Part 40 (1/2)
Jana said, ”Professor, you're welcome to come too. I have plenty of room. We can put your chair in the trunk.”
”Very kind,” the professor said dismissively. ”But I have plenty to do around here.”
”Maybe I should stay,” Sue said.
Christina linked arms with her. ”You know you want to go,” she said. ”You're as worried about him as we are.”
When they were gone the professor wheeled over to the television set and switched it off.
He sat for a moment in the silence, then lifted his head heavenward.
”Abdiel!” he shouted.
He waited a moment, then shouted again.
”Abdiel!”
He remained alone. Wheeling himself to the hallway, he shouted, ”Abdiel!”
When the angel didn't appear, he wheeled himself into the kitchen.
”Abdiel!”
He opened the front door and shouted at the stars.
”Abdiel!”
A voice behind him said, ”I'm not your genie in a bottle and I don't appreciate being treated as such.”
Abdiel stood in the middle of the living room.
The professor slammed shut the front door.
”Where's Grant?” he said.
”What makes you think I would know?”
”Do you?”
Abdiel didn't answer.
”Is Grant in danger?”
Again, Abdiel didn't answer.
”Does Semyaza have him?”
Abdiel appeared beatific, as composed as a statue, and just as silent.
”Answer me!” the professor shouted.
”The time has come for Grant to make a decision about whose side he's on,” Abdiel said.
”What do you mean, whose side? A few weeks ago he didn't even know there were sides. You have to give him time.”
”After Grant has made his decision, I'll return to inform you.”
”It's tonight? Why the rush?”
”Did I say it was tonight?”
The professor hit the arms of his wheelchair with his fists. ”Do you know, for an angel you can be infuriating? Is it tonight or not?”
”I must leave now.”
”Wait! What's riding on his decision?”
”I must leave now.”
”Abdiel . . . I implore you . . . go to the Father. Intercede for Grant. See if you can-”
The professor was talking to air.
Fists hammered the arms of the chair.
”Abdiel!” he shouted. ”Abdiel!”
He shouted until he was hoa.r.s.e.
”It's not fair!” he bellowed at the ceiling. ”It's not fair! Grant isn't like us! Without the Holy Spirit, he's on his own. What chance does he have?”
His words bounced back at him off the ceiling.
The professor wheeled in circles, his voice barely a whisper, pleading Grant's case. No longer addressing Abdiel, he made his case directly to G.o.d. ”Almighty Father, please, the boy deserves a chance. He's caught between two worlds. He's no match for Semyaza, and for reasons I don't fully understand, Abdiel and the others will not stand up for him. The boy needs an advocate, but you've denied him your Holy Spirit. Please don't throw him to the wolves. You've given him life. You've given him free will. Now give him a chance to choose. That's all I ask. Give him a chance.”
CHAPTER 31.
The elevator doors whooshed open on the top floor of the Emerald Plaza. After his initial quip, Semyaza remained silent for the duration of the ascent.
”I don't need an escort,” I snapped as I stepped from the elevator.
A couple in evening dress stood waiting for the elevator. A curious expression crossed their faces. When I looked behind me and saw the elevator empty, I knew why.
I offered no explanation. The couple stepped into the elevator without turning their backs on me and were quick to close the doors.
The stairs to the roof were at the end of the hallway. I walked the length of the fluorescent pa.s.sage to the stairwell and up the painted cement steps and onto the gravel surface roof.