A Touched By an Angel story

And sequel to 'An Angel's Vacation'

By: Yvette Jessen

The park looked so wonderful, it was filled with green grass and blossoming flowers, many of which gave the air a sweeter than usual fragrance. It was situated nearly 200 meters from where Kelly and Peter Jensen lived, the greenness of it inviting on such a warm spring afternoon.

Kelly would often go there in the afternoons when the sun's light would play off the leaves of the trees and she would be able to think about all the things that had happened in her life over the course of the time that had passed since Andrew had been in her home. Now, the sessions had drawn to a close, she was happy, happier than she could ponder ever having been before. Life was wonderful again, her marriage was going well, and her mind was free from all the traumas she had endured over the course of the years she had grown up.

She could feel the breeze blowing, it lifting her spirits all the while ruffling her soft auburn hair. It was moments such as this that she felt truly at peace with her creator, not just in the sense of God had created everything around her, but also that the wind was, in her mind, a sort of whisper from God telling her that everything would be alright and that she was doing just fine.

She remained seated on the wooden bench, it was warm outside and she regarded the sun as it shone brightly in the sky. It was a really nice day. She opened her notebook and began to write, her thoughts flowing as brusquely as the wind that blew across her face and caused the pages of her journal to flutter.

"Hello, Kelly," a voice emerged and she abruptly looked up, her face emanating that pleasant sense of surprise when her eyes met those of the man now standing before her.

As she tried to focus on him, she remembered the soothing cadences of the all too familiar voice as the gentle tones resonated in her ears. "Andrew? Is that really you or am I daydreaming again?" She asked once she made eye contact with him and closed the book she had been writing in.

"Daydreaming?" Andrew smiled slyly as he sat down on the bench next to her.

"Well, what else does a person do who has entertained an angel unaware?" She asked as a smile played at her lips, and a sparkle in her brown eyes indicated a sense of joy that she carried in her heart at seeing him again. "You look different than I remember though."

"I do?"

"Well, yes, the last time I saw you, your hair was longer, now you have it shorter," she said. "Why the change?"

"I got tired of it," he smiled.

"You know, that's funny, I never thought an Angel of Death could have what people around here call a 'bad hair day'."

Andrew chuckled. "You've changed, too, Kelly, you're not so serious as you were the last time I was here."

"Yeah, I guess I realized that if I make a joke and people judge me, then it's their problem, not mine, but I have to admit, there have been times that I could have died, the jokes would come out, and no one would even crack a smile," she smiled weakly, and then her face reddened as she remembered with whom she was speaking and how easily it was to use the term 'death' or 'dying' without even considering the consequences. "Oops, sorry about that."

"No reason to apologize," he smiled. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd come by and see you. I rang the bell at your apartment, but there was no answer, so I came over here to see if you had decided to come for a moment of silence."

"You seem to remember me even though we had seen each other maybe a year ago," she said. "It surprises me simply because you probably meet a lot of people in youruh, line of work."

Andrew sat down on the bench next to her. "How have you been doing?"

"Really good," she said and smiled. "I'm actually feeling great."

"That's so nice to hear," he said. "How's Peter doing?"

"Fine, he's at work right now, I'd been washing the curtains and now that I am finished I thought about getting something for lunch and heading back. Do you have anything pressing to attend to, or do you have time to come along?"

"Well, I don't have as much time as I did the last time I was here, but I was given the day off, so maybe we could get something to eat," he suggested.

"Great idea, it would be wonderful to spend the afternoon with you," she said. "How would you like to come with me to Frankfurt? I had been wanting to call my friend Martina, and meet with her, but I didn't really want to go alone."

"That sounds like fun," he said.

"Cool, then let's get going," Kelly smiled and the two of them left the park together.

*****

Half an hour later, after grabbing a bite to eat at the local take out place, they were walking in the direction of the train station. Few words were spoken, it appeared as though she was in contemplation about something and Andrew didn't want to say anything that might distract her.

When they reached the small station, Kelly went and bought the tickets. When she returned to Andrew, she smiled. "I got our tickets, come on, we have to go to the other side of the station, this train goes to Wiesbaden, the other direction goes to Frankfurt."

"OK," the angel followed her, all the while he was smiling. Within ten minutes they were sitting in the train and he looked over at her. "So how did everything turn out for you?"

"Well, soon after you left, my therapy sessions ended as well. Believe it or not, the therapist said that my faith amazed her. Can you believe it? I thought I was going to go into shock when she said that, but it was really nice, because I knew it was God that helped me get through it. You know, it's funny, but people sometimes don't realize the extent of influence that God has on their lives."

Andrew smiled. "I'm well aware of that."

"I guess," she said and giggled, but after awhile, she looked earnestly at him. "Andrew, can I ask you a question?"

"You can ask me anything, Kelly, I think you know that."

She smiled. "I was just wondering what you think about the topic of maturity. I mean; when does a kid stop being a kid?"

Andrew chucked. "Well that depends on who you are asking. If it's that child's mother, then that 'kid' is never grown up. Through a mother's eyes, that child remains a child because she remembers him or her as they were before they had grown up."

Kelly smiled. "Yeah, I know what you mean, my mother-in-law still calls us kids. I mean; I'm thirty something, and Peter is almost forty, bus his mom still says this. We're younger, and I guess she acknowledges this, but it doesn't bother me, it's just an easy term used to describe someone younger."

"Yes, but I think there's another reason you have asked this question," Andrew smiled and Kelly literally melted. After all this time, the angel's smile still got to her.

"Yeah," she nodded. "I guess you could say that. I mean, Andrew, I'm not intolerant of young people, in fact, most of the teenagers that I know have told me that I was pretty cool for someone who was 'old'. But, yet trying to look out for them seems to be a thorn in their side."

"You mean because of your past?"

"Yeah, I mean, you know what I lived through, you know that my experiences were not all that nice, and there was nobody who really looked out for me, and who acknowledged that I was in pain or hurting. I mean I was twelve, but I was not old enough to deal or cope with the harsh circumstances I lived with. I needed an adult to take my hand and lead me away from this, yet there was no one there, not one single person. Does that make sense?"

"I think so, you don't want to be the adult that walks away from a child," Andrew said softly. "Tell me why you are putting so much thought into this."

As they arrived at their stop, the two of them got off the train and rode the escalator up to the shopping mall that extended over the underground station. Kelly rubbed her hands together as they walked and after a few moments they could hear the music that emanated throughout the large open area. Kelly stopped after a few moments had passed and turned to face him. "Andrew, how do you feel about people who go and meet someone online?"

"I think the Internet is really something special, but I also think that with regard to contacts, people need to be careful. I knew a girl once who was 13 and she wanted to meet a boy online, and it turned out that this 'boy' was not a boy at all, he was a man, and he could have really hurt her had her father not found her in time."

Kelly swallowed the unconscious lump that formed in her throat. "You know, I wouldn't do anything to hurt anyone, but it scares me sometimes when I think about how vulnerable some people are when they go online."

Andrew reached over and squeezed her shoulder. "I know."

"I think people have to approach the Internet in a mature and realistic manner and if they don't, then they could really end up hurt," Kelly shook her head sadly. "I don't want to be the reason that someone young gets hurt trying to meet others online."

"Kelly, tell me what is happening that has you in such an emotional turmoil. If you share it with me, maybe I can help," he said gently as they stepped outside into the bright sunlight. As they emerged from the station, Kelly spotted one of her best friends across the courtyard.

"Hey Martina!" She called out and when her friend turned around and waved, Andrew knew that at that moment, he wasn't going to get the answer he needed, but instead of pouting and scolding his friend, he waited for Martina to approach.

"Kelly, hey, what are you doing here?" Martina asked.

"Andrew's visiting us from out of town, and I thought I'd bring him here and show him around," Kelly said.

"Nice to meet you, Andrew, I'm Martina Schumacher," she said and smiled. "Kelly did you get things squared away with that boy on the list?"

"Not yet," Kelly shook her head. "He's been sending me messages because I told him I didn't want to meet with him yet. I don't know, something about him makes me really nervous."

Andrew looked at the two of them. "Does this have something to do with what we were talking about, Kelly?"

The young woman looked at the angel and then at Martina. "I was sort of venting to Andrew about what has been happening lately," she explained and once her friend nodded, she continued, her attention on the angel. "See, Martina and I did meet on this one internet mailing list. It's called 'Forgiveness Circle' and it deals with spiritual concepts and what have you. Well, I've gotten really into it and thought about starting a study group from my apartment. It's nothing extensive, but it's about members of the group coming to visit once every couple of weeks, and discussing the concepts of various books and tapes. I mean, it's not like a party or anything, but we would be drinking cola, eating chips and discussing the concepts from the group that deal with letting go and forgiveness. Anyway, about a month or two ago this boy started posting there, he's 16 and I guess he's at that age where he's saying that he should not talk to his parents about anything he does. So, when I mentioned the group, he was one of the first people who came and asked me about it. I set up guidelines for young people, those under 18, specifically, since we're strangers to him."

"What happened after you suggested the group?" Andrew asked.

"Well, he said that he should just be able to come to the meetings without his parents even knowing what he is doing. I mean; to me a sixteen-year-old boy may be able to handle himself rather well, but that doesn't mean that I am ready to handle whatever happens when a teenager comes to my home. I mean, if I'm the one who is hosting these small gatherings, shouldn't I have the right to determine what happens? I mean; this is my home, and Peter has been gracious enough to support the idea of meeting there, but even in his clubs and work, he has to take young people into consideration, and set up special stipulations for their involvement, but that's a sailing club, and maybe I'm overreacting."

Martina shook her head. "No you're not, Kelly. You are responsible for whatever happens, you are the one who will have to answer if something does happen to that boy. You are not wrong for wanting things to run smoothly and if George has a problem with that, then it's his own problem. I mean; quite frankly, I wouldn't be interested in having a battle of wits with a 16-year-old who thinks he knows it all."

"I guess he does think he's smarter than everyone there, but…" Kelly mused but her voice trailed off and she looked at the angel. "Andrew, that's why I asked you about this. I don't want the other people to see me, or view me as intolerant, but I know that there is a danger there that they are not acknowledging, and essentially I'm trying to protect them, but it feels like I'm some kind of fuddy duddy that doesn't understand the troubles of youth."

"You seem to have a very strong understanding, Kelly," Andrew said as the three of them walked towards an ice cream parlor and sat down on the patio. Kelly picked up a menu as Andrew continued speaking, his voice filled with wisdom. "If more young people understood that the older ones are trying to protect them, they might have a better understanding of what is really going on. And maybe someday they would look back and be grateful to that person for trying to help them and watch out for their best interests."

"Have you ever felt like that, Andrew?" She asked.

The angel nodded and smiled at the two women sitting with him. "There have been times when I have tried to reach young people, and they just didn't listen to me. Sometimes, people have to find out for themselves, and as much as you want to protect other people, they are going to misinterpret your intentions, and they are going to make you look the role of the 'bad guy', they are going to be angry, because they think that you and them have a gap a mile wide between you."

"Yeah," Martina mused, "With George, you might try two."

Kelly shook her head and looked at the angel. "You wouldn't say that I'm doing this all wrong, would you, Andrew?"

"Kelly, wanting to have a study group is by no means wrong, and there is absolutely nothing false in making special stipulations for the younger members so that they could participate as well. Doing this is like saying that you welcome wholeheartedly the younger people who want to participate, but you are remembering your obligations to society. You are a shining example to those who come to the group. Later, it will be a reflection on the entire group, and that will be indicative that that group does have a good reputation for being contentious about having all ages in a group."

Martina smiled. "I couldn't have said that better myself."

Kelly shrugged her shoulders, her eyes still on the tabletop. "Maybe I'm overreacting, maybe my past is too much of a crutch for me."

Andrew shook his head. "No, your past is a reflection on what you demonstrate today. You could take your past, and use it as an excuse for decisions, choices, and mistakes, but you don't and the reason is, is because you know today, that your past happened and no matter what you try to do, you cannot change it. Kelly, the fact is, you must live with the reality that it happened, but through it, your conscience has been raised to that point where instead of using it as an excuse to harm children, you feel yourself obligated to helping and protecting them."

Kelly looked at him. "I'm glad I ran into you today."

Andrew smiled and nodded. "There's no such thing as coincidence."

Martina smiled. "That's my favorite quotation, 'Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous'. I think Einstein said that once upon a time."

Andrew nodded. "Yes, he did, I know, because I met him."

Martina looked at the angel. "There's no way, you're too young to have known Einstein. I mean; he died before you were even born."

Kelly looked at the angel and could see a deer trapped in the headlights look on his handsome face. "You're busted."

"What do you mean, Kelly?" Martina asked. "Maybe he remembers a past life or something." When she looked at Kelly, she could see that her friend was shaking her head adamantly.

Andrew began to chuckle. "I'll tell you what, you met through the 'Forgiveness Circle', but did you ever talk about the existence of angels on that particular list?"

Kelly nodded. "Yes, I think we discussed it before George showed up on the board and upset the apple cart."

Martina giggled, but smiled as she nodded. "Why do you ask, Andrew?"

The angel smiled. "Well, Martina, angels do exist, because I am one, and Kelly and I met about a year ago." As he spoke, he started to glow, and Martina's eyes widened.

"Do you have a message from God for us?" Martina asked as soon as she managed to recover, and Andrew stopped glowing as the waiter came to take their orders.

"Yes, I do," he smiled. "God loves you, and He is immensely proud that Kelly is hosting this new study group." He looked at Kelly, his eyes filled with joy. "He is really happy that you are trying to protect the children in this study group setting. He knows that it is not easy for you to create an environment where all members are safe and can enjoy the benefits of the group."

Kelly smiled and a few moments later, the waiter returned with their orders. By this time, Andrew looked at the two women. "Aside from the obvious, He knows what is happening here, and He is speaking to your spirits about it, and no matter what anyone says, hold tightly to what you are trying to accomplish here. Know that the support that emanates from your friends in this group will make the biggest difference of all and as long as you respond in love, nothing anyone tries to do will destroy that which love has created."

Kelly smiled and nodded as she looked at Martina. "You know, you said something similar to that the other day when I called."

Martina smiled, but she nodded. "Sometimes I might say something that is worth actually listening to."

Kelly laughed. "I'm glad we ran into you today."

Martina smiled. "You're glad? I mean; geez, it isn't every day that I actually meet an angel, and one as cute as Andrew." She smiled impishly at him and shrugged her shoulders. The Angel of Death responded with a weak smile, but his face flushed crimson and the two women laughed.

*****

Twenty minutes later, the three of them had eaten the ice cream and they stood up to leave the ice cream shop. Once they had parted company with Martina, Kelly smiled as she looked at Andrew.

"I feel really grateful that you are here," she said and smiled. "You have helped me again."

"I only spoke the truth, Kelly," he said all the while shrugging his shoulders.

"I will never forget that day that you held me in your arms and told me that everything would be OK," she smiled weakly as the two of them walked towards the shopping district.

Andrew nodded. "You are more than OK, Kelly."

The young woman smiled weakly, but looked out across the long pedestrian zone. "You really came back here to see me?"

"Yes, I did, God sent me to see you again because He knows that all the events going on with you have been harder than you anticipated. You're a sensitive person, Kelly, and that is by no means something negative, it is, in fact, extremely positive. You look at the world as an optimist sees it, people are beautiful and kind, but you also see the ideas that there are dangers present, that there are those who don't view life as precious, and thus, they respond to others negatively, and they hurt more than they heal."

Kelly nodded. "Like what happened to me?"

"Yes, exactly," Andrew reached over and brushed a lock of her hair out from in front of her face. "This event has reminded you of what you experienced as a young person, it has brought back some of the feelings in you. Of course, you cannot dwell on them, but you can remember so that this instance doesn't repeat itself ever again. Do you understand?"

Kelly smiled broadly as she stopped walking and unexpectedly wrapped her arms around the angel. "I just love you." With that, she got on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "You're wonderful, Andrew. You spoke the words I really needed to hear right now."

He smiled and hugged her as he began to swing her around, her feet eventually leaving the pavement and she felt like she was flying, her hair blowing in the breeze, but the angel continued to whirl her around, his arms holding her tightly so she would not fall.

As they stopped, Kelly was laughing with the merriment of a child and she looked up at him, her eyes dancing merrily.

"Do you know what the difference is between being child-like and being childish?" Andrew finally asked.

Kelly nodded. "I think so, being child-like is what we just did, but being childish is behaving as though the real world has ceased to exist."

Andrew smiled. "As long as you remember this, you will never lose sight of the fact that your inner child is there, and that will guide you whenever the time comes for you to make the decisions that you face regarding the struggles of youth."

"I'll try not to forget that," she said smiling. "Would you like to come with me, I have to pick up a new video before I go home."

"OK, and then when we get back, I have to get going," he said.

"I thought you said that you had the day off," Kelly said softly.

"I do, but there's someone else I need to pay a little visit to before I go back to work," Andrew said with a bright smile.

Kelly smiled and nodded, because somewhere deep inside of her, she knew who it was that Andrew was going to see, and she wondered what it was the angel would say when he showed up and knocked on George's door. "We still have some time together, though, right?"

Andrew took her hand and together the angel and the woman walked towards the largest CD store in the city.

*****

Once they returned to the town where Kelly lived, they walked back towards the apartment building where she resided. When they reached the Peace Square, Kelly looked up at him. "Thanks for the wonderful afternoon, Andrew."

"It is always my pleasure, Kelly," he said and smiled.

"I mean it, you helped me find a sense of peace in all of this, and it does help a great deal. I needed to find some sort of closure about all of this, and your wisdom, as well as the words Martina told me, helped," she smiled. "I feel blessed, really and truly blessed. I never imagined how much support I would get, but it helped me to realize and know that there are people who care, and who offer support."

Andrew reached over and took her hand. "That is where true friendship is born, Kelly."

"And you are the truest of friend, Andrew, like Martina, and so many others," Kelly gave him a final kiss on the cheek, all the while, closing her eyes. When she opened her eyes again, she could see that the angel was no longer there, and she was standing alone in the middle of the square. Above her head a white dove was flying and as its song emerged, as she listened to it, she could feel herself literally skipping back in the direction of her apartment.

The End