The Secret (Touched By An Angel)

Burdens

September 23, 2012
It was a sunny Sunday afternoon in downtown Durham, North Carolina. The sky was blue as can be with only a few clouds scattered across. For late September, the cool was slowly starting to usher in fall. Even with the gentle breeze, it just barely noticeable, it was truly a beautiful day.

Unseen by the human eye, three angels were enjoying some time together outside the library. Reading the day's newspapers and observing humans as they were waiting to be let in as the library opened. They were waiting for their next assignment to arrive.

Andrew, as usual, went straight for the obituaries, finding any one he may have taken Home, ironically enough in the "Life" section. Monica was drawn to the culture section and today a storyteller from Japan was going to speak at library about native legends.

Gloria ususally always went straight for the science articles, but recently has tried to expand her boundaries and just enjoy the experience of reading. Not just absorbing information like she was created to do. So she was reading some human interest stories.

Then Monica casually looks up, as if she was expecting to find someone. Getting Andrew and Gloria out of the papers, she points out a brown haired, slightly chubby, teen girl with glasses climbing out of a car. Waving at the driver, she walks briskly towards the doors, a backpack slung over her shoulder.

"Our next assignment?" Gloria inquires. "Yes she is. And she's at a major crossroads in her young life. One decision can change everything, for the better or worse." Monica answers, folding her newspaper and the others do the same and follow the teenager inside.

Crystal stood at the counter, returning the previous week's books she had checked out and finished. Then straight up the stairs she goes to the third floor. It was always a place of refuge for her for the last few years. Like her mom, she always fancied a good book. Though she preferred digital novels, they didn't have the feel or smell of course like a good old fashioned printed one.

Quiet, peaceful and she could get away from the stresses and cares of school and home. Also, she came here every Sunday to kill time before going to Youth Group at a church a short walk from there. At least during the school year.

"Her name's Crystal Grayson. She's seventeen, and has holding something terrible deep inside that needs to come out before it's too late. Gloria, you may like her." Monica explains, "Her IQ is genius level, talented, but it's all useless to her. We are here to help her realize how precious she is to the Father."

Andrew was looking at the girl. He started to get the feeling he had seen her before. Something was familiar about her. Maybe he took Home one of her relatives that bore a resemblance...

It had just turned 4:30 and Crystal started to wrap it up. She had to get to the church and finish up the final details for her program. In the six years she had been in middle and high school youth group up until now, she had never done one. This was when one of the kids would take over the discussion using whatever materials were available.

Plus, like the library, it was a place of comfort and safety for her. It felt like wearing an old shirt that made her feel comfortable being there. Checking out a handful of books, she walked just down the street while humming a little tune to calm her nerves. The breeze gently caresses her face, it felt good. She just wished it could come inside her and soothe her soul, easing up the ache in her heart.

"Miss Golds, I presume?" Andrew, dressed in a casual shirt and jeans, was  facing a husky woman with dark, shoulder length hair. "I was sent to help with this group until a new youth pastor can be found." They were in a small office in the church.

Cassie Golds sat looking at the resume he had given her. "Pleased to meet you, Andrew. Now, let's get down to business. Now, this is a roster of our regular kids who come here." She gives him a sheet of paper. He took the list and sure enough, Crystal's name was there.