This story is by Kathy Hill and was part of our 2017 Summer Writing Contest. You can find all the Summer Writing Contest stories here.
I was on my way home from work and stopped for some groceries for the big weekend. As I was loading my cooler, this woman was smiling at me as if she saw right into my soul.¬
She spoke, “Mary, nice to see you again. How are you?”¬
I replied, “Do I know you? You look familiar, but I am running late and…” ¬
“Mary, I am Alicia,” and she smiled and hugged me.¬
I gasped, “Alicia? MY Alicia? Why are you here now, am I dying?” Alicia was the angel from the hospital four years ago. I was bleeding internally and needed surgery. She came and prayed during the night, rested her hand on me, and I felt this warmth through my body. The next morning the Doctor said my improvement was miraculous, and they never did the surgery. I told them about Alicia, the nurse who had prayed with me and they said there is no nurse or any other worker named Alicia, and nothing on your chart about any visitor.¬
“Mary, I came to tell you not to go to the beach with Brian.”¬
I replied, “Alicia, I am going. Steve won’t sign the divorce papers, and I am through.”¬
Alicia looked at me, touched my hand and said, “If you go you will regret it forever. Steven is your husband, he still loves you, and you need to stay with your husband, and make things work. Trust God, Mary, as He will lead you. He has beautiful plans for your future.” She smiled.¬
I replied, “Thank you, but my mind is made up, and Brian is waiting. We planned this, and I am going.” ¬
Alicia took my face in her hands, and whispered, “Mary, God is stronger than Satan. Listen to Him.”¬
I turned to put the last of the groceries in the cooler, and when I turned back, Alicia was gone. Just like that. I looked around and noticed a lady and her son in the next car staring at me. They quickly looked away and I realized, just like the hospital, that only I could see and hear Alicia. ¬
Steve and I were having trust issues since he was caught kissing a gal from his office at a party. He insisted it was nothing, but I could not get past it. I asked him to move out and it had been a few months. We were going to counseling and discussing our issues. I met Brian through a coworker, and we began seeing one another. We planned this weekend away, and I was ready for a change. ¬
As I drove up to the beach house, Brian ran out to greet me. He carried my cooler inside, and put my bag in his room. Flowers on the dresser, soft music playing, and a burning candle shouted romance. The covers were turned down and two robes lay on the bed. Brian showed me around the house and led me back to the bedroom. “I will meet you here in a few minutes.” We kissed and I went to change.¬
My cell rang. Steve! I didn’t want to answer. “Hello, Mary. Can you please meet me at the house? I want to talk to you so badly. Please come tonight. I love you so much…”¬
“Steven, it’s not a good time, how about Sunday?” “No, tonight, Mary. I will be here waiting for you. See you soon,” and he hung up.¬
I wondered if this really was the biggest mistake ever. Brian was waiting, now Steve wants me home! I remembered all my angel Alicia said at my car, and began to cry. I knew in my heart that this was wrong, and I needed to go back to my husband – tonight! Steve had been wooing me for weeks to take him back and forgive him, and I stubbornly refused. And here I was about to commit adultery. “Please, God,” I pleaded, “find me a way out of this situation and back to my husband, who still loves me.”¬
I walked to the bedroom and gathered my things. Brian sat on the bed in his robe, waiting for me. He saw I was crying and said, “You are leaving, aren’t you?” “Yes, Brian, I have to go home to my husband. He still loves me and I just realized how much I love him and always have. I am sorry but we are over.” He stood up and walked me to my car. “I should be mad but somehow I’m not. I hope Steven realizes how lucky he is to have you. Go, be happy, Mary.”¬
We said goodbye and I drove home, very relieved and thankful for my fast exit. “Thank you, God for opening my eyes and heart to do right. I love Steve and I will work harder to show my love to him. Forgive me for being a fool.”¬
Steve greeted me when I arrived, and we kissed like never before. We unpacked the car later, after getting reacquainted. We forgave one another, cried, and promised to both give 100 percent to the marriage. ¬
A few days later, Alicia appeared on our deck. “Hello, Mary, I am so happy to see you are back home with Steve. Things seem better.”¬
I responded, “Oh, Alicia! Thank you for coming to see me again! We love one another very much and have decided to make things work. It has been a very loving weekend around here!”¬
Alicia smiled her beautiful smile, touched my face, and kissed my cheek. “God will bless you and Steve. You will make beautiful babies and while you will have some trials, God will be there for you.” We both laughed, and when I turned around, Alicia was gone. Just like that. ¬
I turned back to the kitchen and Steve was in the doorway. “Who were you talking to?” he asked. I gave him a wink and said, “Come on out and I’ll tell you about it…”¬
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