Garik Terence sat on the couch in a terribly unhealthy slouch. He didn’t care. He was tired and glad to have some time to relax in front of the TV. With numb indifference, he stared at the screen where two players volleyed each other in a tennis match. Watching sports was something he enjoyed, any kind of sport, as long as the opponents were equally matched and there was some intensity to the play. The game he watched now was completely lopsided. One young man dominated the game while the other’s frustration was rising at his ineptitude to make a proper lobby. The score kept creeping higher on the skilled player’s side while the frustrated young man’s attempts became increasingly wild and frantic.
It would be more interesting if there was some real competition between the two. Garik shook his head at the display. He was willing to wait it out though. There was another team of players lined up after these two. Hopefully they’d be of the same caliber of experience.
He didn’t doubt that these two he was currently watching were of the same ability. In such a professional sport there’s no way the organizers would match a pro with a rookie. If only their play attested to it. The match was beginning to bore him.
Picking up the mail he’d set down on the coffee table earlier, Garik scanned through it. A lot of the envelopes looked like bills. He had no interest in examining those. Out of the corner of his eye he checked on the tennis match but it still held no interest. The dichotomy between the players still wasn’t improving.
A beam of light streaked through the ceiling, down to the floor and landed behind the couch where Garik sat. He didn’t notice a thing and he couldn’t have.
The creature behind the couch stood from a crouched position and straightened to full height, his eight-foot stature causing his head to touch the ceiling. The wing span on the being was huge, stretching from wall to wall. He looked man-like but shone with an unearthly glow that filled the room with intensity. His impressive height and the light pulsing from him would make any human cringe in fear.
If Garik was able to see the being his boredom would have fled in a hurry. Lounging on the couch would have been forsaken, replaced by shaking in terror in the far corner.
Standing directly behind Garik, the angel placed a hand into the pocket of his robe and withdrew a flask. The liquid in the vial shone with a golden hue, like liquid honey. He pulled the stopper from the end, held the flask up over Garik’s head and tipped it on its side.
Shimmering oddly, the golden contents flowed from the container and dropped onto Garik’s hair, running in rivulets down the sides of his face and neck, over his top, chest and back, and stopped near his waist. Gradually, the rich liquid evaporated, or maybe it simply soaked into him. It was hard to tell what exactly happened.
Suddenly Garik sat upright, his back leaving the back rest of the couch. He leaned forward with a quizzical expression and scratched absently at his head with one hand. The oddest urge filled him. Going for a walk was the last thing he wanted. Grunting loudly, he let out a short burst of a laugh. Getting up from the couch after a long day of work was the last thing he would ever do. He hated walking.
That was one of the reasons he’d broken up with his last girlfriend. Cherry had been an exercise freak and the disparity in their interests is what did that relationship in. He’d put up with it for a while but he couldn’t keep putting on the act of actually enjoying it for long. Her constant demands to go for walks, runs, hikes, you name it, became excessively tiresome. She’d been good looking enough, sweet as pie, but her penchant toward physical activity clashed violently with Garik’s enchantment with the couch.
He grinned as he remembered her comment when he gave the reason for wanting to part ways.
He’d told Cherry, “You’re way to fit and active for me. I’ll never be able to keep up. I hate exercising and I particularly hate walks. There’s no real purpose or function to them. Walks get in the way of watching TV.”
“TV!” She’d sounded shocked and offended that his shows could come between them. “You’d pick sports over a girlfriend?”
“I guess so. I do like my sports.”
“That’s so pathetic!” Again Cherry sounded shocked. “You’re a couch potato!” Her announcement sounded like an insult. Her next sentence confirmed it. “You’ll end up big and fat. You don’t know what a blessing I could be to you. I could help you get in shape.”
“No thanks.”
Then Cherry grabbed her coat and left in a huff. It was surprising how little he actually missed her. Finding excuses to avoid her suggestions of exercise had become difficult. He’d used every idea in the book and had started running out of options. Life was simpler without her nagging him to get off the couch. Sitting and relaxing after work was enjoyable and he didn’t mind the few extra pounds around his middle. He was in fairly good shape and knew women were attracted to him. That had to say something.
So now, the idea of going for a walk puzzled him. Why in the world would he do that? No matter how hard he tried to ignore the odd sensation, the idea wouldn’t leave him.
He looked toward the window on his left. The sun was shining and he knew it was warm out there for a spring day. Walking would probably be quite pleasant, that is, if he actually enjoyed walking.
Glancing back at the TV, he noticed that this round was over between the two tennis players and they were getting ready to start another game. Sitting here watching another miss-matched attempt didn’t intrigue him. The stronger player had won all the games in this set so far.
Not being able to push walking out of his mind, it lodged there like an unwelcome headache, Garik finally stood and headed to the front door. He sat down on the small bench in the entrance and pulled on his running shoes. Not once had he ever run in them. They were his footwear of choice when he went out with friends, going to a movie or to a restaurant for dinner.
The angel stood close, watching Garik, making sure things progressed as he’d planned.
Opening the door wide, a warm breeze blew into the house, the smell of someone cutting grass in the neighborhood floating in the air. Garik breathed deeply and released it slowly.
“Okay, here I go.” He locked the door behind him and headed to the sidewalk.
Stopping at the street, he looked both ways and decided to veer to the right, toward the bridge which spanned over the turbulent river that ran through town. It was at least six blocks till he’d get there but he suddenly felt eager to start his trek.
As he walked he still couldn’t get over the oddity of his position. He was actually walking and, he had to admit, it was somewhat enjoyable. Cherry would be proud of him.
The trees were budding and birds were busy preparing nests and chasing unwelcome fowl away from their chosen spot. Squirrels scampered out of the way as Garik came close, chasing up a tree or racing across the road to the other side. The loud chirping from the branches up above and the activity of the squirrels felt more entertaining than the tennis match had. He grinned absently at the thought.
Dappled sunshine filtered through the branches and made crazy patterns on the sidewalk below. Garik hit a clear spot and the sun warmed him. His thin hoody was plenty enough for such a warm spring evening.
Garik picked up his pace and, before he knew it, the bridge came in to view. The sound of the rapids floated toward him, the water rushing and gurgling over the large stones that lined the river bed close to the bridge. He’d forgotten how he loved that noise.
As he got closer, the roar of the river brought back so many memories. Driving over the bridge every day to work with his car didn’t give him that.
Years ago, as kids, he and his brother often walked to the river. They’d loved living close to it, climbing over the rocks, trying to make it to the other side without getting soaked. They’d tried to skip rocks up stream in a more sedated part of the river. They never did get the hang of it, at least he didn’t. His older brother grew more adept at it over time. Their father had even taken them fishing there on occasion. Garik hated fishing, too boring.
Stepping onto the bridge, he looked across. He couldn’t see the river well from this vantage point. The center was the best point to look down, the best place to throw pebbles into the churning flow, see them ping off the boulders and fling into the angry flumes.
Garik noticed someone else on the bridge. When he looked closely, the sight brought him to a standstill.
The large angel that had accompanied Garik on his walk stopped with him, standing just to his right.
On the edge, on the rail, someone was sitting, balancing precariously and leaning over toward the water, hands still hanging on to the metal rail. Garik estimated the kid was maybe thirteen or fourteen. The boy looked ready to let go, surrender himself to the convulsing mass of angry water and rocks below.
Garik started toward him, hurrying now, hoping to get to him in time. As he got within earshot, he said, “Hey!”
The boy ignored him.
“Hey, you!”
The boy’s head moved in Garik’s direction slightly but he didn’t turn fully enough to look Garik in the eye.
“Hey! What are you doing?” asked Garik as he hurried in close to the boy.
The boy’s chest rose and fell in quick succession but he didn’t answer.
Garik realized his presence was bothering the boy but he didn’t care. Concern filled him, anxiety replacing his calm walk moments earlier, but he tried to stay calm, as relaxed as possible in the situation. “I asked you something.”
“Leave me alone!” The kid yelled. “This is none of your business!”
“You don’t want to do this.”
“You have no idea what I want! Go away!”
“You’re young, man! You have so much to live for. Don’t do this. Think about your parents.”
The boy grunted in derision.
“Is that what this is about? You have problems with your parents?” asked Garik.
The teenager remained silent.
“Your parents really wouldn’t care if you killed yourself?”
Icy silence was the boy’s only reply.
“Is it your father? Is he the reason you’re planning suicide?”
“He doesn’t give a d***!”
The kid had a foul mouth on him. He was angry and ready to end his life. It made Garik wonder what had driven him to this point. “I think he’d be devastated if you killed yourself. This is not what he wants for you.”
“What do you know about my life?”
“And what about your mom? Don’t you think she’d care if you lived or died?”
Garik noticed the boy’s shoulders drop and the slight quaking of his frame. He was trying hard not to cry. “She loves you, doesn’t she?”
“What does it matter? My dad hates me.”
“It might seem that way. Life can seem hopeless at times when you’re a teenager. But things aren’t always the way they seem. You’re just not seeing the whole picture. If you could see inside your parents’ hearts, you’d probably see a lot of love there.”
“You’re full of s***, you know that?” The boy looked at Garik with a sideways glance, his eyes dull and angry.
“Maybe I am, but what if I’m right?”
The boy looked away.
“No parent wants to see their kid commit suicide. It would ruin your parents forever. Life would never be the same for them again.”
He grunted in contempt. “They’d finally be rid of me. They’d probably throw a party.”
“You’re wrong. They’d grieve for you the rest of their lives.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. Why don’t you just leave me alone and let me die?”
“Because I care.”
“You don’t even know me!” he screamed.
“That doesn’t mean I don’t care.”
“Why would you give a d*** what happens to me?”
That mouth again. “Because you’re young and you have so much to live for. Life can be good even if the teen years suck. You won’t be a kid forever. God created you for something special.”
“God?” The boy turned dead eyes to Garik. “I don’t believe in God.”
“Well, He believes in you. He made you and created you for a reason.”
A cynical smile spread across the boy’s face. That was better than the despair a moment earlier. “I don’t have any purpose except to be yelled at by my dad. He hates me.”
“Sometimes dads don’t see the whole picture. They only see what’s right in front of them. God sees your whole life, from beginning to end and He knows your talents and what you’ll accomplish in life. He’s the one who gave you a purpose to complete in this life. If you ask Him, He’ll show you what it is.”
The boy stared at Garik as if he was seeing a strange apparition appear out of thin air. “What is wrong with you?”
“I could ask you the same thing?” Garik pointed to the boy’s position on the rail. “Because what I’m seeing doesn’t look right.”
He looked away and glanced down to the churning river below.
Garik had to strain to hear what the boy whispered.
“No one would care if I died. No one would miss me.”
“Do you actually believe that?”
The boy’s anger was back as he swung to glare at Garik. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Your mother would miss you.”
“He yells at her too, hates her almost as much as he does me!”
“And how will she cope without you?”
“I can’t help her. I’ve never been able to help her. My dad’s too strong.”
“Killing yourself isn’t the answer. It would devastate her.”
“I can’t help that.”
“Yes, actually you can. That’s one way you can help her.”
He looked moved and suddenly unsure.
“Maybe it’s time for the two of you to find someplace safe.”
“She’d never leave.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s all she knows and besides, we couldn’t afford it on our own.”
“There are places that could help.”
“She’d never leave him. He’s not that cruel to her.”
“He never hits her?”
“Not hard.”
The line of conversation seemed suddenly unimportant in the face of the young man wanting to take his life. “Why don’t you come down from there? We can walk together and talk things through.”
The boy glanced at Garik and made a derogatory sound through tight lips. “I don’t want to talk to you. Just go away!”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
A string of expletives left the boy’s lips.
The angel stepped forward and whispered into Garik’s ear.
Garik suddenly remembered a program he’d read about in the local paper. It was designed as an intervention to help troubled teens.
“I know of a group that helps teenagers in difficult situations. It’s a safe place that you could go and spend time with people that really care and will try to help you. You’d meet other teens that are struggling. It’s a community gym where they meet after school, play basketball, talk, provide programs and put on shows on occasion.”
“I don’t need entertainment.” The skepticism on his face proved he wasn’t buying it.
“It might help you to cope with your home life.”
“I hate meeting new people.”
“I’m new.”
The boy’s lips actually curved into a slight smile. “Exactly my point.”
“My name’s Garik, by the way.”
“So?” His tentative smile faded.
“I’d take you there, help you get used to the place.”
“Why would you do that?”
“I already told you. I care.”
The boy stared at Garik, long and hard. “I don’t believe you,” he finally said, his eyes daring Garik to disagree.
“You don’t believe I care or that I’ll help you?”
“Both.”
“And you’re wrong on both counts.”
The boy stared off to the horizon, where the river could be seen twisting through a stand of trees, the frantic water rushing toward where they stood on the bridge. “I was so sure I was going to die today.” He turned his head a degree in Garik’s direction without making eye contact and said, “And maybe I still will.”
Garik heard the boy’s tentative statement and his hope soared.
The glowing angel turned toward Garik again and whispered into his ear.
Garik repeated it. “Did you leave your mom a note?”
That got a reaction. The boy spun his head to stare at Garik but he didn’t answer. His eyes declared his uncertainty.
“That would have been a good thing to do.” Garik watched the boy. Indecision played with his features, vacillating between the two options, life or death. Garik was pretty sure the boy was bending toward life, but he still seemed volatile, his depression still dominant.
The boy turned away and sat deathly still, his eyes glued to the churning water and rocks below. It was hard to know what he was thinking.
“Why don’t you get down from the rail? We can talk about when we’ll meet and go to the street ministry center. Maybe we could head over there right now.” Garik had no clue where this place was located but he had his cell with him. He could Google it.
“I don’t want to go there today.”
“We’ll do it tomorrow then. I’ll get off of work early and I’ll take you there.”
The boy tilted himself sideways, stared at Garik as if trying to decide what to do.
“Come on, get down and we can exchange cell numbers.”
“Why should I trust you?”
“Because my word’s good.”
Distrust still hone in the kid’s eyes. With a father that beat him, Garik couldn’t blame him for it. “I won’t let you down. I’ll come find you tomorrow, won’t let up till I do.” This boy needed some good adult mentoring, by a man that was trustworthy, that would pour love into him.
With another look down at the churning mass of water and rocks below, the kid turned to Garik, lifted his right leg over the rail and swung his frame over to the bridge side. He landed on his feet facing Garik. “Okay, I’ll give it a try.”
Relief flooded Garik and he finally released a pent of breath. He could feel his shoulders relax, hadn’t known he was so tightly wound. “What’s your name?”
“Jake.”
“Well, Jake, I’ll need your phone number so we can connect tomorrow.”
“Okay.” He pulled his cell phone from his jean pocket.
Garik prepared his contact list and punched in the number Jake told him.
He studied Jake’s face. The kid seemed reluctant to leave. “I’ll figure out where this center for teens is and then we’ll decide where to meet up.
Jake nodded.
“You’ll be okay till then?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Where do you live?” Garik asked him.
He pointed to the other side of the bridge. “About two blocks from here.”
Garik pointed in the direction he’d come from. “My place is a few blocks down that way.”
Jake nodded and looked down, studying the cement beneath his feet.
“You sure you’ll be okay?”
Jake glanced at him sideways. “I think so.”
“I’ll text you tonight. Are you okay with that?”
“Whatever.”
Garik found that amusing. Teens were hard to read. “Okay. I’ll text you.”
Jake turned and started to walk away.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Okay,” Jake replied in a muffled voice.
Garik watched him walk off the bridge on the far side and continue along the sidewalk toward home. The sun was inching its way to the horizon, its warm rays stretching to touch the boy’s right side with light. Garik breathed a sigh of relief. That had been a close call.
He’d never imagined a walk would have turned into this. He’d managed to prolong Jake’s life, at least for a day. Garik finally turned toward home and started walking. There was no way he’d have ventured out the door on his own steam this evening. Some force beyond him moved and orchestrated his decision, of that he was sure.
The large angel stayed where he was on the bridge and watched Garik walk away. Finally, he unfurled his wings and took to the skies, a streak of light left in his wake.