CHAPTER 13
IGNORING THE DISTRACTION of the spiritual battle and the people of the city, Jasper focused on the Angels who guided him through the city to an old run down building structure. The sign above the front door read, ‘Missions Half-Way House.’
“A half-way house?” Jasper questioned. Of course, he should have predicted it. All the people the Lord wanted would be right here in this one place. Entering the building, Jasper went up the stairs, directly across from the main doors to a large counter. A bell on the front counter read; ‘Ring for service.’
Ringing the bell once, Jasper waited. Finally, a lady came to the counter. Chewing gum, she appeared tired and over worked. Looking Jasper over, up and down, she was a person who wanted to be anywhere else than at this particular place. Though she noticed Jasper was blind she didn’t seem to care.
“Have you been here before?” She asked with an uninterested roll of her eyes.
“No, ma’am...” Jasper wanted to say more but the lady cut him off quickly.
“All stay-ins must fill out one of these forms.” She pulled out a sheet of government paper that was filled with questions. Slapping the form to the table-top complete with a ball point pen, she continued. “Please observe all rules on the back of the form, if you have any questions or if you have trouble reading, please let us know before handing the form in.”
“No, please.” Jasper said, “You don’t understand, I’m not interested in staying. I’m looking for some homeless folks to stay at my place.”
The woman looked at Jasper oddly, “You don’t have to come here to find people in need of housing. Just ask the people sleeping on the sidewalks.” She studied Jasper a little further. She found it odd for a blind poor man to want to help others when he barely looked capable of taking care of himself. “Where do you live?” she asked, “You do want to take homeless people to your home don’t you?”
Jasper looked like a homeless person, himself. “Oh, yes, I live in the mountains near Princeton.”
“How many people are you looking for?”
“I was looking for about six to eight people.” Jasper answered quickly and truthfully.
“Have you been certified?”
“C-certified?” Jasper asked as he was completely unprepared for the question.
“Under the new legislation acts, anyone housing more than four occupants under charitable circumstances must adhere to specific guidelines and procedures. You don’t want to find yourself with a law suit on your hands do you?”
“Uh, no. Definitely not. Um, would you have a blank copy of your government application?” Jasper asked awkwardly.
“You will have to go down to the nearest government office or municipal hall and ask them.” The lady instructed. People walking by began to stop and take an interest in the conversation.
Jasper let out a stressful breath at the thought of approaching the government for permission. Overwhelmed with doubt, Jasper prayed he wouldn’t end up in jail. “I have acreage, seven little cabins, farm animals and a plan to provide a fresh start to some down and out, hard case folk. People say God is slow to answer prayers but does the government recognize when its process only contributes to slowing God’s work? Will I have to wait for the government offices to get around to passing my application or not.”
“Are you ready to go right now?” the woman behind the counter asked. “This isn’t an easy job to get into. Do you realize the tremendous responsibility you would be undertaking? It’s difficult to keep a place like this running without sponsorship and regular donations. If the government doesn’t step up to the plate and help us out more than they already do, this whole place will be shut down.”
“It is a matter of life and death for people. Good people. I have everything ready for my project, but certification? There are people living in the parks, dark alleys and who knows where else. Why should I have to jump through hoops when I just simply want to help?” Jasper gave pause to ponder this for a second. “Certificate or no certificate, who would dare to stop me if all I’m doing is helping people?”
The lady looked at Jasper for a moment. At first she saw the stupidity of a very naive blind man, but then she saw something else in him. Some sort of flare for the good of mankind. It was unclear if she believed in him or just wanted to believe in him. She held up a finger for Jasper to wait a moment, then she disappeared around a corner and went to an office room. Jasper could hear her open a filing cabinet. She fingered through the files before she plucked out a couple of pieces of paper stapled together.
She shuffled back to the front counter and handed Jasper the papers. “We seem to have one copy left after all.”
Jasper stayed and filled out the papers to the best of his ability. Due to his poor eye sight, Jasper’s writing was barely readable. The papers looked like a kindergarten student had fun with them. Folding it up and placing it into a stamped envelope, Jasper mailed it off.
Leaving the half-way house, Jasper was surprised no needy people from there wanted to follow him to the Princeton area. They told him they had a place to stay.
Jasper asked the Angels, “What do you think? Should I be certified?”
Joel thought it was a great idea.
“But in your case, Jasper.” Starr told him, “The Lord’s authority will override any authority of the world. What could stand in the way of God’s will? You still have much work to do.”
“Let’s get going, I need to find some place I can sit and rest.” Jasper quietly told the Angels.
Led to an apartment complex, Jasper watched as a young man and woman trotted up the stairs to the intercom. The couple were dressed in fancy dance club outfits. They pressed a button and a voice came through with some loud music. “Yeah! Password!”
“Hoola-Hoola!” The young man said with boisterous enthusiasm. Then a buzzer sounded and the door was unlocked for them.
The Angels pointed to the same main doors the couple had just entered. Jasper walked his sore creaky bones up the stairs to the intercom. The panel was full of buttons; one for each tenant. “Which one do I press?” Jasper asked the Angels.
“Thirty-two.” Roger answered quickly.
Jasper pushed the button. “Yo! Password!” Came the female voice again. Music hammered in the background.
“I was looking for some peace and quiet.” Jasper told the Angels. Rolling his eyes, he pushed the button again. “Hoola-Hoola!” He repeated into the microphone. Jasper’s voice lacked any fun.
There was a pause of silence until the buzzer sounded and the main door unlocked. Pulling the door open, Jasper slunk in and headed up the stairs. Looking for a room on the third floor with the number, thirty-two, Jasper walked down the hall. At one point he caught a whiff of something rancid. With great embarrassment, Jasper realized the source of the stink came from himself. His clothes; still wet, he stank bad, real bad. Feeling like he just climbed out of a toilet, Jasper really wanted to persuade the Angels this was all a very bad idea.
Then Jasper saw it; the door marked thirty-two. It was definitely at the right place with the loud music vibrating the walls. A short argument took place as Jasper tried to convince the Angels he wasn’t prepared to go into the apartment, but again the Angels insisted this was where he was supposed to be. Knocking on the door, Jasper waited, but no one answered. Turning the door knob, the door opened. Walking into the loud, crowded apartment, Jasper smiled at the young people and tried his best to smile and bob his head to the music. His attempt to blend in was a complete and utter fail.
Jasper didn’t think he smelled so bad in the crowded little apartment anymore. The room was filled with people and the air was thick from the heavy smokers. As he strolled further into the place, everyone began giving him dirty looks. Knowing he was completely out of place, Jasper absolutely didn’t fit in with the young partiers.
The Angels remained close to Jasper. “Is there even one righteous person here amongst them?” Jasper asked.
The Angels dispersed into the cr
owd of party go’ers. They searched around, speaking to the Guardian Angels amongst the people. Within a matter of seconds, the Angels returned to Jasper and said, “No, Jasper. We haven’t found even one who is righteous.” answered Taila honestly.
“But why would you bring me here?” Jasper asked, somewhat confused and disgruntled.
“We didn’t say we were seeking the righteous.” Joel answered.
“Well, then who is the one we’re looking for?” Jasper asked out loud without a care who heard him.
A group of four ladies approached Jasper. Taking one look at him, they were disgusted. “This is our party, who invited you?”
“Angels told me to come to this party.” Jasper told them truthfully, not breaking from his serious demeanour.
“Yeah, right.” They giggled. No one expected Jasper to answer with this.
“He’s some kind of kook, I think.” said one of the ladies.
Another of the girls eying Jasper up and down said, “Are you homeless?” The ladies were very pretty. Anyone of them could be a top model.
Jasper looked at the ground, nervously fidgeting. He filled his lungs and said, “I’m looking for special people. I mean, to help them.” He spoke nervously. He knew he sounded crazy. “I mean, I’m looking for special people who need my help.”
“Haven’t found them yet? We not special enough?”
“The people I’m talking about will recognize to follow me.” Speaking with a bold dignity, Jasper managed to impress the crowd of young people.
As the Angels passed amongst the young partiers, they looked to see into their hearts. The Angels were still not very good at this skill as they hadn’t had much history amongst mortal man. Joel noticed a familiar name amongst the board games loosely stacked upon a shelf near the flat screen television. He huffed when he saw the spiritual black blood oozing from it.
“He’s right. There’s no one special here!” One of the young boys shouted out gleefully.
“What’s your name?” The blond young lady asked with wide blue eyes of majestic ice.
“Jasper.” he answered holding her gaze, but unable to hide his sheepish smile.
The ladies kind of huddled together and whispered amongst themselves. Jasper could hear them say, “He looks harmless enough.”
Before he knew it, the ladies turned back to Jasper. They all had mischievous smiles. The girl at the center; the leader, decked out in pink everything, threw her hands in the air and shouted, “Make-over!”
One of the other Ladies snapped a photo of Jasper with her cell phone.
They led Jasper to the bathroom where they told him to take a shower. They gave him some clean underwear and a plastic garbage bag to put his dirty clothes into.
When Jasper was in the bathroom, he heard people outside complaining about his presence. He locked the door, undressed and entered the shower. Jasper had forgotten how nice it was to have a warm shower. Alone and content, he thanked God, even though he knew his peace would be short lived, Jasper didn’t try to figure everything out at once. Obviously he was supposed to take each moment in stride; to live in the moment, otherwise he would’ve been provided more information.
After his satisfying shower, Jasper toweled off. He made sure everything in the bathroom looked exactly the same as it did when he entered. Putting on the underwear, he wrapped the towel around himself and picked up the garbage bag of dirty clothes.
“You’re not going out there looking like that, are you?” asked Starr with a suspicious eye.
“Well, sure I am. I don’t exactly have a lot of other things to wear and besides, I got all the use out of these clothes as I possibly could.” Jasper explained.
“I agree with Starr.” Elana cut in, “You don’t want to parade your nakedness around a public place.”
“He doesn’t have any intentions of defiling himself.” Joel retaliated in Jasper’s defense.
Jasper nodded at Joel. It was obvious, the female Angels didn’t want to see Jasper attract any unnecessary attention from the ladies.
Outside the bathroom, the ladies anxiously waited for Jasper to come out. They intentionally set the scene for this moment and the Angels knew it. Trusting the girls, Jasper put his hand on the doorknob. Twisting it open, he stepped out to find everyone waiting for him. Many gasped when they saw Jasper shirtless. Some boys gasped too. Jasper couldn’t remember the last time he was the object of so much attention. The flustered young partiers weren’t interested in the water that beaded upon his shoulders; Jasper had built some muscle mass and lost a lot of body fat from all of the work and exercise he’d been busy with both at the farm and Ceramecy. Escorting Jasper to the kitchen, they asked him to sit on a wooden kitchen chair in the middle of the room. Other people from the party took a keen interest in the make-over proceedings, as did the Angels.
Jasper sat down and the ladies began to run their fingers through his long hair. While he enjoyed the attention, he knew Starr, Elana and Taila weren’t impressed. Scissors snipped and the shaver buzzed along with giggles and jokes of everyone. Jasper was sitting in a chair surrounded by a ring of his own hair on the floor.
Before he knew it, Jasper asked, “Could I have a mirror?”
“I thought you were blind?” One of the young men asked.
“I can see a little. It’s very hazy though.” He answered as someone gently slipped a pair of sunglasses on Jasper before they brought a hand held mirror out to him so he could take a look at his reflection. Jasper was amazed by the new look. He had no idea he could look so good. In fact, he couldn’t remember a time when his hair was so short except when he was a small boy. The ladies were very excited with the results. More photos were taken. The girls led Jasper back to the bedroom.
Nervously, Taila, Elana and Starr followed close behind the ladies. The fellow who owned the suite argued with the ladies as they wanted to let Jasper try on all of his clothes. The ladies had already used their powers of attraction to receive much from him including the party. “Listen, girls, I’ll give you a choice of three pieces of clothes.” The girls were about to say something but the young man held up his hands, “It’s all I’m willing to permit, but I forbid any of you from taking more, no matter how cute you are.”
By the end of the fashion show, the ladies decided that Jasper looked best wearing acid washed jeans, a white T-shirt, and a plaid cotton long sleeve shirt.
The ladies compared their before and after pics. “I’m definitely posting these on my ‘Make-over’ Blog.” One of the girls announced. There was quite the transformation. Jasper made the other men at the party pale in comparison to his strong fashion statement and manhood.
The young ladies and even some men wooed at the sight of Jasper while the young men despised him burning with jealousy.
Almost immediately, Jasper felt uncomfortable being the main attraction of the party. “Thank you, everyone, for your kindness but I think I’ve pestered you all long enough.” Jasper began to head for the door, but a young man said, “Hey, Jasper, don’t feel like you have to go. You’re cool now.”
“Your one of us.” A young lady added sincerely. “The life of this party.”
“Inside, I’m no different from the person I was when you first met me at your door. The real change here is in you people. Each of you see me differently than you did at first. You don’t turn your noses up at me, but rather, you accept me.” Jasper removed his sunglasses revealing his white eyes. “Your blindness goes deeper than this.”
“Ya, but Jasper, man... You stunk.” The young man who owned the suite said. Everyone laughed along with the levity in a moment. Shaking his head at how they heard him but didn’t understand, even Jasper had to give up a little chuckle.
“I’m sorry, friends. I have no gift to give as a token of thanks for your gracious time, attention and clothes.” Jasper dropped his head for a moment, then an idea struck him, “But I would like to tell you all a story. It is a story that is famous in Heaven and it is popular amongst the
Angels.” Everyone was surprisingly interested. When Jasper said it was a story from Heaven, no one believed him but they figured the story would be entertaining and something they never heard before. “And it is a true story.” Jasper added as the room became deafly quiet and all the focus of the people drew in on him.
Before Jasper’s story even began, people began rolling their eyes and losing interest. Remembering he was told there was not one righteous person in the city, Jasper reacted in the spur of the moment and quieted them down when he said, “Hey, guys. You know I don’t have anything to repay you for your hospitality, but this story is about to make up for all that.” When he had them all captivated, he signalled them to turn the music off. Everyone made themselves comfortable with pillows and chairs as they sat around Jasper to listen to his story, half expecting it to be terrible.
Jasper began, “Hundreds of years ago, there was an Angel of Heaven named Joel. He was a leader of thousands of Angel warriors. He was also a steward of the Lord and the example of a true Peace keeper. Crowned with the authority and honor from the God of love, light, and life, Joel was hailed very special amongst all Angels.
“Joel had grown very close to a female friend who went by the name of Pricilla. The two of them did everything together and established a powerful connection between them and their friendship. Inseparable, they decided to create a child together, so they went to see a potter. The potter made all sorts of things out of clay. You name it, he could sculpt it and to fine detail too.
“If in Heaven, you are called a potter, then your skill at the craft was nothing less than perfection.
“Joel and Pricilla, with help from the potter, created a baby Angel out of clay. It was so smooth and its curves; flawless. Joel and Pricilla loved their baby Angel with all of their hearts.
“Angels were warned not to do this for the Lord wasn’t always quick to breathe life into everyone’s making. Nevertheless, Joel and Pricilla were excited and anxious. They believed they were worthy of a child and they couldn’t accept that the Lord would decide otherwise, especially with all of the service they had committed to His cause.
“Gathering up the clay winged infant, they brought it before the throne of the All Mighty. There, they worshipped and sang as they prayed for blessings. They made their requests known to the Lord in hopes that he would breathe the breath of life into their child, but the Lord told them to take the child back to the potter for it wasn’t ready yet.
“Again, and again, Joel and Pricilla returned with the potter’s absolute perfect child of Angelic clay. It all became like an obsession for them. They presented it each time with songs, prayers and worship, but each time the Lord denied the breath of life.
“The final attempt, Joel and Pricilla; broken in spirit with shattered hopes took up the lifeless clay baby. Wings stretched wide, they silently glided into the sanctuary before the Lord.
“Swooping in for a landing, Joel, holding the celestial child of clay, began to bow his head reverently, when the magnificent crown atop his head slipped away and fell. Joel thrusted out his hand to save the crown, because it was a symbol of importance. Fumbling with the clay child, he failed to catch the crown, but in his attempt to save the crown, the child of clay slipped from the protective swaddling cloth and dropped. At the floor of God’s sanctuary, the clay child broke apart to pieces.
“Pricilla screamed at the unbelievable horror. The incident sent a bone-chilling quiver through Joel’s soul. Shocked, Joel took a deep gasp of air. Immediately, they went to the broken clay bits that lay scattered across the blessed floor. Their dreams; lost to a small pile of shattered clay bits. Such a catastrophe hit them harder than to have a mountain dropped on their heads. Crying out, they felt like their lives had ended. The dream of love and happiness between the two Angels had all but snuffed out like the flame of a candle.
“Joel didn’t blame the Lord for anything, but he did blame himself. He had forgotten the moment he left Pricilla to search for his crown, but he found it where it had clattered to the floor. He also had no recollection of picking it up and lifting it to the Lord and shouting in complete frustration “Can you not help me?!... Are you not the God of creation?!” at these words, Joel’s crown exploded. Splitting in half, Joel held one half of his wondrous crown in each hand. His eyes were a dazzle of shock.
“The Lord was disappointed in Joel’s outburst. Descending from his throne, God the Father, arrayed in his bright splendor, approached Joel. He was the source of such a bright internal light, but an external light moved with him also and it wasn’t only alive, but intelligent. The Lord was a being of human form and composed entirely of unlimited, radiance of the purest light and deepest love. Joel and Pricilla dropped to the ground and bowed before the awesome power of the Lord. Joel pushed out his broken crown to the feet of the sovereign Lord and Pricilla pushed out the broken clay pieces of the child.
“The Lord’s voice was like an explosion of many thunders colliding at one time. As He spoke to Joel, He said, “Your crown is broken! And so, you are as one, broken.” Within the Lord’s hand, was one half of Joel’s crown. “I will keep one half of your crown close to my heart.” The crown of pure gold and colored stones, melted into the Lord’s chest. “You shall keep the other half always close to your own heart until such a time when you and your crown can be made whole again.”
“Joel was face down before the Lord. Looking up, just enough to see half of his glass-like golden crown and the bright feet of the Lord he knew the other half of his crown was missing. “Stand, Joel!” Boomed the voice of the Lord.
“Joel stood up in response to the Lord’s command. Stretching out His hand, Joel’s half of the crown lifted off the floor and moved through the air to God’s grasp. Holding the half-crown out to Joel’s silvery armored chest, God the Father spoke these words. “Be Kingly, My boy. For many will serve you, but a good King is also a servant of the many. Work hard and be great, accomplishing your greatness through great humility of heart.” Searing hot liquid fire was spat from the Lord’s mouth to the broken edges of the crown. The entire crown lit up with bright flames. Holding out the half-crown, God touched the broken edges of the fire crown to the silver chest piece and it fused to the armor. Joel was charged with the responsibility of wearing the crown over his heart until such time of the Lord’s reprisal.
Once there was a boy of clay,
Who dropped when fumbled so they say.
He broke to pieces from falling down,
It cost an Angel his holy crown.
Shattered clay on a boy’s birthday,
Made his parents frown.
Bright sparks and energy arcs,
Mark the cloven crown.
God claimed one when it split in two,
The Angel wears the other on his chest so true.
“Once again, Joel collapsed in worship to the all-powerful presence of his Master. The Lord shifted his attention to Pricilla. She could feel the eyes of God settle upon her. Nervously, Pricilla stretched her white feathery wings out a little, then she quickly drew them in before she stretched out her hands over the broken clay bits. “We’re sorry for our clumsiness, my Lord. Please forgive us.” Pricilla said.
“The Lord placed the swaddling cloth over the clay pieces as He said, “You and Joel loved this child equally and exceedingly, before it even had life. This is beautiful. You both are beautiful. Now go, have joy and live your lives in love, for My sake.” The living light that moved around the Lord like a floating sheet, touched the swaddling cloth and it looked like a balloon had inflated under it.
“At the last of the Lord’s words, He was seated in His throne once again.
“Joel and Pricilla heard the ‘coo,’ of a small voice. Lifting the swaddling cloth, Pricilla found their child amidst the folds. He was whole, and drew breath.
“Joel and Pricilla’s hearts became refreshed and new. When they examined the child closer, they found it had long lacerations over its skin and disfigurements throughout
its body.
“Still, Joel and Pricilla loved the child just the same and they thanked the Lord for it. As they turned to go on their way, the Lord said, “In your child’s imperfection, he has been made more perfect, in My eyes.”
“Joel and Pricilla named their child, Perah which is Hebrew for broken. As Perah grew, his lacerations became obvious scars. He was special amongst the Angels, for he was the only imperfect/perfect Angel, and the Lord blessed him. Joel, Pricilla and Perah spent many hundreds of years together, experiencing many adventures. They are still close, even to this day, but as for this very moment, they’re not together. Right now, Joel is here with us, in this very apartment and he is, also at this moment, with a different family of friends.”
“Who is Joel really, Jasper?” One of the guys asked. “Is he you in some encrypted story form or something?”
Others laughed, but Jasper stood up. The laughing stopped abruptly. “Thank you again for all of your kindness and generosity.” Jasper said, “I am sure the Lord will richly bless each and every one of you.” Then Jasper paused for a moment as the Angels said something to him. Then Jasper asked, “Would you mind if I took a little snack?” Everyone was silent, “Not much. Just for the road; that is.”
“Man, you homeless guys sure are moochers.” The young man said who owned the apartment. Jasper noticed a Demon Imp Scout gnawing on his leg, then a larger Demon rose up behind him, black and creepy. Then it swung its claws at the side of his head. “You’ve been stuffing your face ever since you showed up here. I gave you my clothes. The girls gave you a make-over, and you want more?”
“I’m sorry, you’re right. You’ve all been more than generous to me. Good-bye everyone.” Jasper headed off to the door and closed it behind him when he left.
When Jasper was near the stair-well, the door to the apartment opened again. A young man and two young ladies came out. They spotted Jasper before they ran to him.
“Jasper, this may sound real corny, but when I listened to your story, something came over me. I have never met anyone like you before. It’s like you have a connection to something much bigger.” The young man said, “My name’s Bobby.” He held out his hand and Jasper shook it.
The two girls shot out their hands also. “My name’s Janet.”
“And I’m Tanya.” The last girl said, “We’ve brought you some food from the party. Don’t worry about what they say. There’s more than enough. We brought you some cake, cookies and a bunch of chips.” Each of the girls had a conglomeration of food packed tightly into plastic-wrap. “I hope this is what you were looking for.”
Jasper took their gift with a smile of appreciation. “It’s more than enough, thank you.”
“We would like to hang around you for a little while.” Janet added. “At least until this strange feeling passes, anyway.”
“What strange feeling are you talking about?” Jasper asked with wonderment.
“It’s like there is just something about you. It’s hard to explain, exactly, but I can’t just let you walk away.” Janet told him.
“Well, I would appreciate your company.” Jasper said to them as he turned to walk away. Bobby, Janet and Tanya looked at one another with huge smiles. It excited them to be with Jasper. They hustled their steps to keep up to him and because Jasper was blind, the three new young friends helped him find his way down the stairs.
Walking with Jasper out through the main doors of the apartment complex, the three young adults stopped at the top of the front steps where Bobby asked, “So, where to now?”
Bobby had a simple haircut of sandy blond hair that was mainly flat and parted to one side. He wore plain clothes that were bright; light blue jeans and white T-shirt.
Tanya was asocial blond teen-ager who wore brightly colored clothing.
Unlike this, Janet was a brunette who preferred to wear dark clothing.
Jasper repeated Bobby’s question in a low tone, almost like a mumble. Little did the others know, Angels were giving direction to Jasper. Recognizing where he was, Jasper noticed he was back tracking. Walking a few blocks, Jasper led Bobby, Janet and Tanya. Behind them were the six Angels.
Along their way, they talked, acquainting themselves with one another. Jasper tried to share his story but he only had time enough to explain his accident; slipping off the roof of the church.
“Jasper?” Janet asked, “What is it like to be homeless?”
“I think you’re about to get a first-hand answer to that question.” He responded.
When they came past the Chinese food restaurant, where Hayolam was taken from Jasper, Jasper became oddly reserved as he relived the recent moment and reconnected to the sad loss. This made Jasper seem all the more mysterious. From the dark alley, a voice came. “Help me, please. I want help.” The voice was sickeningly feeble and dry.
The man looked like another drug user, wasting his life away. When Jasper saw him leaning up against the dirty brick wall, he also noticed the skeletal image of the Spirit of Death. Sitting next to the pathetic man who continued pleading for help, lounged Death. “Leave usss.” he hissed making eye contact with Jasper.
Then Jasper noticed another Demon of black bones and rotted flesh behind the skinny man. This Demon, covered in long sharp quills like a porcupine, was half embedded into the man’s back. Sticking out of the man’s back were more quills that the Demon was stabbing him with. This porcupine Demon was a puppeteer with an insane smile stretched across his face of wide features.
“I don’t think you want my help.” Jasper said to the sickly man, “I cannot offer you anything to make your journey through life any easier. If you still want my help, I will require your complete commitment and co-operation. It will be a hard road, but in the long term, if you’re true, you’ll receive a better life.”
“I’ll do anything for a better life. If I stay here I will die.” The sick man spoke with certainty.
Sprawled out and vulnerable between the trash cans the man looked so helpless. Where the bottom half of the porcupine Demon was embedded into the man, the quills were so thick it looked like a nest. The Angels told Jasper to help this man. Whispering, Jasper asked, “Could you remove the porcupine Demon from his back?”
Joel Answered, “It’s a puppeteer Demon; chemically and spiritually fused to the body and soul of its victim. It feeds off the addict’s life and isn’t easily separated.”
Jasper had the man carefully searched for any dangerous or sharp objects. The porcupine quills were spiritual of course and the puppeteer Demon used them to poke the man constantly, like the needles he was addicted to. When nothing was found, he lifted the man off his feet and carried him in his arms. The addict was so thin, he weighed only 70 lbs. of skin and bones. Knowing all too well, this could have been his own fate, Jasper carried the thinly framed man to wherever the Angels led them next. A used old crack pipe and a couple of emptied needles were strewn in his place. Jasper backed away from the Spirit of Death. Death grumbled but he didn’t follow.
Jasper didn’t like being so close to the detestable puppeteer Demon. The sharp quills of the Demon would poke into Jasper also, even though he couldn’t physically feel them.
Starr said, “Every addict is controlled by a puppeteer.”
“What’s your name?” Jasper asked the skinny man.
“Randy...” whispered the scrawny addict, Jasper had never known a man to be so feeble and in need.
Roger descended to Jasper’s side. He looked so sad, then he said, “The Lord is closer to the homeless than Kings. He gives Grace to the humble.”
This was enough for Jasper to feel great compassion for Randy. Turning to the others with Randy in his arms, Jasper focused on Tanya, before he said. “Please, keep a journal of everything from this moment. Write down all you see and hear.”
“Ya, uh-huh.” She agreed, but wasn’t really paying attention.
Turning, Jasper asked Bobby to help him. They covered Randy with an old dirty blanket which half hung out of a t
rash bin. At least it was dry.
The day grew very dark. Throughout the city, the Angels continued to fight long into the night. Jasper brought everyone to the Portman Bridge. He led the people off the road and down the side of the bridge where they walked down a steep hill along a poorly kept path.
Under the bridge, they found a group of people who were homeless and just barely surviving. Divided up in four groups; each of them with a metal barrel on fire to keep warm.
“More people?” Someone questioned from the shadows.
“They don’t belong here.” Another called out with a crusty voice.
“Please,” Jasper said, “We only want to stay one night. We won’t bother any of you.”
No one replied. Jasper proceeded to find an open area to put Randy down and make him as comfortable as he could. Threatened by the porcupine Demon of Randy’s back, Jasper had to dodge as it tried to stab its quills into his white eyes. Bobby, Tanya and Janet sat down with Jasper and Randy. The fresh air that blew through took away some of the pungent odor, but it also took much of the heat away with it.
Whether Randy knew it or not, he was starving himself and needed to eat something. Everyone else had eaten lots of food at the party. Jasper still had the food with him that Janet and Tanya offered him. Beginning to feed Randy, Jasper was disappointed that he ate so little. Nevertheless, everyone was happy that Randy did eat something.
Taila told Jasper, “When the body eats, it’s on the road to recovery.”
Through the night, Jasper had a lot of trouble sleeping. Sitting just outside, under the bridge, he looked out at the city lights of Kingston. It appeared he was sitting alone talking to himself when actually he was discussing where he was and where he was expected to go next with the Angels. Between praying in the company of the Angels, Jasper would return to keep the fires burning and to warm himself.
Bobby, Tanya and Janet approached Jasper. “Sorry Jasper, but we’re not built for this. I thought life was hard enough as it is. Thank you for opening our eyes, but we have come to the end of our journey with you and have to go now.”
“Very well. I’m not keeping any of you against your will. You’re free to go anytime, but you should know, you’ll lose out on what the Lord has in store for you. He doesn’t want his people to start something and then quit before the task is complete.”
Just the same, Janet, Tanya and Bobby walked off. They talked about the situation. Never before had they met anyone like Jasper. Now they were going to leave him, a blind man to take care of a drug addict on his own. The Angels spoke to their hearts and they felt a great sense of conviction come over them. The only thing that remedied this was to return to Jasper, at least for a little while longer.
Trying to lay down with the others and sleep, it was no use, Jasper just ended up sitting by himself again, praying in the spirit with Wilson, Elana, Joel, Starr, Roger and Taila.
Finally, Jasper prayed for sleep and the Angels sang a song to him. The song was about giving your problems and worries to the Lord. Doing just that and letting himself go, Jasper drifted away.