Chapter 4

1 week later…

A week later after Andrew had witnessed the scenario between Monica and Denise, the angel found himself growing more and more concerned.  The images of how the new caseworker had treated his friend and the fiery look in her dark eyes as she screamed at her wouldn't leave his mind, even as he tried to force it to leave.

As the week passed, the Father had given the young angel some time off from his work…a reason Andrew wasn't really sure of why.  As he had been given the news from the Creator, he knew better than to question; after all, there must be a reason for it. There always was… but why all of a sudden?? And why around the same time he had been reunited with his best friend?

None of it made any sense to the angel as he walked around the Kingdom of Heaven, looking around at the gorgeous views of mountains, flowers and a long, beautiful river stream far off in the distance.  The only thing that he knew what to do at that moment was to talk to the one angel that he hadn't seen in a long time…almost as long as he had seen Monica…Tess was always available with a listening ear and although he knew that she was probably busy with the choir, it was worth a shot. And, after all, Andrew reminded himself, she told me the day we were separated that if we ever needed her, she'd be there.

Always.

Heaving a loud, long sigh, the Search and Rescue angel turned a corner and found himself in the area of the angel choir. Beautiful music echoed around him as he came closer to his destination. Music that could only sound like this by the work of either Tess or the Father.

Gosh, how long has it been since I've stepped foot in here?? Andrew asked himself, surprised, as he shook his blonde head and gazed around at the groups of many angels gathered together to practice their songs. I think the last time I've been here…was at least a year and a half ago when I saw Tess on that day off…but, that was a quick visit. Didn't get much of a chance to talk with her that much.  Mostly just a hug, a few words of how things were going and a goodbye…Maybe this time I'll be able to talk to her about this and she won't be so busy.

Quickening his pace as he neared closer, Andrew suddenly came upon an all-too familiar figure with shoulder-length brown-gray hear and a large frame. Her back was facing towards him, but the younger angel could tell that it was who he thought it was: Tess.

A few tears welling up in his green eyes at the sight of his former supervisor and good friend, Andrew let out a gulp and quickly wiped away the wetness in his eyes, ordering himself that he shouldn't get too emotional now; especially when he needed to talk to her about his worries regarding Monica. Coming closer to his friend, Andrew noticed that the older, wiser angel was holding a folder of songs in her hands and humming softly to herself, her mind off in her own little world.

Clearing his throat a bit, Andrew spoke out, his voice not as loud or happy as it used to be.

"Tess?"

At the sound of the familiar voice behind her, the older angel turned around, surprised, and came face-to-face with her former charge and close friend. The green eyes still held the same friendliness and love and the short, blonde hair blew lazily in the light breeze. The face was exactly as she had remembered it, except a look of worry was showing on it.

Her eyes widening at the surprise visit, Tess' voice rang out over the crowd of angels gathered about as she welcomed her friend.

"Angel Boy!" she cried, reaching out and throwing her strong arms around the one before her, hugging him tightly as she kissed the side of his head,

"Baby, what are you doing here?! Oh, Andrew, I've missed you, honey!"

Returning the hug with all of his strength, Andrew kissed the top of his friend's soft head and rested his head on her shoulder as he allowed a few tears to well up in his green eyes again. Letting a soft sigh out, the angel whispered back.

"I missed you, too, Tess…I missed you, too…"

Holding onto her young friend for a long time, the choir supervisor gently released her hold around Andrew's neck and laid a hand gently on his shoulder.

"Baby, what are you doing here?" she repeated, smiling brightly at him.

"I haven't seen you since you had that day off a year and a half ago! This is sure a surprise!"

Allowing his mouth to turn into a smile of his own despite his worries regarding Monica, Andrew met his former supervisor's soft, brown eyes and quietly started talking.

"Yeah…I know it's been a while; I'm sorry if I've interrupted you, Tess—"

"Oh! No, of course you haven't interrupted me, Angel Boy!" the angel interrupted, grasping her friend's soft hand and squeezing it tightly,

 "I'm just going over some music here, that's all."

Closing his shiny, green eyes tightly and silently saying a prayer of thanks to the Father, Andrew quickly opened his eyes and met Tess' own eyes, seriousness showing in them.

"I'm glad that I was able to catch you when you're not busy, Tess…" he quietly replied, lowering his gaze to the soft ground.

"I'm really glad. Because I have something important I need to talk to you about here…it's about Monica…"

*****

Denise walked through the familiar town, her eyes lowered to the ground as she thought about the events of the past week. The week that had been a living Hell. She and Monica still weren't speaking to one another…something that the angry caseworker didn't care about.  After all, she wasn't the one that should apologize; her "supervisor" was the one that wanted her to fail. She was sure of it. Why did Stevie die then?? It surely wasn't her fault.

God, Monica, how did you ever wind up as supervisor in the FIRST place?? She screamed to herself as she raised her eyes to the beautiful, cloudless, robins blue sky, glaring at it. Father, what were You THINKING when you promoted that loser to be a supervisor??!!  She doesn't even know what she's doing! Why—WHY—can't you move me to be with a different supervisor? Someone who actually knows what the heck they're doing?

Ignoring the loving Voice of her Father talking to her heart, Denise lowered her eyes once again, the same anger shining in them as they had been the whole week, and glared across the sidewalk, her heart pounding. Ignoring the figure who was walking straight towards her, the angry caseworker crossed her arms in front of her chest, her dark eyes flashing like sparks.

Suddenly, before she knew what was happening, the figure that was walking straight in her direction stopped right in front of her path, blocking her way. The woman had short, dark brown hair and beautiful, sparkling brown eyes. She wore a dark suit and had heels on her nylon feet, while her eyes were staring straight at her. Feeling her annoyance taking on a toll for her, the young angel shot a furious glare towards the woman before her and opened her mouth, snapping angrily.

"Would you get out of my way, ma'am??" she demanded, trying to make her way around the woman.

But, much to her dismay and confusion, the strange woman continued to block her path and spoke out, her voice loud and in control.

"Are you Denise?"

Looking into the lady's dark eyes, Denise frowned and narrowed her eyes, tilting her head to the side as she nodded her head slightly.

"Yeah, I'm Denise. Who, may I ask, are you??"

A tiny smirk showing on the woman's face and her eyes sparkling, she held out a perfectly manicured hand as if she wanted Denise to shake it.

"Hello, dear. My name is Kathleen."