Chapter 7

        The gentle breeze ruffled Monica's hair as she exited the Country Club in

        search of her friend. Her heart was beating wildly as she hoped that

        Andrew hadn't gotten too far...oh, God, she hoped and prayed that he

        wasn't far away...

        Glancing up at the shining sun and the bright, blue sky, Monica quickened

        her pace as she rounded a corner and immediately caught sight of the

        fancy bench that she and Andrew had sat at together not very long ago.

        Only about an hour ago...

        Tears of hurt for her best friend stung the angel's eyes as she stopped

        in her tracks and thoughtfully took in the sight. Was it really an hour

        ago since Andrew had told her his news?? It sure felt longer than that...

        Oh, God, what did Adam say to him to make Andrew lose his temper and run

        away?? Monica desperately pleaded, her teary, brown eyes staring

        heavenward. Was it that bad??

        Suddenly, before the Irish angel had a chance to ask more questions for

        answers up above, she felt a tug at her heart and a memory popping into

        her mind.

        A memory she forever wanted only to forget...

        Feeling like she was seriously going to throw up, Monica quickly made her

        way over to the familiar bench and slumped down in it, wearily placing

        her head in the palms of her hands. Trying to take as deep of breaths as

        possible, the angel's mind traveled back in time to one year ago.

        One year that seemed like only yesterday...

        The images flashed before her like a silent movie: Herself and Tess

        yelling at Andrew in the church; Tess telling their friend that they had

        been better off before he ever came around and that they didn't want his

        friendship; reading Andrew's heart-breaking note to them after he had ran

        away; both she and Tess realizing what their harsh words had done to

        Andrew; going after their friend and finding him; the accident; Andrew

        hanging on for dear life as he lay in a coma for a month; the hurt and

        pain after he had awaken and, after several days, remembered what had

        happened...and finally, Andrew's forgiveness to them...

        The tears flowed faster than ever as Monica remembered that time and the

        lesson that she and her supervisor had learned: Be careful about the

        words you say. Verbal hurt is worse than physical pain...

        Was that what just happened back there with him and Adam? she thought

        desperately, her mind whirling. Did Adam say something so terrible to

        Andrew that it made him run away from us? Again?? Please, God, not

        again...I need to find him...I have to! There's not much time...

        Slowly lifting her head out of her hands, the angel looked sadly around

        her, hoping for a clue as to where she's find her friend...and found it.

        Her brown eyes stopping on a figure sitting at the nearby, sparkling

        lake, Monica kept her eyes locked on him as she immediately rose to her

        feet, and without hesitation, made her way as quickly as possible to her

        friend. Andrew's shiny, blonde hair ruffled with the light wind as he sat

        with his arms folded tightly around his legs, apparently deep in thought.

        Walking quickly over to her fellow angel, Monica watched the figure as he

        let out a heavy sigh and rested the side of his head on his folded arms.

        Not wanting to startle her best friend at her presence, the angel

        silently sat down at Andrew's side, slightly clearing her throat in the

        process.

        Watching her friend shift slightly and glance quickly at her, Monica saw

        the few tears in his green eyes...tears that appeared as though he was

        trying hard to keep from falling.

        Without saying a word just yet, the Irish angel reached an arm out for

        her best friend and watched, her own heart hurting, as Andrew practically

        collapsed against her, letting the tears out freely. Taking the signal

        that it was okay to comfort him, Monica gently wrapped her arms around

        the angel's shoulders as he sobbed against her.

        Lightly rubbing his back to soothe her friend, Monica lifted her eyes

        once again to the gorgeous sky and silently lifted a prayer of guidance.

        Oh, Father...please give me the correct words to say here. I don't have

        very much time here--and I really need to get Andrew and Adam back

        together before this day is over...

        *****

        "...Tess, I know that what I said to Andrew was wrong," Adam whispered

        horesly, lowering his eyes to the hard floor of the dining room where he

        stood with Tess in front of him,

        "I realized it the second the words came out of my mouth...but I can't

        take them back. Believe me, Tess, I want to more than anything,

        but...it's impossible..."

        "You're right about that, Baby," Tess agreed firmly, but lovingly, as she

        stared into the angel's blue eyes,

        "You CAN'T take those words back that you told Andrew, Adam. And, yes, it

        was wrong; but I'm glad to see that you realize it. But, Adam, listen.

        You have to realize something here, Baby. You need to remember in the

        future that words have power. Monica and I learned it the hard way...do

        you remember that, Adam?"

        Flinching a bit at the question, the Angel of Death forced his head to

        nod as he recalled what had occurred with Andrew, Monica and Tess a year

        ago. The horrible memory would always be fresh in his mind, no matter how

        hard he wished it to go away...

        "Yeah, I remember that, Tess...I always will," Adam finally answered,

        raising his guilty-looking, blue eyes to meet Tess'. Gulping, he

        continued softly,

        "I'll remember how much words sometimes hurt...it's just that--I'm going

        to miss you three so much, Tess! I'm no longer going to be working with

        Andrew as my fellow Angel of Death and who knows WHEN I'll ever see him

        again?? You know how close we are, Tess! I mean--I'm happy for Monica and

        you, but...I can't be happy for Andrew! He's practically my best friend

        and it hurts to think about him moving to Search and Rescue..."

        His voice cracking, Adam turned away as he felt hot tears sting his eyes.

        Sniffing a bit, the angel raised a hand and quickly wiped the wetness

        from his eyes with the back of his hand.

        Coming over to her friend, Tess reached an arm out and gently wrapped it

        around his slumped shoulders. Rubbing his back gently, Tess whispered

        softly, tears rolling down her face as she spoke,

        "I know it hurts to hear the news, Baby," she gently replied, sighing,

        "It hurts me, too, to know that after tonight, I'll be separated from my

        Angel Babies. But...we both have to know something here, Adam."

        Gently pulling away from the embrace, the older angel raised the palm of

        her hand and slid it under her fellow angel's chin, raising it to look at

        her.

        "We both have to know that this is what's best for them. The Father

        wouldn't have moved us if He didn't think we were ready for it. He

        wouldn't. I know that this will be a huge change for ALL of us, but we

        can handle it. You also have to realize, honey, that we shouldn't be

        thinking about our feelings here; we need to think about how much Andrew

        and Monica want these positions and are ready for them and THEIR

        feelings. And--I'm sure you'll see Andrew again; just like I'm sure I'll

        see him and Monica again. None of us, but the Father, know the answer to

        'When?', but I'm sure we will. You understand, Baby?"

        Lovingly looking into the angel's eyes, Tess watched as Adam slowly

        nodded his head, the tears flowing fast down his pale cheeks,

        "Do--do you think Andrew will ever forgive me, Tess?" he quietly choked

        out, his heart breaking at the very thought.

        Tilting her head to the side, the older supervisor gazed sympathetically

        at the angel. Finally, after some serious thought, she spoke truthfully,

        "I don't know, Adam," she answered sadly. "I'm not Andrew...only he will

        have that answer if you ask him it...I'm hoping and praying that he will.

        But--you'll have to go and find him if you want a real answer..."