CHAPTER 15

“Dear Andrew and Tess,
I had a very important errand to run. Please don’t worry, I’m not
looking for any trouble, there was just something that I had to take
care of. I’ll be back in an hour or so.
Love you both,
Monica”

Andrew clutched the note he had found upon waking as fear flooded
through him. Where had Monica gone and why hadn’t she told them? He
would have gone with her to ensure her safety,
“Heaven help me, Kathleen,” He muttered aloud to himself,
“If you lay one hand on her, I’ll--.”

“Angel Boy?” Tess interrupted his thoughts as she walked out to the
kitchen where he stood. She took the note he handed her and nodded her
head as she read. When she had finished, she cast a glance at Andrew
and sighed softly. She could tell by his expression that he was upset,
“You’ve got to let go of this anger at Kathleen, Andrew.” Her voice was
gentle but firm as she tried to meet his eyes.

Andrew was quiet for a moment before he turned to look at her,
“I can’t, Tess,” He replied, his voice holding a tinge of fury at the
very thought of the dark angel,
“She went too far this time and I cannot and will not forgive her for
it.” Without another word, he was out the door, headed for the beach.

Tess sighed in frustration as she shook her head,
“Lord, give me strength and teach me patience, and wherever my Angel
Girl went this morning, keep an eye on her for us. I know you always
do, but I always feel better for asking.”………

…………..Monica walked down the hospital corridor, looking for Stacey’s
room number. She had woken up this morning, anxious to complete her
assignment, knowing that Stacey had waited long enough.

As she approached her room, she peered inside, delighted to see the
young girl sitting up in bed, staring out the window. Monica knocked
softly before opening the door and stepping inside,
“Stacey?”

Stacey’s eyes widened in surprise as she saw the familiar face,
“Monica! I didn’t think I would ever see you again.”

Monica walked over to the bed and pulled up a chair. Sitting down, she
reached for Stacey’s hand and squeezed it tightly,
“You should have known better. An angel never forgets her assignments.”
Seeing Stacey smile in wonderment, Monica turned more serious,
“I’m sorry about that morning at the rest stop. I never meant for you
to get hurt. I only wanted to protect you from Kathleen, but something
terrible happened to you anyway. I’m so sorry, Stacey.”

“Monica, it’s okay. This wasn’t your fault. I was driving far too fast
and when that storm started, I was having trouble seeing the road and I
ran into the guardrail. But I’m fine, really. I’ve been more worried
about you. I think a friend of yours was here a week or so ago, but I’m
not sure if I dreamt it or not,” Her eyes flickered with confusion as
she tried to remember.

“Tess.” Monica said with a smile,
“Yes, she is a friend of mine and came here to check on you for me as at
the time, I wasn’t well enough to do it.” Seeing the concern in
Stacey’s eyes, Monica sighed softly,
“You see, Kathleen took me instead of you, to someplace very dark where
no person should ever have to go. The road back to this moment was long
and difficult for me, but I had two wonderful friends who helped me to
get here.”


”I haven’t heard from Kathleen since that night,” Stacey said softly,
“You did save me from her, Monica and I’ll always be grateful for that.
I don’t know if you’re a real angel or not, but you certainly have been
a good friend to me. The best friend I’ve had in a long time.”

Monica smiled as she leaned forward, looking into Stacey’s eyes, her own
filled with God’s love,
“Stacey, there is Someone else who would love to be your friend, if only
you’ll let him in.”

Stacey gasped as a warm glow surrounded Monica,
“Oh my gosh, you really are an angel!”

“Yes, I am. I was sent here with a message for you, Stacey, from God.
That’s what I was meant to do all along, but things got crazy for
awhile. He sent me here to tell you that He loves you so much and He
knows how lonely you’ve been.”

Tears filled Stacey’s eyes as she listened to the words and clutched
Monica’s hand tightly,
“Nobody ever really takes notice of me, Monica, so I didn’t expect God
to.”

“Oh Stacey, you are so wrong. You are one of His children and He knows
what a beautiful person you are. He has always been there for you, all
you’ve needed to do is to reach out to Him. In doing that, you’ll reach
out to others as well and before you know it, your life won’t be lonely
anymore because God always provides for His children. It doesn’t matter
how dark a life may be; with Him there is always light.” Monica smiled
as she saw the tears racing down Stacey’s cheeks.

“He loves me?” She whispered.

“More than you could ever imagine,” Monica replied warmly,
“Won’t you reach out to Him, Stacey? He will always listen to the fears
of your heart and He will heal them for you, if you let Him.”

Stacey nodded her head, unable to speak for a moment,
“I do want that and maybe somewhere, deep inside, I’ve always known it,
but was afraid that He would reject me too.”

“He never will and He has just been waiting patiently for you to let Him
be there for you.” Monica stood up and moved to wrap her arms around
Stacey as the girl wept for a moment.

“Will I ever see you again?” She managed to say.

“Probably not,” Monica replied gently, her hand smoothing the hair back
from Stacey’s face as she pulled away,
“But you are going to be fine now and your life will be full if you
share it with Him.”

“I will,” She whispered, watching as Monica stood up straight and she
knew it was time for her to go,
“Thank you for everything.”

“Don’t thank me. Thank Him.”

Stacey blinked and when she looked back, the angel was gone. Smiling
softly to herself, she raised her eyes toward heaven and whispered,
“Thank you.”