chapter 16
Uri was sitting cross-legged on the grass in the park, taking advantage of the meditative state he’d found. He didn’t immediately notice the Boss’s presence next to him. Gradually, a sense of harmony filled his body, and he opened his eyes to see the ultimate spiritual guide sitting cross-legged in front of him. The Boss was wearing a bright orange kimono with white doves woven into the pattern.
Uri looked at Him with a raised eyebrow, once again marveling at His audacity, yet not daring to question. Whatever the Boss wore, He managed to wear it well.
“Uriel.”
“Yes, Father.” Uri bowed his head in deference.
“I have mentioned your retirement. Have you given it thought?”
His head still bowed, Uri managed to ask, his voice a weak croak, “Have I done something to displease you?”
The Boss laughed. “Not at all, my son. You are one of my four winds. I just realize that you may need something more from your existence. That is all.”
“You mean, something more than fulfilling Your heavenly duties? I can’t imagine what else I could possibly need, Sir.” Uri responded, a little shocked at the suggestion.
“You have fulfilled all of your duties, without question, to the highest degree. I’m not at all displeased with you, or your work. I just feel it is time for you to move on. Have you gotten to know your target?”
“Yes, Sir, I have.” Uri swallowed the emotions that welled up when he thought of Heather.
“I can tell you have some feelings for her. Feelings you don’t understand, perhaps?”
“Yes, Sir. I don’t understand them, at all. What is happening to me?”
“I’m giving you free will.”
“Sir?” Uri was hesitant to question, but he honestly didn’t understand. “That’s for the humans, isn’t it?”
“You have a choice to make, Uriel. I sense a weariness in you boys that is almost palpable at times. If you are tired, you make mistakes." This confused Uri. He had felt a weariness from dealing with the same types of humans over the years, arrogant, proud, greedy. The flaws in his targets had frustrated him recently, but he hadn't realized that it had affected his performance. "You can choose to continue to be one of my archangels, delivering my humans the choice of their destinies, or you can choose to become one of them, and fulfill your own destiny.”
“My own destiny?” Uri thought that that's what he'd been doing for centuries.
“Your very own destiny, Uriel. You have the choice. In order to fall to humanity, you must fall in love with Heather.” Uri watched as the Boss leaned back on His hands, waiting patiently for Uri’s decision, a satisfied smile on His face. Uri knew that He already knew which choice he would make, he just wish He'd let him in on it.
“Love?” Uri stifled his indignation. He had watched humans do some pretty stupid things for love, and it sickened him.
“I know you consider love a human weakness, but it’s actually the most beautiful emotion in existence. What do you think separates human from beast?”
“Free will.”
“No. It’s love. The capacity for love is what separates humans from beasts.”
“What do you want me to do, Father?”
“This is your decision to make Uriel. I just want you to be happy.” He reached across and softly tapped Uri’s chest. “These feelings that are confusing you so much, are feelings related to love. Jealousy, anger, confusion, they are all the dark sides of the light. Without darkness, there cannot be light. With love comes something more, that I can’t describe to you. But it will dispel the darkness.”
Uri felt like he’d been slapped. He was speechless.
“Goodbye, Uriel. Know that I love you with the love that surpasses all understanding. Please go in peace and know that I am with you, always.” The Boss disappeared into an ethereal mist that hovered over the ground briefly, before dissipating.
Uri felt as if he’d been abandoned. An unquenchable thirst took over, and he knew without understanding why that he needed to see Heather.