CHAPTER 6
THE WINDOW WIPERS worked in competition with the blower fan to keep the windshield clear of rain and the collection of steam. Chad’s truck had seen better days, but the old clunker was enough to get the job done, it seemed. Entering town a couple hours after mid-night, there were no people outside. No stores were open and very few other morning commuters occupied the roads; especially this morning. Neither Jasper nor Chad spoke to one another. They wondered if they would find any other living soul to break the lonely moment, until they found a lady walking on the side of the road carrying her small baby. Jasper looked and noticed the Angels holding hands and circling around the woman. This was strange to Jasper, but when he made eye contact with Wilson, he knew there was something significant about the woman and he couldn’t just pass her by, “Chad, please pull over. We need to help this lady and her baby.”
“What? No, Jasper. How did you even see her anyway? I’m not pulling-over here. It’s two in the morning and I’m bushed. My hand is killing me. Let’s just get rid of this junk and be done with it. In fact, you just might have to unload it all by yourself. This whole thing is your mess anyway.” He lifted his hand. It had swollen up pretty good.
“Pull-over, Chad!” Jasper insisted loudly and placed his hand on the steering wheel.
Chad began to slow down right away. “Get your hand off the wheel, right now!” Chad warned. Glaring at Jasper with a huff, Chad obviously perturbed; slowed the truck enough to pull over.
Jumping out of the truck, Jasper ran to the lady. She looked at him and was frightened as he ran to her, at first, but her fear subsided when she heard him speak to her.
“Excuse me, ma’am, but can we help you?” Slowing to a walk and holding out his hands non-threateningly, the lady became slightly less defensive. When Jasper was close enough for her to notice his white eyes, she quickly looked away. Jasper couldn’t see it but she was wearing a lot of dark eye shadow around her eyes. “It’s so cold out here. Please, let us help you. We can take you and your baby to where you want to go.”
The lady squeaked a high pitched sound that may have been a reaction to the cold or perhaps a meek sort of weeping. Jasper took his jacket off and covered it around her and her baby. The lady had a very small frame and she liked the heat from the coat. She responded to it. “Thank you...” She spoke quietly.
As they passed under a street light, Jasper noticed the lady’s eyes were puffy and bruised, like she’d been in some sort of fight. Arm around her, he walked with her close to his side. Jasper opened the door of the truck so the wet and cold mother could climb in. Her baby made a small noise in her arms.
Jasper climbed in after her. “Chad, could you crank up the heat, please?”
Annoyed, Chad flipped the switches and the warm air blew out of the vents. Chad wasn’t too compassionate for the lady or her baby. “Where to?” Chad asked her.
The lady was obviously uncomfortable sitting between two strange men. “I would like to go to my sister’s home.” She directed Chad through the streets to a condominium that was about five blocks away from where they picked her up.
Pulling over at their destination, Jasper hopped out. He helped the young mother to step out of the truck also.
“Thank you so much for your help.” The young lady said with gratitude. She tried to keep her face down to her baby so not to draw attention to her sore eyes.
“It was nothing. We’re just out trying to get rid of my things.” Jasper stepped to the back of the pick-up. “You see? We have a stereo, TV and tons of stuff.” She lifted her head, glancing at him blankly, she really wanted to just get going.
“Would you know of anyone who might be interested in this stuff?” Jasper asked.
“I don’t know, I’ll ask my sister.” Jasper walked her to the main door of the condo.
The lady pressed the button to buzz her sister. “Who is it?” a female voice replied back with a little static over the intercom.
“It’s Rachel, Joanie. I have Timmy with me. Please, let us in.” The lady said as she spoke into the com.
“What!” The voice came back over the speaker. “Gary has been calling everyone trying to find you. J-just hold on, Ray and I will be right down.” The intercom clicked off.
Jasper turned to the young lady before he held out his hand. “Rachel?” He said, “My name is Jasper. I guess you’ll be in good hands now.”
“That depends.” She told him.
“On what?” Jasper asked.
“On whether my boyfriend finds me first, or my sister.”
Jasper looked around but the area seemed quiet. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Jasper told her.
The main door to the condo opened and Rachel’s sister came out. She had red hair that was half in curlers and half out. She wore her house coat and slippers. Taking the baby in one arm and examined her sister’s face, Joanie reacted, “Oh, no, Rachel. What has he done to you this time?” A heavy set man came out of the door behind Joanie. He wore jogging pants and a house coat.
Every head turned at the sound of a loud muscle car squealing its tires around the corner; narrowly missed Chad’s truck. The car bounced up onto the sidewalk and tore across the grass in front of the condo. The engine roared and dirt flew from the tires. The car locked up all four tires and slid to a stop at the base of the stairs. The driver kicked open the door and jumped out.
“Rachel!!!” The driver yelled. “Bring the kid, and get your ass in the car!”
Everyone was taken aback by the driver’s rage. Jasper’s adrenaline kicked in. “Calm down, sir. There’s no reason to be hostile.”
The driver slammed the car door as hard as he could, then he marched right up to Jasper.
“Gary, no!” Rachel screamed, “Leave him alone! He has nothing to do with us!”
Jasper didn’t back down. Gary was tall and muscled. His eyes appeared bloodshot and crazed. Standing over Jasper, he looked down at him.
“Who the Hell are you?!” Gary spat.
“My name’s Jasper and I just want to help.”
Gary shot his fist out and punched Jasper in the stomach. Jasper hunched forward and collapsed to the ground. The Seven Angels went down with Jasper as each one of them prayed in a circle around him.
Rachel and Joanie screamed as Ray gasped. Gary, a menacing man turned on them. “Who’s next?...” Gary spoke with a villainous slither to his voice.
The sound of a whoosh cut through the air behind Gary followed by a quick cracking sound. Chad had taken Jasper’s baseball bat and struck Gary on the back of his head. Gary frowned and turned around to face Chad, but Chad swung the bat again striking Gary on the cheek bone. The impact of the bat nearly snapped Gary’s head all the way around. Gary fell to the ground unconscious.
Stunned at what he’d done, Chad let the baseball bat clatter to the cement walk-way. The sound of police car sirens were heard approaching from the distance.
When the police showed up, along with an ambulance, Jasper and Chad received medical attention and were questioned for hours. All of the witnesses were questioned also. Jasper was released early so he wandered around the area. Waiting long hours for Chad, it was clear, the most questions went to the man who swung the baseball bat.
Though it was very early, there were people everywhere. Many of them appeared to be from low income families. Gary, strapped down on a gurney, was still unconscious and wearing a neck brace. Jasper also saw gauze taped to Gary’s cheek with a bandage wrapped around his head. When he was loaded into an ambulance, Gary received a police escort to the hospital.
Addressing the people wandering past Chad’s pick-up truck, Jasper said, “Hey, wait a minute guys.” When they turned, giving him their attention, Jasper added. “Everything here in the back of this pick-up is free if any of you are interested. Just help yourselves and pass the word.”
Jasper went over to the truck and began to untie the ropes. Glancing back, he found the men he was talking to didn’t tell the others about the load of free
items. Then Jasper realized, they wanted to see what was available for themselves first.
Regardless, a large number of people did show up. In the frame of just a few minutes, the entire back of the pick-up had been cleaned out. Jasper felt great to give his stuff away to people who’d get more use out of it than he would. The people were very polite and so thankful. Jasper felt so good, he wished he had more things to give away.
Chad returned after his questioning with law enforcement. He had a long face. Dragging his feet as he walked, he made his way to Jasper, who was standing next to the empty truck. Chad was so tired; eyes lazy, when he glanced into the back of the pick-up. Finding it entirely empty, he looked at Jasper blankly.
Jasper smiled at him warmly. “You want to go home?”
“Jasper?” Chad said, keeping his tone sympathetic, “They told me I may be charged for assault.”
“Have faith, Chad.” Jasper told him, “You haven’t been charged with assault yet and the other witnesses would certainly speak on your behalf.”
Chad let out a breath of stress. “I know, I’ll be fine. It’s weird but I can feel it. The police understand it was self-defence and I couldn’t let that guy hurt anyone else after I saw him punch you. If I could do it again, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”
“I think you saved someone’s life last night.” Jasper told Chad.
“You think so? Do you mean Rachel or her baby?”
“No, I wasn’t talking about them.”
“Who’s life?” Chad asked.
“Mine.”
Sleeping on the floor of his suite, Jasper wrapped himself in the one comforter Taila didn’t want him to give away.
Just when Jasper was about to drift away to a mind of dreamy destination, a heavy knock came to his door. Rolling over, Jasper winced and tried to ignore the visitor, but the knocking persisted. Standing up, Jasper glanced at his digital alarm clock.
“Am I late for work?” he wondered, remembering he wasn’t expected to return until he had a full recovery. The time displayed; ten O’clock. This meant he only had four hours of sleep.
More knocking, pounded at his door. His stomach was knotted with pain from Gary’s punch. Jasper stretched and cracked his back. “Who could be at the door?” He wondered.
The Angels were in an excited buzz, trying to wake Jasper and keep the person at the door from leaving. Clueing in that this was important, Jasper quickly slipped into his jeans and went to the door. By this time the knocking had stopped. He opened the door to find nobody there. However, someone was a short distance, walking away. Surely, this person was tired of waiting, so they left.
Jasper ran to the corner of the house and popped his head around the corner. To his surprise, it was Jessica.
“Good morning, fair lady.” Jasper called out.
Jessica spun around and smiled, but her smile faded quickly as she took a good look at Jasper. “You look terrible in the morning.” She told him.
Jasper was a total mess. Pillow hair extraordinaire, and he really needed a shave. “I probably look worse than I feel.” Jasper told her with a painful smile. “I’ve had a rough night. Oh, you’re here to see what I’ve done with the place, right?”
“Oh, no, Jasper, it’s not important. I didn’t know you were sleeping. I’m sorry I disturbed you.” Jessica apologized.
“Sleeping?” Jasper questioned. “I’m not sleeping. Not anymore. Please, come in.” Jasper turned aside to persuade her to come in. Jessica smiled at Jasper and entered.
“Feel free to look around. I just need a minute to clean myself up.” Jasper headed off to the bathroom to take a quick shower and shave his face.
Jessica wasn’t bored at all while she waited. Intently, she scanned each room while planning ahead.
When Jasper came out of the bathroom, he was squeaky clean. He could’ve used some clean clothes, but his wet hair was slicked back and his face; clean shaven.
“Wow!” Jessica said. “What a transformation. First your place and now you. You look totally different. One shave and your ten years old again.” she giggled playfully.
Jasper laughed along with her. Another knock came to the door. Jasper walked over and opened it up to find a group of his closest family. His mom and dad widened their arms to him with big bright smiles.
Jasper, however, saw more than this. Noticing little round bodied Demons riding in on the shoulders of his family, Jasper wanted to say something but thought better of it. Each Demon held a wide paint brush that had been dipped in some kind of thick black tar. The tar dripped off the brushes and slowly ran down his family’s shoulders like molasses.
Jasper’s sister, Emily, was there too. Last but not least, Jasper saw his old friend from work, Ned.
Everybody seemed concerned about Jasper’s recovery and they came with gifts. Jasper, however was concerned with the amount of Demon Scouts entering his home.
“Oh, my.” Jasper’s mother expressed when she caught sight of Jessica. “Who is your friend?”
“Jessica?” Ned exclaimed. “Jasper has always talked about you, but he never had the guts to say ‘Hello.’”
Embarrassed by Ned’s comment, Jasper tensed up and ground his teeth.
Jessica blushed and smiled, “How do you do, Ned?” She offered her slender hand and Ned shook it.
Ned leaned in close to Jasper and said, “Maybe I should stop trying to lose weight to impress the girls and just slide off a roof instead, eh, Jasper?”
Jasper noticed the little Demons begin to paint the black tar over the eyes of Jasper’s parents.
Jasper tried to signal the Angels to the Demon Scout’s activity, but the Angels were already preoccupied as they did what they could to clear the room. Only Jasper noticed the great efforts of the Angels and what it took for them to use their specific talents to extricate the hideous little Devils when his father piped up. “What I want to know is why you left the hospital the way you did?” his eyes were narrow slits and emanating conviction. He was oblivious to the thick dripping tar that coated his eyes.
The Angels moved in quickly taking the little Demons outside, but they weren’t prepared to deal with the thick black tar that had been unknowingly painted over the people’s eyes. Nevertheless, the Angels tried to wipe the tar off, for it was spiritual.
“The doctors want to see you again, Jasper.” His mother said, while she seemed to almost choke on every word. Full of emotion, she handed Jasper his wallet and keys from the hospital. “They’re so nice and understanding. No one is mad at you for leaving. They know you were just very scared. If you return with us they’re willing to forget the whole incident.” Jasper’s mother became very quiet as she gathered her thoughts and strength before saying, “There’s talk that you believe you can talk to Angels. Is this true?” She stopped to sniff back her tears. “It doesn’t matter. The doctors want to treat you and do a quick examination to make sure you don’t have any brain injury. I mean, head trauma!” She corrected herself, “From your fall, I mean, accident.” She corrected herself again.
Jasper looked at them like they were crazy but the cloudy look in his eyes didn’t convey his emotions very well. The Angels continued to clean tar from everyone’s eyes.
Then Wilson spoke. “Beware Jasper! Your family has decided that from this moment forward anything you say will be used against you.” Wilson was correct of course and Jasper knew it.
Evil yellow eyes of a Demon hiding in the closet began to glow brighter and kindle with a light reflecting steam rising. From the yellow eyes a voice hissed as it spoke, “Tell your family you won’t defy them any longer, and you will let them take you back to the hospital.” Jasper knew this wasn’t the answer. It was, however, a good statement to calm things down quickly, but Jasper wouldn’t be able to cooperate and go back to the hospital. This, wouldn’t do.
“What can I tell any of you? What do you want to hear, a lie?” Jasper said.
“We want the truth, of course.” His mother said. Jasper woul
dn’t answer.
Jasper’s father could keep quiet no longer and said. “Well, why don’t you just tell us a lie and we can start from there.”
“A lie is judged by the Lord of Holiness.” Wilson told Jasper. “How does one tell a lie without attaching deception to it? It is self-destructive to do business with lies. You would be wise to keep as much distance as you can between yourself and lies lest somebody gets hurt or something of value is lost.”
Because of Wilson’s warning, Jasper remained silent.
Jasper’s sister Emily asked, “Why did you get rid of all your things?”
Again Jasper didn’t make a response to the question.
“Are you moving?” Emily also asked.
Jessica could tolerate no more of Jasper’s silence, “He’s not moving.” She told everyone, “Jasper and I were cleaning up this place yesterday and he kind’a went overboard.”
“You must be crazy, Jasper,” his father said. He wanted to get Jasper talking.
“Very soon,” Jasper spoke up, “everything will be revealed to you all.”
“Who is this guy?” Jasper’s father asked with indifference. “You’re nothing like the old Jasper who we all know and love. Your nothing like the son I raised. You’re a completely different person!”
“It is true.” Jasper said, “I’ve changed.”
“Listen Jasper, honey.” Jasper’s mother stepped in front of his father and spoke between her concerned and nervous breaths. “We were planning on taking you out for breakfast. You can bring your friends too. Then afterwards we can stop in at the hospital and let Dr. Adams see you. He wants to check your head...” Reaching up, she stroked her son’s fore-head.
“The bump on your head.” Jasper’s father quickly cut in to correct his wife.
“Yes,” she agreed with a stress filled tension between them. “Dr. Adams wants to give you a quick eye exam, also. It will be a very quick visit.” Jasper saw apprehension crawl down her arms.
The Angels warned Jasper not to go with his parents, but Jasper affirmed he wouldn’t have gone even without the Angel’s advice.
“Please, go on without me.” Jasper told them. “I won’t be joining you.”
“But Jasper... Son, we want to do this for you.” his father spoke persuasively. His kindness was out of place though.
“Just go.” Jasper said again.
“Honey, we love you.” Jasper’s mother added.
“Yes, of course you do, and I love you too.” Jasper replied. They all just stood for a moment’s pause. Then everyone quietly shuffled out the door, leaving Jasper and Jessica alone again.
When the door closed, Jessica said, “I’m surprised at how you stood up to them, but I’m even more amazed about the cruel things they said to you. It’s like they think you’re a crazy psycho-path who’s going to snap any minute.” Jessica looked at Jasper and though he looked innocent enough, and she knew him from high school, she really didn’t know him at all.
“They’re wrong about me.” He told her.
Jessica held Jasper’s hand. “I know, Jasper. I know.” she paused a moment as she thought of something new to talk about. “Where did you take all your stuff?” Jessica asked.
“I gave it away.” Jasper told her like he did that sort of thing every day.
“Like, to the poor?” Jessica was intrigued.
“Yes,” Jasper answered gleefully, remembering how good he felt to do so.
“This doesn’t make sense though.” concern came through Jessica’s eyes. “Just yesterday, you were telling me about your tight savings account. Why would you get rid of your stuff?”
“I don’t expect you to understand, Jessica. It’s just something I had to do.” Jasper told her.
“Well, I can’t decide if it was a real kind act or a real dumb thing to do, but I think I can help. Now, I need you to have an open mind, this may sound a little strange.”
“Oh, I have an open mind all right and strange has become my middle name. I may be the one asking you to have an open mind next.” Jasper replied, leaning back on the kitchen counter.
“Not so fast.” Jessica said holding up her hand for him to stop talking. “Just listen, I have a few things of my own and my parents are pressuring me to find a place to move out to. My stereo and entertainment system is, by far, superior to what you had and it would look great in this empty place. My share of the rent would help you out tremendously, also, wouldn’t it?”
For a long moment, the two of them just looked at each other. “You would do that for me?”
Jessica stepped closer to Jasper and she placed her hands on his chest. She could smell his after shave. Her hands slid up his chest and curled around the nape of his neck where she toyed with his hair in her fingers. “No, Jasper.” she said, as she spoke softly in his ear. “I would do it for us.”
Jasper had never dreamed he would actually ever be so close to Jessica. He had thought of her for so long. To be so close now made him feel drunk. A compelling wave of blissfulness swept over him. Jasper wanted her so bad and from the look in her eyes, he could tell, she wanted him just the same.
Easing forward, their eyes closed. Before either of them could decide what they wanted to do next, they found themselves engaged in a kiss.
The kiss seemed to go on and on. The kiss was, to them, like a person who’d been thirsty for years and was finally able to drink deeply.
When they separated, they smiled at one another. Jasper felt like the room was spinning. His fingers and toes tingled and his heart thumped as an energy of heat coursed through his veins.
Unable to unlock himself from Jessica’s eyes, Jasper just stared at her with a goofy, blissful smile on his face. Breaking off the connection first, Jessica looked down and began to giggle. “I’m sorry,” she said, still giggling. “It’s just, your expression.”
Blinking as though waking from a dream, Jasper looked around the room and to his amazement he saw the Angel’s faces. They all seemed sad as they began to move away from him. This gave Jasper a terrible feeling. Unable to figure out what caused such a negative effect on the Angels, he became fearful. “No! Wait, wait!” Jasper shouted.
Jessica was startled. Jasper looked at her and said, “Hey, listen, I’ve got’a go to the bathroom, okay? I’ll be right back. Please, don’t leave.”
Jasper hurried into the bathroom and Wilson followed him. Upon closing the door Jasper asked, “Okay, Wilson, what’s the problem?”
Slowly the other Angels appeared through the walls until they were all crammed into the small space. “We are disappointed, Jasper.” Elana spoke sternly with a frown.
“At what point did your friendship with Jessica escalate to such inappropriate behavior?” Starr added, still shaking her head and looking at Jasper like he was a cockroach.
“Inappropriate behavior?” Jasper questioned Starr, unable to understand her. Brushing them off with a huff and a shake of his head. “I was asking, Wilson.” Jasper told the rest of the Angels.
Just outside the bathroom door, Jessica could hear Jasper’s up raised voice. Curious about her new boyfriend, she decided to press her ear up to the door and listen.
“You’re at a cross roads.” Wilson told Jasper. “If you decide to commit yourself to this lady, we will no longer be able to commit ourselves to you. The Lord has a plan for us, but Jessica cannot be involved in it. She will only distract you and complicate matters.”
“What?! Do you expect me to just follow you guys around like this forever?! I’ve already given up so much. What more do you want from me? I think I love this girl. Can’t you understand? She’s important to me. You are Angels. Can’t you see how hard this is for me?”
“We understand more than you know.” Elana reassured him.
“Then, please don’t ask me to choose between all of you, and her. You’re all so worried about what God wants, but does anyone care about what I want?” Jasper was sweating in the little bathroom and when he spoke he sounded like he was
exhausted.
“True freedom is found in bondage to God, the master of all things.” stated Wilson. “You are seeking selfishly if you pursue Jessica.”
“But you’re saying I will be free if I follow you? I will be glorified by God? Somehow my life will be better if I sacrifice my future with Jessica?” Jasper was frustrated.
Don’t lose sight of what started you on this journey. “One day all of this will become clear, no matter what you choose today.” Joel added. He had adopted cunning, stealth, and subterfuge into the foundation of his way.
Jasper put his hands down on the bathroom counter and Stared at his reflection in the mirror. He had to make a choice, but it was so difficult. In the mirror he could see visions of him and Jessica so happy together with children that looked like a mix of themselves. He could easily visualize providing a good life for his family and living a rich and happy future. To Jasper, this was clear, but the Angels provided a future too, only not the same. It’d be one that he had no knowledge of at all. Jasper didn’t believe he was cut out for anything like this, but they chose him. The Angels chose Jasper but Jasper wanted to choose Jessica.
Lowering himself to his knees, Jasper began to pray. He prayed and asked God to choose for him. When he did this everything became clear. Logically, it was obvious what the Lord would have him do.
It was like someone flicked the light switch on. Of course, he had to do God’s will and that would mean to take the path of the great unknown.
Jasper finished his prayer with, “Amen.” He stood-up within the presence of the Angels and said, “I choose to do the Lord’s will. I choose you.”
At these words, the Angels were overjoyed and rejoiced. Jasper also shouted and sang along with them, then he quickly yanked the bathroom door open and Jessica fell to the bathroom floor. Her weight was against the door right up to the moment he opened it.
“Were you listening?” Jasper asked her as he helped her up.
“Please, Jasper, don’t be silly.” Before Jessica rose up, Jasper noticed a small leathery winged Imp Scout fly past the bathroom holding a tar dipped paint brush and laughing like some cross between a donkey and a pig.
Jasper lifted Jessica up and to his shock, found her eyes had been painted with tar. “Your family said that you think you can talk to Angels. It’s true, isn’t it? I bet it’s all true. I should never have gotten myself involved with you at all.” Jessica looked scared. She pulled her hands back so she wasn’t touching Jasper anymore, before she backed out of the bathroom. “Maybe you are crazy. Maybe I am in a lot more trouble than I thought.” Jessica turned and bolted to the door. She pulled it open and ran out.
Jasper walked out into the living room and looked around for a moment. He was all alone again. As he stood there in the room the Angels appeared in ghostly forms. They knew he was heartbroken. When he saw them he asked, “Why are you Angels against romance? Every time a pretty girl pays attention to me you guys get uncomfortable.”
Roger could see the hurt in his friend and tried to comfort him with the first explanation on his mind, “Please try to understand, your sexuality limits the way you love. Commitment for you is found in marriage but in Heaven, no one is married.”
Starr thought she could get to the point more effectively and said, “Roger is right. To understand our love is to understand a love that’s completely pure and true, sinless and boundless.”
Feeling compelled to offer something also, Taila added, “We have observed earthlings to hold back their love because they have had bad experiences. The love of God has no trust issues. It is limitless.”
Elana was inspired with a closing statement, “Don’t interpret our intentions as an attempt to keep you from love. We want to open you to a love greater than anything you’ve experienced before.”
“We must go, Jasper.” Wilson announced. Jasper looked at them blankly. He suffered the pain of a broken heart, yet somehow, his heart wasn’t broken at all. Perhaps he was merely stunned. “And we invite you to come with us.” Wilson added, looking at Jasper.
“Oh, okay, will I need anything?” Jasper asked, somewhat dazed.
“No, Jasper. Just come as you are.” Roger told him placing a ghostly hand on Jasper’s shoulder.
Jasper followed them, but when he came to the door of the suite, he paused. Remembering something, Jasper strode over to the coffee table where he plucked up his Bible. In exchange, he left his wallet and the keys to the suite.
The moment Jasper took his first step out his door, it became clear to him something much greater awaited him. The life he lived and the people he loved had to be left behind. Somehow, Jasper knew in his heart, though he gave up his life, he would end up with so much more.