“Hey, you remember that time in Hawai’i when you went into prophet-mode at that church?”
“That Filipino one? Oh wow, yea, that was adventure day!” ~laughs~ “If I had found a church like that when I got back to the mainland, I’d probably still be Christian.”
“You got plugged into Jehovah straight, ya? No attending angel?”
“There might have been one. But when I look back on that day knowing what I know now, it was just me and the voice in my head. And the fire that covered me without burning. I saw no angels that day.”
“You sound sad? I thought you and Jehovah’s krew don’t mix.”
“That day was different. That day I got what I thought I wanted and found it good. That day there was no judgment, no shaming, no threats. The adults were talking and it was good. If there was an angel… and now that you say something, there had to be. Human plugged into Jehovah juice without some sort of limiter usually equals barbequed ape. If there was an angel, they stayed out of my sight. But then again, once the fire started flowing, I was caught fast. All I saw was impenetrable light … Why do you ask?”
“Curiosity.”
“Careful. Curiosity has been the downfall of man and god many times!”
“Haha. Yea. Tell me, what would you say to that angel now? I mean, you have a bounty on your head now.”
“Seriously? About the question, I mean. Already knew about the bounty. I would tell them ‘Thank you.’ Yea, it was just their job, but my nature didn’t exactly make it easy. The woman got what she needed to hear, and the look on the teen’s face still makes me laugh. Good folk trying to live a good life and got the boost they needed. Nothing that day was about me. It was for them. And the angel that stood between me and utter destruction should be thanked. Because ke did kir job quite well.”
“Ever think that angel would have words for you? Sounds like he was pretty close to you to do that effectively.”
“In light of all that happened? Nah. I was never one of Jehovah’s. That was settled a couple decades prior when my skull was cracked. He had nothing to do with my return, and lost any claim then. Only one Jehovian angel has been neutral to me. And that’s because he was from the messenger division.” ~laughter~ “I would imagine that angel would be upset that my talents no longer serve kir boss!”
“…”
“What do you think? You know about that day, and in better understanding than most. Were you there? Did you see the flame?”
“… I think… I think that angel would be glad to know you survived that day without adding more scars. I think that angel would rather your soul be healed than be chained to a god that hates you for existing the way you do. I think that angel may have been a little in awe of you because of what you could do, and what you’ve been through, and yet you still can smile and laugh. I think that angel… I think I’m thinking too much now. Thank you for humoring me. I better go. Mahalo.”
“Hey, next time you wan’ talk story, you come here any time, eh! Maybe bring spam musubi, or anything from Zippy’s. Hey. Where did… you… go… Oh. Did not my soul burn with fire this whole time? And why did I not see it? … Mahalo. … Aloha.” ~wipes tears~ “Thank you.”