Based on what I have learned over the years, I believe this special anime, Kirby: Right Back at Ya! has something unique about it. Whether it’s the characters, scenes of love and friendship, or the atmosphere and aura of the lifestyles each character possesses, this anime teaches many Biblical truths of what to do and what not to do. If you look past the surface of the cute cartoon show, you’ll see more than you expect.
She started as a baby. . .
An innocent infant.
Gradually. . .
She changed.
She learned to crawl.
Walk.
Run.
Talk.
Read.
Write.
Understand life for what it was.
She learned to be observant.
She learned to be watchful.
She learned how to see beyond the surface.
She learned how to love.
Not in an eros way.
Nor ludus.
Nor mania.
Nor philautia.
But agape.
The child’s name was Tiff.
Her name meant “manifestation of God.”
And truly. . .
She indeed showed God’s manifestation.
She was a light in a dark world.
A flickering flame that never went out
Despite the world’s repeated attempts to extinguish it.
For what is lit by God. . .
can never be quenched except by His own hand.
She hated injustice and cruelty.
She longed for a world renewed.
She longed for love to be the ultimate ruler of the universe.
True, authentic love.
Agape love.
She talked with those who needed healing.
Prayed for those who were hurting.
Explained the truth of God’s Word to all through everyday life.
Despite the continual opposition from her enemies. . .
The sun set.
Shadows sank deep
Into the folds of the darkness.
He sat alone.
No one around.
No one nearby.
Just him.
The sky darkened with the shade of evening.
The sand became red and gold
With the colored splotches
Of the descending sun.
The shadow of grief befell him.
He sat alone for a time.
Yet it seemed like an eternity.
A milestone.
She had passed.
He still recalled her last days.
The time spent with her.
The memories they created.
The special bond they shared.
But she was gone now.
Never to come back.
Sorrow cast a shadow on him.
He recalled her last words: “Be brave, and love As Christ loved us.”
He has promised.
But had he kept it?
The shadows fell on him.
And so did the agony.
The tears came.
He wept all alone.
Refusing comfort.
Defying love.
Abandoning hope.
Believing he was an outcast.
A reject.
No one to love him.
But one thought differently.
A child approached.
A girl of twelve.
Sunshine-colored hair.
Emerald-hued eyes.
A mature and loving face.
The fountain gurgled
As its waters spilled down
Into the basin.
Tear spilled down his face.
His body shook.
His shoulders heaved.
His breathing ragged and uneven.
The child walked to him.
Halted right behind him.
Put her hand on his arm.
No words were spoken.
The silence of the evening engulfed them.
Sobs of anguish escaped his lips.
The child stood still.
Saying nothing.
Offering nothing
But her love
And companionship.
Love needs no words.
She stayed beside him.
Letting him know
He was not alone.
He was loved.
Cared for.
Rejoiced over.
Not a mistake.
The child remained silent
For the longest time.
Then she spoke for the first time.
“I pray you heal from things. . .”
Her strong fingers gripped his.
Unthinkingly, he tightened his grip
On hers.
“. . .no one ever apologized for.”
His sobs quieted.
His breathing slowed.
The child released her grip.
Sat down a few feet away.
She didn’t look back at him.
But he knew she cared.
And was listening.
Watchful.
Ready to comfort him.
Ready to be a messenger of hope
Sent from the One Who loved him.
* * *
2 Corinthians 1:3-4- “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” ✟ ✟
After the shock of Pancake nearly falling through the ice was over, Cloudy declared Lily the winner of the dance game. Then everyone went back to eating or playing other games. Sniper played serenely with his brothers and didn’t get into any more mischief. Meanwhile, Meta Knight was talking to Cloudy and Nika by an old oak tree that sat a few feet away from a magnolia tree.
“My daughter Liloy is celebrating her seventeenth birthday on February 2, as you know,” Meta Knight was saying. “Your parents gave their permission to hold her party at your house, right, Cloudy?”
“Yes. Oh, this’ll be awesome!” Cloudy squealed, jumping up and down.
“Oh, yeah! We’re gonna party all night long!” Nika shouted out, doing a little dance.
Meta Knight laughed at their enthusiasm. “Yes, I hope she will have a great time.” Unexpectedly, his voice grew dark. “The only thing I am regretting is that Tilry cannot be there with her. It would really make her day.”
Cloudy pondered her friend’s words. Tilry was Liloy’s husband, but he was deathly ill with cancer and was in the hospital.
“You want Tilry to get better, huh?” Cloudy asked softly, her voice full of sympathy. Meta Knight dropped his head to hide the tears brimming in his eyes.
“I wish he would,” he admitted. “Liloy alone can’t handle the stress of soon being a new mother. Not to mention she was injured severely very recently by Gregory. . .” His voice trailed off and his shoulders began to shake.
Nika walked over to him and encircled her arms around him. “It’ll be okay. Meta Knight,” she said. “I feel sure Liloy and Tilry will both be okay.”
Meta Knight didn’t say anything, but cried harder. Nika could hear his choked sobs.
“What’s the matter?” Nika gently asked. “Why are you crying?”
“I don’t want him to die,” Meta Knight whispered. “He can’t.”
Cloudy knew whom he meant. “We’ll keep praying for Tilry’s recovery, Sir Meta Knight. And we’ll pray for you and Liloy as well. Won’t we?”
“Yes, we will,” Nika confirmed. She stood erect. “We’ll never stop praying.” Her voice rose with passion as she continued, “God hears us and He’ll answer.”
“We’ll shout our prayers to Heaven till the foundations of that beautiful paradise tremble!” Eloise yelled, lifting her hands to the sky.
Sharkell stomped his feet furiously, causing the others to stare at him. “Till the foundations of the earth itself burn into nothing!” he hollered.
The children could feel the excitement rising. “Till all the demons are thrown in hell!” Yodi said.
“Till God raptures the church!” Waffle answered.
“Till Jesus Christ returns to turn this sin-cursed into something glorious!” screamed Arrow.
“Hooray! Hooray!” Nika cheered, spinning and leaping in a whirlwind of excitement.
“Yeah!” Cloudy vaulted to her feet, a fire in her eyes that startled all. “We’re gonna keep praying because there’s a thousand reason to believe He hears us and will answer! Am I right?!”
“You are so right, my sister!” Star replied.
“Heck, yeah!” Zach called.
Meta Knight strangely felt uplifted by their mighty faith. As he listened to them yell and scream out their beliefs in the Lord, he couldn’t help but feel captivated by their unwavering spirits. And amidst the chaos from the other children, he felt Nika’s fingers grasp his hand as she prayed out loud, “God, we pray for Sir Meta Knight and his daughter and son-in-law. We pray You help Liloy with the stress of her unborn baby and her husband being in the hospital. Please heal Tilry from his cancer and help him fight any anxiety he might have. And especially help Meta Knight. He’s been through too much, Lord, what with his abuse and trauma from his father, Nightmare; and from his friends in the GSA dying. Please help him. Help us all. Amen.”
Meta Knight didn’t realize how hard he was crying until Nika finished. Nika embraced him again, smiling, holding him even when his sobs made him tremble like a leaf in the wind. The other kids had stopped their shouting and were watching the sweet scene with bright smiles on their faces.
“Thank you,” Meta Knight said shakily to Nika. “Thank you so much.”
Nika’s blue eyes brightened as she beamed at him. “Aw, you’re eternally welcome.”
Cloudy was thrilled. She loved that all of her friends. . .well, almost all. . .were willing to pray for and help Meta Knight through his pain. Letting put a whoop and howl of joy, she began to dance and whirl about, the others except for Sniper, Miriam, and Meta Knight following her lead. As she danced, she sang out:
“Hooray! Hooray! We’ll sing the jubilee! Hooray! Hooray! It’s God Who set us free!”
The children cheered and whooped it up. “I’m so glad we’re here together!” Star called to Eloise.
“Me, too,” Eloise responded.
Miriam overheard Star and Eloise, and suddenly tears filled her eyes. Star’s statement had brought back the memory of her mother telling her that they would move to Prism Plains. Miriam wanted to share the news, but when she thought of telling them, she felt sad and scared. More than anything, she wanted to stay here.
“It’s great to hang out together!” Waffle shouted to Star. “Isn’t it?”
“It sure is!” Star answered. “I love hanging out with you all.”
Cloudy looked at Meta Knight. “Aren’t you glad we’re all here, Meta Knight?”
“That I am,” Meta Knight told her.
“We should come out here and picnic every day!” Arrow suggested.
“Not a bad idea, Arrow, but Mommy probably wouldn’t permit it every day,” Cloudy said. She cast a meaningful look at Sniper. “And anyway, I don’t really want to watched Sniper push others onto frozen brooks every day.”
Sniper sneered. “Gimme a break.”
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. But we can at least hang around each other every day, right? Like at the park or at each others’ houses?” asked Zach.
“Yes, of course!” Cloudy said, grinning.
Miriam sniffled loudly, causing the others to turn and look at her. “Is something the matter, Miriam?” Waffle asked.
Miriam sharply drew in her breath, knowing she had to tell them. Now was the time. “Yeah.” She sighed heavily and rubbed the back of her hand across her eyes. “I didn’t want to tell you this, but. . .”
The children expectantly waited. “But?” Eloise said.
Miriam’s heart was pounding in her chest. Tell them, she thought. “I’m moving to Prism Plains next month on the sixteenth,” she burst out.
“What?!” Zach gasped.
Cloudy knew where Prism Plains was, though she had never been there. It was a neighboring country with Cookie Country, where Cloudy lived.
“You’re moving?! Why?!” Eloise exclaimed.
“As you know, Mom is having twins,” Miriam explained miserably. “Our house is too small to house five people, and Dad got a job offer in Prism Plains that pays more money that his job down here. There’s a school for me to go to, too. He accepted the offer, so we’re moving.” She paused to let her words sink in, then continued, “We’re selling our current house, and we’re moving to our new house on Sunday.”
Cloudy counted the days in her mind. Liloy’s birthday party would be held on the day before Miriam left. Well, at least Miriam could have one last chance to hang out with her friends before she had to say goodbye.
Meta Knight couldn’t say a word. To be perfectly honest, he didn’t want Miriam to leave either, but there was nothing he could do about it.
“You cannot just leave,” protested Star. “You’re our friend!”
“Yeah! What would we do without you?” Eloise asked.
Miriam put up her hand. “The matter’s been settled. We’re not staying here much longer. I just decided to let you know ahead of time so it would be easier on you.”
“Easier?!” Eloise snapped. “To me, this doesn’t seem easier than if you didn’t tell us! Rather, it just seems harder!”
“Do you even want to move?!” Nika flared.
Miriam bit her lip, shaking her head.
“You want to stay?” Eloise asked, her voice more gentle this time.
“More than anything in the world,” Miriam confessed. “But Mom absolutely insisted we leave, and Dad went along with it.”
“Did you tell your parents that you don’t want to move?” Zach asked.
“Yeah.”
“Then maybe you should try talking to them again,” Star suggested. “You know, tell them how much it would mean to you to stay here. . .”
“What difference would it make?” Miriam demanded, rising to her feet. She was getting angry both at her friends and her parents. “The house is being sold! We’re moving, all right?! There’s nothing you can do about it now!”
“Why didn’t you tell us sooner?!” Pancake yelled.
“I didn’t know sooner, that’s why!” Miriam cried.
“Stop!” Meta Knight thundered, standing and glaring at the children. They immediately fell silent.
“Arguing will not change the fact that Miriam is moving,” Meta Knight continued more calmly. “I know it is very shocking and upsetting to you, but she will have many new learning experiences and will make new friends. You know that.”
Miriam stared blankly at Meta Knight as if he were speaking Hebrew. She looked around at her friends, who gazed silently at her. And Miriam suddenly realized that Meta Knight was right. She could learn new things and make new friends. The problem was that she did not want to. She wanted to stay with her friends. It made her furious and sad to leave. Spring Breeze was the only home she had ever known for her entire life.
Meta Knight sighed and placed his gloved palm on her shoulder. “Believe me, I feel the same way you do,” he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. Then he did something surprising. He put his arms around her and hugged her.
“Meta Knight,” Miriam murmured. “When I move, I will miss you deeply.”
Meta Knight exhaled slowly. “Me too, Miriam.”
Cloudy felt miserable. She didn’t want to say goodbye. She hated saying goodbye more than anything. Death was probably the hardest goodbye of all.
“Come. You must go home now, children,” Meta Knight said, disentangling himself from Miriam’s tight embrace. “Your parents will start to worry.”
Nika and Zach packed up the picnic basket and the children followed Meta Knight back the way they had come. They walked for almost an hour over unstable trails and low-hanging branches.
When they reached the cabin, Meta Knight paused and said, “I will depart from you here. You can find your way back, I trust. Just be careful.”
“You be careful too, Meta Knight,” Cloudy said.
Meta Knight smiled at her. “I will, little one. Go now.”
The children scampered off through the woods, their shouts and laughter trailing back to the knight’s ears. Meta Knight watched them for some time until they were out of sight, then went into the cabin and shut the door. His mother was there to greet him as he walked into the kitchen.
“Hello, Magnus!” Scazzarda said cheerfully. “How was your picnic?”
Meta Knight sighed and straightened a rumpled corner of his cape. “Happy and sad, sort of strange too.”
Scazzarda pursed her lips, studying him with furrowed brow. “Can you explain?”
“Miriam’s moving to Prism Plains,” Meta Knight replied.
Scazzarda’s eyes widened. “Oh. Well, that’s a shame. She really is a nice girl. We’ll miss her.”
Meta Knight glared up at his mother. “Yes, I know we will miss her. Do not repeat the obvious, please. It gets bothersome when you have to tell me things that I already know.”
Scazzarda withdrew at her son’s sharp tone. The angry tone in Meta Knight’s voice faded and he looked at the floor. “I am sorry. I did not mean to get upset with you, Mother.”
“Is something the matter, Magnus?” Scazzarda wanted to know.
Meta Knight nodded. “I told Cloudy about Liloy’s birthday party, and the most painful fact of that special day is that Tilry won’t even be there to celebrate with her.” He buried his face in his cape. “Mother, tell me why so many bad things are happening to my family. Please.”
Scazzarda shook her head. “It’s God will, son. You just have to trust He knows what he’s doing.” Wrapping her arms around Meta Knight, she pulled him into a tight embrace. He returned the affection, leaning his head against her shoulder.
* * * * *
Cloudy waltzed into her front yard and said in a gangster-type voice, “Welp, this is where we stop. Come, my brothers and sister. Let us go inside and face up to the wrath of Mother.”
“You’re weird,” Sniper said to his youngest sister.
“Thanks?” Cloudy seemed unamused.
“See you later,” Eloise called, waving to Cloudy.
“You too!” Cloudy called in return.
The puppies walked up the front steps. Sniper tried to race through the front door first, but Pancake beat him to it, taunting, “I’m gonna tell Mommy about what you did to me at the brook. I am, I am.”
“No, you won’t,” Sniper retorted. “Besides, that was an accident.”
“It was not!” Star said.
“Liar! I’m gonna tell!” Pancake giggled.
Sniper groaned defeatedly. “What will it take to make you not tell?”
“Twenty dollars,” Pancake said smartly, smirking.
Sniper flinched. “No fair. That’s all the money I have.”
“Twenty dollars or a belt on your rear,” Pancake snapped. “Your choice.”
Sniper thought it over a while, the sighed. “Fine. Twenty dollars it is. Come to my room and we’ll make the bargain.”
“Hye, you wait just a minute!” Cloudy called. “You’re not hiding what you did, Sniper! If Pancake won’t tell, I will!”
Sniper glanced pleadingly at Cloudy. “Please don’t, Sis! If you don’t, I promise I will never push anyone onto the ice ever again!”
Cloudy scowled up at her brother, scrutinizing his face. “You mean that with all your heart?”
Sniper nodded and raised his right paw in the air. “Soldier’s honor.”
Cloudy knit her brow. “Um, Sniper, you’re not a soldier.”
“Fine, then. Dog’s honor.”
“Okay, I’ll accept that,” said Cloudy. “As long as you keep that promise, I won’t tell.”
Sniper exhaled in relief. “Thank you.” Then he and Pancake vanished upstairs.
Cloudy turned on her heel to face the rest of her siblings. “That means you can’t tell either!”
“Okay, we won’t,” Star promised, and the others agreed.
“Hello, children!” It was Springtime. “How was your picnic, dears?”
“Great! But we head some very unexpected news coming from a certain Capperdale,” said Star.
“Miriam, you mean?” said Springtime.
“Yeah. As you know, Miriam’s mom is having twins, and their house can’t hold five people, so they’re moving to Prism Plains next month on the day after Liloy’s party,” Cloudy said.
Springtime gave a low gasp. Miriam moving? That came as quite a surprise to her. “Well, at least she’ll get to hang out with her friends one last time,” she said.
“It won’t be the same without her,” Cloudy argued. “I want her to stay. Miriam told me she doesn’t want to go either.”
“She can’t stay,” Springtime said gently. “She has to go. Her mother is right. They need a bigger house, Leo needs a better job, and Miriam needs a better school to go too. I think it’s a very nice trade.”
“Yeah, a trade of leaving your friends behind,” Cloudy said bitterly. “If you ask me, that’s the worst trade ever.”
“Dear, it’s necessary, though,” said Springtime.
Cloudy knew her mom was right, but wasn’t about to say so. “Why can’t things just stay the way they are?” she groaned. “I love change sometimes, but some changes I hate.”
“Sweetheart, nothing stays the same. That’s just life and you have to accept that.”
“Somehow I wish it wasn’t true,” Cloudy said sadly.
Springtime gave her a hug. “I know, my dear. To be honest, I do too.”
“You do?”
“Yes,” Springtime nodded. “I wished both my brothers didn’t have to die. I wished my father-in-law and I didn’t have to break ties. I wished the dreaded humong disease didn’t have to take the life of my older cousin. Life changed for me in many ways. A few changes I loved, such as getting married and being a mom, but others I disliked.”
Springtime looked right in the eye. “Baby, my point is that life will not always be smooth sailing. It will not always go the way we want. We will all have our waves from time to time. Things will happen that we don’t like. But that heart, for this is the Lord’s plan. And one day He will restore the universe to perfection, just like he promised. Do you understand?”
Cloudy looked up at the mother she loved and cared for so much, and she nodded and hugged Springtime. The puppy was surprised to find herself smiling, and she said quietly, “I understand, Mommy.”
“Hmmm. . .” Cloudy squinted one eye and looked up to the ceiling. “We should play a relatively short game because I want to get outside and see the fireworks pop when midnight comes around.”
It was the last day of December, and it was thirty minutes to midnight. Cloudy and her friends were in the sunroom of Vastre Hall, discussing what game to play to pass the time. Dana was by this time almost completely healed from her wounds and she and her baby were able to come home.
“Hey, I know!” Nika said. “We can play Leapfrog!”
“No way! Cloudy’s too little,” Eloise objected. “We’d break her back.”
Meta Knight walked into the sunroom at that moment, smiling at the children. “Hello. What are you all doing?”
“Trying to figure out what game to play so we’re not totally bored until midnight,” Lea responded.
Meta Knight laughed. “Then play Hide and Seek.”
“Booooring!” Valerie sighed. “Seriously, that’s the lamest game in the entire galaxy. All you do is count to whatever number you wish while everyone hides and then you come out and try to find all the hidden people. Not my game! No thanks!”
“Well, you don’t have to play,” Meta Knight said. “But the rest can. Do you all want to?”
“Yeah!” everyone except Valerie shouted.
“I will count,” Meta Knight said, a hint of humor in his voice.
“Hey, when you come to find us, just say, ‘¿Dónde estás tú?‘” Cloudy said. “Okay?”
“All right,” Meta Knight agreed, but he sounded confused. “But why do I need to ask where you are? The point is for me to find you without you giving away your hiding place.”
“I just think it adds more fun to the game,” Cloudy replied. “Plus, you need to teach these kids more Spanish. It’ll come in handy for them one day.” She grinned. “¡El español es realmente bueno para aprender!”
Meta Knight stared at Cloudy, wondering where she came up with these strange ideas. But for the sake of the kids he would do as she asked. “Okay, then. Get ready to hide! I’m going to count to twenty.” He closed his eyes and counted, “One, two, three. . .”
“No, no, tiempo fuera, tiempo fuera,” Cloudy broke in, shaking her head. “Count in Spanish.”
Meta Knight shook his head, trying not to laugh. “All right. Go hide!” And he began to count again, “Uno, dos, tres, cuatro. . .”
The children sprinted away and darted inside the house, running through every room, trying to find a good hiding place. As Star ran with Cloudy into the living room, she glanced about for a place for her little sister to hide. Upon seeing the fireplace, she got a brilliant idea. She skidded to a stop and exclaimed, “Cloudy!”
“Huh?” Cloudy asked breathlessly. “What?”
“Get in the fireplace!”
“What?!” Cloudy yelled. “No way, José! Never would I do that! I’d get all black and sooty!”
“But it’s a good hiding place!” Star said. “Besides, if Meta Knight can’t find you in there, no one can!”
“Why don’t you just go in?” Cloudy wanted to know.
“No, I’ll find somewhere else to hide. I want Meta Knight to think you’re the best Hide and Seek player around.” And with those words, she pushed her little sister into the fireplace, burying her in ashes and soot. “There. You’ll blend in and no one will find you. Later.” Then she was gone.
Cloudy sat up, coughing and shaking the soot out of her thick fur. “If there was one place I would never have chosen for hiding, it would have been in here,” she grumbled. “This place is disgusting.”
Cloudy looked around the fireplace. The bricks were worn and stained with soot and grime. The ashes of logs and other materials were stuck in the cracks between the bricks.
Just then, Cloudy heard Meta Knight calling to the kids, and she crouched down as much as she could without sticking her face in the soot. As she did, she looked up the chimney and saw metal pegs sticking out of the brick. She frowned, wondering why on earth there would be pegs stuck in the chimney wall. She decided to investigate further.
She began to climb the pegs slowly, carefully. It wasn’t easy, since she was a dog and dogs don’t have fingers. After she climbed up about twenty pegs, she saw that they ended at a brick that was loose and lighter in color than the others. She grabbed the brick in her teeth and tugged at it until it popped out, and she let it fall quietly into the soot below. Then she turned back to the wall and saw that there was an opening behind the brick, and inside the opening sat a small box with delicate carving.
Cloudy’s eyes widened as she read the words carved on the lid,” To Dana from Mother.” Her mind went back to Nathaniel Osen and his claims about there having been a treasure in Vastre Hall. Could this be what he had been talking about?
Cloudy knew she had to show her discovery to her friends and family. Carefully drawing out the box from its hiding place and gripping it firmly between her teeth, she carefully climbed down the pegs and let herself drop to the floor. She crawled out of the fireplace, shaking the soot off her fur. Then she darted out of the living room and into the kitchen, where Meta Knight was. He was still calling, “¿Dónde estás tú?”
Cloudy set the box on the floor in front of her. “Hey!” she called.
Meta Knight turned around and saw Cloudy. Sighing, he said, “Cloudy, I’m pretty sure the whole point of this game is for me to find you, not the other way around.”
“I know,” Cloudy said. “But I made a really surprising discovery! I think there really is a treasure at Vastre Hall!”
Meta Knight was intrigued. “What do you mean?”
Cloudy nosed the box on the floor. “This is from Miss Dana’s mother.”
Meta Knight started, then walked over and picked up the box. “Let’s give it to her,” he said. “She’s on the front porch with Mother. Follow me.”
Cloudy followed Meta Knight out of the kitchen and through several rooms until they reached the front porch. Meta Knight swung open the door and stepped outside into the frigid air. Cloudy followed suit, feeling the icy-cold cement numb her paws.
Dana, a red scarf wrapped around her shoulders, was sitting in a rocking chair and feeding her baby. She looked up at Meta Knight with a warm smile on her face. “Hello, Meta Knight,” she said politely. Then her gaze fell upon the box in his hands and her brow furrowed in puzzlement. “What’s that?”
Meta Knight put the box in her hands. “It’s yours,” he said gently. “It was from your mother.”
Shocked, Dana glanced at Frank, who merely shrugged.
“Where’d you get that, Magnus?” Scazzarda asked.
Meta Knight pointed to Cloudy. “She found it, not me,” he explained.
“Where did you find it, Cloudy?” Dana asked.
“I found it in the fireplace,” Cloudy replied. “There were these pegs I climbed up and there was this loose brick, so I pulled it out and there was a secret hiding place and the box was inside.”
Handing the baby to her husband, Dana put her hand on the lid of the box and lifted it carefully. She peered inside and gave a low gasp.
“What is it?” Cloudy wondered.
Dana took out several gold and silver coins and pretty necklaces inlaid with precious stones. Cloudy gaped at the precious belongings, amazed.
“Do you suppose,” Frank said slowly, “that this was the treasure Nathaniel was talking about?”
“Oh, yes! I believe it is!” Dana said happily. “I remember seeing my mother wear many of these necklaces when I was a young toddler!”
Scazzarda put an arm around her son. “That’s truly an amazing discovery, Cloudy.”
“Thank you,” Cloudy said softly.
“Hey, Meta Knight!” Nika complained, coming out on the porch with the other children. “I thought you were going to find us, but instead you’re out here with Miss Dana!”
“Sorry, Nika,” said Meta Knight in a calm manner. “We got sidetracked by a treasure Cloudy found.”
“Treasure?” Star repeated.
Dana showed each of the children in turn what was in the box. Eloise was awestruck by the fact that Dana’s mother had owned so many beautiful possessions. “Where did she ever get them?” she asked.
Dana smiled at the sincere question. “My dad bought them for her. He was a successful businessman and he collected valuable coins from all over the world.”
“Maybe that’s how your mother came to live in Vastre Hall,” Cloudy broke in.
Dana blinked. “By Father collecting coins?”
“No,” Cloudy answered, shaking her head. “By being a successful businessman.”
Dana’s eyes widened. “You know what, Cloudy? You might be right.” There was a whistling sound and Dana looked up to the sky just in time to see a firework explode in a shower of black dust, gray smoke, and a magnificent display of scarlet.
Cloudy settled herself on the cement, ignoring the coldness of the tiles. “I find it amazing that God equipped us all with amazing abilities to help others, such as being able to write, draw, paint, be a nurse. . .and make fireworks,” she declared. “He really loves us, doesn’t He?”
“That He does,” Frank said with a nod, smiling widely. “He loves us all.”
Meta Knight sighed deeply. Dana turned to him, concern etched on her face. “Meta Knight, are you okay?”
Meta Knight turned his eyes to the black sky exploding with color. “I still don’t understand.”
“Understand what?” Dana asked.
“Why God loves us,” Meta Knight muttered. “If He’s even real, that is.”
Dana felt her patience slip a notch. Hadn’t she and the others already explained everything there was to know about God’s love for us? Had Meta Knight not seen the proof that God was real? So why did he keep doubting? What was there to doubt? She opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by Cloudy. “Miss Dana, I’ll handle this,” she said. “I’m going to sing the answer to him.”
“Sing?” said Sniper.
“Mm.” Cloudy bobbed her head and turned to Meta Knight. “You wanted to know why God loves us. Well, here’s why.” And she began to sing:
“Mere love can’t fill this space, Mere love can’t overwhelm this place, Mere love can’t in sinful man take root But only Your love, God, bears good fruit.
Why you love me, I couldn’t understand, Why You love me, I couldn’t contemplate, But when I saw Your nail-scarred hands And your pierced side, I realized why You love me: In my heart you wish to reside.”
Springtime and Showerstorm, who had bee standing in thefront yard and watching the fireworks, came up the porch steps and smiled at their youngest daughter. The other kids seemed mesmerized by Cloudy’s singing and Dana was tapping her foot in time to the imaginary music.
“Now I’m free forevermore! God, I want to know You more. You are my Hope, my Savior, my Lord, My Alpha, my Omega, my Precious Word.
Why you love me, I couldn’t understand, Why You love me, I couldn’t contemplate, But when I saw Your nail-scarred hands And your pierced side, I realized why You love me: In my heart you wish to reside.”
Star smiled at the last two verses in the chorus. Yes, it was true. God does love us because he wants to come into our hearts and have a relationship with us. He loves us because He is God and because God loves everyone. No matter how much we’ve rebelled against God, no matter how far we’ve wandered, no matter how wicked we are, God still loves us. Nobody else in the world could do that.
“Jesus loves me, oh, this I know Because the Bible tells me so I belong to Him and Him alone And one day I’ll worship before His throne.
Why you love me, I couldn’t understand, Why You love me, I couldn’t contemplate, But when I saw Your nail-scarred hands And your pierced side, I realized why You love me: In my heart you wish to reside.
Oh, yes, Jesus loves me so That for me He came to die He wants me to be His Child And in His pastures lie.”
Cloudy finished and smiled solemnly at her family and friends. “There’s your answer, Meta Knight,” she said, her eyes shining as brightly as the fireworks when they exploded.
Meta Knight drew his cape around himself and knelt down to pat Cloudy’s fur gently. “Thank you, my friend,” he said softly, though his voice was quivering. “I won’t forget your song.”
Cloudy beamed at her best friend. “Okay, Meta Knight.”
“That’s a really good song, Cloudy,” Scazzarda said. “What’s it called?”
“‘Why You Love Me,'” Cloudy replied.
Scazzarda bobbed her head. “I see. That’s really sweet. You have a beautiful voice.”
“Thanks,” Cloudy shyly answered.
Frank then looked at his watch and exclaimed. “Hey it’s thirty seconds to midnight!”
Cloudy stood to her feet, temporarily forgetting the cold. She watched the sky for the giant display of fireworks Dana had told her about that signaled the end of the old year and the start of the new.
“Countdown!” Frank shouted. “Ten, nine. . .”
“. . .Eight, seven. . .” the other adults said.
“. . .Five, four, three. . .” the children called.
They all intently gazed at the dark sky as all shouted out the final numbers. “. . .Three, two, one!”
Suddenly, a glorious display of red, orange, purple, and gold fireworks shot up into the air, making a high-pitched whistle. Then it erupted into a bright palette of mixed colors that merged together to form into one opulent panorama.
“Happy New Year!” they all shouted out in one voice. A firework from far away exploded as if in answer.
Dana yawned, the stretched and smiled sadly at Cloudy. “I’m sorry you have to go away tomorrow, Cloudy. I’ll really miss you around here. You were such a help.”
Cloudy too felt depressed that she had to leave. However, she worked up a smile and said, “Don’t worry, Miss Dana. Maybe we can come back for Christmas this year.”
“Yeah!” Star chimed. “Can we, Mommy?”
Springtime smiled. “Honey, I’d love to. But I’m not certain yet. Perhaps we will, perhaps we won’t. We’ll have to wait and see.”
“All right,” agreed Star.
Dana dug in the box and drew out a sublime aquamarine choker, then got up out of her chair and walked over to Cloudy. She knelt down and clipped the necklace around the Malamute puppy’s neck. “That’s for you to remember us by, Cloudburst, and it’s to thank you for all your help.”
Cloudy shook her head. “Miss Dana, no way could I ever accept such a priceless beauty from you. There’s just no way.”
But Dana put up her hand. “Say no more. It’s yours and that’s final.” She then proceeded to give a necklace to every girl and a coin to every boy. “Keep those, everyone, and don’t forget us,” said Dana.
Eloise threw her arms around Dana’s neck and embraced her. “I’ll never forget you, Miss Dana. Never.”
Nika hugged Dana too. “I like you, Miss Dana. I wish I could stay with you.”
Cloudy turned to look at her reflection in the living room window. She saw a small Malamute puppy with fluffy black and white fur, a purple bow on her head, a black choker embedded with sparkling aquamarine stones around her neck. And as she looked at her reflection, she asked herself, “Am I really who others say I am?”
“Indeed,” Springtime said, coming up beside Cloudy. “You’re special, beautiful, unique, smart, and compassionate and sincere in every way, my daughter. You should be proud of those traits.”
“I am,” Cloudy said. “But do you really think I can be a great Star Warrior someday?”
“Yes, I believe it with all my heart,” Meta Knight said, coming to the other side of Cloudy. “You are truly special, my friend.”
“Meta Knight, you’re special too,” Cloudy said, turning to face him and looking full into his face. “No matter what others say about you or how bad your past is, you’ll always be more than a war-scant warrior to me.” She laughed. “And don’t forget to choose joy no matter what, because it will completely change your perspective on life!”
Meta Knight looked away beyond the stars, then back at his friend. “I love you, Cloudy,” he said, his voice shaking as if he were trying not to cry.
Cloudy wagged her tail. “I love you too,” she said sincerely.
Dana had been watching the scene with tears in her eyes. “What a wonderful friendship between those two,” she whispered to her husband.
“They have a close emotional bond,” Frank noted.
Scazzarda loudly cleared her throat. “Dana, did you forget to tell the others what you located?” she asked loudly.
Star tilted her head, her eyes clouded with confusion. “Huh?”
“Oh, right!” Dana chuckled sheepishly. “I forgot to tell you guys that all your luggage has been located and was dropped off here last night. Some stuff was ruined and had to be discarded, but the majority is relatively okay. You can go home with it.”
“All right!” Nika crowed, pumping a fist into the air.
“Well, that took long enough,” Sniper snapped. “But I’m glad it was finally dropped off.”
“Are we going to travel by plane again?” Star asked with a groan.
“No,” Springtime said. “We’re not taking that chance again. We’re going by ship this time.”
The children cheered. “Anyway, a ship’s probably a lot safer than being on a plane,” Sniper said, and no one argued with that.
“I’m beat,” Eloise said, trying to stifle a yawn. “Let’s get to bed.”
“All right,” Miriam said. “Let’s go.”
“Good night, kids!” Springtime called as they filed into the house one by one.
Cloudy was the last one of the line. As she was about to go inside, she turned and snuggled up to Meta Knight. “Happy New Year, Sir Meta Knight,” she said quietly.
Meta Knight’s eyes flashed light blue. “Happy New Year, little Star Warrior.”
Another firework exploded in the night sky, and both friends turned to face it. In the light of the display, Cloudy noticed how bright Meta Knight’s eyes were. He seemed to have found hope—a kind that was infinitely better than any fleeting earthly hope.
And that kind of hope comes only from Jesus Christ.
Cloudy grinned, her eyes as bright as Meta Knight’s. “Thank You, Jesus, Your wonderful blessings,” she prayed out loud. “You are the One we serve and the only One worthy to be praised. I pray all will see Your name and Your power.”
* * * * *
Thus marks the end of another story, dear readers. But never forget to choose joy no matter what, though you go through troubling times. And especially never forget the One Who was born to save us all—Jesus Christ. He is the reason we are alive and breathing and are able to live every day for His glory. To God be all the praise and doxology!
Scazzarda and Meta Knight slipped through the side door and took their seats in the row next to Cloudy. Cloudy’s eyes lit up and she smiled. “Is all well with you two?” she whispered.
“Yes,” Scazzarda replied. She then glanced at the pastor. “What is the pastor preaching from? What book?”
“Isaiah,” Cloudy replied.
True to Cloudy’s word, the pastor was indeed preaching from the book of Isaiah, from Chapter 7. “In Chapter 7, we’re talking about how the Lord promised to send a Redeemer to gather together His scattered flock, the nation of Israel,” the pastor said. “Here it says in verses 13-15, ‘Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means God is with us).'”
The pastor cleared his throat and looked out over the congregation. “In these verses, Isaiah is accusing David’s family of wearing out the Lord’s patience. However, he gives them a hopeful sign—a sign from God. A Child will be born to a virgin and she will name Him Immanuel, which means, ‘God with us.’ Now isn’t that a wonderful promise from the Lord? Isn’t it magnificent that God sent His Son to be born and to die for us—so that we could be saved and drawn back into a wonderful, intimate relationship with the Father?”
Nearly everyone nodded vigorously. What was better than an everlasting relationship with God?
The pastor put both hands on his Bible and took a deep breath. “I’m going to ask you all a personal question right here and now, and I want you to be honest with yourself. How often do you take the story of Jesus’ birth as just another Bible story and don’t truly celebrate it with all your heart?”
Everyone in the audience cast their eyes downward. They all knew what the pastor was talking about.
“I thought so,” the pastor said. “I have done the same thing.” He looked down at his Bible resting on the pulpit. “Let me ask you another question. How many of you have doubted the wonder-working power of this Child?”
Everyone nodded.
“I have too,” the pastor said. “Thankfully, I am now learning to trust and lean on God and His power and not fear the harm of men.”
Meta Knight frowned. Harm of men? What did the pastor mean by that?
“Everyone has their own unique story,” the pastor went on. “My story is both tragic and wondrous. From the time I was a child to the time I was a young adult, I just accepted the story of Jesus as merely a story designed to bring happiness and hope to the reader, but didn’t truly believe it in my heart. I rejected most of the Bible for much of my life, though I grew up in a Christian home.” He sighed heavily. “Occasionally, I was sent to visit my uncle on holidays, Christmas included, and I always dreaded those times. My uncle would drink and get angry at me and beat me and abuse me severely, and the worst part was my parents knew nothing about this. I never told them. I was too afraid. They died never knowing what happened to me.”
Cloudy sat where she was, still as stone, hardly daring to stir or breathe. Had she heard right? The pastor was abused?
“Wow,” Miriam said grimly under her breath. “Pastor Parsons is right. Everyone does have their own unique story.”
“That’s awful,” Nika whispered.
“It’s more than awful. It’s appalling,” Eloise muttered. “How could anyone treat a young boy like that?”
The pastor was quiet, struggling to speak through his emotions. Meta Knight tensed, then closed his eyes tightly. Scazzarda noticed and she reached out her hand and took his, squeezing it gently. “It’s all right, Magnus,” she said soothingly. “It’s all right.”
Meta Knight shuddered. “Mother. . .”
“Shhh.” She hugged him to herself and he returned the affection, burying his face in her chest to hide his tears. “Oh, Magnus.”
“Mother, I can’t stand hearing about others being abused.”
“I know, son,” Scazzarda whispered. “I know.”
Cloudy watched the two, her eyes glimmering with sadness and sorrow. Meta Knight was struggling—a lot. Cloudy wanted to leap up and scream out to the whole wide world that it wasn’t fair for anyone to be abused while others lived nice, peaceful, non-abusive lifestyles. For a moment, Cloudy felt ashamed to live in such a nice home with such godly parents. Was it right for her to live in the lap of luxury while Meta Knight suffered? Meta Knight had battled in the army. He had watched his friends die. He had buried his fallen comrades. He grappled with his pain and abuse. He sought answers to his trials, only never to find them. But worst of all, he had no hope in Jesus Christ.
Meanwhile, Cloudy was living a life of peace. She wasn’t having to watch people die all the time or bury anyone. She didn’t have to worry about being abused. She had parents who were willing to supply her with answers if they could when she had any questions about life. But most of all, she had Jesus in her life.
Was all this right? Was it fair?
Cloudy had no answers. She could only hold on to the trust she had in Christ.
“I hid my pain inside for so many years,” the pastor continued, his voice cracking. “My breaking point came not long after I married my wife, June Marie. I was under stress, trying to hold myself together, and I was wrestling with my abuse. Then Junie did something I’ll never forget. She walked over to me where I was sitting on my bed and sat down beside me, then put her hand on my shoulder and asked, ‘Dave, are you okay?’ Her voice was so compassionate and gentle, I started crying. She held me as I cried onto her shoulder, and I finally poured out to her the story of my abuse and pain I had hidden for so long. She suggested I go to therapy, and I said I would. Then she looked me right in the eye and said, ‘Dave, you also need Jesus. Jesus can help you.’
“‘What can Jesus do for me? Especially after all I’ve done and been through?’ I asked bitterly.
“‘Jesus doesn’t care about our race or background,’ she replied calmly. ‘He just wants you with Him. He wants to love you like no one else ever could.'”
“So true, Junie,” Star murmured.
“Her words went unheeded for some time. Then one day, at a Christmas lights festival, I saw this amazing Nativity set, and as I gazed at the Baby Jesus, Junie’s words came back to me. Instantly, I understood what Junie had meant. I saw how perfect that Baby was and how rotten and sinful I was, and I knelt down right there, by that Nativity scene, and I asked God to save me. He did, and from that moment forward, I began to heal.”
Nika gasped. “Amazing!” she whispered.
“It jut goes to show, God can change anyone,” Cloudy said.
Scazzarda nodded in agreement. “That He can,” she declared.
The pastor’s eyes suddenly filled with tears and they began to stream down his face. He glared out at the audience, his eyes snapping sparks. Cloudy recoiled a little at his look, wondering why he looked so.
“Listen to me, people!” the pastor shouted. “Listen! We all have our own stories of faith and repentance! But there are times we lose faith! There are those in this sanctuary that have never repented, those who struggle with the pain of their past! I know so! And I want those people to know that your past does not define you and never will! You can choose to go the opposite direction of your horrible past and live rightly! You can! But it must be your choice! You must make the decision to turn away from the evils of your past! You must choose to dump all of that sin! And if you think that God cannot love you, then listen to this!”
He flipped ahead a few pages in his Bible to Isaiah 9, then began to read verses 2-7. “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”
The pastor shut his Bible and shouted out, “Listen! Did you hear that wonderful promise?! God sent His Son to die for all you filthy, rotten sinners! He did that so you could be free of your past, free of our sins, free of our chains that bind us to our old life! And all you have to do is believe that with all your heart and mind and body and soul and you will be saved!”
“That’s right; amen!” Cloudy shouted.
“Amen!” several people echoed.
The pastor sniffled and wiped his eyes, then said, “I’m going to throw out an altar call. If you wish to be saved, come to the front. Our ushers will pray with you.”
Instantly, several men, women, and children got out of their seats and ran up to the front, getting down on their faces before the Lord. The ushers came around to pray with them. Cloudy felt a fiery excitement welling up deep within her as she watched the ushers pray with the lost lambs of God’s flock. When they finished, those newly born Christians stood up, filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit and intense joy.
“Amen! Amen!” Cloudy yelled. Everyone stared at her in a amazemrnt, but Springtime and Showersotrm too called out, “Amen! Hallelujah!”
“Thank You, Jesus!” called Miriam.
“Thank You!” said Zach.
“We praise You!” Star called.
One by one, everybody began shouting out thanks and praises to God. The pastor, smiling even through his tears, announced, “The sermon is now ended. Let’s do the candlelight ceremony.”
The ushers passed around tiny white candles and the pastor lit his candle, which he used to light one of the usher’s candles. The usher then went to the farthest left front-row person, which was Scazzarda, and lit her candle, which she used to light Meta Knight’s candle, which he used to light Cloudy’s candle, and so on. When everyone had had their candles lit, the pastor said softly, “Let us sing, ‘Silent Night.'”
So everyone sang the sweet but uplifting melody, Meta Knight included. But as he sang, he felt no joy. Only a deep darkness pressing on his soul. The image of his pregnant daughter being beat by his drunk son flashed into his mind, overwhelming him with despair and guilt. Guilt because he failed to protect her. Guilt because she had been in severe danger, but he had left her behind anyway.
“Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child! Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.”
Meta Knight was beginning to feel ashamed, He felt like a hypocrite. He was singing this beautiful hymn of Jesus’ birth and he didn’t even believe in this Baby. As he realized that, he felt sick. Dropping his candle, he turned and sprinted out of the church. Thankfully, the candle’s flame went out as soon as it hit the carpet and didn’t set fire to the church.
No one seemed to notice he had vanished, but one child did.
“Silent night, holy night, Darkness flies, all is light; Shepherds hear the angels sing, ‘Alleluia! hail the King! Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.'”
Cloudy grinned happily, feeling exhilarated. She was having as much fun singing as she had when she was doing the play!
“Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.”
Everyone then softly sang together with one voice, in perfect pitch and harmony so that they sounded like a chorus:
“Silent night, holy night, Wondrous star, lend the light; With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.”
The song ended, and the pastor said calmly, “You may blow out your candles now.”
The crowd did so. Then the pastor said, “Now we are going to sing one last worship song before we dismiss. This is Joy Williams’ song, ‘Here With Us.’ Anyone who knows this song may come up and sing it with my niece Juliana and her mother.”
Star blinked in astonishment. “Wait. Juliana is the pastor’s niece?!” she whispered to Miriam.
Miriam too was astonished. “Go figure,” she said. “That’s quite a surprise.”
Meanwhile, Cloudy was thinking over the pastor’s words. She knew which song the pastor was talking about. She had heard it on the radio a few times over the past two weeks or so, so she knew the lyrics and the tune. Before anyone else could speak up, Cloudy raised her paw high. “I’ll sing it,” she said.
The pastor smiled. “Great. Come on up and sing it with Julie and her mom,” he said.
Cloudy obediently stood and walked onstage, taking her place in front of the microphone. Juliana’s mother was seated at the piano and Juliana stood beside Cloudy, facing the audience. Cloudy felt a bit nervous, but she reminded herself that there was nothing to be anxious about.
Juliana’s mother began to play the sweet, solemn melody on the piano keys, and both Juliana and Cloudy sang:
“It’s still a mystery to me That the hands of God could be so small How tiny fingers reaching in the night Were the very hands that measured the sky.
Hallelujah, hallelujah Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world Hallelujah, hallelujah Son of God, servant King Here with us You’re here with us, mm.”
Springtime and Showerstorm smiled at their daughter’s alluring, somber tone as it drifted among each person in the audience. The crowd was captivated by the two girls’ singing. Miriam was stunned as Cloudy’s rich tone floated around the sanctuary, creating an atmosphere of peace and joy too ineffable. Scazzarda was smiling, internally thinking, Cloudy, I’m proud of you, dear.
Meanwhile, Cloudy was peering at the back of the church as she sang, and she saw Meta Knight standing by the double doors, wrapped in his cape. His eyes were a light blue hue. Cloudy’s ears perked up sharply and she smiled. Meta Knight was here! He was listening to her sing!
“It’s still a mystery to me, oh How His infant eyes have seen the dawn of time How His ears have heard an angel’s symphony But still, Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep!”
Hallelujah, hallelujah Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world Hallelujah, hallelujah Son of God, servant King Here with us You’re here with us Mm, la la la, mm, oh You’re here with us, la la la.”
There was a break in the song for a few seconds, and then Cloudy softly sang:
“Jesus, the Christ, born in Bethlehem A baby born to save, to save the souls of man!”
Juliana joined back in with her.
“Hallelujah, hallelujah Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world Hallelujah, hallelujah Son of God, servant King Here with us! Oh, hallelujah, hallelujah Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world Hallelujah, hallelujah Son of God, servant King Here with us!”
The outro came, and nearly everyone joined the two girls in singing:
“You’re here with us. You’re here with us.”
That was the end of the song. Juliana and Cloudy backed away from the microphones and bowed low, and a crash of applause startled them. The cheering and clapping and whistles became so loud that Cloudy later swore she almost went deaf. The pastor too applauded for her and Juliana, and then asked Cloudy, “What’s your name, child?”
“Cloudburst,” Cloudy said, giving her formal name.
“Everybody, give it up for Cloudburst and Juliana!” Pastor parsons yelled, and everyone whooped and shouted with delight and hailed the two girls for their wonderful singing, clapping so fiercely that the sanctuary echoed with their applause.
“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!” Pastor Parsons called.
“Yay! Whoo!” every person in the throng clamored, and everyone began getting up out of their seats and hugging one another and wishing one another a Merry Christmas.
Cloudy watched the merry scene with a grin on her face, her emerald eyes shining. Then she leaped off the stage and pushed through the thick multitude. As she did, she felt a tap on her back and looked full into Scazzarda’s face. “Miss Scazzarda!”
“Cloudy, I’m so proud of you!” Scazzarda said happily. “You’re a fine girl!”
“Thank you!” Cloudy answered. Then she disappeared into the crowd and sidled over to Meta Knight, who was staring at the crowd with his eyes glowing a light green.
“Meta Knight!” Cloudy shouted.
Meta Knight jumped slightly and looked at Cloudy, his eyes shifting back to their medium-yellow color. “Cloudy!”
“You heard me sing! You heard me!” Cloudy leapt on him, wagging her tail with vehement excitement. “Did you like it? What did you think of it? Tell me!”
“I believe you girls spoke a lot of truth and wisdom in that song,” Meta Knight replied. “It was rich and deep and—it—spoke something to my heart.”
“What?” Cloudy’s eyes were filled with interest.
Meta Knight slowly shook his head. “Something—but I do not know what.”
“Perhaps one day you will find the answer,” Cloudy said.
“Yes. Maybe one day.” Meta Knight looked thoughtfully at the ceiling, then down at Cloudy. “And perhaps one day I will find the answer to the mystery surrounding you.”
“Me?” Cloudy was puzzled. “How am I a mystery?”
“Your behavior and intentions are hard to deduce,” Meta Knight chuckled. He then became sober. “But there is something else about you. You possess a strange power I do not.”
“What’s that?”
“Ah, that’s the mystery,” Meta Knight said airily.
Cloudy was terribly confused, but decided not to say anything more. She would never truly understand Meta Knight and he would never truly understand her, so that made them even. And that was fine by Cloudy.
One of the ushers swung open the double doors of the church and cold air rushed inside. People began pouring outside, mingling in groups as they chatted. Without warning, a woman shrieked and jumped back as she was preparing to exit the church. A giant bird ran past her and darted into the church, running right past Nika.
Eloise’s mouth dropped open. “It’s a turkey!” she exclaimed.
Meta Knight raised an eyebrow. “A turkey in the middle of Leupochena?”
Lea gazed intently at the bird. “Leupochena’s a tiny town. There aren’t very many turkeys here, I assure you that.”
Cloudy tilted her head and gazed at the turkey, who fixed its beady eyes on her. As it moved its head, Cloudy noticed something glimmering around its neck. She squinted and peered more closely at it, and she gasped. It was a blue sapphire collar!
“The prized turkey!” Cloudy shouted. “Nika! It’s the missing turkey!”
Nika bent down and ran her finger along the smooth stones. “It’s true!”
Pastor Parsons came over to them just then. “Hey, kids. What’s all the hubbub?”
“This turkey,” Valerie said, pointing to it. “It ran into the church when the usher opened the door.”
The pastor stared at the turkey for a second, then exclaimed, “Zambene!” He scooped up the turkey and held it in his arms, and it stared at him.
“Whoa!” Cloudy exclaimed. “You mean you’re the owner of this royal turkey?!”
The pastor chuckled. “Did you children read my post?”
“We did,” said Eloise.
“Well, I want to thank you tremendously for finding my turkey.” He smiled ruefully. “Zambene must have escaped from her cage one night because I probably left the door unlocked. Smart turkey. She always could open unlocked doors. I’ll make sure to keep it locked from now on.”
“We found the turkey!” Eloise cheered, doing a neat handstand.
“Hooray for us!” Lea said.
The pastor grinned at their enthusiasm. “I really wish I could offer you a reward, but I don’t have enough trinkets for all of you. . .”
“Well, grant us a wish then,” Nika said. “Come spend Christmas with us at Vastre Hall tomorrow and bring June Marie. I want to meet her.”
“Bring Juliana too,” Cloudy chimed in.
“Deal,” Pastor Parsons said. “I will see you all at Vastre Hall tomorrow, bright and early.”
“But don’t wake us up by banging on the front door,” Star said with a giggle, handing him a key. “That’s a spare Mister Frank gave us. You can just let yourself in—without spooking anyone, that is.”
Pastor Parsons laughed. “All right.”
Cloudy and her family and friends waved goodbye to the pastor and stepped outside into the cool, crisp air. Hundreds of stars twinkled brightly in the black sky and Christmas lights from nearby buildings illuminated the worn bricks of Christ Church.
“Look!” Elena shouted, pointing toward the side of the church. An inflatable decoration of the Nativity stood there, swaying slightly in the passing breezes. For a few minutes, the churchgoers stood on or around the steps and gazed in awe at the magnificent display.
“Amazing,” Meta Knight murmured.
“Truly astounding,” Zach agreed.
“Come!” Scazzarda shouted. “Let’s get back to Vastre Hall! Everyone in the car!”
“Hey, look! It’s Mister Frank!” Lea yelled, pointing toward the red van. Sure enough, Frank’s van was parked next to it, and Frank was standing by the driver’s side door, smiling. When he saw Cloudy and her crew, he waved.
Sniper, his brothers and parents, Zach, and Arrow excitedly clambered inside the van with Scazzarda as Summer and her family jumped into the bed of the truck. Meanwhile, Cloudy and the rest of her friends climbed into the black van.
However, Meta Knight stood where he was, looking at the decoration, his eyes filled with worry. Cloudy wondered if he was still thinking about Liloy. Then she noticed that Frank was leaning against the black van, gazing at the ground, and one word flashed through her mind: Dana. She had completely forgotten about Dana in the excitement of the evening. How was she? Was her baby okay?
“Hey, guys?” Cloudy turned to her friends. “We need to pray for both Liloy and Miss Dana now!”
“Huh? Why do we need to pray for Liloy?” Nika asked.
“Because Meta Knight’s drunken son, Gregory, beat her up.” Cloudy clapped a paw over her mouth, realizing that she had unintentionally revealed one of the darkest secrets of Meta Knight’s past that she had promised him she wouldn’t tell anyone. Big mistake.
Miriam blinked. “What?!”
“His son’s drunk?!” Nika exclaimed, horrified.
“How come you never told us?” Lea asked.
Cloudy sighed, knowing she had to tell her friends the truth. “I promised Meta Knight I wouldn’t.”
“Why?” Eloise asked. “We’re your friends. You can trust us. You could have told us and we would never have breathed a word of it to anyone.”
“He struggles a lot,” Cloudy replied miserably, a torrent of words pouring out of her before she could stop herself. “He was abused, neglected, hurt, and traumatized in more ways than one. His dad is Nightmare. Yes, the Nightmare,” she emphasized, noting her friends’ stunned looks. “Nightmare beat him and injured him physically, emotionally, and mentally, and now Meta Knight cannot trust anyone.”
Miriam let out her breath. “No wonder he’s so quiet and withdrawn,” she muttered.
“But he seems to have a wonderful relationship with his mother,” Star pointed out.
“His mother was always kind and loved him immensely,” Cloudy replied. “He loves her too.”
Nika glanced out the window at Meta Knight, then at Frank. “Well. what are we waiting for?” she cried. “Let’s pray! I’ll start.”
They all bowed their heads and Nika began to pray aloud. “Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You to lift up Meta Knight and Mister Frank. We ask that You help them and that Dana and Liloy would be okay and that they would survive. . .”
RING!!
Cloudy jumped and her eyes popped open. Both Frank and Meta Knight’s phones had rung at the same time. Frank took out his phone and Meta Knight took out his, and both walked off to speak to whoever was calling.
“Uh, what’s happening?” Miriam asked.
Cloudy shook her head as if to say she had no clue.
“Perhaps the Lord is at work?” Eloise suggested, her voice filled with reverence.
“He’s always at work, Eloise,” Valerie said. “He never stops working.”
“Shh! Here comes Mister Frank!” Eloise hissed, looking out the window.
Frank walked over to the red van, opened the door, and said something to the occupants inside. Then he shut the door and walked over to the red van and swung open the door, his eyes shining.
“Mister Frank!” Valerie said. “What is it?”
Frank grinned. “Do you want to drive over to the hospital to see my son?”
Nika let out a cheer.
“Oh, goodness!” Lea exclaimed. “Your son is born?!”
“Mm-hm.” Frank nodded. “Dana’s okay and so is he. Wanna see him?”
“Yes!” Cloudy shouted.
Frank’s face then grew long. “She and the baby won’t be able to join us tomorrow, but,” he said, cheering up, “at least I know they’re okay.”
“Look!” Eloise pointed. “It’s Meta Knight!”
Meta Knight climbed into the van and sat down beside Cloudy, his eyes glowing light blue. He was trembling slightly, but Cloudy couldn’t tell if it was from excitement or anxiety.
“Meta Knight?” Cloudy said. “Are you okay?”
Meta Knight nodded. “Yes.”
“Who called you?” Star demanded, leaning forward and propping her front paws on Meta Knight’s headrest.
“It was Mother’s sister.” His voice quivered with emotion. “Liloy’s okay and she’s going to live.”
Miriam and Star traded shocked looks.
Miriam’s eyes widened. “Are—Are you serious?!”
“Yes,” the knight replied. He smiled. “I’m serious.”
Cloudy shook her head in amazement. “Now I know this was the Lord’s doing,” she said in reverence.
Meta Knight shot her a puzzled look. “Can you explain what you mean?”
Star jumped in, “We prayed that Dana and Liloy would be okay, and directly after that both your phone and Frank’s rang.”
Meta Knight gasped. “Tell me you’re joking.”
“No,” Eloise confirmed. “She’s not kidding. We’re all witnesses.”
Nika touched Meta Knight’s arm. “And Mister Frank said his son was born and that he and Dana are all right. We’re gonna drive to the hospital and see them.”
Meta Knight said nothing, but Nika felt him shaking and gave him a hug.
“Meta Knight?” Eloise asked, concerned.
“Don’t,” Cloudy broke in. “He’s just happy. Don’t bother him.”
Star threw back her head and let out a howl, causing everyone to jump. “Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Amen! Glory to God!”
“Come, Emmanuel!” Miriam shouted. “Come and save us all!”
“Behold your King!” Cloudy yelled.
“Behold Your Messiah!” Lea called out.
“Emmanuel, God with us!” Valerie chimed in.
“Hey, all these phrases remind me of Lauren Daigle’s song, ‘Light of the World,'” Nika said. “Why don’t we sing it?”
“Excellent idea,” Frank said as he climbed into the driver’s seat and turned on the ignition. “We can sing on the way to the hospital.”
“Yippee!” Cloudy cheered.
Frank started the van and began to drive away from the church, and the red van followed. As they drove, Cloudy started off the song.
“The world waits for a miracle The heart longs for a little bit of hope O come, O come, Emmanuel! A child prays for peace on earth And she’s calling out from a sea of hurt O come, O come, Emmanuel!
And can you hear The angels singing?
Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world Glo-o-o, o-o-ory, the Light of the world Is here!”
“My turn!” Nika sang.
“The drought breaks with the tears of a mother A baby’s cry is the sound of love Come down, come down Emmanuel! He is the song for the suffering! He is Messiah The Prince of Peace Has come, He has come, Emmanuel!”
Then the others except for Meta Knight began to sing with Nika.
“Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world! Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world! Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world! Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world!
For all who wait For all who hunger For all who’ve prayed For all who wander
Behold your King! Behold Messiah! Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world! Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world! Glo-o-o, o-o-ory to the Light of the world!
Behold your King! Behold Messiah! Emmanuel, Emmanuel!”
Then the kids softly sang together, finishing out the song:
“The world waits for a miracle The heart longs for a little bit of hope O come, O come, Emmanuel…”
* * * * *
Frank walked into Sanfern Hospital and over to the receptionist. “Hey, I’m here to see Dana Mesterein. I’m her husband,” he explained.
The woman nodded. “Room 409,” she said. Then she grinned as she saw the large crowd that was standing behind Frank. “That’s quite a group you have.”
“Yes, they’re visiting us till the New Year,” he said.
The woman chuckled. “Merry Christmas to you all!”
“Thanks!” Star answered.
Frank led them over to the elevator. Since they couldn’t all fit inside at once, he had them split into two groups and they would wait for the second group after they went to Floor 4. After the two groups were gathered together, Frank walked along the hallway and gazed at each of the room numbers until he saw Room 409. He knocked on the door and waited.
“Come in,” called a voice from inside.
Frank opened the door and entered inside, Cloudy and her relations and friends following behind. “Hey, Dana!” Frank said.
“Frank and the crew!” Dana said happily. Her face was pale and her neck was lightly bandaged, but she looked happy and healthy. “I missed you all! How was the Christmas Eve service?”
“It was great!” Cloudy burst out, and she launched into a detailed account of the happening that went on that night. It wasn’t easy since the other kids kept interrupting to add their own parts and thoughts, but Dana seemed to understand their jumble of words.
“That sounds amazing!” Dana said when they had finished. “And Cloudy, you and Juliana both performed a song together at church! I’m proud of you! I bet it was awesome!”
“It was definitely top of the Big Hits list,” Eloise playfully joked.
Dana grinned slyly at Scazzarda. “So you came through for me after all, hmmm? I knew you would.”
“I’d never let you down,” Scazzarda said.
“I know.” Dana then pointed to a little glass bed in the corner. A tiny baby was sleeping in it, tubes and wires connected to his frail body. “That’s my son. His name is Magnus Hiram Mesterein.”
“Hiram?” Scazzarda repeated. “Isn’t that the name of your father, Frank?”
“Yeah,” Frank nodded. “And Magnus is the name of. . .”
All eyes turned to Meta Knight.
“My son,” Scazzarda finished. She turned to Dana. “But why, Dana?”
Dana smiled sweetly. “Meta Knight is a wonderful father and a strong warrior. I wanted to name my child after someone I really admire and love with my whole heart. Though Meta Knight might feel like anyone couldn’t love him, this is my way of saying I do love him.”
Nika’s eyes filled with tears. “He does need to be reminded that he’s loved.”
“I’ll say this,” Cloudy strongly declared. “Everyone in this room loves you, Meta Knight. They love you with a special kind of love—agape. Jesus’ love.”
Meta Knight couldn’t speak. He felt himself tearing up as he fully realized for the first time these people he was surrounded by—they truly did love him. Not with the so-called “love” that so many used flippantly; they loved him with a love that was out of this world and infinitely better than any other kind of love—God’s love.
“Magnus?” Scazzarda said softly.
Meta Knight began to cry and Scazzarda hugged him, laughing. She felt so joyful. Her son finally understood how much he was loved, and that was what she had always wanted him to know.
“Meta Knight!” Eloise cried, running to him and embracing him. “Meta Knight, why are you crying?”
Meta Knight had to laugh at her question. “I’m just happy, Eloise. I’m happy I’m loved and accepted.”
“Of course you’re loved and accepted!” Miriam exclaimed! “Why wouldn’t you be?”
“I guess because of my past, I felt nobody could ever love me,” Meta Knight confessed.
“Nonsense,” Lea said. “We all love you and so does Jesus.”
“Thank you,” Meta Knight replied. He grinned as the other children swarmed over to him and threw their arms around him. Cloudy and her siblings stood where they were, smiling, happy that everything was now right. God had worked out everything for good, just like He had promised in His Word.
“Come on, everyone,” Frank said, yawning. “Let’s get back to Vastre Hall. It’s late and I’m bushed.”
“Okay,” said Eloise.
As the group filed out of the room, Cloudy turned around and waved a paw at Dana. “Goodbye, Miss Dana. See you.”
“See you, Cloudy,” Dana said. “Merry Christmas.”
* * * * *
By the time Cloudy and her friends arrived back at Vastre Hall, it was almost eleven. Yawning, the children stumbled out of the van into the house, heading right to bed. They were so sleepy they could barely keep their eyes open.
As Cloudy tumbled into bed, she thought, Thank You, Lord, for an amazing Christmas. I’m truly glad to have a Friend like You. Then her eyes closed and she fell asleep, dreaming of candy canes and mistletoe dancing to “Light of the World” as angels harmonized together and shepherds sang praises to God.
* * * * *
Cloudy opened one eye, then the other. It was gray outside. She sat up in bed, her eyes straying to her clock. Five-thirty in the morning. Jumping out of her bed and hurriedly making it, she raced downstairs and into the living room. The other children were already awake and sitting around the Christmas tree with Pastor Parsons, Juliana included. He was telling them the story of the Nativity in full detail and explaining that that was why they celebrated Christmas. Apparently, when he had said he would be at Vastre Hall bright and early, he meant it. Seated beside the pastor was a woman she didn’t recognize.
“Hey, Cloudy!” the unfamiliar woman said sweetly, waving to the puppy.
Cloudy stood where she was, staring at the woman. “Uh, how do you know my name?”
“Why, my husband told me all about you and so did your friends,” the woman said. “I’m June Marie.”
“Junie?!” Cloudy exclaimed.
“Yes, Junie.” Junie grinned and brushed back a stray lock of her dark-brown hair. “It’s nice to finally meet you all.”
“Junie, you’re so nice,” Star said.
“Of course. My parents said I was always a nice girl,” Junie said. “But because God loves me and is kind to me, I can do the same to others.”
Just then, the rest of the adults walked downstairs. “Hey!” Frank shouted cheerfully. “Merry Christmas, kids!”
“Merry Christmas!” Cloudy shouted in return. The rest of the children echoed her greeting.
“Let’s get to opening presents, shall we?” Scazzarda said.
“Yeah!” Eliot howled.
“Let’s do this!” Karrie hollered.
“Now I’m afraid since there are so many of you kids and adults, we could afford to get you all one gift each. Hope you like it, though, and there are more surprises throughout the day!” Frank said. “Now dig in!”
For the next few minutes, the only sound was the excited chattering of children and the rustle of tissue paper. The girls squealed with delight and the boys shouted with joy when they brought out their gifts.
“Look, I got a doll!” Nika shouted in gladness.
“I got a necklace!” Star cheered.
Cloudy drew out her gift. It was a pretty lace fichu with all kinds of different shapes of different colors embroidered into it. Amazed, she drew it around her shoulders. She wondered how could have gotten it for her. She glanced across the room and scanned every adult until her eyes fell on Meta Knight. His eyes glowed pink and she could have sworn he smiled under his mask. Cloudy couldn’t help but smile back at him. He was so kind—just like his mother.
“Merry Christmas, Clo—Whoa!” Miriam exclaimed as she spied the pretty fichu. “Who gave you that?”
Cloudy jerked her head in the direction of Meta Knight. “He did.”
“Awwww,” said Miriam. “He really loves you, doesn’t he?”
“As a friend, yes,” Cloudy replied. “And I do the same.”
“You two are so lucky to have each other as friends,” Miriam said. “Who knows? Maybe one day you and he will be traversing the world on all kinds of adventures!”
Cloudy’s brow furrowed in thought. “Yes,” she said. “Perhaps we will.”
And as Cloudy again gazed at Meta Knight, she thanked God for him—for all her friends.
__ __ __
Note: The “Silent Night” version may not be what you are accustomed to hearing (or reading), but this version was written by Joseph Mohr. He was born at Salzburg, Austria, on Dec. 11, 1792. After being ordained priest on Aug. 21, 1815, by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Salzburg, he was successively assistant at Ramsau and at Laufen; then coadjutor at Kuchl, at Golling, at Vigaun, at Adnet, and at Authering; then Vicar-Substitute at Hof and at Hintersee–all in the diocese of Salzburg. In 1828 he was appointed Vicar at Hintersee, and in 1837 at Wagrein, near St. Johann. He died at Wagrein, Dec. 4, 1848. The credit for this version goes to him.
Joy Williams, Jason Ingram, and Ben Glover wrote the song “Here With Us.” All credit goes to them.
Lauren Daigle, Paul Duncan, and Paul Mabury wrote “Light of the World.” All credit goes to them for this song.
A few hours later, at five-forty-five, just fifteen minutes before the Christmas Eve service was to start, Jacob dropped Cloudy, Eloise, Nika, Valerie, Lea, Star, and Miriam off at Christ Church and drove back to Vastre Hall to get the others. Cloudy glanced listlessly at the huge white building as she stood in the three-inch-deep snow, not feeling at all happy about the play as she had a few days earlier. Star noticed her sister’s depressed behavior and asked, “Are you all right, Cloudy?”
“Wonderful,” Cloudy muttered.
The girls entered the church and looked about the lobby, then went into the sanctuary. Many men, women, and children were standing, sitting, or milling about the room, chatting and laughing happily. But Cloudy wasn’t feeling the festive mood. Only deep sadness.
Eloise, Nika, Lea, and Valerie moved off to talk with others in the room while Star went back to the lobby to get a drink. Miriam stayed behind with Cloudy, though.
“Cloudy,” Miriam began, “are you feeling okay?”
Cloudy shrugged. “I guess.”
Miriam put a hand on Cloudy’s back. “Are you still feeling bad about Nathaniel?”
Cloudy let out her breath in a sigh. “I wish Jacob hadn’t shot him. Then he could have had a chance to repent and be saved.”
“Cloudy, we’re not in control of what happens in our lives,” Miriam said. “Only God is. And only He knows what will happen in the future and what the outcomes will be. We have to trust Him.” She smiled ever so slightly. “I knows deaths are hard for us all, but we can’t stay in the past. We have to move on.”
Cloudy sighed again and looked at the decorated stage, which was all prepared for the play. She knew Miriam was right, but couldn’t bring herself to accept it. How could she have fun tonight when Nathaniel’s tragic death was hanging over her like a dark cloud?
“We must choose joy even in hard times, Cloudy,” Miriam reminded her friend. “If we are children of the Lord, we can praise and rejoice even amidst the tragedies. But if we are not saved, we have no hope. We are bound by despair.”
Before Cloudy could answer, she heard a whispered “Psst!” Miriam and she looked over at a dark-haired man who was gesturing to them. “Come on, kids. Y’all need to get into your costumes. The play’s starting right after the interpretive dance and the worship. And where the heck is Dana? She needs to direct the play.”
Cloudy gasped. She had forgotten that a director was needed for the play! “I don’t think she’s gonna be able to direct it,” she said.
“Why not?” the man asked.
“She’s in the hospital,” Miriam explaoined.
The man slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. “Well, that’s just great! Without a director, the play can’t go on!”
At the moment, Jacob drove up in front of the church with the rest of the kids, Meta Knight, Springtime, and Showerstorm. Frank was not there; he had decided to stay with Dana at the hospital.
Everyone piled out of the van and entered the church. Sniper, his brothers, Arrow, and Zach all ran into the sanctuary long with Meta Knight while the other adults lingered in the lobby to chat.
As the boys entered the sanctuary, they immediately began to look around for the girls. They didn’t find tem all, but they did see Miriam and Cloudy by the stage, talking with some man. They darted over to them and Sniper asked, “Where’s the fire?”
“There’s no fire, but we can’t do the play,” Miriam said.
Meta Knight gasped. “You can’t! Why not?”
“Miss Dana is supposed to direct the play, but she can’t. She’s not here. Remember?” Cloudy said.
Sniper sat down and scratched his ear. “Well, why can'[t we get another director? That would be the most simple solution.”
“Yes, it would, but who could do it?” the man sighed.
Suddenly, in the midst of the chatter and laughter from the crowd mingling in the sanctuary, Meta Knight heard a strangely familiar voice behind him. “Well, good evening, children and Magnus! It’s wonderful to see you all again after a while.”
Meta Knight tensed slightly. That voice—why did it sound so familiar? It couldn’t be, though. He turned slowly and looked up. . .and found himself looking straight into the eyes of his own mother.
“Mother?” Meta Knight breathed.
“Miss Scazzarda?” Cloudy asked, deeply surprised.
Scazzarda grinned, her eyes twinkling. She wore a pretty green dress with sequins that sparkled in the red and green spotlights. “Hello, Magnus and Cloudy.”
Meta Knight was so astonished he didn’t know what to say. “How. . .?”
“I flew by jet,” Scazzarda said. “I wanted to surprise you all, So, surprise!”
“You sure did surprise us!” said Miriam.
“But why are you down here?” Sniper wanted to know.
Scazzarda chuckled. “Well, you kids need a director for the Nativity play and Dana’s out, so I’m taking over.”
“What?!” exclaimed Zach.
“Hey, wait a minute! How did you even know there was a Nativity play going on?” Cloudy asked, getting very suspicious. “Meta Knight, did you tell her when you two were talking last night?”
Meta Knight shook his head. “I swear I didn’t.”
“Then how did you know?” Miriam asked Scazzarda.
A mysterious smile formed on Scazzarda’s lips, but she said nothing.
Meta Knight frowned at Scazzarda. “All right, Mother, what’s going on? How do you know about all this?”
“This might strike you as rather surprising, but Dana and I have been talking together via laptop every night,” Scazzarda said. “She told me all about the play and went over every detail and line with me, even showing me videos she took of you kids rehearsing. She also said that of she happened to get hurt or sick and was unable tot direct, I was to step in and take over. I’m an expert at directing plays, since I’ve been doing it at churches for over twenty-five years. So I agreed. And that’s why I’m here now.”
“But how did you hear about Dana being in the hospital?” Cloudy queried.
Scazzarda sighed and folder her hands. “Frank told me a few hours ago, and I took a plane down here to save the day, as you already know. Earlier this month, he also told me about your plane crash, your run-ins with Nathaniel Osen and all—and today said Nathaniel was dead.” She glanced around, as if missing somebody. “Um where is Frank anyway?”
“He’s not here. He’s at the hospital with Dana,” Meta Knight replied.
Scazzarda nodded, her gaze falling to her son’s bandaged arm as she did so. She immediately looked alarmed. “Magnus, what’s the matter with your arm?”
Meta Knight couldn’t look at her or even answer. Luckily, Miriam came to his rescue and explained what had happened. When she finished, Scazzarda looked stunned. “That’s the craziest adventure I’ve ever heard. Seems like wherever you children go, trouble and adventure follow.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. Then the dark-haired man gestured wildly for the children to get their costumes on, so off the kids scampered.
Then the man, a grateful smile on his face, turned to Scazzarda. “Thanks so much for filling in for Dana, Scazzarda. I really appreciate it.”
“My pleasure,” Scazzarda replied. The man nodded and walked off.
After he had diappeared backstage, Scazzarda said, “Come on, Magnus. You can stand near the stage with me while I direct the play.”
Meta Knight said nothing. His eyes were riveted on the floor.
Scazzarda frowned a little, worry clouding her eyes. “Magnus, are you okay?”
Meta Knight still didn’t speak. He felt distant, emotionally lonely. He couldn’t explain why he felt the way he did or how he was going to resolve his feelings. He raised his eyes and met Cloudy’s gaze. Cloudy was standing on the stage, wearing her angel costume, a sparkly piece of twine wrapped around the top of her head. Her eyes reflected the same hurt he felt, but in a less painful way.
She has hope. The word was foreign to him. I have only despair.
“Magnus?” Scazzarda’s voice broke into his thoughts. “Hey, are you all right?”
Meta Knight looked back at his mother and found her staring at him, her face full of concern. He began to cry, burying his face in his hands. Scazzarda stepped forward, took her son in her arms, and held him close as he cried into her chest.
“Are you feeling upset about Nathaniel?” she asked softly.
Meta Knight nodded. Scazzarda caught her son’s hand and grasped it, her strong fingers gripping his. “Magnus, I know deaths are hard for you. They are hard for me too. But we have to move on. We cannot linger in the past.” She took a deep breath. “Nathaniel brought on his own death by his own wickedness, Magnus. He ultimately fell into his own trap of death.” She let out a heavy sigh. “The Bible says that the wicked shall not prevail, nor will their deeds. In the end, the enemies of God, if they do not repent, shall fall.” She squeezed his hand gently. “Do you understand, Magnus?”
Meta Knight carefully pulled away from his mother’s embrace, but kept his hand in hers. “Yes, Mother.”
“Good.” Scazzarda smiled encouragingly at her son. “Hold your head high, Magnus. You’re very brave.”
Meta Knight had to smile. She sounded so much like Cloudy! “Thank you.”
Scazzarda chuckled and gave her son another hug. “Now in a few minutes, let’s go watch our young friends star in their acting debuts.”
* * * * *
“Are you nervous?” Miriam whispered to Cloudy.
“No. Are you?” Cloudy asked absently. She was watching the interpretive dance from behind the curtain.
“I know I am,” Lea said. She tugged at her plain white robe and adjusted her satin angel wings. “But I’m also excited. This is my first play outside of school.”
“Do you like acting?” Star asked Lea.
“More than anything,” Lea confessed, “but I mostly get minor parts in school plays.”
“Well, I’m sure everyone acting in this play will be a big hit, especially Sniper.” Star gave her oldest brother a meaningful glance. “Isn’t that right, Sniper?”
Sniper, dressed as Gabriel, wasn’t paying any attention to the girls’ conversation at all. Rather, he was whispering to Zach. “. . .so I’m going to improvise my lines a little.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Zach said doubtfully.
“Hey!” Sniper threw up his head and smirked. “Part of acting is that you get to change your lines a little. That’s the great part!”
“And just what are you planning to change about your script?” Zach demanded.
Sniper grinned mischievously. “I’m going to say ferkensnopper-doodlehopper whenever Gabriel comes around. It’ll be so funny and everyone will laugh.”
“Oh, no, you don’t, Sniper,” Star said. She had overheard the entire plan. “You’re going to stick to the script just like we rehearsed.”
“Shut up!” Sniper snapped. “I can do what I want.”
“No, you can’t,” Star objected. “And if you dare try to say furkinmopper-hoppledopper, I’m going to tell Mommy on you!”
“It’s ferkensnopper-doodlehopper,” Sniper sighed.
Before Star could make a snappy retort, Cloudy suddenly gasped soundly. Star rushed over to her sister. “What is it, Cloudy?”
“I can’t believe it!” Cloudy exclaimed. “I just noticed. . .” She pointed to a girl onstage dancing with several other people. “Do you recognize that girl?”
“No,” Star said, puzzled.
“Oh, right. Well, of course you don’t.” Cloudy gazed at the girl in astonishment. “The day Meta Knight first taught me how to swordfight, he and I went to a concert. That girl dancing was the same one who was singing at the concert!”
“No way!” Star exclaimed. “What’s her name?”
“Um, I think her name is Juliana or something like that,” Cloudy answered.
Before the two sisters could say anything more, the dance ended and the audience applauded the performance. Cloudy and Star clapped along with the crowd. “She is so talented,” Star said, referring to Juliana.
“That she is,” Cloudy agreed.
The worship songs were the best. They played a lot of Christmas songs, such as “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “Mary, Did You Know?” “Joy to the World,” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” Cloudy loved singing, and her voice was beautiful. Everyone around her seemed impressed by her singing.
When the worship was over, the pastor stepped up to the pulpit and smiled widely at the excited crowd. “Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Christmas Eve service here at Christ Church! Our young actresses and actors will perform a special rendition of the Nativity play! Please enjoy!” He backed off the stage as the spotlight shone on Arrow, who was dressed in a priest’s outfit and carrying incense inside the Temple. He went up to the altar and held the sweet-smelling incense above the altar. For a few seconds, the crowd’s gaze was riveted on the dangling incense, but then was drawn to Sniper, dressed in bright angel’s clothing, appearing on the other side of the altar. Arrow pretended to be frightened and dropped the incense.
“Here we go,” Cloudy muttered to herself from behind the curtain. “I hope Sniper’s not really going to say ferkensnopper-doodlehopper.”
“Don’t be scared, Zechariah!” Sniper intoned. “God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will have a baby boy, whom you shall name John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in God’s eyes. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks, and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God, and he will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.”
“How can that happen?” Arrow asked. “I’m old and my wife is way past the age of having kids.”
Sniper frowned slightly at Arrow. “I’m Gabriel, sent by the Lord to tell you this wonderful news. But because you have not believed me, you won’t be able to talk until your son is born.” Then Sniper vanished from view.
Cloudy sighed in relief. Thank goodness Sniper didn’t mess up the entire play!
Arrow went outside and saw Sniper’s brothers, all dressed as priests, They looked curiously at him as he emerged, but he couldn’t speak, so he made signs to them instead.
“Zechariah’s seen a vision in the Temple!” Waffle exclaimed.
So Elizabeth became pregnant and she hid herself in her house for five months. “The Lord has done this in order to keep me from being mocked and scorned by others,” Star said out loud to herself.
Scazzarda gave them all a thumbs-up sign and Meta Knight smiled. “So far, so good,” Star muttered to Arrow. “I’m just glad Sniper didn’t goof off.”
“Not yet anyway,” Arrow reminded her, “But he’s still got a few more lines.”
“Yeah, he’s still got a chance to improvise,” Pancake added. They all went back behind the curtain except for Sniper as Miriam and Zach went onstage to act in the next scene.
Miriam, clad in a simple brown dress and white veil, carried a water jar o her head back to her humble little house. A she entered inside and set the clay jar on the table, Sniper appeared. Miriam gasped and accidentally bumped into the jar, knocking it onto the floor and breaking it, causing water to gush out all over the floor.
“Who are you?!” Miriam gasped.
Sniper, who was thinking so much of the word ferkensnopper-doodlehopper, automatically said without thinking, “I am Ferkensnopper-doodlehopper, the angel of the Lord.” Then his eyes widened as he suddenly realized what he had just said. Miriam gave him a strange look, lost control of herself, and began laughing uncontrollably. Pretty soon, everyone in the congregation, including Scazzarda and Meta Knight, were laughing.
“Oops,” Sniper said under his breath, feeling embarrassed. Why had he said that? He looked toward the curtain and saw Cloudy staring at him with disapproval, and he mouthed, “It was an accident!”
“Uh-huh,” Cloudy said skeptically. “Right. I bet it was.”
Scazzarda finally managed to get control of herself and called, “Okay, Sniper! Take it from the top!”
Sniper inhaled deeply, then exhaled and said, “I am Gabriel, the angel of the Lord.” Much better!
Miriam didn’t know what to say. Her expression was one of anxiety. What sort of greeting was this?
“Don’t be frightened, Mary,” Sniper assured her. “You have found favor in the eyes of God. You shall become pregnant and give birth to a baby boy, and you are to name Him Jesus. He will be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and God will give to Him the throne of David, and He will reign over Jacob’s house forever, and His kingdom won’t ever end.”
Miriam was puzzled. “How can this be? I have never known a man; I’m a virgin.”
Sniper smiled. “The Holy Ghost will descend in you, and the power of God shall come over you; therefore the Baby to be born will be called holy—God’s Son. And your cousin Elizabeth is six months pregnant with a son. For God’s word shall never fail.”
Miriam clasped her hands in front of her and bowed her head. “I am the Lord’s servant. Let all be done to me just as you have said.”
Sniper smiled again and then disappeared.
Then the scene switched to Mary hurrying to Elizabeth’s house. She knocked on the door and was welcomed in by Elizabeth.
“Good day to you, cousin!” Miriam said happily.
Star smiled broadly and then gasped. “Oh!”
Miriam drew back a little and asked with concern, “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, Mary!” Star exclaimed. “Blessed are you above all women, and blessed is the Child inside of you! And why should I be so honored, that my Lord’s mother should come to me? When you greeted me, the baby inside me leaped in joy! You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do as He said.”
Miriam was amazed and was filled with joy, and she sang out:
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord! How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me!”
About three months later, Elizabeth had a son, and relatives came to her house and celebrated the child’s birth. Lots of people wanted to call the baby Zechariah after his father, but Star shook her head and said, “No, his name shall be John.”
“But no one in your family has that name,” Sharkell objected.
Lea made signs to Arrow and asked what he wanted the baby to be called. Arrow took up a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John,” and held it out for all to see. Everyone in the house was astonished. And suddenly, Arrow began to talk, blessing God! He who could not speak for over nine months was now rejoicing and praising the Lord! And everyone in the hill country of Judea talked about these things and reflected on these events, asking, “Who will this child become?”
After Elizabeth’s baby had been born, Mary went back to her house and spoke with her husband-to-be, Joseph, a carpenter, played by Zach. They walked together and chatted about Elizabeth’s new baby and all the news that was being spread about by all the gossipy well women. After a time, Mary began to feel it was best that she tell Joseph she was pregnant.
“What is it, Mary?” Zach asked as the two sat down together. “Do you want to tell me something?”
Miriam sighed. “Actually, yes, I do.”
“Then go ahead. I’m listening.”
Miriam clasped her hands in front of her and looked at the ground, then up at Zach. “I’m having a baby.”
Zach blinked in disbelief and stood up. “What?”
“I’m having a baby,” Miriam repeated.
Zach was speechless. How could this be? Had Mary been with another man? But he and Mary were supposed to be engaged! This couldn’t be happening!
Without another word to Mary, Zach turned and stormed off back to his house, determining to divorce Mary, but not publicly. He would do it privately, for he loved her too much to bring shame to her and her family.
That night, as Joseph was sleeping, he had a dream. Sniper appeared to Zach in a dream and Zach was terribly frightened.
“Don’t be frightened, Joseph, David’s relative,” Sniper said. “And don’t fear to take Mary as your spouse, for the Baby inside her is the work of the Holy Spirit. She’ll have a Son and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save the whole world from their sins.”
So Joseph awoke and pondered these things in his heart, and he obeyed. He took Mary as his wife and both eagerly awaited the coming of Baby Jesus, the Savior of the world.
When Mary was about nine months along in her pregnancy, a decree wen tout from Caesar Augustus that all had to go each to his own hometown to be taxed. Joseph was from the city of Bethlehem, so he took Mary and both went up to Bethlehem. The journey was hard and took several days, but at last, they reached the little city. The problem? There was nowhere to lodge. The entire town was practically filled up with all sorts of people coming to Bethlehem for the census.
Joseph walked to the lone inn not too far away and knocked on the door, and the door was opened by Pancake, who played the innkeeper in this scene.
“What do you need?” Pancake asked.
“We need a place to stay for the night,” Zach explained. “You see, my wife is about to have a Baby.”
Pancake shook his head a little sadly. “I wish I could help you really I do,” he sighed, “But this place is full. There’s not a single room left in the entire inn.” He managed a half-smile. “But there is a stable out back you could try.”
“Thank you,” Zach said. He took Mary and went around back to the giant stable, which was hewn out of a rough cave. He escorted Mary inside and lit a light for her to see better. There were real animals, such as a few horses, two cows, a donkey, and lots of pigeons in the dusty hayloft, who cooed and preened themselves. Mary took off her veil and spread it o the floor, and Joseph helped her lie down on it. Then he went out.
As he was looking up at the sky, he saw a strange sight. An enormous star, five times bigger than the other stars, suddenly appeared in the sky and threw beams of white light over everything. And then Zach heard something else—a baby’s cry. Excited, he darted back into the cave and saw Miriam wrapping a life-size baby doll in her veil. When she was done, she put it in the manger and smiled down at it.
Zach sat down on the other side of the manger. “At long last, the promised Messiah!” he breathed.
“Thank You, Lord,” Mary said softly.
* * * * *
Now it was Cloudy’s turn.
“Go on, Cloudy!” Lea whispered. “You can do it!”
Cloudy took a long, deep breath and looked out at the audience as she marched onstage and onto the wooden platform with fake rubber clouds nailed on the front. All eyes were locked on her. It was her time to shine. But could she do this? It was time to find out.
Here we go, Cloudy thought.
* * * * *
Sharkell, Pancake, and Waffle, all dressed as shepherds, sat in a large field filled with ten to fifteen live sheep. The sheep were grazing contentedly as the shepherds lounged peacefully in the grass, looking at the stars or playing their flutes.
At length, Sharkell turned to Pancake and said, “Hey, Abel?”
“Mm?” Pancake glanced inquiringly at his brother.
“I have a funny feeling that something amazing is going to happen tonight.”
“Is that so?” Waffle asked, lowering his flute.
“Yes, Shem,” Sharkell replied. “I feel the same way.”
“You know what, I do too, Abner,” Waffle admitted. “But why do we all feel this way?”
The three shepherds were quiet for a moment, each thinking their own thoughts. Then Sharkell gasped and exclaimed, “Look up there!”
“Where?” Waffle asked, completely forgetting to say his lines.
“The sky, you idiot!” Sharkell snapped.
Pancake gave them both a dirty look and hissed, “Those are not our lines, you twits!”
The crowd burst into hysterical laughter at the boys’ funny banter. Scazzarda laughed too, but her laugh seemed forced. It was obvious she didn’t approve of this wonderful story of Christ’s birth being turned into a laughingstock by a couple of immature boys.
“Hey!” Star whispered loudly from backstage. “All three of you quit acting like a couple of circus clowns and be serious! This is a Nativity play we’re doing, not a comedy TV show!”
“Sorry,” Pancake whispered sheepishly.
“Take it from the top!” Scazzarda called.
Sharkell cleared his throat, then gasped and exclaimed, “Look up there!”
Pancake looked up to the sky and saw a huge star. “What’s that?!” he exclaimed in amazement.
“It looks like a star,” Waffle concluded.
“I’ve never seen a star like that,” Pancake mused.
Sharkell’s eyes grew wide. “Maybe it’s a sign from the Lord?”
That was Cloudy’s cue. Appearing from behind the fake clouds and in full view of the shepherds, she smiled and spread her wings. The shepherds let out cries of alarm and the sheep scattered wildly in fright.
“Don’t be afraid!” Cloudy said, her voice ringing out strong. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Cloudy waited until the other angels appeared, and then all began to sing “Angels We Have Heard on High.”
“Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains!
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!”
Cloudy smiled invitingly at everybody in the audience to sing with her, and all willingly obliged except for Meta Knight.
“Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavn’ly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!”
Cloudy was exhilarated. She felt as though she were no longer starring in a play, but had actually gone back in time two thousand years ago and was firsthand witnessing the angels singing in front of the shepherds. It was a glorious image: the shepherds in a spacious field, awestruck at the sight of the sky full of worshipping angels, singing out their praise and elation, the echoes of their song reverberating throughout the field to add to the cacophony of frightened sheep bleating and of the crickets’ buzzsaw chirps.
Cloudy let out a cheer and everyone cheered with her. They raised their voices louder, sounding like a choir with their voices perfectly melding together in unison.
“Come to Bethlehem and see Him Whose birth the angels sing Come, adore on bended knee Christ our Lord, the newborn King!
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!”
Cloudy finished the song and she and the other angels disappeared backstage. Then the shepherds excitedly raced to Bethlehem and found the Baby, Jesus Christ, whom they had waited for so long. Then the shepherds returned to the flocks, glorifying and shouting praises to the Lord for all He had done.
Then Arrow, Sniper, and Yodi, dressed as the three wise men, came onto the scene. These wise men were not followers of Christ; they were astrologers—those who relied on the stars and the motion of the planets to predict their destinies. But these wise men came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is newborn King of the Jewish nation? We saw His star from far away and have come here to worship Him.” Now King Herod (played by Sharkell) heard about all this and was concerned. So he gathered together all of his wisest counselors and asked them, “Where is the Messiah prophesied to be born?”
And Waffle answered, “In Bethlehem in Judea, your Highness, for so the prophet Micah wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’ ”
Later, Herod secretly called the wise men to him and asked what time that star had appeared so he could get a good guess at what time the Messiah had been born. When they told him, he said, “By all means, go to Bethlehem, and when you have found this King, please let me know, for I too wish to worship Him.”
Now Herod was a wicked man, and he had no intention of worshipping Baby Jesus. He saw this Child as a threat to his kingdom and wanted to annihilate Him as soon as possible. But the wise men knew nothing of Herod’s plan, and they obeyed and went to Bethlehem. And they followed the star to a small house, for Jesus was no longer a Baby in the stable. About two years had passed since His birth. And the wise men rejoiced greatly when they saw the star and went into the house and saw Jesus with Mary His mother. And they gave Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But they were warned by the Lord in a dream not to go back to Herod so the next morning, they took a different way back to their country.
And that signaled the end of the play. All the performers came forward and took a bow.
“Let’s give our young friends a round of applause!” Scazzarda shouted, and the crowd erupted into loud cheers. The cheering and clapping continued to go on and on until the pastor finally had to stop it.
Just then, somebody’s phone rang and Cloudy glanced quizzically at Meta Knight, thinking it was his. He signed to her that it was his phone and asked Scazzarda if he could be excused. Scazzarda said yes. Meta Knight hurried off toward the back of the church to take the call.
Meanwhile, the actors and actresses went backstage to shed their costumes and put them back in the costume box. As Cloudy was putting her robe in the box, Eloise high-pawed her said, “Great job!”
“Thanks. You did great too, Eloise,” Cloudy replied.
“Hey, I did good too,” Sniper boasted.
“Except for the part where you messed up and said ferkensnopper-doodlehopper, you mean!” Yodi teased.
“Hey, it wasn’t my fault!” Sniper snarled. “My brain just conked out for a few seconds!”
“Sniper, why do you always have to to turn serious situations into ridiculous farces?” Star groaned. “Heck, somebody could slip on egg yolk and break their back and you’d be cracking jokes about it.”
“Like you just did?” Miriam said.
Star blinked and burst into laughter. “Yeah, I guess I did.”
Just then, who should walk backstage but Juliana! She smiled warmly at the group. “Hello!” she greeted them. “You all did splendidly on the play!”
“Oh, you’re Juliana!” Star said.
“That’s right.” Juliana’s gaze came to rest on Cloudy and a smile came over the young girl’s face. “Oh, I know you,” she said. “You were with Sir Meta Knight at my concert several days ago. What’s your name?”
“Cloudburst, but call me Cloudy. Everyone does.”
“Well, I’m glad to meet you, Cloudy.” A twinkle came into Juliana’s blue eyes. “And for the record, your singing is excellent.”
“Thanks,” Cloudy said quietly.
“Come on, come on!” Nika whispered. “Let’s go take our seats in the sanctuary; the sermon’s about to start!”
“Coming!” Yodi said. He and the other children followed Nika out the backstage door, and they crept into the audience and seated themselves in a row at the front. Only Cloudy didn’t sit.
Arrow gave her a funny look. “Aren’t you going to sit, Cloudy?” he asked.
Cloudy cast a look at the side door and saw Meta Knight going out through it. Though she was far away, she could sense he had something heavy weighing on his mind. “Ummm. . .no,” she said. “I’ve got to do something real quick.”
“Don’t be too long. You don’t want to miss the candlelight ceremony,” Arrow said.
“I won’t take long,” Cloudy promised. Arrow nodded and Cloudy was off like a shot toward the side door. But before she could reach it, Springtime stopped her. “Hi, dear!” she whispered.
“Mommy!” Cloudy said. “Hi!”
“Good job on the play, dear.” Springtime complimented her child. “You make a perfect angel.”
“Uh, yeah. Thanks.” Cloudy glanced apprehensively at the side door. “But I need to do something.” “And what’s that, honey?”
“Meta Knight seems upset, Mommy, and I want to go see what’s wrong,” Cloudy replied.
Springtime bit her lip. “Well, I don’t know, sweetie. . .We may have to ask Scazzarda first; maybe she sent him to do something. . .”
“Sent who to do what?” Scazzarda asked, walking over to the mother and daughter and interrupting the conversation at hand.
Springtime smiled. “Oh, hi, Scazzarda.”
“Hi, Miss Scazzarda,” echoed Cloudy.
“What are you two up to?” Scazzarda asked,
“Cloudy wants to see Meta Knight,” explained Springtime.
“I saw him going out through the church’s side door,” Cloudy added. “We wondered if you set him to do something outside.”
Scazzarda shook her head. “No, I didn’t.” Her face suddenly showed concern. “Cloudy, I think you should go check on Magnus. Do you mind if I come with you?”
“No, of course not,” Cloudy replied. She looked up at her mother. “We’ll be back soon, Mommy.”
“Okay, sweetheart.”
Cloudy and Scazzarda darted for the door and Cloudy nudged it open, and both walked out into the church courtyard. Cloudy thought about how pretty it must look in the summer, with the cherry trees blossoming and the water in the fountain sparkling and bubbling cheerfully. But now it was cold, snowy, and dark. A full moon was shining of the soft snow, making it glow. The water in the fountain was frozen solid. And on the side of the fountain sat Meta Knight, wrapped in his cape, his back to them, shaking. His mask lay on the concrete beside him. Cloudy started to feel afraid. What did this all mean?
Scazzarda softly stepped forward and placed her hand on Meta Knight’s arm. Startled, he looked up and saw his mother, then sighed in relief. “Oh, Mother, it’s you.”
Scazzarda started as she stared at the tears on her son’s face. “Magnus, are you crying?”
Meta Knight looked away, ashamed to be caught in such a vulnerable state. Cloudy remained where she was too astonished to move. At length, she made herself go forward and jumped up on the low stone wall, seating herself beside Meta Knight. She looked up at his pained face, surprised. It was the first time she had ever seen him without his mask. He had yellow eyes, plain yellow eyes with no pupils. His expression no longer looked fierce as it did when he was masked, but now seemed more soft.
But none of that mattered to young Cloudy. What really made her heart ache was his eyes—so full of pain and anguish.
Meta Knight, what’s your trouble? Or are you going to keep it inside as another one of your many dark secrets?
Meta Knight attempted to speak, but was unable to. His throat felt choked. Lowering his head, he cried as the tears coursed down his cheeks. Scazzarda put her arms around him and drew him closer to her.
Cloudy’s eyes grew wide. No. No.
“What’s the matter?” Cloudy whispered, afraid of the answer she might receive. “What happened, Meta Knight?”
Through his sobs, Meta Knight tried to speak. “Your-Your sister called me, Mother. . .and she told me that. . .that Liloy was with Gregory in his house and he. . .was drunk and. . .and beat her up badly. . .leaving her for dead as he-he ran away into the woods.” He shuddered. “She’s in the hospital, but. . .but her injuries are so severe, the doctors fear. . .she might not live.”
Cloudy gasped, horrified. “No!” she cried. “That can’t be! You mean she’s. . .she’s gonna die?!”
Scazzarda put her hand over her mouth, her face appalled. “Her baby, Magnus. Is her baby okay?”
Meta Knight shook his head in a way which Scazzarda took to mean he didn’t know. “But if she dies. . .her baby dies too,” he whispered.
“Magnus. . .” Scazzarda couldn’t speak. She hadn’t known this. But she knew it was affecting him badly. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”
“I knew she would likely be in danger,” Meta Knight sobbed. “I worried about her the whole time on this trip, dreading what would occur.” Cloudy’s mind went back to his strange behavior on the plane and how he wouldn’t speak his thoughts to her. Now she knew why. It was Liloy he had been worrying about, but he didn’t want to worry Cloudy.
“I’m sorry,” was all Cloudy could say. She had no other words to describe how sorry she was.
Meta Knight laid his head on Scazzarda’s shoulder and cried harder, sobs wracking his body. “Why-Why does this hurt so much?” he cried.
Tears filled Scazzarda’s eyes as she placed her hand over her son’s. Cloudy, somewhat uneasy, looked down at the ice in the fountain, her reflection very faint and misty. Her reflection didn’t seem to match her real countenance. Was her heart the same? She had been told repeatedly she had a loving and caring heart. She longed to help others, especially Meta Knight, who was in a lot of mental and emotional pain. But how could she? She was only a child, not truly intended to understand a lot of burdens at her young age. But she did understand—somewhat—intended or not.
Cloudy glanced up at the sky and scanned the stars. Listlessly, she tried to count them all, but was unable to. It was next to impossible—except for God. Then her gaze traveled to another star—but this one seemed particularly brighter than the others. The Christmas star?
No, it couldn’t be the Star of Bethlehem. That was a one-time occurrence. But perhaps tbhis was a seeming equivalent, like the planet Jupiter.
Scazzarda followed Cloudy’s eyes to the star. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” she asked. “The Christmas star.”
“But not the reals tar,” Cloudy objected. “That was once and it will never happen again.”
“Very true.” Scazzarda chuckled a little. “But I like to think of it as the Christmas star.”
Cloudy said nothing, but continued to look at the star. Almost instantly, a saying she heard often from her mother when Cloudy or her siblings were having a bad day popped into her mind, and Cloudy said it aloud: “Don’t rehearse the hurt. Rehearse the truth.” It was true too, and Cloudy knew it.
Scazzarda smiled at the young puppy. “So true, Cloudy.”
Cloudy looked at the star a bit longer, then got up. “Miss Scazzarda, I’m going back inside. I don’t want to miss the candlelight ceremony.”
“All right, Cloudy.”
Cloudy gently licked Meta Knight’s hand. “The Savior of the world bless you, Sir Meta Knight,” she said. Then she was gone.
Scazzarda gently stroked her son’s hand. “She’s a really nice girl, isn’t she?”
“Very much so.”
“I’m glad you two are such good friends. Where would you be without her?”
“Honestly, I don’t know.” Meta Knight raised his head off his mother’s shoulder and looked up to the dark sky speckled with stars. “She’s helped me through so much. For a little girl, she’s very mature and seems to understand a lot, though she might not convey that idea very well to others.”
“Yes, she is.”
Meta Knight lowered his eyes. “But how can she help me through this latest incident?”
Scazzarda let out her breath. “She cannot help you with everything, son. But she can pray for you and lead you in the direction of restoration. She knows the need for healing.”
Meta Knight said nothing, but his eyes suddenly flashed red. Scazzarda was a bit surprised by his sudden change of mood, and she knew that when his eyes turned red, that was never a good sign.
“Magnus, is something wrong?”
“Yes.” His voice was tight. “A lot is wrong.”
Scazzarda read his thoughts through his voice tone. “Your son?”
Meta Knight nodded.
Scazzarda took both of Meta Knight’s hands in her own. “Magnus, he chose his own destiny.”
Tears filled Meta Knight’s eyes. “I did not raise him to behave that way.” He turned his face away. “Mother. . .where did I go wrong?”
“Magnus, you tried to show him the right way, but he didn’t take it.” Scazzarda placed her hand on his pauldron. “He wanted to go down that path of destruction. He wanted to drink. He wanted to do drugs. He wanted to hang out with the wrong crowd. That wasn’t your fault.”
Meta Knight closed his eyes and a tear rolled his cheek. “If he dies, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Oh, Magnus.” Scazzarda’s eyes were sad. “You must not say such a thing. It’s not your fault he chose that destructive path. He chose it.” She put her hand to his cheek and brushed away his tears with her fingertips. “You’re a great father, Magnus, and a great son. No one could ever ask more of you.”
Meta Knight opened his eyes and looked up at this mother, the compassion in her eyes arresting. He grasped her hand and gently pressed it to his forehead. Scazzarda couldn’t help but cry at the agonized look in his eyes. She hated witnessing him so upset.
“Mother, don’t.” Meta Knight put his hand on his mother’s shoulder. “Don’t cry.”
Scazzarda blinked hard. “Magnus,” she cried, “you’re the one who’s in a lot of emotional pain and yet you’re comforting me.“
“I don’t like seeing you cry. It breaks my heart,” Meta Knight replied.
Scazzarda sniffled and wiped her eyes, laughing a little. “Magnus, you’re one of the most selfless people I’ve ever met.” Then her expression grew sober. “I’m really glad you’re my son.”
Meta Knight smiled through his tears. “And I am very glad you’re my mother.”
Scazzarda grinned, wiped her face once more, and took her son’s hand. “Come on, Magnus,” she said. “We don’t want to miss the candlelight ceremony.”
Meta Knight nodded and jumped off the wall, and the mother and son disappeared back inside the church.
__ __ __
Note: The Chris Tomlin version of “Angels We Have Heard On High” was written by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, and Charles Wesley (traditional), with lyrics also attributed to James Chadwick in some arrangements. All credit goes to them for this song.
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