yet even through the fear, pieces began to fall into place. The gunfire at SeaWorld, the car running over her…was that Thomas’ doing?

  “Father, that’s it. I’m done. I can’t see Daniel again. And I must keep Isaac away from him. Don’t ask me to do anymore.” She pulled into her parking spot, leaned her head on the wheel, and began to sob. “Please, don’t take my son from me.”

  ♦♦♦

  Still shaken and unable to sleep, Angel rose the next day, dropped the kids off at school, and spent the day walking along the beach in prayer. Hot and muggy for September, she slogged along the crashing waves in a daze of terror. Even the sounds of sea gulls, people talking, children laughing, and the distant thunder faded into the background as her thoughts focused on her son and his safety. She pleaded and pleaded with God for his protection. For angels to surround Isaac. She could not lose him. Even though God had said time was short, His idea of time and hers were quite different. “Father, help me.”

  Yet for all her walking and praying and pleading and crying, heaven was silent, and she felt no better by the time she had to pick up Isaac from school. Even so, she pasted on a smile as he leapt in the car and then gave him such a tight embrace, he wiggled from her. “Mom, knock it off. Kids are looking.”

  “Sorry.” She took off down the road. “I just love you, you know.”

  “Yeah.” He smiled. “Me too.”

  As usual, she asked him about homework and what he learned that day as they rumbled down the road toward Joel’s school when a choking sound came from her engine, and the entire car began to jerk. One glance at the gas gauge, and she realized what she’d done. “Drat!”

  “What’s wrong, Mom?”

  “We’re out of gas.” She pressed on the pedal, but the car continued to choke until it finally sputtered out. She quickly found a place to pull over—an illegal spot, of course, in front of an open baseball field, but it couldn’t be helped.

  Totally her fault. She’d forgotten about the gas. “Well, come on. Let’s get the can and find a station.” Hopefully before a cop spotted her car.

  Grabbing the gas can from the trunk, she locked the car, and she and Isaac headed down the street. “I better call Leigh.” She reached in her purse for her cell to let her roommate know she’d be late picking up Joel when…

  An enormous BOOM! quaked the air, and what felt like a wall of fists shoved her and Isaac to the ground.

  ♦♦♦

  “It’s time,” Baliel shouted to Zarene as the two angels darted for Angelica and Isaac.

  Zarene glanced back at Angelica’s car. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Push them to the ground, then cover them from the blast.”

  They reached the humans and Zarene did as he was told. He shoved Isaac down while Baliel did the same to Angelica.

  Then the two angels stretched out their hands and covered them with an impenetrable spiritual fortress.

  ♦♦♦

  An avalanche of heat tumbled over Angelica. Gravely asphalt scraped her cheek. Using what little strength she had, she fought the force holding her down and flung her body over Isaac’s. No sooner had she done so, then the scorching heat dissipated. All that remained was the crackle of fire, hot air, and the odors of gas, oil, and burning metal. She knew before she got up what she would see. And that thought—along with the terror it brought—kept her firmly in place over Isaac, shielding him, protecting him.

  If only she could do so forever.

  But the sounds of people’s shouts and voices and Isaac’s movement forced her to move off him and stand, hauling him up beside her. They both turned at once to see what remained of her car, engulfed in flames that speared the sky. Grabbing Isaac’s hand, she backed them up several feet away from the heat and the chunks of burning metal littering the ground.

  She couldn’t form a thought, a word, even a feeling as she stood there watching what would have been her and Isaac burning alive.

  If not for the empty tank of gas.

  She glanced around. The blast had toppled a fence surrounding the baseball field, tossed an empty shopping cart several yards, and lifted one tire of the nearest car onto the sidewalk.

  But they were unscathed. Nudging Isaac back, she scanned him to be sure he had no injuries before embracing him again. Something had shoved them to the ground before the blast. Something…or someone. Angels. Had to be. Protecting her, protecting Isaac.

  Despite the horror filling her, she lifted her thanks to God as she moved and sat on the sidewalk before she passed out.

  Smoke billowed from her car, filling the street. People crowded around, pointing. A siren blared in the distance. One man came up to her and asked if she was all right.

  The rest was a dream…answering the policeman’s questions, watching the firemen put out the fire, she and Isaac sitting in an open ambulance being checked for injuries, and finally the nice cop who gave them a ride home.

  Leigh met her at the door. “Where have you been? We’ve been worried sick.”

  Isaac—fully recovered from the trauma—ran past her. “Our car blew up,” he said nonchalantly.

  Angelica’s heart stopped for a moment as she scanned the room and spotted Joel. “Thank God. You picked him up. I’m so sorry.”

  “The school called. I’ve been trying to call you, but I keep getting your voicemail.” Leigh followed her into the living room where Angelica sank into a chair. “Wait.” Leigh stopped and stared at her, wide-eyed. “Did he say your car blew up?”

  Her phone! It had been in her hand. Angelica sifted through the contents of her purse. Not there.

  Isaac grabbed a controller and began playing a video game with Joel. “Yeah. It was cool. Boom! The whole thing was on fire.”

  Leigh gaped at Angelica. “What?”

  “Yeah, kinda like that.” She attempted a smile.

  “Are you guys okay?”

  “Not a scratch. Thanks to the Lord.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We would have been in the car if I hadn’t run out of gas, and I wouldn’t have run out if the lines weren’t too long last night. You know there’s always one station along Atlantic that’s open. Not last night.”

  “Hmm,” Leigh said. “Well, I’m just glad you’re not hurt.”

  “Minus a car, though.” How was she supposed to afford another one? No doubt her insurance didn’t cover random explosions.

  Leigh slipped beside her on the couch. “Don’t worry. You can
use mine in the meantime.”

  Tears burned in Angelica’s eyes. “You’re too good to be true. Thanks.”

  “No worries.” Leigh smiled. “Why don’t you go take a hot bath? I know how that relaxes you. I’ll start dinner for the boys.”

  Neither the hot bath, nor the bubbles, nor her prayers did anything to calm Angelica’s nerves. She knew God had saved her and Isaac. But she also knew that if Thomas—it had to be his doing—would go to such lengths to keep her from Daniel, he wouldn’t give up easily.

  So, by the time she dried herself off and crawled into her sweats, she had made up her mind.

  Her decision was confirmed by Leigh later that night when the boys were asleep.

  “I have a question for you.” Leigh handed her a cup of tea and motioned them to the couch.

  Angelica hesitated at the unusually serious look on her friend’s face. “Yes?”

  “I’ve been wondering…is Isaac… Daniel’s son?” She locked eyes with Angelica.

  Angelica gave a half-laugh, sipped her weak tea, and drew her legs up on the couch. Finally, she sighed. “How did you guess?”

  “I don’t know. Just the way you’ve been acting lately. And you never told me who his father was.”

  Angelica lowered her chin, feeling a pinch of guilt. “We broke up before I had a chance to tell him.”

  Leigh blew out a sigh and shook her head. “Wow. But he’s got so much money! You could be sitting pretty, girl.”

  Angelica laughed. “There are some things more important than money.”

  “I can’t imagine what.” Leigh’s smile was teasing, but then she frowned. “Oh, of course. Isaac’s protection. Are you sure about this Thomas guy?”

  “He thinks I’ll ruin Daniel’s career. He’s threatened me multiple times, but I never took him seriously. His last threat to Isaac was pretty clear. Besides, who else would want me dead? I’m nobody.”

  “But he’s a pastor!”

  “Yeah. Crazy, huh?”

  “Either way, Ange, I hate to say this, but I’d stay away from Daniel if I were you. I mean he’s a hunk, and he’s got loads of money, but nothing is worth this.”

  Setting down her tea, Angelica hugged herself. “Believe me, I’ve been trying. But God seems to have other plans.”

  “God, eh?” Leigh gave her a teasing look. “How dare He force you to spend time with a hunky, rich famous guy.”

  Angelica thought of their kisses and hoped the heat swirling through her hadn’t manifested into a blush on her face. “I know. Poor me, right? But honestly, I have no desire to date a pastor who doesn’t believe in the whole truth of God’s Word. For Isaac’s sake.”

  Leigh only nodded and Angelica wondered how much of that she understood.

  Angelica hugged herself. “I’m so afraid for Isaac. Not just this new threat, but everything. This world, the cruelty, corruption, immorality, twisted ideas, how can any parent raise a child?”

  “You can’t worry about all that, Ange.” Leigh leaned forward and squeezed her hand. “Just take it a day at a time and do what you can.”

  Angelica stared at her friend, amazed at her faith. Or was it just ignorant bliss? “Well, I know one thing. I’m not going to do anything ever again that puts Isaac at risk.”

  Chapter 26

  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.

  1 John 4:18 (NKJV)

  How does one stay away from a man who sends a bouquet of flowers every day along with letters so romantic they should be in novels? How does one stay away from a man when one’s son continually asks when they will see him again? And in particular, how does one stay away from a man who sends over a brand-new Mercedes Benz with a big red bow on top as a gift?

  Of course, Angelica sent it right back. She knew Daniel wasn’t trying to buy her affection and was only trying to be kind, but there’s no way she could accept such an extravagant gift, no matter how much she needed it.

  And she did need it. As she suspected, her insurance didn’t cover car bombs, and she had no money or credit to buy a new one.

  Honestly, she was still shaken by the near-death event, and the thought of even talking to Daniel on the phone terrified her. She hadn’t been sleeping well, her stomach was in a perpetual knot, and even her prayers seemed scattered at best. Now, as she drove Leigh’s car to work, she wondered how she’d get through eight hours of serving drinks to inebriated, lusty customers while fighting off Sal’s advances.

  The one bright spot in her night would be seeing Greg again. This was his first night back, and she couldn’t wait to see the difference in him since he joined the Kingdom. With that thought to cheer her up, she parked Leigh’s car, locked it, and entered through the employee door. After stuffing her purse in a locker and checking her makeup, she headed out onto the floor, or what she liked to call the “field, ripe for harvest.”

  She had barely picked up her tray and order pad when Greg popped up from behind the bar and gave her the brightest smile she’d ever seen on the man. “Hey, Angelica!”

  “Greg, I’ve missed you so much.” She reached over the wooden bar and took his hand. “How are you feeling?”

  “Like I’ve won the lottery.” After a quick glance over her shoulder, he leaned toward her and whispered, “I can’t thank you enough.”

  “I did nothing.” She pointed toward heaven. “The big guy had your name in His book, that’s all.”

  He laughed. “Dunno why He’d pick a loser like me, but I’m so grateful.”

  “What’s this? A party and I’m not invited?” Sal’s voice stormed over Angelica like a bad dream. “Get back to work, you two!”

  “And good evening to you as well, Sal.” Angelica flashed him a smile, winked at Greg, and headed out to one of her assigned tables.

  ♦♦♦

  Baliel stood against the back wall of the Mermaid Den. On either side of him stood Pesha and Kazich. All three warriors’ mouths twisted in disgust at the debauchery of the place, the waste, the empty souls. All three longed to draw their blades and fight off the demon hordes spinning around those present, some entering their souls to set up house, others whispering lies in their ears. All snarling at the three holy warriors, daring them to stop their foul play.

  Shifting his stance, Baliel ignored them. So true what the one human atheist, Jacques Vallee, had said even in his own ignorance. “Human beings are under the control of a strange force that bends them absurd ways, forcing them to play a role in a bizarre game of deception.”

  Fairly astute for one who didn’t believe in God. If only these people could see the hideous creatures that controlled them, they’d run with all haste into the arms of the Savior.

  But that was not the way of Yahweh. He gave people the truth about Himself and then let them decide either to serve or reject Him. Oh, how deeply it grieved the Father that most of humanity chose the wide and popular path—the one that led straight to hell.

  But there were children of the light here, too. Which was the reason the warriors were present—to observe, guard, and protect. Baliel’s eyes followed Angelica as she moved about the room, taking orders and talking to customers. The spirit of Fear lingered about her, seeking entrance. The foul demon had already dug a small trench in her armor of light and sought another crack wherein to chisel.

  “She’s endured much,” Pesha said from beside him.

  “Indeed. The brightness of her light has not gone unnoticed by our enemy. He has sent extra forces to break through her armor.”

  “Aye, I see that. And behold the cracks forming in her shield of faith.”

  “She fears for her son.”

  “She does not trust the Father,” Kazich commented, but his gaze was on his ward, Melody.

  Baliel frowned. “She trusts Him. Just not completely in this matter. It is her weakness, and the enemy knows it. But she has many strengths, and it is my hope she will lean on the Father to overcome her weakness.”

  Pesha’s eyes wandered to Greg, w
histling a tune behind the bar as he talked with customers, encouraging, uplifting, and sharing his newfound hope. “I quite agree. Her influence has helped to finally bring Greg into the Kingdom. For that, I am very grateful. What a joy to see him serving the Father.”

  “All of heaven rejoices, my friend.” Baliel turned to Kazich. “As they soon will for Melody. She is close.”

  The short angel nodded. “She has been reading the Bible that Angelica gave her. Her eyes are being opened. Such a marvelous thing to witness. We are privileged, indeed.”

  A shower of light caught Baliel’s attention, and he turned to see Angelica speaking with two middle-aged women on their third round of drinks.

  “Ah, she speaks of the Savior.” Kazich grew excited as flecks of sparkling light landed on the women, and instead of bouncing off as most did, soaked into their skin and appeared as glints within their souls.

  “Indeed.” Baliel continued to watch her as she moved to another table and another, bringing the light with her. Darkness retreated before her every step, fleeing even further when she opened her mouth. He longed for her to witness it—to know what a difference she made.

  Scanning the room, Pesha crossed arms over his chest. “How many of these will make it?”

  “Very few,” Baliel answered. “‘Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.’ There’s not much time left.”

  “I look forward to the wedding,” Kazich said.

  “It will be a grand affair. And oh so wonderful to see our Lord finally wed.”

  “He has waited long.”

  “Too long.” Baliel sighed. “And His bride is nearly ready.” He maintained his vigil, watching Angelica share the love of God while she flitted from table to table, watching her speak to Melody and witnessing the light inside the lady grow brighter, watching the darkness scatter when she and Greg knelt together and prayed in the break room.

  And finally watching Sal angrily call her into his office.