Not Quite a Flash Fiction 55 - The Angel in a Jet Plane

 “ ’Scuse me, step aside, move please, coming through here”, said a tiny, bossy voice, as a wave of people parted.

The little child walked up to the throne and laid his elbows on the King’s knees, gazing up.

“What can I do for you” asked the King.

“I want my wings. And a jet plane”, demanded the child

“But if you have wings, why would you need a jet plane?”

“I was gonna be a fighter pilot when I grew up!”

“Fair enough. Granted”, spoke the King. “Anything else?”

The little imp thought about it for a few moments while he played with the King’s long sleeves. His little face was twisting and wrinkling into many thoughtful expressions. Then, with a sad little grin, he looked up at the King, his large eyes innocent and pleading.

“I want to visit my mama and tell her to not cry anymore and that I love it here and since I have a jet plane I can go faster than Michael and Gabriel and all the others!”

The sedatives had put her into a deep sleep. In her dream, she felt the bed bounce, then a warm little body snuggled into her arms. He told her all about the King, the angels, his awesome jet plane and showed her his wings, and even the crown he was given. He talked and laughed deep into the darkest pre-dawn hours. Before he left, he kissed her swollen red eyes shut and told her he would see her someday forever and to not be sad anymore.

When she woke, she could feel the warmth on the bed and smell his hair on the pillow, where there was a downy little feather.  Outside, in the golden pink of the sunrise, a jet plane flew high up in the sky, leaving the sign of its passing.

I tried to write this story in 55 words, but it just didn't fit. I broke the rules a bit, but I hope you enjoy it anyway. God bless you all, and may the Holy Spirit fill you all with His peace and grace.
Thank you, G-Man, for being a splendid host! I hope you are feeling a little better today. This may be the darkest, longest night of the year, and some extinct Mayan hoodoo priest predicted the end of the world, your baby girl is a world away, there are families too filled with grief to even consider joy, the world is filled with evil and evil people. There are people who say that it was only convenient timing with a pagan holiday that sees us celebrating the birth of a God. What a coincidence, huh?
But the Fathers of the Holy Mother Church have always said that God was born at the coldest, longest, darkest time of the year so His light would shine the brightest. Twinkle lights and snowmen, ornaments and eggnog, tinsel and mistletoe, all make a mockery of the seemingly unending darkness.
Of course, all this "churchy" talk might mean nothing to you. In that case, I offer you this wisdom: "The dead know only one thing; it is better to be alive". Pvt Joker, Full Metal Jacket.
And you are alive, my friend...

Troparion of the Feast

"Thy nativity, O Christ our God, 
has shown to the world the light of wisdom;
for by it, those who worshiped the stars
were taught by a star to adore Thee
the Sun of Righteousness,
and to know Thee, the Orient from on high.
O Lord, glory to Thee."

Kontakion of the Feast

"Today the virgin, gives birth to the incomprehensible One;
and the earth offers a cave to the unapproachable One;
Angels and shepherds glorify Him; 
the Wise men journey with a star; 
since for our sake is born the ETERNAL GOD, as a little Child."