"Guardian Angel" by Jenny L. Morash

Callie's death had come as something of a relief, at least to her. It felt like she'd been ill forever, though in truth it had only been a month or so. The medication she'd been on had left her feeling somewhat numb, and all she seemed to do was sleep. Her only real regret about this dying business was leaving behind her family. Jenny, more than the others, she'd miss; she hadn't even gotten a chance to say goodbye to her.

They'd grown up together, Callie and Jenny. Jenny had been six when her family had decided to adopt Callie, and there'd been an instant attachment. In those halcyon days of youth, they'd played together. Summers had been the best, when they could romp through the green fields of the family's summer home. As years passed, Callie had become Jenny's confidante, the one the girl had cried upon when the troubles of teenage life had gotten her down. Then Jenny had lost her sight, giving Callie even more reason to worry about her. She hadn't gotten to see much of Jenny during the last six months of her life, for she'd been away at a special school for blind students, learning to live again. At least I passed on over Christmas, Callie thought. I got to see her one last time.

It wasn't anything of a surprise to Callie that she found herself standing at the Pearly Gates, for she knew that this was where she belonged. St. Peter looked down at her, and nodded in satisfaction.

"There you are, Miss. We've been expecting you. Come in, come in.. now where'd he.. ah! Hark. Hark, escort Callie here to her appointment with the Almighty."

So Callie set off, following along behind the herald angel as he led her through the golden streets of Heaven, and ushered her into the presence of the Almighty Himself. It was quite an experience, indeed, and it wasn't until then that she really understood the whole 'I Am what I Am' business. You have to experience it for yourself for it to really make sense.

It was in that meeting that Callie was given her choice. She'd certainly earned her final reward, but as the Lord explained, there was a job in need of filling that He thought she might like. Jenny, it seemed, was in serious need of a guardian angel. Callie didn't think twice. If it meant she'd get to see Jenny, she was all for it. There'd be vacation time and off hours, of course, so it wasn't as if she was walking away from Heaven entirely. It seemed like the perfect deal to her. The only drawback was that she could never reveal herself openly to her charge.

Back on earth, Callie got right to work trying to improve Jenny's lot in life. Being a guardian angel did come with certain perks, and the best one was, at certain times and in certain ways, Callie had the power to make Jenny's life a little better. It was through Callie's efforts that a surgery was arranged that restored enough of Jenny's vision that she could get by. It was through soft, encouraging whispers in Jenny's dreams at night that the teenager retained the willpower to make up for the time she'd lost in the hospital, and learning to live with blindness. It was a fight, but Jenny persevered, and managed to graduate high school on time.

When Jenny went off to university, Callie went too, a constant unseen presence at the side of her charge. She steered her through the pitfalls and trials of being on her own for the first time. Callie was learning, too. The new place had distracted her attention somewhat, and she'd neglected Jenny at just the wrong moment, and without the usual guidance, Jenny's grades slid in the second semester. Callie would kick herself over that one for a long time to come, but it wasn't a complete loss. Sometimes, no matter if you're angel or mortal, you need failure in order to grow.

Jenny spent the next year studying in England, which was a very exciting time for her, and her angel as well. Callie had learned, though, and perhaps Jenny as well, for both never let the lure of new places and people distract them too much from their goals, and this time Jenny graduated with flying colours.

Her return home, however, was to herald in a time of darkness. Guardian Angels can't solve every problem, you see, and there's no easy cure for a broken heart. Jenny had become engaged shortly after her return, but alas, it ended badly, and the girl sunk into a dark depression. Callie fretted day and night, unable to figure out what to do for the girl. Jenny, meanwhile, rarely went out anymore, spending days at a time locked up alone in her solitary apartment.

In distress, Callie returned to Heaven, and sought out the first friend she'd made there.

"Hark, I don't know what to do for her anymore. I've tried, and I've tried. The dreams don't help. God, and his angels, help those who help themselves, but she won't even do that. She's lost all hope, and until she gets it back.. there's nothing I can do for her." Callie hung her head. "Truth is, I'm getting tired, Hark."

With a gentle pat, Hark smiled. "Cal, you've been going above and beyond the call of duty since you got that assignment. Y'know, most guardians don't really stay attached for this long. You were only ever meant to stay with her for a year, maybe two, but the Lord thought you seemed so happy, he just let you stay. I think the time's come for you to move on."

"But I can't," Callie wailed. "I can't just leave her like this. What'll she do? Who'll she turn to?"

Hark smiled brightly. "I've got just the thing. Someone down there needs some help. You could say she needs a guardian of her own. Maybe helping someone else will make Jenny start to help yourself. Whatcha think, Cal?"

"It's worth a shot...."

Callie stared into the bright green eyes of the one intended for Jenny, and for the first time, eyes looked back. Frightened eyes, haunted by a past of pain and torment. It was unusual that those on the earthly plane were allowed to see angels, but it had been decided by the Almighty that special arrangements could be made. Callie had explained everything already and was waiting for an answer. She'd even used what power she had to make sure Jenny would come, and meet her future friend. Starla - for that was her name - seemed dubious at first, but finally nodded her assent. It was done. And just in time, too. Callie could sense Jenny's presence, in the other room.

A moment later, the door opened, and Jenny walked in with a kind looking older lady. "I know just the one," the lady was saying. "Her name's Starla." The woman then walked over, opened the cage, and drew forth the small black cat. "She's a bit skittish, but I have this strange feeling that she'd be a good match..."

Jenny took the cat, and scratched behind it's ears hesitantly... and then, the cat looked up into her eyes. "I'll take her," the girl murmured, and turned to leave the room with the veterinarian, holding Starla in her arms.

Callie stood in the room, watching them leave. Goodbye, Jenny, she thought, and then turned, trotting off along the celestial path towards Heaven, tail held high.

Dedicated to my little angel, Callie, who trotted out of my life December 31, 1992. She was the best friend a girl could have.