For the first hour, JenniAnn sat in thrall as Andrew read poems, breaking only to give the girls a chance to explicate them.  Kemara listened appreciatively with occasional bemused glances at JenniAnn.  Violeta and Ivy listened in admiration.  Much to the surprise and delight of Andrew and his helpers, Ivy spoke up aloud in front of all the other girls when they began to discuss the poetry.  Then, as planned, the class broke into three groups with each assigned a handful of Christina Rossetti's poems. 

Andrew had made a point to not identify Alyssa to JenniAnn or Kemara.  Though he was still bothered by her behavior the previous week and word of the morning's note, he wanted to give her every chance and not prejudice either of the women against her.  If it came to it, he knew he would have to tell Violeta.  This was her case, too.  But until then, he would keep the girl's identity to himself.  Nonetheless, he didn't feel right putting Alyssa in either JenniAnn's or Kemara's groups so kept her in his own.  As Andrew opened the volume of poetry in his hands... a book that had once belonged to his assignment, Dawn, and been given to him by her mother, Raquel... he prayed that the next hour would go smoothly.

"So who would like to read for us?" he asked.  When a girl's hand shot up, Andrew smiled at her.  "Thanks, Morgan."

The teenager cleared her throat and began to read.  "'O why is heaven built so far, oh why is earth set so remote?  I cannot reach the nearest star that hangs afloat.'"

As she continued, Andrew stole a glance over at Kemara's group.  He smiled when he saw that Ivy was reading for them with Lulu curled up in her lap.  She would be reading "Mirage."  He hoped the melancholy poem would not make her too sad. 

"'For I am bound with fleshly bands, joy, beauty, lie beyond my scope; I strain my heart, I stretch my hands, and catch at hope,'" Morgan finished.

"Beautiful, thank you.  So what does that poem mean to all of you?  Can you relate to it?" the teacher asked.

"I'm sure the poet was at least partly being symbolic but maybe she really did want to touch the stars.  It makes me wonder what she'd think of NASA and astronauts.  I bet she'd think they were pretty cool."

Andrew smiled.  "I think she would, Sierra.  What do you think might be symbolic about her celestial imagery?"

"Well, she was from, like, the 1800s, right?"

"Yes.  Christina Rossetti lived from 1830-1894."

"So maybe she's frustrated because so much was out of reach," Sierra posited.  "Women were still really restricted then.  Most couldn't even vote.  She probably desired a lot she couldn't have... not just stars."

"We read a poem of hers in class last year."

"Do you remember the name, Bailee?"

The girl shook her head.  "No.  But it was about goblins."

Alyssa snickered.  "Right..."

Andrew turned to her.  "She is right.  Rossetti wrote a famous poem called 'Goblin Market.'  It's quite a read.  You should look it up sometime."  He wondered what the girl would make of its tale of unselfish, sacrificial love.

For a moment, the teen's face flushed.  Then she rolled her eyes.  "It sounds like kids' stuff."

"It's not," Andrew stressed.  He turned back to Bailee.  "Was there something you wanted to say about 'Goblin Market'?"

"Not really.  I did like it.  But I remember my teacher saying that the lady was really religious.  So maybe she really did just want to reach Heaven.  I know a lot..."

"Maybe she should have stopped staring at the sky and scribbling nonsense and actually done something," Alyssa interrupted.

Andrew looked directly into her eyes.  "I think it's important to remember that not everyone has access to the same opportunities in life.  And please don't interrupt, Alyssa.  Everyone will have time to talk.  Now, Bailee, what were you saying?"

Instead of replying, she stared down at the poem and shrugged.  "I forgot."

Andrew suspected she'd simply decided to keep her thoughts to herself rather than risk getting snapped at by Alyssa.  "That's okay.  If you remember, just speak up.  So anyone else?"

No one responded.

"Okay.  Well, who wants to read the next poem: 'May'?"

When no one volunteered, Andrew began to recite. 

"'I cannot tell you how it was; but this I know: it came to pass upon a bright and breezy day when May was young; ah, pleasant May!'"

As he read, the angel studied the faces of the girls in his group.  Formerly alert and interested, now they seemed zoned out and on edge.  Clearly Alyssa wasn't only having an impact on Ivy.


During the class' last hour, Andrew allowed the girls to go wherever in the room they wanted to work on their poems.  While Violeta interviewed him at his desk, Kemara handed out the papers Andrew had "graded" the previous night.  When she was finished, she joined JenniAnn in a corner of the room where she was sorting through a box.

"I think I saw something not good," Kemara whispered.

Alarmed, JenniAnn dropped the pom-pom she'd been quizzically examining back into the box.  She thought she saw tears welling in her friend's eyes.  "Where?  When?"

"Can you just walk through the room and take a quick peek at the paper Alyssa's writing on?"

Nodding, JenniAnn did as she was asked.  She stopped near where the girl was plopped on a cushion and pretended to discover that her necklace had gone askew.  As she mimed sliding the clasp back behind her neck, JenniAnn glanced down at Alyssa's tablet.  Her eyes blazed.  It took everything in her to keep walking towards Andrew's desk instead of snatching the notebook up. 

"Kemara and I need to see you when you're done here," she whispered as she crouched between the two angels.

Andrew frowned.  "Should I come back there now?"

JenniAnn thought.  "Yes, probably."

"Can I come, too?" Violeta asked, bright-eyed and eager.

The angel of death looked at JenniAnn and noticed the subtle shake of her head. 

"Really it's just something Kemara wants to tell Andrew," JenniAnn explained.  She smiled at Violeta.  "You showed up so unexpectedly that I didn't get a chance earlier to tell you how cute your hair looks."

Violeta's eyes lit up.  "Really?"

Andrew patted her hand.  "Told you.  I'll be right back."  He rose to join Kemara.

"Do the hair sticks each mean something?" JenniAnn asked in an attempt to keep Violeta distracted.

Keeping her voice low, the young angel began to rattle off the story behind her new hairstyle.  "This other angel, her name is Takara, she had some and I thought they were so beautiful.  So Jo... someone gave me some wooden sticks and paint and then Takara helped me decorate them.  I made one to symbolize every person in our group.... obviously I'm not using them all right now.  Do you want me to make you some?"

JenniAnn nodded.  "Yes, please.  They would mean a lot to me."  She squeezed the angel's hand and thought of her promise to Andrew and what Kemara had shown her.  She vowed again, silently, to do all she could to keep Violeta from getting hurt. 


"What's going on?" Andrew questioned when he made his way to where Kemara was aimlessly sifting through JenniAnn's box.  "Are you okay?"

Kemara nodded.  "Only concerned.  Did you happen to see anything when you passed by Alyssa?"

The angel of death shook his head.  He'd been so focused on reaching his friend that he'd only noticed that the girls all seemed focused on their work.

"Go back.  Please."

Andrew toured the room, smiling when some of the girls looked up at him.  Here and there one would ask a question which their teacher took time to answer.  It was a full five minutes before Andrew was finally near Alyssa.  However, he was not too late.

Andrew fought the urge to grab the girl's notebook from her when he saw the cruel caricatures she had drawn.  One was clearly meant to be Violeta.  Alyssa had drawn countless lines coming from the drawing's hair.  Below it, she had scrawled "The Porcupine Reporter."  Underneath it there was a second drawing.  This face had frizzy hair and was covered in pimples.  Below it were the words "Ivy the Slut."

Andrew crouched down.  "Alyssa, we're going to go talk to Ms. LaCroix.  Bring that notebook with you."  To his surprise, Alyssa did not blush or mumble apologies.  She merely stood, smiling serenely at him.  "Wait by the door for me."

Alyssa obeyed.

Andrew returned to Kemara.  "We're going upstairs to talk to Regina.  Please tell JenniAnn when you can."  He looked back over to where Violeta was still happily chattering. 

"Will do.  I hope it goes well."  Kemara squeezed Andrew's hand.  "I really do."

"Me too."  Andrew took in a deep breath then went to where Alyssa was waiting.


Regina LaCroix was a stylish, no-nonsense woman in her early forties.  When Andrew had first met her, he'd gotten the sense that Regina seldom heard the word "no" used in reference to anything she wanted.  This was not necessarily to her discredit.  The angel suspected that Regina's determination had been a prime factor in getting Eve's Girls off the ground so quickly following her aunt's death.  Andrew hoped she would be as fastidious in rooting out the bullying issue.

Seated in the chair next to Alyssa's, Andrew looked over at his student while Regina examined the drawings.  The girl still seemed unbothered.  Or, rather, she seemed more bothered by an imperfection in her manicured nails than the fact that she was sitting in the program director's office.  With a soft sigh, Andrew shook his head.  He didn't know what to make of this girl.  Certainly he'd dealt with cruel teenagers before.  They never became fathomable to him. 

Andrew knew bullies sometimes targeted other children in hopes of masking their own perceived deficiencies.  However, he could find no reason for Alyssa to fear anyone's ill will.  She was beautiful, popular, intelligent, and, if the car he'd seen her driving the week before was any indication, her family was well off financially.  Because he knew bullying had become a scourge, Andrew had been on the lookout for it from day one of his assignment.  He'd seen no indication that anyone was taunting Alyssa or otherwise harassing her.  In fact, he'd seen no indication of bullying at all until he'd first heard Alyssa maligning Ivy to the other girls.  He thought of Kemara's wise words about being caught between two worlds.  But even that didn't explain such blatant cruelty.  Alyssa didn't seem confused or frustrated.  On the contrary, confidence exuded from the girl.  Andrew simply did not get it.

Regina set the paper down and tapped her fingernails on the desk.  "Well...  I have to say I am disappointed, Miss Thurrian.  These drawings are very unkind.  Why would you draw these?"

Alyssa shrugged.  "I was bored.  I didn't mean for anyone to see them."

Andrew wasn't sure he believed that but he also couldn't prove otherwise.

"While I appreciate that Mr. Rochester gave us time to work on our poems, I prefer to write at home in our new sunroom," Alyssa continued.  "It's very inspiring.  Dad told me that his company intends to build one for the Eve's Girls Center when it's completed."

Andrew watched as Regina's stern demeanor began to change.  Then it occurred to him why Alyssa's last name had seemed vaguely familiar.  He'd seen it on construction trucks around town. 

Regina smiled coolly.  "I'm sure it will be beautiful.  Well, obviously I will be confiscating these drawings.  You're in Miss Jansen's morning session aren't you, Alyssa?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"So then you're good with computers?"

"Yes."

"Good.  You need to learn from this experience.  You'll prepare a presentation... PowerPoint, a web page, whatever you choose... on bullying and turn it into Mr. Rochester next Monday.  Understand?"

Andrew balked at the woman.  He sincerely hoped she didn't intend for him to actually have Alyssa present it.  Ivy did not need to sit through her tormentor lecturing the class on bullying.

"Yes, ma'am," Alyssa agreed.

"Good.  Now go back to your classroom.  Mr. Rochester, please wait with me a moment."

When Alyssa was gone, Andrew leapt out of his chair and began pacing and dragging his hands through his hair.  "So that's it?  She's doing a PowerPoint!?  I will look it over if you want but I am not letting her get in front of my class to play innocent and concerned.  This is not a one-time thing and you know it, Regina.  You know it!  I told you what I heard last week!  And about how Ivy was crying last Friday and Alyssa sped off in her car.  And then earlier CeCe found a note in her class."

"Note?  What note?"

"Talk to CeCe," Andrew muttered.  "Apparently she found a cruel note about Ivy in her classroom this morning."

"Do we have proof that anyone saw the note?"

"I know Ivy had obviously been crying when she came to my room today."

"But do you know that she saw the note?  Do you know that she heard what you did?  Do you know that Alyssa said anything to Ivy last Friday after class?" Regina pressed.

"Well, no but... but I know Ivy feels bullied."

"And that is a shame.  But that's why you're there.  To watch over your students and..."

"And how am I supposed to do that when they're not in my classroom?" Andrew demanded.

Regina settled back into her chair and sighed.  "Look, I'll just level with you, Andrew.  We don't have a lot of choice.  Do I like Alyssa?  No.  I think the girl's an entitled, arrogant brat.  But I also know her father owns the construction company that offered to build our program its own building with a generous discount.  That offer is the only reason we have any chance at all of getting our own place before next summer."  She grimaced.  "And we need to.  I don't relish having to kowtow to Vivian O'Kane's PR stunts.  I understand that you care about Ivy.  I do.  But surely she can deal with a few hassles for one summer.  Is it really worth losing the chance at something better for so many girls in the future just to comfort one this summer?"

Andrew folded his arms over his chest.  "So because Alyssa's father is financially backing Eve's Girls, she's entitled to do whatever she wants and treat another girl however she wants?"

"That is NOT what I'm saying.  I only mean that we have to be careful.  Alyssa knows she's been caught.  She knows you'll be watching.  She's received her punishment.  And, no, you don't need to have her present it."  Regina stood and set her hand on his arm.  "Look, you're a nice guy.  I could tell that immediately when you came in to interview.  I know you want to make everything right for everyone.  But sometimes... sometimes to bring about something good, we have to let a little unpleasantness happen."

Andrew smiled sympathetically at the woman.  He could tell Regina was honestly strained and disheartened.  But he couldn't let it go as easily as she could.  "I know.  But I just can't consider threats to a young girl's mental and emotional well-being simply 'a little unpleasantness' to be put up with."

Regina looked down at her fingernails.  "I envy you your moral certainty and devotion to your principles, Andrew.  Now, you better get back to your class."

Andrew nodded.  "I will.  But first I'd either like that drawing back or a copy."

Regina sighed.  "And why is that?"

"Because I'm keeping a record.  Maybe no one else wants to stay on top of this.  But I do."

"Very well."  Regina returned the drawing to him.  "Now go."

"Happily." 

After stowing the drawing in his pocket, Andrew left the awkward chill of Regina's office.


The rest of the day passed without incident.  Andrew could tell that Ivy suspected something had happened... something that involved her.  However, she didn't ask.  She only smiled at him and waved good bye as she gathered her things and left.  He returned her smile but it tore at him to consider that maybe Ivy thought he'd taken care of things for her.  He didn't feel like he'd come even close.  But maybe there was something else he could do.  He walked over to where JenniAnn was repacking a box.

"Laja, I'm going to step out for a little bit but I'll be right back," Andrew informed his friend.

"Oh... okay."  JenniAnn frowned.  Then she realized what Andrew was leaving to do.  "Just... be careful, love."  She knew it was foolish.  Bennie couldn't harm Andrew, not really.  Still, she had to say it.

"I will."  Andrew smiled at her then waved to Kemara and Violeta who were playing around with some of the costumes.  "I'll be right back," he called.

"'Kay,'" Violeta replied, sashaying around in a ball gown.

Laughing, the angel of death made his way to the other end of the school where the dance room was.  It was possible Bennie wouldn't even be there. 

As Andrew approached the small gym where Bennie taught, he heard music drifting from it.  The door was open.  Bennie was likely inside.  He stepped into the entry, noting that Bennie was talking with CeCe.  He rapped on the door.

"Well, Mr. Rochester!" Bennie greeted.  "I was just telling CeCe about you and how we'll be working together on the end of the year show."

Andrew knew Bennie was saying this in hopes of rattling him.  "I'm looking forward to it," he responded evenly.  "CeCe, it's good to see you."

"Likewise.  Good to see any man around this place."

Bennie laughed.  "Tell me about it.  CeCe, I'll call you later."

Miffed by this abrupt dismissal, the woman opened her mouth to protest but seemed to think better of it when Bennie shot a look at her.  "Okay.  I'll..."

"You don't have to leave, CeCe," Andrew countered.  "Actually, I was hoping to talk about something that happened in your class.  JenniAnn said she overheard you talking about a note written about Ivy Lee.  There was an incident in my own class earlier and I was hoping..."

CeCe scoffed.  "God.  Did she start crying again?"

"Excuse me?"  Andrew stared at her as she rolled her eyes.

"That girl needs to get over herself.  Alyssa only gives her a hard time cause she's so damn overly sensitive.  If she'd just buck up a little..."

Bennie snickered.  "Oh CeCe, you're not winning any points with Andrew.  He's the patron saint of the overly sensitive types."

"Ivy is not over-sensitive!" Andrew corrected.  "Alyssa is being downright cruel and it has to stop.  I'm not tolerating it in my classroom but if we're not united on this..."

"Andrew... dear, sweet Andrew..."  Bennie approached and took his hand.  "Some of us have more important things to do than coddle immature little princesses."

The woman's meaning was not lost on the angel.  He peered into her eyes.  "Actually, I think accepting others' differences and not expecting everyone to conform to one's own way of life... and wanting that respect for yourself... is a sign of maturity."

"Okay..."  CeCe, feeling lost, shook her head.  "Bottom line: I won't let anyone interrupt my class and that means Ivy and it means Alyssa.  But they need to handle their own business.  This isn't Kindergarten."  She picked up her purse.  "I have a date so I'm leaving now.  Have a good night."  She sauntered out of the room.

"Nice girl.  I like her.  She really knows what it means to live."  Bennie smiled up at Andrew.  "So now that you've got that little PSA out of your system, what's been going on with you?"

"Bennie, JenniAnn is helping me with my class.  Why wouldn't you tell her about that note?  We need to work together."

"Dodging the question, I see.  If you must know, I saw no reason to worry her pretty, little head about it.  I planned to come to you."

Andrew doubted this.

"I figured that was better than telling JenniAnn and having her go crying to you... although apparently she did that anyway.  That girl just can't cope with life... good thing she has it easy."

"You know nothing about JenniAnn and what she's had to cope with."  Andrew wished he could tell her about JenniAnn's "easy life" which in the last year had involved pulling him out of PTSD-induced fogs, helping combat a life's worth of dysfunction that Max had inherited, and being with him through every wrenching word of Chava's story.  But he couldn't let Bennie into those confidences.  He stepped towards her.  "You don't like us anymore.  I get that.  We get that.  We have apologized already for any way we may have inadvertently hurt you, Bennie.  But the only 'crime' we've come up with... the only one you've accused us of... is that we weren't who you wanted us to be.  But we're who God made us to be.  We won't sacrifice His plan for yours.  Never.  If you hate us for that, so be it.  But don't let your feelings towards us keep an innocent girl from getting the support she needs.  You're a teacher, Bennie.  Act like it.  I think you'd be really good at it if you did."

Bennie shut off the CD player and headed towards the door leading to the parking lot.  "I'm done with this crap for the day.  Adios, Mr. Rochester.  Give my best to Miss Perfect."

Dejected, Andrew watched her leave then headed back to his classroom.


JenniAnn knew as soon as Andrew re-entered the room that his visit with Bennie had not gone as he had hoped.  He bestowed a wan smile on her then went to his desk.

"I'll be ready to leave in about five minutes if that's okay with you ladies," he called.

"Sure," Kemara responded as Violeta nodded beside her.  They hurried to put away the costumes they'd gotten out.

As the angel gathered up his things, JenniAnn snuck up behind him and hugged him.  "You're coming home with me."

Andrew laughed as he twisted around.  "Well, yeah.  I'm not sure how you'd get home, otherwise.  Or Kemara.  Long walk."

"No, I mean you're staying for dinner.  And dessert.  You need it, Andrew.  Please."

"I'd like to, Laja.  I really would.  But I don't even know yet where Violeta's supposed to be.  Maybe she's just going Home when we're not here but I know she's not staying in my loft so maybe she's staying somewhere around here and I'll need to get her settled in and..."

"Well, actually..."  JenniAnn laughed.  "Here's the thing..."  Smiling, she looked over to where Violeta and Kemara were chatting.  "While you were with Regina earlier, Violeta asked where I was staying.  Then she asked where Kemara was staying...  I kinda got the feeling she was hinting around."

Andrew rubbed his temples.  "I'm sorry, Laja.  It's one thing when we're in Dyeland but she shouldn't have presumed..."

"Actually... I was flattered.  And, really, what better way to guide her with... with the mysteries of all things womanly!" 

Andrew couldn't resist chuckling.  "I suppose you have a point.  But your parents..."

Are part of the puzzle, Andrew.

"I texted mom and she's cool with it," JenniAnn continued, oblivious to the fact that her argument had already been won for her.  "We won't even need to prepare another room.  That couch in my room folds out.  Violeta can stay there."  She took Andrew's hand in hers.  "I saw the drawing, too.  I just think... I mean let's face it: we can't guarantee that we'll be able to protect Violeta from hurt feelings during this assignment.  If that girl hurts her... this girl wants to be there to counter it.  And I know Kemara feels the same way.  I want Violeta to see that it does get better.  Cause then... if it comes to it... she'll do better with assuring Ivy of the same.... because I really, really hope that's why you're here."

Andrew reached over to brush a lock of errant hair behind her ear.  This was who Bennie thought was immature...  "So do I."

JenniAnn smiled.  "So?"

"So what?"

"So can Violeta stay with us?"

Andrew returned her smile and looked over to his protege.  "Violeta, do you want to stay with Kemara and JenniAnn at the Chandlers'?"

The young angel rushed over.  "Can I?" she asked excitedly.  "I mean it's not that I don't want to stay with you but..."

"I understand."  Andrew squeezed her hand.  He knew Violeta was becoming increasingly aware of how what the world saw and what actually is didn't necessarily match up.  She'd been horrified when, a few assignments before, someone had mistaken her for his girlfriend.  "Yes, you can stay with them."

Violeta shrieked happily and hugged her supervisor.  "Thank you!  Oh!"  She turned to JenniAnn.  "What does it mean when someone says someone else is a dish?"

Hearing the amusing question from across the room, Kemara drew near to hear the answer.

Confused, JenniAnn looked to Andrew whose reddening face clued her in.  She laughed.  "Why?  By any chance did someone say Andrew was one?"

Violeta nodded.  "Is it bad?"

"Well... not usually."  JenniAnn giggled.  "It means the person thinks the 'dish' is very attractive."

"Oh."  Violeta glanced at her supervisor and cocked her head.  "But I still don't get it.  Why 'dish'?"

"Who knows!" Kemara responded.  "All I know is that it's been a long day and Allison said we were having homemade pizza tonight so... that's the dish I'm most interested in right now."

Andrew laughed.  "Same here.  Let's go."

With that, the four trooped out to the Jolly Green with Lulu.



Andrew had insisted they stop at a store so Violeta could pick out host gifts for Allison and Robert.  As JenniAnn believed chocolate and a houseplant would more than suffice, the four found themselves milling around a nearby grocery store... the same grocery store Carrie and Kevin Hunter had arrived at only minutes before.

Carrie was searching the shelves, trying to find something that might appeal to Kevin and his touchy appetite.  "How about chocolate pudding?"

Kevin shook his head.  "Maybe some Jello, though."

"All right... well... hey, how about some margarita flavored Jello?"

Her husband laughed.  "Yeah, sure.  If I'm going to be eating Jello, it may as well be fancy Jello."

Carrie smiled but inside she was weeping.  Kevin looked awful.  She hadn't wanted him to push the cart.  She hadn't wanted him to come at all but he'd insisted.  Now it seemed he needed the cart to lean on he was so weak.  Her hand shook as she reached for the Jello.

"Babe..." Kevin murmured.  He ambled around the cart and caressed his wife's shoulder.  "Everything's going to be okay.  I'll be okay."

"You don't... don't know that for sure."  Carrie turned away from the shelf and embraced her husband.  "Promise me you won't leave me and the kids?"

"I promise."  Kevin pulled back and rested his forehead against hers.  "Let's hurry up here and get home before one of your students see us and winds up traumatized for life."

Carrie laughed.  "Right.  I'm a teacher.  I'm supposed to be asexual."

Kevin smiled.  "Well, on behalf of myself and our adorable offspring, I'm glad you're not.  Now, let's go get us some popsicles and skedaddle."  He maneuvered the cart into a neighboring aisle and began to scan the freezers before stopping and turning to his wife.  "Hey, look at that guy.  The one right below the 'Frozen Dinners' sign.  Do you recognize him?"

Carrie looked to where he indicated and smiled.  "Yes! That's Mr. Rochester!  Andrew.  He's the one covering the summer session I was going to.  You should meet..."

Kevin shook his head.  "But don't you recognize him from before?"

"Before?  Before what?"

"You seriously don't remember?  We were totally scandalized!  Think years back."

Carrie frowned.  She had no idea what Kevin was talking about.

"I mean I guess it can't be him but... remember that guy we saw picking JenniAnn up a few times back in high school?  That guy would have to be almost fifty by now but doesn't that look like him?  And did you ever find out who he was?"

Carrie gaped at Andrew.  She remembered her own words to JenniAnn the prior week: "I saw him and thought of you."  Then there was the fact that JenniAnn actually had known Mr. Rochester... according to Bennie knew him well. 

"Carrie, you okay?"

Carrie didn't respond to her husband's question because, at that very moment, JenniAnn came around the corner.

"Absolutely not!  Frozen dinners?  Really, Andrew?"

"It's just, you know, when it's just me..."

"It doesn't have to be just you," JenniAnn simpered. 

"Oh... sweet.. Lord..."  Kevin turned to his wife and grinned.  "And we totally thought she was going to become a nun!"

Carrie was fuming.  "This is not funny!  It's creepy!  She was seventeen and he was hanging around and now he's teaching and..."  She'd actually liked him!  And now she saw the truth!  She was convinced this Svengali was responsible for her friend's almost complete disappearing act after college. 

"Carrie?  Kevin?"

The woman looked up to find JenniAnn smiling at them.  She came closer with Andrew trailing her.  Carrie felt a pain shoot through her heart when she saw her friend's smile falter as she got a better view of Kevin.

JenniAnn's breath caught in her throat.  "Kevin..."  She hugged the man who had once been her Kindergarten deskmate.  "How are you feeling?"

"A little weak and tired but no pain or anything.  It's so good to see you, JenniAnn.  And this must be Mr. Andrew Rochester?"  He smiled at Andrew and held out his hand.  "Good to meet you."

Andrew returned the man's smile and shake.  "Good to meet you, too.  Your wife's spoken very highly of you.  I'll be praying for a complete recovery."

Carrie only continued to stare causing JenniAnn no small amount of concern.

"Thank you.  So much.  I know the Big Guy's watching out for me." 

Touched by the man's no-nonsense faith, Andrew beamed.  "That He is."

Having decided on some treats and a potted orchid, Violeta and Kemara spotted Andrew and JenniAnn.  The latter waved them over so she could make introductions.

"Carrie, you haven't met..."

Unable to hold it in any longer, Carrie stared into her schoolmate's eyes.  "Kevin and I saw him pick you up after school!"

JenniAnn blinked.  "Andrew?  Well, yeah.  Since I can't drive, he gives Kemara and me a ride to my parents' after..."

"When we were seniors!" the woman clarified.

"Oh..."  Andrew dragged his hand through his hair.  "Okay, see, I can explain..."

"Oh boy..." Kemara muttered.

"So it was you!" Carrie cried.

"Carrie, it's not what you think," JenniAnn stressed.  "Yes, that was Andrew but..."

Not liking the way Carrie was glaring at Andrew, Violeta hugged his arm.

"What's going on?" she questioned. 

"Who are you?" Carrie demanded, sizing her up.

"Violeta.  Who are you?"

"Carrie.  I'm JenniAnn's friend.  I've known her since high school.  Who is this man to you?"  She tilted her head to Andrew.

"Andrew's my supervisor."  Violeta lowered her voice, smiling widely.  "He's the best.  He's teaching me how to be an angel of death."

Kemara winced.

Andrew rubbed at his neck.

JenniAnn grabbed his free hand.

Kevin tilted his head in bewilderment.

Carrie jolted.

There was only the hum of the freezers and the whirring of shopping cart wheels as other grocery shoppers whizzed past, oblivious to the scene unfolding.

"Come again?" Kevin finally managed.

Violeta looked around in confusion.  "But she said she was JenniAnn's friend for so long.  I thought it was okay..."

Andrew hugged her.  "It's fine, Violeta."  He prayed it was.

They're another piece, Andrew.  Carrie and Kevin.  Just be patient.  All will be well.

Andrew smiled at the quick response.

JenniAnn drew in a deep breath and slowly let it out before speaking.  "Carrie, Kevin... do you have plans for dinner?"

Kevin shook his head.  "My mom and dad have the kids.  Carrie and I were just going to veg out at home but... I think it'd be good if we all had a little time together."

Thunderstruck, Carrie could only nod in agreement.

"Great!" Andrew cheerily replied.  "Well, let's all get our things and get checked out and then..."

JenniAnn pulled her cell phone from her pocket.  "Pizza party at my parents'?"

Five heads nodded in agreement. 

"Awkwardness... check.  Party supervised by parents... also check.  And it's a big welcome back to high school!" JenniAnn enthused uneasily as she dialed her mom.


Carrie took note when, upon arriving at the Chandlers', she saw Robert warmly clap Andrew on the back while Allison went so far as to kiss him on the cheek and pull him into a hug.  She couldn't imagine either of them acting that way if anything untoward had ever happened between Andrew and their only child.  Carrie had always known them to be overprotective.  Strange...  She didn't have much time to mull this over before she had to brace herself for the next greeting.  Owing to Kevin's having gone to JenniAnn's grade school, the Chandlers had known him even longer than she had.  They remembered a strapping, spry boy and were taken aback by the limping, wan, bald man at their door.  However, they masked their surprise well and soon everyone was gathered around the dinner table.

They all bowed their heads as Robert led prayer.

"In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...  Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord.  Amen."

"Amen," the others echoed as most of the table crossed themselves again.

Allison began to pass the salad bowl around.  "Kevin, sweetheart, is there anything special I can get for you?"

The man smiled and shook his head.  "Actually, the pizza smells so good that I'm feeling kind of hungry for once."  He squeezed Carrie's hand. 

His wife managed a smile for him. 

"So... you've learned our girl's big secret?" Robert asked, not willing to let his dinner be ruined by tense young people... and one person who only appeared to be young. 

Carrie's eyes shot up to meet her host's.  "You mean... it's true.  Andrew's a... a..."

"Angel."  Kevin looked over at Violeta.  "She said angel of death."  When Violeta's cheeks began to burn, he smiled kindly at her. 

"So he is," Robert affirmed nonchalantly.  "But don't be thinking all of that nonsense about black robes and scythes.  Andrew's more of a flannel, T-shirts, jeans, sweaters, and suits kind of guy.  More... softballs than scythes.  Isn't that right?"

Andrew grinned.  "Yeah."

"I know it's a surprise," Robert continued as he buried his pizza in parmesan.  "It took Allison and I a little while..."

JenniAnn cleared her throat.

Allison laughed.  "I took us a few years to accept that.  But we have."

Carrie felt her heart thumping in her chest.  She believed in angels.  She always had.  But to know...  She'd wanted so badly to know from that first blood test result on.  But this... this was too unbelievable. 

JenniAnn moved to stand behind Andrew's chair.  She bent down and whispered in his ear, wanting his permission to tell their story.  When he nodded and took her hand, she stood back up and faced Carrie and Kevin.  "When I was four, I visited my cousin Catherine in New York and I saw the body of a man who had been murdered.  But I saw someone else, too.  A beautiful, glowing man with the kindest face I'd ever seen.  He helped that poor man to his feet and led him away from that sad, dark, damp alley.  I never forgot him... my angel.  I... I loved him.  I would always love him."

Tears began to well in Kevin's eyes.  He remembered the little girl, often tucked away in a quiet corner with her crayons.

"Whatcha drawin'?" he would ask.

JenniAnn would blush and remain silent.

Intrigued, he would watch as the figure emerged... always the same one... green eyes, blonde hair, light radiating from him.  An angel.

The now-grown man looked over at Andrew and saw the light, far more beautiful and warm than childish fingers could draw, radiating from him.

Andrew, feeling blessed to receive the message that had just come to him, reached across the table and set his free hand over Kevin's.  "God wants you to know that He loves you, Kevin.  He also wants you to know that you will survive this cancer.  There are going to be some very rough, very painful, exhausting days ahead.  But you will be restored to health."

Carrie clung to her husband and began to sob.

"Carrie," the angel of death cooed.  "Carrie, look at me, please."

"Babe, listen to the angel... to Andrew," Kevin murmured, gently prying her away.

The woman leaned back in her chair so far that the wood dug into her back.  She needed the reminder that this was real.  She peered into Andrew's eyes.  Carrie remembered the warmth and love she'd felt when she'd first been introduced to him.  Tentatively, she took his proffered hand.

"God loves you, too, Carrie.  So much," Andrew stressed.  "Your care, your concern for your students... your dedication to them... it brings Him such joy.  But there's something he doesn't want you to be concerned about.  Someone."  He looked up at JenniAnn who was still standing behind him and smiled.  "Over thirteen years ago, when I was upset about a case I was working, I found myself in a field.  God had sent me there before when I needed time to think, to pray.  Always it had been empty.  I'd been alone except for Him.  But that day... I heard a song... a love song.  For an angel.  For me.  I followed it and I met the girl who had written it: your friend, your JenniAnn, my Laja who had waited thirteen years for me to come back to her."

"Carrie, Kevin... when you saw Andrew pick me up after school... nothing was going on," JenniAnn explained.  "Well, nothing beyond me being impatient and a little... over-eager to spend time with my crush.  On the days when we had Senior Privilege and I could leave early, I'd ask Andrew to come pick me up if I knew he was free."

"Something she neglected to tell us..." Robert chided with a wink.

JenniAnn smirked.  "Guilty as charged.  And I didn't tell Andrew that the rules were only family members could do that.  I regret that.  But there was never anything inappropriate going on.  There still isn't!  Angels don't fall in love.  They don't experience lust.  They don't date or get married.  They simply love with the love God gave them.  I love Andrew, Carrie.  In my own way.  In a way that I know doesn't make much sense to a lot of people... and I'm sorry... very sorry... that I never gave you and Kevin the chance to try to make sense of it but..."

"Bennie," Carrie whispered.  "She knew and..."  She looked at her friend and the angel of death.  "She hurt you.  Both of you."

Andrew nodded, squeezing JenniAnn's hand.  "She did."

"So it became hard to... to trust people here.  And I was so worried about something more happening and losing... everything and not being able to cope because I love this life... unconventional though it is... that we've made.  And I..."  JenniAnn peered intently into her old friend's eyes.  "I trust Andrew."

Carrie nodded, all her worry and doubt fading away.  "I... I'm very glad I know this."  After drawing in a deep breath, she looked at Kemara.  "Are you an angel?"

The woman laughed.  "Oh no.  I'm definitely human.  But I did meet Andrew and JenniAnn in a church."

"O-okay."  Carrie turned to Violeta.  "But you... you are?"

Violeta nodded with a proud smile.  "I used to work in Records and I still do sometimes.  But Andrew is teaching me how to be an angel of death and sometimes we do Caseworking, too."

Kevin perked up.  "Caseworking?" he inquired.

"It's what I did full-time before becoming an angel of death," Andrew responded.  "Basically it's a lot like being a human caseworker.  We're assigned to someone.  We help them through a rough patch in their lives... always reminding them that God loves them."

The man grinned.  "Any chance us humans get in on that after we shuffle off the mortal coil?"  He slung his arm around Carrie's shoulders.  "Not that I'm in any hurry on that."

Andrew smiled.  "Glad to hear it.  And... as it happens... sometimes God lets humans 'get in on that' in the here and now.  JenniAnn and Kemara are helping Violeta and me on this case.  Allison and Robert are being incredibly understanding hosts.  And... God's asking you to help us."

"The girl..." Carrie murmured.  "The girl in the hall.  Ivy, is it?"

"Yes!"  JenniAnn nodded to her friend.  "I wanted to ask you what had happened there."

Carrie quickly relayed what she'd gathered from her encounter with Ivy and Miss Jansen.

Kemara shook her head when she heard.  "That teacher was really that dismissive of Ivy's poetry?"

"I'm afraid so."

Andrew rubbed at his neck.  "Worse... Ivy's used to that sort of reaction.  She lost her mother and has lived with her grandma since she was ten.  And that lady... what little attention she pays to Ivy is negative, constantly putting her down.  So she had no one looking out for her except God... and now us."

"Even at that... to have someone so close to you act like that?  No wonder it's a struggle for her to express herself," Kemara continued.  "Who would if that's the reaction they get?"

"Is this the girl you suspect might be getting bullied?" Kevin asked his wife.

Carrie nodded.  "JenniAnn, I was going to call you to ask you to keep an eye on her.  But I guess you already are... all of you."

"All of us," Kevin reminded.  "What is it we're supposed to do, Andrew?  I have some expertise in the area.  I was... well..."  He shuffled uncomfortably in his chair.  "I was a school counselor.  There were some budget cuts and... so... my contract wasn't renewed."

His wife bowed her head, remembering what a hit to Kevin's self-esteem that had been... especially as it came only days before the diagnosis.

"Before I was... let go... I'd started working on some anti-bullying efforts.  It was important to me because our oldest is going to be nine soon and I know it's only a matter of time...  So... I got to be really good at monitoring social media sites.  That kind of thing."

"That.  That's exactly what the Father is asking you to do.  Together.  Will you?" Andrew asked.

Kevin beamed at his wife.

Carrie nodded, feeling happier than she'd felt in a long time.  Not only did she have a guarantee of Kevin's recovery, she saw a spark in his eyes that had died the day he'd been laid off.  He had a mission.

"We're on it!" Kevin enthused.

"Wonderful!" Robert boomed.  "Now that we have that settled and everyone's hip to the fact that Andrew's on the up and up... how about that pizza on your plates?"

"Robert!" Allison chastised.  "This was a little more important."

"Hearts and minds are important.  But so are stomachs," her husband countered with a wink.

Andrew chuckled.  "That they are."

With that, the meal properly began with everyone, relaxed and hopeful, chatting together.


Three hours later, Andrew and JenniAnn walked Carrie and Kevin out to their car. 

Carrie hugged JenniAnn tightly.  "I'm so glad we did this.  And I hope we do it again soon.  And..."  She glanced over at Andrew who was laughing with Kevin.  "I'm glad I know that you're happy.  And he..."  Tears again filled her eyes.  "He's really amazing."

JenniAnn returned the hug.  "He is.  I'm so glad you and Kevin know now."  She sighed.  "We'll talk more soon.  You go home and get some rest.  We got an assignment to work on."

The teacher laughed.  "Yeah.  We do.  Give me a call soon.  Let me know how class goes."

"Will do."

After Carrie stepped into the driver's seat, JenniAnn moved to the curb to stand by Andrew.  They waved as the couple drove off.  When the Hunters turned the corner, JenniAnn looked up at Andrew.

"I know you'll wanna say good bye to the others before heading to your place but... just for a lil bit... you wanna do the stereotypical thing and sit and talk for a bit on my mama and daddy's porch?"

Chuckling, Andrew nodded.  "I'd like that."

They settled onto the porch swing.

"I am sorry about the whole picking me up from school thing.  I really shoulda considered that if anyone had seen..."  JenniAnn bit her lip. 

"I'm not sorry," Andrew countered, resting his arm around her shoulders.  "I mean... okay, so breaking the rules was wrong but, the way I see it, you didn't really break the spirit of them.  Pretty sure that rule was set up to keep boyfriends from picking up their girlfriends."

JenniAnn laughed.  "Something Kevin and Carrie conveniently glossed over.  If they were both there to see us..."

Andrew smirked.  "I see your point.  Well, God can use anything for good and for His plan.  And it sure seems to me like it was His plan for them to see us so tonight they'd recognize us, learn the truth, and learn God's plan for them."

"So... did you know Carrie and Kevin were sposed to help?"

Andrew shook his head.  "Not until tonight.  At the grocery story.  Right when everything seemed really awkward, God told me."

"I've never really asked... what's that like for you?  I mean do you hear Him like you hear me now?  Like is He right there or just kinda like a voice in your head or something else entirely?"

Andrew considered his answer.  "Sometimes just a voice in my head... but one I know is real, one I know is Him.  And sometimes..."  He wasn't sure how to explain Joshua without saying too much.  "Sometimes I can feel Him there.  Tangibly.  All around me."

JenniAnn hugged his arm and looked to the stars.  "What's that feel like?"

Andrew wasn't sure how to tell her of the peace, ease, and joy he felt in those moments.

He wouldn't have to.  Joshua appeared, sitting on the steps.  He smiled at Andrew then peered gently at JenniAnn.

"Tell her that it's something like when she was walking on that fall day eight years ago in Kansas."

"Do you remember a day about eight years ago when you went walking in Kansas?"

"You mean during the Ren Faire there?"

Joshua nodded.

"Yes."

"What about it?"

"There was a moment when she stepped into a grove of trees and the sunlight was filtering through the leaves."

"You stepped into a grove of trees, the sun coming through the leaves."

"A gust of warm wind stirred and all other noise seemed to die down.  All she could hear was the wind.  It brought several of the golden leaves drifting down around her... and she felt like I was in the leaves as they kissed her hair.  In the wind.  In the sun."

Andrew blinked back tears when Joshua stood and softly set his hand on JenniAnn's head.

"There... was a wind.  It drowned all the other noises out.  And it brought the leaves floating down around you and you felt like He was in the leaves... in the wind... in the sun."

JenniAnn gazed up at Andrew.  "Y-yes... I... I did."

The angel of death hugged her tightly when Joshua stepped away.  "It feels something like that."

"That... it was a very good feeling."

"Yeah... it is," Andrew murmured.  He looked at Joshua, still looking at JenniAnn.  He knew Joshua was always around but seeing him interacting with his friends... that was new to Andrew.  He considered asking him why he'd been given this new gift but the angel had no desire to question it.  This had always been their way: Joshua never announced his gifts to Andrew.  He didn't declare his promotions with pomp or pageantry.  They simply happened and Andrew would carry on... with Joshua casually dropping in to help him during any transition-related angst.  Because Joshua knew that quiet, unassuming time together meant more to Andrew than any celebration or honorific.  It felt wonderful to have someone who knew him so well, loved him so well that he didn't even need to speak to make his wishes known.  He thought again of Ivy and the love and recognition she craved from her grandmother and went without.  He thought again of Kemara's words about being stuck between two worlds.  Joshua always helped Andrew transition... Doreen was not helping Ivy.  In fact, she was making a confusing time even worse.

As Joshua smiled before fading away, Andrew vowed that he would ensure Ivy found that all-encompassing, ever abiding, parental love... love that would stand by her and encourage her.  He had all the puzzle pieces... now Andrew just had to fit them together.



The next morning, Andrew picked Violeta up at the Chandlers' while JenniAnn and Kemara headed to the Tunnels.  The former taught her religion class and Kemara met with Catherine to work an article about the Phoenix Inn until, shortly before noon, they met by the Tunnel portal. 

"Oh good!  You remembered to bring the book for Ivy!" Kemara applauded when she saw JenniAnn approaching. 

"Yep.  Owen watched the kids for a few minutes so I could run home and get it.  I wasn't sure we'd have time now." 

They stepped through the portal and then made a beeline from the willow tree to a storage room in Willowveil.  A moment later, they were in JenniAnn's bedroom in Nebraska.  The house was empty, Robert and Allison having left for work.

Kemara laughed.  "I don't know how long it's going to take for me to get used to that."

"Could be a while.  It was years before I got over worrying that I might end up in Zimbabwe or Nova Scotia or Kathmandu just for getting a towel out of my linen closet.  No offense to any of those places... it would just be alarming... and lonely."  JenniAnn shivered then led Kemara to the porch where they waited for Andrew.  "Anyhow...  I wanted to show you something.  See if you think it's okay.  Look inside the front cover, please."  She handed the Anne book over. 

Kemara opened the jacket and smiled.  "Wow...  You actually use book plates."

"Well... not usually.  But I thought in this case..."

It dawned on Kemara what JenniAnn had done.  "Ah...  Clever.  'If lost please return to JenniAnn Chandler'... followed by your cell phone number and parents' address.  So Ivy will have it."

JenniAnn nodded.  "Well, I figured they might frown upon volunteers just doling out their numbers.  But who can blame a girl for wanting her book back if it's misplaced?  And I just thought... ya know... if it was after class hours and Ivy needed to talk to someone... she could reach us through that.  We could even connect her to Andrew if it came to it."

Kemara looked to her friend with a wistful smile.  "I think it's a great idea.  I wish my younger self had had you both."

JenniAnn hugged her.  "Me too.  But ya have us now.  And you're stuck with us and... here comes Andrew!"

The two women walked down to the curb, ready to hop into the van as soon as it stopped.  To their surprise, the passenger door flew open before Andrew had parked.

"Violeta!  You could get hurt doing that!" her supervisor called as the young angel hopped out of the van and headed towards JenniAnn and Kemara. 

They knew immediately that something was very wrong.  Violeta looked like she'd been crying and her hair was a mess... and Andrew was holding her hair sticks.

"Oh no..." Kemara whispered.

Violeta's lip was trembling when she reached them. 

JenniAnn pulled her into a hug.  "Let's go inside for a lil bit."  She looked to Andrew and held out her hand.

Andrew squeezed it then turned the hair sticks over to her.

As JenniAnn steered Violeta up the driveway, she called back to Andrew and Kemara.  "Lunch is in the fridge."

"Salads and sandwiches," Kemara specified for Andrew.  "Let's go make lunch for everyone and maybe you can tell me what happened... although I suspect I know."

The angel of death nodded gravely.


Violeta looked down at her lap as JenniAnn brushed out her hair. 

It didn't make sense to her.

In the nearly two years since she'd joined Andrew, Violeta had seen war, famine, and bodies wasted by disease.  She didn't understand any of it and she grieved for all of it but, with Andrew at her side, she helped their assignments and others.  It was the smaller, more intimate cases that daunted her... cases when the problem, the hurt could be traced to one person or one small group of people.  Violeta realized during those cases how great the impact of the Dyelanders and those connected with them was for her.

She didn't understand adultery because JenniAnn did not cheat on Andrew.  Violeta knew it wasn't the same.  They were neither dating nor married.  But she watched them with their little, unspoken ways that had been built and honed over thirteen years.  How did anyone turn away from that sort of comfortable, steady love?  Violeta had been touched by the burgeoning romance between Max and Rose.  Never once had they wavered, never had they so much as hit on another person.  Why did people hurt those who were so madly in love with them?  That anyone with children could cheat was insanity.  Didn't they know how much it hurt their children to see them draw apart?  Yet she and Andrew had faced that scenario time and again.

Domestic abuse was another terrible mystery.  Vincent and Catherine, Sir Sven and Yva, Mick and Beth, Raquel and Nico, Allison and Robert...  Violeta felt herself strengthened and warmed when she saw the tenderness between them.  They were always comforting each other, making the other laugh or smile, encouraging each other.  The idea that either husband or wife would seek to control the other, to hurt the other...  Violeta shivered.  She and Andrew had seen too many broken bones and bruised faces and even more trampled hearts.

"You need a sweater, hon?" JenniAnn asked.

"No, thank you."  Violeta smiled at the woman's mirror image then lowered her head again.

Bullying.  She didn't understand that, either.  Violeta had spent some time Below, sitting in their classroom.  Andrew had thought it would be good for her and Vincent had happily obliged.  She had loved being there.  The kids weren't perfect.  Kids weren't meant to be perfect and Violeta knew that.  They unleashed the occasional hurtful comment on each other but almost always regret and compassion won out... and quickly.  They'd apologize amid hugs and laughs.  The very few times this didn't happen; JenniAnn, Owen, and Vincent intervened swiftly and resolutely.  But Violeta was beginning to suspect that not all adults were so fastidious in the face of bullying.

Violeta had already racked her brain for anything she might have done to hurt Alyssa.  But she could think of nothing.  Andrew had told her that Alyssa was bullying Ivy.  But even then Violeta had been certain that there must have been some slight on Ivy's part... even an unintentional one.  There just had to be something that would make Alyssa fight back.  Now she wasn't so sure. 

"You sure you don't want to talk about whatever's happened?" JenniAnn checked.

Violeta thought of what had occurred only an hour ago.  She found herself nodding then telling JenniAnn.


While Andrew was busy helping his younger students through a short story, Violeta decided to tour the school.  She was looking for prime photo locales.  She'd been wandering an area called "the Quad" when she heard voices coming from somewhere in the massive room.  A moment later, she spotted three girls clustered beneath the stairwell... the one speaking was Alyssa.

"Did you see the Porcupine's back today?  God, who is she trying to impress, anyway?"

Two other girls that Andrew had introduced as Mariah and Caitlin snickered.

"Actually, I think she has the hots for Mr. Rochester," Alyssa continued.  "Did you see how she was looking at him yesterday?"

Violeta bristled.  Who was the Porcupine and what did she want with Andrew?

"I swear, if she put one more of those sticks in her hair, I think her head would deflate."

The young angel began to feel queasy.  Her right hand drifted up to one of her hair sticks.

"What's she doing here, anyway?" Caitlin questioned.

"I heard she's from the Catholic paper and writing some article about Eve's Girls.  Probably about the charity cases here... like Ivy.  Hey, maybe the Porcupine could lend her a couple hair sticks so she could put that awful, frizzy mess she calls hair away so none of us have to worry about it brushing up against us."

"Ewww!" Mariah shrieked.

One of the gym doors opened and Regina LaCroix poked her head out.  "Girls, what are you doing in here?"

Alyssa stood up.  "Miss Jansen said we could leave class early since we finished our work."

Regina frowned.  "I see.  Well, I don't want you wandering around.  Go wait in the lunchroom."

"Yes, Ms. LaCroix," Alyssa replied sweetly.

Knowing they would pass by and not wanting them to see her, Violeta hastened into a nearby closet and waited. 


"She won't tell me anything."

Kemara looked up from the tomato she was slicing.  Andrew had been silent up until that moment.  "Violeta, you mean?"

"Yeah.  When the lunch bell rang, she came running up to me and I could tell she was upset.  She begged me to let her come along when I came to get you and JenniAnn.  I'd planned to ask her, anyway, but the way she was acting...  I knew something was wrong.  I tried to get her to tell me but she'd only say that she wanted to go.  So..."  Andrew sighed.  "We got to the van and I started it up and immediately she started tearing those sticks out of her hair.  That's when I knew..."

"Alyssa," Kemara seethed.

The angel of death nodded.  "So I asked her what happened.  Told her it was okay to tell me.  And for a moment... I thought she was going to tell me.  And she slid over into the middle seat and rested her head against my shoulder but then... then she just got really stiff and pulled away, moved back to the passenger seat, and stared out the window."

Kemara frowned.  She thought back to her first introduction to Violeta.  She had been, to say the least, surprised.  She had often imagined angels as radiantly beautiful, poised.  Andrew fit the bill... usually.  And Violeta was most assuredly beautiful.  But she seemed about as poised as Kemara had felt when she was an adolescent.  Only later had Kemara learned that Violeta really was a teenager... apparently "gifted" with a teenager's propensity towards moroseness and awkwardness.  The memories weren't as faded as Kemara would have liked.  "She feels caught in the middle," she explained.

"The middle?  The middle of what?" Andrew questioned.

"Well, I think part of Violeta wants to be your little girl so to speak.  She wants you to comfort her and protect her.  But the other part of her wants to be just like you.  She wants to take charge of this assignment.  She wants to be brave and know just what to say and help out... be an angel, basically."

"But she is an angel..."

"I know that and you know that and I'm betting JenniAnn knows that.  Obviously God does.  But it's like..."  Kemara thought.  "Teenagers... a lot of them... they just want to be adults.  They don't realize until later how much those teenage years meant and how going through that is what made them into the adults they are.  And teenagers definitely don't fully appreciate how entirely normal their feelings are."  Kemara shuffled uncomfortably, trying to decide how to express what she needed to.

Andrew set a comforting hand on her shoulder.  "It's okay.  I'm listening and I'll keep listening to whatever you have to say."

"I want you to know that JenniAnn would never betray any of your confidences... and I assume she's built up a lot of them in thirteen years."

"Yeah, she has.  And I know."

"But there's girl talk..."

Andrew blushed as he chuckled.  "Uh oh..."

Kemara grinned.  "It's nothing bad!  I just mean... she's told me that there were times when you two struggled.  She wanted to be of more help to you but then you'd close off and... well, she never really elaborated.  But she said things have gotten so much better.  She's so happy about that, Andrew.  But it made me wonder...  How much of that more vulnerable side of you does Violeta see?"

Andrew frowned.  He hadn't even realized he'd been doing it but he had shielded Violeta from his more emotional moments.  She hadn't seen him at his worst after Afghanistan... that had been reserved for Adam and JenniAnn.  And in the days when he had revisited, with Chava, one of the most painful chapters of their lives... only she and JenniAnn had witnessed his tears.  He'd told Violeta about it... but only after he'd regained control of his emotions.  "Not much," he replied quietly.

"Do you think she understands that having feelings... and sometimes getting those feelings hurt... is also part of being an angel?  Maybe part of why she didn't tell you what happened is because she's afraid that her reaction is... unangel-like?  I know this isn't exactly the same as parent-child relationships but so often parents try to hide their tears and their hurt feelings from their kids.  Speaking as a former kid, I think I might have handled my own sadness and pain better if I saw my parents deal with theirs."

Andrew hugged her.  "Thank you, Kemara.  I think... I know that you're exactly right.  I'm gonna go speak with Violeta."

Kemara beamed.  "I think that sounds great.  Then bring her down.  She needs to eat lunch.  Although maybe we can just pack it up and take it to the school if we have time.  Either way, Allison left us brownies.  The poor girl deserves a brownie.  Or several.  Allison left a whole pan and told us to bring some to Ivy.  She definitely deserves a brownie, too."

Andrew smiled before heading towards JenniAnn's room.  "Yes, she does.  They both do."


JenniAnn set down the hairbrush and crouched beside Violeta.  She grabbed a tissue and wiped away her tears and smeared makeup then took both of her hands in hers.

"You listen to me, Violeta.  I don't know why that girl is so mean but she is.  And it has nothing to do with you.  You are a beautiful, sweet girl.  And if you weren't an angel, you'd be in serious danger of me trying to adopt you."

"Oh..."  Happier tears welled in the angel's eyes.  "Really?"

"Really."

"B-but what she said about me and Andrew..."

"There is nothing... nothing wrong with the way you look at or feel about Andrew.  You think the world of him and he is an amazing supervisor... I know I'm biased but it's true."  She thought of Andrew's own counsel when she'd been concerned about students gossiping about them.  Here was evidence he was right.  "You should not be hiding how you feel, Violeta.  And, trust me, your average person doesn't think anything of it.  Alyssa just..."  JenniAnn sighed.  "She sees ugliness everywhere, I'm thinking.  But that doesn't mean the rest of us should."

"You're right.  B-but... I'm an angel.  I shouldn't... I should be stronger.  It shouldn't have... have hurt so much."

JenniAnn briefly closed her eyes.  She wasn't sure if it was appropriate but the phrase "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" came to mind.  "It doesn't matter if one's angel or human or some other creation of God.  We were all created in love by Love and to come up against the opposite of love... that hurts."

Violeta needed to mull that over.  As she did, her gaze fell on the clump of hair sticks.  "Do... do you think I looked like a porcupine with my hair sticks?"

"Definitely not.  I think you looked like a lady with a lot of style and creativity.  In fact... I think you should put them right back in... but maybe leave some out."

Violeta began to style her hair then frowned.  Maybe she had overdone it.  "Why?"

JenniAnn stood and began to pull her own hair into a ponytail.  "Because I'd like to borrow some and I'm thinking Kemara might, too... at least until we have our own.  If Alyssa is going to call you the Porcupine then she's going to have to deal with a whole porcupine family.  I'm sure Andrew would join us but his hair just isn't long enough."

As she divided the twelve sticks into groups of four, Violeta giggled at the thought.  Then she reached for the woman's hand.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome.  You're one of us now.  You have been from that first Halloween you came to us."

Touched, Violeta smiled.  "Even when I was a snob?"

JenniAnn laughed.  "Even then.  Now, do you think you could help me out?  I've never done this."

Happily, the angel pushed JenniAnn into the chair.

Andrew came to the door just as his protege was inserting a second stick into his friend's hair.  He quickly gathered what was happening and looked proudly at them both.  "You girls look beautiful."

"Thank you muchly," JenniAnn replied.  "You look studly awesome.  Loving the cotton plaid."

The angel of death chuckled.  "Knew you would.  Hey, when you're done, I'd like to talk with you for a bit, Violeta."

JenniAnn rose.  "You can talk now."  She patted her hair.  "Since the bun's stabilized, I think I can slide a couple more of the sticks in myself.  And hopefully even help Kemara if she wants."  She took the adornments from Violeta.  "Thanks.  We'll see ya both downstairs."

Andrew brushed his hand against JenniAnn's as she passed then he moved to the couch.

Violeta hesitated for a moment before joining him.  She looked over at the filing cabinet that was serving as her bedside table and grabbed a small statue of a wooden duck with its duckling. 

Her supervisor watched as his protege ran her thumb over the duck's features.  He looked heavenward, whispering a thank you for the comfort the totem gave Violeta.  Then, patting her cheek, Andrew smiled gently.  "Violeta, I've wanted to be a really good, really helpful supervisor for you."

"You are!" she insisted, hugging him.

"Thank you.  But I think there might be one area where I've really failed you."

"N-no..." Violeta shook her head.

"It's okay to fail sometimes, sweetheart.  Only God is perfect," Andrew assured.  "We all make mistakes.  And I think I made a mistake in not letting you know something about me.  Violeta, sometimes my feelings get hurt while I'm on an assignment.  And sometimes... sometimes I need to be alone, put on a sad song, and cry... let it all out.  And, you know, when JenniAnn and I were listening to Chava's story... there was a point when I just clung to JenniAnn and sobbed.  Do you think that means I'm a bad angel?"

Once again, Violeta shook her head, this time with more vehemence.

"Good.  Violeta, did Alyssa hurt your feelings?"

She stared down at the ducks clutched in her hand.  "Yeah..."

"Did you not tell me because you were afraid it would make me think you weren't strong enough for the work we have to do?"

Andrew's trainee nodded, fresh tears welling in her eyes.

"Well... I'm gonna tell you right now that it's not true.  Getting your feelings hurt... crying... that doesn't mean you're not strong enough to be working with humans. That means you're just the sort of angel who should be.  Humans' hearts break, they cry, they grieve, they long for something better.  And when we know something of what that's like... we become better angels.  I bet right now you know a little bit better how Ivy must feel, don't you?"

"I... I do.  I'm ashamed to say it but yesterday... I thought Ivy must have done something at some point to make Alyssa so mad at her.  But now... I didn't do anything to Alyssa!  So... so probably Ivy didn't either.  And Ivy must feel so... so... stuck a-and lonely."  Violeta took one of Andrew's hands, still clasping the ducks in her other hand.  "And you said she doesn't even have a mom or dad to help her?  Just... just a grandmother who won't?"

"That's right."

"Do you think maybe I could talk with her during class?  I mean I'll interview her because that's my job for this assignment but... I'd like to just talk to her, too.  Let her know... someone understands."

Andrew beamed and kissed her forehead.  "I will definitely make sure you two have some time together.  Now..."  He looked at his pocket watch.  "I told Ivy that we might be hit-and-miss for lunch on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  But if we leave now, we might have about fifteen minutes to share lunch with her.  So are you okay with leaving now?"

"Definitely."

"Good."  Andrew smiled and helped her up. 

"Allison made brownies for us."

The angel of death chuckled.  "So I've heard.  There's also lunch."

"Sure.  More brownies."

Laughing, the two went to join JenniAnn and Kemara.


Andrew, JenniAnn, Kemara, and Violeta hurriedly made their way to the classroom with the latter carrying Lulu.  As hoped, they had fifteen minutes before lunch would end.

"Sorry we're late," Kemara, the first in, called when she glimpsed Ivy on the stage.  "We had some... things to attend to."

Ivy's face lit up when she saw all five of them enter.  "It's okay.  I know Mr. Rochester had to pick you and Ms. Chandler up.  Did you have a nice lunch?"

"Haven't had a chance yet," JenniAnn replied.  "Did you eat?"

Ivy nodded.

"Up for a brownie?" Andrew offered.  "Mrs. Chandler made em and we have extras."

"Brownie and book?" JenniAnn suggested, holding the Anne volume out.  "We'll feel less awkward if you're eating, too."

Ivy laughed.  "Okay, sure.  Thanks!"

Since time was limited, they did away with chairs and settled in a circle of cushions on the floor much to the delight of Lulu who snagged bites of sandwiches and brownies.

"So how's your day been, Ivy?" Andrew asked.

The girl swallowed a bite of brownie.  "Pretty good."  It was a truthful answer.  She'd retreated to the chapel until only a couple minutes before the morning bell, leaving Alyssa no time to torment her.  Miss Jansen's assignment had kept all of them busy for much of the morning thus Alyssa had no time to stir up trouble in class.  Then, when she had finished, she'd been allowed to leave.  Ivy found she liked the computer room much better when Alyssa and her friends weren't there.  Now, when she thought she might not see them at all outside class, Ivy was getting to spend time with her favorite teacher and his kindhearted friends and the new lady.  Ivy hadn't developed much of an opinion of Miss Heathcliff but she thought she would like her.  Miss Meeks and Ms. Chandler seemed to.  She wondered why all three of them were now wearing the hair sticks that only Miss Heathcliff had worn the day before. 

"I really like your hair sticks.  All of them," she complimented.

Violeta's smile stretched across her face.  "I promised Jen... Ms. Chandler and Miss Meeks that I'd teach them how to decorate some for themselves.  I just need to get more sticks which I should be able to do tonight.  I can ask... a friend who makes them.  Maybe we could decorate them after class tomorrow.  Would you want to?"

At first, Ivy didn't realize that she was being asked.  She assumed only that Miss Heathcliff was trying to set up a time with her friends.

"Ivy?" Kemara prompted.

Ivy looked away from the cover of JenniAnn's book to find the four adults looking to her expectantly.  "You're asking me?"

Violeta nodded.  "Yeah.  But, I mean, it's totally okay if you don't like them and don't want..."

"No, I do!  I'd love that.  Thank you!  Should I bring anything?"

"If you have any beads or charms or ribbons or anything you'd want to use then sure.  But it's okay if not.  We do lots of crafting and have tons of stuff," JenniAnn assured. 

"Cool.  This brownie's really great, by the way.  Please thank your mom for me."  Ivy took another bite.  "My mom used to bake me treats whenever she could then pack them away in my lunch with little notes."

"She obviously loved you so very much, Ivy," JenniAnn replied, her voice wavering.  "And I will... tell my mom.  She'll be so glad you enjoyed it.  You want another?"

Ivy shook her head. 

JenniAnn could tell she did.  "Maybe for later?  I can wrap it up."

"Yes, please."

Andrew watched the exchange.  He sighed quietly.  He knew the Father's ways were always the best but Andrew couldn't always see how... not until later.  In this case, however, the reason for his friends' involvement was obvious.  Though unseen, Allison was caring for Ivy in a way much like Francesca had.  JenniAnn was carrying it out.  And she, Kemara, and Violeta together would show Ivy a different reality where women cared for and built each other up and enjoyed each other's company.  For a moment, Andrew felt like the odd man out.  But it was only a moment.  He knew his role.

"Tell Ivy I love her.  She needs to hear it.  Now more than ever."

Andrew would do exactly that.


True to his word, Andrew did not make the girls read their poems from the previous session aloud.  He started the class by collecting them and then broached a subject that had been causing him some consternation.

"So... as you ladies know, this is Eve's Girls first year and at the end of the summer, Ms. LaCroix and our host, Miss O'Kane, want to do a banquet.  Just to, you know, show people what the organization is about.  Since we've been looking at several different forms of expression and will be looking at more in the weeks ahead, they've asked our class to put on a performance.  They didn't say much more than that.  So I'd like to hear some ideas you all might have."

Several hands shot up.  Andrew pointed to a girl in the second row.

"Okay, Haley, what ya got?"

"Could we do a musical number like something out of Glee?"

"Well... sure.  That's a great idea.  But maybe something a little... literary."

"We could do Wicked!  That's based off a book based off a book.  That's pretty literary," Morgan enthused.

Andrew smiled.  "True."

"But what if we can't sing?  I mean I can act okay but... no singing," a girl named Jessica explained.

"Well, maybe we could do more of a variety show type of thing.  We probably can't do a whole musical... for one, you need to get a license for that.  But some people could sing a song from Wicked and maybe someone else could, I don't know, do a mime routine," Andrew suggested.

Alyssa scoffed.  "Mimes... 'Look at me!  I'm stuck in a box!'"

Some of the other girls giggled uncomfortably.

Andrew crossed his arms over his chest.  "There's nothing wrong with being a mime.  I should know.  I was one... briefly.  And it's a lot harder to get out of those boxes than you think."  He pantomimed trying to get out and growing increasingly panicked.  Andrew grinned when the class broke into honest, hearty laughter.

"I love him..." JenniAnn cooed from her vantage point on the stage with her boxes.

"I was unaware," Kemara deadpanned with a smile.

Ivy gaped at her teacher.  She'd never seen anyone stand up to Alyssa... and with humor.  Alyssa had made fun of Mr. Rochester and he'd managed to get everyone else laughing with him.  It was easily one of the best things she'd ever seen.

"So do people like the idea of doing a variety show?" Andrew asked.

While Alyssa remained stuck in stony silence, the other girls began to talk excitedly. 

"I'm going to take that as a yes.  Okay, so here's what I'd like you to do.  Take out a piece of paper, write your name on it, and then write out some ideas of what you might want to do for our show.  Maybe put a star by the ones that most interest you.  You can be as broad or as specific as you want.  And if you really don't want to be on stage, that's fine, too.  Maybe you could write a poem or a short story we could put in the program or have someone else read.  Or maybe you could write a song that someone else could perform.  Write those sorts of ideas down, too, if they interest you.  Then I'll read them over tonight, see what we're looking at, and make some plans.  Starting tomorrow we'll reserve the last half hour of each session to preparing for our show and we'll expand that time as we get closer to August.  Sound good?"

Twenty some heads nodded to Andrew.

"Great!  I'll give you twenty minutes for this.  Then we'll start our lesson on journalistic writing."

While the students worked on their lists, Andrew made his way to the stage.

"Journalistic writing?  Cool!" Kemara cheered.

"Yeah.  So feel free to weigh in.  I know your input would be valuable."  Andrew smiled at her then turned to his protege.  "And yours, too, Violeta.  Maybe you could explain a little to the girls about what you're doing."

"Oh... I don't know..."

Andrew set a reassuring hand on her arm.  "You were really excited about it yesterday.  Don't let that be taken away from you."

Violeta glanced over at Alyssa then smiled.  She wouldn't give that girl the satisfaction.  "I won't."

"Then after that I have a few examples of articles I'd like them to read on their own.  You can visit with Ivy then, okay?"

"'Kay."

"Good."  Andrew beamed at her then turned to JenniAnn.  "So what have you discovered today?"

She pulled an old photograph from a box.  "So... just outta curiosity... would you have still picked me up after school if I'd had to wear this or would that have just been, like, way too embarrassing?" she asked quietly, her eyes alight with amusement.

His right eye brow raising, Andrew accepted the photo.  He grimaced.  "I would have picked you up no matter what you were wearing, Laja... but I would have been very concerned about your having to wear what sure looks to me like a belted potato sack."

Kemara laughed.  "Now, that's friendship!  And that, apparently, is a 1950s Our Lady gym uniform."

Violeta shook her head.  "Those poor girls..."

The four laughed and searched for more horrible treasure until the twenty minutes was up.


Ivy shyly approached Violeta where she was stationed backstage.

"Mr. Rochester said you wanted to interview me for your article?"

Violeta smiled and nodded, waving to the chair across from her.  "Yeah.  Definitely!  I just have a few questions and if you don't like them then you don't have to answer.  And I won't put anything in that you don't want me to.  So, like, if you find yourself telling me something then realize you said more than you meant... something I do kinda a lot... just say so.  I mean it."

Feeling more at ease, Ivy settled into the chair.  "Okay.  Thanks."

"So what made you want to come into the Eve's Girls program, Ivy?"

"Oh well...  My literature teacher at my school really liked some of my poems.  So she signed me up.  I got accepted.  I was really excited but..."

Violeta could tell Ivy was uncomfortable.  "Off the record?"

Ivy nodded.  "There's a $100 fee to get in.  I know it's not much at all but... I didn't have it.  So my teacher submitted a scholarship application.  I got that, too.  So I'm here.  But I don't want...  My Grandma would flip if..."

"I mention the scholarships in my article but I promise I won't say anything about you having one," Violeta assured.  "There's no shame in needing some help, though.  Mr. Rochester was just reminding me of that earlier when I was, ummm..."

Ivy studied the reporter.  She wasn't sure what to make of her.  She looked twenty five or so.  She had to be to have the job she did.  But she seemed so much younger.  Based on demeanor alone, Ivy might have thought the woman to be no older than her.  But none of that mattered.  She looked sad.  "Are you okay, Miss Heathcliff?"

Violeta looked up from the paper she was doodling on.  "Oh yeah.  Now.  Okay, so earlier I heard someone say some things about me.  She, uh... well, she called me a porcupine because of my hair.  And... and she implied that I feel things for And... Mr. Rochester that I don't.  He's... more like a dad to me... although not exactly that cause I do have a Father... but I don't feel... not at all... that.  And I know it shouldn't have bothered me but... it did."

"I'm sorry," Ivy responded.  "Was it..."  She wasn't sure it was right to ask.  But she had to know.  "Was it Alyssa?"

Violeta nodded.

"Try not to pay attention.  She... she says stuff about me, too.  We go to the same school and..."

Violeta pulled a tissue from her bag and held if out to the girl.  Then she noticed it was one she'd used.  "Ugh.  Hold on."  She fished a fresh one out and pressed it into Ivy's hand.

Ivy brushed away a tear.  "Thanks.  I thought I was the only one she made fun of."

"No."

"So... so what did you do?"

Violeta's cheeks flushed.  "I was so embarrassed and I didn't want her to see me so... I hid in a closet until I knew she was gone."

"I usually hide in bathrooms.  Or here now.  So you told Mr. Rochester?"

"Yes.  And Miss Meeks and Ms. Chandler.  They're my friends and I... I didn't want to tell them because I didn't want them to think I was weak or too sensitive but they didn't at all."

Ivy peered through an opening in the curtain.  She could see JenniAnn and Kemara with their adorned hair.  "Is that why they're wearing hair sticks?"

Violeta giggled.  "Yeah.  Jen..."  She rolled her eyes and sighed.  "None of us like going by our last names so when it's just us could we just use our real names?"

Ivy thought it odd that Violeta didn't consider their last names "real" but figured it was best not to comment.  "That's fine."

"Good.  JenniAnn said that if Alyssa was gonna call me that then she was gonna have to deal with a whole porcupine family."

Ivy laughed.  "That's about the craziest, sweetest thing I've ever heard."

Violeta joined in.  "I know, right?  Then Andrew talked to me about how feeling hurt and crying didn't mean there was anything wrong with me.  So then I felt better.  I hope you know that we're all here for you, Ivy.  If you need to talk... it's really okay."
 
Ivy's face flushed.  "You've all known that Alyssa was teasing me?"

"We put things together." Violeta explained gently.  "No one was ever going to force you to talk about it.  But in the past couple weeks for Andrew and days for us girls... we hoped you'd realize you could."

Ivy nodded sadly.  "I did...  I'm just not used to having someone... someone watching over me."

Violeta gripped her hand.  "There's always someone watching over you."

Ivy smiled.  She believed it... sometimes it was just hard to remember.  "Yeah, that's true.  Sometimes, when the teasing makes me really upset or just life in general does, I write poems.  That helps.  A lot.  But... it would be really nice to have people to talk to.  Friends or..."

"We could be really good friends to you!" Violeta blurted out.  She blushed.  "Sorry.  That sounded kind of desperate and crazy."

Ivy laughed sweetly.  "Not to me.  I... I'd really like that."

Violeta beamed.  "Cool."  She remembered her article then.  "So, umm, what do you like best about the Eve's Girls program, Ivy?"

Smiling, she answered readily.  "Having the chance to make new friends."

The reporter continued smiling as she jotted the response down.



That night, after dropping the girls off at the Chandlers', Andrew retired to his loft with Lulu... and the pot pie Allison had insisted he take for dinner when she discovered he couldn't stay.  It wasn't that he hadn't wanted to.  However, he needed to read his students' poems and go through their show ideas.  He also felt like Violeta would do well with a little "Ladies Only" time. 

As he ate, Andrew sifted through the lists.  He circled and highlighted, beginning to form an idea of how many acts there would be.  About eight of the girls were completely in love with the Wicked song idea.  Four others had all zeroed in on singing something from RENT, one even citing that it was, after all, inspired by La Boheme.  The angel made a mental note to relay that to JenniAnn.  She would be pleased to know that her love for all things Jonathan Larsen was shared by the younger set.  He would also have to tell Kemara, who he knew loved Irish culture, that one of the girls desperately wanted to recite a Yeats poem.  Four other girls... Ivy among them... didn't wish to appear on stage but expressed interest in writing.  Beyond that, Andrew counted around six other solo acts.  That seemed doable... he hoped.  After forming a tentative outline, the angel of death set his plate in the sink, gathered Lulu to him, and carried her to the living room where the stack of poems awaited him.  They curled into a recliner as he began to read.

Some of the poems made Andrew laugh.  There was a rhymed account of a vacation gone awry and a free verse tale of the ignoble burial of a sibling's pet goldfish.  Andrew read some of the poems in confused bemusement.  He wasn't exactly sure what their authors were trying to say but he was encouraged and pleased by their efforts.  Other poems made the angel's heart go out to his students.  He read an ode to a beloved grandfather who had passed away.  A few told of first loves turned sour.  Then he came to the one he'd saved for last: Ivy's poem.  "September" was written in frail, capital letters at the top.  Andrew knew that Francesca had died the September that Ivy was ten.  Pulling Lulu closer, Andrew started to read.

Tears rolling down his cheeks, Andrew briefly closed his eyes.  Ivy had written the poem about Jesus... about the man Andrew sensed was standing in his window, looking out at the skyline.  He opened his eyes and confirmed the feeling.

"She never did curse me... hate me...  And many would say Ivy had reason to.  Her mother died, her grandmother tried to fill her with nonsense that would have made the harshest of Pharisees proud.  But Ivy never lost sight of me.  She... she was only afraid she might."

If Joshua were any other man, Andrew would have been worried about him when he turned around to reveal tear-soaked eyes and a half-smile.  As it was, the angel felt immense love for him.  He was apparently not alone in that.  Lulu thumped to the ground and began to paw at Joshua's jeans.

Joshua laughed and picked the dog up, nuzzling his face into her neck.  "Thank you," he whispered.

Andrew stood and hugged his visitor.  "Why don't you sit down?  Can I get you anything?  Pot pie?"

Joshua smiled.  "No.  Thank you, though."

"Cherry crisp and a glass of milk?  I was going to get myself some after I finished the poems.  There's plenty.  I don't think Allison believes that I can cook now."

"Well, I wouldn't want you to have to eat alone..." 

Andrew laughed.  "Coming right up."

"Thank you."  Joshua settled on the couch with Lulu.  "I was just over at Allison's and Robert's dropping off some hair sticks for the girls.  Allison's taking them to the Old Market to hit up the vintage stores.  Our Violeta's finding her style."

"Should I be concerned?" the angel called.

"No.  JenniAnn and Kemara won't steer her wrong.  Violeta will figure it out.  She's going to go for an artsy look.  Kind of like JenniAnn but more tailored.  Sleeker.  It suits her." 

Andrew returned, balancing two tumblers of milk on top of Allison's pan of cherry crisp.  "Good.  That chameleon thing was starting to cause me some concern."  He sat back down.  "That poem... that got to me.  I mean obviously there's the... you... aspect of it.  But the self-awareness...  Ivy's an amazing kid.  I just wish... she holds so much in and I know I don't have much room to talk but... she is just a kid."

Joshua nodded.  "Ivy truly is an amazing kid.  And you're doing an amazing job with her.  All of you are."

The angel of death smiled.  "I wish they could hear you say that."

"They do.  Just not in the same way you and Violeta do."  Joshua reached for the poem resting on the table.  He traced the letters of the title.  "She really trusts you.  This is the sort of poem she usually hides away in her journal.  But Ivy knew she could trust you with it.  She is opening up, Andrew.  And now that she knows about what happened to Violeta, she will even more.  Tomorrow will be a big day.  Who knows?  I might just stop in myself." 

Andrew knew that meant Joshua would be paying him a visit.  The Mystery of Mysteries was actually quite bad at maintaining suspense sometimes. 

Joshua smiled, rubbing Lulu behind the ears.  "Don't give me away, okay?"

Lulu stretched upwards for a kiss.

Andrew chuckled.  That settled that.  "You know, it's helped me a lot to have you around like this.  And it's meant a lot to me.  But..."

"But?"

"Last night with Laja...  Hearing what you said, seeing how you looked at her while you said it... it was... a gift, Joshua.  And one that means a lot to me.  But it made me realize something.  It's going to be very different for you next year, isn't it?  Joshua Davidson can't say those things to JenniAnn Chandler... or any of them."

Joshua shook his head.  "No.  And I won't even always know what they're thinking.  Part of my reason for coming then is to remind some of them that I know what it is to be human... and being human means not always knowing what's going to come next, not automatically knowing what people plan or feel.  That's why I want you to see what you have and what you will.  So you can tell them what I normally would, Andrew."

Taken aback and incredibly humbled, it took the angel of death a full minute to reply.  "It... it was an honor last night.  And it will always be an honor."

In response, Joshua reached for Andrew's hand and squeezed it affectionately.  "I'm glad to hear it.  I know you're up to it.  Now... cherry crisp awaits."

Andrew laughed and, once he'd removed the lid, the two dug into the pan.

Joshua let a few moments of companionable silence pass before speaking.  "You can just ask, you know."

Andrew smiled sheepishly.  "Sometimes when you're like this... so... human... it's almost like I forget... no, not exactly forget but I just don't... have it in mind that you, well, know everything, including what I'm thinking."

Joshua laughed.  "I'll take that as a compliment."

Andrew grinned.  "Thank you for that."  He took another bite of cherry crisp as he searched out his words.  "Why?" he finally queried.  "Why do bullies... bully?"

"There are as many reasons as there are bullies."  Joshua set down his fork and rested his chin on his folded hands.  "But to keep it general, some do it because they see it as a 'bully or be bullied' situation.  If they're the bully, no one will tease them or point out the deficiencies they perceive in themselves.  Some do it because they're being bullied elsewhere and it feels good to be on the other side.  Some feel powerless in their own lives so enjoy finding someone they can have power over.  And some even view schools and life in general as an unending hierarchy.  If they can move enough people down the ladder, they move up.  They win 'points' by getting others to laugh at the jokes they make at the expense of others.  And they send the message, subtle or otherwise, that you're with them or against them and that they can ruin your life if you don't get in line and stay in line.  Still others have dehumanized their victims to such an extent... and the faceless Internet has only made this worse... that what they're doing doesn't even seem wrong to them."

Andrew sighed.  "I don't know which type Alyssa is so how do I stop her?"

"I didn't send you to stop her.  I sent you to Ivy.  Naturally, you need to do what you can to prevent Alyssa from harming her.  I'm very glad you had her meet with Regina and that you made sure Regina saw the drawing.  But it's more important to be there for Ivy than to be working against Alyssa."  Joshua bestowed an encouraging smile on the angel.  "And you're doing very well with that, Andrew."

"Thank you.  I just wish... I mean, yeah, she talked to us a little during lunch today and yesterday.  And she trusted me with her poem.  I know she talked a little with Violeta.  But she hasn't said a word to me about the bullying, Joshua.  You said tomorrow will be a big day but is there something I need to say or do to help her open up?"

"Only what you've been doing."  Joshua reached over to squeeze Andrew's shoulder.  "It's difficult for Ivy to confide in other people... especially about this.  The only person she ever really confided in about the bullying told her 'Offer it up!  Christ didn't whine and cry about what was done to Him and your sufferings are miniscule compared to His.  Turn the other cheek, Ivy!'"

"Doreen?"

"Yes.  And I did cry and I did question.  But there's really no comparison.  I was a grown man acting out the will of my Father... my own will.  But the torment Ivy is going through...  that's not our will.  It never has been.  And it hurts because at times it's made Ivy hesitant to come to me with her broken heart and wounded spirit."  Tears again welled in Joshua's eyes.  "I never intended for my followers to meekly tolerate abuse.  When people tried to hurt me in Nazareth, I kicked the dust off my sandals and left.  That doesn't mean I stopped hoping they'd come around.  That doesn't mean I didn't forgive them.  That most assuredly does not mean I didn't love them.  I did.  But there was no reason to let them lash out like that.  I protected myself.  And now... now we all need to help protect Ivy.  Because her sufferings are not miniscule."

"I... I know," Andrew murmured.  He wished Doreen... humanity in general... could see how much it pained Joshua when they used his name and his words to hurt or belittle others. 

Joshua drew in a deep breath.  "But tonight... tonight my Ivy is happy and at peace."  He beamed at Andrew.  "She knows she has friends.  And you're a good friend to have, Andrew.  It's a recurring theme in some of the prayers I hear."

Andrew blushed and smiled, feeling immensely pleased.  "I'm glad Ivy knows we're here for her.  All of us."

Joshua nodded.  "We should have a team name... but let's not worry about that right now.  Besides, we have dessert to finish."

Seeing Joshua's knowing grin, the angel of death gathered that something was afoot.  He looked forward to finding out what it was.  In the meantime, he and his Creator were going to finish their cherry crisp.


Ivy found she wasn't particularly bothered by her grandmother's nightly recitation of "All That is Awful and Unholy in This World."  It receded into the back of her mind as she reviewed the day.  It wasn't often that Ivy mentally relived a day because she had enjoyed it.

Talking to Violeta had been healing and helpful.  If Alyssa could find fault with someone so beautiful and talented... Ivy began to consider that maybe there wasn't anything wrong with herself.  For a split second, as Mr. Rochester had mimed, Ivy had realized that there was something very wrong with Alyssa.  Yes, she was beautiful.  Yes, she was wealthy.  Yes, she was popular.  But Ivy thought back on that first lunch with Mr. Rochester... Andrew... and his friends.  "Love is worth more than money.  It's worth more than anything." 

Ivy thought Alyssa's parents loved their daughter.  She'd seen them dote on her, occasionally picking her up in the middle of the day to go out to lunch.  They were at every theatrical performance, every game Alyssa cheered at.  They certainly didn't seem negligent.  But maybe somewhere along the line they had forgotten to teach their daughter to love.  That was a grave loss.

"And then she dared to tell me that we have to love them, too.  The gays!  Imagine!  Christ would be rolling in His grave!" Doreen cried.  Then she seemed to realize what she had said.  "If He was still there, of course."

Ivy blinked.  It was wrong on so many levels.  Feeling emboldened, the girl spoke up.  "God loves gay people, too.  And immigrants and Jewish people and Protestants and black people."  She thought she'd covered all the groups her grandmother spent dinners maligning.  "All people," she added to be safe.

Doreen gaped.  "Excuse me?"

"God loves everyone.  So should we."

"Not sinners!"  Doreen slapped her newspaper down on the table.  "You're getting more and more like your mother every day."

Ivy smiled to herself.  She certainly hoped so.

"Go to your room.  I'm done with you for the night."

Silently, Ivy slipped from the table and went, far from unhappily, to her room.  She reached into her book bag.  She had no homework so could focus on Anne of Windy Poplars.  Determined to enjoy her evening, Ivy changed into her pajamas and snuggled into bed with her book and her brownie.  Her heart seized when she opened the novel.

Miss Chandler's...  JenniAnn's... cell phone number and address were at the front of the book. 

Ivy told herself that this was probably just the woman's way.  Likely all her books had such a label.  She probably hadn't meant to give Ivy her number.  But then Ivy noticed a small symbol on the corner of the bookplate.  The design had been copyrighted in 2013.  JenniAnn still might have placed it months ago... but maybe she had only recently.  Maybe she had intentionally given her number out.  And if Ivy could reach JenniAnn, she was sure she could reach the others if necessary. 

Ivy stared at the number.  She vowed to herself that she would only use it if she absolutely had to.  But she felt better simply knowing it was there.

Ivy smiled as they headed towards the door.  "See you soon!"

JenniAnn knew to remain.  Andrew needed to speak to Ivy and rules being what they were, she needed to stay.  Still, to afford Andrew and his assignment some privacy, she focused on setting out tins and totes filled with charms, beads, and more.

Andrew finished filing away some papers then looked up at his student.  He waved for her to take a nearby seat.  "I meant what I wrote on your poem.  That... well, I'll tell you I cried.  It took a lot of bravery to write that honestly.  It was about your mom dying, wasn't it?"

"Thank you.  Yes.  I got to thinking about how I felt sitting in the waiting room... alone..."  Ivy looked down at her hands folded in her lap then back at Andrew.  "But not really alone."

Andrew glanced up briefly when Joshua settled into the chair beside Ivy.

"You don't think Jesus would be mad about it, do you?  I mean the part where I wrote 'I don't need you!'"

A lump forming in his throat, Andrew shook his head.

"No," Joshua said.  "I wouldn't.  I felt abandoned once, too.  I understand how much anger and hurt that can cause."

Andrew took in a ragged breath.  "Even Jesus felt abandoned.  Remember when He cried out to the Father, asking Him why He'd forsaken him?"

Ivy nodded.

"So God understands how that hurt can lead to feeling angry.  I know He does," Andrew assured.

Ivy's hand clasped around the cross pendant her mother had given her for her First Communion. 

Joshua smiled tenderly at the gesture.  "Tell her I treasure that poem and all the others she's written for me.  And I really am at her side... always... because I love her so much."

"I believe with everything in me that He treasures your poem... that one and every other one you've written for Him.  And He's always going to be at your side, Ivy.  He loves you so much."

For the second time that day, Ivy found herself hugging someone.

Andrew returned the hug, feeling blessed to receive it but also wishing that, somehow, Joshua could get a hug, too.  Someday. 

"Thank you for telling me all that."  Ivy pulled back and smiled at Andrew.  "It means a lot.  And... it feels really good to be able to talk to someone like this."

"You can talk to any of us like this.  JenniAnn and Kemara are both Catholic and Violeta and I love talking about God, too."  Andrew smiled when the two women returned with Lulu.  "Now I guess it's hair sticks time.  I never finished looking at the costume selection backstage so I'm going to do that while you ladies do your crafting.  Just yell if you need me."

Ivy looked with excitement at all the embellishments and beads JenniAnn had laid out.  "Sounds good!"  She dashed over to join the others.

Andrew directed his attention to Joshua who had remained.  He tilted his head to the stage.  Joshua nodded and followed him there with Lulu waddling after him.

"So... I told Ivy you love her.  Is this assignment... I mean it can't be over... can it?"

"It's not.  Andrew the teacher told Ivy that I love her.  But, in time, she'll need to hear it again from Andrew the angel," Joshua explained.  He sat down on a large crate.  A knife and strip of wood appeared beside him.  Picking them up, he began to carve.

When Lulu whined, Andrew set her on the crate.  "Things... they're going to get hard again for Ivy?"

Joshua frowned, pausing his work to ruffle Lulu's fur.  "I don't like it but yes.  Alyssa is biding her time."

Andrew sighed.  "I wish I knew what to say to get her to stop."

"Alyssa's been told numerous times to stop.  It's up to her to listen.  You can't make her.  I can't make her.  Our Father can't make her.  But we can be there for Ivy, holding her up and loving her."

The two men fell silent for a few moments.  They smiled as they listened to the girls laughing as they plotted out their designs.

"Ooh...  Who brought these rainbow beads?" Kemara asked.

"Me," Ivy answered.  "Use as many as you want.  Aren't they cool?"

"Definitely cool."

"Unicorns!" Violeta exclaimed as she dug through some charms.

JenniAnn laughed.  "I knew you'd like those.  And I got you some ducks, too.  I noticed that carving you keep by your bed."

"Look at the lions..." Ivy cooed.  "They remind me of Aslan.  My mom used to read to me from the Narnia books."

"I had a feeling those would be popular.  I got enough for each of us to make a lion pair."

Andrew smiled at Joshua.  "You know, of course, that Ivy, JenniAnn, and Kemara would be totally stunned if they knew you made those hair sticks they're out there decorating."

Joshua continued to whittle.  "'I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck'... and I also made you some pretty groovy hair sticks.  Ezekiel 16:11... with commentary from the author."

Andrew burst into laughter causing the girls to fall silent in bewilderment.  He blushed. 

"Andrew, you okay there?" JenniAnn questioned.

"'Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!'" Joshua called with a grin.

Andrew playfully glared at him as he continued to chuckle.  "Like that helps!" he whispered.  As Joshua laughed, he stepped onto the stage.  "Just, uh...  Thought of a quote from a Book in a way I never have before.  Totally fine.  Everything going okay out there?"

Ivy looked up from the beads she was stringing and smiled.  "It's great!"

"Good."  Andrew smiled back then returned to Joshua's side.  "It really is great..."

Joshua beamed at the four chatting, happy girls.  "Yes, it is."  He made a few more strokes with his knife then gave Andrew his handiwork.  "Here.  Go decorate yourself a bookmark with them.  As for the costumes...  There are 8 nun robes that your Elphabas can doctor up.  The RENT girls are going to want to stick with their own clothes.  There are three Shakespearean era gowns plus the one JenniAnn will volunteer to lend.  And other than that you're going to have several performances that don't require costumes.  So you're set."

Andrew grinned.  "Thanks."  He looked down at the bookmark on which the carpenter had carved his name.  "This means a lot."  When he raised his head, Joshua was gone but his voice remained.

You're welcome.  Giving you hair sticks wouldn't have made much sense.  It would have been fun to see Tess' reaction, though.

The angel laughed quietly then stepped down from the stage.

Violeta saw her supervisor first and smiled up at him.  "You wanna come help, Andrew?"

"Actually..."  He held the bookmark out.  "I have this.  I thought maybe it could do with a tassel at the end."

JenniAnn smirked.  "Sure.  So long as you don't put the tassel on your shoes."

Andrew shot her a faux-angry look and crossed his arms over his chest.  "And what if I wanna?"

Ivy laughed.  "Huh?"

Andrew settled down beside them.  "I have this pair of loafers with tassels on them that JenniAnn seems to think are the ugliest shoes in the world.  However... she had the chance to get rid of them and didn't."  He lowered his voice, his eyes twinkling.  "Secretly, I think she likes them."  Straightening up, he winked at JenniAnn.

Kemara smiled.  "JenniAnn, is this true?"

"No.  I still think they're ugly.  But... they're his.  And loving a person means accepting and even appreciating the parts that aren't totally awesome."  JenniAnn blushed, hoping Ivy didn't get the wrong idea. 

Unconcerned, Andrew reached for her hand. 

To Ivy, the exchange implied nothing more than a deep friendship.  She pondered if maybe Andrew and JenniAnn had been friends when they were her age.  Her eyes welled as she slid some beads into place, wishing to know when things would become easier with her peers.

"If only more people realized that," Kemara remarked wistfully.  "And were more tolerant of differences.  It would have made my growing up years a whole lot easier."

Andrew looked proudly at his friend, recognizing that she was holding out painful chapters from her own life in hopes of encouraging Ivy.  He looked over at his assignment.  She was biting her lip, seeming to debate whether to inquire.  When the angel glanced back up at Kemara, she nodded to him.  "What do you mean, Kemara?" he asked.

"I struggled with bullies a lot when I was younger," she answered, her voice even and calm. 

"What... what happened?" Ivy questioned, her own voice quiet and uncertain.  "I mean... if you're okay with telling."

"I am.  Let's see...  I can remember one time when I was in fourth grade, I had to give a presentation in class and right after I started, one of the boys made some careless, hurtful comment and the other kids all started to laugh.  I started to cry and when I couldn't continue to give my report, the teacher threatened to bring some of the other classes in and have them listen, too.  Of course, that was the last thing I wanted!  I couldn't even read it in front of my own class I was so upset."

Andrew shook his head.  "As much I don't like thinking a little boy would act that way, it's even harder for me to imagine a teacher... someone hired to care for children... would be so... so... callous."

"It happens..." JenniAnn and Ivy murmured in unison. 

"You know, too?" Ivy softly asked.

JenniAnn nodded.  "I didn't struggle with bullying that much.  Just... I dunno.  It's hard to explain."

"You don't have to," Kemara assured.

"Oh no.  I'm fine.  I just mean... it's hard to categorize.  I wasn't bullied like by kids or teachers calling me names.  I just felt like... like I was never... real to them.  Sorry.  I'm sure that doesn't make any sense.  But I mean like... like I was a character.  Fictional.  They'd sometimes... make up stories about what I would do once I 'grew up and stopped being so innocent.'  Like... ya know... sex stuff.  That was creepy enough but... what actually hurt was feeling like they kind of wanted all that to happen... cause then I'd be 'real' and the teacher just saying to ignore em."

Andrew peered at JenniAnn.  For all her justifications and psychologizing Monday in the park, he could see that the memories still pained her... and that her feelings were mirrored on Ivy's and Kemara's faces.  He could tell, too, that she was thinking of Bennie though she wouldn't say so.  She didn't want Ivy to have to fear run-ins with the dance teacher, too.

Kemara squeezed JenniAnn's hand and sighed.  "What is it with some kids and latching onto that?  There was one day in 9th grade when my class went on a field trip.  On the way back, this girl sat next to me and, in graphic detail, told me what it was like to have sex... with all the other kids listening and snickering.  All I could do was stare out the window and try to ignore her... not easy with her right there glaring at me."

Violeta sat shaking her head, unsure what to say.  She had known her friends had once been children and she knew, from all the case files she'd read and what she'd seen with Andrew, that childhood was not always the carefree time it should be.  That fact became all the more real to her as she heard the girls speak.  She was grateful when JenniAnn noticed her distress and pressed a tissue into her hand before softly patting it.

Andrew frowned, his eyes soft and full of compassion.  "I hope that if any of my students found themselves coping with anything like what you two did then they would tell me."

Ivy was silent for several moments, allowing Andrew's wish to hang in the air and weigh on her burdened heart.  He hoped to be held in her confidence, she had long hoped for someone who would truly listen.  She believed she had found four such someones.  She decided she was ready to tell her story.  "I've been having a really... really hard time for years.  Monday, when you and JenniAnn found me in here... it was because I'd been hiding in here over lunch for a week.  See, Alyssa and me... we go to the same school and went to junior high together, too.  Caitlin and Mariah, too.  And for years Alyssa's given me a hard time and the other two just go along with it.  Just... comments about my clothes, my hair, the way I look.  Sometimes... sometimes about my mom.  It made her friends laugh.  So she kept doing it.  But then last year... last year things started to get really bad.  There was this boy who was new in town.  He was very cute and very nice.  His dad got a job with Alyssa's dad's company.  I think she really liked him.  But one day... one day she said something to me and he heard it.  And he actually... he defended me.  Alyssa...  I guess it made her really mad.  She started spreading rumors about... about stuff she said we'd done... and then how he broke up with me because he found out I... I had done other things.  But we hadn't!  We'd hardly ever talked!  And I haven't ever..."  Ivy's face flushed.  "Not with anyone.  I swear."

Kemara hugged her.

"We believe you, Ivy," Andrew assured as JenniAnn and Violeta nodded.

Swiping at tears, the girl smiled.  "Thank you.  I was so afraid the rumors would get to my grandma and knowing how she is..."  She shook her head.  "Well, I guess there's a plus side to her not paying much attention!"  She laughed uncomfortably.  "Anyway, the boy moved again at the end of the school year.  So I was really hoping next year would maybe be different.  And when I started with Eve's Girls and Alyssa left me alone for that first week... I thought maybe that was going to be true.  But then last week...  I... I heard her telling other girls the same old rumors and then she started saying stuff to me and writing notes.  I worried that no... no one would be friends with me.  No one is at school but I hoped here...  So I told Alyssa I was going to tell a teacher... I didn't say you but I meant you."  Ivy looked up at Andrew.  "But then she told me that she could get me kicked out cause... cause her dad was helping the program out... a lot.  And that if the teacher took my side... he... he could get them kicked out, too.  So... I didn't tell.  Plus, I... I'm worried that if she gets caught here then... then she's just going to move online and while I don't use Facebook too much, I have made some long-distance friends there and what if they saw and believed and... and then I'd lose my friends there, too," she lamented.  "Sometimes I have nightmares about... that.  Or... or just getting left all alone and hearing people laughing."

Andrew closed his eyes and dragged his hand through his hair.  He thought of the meeting with Regina and Alyssa and how little it had accomplished.  Opening his eyes, he saw that Ivy was still looking at him.  He smiled and took one of her hands in both of his.  "Ivy, you have so many people looking out for you and wanting to help you.  If Alyssa gives you any more trouble... any trouble at all... you tell one of us.  We'll deal with whatever we have to but you do not have to put up with her treating you like that.  No one should.  No one!  I don't care what she says her dad can do.  And as for any cyber-bullying...  You have someone watching out for you online, too."

"What do you mean?" Ivy questioned.

Violeta reached for Ivy's other hand.  "Do you remember yesterday when I told you that we already pretty much knew about Alyssa?"

"Uh huh."

"Well, JenniAnn has a friend who used to work on an anti-bullying program."

JenniAnn nodded.  "Ivy, do you remember Mrs. Hunter?"

"Yes.  She tried to help when Miss Jansen got mad at me Monday."

 "It's her husband.  I went to grade school with him and he's a very, very nice man.  His name is Kevin Hunter.  A father of four.  He used to be a guidance counselor and cares immensely about keeping kids safe and preventing bullying.  So... we asked him and Mrs. Hunter to watch over you online.  I hope that's okay."

Ivy blinked back more tears, this time ones of gratitude.  "It... it's really okay.  I'm just surprised.  He doesn't even know me and Mrs. Hunter barely met me.  Why would they care?"

"Because they're good, caring people, Ivy.  There are many of them in this world," Kemara answered with an encouraging smile.

"I... I'm really seeing that now.  Thank you.  And please thank them."

"We definitely will," Andrew vowed.

"Will you promise us you'll tell us if anything else happens?" Violeta requested.

Ivy turned to her and nodded.  "I promise.  It... it feels good just to... to talk to someone about this."

JenniAnn smiled.  "I think it was good for us all.  And, ya know, I do hope you keep holding onto the hope that things will get better, Ivy.  I don't mean that Alyssa will have some sort of epiphany and Mean Girls type of turn-around.  But you will find people who will accept you and love you exactly as you are... which you have already but I mean friends your age, too... and they won't wanna change a thing about you even if they could... even if they thought your shoes were hideous.  Which yours aren't, by the way.  Gotta love the Chuck Taylors."

Ivy laughed and looked from JenniAnn to Andrew and back.

"Definitely things will get better," Kemara agreed.  "I can remember some dark days when I didn't believe that.  But it was true.  I did make friends, good friends.  And now I have Andrew and JenniAnn and Violeta and other friends who love me and who I love."

"Always," Andrew added softly, his gentle gaze settling on Ivy.  "And you will always have one Friend who will never leave you and who will always listen."

Ivy smiled and nodded.  "God."

"That would be the One." 

"It's just that sometimes..."  The girl clasped her cross again.  "Sometimes I feel bad bringing it up to Him because my grandma's always saying about how Jesus suffered so much worse a-and that I should think about that and turn the other cheek.  And... He did say that."

JenniAnn shook her head.  "Ivy, I can't imagine that Jesus meant you should keep giving Alyssa opportunities to hurt you.  I don't think that's what that passage means at all.  I mean Jesus says in Matthew that if someone slaps you on your right cheek, to offer them your left, right?"

"Yeah..."

JenniAnn knelt in front of Andrew, smiling widely.  "Can I, umm, borrow your face for a few seconds?"

The angel laughed.  For a brief moment, he remembered a collegiate JenniAnn enthusiastically relating a demonstration from her class on the Gospel of Matthew to him.  He had never seen anyone so excited about getting "slapped" on the cheek by a professor.  "Absolutely."

"Thank you kindly."  She craned around to see Ivy.  "So I'm right handed as most people are... a fact that Jesus no doubt had realized.  Now I'm going to 'slap' Andrew on his right cheek."  JenniAnn proceeded to lightly tap the back of her hand against his face.  "Now with the left hand."  She patted Andrew's cheek.  "What was the difference?"

"The first time you backhanded him.  The second time you didn't," Ivy replied.

"Right."

"Well... why?" Violeta asked.

Kemara smiled.  "Just see for yourself.  You're right handed, aren't you?"

"Yeah."

"So try to 'slap' my right cheek with your right hand but without backhanding me."

Violeta did so and grimaced.  "It feels weird to move my arm that way."

"Exactly.  You have to angle your arm in a really awkward, unnatural way.  So..."  JenniAnn turned back to Ivy.  "Generally speaking, if a person slaps you on your right cheek then that means they've backhanded you.  And we all know that's more insulting than a normal slap.  It's demeaning.  Not that getting slapped would ever be a good thing, of course.  But backhanded slap... doubly bad.  It hurts physically and psychologically.  So what I believe Jesus was saying was not that we should take others' abuse but that we should never sink to their level when they demean us.  Give them pause.  Show them that you're their equal and worthy of their respect and that, so help you God, they will NOT make you into someone like them... someone demeaning and abusive."

Ivy's face lit up.  "That's really cool!  Did you think that up all by yourself?"

"Oh no.  I was a Theology major in college.  One of my professors demonstrated this in class.  It really... wow... gave me a lot to think about cause I had sometimes felt like maybe Christians were supposed to be, well, doormat-like.  But I really don't think so, Ivy.  And definitely not in this case.  And as for comparing what you feel to what Jesus went through..."  JenniAnn shook her head.

"I agree," Kemara interjected.  "I believe Jesus went through His agony and crucifixion because He so much wanted us to know His love.  And part of loving someone is listening to them and their hurts.  I don't think He'd want you too keep from confiding in Him, Ivy.  If you went through so much for somebody... wouldn't you want to hear from that person as much as you could?"

"Y-yeah...  I really would."

Andrew smiled softly and set his hand over Ivy's.  "God is always there, Ivy, willing and wanting to listen and He will always think of you as His beautiful, wonderful, lovable little girl.  His Ivy." 

Ivy nodded, too moved to speak.

Mystified, Andrew watched as the girl gripped one of the hair sticks and hugged it to her chest, as if she knew her Friend had made it just for her.

Violeta blinked back tears. 

"Are you okay, Violeta?" Ivy asked.

The angel nodded.  "Just, umm... thinking about God.  He's, uh... He's really cool."

Andrew hugged her.  "That He definitely is.  Now... what should I do with this?"  He held up his bookmark. 

Ivy studied it then look at the array.  "I think green beads.  Maybe some blue and... and a gold star charm like that.  Cause teachers give out gold stars and, I don't know, something about you is just... celestial.  And you deserve a gold star."

JenniAnn buried her face in her shoulder to keep from remarking on the utter truth of Ivy's statement.

Andrew beamed.  "Well, thank you.  That is exactly what I'm going to do."

With that, the group refocused on their handiwork and fell into easy patter about lighter, more entertaining topics.


That night, Andrew and JenniAnn swung by the Hunter residence with dinner.  It doubled as a chance for Andrew to tell them to be on the lookout.  Joshua's words haunted him: Alyssa is biding her time.

A smiling Carrie greeted them at the door, hugging them.  "You both... this is so nice.  Oh my gosh...  Is that..."  She breathed in the heavenly scent coming from the large pan Andrew held.

JenniAnn grinned.  "This seemed like a night for brinner.  Cinnamon rolls, scrambled egg casserole, and fruit salad."

"That sounds amazing and the kids will love you forever.  Are you gonna stay and eat with us?" Carrie asked as she ushered them into the kitchen.

"Oh we don't want to take up your family time," Andrew protested.

The woman set a hand on his arm.  "It wouldn't be an intrusion.  Trust me.  And I think it would mean a lot to Kevin.  His guy friends have kinda... drifted."

"I'm so sorry," JenniAnn murmured.  "Andrew?"

"We can definitely stay."

"Wonderful!  Well, let me get everyone washed up and in here.  Then after I get the kids down, maybe the four of us can talk about... everything?" 

"Sure," Andrew agreed with a smile.  When Carrie left them, he hugged JenniAnn.  "I'm glad we did this.  I see it too often.  People just don't know how to handle illness so... so they decide they won't."

JenniAnn sighed.  "Yep...  Even knowing that Kevin will survive, it is hard to see him so weak.  But I wouldn't give up knowing and helping for blissful ignorance."  She pulled back and looked up at Andrew.  "I'll help Carrie with dishes and whatever afterwards.  You go sit with Kevin.  He needs some guy time.  And I would imagine you do, too.  Surrounded by women and only women all day..." 

Andrew chuckled.  It hadn't exactly been all women...  "All right."

Excited high-pitched hollers echoed through the house and soon Andrew and JenniAnn were mobbed by four hungry children.

"That smells good!"

"Who are you?"

"You have really long hair!"

"Did you really bring cin'mon rolls for dinner?!  Can I have a whole one?"

"Lorelai!  You don't even know mommy's and daddy's friends' names and you're asking them to feed you!" Carrie chastised.

The two guests laughed and crouched down so Andrew could begin introductions.

"My name is Andrew and this is JenniAnn.  She went to school with your mom and your dad."

"Hi kids!" JenniAnn greeted.  "Emilee, I remember you!  We met when you were just a tiny baby." 

The eight year old smiled.  "Hi."

JenniAnn shook her hand then looked to the little boy half hidden behind his sisters.  Her eyes flew to Kevin, who was leaning in the doorway, then rested on the little boy again.  "You must be Caleb.  You look so much like your daddy when he was your age."

The boy grinned, delighted by the comparison, then ran back to hug his father's leg.

Carrie's eyes misted at the sight but she smiled.  "Okay, everybody in their chairs so we can pray and then enjoy this yummy food Andrew and JenniAnn brought us."

After the Hunters and JenniAnn had crossed themselves, Kevin began.  "Dear Lord, please bless this food and those who prepared it and brought it to us.  Nourish and strengthen our bodies but, even more importantly, we ask you to strengthen our spirits so that we remain always close to You.  Amen."  After crossing himself again, Kevin smiled.  "Now let's get eatin'!"

A cacophonous, joyous meal began.


True to his word, Andrew joined Kevin in the study while Carrie and JenniAnn got the kids to bed and the leftover food and dishes tended to.  He was happy to find the man was an easy conversationalist. 

"So... how exactly did you find yourself back at Our Lady of Hope High?" Kevin asked. 

"Same way I find myself at all my assignments.  The Father sends me.  I just... show up."

"Do you have any sort of choice?  Like could you choose to have an assignment in, say, Hawaii instead?"

Andrew laughed and shook his head.  "No.  Although I have had assignments there.  I trust that if God's sending me to particular place, to a certain person then there's a very good reason for it."

"So JenniAnn seeing you when she was a kid... that wasn't accidental?"

"Definitely not accidental.  God had a reason for that, too."

Kevin marveled.  "All those times I saw her drawing you... she was drawing someone real.  I guess you're why she's kept away."  Seeing Andrew frown, the man hurriedly shook his head.  "I don't mean that like an accusation.  Please don't take it that way but... I'm seeing now how hard it must be for her to be evasive and yet... obviously she's learned some people really don't understand.  Although I think she knew that even before Bennie.  See, some of the other kids used to tease her about those drawings."

Andrew startled.  "They teased her?"

"They just kinda gave her a hard time about having an imaginary friend.  I never did.  I wanted to believe..."  Drawing in a deep breath, Kevin soldiered on.  "I had a baby sister.  Lorelai.  We named our youngest girl after her.  She died of leukemia when she was five.  I was seven.  I missed her so much and my mom... she told me an angel had come and taken Lorelai to live with Jesus.  So... JenniAnn never said that she was drawing an angel.  But she did tell me once that she'd really seen him... you.  So that's what I always imagined her drawings were: an angel.  An angel like the one who took Lorelai to Heaven.  I'm embarrassed to admit it now but one time I stole one of her crayons... because I was too shy to ask for one of the drawings so that seemed like the next best reminder." 

Tears welled in Andrew's eyes.  Lorelai...  Lai-Lai...  He remembered her.  He reached for her brother's hand.  "I think God had many, many reasons for letting JenniAnn see me that day and... I think you were one of those reasons, Kevin.  I... I was with Lorelai and your parents when she died.  And I took her Home where she remains and where she will always remain... full of energy... really full."

Even as he wept, Kevin laughed.  "That... that really sounds like Lai-Lai."

The angel smiled.  "She can run and jump and play and dance... dancing with the One who loved her first and best."

Sighing deeply, Kevin settled back into his chair.  "Thank you.  That means so... so much to me.  I wish... I wish there was some way to assure my parents that this... this isn't gonna take me, too.  They were so terrified when I got the diagnosis."

Andrew prayed that he would be given some way to help them, too.

Check your pocket.

Dutifully, Andrew reached into his pocket.  His fingers closed around a small, wooden object.  He smiled when he saw what it was.  "Kevin, tell your parents about what's happened to you.  Tell them what I told you at the Chandlers'... that you will survive this.  And tell them what I told you about Lorelai.  Then give them this."  He dropped the object into the man's hand.  "It may not make much sense right now but it will to them."

Kevin smiled, clasping the gift in his palm.  "Thank you, Andrew.  I... I'm so glad we saw you sizing up frozen dinners and that my wife freaked out on you."

Andrew burst into laughter.  "You know... I am, too." 

"It must be... extraordinary.  To have your job, I mean.  To be there when people first see..."  Kevin whistled.

"It really is."

"But hard, too, sometimes, I bet.  War... crime... epidemics..."

Andrew nodded.  "But even then I get to be there when people first see Paradise.  I love what I do."

Kevin marveled at it all.  He couldn't believe an angel... a messenger of God... was sitting with him.  He'd seen an angel eating a cinnamon roll... rather exuberantly.  He smiled.  Andrew may be an angel but, near as Kevin could tell, he was also just a guy.  "So... ya got a pick in the College World Series?"

Laughing, Andrew shook his head.  "I'm just in it for sheer love of the game.  You?"

"Oklahoma.  I have family there."

"They've got a strong team.  I could definitely see them getting far into the series.  Have you been to the new stadium?"

"Oh yeah.  It's really nice but I still miss good, ol' Rosenblatt."

Carrie's laughter sounded from the hallway where she and JenniAnn stood.  "I never imagined I'd have an angel in my house talking baseball with Kev."

"And what exactly did you imagine the angel and I would discuss?" Kevin teased.

Carrie snuggled beside him.  "Stocks and bonds," she deadpanned.

Andrew smiled.  "Trust me, even when I have to play stockbroker, I try to spend as little time as possible talking about stocks."

Laughing, JenniAnn took a seat beside him on the couch. 

"So how did things go today with Ivy?" Kevin asked.

"Really good."  Andrew looked proudly at JenniAnn.  "The girls told Ivy about their own experiences and she really opened up.  Gave us more of a history."  He frowned.  "Unfortunately, Alyssa's father is helping Eve's Girls fund their new place... and apparently Alyssa told Ivy that which I hadn't realized.  So that's partly why she was so reluctant to tell anyone about the bullying.  She's worried she might get kicked out.  Or I would.  I don't think that would happen but... but I was given the distinct impression that the powers that be don't want to ruffle the Thurrians' feathers."

Carrie grimaced.  "But, JenniAnn, you said during our phone call yesterday that it went well, too.  Maybe Alyssa's cooled down."

"I'd like to think so.  But now especially after hearing she's been at this for years and in earnest all during the past school year... I doubt it.  Alyssa knows Andrew's onto her.  I'm worried she's gonna pull something over the weekend.  I think Ivy is, too.  She brought up Facebook today.  Nothing's happened there yet, thankfully.  But it worries her.  So we told her about the both of you."

Andrew nodded.  "Ivy wanted us to thank you.  That means so much to her."

Kevin smiled.  "She's very welcome.  And I'm glad to know Ivy's aware that trouble on Facebook is a possibility.  We had some kids taunting others on Facebook at my old school.  They started it up on a Friday and then by Monday they'd deleted all the posts so there wasn't anything we could do.  If any of the bullied kids had thought to take screenshots... they weren't speaking up.  I hope that doesn't happen but if it does... Care and I will do everything we can to ensure Ivy has proof."  He turned on his laptop.  "I did find both Ivy's and Alyssa's accounts.  Tumblrs, too.  So far everything looks innocuous.  Ivy doesn't have much of anything on her accounts so that's good.  Of course, there's no way to know what Alyssa might put up under various 'friends only' settings.  But I'll be monitoring them with my lovely wife."  He squeezed Carrie's hand.  "We can also monitor some of the other assorted communities online that I know these kids spend time at."

"And we'll keep as close an eye as possible on Ivy this weekend.  We're planning on running into her at the art museum on Saturday.  Then Sunday..."  Andrew turned to JenniAnn.  "Maybe you or Kemara could find out which church she goes to for Mass, if she does go which I'm guessing she does.  We can head there Sunday."

JenniAnn hugged his arm, pleased to see how much more relaxed Andrew was compared to that first day.  "Will do."

"Good.  Beyond that... I was thinking..." Carrie started.  "Well, we were thinking..."  She took one of Kevin's hands in both of hers.  "You mentioned that Ivy's grandma isn't supportive?"

Andrew shook his head.  "Far from it.  Her grandma is very... umm..."

JenniAnn could tell the angel was struggling for a diplomatic way to describe Doreen.  "Think old school judgmental type of Catholic.  Fires of purgatory and everything," she finished for him.

"Oh..."  Kevin and Carrie both rolled their eyes.

"Well, maybe you could tell Ivy... I mean if she ever just needs to get away... she could come here," Carrie offered.  "She'd have to bunk in Emilee's room.  But we would love to have her and we could support her.  And if you think she might be embarrassed by that offer... I mean things can be a little... hard around here.  Four kids and when Kevin's dealing with the nausea... it's a lot.  It would help just to have another person over thirteen around.  We couldn't pay Ivy much but it'd get her away for hours at a time."

Andrew shook his head.  "I don't think Ivy would want... or accept... any payment.  But I could see her really taking to that idea.  She's a good, helpful girl."  He beamed at them both.  "I think it's a great idea!"

JenniAnn nodded with excitement.  "I can tell she'll be great with kids.  Maybe... if you feel up to it... once we find out about Mass, maybe you could meet us there and we could introduce Ivy to ya?"

Kevin smiled.  "I like it!  I think we make a good team.  The four of us, Kemara, Violeta, JenniAnn's mom and dad, and, of course, God.  We should have a name..."

Andrew chuckled, remembering Joshua's remark.  "Any suggestions?"

"Ivy's Village," Carrie suggested.  "You know the saying 'It takes a village to raise a child.'  Well, I feel like we're that village.  And it's a good village to be in."

"It's wonderful," JenniAnn agreed.

"Ivy's Village..." Andrew repeated.  "I love it."

Kevin planted a kiss on his wife's temple.  "It's perfect."  Then, turning his attention back to his laptop, he explained just what he had planned if Alyssa did make a move online.


Ivy admired her hair sticks as they lay tucked away in her drawer.  She felt she had to hide them.  Her grandma might otherwise take them, reminding her that vanity was a sin.  But the reason Ivy valued them had nothing to do with vanity.  The time she'd spent decorating them had been the first time in years that she'd felt part of a group.  And if Doreen had cared to ask her, Ivy could have told her that each one had a particular meaning... a perfectly good, valuable meaning.  As JenniAnn had suggested, each of them had made an Aslan pair.  Ivy had strung hers with four red beads to signify the nails and the crown of thorns.  She had mixed them in with white beads to symbolize the Resurrection.  Another pair featured purple and green beads, her mother's favorite combination.  From each stick hung a silver heart, one for Ivy and one for her mother.  Ivy blushed slightly as she picked up the third pair.  It looked wild and mismatched but she loved it.  Unbeknownst to the others, she had decorated the final pair with them in mind.  On each there was a green bead for Andrew since it matched his eyes, a purple one for Violeta whose name demanded it, one of the rainbow ones Kemara had admired, a red one for JenniAnn because Ivy had heard her say ruby was her birthstone, a pink one splattered with purple for Ivy herself, a tiger's eye for Lulu since it sort of matched her coat, and, finally, a bead of unfinished wood.  That bead was His.

Ivy shut the drawer, lit her candle, and murmured the prayer she always did.  Then she read a few chapters of her book and curled up into her blankets.  It didn't even occur to her to worry over nightmares.


"Coming for coffee?" 

"Yeah."

Bennie stepped away to allow him past.  Andrew felt uneasy as she watched him fill the three mugs.

"Can I just say something?" she asked as he gathered up a few creamers and sugar packets.  "These stilted pleasantries can't go on forever."

Andrew turned to face her and nodded.  "Sure.  I agree."

"I've been thinking about what you said Tuesday.  You were right.  I've been pretty awful.  That was wrong.  I'm sorry.  And I just wanted you to know... as far as I'm concerned... we're good."

Andrew smiled.  "Well, good.  Thank you."

"I'd like to apologize to JenniAnn, too.  Is she here?"

"Not yet.  She has another obligation but she'll be here a little after noon.  I'm sure..."  Andrew looked out the window then back to Bennie.  He hoped and prayed she was being sincere and wasn't going to hurt JenniAnn again.  "I'm sure she'll be happy to hear from you," he finished.  "Maybe you could swing by and speak to her."  He definitely didn't want her confronting JenniAnn alone.

"I hope so.  Well, I better head to the gym.  Have a good day."

"You too, Bennie."

The woman smiled once more at the angel then left.  Andrew ran the conversation back over in his head, looking for any warning signs.  Finding none, he headed to his classroom in hopes it would be a good day all around.


JenniAnn could tell immediately that Andrew had something on his mind when he came to pick her up.

"What's wrong?  Is Ivy okay?" she asked as soon as she had the front door open.

Andrew hugged her.  "We saw Ivy this morning before class and she showed up for lunch right before I left.  Both times she was just fine.  It's something else.  I'll explain in the van if you're ready?"

JenniAnn nodded before stepping back into the house to gather up Lulu who was by then ready for some time away from the rambunctious Fawn.  "Leaving now.  See ya for dinner," she called to her parents who were both off work for the rest of the week.

"Invite Andrew!" Allison called.

Andrew poked his head in, smiling.  "I'll be there.  Thank you."

"Seat belts.  No speeding.  No texting," Robert called without looking up from his newspaper.

"Yes sir," the angel responded, slightly taken aback.  Did Robert actually think he would text while driving or speed... let alone when Laja was with him?

JenniAnn rolled her eyes.  "Sure thing, Dad."  She grinned at Andrew as they walked down the porch steps.  "I think sometimes he just can't help himself with the dad warnings.  At least he hasn't tried to give you The Talk... yet."

"You... uh... you think he might?"

"Knowing him: yes.  Just to get a kick outta your reaction.  But Mom would cut him off before he got further than 'When you love someone it's perfectly natural to...'"

Andrew chuckled.  "Well, I guess I could handle that much."  He opened the door so JenniAnn could hop in.  When he settled into the driver's seat, Andrew found she was staring expectantly at him.

"So what's the deal?  You looked kinda... dazed when you were walking up to the house."

Andrew started to drive.  "Well... I went to grab coffee in the lounge this morning and Bennie was there and... she says she's sorry.  And that things are good.  She wants to apologize to you, too."

JenniAnn blinked, stroking Lulu's snout as the dog made herself comfortable in her lap.  "Really?  Did she seem sincere?"

"I hope so.  I wanted to believe she was.  And maybe that's why I'm cautious.  Because I did want to believe...  It really came out of no where, though.  She hasn't said a word to me since Tuesday.  You?"

"Nope.  Wouldn't that be something, though?  It would be encouraging to Ivy, wouldn't it?  I mean if Bennie was sincere and then we could tell Ivy that sometimes... sometimes bullies do realize the error of their ways."

"It would be.  But I just don't want... I don't want you to get your hopes up too much or... or trust her too much just because you want to have that happy ending to tell Ivy."

"It... it wouldn't just be to tell Ivy."

"I know, Laja.  I know it would mean a lot to you, too.  To both of us.  So... talk to Bennie.  But be careful."

JenniAnn said nothing until they were stopped at a red light.  Then she leaned over and kissed the angel's cheek.  "I love you.  And I will be careful.  Promise."

Andrew smiled.  "Love you, too.  And thank you." 

Then, when the light changed, they continued onto Our Lady of Hope to see what the afternoon would bring.


The usual group of five plus dog passed lunch pleasantly.  They made plans for the next day, agreeing to meet at 10 AM in the lobby of the art museum.  All too soon their time was up and class began.

"All right," Andrew started.  "So we've been in session for three weeks now which means your first book report is due Monday.  If you're not sure what to do, I have some samples of formats you can use that I'm passing around now.  On Monday, I'll ask each of you to say a few words about the book you read.  Just something to give everyone an idea of whether or not it's something they might want to read, too.  Any questions?  Yes, Jasmine?"

"Does it have to be a certain number of words?  The written report, I mean."

"No.  But it has to be enough to let me know you really read the book.  Anyone else?  Brie?"

"If on Monday someone reads a report and that book sounds really good so then we read it, can we do a report next time on that book or not?"

Andrew smiled.  "If someone gets you that excited about a book then I think it would be great for them to know that.  Sure.  You can do another report on it.  Any other questions?  No?  Okay.  So today we're going to look at some examples of first person narrative.  Does anyone have any favorite books, stories, or poems written in first person?"

"Twilight!" Sierra shouted.

Andrew had to keep from smirking when he saw JenniAnn dramatically shaking on the stage with her boxes.  "That's right."

"The Hunger Games," Morgan added.

"Never Let Me Go," Brie offered.

Andrew was taken aback that a fourteen year old would have read that.  JenniAnn had gotten a hold of it at twenty seven and been so traumatized that it had taken him two weeks to assure her that he was absolutely positive no one was farming clones for organs.  "Uh yeah.  Definitely.  Great example."

On stage helping JenniAnn, Kemara was muttering.  "Please don't let anyone say..."

Alyssa piped up, sitting straight up in her chair with a smarmy grin.  "Fifty Shades of Gray." 

Several of the girls in the class giggled nervously.

"What is that about, anyway?  I've seen it all over stores but when I asked Andrew he..." Violeta gestured to the front of the classroom.  "He looked like that."

Grimacing, JenniAnn saw that Andrew was turning several shades of red.  "It's a very adult book with horrid messages about romance and sex and gender, Violeta."

"Oh."  The young angel blinked.  "But why would anyone read that?"

Kemara patted her hand.  "God love you."

"I, uh, haven't read..." Andrew mumbled.  "Really, I don't think anyone in this class is old enough to have..."

"I have," Alyssa interrupted.  "Maybe I could write a report about..."

Andrew shook his head.  "No.  Do your report on the book I approved that first week."

"Well, maybe for the next one..."

"Jane Eyre.  It's written in first person."  Ivy smiled gently at her teacher, hoping to save him. 

Grateful, Andrew returned the smile and nodded.  "Exactly.  Jane narrates that.  And, actually, we're going to read an excerpt of that novel and some others.  And we're going to do that... right now."  Andrew grabbed the notes he'd taken then motioned for his helpers. 

JenniAnn, Kemara, and Violeta quickly joined Andrew, eager to get the class refocused.

Andrew smiled at them as he passed out the scripts.  "Great.  So the four of us are going to read some examples of first person narrative along with the same part rewritten in third person.  Then we'll discuss the difference.  Ms. Chandler, could you start us off with the Jane Eyre passage as written?"

"Sure," JenniAnn agreed.  "'Gentle reader, may you never feel what I then felt!  May your eyes never shed such stormy, scalding, heart-wrung tears as poured from mine.  May you never appeal to Heaven in prayers so hopeless and so agonised as in that hour left my lips; for never may you, like me, dread to be the instrument of evil to what you wholly love.'"

As she heard the words, a pang of dread filled Ivy.  She began to worry that, in trying to help Andrew, she might have targeted Alyssa against him.  She swiveled around to face the girl and was terrified when she saw her vindictive smile... but at least it was fixed on her and not the teacher.


After the class was over and the girls had all left, JenniAnn approached Andrew and hugged him.  "I wanted to earlier but, well... that probably wouldn't have helped matters."

"Do you think Alyssa's really read that?" Andrew questioned, still appalled by the idea.

"No idea.  It's possible.  But then I also think she's the type just to say she had in order to get a rise.  If it helps, I've never read one word of it and I still knew it was first person just from all the parody readings on the Internet.  Same for Kemara.  So... she very well could have known it from that."

"I just hope it doesn't make things worse for Ivy since... well, she helped me out of that."  The angel smiled fondly.

"Andrew, even if Alyssa does act up... she's seemingly never needed much reason for it.  You won't be the reason.  And now there's Ivy's Village to contend with," JenniAnn reminded.

Andrew's smile grew as his eyes lit up, remembering Carrie's and Kevin's resolve.  "This is true."

"So... I was thinking I'd swing by Bennie's room really quick?  Just cause... I don't want that hanging over me all weekend."  Looking to where Kemara was giving Violeta tips on writing her article, JenniAnn smiled.  "I want to just enjoy tomorrow with all of you and Ivy at the Joslyn.  So if it's okay, I'll go do that now."

Andrew sighed, gliding his hand over her hair.  He really wished Bennie would have that conversation with JenniAnn in full view of him but they were both adults and it wasn't really his business.  He nodded.  "Sure.  I hope it goes well... I'll be praying it goes well."

"Me too."  JenniAnn clasped his hand in hers for a moment then exited the room.  She was halfway to the gym when she saw Bennie walking towards her. 

"Hi JenniAnn," Bennie greeted.

"Hi Bennie."  JenniAnn nervously twisted her Claddagh ring.  "Andrew said you wanted to talk to me."

The woman nodded and stared down at the linoleum.  "Listen...  Seeing you and Andrew around..."  Bennie's eyes welled.  "Well, it's made me miss what we once had.  The friendship, the fun, the banter, and the late night philosophical talks..."

The machines beeped mechanically and rhythmically, sending a constant stream of information to the nurse's station.  There were lights and displays that blinked and changed at intervals.  Otherwise, the room was still and silent and its only occupant an unconscious, badly bruised girl with her left leg in a cast and her arms bandaged.  At least that's what anyone wandering into the room to check on the patient would have seen.  But just beyond the veil that separated Earth and eternity, a man sat in the chair beside Ivy, gently stroking her hand.  It was not the first time they had been in this hospital together.

Joshua peered lovingly at Ivy, remembering the wail she'd let out as Francesca had ushered her into the world.  He recalled how later that night, while Francesca was enjoying a well-deserved nap and the nurses and doctors were otherwise engaged, he'd returned to their room and held the baby.  It was his way, something he always did.  But it was always special.  It would be one of the last times most of them would see him until they came Home.