Chapter 5

Tess shook her head, trying to take in everything that her Angel Boy was trying to tell her about what had transpired with Monica last week.  Her heart ached for the gentle Irish-tongued angel, whom she had not set eyes upon in three years.  She and Monica had been together for a long time, the duo eventually becoming a trio when Andrew had joined them, and Tess had developed an attachment to the auburn-haired angel immediately.  Tess had missed both of her babies over the last three years, and now, knowing one could be in trouble was almost more than her heart could bear.

“It was the strangest thing, Tess,” Andrew continued, his green eyes still holding a flicker of distress,

“Monica seemed to be genuinely afraid of Denise, or at least of the situation.  I clearly got the feeling that this was not the first assignment that Denise had failed with tragic results and I think Monica is doing her best to pick up the pieces, but it seems to be weighing heavily on her now.”

“Did she say how long this had been going on?” Tess questioned, trying to understand what was really going on here.

“She was so vague, Tess.  All she would say was ‘Too long’.  She didn’t want me involved, as she was afraid of me getting hurt.  I wanted to stay with her, but she wouldn’t have any part of that,” Tears filled his eyes as he remembered the look on his best friend’s face as he had left her,

“She was determined to solve the problem on her own, but how can she, when she really doesn’t even know what the problem is?”

Tess fell silent for a few moments, her mind going back a good many years ago, when one other angel had rebelled against their supervisor.  She sighed worriedly-this story was sounding too familiar for her to feel comfortable.  She thought over all that Andrew had told her-about Monica walking out in front of the truck, about her bursting into tears as Andrew had gently questioned what was wrong, her Angel Girl’s fear of her caseworker…No, this was sounding far too much like another she had witnessed years ago.  Granted, she could be wrong, but if she was, then what was going on?

“I don’t know, baby,” Tess replied to him finally, before another thought struck her,

“Did you say you had been given some time off, Andrew?” Seeing him nod his head, Tess’ eyes widened,

“That makes two of us then.  After today, you wouldn’t have found me here, baby.”

Both angels fell silent for a moment, understanding what it was that the Father was trying to tell them-their beloved friend needed their help.

Denise starred at Kathleen, a look of confusion on her face.  She didn’t know this woman, so why was she making it a point to stop and introduce herself?  And how did she know Denise’s name?

“Should I know you, Kathleen?” Denise asked impatiently.  She was really in no mood for small talk, so she figured she would just cut to the chase.

“No, Denise,” Kathleen replied with a smile,

“But I know that you are Monica’s caseworker.” The demon was thrilled with the flash of anger in this angel’s eyes at the mere mention of Monica’s name.  Oh, this was going to be too easy!

“You know Monica?” Denise replied, already starting to feel bored.

“We used to work together when we were both caseworkers-what a screw up.” Kathleen scowled, knowing she would get exactly the reaction she wanted from Denise.

“She was back then too, huh?” Denise asked, suddenly not so bored with this conversation. 

“Oh yeah,” Kathleen rolled her eyes,

“She couldn’t get an assignment right to save her life.  She’s pathetic, but somehow she just keeps moving up.  I was thinking of teaching her a lesson about setting angels up to fail, but I can’t find anyone to help me.”

Denise looked unsure for a moment,

“Is it up to us..er…you to teach her a lesson?”            

“Oh honey,” Kathleen smiled as she glanced towards the heavens,

“I have it on the highest authority.” …………

…Monica walked miserably through the field, trying to find someplace where she might feel a little peace, but her restless heart simply wouldn’t stop grieving.  Not only was she so terribly confused about Denise, but ever since last week, she had been missing Andrew and Tess terribly, just as she had those first few months, before the ache had lessened enough that thoughts of them hadn’t immediately brought tears to her eyes. 

But ever since she had seen Andrew that day in the café, her heart had ached for her gentle friend and she longed to lay her head against his shoulder and confess all her fears about Denise to him.  Deep in her heart, she knew she could never do that-too much time had passed and on top of that, she would not jeopardize Andrew’s safety…ever.  She was the supervisor now and she had to handle this problem with her caseworker and that’s all there was to it.

“Monica!” She looked up, hearing Denise calling her name.  Her caseworker, which hadn’t spoken to her in a week, was standing in the middle of the field, her arms flailing to get Monica’s attention.

“Quick, Monica!  I need your help!” Denise’s voice sounded almost frantic.

Monica began to run towards her caseworker, her heart racing with fear.  What had caused Denise to sound so upset not to mention to suddenly be speaking to her again? 

But just before the auburn-haired angel in human form could reach her caseworker, Monica felt herself falling.  A scream escaped her throat as she plummeted downwards for what felt like an eternity before she landed roughly. Her ankle twisted agonizingly under her, before her head struck hard on the dirt floor. 

Moaning softly, Monica painfully looked up, just barely able to make out Denise’s laughing face above her.

“Maybe that will teach you to set angels up to fail, Monica!” Denise called down to her, before she disappeared from sight.

Tears filled the angel’s lovely brown eyes as she realized what had happened, her mental anguish overpowering the pain in her ankle and the throbbing from the cut on her head where it had struck a rock as she had landed. 

“Oh Father,” She whispered through her tears,

“Please, help us both.”