After breakfast they walked for a time getting to know their surroundings, but within a half hour Michelle requested they return to the motel as she was still somewhat fatigued after the previous day's ordeal..The effects of coffee had taken it's toll on Nick, and he found he couldn't drop off. He sufficed, lulled into a calm trance while listening to Michelle's gentle breathing as she lay curled against him..He stayed that way for maybe an hour until feeling her sleep deepen, quietly rose from the bed leaving her a note advising he'd gone for a walk..

The day, which had begun chilly due to an overcast sky, was warming up, and within fifteen minutes of brisk navigation he pulled off his jacket folding it over his left forearm.

Richfield was a town of divisions like many of the places he'd acquainted over the years traveling with the band..An older inner city section consisting of brick government buildings, pawn shops, thrift stores, bail bonds, independent grocers, liquor stores, and restaurants mainly of the deli and fast foods variety...Nearer the I-70 and the exits it served, motels, gasoline filling stations, and strip malls had sprung up in later years seeking the revenue of those travelers passing through it's outskirts...The towns rural setting and farming roots did bring with it a noted style of preferred transportation..It seemed to Nick as he walked along the intermittent sidewalks that perhaps eighty percent of the vehicles driven here fell within the definitive classification of trucks.

The motorcycle repair shop was some two miles downtown from the motel and he thought he might make a personal appearance introducing himself..He had walked for perhaps a mile when he came upon a day park offering wood fame picnic tables, restroom facilities, and somewhat diffused sunlight fanning the needles of the pinion pine trees that reside there. Some of which reached over fifty feet in height.. The mid-week hustle of those out to make a living was apparent by the lack of park visitors this Tuesday afternoon..Other than a young boy using the swing set imbedded in a sandy children's play area, Nick had the place all to himself..

He had sat there awhile atop a lopsided table resting his feet on the seating bench, when in the process of shooing away a persistent fly, he noticed the boy on the swings had dismounted and was approaching him..

"Hey there young fellah," Nick said wiping a stream of sweat from his brow.

Smiling, the boy stopped some ten feet from him and diverting what Nick could only ascertain as black eyes spoke to the surrounding atmosphere in a language he could not understand, but what sounded phonically to Nick as, "Olio wand de facto."...From that point forward the fly did not re-appear.

"They can be vexatious, those ones," the boy said returning his attention to Nick.

"Right," Nick answered feeling his heart leap up into his throat..The kid's eyes were black..Solid black.

"Fear me not young one," the boy said, and turning his back took a seat on the same park bench but at the outer side of Nick's location..

It appeared to Nick the boy had done so purposely..Turning his face away in an effort to alleviate the man's anxiety..."Who are you?" Nick asked, feeling his voice quiver.

"Don't you mean, what am I?"..He boy returned..Not waiting for a response, he pulled a pack of Camel cigarettes from the front pocket of the cut-off jean shorts he was wearing and lit one up..He grinned placing the pack between himself and Nick taking care to avoid direct eye contact.

"Love these things!..Can't help it..Every once in a while I get a chance to grab a pack....Help your self Nick...You look like you could use one."

From the back he looked like a normal ten to twelve year old kid..He was wearing sneakers and white socks for Christ's sake..A simple spot stained baggy tee-shirt that hung down over the waist line of his pants..A normal fucking kid.

"You know my name?" Nick began..He shook his head remembering the tears on the face of the woman he loved and the thought embolden him.."Alright,..what the fuck is this?...Are you the fuck that's been..."

"I know you've been through some shit, Nick," the kid interrupted..That's why I'm here."

Nick slid off the table feeling the need to stand..."Oh,..you know I've been through some shit!"..He was shaking now, filled with fear and something else..A kind of rage that was unusual to him..He took a stance directly in front of the child who's eyelids remained down cast, and with Michelle's safety fueling his fire, demanded the only answer he could think of.

"What the fuck?!!"

The kid's eyelids slid up and took him full in..For the first time he noticed the child's hair..It was long and full, flowing blonde and wavy far below the shoulder line..The sunlight seemed to heighten the colors making it appear triad in hues.

At first he appeared not to understand Nick's statement, but then after a moment, he nodded responding.."Whoa, buddy," raising his hands in a gesture of mock surrender.."I'm on your side here." And with his words came a smile that Nick saw as one of genuine honesty.

The hands were long and supple as of that of a twenty year old's, and Nick took a step back beginning to fully realize what presence appeared before him.

"What I am is a messenger," the child offered in a consoling voice.."Do you understand, Nick?"

He understood but sat down in front of the child loosing the strength in his legs while shaking his head.."No,..no,..I don't understand."

"Yes you do," the kid commented and swept the pack of Camels off the table pitching them in Nick's lap..."Have a smoke my friend."

He complied, pulling a cigarette out of the package and managed to steady his hands long enough to put it in his mouth..

The kid smiled as the thing lit up with no effort on Nick's part.."For your convenience," he said, and nodded his head expressed what Nick recognized as a elegant state of humility.

"In your language I believe I am called Remiel...Is this name familiar to you Nick?"

He nodded..The cigarette was amazingly calming. He took it out of his mouth a stared at it a moment.."I've read about it a time or two," he said referencing the old testament of the bible..

He had been raised a Roman Catholic and despite the annoyance of having to attend catechism before Mass on Sunday's, he'd retained some of what the nuns had taught him..

"Your one of the head honchos,..am I right?...An archangel...One of the leaders of the organization?"

Remiel waved a dismissing hand.."Like organized crime down here,...it's not that well organized."

He beamed at Nick fully appreciating the benefit of his own wit, and in his expression Nick suddenly realized the totality of the angel's being..For a moment he quite fully believed Remiel would be very comfortable living life as a ten year old boy.

"I have something for you," Remiel said holding up an index finger.

Again, Nick couldn't help but notice the fingers were long and mature, perfectly shaped and manicured...They were beautiful to look at in fact, reminding him of the hands and appendages of a woman...As he did so a slight breeze wafted through the park stirring the air and bringing a ever widening smile to the angel's face. He leaned back taking a deep breath and seemed to absorb the effects of the surrounding atmosphere.."Man, I love it when it does that!..It's one of the things I really enjoy about this place whenever I visit here."

Nick was about to agree when his vision was suddenly interrupted so that all that was previous before his eyes was swept away leaving him in a bubble, liken to one in a dark theater focused on a movie...Ashley stood before him..A big screen Ashley all healthy and vibrant beautiful and loving..The smile in her eyes and face communicated everything Nick had needed to know since the day of her loss..She was safe..She was happy..She was in a better place, and she still knew him...Tears streamed down his cheeks, yet he felt amazingly calm and protected..

"Turkish blend," he heard Remiel comment admiringly somewhere in the back of his experience, and he laughed at that loud and full feeling something release within the recesses of his heart..The tears continued to flow, but with them the laughter as well, both pouring out of him in a reflection of joy and healing.

The vision ended then much like the last scene of a movie where the picture slowly fades away and his immediate surroundings slowly came into focus.

"Thank you for that," was all Nick could manage to say, and for a time they both sat there silent taking in the view of the park.

"I've been having a lot of disturbing dreams lately," Nick said.

"My bad," Remiel shrugged.

Nick looked at him with raised eyebrows waiting for an explanation.

"It's just that we were hoping you might consider lending us your help." The angel said.

Nick shook his head not following.."My help?"

Remiel nodded then continued.."Not my idea, you understand..I am just following through..It was Uriel that chose you."

"Uriel?" Nick asked.

"Yes, Uriel."

"Uriel, that's another one of the arch..?"

"Right," Remiel finished for him.."We're a pretty tight group..Uriel is the smart one."...He chuckled then continued.."It's kind of Uriel's thing to chose who we decide to badger when we are seeking,...people assistance."

"Right," Nick said confused as ever.."Look, if your who you say you are then where the hell are your,...you know,...wings?"

"We try not to mention that place, Nick."

"Oh,..right..Sorry."

"No problem,"..the angel said continuing.."Wings..Yeah,..we don't have wings, Nick."

"I can see that now," the man commented..."It's just, you know, in all those pictures the angles have wings, so they can fly around."

"Right, right," Remiel confirmed.."Artistic interpretation..It's the result of limited perception..Nobody's fault really..Human kind, like all life forms here, are fine tuned to experience all that life has to offer on this plane of existence..Quite remarkable actually."

"Great," Nick said returning to his original seat perched on top of the table.."And you guys, are obviously not from around these parts."

"Oh, we come an go...It's a managed fit though."

"I see," he said jabbing a thumb toward the street.."So, other folks passing by out there on the road..They happen to look this way.."

"They see a guy and a kid talking," Ramiel advised holding up another cigarette.."Worst case scenario, you might get popped for contributing to a minor Nick." He broke into an open round of laughter giggling just like a ten year old child.

Nick chuckled, shaking his head.."Just my luck to get a wise guy."

"Yeah," Remiel said, breaking into another laughing fit.

Aside from the apparent difference in his eyes and hands, Nick's mind continually sought a logical means of doubt questioning the boy's claim to be an angel..He found himself looking around the perimeter of the park half expecting some worried mother to appear rushing to their location in an effort to collect her freak of nature child..Perhaps the result of some strange gene mutation instigated by the over use of drugs during her pregnancy...His concentration while contemplating this aspect was soon broken when he noticed Remiel's side glance taking him in, and the boy's reaction to obviously reading his mind.

"Oh that is rich!" He laughed, giving himself up to yet another full fit of the stuff rolling around on the grassy floor surrounding the picnic table.

Nick watched Remiel's display of simple joy and couldn't help but like the guy..However events over the course of the past week had left a shadow of fear and frustration that wrapped his mood like a heavy coat..This current remarkable development was yet another in a series of unsolicited phenomena that seemed to be invading his life. If not for his meeting Michelle, and the growth of their subsequent relationship, he felt the strange events that had somehow managed to involve him would have pushed him over the edge of sanity day's ago.

Maybe that has already happened, he thought to himself..Maybe what he was experiencing right now was the result of his mind clueing him he had in fact, gone completely bonkers...That consideration brought with it a flurry of emotions emanating from the pit of his stomach.

Remiel had come to rest stretching out on the grass before him propped on one elbow..He smiled at Nick in a knowing way chewing on the long stem of a piece of wild wheat grass he'd plucked from against the wood footing of the picnic table.

"Weed whacker missed this little piece of heaven," he commented.

"Words of wisdom," Nick replied wiping the residue of tears from his cheek bones with the palms of his hands.

His off-handed comment sent the angel into a spasm of somewhat controlled chuckles. "I really like you Nick!...You make me laugh!"

Somewhat amused by Remiel's observation, Nick shook his head and responded chuckling as well.."Somehow you strike me as the kind that would get a big kick out of some poor soul slipping on a banana peel."

"Who me?" The boy questioned with a look of innocence.."Not me, man."...He finished though with a grin.."Well, maybe."

It became apparent to Nick that the boy was purposely manipulating the situation..His natural lighthearted appeal was in fact a kind of soothing cocoon that might be the result of a well laid plan..Given the measure of shock his appearance would most certainly impose upon a mere mortal, it seemed to Nick a scheme designed to buffer the fragile state of well being inherent within the human condition...He felt no maliciousness in it's intent, nor any degree of judgement or pre-supposed superiority hidden therein..Instead what he sensed was that the angel was waiting with a disposition of infinite patience for the man to take the initiative, all in his own good time..

It was in light of this forbearance that Nick found himself able to organize his own thoughts and begin to question Remiel with the intention of finding the cause of his unlucky involvement not only with this situation, but with the concurrent events beginning last week..

"I feel lately as if things are happening to me, as apposed to things that I am a willing part of...These things I refer to began last week when I was in route from my home to the destination I met up with my girlfriend..It's as if I inadvertently pissed somebody off and they are looking to get even."

"Go on," Remiel said.

"Well, then the dreams started..More like nightmares really, of which you are now telling me you were the cause."

"That's correct," the angel replied.

Nick continued.."Yesterday things really got bizarre involving not only myself but endangering the life of my girlfriend as well..Her name is Michelle, but you probably already know that."

"No, but I am sure she is a fine woman, and good for you, Nick..You make each other happy?"

"Yes that's right and I don't want to lose her!..Now this today, you just showing up..What's this all about, Remiel?"

The kid lay back folding his hands behind his head resting them there as one might a pillow. He spoke looking up at the sky which had broken into a series of patchy blue sections.."Well, it's about life, Nick..About the drama that takes place in life..And, it's also about destiny..In this case, your destiny."

"My destiny," Nick replied.."Is that how it all works?..Some pre-determined inevitability?"

"Heaven forbid!" Remiel said turning his head to look directly at Nick.."What would be the point?...Your destiny is simply here right now..It's the result of the choices you've made over the course of several life times...In your case, over a very long time."..He shrugged, then continued.."Destiny is fluid, always changing..Getting pushed around this way and that always following the path of least resistance..Dictated by the positive or negative choices we ourselves make of our own free will."

"Oh well, that's reassuring," Nick said sarcastically.."Things around here are so muddy half the time we don't even know the difference."

Remiel waved a hand dismissing Nick's statement.."You know the difference..You even named your band after it."

"Ok," Nick said.."Let's talk about choices...I didn't have a choice getting involved with any of this..And you say your here because you're asking for my help..Do I have a choice in that?"

"Yep," Remiel answered.."The fact is, if you want the negative forces that have been stalking you to leave you alone, I have a simple solution, Nick...Just say no..Tell me you won't help us and I can guarantee the dreams will stop, the attacks against you will end most likely as well..Once the negative side of the equation feels you are no longer a threat, it will lose interest in you."

"Right," Nick countered.."Say no and save my own ass....You know Remiel, I find you to be likeable..Kind of quirky with those weird eyes and hands you've got, but basically a pretty ok guy..Right now your scaring the hell....I mean, the heck out of me."

Remiel sat up twirling his right hand in the air.."What this place called again?"

"What do you mean?"

The angel continued.."You know, this place all around us."

"It's called Richfield, why?" Nick asked.

"No, bigger, I mean all around us."

"The state?...It's Utah," Nick said shaking his head.

The angel persisted, "Bigger than,..Utah."

"You mean the whole country?..It's the United States, what's your point?"

"That's it!" Remiel shouted gleefully pointing a finger at Nick..."We're like, the United States..A volunteer army.

"Oh," Nick said in mock disbelief.

"No really, I mean it."

"Sure." Nick answered.

"Nick."

"What?"

"It's actually impossible for me to lie."

"Really?"..Nick questioned somewhat amazed.

"Yeah, Remiel answered..."Sometimes it's, as you say, kind of a pain in the ass."

"Whatever," the man shrugged.."Alright, I believe you."

"I am so relieved," the angel snickered grinning.

"Still leaves me between a rock and a hard spot." Nick said.

Remiel laughed, "That's funny, Nick..I really like you man! You make me laugh."

"What?..Surely you've heard that old saying a thousand times."

"Huh?" The angle questioned.."You didn't just make that up?"

"Oh, brother," Nick said shaking his head and wiping his hands through his hair.."So, what do you want from me?..Wait a minute! Let me guess..This is about the weirdo in the zoot suit costume, am I right?"

Remiel's mouth dropped open.."Nick!..Your a smart guy, Nick!..Funny and smart, what a great combination!"

"Look," Nick pushed.."All I want is to play music, fall in love, make a bunch of babies with Michelle and live happy ever after!"

"All good ambitions my friend," the angel commented..However, you have been requested to sacrifice your ambitions for a larger cause....You can play your music, fall in love with Michelle with the remaining time you have here...But I need to tell you up front Nick.. If you chose to help us, I can pretty much guarantee your not going to be around to raise those babies."

"Oh, fuck!" Nick said appalled.

Remiel shook his head, "What is,...fuck?"

"Never mind," the man whispered.