Sad doe-like eyes peered through the bedroom window and rested on the exuberant vegetation that surrounded the little cabin built up in the mountains. But the usual curiosity that could be reflected on those brown pools had now been replaced by a slight melancholy for suddenly that wee shelter had become too lonely and too big.
Two long days had passed since Monica got there. In that human form, she still needed special attention and even though her recovery had been excellent, Dr. Richards recommended lots of resting for at least a week more. Monica understood it and did accordingly, having Tess to monitor her every move.
What was beyond the Irish angel's comprehension was why she still remained in that form, confined in that small cabin if, at least in her heart, she had already accomplished her assignment. Being an enthusiastic caseworker, Monica longed to be somewhere else, helping others to find courage and faith to face the adversities of life, taking God's message to those who needed it and being an instrument through which miracles could happen.
Besides this, she resented the fact that Andrew had left without saying goodbye. Knowing her dear friend so well, Monica was aware that he did not mean to disturb her before he left, both because he would never dare to interrupt her resting and also because saying goodbye would become ten times more difficult.
Tess explained he had been called on an assignment and his presence had been requested immediately. And now, Monica stood quietly hoping that everything turned out just fine for him. She finally turned her eyes away from the window and now gazed at the red rose that rested inside a small vase with water, on her bedside table. The flower had not bloomed yet and that fact alone intrigued her, as it had been with her since the time she woke up in hospital, nearly two weeks earlier.
With infinite care, Monica's fingertips touched the delicate bud and the contact elicited a slight smile from her. She loved all God's wonderful creations but what made that flower so special? She did not know who had given it to her, even though she had a slight suspicion it had been Andrew, probably when she was in hospital, still in a comma.
All of a sudden, a knock on the front door finally broke the almost palpable silence and also interrupted Monica's thoughts. Frowning, the angel in human form went downstairs, first looking for Tess as only now she was aware of how quiet the house was. It did not take her too long to find why: a note hanging on the mantelpiece exhibited a familiar handwriting.
"Went to Joe's grocery store downtown. Mind your coffee compulsion!"
Monica let out a slight chuckle at those brief words, as if she could hear the supervisor saying so. But once again, the knock on the door turned her attention to the outside.
"Hello? Is anybody home? My car broke down, I just need to use a telephone!"
The male voice coming from the porch sounded quite familiar and a quick look from the front window only confirmed her suspicions.
When Monica unlocked the door, it was Dr Richards' face that turned to be a surprised one.
"Monica?"
"Dr Richards." She smiled friendly at him.
"That's really unexpected!" He said, genuinely surprised at meeting his patient right there.
"Well, I should say so too!" She replied. "Not everyone who passes by the road is able to spot this wee cabin in between trees and bushes!"
"You're right in there, I just saw it because my car broke down and I had to walk to find help." He still could not believe that the young teacher who found a special place in his heart was standing right in front of him. "Do you actually live here?" He wanted to know.
