Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 15 - The Value of Friends

"Susan?"

Mrs. Abernathy's voice found them before she did, just outside the waiting room.

"We're in here, Mom," Susan said.

"Where is Melody? Did they take her already?" Mrs. Abernathy asked.

"An hour ago," Susan told her.

Mrs. Abernathy glanced at her watch. "I got here as soon as I could. Is my watch wrong? I thought you said her surgery wasn't until eight this morning."

"They took her early," Susan said.

"Melody grew worse overnight," Greg explained. "They couldn't wait."

"Is it serious?" Mrs. Abernathy asked, looking from face to face.

"From what I heard the doctor telling Dad and Susan, very," Julie said.

"Oh?" Mrs. Abernathy asked.

Julie glanced at her father's and Susan's expressions. "Come, let's take a walk," Julie suggested.

"Yes ...okay," Mrs. Abernathy agreed.

That left Greg and Susan alone for the first time that morning.

Susan turned to her husband, and clung to him like a little girl. She was trembling in his arms, but instead of looking at him, her eyes were closed. She didn't say anything, but her lips were moving. That's when Greg realized Susan was praying. He listened in the silence of the room, catching isolated words and phrases, letting him know she was reciting the Lord's Prayer. He waited until she finished before saying anything.

"No matter the outcome, it will be okay," Greg told her sincerely.

"I know. I'm trying to be strong, to lean on my faith, but there is some part of me that believes we will lose her today," Susan said.

"If we do, we will have had nearly two incredible years with Melody as part of our life," Greg said. "From the beginning we've said she was a gift from the Lord, destined to stay with us only for a little while."

"She is something special, isn't she?" Susan said.

"She is," Greg said. "Getting to know her has brought insights into our past lives, which has helped us make a difference for so many others."

"She has been a blessing," Susan agreed. "In her short life, she has already touched so many people."

Greg fell silent for a moment or two. "Susan, do you remember the vision of Melody that came to you not long before she was born?"

"Misty Angel," Susan said. "Yes, I remember. She was waiting for us ... is waiting for us ... will be waiting for us, when it is our turn to go home."

"Misty angel ... do you mean that as a description or as her name?" Greg asked.

"It is descriptive. That's the way she appears to me in that dream. But we also know that is her name," Susan reminded him.

"I remember," Greg said. "Did you know she was Simeon's daughter in the life when she bore that name?"

"Simeon?" Susan said, releasing him slightly.

"The friend of ours we've theorized has probably succeeded," Greg said.

"I remember Simeon from my past life ... but what does he have to do with Melody?" Susan asked in confusion.

"John and I were talking while we were in the mountains. He mentioned to me the Master's name was Simeon Angel ... he was my friend, Susan. My friend from our first life. I'm sure of it," Greg said.