Bailey (Angel Institute #3)

Chapter 3

Three

GLADYS

T he Blessing Call Center hums with energy, a symphony of celestial voices and light that never fails to energize me into helping people. You may think that giving out blessings all day long would tire an angel out, but it does the exact opposite; it rejuvenates me. I love being of help to angels and people, and the well we draw from is an infinite source. I sit at my sleek, white desk, my fingers dancing over the keyboard as I finish up my latest call.

“Yes, of course,” I say, my voice infused with warmth and a touch of amusement. “I understand how important this spelling bee is for little Tim. I’ll put in a request for an extra dose of courage and clear-mindedness. Just remember, we can provide the blessing, but Timmy still needs to do the work. We’re not running a divine cheat sheet service here.”

I pause, listening to the guardian angel on the other end of the line. “A puppy?” I scroll through the on-screen information. “Oh, I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I can’t grant that request. Tim’s mother has been praying quite adamantly against it. Something about allergies and carpet cleaning bills.” I chuckle softly. “Perhaps we could arrange for some quality time with a neighbor’s dog instead? Or maybe a nice, low-maintenance pet rock? I hear they’re making a comeback.”

As I wrap up the call, I can’t help but marvel at the intricate dance of human desires and divine intervention. It’s a delicate balance. God wants to give his children every good thing, but it can’t interfere with agency, and not everyone is open to receiving all He has.

With a sigh, I remove my halo-like headset, the soft glow fading as I set it down.

“Gladys? Are you okay?”

I look up to see Celeste approaching my station. Her sapphire blue eyes are framed by long, dark lashes. Her deep brown curls cascade over her right shoulder. The innocence and eagerness radiating from her is almost palpable, reminding me of a puppy seeing snow for the first time.

“Just finished up a call,” I say with a smile. “How are your guardian angel classes going?”

Celeste’s face lights up like the star atop a Christmas tree, her rosy cheeks glowing with excitement. “They’re amazing. But I’m even more excited to hear about your final exam. Who’s your assignment? What are they like?”

I lean back in my chair, patting the top of my head to make sure my hair is in place. “Her name is Bailey,” I begin, feeling the weight of the challenge ahead. After the way she reacted to Logan—who is such a sweet and handsome man—I’m not sure there’s a soft bone in her body. I chatted with him for a minute. Besides being a designer, he’s a firefighter. The man rescues kittens for a living, and Bailey didn’t give him the time of day. “She’s about as prickly as a cactus in the desert. And not one of those cute, Instacloud-worthy succulents, either. We’re talking full-on, ‘touch me and regret it’ prickly.”

Celeste’s brow furrows slightly, but her smile doesn’t dim. “Prickly?”

I sigh, trying to find the right words to describe Bailey without betraying the fondness I already feel for her despite her difficult nature. “She’s built up these walls around herself and is defensive. It’s like she’s decided the whole world is against her, so she might as well be against it right back. Imagine trying to hug a porcupine wearing a suit of armor, and you’re getting close.”

“But why ?” Celeste asks, her sapphire eyes wide with curiosity. “Doesn’t she know how loved she is?”

“That’s just it,” I say, shaking my head. “She doesn’t. Or if she does, she’s forgotten. She’s been hurt, Celeste. Misunderstood and undervalued for so long that she’s started to believe it herself. It’s like she’s got her heart sealed in a snow globe.”

I pause, remembering the pain I’d sensed in Bailey’s heart during our brief encounter. “I just don’t understand why humans can be so... inflexible sometimes. They get these ideas in their heads about who they are or how the world works, and it’s like trying to move a mountain to get them to see things differently. Actually, moving a mountain might be easier. At least mountains don’t talk back.”

Celeste listens intently, her expression thoughtful. “But isn’t that what makes it so rewarding?” she asks after a moment, her optimism shining through. “I mean, we learned in class that the most challenging cases are often the ones where we can make the biggest difference.”

I can’t help but smile at her optimism. “In theory, you’re absolutely right. But in practice...” I trail off, remembering some of Bailey’s more stubborn moments. “And don’t even get me started on her interactions with Logan.”

“Logan?” Celeste asks, leaning in with interest.

“A man who’s clearly interested in her,” I explain. “He tried to be friendly, but Bailey shut him down. It’s like watching someone slam a door in their own face.”

Celeste nods sympathetically, her youthful face etched with concern. “It sounds so frustrating.”

Before I can respond, a soft chime sounds from both our stations. “Looks like we’ve got more calls coming in,” I say, reaching for my headset.

Celeste nods, her expression turning serious. “Back to work then. Don’t give up. I have a feeling you’re going to do amazing things for Bailey.”

As Celeste hurries back to her station, her white robes flowing gracefully behind her, I settle my headset back in place, its soft glow reactivating. The incoming call connects, and I take a deep breath, pushing my worries about Bailey to the back of my mind.

“Blessings Hotline, this is Gladys.”

I throw myself into my work, knowing that every blessing granted here ripples out into the world, touching lives in ways we may never fully understand.

The voice on the other end belongs to a guardian angel I’ve worked with before, one assigned to a family going through a difficult time. As I listen to the complex situation—a father losing his job right before Christmas, a mother struggling with depression, and children caught in the middle—I close my eyes and send them love.

“I understand,” I say softly, my fingers already moving across the keyboard. “Let’s see what we can do to bring some light into their lives. How about a two-for-one special? We’ll throw in some job opportunities for dad, a dash of emotional support for mom, and for the kids... how about a touch of holiday joy? And if that doesn’t work, there’s always the classic ‘mysterious benefactor’ route. Nothing says Christmas miracle like an anonymous check in the mail, right?”

As I work, coordinating with other departments to arrange for the blessings to be delivered, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. This is why I do what I do, why I’ve worked so hard to become a guardian angel. Even if it sometimes feels like herding cats, they are very stubborn, human-shaped cats.

I glance at the clock floating above the call center. My shift is almost over, and soon I’ll be heading back to Earth to continue my work with Bailey. The thought fills me with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. It’s like preparing for a battle if the battlefield were a small town at Christmas and my weapons were good intentions.

As if on cue, another chime sounds from my station. I smile, feeling a new surge of energy as I answer the call.

“Blessing Hotline, this is Gladys. How may I help you today?”

The call center continues to buzz with activity around me, a reminder of the constant flow of love and support from heaven to Earth. As I work, I send up a silent prayer for Bailey, for Logan, and for all the souls struggling to find their way this holiday season.