The Hunter, The Dragon And The Smokey Mountain Angel

Julia looked at the time on her phone and saw several missed calls from Andrew but she was late for work. If he weren’t at work, she’d have to call him on her next break. Then she remembered that they had planned to go out last night and she sent him a quick text, “Sorry about last night... ran into something.”

She put the phone down, floated a foot into the air and quickly got dressed. Her phone beeped as she stuffed it into her pocket, flew out the front door and jumped into the air. The sensation felt exhilarating! She had always dreamed of being able to fly but nothing compared to this.

She flew higher and higher into the sky. The mountains rolled on endlessly and her mind returned to Noah; he would love flying. The days were slowly starting to get warmer but she could still see her breath in the mornings as she exhaled. Still, since the treatment at the medical clinic, her body simply didn’t get cold or hot anymore.

She looked down. The leaves throughout the forest were starting to fill in the gaps between trees but the foliage was still too thin to camouflage her. The sound of choppers circling above made her quickly settle to the ground. Luckily, she wasn’t trying to infiltrate a secret base, just get to work. She descended into the canopy and took the same routes through the forest she had used before and emerged near the river. She froze; dozens of people were walking up and down the riverbank.

“Over there!” shouted a little boy and Julia started to leave.

He continued yelling, “That’s her! I told you I saw a girl fly over this river yesterday!”

Julia looked over her shoulder and imagined a map of the area. There wasn’t a faster way between here and the Waffle House. She turned back to the waiting people, smiled and waved. The time for hiding was over.

When she waved and a cheer came from the small crowd. Someone was whistling loudly to the people still sitting in cars waiting in the parking lot not far up the hill. She float walked over the river but the gathering people on the banks couldn’t back up to let her step onto dry land.

Camera phones recorded every movement as she hovered above the water and moved down stream. More people were running out of the stores and down from parking lots holding cameras to their ears and shouting, “She’s here! She’s flying above the river!”

There were too many people lining the riverbank. She couldn’t continue down the river, more people were waiting down there too. The helicopters had started moving her way, attracted by all the people rushing to the river.

She smiled, knowing what reaction she was about to get. Then she raised high into the air, above the massing people and everyone went silent. Then a lady screamed and several people dropped to the ground. Julia paused in midair to see if they were okay. Everyone was staring up at her. Only a few spectators had seen the others fall. Julia pointed to those lying on the ground and said, “Can yall help the fallen people?”

They looked at her as if God were speaking but several others quickly noticed what she was talking about and began helping the people passed out on the ground. Then she continued flying to the Waffle House and landed at the back door.

Andrew was waiting just outside the door. When she got close, he kissed her and said, “You ran into something... haha”

“Well,– I,” Julia stammered.

“You are amazing. You stopped a robbery and from what I hear, it could have been a lot worse. Did you know they caught those guys this morning?”

“They caught those bastards!”

“Yes, guess they thought they’d eliminate the witnesses but you got their tag number and you knew which street they lived off of. Holy cow... They’re calling you an angel.”

“I’m no angel. I only did what you would do in my place.”

Andrew smiled and then kissed her again. He asked, “Why are you coming to work? I thought you got some big pay check from that news station.”

Julia’s eyes lit up. She said, “I bought my house; nearly got arrested this morning too that’s why I’m late. I barely have enough money left over to make a few repairs and get some new clothes. The rest is going to pay the balance of my Child Support. I really need to drive, so I can find another full time position.” Then she pulled out an Applebee’s gift Card and waved it at Andrew. She said, “Dinner is on me for the next year! You hungry?”

“Well, I love their food… That was the least they could do for you.”

“They also offered me a job. I can start as soon as I want.”

Andrew nodded, “So you’re move–n on up, too good for the Waffle House now.”

Julia rolled her eyes.

Suddenly a light flashed and both Julia and Andrew looked towards the parking lot. A news reporter snapped a few more photos. A man behind him was holding what looked like a miniature satellite dish.

Andrew said, “Those assholes are listening to our conversation!”

“Congratulations on the new job Julia,” said the reporter that was standing next to the man holding the microphone.

Julia said, “Thanks for the privacy...” and then she whispered, “Asshole.”

“Just doing my job,” The reporter replied, paused and added, “I know someone who will offer you a book deal; big money upfront and royalties.”

Julia laughed then said, “Tell them to call me in a week. After work, I’m searching for my son.”

Then Andrew opened the back door and Julia followed him inside. The restaurant was noisy and full of people. The smell of omelets, stake and coffee made Julia hungry. When she walked into the service line, everyone started cheering.

“Fly for us,” said one man!

“Bless my children Saint Julia?” another lady said.

Before Julia could answer the lady, the sound of squealing breaks and honking horns came from outside as a dozen cars pulled in the parking lot all at once. A line of cars and trucks trying to find a place to park stretched down the highway as more and more people were walking toward them from across the street.

“It looks like that reporter has already ratted you out.” Julia remembered calling that man an asshole and thought to herself,

At least that’ll put an end to this angel business.

“We’re going to need more servers!” The other cook named Jeff said.

“How would they get here?” Andrew asked.

Julia shrugged, went back to the office and then clocked in. She walked back to the grill but the other servers just stood there staring at her.

The noise in the restaurant was so loud that it was hard for anyone to hear anything, much less take and give orders to the cooks.

Andrew took a large soupspoon and banged it against an empty cooking pot. He spoke in a loud voice, “Everyone please be quiet for a moment.”

The room went still.

“Julia is here to work,” he looked at Julia and winked, “This will be her last day here, so I need everyone who isn’t here to order food to please leave.”

Julia smiled, if they thought she wasn’t working here tomorrow then maybe the restaurant could go back to normal business.

As one, the group of people reached for the menus and Andrew shook his head. He said, “Please understand that there are only a few of us working today. Because of how many people are here and are outside blocking the roads, there won’t be any more help for a while. Everyone be patient and you will be served.”

“I’m a server,” said a lady, “I’ll help with the drink orders.”

“I can work the waffle machine,” said another man, “I used to work for Waffle House a long time ago.”

“I can’t pay you but we’ll share tips...” Andrew said as he looked at Julia and the other servers and they agreed with their smiles.

“We want Julia to fly,” said another person standing next to the bathroom door!

Andrew shook his head. He said, “Julia will not be flying in the restaurant. Our insurance doesn’t cover accidental flight collisions!”

Then Julia and the other servers split the restaurant into four sections and began serving. After a while, another server arrived and Julia was able to switch from taking orders to preparing drinks and running food.

Some of the older customers held out newspaper clippings and she signed them but most people just wanted a selfie with her. From at least two dozen different angles, the customers recorded her every move. She was frustrated but she just took a deep breath and let it go.

Everyone begged her for her attention, “Please sign my shirt,” and more than once, from men and more than one woman she was asked, “Will you marry me?”

She laughed, signed the back of cellphones, napkins, bare skin and she even blessed some of the children, out of courtesy and to get them to go away. She would say, “Dear God, bless these children in the way you see fit.” Then she quickly turned to the next person desperately trying to talk to her…

Everyone she met handed her a cash tip. They said things like, “You are my hero,” and “I can’t believe they took your driver’s license. Unless they can fly, how’s a person supposed to get to work on time without a driver’s license?”

She was surprised by how much her words had affected these people but she knew that, compared to the life she had been living, in fact, she was very wealthy there was just a banking error...

As the morning gave way to noon, Andrew began preparing lunch and then, as the hours went on, dinner. The restaurant was nearly out of food and there wouldn’t be a supply truck for at least two days. She was glad that she’d be going home soon.

Andrew said, “Okay beautiful, are you ready to go?”

Julia had lost track of time. She inhaled slowly, feeling the growing strength in her body and she wondered at this for a moment. She was full of energy and if she had to, she could continue going all night.

Her eyes met Andrew’s eyes and she said “Not yet,” She reached into her bulging apron and pulled out a huge roll of cash. She peeled off a few hundred dollars and divided it between the other servers and cooks. All the servers were tipped well but Julia wanted to make sure they understood that she appreciated them. Then, when the last server walked into the restaurant, two hours later, she and Andrew walked into the back room and headed for the rear exit. The people in the restaurant were calling to her but she kept walking; she knew this circus would never end.

Andrew said with a smile, “You don’t need to return to work out the rest of your week if you don’t have to. You will still get a good reference from me,” Andrew’s smile grew wider, “Can I call you tomorrow?”

Julia kissed him and said, “Yes. If you want to you can come by later.” Andrew nodded and then she stepped out the back door. Hundreds of people, sitting on cars and in every empty space throughout the parking lot, stood up as one. A collective gasp filled the air. She signed more autographs, answered a few more questions then, to the delight of everyone there, she rose into the air and flew home.