TheBanyanTree: AN ANGEL AT THE TABLE

[Sharon Mack]

Written from prompt 1/25/04:  Do you believe in angels?  Have angels
ever been at work in your life?

(This is based on an actual visit to my home.  Only the names have been
changed... except his).


AN ANGEL AT THE TABLE
By Sharon A. Mack


Supper was about to be put on the table.  The small kitchen was
steaming the windows and the smell of good food filled the little
apartment.  The table was set with two settings and the quickly thrown
together appetizers were almost gone.  The two women talked about their
day, one seated, waiting; the other stirring, lifting lids, tasting and
checking that evening's cuisine. The low whir of their voices and
sudden bursts of laughter could be heard wafting through the walls and
windows over the hard blowing cold wind that promised winter was on its
way.

The young boy stood in front of the house blowing on his chilled
fingers wondering which door to knock upon.  It was a duplex.  To the
left he heard no sound but that of a TV set turned loud.  No scents or
smells, no voices, no laughter.  He turned to the right door and heard
the sounds of laughter that had drawn him.  He looked up at the windows
and saw the steam and longed for the warmth and promised comfort.  He
would knock on the door to his right.

The woman that appeared was dark haired and small framed but she had
laughter on her lips as she greeted him.  She joked with him and
playfully flirted and then asked if she could help him.  Her smiling
quizzical look gave him courage.  He looked up at the steaming windows.

Shoving his cold hands into his pockets, he smiled back and began his
spiel about the magazines he was selling.  It was for young teenagers
that didn't have jobs and it was suppose to help with their education.
 He smiled and talked, hoping she wouldn't notice that there were no
other teens around or transportation for that matter.

"Yeah," she questioned.  "Where you from?"

"Queens," he answered.

NEW YORK?  You're all the way from New York?  Selling, what was it? 
Magazines?

He'd gone too far.  He knew he'd screw it up.  He looked up at the
windows once more.

"Hungry?"  she asked and cocked her head to one side. She laughed a
good hearty laugh.

"Ahh, yeah, I am a little."  He smiled sheepishly, knowing she had
caught him looking at the windows.  "Haven't had anything since
breakfast."

"Weeellllll, come on in then.  We're just about to have our
supper..."  She held the door wide open for him.  "You'll never
have home cookin' like this, that's for sure.  "Sarah!" She
called, "Got room for one more?"  She waved him in and up the
stairs.

The young man smiled, lowering his eyes as he shook Sarah's hand. 
Two small dogs danced around his legs clamoring for his attentions.

Sarah shooshed them away and moved back into the kitchen calling,
"Rachel, get another chair for the table, will ya?"
Rachel smiled and extended her hand, too.  "C'mon, let me have your
coat.  I'll get you a chair."

As the young man seated himself the two women fussed over his plate,
making sure he got the last of whatever appetizers were left and then
filling his dinner plate.  He noticed that there were only two chops,
but they had been cut into slices and quickly put over the rice with a
bit of sauce.  A huge salad sat on the table with numerous choices for
dressings. The soup that was served was hot and delicious and there was
even a bit of dessert made from a box of pudding and milk.  The wine was
a simple table wine but added a festive note.  The boy ate ravenously.

After the meal as Sarah cleaned up, the conversation went to where he
came from, what his family was like.  He gave them his name, Raphael,
but left his last name out.  He did the best he could to answer their
questions but it was hard to keep up with them and he didn't want to
frighten them or confuse them.  He did the best he could.  He liked
hearing the stories about their children the best.  The stories told of
the women's bravery and hard work raising children as single-moms, but
oddly enough, through it all, the women always kept their sense of humor
about the hardships they had endured.  He counted their children as very
fortunate children, indeed.

At last he said he must go.  He thanked them profusely for their good
warmth and hospitality and told them perhaps he would see them again one
day.  He patted the pups who were quite at home with him by now.  Sarah
and Rachel walked him to the door and waved to him one last time.   They
watched him as he headed down the front walk.

It was dark outside and the wind, which had promised a winter-like
cold, had delivered.  As the young man walked to the end of the front
walk he stopped for a moment and looked up and he saw the stormy clouds
had cleared and that the heavenly bodies scattered across the dark New
England sky were brighter than the finest diamonds.  He turned slowly,
first to the Big Dipper and then to look at the North Star.  The boy
smiled a huge satisfied smile and gave the skies a wink and Rachel
swears she saw the star wink back.

Hebrews 13:2
Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers,
being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home
and doing your part generously, for through it some have entertained
angels without knowing it.