Chapter 13 – The Second Visit

When Aziraphale next visited Jesus at his room, Jesus was wearing bib overalls instead of his tunic and a television was on but muted. A pizza box sat on the worktable next to a computer monitor. He was carving some small charms out of cedar. He smiled when he saw Aziraphale. "Greetings, Fell".

"Hello, Jesu". The angel smiled back and looked around the room.

Jesus explained. "I thought I'd better learn about modern Earth, but I'm not liking what's going on 'in my name'. Maybe I should lay some judgement down. Can we stop them?" Aziraphale looked startled, but when Jesus laughed, realized he was joking.

He forced a chuckle and responded, "Only you can decide, Jesu. Only the Almighty or the Christ can know when and where to prune this tree if we want it to bear good fruit."

Jesus smiled, "Ok, I get your parable."

Aziraphale smiled back, "You are much better at that than I am, Jesu".

"Did you see Madge?" He sat down and motioned for Aziraphale to do the same.

"Yes, she's been doing good in Purgatory, but misses you terribly and only wanted to make sure you are well." The angel told Jesus about his visit to Mary. He gave Jesus the lapis bead.

The Lord put it in the palm of one hand and gently stroked it. "How many times have I held this bead while we lay in the shade and made our plans?" Jesus chuckled. "Just like her to find a way to serve. Can you give this to her next time you go?" He handed the angel a small flat carving of a lamb.

"I won't be going anymore; my absence up here draws attention. My associate will be going instead since he knows Mary. I believe you have met him too; he now goes by 'Crowley'." Aziraphale cautiously said the former demon's name.

"Crowley? Your associate? But he's of Hell!" Jesus began to pace in agitation.

"We have worked together since the beginning. It seems improbable, but when we work together, improbable turns out all right in the end. Our combined experience makes us stronger." Aziraphale surprised himself at how he had just explained 'the arrangement' more clearly than anyone had before. "You said Crowley showed you a place where you and Mary could live together. He says it is still waiting for you. He's not evil, just 'unbridled' you could say."

"He never tried to trick me, just showed me some options. I guess it's ok. Mary knew him as 'Cora'- isn't that trickery?" Jesus returned to his seat at his workbench.

"Surely you know angels are basically genderless and can choose and change their form. 'Crowley' fulfilled his assignment, and 'Cora' hid among friends she would never betray." Aziraphale stood and faced the Lord. "Jesu, I give you my word that we are safe with Crowley. He has never let me down in 6000 years". However, Aziraphale felt guilty, knowing there were times he had abandoned Crowley.

"Fell, if you have faith in him, so must I."

"I do, my Lord".

"Now, my friend, I need your help explaining some of this." And Aziraphale tried to separate fact from fiction as best he could while Jesus flipped through various channels on the TV.