The Strangers 

By Eddie Cruz 

            Michael looked at his watch. It was 9:00 pm. Tony’s Bar was crowded every Friday. It was happy hour. Employees from different companies would meet up with their friends and lovers to have a good time before they went home to begin their weekend. Mr. Taylor sat down with another beer and excused himself. “Apologies for the delay, I was talking to that fine lady over there,” he said, while pointing in the direction to the bar where he had just gotten his beer. Michael turned around and looked at the woman. She was beautiful. However, she looked as if she could be Mr. Taylor’s daughter. Mr. Taylor, a man in his mid-fifties had it all - success, a beautiful wife and two children who were still too young to know about the realities of life. He was an executive for The Foreign Monetary International Company.  A company which dealt with international and local emergencies.  He was also an alcoholic.  He did not want to accept the fact that he had a problem, a problem that was affecting his relationship with his wife who was getting tired of his drinking and sometime violent outbursts.

            Michael looked at Mr. Taylor. “Let me ask you a question,” Michael said while sipping on his glass of ice-cold water. “Do you believe in the after-life?”

Mr. Taylor took a gulp of beer. “Don’t tell me you’re a preacher whose about to give me life’s lesson about the after-life,” Mr. Taylor said laughing to himself.  Michael looked at him seriously. “Answer my question. If you were to die at this moment what would happen to your soul?” Mr. Taylor took another sip from his beer. “Okay. You want to know the answer.  When I die, I’ll be in hell playing poker with all my friends and having a good time with all of the ladies.” Michael looked at Mr. Taylor. “Listen, too me. You’re in danger. I’m here to help you. You’re soul is at stake. Tonight at 1:00 am you’re going to die.”

            Mr. Taylor looked at Michael quizzically. “Who are you? I only met you two days ago and you seem to know more about my life than I do. What do you mean I’m going to die? You must be out of your mind.”  Michael looked at Mr. Taylor. “I’m just a friend who is trying to help you. Help you from destroying your own self. You have a life to live for. You have a beautiful wife and two beautiful children. You live your life as if there were no tomorrow. Satan is asking for your soul.”

            Time passed by very quickly. It was 12:55 am. Michael explained to Mr. Taylor about the afterlife. How people never even consider preparing for death. For death was not the end of life, but a beginning of a new life. Eternity was forever. Where you would end, would be a personal choice. Mr. Taylor got up and left a tip on the table. “Listen, buddy. I appreciate you trying to help me out. I’m my own man and I do as I please.” With those last words, Mr. Taylor walked out of the bar. Michael got up and followed Mr. Taylor who was stumbling as he walked to his car that was across the street. The time was 12:59 am. As Mr. Taylor crossed the street, he did not see an 18-wheeler that appeared out of nowhere. Michael yelled, “Watch out!” Mr. Wilson Taylor turned around and froze as he saw his life flashed right before him. At that moment, he felt someone rushing towards him and knocking him to the ground. The 18-wheeler never stopped. Mr. Taylor had scrapes and scratches, but nothing seriously. The young man helped lift him up. “Are you okay, sir? You’re not hurt or anything are you?” Mr. Taylor felt his arms and body looking to see if anything was broken. “I’m okay. I want to thank you. You saved my life.”

The young man lowered his head in humility and downplayed his heroics. “It’s nothing. I’m here to serve,” he said as he began walking away from Mr. Taylor. “I never got your name. Who are you?” Mr. Taylor asked the young man. The young man turned around. “My name is Gabriel. That’s what everybody calls me.” At that moment, Gabriel’s wings spread out of his back and he flew away. Mr. Taylor turned around and saw Michael staring at him. “Did you see that,” he said pointing towards the heavens. Michael looked at Mr. Taylor. “Yes, I did.” Michael began to walk away from Mr. Taylor and his wings also spread opened from his back and flew away. Mr. Taylor looked in disbelief; he reached into his right-hand pocket; and got rid of his small bottle of alcohol poison. Some higher power was looking out after him. Be very careful, for you might be entertaining angels.