Page 49 of Eyes Like Angel

His dark eyes flashed in wonder. “Wait, the right time? Of course, it’ll be the right time! I want you to have fun for once! You haven’t taken any breaks unless it’s movie time, and that’s around nighttime before we fall asleep.”

My hand clutched tighter on the crucifix, my body sunken at a thought. “I don’t…what if someone who knows me might put me on the spot, what then?”

Adrian sets down the dishes at a dry racket. “Are you afraid you might get in trouble?”

I swallowed my words in, sinking my fears in, not wanting to shame myself in front of him.

“What stops you from going, from wanting to explore life and taste everything or learn everything?” he tested.

“Am I going to learn something from this party?” I said awkwardly, not knowing the concept of parties.

“Maybe,” he said, the mole under his eye crinkled. “Maybe not. Who knows? You’ll never know until you try. Trying is part of life experience. Fear is what holds us back.”

My eyes became hazy, my head spinning, spinning with doubts, in shame and in guilt. “But…I….”

“Tell me this, Eva. If God were to ask you to go to a party, and have sent two angels to guide and protect you, would you do it?” he challenged.

“God never liked anything…” I paused, thinking for a word that is similar to ‘filthy’ or ‘sinful’. “He never liked anything that might displease him. My guardian angel would cry, too. I can’t betray my word.”

His face scrunched.

“Why?” he interrogated, his voice gotten stronger, deeper.

“He might be watching us,” I said, sheepish at my brief justification. “I might get punished. He could hear and see everything. Even our own personal thoughts.”

“I wasn’t talking about your God, I was talking about you,” he interrupted. “Tell me why you can’t go.”

My body shriveled in fright, but I fought against it, mentally praying to rebuke the dark spirit off of me. “God is watching,” I reasoned, but felt a bitter taste in my tongue.

He sighed. “But God isn’t here right now. It’s just you and me in the kitchen.”

I almost gasped in outrageous rupture.

How could he say that? Him and I we’re the reason why we’re born with flesh, bone and blood—because of God! I might come to this place, hoping to purify any evil spirit! The angels must be weeping at his word. Careless!

“I know what you’re thinking. You might turn into a devilish, lusty woman. One party won’t hurt anyone. It’s not sinful to have fun.”

“Are you testing my patience, sir,” I reverted back to formal mannerisms, fidgeting.

“Are you doing all this for the love of God? Or are you doing it for yourself?” he shot back, not as rough or tough, getting closer to me. “Be free or not be free, it’s yours to take,to choose, to taste life and its fruition. But let me know if you’re willing to go,” he reminded gently at the last sentence. “Still, I wantyouto go.”

His hand outreached to my forearm, but not completely brushing it, like he was brushing air.

“Is there something special for me? God’s wisdom, maybe?”

His answer was nothing but his shoulders bopped. “I mean, if you consider me as a God, then I feel—” he stopped midday and looked at my face.

His face had gone pale.

My face had gone pale at his casual statement. If Father Divine would’ve heard this, he would’ve kill Adrian on the spot.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make a joke like that,” he said in brisk pace. “But I still want you to come. I can’t say why, but, I hope you’ll be there.”

“Will I be staying at the barn for work?” I guessed.

Shaking his head, Adrian grinned, had his posture leaned towards me. “Only one way to find out, right? Do you have a dress to wear?”

Scanning down on my usual outfit, I was ashamed to admit I have none.