Tonya leaned against a tree in a nearby park, far away from anybody, so she could cry alone. She hugged her knees fiercely and bowed her head, sobbing uncontrollably. Images of blood and Tiana's pale face flashed into Tonya's mind, causing Tonya to cry more and more. If only I hadn't wanted to write in my stupid journal, I would have gone to find Tiana and I could have talked her out of it. Tonya blamed herself more and more with every moment that passed by. She should have had a better angel. She deserved a better angel than me. Tonya sobbed and sobbed as she thought about Tiana, the young girl that only needed to remember her parents. How could I have screwed up on such an easy assignment? The one thing Tiana needed was the one thing I couldn't help her do. Tonya never felt more angry with herself than she had that day under the tree. As she sat with her head bowed down, crying, she heard footsteps rustling through the fresh fallen leaves, coming toward her. Tonya slowly lifted her head, and there was Monica, looking down into Tonya's teary eyes. Tonya turned her head, not wanting to talk to anybody.
"We've been looking everywhere for you Tonya." Monica said as she could see the pain behind Tonya's downcast face.
"Monica, please just leave me alone." Tonya replied quietly, not turning to look at the concerned angel. Monica squatted down next to Tonya and put her hand on her shoulder and to her surprise, Tonya didn't pull away.
"No Tonya. I'm not leaving you alone. I want to be here with you. You need to know that what Tiana decided to do is not your fault." Monica said calmly as she watched Tonya wipe away her tears, turning to face Monica.
"Yes it is Monica. I should never have written in my journal. I should have gone looking for Tiana. I would have been able to stop her." She cried as Monica stroked the young angel's brown hair.
"No, love! Human beings have free will, and even if you found Tiana and talked to her, this still would have happened later. Tonya, you have to stop blaming yourself. You can't be with your assignment every moment of everyday. It's not how God wants us to work." Monica tried to console the angel, but Tonya shook her head.
"I know, but I wasn't there at the moment that counted. I was too late. I failed my assignment." She whispered through muffled sobs.
"No! You didn't fail, little one. It's not too late. Tiana isn't dead. She's in the hospital and the doctors are doing everything they can, but they can't give her what she needs the most. An angel. You still have a purpose in this assignment. It isn't over. Just pray, Tonya, and you know He will listen to you." Monica's own tears began to flow, as she was such an emotional angel, just like the little angel who was still blaming herself. A moment of silence passed as the two angels sat still, only hearing the breeze fly by.
"Monica. What if...she dies?" Tonya asked quietly.
"What if she lives? Don't you see Tonya? She needs you either way. You have to be with Tiana right now before it's too late. Do it for the friendship you've formed with her. I know you've become friends. Be her angel, but be her friend too." Monica replied, as she stood up.
"Are you going to be there for her right now?" She asked as she reached down her hand. Tonya looked at her hand and thought hard. She was still having mixed feelings about whether or not she had caused this, but she loved Tiana. That much she knew for sure. She had been the only one to befriend Tonya when everyone else hated her. A true friend. Tonya felt she had to help her. I failed her once. I'm not going to fail her again. Tonya's tears still spilled, but she looked up at Monica, who smiled warmly as she continued to hold out her hand. Tonya slowly reached out her own hand and grabbed Monica's. Monica grasped Tonya's small hand and pulled her up, pulling her into a warm embrace. Tonya continued to cry as Monica held her closely.
"It's okay. It will be okay." Monica whispered as Tonya's tears died down. As they remained embraced, the park disappeared around them and in the blink of an eye, they stood in the operating room with Tiana, unseen by anyone. Tonya pulled out of the hug and looked around slowly. She knew that Monica had brought them here.
"God is with you, little one. You'll be fine." Monica said as she gave Tonya a warm smile. Tonya wiped way the last of her tears as she looked down at Tiana, who laid on the operating table, as doctors were giving her a blood transfusion. Tonya breathed in slowly and looked up to see that Monica had disappeared. She sighed.
"I hope you're right Monica." Tonya whispered as she leaned over to Tiana. With a glowing hand, Tonya touched Tiana's head softly.
"Tiana. I know you can hear me. Don't give up Tiana. Keep on fighting. It's not your time to go. It can't be. You have so much to live for. So come on Tiana. Don't give up. God is with you." Tonya said to the unconscious girl as she held her hand. There she stood, grasping tightly to Tiana's hand, unseen by the doctors. Tonya never left her side in that operating room. She stood there with her friend, and she prayed over her, trusting in her Father to help the little girl who lay helpless on the table.