aN ANGEL

They say when the Angels fell to earth, the Devil was waiting. When the other Angels came to visit, the Devil approached then fell back. Then the Devil learned to wear a disguise and walk with the Angels. And this Angel walked the earth, and the Devil wore his disguise, and it was to her demise.

Such a Lovely Creature ... Isn't She

I remember when they met. She was sitting next to him. Alone at the bar, her friend was arriving late. I could feel him sense the opportunity. Her energy was amazing, there was no denying it, I was hoping to approach but his energy kept me away. There are those that I steer clear of. For safety ... and all that. And his was dark you see and that is why I keep my humanity switch off, for my survival, not yours.

There was a kindness in her. As men walked up, she kindly brushed them off and that is a rare talent that few have. It's a quiet strength that very few possess. I watched him as he moved in, she tried to excuse herself, but his overpowering charm kept him nearby.

By the time her friend arrived, there was no denying that he was going nowhere without her. See that was how it was in those times. Courtship wasn't as long as Hollywood wrote it to be. No, it was more intense and immediate. We needed each other back then for survival and sometimes the wrong people, the Devil, knew when they could entice their prey and have them stay.

So, why is she alone in that lovely wedding photo? Well, I'll be getting to that.​

Charming to the last drop

When bad people want to be near you, they find ways to make themselves ... indispensable. And he did exactly that. The charming man she had met began to meet her friends. Those friends reeked of the desperation for their dear single and very independent friend to not be. In fact, it was so overwhelming that it was just the power this Devil needed to survive and so he did. However, there was one thing he could not overcome, her will to be free.

Charm cannot overcome "Will" and hers was strong. Oh, she wasn't out to play around and do things she couldn't live with. No, she wanted love without the bondage of love. She wanted to love fiercely, deeply, and freely. She wasn't the prettiest lady, but she had something that had always attracted the wrong type of everything to her. And for that reason alone, his charm turned to darkness. Because, how else could he break her.

In a way, he just had to

Do you know how many times your dearest friends are used against you? And here's a little insight for you, they don't even know they are being used. Oh, I am sure you can think of those fights you had where you don't even remember, how, why, or where it even began. But it almost ended everything. That is what he did.

The bride next her in the photo, that is and almost was her dearest friend. You see, she always respected her freedom, her strong will, her demands to live life her way ... well, until he came along.

Yes, it almost did work. But for every Angel that walks this earth there are fighters that are near them. And hers was very near and wouldn't let go.

Did you get mad?

Was I her fighter? No. She was. Her strength kept the friendship together and by working it out, she took down the wall between the Demon and her and fell deeply in love.

Funny how that works out isn't it. By almost losing your very best friend, you fall for the Demon trying to take everything you have. Not money. Not material things. But your joy. Your love. Because his only goal is to make you as lonely as he is.

For months they loved, drank in life as it were in those times. Instead of moving away from friendships, they became more bonded. Intricate to the last breathing moment of their relationship. Then her best-friend's engagement came, the wedding plans came, the precious offer of maid of honor and best man came and everything that comes with it. And then ....

And then ...

Then there was nothing. Nothing at all. It was like he just shut everyone out. Odd. It was very, odd. No one could explain what was going on or even guess as to the reason why. But there they were, part of the upcoming wedding party and nothing.

Her friend suspected that he was afraid that she wanted to be next. "Oh no, not that. It is far too soon for that." she replied. "Maybe he just wasn't comfortable with weddings and all the planning." And then ... that is when the trap he had set began to spring because she started rationalizing every-little-thing.

Demons, you see, have you once you start doing this. It's a pure gift. A very wicked and evil gift. And humans are very susceptible to it. So many powerful emotions that humans have make it so easy, you see. And for the Demon, it is nothing but joy to watch it circle in and eat you alive.

The date grew near and so did he

How things can change, almost overnight. As fast as I could - if I dared - flip my Humanity Switch back on, he came out of whatever rock he was under back into the light. Though he never verbally apologized for his behavior his actions took that place.

Batchelor Party. Over the top. Wedding gift. Beyond even what she had planned. He lavished her with compliments when it came to her bridesmaid dress. She was on top of the world again. Breathing. Living. Free.

The evening of the rehearsal was perfect. The church, exquisite. Everyone knew their part. Knew their place. The rehearsal dinner went as planned. The food and drink, pure perfection. He took her home. They shared their excitement for the next day. Said their goodnights and parted ways.

Gone

The most admirable quality about her was her ability to maintain what was needed of her for the situation she was in. You see, the next day, the man who loved her, adored her, made her feel like she was breathing, living and free never appeared.

They had agreed to meet at the church he had something to do that morning and would be along after. Plus, he wanted her to be part of it all. Early morning she arose and went to her friends to get ready for her big day. Just as it is today, it was back then. A mess of things happening before the walk down the aisle. Hair, makeup, last minute touchups, photographers, guests, etc. All of it a whirlwind that sweeps you up in joy, laughter, anxiety and stress.

The knock at the door came, it was one of the groomsmen asking where he was. They called her to the door and asked, she didn't know but said not to worry, he may have gotten delayed and surely he would show up.
She smiled and went back to her duties all while burying, ignoring any thoughts otherwise that ran thru her head. This was not her day, this was the day for others, and she would not ruin a moment of it.

That was her gift.

Look again

Take a moment and go back to the photo I shared with you at the beginning of this story. When you first looked, did you notice anything about the photo?

The expressions of those in it, well it was that period and the smiles that you see in today's photos weren't the thing back then. Times were tough. I'll wait while you go back and look.

Yes. Now, you see it. The bride and groom. The wedding party and her. No best man. Look closely at her and her best friend's expression. You see he never showed up. Let us not forget the stress and anger he caused the groom and his men. It's a story as old as time itself, everyone worries for the women and forgets about the men in these situations.

He was nowhere to be found before, during, or after the wedding. He, the Demon, was simply gone. Take a moment to think of what that means back then. No phones to track. No social media apps to hunt. No cameras he may have walked by. Hospitals to check. Police and jails to search with nothing to come up. Just gone.

Aftermath

What you see in the photo is what cannot be hidden from the camera. Even back then. You see, it isn't like today, just point and shoot. It took time to set up the camera to take the shot. And in that time, the mind can show its truth.

You see it don't you? The bride and her best friend trying to not show how they truly feel. Elated the husband is, see that sly smile? Men. They simply move on. But not women. It stirs in us until we find a way to have it come to an end.

The one full of life, laughter, and love for it all was shattered. Even though everyone around her told her she ... what is that term that was used some time ago .... Oh, yes, they told her that she "dodged a bullet". But it was too late for her. The bullet had hit its mark. The Demon stole her joy, dreams, faith, the romance for life, and so much more. Men no longer looked at her, let alone tried to talk to her.

She fought to not be cynical and lose all her friends. She fought to smile. She fought to breathe. But every day, she rationalized what happened. Every night falling asleep with hope he'd come back, like in the 'picture shows' with some heroic tale that kept him away. And every morning, awoke with the sour taste that it wasn't going to happen.

You see that is what Demons do to the Angels that walk this earth. They wear their disguise to walk beside them, get inside their heart, mind, and soul, and leave them as empty as they are because of their fall. And the man she eventually ended up was as empty as she was. Two empty souls looking to regain life without a single hope of doing so.

Beware my dear readers, they still walk this earth and walk beside the one you consider an Angel. And nothing you can do, will save them. In God's good but cruel world, it is simply allowed. Free will and all that.

My advice, fight like hell to get back what they stole. You won't have centuries like me to gain back who you were, unless I am hungry and in need. But honestly, companions can be such a bore when they are around for too long. But that is another story for another time.