The angel of death

The waiting

Andrew sat in the cancer center  waiting room trying not to be bored. He had brought Mrs. Cordova and was waiting for her appointment to be over so he could bring her home- drive her back to her house it wasn't time for "all that" yet. There was a clock on the wall opposite him. A pile of magazines sat on a little table two chairs down. He already knew there was nothing worth reading in them. Perhaps that smart phone he was told he needed to carry around?
"Hey"
His train of thoughts was interupted by a woman's voice.

"You look familiar do I know you?"
Andrew wasn't sure how to answer he thought he had seen her before but couldn't place her.

"Maybe I do get around and I think I have seen you before but at the moment I don't know where."

She sat in the chair opposite him. She looked like she was trying to smile but was just to anxous.
"Maybe it's though work what do you do?"

Andrew almost stuttered. How direct should he be.
"I, I work with people near the very end of life."

"That most be it" she answered softly. " I work with St Joseph's hospice service."

St Joseph's of course, he knew her.
"Calle isn't it?"

"Yes. I'm sorry I don't remember your name."

"No problem. It's Andrew."

She froze for a second as if trying to remember. Then she said
"Anyway it's good to see a familiar face at a time like this."

"A time like this"
Andrew repeated back to her
"your not here for a client?"

She looked down at the carpet.
"They got my test results back. Today I find out if it's cancer."

Andrew was beginning to suspect that he was talking to his next assignment.
"Did you bring anyone with you?"

"No, I thought I would be fine, that I could just be strong but it is hard."

Andrew was going to offer to call someone for her but just then the reseptionst stepped into the room and read form her paper.
"Calle Robinson."

"That's me"
She said standing up then turning back to Andrew she wispered
"Will be here when I get out?"

Andrew saw her desperation and didn't want to disappoint her but he had a job to do.
"If I can."

Calle fallowed the receptionist to the back.

Andrew bowed his head and silently prayed.
"Father is this the work you have for me? Lead me, guide me and I'll do what you say. And if you want me to be here for Calle make Mrs. Cordova's appointment take long enough for me to still be here"

A few minutes later she came back out. Andrew couldn't read her face but he wouldn't have to sence she was walking straight towards him. She sat back down took a big breath and said.
"The sample they took showed no sign of cancer."
She was still shaking, it was obvious it hadn't quite sunken in.  She try to get back up but stumbled.

"Here sit back down"
Andrew reached out his arms to help her balance.
"You just got big news. Now it's not what you were afraid of but you still might need to sit for a while to get your bearings."

"Ok" she said and sat back.
The room grew quite. Her breathing slowed. Her hands stoped shaking. Still she sat.
Andrew watched her focus come back.
"I think I'm good enough to get back now. Thank you so much."
She got up steady on her feet now but how calm could she really be.
Andrew wished he could offer to drive her but he had to stay with Mrs. Cordova.
"Lord help." He wispered under his breath.

"Oh, and" she said turning back "don't worry about me driving the way I am right now. I took the bus."

Andrew wondered if she was his asinment after all. Just not the kind he thought.
He thought of a scripture
 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

"Lord you do move in mysterious ways."