The Things That Will Be

Chapter Twenty Seven

James slept peacefully the entire night, dreaming of memories that took place when him and Eileen first got together. Specifically, the first Christmas they shared together.

He could feel her soft skin, her hands in his. He could feel the cool crisp air around him blow hard like a tempest tost sea. The two of them walked to the park and enjoyed the vast scenery covered in snow freshly fallen from Heaven itself.

James looked Eileen in the eyes and admired her beauty. The two walked under a snow covered willow tree and kissed in a moment of pure ethereal bliss. James smiled in his sleep as a tear slowly rolled down his sleeping face. He woke up to the bright morning sun gleaming on him.

He got up and went to take a shower. He then got out and got dressed and walked down to the kitchen to make himself some breakfast. He then sat down and ate while he looked outside through the window. He looked over at the sky and gazed at the warm sight of the sun. He took a bite of his cereal as he observed the area when all of a sudden a dove flew up to the window and stared at him. James shook his head and chuckled at the creature.

"Damn bird." James said. Suddenly, the bird talked to him.

"Sorry we didn't finish the conversation." The bird said.

James looked at the creature in shock. He felt obligated to move away from the window but he couldn't help but stay in the presence of the talking bird.

"Did you just-" The bird interrupted.

"Yes yes, James. I did. I just talked." The bird said. And I'm sorry we didn't finish our conversation. I usually don't dwell during earthly matters. At least not for too long. But I gazed upon this day and now is the best time to conduct our little conversation."

"Clarence? You really are an angel." James said. The bird chuckled.

"I'm glad you realize. But I'm not just any angel...I'm a guardian angel. Your guardian angel." Clarence said.

"Oh, I just figured the term 'guardian angel' was some sort of metaphor." James said.

"Well it isn't. It is a title given to a certain league of angels that I just happen to be a part of. Now I was assigned to multiple children from all over the world. One of them is obviously you." Clarence said. James nodded in understanding. Clarence continued:

"When you were little, you used to lie in your crib. You'd wake up around the time I came by your window, as this bird you see before you now, and we'd look at each other for quite awhile until your mom or dad came in the room. I would sit perched on the ledge of the window and you'd stand in your crib, holding onto the rails. You were so adorable, so innocent, so ready for life when you were an infant. And it's quite a shame that you have thought about suicide pretty recently." James looked down feeling embarrassed and exposed. Like he had walked into a room, buck naked, in front of everyone in the world.

"Well, we all have our mistakes. I'm sure you know that." James said.

"Metaphorically, yes. Spiritually no." Clarence said. James looked at him confused.

"What do you mean?" James asked.

"Well, us angels have freewill but not to the advantage that humans have it. I remember when Lucifer and his....legion caused a riot in Heaven. Lucifer was a beautiful thing but, just like Icarus, he let that advantage go to his head and he ultimately fell from great heights. God has seen to it, from that moment, that the rest of us angels who have freewill are not able to act out on it. So everything we do up in Heaven is to please the power that is in God's holy name and visage." Clarence said. James nodded.