Archangel Crusader Read Free

brought back unsettling memories.
    Fifteen years ago, his newborn son and teenage wife had died during birthing. He’d been mad, blaming the Almighty. It wasn’t fair. They were innocent. He remembered lying in bed, wide-awake with anger, when a blue light blinded him, and he levitated. While he lay, paralyzed in mid air, a voice had boomed. “No, Michael. It is not my doing.”
    Had the voice come from inside or outside Michael’s mind? Had he been scared? No. Thinking back, he’d been irate, helpless, manipulated by forces he could not explain. He’d felt uncomfortable. Most of all, he disliked not being in control.
    Michael parked the van in the back of the row-house, stepped out, and opened the door silently, careful not to wake up Jennifer. The child always seemed aware of his slightest move as if she read his mind. He pushed open her bedroom door on the second floor and walked to the bed. Jennifer slept snugly with Shadow, the huge black and white cat. The feline raised its head at Michael's familiar step.
    "Sleep tight, angel." Michael kissed his finger, touched his daughter’s forehead, then left the room.
    How many times did he tell her not to sleep with the damn cat? But the truth be told, he understood her need for comfort.
    The quiet house smelled of freshly baked apple bread, a new recipe Veronica favored these days. It was her place. He counted on her to help raise Jennifer, soon to become a beautiful teenager. Michael did not keep his hopes too high, however. Women had come and gone in his life, and Veronica, although he loved her deeply, may be no exception. He could see signs of fatigue in the fabric of their relationship and wondered if his life would ever change.
     
    *****
     
    The next afternoon, back from finishing a remodeling job, Michael dropped the blue beer cooler on the beige carpet. With a grimace, he removed the dirty band from his soaked forehead, then shook his long hair streaked by the sun with light golden tones. “Honey, I’m home!"
    Veronica, tall, lithe, auburn hair neatly pulled in a bun, came down the stairs, flashing a hurried smile.
    "Oh, hi, honey. I was just leaving." She gave him a quick kiss and checked the pink uniform in the full length mirror by the front door. "There's food in the Fridge. Are you hungry?"
    "Hardly... I'm thirsty, though."
    "I better hurry." As she gave him another peck on the lips, Michael tried to seize her waist, but she retreated. Green eyes sparkling, she said, "That'll have to wait. Work first, then play. Okay?" She blew a kiss and turned to leave but she faced him again, serious this time. "You look strange tonight. Anything wrong?"
    "No, I'm fine. A little tired, that's all... Run off or you'll be late."
    Veronica only smiled.
    Forcing a grin, Michael scratched his head. His timing always stunk. He watched the door close then sunk heavily onto the blue velvet sofa. Big hands explored the cushions. "Where's the damned thing? Jennifer! What did you do with the remote?" He found it and winced. It stuck to his fingers.
    "Hi, Dad, I thought I heard you." Jennifer came down the stairs bare-footed in a white T-shirt and purple shorts showing lanky legs. Her big green eyes lit up in a candid smile.
    "You watched TV again instead of doing your homework! You can't fool me, kid." Michael tried to look stern but couldn’t. Hell, how often did he do what he was supposed to? “Tell you what, I'll forgive you if you get me a cold beer..." As she stared but didn’t move, he added, “What are you waiting for?”
    Jennifer scurried to the kitchen while Michael turned on the news. When the refrigerator door opened with a thud, she called from the kitchen. "Can I have the last piece of cake? There's just a little bit left."
    "Uh? Oh hell, why not. Go for it, kid." If he could have his beer despite the harm it did to his brain, she could have chocolate cake.
    Jennifer returned from the kitchen, a plate in one hand and a can of Coors Lite in the other.
    Michael