COMPASSION

Chapter 36

Catch and Release

Lucifer, Lilith, and Lamia are all sitting at the table in Lucifer’s Den.
 
Lucifer speaks, “Well I think we have given Mr. Havard a lot to think about since he first met Lamia. I told you he was going to be one of your most difficult tests. You have tortured and haunted his mind and soul to perfection. You would do The Marque De Sade proud. If he were any kind of a man he would have killed himself by now.”
 
Lamia ashamed and determined more than ever to prove to her  Lord she can deliver Joe’s soul to Lucifer gets off her chair and kneels naked and faceless at the foot of her Saviour and begs for one final chance.
 
“My Lord please give me one more chance with Joe Havard. I will leave him so confused and frustrated he will be screaming in his dreams.
 
Lilith intercedes, “My son and I are in a gambling mood. We are going to level the playing field this last meeting between Joe and Sandy. You have done everything we have asked of you but you are against the lowest form of Male there is. The Mama’s Boy is the weakest and most despicable man there he. He worships his Mother so much he probably would want to fuck her if he could.”  Lilith turns to her son and stares at Lucifer.
 
The Devil replies, “Yes Mother we all know how some sons can be. Joe Havard has his typed 128 pages. He will need a Literary Agent to sell his story. Mother’s back up plan to get Catherine to get her baby started writing was a brilliant idea as usual. I understand this Sandy is engaged to the Doctor who replaced
Dr. Parmo. This should be fun to see if she will weigh Mr. Havard’s final offer against the Doctors marriage proposal. She will have to decide one way or the other but she will do it without any help from Lamia.”
 
Lamia asks Lucifer, “You don’t want me to possess Sandy and finish the job?”
 
Lucifer hugs Lamia, “You have brought this battle to the final stage. I want Destiny and Fate to play a role here. I want no outside influences when Sandy and Joe meet for the last time. I see it playing two ways. Joe rushed to get his Literary Masterpiece all typed up. He either will make one last pitch to get Sandy to join him and become his partner. If she agrees they will need a Literary Agent for their entertainment project. I will contact Joe Havard and get him to sign a contract before I agree to promote his project. Once I have his signed name on my contract I will own his soul for Eternity. Then I will find his parents and show them I now own his soul and I will keep my promise to destroy what they love.”
 
Lamia asks Lucifer what is the other outcome?”
 
“I see Joe Havard losing his nerve when he see’s Sandy and will beg her for his release. If I know anything about this girl she is addicted to collecting men and women’s minds and souls. She won’t release him and this will haunt Joe for the rest of his life and I think he will finally find the courage to kill himself. If he does kill himself I will own his soul and I will personally throw him into The Lake of Fire where he will burn for Eternity. I win either way."
 
The Saturday before Christmas has finally arrived and Joe Havard will get his last chance with Sandy. Everyone is nervous because they all know from Mary Ellen the receptionist to Dr. Habit the Dentist this will probably be the last time Joe Havard will be a patient at this office. Sandy comes out and quietly asks her patient to follow her to the cleaning room. Joe obeys and takes his seat telling Sandy he has to talk to her now. Sandy rolls her chair closer to her patient. She is ready to hear  Joe’s final offer.
 
Joe is frozen with fear and awe over the beauty of Sandy. Joe tells himself this girl is flawless and the closest thing he has seen to Female Perfection.  He knows he has two plans he can present Sandy.
 
Dr. Parmo and Catherine Havard stand silently in the corner observing what Joe will do next.
 
A trembling Joe tells Sandy, “I need to tell you. Something happened when I first met you.” Joe finds it very difficult to look at Sandy and speak so he looks off to the side so as not to be distracted by her beauty. He starts to cry as he continues talking to Sandy.
 
“I became attracted to you and it was all very confusing.” Sandy draws closer to Joe because he is whispering and she can hardly hear.
 
“I know you are not interested in me so I need you to tell me that and release me. Then I promise you I will never see you for the rest of my life.”
 
Sandy looks totally surprised and did not expect to hear Joe beg for his release. Sandy gets up from her chair and walks to the front of the room trying to find the right words to say. She paces back and forth thinking of her next move.
 
“I know you fell in Love with me. I have this effect on men and women. One man came to me this week and promised me money and jewelry if I would marry him. I know what you are going through and in time you will get over me.”
 
“Sandy I am sorry I ever told you how attractive you are. I apologize to you and I did not mean any offense against you. If you could just do me a small favor and look at me and tell me you are not interested in me you will never see me again!” 
 
Joe is silently begging God to make Sandy release him but for some reason, she will not grant him his release. She will not say the words he needs to hear.”
 
“I better start your cleaning we do not have much time today.”
 
Sandy starts Joe’s cleaning and he sits in the chair determined to get his release or he will be a dead man. Sandy tells her patient she is done with the cleaning today and the Doctor enters the room. Sandy looks at the Doctor then back at Joe to see if either man will raise his bid price for her. The Doctor inspects Joe and tells him he will see him in three months. Joe gets out of the chair asking God to get his release for him.
 
Sandy leads Joe to the receptionist desk and Joe blurts out, “Well I guess you are not interested?”
 
Mary Ellen the receptionist looks at Sandy waiting for her reply to Joe.
 
Sandy pauses but then replies, “ No I am not interested!”
 
Joe hangs his head and leaves the most beautiful girl he has ever seen for the last time. He walks out of the office strangely enough feeling like Sandy pulled her Harpoon out of his chest. Joe smiles to himself and heads straight home past Tommy and up to his bedroom. He sits on the floor with his back to the wall and starts crying. He knows he has lost the Love of his Life.    
  
Joe suddenly finds himself floating in Lake Ontario. In the water next to him is Dr. Habit who is engaged to Sandy. Also in the water is Sandy’s Priest, her manicurist, her equally beautiful girlfriend with brunette hair and finally her Boss at the dental company.  All have fallen in Love with the beautiful Sandy. All have fish hooks deeply embedded into their chests over their hearts. Sandy’s Parents are driving the boat and are waiting for their daughter to decide who will win her hand in marriage.
 
Sandy’s Father tells his daughter, “What are you doing with the Priest?”
 
Sandy smiles and tells her dad, “It is not my fault these people fall in love with me!”
 
Sandy’s Mother yells, “Get rid of the Hollywood Screenwriter. He is the worst of the bunch. All he will ever be is a homeless guy wandering in the park writing on his yellow pad.”
 
Sandy pulls her fishing knife out and finds the line attached to Joe Havard. She cuts the line and Joe is now free. The boat pulls away and Joe is all alone in the Lake floating. He treads water for a couple of hours but the currents in the Lake prevent him from making it to shore. Joe knows this is the end and closes his eyes and starts to slowly sink in the Lake to the bottom.  Joe smiles as he goes under and finally his mind is at rest while he drowns.