Chapter Thirty-Six
The rays of the sun through the apartment windows crept up to Aaron’s arm hanging over the edge of the sofa. The warmth stirred Aaron awake. She sat up and looked at Gordon. He had spent the night sitting on the sofa cradling her head and comforting her. He really was a good friend. His head had lolled to one side and a drip of drool gathered in the corner of his mouth. Aaron had to smile.
She rose from the sofa, which caused Gordon to partially wake and adjust his body. Aaron went into the bathroom to relieve her bladder. When she returned, Gordon was awake. “How do you feel this morning?” he asked sleepily.
“I guess I will live. I am still trying to deal with what happened. I know one thing; I will never be the same. I am going to the shower. Can you make coffee?”
“Sure,” he answered. “Take your time.”
Aaron locked the bathroom door. She didn’t need any more surprises today. She turned on the hot tap and stood in the steamy water. She scrubbed her entire body with soap until she thought her skin would rupture. But she knew no amount of soap and water would ever make her feel clean again.
After fifteen minutes of soaking in the hot mist, she toweled herself dry. She combed her hair straight back on all sides. No primping today.
Aaron opened the bathroom door to the wonderful smells of freshly brewed coffee and bacon. Gordon was in the kitchen dishing food onto plates. “Wow, Gordon, I didn’t know you were a gourmet cook. Smells great.”
Gordon laughed, “This is Earl’s Friday morning special. He said it was your favorite.”
“You went to the café for food?” she asked. “Thanks, I appreciate that.”
Gordon continued, “I also took the liberty of calling our cohorts at the university. The department professors are covering our classes. I didn’t think you would feel like working today. Was I right?”
“That was a good idea. No, I don’t feel like looking anyone in the face today. I am having a hard time looking at myself in the mirror.”
Gordon and Aaron sat on the sofa with a plate of eggs and bacon. Cups full of steaming hot coffee sat on the table in front of the sofa. “Cream and 2 sugars. Right?” Gordon asked.
“I didn’t realize I was that predictable. I must be eating too many meals at Earl’s.” Aaron smiled for the first time. She was trying to gather courage to ask Gordon a question. She finally put down her fork and sipped some coffee.
“I almost hate to ask you this, Gordon, but how long will it be before I go to the next Degree?”
“We can wait as long as you want, but now that you have been picked, you will want to accelerate your learning. How about studying hard and getting your Second Degree next month?”
“Do you think I will be healed up by then?” she asked.
Gordon looked at Aaron. “It’s hard on virgins. I was a virgin, too, my first time. I really do understand what you are going through. You should be healed in a couple of weeks.”
“I want to ask you one more thing, Gordon.”
“Shoot,” he said. “I’ll do my best to answer.”
“I have a mental picture of what God is supposed to look like, at least the God I have always known. How in the world, or in this case the heavens, can God have an angel as ugly as the monster that visited me last night?”
Gordon sipped his coffee. He had no answer for Aaron. Aaron would have to discover that through knowledge. They sat in silence through the rest of their breakfast.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
For weeks, Aaron and Gordon met each evening. Gordon was preparing Aaron for the Ritual of the Second Degree—the Fellow Mason Degree.
“It is not as exciting as the First Degree, because you have been through the ritual before, and it is not as exciting as the Third Degree where you become a Master Fellow, but it is nonetheless important. Just by the simple act of attempting to advance your learning, you become desirous of the light—the knowledge. Each Degree and it’s understanding will bring you closer to knowing the many secrets of nature.
“We can never quit advancing our understanding, but continue to search diligently for secrets concealed in art and nature. The search is part of the Divine Plan. We are all looking for The Lost Word. The Great Master of the Universe has concealed things so that as we search for further knowledge we would be stimulated to search where great knowledge might be concealed.
“That way, all Fellow Masons, perpetuate the knowledge of the Mason as a whole. No one on earth can possess all knowledge. But it is the pursuit of knowledge that adds to the common stock of knowledge. Thus, as we all search for truth and knowledge, we continue to add to the stock. If the Lost Word had not been concealed, all the branches of knowledge to date would never have been uncovered.
“Let me try to explain that further. Say you find a box—a beautifully decorated box. You pick the box up curious to find the contents. But you are distracted by the decorations on the outside. There is a label on the outside of the box that says the contents are foam pellets. You might shake the box and hear nothing. Then sit the box down and never look at the box again. But if the label hadn’t been on the outside telling of the contents and the box wrapped in plain paper, you would be curious enough to open the box to discover the contents. Inside you would find another smaller box. Inside that box would be another smaller box until you got to the smallest box inside. Inside the smallest box is a beautiful diamond. That is the lesson the Creator has left us. The Lost Word we are all trying to find is like the beautiful diamond.
“We need to be diligent in our quest for truth and knowledge and not be distracted by those false prophets that claim they know The Lost Word. No one knows—but the pursuit continues. And as the pursuit continues we all gather more knowledge we didn’t know even existed.”
Aaron sat back in her chair. It took two full weeks, but she was finally able to sit in her rape chair. The further she got from that night, the easier it got to be comfortable in her own apartment. “That is a lot to absorb. I think we should call it a night. I feel brain-drained. My mind is mush.”
Gordon agreed. “I will get us a beer. Why don’t you sit here on the floor and I will give you a shoulder rub.”
“Sounds good to me.” Aaron rose from her chair and sat on the floor in front of the sofa.
Gordon returned with a beer for each of them. Aaron held the long neck bottle up to the light. “The light? So we are searching for the Lost Word and the Light?”
“Well, that is pretty simply put, but yes.” Gordon placed his beer on the table and stroked Aaron’s neck and shoulders. Aaron couldn’t help but groan with delight.
“That feels great. You’re hired to do this every night,” she laughed.
They finished their beer. Gordon continued his massage with a rub down Aaron’s spine. Gordon was full of desire for Aaron. He could hardly keep his hands from searching her whole body. Aaron was the one to break up the massage-fest. She jumped to attention and announced her desire to get some sleep. Gordon agreed. Aaron walked Gordon to the door.
Gordon turned suddenly and with a crook of his finger lifted Aaron’s chin up and kissed her passionately. Not a good night peck, but a long, hard passionate kiss.
Aaron stood still, her hand holding the door. She pulled away from Gordon and put her hand over her mouth. “Gordon,” she started. “Gordon, what’s going on?”
“I’m not sorry I did that,” he answered. “I have had feelings for you ever since I first saw you on campus. When you walked into my life, I knew you were the man of my dreams. I know that sounds a little clique, but it is true. I was hoping you would learn to think of me the same some way.”
“Gordon,” she stammered. She did feel an attraction for him, but as a woman to a man. He was attracted to her as a man to a man—or at least he thought of her as a man.
“Gordon,” she continued. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Please, don’t say anything right now. I just want to remember that kiss for a while longer--before you reject me. Good night, Aaron. I will see you on campus tomorrow.” With that, Gordon turned and ran down the stairs three at a time. When he reached the sidewalk, he looked back with a little wave.
Aaron was still in shock, holding onto the door. She managed a small wave back at him. My God, what am I going to do now?
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The month between earning the First and Second Degree went by swiftly. Gordon and Aaron spent long nights studying the Masonic Order so Aaron would be ready for initiation into the Ritual of the Second Degree—the Fellow Mason.
Very few things changed in the ritual from the First to Second Degree. The Duegard sign of the Fellow Mason represented the positions of the hands when taking the oath. The right hand suspended upon an invisible bible—the left hand raised beside the head forming an angle as does a Square. The right breast and right knee were exposed for puncturing by the Brethren. The cable-tow was wrapped twice around Aaron’s right arm instead of her neck.
The Obligation of the Fellow Mason is “having my left breast torn open, my heart plucked out, and given to the wild beasts of the field and the fowls of the air.” The sign of the Fellow Mason still alludes to the penalty of the obligation, but in this Degree the right hand is cupped over the left breast and drawn quickly across the body then the hand drops to the side.
The password is Shibboleth. The pass grip is similar to the First Degree except instead of the thumb pressing on the top of the first knuckle joint of the other person’s hand, it is placed between the first and second knuckle joints. During the ritual, the pass grip becomes the real grip of the Fellow Mason Degree. Two Masons place their right hands in an ordinary handshake; then press the top of their thumb hard on the second knuckle joint of the other’s hand. The new real grip of the Second Degree is named Jachin.
The candidate to the Second Degree expresses a desire for more light in the Mason. The Worshipful Master reminds the candidate that on being brought to Light in this degree, the candidate beholds the Three Great Lights in the Mason, as in the preceding degree, with one difference: One point of the Compasses is above the Square, which is to teach the candidate that they have received, and are entitled to receive, more Light in the Mason. But as one point is still hidden from their view, it is also to teach them that they are as yet one material point in darkness respecting the Masons.
During the ritual, the Fellow Mason is taught to wear his apron of this Degree. Aaron was taught to wear it with the flap turned down at the lower left corner, tucked up on the form of a triangle, to serve as a receptacle for the Mason’s working tools. The three sides of the triangle symbolize the fidelity, industry, and skill with which Aaron was told should characterize the work as a Fellow Mason. Aaron was presented with emblems of the Plumb, Square, and Level.
The Plumb represents an instrument used by operative Masons to try perpendiculars, the Square to square their work, and the Level to prove horizontals; but as Masons, they are taught to use them for a more noble and glorious purpose. The Plumb admonishes Fellow Mason to walk uprightly in their several stations before God and man, squaring their actions by the Square of Virtue, ever remembering that they are traveling upon the Level of Time to that Undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns.
The Worshipful Master then presents Aaron with the Three Precious Jewels; The Attentive Ear, the Instructive Tongue, and the Faithful Breast. The instruction is that the Attentive Ear receives the sound from the Instructive Tongue, and the mysteries of the Mason are safely lodged in the repository of Faithful Breasts.
Aaron is then led to the Middle Chamber of the Temple where she receives the Fellow Mason Lecture.
“My Brother, the second section of this degree is principally devoted to the explanation of physical science, and by the studies attached thereto; the mind is improved and elevated to a communion with its Maker. Circumstances of importance to the Mason, and of peculiar interest to the Masons who delights in the study of the mystic beauties of his profession, are here developed and explained.
“The second section of this degree also has reference to the origin of the institution, and views the Mason under two denominations, Operative and Speculative.
“By Operative Mason, we allude to the proper application of the useful rules of architecture, whence a structure will derive figure, strength and beauty, and whence will result a due proportion and just correspondence in all its parts. It furnishes us with dwellings and convenient shelter from the vicissitudes and inclemency of seasons; and while it displays the effects of human wisdom, as well in the choice as in the arrangement of the sundry materials of which an edifice is composed, it demonstrates that a fund of science and industry is implanted in man for the best most salutary and beneficent purposes.
“By Speculative, or Free, Mason, we learn to subdue the passion, act upon the Square, keep a tongue of good report, maintain secrecy, and practice charity. It is so far interwoven with religion as to lay us under obligation to pay that rational homage to the Deity, which at once constitutes our duty and our happiness. It leads the contemplative to view with reverence and admiration the glorious works of creation, and inspires him with the most exalted ideas of the perfection of his Divine Creator.
“The second section of this degree also refers to the origin of the Jewish Sabbath, as well as to the manner in which it was kept by our ancient Brethren.
“In six days, God created the heaven and the earth, and rested on the seventh day; the seventh, therefore, our ancient Brethren consecrated as a day of rest from their labor, thereby enjoying frequent opportunities to contemplate the glorious works of Creation, and to adore their Great Creator.
“At the building of King Solomon’s Temple there were eighty thousand Fellow Masons employed. These were all under the immediate direction of our ancient Operative Grand Master Hiram Abifff. On the evening of the sixth day their work was inspected, and all who had proved themselves worthy, by strict fidelity to their duties, were invested with certain mystic signs, grips, and words, to enable them to gain admission into the Middle Chamber of King Solomon’s Temple. On the same day and hour, King Solomon, accompanied by his confidential officers, consisting of his Secretary, Senior and Junior Wardens, repaired to the Middle Chamber to meet them.
“His Secretary he placed near his person, the Senior Warden at the inner and the Junior Warden at the outer door, giving them strict instructions to suffer none to enter except such as were in possession of certain mystic signs, grips, and words, previously established, so that when any did enter, he knew that they must have been faithful or they could not have gained admission, and had nothing to do but order their names recorded as such, and pay them their wages, which they received in corn, wine and oil, emblematical of nourishment, refreshment and joy. After solemnly admonishing them of the reverence due the great and sacred name of Deity, suffered them to depart in peace until the time should arrive to commence the following week’s work.
“This, you will perceive, was all accomplished on the evening of the sixth day, that there might be no unnecessary labor performed on the seventh, that being a day set apart for rest and mediation.
“We, my Brother, are in possession of the same mystic signs, grips, and words as were our ancient Brethren, and are about to endeavor to work our way into a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon’s Temple, and should we succeed, I have no doubt we shall be alike received and rewarded.
“In doing this it will be necessary for us to make an advance, emblematically, through a porch, up a flight of winding stairs consisting of three, five, and seven steps, through an outer and inner door. In making this advance we necessarily pass between two pillars of columns, representing those pillars erected at the entrance to the porch of King Solomon’s Temple, one on the right hand, the other on the left. The name of the one on the left hand was Boaz, denoting strength; the name of the one on the right, Jachin, denoting establishment, collectively alluding to several promises of God to David, one of which reads:
“And Thine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee.
“Also he made before the house, two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the chapiter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.”
“Their composition was of molten or cast brass, the better to withstand inundation or conflagration, that they might not be removed by flood or destroyed by fire. They were cast in the clay grounds on the banks of the River Jordan, between Succoth and Zeredatha, where King Solomon ordered these and all the sacred vessels of the Temple to be cast. They were cast hollow for the purpose of containing the rolls and records which composed the archives of our ancient Brethren.
“The Chapiters were adorned with leaves of lilywork, network, and chains of pomegranates, denoting Peace, Unity, and Plenty. The Lily, from its extreme whiteness, as well as the retired situation in which it grows, denotes Peace; the Network, from the intimate connection of all its parts, Unity; and the Pomegranate, from the exuberance of its seed, Plenty.
“These pillars are surmounted by two artificial spherical bodies, on the convex surfaces of which are represented the countries, seas, and various parts of the earth; the face of the heavens, the planetary revolutions, and other important particulars.
“Contemplating these bodies, we are inspired with a due reverence for the Deity and His works, and are induced to encourage the studies of astronomy, geography, navigation and the arts dependent on them, by which society has been so much benefited.
“Passing between these columns, the next object to which our attention is particularly drawn is a representation of a flight of winding stairs, consisting of three, five, and seven steps, each of which has certain Mason significance. The three steps allude to the Three Great Lights in the Mason—the Holy Bible, square and Compasses; also to the three principal officers of the Lodge; the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, who represent the three great support of the Mason—Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty—it being necessary that there should be wisdom to contrive, strength to support, and beauty to adorn all great and important undertakings. The three steps also allude to the great luminary of creation as he appears to us at the three principal points of observation: he rises in the east to open the day with a mild and gentle influence, and all Nature rejoices at the appearance of his beams. He gains his meridian at the south, invigorating all things with the perfection of his ripening qualities; with declining strength he sets in the west to close the day, leaving mankind to rest from their labor.
“This is the type of the three principal states in the life of man: infancy, manhood, and age.
“The first of these is characterized by the blush of innocence as pure as the tints that gild the eastern portals of the day; and the heart rejoices in the unsuspecting integrity of its own unblemished virtue, nor fears deceit, because it knows no guile. Manhood succeeds; the ripening intellect attains the meridian of its powers. At the approach of old age, strength decays—his sun is setting in the west. Enfeebled by sickness and bodily infirmities, he lingers on until death finally closes his eventful day, and happy is he if the setting splendors of a virtuous life gild his departing moments with the gentle tints of Hope, and close his short career in peace, harmony, and brotherly love.
“Ponder well, my Brother, upon the wisdom taught by these emblems, and be admonished:
‘That when thy summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan, which moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lied down to pleasant dreams.’
“We will make further advance and ascent the five steps. The five steps allude to the five orders of architecture, and the five human senses. By order in architecture is meant a system of all the members, proportions, and ornaments of columns and pilasters; or it is the regular arrangement of the projecting parts of a building, which united with those of a column, form a beautiful, perfect, and complete whole.
“From the first formation of society, order in architecture may be traced. When the rigors of seasons obliged men to contrive shelter from the inclemency of the weather, we learn that they first planted trees on end, and then laid others across to support a covering.
“The bands, which connected those trees at top and bottom, are said to have given rise to the idea of the base and capital of pillars and from this simple hint originally preceded the more improved art of architecture.
“The five orders are thus classes: the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite.
“The ancient and original orders of architecture revered by Masons are no more than three: the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, which were invented by the Greeks. To these the Romans have added two: The Tuscan, which they made plainer than the Doric, and the Composite, which was more ornamental, if not more beautiful than the Corinthian. The first three orders along, however, show invention and particular character, and essentially differ from each other; the two others have nothing but what is borrowed, and differ only accidentally.
“The Tuscan is the Doric in its earliest state, and the Composite is the Corinthian enriched with the Ionic. To the Greeks, therefore, and not to the Romans, we are indebted for that which is great, judicious and distinct in architecture.
“The five human senses are Hearing, Seeing, Feeling, Smelling, and Tasting, the first three of which have ever been deemed prerequisite to being made a Masons, for by Hearing we hear the word, Shibboleth; by Seeing, we see the sign; and by Feeling, we feel that friendly and brotherly grip whereby one Masons may know another in the dark as in the light.
“We will now make a still further advance and ascend the seven steps. The seven steps allude to the seven liberal arts and sciences, which are: Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music, and Astronomy.
“Grammar is the science which teaches us how to express our ideas in appropriate words, which we afterward beautify and adorn with Rhetoric; while Logic, instructs us how to think and reason with propriety, and to make language subordinate to thought.
“Arithmetic, which is the science of computing by numbers, is absolutely essential, not only to a thorough knowledge of all mathematical science, but also to a proper pursuit of our daily vocations.
“Geometry treats of the powers and properties of magnitudes in general, where length, breadth, and thickness are considered—from a point to a line to a superficies, and from a superficies to a solid.
“A point is the beginning of all geometrical matter. A line is the continuation of the same. A superficies has length and breadth without a given thickness.
“A solid has length and breadth with a given thickness, which forms a cube and comprehends the whole.
“By this science, the architect is enabled to construct his plan and execute his designs; the general to arrange his soldiers; the engineer to mark out grounds for encampments; the geographer to give the dimensions of the world and all things therein contained—to delineate the extend of the seas, and specify the divisions of empires, kingdoms, and provinces.
“By it also, the astronomer is enabled to make his observations, and to fix the duration of times and seasons, years and cycles. In find, Geometry is the foundation of architecture and the root of mathematics. To be without a perception of the charms of Music is to be without the finer traits of humanity. It is the medium which gives the natural world communication with the spiritual, and few are they who have not felt its power and acknowledged its expressions to be intelligible to the heart.
“It is a language of delightful sensations, far more eloquent than words. It breathes to the ear the clearest intimations; it touches and gently agitates the agreeable and sublime passions; it wraps us in melancholy and elevates us to joy; it dissolves and inflames; it melts us in tenderness and excites us to war.
“It has a voice for every age and a capacity for every degree of taste and intelligence. Its lullaby soothes the infant in its mother’s arms; its joyous notes wing the tripping feet of the dancers on the green; its martial tones inspire the spirit of patriotism, nerve the warrior’s arm and fire his heart. The stirring strains of national airs, heard on the rough edge of battle, have ever thrilled the soldier, causing him to burn with an emulous desire to lead the perilous advance, and animating him to deeds of heroic valor and the most sublime devotion. Amid the roar of cannon, the din of musketry and the carnage of battle, he is stricken to the dust.
“Raising himself to take one last long look on life, he hears in the distance that plaintive strains, ‘Home, Sweet Home.’ It was our mother’s evening hymn, and has often lulled us to sleep in infancy. The mellowing tides of old cathedral airs, vibrating through aisles and arches, have stilled the ruffled spirit, and sweeping aside the discordant passions of men, have bourne them along its resistless current, until their united voices have joined in sounding aloud the chorus of the heaven-born anthem: ‘Peace on earth, good will toward men.’
“But music never sounds with such seraphic harmony as when employed in singing hymns of gratitude to the Creator of the Universe:
‘Be Thou, O God, exalted high,
And as Thy glory fills the sky,
So lit it be on earth displayed,
Till Thou art here, as there, obeyed.’
“Astronomy is that sublime science which inspires the contemplative mind to soar aloft and read the wisdom, strength, and beauty of the Great Creator in the heavens. Now nobly eloquent of the Deity is the celestial hemisphere—spangled with the most magnificent heralds of His infinite glory. They speak to the whole universe; for there is no people so barbarous as to fail to understand their language; no nation so distant that their voices are not heard among them.”
Aaron followed along with the group to the door representing the middle chamber. After all had given the password Shibboleth, the Senior Deacon explains the importance of the password to enter King Solomon’s Temple.
“The Ephraimites had long been a stubborn and rebellious people in a war with Israel. The Ephraimites were incensed at the high Judge of Israel, Jephthah, for not being called to fight and share in the rich spoils of the Ammonitish war. They gathered together a mighty army, crossed the River Jordan, and prepared to give Jephthah battle; but, being apprised of their approach, he called together the men of Israel, took them forth, gave them battle, and put them to fight. To make his victory more complete, he stationed guards at the different passes along the banks of the River Jordan and said to them if they see any strangers pass, they were to ask them to say “Shibboleth.” But, the Ephraimites, being from a different tribe, could not pronounce the word and said, “Sibboleth.”
“That trifling defect proved them to be the enemy and cost them their lives. All the Ephraimites died that day on the field of battle and Jephthah went on to rule Israel until he died six years later.
“That history is what affected the Masons to distinguish a friend from a foe, and has since been adopted as the password given before entering any regular and well governed Lodge of Fellow Masons.”
Aaron entered the Middle Chamber of King Solomon’s Temple. The Senior Deacon, after being satisfied with all who announced the password spoke.
“Behold the letter G, suspended in the East. It is the initial of Geometry, the first and noblest of sciences, and the basis on which the superstructure of the Mason is erected. By Geometry we may curiously trace Nature through her various windings to her most concealed recesses; by it we discover the power, wisdom and goodness of the Grand Artificer of the Universe, and view with delight the proportions which compose this vast machine; by it we discover how the planets move in their respective orbits, and demonstrate their various revolutions; by it we count for the return of the seasons, and the variety of scenes which each season displays to the discerning eye. Numberless worlds are around us, all framed by the same Divine Artist, which roll through the vast expanse, and are all conducted by the same unerring law of Nature.
“A survey of Nature and the observations of her beautiful proportions, first determined man to imitate the Divine Plan and study symmetry and order. This gave rise to societies and birth to every useful art. The architect began to design, and the plans, which he laid down, being improved by time and experience, have produced works which are the admiration of every age. The lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance, and the devastations of war have laid waste and destroyed many valuable monuments of antiquity on which the utmost exertions of human genius have been employed.
“Even the Temple of Solomon, so spacious and magnificent, and constructed by so many celebrated artists, escaped not the unsparing raves of barbarous force. The Mason, notwithstanding, still survives. The attentive ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue, and the mysteries of Freemasons are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts.”
The Senior Deacon went on to speak on the long history of the Mason and how it has remained steadfast through evil reports as well as good. He talked about how the Mason has maintained its beneficent influence, spreading wider and wider over the earth.
The Worshipful Master concluded the Ritual. “The letter G, to which your attention was directed on your passage hither, has a still greater and more significant meaning. It is the initial of the grand and sacred name of God, before whom as Masons, from the youngest Entered Apprentice who stands in the Northeast corner of the Lodge, to the Worshipful Master who presides in the East, should most humbly, reverently, and devoutly bow.”
The Worshipful Master welcomed Aaron as a Fellow Mason and invited her to be raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Masons through the continued instruction by Brother Gordon Gibson.
Aaron looked at Gordon. Gordon smiled at her and led Aaron back to the preparation room to get dressed.
That night, after Gordon had left for home, Aaron prepared herself for the visit from God’s angel. Instead of being taken by surprise, at least she was aware of the monster’s coming. She couldn’t do anything about it so decided to go on the offense.
As she prepared for bed, she discretely placed a pillow and towel under her to hide any places she didn’t want exposed. Aaron turned on her stomach in anticipation of her angel and fell asleep.
The angel came for his visit, as expected. Aaron woke up as the angel came into her. His huge wings spanned over the sides of her double bed. She could feel his hot breath on her back and held back the retching she felt in his presence.
After satisfying himself, he soared backwards up through the ceiling. When a minute or so had passed, Aaron went into the bathroom and showered. She called Gordon. They spoke for a half hour until Aaron felt sleepy again. She said she would meet him on campus the next day.
