Chapter 2: The Angel
As Emily and I walked, I realized that the fog was really just clouds, although I think Jimmy once said they were the same thing. I knew these were clouds, though, because while they tumbled and changed, sometimes I could see blue, even below me. But the ground felt as solid as packed dirt. "Heaven needs getting used to, I guess," I thought to myself.
"So," I asked Emily. "When do we get there?"
She smiled. "Oh, you'll know," she replied. Just then, as though as they had been waiting for those words, the clouds fell away behind us, and we were suddenly walking on grass.
"Wow," I whispered, staring in awe at what lay before me.
A seemingly endless field of fresh grass and beautiful flowers began right where the clouds stopped. They swirled and billowed behind us, forming an ever changing wall of white. Above, the bright sun shined from the perfect blue sky.
"Where are we?" I asked breathlessly.
"We have just arrived at the outer edge of your heaven," Emily answered. "Do you like it?"
"Well, of course, but I still don't know what you mean by 'your heaven'?"
"This is the little part of heaven that was made especially for you," she said, poking him lightly on the nose.
"For me? Wow." I took in the scene again, this time noticing every petal, every blade of grass. Emily reached for my hand.
"Would you like to see more?"
We found a dirt path, and as we walked, I noticed more and more wonders in the field. A crystal blue stream flowed beside the path, trickling magically. The stream attracted many a woodland creature, squirrels, chipmunks, and birds of all colors. Mysterious willow trees lined the banks, their thin branches tickling the water.
"This place is pretty," I said. "I can't believe all this is for me."
"But it is," Emily laughed. "Everything within the cloud walls is your greatest fantasy." She spotted something on the banks of the stream a little ahead of us, and pointed. "Look, Carl," she whispered. I followed her pale finger, and then I saw it.
A handsome llama bent his long neck to drink from the clear water of the stream. With my experienced eye, I knew at once that he was a perfect specimen. But although this llama was wondrous, it was the house behind it that was really breathtaking.
It was a small cottage, but it had such a quaint beauty, it was wonderful. It perfectly resembled the picture of Elke's house she once sent me. With its swirly eaves, and rustic wooden door, it was the perfect little gingerbread house.
"Is that mine, too?" I asked, and without waiting for an answer, I began walking towards it.
"Yes," Emily replied. "You have very good taste." She nodded towards the llama. "And he looks like a sweet little guy."
I stopped in mid-stride, and stared at Emily. "You like llamas, too?" I asked, eyes wide. Emily smiled and patted me affectionately on the head.
"Of course I do. I am your guardian angel, after all."
"What do you mean?"
"Well," Emily explained. "When a person is born on Earth, an angel up here is chosen to be their guardian angel. They are chosen to bee the most caring, most understanding, and most sympathetic to their person. I was chosen for you when you were born because of my fondness for llamas and my caring nature. While you were on Earth, I was there during tough times and tough decisions. And it is my duty now to help you adjust to the wonders of heaven."
"Can I be a guardian angel?"
"Maybe, someday," she answered.