Angel Unawares

Amber's Poem

Amber's head spun from all the new information she'd just received. "So when do you have to go back?" she asked Danny.

"Not until I want to," he told her.

"So we can hang out together sometimes, then?" Amber asked hopefully.

"I'm all yours." He grinned and held his arms out to her. "What do you want to do?"

"Well, you know. Go to movies and stuff like that."

"What movie would you like to see, Amber?"

"Well, I didn't mean right now, necessarily. I just went to see a movie with some friends last night. I've got some homework and stuff I need to work on this evening."

"That comes first, you know." Danny looked very serious. "I know it didn't always for me, but I hope you'll learn from my mistakes."

In her creative writing class the following week, Amber's teacher, Mrs. Williams, asked the class to write a poem about someone who'd had a major impact on their lives for an upcoming poetry contest. Amber only had to think for a moment before composing hers in free verse.

Danny

An empty chair at the table

A ragged pair of sneakers in the hall

A bicycle parked in the garage

Lyrics to a song never sung

Like the breeze on a hot summer day

You were here for just a moment, then forever gone

The pictures you drew for me

Memories of the times we shared together

I'll treasure forever in my heart

Amber was so absorbed in her thoughts that she almost didn't even hear the bell ringing for her next class.

"What happened, Jade? God, I was so worried!" asked Gideon.

"It's my little sister, Amber," Jade told him. "She was in a really bad car crash over the weekend. I had to rush right back to make sure she was OK. I didn't have time to tell you before I left."

"Is she all right?" asked Gideon.

"Yeah, she was lucky. She just got banged up a little. She's already out of the hospital."

"That's good." Gideon grinned. "Now, come here and let me show you how much I missed you."

"Today, I'd like to announce the winners of the poetry contest," Mrs. Williams began. "We have two honorable mentions, 'My Father' by Bryce Cousins and 'Aunt Rhonda' by Janie Phelps. The third place winner is 'My Sunday School Teacher' by Will Patterson, the second place winner is 'Mrs. Banks' by Leslie Summers, and our first place winner is...'Danny' by Amber Cartwright!"

I can't believe it! Amber said to herself. That's the first time I've ever won anything in my entire life!

"The winning poems will be displayed in the mall, and Amber's poem will go to district for the chance to win a fifty dollar prize," Mrs. Williams continued.

That Saturday, Mrs. Anderson went to the mall to look for curtains and took Bailey and Amber with her. As they walked past the food court, Amber saw where the poems were posted on the wall and noticed that Danny was standing there, reading her poem. She walked over to him, and he looked at her and smiled. "Nice poem," he remarked.

Suddenly she felt very shy. "I'm glad you like it."

"Did you really save them?"

"What?"

"Those pictures I drew for you."

"They're still at my Mom's."

"Oh." He looked a little sad. "Well, I appreciate it, anyway. I'm very touched that I made that much of an impression on you."

Oh, Danny, if you only knew how much, Amber wanted to say.

"Say, did you still want to go to that movie?" asked Danny.

"Sure!" Amber replied. "I'll check and see what's playing."

"Never mind that," said Danny. "Is there a particular movie that you'd really like to see?"

"Well, I've always wanted to see the original version of 'Ice Castles'," Amber replied. "But I know it wouldn't be playing anywhere now..."

"That's all right." Danny grinned. "I'll pick you up at seven. How's that sound?"

"Great! I'll be ready!"

She was dressed and eagerly awaiting his arrival when he showed up at exactly 6:55 PM that evening. He greeted Mrs. Anderson and Bailey politely, then turned to Amber. "Ready to go?" he asked her.

He took her hand and, with a gasp of surprise, she saw that suddenly they were standing in the lobby of a 1970's movie theater. Amber looked at Danny and saw that he now wore a white polyester John Travolta jump suit and elevator shoes. She looked down at herself and saw that she was wearing brown-and-yellow checked bell bottom slacks and a wispy yellow blouse.

Shocked, she looked back at Danny, who only laughed.