CHAPTER 3

“... he was terribly sad and worried, Tess. It seemed that... that he had already failed the assignment...” Monica spoke to a very worried Tess on the following day. They were both at the church, separating the donations that the supervisor had collected on the previous afternoon, and the Irish angel took the opportunity to tell her friend about Andrew’s behaviour.

“Hum... it’s not like angel boy to act like that... Did he tell you anything else? Anything more serious?”

“No... I know it’s not an easy assignment, but maybe the fact that Roy and Evelyn know each other means something... something we don’t see at this very moment, but which can be clear eventually.”

“You’re probably right, angel girl. But the best way we can help Andrew is to find as much information as possible about his assignment. And I don’t need to remind you that he always listens to you.”

“I’ll do everything I can to help him, Tess. I promise I will...”

Little Joy started weeping at Monica’s feet once again, and the angel scooped the dog and placed her on her lap, “Shh... what’s the matter with you, wee one? She’s been a bit sad lately, Tess...”

The supervisor reached out and took the puppy in her arms, “There, there, baby... We’re here with you... I know you miss angel boy and so do Monica and me, but he’ll be with us soon, you’ll see!”

*

Two weeks went by and Andrew didn’t get in contact with his angelic friends. Besides the fact that his assignment was going terribly badly – there was a second theft at school and although they didn’t manage to find out who the thief was, the blond angel knew it pretty well. Besides, he was trying to keep distance from Monica, in a way to protect her from the evil against which he was fighting and that fact alone was enough to cause great sadness to his already troubled heart.

Monica and Tess’ assignment, on the other hand, was going really well, and Evelyn finally decided it was time to go back to her parents’ house and ask for their forgiveness. By this time, she already knew who the two kind ladies who had been helping her all that time were, and with her faith restored, she trusted that both her mother and father would accept her back.

“That’s wonderful news, Evelyn! I’m so happy for you!” the Irish angel exclaimed, holding her tightly.

“Monica is right, I’m really happy to hear that you’re combing back home, baby!” Tess spoke, equally pleased.

“I know... I wouldn’t have done it without you both...”

“Oh, yes, you would, Evelyn,” the younger angel replied, “You wanted to change, you had the will power to do so... And I know it wasn’t easy and there were moments when you cried and thought you would manage to do it, but you had also your faith...”

“I prayed so much... I prayed for help even when I didn’t believe it could happen...” she said, with tears in the corner of her eyes.

“And God heard your prayers and saw your tears... He knows how much you were suffering...”

The young lady smiled, shedding a few tears of happiness, “And then He sent me you two... I thank Him for each and every blessing He gave me, but you two... are the best present I could ever receive...” she said, gratefully.

“Oh, I have an idea! What about throwing a farewell party for Evelyn?”

“Good idea, angel girl! After all, she made so many friends while she was here, I guess it’s fair enough that they have a chance to say goodbye!” Tess agreed.

Evelyn grinned at the angels, loving the idea, “A farewell party? Oh, but that would be great!”

*

On that same day, instead of going home together with Tess and little Joy, Monica decided to pass by the school where Andrew was working. She wanted to tell him the good news about Evelyn and, most importantly, she wanted to know about his assignment and offer her help and support. Mr Parker, the school inspector, was standing at the entrance gate and when he saw the “beautiful Irish lady” coming closer, he smiled.

“Hullo, good evening, Mr Parker!” she politely greeted the old man, who replied with natural friendliness, “Oh, good evening, young lady!”

“Do you remember me?”

“Of course I do! You’re Monica! How could I forget such a pretty smile and lovely accent? Andrew’s lucky to have such a pretty girlfriend!”

Amused with the man’s words, and slightly blushed, she nodded, “Thank you, Mr Parker, you’re very kind... And Andrew is my friend, you know.”

The old man raised his eyebrows, as if trying to believe in what she was telling him. “Oh... I see...”

“Is he still in the school? I need to talk to him...”

“I guess he must be leaving right now... Oh, look, there he is!” the man pointed at the blond angel, who was heading towards the front gate together with the other students.

Her smile grew wider when she saw her friend and the Irish angel quickly walked towards him, “Andrew!” His face, however, clouded over as soon as he saw Monica, and a worried frown appeared on his forehead. “Hullo, Andrew, I’ve almost missed you, I thought you’d leave an hour later...” she said, with a cheerful tone of voice.

“Monica, what are you doing here?” he asked, his voice stern and slightly harsh. Mr Parker couldn’t help but noticing that, frowning disapprovingly at his attitude towards such a kind and warm hearted creature like Monica.

The Irish angel, for herself, felt a sudden lump forming on her throat, as she wasn’t used to that kind of reception from her dearest friend. “I’m sorry... I should’ve let you know I was coming...”

Shaking his head, and mentally scolding himself, he quickly reached for her hand, “No, it’s alright, angel... it’s just that I wasn’t expecting you to come here... And it’s a bit late, it’ll soon get dark...”

“I... I know... I don’t intend to stay. I came here to give you some wonderful news...” she spoke, as he gently guided her away from the crowd of students that were heading towards the exit.

“What... what news, Monica?” he wanted to know, looking around them with some tension, as if looking for something.

“Evelyn is going back home, she’s going to live with her parents again!” The Irish angel announced, visibly happy with that.

“Oh, that’s... that’s good to know...”

“Tess and I are throwing a farewell party for her at the church on Sunday evening and I came here to ask you if... if you’d you like to come...”

“I’m sorry, Monica, but... You see, I’m kind of busy right now...”

“Oh, but you don’t have to stay all the time, you know. Just a little, to give yourself a break from the assignment...”

Sighing deeply, he finally turned his eyes and his attention back to her, “Sorry, angel, but it won’t be possible, really...”

Her smile faded little by little and was replaced by a worried expression, “I see... How is your assignment doing? Did you have any progress with Roy?”

“No, in fact, I didn’t. And right now, I’m trying to put a lot of effort on it. It requires my attention full time...”

“I understand...” Monica looked at him, easily noticing the concern and something else in his green pools she couldn’t figure what was, but which caused a sensation of deep sadness inside her very soul. She took his hand in both of hers and squeezed it, “Is there anything I can do to help?”

He sighed again, and lowered his head avoiding her gaze, “No... there isn’t, Monica. And... well, to be honest, we won’t be seeing each other from now on... at least not for a while. Sorry.”

“Why not?” frowning with shock and concern, she searched his eyes, desperately needing an explanation for that cold tone in his voice, “Andrew, please, tell me, what’s going on? Did something happen?”

“Well, I... I need some time to work on this assignment, Monica. Roy is a difficult teenager, with lots of problems and he won’t listen to me that easily. I need all the time I have to try to accomplish my mission. Please, understand.”

The Irish angel eyed him with compassionate brown pools: she knew him better than to know that there was something hidden in the sadness that emanated from his heart. Besides their friendship, they shared a strong connection, rarely seen between two angels. “I understand, Andrew. But please never forget this...” She reached out and pointed to the necklace he was wearing, which was half hidden underneath his shirt; her necklace. “If you need help, turn your eyes to the Father... And never forget you have a friend here on Earth who you can always count on.”

Feeling a terrible sensation of guilt, he nodded his head and took her hand again, “I know, angel. I know.” Monica could see he wanted to say a lot more, but instead, he gave it up. “But right now... I think you should go. Please, go before it gets dark...” Noticing a trace of hurt in her eyes, he concluded, “I... I’m sorry but I’m busy right now...”

“That’s... That’s alright... I’m sorry too, I guess it wasn’t a good moment...” she replied, trying hard not to show her disappointment. “Goodbye, Andrew. I’ll... I’ll be praying for you...”

Then, she left the school yard and crossed the gate, saying a feeble goodbye to Mr Parker, who kept on frowning and shaking his head.