"Absolutely love!
I really really enjoyed this book. I loved this story of a life filled with fighting evil.
It is realistic and well written." - Jennifer, Goodreads
Published: 2017
"When someone loses a family member, or is faced with tragedy that is beyond comprehension, the mind and body take refuge in a safe place. Sometimes, it takes the person on a journey that many people cannot conceive. It is my opinion that Steven will never be able to return to his former self."
That quote was from one of my doctors that I saw while confined.
While it is true that the death of my father was very traumatic, what followed was truly real.
It was a battle of wills with the epitome of Evil.
"There is a lot of evil to be found and I sometimes think that it is winning. The characters are very well developed and I came to know Steven especially. The flow of the story is good and it really picks up after the first few chapters. Then you won't want to put it down. It is very well written and I truly enjoyed the plotline. This is a story that will make you think. It will make you a believer in evil, but also in good. I recommend this book to all who like a good fantasy book." - Deborah, Goodreads
EXCERPT
After Dad’s death, I wasn’t sleeping well. I hadn’t been running, and my body was taking notice. I had put on some weight, and my energy level was low. I decided to take some sleeping pills that I had discovered in the bathroom. I took the required amount and soon felt drowsy.
And this is the beginning of my story.
I drifted off quickly and even found myself chuckling and feeling goofy.
I was soon awakened by my alarm clock. Five a.m.―time to go to work. That dream stuck with me for days. Every night, from then on, I would try and make myself fall asleep and dream. I tried retracing my steps, eating the same food, taking the same sleeping pills, and going to sleep at the same time. It became an obsession.
I had to see this “angel” again.
It was only a couple of days into our summer vacation when Beth stopped over for a visit and invited us to meet their new exchange student. I reluctantly agreed, as their previous exchange students had all been holy rollers who had known the Bible front to back. Being a nonbeliever, they were not the kind of people I wanted to spend time with.
That night, I struck gold. Same dream, same scenario. Only this time, it was even more real.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Alexa,” she replied.
“What are you doing here?”
“A calling came out to help a young man with the death of his father. I’m answering the call to be by your side. Are you the one who needs me?”
“Yes! Yes! Me. I’m Steven,” I answered enthusiastically.
“You miss your father, don’t you?”
My eyes filled with tears. “Yes.”
She held me as I cried and told her all about him. It was exactly what I needed. She told me she was my angel and that she would always be there for me. I smiled and drifted off.
Once again, I was awakened by a shrill alarm clock. But this morning I felt renewed and regenerated. I had a bounce in my step, and the name “Alexa” was in my thoughts. After work, I grabbed a sandwich and went straight to my room, hoping for a nap and another visit with her.
But no luck.
Mom reminded me that the Randolph’s were having a little party for their new exchange student. “He’s from Ecuador,” Mom said. “A very well-spoken boy who gives very stirring sermons. We’re very lucky to have him join us.”
Yeah, I thought, just another con man.
It was a very casual affair. Potluck. Mom fixed lasagna, and all the other church members brought side dishes and desserts. I thought, At least I’ll get my
stomach full. With a mouth full of food, I saw Beth walking towards me with the new exchange student.
“Steven, I’d like you to meet Miguel.” I shook his hand, and he crushed mine.
Damn Alpha Male, I thought to myself. I didn’t like this guy from the start. And as the night grew longer, I grew jealous as Hell, as Beth never left his side. She was showing a flirtatious side that I had never seen before. It was obvious that she was smitten with him.
After a couple of hours, I got tired of Beth and all of the other girls (and some of the women too) throwing themselves at this guy. I guess I could understand.
He was tall, dark-skinned, and well-mannered―a Casanova type. My mom approached me.
“Have you met Miguel?”
“Yeah, I’ve met him.” I turned and went home.
It had caught me off guard. I wasn’t used to seeing Beth with someone else, especially someone as handsome as this guy. Certainly, she wouldn’t give herself to this boy who was only going to be here for a few months. I put on my sweat pants and went to bed.
Alexa visited me that night. I told her of this “new boy in the neighborhood,” and she reassured me that, no matter what, she would always be there for me and that any girl would be lucky to have me.
“Yeah, sure,” I said.
Soon, she had me forgetting all about Beth and laughing my head off. I then turned serious.
“Are you real?” I asked.
“Do I look real?’’
“Yeah, too real. And beautiful too,” I said.
“Well, then, consider me real,” she said and smiled.
I nodded.
The next morning, I started questioning my sanity. As much as I wanted to believe it, she couldn’t be real. As a nonbeliever in God, how could I justify talking to an angel? I decided to not question it and just enjoy the ride.
My mom cornered me that day after work. “I’d like for you to talk with Reverend Randolph. He wants to know how you’re doing since your father’s death.”
“Tell him I’m fine.”
“Steven?” She grabbed my face. “For me, please?”
“Sure.”
“And by the way, where have you been going? Your pants smell like honeysuckle.”
I smelled them. They smelled like the flowers that were on the hillside where I would meet with Alexa in my dreams.
I went over to the Randolphs’ house, and Miguel opened the door.
“Steven, my friend! How nice of you to stop in. I take it you are here to see Reverend Randolph.”
“Yeah.”
“Right this way.” He showed me to the Reverend’s study.
“Steven, please come in and have a seat. Your mother said you wanted to see me.”
“Well, no actually…”
“Your father’s death was a shock to us all. But we can all learn from it.”
I interrupted him. “Have you ever met an angel?” I asked. “Have you ever seen an angel?”
“Well, no, Steven, why do you ask? Have you?”
I didn’t want to tip my hand, and if I confessed to talking to an angel, my mom would have me committed to an insane asylum. “Just wondering, you know, just…interested.”
He went on with his speech, none of which I listened to. But I did hear laughter coming from the other room. It was Miguel and Beth. I thanked the Reverend, who was mid-sentence, and excused myself. As I left, they continued laughing.
“Bye, Steven,” Miguel said. Had they heard me asking about angels? Is that why they were laughing? The whole Alexa thing was getting fun, but when my pants smelled like the flowers in my dream, it had me confused, and I searched for a reasonable explanation.
My meetings with Alexa were now an every-night event. I would drift off, then be awakened to the sweet smell of honeysuckle and the warmth of her being when she was near. We laughed. I would chase her around the tree. I would tell her my dreams. I would tell her my most private thoughts.
I was falling in love with her.
“How come I can only see you in my dreams?” I asked.
“That’s where I belong,” she said.
“I…I just miss you during the day. That’s all.”
“Do you want me to visit you during the day? I will.”
“Alexa?”
“Yes, Steven.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
We kissed.
Once again, the moment was ruined by my annoying alarm clock. I got out of bed and started to leave. I picked up my clothes and smelled them. It was the honeysuckle.
The following morning, when was halfway done with my mowing, I was wondering how Alexa would present herself. I was eager with anticipation when I felt her warmth and smelled her fragrance.
She was with me.
Inside of me.
I felt complete.
I probably looked like a jerk, outside riding on a mower with a goofy grin on my face.
She would stay with me all day unless I had to talk to someone, then she would disappear. I tried to avoid interaction with everyone.
The nighttime was filled with chasing her, catching her, and professing my love to her.
“Marry me,” I said.
“Steven, I can’t marry you. I am not of this world.”
“If I died, could we be together?” I asked.
“Steven! Don’t talk like that. Your mother needs you. Your time on Earth is not over.”
“I’m going to buy you a ring! I’m going to buy you a ring, and then we can say some vows to each other under the big oak tree,” I said excitedly.
Alexa suddenly got a serious look on her face. “Oh, Steven, I would love that.”
We kissed. I knew for sure that I had found my soulmate.
The following day, I took all of my earnings from the golf course and bought two rings―one for each of us. No diamonds, but whatever $112 could buy, and I was extremely proud of the steel-like finish they possessed.
That night we waited for dark. We stood underneath the big oak tree and read our vows. I remember the moon being so close and so bright that the words were easy to read. When we were done reading, we kissed. With a gentle breeze behind us, we walked to a nearby forest. We lay down and consummated our marriage. It was quick, awkward, and beautiful. I fell asleep.
I awoke early to go to work. I was constantly checking the ring on my finger.
Even though I was still a kid in every way possible, I felt like an adult. I made a vow to get my life together―buckle down at school, go to college, and make a life for Alexa and me. It made me wonder about my dad. I bet getting married had made him dedicated to making his life a success.
Sometimes I would get doubts. I knew this was not a traditional relationship.
But it was all I had.
I had no other friends.
In the meantime, Beth and Miguel were obviously a couple. They went everywhere together. The rumor was that he had taken her virginity, and I was hoping that that was not the case. I had noticed that the congregation was increasing dramatically, and I was sure that Reverend Randolph was licking his chops at all the money they were bringing in. The church had added an extra service on Sunday nights, and Miguel was the main draw. I still felt uncomfortable around him, but I thought it was just leftover feelings I had for Beth.
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About the author:
Christopher resides in Fremont,Ohio,USA. A self confessed music nerd, he utilized real life experiences with a vivid imagination to write a fictional memoir, Almost Anonymous. A tale of a young musician’s battle to discover the real person inside. After positive reviews he was urged to write in a genre that was more popular. He chose Horror, and “The Killing of Miguel” was written. A story of a young man seeking revenge against an Agent of the Devil (Miguel) for stealing his father’s soul.
In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife,Vicki and their son’s Kevin,Joshua, Jacob, grandson Maxwell Christopher McAfee and their assortment of family dogs, Buddy,Bailey,Nash and Mia.
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1 comment:
Sounds like a good book.
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