The Broad Way (The Two Gates) Page 7
After drying his sweaty palms on the arms of the chair, Mal picked up the phone again.
"Hello, Belle? Are you free to meet my parents on Saturday? And I have to explain to them about becoming a Christian as well."
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Zisa was laughing. AJ was so gullible. AJ was certainly no more evolved than anyone else, but flattery was a very effective tool. And while Zisa had promised AJ a life of power, success, and wealth, she had not promised her a life that was long.
"A life that is just long enough to accomplish my purpose. Then the fun begins," Zisa gloated maliciously.
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Cabire was gleefully roaming through the cities of the US. The discontent, the angry, those already comfortable with evil, were everywhere. He really only had to choose who he wanted to work with and how.
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Raphael was sympathetic to Mal’s thoughts. He did not understand why humans were so slow to grasp the truth about the Most High God. Raphael knew that he had seen God face to face, so there was no element of faith in him believing. But he also knew that one third of the other celestial beings had also seen God face to face, and still rebelled against him. And that was the problem with humans as well. Somewhere in their conscience they knew the Bible was true, but they chose to rebel.
"But," thought Raphael, "There still may be time for Mal's family. Zisa is a strong adversary, but at least they pulled Cabiri off the case. Maybe part of the family at least can be persuaded.
Chapter 11
Ann (AJ)
AJ was full of excitement the next morning. And Zisa had been correct when she had told her (AJ) that she would wake up feeling like she had just had the best night's sleep of her life. AJ was full of energy. She wanted to do something. She wanted life to hurry up and get to the good stuff.
"I should have asked her when I would be powerful and wealthy." AJ thought remorsefully. "Oh well, I can do that tonight. But I wonder if I will talk to her tonight? What if she doesn't come every night? "
AJ decided to take it one step at a time. "Hmmm," she mused. "What is a good way to spend the rest of the summer? What is going to be useful to me in the future? It sounds pretty boring, but I suppose I could do something volunteer in a place that would get me noticed by some of the more influential people in town. Thankfully that rules out volunteering with underprivileged children or anything like that. The hospital is pretty bad too. I would probably get assigned to really sick people or something. I think something in administration somewhere would be ok. Something legal or political. I'll have to think about that."
AJ's thoughts were interrupted by her mother's voice.
"Ann," Shelly called. "Mal is coming for supper, and he is bringing someone he wants us to meet."
Shelly thought it best to just let Mal tell everyone else that he was now a Christian and planned to actually get baptized. He might get side tracked when he introduced Belle to the family. Maybe the other would just go away.
"Oh, Great," AJ thought silently. "That's nice mom," she said aloud. "I'll be right down. I have to tell you something important."
AJ went down stairs still in her pajamas and robe. It was quite elegant, and AJ liked to wear the set, so she was getting dressed about two hours later than she had before her wardrobe had been updated. She got right to the point with her mother.
"Mom, who's idea was it to name me 'Ann'? Yours or dad's?"
"I really don't remember honey," Shelly answered. "Why? Does it matter now?"
"I guess not, but it is a very plain and common name. So I am not going to use it anymore."
"Well, won't that be a little hard, since you don't have a middle name to go by?" Shelly asked.
"No, because I am going by my initials. AJ is what I want you and everyone else to call me now. Initial's are cool and it uncommon to go by them."
"Fine dear, whatever you say. If it will make you happy, that's fine with me. Have you told your father?"
"No, but dad will understand. Is he in the den or has he already left for his golf game?"
"He's still here. I think he has a 10:30 appointment. You can catch him if you hurry."
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AJ caught Frederick just as he was leaving. She quickly told him about her decision to have people call her AJ instead of Ann. He was fine with it, just as she knew he would be.
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Frederick left the house quickly. His golf game was his main interest at the moment. Nothing, including Ann's sudden interest in a being called AJ was going to distract him. And Malachi bringing home a girl friend wasn't that big of a deal. He would probably bring home a lot more before he actually settled down.
Malachi
Mal was as close to nervous as he ever got. His personality was pretty laid back, calm, and most of the time he was unexcitable. These qualities coupled with his good sense of humor, and warm smile, had made him a very likeable person. Life was usually easy for Mal. But he knew how temperamental his father could be. And Mal had two major things to tell him. He just didn't know really what to expect.
He picked Belle up just after lunch and headed for home.
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Shelly was ready for company. She had prepared a very nice meal, suitable for summer weather, but still filling. She had paid particular attention to her hair, makeup and clothes. Shelly was pretty excited. Meeting Mal's girlfriend was something she was looking forward too. Her concern was how Frederick would react to the news about Mal becoming a Christian. And it was a small worry about he would react to Belle. After all, the girl was not anyone they had ever heard of. Maybe she would have money. That would make it ok with Frederick. He thought marriage should 'bring something to the table' besides love and good looks. That meant he wanted both their children to marry either money or position, and he was hoping for both.
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Malachi arrived a little early. He and Belle went in through the back door, hoping to find his mother first. Shelly was in the dining room putting a few finishing touches on the table setting.
"Mom, this is Belle," Mal said happily.
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Observing the introduction, both Zisa and Cabiri immediately projected an atmosphere of tension into the house. Mal and Belle were their eternal enemies now, and they wanted to be sure the rest of the family came down on their side.
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Raphael, seeing the aggressive behavior of Cabiri and Zisa stepped in to prevent any actual contact. Raphael knew he would eventually be on the winning side of the war, but he did not know the outcome of the battle before him now. He hoped the three undecided family members would come into the fold. He would do what he could to see that they were undistracted by the presence of the evil ones.
Chapter 12
AJ
AJ's immediate impression of Belle was 'what a loser'; 'where did he pick her up - the zoo?" Her next thought was "she really could be 'Most Common' - hope she has money or some powerful relative or friends."
Shelly's first impression was "What a lovely young lady." Her second thought was, "Oh my, those lovely brown eyes, they just glow when she looks at Mal. I don't think I ever looked at Frederick like that."
Frederick thought, "Well, not bad for a first try. Hope he doesn't hang onto her for too long though. I don't sense any authority or power about her. I hope this meeting is over fast."
There was time for small talk before dinner. Shelly had some nice appetizers for snacks and a large pitcher of tea to drink. Alcohol would be served if asked for by Frederick, but otherwise it would be a sober evening.
Frederick noticed he had not been offered a drink before dinner a
nd guessed that their guest must either not drink, or worse, be under age. Sighing inwardly, he set his jaw to endure a boring evening with what seemed boring company.
Malachi
Mal knew immediately that their evening was setting out as an evening of tension instead of an evening of beginnings. He tried a few jokes, but they fell flat. Even Shelly didn't get them, and his mom usually had a great sense of humor.
"I guess they know I have something to tell them. Maybe if I just blurt it out, things will loosen up," Mal thought.
"Um, mom, dad, I have a couple of things to tell you."
"Well, you can just wait a minute Mal," AJ interrupted. "I have something to tell you.
"What? OK - well. You first." Mal said to his sister.
"From now on I do not want to be called Ann anymore. I want you to call me by my initials - AJ. That is my new and permanent name."
"Well, alright, yes. If that's what you want." Mal said. He tried to keep a questioning tone out of his voice, but he thought, "What's her problem now?"
The room was silent a full minute.
Shelly finally broke the awkward silence and said, "Mal, didn't you have something to say as well?"
"Yes. Mom, Dad, AJ, I have two very important things to tell you.
First, Belle and I are pretty much engaged. And Second, I have become a Christian and I am getting baptized on Sunday. You are invited."
"Baptized?" Frederick said in a strained voice? "Engaged? What are you talking about. Have you joined some cult or something? Why would you want to do either of things, and in such a hurry, too. She's not pregnant is she?"
Completely taken by surprise by Frederick's reaction, Mal's jaw dropped. He stared at his father in disbelief. Then he turned toward his mother with an apologetic look on his face.
"Mom, you know I can't let that pass without saying something. Dad, I have seen you behave rudely on many occasions, but this takes the cake. Because you are my dad, I will try one more time to tell you what is going on in my life. Then you will have the chance to apologize to Belle."
"Save your breath Mal. You are behaving like a stupid school boy. I am not apologizing for anything. And that means I don't have to sit through a boring evening with boring company. Good grief. Why don't you grow up."
AJ was surprised at the delight she felt when Frederick was yelling at Mal. She had always enjoyed watching her brother get in trouble, but this was the best ever. She said, "I think I will go with dad. Dad, how about running out for a burger somewhere. The Bible thumpers and mom can have the house for the evening."
Frederick nodded and he and AJ walked out of the house.
Shelly was speechless. She had no idea of where to begin.
Mal was humiliated beyond anything he could ever remember happening in the past.
"Mom," he said tentatively. "I don't know what to do. I guess we better leave. I'll call you later.'
"Wait Mal," Belle interrupted. "I don't know what just happened, or why it happened. But I would be so happy if I could talk to my mom under any circumstances for just a minute. If they are gone for the evening, maybe we could stay a few minutes and at least make sure your mother is ok."
Shelly looked at Belle gratefully. Let's go into another room. It just seems to 'stuffy' in here or something. Funny, I usually like this room."
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Wow! Like father, like daughter," Zisa laughed wickedly. I wonder why he was never recruited before?
"He has been a recruit of ours for years." Cabiri replied. "We just wanted him very well set in his ways before we actually used him for anything."
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Sickened by their display, Raphael watched Frederick and AJ leave the house. With their departure the ominous presence left as well. Watching Belle speak reminded Raphael of Belle's mother.
"Like mother, like daughter," He said to himself. "Belle's mother would have been proud of her daughter today."
Chapter 13
AJ
AJ and Frederick had felt really good about letting Mal know immediately that they were not interested in anything he had to say. By the middle of the next week, they were still completely comfortable with their decision to ignore anything to do with Mal's new found faith and his common little girl friend. AJ thought it would serve him right if he did marry her, have a couple of kids, and have to spend his trust fund paying child support and alimony. She did hope he got a new vehicle before that happened because it was embarrassing to have a brother driving that old pick up. She guessed he would have to get a mini van or something. AJ shuddered at the thought.
Frederick, while equally content with the way they had behaved when Mal and Belle visited, was thinking along different lines.
"How much would it take to pay her off?" He mused. She was obviously after Mal for his money. There was just no way around it. Mal was too stupid to keep his money a secret. And people with money attracted people who wanted money. "After all," he thought without the least bit of guilt, "that is what first attracted me to Shelly. She looked ok and she was even nice. But, truthfully, it was her money."
"I will have to talk to Shelly about it," he thought. Frederick was usually pretty straight forward with Shelly about money. He was certain there was no way he could gain control of her trust fund. But he was equally certain Shelly would let him do as he pleased within the bounds the trust allowed. He just didn't know whether to try to buy Belle off outright or threaten to cut off Mal's income if he didn't straighten up.
Shelly was also thinking about Mal the next week. There was no way she could attend his Baptism service without really causing a fight at home. The service would probably make her uncomfortable anyway.
Shelly also knew Frederick was going to try to break up Mal and Belle. And, it was probably Belle's fault that Mal was involved with getting baptized anyway. Never the less, Shelly could not forget how Belle had looked at Mal. It was nothing short of 'adoring'.
Shelly was not sure if she approved or not, but she was resolved not to interfere in anyway. That Frederick was going to try something was certain. Shelly guessed it would be either through attempting to buy Belle off, or manipulate Mal in some way. The only way he could really manipulate Mal was cut off his allowance, and that really was not an option. Shelly had set up a fund for both kids when they were born, and Mal was already in charge of his trust fund. Since it was solely her money to begin with, she had kept sole charge of the fund. She had not bothered to tell Frederick that Mal was in charge of the fund now. She had planned to wait a while with AJ because she just didn't seem as stable as Mal. So it would stand fully on Belle. She either would or would not accept Frederick's attempt to pay her to get out of Mal's life. Shelly wondered what he would offer the girl.
Malachi
Mal was baptized on Sunday just as planned. The pastor carefully explained to the congregation that baptism would not save Mal, but that baptism was the way for a new convert to proclaim to the world that he had become a believer in Jesus Christ as the way of salvation.
Mal was disappointed that no family member was present for the service. He wanted them present for two reasons. First, he wanted them to hear the gospel. And second, it just would have been nice to have them present.
"The first time I make a really big decision, and I get no family support," he had thought sadly to himself. But then he remembered Belle and Amelia were there. And the pastor was there not only in the official capacity, but as a new friend. Plus, without Frederick and AJ there, Mal didn't have to worry about what they would say or do. Attitude counted too. Whether they had said or done anything wrong, he doubted they could have kept up the appearance of civility.
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"It's a good thing you kept Mal's family from that service," Cabiri said to Zisa. "I am certain that AJ and Frederick belong to us, but Shelly is another story. What do you have in mind
to secure her soul?"
"I really don't know for sure," Zisa answered. "She already believes that all you have to do to get into heaven is be 'good enough'. So hope to manipulate a few situations to let her 'do good' to reinforce that idea. You know how human's love the feeling that goes with doing good. And I was hoping you might send a few re-enforcements to assist. I want to do something to sway her toward that 'everyone is going the same place' or 'all roads lead to heaven'. Anything to keep her from the idea that there is one way to paradise. But over all, I think her weak point will be that she doesn't want to admit no one can be good enough to reach God."
"That's right. I think that will be her weak point too. Just focus on how good she feels when she does something good, and make her think that means God is with her.
"Ok, but what about some help here?" Zisa asked.
"What about it? Can't you do anything by yourself?" he asked sarcastically. "Actually, this really too important to trust to you alone. I will see what can be done. It is probably as simple as getting her husband to pay her a few compliments.”
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Raphael was joyful. Mal was not only born again, he had publicly stated his faith, been baptized, and was openly committed to actually applying the teachings in the Bible to his daily life. And, Mal had brought a great many smiles not only to Belle, but also to Amelia. Raphael had watched over the girls after the death of their parents. He had seen their sorrow. He watched them become more mature in the faith, and behave in a way he knew would have pleased their parents under the circumstances. But it had broken his heart to watch them go through the grief. Now they were both smiling.