PARTs five and six

PART 5

Andrew’s heart was pounding erratically in his chest and panic seemed to take control over his soul when he returned to the Cadillac and didn’t find Monica. He hadn’t seen any car passing by and nobody seemed to be around – the region seemed to be absolutely deserted. So how come the Irish angel had disappeared?

“Monica! Monica! Angel, where are you?” he shouted, as loud as he could and nearly franticly. A quick look inside the car showed him that she had taken the flashlight with her. “Monica? Monica, please, tell me where you are! Oh Father, please let her be alright...” he prayed, walking a few steps into the woods that surrounded the place, “Monica! angel, please, answer to me!”

At that very moment, a sound filled his soul with great relief, “Andrew, I’m here!”

“Monica!” he immediately rushed and followed the sound of her voice, which was coming from somewhere inside the woods, a bit behind from where they had passed, “I’m coming!”

“I’m here, Andrew!” she spoke again, to guide his steps. A few instants later, Andrew saw Monica holding the other flashlight and breathed another sigh of relief to see that she was alright.

“Monica, angel, what happened? Why did you leave the car?” he wanted to know, placing his hand over her shoulder. She could see the panic still present in his green eyes but there was a good reason for her leaving the Cadillac, “I’m sorry if I scared you, Andrew, please forgive me, but there was an accident! Look!” she pointed the flashlight to the woods and both angels could see a car crashed against a pine tree, at the bottom of a slope.

“Oh, no...”

“It was a few minutes ago, Andrew. I was sitting in our car praying and waiting for you when I heard the car getting out of the road and crashing into the tree. There must be someone hurt there, Andrew, I’m calling them out but nobody answers...”

“I’ll go down there!”

“I’ll go with you!”

Carefully, they climbed down the slope and finally got to the vehicle. “Hey! Anybody there?” Andrew called but as nobody replied, he wiped away the snow that had fallen on the windshield and he and Monica saw an old man, in his late sixties, sitting on the driver’s seat. There was a small cut on his forehead and he had fainted after the collision.

“Hold the flashlight for me, Monica. I’ll try to take him away from the car.”

The car doors had been damaged with the collision and Andrew could easily open one of them. Then, both angels got into the vehicle and Monica touched the man’s arm, “Sir?”

“His accident was a bit like to ours, except that his car was thrown against this tree...”

“There’s a first aid kit in Tess’ car, Andrew, I guess I’ll go there and take it...”

“Wait...” both angels watched as the man moved his head and slowly opened his eyes.

“Sir? Can you hear me?” Andrew asked, he and Monica were the first faces he saw, “What... what happened?” the stranger spoke, his voice was weak and low.

“You had an accident, sir. Your car got out of the road and crashed in that tree...” Monica explained, and something about her seemed to call his attention, as he looked at the Irish angel with curious eyes and seemed to regain full conscience.

“I... I was driving along the road but the snowstorm started and... I lost control of the wheel... suddenly the car skidded and got out of the road...”

“Yes, I heard it, and I also heard it when it crashed...” Monica spoke, and, once again, the old man looked at her with curiosity.

“Do you think you broke anything?” Andrew wanted t know, and the stranger moved in his seat. “No... I... I guess not...”

“But you have a nasty cut on your forehead,” Monica pointed out and he moved his hand to touch it, she stopped him, “Oh, no, please, don’t. Our car is just a few meters away we have first aid material there. Please, come with us.”

“Monica is right, we have to get out of here. Besides, I found a shelter not far from here.”

“Really Andrew?” her eyes sparkled with that piece of news.

“Yes. I guess it’s a small farm and for sure there are people at home.”

The man looked at both angels still not believing that two complete strangers were at that exact place at that exact time to help him. “It’s an amazing, astonishing coincidence! There’s one chance in a million that a person has an accident in the middle of a thunderstorm on a deserted road and gets immediate help...”

Monica and Andrew looked at each other and smiled, some silent words were spoken between them.

“Well, I believe that when something like this happens, there’s no doubt we should thank God in the first place!” Andrew said, helping the man out of the vehicle. Monica nodded her head, “Andrew is right, God is always watching over His children.”

“Well, I believe it’s more a matter of being at the right place at the right time, young lady,” and then he added, “And I’m thankful to you both, for what you’re doing for me at this very moment!”

The angels exchanged another glance and Monica spoke again, “Oh, there's no need to thank. Andrew and I are happy to help you, Mr...”

“Erm... Mr Richardson.” He said, and it was then that the Irish angel noticed something, “Mr Richardson... Wait, I know you! Aren’t you Mr Richardson, the owner of the RS Toys, the biggest toy shop in the region?”

A bit embarrassed, he nodded his head, “Well, yes... I am this Mr Richardson...”

x

They returned to the Cadillac and Monica cleaned the cut on the man’s forehead and put some antiseptic and bandage on it.

“I was going to a friend’s house – you must have seen him already, he’s  erm... ‘Santa’.” He explained. Monica nodded her head emphatically, “Oh, yes, I know Santa!” the expression on her face and the joy with which she said that were so adorable, that Andrew couldn’t help chuckling.

“He lives near here and every year he gets his family together for Christmas and invites me. Well, I never go but... but this year I don’t know why, I felt like passing by his house and maybe say hi...” he explained, while she finished her task.

“And what about your family?”

He lowered his eyes and let out a sad sigh, “I... I don’t have it anymore... My wife is long gone, as well as my son, and nowadays, it’s only this cranky old man...”

“I’m terribly sorry...” the Irish angel spoke, feeling sad to hear something like that.

“Thank you, Monica. My late wife was Irish, you know? Your accent is so familiar to me...” he said, with a bittersweet smile.

“Your eyes lit up when you talk about her; she must have been a great woman...”

“Oh, yes, she was. Much better than what I deserved, in fact. She and my son deserved a better person to live with... It’s amazing how you can hurt the ones you love and not realise it in the first place... I hurt them so much for so many years that they went away from me... And when I saw what I had done it was too late...”

Monica and Andrew exchanged a sad look and the Irish angel placed her hand over his shoulder, “If you’re here, alive, it’s never too late, Mr Richardson.”

A bittersweet smile appeared on the man’s face, “Thank you, young lady. You seem the sort of person that everybody likes to have around. I just hope that Andrew here takes really good care of you!”

The two angels smiled and looked at each other one more time, “He does! Andrew is the best ‘carer’ I know!” she replied, causing the blond angel to chuckle, slightly blushed.

“Okay, shall we go now?” he asked, not wanting to be praised because his protectiveness towards Monica, as for him, being at her side was as natural as breathing.

They left the Cadillac and before they started walking, Andrew took a small blanket from inside the trunk of the car. “Here, angel, it’s too cold out here and it’s a 20 minute walk to the house.” He said, draping it around her shoulders.

The trio faced the cold snowstorm and the strong wind and headed towards the house Andrew had found. The blond angel kept his arm permanently wrapped around Monica’s shoulders as the wind was blowing so hard he feared for her physical integrity.

Silently, both angels prayed to find help.

PART 6

Twenty minutes later, Monica, Andrew and Mr Richardson finally saw the candle light shining through the darkness, in a small cottage not far from the road. Soon, they were standing on the porch, knocking on the door and praying that someone would let them in.

“Hello? Anybody home?” Andrew spoke, wondering who could live in that house, as lately his trusting in human beings had been severely reduced due to some painful assignments. But they had no other choice: that cottage was the only shelter available at the moment and, besides his dearest friend, Andrew was also worried about the old man they had rescued from the accident.

“Hello? Is anybody home? We need help, please, open the door...” he spoke again.

“I don’t understand it... there seems to be people at home...” Mr Richardson said, observing that there was light in the interior of the house.

“I do... it’s not that simple to open the door of your house to three complete strangers,” Monica straightened the blanket around her shoulders, trembling with cold like her dearest friend and the old man. With his heart filled with worry, Andrew gave a step towards her and wrapped his strong arms around her small form. He pulled her closer to him in a desperate attempt to protect her from the cold using the warmth coming from his own body.

From inside the house, a little girl looked through the window with curious eyes, “Come here, mommy, there are three people, not two!” she said, hidden in the old curtains.

A boy, a bit older than she was, joined the girl and, after surveying the people outside, nodded his head, “Yes, Mary is right, mom! There is a tall guy, and old man and a pretty lady outside.”

The house was poor and there weren't many Christmas ornaments in it. In the living room, there was a small Christmas tree near the fireplace but there were no presents around it. In the dining room, the table was set but the food was not much.

A woman was standing in the living room and her face was one of indecision. Those people at the door could really need help, but she was still unsure to let strangers enter her house and see her two children. Cautiously, she approached the window and looked outside. “See, mom? There are three people and I guess the old man is hurt, there’s bandage on his forehead.” The boy pointed. And when the woman finally saw the group standing on her porch, her eyes grew wide and her face went pale. “Oh my God! I can’t believe it!” she whispered, covering her mouth with her hand.

“What is it, mommy?” the little girl wanted to know, looking at her with questioning eyes.

Outside, Mr Richardson shook his head with impatience, “I guess they don’t want to open the door!”

Andrew looked down at his dearest friend and noticed that her lower lip was trembling; she was trembling with cold and it only made him feel twice worried. The snowstorm was getting worse every minute and what were they going to do if they didn’t get a shelter? Sighing deeply, the blond angel tightened the hold around the Irish angel, in a last attempt to protect her from the cold.

“It’s ok, angel... I’m sure the Father is watching us...”

“I know He is... But I’m also glad that you’re here...” her voice was low and he could tell she too was afraid.

“Oh my God, it’s him...” the woman inside the house spoke, still not believing her eyes. Quickly, she rushed up to the door and unlocked it.

“Do you know who these people are, mom?” her son asked, a bit confused.

“I know one of them...” she replied. Monica, Andrew and Mr Richardson exchanged a surprised and very relieved look when they realised that someone was finally going to open the door. Andrew kept a permanent hold on his dearest friend, still doubting that they had found a good soul to help them.

The children’s mother opened up the door and looked at the three people who were asking for a shelter.

“Good night, madam. We’re sorry to bother you but-” Andrew started talking, but was interrupted by the woman. “You...” she was looking at Mr Richardson with perplexed eyes.

The old man also froze as he saw her. “I... I can’t believe it...”

“Mr Richardson... Oh, God, is it some kind of sign?”

“Sorry, do you know each other?” the blond angel wanted to know, he and Monica noticing their reaction as they looked at each other.

“Who is it, mommy?” the little girl wanted to know, poking her head through the door together with her brother.

“Mary, Matthew, get inside the house, it’s cold here!” their mother spoke, causing the two angels to exchange another surprised glance. At that moment they knew that the children they were looking for were probably right in front of them; their search had finally finished.

“How did you find us here?”

“I didn’t... I had an accident with my car not far from here... It’s all I coincidence... a great coincidence...” he explained, pointing to the bandage on his forehead.

Noticing how his dearest friend trembled, Andrew interrupted their conversation, “Please, can we come in for a while? She is not feeling well...”

“Oh, please, do come in!” she said, fully opening the door and allowing them to enter. “Come here by the fireplace, it’ll make you feel better!”

“Thank you...” Monica said, as Andrew remained with his arms protectively wrapped around her shoulders and gently guided up to the armchair close to the fireplace. The blond angel knelt right next to the small sofa and took her hand in both of his. “You’ll start to feel better soon, angel.”

“Yes, I guess I’m already feeling better, you know,” she smiled at him and squeezed his hand. Then, she looked at the family who had just given them a shelter, “Thank you so much.”

“We had an accident with our car and didn’t know where to go when we found your house,” he explained, “My name is Andrew, this is Monica and... I believe you already know Mr Richardson...”

“Nice to meet you two... My name is Clara and these are my children, Mary and Matthew,” the woman replied and looked at the old man, “And I still cannot believe we’re meeting each other again after so many years...”

“Yes...”

“You know this man, mommy?” Matthew wanted to know, standing between his mother and his sister, and eyeing the stranger from head to toe. And, seeing those two children right in front of him, the old man soon felt the presence of tears in the corner of his eyes and his heart filled with emotion.

“Are these... your children? Yours and Peter’s?” he asked, with a trembling and hoarse voice.

“Yes...” the woman replied, and she too was visibly moved to see that man.

“You know my dad?” the boy wanted to know, finding that situation rather strange.

Mr Richardson knelt on the floor and placed his hand on the top of the boy’s head. “Yes... I... I know your dad, young man... And I’m so happy to see the two beautiful children he has...”

“Are you his friend?” the girl spoke, feeling sorry to see such a grown up adult almost crying like that.

“Oh sweetie... I guess he wanted to be my friend but... but I was too fool at that time and... and I refused his friendship...”

The siblings looked at their mother not understanding what was happening there. Clara held their hands and finally started to explain the amazing “coincidence” exactly on the Christmas night.

“Mary, Matthew... Mr Richardson is... your grandfather...”

The impact of that piece of news was not only shocking to the children but to the two angels who were sitting near the fireplace.

“Our grandfather? Really?”

“Yes, Matthew. He and your daddy had an argument a long time ago, before you were born, and decided not to speak with each other anymore. After that, Peter and I moved to another city and got married and... we never spoke to Mr Richardson again... until this night...” Clara explained.

“Why did you two argue?” the boy insisted.

“Because I was a fool, Matthew... Your father fell in love with your mom and I said it was wrong because she was poor, so he decided to abandon everything he had to live with her. The RS Toys would belong to your father if he was at my side...”

“You mean the huge toy store downtown? The one where Santa stays?” the boy’s eyes grew wide, as well as Monica’s and Andrew’s. Little could she imagine that her assignment was the owner of that shop. “I sent him a letter last week!”

“Yes... I guess having Santa there to reply to the children’s letters and give them a small present was a way to... to compensate the mistakes I made with my son when he was a child... I was a very absent father and when Peter grew up I kept on being absent and selfish... I didn’t want my son marrying the girl who cleaned the toilets in a hotel we used to stay at when Peter was young and his mother was alive...” he looked at the little girl and a bittersweet smile appeared on his face, “It’s amazing how this little princess looks like my beloved Sarah, her grandmother. She was Irish, you know, and kept the old Irish habits such as placing candles on the window on the Christmas night...”

“Mary does it every Christmas... it was her father who taught her...” her mother said, nearly crying with emotion.

“I’m terribly sorry, Clara... I hope you can forgive this arrogant and selfish old fool... I’ve tried to find you and Peter before but I didn’t have much success, you know. My full name is Edmund Richardson Smith but your father only uses his last name, Smith. Finding the right Smith is not easy... I couldn’t imagine you were so close to me... This is such an amazing coincidence...”

“I’m sorry to interrupt you, but there’s no such thing as a coincidence, Mr Richardson,” Monica spoke, she and Andrew finally realising how they had been part of the Father’s plan all that time.

“She’s right. There’s a reason for everything, even if we can’t see it at the moment...” the blond angel added.

Clara nodded her head, aware of the small miracle that had been granted to her and to her family on that magical night. “I’m afraid they’re right, Mr Richardson...”

“What do you mean, Clara? And... where is my son? Where is Peter?”

“He’s in hospital...”

“In hospital? Why? What happened to him?” he wanted to know, suddenly feeling his heart beat faster with fear.

“Peter needs a kidney transplant... And... we can’t find a compatible donor...”

“Matthew asked Santa to bring us a kidney, mom... it should get here this night...” the little girl innocently said.

“Oh, dear God!" the man exclaimed, with tears finally falling from his eyes. "I guess it’s... it’s here already, sweetheart...” Then, he turned to his daughter-in-law. “Please, Clara, tell me the hospital he is... I have to go there right now...”

Suddenly, they heard another knock on the door and a voice following it: “Anybody has a red Cadillac or a black Caravan?”

Monica and Andrew looked at each other and smiled: they knew that voice pretty well and the blond angel kissed his dearest friend’s hand. “I guess it’s the toll truck...” he said, and Clara quickly opened the door.

“Anybody here needs help to get somewhere?” Tess asked, exchanging a look of complicity with her two beloved friends.