Melanie smiled to agree and said, "When I spoke about you this morning, he received it well. I don’t know what happened later. When I met him in his office, he raised some questions about you, your business and the safety of his money."

She paused for a few moments and filled the room with silence.

The reflection of my image on the mirror was noisy in that silence of disappointment.

"Yes, Melanie," I said with a deep sigh, "I understand…"

Melanie interrupted with a smile, "I assured Ralph that the money with Bill is safer than the money with the Country Bank and Bill’s word is his bond."

There was a mischief in her blue eyes. Or was it my imagination?

Melanie continued, "I told him that if he was not comfortable in having a deal with you, I would sign the documents and take the money in my name."

I began to believe in Divine incarnation.

"Ralph said if I would sign the documents, he would be happy to double the amount. I signed the documents and he cut a check for $100,000!" Melanie said.

She picked up her wallet and opened it. She pulled out a small folded plastic envelope and pushed it over to me.

"You don’t have to sign any document. Here is the check for $100,000. I have endorsed it in your name," said Melanie.

I stared at the envelope in disbelief.

I wanted to express my gratitude with the finest words. I did not know how other men spoke at those moments of grace. I searched for words in silence.

"Melanie, I …" I hesitated for a moment.

"So, you don’t know how to thank me and how to express your gratitude." Melanie laughed.

This Melanie always laughed. When she did not laugh, she would smile.

She held my hands, looked into my eyes with her blue eyes and said, "All the best, Bill." She pressed my hands tenderly, "I have an appointment with my dentist at half past four. I must rush now."

She smiled and left.

* * * *

The rain had stopped. Only the raindrops were falling from the wet leaves of the thick flame trees and the windows.

The sun was showing his warm face on and off from behind the clouds like a giggling little girl peeping at a stranger from behind her mother.

The infinite sky was broken and blue among fast moving white cotton clouds.

The raindrops on the windows started to sparkle like little diamonds in the eternal sun.

The breeze fanned my face.

My eyes grew moist.

That was the moment I learnt to trust
the Power of the Consecration.

The End