Page 6 of Evan

At the center of it all is Evan. His handsome face lit up with a genuine smile as he listens intently to one of Chad's animated stories. Molly sits beside him, her eyes sparkling with warmth and with a hint of something deeper, a budding connection that makes my angelic heart flutter with hope. I’m drawn inside to be closer to the scene playing out before me.

"And then, Mr. Whiskers jumped so high, he got stuck on top of the bookshelf," Chad exclaims, his little hands waving expressively. "It took forever to get him down."

Evan chuckles, reaching out to ruffle the boy's sandy hair. "Sounds like quite the adventurous cat you've got there, buddy."

Thankfully, there’s no sign of Mr. Whiskers. A year in heaven and I’m still not comfortable with the whole communicating with animals’ thing. Other angels in training say the power can be helpful, but I’d prefer to complete this assignment without the aid of a talking cat.

Molly shakes her head, a fond smile playing at her lips. "That's nothing compared to what he did last Christmas. He managed to knock over the entire tree."

"Oh, no!" Evan gasps, his eyes widening in surprise. "Not the Christmas tree."

"Yep," Molly sighs, her tone dripping with good-natured exasperation. "Ornaments everywhere, tinsel strewn about like a glittery tornado had blown through the living room. It was a sight to behold."

Evan grins, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Well, if it happens again this year, you know who to call. I've got connections in the Christmas tree world. We'll make sure you have the most beautiful replacement tree in all of Benton Falls."

Molly laughs, her cheeks flushing a pretty pink. "You already brought us a tree, but I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully, Mr. Whiskers has learned his lesson, but it's good to know we have a backup plan."

As I watch their easy banter, the way they gravitate towards each other with a natural, effortless chemistry, I feel a swell of hope rising in my chest. This could be just the thing I need. The way these two are looking at each other, I might not have to do much but sit back and watch. Love will give the man something to be grateful for.

But as the evening winds down and Evan prepares to take his leave, I sense a shift in the energy, a heaviness settling over his spirit.Rats.So much for doing nothing.

I follow him to the front door, slipping outside and positioning myself beneath the snow-laden eaves to listen as he and Molly say their goodbyes.

"Thank you again for dinner, Molly," Evan says, his voice warm and sincere. "It was wonderful, truly. I haven't felt this welcomed and at ease in a long time."

Good, good, this is good.

Molly smiles sweetly, her hand brushing against Evan's arm in a friendly gesture. "You're always welcome here, Evan. Chad and I, we really enjoy your company."

Evan swallows, a flicker of something vulnerable and unguarded in his eyes. "I enjoy your company too, Molly. More than I've enjoyed anything in a long time. But..."

"But what?" Molly prompts gently, her head tilting in concern.

Evan sighs, his breath forming a cloud of frost in the chill night air. "But…” He pauses. “Nothing.” His shoulders drop as he tucks his hands in his pockets. Invisible walls seem to go up all around him. “Thanks again for dinner.”

Molly is quiet for a moment, her gaze drifting out over the snow-covered lawn, but doesn’t seem to take offense. When she speaks, her voice is filled with a gentle understanding. "You’re welcome.” She smiles. “Like I said, you’re welcome anytime.”

With a final, grateful nod, Evan turns and makes his way down the path, his footsteps crunching in the freshly fallen snow. I watch him go, my heart swelling with a mix of hope and understanding. Evan isn’t sure how to let someone in or perhaps, he’s been so consumed with what he believes his unfair lot in life is, he can’t see he’s surrounded by blessings.

But that’s where I come in… and with a little help from Molly and Chad, we just might pull off this Christmas miracle.

As his truck rumbles to life and pulls away from the curb, I close my eyes, reaching out with my angelic senses to offer a small blessing, a gentle nudge towards the light. In the distance, I feel the stirring of a thankful heart; a neighbor moved to express their gratitude for the beauty Evan brings to their lives through his Christmas tree farm.

It's a tiny ripple, a whisper of hope in the vast tapestry of Evan's journey. But it's a start, a reminder that even in his moments of doubt and hesitation, he is appreciated; he is valued; he is making a difference.

With a soft sigh, I step back from the window, feeling the familiar tug of the celestial realm calling me home. In a shimmering blink, I find myself back in the Loom of Light, my place of employment in the heavenly realm, where the gentle hum of creation washes over me like a soothing balm.

But as I settle at my workstation, my fingers poised to weave the delicate strands of a new robe, I feel a flicker of frustration, a nagging sense of inadequacy. The threads seem to tangle and knot beneath my touch, my stitches uneven and clumsy.

"Why is this so hard?" I mutter to myself, my brow furrowed in concentration. In my earthly life, I could barely thread a needle, but I’ve been stitching these things for more than a year now. "I thought I was getting the hang of it, but it feels like I'm right back at square one."

"Patience, my dear Betty," a warm voice chuckles behind me. I turn to see Henry, his wise eyes twinkling with understanding. "You're being too hard on yourself. This is a journey, remember? For both you and Evan. There will be stumbles and setbacks, but that's all part of the process."

I bite my lip, feeling the sting of tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. He’s not talking about my sewing capabilities. "I know, Henry. But it's just...it's harder than I thought.

Henry lays a comforting hand on my shoulder, his touch radiating a soothing warmth. "I know Betty. But you are learning, growing, just as Evan is. And the fact that you care so deeply, that you want so badly to make a difference, that is your greatest strength, your most powerful gift."

I take a shuddering breath, letting Henry's words wash over me like a cleansing rain. "You're right, Henry. I know you are. It's just hard to remember sometimes, amid all the doubts and frustrations."

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