A 'Touched By An Angel' story

And Sequel to 'Blowing Smoke'
and 'The Watch and the Star'

By: Yvette Jessen

It was Halloween night, and Brittany Harrows stood in her bedroom in front of a full-length mirror. She had been feeling better during the last few weeks; perhaps much of it was nervous anticipation with regard to the coming festivities at the elementary school she attended.

Oddly enough, she had dreamt the night before that her best friend, Adam, would show up for the party, and she was so excited about that possibility. She often wondered what an Angel of Death would think of Halloween, simply because people seemed to like being scared and she really hated thinking about it.

She never really told anyone, not even her friend, Megan, but she was never really into the festivities of this day, but yet, the thought of going to the party did, in some ways, appeal to her. Everyone in her first grade class had been speaking of nothing but this night for as long as she could remember.

After checking herself in the mirror for what seemed to be the fiftieth time, she looked down at her flowing white dress and eventually shrugged her shoulders. For some reason, she knew that if she had to dress as something for Halloween, she thought she could dress as a princess, and would wear a golden tiara on her head. "I don't really feel like a princess tonight," she mumbled under her breath as she looked at her reflection. She didn't know why, but she had a stomachache, and now she was afraid of telling her mother because she would probably have to miss the party. She covered her stomach with her hands and backed away from the mirror and smiled weakly as she looked around her room.

The knock at her bedroom door announced that her uncle Hunter was now ready to take her to the party, and when she opened it, she could see that he was standing on the opposite side and he was ready to take her out to the school.

"My goodness, you do look lovely, Your Highness," Hunter said as he extended his hand and smiled down at his niece.

She giggled and accepted his offered arm. "You think so?"

"Hey, have I ever lied to you, my dear?" Hunter asked, his eyes twinkling and he smiled at her.

"I don't know, I guess not," she mumbled.

"You guess not," Hunter's face immediately became earnest and he cocked his head to one side and looked at her with the same look he used to give his mother when he couldn't have a cookie.

"OK, no, Uncle Hunter, are you happy now?" She asked grinning impishly up at him. As she followed him down the stairs, she could feel the stomachache getting worse, but she managed to fake her way outside to his pick-up truck.

"You feel OK?" Hunter finally asked as soon as they were seated in the car. "You know, I may not have all my cups in the cabinet, but I did notice that you look as though you haven't been feeling good. You want to talk about it?"

"I-uh, no, there's nothing wrong," she said weakly as she dug in the pocket of her dress and found the small golden watch, pulled it out, and ran her hand across the smooth surface.

"Well, it looks to me as though you have something on your mind, I was just wondering what was going on?" Hunter replied.

"I'm just thinking about Adam is all. It's been so long since I last saw him," Brittany answered honestly, her hands still pressed against her stomach, and she hoped that the darkness of the cab of his truck would conceal her actions and not cause him to worry about her. "Do you think he still remembers me?"

"I'm sure he does, but to be honest, I'm glad he's not showing up now," Hunter said honestly. "Sam's been sick again, and although the treatment is going well and she's due to make a full recovery, I'm still worried about her."

"Adam wouldn't hurt her, Uncle Hunter," Brittany said softly. "He promised me that he would come back and visit me. I know you feel weird about him, but he's my best friend, and I miss him so much."

"I know you do, sweetie," Hunter said softly trying all the while to keep his worries about the plight of his fiancé out of his consciousness as he drove some blocks and pulled up in front of the school. As soon as they found a spot, they parked and as Brittany was getting out, he continued speaking. "I'll be back to pick you up at 9 sharp, OK. If I don't show up, just have Miss Hudson call your grandma up at the house, OK?"

"OK," Brittany replied obediently.

He remained parked in front of the school for a few minutes, and as he watched his niece closing the door, he looked around and could see the children were running towards the doors of the school, many of them were chattering amongst themselves. As Hunter put the key back in the ignition and he could see that Brittany had spotted Megan and ran off to join the other girl.

Hunter continued to watch his niece until something curious struck his attention, and he glanced back over in the direction of the parking lot and stared as one of the boys was getting out of a car some ten feet away. When the boy turned around, Hunter gasped and watched as Brittany's classmate, a boy named Sean, was walking confidently in the direction of the doors leading inside. It appeared as though neither Brittany nor Megan saw the boy, but Hunter's breath was literally caught in his throat when he saw this small boy with his hair neatly combed, and was dressed in a neatly pressed beige suit and tie.

*****

"Hey Megan," Brittany offered once she reached the other girl.

"Hey, Princess Brittany," Megan said slyly smiling when she saw her friend walking towards the doors leading inside the school.

"Where did you get that costume?" Brittany asked. Her gaze was on the manner in which Megan was dressed. The young girl was dressed in a blue and white sailor dress, which appeared to be something straight out of the 1940's, and she looked like the exact replica of Shirley Temple, right down to her naturally curly hair.

"My mom found the material at a thrift store, and then she sewed the costume from a movie poster she had from when she was a little girl," Megan smiled brightly. "I thought it was a great idea, so I decided to dress this way. Mom was really happy about it."

"I wonder what the others are going to be dressed as," Brittany said as she looked around, but suddenly her stomach pains returned and this time they were worse than before and as she felt them, she moaned in agony, and held her tiny hands over her stomach. "Oh God…" she whimpered as she looked around.

"You OK?" Megan asked, her usual cheerful face was filled with worry and she regarded her friend with concern as well as with a trace of fright.

Brittany recovered by this time, the pain seemed to leave as quickly as it came, and the little girl nodded. "I think so, I guess I ate something bad, because my tummy hurts."

"Maybe we should tell Miss Hudson or someone," Megan suggested.

"No, then they would make me leave, and if Adam shows up, he won't know where I am," Brittany said softly as their teacher approached. "Besides, I think I'm OK, now."

"Hello girls," Vicki Hudson smiled down at the two girls. "I see you two selected some rather positive themed costumes this year. Not the typical scary stuff that you see on Halloween, but you both look really cute."

"You don't look so bad either, Miss Hudson," Megan said softly looking at the teddy bear costume their teacher wore.

"Yeah," Brittany added. "You look really cuddly."

"Well, I figure this much, as a teddy, then maybe I could get some extra hugs from my students," Vicki smiled at the two girls and stretched her arms out and took the two girls into a furry embrace.

Once they had hugged their teacher, Vicki glanced up and began to chuckle when she saw Sean walking out of the school and across the courtyard. "I never thought I'd see this in my lifetime."

"Miss Hudson, why is he dressed like Adam," Brittany said softly watching her classmate enter the school.

"I don't know, maybe Adam's his new hero," Vicki whispered.

Megan shook her head. "But, what if Adam comes here tonight, what will he say?"

"I have no idea," Vicki said, but the three of them continued to watch as Sean walked back inside the school building. "I suppose we'd better get inside and maybe have some cookies and punch. If Adam does show up here, something tells me that even he won't know what to make of all of this."

Brittany followed her teacher and her classmate towards the door leading inside the school, but before they reached it, she could feel the pain in her stomach starting again and she lingered behind deciding to stay outside for a few minutes and getting some fresh air before going and joining her classmates inside.

She walked across the courtyard and once she was a few feet from the lighted playground, she sank to the ground and was sitting on her knees as the pain enveloped her once again, and she could do nothing except to cry bitterly, her body hunched over, her arms pressed tightly against her stomach.

*****

Some three feet from where she was sitting on the ground, Adam stood with his friends, Monica, Tess, and Andrew. "Adam what are you going to do?" Monica asked. "You know you're not supposed to take her back into the school."

"I know, but what can I do?" Adam asked, his usual cheerfulness shadowed by the concern and overwhelming love he had for this particular child. "You guys know that I love that little girl, and I can't just stand here and watch her suffer like this."

"Go and stay with her, Adam," Tess said softly. "We'll see what we can do inside the school. If you can get her to go into the school, then try that, but that baby needs medical help."

"I know," Adam nodded sadly and once his friends had left, he walked over to where the little girl was on the ground and crouched down beside her. When she continued to weep, he knew that she obviously did not hear him approach and he concluded that she obviously had more on her mind than what was happening around her. "Brittany?" He whispered her name softly, his voice barely above a soothing whisper.

Upon hearing her name spoken by a familiar and soothing masculine voice, the little girl looked up, her tear-stained gaze meeting the familiar gray eyes of the angel. "A-Adam," she finally managed to stammer, her voice filled with pain, but the relief evident once she could see that her best friend was now crouched down beside her. "My tummy, it hurts."

"I know, honey, I know," He took her in his arms and held her.

"Please, help me, Adam," Brittany continued to cry, her face meshed against his chest, and her small arms wrapping around him.

"Shhh, it's OK," Adam said gently as he continued to rock her in his arms.

"What's wrong with me?" Brittany asked; her voice filled with fear.

"You are sick, sweetheart, you have a condition called appendicitis, and you're going to need an operation so you won't feel anymore pain," Adam said gently.

"Not that, anything but that, I'm scared, Adam," her voice emerged bordering on hysterical and he had to tighten his hold on her to keep her from falling out of his arms and onto the ground.

"I know you are, Brittany, but I promise, I'll be with you and God will be with you, too. You have nothing to be afraid of, honey," Adam said softly as he brushed his hand gently through her hair.

"But I am, it hurts so much," she whimpered.

"I know, my friends went to try and get you some help," he said gently, but looked down and could see the dress she was wearing. "You dressed up for Halloween?" He asked trying to divert the small child's attention onto something else.

"Yeah, but it's no fun, cause my tummy hurts so much," she sniffed.

"You make a beautiful princess," he said smiling gently at her.

"Really?"

"Would I lie to you?" Adam asked in mock surprise. "I think you're the most beautiful princess in the world."

"Will you be my prince, Adam?" The little girl asked innocently.

Adam could feel the tears in his eyes as he looked down at Brittany. How was it that he had come to mean so much to that little girl in the course of the nearly five months since meeting her for the first time? Eventually, he nodded, but as he did, he began to contemplate how he had never been all that good with children; in fact, he could only remember a few assignments where he had been sent to small children. Somehow, he realized that ever since Andrew had become an Angel of Death, his friend was usually sent to children and he was normally sent to adults.

Today, Adam felt unbelievably blessed as he looked down and could see the innocent eyes of the six-year-old child gazing up at him.

"What are you thinking about, Prince Adam?" Brittany finally asked, her voice somewhat weaker than it had been, but he could see that she had relaxed in his arms, a good sign that her stomach pains had once again ceased.

He chuckled and smiled down at the small child. "I'm thinking about how lucky I am to have you as my best friend, Your Highness."

"Really?"

"Mm-hum," he nodded as she crawled off his lap and stood up. "You feel any better?"

"A little, my tummy doesn't hurt as bad now," she said.

"Then why don't we go inside, and let my friends know that you're OK, but I want you to let Tess take you to the hospital," Adam said gently as he got back on his feet and offered her his hand.

"B-but I'm scared," she whispered as she reached out to him.

"I know you are, sweetheart, but I promise, I will be right there with you, and I'll talk to you while you're asleep, and maybe we can go somewhere special together, but Brittany, you have to trust me now. Can you do that?" Adam got down on his knees and rested his hands on her shoulders. "I won't let anything bad happen to you, I think you know that, but if your appendix ruptures then..."

"I'll die?"

Adam nodded solemnly.

She threw herself once more into his arms. "You promise you won't leave me?"

"Not for a second," he smiled gently at her and brushed her hair out from in front of her frightened eyes.

*****

Sean was standing in the middle of his first grade classroom as the other kids looked at him. "You look like our mascot," one of the boys was saying.

"Isn't it cool?" Sean asked. "I told my mom about Adam and she bought me this suit, it's cool, but she said that I could wear it when we go to special events at church."

"I think you're weird," Megan said. "You're not an angel, Sean, you're just playing pretend."

"Maybe, but that's what's so great about Halloween, we can be whatever we want to be, and what's more cool than to dress as an Angel of Death tonight?" Sean asked and looked at Vicki, his eyes positively shining. "Miss Hudson, don't you think my costume is cool?"

"Well, let's say that it's an original idea you have there, Sean, but tell me, how many of the other kids did you have to explain your costume to?" Vicki asked.

"Uh, I lost count after the tenth person asked me," Sean said honestly, but he looked sadly down at his black leather loafers. "I thought it was cool, though. I mean what's the difference between wearing this and dressing as one of the 'Men in Black'?"

"You could have gotten your suit in black and then you could have gotten some dark shades," Matthew, one of the other boys said. "I mean, isn't that like bad to try and dress as someone real?"

"I don't know, Megan did, she's dressed as Shirley Temple, and that was a real child star back when my mom and dad were little," Vicki said.

"Really?" Matthew asked.

"Yes, it's true, and she was really famous for a long time," Vicki said.

As the teacher spoke, Adam and Brittany reached the classroom door and could hear the voices emerging out into the hallway. Before they went inside, Andrew came running up to them. "Tess said that she would meet you outside after you go and visit with Brittany's class."

"You can come too, Andrew," Brittany said.

"No, I'm afraid not tonight, sweetheart," the younger Angel of Death began. It was obvious to both of them that Halloween was not something that Andrew particularly was fond of. He smiled weakly at them. "I have to get back outside and let Tess and Monica know that I found you two."

"OK, we'll meet you outside after we say 'hello' to Brittany's class," Adam said smiling weakly at his friend. If truth were known, Adam shared a similar feeling about Halloween as his fellow angel, but rather than elaborate on it, he opted to keep his opinions about it to himself so as to not ruin the fun for his young friend.

Andrew headed back down the hallway in the direction of the front doors leading outside. Once he was gone, Adam looked down at Brittany, as he executed a princely bow. "Ready to go inside, Your Highness?" He asked and ceremoniously offered her his arm.

"Yeah, I guess so," she said softly and linked her arm through his. As Adam opened the door and the two of them went into the classroom, Adam's jaw just about dropped when he saw Sean standing in the middle of the room dressed in a beige suit.

He looked down at Brittany and shrugged his shoulders, the thoughts of gratitude that Andrew had opted not to come into this room overwhelming him and this was apparently showing in his gray eyes. Sighing deeply he tried to force a smile, but his awkwardness was evidently showing when the boy glanced up and when he saw the angel, his face broke into a Cheshire cat grin.

*****

"Adam, how nice to see you," Vicki came over to him. The teddy bear head she had on muffled her voice and she removed it as soon as she reached him. "How would you like to give an oversized teddy bear a hug?"

Adam chuckled and wrapped the teacher in a warm hug. As he hugged her, she whispered something in his ear and he nodded once the embrace ended.

Megan came over to him and pulled on the arm of his jacket. "Do you remember me?" She asked.

"I never forget a friend, Megan," Adam said gently and he took her in his arms and spun her around the room. She giggled the entire time and once they had stopped, he returned her to her feet. "You know, you look just like the real Shirley Temple. I knew her," he said smiling.

"I bet you knew everyone," one girl said with admiration in her voice.

"What about Abraham Lincoln, did you ever meet him?" Matthew asked.

"No, but Andrew did," Adam said. "If I recall, that was when Andrew was promoted to Angel of Death."

"He was promoted?" Suzie asked. "That sounds so weird."

"I suppose it does, but at the moment, it was the only passable word I could think of to describe what happens when an angel gets a new job," Adam said taking a deep breath as he continued to speak. "Every angel has a job, and sometimes that angel gets a special job." The more he spoke of this, the more he realized how hard it was to simplify things for these children. "Why don't we all sit down, and I'll tell you a little bit about how I got this job?" He suggested.

The children cheered, and Adam smiled weakly as he took Brittany's hand. They walked over to the rug and sat down.

"Sean, why don't you get Adam some cookies and punch, and we can all listen to what he has to say?" Vicki suggested as the other children were sitting down.

The little boy rushed off to get the requested cookies and punch. Once he returned, he handed a plate and plastic cup to Adam. "Thank you, Sean," he said softly and the boy sat down on the rug and inched closer so he could listen to Adam's story.

"It was about, I guess, three hundred years ago, during what was known as the Salem Witch Trials," Adam said.

"Three hundred years?" Megan asked. "You can't be that old."

Adam smiled at the little girl, but he nodded. "It is true, I am well over three hundred years old, but I think it would be a little hard to explain in one evening our aging process. Anyway, Vicki, did you ever explain the Salem Witch Trials of Colonial America to the children?"

"Not very much Adam, but we did talk about this during our history lesson some weeks ago," Vicki said softly. "Actually, we usually save all the stuff about this time period for our discussion about the first Thanksgiving."

Adam grimaced slightly, as he recalled that one particular Thanksgiving when Tess wanted him to kill the turkey that was supposed to be the main course for their festivities. "How much do you children remember about what you heard?" He finally asked trying to keep himself from getting sidetracked with another story.

"Is this another boring history lesson?" Matthew complained.

"No, it's not," Adam interjected. "But, Matthew, in order for you to understand my story, you have to understand at least a little bit about what happened during that time."

"Tell us, Adam, please," Suzie pleaded with him.

"OK," he smiled gently at the little girl. "During the Colonial days, women were often accused of being witches. Often jealous neighbors did this, or townspeople who did not approve of one's lifestyle or even understand that person. It was a very hard time in history; it was filled with hatred and paranoia. Do you children know what paranoia is?"

"Is that like being scared?" Sean asked.

"Yes it's very close to that," Vicki said and Adam nodded.

"People reacted to their neighbors in fear. I met many of those people who were not only scared of each other, but they were also terrified of God. You know the word 'Puritan' means in some cases 'pure at heart' and these people strived to be as pure and good as they could be. These people tried to live the life of the pure at heart, but instead, their fear took over and replaced it with hatred and fear, and that was one of the reasons so many died."

"What happened when you were there, Adam?" Brittany asked weakly.

"Well I had been sent there to help a young woman named Patricia," Adam began. "She had been accused of the highest crime in the community of Salem, her neighbors had accused her of practicing witchcraft. This was a very scary time, and every woman ever accused of this were usually killed, either by burning, being hung, or drowned. Some of these women, like Patricia ran away; but because of the hostilities between the settlers and the natives, many of these woman were captured by Indians and murdered."

"This is really a great Halloween story," Sean said enthusiastically.

"Shhh," Vicki put her finger over her lips as Adam continued his story.

Flashback To Salem

Patricia Young was frightened; she had been accused by her neighbor, an older woman by the name of Craving, of being a witch. She knew that it would not be long until the mob would find her hidden away in the nearby caves and they would bring her back to town and try her for practicing witchcraft.

All around her she could see the hostility of the inhabitants of Salem, their fear penetrating and shadowing all the logic that was encompassed in them. The 24-year-old woman was so frightened; as she sat in the cave, she would look towards the mouth of that cave wondering how much longer she would have to sit there and wait to die. Her existence hung in the balance; and even worse, she feared the wrath that God would have on her soul after the judgment against her came down. She looked down at her hands, the scars from her childhood abuse all up and down her arms, but her hands were whole, except for the bitten down fingernails, which she could not help but bite.

As she looked around the empty cave where she was hiding, she realized that her food was running out, that she was indeed petrified for her very life. This was no existence, and perhaps it would have been better had she been dead.

"Maybe I am a witch," she whispered to herself all the while shaking her head in disbelief. "Maybe I deserve whatever does happen to me. Can God even love one such as me?"

"God weeps for you, Patricia Young," A voice emerged through the cave, and she looked up to see a man in the colonial dress standing at the mouth of the cave. Around him a whitish hue of light encased him, making him look aglow. His appearance was unfamiliar to her and she could do nothing but stare up at his piercing gray eyes and remain rooted to the spot where she was sitting.

"W-who are you? I've never seen you before, and yet you know me, kind Sir," Patricia shook her head unable to believe that this gentleman would hurt her, and when she watched as he approached her, she backed subconsciously away even though he spoke with an indescribable gentleness and understanding, making her believe that he was there to help, rather than harm, her.

"My name is Adam, Patricia and I am angel sent from God to help you find your way home," he said gently.

"An angel? Do you mean you will take me home to Salem where I will hang in disgrace?" Patricia asked weakly.

"Yes I am an angel, but no I will not take you to Salem. If you decide to go there, you decide by your own free will to do so. As for where you will eventually be going, I do know the answer to this question; you will go home to live for eternity in the arms of the Heavenly Father, as you are His beautiful child, His creation. I can tell you that God is here with you and he won't forsake you or leave you alone to struggle through your life," Adam said and sat down on the ground next to her.

"Am I a witch, Adam?"

"There are no witches, there are only men and women who react in fear and destroy what beauty God has created. The fear that embodies this place at this time is the evil that exists and that must be destroyed before the people of Salem can find real everlasting peace," he smiled gently at her. "That loveliness will never be completely destroyed for that exists even after the physical body is gone. You have a spirit and a soul, Patricia Young, and no matter what happens to the flesh, the spirit and soul of who you are will live on forever."

"But why does God allow this to happen?" She asked.

"God gave each person free-will," Adam began. "He will not interfere with this because He knows the importance of allowing His children to learn what needs to be learned in their lives. For that reason, he sent me to help you and to make sure you know that no matter what happens, you are never alone."

Present

"What happened to her?" Brittany asked when Adam stopped speaking.

"She was captured three days later, and I was in town when she was hung," Adam said softly feeling the tears in his eyes as he remembered. "Before she died, she cried out to God and said. 'Adam said that he would be there to help me find my way home, please let him lead me home to you now.' As she spoke, I began to glow, and I could feel the love of God all around me. It was at that moment, that I realized that God had chosen me to be an Angel of Death. It was a touching moment for me, but it was also very sad because Patricia Young had been so brave and she had died a woman of extreme courage."

"What happened next?" Sean asked, his eyes wide as he looked at Adam.

"I approached where she had been hung, and could see her spirit reaching out to me," he said softly. "I took her hand in mine and led her from this place, only to turn around and to see her husband taking her body down from the noose and laying it on the ground. As Patricia and I stood together, her husband spoke of her courage and said that she was a hero in every way that mattered, that she was a shining example to the entire town."

He took a deep breath before he continued. "As I led Patricia to the light, she looked at me and thanked me for the message I had given her three days before. She said that she had forgotten that God was good, that He loves us all, and that for as long as she could remember, people had been telling her how she should have interpreted God and she felt ashamed of this. I told her that she should never feel shame for this is how many people interpret God; they believe Him to be angry and, sadly, it is not just the Puritans who do this. Anyway, just before she greeted the Father, she embraced me and thanked me once again."

As he finished speaking, he glanced over at Brittany and could see that over the course of him telling them the story, her face was now a ghostly white and she had clutched her stomach and had started to moan once again, the pain taking complete control and he looked at Vicki as the little girl passed out in his arms. "Oh Brittany, I should have taken you to the hospital first." His gray eyes sought those of the teacher. "Vicki, can you call her family?"

"Yes, but what is it; what's wrong with her?" Vicki asked.

"It's her appendix, she's very sick right now. That's why she was outside tonight, the pain was starting to be too much for her to conceal. My friends are waiting outside and we're going to take her to the hospital now," he said as he managed to stand up with Brittany still in his arms. Without another world, he carried her out of the classroom.

Vicki stared after them, the color draining from her face, but she stood up, and immediately went to call Holly Harrows at the plantation where Brittany lived. As she dialed she began to silently pray that Adam and his friends would get the ailing child to the hospital in time. Once she had given the news to the child's grandmother, she hung up her cell phone and turned it off. When she turned back around, she could see that Megan had come over to her and she had extended her hand towards her teacher.

"Miss Hudson, shouldn't we pray for Brittany?" The little girl asked, and Vicki took the offered hand and together she and the little girl went over to the rug, sat down with the other children, and they prayed together.

*****

Adam carried Brittany outside as the small girl began to stir in his arms. She looked up and when she saw that it was him who was with her, she sighed with apparent relief overwhelming her, and she rested her head once more against his chest. "Adam?" She finally managed to ask, her voice weak, and full of fear.

"I'm here, Brittany, don't worry," he said gently.

"W-what happened?" She managed to ask weakly.

"You passed out in the classroom. I imagine that your pains are getting worse now," he said as they reached Tess' car and with the help of the other three angels, they managed to help Brittany into the backseat. There she sat between Adam and Andrew, her head resting against Adam's shoulder.

"I'm so scared," she whispered as Tess started the car and drove them in the direction of the hospital.

"I know, we all know that, sweetheart," Adam said.

"What's going to happen to me?" Brittany asked.

"You're going to get some help from a doctor, and then you'll be OK," Andrew said gently, his heart going out to the fetching child. "Adam will be with you, Brittany, an angel always keeps their promises."

Brittany nodded numbly and closed her eyes. As she drifted off to sleep in the arms of her best friend, Adam looked at Andrew. "Do you remember a little boy named Sean?"

"Vaguely, he was the boy who wanted to be an Angel of Death when he grows up," Andrew said softly, his eyes dancing in merriment at the mention of the small boy.

"Excuse me? What are you two Angel Boys talking about?" Tess asked.

"One of the boys in Brittany's class showed up at the Halloween party dressed in a beige suit and tie," Adam said shaking his head. "It felt strange to see a six-year-old boy dressed as we are when we take someone home."

"Why on earth did he pick that?" Andrew asked.

Adam shook his head. "I don't know."

"I do," Brittany muttered, as she slowly opened her eyes again. "You're his hero, Adam and we like to dress up as those we most want to be like."

"Why would a little boy want to be like me?" Adam asked.

"Well, you're a likeable angel, Adam," Monica said from the front seat. "People don't say it enough, but it's true."

"Children should not try to be someone else," Tess muttered from the front seat. "They should feel good about being themselves."

"Oh come on Tess, didn't you ever admire someone in all your millions of years of existence?" Adam asked sarcastically and when Tess pulled up to a traffic light, she turned around, and shot him an angry glare.

"Be careful, Adam, someone once said that even an Angel of Death could be sent an Angel of Death," Andrew said slyly.

"No, please don't send him away," Brittany whispered, her arms holding tightly to Adam.

"Don't worry, baby, Adam's not going anywhere," Tess said. Sometimes I wish his sense of humor would though, she added silently to herself.

Brittany looked up at him, and Adam smiled gently at her before he looked at his fellow Angel of Death. "But, what do you think of this idea of little boys dressing as angels for Halloween, Andrew?"

"I hate Halloween," Andrew muttered under his breath.

"Why?" Brittany asked weakly.

"I just don't like it, Brittany," Andrew said trying to offer her a reassuring smile. "But, if I see a child dressed as a princess like you, then I don't mind it so much." He reached over and ruffled her hair and despite the pain she was in, she smiled at him.

Moments later, Tess pulled the car up to the emergency room entrance, and once they all got out, Adam carried Brittany into the large reception area.

*****

Twenty minutes later, Brittany was in an examination room and as promised, Adam was standing right next to her, this time the doctor could see him as he was examining her. "Now sweetie, tell me if you feel pain when I do this."

He pressed a firm but gentle hand against her abdomen and she released a blood curdling scream and the tears began to stream from beneath her eyes, the pain overwhelming. "It hurts," she sobbed, her voice filled with agony as the doctor removed his hand. "Adam, it hurts so much."

"Shhh, it's OK, sweetheart, I know," Adam cajoled her gently as she grasped his hand.

"Are you her father?" The doctor looked at Adam.

"No, I'm just a friend," Adam said honestly.

Brittany continued to cry, her sobs emerging in hiccups, but she held tightly to his hand not daring to let go for fear that he would leave her alone with this doctor.

"In all honesty, you're really not supposed to be in here, I'm afraid it's family only," the doctor said.

"No, don't make him go, he's my best friend," the little girl continued to cry, but all the while she tightened her hold on Adam's hand.

"Where is her mother?" The doctor asked.

"I imagine that the family is on their way here. Brittany's teacher said she would call them when we left the school," Adam said.

"What's wrong with me?" Brittany asked softly, hoping that the doctor's prognosis would be different than what Adam had told her on the playground at the school.

"You have appendicitis, Brittany," the doctor said sadly. "We're going to have to operate tonight, as the appendix may rupture within hours." He looked at Adam. "Did you bring her in?"

"Yes, my friends and I did," Adam said softly.

"Well maybe I was a bit presumptuous because, you may have saved her life," the doctor said and left the room.

Once he was gone, Brittany looked at him. "Adam, I'm afraid of having an operation."

"I know you are, honey," he said softly as she tried to sit up on the hospital bed, but the moment she made the attempt, he rested a gentle, but firm hand against her shoulder. "Try to lie still now, you're still very sick, but soon you'll be well and you can go home to your mother, uncle, and grandma."

"I've never been in the hospital before," Brittany said softly, her voice filled with fear. "I thought only old people had to be here."

"No, hospitals are for everyone, if you get sick then you go into the hospital and then the doctors will help make you better," Adam said smiling gently at her.

"B-but I thought people always died in them," Brittany's voice trembled ever so slightly.

"Now listen to me, sweetheart, sometimes people do die in a hospital, but look at all the people who go home from them," Adam sat down on the bed next to her, and he smiled down at her, his gray eyes filled with the love and compassion he carried for the little girl. "You know, most people are born in hospitals too. You were born in this very hospital."

"I don't remember," Brittany said innocently, and her words caused Adam to start chuckling. "Are you laughing at me?"

"No, I'm not," Adam smiled gently at her.

"How do you know that I was born here?" She asked weakly.

"I remember, I saw you the day you were born and you were a very cute little baby."

"I was?"

"Mm-hum, I had been sent to an elderly man, and was on stand-by, that means no one really knew what was going to happen to him, but I was told that it was important for me to be there. Anyway, he didn't die, and after he was out of harm's way, I decided to do something that I had always wanted to do before I was supposed to leave. I went upstairs to the nursery and I started looking at all the babies. As I did, I saw a very cute little girl named Brittany, that was you, and I stared at you and I thought, 'what a sweet little girl'. Then I prayed and I asked the Father to watch over you and your family and that if something ever happened to you or to them, that I could be the angel sent to be with you."

"You really did that, just 'cause you saw me as a baby?" Brittany asked.

Adam nodded. "I think the Father knew that I am often misunderstood, just like your family is and that people judge me. I never really talked about this, but I know that some of the other angels would chose someone else to work with other than with me, so I always worked on my own," Adam said softly and nodded sadly, but he offered the little girl a warm smile. "I think; He knew that as much as you would need me, that I would need you, too. Do you remember the first day we met, it was when you saw me in your grandfather's room?"

"Yeah," Brittany said softly.

"I was told that morning before you came that you would need a friend, and I realized that I needed a friend, too."

"I'm glad, because now you're my best friend," Brittany said as her eyes began to droop.

"Yes, and I'm very glad that you are mine, too," Adam said softly as he reached down and brushed her hair out from in front of her eyes. "I think right now, you need to get some rest. I know you're afraid, but why don't you try to sleep and I'll stay right here with you?" Adam tucked her in under the blankets, and leaned over and kissed her forehead.

The little girl nodded obediently and she closed her eyes, but after a moment, she abruptly opened them. "I love you, Adam."

"I love you, too, Brittany, now try and sleep, OK?" he whispered gently.

*****

Hunter and Samantha arrived at the hospital at this time and they came running inside and met Vicki, who was standing in the waiting room. "Vicki Hudson?" Hunter asked, he only knew of the teacher through his niece, but he was uncertain as to how to approach her, simply because he felt he should have known about his niece's health issues.

"Mr. Livingston," she spoke, and was still dressed in her teddy bear costume.

"Nice outfit," he said softly.

"Thank you," Vicki smiled weakly as Samantha went over and sat down on one of the plush sofas in the waiting room.

"Listen, I-I really didn't know that Brittany was so sick," Hunter said softly. "If I had known I wouldn't have brought her to the school this evening."

"I don't blame you, I know kids, and most of them would fake or hide their ailments because they're either afraid of the pain that might be involved with it or of missing out on something fun," Vicki shrugged her shoulders. "I can't blame you for that."

"Is somebody in there with her?" Hunter asked.

"Yes, Adam is with her," Vicki said softly.

"Oh God, no," Hunter moaned. "Anyone but him."

"No, he's not in there in that capacity, Mr. Livingston, he loves that little girl as though she is his daughter," Vicki said softly. "I have never seen someone show a child as much love as Adam has shown to Brittany. It's quite beautiful, and it reminds me of a special friendship I had when I was little and still have today. Sometimes, when I see the two of them together, I forget that Adam is even an angel, or that he's an Angel of Death, because he is so real, and so very kind."

"How do you know that he's not there for another reason?" Hunter demanded, but before the young woman could respond, another voice emerged.

"She knows, Hunter."

He whirled around and his eyes met those of Andrew, who was now standing next to them. "You're back, too?"

"Yes, and Vicki speaks the truth, not only about her friendship, but also about Adam's intentions here," Andrew said softly. "She knows about the friendship your niece shares with Adam, because she and I share a similar friendship, as well."

"He's your friend? But how?" Hunter stammered looking at Vicki.

"I met Andrew when I was a little girl, I couldn't have been much older than Brittany is now. He was with my family when my grandmother, Etta, was sick and dying. After her death, he returned to help me, and fulfill a promise he had made to my grandmother. A promise of friendship and hope that I had believed was lost simply because I was so vulnerable after her death. Mr. Livingston, Brittany feels that same sense of loss about her grandfather, and Adam has been a source of strength for her, he has been there with her and has helped her when no one else could reach her."

"Are you saying that I am at fault for her loneliness?" Hunter asked.

"No, she's not saying that at all, Hunter," Andrew said softly. "Adam is her best friend, and if truth be known, I have never seen him this moved by a child in all the years I have known him. This isn't about you, nor is it about Samantha, it's about a little girl in a hospital bed, who is suffering from appendicitis and who needs to have her best friend by her side."

"But, she could…" his voice trailed and he could feel the tears in his eyes as his unspoken words refused to emerge.

"Yes, she could, but just because Adam is with her it does not mean that she will die in surgery. The doctors are well trained and they have performed this procedure countless times. Keep the faith, Hunter, put your niece in God's hands, and allow yourself the peace in knowing that she is safe there." Andrew rested a comforting hand on Hunter's shoulder. "You should not be afraid whenever you see us, Hunter. God sent us to help your family, because He loves you, and He loves Samantha. He doesn't want you to fear the inevitable, He wants you to embrace His love." Andrew gave the man a compassionate smile.

"Why is Adam even here?" Hunter asked.

"I would guess that the Father sent him to be with Brittany, because Adam is friends with her and whether you believe it or not, the members of her first grade class truly do love him," Vicki said. "You should have seen what happened tonight in the classroom. Adam sat on the floor with the children and he talked to them about the Salem witch trials, and somehow he captured their imaginations with this story of how he became an Angel of Death. He told us that it was through the courage of a young woman named Patricia Young that he became what he is today. It was beautiful because the children were interested in what he had to say and they were filled with questions and insight."

"The Salem Witch Trials? What does that have to do with Brittany?" Hunter asked.

"Perhaps nothing, but perhaps everything, Hunter," Katherine, Hunter's mother said as she approached. "Hello, I'm Brittany's grandmother, Katherine Livingston. I called her mother tonight and she told me that she couldn't get a flight back tonight, so I was asked to come and see how my granddaughter is doing. Holly promised that she'd be back here first thing tomorrow morning."

"My name is Vicki Hudson, I'm Brittany's teacher, and I'm the one who called you," the younger woman said softly, but looked at Katherine. "If you don't mind me asking, what did you mean by what you just said?"

"My husband's family traces back to one of the first families of the Colonial period and some of ancestors were brought up in Salem," Katherine began. "I have a copy of our family history back at the house, and I would be interested in checking to see if there is more of a connection to this woman in Adam's story than just the fact that he told a story about a woman's courage." She looked at Andrew and shrugged her shoulders. "I guess you're wondering how come I have been eavesdropping on your conversation, but ever since Kyle's passing, I've become sort of receptive to people and I couldn't help but to overhear it."

"It's no trouble, Katherine," Andrew said softly.

"Have you heard anything about how Brittany is doing?" Katherine asked.

"Nothing," Hunter said softly. "Vicki said that Adam was with her, and though I objected at first, maybe it's not such a bad thing, after all."

Katherine nodded, but she looked at Andrew. "How's Kyle?"

"He's at peace, Katherine, and he is happy," Andrew said gently.

"Does Adam's presence mean that Brittany could die?" Katherine asked.

"No one knows, but I think Adam's there because Brittany needs his friendship right now," Andrew said smiling gently at them.

"Just as I needed yours over 20 years ago," Vicki said softly as Hunter and his mother had excused themselves, returned to the seats, and sat down. Once they were out of earshot, the young woman looked at him. "Everything, will be OK, right?"

"I think so, but don't ask me to foretell the future, Vicki, you know that I can't do that," Andrew said softly.

"I'm sorry, when I went to the school earlier to participate in the Halloween party, I didn't think I'd end up here," she said softly looking down at her costume. "I didn't even have time to change out of this silly getup."

"I don't think it's silly, in fact, I like it," he smiled.

"I thought you hated Halloween," Vicki looked at him.

"Oh, I do, but I just love cuddly teddy bears," he smiled at her, his green eyes twinkling. "And you never even gave me a hug, teddy girl."

"Well, I guess I'd better rectify that right now," Vicki smiled impishly as she threw herself into the angel's arms and they shared a furry, but warm embrace.

*****

Brittany woke up some twenty minutes later to see that Adam was still next to her, and when she saw that he was still watching over her, she exhaled slowly as the anesthesiologist entered the room. Without even acknowledging Adam's presence, the man smiled gently at the little girl on the bed, and he placed a large black object over her nose and mouth and instructed her to take three deep breaths. As she inhaled, she suddenly felt light headed, but after the second breath, she lost consciousness, and sank into a deep sleep.

Adam remained by her side as the man wheeled her to the operating room, and Adam followed in angelic form and now wore his beige suit. As he walked through the halls of the hospital, he could hear Brittany's frightened thoughts calling out to him, and he hurried to catch up.

Adam, I'm so frightened, please don't leave me.

I'm here, sweetheart, I'm not going to leave your side, and that's a promise, he reached her and began to stroke the cheek of his friend. You see, exactly as I promised you, Brittany, I won't leave you, in fact, while this is going on, I will be able to take you somewhere else and we can talk.

I'm so scared, Adam, she whimpered.

I know, but do you feel any more pain?

No, but what if I do? She asked weakly.

You won't, not while you're asleep, sweetheart. Do you remember when we were in the courtyard at the school and I asked you to trust me? His voice was soothing as it emerged and by this time, they had reached the operating room.

Yes, but you know I trust you with my whole heart; you're my best friend.

Now, it is time for you to trust me, Brittany.

As he took his hand and brushed it across her cheek, the scene suddenly changed and instead of her lying on a gurney in a hospital, and him standing next to her, now the two of them were in a large meadow filled with wild flowers and Brittany stared up at him all the while regarding this place in awe.

"Is this a dream?" She whispered.

"No, it's not a dream, you are really here," Adam said gently and allowed his young friend a few moments to take in her new surroundings. After a few minutes passed, he continued to speak. "I brought you here while the surgery is going on. Are you afraid?"

She looked at him and could see him glowing, the light encompassing him and making the highlights in his hair illuminate in the sunshine. As she looked up at him, she found herself subconsciously backing away, but when she saw the dejected look in his gentle gray eyes, she stopped moving away from him and took a few steps towards him. When she eventually reached him, she wrapped her arms around him.

"You're warm," she said softly and could feel the beautiful light washing over her. "It's nice, it's like it feels when I've been inside all day and then step outside into the sunshine, and I can feel it."

Adam reached down and rested a gentle hand on her head. "You're not afraid anymore, are you?"

Brittany looked into the eyes of her friend and shook her head solemnly. "Not really, but I think I hurt your feelings. I'm sorry; it's just that I was surprised to actually be here. I always knew that you are an angel, but I never saw you glowing before."

"It's OK, sometimes coming here can be a bit overwhelming for people. I don't blame you for that," Adam smiled gently at her.

"Where are we?" She asked weakly as she looked around the meadow. In the distance she could see the mountains and she discovered that although she was still rather nervous, she really did like this place and being there with her best friend was like a dream come true to the small child.

"We're in a special place, we call it 'God's Country'," Adam said softly. "I come here a lot to think when I have assignments that are difficult for me to deal with."

"What do you mean?" Brittany asked.

"Well, I guess you could call it job related stress, but see, being an Angel of Death isn't always easy. It's a privilege, but even with something that is an honor, it is often very difficult," Adam admitted.

Brittany sat down on the ground and looked around where she was sitting, and after a few minutes, she looked at him as he sat down on the ground next to her. "You are sad because you have to do this?"

"Well, when I see how sad you are because of your grandfather, then yes, I am affected by what I have to do," Adam replied gently, but nodded. "You know, I would sometimes make jokes about death, and people didn't like them, and then I realized that the reason I did this was because I was sometimes so deeply saddened by what it was I had to do, that joking about it was the only thing I could think of to do in order to respond to it."

"What kind of jokes?" Brittany asked. "My uncle gave me a fairy tale book once and some of those stories were pretty gross. Are the jokes like that?"

"Well, I'd rather not say," Adam hedged.

"But why, Adam?" The little girl asked, but she could tell that her friend was deeply troubled by this topic and she reached up and could feel his shoulder under her hand. "Are you afraid that I won't love you anymore if you tell me what you said?"

The brutal truth hit him like a freight train leaving the angel only to look into the innocent eyes of his friend and eventually he offered her a feeble nod. His shoulders were still slouched and Brittany crawled over to him and eventually she was sitting on his lap, her arms wrapping around him and holding tightly to him. "I promise, you'll always be my best friend," she said softly.

"Thank you, Brittany," he said weakly, and he continued to hold her in his arms.

"I think you probably have some really strange adventures," Brittany said softly, still refusing to leave the awkward topic alone. "Will you tell me another story?"

Adam looked at the little girl and smiled weakly at her. "You have a way of getting your way, even with me, don't you?"

"That's what Uncle Hunter always says," Brittany said softly. "Pretty please, Adam. Tell me about the weirdest assignment you ever had."

Adam thought for a moment and then he nodded as he looked at his young friend. "I was sent to a soccer match some years ago, I didn't know very much about it, but the Father said that I should be there just in case. Well, one of the players was very earnest in his playing, and he turned out to be my assignment."

"Did he die?" She asked.

"No, but he did come very close," Adam said softly. "What happened was during the course of the game, his team was behind by one goal, and a soccer match goes on for 90 minutes, and this happened about 85 minutes into the game. This one player, his name was Walter Summers; he thought that if he could steal the whistle from one of the referees, that he could bring the game to a stop and they could have a timeout. When he finally managed to get the whistle, instead of hiding it, he swallowed it."

"Eeew," Brittany exclaimed interrupting him. "What happened to him?"

"The whistle got lodged in his throat, and he couldn't breathe," Adam said simply. "I remember going to him and I told him who I was and why I was there, and he thought I was a hallucination and there he was still lying there on the ground unable to breathe. I'm trying to tell him that I'm an angel and that he may die from choking on a whistle, right there on the playing field in front of 10,000 fans." Adam took a deep breath, shook his head as he shrugged his shoulders. "As luck would have it, there was someone there who could somehow get the whistle dislodged from this man's throat, but as he did the Heimlich maneuver, the whistle flew out of Walter's mouth knocking out the man's front teeth in the process."

"What happened after that?" Brittany asked.

"Well, Walter was taken to the hospital, and I'm guessing he had to make an appointment at the dentist office, as well," Adam said shrugging his shoulders. "I felt really badly for him, but what could I do? This man had free will, and he chose to swallow that whistle and as crazy as it sounds, it was sad."

"Who won the game?" Brittany asked.

"You know, I have no idea," Adam smiled weakly at his friend.

"Did you ever tell the other angels about that?" Brittany asked.

"I told Andrew and he thought I had made it all up," Adam looked at her, his eyes earnest. "But, it's the truth, and sometimes people use their free will to do things that are considered by most to be crazy. Then I'm sent there, and there are times when I don't even know what to say to a person who has done this kind of thing. What would you say to them?"

"I don't know, but my mom would probably say 'I hope he had a good dental plan'." Brittany found herself giggling once she had said this, but when she looked over at her friend she realized that maybe her laughter had unintentionally hurt him, and she stopped and looked over at him, her eyes widening slightly when she saw that he was not even smiling at what she had just said. "Adam?"

"What is it, sweetheart?"

"I think God must be really happy with you that He gave you such a special job," Brittany reached up and touched his face. "I think you're so beautiful when you are covered with that pretty light."

Adam could feel the tears streaming down his cheeks, and rather than wipe them away he could only smile at the little girl sitting on his lap.

As they sat in silence Brittany looked up at him after some moments had passed and spoke, her voice soft. "I used to dream of running away to a place like this."

"Why?"

"I don't know, I just wanted to get away from my mom when she's in a bad mood," Brittany said softly, and after a few minutes, she looked at him. "Adam, am I your assignment now? I mean like that guy with the whistle."

"In a way, yes, you are, but don't ever forget that you're also a very special friend to me and I brought you here so that you could see a little piece of Heaven," he said gently.

"Does that mean that I could die?"

"You could, but I don't think you will," he smiled gently at her. "I want you to know that no matter what happens, I'll be right here beside you and I hope you won't be afraid."

Brittany nodded weakly, but she smiled at him. "You're dressed differently than you were at the school. You look like you did when you took my grandpa to Heaven."

Adam looked down at his clothing and then back at her, but he offered her a slow nod. "Yes, I guess, I do."

"I think you look nicer in a suit than Sean does," Brittany said honestly.

"Sean is really something else, isn't he?" Adam asked all the while trying to keep the laughter out of his voice.

"He talks about you a lot," Brittany said softly. "I think he wishes you were his big brother."

"Why is that?"

"I don't know, but I overheard him telling one of the other boys that his brother doesn't like him, and that his parents don't have time for him. I think he's lonely too, but he doesn't want to hang out with me because I'm a girl and boys don't like girls," she shrugged her shoulders and looked at him. "Adam, did he make you feel weird tonight at my school?"

"A little, it was strange for me to see a little boy dressed this way," Adam said softly.

"I thought it was weird, too," Brittany said softly and she remained in his lap for a few more minutes before his voice broke her out of her reverie.

"I suppose it's time for us to return, we've been here for a long time," Adam said. "Did you like this special place?"

Brittany looked around the meadow once again and nodded. Within seconds they were both back at the hospital and the surgery was over.

*****

It was late in the evening when the doctor emerged from the surgery and he could see that the family was still seated in the waiting room. "Hello, are you all here about Brittany Harrows?"

"Yes," Hunter stood up and approached the doctor.

"I'm happy to inform you that she came through surgery with flying colors and she's now sleeping in the recovery room," he began. "By morning, she should be in a private room, and eating solid food. Seeing as it's very late, I don't think she's up to having guests, but tomorrow, she should be OK."

The people assembled in the room released their pent up sighs of relief, and Vicki was the first of those who were still seated to stand up. "I guess I'd better get home then," she offered. "I have to teach tomorrow morning."

She walked towards the door, but Hunter walked over to her and touched her shoulder. "I just wanted to thank you for helping her."

"I didn't do it, Mr. Livingston, it was Adam and his friends who helped get her here in time," Vicki said and walked towards the door.

Outside the young teacher walked towards her car, behind her, she suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder and she practically screamed as she turned around to see that Andrew was standing behind her. As she tried to catch her breath, she rested her hand over her heart.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Andrew said softly.

"It's OK," Vicki said.

"Vicki, there's something I have to tell you," Andrew began.

"I'm not in trouble, am I?" She asked.

"No, you're not, but I wanted to tell you that your words gave Hunter Livingston a great deal of peace tonight," he said.

"What's with this family? The mother's not here, the grandmother is some kind of genealogical expert, and the child is in a hospital bed with appendicitis? Andrew, I don't get it," Vicki said softly.

"You have a family who loves that little girl and who almost allowed their own internalized hate to pull it apart," Andrew said. "Hunter gave you credit for having helped Brittany, why didn't you believe him?"

"I just couldn't, Adam was the one who helped her, he's the one who got her to the hospital, not me. I was freaking out, I didn't even know what to do," Vicki said softly. "I'm so ashamed, Andrew."

"Why?" He looked at her intently and although the lights of the nearby streetlamps illuminated his face, she could still see his green eyes staring into her own.

"Because I should have done something, well at the very least more than what I did," she said softly as she found herself unable to even meet the angel's loving gaze.

Andrew sighed deeply. "You know Vicki, there's still a little girl inside of you, and that little girl is really carrying way too much guilt."

"No, you don't understand, if Adam hadn't have been there, Brittany could have died, tonight," Vicki said softly. "Then it would have been all my fault."

"No," Andrew took her face in his gentle hands and he looked down at her and shook his head. "Listen to me, Vicki, you did everything you could for that little girl, and for what it's worth, you did everything you could for your sister."

Vicki looked up at him, the tears spilling down over her cheeks, but eventually she shook her head sadly.

Keeping his hands against the sides of her face, he could feel the moisture against his hands. "I know that you felt guilt for what happened to your little sister, Vicki. Charlotte's death wasn't your fault, and I know that when her appendix ruptured 18-years-ago, you felt guilt for not having told your parents about the stomach pains she had, but this wasn't your fault."

"B-but, it was," Vicki objected.

"No, it wasn't. Vicki, please believe me when I tell you that it wasn't," Andrew said softly.

"Y-you weren't there with me," she whispered.

"I know I wasn't able to be there," he said and wrapped her in his arms. "But, I'm here now, and you know if you need me, Vicki, I'll try to be here for you. If your past is really so hard, then I won't leave you to face it alone." He continued to wipe the fresh tears from her cheeks and he looked down at her. "Tonight brought everything back for you, and I was sent to you with a simple message, 'you're never alone'." As he spoke, he gently tugged on the golden necklace she always wore around her neck exposing the six-pointed Star of David. He released the necklace and it rested against the fur of the teddy bear costume she wore.

"Is that the only reason you're here?" She asked.

"Yes, but do you know something, my friend? I think you're going to be OK, and I honestly think that you will get through this, just don't blame yourself for what happened." he smiled gently at her. "Your sister is happy now, Vicki, and she sends you her love. She also told me to tell you that it wasn't your fault what happened, she had made you promise never to mention this to your parents, so she said that if anyone is to blame, then it lies with her."

"Will I see you again?" She asked.

"Yes, you will," Andrew said softly. "But, don't wait, just allow yourself be surprised."

Vicki embraced him once again, but before she could ask him about whether or not Adam would still be there, he disappeared and she walked slowly towards her car, unlocked the door and slowly crawled inside the front. As she stuck the key inside the ignition, she glanced skyward and could see a white dove flying overhead.

*****

Brittany woke the following morning, her vision somewhat blurry after sleeping over twelve hours straight. Her body was still weak, and she knew that it still craved sleep. She looked around the room and was saddened when she could not see Adam with her, but for some reason, she could sense that he was present and this comforted her and she closed her eyes once again.

Two hours later, she groggily opened her eyes again and could see that Hunter, Holly, Samantha and Katherine were standing by her bed.

"Mom?" She moaned.

"Yes, baby, I'm here," Holly said smiling gently at her daughter. "How are you doing?"

"I'm sore, and still tired, but I feel OK," Brittany moaned. "Hi Grandma, Uncle Hunter, Sam." She looked around as though expecting someone else, but when she saw that the only people present were her family, she eventually looked at her uncle. "Where's Adam?"

"I guess he needed to get something to eat," Hunter offered smiling. As he spoke, he glanced over to where his sister was standing, and he could tell that she was trying to look at this as though her daughter had an imaginary friend. He could almost read the message in her eyes, she didn't want Adam there, and if he came in now, there would be nothing short of trouble brewing.

Instead of speaking openly, he leaned over and whispered to his niece. "I'm sure he'll be back soon."

"You're never going to believe it, but he took me to the most beautiful place, Mom," Brittany said softly. "It was a meadow filled with wildflowers, mountains and even a stream. He called it 'God's Country', and it was so pretty." As she spoke, Adam came into the room and in his hand he carried a stuffed teddy bear and a vase full of wildflowers.

"I knew he'd be back," Hunter declared when he saw Adam standing in the doorway with his gifts.

Brittany looked up and could see that the angel was now in the room and he carried a gentle smile on his face, she returned the gesture and even extended her hand towards him, but before the angel could approach the bed in order to give Brittany the gifts he carried, Holly turned around and glared at him. "Why are you here?" She demanded.

"I-I'm here to see Brittany," Adam managed to say.

"Well, as you can see, she's just fine now," Holly looked angry. "So you can just take off now."

"No, Mommy, he's my friend, he came here to visit me," Brittany began to cry, but when she saw her mother turn back and face her with unsuppressed rage, the small child sank back against the pillows, the fear taking control of her and she was unable to even say anything further.

"Holly, chill out," Hunter snapped at his sister. "Can't you see that Brittany wants him here, he's her best friend."

"This is my daughter, Hunter, so you can stow it with your advice," Holly said with the usual edginess in her voice and she looked at Adam and put her hands on her hips. "I don't want the Angel of Death hanging around my only daughter."

Adam looked as though she had just slapped him, the vase that he carried would have slipped from his hands and shattered on the linoleum floor had Samantha not taken it and the teddy bear gently from him. Once Samantha held the two objects, she watched as the angel walked dejectedly from the room.

She placed the vase on the desk, the teddy bear right beside it and after shooting Holly an angry glare; she left the room following him out into the hallway. "Adam, wait, please don't go," she called out causing him to turn around.

"Samantha, I have to," he said softly, the tears falling freely from his eyes.

She pulled a tissue from her pocket and when she reached him she rested a gentle hand on his shoulder, the tissue she pressed into his hand. "No, you don't, you're Brittany's friend, Adam, not Holly's."

"Yes, and you heard her, she doesn't want me around her daughter," he said softly. Samantha's heart nearly shattered when she saw his eyes filling with tears. She wanted to wipe them away, but he backed away from her breaking any contact she had initiated with him. "You know Brittany was my only human friend." As he spoke, he could feel the tears streaming from beneath his sad gray eyes. "She accepted me as her friend…me, the Angel of Death, but she accepted me, Samantha!"

"I know, come on, let me get you a cup of coffee or something and we can talk about this. Maybe between the two of us, we can somehow find a resolution to this," Samantha took his hand gently in hers and led him towards the elevator.

Once they came down the stairs and stepped outside, Samantha put her arm around his slumped shoulders and led him towards a nearby park. Once there she sat down with him. "You know, I guess I owe you an apology, too."

Adam looked at her and shook his head sadly. "No, you don't."

"Yes, I do," Samantha said softly. "I know that I saw you first as an Angel of Death, Adam, but Brittany, from the start, saw you as her best friend in the world. Please, you can't leave her now, Adam, a friendship like that, which you share with her is everything worth fighting for. You have God's truth behind you, and deep inside, I know that there's a reason that you met that little girl. I may not know what that reason is, but it's there for you and for Brittany, and that's where it really matters. I mean; it has to exist, if for no one else but for the two of you."

"Yes, there is a reason," Adam whispered staring down at his hands. "It was something that happened to me the day she was born."

"You saw her and she had an impact on you even as a tiny baby, and a very positive one at that," Samantha whispered as she squeezed his hand.

"I don't know how to fight for her," Adam said. "I've never had a friend like that to fight for."

"But you're an angel, you should know what having a friend means," Samantha objected.

Adam shook his head, his misery shadowed in his eyes. "No, I don't. I realize now that I never should have gone to the nursery that day, I never should have asked the Father for that special gift of having that child as a friend. I knew that something would happen and I would eventually loose her because of what I am."

Before Samantha could say anything further, Adam was gone. "Oh, God, please help him, he needs to know what his friendship means to that little girl."

"He does, baby," Tess' voice emerged and this caused Samantha to look up, her tearstained eyes meeting the brown eyes of the angel.

"Tess, what are we going to do? He's devastated now, and part of it is my fault," Samantha said softly.

"Calm down baby," Tess said gently. The wise angel rested her hand on Samantha's trembling shoulder. "First of all, it's not your fault, Adam is a very sensitive soul, he would never admit it, but he is capable of being hurt just like any one of us. People don't always see that in him, but it's the truth. When you followed him, you acknowledged that."

"But, how am I going to change Holly's mind about him?"

"That's not your job, Sam," Tess said gently, but her voice was stern as if to say 'don't argue with me'. Samantha could only nod numbly as the angel continued to speak. "If you accept this, then your job will be to help Brittany face the greatest loss she has faced since her grandfather died."

"The possible loss of her best friend," Samantha could feel the fresh tears streaming down her cheeks as Tess' words struck a chord with her.

******

Brittany was still crying when Samantha returned to the room some ten-minutes later. Holly was now trying without any success to get close to her daughter, and Hunter and Katherine were trying to console the despondent little girl. As she continued to cry, she failed to see that some of the kids from her class had come inside the room, most of them with one or both of their parents in tow. Megan and Sean had come, as well as Matthew and two of the other boys from Vicki Hudson's class.

"Brittany, I brought you some of my candy from last night," Megan said as she pulled a paper bag from her backpack. As soon as she managed to pull it out, she looked at her friend and could see the sadness on Brittany's face. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Adam's gone," Brittany said taking a deep breath.

"What? I thought he'd be here," Sean looked at his father. "Dad, I really wanted you to meet him."

"What happened, why did he go?" Matthew asked.

Holly looked at her daughter, her eyes shadowed with a mixture of anger and guilt, but she did not speak, instead she muttered something about going downstairs to get a cup of coffee and left. Once she was gone, Brittany looked at her classmates; she shook her head sadly, fresh tears now rolling down over her already tearstained face.

"What happened?" Megan looked at her.

"My mom got mad at him and made him leave," Brittany said softly.

Hunter looked at the children assembled. "You guys want to help us find him?"

"Yeah," the five children spoke up and once Hunter looked at the other parents and they offered him a reciprocating nod.

"OK, each one of you go with your mom or dad, we're going to split up, and search every place that an angel might go to hide from the world," Hunter grinned weakly. "I'm certain that we will be able to find him, we'll meet back here in a couple of hours, OK?"

"What if one of us finds him?" Matthew asked.

"Bring him back here, and wait for the rest of us, either here or in the waiting room downstairs," Hunter said. "I'm really grateful to all of you for your help."

The children nodded, cheered, and Megan looked at Brittany. "We're going to find him, and when we do, we'll bring him back here, and he can sit with you and help you get better."

"You may never find him, he's probably in 'God's Country'," Brittany whispered more to herself than to them, but she eventually closed her eyes, the tears still streaming from beneath the lids as the five children left the room with Hunter and their parents.

*****

Adam was sitting alone and looking out across the lake. Instead of going to 'God's Country', he came back to the lake. He remembered the happier times when he had gone there with Brittany and had gotten to know Megan. He took a deep breath and picked up a small rock and threw it into the water. As he did, he watched as the stone landed and sent ripples across the water.

The words of Holly Harrows only came back into his mind, and all he could do was remember the times he had spent with Brittany, all those afternoons in Kyle Livingston's bedroom where the angel watched over the ailing man, but during those times, he also comforted and got to know the little girl who was Kyle's granddaughter.

Flashback, five months before

The sunshine was filtering into Kyle's room two weeks after Adam had first appeared to the lonely little girl. Since then, she had come to the room every afternoon and would sit with her grandfather; most of the time she had him to keep her company. He had been sitting with Kyle that afternoon and after Holly had left the room, he watched as Brittany had silently crept into the room as though she was afraid of getting caught there.

Finally, as she sat down on the soft, comfortable chair next to the bed, he came over and sat down on the bed across from her. "Hello, sweetheart," he offered gently.

"Hi, Adam," she said softly as she glanced towards the window and could see the patterns of sunshine coming into the room through a white curtain. Brittany looked back at him and began to speak, her voice filled with sadness as she regarded her grandfather who was inching closer and closer to death. "Adam, what's Heaven like?"

"It's a beautiful place, Brittany, the most wonderful place you could imagine," he said.

"And God lives there?"

He smiled at her and nodded. "Yes, He does."

"Will my grandpa will be happy there? I mean; will he be able to do things he can't do anymore here?" Brittany asked.

"Yes, he will," Adam said and reached over and brushed a tear from the child's face. "What are you thinking about?"

"Just that I'm happy that God sent you here. I mean; I'm loosing my grandpa, but now I have you, and now you're the closest thing I have to a best friend. I'm just really surprised that you actually wanted to be my friend," Brittany replied.

"You are a very good friend, Brittany," Adam said gently.

"I don't know, I mean; I never thought I was worth having a friend, much less that my friend would be a real angel," she said softly and looked back over at her grandfather.

"You're really going to miss him, aren't you?" Adam asked softly.

"Yeah," Brittany looked down at her lap, "I guess so."

"He will always be a part of you, though," Adam said softly, and as he looked at the little girl, he could see only a small amount of hope in her eyes. He realized that before he had appeared to her how she always seemed unhappy, and today, she seemed to carry a more powerful desire to live. This was something very special for him to see and he was grateful to the Father for allowing him to be there for her as well as to help her find it. As the little girl crawled onto his lap, he wrapped her in his arms and held her in the comfort of his embrace.

Present

"Adam, is that you?" A small voice emerged through the trees and he was brought out of his reverie for almost an instant thinking it was Brittany calling his name, but he suddenly realized that it was the voice of a little boy. He looked up and could see that it was Sean, one of the boys from Brittany's class. Rather than answer immediately, he waited silently for the boy to approach. Once he did, Sean ran his hand shyly through his dark brown hair. "Man, I've been looking all over the place for you."

"Please Sean, I want to be alone," Adam said, the ever-present sadness dwelling in his eyes.

"No, I can't do that, I told Brittany that I'd help the others try to find you," he said.

"Others?"

"Yeah, there's some other kids from our class looking for you too, I just found you first," Sean said softly. "We all promised her that if we found you, that we would bring you back to the hospital to see her."

"Why did you tell her that?" Adam asked.

Sean sat down on the ground. "You're her best friend in the world, so I guess you're worth the effort. Besides, I never had a best friend before, so I guess I thought it was important for me to find you." Adam did not reply and for some moments, they sat in silence until Sean broke that solitude once again when he looked at Adam. "Did you know that you're my hero?"

"I'm not a hero, Sean," Adam spoke, his voice soft.

"I think you are. I mean; anyone who tells a bunch of kids like us that God exists and He loves us is, to me, a hero," Sean said softly and looked at Adam. "Did you know that I have an older brother?" Before the angel could answer, the boy continued to speak. "He hates me, and he used to beat me up all the time." Sean pulled the sleeve of his sweatshirt up and Adam could see the bruises on his arms.

"Why did he do that to you?" Adam asked weakly.

"I don't know, my dad said that Vince had a drinking problem, he's like 12 years older than me, and from what my parents said, he's a real mess." The boy looked at Adam and shrugged his shoulders. "I always thought I'd be a mess too, and I guess, I just wanted to have someone to admire who wouldn't hurt me, who would look at me and see someone who was special. That's why I wanted to be like you."

"Sean," Adam looked at the boy and shook his head. "Why didn't you ever tell me this?"

"Because, we were always in class with the others and I never got to talk to you like Brittany does. I never even got to tell you how much it meant to me when you would talk to me or even when you would answer my questions. I mean; when you did that, I felt like I mattered to you," the boy could feel the tears streaming down his face.

"You do matter, Sean, you're a very special little boy," Adam said.

The boy glanced across the lake, but after some moments of silence passed between them, he looked at Adam. "You know, the others really like you, too. They think you're really great. I mean; there aren't a lot of grown-ups around who listen to bunch of kids like us. Most of them say we should be seen and not heard, but then you came along and you made learning fun with your stories and your wisdom, but you also came into our classroom and you talked to us like we really were important." Sean stopped speaking and he began to cry, his words now incomprehensible, but this no longer mattered, as he had said all that he had intended.

Adam looked at him as he cried and instead of leaving the boy to cry alone, he inched closer, took him in his arms, and held him.

Moments later, the boy looked up at the angel. "You're not mad at me, are you?" As he spoke, he sniffed, and wiped his arm across his nose and mouth.

"Why would I be mad at you?" Adam looked at the boy with confusion in his eyes.

"You didn't seem to like the suit I wore last night all that much," the boy looked down at the ground, shame shadowing his features.

"Sean, I am really, really flattered that you want to be like me, but do you know what?"

The boy shook his head not knowing what the next words would be, which would emerge from the angel.

"You shouldn't try to be like someone else, be Sean, be that wonderful person that God created," Adam said gently.

"But, I don't like myself," the boy said softly.

"You know, we have a lot in common then, because sometimes I don't like myself either," Adam said softly.

"Y-you don't like yourself?"

"No, not very much," Adam shrugged his shoulders. "I don't like that I seem to bring out the worst in people."

"But, you don't, Adam, I think you're so wonderful, I mean, you're really nice, and you're funny, and…" his voice trailed off and he looked at Adam, his eyes filled with hopelessness.

"What?" Adam asked.

"It's stupid," the boy chided himself.

"No, tell me, I won't judge you, Sean."

"I just wish you were my big brother instead of Vince," Sean said softly.

Adam looked at the young boy, his eyes filled with sadness as he realized how difficult things had actually been for this special little boy. "Maybe things with Vince will get better, Sean," he offered gently.

The little boy shook his head, but he looked at Adam. "I don't think they ever will."

"They will, just keep the faith, things will get better for you," Adam said gently. "I think talking about all of this does help you, doesn't it?"

The boy nodded. "I guess, and Vince doesn't hit me anymore, not since my dad got mad at him, but I still wonder if I'm the reason all this happened in the first place."

"Don't ever believe that, OK?" Adam said softly and once the boy nodded, he continued. "I wanted to tell you that I think it was really wonderful of you to come out here and try to find me. You know, you really helped me see something that I didn't realize before."

"Me? I did? What?"

"You did, you showed me that Brittany isn't my only friend here and that means a lot to me. Perhaps it was important for me to learn this lesson," Adam said smiling weakly. "It was you and Megan who taught me this, and you know sometimes heroes are not always discovered in actions and deeds, but sometimes a hero emerges in the honest and kind words that a friend speaks, and that is just as significant."

"Y-you mean, me just coming here was like a heroic thing?"

Adam nodded. "You've got those qualities inside of you, Sean, so you don't have to look outside of yourself to find them, they're always going to be there inside of you."

"You're my friend too, just like you said, right?" Sean finally asked looking at the angel.

"You know, a friendship is a wonderful gift, and I'm really happy to know that I have a friend in you as well as in the others in your class," Adam said.

"Even if we're just a bunch of kids?" Sean asked.

Adam nodded and smiled. "Yes, even then. Sean, I only hope that in twenty or thirty years that you and your friends will still be able to see me as the same friend you see today."

"I will, but can I ask you to promise me something?"

"Yes, what's that?"

"Don't tell the others that I cried," Sean said softly.

"I won't tell them, but you know, I cried too," Adam said softly.

"You did?"

"Yes, I did, and sometimes grown men and angels do cry, and sometimes the bravest of men are able to show it," Adam said.

"Will you go back to see Brittany now? I really think she needs you," Sean said softly. "She was really crying when we came to see her."

"You said you'd bring me back, so let's go, you have a promise to fulfill," Adam said smiling weakly. Together they stood up and Adam extended his hand to the young boy, and once Sean had taken it, they left the lake.

*****

Brittany was still upset when they brought dinner two hours after her mother had made Adam leave. As soon as the tray was left, she looked over at Samantha and her mother who had returned to the room. "I want to be alone," she whispered as she began to look down at the food that was now sat before her.

"You OK, honey?" Samantha asked.

"Sure, I just want to eat and go to sleep," Brittany looked at her mother. "Everything's OK, Mommy."

Holly nodded and got up slowly to leave the room. Samantha followed suit, and once they stepped out into the hallway, Holly stopped and stood by the door, and could hear the words emerging from her daughter. "What is she doing?" Holly finally asked.

Samantha approached the door, leaned up against it, and listened. "Shhh, I think she's praying," she said softly as Brittany's voice filtered outside into the hallway, the little girl's voice filled with sadness and hopelessness.

"Hello, God. I don't have anything to ask you to do for me, because you did enough when you sent Adam to be my best friend. Please, God, take good care of him, and let him know that I love him more than anything else in the world. I was so scared that my mom would get mad at me again, that's why I didn't say anything to her when she got mad at Adam earlier, and I feel so stupid because of it."

Her voice stopped and Holly wanted to go back into the room, and from the anger on her face, Samantha knew that Brittany's innocent words had hurt her mother, but she also knew that Holly should not have overheard what Brittany had said. She reached out and grabbed the sleeve of Holly's shirt. "You can't go in there, it will only make matters worse, besides if you just listen to her, maybe this will help you to understand what she's been through," Samantha whispered as Brittany continued to pray.

"Please God, don't get mad at my mom for getting angry at Adam, I know she's scared of him, but he's really very nice, and I don't understand why she would be scared of him. I mean, he was only there to take care of me, I was scared during that operation, but I knew that if Adam was there, that you were there with me, too. I knew that with you and him then I had nothing to be afraid of. Then he took me to your beautiful country, and I thought I would just love to run and play there forever. It was so wonderful and Adam is the most marvelous angel in the world, but he's also my best friend. Anyway, I guess I should eat this stuff that resembles chicken and go to sleep. Thank you for being my friend, too, I love you."

Holly stood in the hallway as though she had been struck, and after a second she looked at Samantha. "She really loves him, even though she knows who he is."

"Yes," Samantha said softly. "It was just as hard for me to accept Adam as it is for you, perhaps harder because I've gotten through all that radiation therapy, but he is Brittany's friend, and even though she's only six-years-old, you have to respect that she chose him as her friend. Yes, he's an angel, Holly, but he loves that little girl in there more than just about anyone I have seen, and your words today hurt him deeply."

Holly looked at Samantha and nodded dejectedly. "I was scared."

"I know, and I think Adam knows it too, but he's not here to be an Angel of Death, he's here because Brittany is his friend, and he told me that he doesn't have very many human friends because of who he is," Samantha said. "If we are truly going to accept Brittany, then we all have to learn to accept Adam as well because their friendship is very special."

Holly nodded numbly as the two women walked towards the elevators. When they reached it, the doors opened and Adam, Sean and the boy's father stepped out into the corridor.

"Adam?" Holly spoke, her voice small.

"Yes?"

"Forgive me, please," Holly asked weakly. "I was wrong, so wrong."

Adam nodded and smiled gently. "All is forgiven, Holly."

Samantha looked at him, concern evident in her eyes. "Are you OK, now?"

The angel nodded and smiled at her. "Yes, Samantha, I am, thank you."

"Come on, Adam, you have to see Brittany before she kills herself with this yucky hospital food," Sean said and pulled the angel down the hallway in the direction towards Brittany's room.

The boy's father as well as the women gathered in front of the elevator laughed and watched as the angel and the young boy disappeared inside Brittany's room.

*****

Brittany had just finished her prayer and once she had finished speaking she looked down at the food, which sat before her. I don't like peas, she thought to herself, but as she shoved the offending vegetable aside, she ended up stabbing her fork into the food and sighing sadly. She closed her eyes and eventually she shoved the tray away and tried to lie still in the uncomfortable hospital bed.

She could hear her stomach grumbling from not having eaten anything, but nothing on the tray looked very appetizing, and she really had no appetite without her best friend being around. More than anything, she was sad about what had happened to Adam, but she was also worried about him. How could her mother have said all those horrible things to him, she asked herself almost constantly. I want to forgive her for it, but how can I when it hurts so much to even think about how upset Adam looked before he had left this room.

She closed her eyes and allowed the tears to stream from beneath the lids. As she did, she suddenly felt someone had approached and was now wiping the tears from her cheeks and eventually she opened her eyes.

"Adam?"

The angel was now seated on her bed next to her and he looked down at her with regret in his eyes. "Forgive me," he whispered and she could see that Sean was now seated in a chair next to the bed.

"Why? You didn't do anything wrong," she whispered, but literally threw herself into his arms and allowed the tears to fall from her eyes. "I missed you."

"I was only gone for two hours," he said smiling slightly.

"I know, but I still missed you, I felt lonely without you," Brittany said softly.

"I have to ask you to forgive me for leaving you alone this afternoon. I didn't really know how to fight for a friend, and I wasn't prepared for what happened," Adam said softly as he brushed her hair out from in front of her eyes.

"You did come back," Sean said softly. "I think that's really cool."

Adam nodded and smiled gently at his young friends. "I just didn't want to do something that would hurt you."

"You didn't, I know that we're forever friends, Adam," Brittany said softly as she closed her eyes. "And now that I know you're here and that everything is OK, maybe now I can really sleep."

"Yes, you need your rest," Adam said.

"Will you stay with me?" Brittany asked. "Or would that be too boring for you?"

"After Sean takes me to meet the other kids in your class, I'll come right back up and stay with you," Adam said. "OK?"

Brittany yawned and closed her eyes. "OK, can I have the teddy bear you brought earlier?"

Adam went over to where the vase of flowers were placed and he reached for the teddy bear, which was sitting right next to the flowers. Once he held the stuffed bear in his arms, he returned to her bedside and handed it to her as he watched her close her eyes.

A few minutes later, with her arms still wrapped securely around the teddy bear, Brittany fell into a peaceful slumber and Adam looked at Sean and offered the boy a gentle smile. "I think she's going to be OK now."

"Does that mean you're leaving?" Sean asked weakly.

"No, actually I promised her to come back, and I still have one more thing to do before I go back to work, and that is something I have to do at your school," Adam said.

"You're coming back to the school, too?" Sean asked.

Adam nodded, "yes and after Brittany gets out of here and can go back to school, I'll be coming with her. But, I think now it's time we leave Brittany to get some sleep." He leaned down and kissed the forehead of the sleeping girl before he and Sean left the room.

"You know you could get cooties from kissing a girl," Sean said matter-of-factly as they walked out into the corridor.

"Cooties?" Adam looked somewhat perplexed but then he smiled sheepishly. "You can't die from cooties, can you?"

"I thought you'd know about that, Adam," Sean said and smiled impishly.

"Well then, in that case, I think I'll take my chances," Adam said as he ruffled the boy's hair and they made their way towards the elevator.

*****

The following week, Adam and Brittany arrived back at the school. The angel was holding tightly to Brittany's hand and the two friends arrived at the door leading into Vicki's classroom.

"Hello, Adam, Brittany, it's so nice that you are back with us," she said smiling.

"Hi Miss Hudson," Brittany said smiling weakly.

"Vicki, have you started teaching them about the first Thanksgiving?" Adam asked.

"I was planning on starting today, actually," she said as the children filtered into the room.

"Adam!" Megan squealed excitedly when she saw him and she ran into his arms.

For the next five minutes the angel was preoccupied with receiving hugs from the children and answering their questions. Finally, Vicki looked up from her desk and attempted to calm the children down.

"OK gang," she began. "I decided that we would be starting our history lessons this morning on the first Thanksgiving, since we have the holiday coming up in about three weeks. But seeing as Adam is here and he's already asked me about it, I am almost certain that he would be able to teach us some things about it that we don't yet know."

Once all the children were seated at their desks Adam looked at Vicki. "I'm not much of a teacher, I'm afraid. I think I have learned far more from your class than I could ever teach them, Vicki."

Megan looked at him. "You can't be serious, Adam." As soon as she spoke, she made a motion with her hands and looked at him. "Sean told us that you were not happy last week, so we decided to do a list of why we're thankful that you're our friend."

As each child stood up, he or she went to the front of the classroom and handed him a sealed envelope. Once they all had returned to their seats, they sat down. Adam sat down as well and began to open the envelopes. As he did, he could see that each child in their somewhat shaky script had written one simple word on the sheets of paper. He could feel tears in his eyes when he read words like: 'smart', 'loving', 'caring' and even 'huggable'. When he finished, he noticed that each child had seen something different in him and each one was something positive.

After he had finished reading all the things the children had written for him, he collected the envelopes as well as the pages and neatly tucked them in his pocket. "You are all so wonderful," he said softly.

"Are you going to tell us about the first Thanksgiving, Adam?" Sean asked.

"Yes, I am," he said gently. "Let's get really comfortable because this is a long story."

"Will it last till lunchtime?" Matthew asked.

"If you keep interrupting me, then it will," Adam said smiling.

The children began to giggle, but eventually they settled down and gathered around him. Before he began to speak, Adam closed his eyes briefly and thanked the Father for the generous hearts and the kindness of all these special children.

After his silent prayer was sent above, he began to tell this story to the children assembled. "It was a cold day in November when the head of the puritan families and the chiefs of the Indians got together to thank their creator for the blessings they had…"

The End

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