Choosing Soul Wars Trilogy Book One

Malachi

  Mal knew immediately that their evening was setting out as an evening of tension instead of an evening of beginnings. He tried a few jokes, but they fell flat. Even Shelly didn't get them, and his mom usually had a great sense of humor.

  "I guess they know I have something to tell them. Maybe if I just blurt it out, things will loosen up," Mal thought.

  "Um, mom, dad, I have a couple of things to tell you."

  "Well, you can just wait a minute Mal," AJ interrupted. "I have something to tell you.

  "What? OK - well. You first." Mal said to his sister.

  "From now on I do not want to be called Ann anymore. I want you to call me by my initials - AJ. That is my new and permanent name. "

  "Well, alright, yes. If that's what you want." Mal said. He tried to keep a questioning tone out of his voice, but he thought, "What's her problem now?"

  The room was silent a full minute.

  Shelly finally broke the awkward silence and said, "Mal, didn't you have something to say as well?"

  "Yes. Mom, Dad, AJ, I have two very important things to tell you.

  First, Belle and I are pretty much engaged. And Second, I have become a Christian and I am getting baptized on Sunday. You are invited."

  "Baptized?" Frederick said in a strained voice? "Engaged? What are you talking about. Have you joined some cult or something? Why would you want to do either of things, and in such a hurry, too. She's not pregnant is she?"

  Completely taken by surprise by Frederick's reaction, Mal's jaw dropped. He stared at his father in disbelief. Then he turned toward his mother with an apologetic look on his face.

  "Mom, you know I can't let that pass without saying something. Dad, I have seen you behave rudely on many occasions, but this takes the cake. Because you are my dad, I will try one more time to tell you what is going on in my life. Then you will have the chance to apologize to Belle."

  "Save your breath Mal. You are behaving like a stupid school boy. I am not apologizing for anything. And that means I don't have to sit through a boring evening with boring company. Good grief. Why don't you grow up."

  AJ was surprised at the delight she felt when Frederick was yelling at Mal. She had always enjoyed watching her brother get in trouble, but this was the best ever. She said, "I think I will go with dad. Dad, how about running out for a burger somewhere. The Bible thumpers and mom can have the house for the evening."

  Frederick nodded and he and AJ walked out of the house.

  Shelly was speechless. She had no idea of where to begin.

  Mal was humiliated beyond anything he could ever remember happening in the past.

  "Mom," he said tentatively. "I don't know what to do. I guess we better leave. I'll call you later.'

  "Wait Mal," Belle interrupted. "I don't know what just happened, or why it happened. But I would be so happy if I could talk to my mom under any circumstances for just a minute. If they are gone for the evening, maybe we could stay a few minutes and at least make sure your mother is ok."

  Shelly looked at Belle gratefully. Let's go into another room. It just seems to 'stuffy' in here or something. Funny, I usually like this room."

  Angels of Darkness

  Wow! Like father, like daughter," Zisa laughed wickedly. I wonder why he was never recruited before?

  "He has been a recruit of ours for years." Cabiri replied. "We just wanted him very well set in his ways before we actually used him for anything."

  Angels of Light

  Sickened by their display, Raphael watched Frederick and AJ leave the house. With their departure the ominous presence left as well. Watching Belle speak reminded Raphael of Belle's mother.

  "Like mother, like daughter," He said to himself. "Belle's mother would have been proud of her daughter today."