The Teacher

The Teacher: Part I Crossing Over, Chapter 15

Chapter 15

WE DIDN'T SAY ANOTHER WORD to each other until well after leaving the Scales of Justice Center. Yes, I was eager to find Antonio, but I couldn't shake the profound effect that Holden's hearing had on me. Was this what being in heaven was going to be like—dropped into a raging cauldron, my soul refined, purged of impurities, like iron ore in a blast furnace on its way to becoming stainless steel? I turned around to get one last look at the incredible structure behind us, tried to clear my mind of what I'd just been through, and looked at Lydia.

"So, you know I think I'm feeling better about a lot of things. You said you knew where I could find Antonio...do you also know what's going on with him?" I queried, thinking a real relationship just might be nice after such a long time being on my own. Of course, I had no idea if dating was even allowed, or encouraged in heaven, but I guess I was going to find out pretty fast, that is if Antonio still had feelings for me.

"Antonio...let me think...oh, right, when I looked him up before he was working for the missions' ministry, so that works out well. You've got an excuse to see him since you're legitimately interested in signing up for an off-world mission. Now, the trick is going to be getting Antonio to go with you in the role of a partner, if that's what you're going for," Lydia replied, delighted to be playing matchmaker.

"Well, leave it to Antonio to be right in the mix of heaven's hot spot—Mission Control."

That was one of the things I admired most about him, always so eager and ready to invest his boundless enthusiasm and energy into whatever project could serve the most people. That was such an attractive quality. I knew he'd make a loyal partner, and if things worked out a good father to our children. I was getting way ahead of the bouncing ball, but at least I was sure about my feelings—the deepest desires of my heart.

"You're right about that. Like you, Antonio already had quite a reputation from his role in helping you sort out that mess with Holden and the Guardian, along with being called on to write his book in the new Kingdom Age Bible. What you both accomplished was nothing short of miraculous. Now, I know that miracles happen all the time, but during off-world missions we're just not always aware of it. Anyway, are you feeling up to heading over there right now, or do you need to just chill for awhile?" Lydia thoughtfully asked after her complimentary comments had me thinking even more highly of Holden.

"Absolutely...if you don't mind coming along...I just wouldn't feel right showing up there by myself," I begged, still basically a shy, reserved person despite everything I'd been through.

"Not a problem. Don't forget, you're my responsibility. Whatever you need while you're here, I want to help, and I'll be there for you at least until you leave on your first mission!"

"That's comforting to know, especially since I still have so much to learn, but if things go well with Antonio I might be taking off pretty soon. How long does it take to plan these missions anyway?" I was curious to know, not that I was in any real hurry, but just by way of managing my expectations.

"You know, it all depends. Planning the mission involves finding the volunteers and coming up with a special spiritual goal for each of them along with how that goal will be realized. Then, there's the problem of where to go. There are thousands of worlds at various stages of development where you might be sent depending on the mission. You'll work out all the details with Antonio, but you can see why it all might take awhile to pull a complicated mission together, and they're all complicated, believe you me."

Her answer made sense, but I still had no idea how all that would translate into time given my only frame of reference was in 21st Century Earth years.

"Lydia, you were gone on your mission long before I got here. Tell me again about how long it took to set up?