Sometimes we just need our heads in the clouds. Clear the minds, clear the noise, and just be… this is what CW&FT at a Glance brings. A little time to clear everything, read some, and think forever. As a creative writer to be, I always am thinking of all the above. I have decided to share these thoughts here for all… not to convince, not to change, but just to open the minds to the little thoughts that may run through day to day. Enjoy!

“It was an accident…” could it be? Did Angelo go against all intuitions and actually make the right Choice.

Jimmy sighs in relief. “He might not have been the best person, but his intentions were not to kill you. At the same time you still didn’t alter Lilly’s future.” Angelo looks at both Jimmy and the Man in Black; tears start to well up as he is still unsure of the process. “She’s devastated… but not hurt. If I chose differently I would have killed a man who did not do anything to me on purpose. I would have been worse off than he must be now.” Jimmy smirks as he wipes off his glasses with his handkerchief, “you’re understanding… it’s not easy but there is a shining light behind the Choices my boy.”

The Man in Black clenches his fist and cranks his neck. “Choice two… choices oh choices. You see, the first may have been tough but here… here is where you falter.” He rubs his hands together as the fog dissipates and everything goes white. With a snap of his fingers, Jimmy and Angelo are standing side by side with the Man in Black at the foot of a king size bed. Silence for what seems like minutes… Angelo hears a familiar voice coming from the distance. Lilly slides the covers down with a stretch and a smile. The voice seems to get louder and louder as the person is coming to the door of the bedroom. The door opens and Angelo’s jaw drops… he sees his best friend Primo Amico.

“No… this isn’t real… my best friend and the love of my life?!” Jimmy steps in front of Angelo, “It is real son. I know it looks crazy but remember that you want her to be happy. You are smart, think… think of why this would happen.” As Jimmy says “happen” the Man in Black shoves him out of the way… “or how about you think of it logically, the way we all would… your girl and your best friend. How could they be ok with this? Why would they do this to you? Did they forget that you died? Did they forget you died on the day you proposed to Lilly?”

Angelo is face to face with with the Man in Black; shaking with adrenaline, fear, and frustration. “Go ahead, make it worse than it really is. They care about me and if I could pick anyone for Lilly it would be Primo. He is and will always be my best and first friend.” The Man in Black slams both Angelo and Jimmy to the ground. He picks up Angelo and throws him through the bedroom wall into the next room. He jumps on Angelo’s chest, puts his forearm to his throat and whispers in his ear ” you’re wrong.”

Angelo struggles to get a word out as he grabs the Man’s forearm, “Enough… there is nothing you can do with all your strength that will change my Choice. I will always want Lilly to be happy and if that means she fell in love with Primo then so be it.” A sharp ringing blasts through Angelo’s ears. The room turns white again. Angelo rubs his eyes as the ringing abruptly stops. Angelo sits up…

The Man in Black and Jimmy are standing side by side. “This kid really is a tough one,” the Man in Black says to Jimmy as he dusts off his jacket. Angelo pauses in confusion as both men seem to be alright with one another. They both put a hand out to help Angelo to his feet. They walk Angelo back to the master bedroom…

Primo lies down next to Lilly… a faint cry is heard from behind the three standing men. “A… a baby… they have a child? Angelo questions in a broken voice.

“Yes, they have a son… it has been ten years since they tragically lost you. I know it feels like it has been hours or days to you, but it has been a decade. At your funeral it was Primo that consoled Lilly and visa versa. Some of your family say that he took it harder than Lilly to some degree. You were his first friend… you were like a brother. This has become a perfect match for both Lilly and Primo. They fell in love and are happy because of you.”

Jimmy’s words hit hard for Angelo as they embrace in a hug that was years in the making. “Damn… this kid is good, maybe you were right Jimmy” the Man in Black says with a grin.

“The third Choice is surprisingly the easiest” the man in black says as he gives a friendly jab to Angelo’s shoulder. They walk down the hallway together, standing outside Primo and Lilly’s baby room. The Man in Black puts his hand out to shake Jimmy’s hand as he looks at Angelo… “Your Grandfather has been waiting here for you since he passed on. Once you arrived he told me that you were ready. I had to find out myself.” Another ringing is heard and Angelo takes a step back…

The Man in Black’s suit morphs into white and the ringing stops. “I am Maximo… I am the highest of Angels; this all has been a test to make sure that one day you can be amongst us. You honestly have what it takes… now you solidified what your grandfather has always thought. Jimmy is ready now… he can go up,” Maximo concludes as he smiles and shakes his hand.

“Depending on your next Choice, you will either go peacefully with him or you will stay here on earth with me. Your final Choice is… if you want to protect the baby of Lilly and Primo from here until his life is over as an old man. Like me, you will be here for decades protecting him without anyone ever knowing. What is your choice?”

Standing in front of Jimmy and Maximo, Angelo takes a breath. “Yes, I am ready… I want to do this… I feel I need to protect that baby boy and watch over this family forever.” Maximo smiles and tells Jimmy to give Angelo a hug one more time. As they embrace a bright light glows and Jimmy is gone.

“You made the right choice son… you have a few things to learn still but your tests of Choices were to make sure you can put this family and that boy before your own wants. To be a Guardian Angel, like me, you will be faced with great decisions for those that you guard. To give you a little more incentive to be at the top as a Guardian, listen to their conversation.” Maximo and Angelo lean in as Lilly and Primo look at their sleeping boy.

“So peaceful… our little Angelo,” Primo says as he gently rubs his baby boy’s cheek and winks at Lilly. Maximo smiles as Angelo puts his hands to his mouth and a tear rolls down his cheek. “You know you were always right about them Angelo… they always loved you and made a family foundation because of you. They will always remember you and honor you… for that they named their son Angelo.”

Angelo tries to compose himself as his emotions over flow. Maximo leans on the crib over baby Angelo. Baby Angelo opens his eyes and smiles at Angelo as if he is the only one that can see him. Angelo smiles back to baby Angelo as he now is also in a white suit like Maximo. Maximo smirks, “You are ready to do this… you are ready to be like me… you are ready to take care and protect this family… because at the end… you made The Choice.”