Wendy

Chapter 12: Pink Apples and Imps

"I suffered from a breathing disease. What your time would call asthma." Tadashi said as he turned slightly to face Wendy. She nodded, urging him to continue speaking.

Tadashi was a slim boy who looked to be about thirteen years old. His straight black hair was held by a gold band and he wore a beautiful Japanese kimono. The robe was made of white silk and had intricate silver designs of cherry blossoms.

"Mother always cried about it but papa was in the army; he seemed to have forgotten what it felt like to feel sympathy or love." The boy said the words without sadness or bitterness. It was a simple fact.

They were seating at the bank of a gentle flowing spring that ran across the field they were at. Several plants that resembled water lilies floated on the surface of the spring. Wendy noticed that the flowers changed colours as they drifted past.

"How long have you been here?" Wendy asked as she dipped her feet in the clear water, marveling at the relaxing feel it gave her. She could see different types of fish darting about like bright blue shooting stars.

"I've lost track of time and the same would soon happen to you. But I recall that I left earth around the 15th century in Japan."

"Wow! That's a long time ago, no wonder you talk funny." Wendy gawked as she stared at the now smiling boy.

"I don't even notice the fact that it's a long time, I've still not gotten used to all of this." Tadashi gestured to the landscape around them. Wendy agreed with him. The place Jade dropped her a while ago was nothing short of awesome.

The grass was greener than green and they displayed beautiful patterns every time the soft wind blew across it. There was no sun but bright light seemed to exude from something or someone unseen. The structures she had seen so far were very different from those on earth. The architecture was unique and precious metals and stones were used lavishly.

"Jade told me I've been here before." Wendy muttered as she watched an impossibly cute jack rabbit hop along the bank of the stream.

"Yeah. She said before we were formed in our mothers' womb God knew us and that we are not mistakes that just came about by the passion of our parents. She also told me Papa loves me in a deep personal way even though my life was short on earth."

Now the jack rabbit had moved to Tadashi's side. He extended his hand and the creature rubbed itself against his palm in open adoration. Wendy loved the picture.

"When would I get to meet Papa? He's God right?" Wendy asked.

"Yes, He is." The boy grinned and nodded enthusiastically.

"We are free to come to Him whenever we like." Now Tadashi was giggling lightly. The bunny had climbed his lap and its whiskers were tickling the boy's neck.

Wendy knew of God while she was on earth and there were times she prayed to him, asking him to make her mum happier and more present in her life. She remembered that her mummy always brushed off her questions about God, telling her to ask her teachers instead.

"Are you sure I am free to come to Him? I don't know what I would say when I meet Him." Wendy placed both palms on her cheeks in excitement. Where was Jade or Abel? She had about a thousand questions to ask them.

"Don't worry. When I was alive, I didn't know of Him. I was the same age as you when I felt my lungs give up on me. When I died, I didn't have a clue about who the Father was. I thought He would be like my own earthly papa: cold and detached." Tadashi had an earnest expression on his face as he focused on her.

"I first met Jesus. I felt so shy and unsure of myself, but you know what?"

"What?" Wendy asked as she pulled her feet from the water and faced Tadashi squarely.
"Whatever misgiven I felt died the instant He called my name. He knew my name." He laughed softly then continued,