A Matter of Destiny Read Online Free PDF Page A

admitted how often his job had taken him on the road.
     
    It was up to her, as it always had been. Maybe she was stronger than she thought. She remembered how Joe Reardon had made her feel as if he'd believed in her.
     
     
     
    Joseph felt a strange sensation come over him as he "heard" Sharon's thoughts. She was thinking about him . His face flushed with pleasure.
     
    What a rare gift to share another's mind, and it hadn't happened to him since...since the small boy who was about to die. That assignment had been both painful and poignant.
     
    He'd tried to talk with the other guardians about their missions, but they all seemed to have a clearer perspective than he did. They performed their duties with great joy, and that was that.
     
    Why was it so difficult for him? He suspected, and Serena sometimes hinted, that he needed better control over his emotional involvement.
     
    Easier said than done as he tried to focus in on Sharon's thoughts again. When he was with her, he could feel the tumult beneath the surface and knew her grief caused her great confusion and pain.
     
    He'd gladly take her pain upon himself, but that wasn't allowed. He wondered why not and decided to bring it up at the next guardian meeting.
     
     
     
    David was late coming home from school one day, and when Sharon asked where he'd been, he was evasive.
     
    She asked a second time. "I want to know why you're late."
     
    "I was studying. At the library." He didn't look at her, but down at his feet.
     
    "Why don't you study at home? You have that nice desk in your room." Sharon wanted her sons where she could see them. Somehow, she'd keep them safe from harm.
     
    "I had to look up something, okay?" His tone was almost desperate.
     
    Sharon studied his intense young features. His explanation made sense. Maybe she should get off his back and quit acting like the all-protective mother, especially after being so out-of-touch those first few months after...
     
    "I'm sorry, hon. I was just worried. Try and call if you're going to be late, all right?"
     
    He nodded, and mumbled, "Sure," before moving toward the stairs.
     
    Sharon watched him go, feeling helpless. All she'd ever wanted was a close, happy family. Was that too much to ask? Emitting a deep sigh, she flicked on the TV, only to stare, unseeing, at the screen.
     
     
     
    Joseph requested a consultation with Serena.
     
    "Her sons are having a rough time with their father's death," he reported.
     
    Serena nodded. "It'll take time for them to heal."
     
    "But, couldn't we hurry the process? Make it easier?"
     
    Serena touched him briefly, sending a surge of illumination through him. "The life journey on earth is often a series of painful struggles," she said. "The strong survive."
     
    Joseph stared off into the distance as if he could see all the souls who'd lived since the beginning of mankind. "They're very brave, aren't they?"
     
    "Yes, Joseph, they are." Serena stood to signal that she was needed elsewhere. "It may not seem fair sometimes, but you'll be able to help by simply being you. Trust me."
     
    Joseph had never felt so helpless. Another bolt of illumination wouldn't hurt, but his superior had already vanished.
     
     
     
    When David was late for the fourth time, Sharon demanded to know why. That wasn't being over-protective, just exercising her parental responsibility.
     
    He eyed her defiantly before answering, "Looking for a job."
     
    His answer stunned her. "You don't have to do that. I'll find work soon. Mr. Phelps at the employment office said he'd let me know as soon as something comes up."
     
    David straightened, and Sharon noticed how tall he was. Her son was becoming a man. "We need the money, Mom. I want to help out."
     
    His jaw was squarely set, and she realized she shouldn't argue with him. He was growing up and wanted her to acknowledge that fact. Besides, he needed to keep busy instead of dwelling on unhappy thoughts.
     
    She tried to back down