Chapter 1
Jessie
sat quietly on a secluded cloud where she could think alone. She watched her
friends below and yearned to join them. It didn't seem possible that only a
week ago she had been with them to a party having the time of her life. Her life...
that was another thing she yearned to have back. She had been dancing the night
away at a club her friend managed but the next thing she knew she was watching
her family surround her in a hospital bed, only she wasn't in the bed. She was
actually in a corner of the room watching, but she soon realized that no one
could see she was there. None of this really came as a shock to anyone They all
knew her heart problems would get the best of her sooner or later, but she had
hoped that she could last up until her twenty-third birthday.
Now,
she was an angel. To be specific an angel in waiting. She was waiting for her
first assignment to help her earn her halo. She took a deep breath and sighed.
She was in no hurry to earn it. She was content wallowing in self-pity for now
and intended to do so for as long as possible. A noise startled her and she
turned around to see a familiar figure approaching.
"Jerald? I didn't expect to see you here,” she said.
He smiled and sat next to her. Jerald was one of the men over
the angels in training. It was his responsibility to watch over all of them.
Jessie had grown very close to him in the week she had been there. He knew from
the start that she wouldn't befriend any of the others her own age and he had
sheltered her like a daughter.
"I need to talk to you, Jessie,” he stated calmly.
"What about?" she asked. He hesitated and then
continued.
"I have your assignment,” he said.
"What? Already? But...it's only been 7 days!" she
gasped.
"The Lord works in mysterious ways." Jerald
replied. "Look, if you have to, think of it as more of a personal
favor."
"Favor? I can't believe this." she sighed.
"Please Jessie, give this a chance," he begged. She
felt the urgency in his voice and shrugged.
"Okay. Show me." She closed her eyes and the image
of a young man, in his mid-twenties appeared in her mind. He had sandy blond
hair that curled at the ends and deep blue eyes. He would have been a sight for
sore eyes were he not curled up in a corner with tearstained cheeks.
"What's wrong with him?" she asked, keeping her
eyes closed so as not to loose sight of him.
"He's having heart problems. He's already been through
one surgery and I'm not sure he has the energy or the strength to survive
another one on his own."
"Jerald, I don't know." She said flatly.
"Jessie, please. You know what he's going through.
You've been there." he pleaded.
"Exactly." she said. "Why would I want to
bring back those terrible memories? I do everything in my power to forget them.
Besides, why are you acting so personal about this?" she demanded, looking
at him now.
"It is personal." Jerald sighed. "Close your
eyes again."
Jessie did as she was told and saw another young man enter
the room. He had black hair and paralyzing green eyes. He kneeled down next to
the other.
"Do you see that second young man?" Jerald asked.
Jessie nodded, eyes still closed tight. "That's my son, Kevin."
Jerald said.
"Your son?" Jessie gasped.
"Uh-huh." Jerald sighed. "The one crying on
the floor is my nephew, Brian."
"Jerald, I had no idea." she apologized.
"I know Jessie, that's why I chose you."
"I...I don't understand." she said.
"You see Jessie, they are 2 of 5 members in a singing
group called the Backstreet Boys." he explained. "This situation had
to be dealt with extremely cautiously by someone who can learn to appreciate
Brian for who he is and not what he is. He needs to learn that for himself
right now."
"I knew he seemed familiar." she replied.
"What do I have to do?"
"You somehow have to convince him that he has to survive
this next stay in the hospital."
"Jerald, look, we both know that the Boss is in charge
of that area,” she said.
"It's not his time to go yet." Jerald replied.
"There is so much more he needs to accomplish in life, people only he can
touch,” he explained.
"That doesn't sound so bad. Who wouldn't want to live
for that kind of lifestyle?" she said.
"Jessie, you don't understand the half of it. Brian has
struggled with his health since he was a toddler. He was so sure that the last
surgery corrected his heart defect. He is going to be completely crushed when
he has more problems. I'm afraid his confidence is shot. I'm afraid he's going
to give up." Jerald sighed.
"Wow, what makes you think he'll listen to me?"
she asked.
"Just be there for him, hold his hand. You're the only
hope left."
"How will he see me? I'm new to this."
"You can make yourself visible to him. No one else will
know you're around. It has to be that way." Jerald said. "I'm
counting on you, Jessie, and though they may not know it, the rest of the Boys
are too, and so are millions of fans."