The Rustle of Leaves by Nat Burns

Author:Nat Burns [Nat Burns]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781942976554
Publisher: Desert Palm Press
Published: 2017-10-18T03:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

BATHSHEBA LOOKED AT MOTHER incredulously. “I honestly don’t know. I left before the service completely finished.”

Mother crossed her arms and sent Bathsheba waves of psychic disapproval. Angels were supposed to get to know their beloveds so that they can be sent on properly.

“Not the way, not the way,” Danny muttered, as he stepped from foot to foot behind Mother.

Danny reached and took Bathsheba’s hand, but she shook off his grasp. He whimpered quietly.

“He was really sick, even on oxygen,” she said, closely studying the warped wooden floorboards of the Lawrence house. As an angel, she dreaded Mother’s disapproval. “And I guess I got caught up in the moment. It was a beautiful service.”

Mother looked askance at Danny but spoke to Bathsheba. “He could have fallen and been hurt. We don’t treat our beloved ones that way.” She sighed and let her arms drop to her sides. Slowly, she moved forward and embraced Bathsheba. “There, there, Angel. I know you didn’t mean the gentleman any harm. We will hope he passed quietly there where he sat and that there were many there to honor his departure.”

Bathsheba pulled back and lifted haunted dark eyes to Mother. “I should have stayed there until he left, shouldn’t I?”

Mother nodded grimly but took Bathsheba’s hand in comfort. “You did the right thing, leaving him there, in this instance. It wouldn’t do for the unbelievers to know about you, about us. So, it was the right decision. Next time, as I’ve taught you, make sure to be alone, and let another angel know so that the beloved can be properly honored and sent on their way.”

Bathsheba hung her head even farther. “Yes, Mother. I promise to better honor our beloved in the future.”

Mother forced a smile and lifted Bathsheba’s head by cupping her chin. She looked into the other woman’s eyes. “I know you will, precious angel. I have no doubt.”

Bathsheba grinned in response and shivered as though in pleasure. Danny moved close, and the three wrapped their arms about one another and fell silent for a long time.

The slap of the screen door pulled Mother away, and she saw Debra enter, laptop in hand.

“Debra!” Danny said, acknowledging her presence. “Happy Halloween!”

“Hello, Danny, happy Halloween back to you.” Debra placed the laptop on the kitchen table. She turned to Mother and the other angels. She looked rough, her blond hair unwashed and dark, bruise-like circles below each eye. Mother noted this, narrowing her eyes and seeking information. There was something about her mother again. Mother sighed. Poor, dear Debra. She had it rough at home.

“Hello, Angel,” she said embracing Debra and pulling back to look deeply into her eyes. As expected, Debra smiled happily, and her countenance much improved.

“So, who is it?” she asked, turning away to open the lid of the laptop.

Mother pressed her lips together. “We don’t know who he is,” she admitted.

Debra slowly lowered the lid of the computer and glanced around the room, eyes landing on an embarrassed Bathsheba. “Ah, it’s that way again.

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