A 'Touched by an Angel' story

By: Yvette Jessen

© 2001 not intended to infringe on any previously held copyrights.

Please Note: This story is the twelfth in a sequence of stories, which I have written, which are centered on my character, Christina, her family and friends. The first one is entitled ‘The Innocence of a Child’, the second ‘A Little Girl’s Wish’, the third ‘The Senior Prom’, the fourth 'Stealing Second', the fifth 'Another Halloween Night', the sixth 'An Overdue Appointment', the seventh 'Homecoming', the eighth 'Solitary Without Hope', the ninth 'Making the Grade', the tenth 'Till Death Do Us Part', and the eleventh 'Olivia's Battle'.

*****

Christina Lowery sat in her office. It was a warm and sunny day and although she had been working rather consistently for the past months, she hoped in the back of her mind that she would be able to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. As she stood up, she began to file some of the paperwork for her patients into notebooks. She always tried to keep the records straight, but as she began to dig through the books, she noticed that there was more than psychological records, but rather that she had saved artwork the children had given to her, and through them, there was something wonderful about seeing the kids get through their therapy and moving on with their young lives.

As she sat and looked out the window, there came a knock at the door, and she called out to whomever it was to enter the office.

"Christina?" A young female voice resonated through the room, and she stood up from her desk and went to greet the teenager who was now standing on the opposite side of the door.

It was 18-year-old Brittany Bowen, one of her former patients, and whose older brother also happened to be a friend of Christina's brother Bryan. Christina remembered having met David a few times, but Brittany she knew pretty well. It was no secret that between David and Bryan, they had managed to save Christina's reputation some years ago when one of the boys in Christina's care had chosen to end his life.

"Hello, Brittany, what brings you by?" Christina asked warmly as the teenager came into the room.

"Dave and I were in town for the afternoon and I thought I'd come by and say 'hi'," she said. "It's been awhile since I last saw you and you know we recently moved upstate."

"I know, I heard your father got a new job and started at Pro-Tech," Christina said. "I also heard that he recently got a big promotion."

"Yeah, but he's so modest about it. You know he could stop a nuclear meltdown and to him, it would be like a stroll in the park," Brittany snickered.

"How are things with you?"

"Well, my new school is pretty cool, I mean; I have a new boyfriend, and this time he's not into drugs and alcohol, but he knows that I was kind of messed up before, but he also knows that now I'm doing well," she pulled a small heart-shaped necklace from underneath her t-shirt and showed it to Christina. "He gave me that for my last birthday, and he gets along with Dave and my folks really well too, so I think things are going relatively well."

"I'm glad to hear it," Christina said smiling. "You deserve to be happy, Brittany."

The girl smiled as she looked at Christina. Although it had been three years since her treatment ended, she really had a soft place in her heart for the woman before her. "How are things with you?" Brittany eventually asked as she smiled warmly, her eyes shining brightly. Within the time that Christina had been her psychologist, they always seemed to have a rather friendly but respectful relationship, but today, since the treatment had ended, Brittany and Christina had become closer, and the girl often wrote Christina letters and popped in to visit whenever she or David had come to visit their small town.

"Pretty good, my husband and Laura are doing much better since the car accident, but Laura's still undergoing Physical Therapy. Anyway, that should end pretty soon, but now, they are both doing fine. Then Olivia, she's like my adopted sister, is about to have a baby," Christina said with a smile. "Professionally, I'm as boring as ever."

"Oh come on, I don't believe that," Brittany said. "You know I read all your stories, and I remember how you changed my life."

"I didn't do all that much," Christina said smiling.

"Yeah, and Moses parting the Red Sea wasn't that much of an accomplishment either," Brittany laughed.

"OK, then thanks," Christina said blushing slightly. "It's nice to be needed."

"You're more than needed," Brittany said softly and as she stood up to go, she turned around, as she was en route to the door. "Christina, you once told me that I can talk to you about anything I wanted to, so can I ask you a really crazy question?"

"Yes, you know you can. What is it?"

"Well, I was just remembering one of the stories you wrote, and how I remember you saying stuff about angels," Brittany returned to the sofa, sat back down, and looked at the woman with confusion evident in her eyes.

"Is something wrong, Brittany?" Christina asked softly. "Off the record, OK, I'm still your friend regardless of what I do for a living, so you know you can talk to me, and I won't judge you."

"I don't know, something confusing happened some years ago and all the sudden I am remembering it again. About a week ago, I found the old notebooks with your stories in them and I guess I started to dwell on them again, about how when I was 14-years-old and you had shown them to me. I mean, you wrote a story about an Angel of Death, and said some stuff that…I don't know, sort of creeped me out, now that I think about it."

"Brittany, it's not always easy for me to explain what I write, or even why I write it, but can you believe that when a person's spirit goes to be with God, and that He would send someone, an angel, to be with that person during this transition?" Once the teenager nodded, she continued. "All that I'm saying is, it shouldn't creep you out, but it should comfort you somehow. To just know or believe that death isn't the end of life, but rather the beginning of a journey. You learn this in church or through your parents, but don't ever believe that you're completely alone, because God's always going to be there, you just don't always consciously realize it."

"Christina, I saw someone, I don't know who it was, but I could have sworn that I did," she whispered. "I know this is weird, but there's a little voice inside of me that says that I can trust you with this, and you won't think I'm around the bend or something."

"You never mentioned this in your treatment, when did this happen?"

"It was before I started therapy, when I tried to end my life," Brittany said. "I didn't want to mention it during the sessions because I was afraid that you would order up a psychiatric evaluation or something. Either that or send those friendly guys in the white lab coats."

"Tell me what happened, you'd be surprised what I have heard and experienced," Christina said softly.

"Well, I was standing in the bathroom at the house about eight years ago, and I held a knife in my hand, and I wanted to slit my wrists." She pulled the sleeves of her jacket up, Christina could see the scars on one of her wrists and self-consciously, she cringed. "I looked in the mirror before I had intended on doing it, and could see the reflection of a man standing behind me. He was dressed in white, and he glowed, the light around him was filled with so much understanding and love, but hehe looked so sad, as though he was going to cry. When I saw his face, I threw the knife against the mirror and it shattered, and I turned abruptly around hoping to see him, but he was gone. He didn't say anything to me, I guess he was angry or disappointed with me."

"Then what happened?" Christina asked gently.

"I prayed, and asked God to send him back, because I was alone, and it hurt so bad," Brittany said softly. "I thought I was cracking up, I was only 11, and I felt so lost. I mean, I had been in and out of depression, but then some time after that, I started therapy here, and you let me read your stories. From the way it seemed, I looked up to you, because I figured that if you wrote those stories, then maybe you would know what it would feel like to have an angel as a friend."

"Do you remember what the angel looked like?" Christina asked.

"I remember that he was tall, with blonde hair and green eyes. I mean; in retrospect, he was really cute," Brittany said blushing slightly. "But, he looked so sad and I really wanted to talk to him, but then was gone so I guessed that he didn't want to talk to me at all. After that, my self-esteem died, and even today I sometimes ponder if I'm really worth it."

"Brittany, believe me you are worth so much, and it sometimes happens that we misinterpret others, and maybe in your experience, this happened as well. You believe wholeheartedly that this really happened, right?" When the girl nodded she continued to speak. "You know, from my experiences, I can almost guarantee that he was probably not angry with you. Try to keep in mind thought that even in my stories, you realize that an angel can be saddened too," Christina said softly.

"Perhaps, but I know that if I said anything to anyone about this, they would think I was ready for the loony ward for sure," Brittany said softly.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Christina asked as she went over and pulled a piece of paper from her desk and walked around it and handed it to the girl. "Just take a look at this sketch and tell me if the man here resembles the man you saw."

Brittany looked down at the drawing she now held, and when she did, she could feel the tears in her eyes. "That's him, but Christina, how is this possible?"

"His name is Andrew," Christina came over and sat down next to the girl, her voice barely above a whisper as she continued to speak. "He is an angel, Brittany, and he's also my friend. I met him the first time when I was seven-years-old. It was Halloween, and I had run away from my classmates. In the park not far from here, he talked to me, and then we went trick or treating together and he told me who he was."

"Y-you're friends with an angel? But, how is that possible?" Brittany asked.

"With God, all things are possible, Brittany, and I'm going to trust that will keep this confidential. Everything I wrote in those stories is the truth and over the years, Andrew has visited my family and me off and on. He has done so ever since I was a small girl."

"B-but, how can you work as a psychologist when you have this happen?" Brittany asked. "I mean; I could always tell that you're pretty open to spiritual stuff and..."

"Perhaps, but in this work, I have to separate them, I have to move on with my life. Brittany, I have to be able to work with young people and let them know that God exists, and that he sends angels to people when they need them, but to say I am friends with an angel, well, maybe you are too, you just don't realize it yet," Christina smiled. "A friendship goes beyond who someone is, but is a blessing in every way, and Andrew is definitely a blessing. But, I don't think he was angry with you, I think he was unhappy because suicide hits him really hard and though he is surrounded with the love of God, I have seen him cry and it breaks my heart every time."

"I wish I could see him again," she sniffed. "Would you tell him this when you see him again? I don't know what I would say to him, but even if I did, I don't know what I would say to him, he must be so disappointed in me."

"The words would come when you need them," Christina smiled gently.

"Maybe," Brittany smiled weakly. "It feels better to talk about this, even though I'm OK with it."

"I think you're doing fine, you have a life, Brittany, and I would almost be certain that Andrew would be proud of you," Christina smiled as Brittany stood up. "You take care of yourself, OK?"

Brittany smiled and nodded, "thanks, you've been a real friend."

"Thanks," Christina said. "Here, when you write, send your letters here, I would rather get them at home."

The teenager nodded as Christina handed her a slip of paper with her home address written on it, and after a few moments, she glanced down at her watch. "Oh man. I'd love to stay and chat, but I've gotta meet Dave at the ice cream shop in five minutes, and I figure that maybe I can sucker a dish of chocolate mocha ice cream out of him. Anyway, I said that I wouldn't stay too long here, but I wanted to see you."

"I'm glad you came by," Christina said. "Tell David that he should go by and see Bryan while you are here, I'm sure he, Rachel and Adam would love to see you."

Brittany nodded as she approached the door and opened it before leaving, but as she left, she had to dodge past Peter Harris who was coming inside. "Oh, excuse me, Brittany," he said with a smile on his face.

"Sorry, Dr. Harris, I wasn't watching where I was going," she said as she left the office, leaving Christina and her boss alone.

*****

Brittany came down the stairs and walked towards the town center to meet her brother. As she exited the building, she found herself running headlong into a man who was coming in the opposite direction. As she looked up and saw him, she smiled weakly when he offered her a warm smile and stopped walking towards the door.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled.

"Excuse me?" The man looked down at her, his green eyes filled with kindness, but it was obvious to him that the girl now standing before him was a bit confused.

"I wasn't watching where I was going," she offered and after a few moments, she looked up at the man. "Do I know you?"

"Maybe," he said all the while smiling.

"Brittany!" a voice interrupted and before she could say anything else to the man, she glanced towards one of the shops not far from the building where she was coming out and she spotted her brother and Bryan Thomas standing near the gazebo and waiting for her. She glanced back up at the man trying to connect her mind as to where she had seen him, but eventually, she watched him enter the building and she came crashing back down to Earth and slowly made her way over to where the two men were standing.

"Hey Dave, Hi Bryan," she said as soon as she had reached her older brother and his friend. "Sorry that took me so long, I hadn't seen Christina in a long time."

"It's cool, but I think we'd better get to the bus depot, or we're not going to get home until three AM tomorrow," David said softly.

"Hey listen, if you guys need a place to stay, we can always put you on a bus tomorrow morning, that way you won't get home so late. What do you say?" Bryan offered. "I mean, then we can at least visit for awhile and I can treat you two to a hot fudge sundae."

"That sounds great," David said, "but I guess we'd better call our folks then and see if they are OK with that plan. I mean, I'm not keen on getting on a bus this late in the day anyway, so it would be kind of cool."

"Yeah, that sounds great," Brittany said softly as she watched the entrance where the man had disappeared inside the office building. "If we're going to stay with you, Bryan, would it be OK if go somewhere, I need some time alone to think," she said softly.

"Sure thing kiddo, you know the way back to our house, right, take the number two bus to Westview Circle," Bryan said. "Here's a couple of tokens, that should get you there."

"Thanks," she smiled weakly, accepted the tokens, and walked towards the park.

"Man what's up with her?" David asked. "I haven't seen her this way since her therapy ended."

"Well, call me crazy, but that guy she saw when she was coming this way, I know him, and something tells me that she does too," Bryan said.

"What do you mean?" David asked.

"Do you believe in angels, Dave?" Bryan asked.

"We met through an angel, remember? Monica, she's about yay high and has that gorgeous red hair," David said, his palms starting to sweat. "If she wasn't an angel, I think I'd be in love."

"You are too much," Bryan said sarcastically. "Besides that, what would Candy say if you started panting about Monica in front of her? I think she'd be a tad bit worried, don't you?"

"Yeah, yeah, but that doesn't explain my sister being creeped out," Dave said.

"Perhaps not, but I must tell you, Monica isn't the only angel that seems to migrate in the direction of my family," Bryan said. "It seems like God's messengers tend to be rather fond of this sleepy little town, because that guy she ran into was also an angel, and he's also one of my sister's best friends."

"You're kidding, your expert sister in the art of nuts and screwballs is friends with an angel?" David smiled impishly. "From the look on your face, I would be willing to bet that you guys get your share of teasing done with this one."

"I must admit, that he's gotten a better sense of humor since meeting Jeremy, but aside from that, Andrew's a really nice guy," Bryan smiled. "Come on, let's go call your folks, and then we can do the hot fudge sundae."

*****

Ten minutes later, Christina and Peter Harris were still seated inside the office and the woman could not get over the fact that her boss was not only looking worried about something, but also that he was about to jump out of his skin. Christina finally looked up at him from the notes that were stacked on her desk. "Dr. Harris, is there a reason you decided to pay me a visit this afternoon, or is looking frantic something you wish to patent?"

"Yes, I guess I am a bit worried about something. Christina, I don't want to impose on you, but there's a young family who have been worried about their son, Scott, for about three or four weeks now. They want our office to take the case, but I'm just not sure if I can take it right now. I'm still working off and on with Laura, and I've got about 20 other kids, but I see urgency of this case, and I'm wondering if I should take it or find someone else who could." He looked at her hopefully and Christina knew what her boss was indirectly driving at.

"If you want me to take it, all you have to do is ask," Christina said calmly.

"I know, but I also know that you have already an unbelievable caseload and I'm not sure if it would be appropriate for me to ask you to take even more, especially when you have a little girl who is still in physical therapy."

"Dr. Harris, please don't worry about me, I've gotten my insomnia well under control, and besides that, I had three cases reach their closure this week, so I've got a lighter caseload than I did before. Besides, there's a reason behind why you're asking me to take this case, so maybe internally you think I can make a difference. So, tell me about the case, and we'll go from there," she said.

"Scott Reinhardt is seven-years-old, he's been having problems since his father's brother had gotten really sick about two months ago, but it's progressively gotten worse since he died two weeks ago. His parents kept him out of school for about a week, but when he went back, he couldn't sit still, his teachers have been unable to really get through to him, and now he's talking about seeing angels. I thought since you had written stories for children about angels, that maybe you can find out what it is he's harboring. His parents seem to be under the impression that he's crazy," Peter finished.

"I don't think he's crazy," Christina said softly, shaking her head solemnly. "Maybe imaginative, or maybe he's hiding his true feelings, but no, he's not crazy."

Peter nodded and looked at her. "His parents seem to both be immersed in academia, so it stands to reason that they try to find some sort of logical answer for their boy's troubles, so I thought maybe instead of a guy with a PhD in this, that Scott could use someone who doesn't look for the logical answer to everything. You're a good psychologist, Christina, you always seem to remember the emotional aspects of things."

"Thank you," Christina said softly. "I guess I learned a long time ago that one cannot always get the truth from a textbook, sometimes one has to look deeper."

"True, but if you're going to take the case, maybe you should have the file and take a look at it," she smiled as he got up and was about to leave the office. "It's gonna take awhile for me to get it out of the clutter on my desk, but I'll be back in a few minutes, and Christina, thanks a bunch. When this case gets resolved, I will insist that you take a vacation. I think you will have earned one." Once he left, Christina smiled weakly as she returned her attention to her files and the next time she briefly glanced up was to see that the door opened and assuming it was Peter again, she began to speak, her voice filtering across the room, her gaze returning to the pile of papers before her.

"Just throw the file on the table," she mumbled under her breath as she continued to read through the files.

"Christina, I don't have any files with me, so perhaps you should just look up," a different voice emerged and she abruptly looked up.

"Andrew, what are you doing here?" She asked, "it's been almost a half a year since I saw you last."

"Olivia's baby is due in a few days, I was actually sent back to work with Scott Reinhardt, the boy whose case I heard that you're about to take," Andrew said softly.

"You were the angel he saw?" Christina asked.

"Mm-hum. His uncle had AIDS, and he was not doing all that well near the end, but Scott adored him and was with him the entire time before he died. During the final hours, the small boy was able to see me when I took his uncle home, and he tried to speak with me, but he was too afraid. His parents don't believe in God or angels, so this little boy had a lot of questions that did not get answered, so I was sent back to answer them," Andrew explained. "I didn't know that people would believe that the boy was crazy, but then again I also didn't know that Brittany was so hurt by my stance when she tried to kill herself seven years ago."

"You were there then when she made the attempt in the bathroom at her house?" Christina asked weakly.

"Yes, I was, and I know that she was really depressed," Andrew said softly. "From what I was able to understand about her, she thought I was a hallucination," Andrew said softly. "I had no idea that she was so hurt by my attitude when she had made that attempt. But, then again, the reason I'm here now is because of Scott, not Brittany."

"But, Andrew, she's confused. I talked to her and she feels like she's not worth the love of God's angels. I mean; maybe you should talk to her," Christina objected. "I told her that you are my friend, and I know maybe I shouldn't have, but she was confused by what had happened, and it really surprised me that she had kept this a secret for so long. I think she needs to understand why things happened the way they did, and you should explain them to her."

"I know and believe me, I would like to talk to her, but I really have to concentrate on Scott," Andrew said.

Christina sighed deeply and nodded as Peter knocked on the door and when it opened, Andrew turned and smiled as Christina's boss came into the office. "I found the stuff," he said and smiled at Andrew making it apparent that the angel was now in human form. "Scott's first visit will be tomorrow morning, so you will have some time to go over this before you meet him."

"OK," Christina said and accepted the file, this she put into her briefcase and reached for her jacket. "Dr. Harris?"

"Yeah, and please after all these years of working together, I wish you would call me Peter," he said somewhat exasperated.

"What brought that on?" Christina asked. "You used to always be so formal."

"Probably Dana is at fault for it. You know that ever since I got married, I have turned into some kind of reincarnated hippie of sorts. Dana has successfully moved my CDs to the back of the shelf and all that remains are groups like 'The Beatles', 'Peter, Paul and Mary', and 'The Monkees' on our shelf. I can't believe how much she's changed me," he smiled weakly as he left the office.

Christina looked at Andrew, "his wife teaches biology at the high school and is known around town to be the oldest flower child in the world. I guess she's about 40ish, but she's really interesting and has a great style with young people. She can relate with them on just about any level. It's really great to see. Anyway, I've only met her a few times, but I like her a lot and their little boy, Aaron, is as cute as a button."

"So we'll meet Scott tomorrow, hmm?" Andrew asked.

"It looks that way," Christina said knowingly. "So can you do this for me?"

Andrew looked at her and the expression on his face was similar to the look he had given her as a seven-year-old after she had asked him to take her trick or treating. In spite of his discomfort, she began to giggle.

"Andrew, please do this for me," she looked at him earnestly. "I don't ask you to do very many things for me, but this is important, Brittany is a friend of mine, and in order for her to understand her past, she has to accept every aspect of it. Please!"

The angel nodded, "OK, I'll go talk to her."

"Thank you," she said softly. "Do you know where she is?"

"I think I'll manage to find her, but you owe me one," he smiled impishly at her.

"One what?" She asked.

"Well, since I came in here, I never even got a hug from you, and I was wondering if you were getting too old for hugging old friends," he said and smiled weakly at her.

Christina went and gave him a hug all the while her face was flushed red from having forgotten to greet her friend in the first place.

*****

The small bridge overlooking the lake was Brittany's favorite place to go, she had always gone there when she was a little girl. She watched as children ran through the trees and to the adjoining park. She watched as the ducks swam below in the small stream that would drain into the town lake. She sat down on the ground and continued to watch through the bars that were the barrier between her and the water below.

It was getting cooler outside, but she did not seem to mind the cool breeze as it blew. It really was nice outside, and contrary to her evident confusion, she really felt good. It was a sense of belonging there in that spot, able to look out around her and see the people walking, and the sunshine beating down on her.

"It's nice to be back home, isn't it?" As she turned around, her eyes locked with the man she had seen at the building where Christina worked. She knew him, it was the angel who she had seen reflected in the mirror, but she wondered all the while what she would say to him. He was as handsome as she remembered, but her insecurity remained and she shrugged her shoulders unconsciously.

"How'd you know?" She finally asked, but before he could answer, she continued speaking, her voice soft. "I guess after living in this town one would get to know just about everyone who comes from here."

"Perhaps, but I don't live here, I'm just visiting some friends," he said and smiled.

"Then how is it that you know that I also came back here to visit?" She asked.

"Brittany, I just know," he said simply and when he said her name, she looked up at him.

"It's you, I mean you're here, it wasn't a mistake," she whispered as he sat down next to her on the bridge. As they sat there with their legs dangled over the edge, she found herself smiling slightly.

"Yes," he said softly. "It was no mistake."

"I'm surprised to see you here, though," she said softly. "I mean; I'm not even intending on jumping into the lake or anything." As soon as she had spoken, she suddenly realized that her attempt at a joke had come out crass and she looked at him apologetically. "I'm sorry, that just slipped out. It wasn't my intention, please forgive me."

"There exists no reason for you to ask my forgiveness," he said softly, "but perhaps I should be asking you for yours."

"Why?"

"I left you, and it was never my intention to make you feel unworthy," he said softly.

"Did Christina tell you what I told her this afternoon?" She asked weakly.

"In part, but I get my answers elsewhere," he smiled gently at her.

"God?" She asked.

"Yes," he said and rested his hand on her shoulder. "Brittany, I'm sorry that I didn't realize how hard things have been for you, I also didn't realize that my silence had hurt you and made you feel unworthy. It makes me very sad to realize that I hurt you. It was never ever my intent."

"I guess I sort of gotten over it," she said softly. "I went to therapy, and got out three years ago. I guess now I'm doing OK."

"You've really gotten over those feelings you had before?" he asked.

"Yeah, but only because I managed to learn a healthy way to deal with it. It took some time for me to do it, but that's another story, I guess," she said softly and finally looked at him. "Your name is Andrew, right?"

He nodded and smiled gently at her. "Yes."

"It's funny, I never even knew your name, but your face I could never forget. I thought I was going crazy, and then I read Christina's stories, and remembered something that I had always perceived as a dream," she said but could feel the moistness under her eyes. "You're really friends with Christina, aren't you?"

He nodded. "Yes, I am."

She smiled weakly but looked down. The scars from her attempts were still there and as she looked at her hands, she felt the shame envelope her and she found herself looking away. "I guess Christina made you come talk to me, otherwise you wouldn't have done so, right?"

Andrew looked at her, the surprise evident in his compassionate green eyes, but when he noticed that she was not looking at him, he reached over and put his arm around her shoulder causing her to look at him. Rather than elaborate his reluctance of coming and speaking with her, he offered her a gentle smile. "Brittany, I was never angry with you."

"I'm pretty much over that. I mean; it was seven years ago, and I was only 11," she said softly. "I only went by to visit Christina today. I just didn't know that I would be mentioning what had happened back when, but something reminded me of it, and I found myself unable to stop myself from even speaking about it. I guess I just assumed that I would be able to forget it, but something told me that I could tell her, that she would understand."

"She's a good person, Brittany, and a very trusting friend," Andrew said softly.

"It wasn't crazy, I mean, what happened to me. You were really there, weren't you?" She asked, her sweaty hands running down over her clothing, but he noticed that she was unable to meet his gaze.

"Yes, I was with you that night," he said softly.

"You didn't say anything to me, and after you disappeared, I thought you hated me," she said softly. "I grew up thinking that you were mad at me for doing something stupid, that I wasn't worth the love or understanding of even an angel..." her voice trailed.

For the first time since he had approached her on the bridge, Andrew realized to what extent she was hurting. The guilt washed over him as he looked at her and could somehow see the hurt little girl behind the strong exterior she normally seemed to show. This particular strength was simply an act.

"I never hated you, Brittany, and I realize that I had made a mistake," he said gently. "I thought you had concluded that I was something like a figment of your imagination. Perhaps I should have said something to you about it. If you believe only one thing I say, please believe me when I tell you that you're worthy of all the love and understanding that exists. God loves you, Brittany, He was there with you that night when you wanted to end your life, that was why He sent me."

"You're a guardian angel?" She asked weakly.

"No, sweetheart, I'm an Angel of Death," Andrew said softly. "I would have escorted you to Heaven if you had succeeded in your attempt."

Brittany's eyes brimmed with tears as his words sank in, and rather than draw away from where he was sitting on the bridge, she did something that completely surprised Andrew. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. As she backed away from him, she spoke, her words filled with sadness but they were also etched with hope. "Thank you. If I hadn't have seen your reflection in that mirror, I would probably have done it."

"You would have?" He asked.

"I would have, I had no hope left, but I saw you standing there, and you were looking at me, as though you could see the pain I carried in my heart. But, after I broke the mirror and turned around…" her voice trailed and she was left only looking at him. "Why didn't you speak to me? Why did you ignore me? I felt so alone as it was, and I just wanted to know that God cared for me, that I was important," She shook her head all the while trying desperately to understand what had happened to her, but the connection was simply not coming.

Andrew sighed deeply and he rested his hand gently on her shoulder. "Brittany, I should have spoken to you, and it was wrong of me not to have done so. When I see someone trying to end their life, it is so hard for me, and perhaps as I watched you, I felt so much lost hope, so much sadness, that I was unable to speak. I was there with you, and I hoped so much that you wouldn't try this, but all the while, I knew that it was your choice, your free will."

The girl sighed deeply as she stood up, thus breaking the contact he had initiated with her. As she began to dust herself off, she spoke to him, her voice contorted, but filled with pain. "You may have prevented me from ending my life, but at the same time, you hurt me, and although I may be able to forgive, I don't think I will be able to forget and pretend that it never happened. I think that when I asked you if you wanted to talk to me, you answered more with not saying anything to me than you did with your words. I know you didn't want to talk to me, that maybe Christina asked you to do so simply because she's a good person, but the hurt of this won't go away, and I only wish that God will take this pain away."

"He will Brittany," Andrew said softly, and he glanced up and could see that her eyes were filled with indescribable hurt and after some moments she had walked away from him, leaving him seated on the bridge. "Father," he began to pray softly once the girl was gone. "I know that I'm here for Scott, but please let me help Brittany too. I never realized how much I had hurt her until now, and I hope that I can earn her trust again."

*****

Christina stepped outside the building where she worked and walked towards her car, which was parked in the underground garage. As she approached her car, she was humming happily and pulled the key to the car out of her pocket. Andrew was back, and she was so happy about the possibility of seeing him again. Once she got in the car, she adjusted the volume to the radio and started the car. Soft swells of music filled the car and she tapped her hands against the steering wheel as she pulled out of her parking spot and drove out of the garage.

As the sun filtered in the car, she smiled weakly as she drove. All around her, she could see people walking through the town, the weather had gotten warmer during the past days and so she was really happy about that.

She had started to ponder this case with Scott Reinhardt, and in the back of her mind, she questioned whether or not she was truly the right psychologist for this case. She wondered if her belief in angels, and knowledge of their existence would not make her objective about the boy's case. Would she be able to actually help the boy, but at the same time, also keep her connections to the topic out of the conversations.

"Father," she finally spoke to the stillness, as she lowered the volume to the radio. "I don't know if I'm doing the right thing here, please give me a sign if I am meant to take this case. Whatever you tell me, I'll do, but I really need to know if this is the right choice." As she spoke, a white dove flew over her car, and she smiled weakly. "Thanks for the prompt answer, and please help Andrew reach Brittany. I know she's not his assignment, but still, I can't help but think that something is really getting to her about this. I'm putting this all in your hands, Father, I love you."

As she continued to drive in the direction of her and Jeremy's house, she continued to ponder not only Scott and Brittany, but also somehow having this strange feeling that these two individuals were somehow connected.

Moments later, she pulled into her driveway and cut the motor. Outside on the grass in front of the house, sat her daughter, Laura and she was playing with a large blow-up ball, as was throwing it in the air and catching it. Christina smiled when she saw her. It was no question, Laura was doing better, her dark brown hair had grown out, and she only walked with a slight limp.

All the things about Laura made her all the more appealing to her parents, and Jeremy was always so proud of her. As the girl played, Christina called her name and she looked up. Standing slowly, she managed to walk slowly over to her mother. "Hi Mommy."

"Hey honey," Jeremy called out from the front door. In his hand he had a glass of lemonade and a mischievous smirk on his face. "Tough day at the shrink shack?"

"Oh very funny," Christina said softly all the while knowing that this was a running gag in their family. "I think you're just rubbing it in that you are on vacation this week and I'm not. You know that I will get a couple of days off when Olivia has her baby."

"Yeah," Jeremy said softly, his voice not hiding his disappointment. "I just thought that this year we'd get to Europe."

"We will, I promise," Christina dropped her briefcase on the ground and wound her arms around her husband's neck. "I didn't tell you that Peter is going to send me on vacation when I finish up this new case. So, I was thinking that when it's done, maybe we can go on vacation, and something tells me it will be very soon, because God figured I could use a little back-up."

Jeremy looked at her. "Back-up?"

"I'll give you a hint," Christina said softly. "It starts with an 'a' and when it is said, our daughter goes into orbit."

Laura looked at her mother. "You saw him today?"

Jeremy shook his head still not getting the secret joke between mother and daughter.

Christina nodded. "Yes."

"Andrew," Laura squealed, "he came back to see us."

"Well, not exactly, but I would be willing to bet that he will come see you," Christina said softly. "Right now, I think we should get inside and get something to eat."

"No argument here," Jeremy said with a smile and rubbed his stomach. "I could eat a house."

"Well, hopefully not this one," Christina said slyly as she retrieved her briefcase. "It's nearly paid for."

Jeremy chortled and the family went inside.

*****

Seven-year-old Scott Reinhardt looked outside through his bedroom window. His schoolbooks lay scattered across his desk, but he continued to stare outside, his thoughts a jumble.

"Scott, it's time for dinner," he could hear his mother calling from downstairs, but instead of standing up and going downstairs, he sighed deeply and continued to sit there unaware that three angels were standing in his bedroom watching him.

"His name is Scott Reinhardt," Andrew said softly. "Tess, what am I supposed to do? This little boy saw me when I took his uncle home."

"I know Angel Boy, and that's why the Father sent Monica and me to help you. I am to work at Scott's school, and Monica will work with Christina at her office when he comes for counseling," Tess said softly.

"And what about me?" Andrew said softly.

"You've been reassigned," Tess said softly. "There's a young woman who is in need of your guidance."

"Not Brittany Bowen," Andrew moaned sadly. "My one major mistake as an Angel of Death, and it comes back again and again to haunt me."

"Brittany and Scott have a great deal in common, as does Olivia Thomas," Tess said.

"Olivia Thomas?" Monica asked. "All these names are confusing, Tess."

"Olivia is Christina's adopted sister. She legally had her name changed from Caracas to Thomas two months ago," Tess said. "She decided that she wanted the baby to have the name of the family that saved her rather than the name of the family who abandoned her."

Andrew smiled, "I was told that I was to be there when the child was born."

"Oh no," Monica's face paled.

"No, not in that capacity, but I was informed that Olivia has no one to be by her side when the child is born, and she prayed that I would be sent here to act on behalf of Brendan," Andrew said his face filled with the utmost joy. "I asked him when I saw him, and he said that he would wish for that as well. It's very nice and is an honor for me."

"Is it going to be a boy or a girl?" Monica asked.

"I don't know yet," he said. "We'll find out pretty soon though."

*****

"So Andrew got reassigned?" Christina was asking Monica when the Irish angel showed up the following morning at her office.

"I think he is disappointed about this," Monica said. "Maybe this assignment won't work the way it's supposed to with me here."

"Don't underestimate it, Monica, I think God knows what He's doing. Besides, if Scott comes in here and was to see Andrew again, we'd never get anywhere with this. I've been thinking about this assignmentuh, I mean case, since last night, and I think it's really good that you're here instead of Andrew, even though I always thought it'd be fun to actually work with him," Christina smiled weakly. "But, this case will not be an easy one either, I mean; the parents don't believe in God or angels."

"I know," Monica smiled as Christina went out into the hallway and retrieved a cup of coffee. When she returned, she handed the cup to the angel and sat back down on the sofa, her hands now running through her light brown hair. "Thank you," Monica said as she took a sip of the coffee and sighed with contentment.

"I guess we should get busy, Peter said that Scott was supposed to come in right after school lets out at one," Christina said softly. "We've got only a few hours to go over these notes."

Monica looked at Christina and nodded. "You OK with this case?"

"I don't know, I mean, it's hard for me to prove anything to Scott's parents, and I heard that they're really the strong scientific types. I really don't understand how Peter could think that I'm the right psychologist for this case," she said as she ran her hands through her hair once again and sighed.

"Do I detect a bit of self-doubt here?" Monica asked with a smile.

"Probably," Christina said softly. "I mean, I'm about the last person who would be able to do a job that would meet the approval of scientists."

"Then just do a job that meets with God's approval," Monica said softly. "Put it in His hands, and let Him take care of the scientific types."

Christina laughed, "OK, Monica, I'll do my best."

*****

At the same time, Andrew pulled Tess' red convertible up in front of Bryan and Rachel's house. He knew that Brittany was staying there and as he swallowed the golf-ball sized lump that formed in his throat, as he got out of the car. Once he closed the door, he looked down at his hands, they were sweating profusely, and he realized that he was not exceedingly thrilled with the way this assignment was turning out.

"Father, please help me handle this well," he muttered under his breath as he rang the doorbell.

Rachel answered and she smiled warmly when she saw whom it was who was standing on the front step. "Andrew, what a wonderful surprise, come in."

"Thank you, Rachel, how are you?" He asked as they came through the foyer and into the living room.

"Wonderful, A.J. just started the first grade, and his daddy is at the school with him today. It's 'take your dad to school day' or something. They've been looking forward to this for weeks now. I have to take Brittany and David to the bus station this afternoon. I don't know if you've met them, but they stayed the night with us."

"Sounds like your family is as busy as usual," Andrew said before Rachel led him into the dining room.

"Yeah, you could say that," she said smiling weakly as soon as they came into the room and Brittany was sitting at the table, a sketchbook in front of her and she was nibbling on a piece of toast. "I'm back, Brittany," Rachel said as the girl looked up. When she saw Andrew standing in the room, the color faded from her face and she immediately looked down at the notebook. "Where's David?"

Brittany mumbled something with her head down, and Rachel sighed deeply as she tapped the girl's shoulder. When she finally looked up, Rachel spoke, "could you please look at me when you answer? I don't want to come across sounding rude, but Brittany, I'm deaf, and I can't understand anything unless I can read your lips."

"Sorry," the girl looked up, but her voice emerged filled with uncertainty as she made brief eye contact with Andrew.

She knows you, doesn't she? Rachel signed to him once the girl looked back down at her notebook and tried to shut them out.

He nodded and tried to explain with his hands what he was having difficulty in his heart to understand.

"Andrew, why don't we go and get something for you to eat out of the kitchen?" Rachel suggested with a look that clearly said 'you're going to explain to me exactly what is going on right now'.

The angel nodded and the two of them went into the kitchen. Once the door closed, Rachel looked at him. "OK, buster, out with it, what's going on?"

"She's my assignment, Rachel," Andrew said softly.

"You mean," she made the sign for death by holding out her flat hands and turning them over in front of her. Once she made the sign, she looked at him earnestly. "Is she dying, Andrew?"

"I don't think so, but she remembers seeing me, and my reaction to her was a horrible mistake," he said softly. "It was probably one of the worst mistakes I have ever made since taking this job. Rachel, I hurt her, and this pain stayed with her for seven years."

"And you were sent here to set things right with her?" Rachel said.

"Yes," he said softly. "But, I don't know how to, I honestly don't know what I'm supposed to do."

"This may sound like a stupid question, but did you pray about it?" Rachel asked sympathetically.

"Yes," he smiled weakly at her, "but the Father said that I would know in time."

"Sometimes He can be a bit vague, huh?" Rachel rested her hand compassionately on Andrew's shoulder. "Maybe you should just try and talk to Brittany." She suggested. "If you need some space, I can make myself scarce."

"You don't have to," he said softly.

"I know that there's something bothering her. She was in a good mood yesterday when I saw her, but then after she came back last night, she was acting somewhat aloof and uptight." She looked at Andrew. "She's not been herself, not since…"

"…I went to talk to her at the lake yesterday," he finished for her.

"That's not what I was implying and you know it," she said somewhat annoyed. "It may be hard for you to do, but you've got to talk to her and tell her what you told me."

"I tried, Rachel, and she got up and walked away," Andrew said softly.

"Well, wouldn't you? I mean; you're basically carrying yourself around her as though you don't want to have anything to do with her. I may not be on the same spiritual realm as you, but I can definitely sense it, Andrew, and I know what I saw happening in there. She's avoiding making eye contact with you, and it's because she feels as though she's beneath you somehow. I mean; if someone behaved in this way around me, I'd be a bit intimidated around them too," Rachel said softly.

"Rachel, I…" his voice trailed.

"Look, I'm not putting you down, I mean, I'm a mere mortal, you're an angel," she grinned sheepishly, and this action alone gave him the assurances that she was not angry with him, but after a few moments of silence passed between them, she looked at him. "Andrew, I'm sorry if I appear out of line here, but you're not God, you made a mistake, don't make that little girl in there suffer because of it. The longer you avoid her, the more it's going to hurt her. She's got to face the pain so that she can move on with her life. Only then, will she be completely free from the events that took place seven years ago."

"You're right," he said softly.

"I have my moments," she grinned and squeezed his shoulder gently. "You're good at what you do, Andrew, I'm sorry if I hurt you with my words, I guess I'm sometimes too blunt for my own good. I just wanted to help a little."

"You did, Rachel, thank you," he smiled and left the kitchen.

Rachel stood there for a moment and smiled as she crossed her fingers.

*****

While her two charges were getting in touch with their assignments, Tess arrived at the elementary school. She could see the children around her, and when someone called her name she turned around.

Simon Davies came jogging over to her. "Hey what are you doing here? I haven't seen you since Laura's homecoming."

"Hello Simon," Tess said happy that she actually knew someone in this school. She didn't know Christina and Jeremy's nephew very well, but she knew of him through Andrew's words about him and his older brother. "Maybe I should be asking you the same question."

"I started working here as a swim coach. I got my lifesaving certificate about a month ago, and then started working with the kids," He grinned sheepishly. "It's a great job, and keeps me out of trouble. And you?"

"I was supposed to start here today, as a counselor," Tess explained.

"Well, I know the stand-in for our vacationing principal, so I can show you where to go," he said.

As they walked towards the doors leading inside, Simon waved to some of the other teachers as well as a number of the kids. "They seem to think I'm pretty cool, that's important, they need to know that they can find an adult that they can trust."

"That's very important," Tess agreed. "How old are you now?"

"Just had my 20th birthday," he said. "Robert's 22, he's got a girlfriend upstate. I figure they'll be tying the knot next."

Tess smiled. "What about you?"

"Well, that's a bit more difficult to explain," he leaned over and whispered. "I'm not really interested in girls. I know this sounds weird to you, but I've never gotten into the dating thing. Maybe that biological clock's batteries are low. Hard call either way."

"Not really, baby, you'd be surprised what I have seen," Tess said.

"Oh come on, I'm not implying that, I'm just more of a career oriented kind of guy, nothing more," Simon said smiling. They went inside once he had held the door open for her.

Tess nodded. "Simon, do you have a little boy in one of your classes named Scott Reinhardt."

"Yeah, he's in my third period class," Simon replied. "He's been kind of bummed out for the last week. I don't know what his story is, but he's really having a rough go of it. One of the other teachers said that he was depressed about his uncle. I mean death in the family is sometimes hard, but I always thought that coming back to school is supposed to mark some kind of closure for him."

"Did anything else happen?"

"Not much, really. This new assistant coach started here, his name's Raphael, and I think he's pretty cool, but I'm a little worried because this kid's really latched onto him. Anyway, maybe I shouldn't be saying so, but it's almost as though Raphael has come in to save the kid from being tormented by his peers."

Tess nodded as she saw the young Mexican angel walking across the school grounds. He smiled and waved to Simon and continued walking towards the gym. "Anyway, there's Scott, he's the one wearing the blue jacket with the hood. As he tried to unzip the jacket, Tess could see a key hanging around the boy's neck.

"He's a latchkey kid," Simon explained when Tess' glance reverted back to him. "I get to hold his key when I teach the kids how to swim during gym class."

"You feel for him, don't you honey?" Tess asked.

"Makes me grateful that my mom was around when I was growing up. I mean if there was such a thing as being too smart, then his overly logical parents would win the award. They came in and actually asked me if Scott could be dismissed from gym class. I mean, Tess, gym is supposed to be fun."

"If you're athletic, but Scott doesn't look all that into sports," Tess said.

"Don't let his physical appearance fool you, that kid's a wolf in sheep's clothing. I mean, he's got a killer backstroke that would put some grown-ups to shame. For a kid that age, he swims like a fish," Simon replied shaking his head sadly. "He's not really encouraged to do things like this at home, and I think it's really something that he should be getting some positive strokes for. I guess it's just that his parents just use logic as the only thing that he can get through. It's sad."

Tess nodded and watched as the little boy walked towards the cafeteria line where breakfast was being served. "Does Scott ever say anything about angels?"

"Yeah, I've heard him mention Andrew, but not by name. I only know its Andrew he's describing because I know what he looks like," Simon replied. "I sometimes want to tell him the truth, but this little voice inside tells me to keep it to myself. I guess because I really do need this job, and I also like working here. No offense, but if I started talking about angels, they would probably can me next, and it wouldn't look good on a resume."

Tess smiled but nodded. "It's probably a good thing you didn't. Anyway, I probably need to get to the counselor's office, but I'll see you later."

"OK," Simon smiled. "Maybe we can have a jam session before you and your friends jet out of here."

"That'd be wonderful," Tess said loving the idea of getting together with Simon and doing some singing.

*****

Brittany was still seated in Rachel and Bryan's dining room when Andrew came out of the kitchen. He could see her from his vantage point in the doorway, she sat with her head down, and when he finally came into the room, he could feel the tears beginning to stream down his cheeks as he regarded her.

"Brittany, can we talk?" He asked weakly as he sat down at the table next to where she sat hunched over her notebook. Glancing around he could hear the front door closing indicating that Rachel had left. The two of them were now alone in the house and he could see that this fact made the girl all the more apprehensive.

"We already did, yesterday, if I recall," she said softly, her head was still down and she seemed none too willing to even look up at him.

"Brittany, please," he whispered, his voice filled with sadness, and this, if anything, caused the sensitive young girl to look up.

When she saw his face, she swallowed the lump that formed in her throat, but within seconds, all she could do was look away. "What do you want from me?" She finally asked weakly, her voice strained.

"I want to be your friend," he said softly.

"My friend?" She asked and looked down at her hands. "Why do you want that? I mean; why didn't you offer this to me seven years ago?"

"Why I didn't is because I made a terrible mistake, and you suffered as a result of it," Andrew said softly, as the tears continued to stream down his cheeks. He looked at her earnestly. "Please, Brittany, will you forgive me?"

"I already told you, yes, so why don't you just leave me alone?" She said.

"Because I'm your friend, and I know that you don't want to be alone," Andrew said softly. "I will not make the same mistake twice, I cannot."

Brittany grabbed the notebook she had been writing in and although she felt the urge to throw the object against the wall, instead she looked down at the writing on the first page, the tears beginning to stream down her own cheeks as she could no longer read the words of her poem, which was in front of her. After a few seconds of silence, she slid the notebook across the table to him.

Andrew looked down at the poem and then back over at her. "You want me to read this?"

She nodded, her head was constantly down. As she tried to wipe the tears from her eyes, she could see that he began to read.

Lost and lonely, I searched the horizon

For a friend who was reflected in a mirror

The sadness looming in the depth of his eyes

Reminding me of the sorrow I knew

Showing me that life is worth living

But not offering an answer as to why.

I awoke in the morning, looking around me

But all I saw were the shattered remains of a mirror

Broken because the sadness I could no longer hold

Being lost in a storm not really knowing

If my life is worth what I heard it was

Or believing because the silence enfolded me.

As he finished reading the poem, the tears were falling freely from his eyes and streaming down his cheeks. "Brittany, I didn't know, I really didn't."

The girl's face was filled with sadness at hearing the angel's words. "I wrote so many poems about you. I thought that it would help make me feel better about what had happened, but it didn't, it simply made me feel even more lost than before. I know I tried to end my life, but I was still worth a kind word, or love. Wasn't I?"

"Yes," he answered weakly.

"It's just that it was that moment when I needed it the most, and I had hoped that you were there to offer it to me," she finally found her strength to look up. "Can't you see that I needed to feel that I was important? I didn't believe it, and that pain was so intense. Did you even know that I was put on Prozac after I started therapy, simply because I thought I wasn't worth the love of anyone, because I couldn't even earn it from you..."

Andrew stood up and went over to her and sat down next to her, his arms wrapping around her. "I think I understand now, a part of you did die that day, but it wasn't your physical passing, it was the loss of a part of your spirit."

She nodded as she felt herself drawn into his embrace. "I just wanted to feel important, I wanted to feel as though I mattered," she whispered as the tears streamed down her cheeks.

"You are so important and you do matter, Brittany. What happened that night was because of me, I was the one that goofed up, not you. I shouldn't have left you alone," he said softly. "I realize now that I was supposed to have stayed with you even after the mirror was broken and that was my mistake." He brushed his hand gently through her hair and could see the tears that brimmed underneath her eyes. "Don't ever believe that this happened because of you, OK?"

"You didn't want to talk to me, not then and not now," she whispered softly her voice filled with suppressed pain.

"No, I didn't, but do you know something?" He smiled gently at her as he continued stroking her hair. "I'm glad I did, because I finally got to know the beautiful and caring young woman that you are. Not to mention having the chance to read your wonderful poem."

"You think it's wonderful?"

"Mm-hum," he nodded. "You have a very special gift, Brittany, and God gave it to you to help you in the manner which one of His angels failed. I regret that, and for this reason I didn't want to talk to you. It wasn't about you, it was about me, and I realize now that ever since I came back here, I was really afraid to face this terrible mistake I made."

Brittany smiled weakly but remained in his arms. "Andrew, can I ask you a question?"

"You can ask me anything you like," he smiled gently at her.

"If you could have, what would you have done differently that night?" She asked.

"I would have remained with you and told you that God loves you, and that He will always love you no matter what happens. His love for you is unconditional, and He wants to be there for you and help you through everything that you face," he smiled at her. "I'm saying this now, not because it was something that I should have said then, but it is something that is as true then as it is today. Brittany, God is so proud of you."

"Me? That can't be true, I've done nothing to earn it," she whispered more to herself than to him.

"His love and pride are unconditional, but you have earned it just by being who you are and you have been courageous in facing the painful parts of your past. I know it would have been easier to hide them away, but you not only faced it, you made it possible for me to face it as well," he smiled gently at her as he began to glow, the light of God's love enfolding both of them as he spoke. "God loves you, Brittany." He smiled broadly as he looked at her somewhat surprised face.

"Andrew, what is that light?" She asked. She was still wrapped in his arms and could feel the warmth of the light enfolding her.

"God is here, Brittany, He's holding us both in His love, and He's proud that we both have talked to each other, that we faced what happened, and regardless of how hard it was, it will now be easier for both of us to heal," Andrew said softly.

"I have to leave today," she whispered. "But, now I wish I could stay."

He took her chin in his hands and made her look into his compassionate green eyes. "Even when you cannot feel this loving light, you can always take God with you. Even after you leave this place, you can carry His love in your heart, and no matter where you go, you will always be in the company of a friend."

"You know, you say I write beautiful poetry, but you somehow possess the ability to speak in verse," she smiled weakly at him. "I think I'm going to call my parents and ask them if I can stay here a little bit longer. Will you be able to stay? I mean; can you?"

He nodded and smiled weakly as the light faded and they were left still seated in the dining room of Bryan and Rachel's house. "Yes, I'm staying, I have to, I'm supposed to be here for a couple of other reasons."

"You are?" She looked down at her lap, but then back up at him.

"Now wait a minute," he held up his hands in resignation. "I didn't mean that there was someone more important out there, but I have a number of friends here, and I would need an Angel of Death myself if I left here without even saying 'hello' to them."

Brittany laughed out loud, but within moments, her expression became earnest and she looked at him. "You know, I feel a lot better now that we talked, thank you for that, Andrew."

"I feel better too," he smiled gently at her, but after a moment of silence, he got another message from the Father and he looked at her. "Brittany, would you like to help me with an assignment?"

"Me, help you?" She looked at him as though he was joking, but when she looked into his eyes, she realized that he was being a hundred percent serious. "There must be a mistake, I don't think I can do all that much to help you," she finally managed to say.

"Don't underestimate yourself, because there is something you can do to help us."

"Us?"

"Well, yes there are four angels here in town, and three of us are friends with Christina. The other is someone no one here has met yet," he said softly.

"What can I do?" She finally asked.

"Well, there's a little boy who I hear is supposed to meet you. How good are you with children?" He asked.

"OK, I have a little brother at home, he's a regular pill, too," Brittany said smiling weakly. "How long will this assignment be? I mean, my parents are probably expecting us home soon and I'll probably need a place to stay while I'm here."

"I don't think it will be longer than a week, and since I heard that you're a junior lifesaver, that you could probably get a bit more experience with it while you're here."

"That would be cool, but where would I live?" She asked. "I mean Bryan and Rachel are nice, but they're more or less Dave's friends."

"Perhaps you can stay with Christina and Jeremy," he said. "Afterwards, I can drive you home," he said.

Brittany nodded as she reached for her purse, and opened it. Once she pulled a cell phone out, she smiled weakly. "It's only for emergencies," she explained as she called her parents. After a few moments of talking with her mother, she gave Andrew the thumbs up sign and the angel smiled.

*****

Christina and Monica were waiting in the office when the clock tolled one. As someone knocked, Monica went and opened the door. Scott was standing on the other side, his father a few steps behind him. The man carried a stern look in his eyes, but he also seemed hard and unrelenting as he kept a strong hand on the shoulder of the small child.

Monica smiled down at the boy, hoping to help release the tension not set by the child, but rather by boy's father. "You must be Scott," she said smiling gently. "My name's Monica."

"We're here to see Mrs. Christina Lowery," the man said and Monica was immediately taken aback with the arrogant look about this man. He gave every indication that he was the type of person who would drink coffee not for the aromatic taste, but rather for the caffeine. He carried himself with a confident demeanor, but his son glanced around the room with a mixture somewhere between profound curiosity and complete fear.

As the boy was slowly pushed into the room, his smiled and relaxed considerably when his eyes met those of the pretty Irish angel. "Dad, I can handle this," he finally said, and although it sounded confident enough, it also sounded forced, as though he had rehearsed this line all day, and was using it merely as a way to impress his father.

Monica looked over at Christina as the boy sat down on the sofa and looked around the room. It was obvious to them that rather than show that special brand of innocence that seemed prevalent in most children, Scott was trying to carry himself as an adult trapped in a child's body.

"OK," he looked at Christina. "Dr. Harris has informed me that you would be taking Scott's case."

"Yes Mr. Reinhardt," Christina said smiling warmly.

"I'm a Doctor, Mrs. Lowery," he said rather stuffily. "I have my doctorate in Biology, so you can call me Dr. Reinhardt."

Christina could feel her blood beginning to boil and she almost said something she might have later regretted. Had Monica not been standing there, she probably would have told him that he probably also got his diploma in snobbery as well as a minor in self-importance. She offered him an overly friendly smile and nodded as he left the room.

As soon as he was gone, she took a few deep breaths and noticed that Scott had stood up and approached the bookshelf on one side of the room.

Christina watched the boy, but briefly glanced over at Monica with a grateful look on her face. She knew that if she had gotten angry at Dr. Reinhardt, than she would have blown not only the case she had been given, but also would have probably ruined Monica's assignment as well.

Sighing sadly, she glanced over and could see that Scott was now looking at the bookshelves. "You've got 'Winnie the Pooh'," the boy said softly as he reached for the book that was near her desk.

"Yes, I do," she smiled as she went over to the young boy and rested her hand on his shoulder. "Scott, why don't we sit down and get acquainted?"

"OK, Mrs. Lowery," the boy offered as he returned the book to the shelf.

Once the three of them were comfortable on the sofa, Christina tossed the file onto her already cluttered desk and smiled at the boy. "First of all, you don't have to call me Mrs. Lowery, you can call me Christina, and I would really like it if we could be friends."

"My dad said that I'm not to be friends with you, you're nothing but a psychologist," Scott said softly.

Christina sighed deeply when he heard the arrogant sounding words emerging from the boy. No doubt these were simply the repeated words the father had dictated to the son before they had come inside the office. She glanced over at Monica in hopes that the angel would say something.

"Well, Scott, whatever is said in this room will stay in this room," Monica suggested, "so you can call Christina by her first name in the sessions, but when you're at home, then you can refer to her as Mrs. Lowery. How does that sound?"

"OK, I suppose," the boy fidgeted a little and he smiled weakly at them. "I don't know why my parents sent me here."

"Well, maybe we can figure this out between the three of us. Now, why don't you tell us how you've been doing?" Christina said softly.

"Are you a counselor too?" The boy asked looking at Monica.

"Why yes, I am," Monica said softly.

"Monica is a very qualified counselor, Scott, she has been doing this kind of work much longer than I have," Christina said gently. "Now, what do you want to talk about?"

"My parents think I'm crazy," Scott said softly. "I'm starting to believe that maybe they're right."

"Why is that?" Christina asked.

"Because I saw something that they didn't, and my dad said it's not scientifically feasible," Scott said weakly.

Monica arched an eyebrow when she heard those words, but instead of saying anything, she allowed Christina to ask the questions.

The hour sped by, with very little progress being made and when the father returned to collect his son, Christina made an appointment for Friday afternoon, and once they left the room, she was able to release a loud and almost suppressed sigh.

She approached the window, looked outside, and could see them on the street below the building, she was finally able to release the pent up emotions she carried about Dr. Reinhardt. "That pompous, arrogant twit," she fumed and it was plain to see that Monica was taken aback with her words.

"Christina, he's not meant to be judged," Monica said gently.

"I know, but that 'Dr. Reinhardt' stuff, I mean, I thought I was going to choke when he said that to me. It infuriates me when people who carry titles like that look on the rest of us with scorn and disdain. It's almost as though we underlings are not fit to breath the same air as them. Oh, I have not been this angry in such a long time and that poor kid. Doesn't read 'Winnie the Pooh' because it doesn't have any educational value. Oh please, give me a break."

Monica smiled sympathetically but rested a gentle hand on Christina's shoulder.

"I know it's wrong for me to get so upset about this, but Monica, the way that poor boy carried himself, I almost thought he was a junior executive, or someone up for the Nobel Prize in Physics. He's a seven-year-old kid for crying out loud."

Monica smiled gently, "I know."

Christina grabbed her jacket from off the chair. "Let's go have some lunch, I need to get out of here for awhile."

Monica nodded, she could see the tension on her friend's face, and she didn't like it one bit. Between today and Friday, she knew that she and the other angels would have to help Christina get her emotions in check, and she hoped that she would be successful.

*****

Simon got finished with his work at the school and he stretched out as he looked out across the pool where he was working. As he did, he could see that Andrew had come into the area and a young woman was with him.

"Hey, Simon," Andrew called out and the young man crawled down from the bleachers and went over to see his friend.

"Hey Andrew, long time no see. How've you been, man?" Simon asked and smiled at Brittany. "Who's your cute friend?"

Brittany blushed and Andrew smiled. "This is Brittany Bowen."

"Nice to meet you," Simon said, and gave her a winning smile. "I'm Simon Davies, the lifesaving guru around here."

Brittany giggled. "Well, if I'm going to be saved by someone, I'd want him to be as charming as you appear to be. Unfortunately, I'm also a junior lifesaver and chances are, I'd probably not be drowning any time soon."

"So what's up? What brings you guys by?" Simon asked as he reached for a towel and began to wipe it across his face.

"Well, we heard that you needed a student assistant here, so I thought maybe Brittany could work with you for a week or so. She's visiting from upstate, but we thought maybe she could get some hours here while on vacation," Andrew said.

"Not a bad idea," Simon replied. "But, I'd hate to break it to you, the pay's not all that great, in fact it stinks."

"I'm not all that worried about that if you want to know the truth," Brittany said freely. "I just need a few hours to put on my resume, I hope that's feasible."

"Around here, I'd guess it is, the more people we have with experience, the less chances of us needing a visit from an Angel of Death," Simon chortled as he looked at Andrew and winked.

Brittany caught his meaning and looked at Andrew. "He knows?" She whispered unsure if Simon had actually heard her words.

Andrew blushed and nodded. "Simon, I won't be hanging around here in that capacity during uh-business hours."

Simon glanced over to see that Brittany had started to giggle and he looked at Andrew. "I take it Brittany already knows who you are, huh?"

"Yes, she knows," Andrew smiled weakly, but nodded in her direction, "and since there are no secrets about identities here, we need to talk to you about something else."

"Yeah, I kind of guessed. I ran into Tess earlier today and she seemed to be interested in one of the kids I teach. It's the boy named Scott Reinhardt, so I guess that you guys are also here about him."

Andrew nodded. "How much do you know about him?"

"I don't know much, I'm afraid, Raphael, he's the assistant coach here, has been working with this kid more than I have," Simon said. "I was not so keen on a kid getting too attached to a teacher, but then again, I was only hired to teach swimming, and I'll leave the stuff with the psychology to the experts."

"Did you notice anything about him that struck you as odd?" Brittany asked.

"What aside from him reading high school level Physics textbooks during study hall?" Simon asked and when he got a strange look from Brittany and Andrew he nodded his head. "It's true, I've seen him there, and he reads through Physics textbooks as though it is the most natural thing in the world. I mean most of the kids around here are reading stuff like The Chronicles of Narnia and this kid is reading stuff like Einstein's theories of Relativity and Advanced Technical Theory. It blows my mind, but I can see the pressure in the kid's eyes. His parents are really smart, so naturally they think their kid is supposed to be some kind of genius, but he's not, I mean, he's just a little kid, and it seems like he is stuck between the cracks, if you want to know the truth."

"We know, Simon, and that's why there are a lot of people worried about him," Brittany said softly. "But, my question is how am I going to be able to help him? I'm just a girl, I have no special qualities."

"But you're real, and maybe that is what will appeal to the kids here," Simon said softly. "If Scott can see in you a normal person, maybe he'll realize that he doesn't have to be this picture of perfection that his parents want him to be."

"True, but there's also this issue of whether or not what he saw was real," Andrew said softly. "He saw me when I took his uncle home and this is the reason that he's been put in therapy to begin with."

Brittany squeezed the shoulder of the angel and smiled weakly at him. "Now I understand why I'm supposed to meet him." She looked at Andrew with a feigned anger. "Next time you need my help, Todesengelchen, maybe you should tell me the entire story and not leave the important parts out."

"What on earth does that mean?" Simon asked.

"It's German," Brittany said. "I had a year of German in school. Now, I don't know if it is a real word, but in English it means something like 'little Angel of Death'." She glanced over and could see that Andrew's face was now red with embarrassment and she began to giggle again. "OK, it's a weird nickname, but at least I have a way of getting your attention."

"I only failed to mention that part, and then I get pegged with a goofy nickname. It's a good thing Jeremy and Lindsey aren't here, I'd never live that one down," he smiled weakly. "I guess it's OK, just please don't start calling me Andy."

Brittany smiled at him. "I have a rather bizarre sense of humor. Did I remember to tell you that?"

"No, but I seem to learn more about you the longer I'm here," Andrew said.

"OK, so what are we going to do about Scott?" Simon asked.

"I figure that the answer will come when we need it," Andrew replied.

"Yeah, OK, but if Scott knows you, then maybe you should leave it to the three of us mere mortals," Brittany said softly.

"I wouldn't say that," Raphael's voice interrupted and he joined them on the bleachers. "Hey Andrew, how goes it, Amigo?"

"Hey Raphael," Andrew greeted his friend.

"You guys know each other?" Simon asked.

"Yep," Raphael answered. "I was sent here to help Scott, after Andrew took his uncle home."

"You're an angel too?" Brittany asked.

Raphael nodded.

"I don't believe this, I've been working with you for the past two weeks. How come I didn't know?" Simon asked. "I mean, I've known Andrew here since I was 14."

"Maybe he's working undercover," Brittany offered and looked at Raphael. "Is that it, are you like in deep undercover for the Big Guy or something?"

Raphael laughed out loud, but nodded. "I guess you could put it that way. Scott and I have become friends, and we've talked a lot, but it's still not going to be easy. His parents, from what I hear are a couple of tough nuts to crack."

Andrew nodded and looked at the three of them. "I know, and it looks as though I'm going to be the one who will have to indirectly crack those nuts, so it appears as though we've got all the grounds covered."

"What are you going to do, Andrew?" Brittany asked.

"First, I will be visiting another friend of mine, and then I will become a custodian at the Science Institute here in town where Dr. Reinhardt works," he said. "If I get directly involved with Scott's case, then I'll probably make a bigger splash than I did seven years ago." He looked at Brittany and shrugged his shoulders.

"Forget about it," Brittany said smiling weakly at him. "We're friends now, and that's the most important thing. Besides, being next to the pool, you might want to be careful about making a splash, you might find yourself being thrown in."

"If anyone gets that privilege, then it's going to be me," Raphael said with a smirk, causing Andrew to raise his hands slightly, and they all laughed.

******

Laura Lowery came home from school and let herself into the house at this time, her soft voice singing as she dug the key out of her pocket.

"Laura," a voice called her name and she turned around and could see that Andrew was coming up the walk, her cousin Simon was with him, as well as a young Mexican man, and a teenage girl.

"Andrew, you're here," she squealed as soon as she turned around, and stumbled clumsily into his arms and hugged him.

"Hello sweetheart," he said gently and ruffled her hair.

"Mommy said that you'd be here," she said softly, "but I didn't know if I would get to see you so soon."

"Why is that?" He asked.

"Well, I'm supposed to go see my doctor almost everyday after school," she said, her voice sad. "I have to go and see them three times a week to have them pull on my legs and make me do stuff like swimming."

"Physical therapy," Simon said softly to Raphael and Brittany and the two of them nodded. "She's had to go since she and my uncle were in an accident about half a year ago."

"Well, let's go inside, we're going to need your help, Laura," Andrew said.

"My help?" She asked weakly and the angel nodded. She smiled broadly and unlocked the door. Once they were inside, the little girl closed the door behind them and she turned around to see Andrew smiling gently at her.

"I need you to teach me all your favorite songs, Laura," he said softly. "Will you do that?"

"Really?" Laura asked. "I thought you knew everything."

Brittany snickered, "well almost everything," she said to Simon who had a hard time suppressing his laughter.

"Listen, you two jokesters, Andrew has a plan, so we should give him a break and listen to what he has in mind," Raphael said, his brown eyes twinkling mischievously. "OK, Amigo, the floor is yours, now you can tell us what this is about."

Before Andrew could even speak, the door opened and Christina stormed in, Monica was right behind her. "I swear, Monica, if that guy had stayed a minute longer, I'd have thrown him headfirst out the window."

"Bad day at the shrink shack, Christina?" Simon asked rolling his eyes and looking at Monica who simply shook her head.

"Simon, any other day but this one and I would have laughed," Christina said softly sitting down on the sofa, her hands were trembling in frustration.

"Let me guess," Andrew began. "Dr. Reinhardt?"

Monica nodded and Christina looked as though she was about to snap. "I'm so mad at that guy I could positively…"

"Spit?" Simon asked, and he gave his aunt a weird smile.

"Yeah," she said assuredly. "His inner child is obviously dead, and he's got an attitude from…" her voice trailed off when she realized who exactly was in her living room. "Sorry," she mumbled covering her lips with her hand, but Andrew could see the frustrated tears in the eyes of his friend.

"Scott didn't exaggerate about his parents then?" Raphael asked.

Christina looked up, "no, he didn't." After a few moments, she glanced back up at him. "I don't mean to be rude, but who are you?"

"Raphael, I work with Simon out at the school," Raphael said.

"Nice to meet you, sorry you can't meet me in a better mood. I'm not usually such a grouch," Christina said.

"You can say that again," Brittany quipped.

"I thought you were heading home," Christina said softly.

"I was, but then I uhgot assigned to stay here by the man upstairs," Brittany said smiling broadly.

Christina nodded and ran her hands through her short brown hair. "I just don't know if I'm the right person for this job anymore. Sometimes I think I'm going mad myself. I hear a little kid who is grown into some warped kind of mini-scientist and it makes me positively sick."

"Mommy," Laura sat down next to Christina and wound her arms around her neck.

"Not now, honey," Christina said softly and pushed Laura gently away.

The little girl looked at her mother, her eyes filling with tears, but she backed away from Christina and left the room, the tears streaming down her cheeks as she ran up the stairs and to her room.

"I'll be right back," Andrew said softly excusing himself and going up the stairs after Laura.

"It's not easy for you, we all know this Christina," Monica said softly as she sat down next to the woman.

"I just don't know what to do anymore, I'm tired again, and now this new case has really pushed me to the limit," Christina said. "I really could use some help."

"Well, that's why God sent us," Raphael said.

"You're an angel too?" Christina looked at him in disbelief. "You look like a teenager yourself."

"Not every angel is as old as Tess," Raphael said with a smirk.

"Just don't let Tess hear you say that, or you may need Andrew in hisuh, professional capacity," Simon said and once those words emerged, Christina found herself laughing and she regarded her nephew with gratitude.

"I guess I should say something to Laura, but this case has been so hard, and for the first time in a long time, I'm actually bringing my work home with me. Oh Father why did Peter put me on this case? I don't know if I can do it," Christina whispered under her breath.

"You may not understand why, but maybe He did it because He believes in you," Raphael said simply. "Just do your best, girl, and let Him take care of the rest."

Christina smiled weakly and nodded. "I guess I should go and see about Laura."

"Don't worry, for now she's catching up with Andrew, and this should give us a bit of time to discuss what needs to be done," Monica said smiling sympathetically at her.

Simon and Brittany sat down and the two angels and three humans began to discuss their options.

*****

"Laura," Andrew whispered as he tapped on the child's door. "Can I come in?"

Laura walked slowly towards the door, and opened it. Once he came inside, he looked down at her. She had the look of utmost pain on her face, and his heart nearly broke when he saw her face. "She hates me," she finally managed to speak.

"No, she doesn't sweetheart, no one hates you, least of all your mother, she cares very much for you, and she loves you very much," Andrew said softly. "She's just had a rough day, and sometimes when the emotions are running high, people sometimes don't show what they are really feeling."

"Are you mad at me?" Came her weak question.

"Absolutely not," he smiled gently at her. "Let me ask you a question. How do you feel when grown-ups treat you as though you are beneath them?"

"I don't know, I guess I don't like it, but most of my teachers at school don't do that," Laura said. "I think their pity is much worse."

"Pity?" He looked at her.

"Yeah, ever since the wreck, they treat me weird, as though I'm a piece of chinaware. They don't treat me like they did before," Laura's eyes filled with tears. "Andrew, I don't remember everything my real momma did, but I remember feeling alone, and now I feel alone again."

"You're not, sweetheart," he said gently. "You're never alone."

"You mean God is with me?" She asked weakly. "I can talk to Him whenever I want?"

"Yes, you can, and while I'm here you can also talk to me," he said gently. "You know I come back here to see you, too."

"Really?"

"Really," he smiled gently at her. "Now, why don't we sit down?"

"OK," the little girl said as she came over and sat down next to him. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, and then she finally looked over at him. "Andrew?"

"What is it sweetheart?" He asked gently.

"I was just wondering if you remember what I told you about what happened to me when I was in the hospital?" Laura asked, her voice weak.

"Yes, I remember, you told me about your experience," he said softly.

"I never told Mommy or Daddy about it," Laura looked at him. "They would think I'm crazy, wouldn't they?"

"No, I don't think they would," he smiled gently at her as he continued to speak. "You remembered events that no one could possibly have known about unless they had actually been in those places at those times." He rested his hand gently on her head, and stoked her hair. "Tell me, sweetheart, how did you feel when you saw the light?"

"I felt love, like I sometimes do when you hold me, but it was different," Laura began. "It was bright and so beautiful."

"I sense a 'but' coming," he said gently.

She looked down at her lap and nodded numbly. "The kids here make fun of me because I walk funny, and when I'm sad, I try really hard to remember that love." Andrew wrapped her in his arms, as she began to cry, her arms wrapping around him. "I wish I could feel it all the time."

"I know it's hard for you to not be with God right now, but the Father loves you so very much that He wanted you to have a chance to grow up here with a wonderful mommy and daddy," Andrew smiled gently at the little girl. "You experienced the love of God, but felt as though it was taken away from you the moment you realized what it truly was. But, do you know what?"

The little girl shook her head and waited for him to continue.

"That love will be with you always. You may be physically separated from God and Heaven, but the love of the Father will always be there for you, and He will always love you," Andrew said softly.

"But now, I walk funny," Laura said softly and sniffed.

"You were given a wonderful gift when you survived, Laura," Andrew smiled gently at her.

"The other kids make fun of me and call me a cripple," she whispered. "It makes me feel like I'm not worthy of going to Heaven."