Chapter 14
AJ
AJ was a little puzzled. She knew she wanted to take a 'giant step forward' in her career, but she didn't even know for sure what her career was actually going to be.
"Zisa, what should I do? What is really going to put me on the fast track to a successful future with lots of public recognition?"
AJ wasn't exactly praying, at least she didn't think so. She just knew Zisa would sometimes give her ideas. It was better if she said things out loud. Zisa didn't seem to know her every thought.
AJ sat quietly meditating on her future. She occasionally spoke softly but audibly.
After about an hour, AJ's seemed to have two idea's at the same time. First, she thought it would be a good idea to take some dual credit classes in school. That would allow her to start college with quite a few classes already done. For some reason, she didn't think college was going to be a fun or profitable way of life for her. The idea just stuck here to get it over as quickly as possible.
Second, she was going to volunteer to help with the re-election of a state senator. Actually, AJ thought he was cute. He was too old for her of course being in his mid-thirties. But he was a nice looking man. He was openly 'inclusive' in his religious outlook too. He openly criticized any religion that claimed an exclusive way into heaven. His name was Mitchell Farmer.
Never being one to put off doing something once a decision had been made. AJ moved from her meditation position and went to the phone. First she called the high school counselor and asked to have her fall schedule adjusted to contain as many dual credit classes as her academic standing would allow. She was careful to mention that her father, a major contributor to school activities and policies, would probably visit the office to be certain everything was properly done. Next she called the local campaign office and offered to volunteer.
AJ was certain her father would be able to make sure she connected to the right people at the campaign. She wasn't really interested in passing out campaign flyers. She wanted to meet the man she was going to help get elected, and she wanted her picture in the paper standing beside him.
Malachi
Mal was a new man. He really was. He was born again, and he was in love. He didn't know how life could get any better. He was meeting Belle for lunch at one of her favorite reasonably priced restaurants. It was just a little bit embarrassing to him that she occasionally would only order an appetizer or something instead of a full meal. But she insisted that it was wasteful to order more than she really wanted to eat. If she did order more than she could eat, she would get a take-out box. He could not remember his parents ever doing either. But he was willing to get used to it. He admitted that he didn't have a clue about frugal living. He had never had to learn it, and he wasn't naturally inclined to frugal living. Today she had something to talk to him about. He wasn't worried because she had told him not to worry. "It is important," she had said, "And we have to talk about it. But it isn't something I think is really going to be a problem." So Mal was really just curious.
They met at the door of the restaurant and walked in together.
"Ok Belle, what's up?" Mal asked questioningly.
"It isn't really anything that big. I already told you that when we get married, Amelia will be living with us. But I haven't told you the entire story."
"She isn't sick or something is she?" Mal asked quickly, genuine concern in his voice. "I know she will never fully recover from the broken bones, but is there something else?" Mal didn't want Belle to suffer the loss of another family member, but he also had grown fond of Amelia just for her sake.
"Sort of. But don't get hysterical or anything. It isn't that bad. Amelia has sort of a new disease called Fibromyalgia. Have you ever heard of it?"
"No, what is it, something sort of like West Nile Virus or something? Did she get traveling out of the country?" Mal asked
"It isn't anything like that. It is like arthritis of the muscles or something."
"So she doesn't need another expensive operation?"
"No, it's nothing like that. Actually, Amelia is very young to have it. She was probably predisposed to having it, but the accident may have brought it on sooner. It just means she has a lot of pain. She manages it quite well, but there isn't any known cure for it, and treatment is really just taking care of herself, swallowing a lot of nutritional supplements and things like that. Because of the accident when our parents were killed she is in physical therapy. They work on her muscles too."
"So what does this mean? What does it mean to us? Do you have it?"
"It doesn't mean anything to us except that sometimes I have to make an accommodation for her health. She doesn't complain so I watch how she is doing. If she starts to appear overly tired, I try to compensate for her. You would have to do the same thing. That's all there is to it."
"I can do that." Mal said. "So far I have had to make accommodations if dad was grumpy, if AJ was moody, and if mom was bawling because dad and AJ were being difficult."
"Well, I didn't want to make a really big deal out of it. But with Amelia trying to get finished with high school, she is over doing it somewhat. So I am trying to make sure she gets enough rest without making her feel like a really sick person. A lot of her friends sort of disappeared after the accident. She was in the hospital quite a while, and she has had several surgeries on her legs, which took her out of school again. She really is a good student or she would not have been able to make up all the work she missed."
Mal grinned broadly. "Belle, I just realized, you said 'when we get married,' not 'if we get married'. Does that mean we are officially engaged. Can I tell everyone now?"
"That is exactly what it means."
"Boy," Mal thought silently, "I hope I get a better reaction from my friends than I did from my family." Out loud Mal said, "Can we go shopping for a ring now? Who gets to pick it out?"
"I guess we better go together so I can keep you from spending the equivalent to a down payment on a house. But you can pick it out within certain limits."
"OK, how about tomorrow?"
"You're on. In fact, I can't wait. I love you."
Angels of Darkness
"Cabiri, I have AJ on the path to early graduation from college, and an 'alliance' with Mitchell Farmer."
"Zisa, you know she can't have an affair with a married man. She is underage right now too."
"I know all that. She likes him. He likes young women. This year they will just form a 'lasting friendship'. Mitch is pretty careful about underage girls since his wife found out about the last one. She likes the political life. She is just holding it over his head so he can't divorce her for a younger woman."
"What do you have in mind?" Cabiri asked.
"I am not sure yet, Zisa answered. "I want him safely tied to his wife for the next 5 or 6 years. AJ will work on every campaign and maybe a few trips to the capital as in intern or something. Then I am thinking a fatal illness for his wife. If that can't be arranged, maybe an accident. An opportunity will present itself if we all remain vigilant. I hope you are working on getting me more help. You know I need it."
"We will see. In the mean time, do what you can do." Cabiri replied. Cabiri liked Zisa's ideas, but he didn't want to give her too much help. He didn't want her to look too good. He deserved the glory. And he hated Zisa more than he hated most other creatures.
Angels of Light
"I knew Mal would be willing to adapt to any special needs Amelia has or might develop. I am surprised that Belle decided to officially get engaged. I suppose she has been more lonely than she let on since her parents death," Raphael thought.
"But I am concerned with what sort of trouble Mal's family will come up with. I don't know what can be done with his father and sister. I guess his mother is still up for grabs, but if I know the opposition they will try to reinforce the idea that all she has to do to get to
heaven is be good enough."