Emma's Short Stories

Jesus 2.0 (Part 1)

   A knock at the door made Mary sigh in frustration. Couldn't she just enjoy her day off from school? She paused The Big Bang Theory and hopped off the couch. Mary slapped a fake smile on her face and opened the door.

   "Hello, Mary?" The man was tall and dressed in a white business suit. He seemed much older than she was yet his golden blonde hair and perfect blue eyes easily put him in the handsome category. He was nothing short of a prince. Mary stared at him quizzically. "Yes, I'm Mary."

   He flashed perfect shining white teeth. "My name is Gabriel. I work for the Heavenly Communications Department. My boss, Father God, speaks very highly of you. May I come in?"

   Mary's eyes widened in fear and disbelief. His smile expanded. "Don't be scared, Mary. CAN I come in?"

   Mary stared for a second before realizing his request. "Um, okay." Gabriel stepped inside and glanced around with a big grin. "Nice home you have here."

   "Uh, thank you. Wait here while I go get my mom."

   "Oh, there's no need," Gabriel said with nonchalance.

   Mary looked at him with a wary expression. He smiled back at her in a friendly way and stuffed his hands in his white pockets.

   "What did you want to see me about?"

   "Here, let's sit down." Gabriel calmly gestured towards the dining table. He pulled out a chair for Mary then sat himself down. "As I said, The Big Man raves about you. You've shown good character and you have a gentle nature that pleases Him very much. He has chosen you for a very important task."

   Mary looked at him in bewilderment. Her eyes begged him to go on. Gabriel returned her look with caution. "Prepare yourself," He warned. "You're going to have a baby boy. You're going to name Him J----."

   "WHAT!"

   "Don't worry. He's going to be a great guy. In fact, He's gonna be called 'The Son of the Most High'. He is literally going to rule and His kingdom will never end."

   "B-but HOW? Of course, God doesn't want me to just go out and get pregnant, RIGHT?"

   Gabriel laughed. "Of course not. Leave that to The Holy Spirit. That way, He'll actually be called The Son of God. I mean, if God can make your older cousin Elizabeth have a baby, He is surely able to accomplish this feat as well. Nothing He says ever fails."

   Mary stared into space, thinking. She opened her mouth once, twice before finally speaking, her voice barely a whisper. "I am the Lord's servant. I accept this... challenge?"

   Gabriel smiled at her and stood up. "You're a wise girl. I wish you the best of luck." He paused with his hand on the door and turned to look into the living room. "Is that The Big Bang Theory?"

Mary nodded shyly.

   Gabriel's face took on a disgusted look. "I wouldn't if I were you." He opened the door and with one last wave, was gone.

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   "Mary!" Her mother called

   "Yeah mom?" Mary answered from her room. She was loading clothes into a suitcase. Her family was making a pilgrimage to visit her cousin Elizabeth across the country for the summer. Elizabeth was considerably older than Mary, but they were very close. Mary was excited for this trip. Elizabeth was expecting a baby as well and Mary was sure they could bond over it.

   "It's almost time to leave honey!" Her mother shouted kindly.

   "All right!"

   Mary's phone buzzed on the bed. She briefly glanced at it, only to start smiling. She grabbed her phone and tapped on the message.