Disclaimer: Monica, Andrew, Tess, and Gloria belong to Martha Williamson and CBS productions.
Monica sat with her feet hanging over the rocky edge. Her mind was in a daze, and to add to it, Tess was late. That was unusual for the prompt supervisor who was always there when you needed answers or you had a problem. Problems Monica had. Her head was spinning and all she felt like doing was crying. Was it because of all the depressing assignments lately or rather because her best friend was gone for nearly a month, filling in for his friend and fellow angel of death in the other side of the country? Perhaps it was normal for an angel working constantly day and night to feel stress, no time for sleep or coffee breaks. How was she supposed to know; Tess wasn't there to answer her questions.
The angel started to stand up, thinking that her beloved supervisor wasn't coming at all. She stretched and then tucked an auburn strand of hair behind her ear. Monica looked over the canyon and sighed. The sight took her breath away. This was the very spot where she had been tempted and almost fallen. This was the spot where she had come closest to evil. That haunting memory would never completely leave her mind, and she thought best it not to for she had learned some great lessons from that day.
"Oh, Tess, where could you possibly be?" Monica asked the deepness under her breath, half hoping her echo would answer her.
"Here I am, Baby," a familiar voice behind the angel said. Monica jumped and whirled around, immediately recognizing the strong tone. That was all she needed to brighten her weary soul.
"Tess!" Monica cried and jumped into her supervisor's welcoming arms that held her in a tight grip.
"I'm sorry I'm late, Baby, I had some forms to fill out before I came," Tess said, releasing her angel girl from her embrace. "You know, Angel Girl, it's that time of year when I have to fill out the papers that make me rightfully your supervisor, and if I didn't, you'd get some other graduate from casework."
"Well," Monica said with a laugh, "I'd rather you be late than get another supervisor."
Tess half smiled and quickly changed the subject.
"You see that girl over there?" Tess asked pointing to a young woman who was jotting down notes. Monica nodded and turned towards her supervisor.
"She's my assignment?" Monica said.
"Yes, Baby, she is and her name is Amy, Amy Stargon."
"Well," Monica started. "What else?"
Tess was staring into space, unaware that Monica was talking to her. Her eyes searched for something in the heavens. Was she praying?
"Tess," Monica again said. She shook Tess' arm. "Tess, are you okay?"
Tess turned, surprised and shook her head as if clearing her thoughts.
"Um, yes, I'm fine. Now what was I saying?"
"You were talking about Amy and what she does," Monica answered her supervisor.
"Well," Tess started. "She is uh…a person that writes…"
"A journalist?" Monica asked with a worried look on her face. "Maybe you need a little sleep, I can do this on my own."
"Oh, no, no, for heaven's sakes I don't need sleep, just a little sip of water maybe. I think this draftiness makes me a little woozy," Tess said in a shaky voice. She glanced below her and gulped.
"If you insist," Monica said and helped Tess down.
As the two angels disappeared, a figure moved behind them, following them slowly and unnoticed. What Monica and Tess didn't know was that the evil that once lurked there would never really be gone.