Rick Mofina - If Angels Fall

“You are Gabrielle?”

A tall man with a beard, dark glasses, and a ball capsmiled down in her. She didn’t know him, but he had a friendly, soft voice. Hadto one of the dads for the party, she guessed.

“You are Gabrielle Nunn whose dad is Paul, afirefighter, and your mom is Nancy.”

Gabrielle didn’t realize she was nodding.

“Let’s talk over here.” The man took her aside,glancing at the snapshot in his hand, giving it to her. “This would be yourpup?”

Gabrielle’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped open.

“Yes! It’s my dog, Jackson! Where is he?”

“In my truck.” The man nodded down the hill toward theparking lot. “Your folks wanted me to bring him to you for your birthdaysurprise. Happy birthday, Gabrielle.”

“But it’s Joanie’s birthday today. Mine is in a fewdays.”

“Boy did I mess up. I’m sorry. Gabrielle. Please don’ttell anybody. Please.” He looked around. Everyone near them was watching thecarousel. “I gotta go before anyone sees me,” he said, holding out his hand forthe snapshot.

“Gabrielle!” her mother called from the washroom.

“Just waiting by the door, Mom. I feel better here.”

Gabrielle pulled the picture to her chest.

She was disarmed. Whatever innate shield she hadagainst strangers evaporated as she thrilled not with doubt but delight in thebelief Jackson was nearby. If she could just hold him again.

“Wait, mister. Can’t I just see him? Please?”

The man rubbed his beard thoughtfully.

“I won’t tell anybody, I promise. Please?”

“Just a quick secret peek?”

“Gabrielle!” Her mother’s voice echoed from thewashroom along with Rhonda’s whimpering.

“I’m okay, Mom, I’m just waiting outside the door!”Gabrielle called. Then to the man she whispered breathlessly: “Oh please, let’shurry!”

“Okay. Count to ten, then follow me quickly to mytruck. Don’t let anybody see you. Just a quick, secret peek.”

The man walked away.

Counting to ten, Gabrielle heard Rhonda retch. Hermother was going to take forever in there. She could cuddle Jackson in secretand be back before her mother missed her, if she hurried.

Gabrielle followed the man from the carousel, down thehill to the parking lot.

Behold the Seraph’s face.

The Angel appeared in the distance. A celestialvision.

Edward Keller stood at his truck, driver’s door open,Gabriel nearing him. Smiling. Empowered by God. The Angel-child. Immortal.All-knowing. Radiant with the glory and the calm.

I am cleansed in the light of the Lord!

Keller was overcome, blinking back tears.

From inside the truck’s cab, Jackson saw Gabrielleapproaching and barked. The rope around his neck was knotted to the passengerdoor’s arm rest. Keller had long ago removed the door’s inside handle and lockbutton. The passenger door could not be opened from the inside.

Gabrielle ran to the truck.

Keller stepped aside, leaving a clear path to Jackson.

Gabrielle hesitated, a tiny wave of unease ripplingthrough her. She wanted to hold Jackson so badly it hurt, yet something was outof place. She didn’t know what it was. Like the time she glimpsed a solitarytuft of black mingled with Santa’s white hair at the Stonestown Mall. She didn’tknow what to do, so she kept it a secret. What about now? She was not worriedabout the kidnapper, like her mom, because this man was her dad’s friend. Shewas sure about that because Jackson was right there. She just didn’t want toget the man, or herself, in trouble. She glanced back at the carousel.

“Maybe I should tell my mom?”

“I suppose, but it would ruin the surprise.”

Jackson yapped, and wagged his tail. He was so cute.

“My other door’s broken there. Won’t open. Go on inthis way and see your pup. Never seen a dog in more fierce need of a hug.”

Jackson panted, moving as close to her as the ropepermitted.

“Okay a quick hug, then I’ll go back and keep it asecret.”

She crawled into the cab along the bench seat andembraced Jackson, nuzzling his face, giggling as he licked hers.

“I missed you so much. You naughty doggie running awayfrom me!”

Leaving the door open, Keller slipped in behind thewheel, and casually kneaded the dog’s neck.

“My name’s Ned Jenkins. I live in the other side ofthe park. I found your little fella in my garage the other day.”

“In your garage?”

“Yes ma’am. Seems he got himself pinned under a pileof junk. Luckily there was a big old bag of dog cereal I left there. My old dogFred died awhile ago.” Keller saw little traffic in the corner of the lot.“This fella’s got a lot of spark. He tore into the cereal, kept himself alive.Seems like a real nice little guy and he’s no worse for wear.”

Gabrielle gave Jackson a bone-crushing hug.

“Thanks for letting me in on the surprise, Mr.Jenkins. I better get back now. It’s going to be hard waiting for my birthday,but I promise to keep our secret.”

Keller didn’t move. He produced a worn copy ofJackson’s missing-reward poster the Nunns had put up weeks ago.

“Your notice here says there’s a reward?”

“Yes. Fifty dollars. It’s at home at my house.”

Keller thought. “Well since Jackson’s return is nosurprise anymore I might as well get my reward. What the heck?”

Gabrielle didn’t understand.

“But it’s at my house and Dad and Ryan went to CoitTower.”

“I’m sorry, Gabrielle, I forgot to tell you that yourdad was meeting me at your house. I told you I know him from the station.”

But wasn’t this supposed to be a surprise?

“Look, we’ll drive to your place, tell your dad aboutmy screw-up. It will be all right, don’t worry. Paul will get a laugh. I’malways messing up at the station. Then I’ll get my reward and your dad willdrive you back to the party here.”

Gabrielle looked toward the carousel.

“You were telling the truth about the reward, weren’tyou?”

She nodded, hugging Jackson to her chest.

“I want to pick it up now because I’m going out oftown on business tonight and I’ll be gone for a long time.”

Keller slammed his door, started the engine,surprising Gabrielle, flooding her mind with confusion. Before she knew whatwas happening, the truck rolled out of the lot and down Kezer Drive.

“This will only take a second. You’re safe with me.”

“But I just don’t know.” In a whisper, more to herselfthan to Keller, Gabrielle said, “I don’t want to get into trouble.” She buriedher face in Jackson’s neck, squeezing him until he yelped. She caressed him asthey left Golden Gate Park.

I don’t want to get into trouble.

“Gabrielle!”

All of the saliva in Nancy Nunn’s mouth dried up asfear slithered down her throat.

“GABRIELLE!”

Nancy came out of the washroom with Rhonda, Tracey,and Millie expecting to find Gabrielle at the entrance. But she wasn’t there.She was gone.

Again Nancy took a speed-of-light inventory of thearea. No sign of Gabrielle. Nothing.

“Maybe she went to the Troll Bridge, Mrs. Nunn?”Tracey said.

“Maybe she went to see the others?” Millie said.

Not my kid. My kid knows better to wander from me likethis.

Nancy grabbed Millie’s hand, then Rhonda’s. She madeTracey jumped when she ordered her to take Rhonda’s free hand. Nancy’sterrified heart was on the verge of bursting through her chest. She scoured thecarousel. The organ was playing a funeral march, the revolving animals mockingher with accusing silence.

Why weren’t you watching your child?