The Cries of the Children

Chapter 1

      The ride into town was made most of the way in relative silence.  Monica tried to focus on the assignment at hand but her thoughts, unbidden, drifted back to Andrew.  She shared the hopelessness he felt when they watched someone die, unable to intervene.  "Father, please help Andrew to understand that it's because of his gentles and compassion, that You send him to minister to the children," she prayed quietly.

     Tess glanced from the road to look at Monica.  "Angel Girl, sometimes being an Angel of Death can be one of the most joyous callings from God.  And there are times when it can be one of the hardest," she said softly.

     "Like this time.  Tess, I don't think I could have Andrew's calling.  To feel the pain and despair when he has to take a child or someone innocent home before their time," Monica replied.  "Sometimes just being a caseworker is hard enough."

     "Hard enough on your supervisor," Tess stated with a chuckle.

     Gloria had been trying to follow the conversation.  "Do you think God will make me more than just a caseworker?" she finally asked.

     Tess laughed and said, "Little Angel, compared to Monica, Andrew and myself, you are just a baby.  Wait until you've been around a few dozen centuries and then ask again."

     "Okay.  But that seems such a long time," Gloria pouted.

     "Not in God's time," Tess pointed out before Gloria could come up with the actual number of human years.  She parked her car in front of a brick building.  "Well, here we are, Angel babies."

     Monica looked up at the sign on the building which read 'Miller & Sons, Funeral Home.  "What are we doing here, Tess?"

     "You and I are going to be grief counselors for Mr. and Mrs. Adams.  Andrew was supposed to assist me but since he's refused to help, it's just you and I," Tess explained.  She glanced back at Gloria.  "The parents are having a very hard time dealing with this so you will be taking care of their other child."

     "Children?  I like that," Gloria said as the three angels got out of the car.

     Andrew had gazed after his three friends when they'd left the area.  Now he watched, unseen, as the police and crime scene technicians painstakingly combed the area, searching for any clue, and any indication as to who was responsible for such a brutal crime.

     "Father, I don't understand why You would allow someone to destroy such a beautiful young life.  I know You don't send whoever is responsible but surely You must be saddened as to what goes on," he prayed quietly, keeping well away from the people as not to be overheard.

     Andrew, you know I am saddened by the evil in this world.  That we must keep constant watched for the Powers of Darkness.  The reply was so soft that Andrew felt it only as a gentle touch to his heart.

     "I understand.  And, Father, please forgive me my disobedience for not doing as You have assigned me."

     You are forgiven, Andrew.  The soft reply came again.  But you must not do it anymore.

     "Thank You, Father," the angel spoke softly.  He looked up at the sky and then back to where the determined search for clues continued.

     Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, Tess spoke to a young man standing just inside, "We're here to see Mr. and Mrs. Adams."

     "Come with me," he said and led the way to a small room at the end of the corridor.

     Inside the simply furnished room, a tall dark haired man restlessly paced the floor.  And a young woman sat huddled on the sofa, head bowed and tears running unceasingly down her face.  The man stopped his pacing to stare at the new comers and ask, "Who are you?"

     "I'm Tess and these are my assistants, Gloria and Monica.  We were sent here to speak with you both," Tess explained.

     "We understand that you have another child," Monica spoke up.

     "Yes.  Abby.  She's only four and can't understand why she can't see her sister anymore.  Right now my sister is taking care of her while we try to make the arrangements," Mrs. Adams said, her voice breaking.

     "I can watch Abby for you if you want your sister here," Gloria volunteered.

     "Gloria is very good with children and Abby will be in excellent hands," Tess promised.

     "All right, I'll take you to her," Mr. Adams said.  He looked down at his wife.  "Will you be all right, Liz?"

     "Will any of us ever be all right, Steven?" she asked in return.

     "I'll be back in a moment," her husband promised.

     Once Tess and Monica were left alone with Liz, Tess sat down on the couch and took the young woman in her arms.  "it's going to be all right, Baby.  God knows how bad you're hurting right now."

     "He does?  Don't talk to me about God! Where was He when my baby was dying?" Liz yelled and pulled away from Tess.

     "God didn't let you baby die alone.  An angel was with her," Tess replied calmly.  "God always sends angels to minister to the dying."

     "We re here to help you any way we can," Monica said softly.

     Steven returned a few moments later with a young woman who bore a striking resemblance to Liz.  This is Claire Anderson," he introduced her.

     "Hello.  I'm Tess and this is my associate Monica.  We're here to help you through this difficult time."

     "We thought Chelsi would be safe—she was just playing outside.  Things like this happen in big cities.  It's never happened here before," Claire said, sitting down by her sister.

     "There's a lot of evil in this world, Baby.  But God is always in control," Tess reminded her.

     "it's still hard to believe that God would take a child like Chelsi," Steven said.  He lightly touched Liz's arm.  "Are you ready to go choose her casket?"

     She nodded and slowly got to her feet, holding onto his hand and Claire's. 

     "You can call this number 24/7 to reach me," Tess said, handing Steven an engraved business card.

     "Thank you," he said, sticking it in his pocket.

     "Now what?" Monica asked as soon as they were alone.

     "We wait for them to call," Tess replied.  "Which could be anytime.  So I need to get my office set up.  Come on, Angel Girl.  Gloria will be joining us later."

     "Does Andrew know where we'll be?"

     "He probably will if he wants to know.  The Father has provided a lovely Victorian house for our use.  I know just the perfect room for my office.  And yes, there is a coffee maker and enough bedrooms for Andrew to stay with us," Tess answered the questions, both spoken and unspoken.  She got behind the wheel of the convertible. 

     Monica got in beside her and stared pensively out the window.  "It's always so sad, Tess, when it's such a young child," she said after a moment.

     "I know, Baby.  And I understand how Andrew feels. However, that Angel Boy better pull himself together or he won't be any good to anyone, neither man nor angel," Tess said soberly.