Minion of Yama

“Dad, I’m calling the cops on you,” Jason stated over the phone.

“What are you talking about? What do you think I did?” I asked.

“I saw you, don’t deny it. And, if you’d do it to me, who else would you do it to? And what else do you do?” Jason went on.

“You saw me do what? I haven’t been with you in days.”

“You know. I saw you peeking in my window and as soon as Puppy started barking, you took off.”

“Jason, you’re hallucinating. You live on the third floor. I don’t have a ladder that long.”

“I’m not sure how you do it, but I saw you.

“And I called Uncle David to tell him, and he said he’s not surprised. He said you’ve done things like this before, but no one’s been able to prove it. Now, I can prove it. I have a photo of you peeking in the window.”

“What does that prove, that you’re good with photoshopping photos? And David’s not surprised about what? And I’ve done what before?

“Did this happen at night or during the day? And what day did it happen? And why would you call the cops about something as fantastical as this?”

“The cops can run tests to see if it’s been photoshopped, so they’ll know it’s real. And it happened two nights ago, Tuesday, at about eight o’clock.

“I feel bad about calling the cops, Dad. But my friends are dying here. Tuesday night Priscilla on the fifth floor straight up from my place died from a heart attack. She ran every day and worked out and watched her diet and did everything her doctors told her to do. She didn’t deserve that; she was a nice person. Two weeks ago, Pete on the other end of the building and on this same floor as Priscilla died in his sleep from some weird asphyxiation. He was old, but he was in okay health.

“What the hell are you doing, Dad? Are you some kind of vampire? Are you coming for me next? How do you get into places from outside?”

“Jason, let’s get something straight. First, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Your uncle David is mistaken. I don’t know what he means about me doing things like this before. Look at it logically. You’ve known me since you were a baby when I adopted you. Never have you seen me climbing around outside a multistory building. Never have you even heard of such a thing.

“I can categorically tell you that I am not some kind of vampire. And I would never do anything to hurt you, so I’m not coming for you next or ever. Lastly, no one can climb into apartments from the outside without breaking a window or cutting a hole in the wall to get in. Did anyone talk about a hole in a wall or a broken window in your complex?”

“No, no one has said anything about any damage to windows or walls. If you’re not a vampire, what are you?”

“What are you talking about? I just told you I’m not a vampire. I can’t believe you would think I’m some kind of super-hero monster that can climb buildings and teleport through windows and walls to kill innocent people, to kill your friends.

“So, what’s going on, Dad? I know that was you peeking in my window the other night. Uncle David says you’ve done stuff like this before. What does he mean?”

“Get him on the phone so we can get this cleared up. Work your magic on the cell and make a three-way conference call.”

“Uncle David? Hi, this is Jason and I’ve got Dad on the other line. I told him I’m going to call the cops on him, and he wants to know what you mean by saying he’s done this type of thing before.”

“Chuck, can you hear me?”

“Yeah, I can hear you. Can you hear me okay?”

“Yep.”

“So, David, what’s going on? Jason tells me you told him people have accused me of climbing walls and peeking in windows for years. Is that true?”

“Chuck, cut the crap! You’ve been doing this kind of stuff as long as I’ve known you. You probably did it before our parents adopted you. We just couldn’t prove it. We only had rumors until Jason took your photo. And, yes, he shared it with me in a text. It sure looks like you even if you were upside-down. How do you keep your balance on a sheer wall facing down?”

“Nuts! Both of you! Next, you’re going to accuse me of murdering innocent people in their sleep after I’ve teleported through a fourth-floor wall into their apartment. Do you guys have any idea how crazy you sound?”

“Let’s get this straight, Chuck. Neither of us is accusing you of murder although it is interesting that times when you’re rumored to be climbing walls a lot of those times someone seems to die in the building you’re seen at. Are you some kind of avenging spirit or vampire or human-shaped alien demon? What the hell are you and what are you doing?”

“David, let’s get this straight. I’ve already told Jason I am not some kind of vampire. I’m telling you both right now I’m not an avenging spirit or weird murderous alien. I’m me. The guy you’ve both known for years as brother and dad.

“I don’t know where you guys are getting the notion I’m anything other than just a guy. I admit, I am probably far more handsome than any other guy you’ve ever met.”

“Chuck, this isn’t funny. We’re both concerned and a little bit scared. We don’t know when you might turn on us.”

“Okay, okay. Sorry. I don’t mean to make light of your concerns nor of your questions. I just don’t know how to explain it any more clearly than I have so far.

“Categorically, I am not any of the things you seem to think I might be. As far as the rumors you bring up, I can’t do anything about what other people say.”

“Enough! I am Yama, Angel of Death. Chuck, you are free to tell these you love what you are. Proceed and live well.”

“What was that? I couldn’t see anything. Jason, are you okay?” David asked.

“I’m fine, Uncle David. There was a cloud-like mist thing here in my apartment, a loud voice said what it said, and then the cloud thing disappeared.

“What’s going on, Dad?”

“To make it easy on you guys and on me, that was Yama. The Hindus consider him to be the angel of death. Well, that’s not entirely accurate. He does govern the dead and he is my boss. And, he has been my boss during my entire time of creation.

“I’m one of his minions and my job includes watching the lives of mortals and collecting their essence when they die. I take them to their respective destinations. I may take them to what you call hell, or I could set them up for reincarnation, or I could take them to heaven. It’s kind of a weird concept, I know, for you guys born in the West. Suffice it to say, it’s a reality.

“As I said earlier, I am not any of those things you thought. I am real; I’m kind of what you might call an angel. My job is to watch and gather souls.

“I was allowed to be part of a family and to love mortals. I love you, and, Jason, I loved your mother. It was difficult watching another angel lead her away.

“Now you know. As part of my duties, I get to spend time watching you and guiding you onto a better path.

“I am not here to take you or to judge you. The other night, I was here to guide your friend to her better place. I just wanted to see you and I certainly did not mean to frighten you.

“I do not kill anyone. I merely assist them in their passing. Your friend had a genetic cardiac defect that caused her end. Your other friend had a peculiar form of congestive heart failure that allowed him to go relatively quickly. I assure you; I calmed and protected him through that final process.

“Please forgive my deception all these years. That’s the way it’s had to be. Just as your God doesn’t show all His mystery, I also live a secretive path not sharing all my ways.

“Suffice it to say, I do my job and I always love you guys.”

David commented, “Well, that answers a lot of questions. But how do we know it’s all true? Jason, what do you think?”

“I need some time, too, even though I did see that foggy-misty thing appear and I watched as it spoke.

“However, I won’t call the cops; that seems fruitless,” Jason stated.

“Thanks, you guys, and know that I love you and will do all I can for you.”