White Lie

White Lie
   Andrew often watched them scramble around each morning getting ready for work. It was like they had no regard for each other. Andrew would wonder how such a beautiful couple with everything they prayed for could end up in such a runt. Normally, they would have drove to work in separate cars; but yesterday Mark’s car broke down. So, today they were stuck together to confront their demons. 
    “Look, Jesse ... What do you want from me...I’m driving as fast as possible.”
    “Look Mark!”, Jesse mocked,” You wouldn’t have to rush if you would have left ten minutes earlier as I suggested.”
    “Well, You’ll really be late if we have to waste time with the police after they pull us over for speeding.” Mark leaned up squinting his eyes attempting to see through the rainfall that was hitting the front windshield. The fog in Mark’s mind was making it hard enough to concentrate. Jesse’s bickering seem to blend in with annoying squeak of the windshield wipers swaying back and forth. At that very moment, he felt a bit of remorse. What was this really about?
   Mark loved this woman. He loved that she was independent, self-driven, intelligent, and confident. Life is too short to have a pile of regrets. Mark gripped the steering wheel. He raised his head to look at Jesse hoping she was looking back. Jesse snatched the steering wheel as the tires of their SUV slipped across what seemed to be every puddle on the wet road. The SUV spun in complete circles. Memories flashed through their minds with each circular motions. Now they were not only emotionally, but physically on a merry-go-round.
        Instant pressure folded the front of their SUV. A luminous ray of light beamed in through the entire SUV. All the weight of the word seemed lifted.Their bodies were light as feathers. They envisioned themselves floating and ascending upward. When they entered an intense brightness blinded Jesse making her cover her eyes.
     " Mark, what happened?"
    “Hell, if I know. We were on the road.”
         “You were driving fast.” 
     “You were bickering...” Mark snapped.
   “And you were...Oh, my goodness we’re dead. Aren’t we?” Jesse inquired.
   “Again, woman, hell if I know.”
     Jesse's begin to experience palpitations as she lifted her sweaty hands to grab her chest to ease the strain on her breathing. Her hands quickly dropped to her sides and her eyes seem to adjust to staring into the once blinding light. She dropped to her knees and let her head fall forward.
    “You...”
    “You are unconscious is all.” Andrew chuckled,“You two were arguing and swerved into a tree. Nothing, but minor physical injuries. It's the internal damage that's been done that worries us.”
        Mark gripped his chest and slowly brought his hand to his stomach. “Internal damage?”  Mark slowly but swiftly backed up to where Jesse was standing. He turned his head to her while putting his hand softly on her shoulder. Jesse still on her knees; rose and fell exhaustingly into Mark’s arms.
      “So...Are either one of you going to inquire about who I am?” Andrew stepped closer to them. Jesse grabbed on to Mark and moved backward.
   “Ok, Well... my name is Andrew and I am an angel.”Andrew put out his hand with no welcoming response.”Ok. I’ll just continue reading your minds and answering your questions. Again, no you are not dead just knocked unconscious from the blow. The plan is for you to return to Earth, but only under one condition.”
   “What is the condition?” Mark asked.
    “You both have to confess to each other.” 
       “No problem, we can do that.” Jesse spoke up.
     “Every lie you have ever told. You must confess every lie you have ever told to each other. Jesse to you and you to Jesse.”
      Mark's body tensed up.
   “I would love to get back to Earth, so let’s get to it,” Jesse demanded.
    “You first Jesse!” Andrew proposed.
     Jesse moved from the side of Mark and took a stance in front of him. After taking a deep breath and she moved a little closer. Jesse glanced back at Andrew over her shoulder one last time before completely giving her attention to Mark.
    “You know two days ago when I said I couldn’t get back to you because my phone died well I was just ignoring your calls.”
  “When you asked me to proofread your legal documents, I said I forgot, but in all honesty, I didn't have the time.”
   “Mark. Come on. This only works if nothing is left out. Full truths are required.”
   “Ok, ok. I didn’t have the time, because I didn’t want to make time. I didn't want to proofread. I hate it.”
   “Jesse your turn.” Andrew pointed out.
    “Last week, when I told you I was just thirty minutes away. I was actually right up the street three minutes away having a glass of wine at the bar.”
   “I told your sister that her baby was beautiful, but I don’t think he looks that good. Kind of like a baby animal.”
Jesse balled up her fist and moved in closer to Mark. Andrew started to rush in, but a force seemed to hold him back firmly.
   “I once told your mom she looked oh so beautiful for her age well I lied. She looks older than her age. And you know what else...”
   “No, no, no Jesse one confession at a time.”
Jesse’s face turned red and she began to tap her foot repeatedly.
  “Jesse, look, we have to do this. I’m not trying to be cruel and I'm sorry.” Mark quickly turned to Andrew,” Andrew what is the meaning of all this? I love her.”
   “Be slow to anger Son. Love is the point, Mark. It will all make sense soon. What was going on while you were on earth was not acceptable. Have you ever wondered why two people who seem to have everything they could ask for still couldn’t seem to get it together? There wouldn't be any need to pull if there was no tug.”
   “Every time I said I was fine. I never was. I was just tired of trying.” Jesse interrupted.
      Jesse and Mark went back and forth. What began as little white lies turned into bigger lies being confessed back and forth. Andrew was sure by now both Jesse and Mark had made up their minds that he only had dark and mean intentions, but come on his intentions are as pure as they get. Andrew is an angel.  This was Andrew's assignment and soon they would see why sending them back to earth without this eye-opener would be unhealthy. Where Andrew was from, love was everything, it was breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was commanded and expected.
      At this point, both Jesse and Mark were face to face as their eyes filled with tears. Both afraid that if they stop blinking they would have glanced at each other a moment too long. At this point, their hearts were filled with mixed emotions: anger, sadness, deceit, and envy. But in some way compassion mingled between those feelings. They had both come to realize the truth. Something was missing. They stood there as if they were afraid to open their mouth to let even the slightest syllable out.
   “When I said I was going to my man cave to ignore you because you were broken. I never went to ignore you. I went to find peace in God because I am broken and don’t know how to love you, Jesse.”
   “Your turn Jesse. Its time. You have never been able to confront it. You even told yourself this lie. What was your lie?”
  “I....”
     “Come on Jesse. You have been muttering these words since day 1. “
   “I love you.”
    “Jesse I love you too.”
   “Every time I said I need you, I just wanted you. Every time I said I wanted you, I was just lonely. And every time I was lonely, I settled.”
   “Jesse...”
   “Every time I said I love you, I didn’t.”
    “What are you trying to say? What lie are you confessing to?”
   “I love you!” Jesse screamed while the tears rolled down her face symbolizing the release she held captive for so long.
Mark stood there without moving a muscle. The blinks almost seemed as if they had come to a stop. Jesse took a few steps back. Andrew looked up into the sky. Andrew snapped and the brightness filled the entire void that had been there since the beginning.