The Cries of the Children
Chapter 4
Andrew opened his eyes and slowly sat up. After waiting for the room to come into focus, he looked at the clock which read 12:02. "That late?"
Monica stirred and opened her eyes. "Did you have a nice nap?"
"Yeah, I did," Andrew replied. He swung his feet to the floor and drew the quilt around his shoulders. "Where's Gloria?"
"In your bedroom. You were sleeping so soundly that we didn't have the heart to wake you," Monica replied.
"Probably not the sleeping arrangements that Tess had in mind," he commented. "How are Abby's parents doing?"
"As well as can be expected at a time like this. You know that, Andrew. Tess and I are worried about Liz. She's gone from being upset to being calm—a little too calm. It's as though she's made a decision and intends to carry it out," Monica said quietly.
He nodded. "Like suicide. I've seen this before with mothers. Their child or children die and they feel like they can't go on. So if that's what she's planning, she'll most likely do it after Chelsi's funeral. She doesn't want her husband to face it alone or leave it unfinished. It's after that you need to watch out for," Andrew explained.
"But what about Abby? She just can't lose both her mother and her sister. And how can Liz leave such a beautiful child?" Monica asked.
"Abby certainly is beautiful. But it doesn't matter to Liz. She's trying to end the pain over losing Chelsi the only way she knows how."
"Since we're both up, how about some cake?" Monica suggested.
Andrew started to reply when he suddenly looked up, listening to God's voice. "Yes, Father. I'm leaving right away," he prayed. Dropping the quilt, he stood up, transformed into his Angel of Death attire. "Sorry, Monica but duty calls. Tell Tess I may not be back for breakfast." He vanished from the room.
"Father, please give Andrew peace in his assignments," Monica prayed and lay back down.
"Thank You, Father," Andrew prayed after appearing outside a large house in the rural Midwest. "You know how I hate Monica's culinary experiments but I don't want to hurt her feelings."
You are very welcome, Andrew, came the reply.
Andrew appeared in the upstairs bedroom where an elderly woman lay surrounded by family and friends who kept a bedside vigil. He checked his watch and said, "Elsa, it's time to go Home."
"Home…I've been waiting…so long," she whispered, looking at Andrew.
"Mama, this is your home. You can't leave us now," her daughter tearfully begged.
"Rachel…you've been…a good daughter…But it's time…for me…to leave...you now…The Angel…is waiting…for me."
"What Angel, Mama?" Rachel asked.
"She can't see or hear me, Elsa. Only you can," Andrew explained.
"The Angel…of Death…I'm going…to see…your father…soon."
"Yes, Elsa, he's waiting for you. And so are Ella Anne and God. God is waiting for you," Andrew told her.
"Ella Anne…my baby…girl…Mama's…coming…Baby," Elsa whispered, closing her eyes as she breathed her last.
"I'm afraid she's gone, Rachel. I'll call Dr. Davis," one of the other family members said.
"Come now, Elsa," Andrew said, taking her hand and opening the door to Heaven, surrounding them in a brilliant white light.
"To see my Andrew again. I've been so lonely without him," Elsa said.
"Elsa, I was with Ella Anne the day she died. I was with her in the swimming pool and when the resuscitation efforts finally ended, I took her Home to God," Andrew said quietly.
"Did she suffer any? Was it quick?" Elsa asked.
"It was quick and she barely knew what happened to her. And from this day forward she's been safe and happy with the Father," Andrew assured her.
"Thank you for telling me. I had always wondered," Elsa said. She peered up at Andrew. "My, my, God certainly sent such a handsome Angel to escort me to Heaven. What's your name?"
"Andrew.
"Just like my Andy. Well, well, now what is he going to think with me showing up with such a handsome escort?" she teased.
"You're Home now, Elsa," Andrew said as he led her through the gates of Heaven.
"It's very beautiful!" Elsa exclaimed, jumping up and down like a small girl.
"Yes, it is," Andrew agreed. Leaving her to her 'Welcome Home' celebration, he headed for one of his favorite parts of Heaven, a place of quiet rest. "I thought Monica was the 'barefoot' angel," Adam commented as he approached Andrew who was sitting on the lake side.
Andrew had transformed from his Angel of Death attire and into a simple white tunic and trousers. Now he sat with the trousers rolled up above his knees, dangling his feet in the water. "You should try it sometime," he said, kicking a spray of water at Adam. "How'd you know where to find me?"
Adam deftly sidestepped the water. "I know a lot about you, my friend. For example, I know this is where you like to come when something troubles you. Have you been here long?" he asked.
Andrew shook his head. "Not long. I returned a little while ago with my latest assignment, a ninety-eight year old woman happy to be Home. I left her with her husband and daughter. And of course, the Father," he replied.
"Next time you see Tess, tell her I said 'Hello," Adam told him.
"I will," Andrew promised. He paused to listen to another command from God. "Yes, Father. I'll get there right away."
"Back to business?" Adam asked.
"Back to business," Andrew replied, transforming into his Angel of Death attire. "I'll see you later."
The young woman had been heading home from her late night waitress job when she fell asleep at the wheel. The car missed the sharp turn.
It tumbled into the ravine, rolling over and over until it landed upright fifteen feet below, the driver still inside.
Andrew appeared beside the wrecked car, peering in at the driver who was conscious and in great pain. "Don't be afraid. My name is Andrew and I'm an angel," he said. "What's your name?"
"M-Mary," she gasped out.
"Well, Mary, I'm here to take you to Heaven."
"Am…I…dying?"
"Yes, Mary, you are. The accident was very serious and you won't survive your injuries. The Father doesn't want you to suffer," Andrew said, taking her hand.
"Grand…ma…"
"Yes, Mary, she's waiting and so is the Father. He wants so much to hold and comfort you," Andrew said reassuringly as he appeared beside her in the car.
"Fell...asleep…Stupid…thing…to do…" She began to cry.
"Hush, Mary. It was just an accident. The Father knows you didn't do this on purpose," Andrew said softly as he reached out to brush away her tears with gentle fingers.
"Sing…sing…to…me," she requested.
"Okay. What do you want me to sing?" he asked.
"Amaz…ing…Grace…Grand…ma …used to…sing…it all…the ti," her voice trailed off as speaking became too great an effort for her.
Andrew reached to put an arm around her shoulder and draw her close. Holding her hand, he began to sing. "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound…That saved a wretch like me…I once was lost but now am found…Was blind but now I see," he sang in his rich tenor voice. She smiled and drew closer into his embrace.
By the time Andrew finished his song; he could hear a vehicle on the road and could see that the young woman had quietly passed on. "Time to go now, Mary," he said as they stepped from the wrecked car.
"Thank you for singing to me, Andrew" she said in a slightly Irish accent.
"It was my pleasure, Mary," he replied.
After leaving Mary to greet the Father, Andrew was summoned to the bedside of an old man in a hospital. That assignment was finished just after daybreak when the grieving family had the life support disconnected.
