Rob and Crystal: An Unlikely Love That Will Save the World

By Robert Spina

Robbie has been told by his grandmother that he is going to save the world and marry the most beautiful woman in the world. These bedtime stories keep him smiling and happy to see his grandmother. His life takes a very unforeseen turn as his parents are killed, and he is raised to be a stone-cold killer.

His grandmother has not abandoned him, and she comes to him in visions even after her passing. She guides Robbie from the spirit world and gives him the advice he needs to save the world from the shadow monsters and the Thunder God.

Crystal is woken to see a strange man in her bed. She is not scared, and she does everything this man tells her to do. Robert knows the second Crystal opens her eyes that he loves her and he is going to marry her, not kill her. Crystal has found the man of her dreams, and as her life is turned upside down, she falls head over heels in love with him.

Is it destiny that brought these two young lovers together? And is it destiny that will guide these two to save the world? Your heart will pump, and your passion will overflow as you follow these two through their heart-pounding love affair full of passionate love and life-threatening danger. Rob and Crystal become the hunted, but hunted by whom and by what? Let the pages sweep you away as you realize the hunted are the hunters themselves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543438543

Robert Spina

au doesnt want to put ATA on the book

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

I Don’t Want Grandma to Die

Mommy, I don’t want Grandma to die, says four-year-old Robbie from the back seat of the very large 1973 Ford LTD. Ruth turns from the front seat to look at Robbie.

Robbie, Grandma is very old, and we have talked about this. Your grandmother called us from the hospital to go and see her because she is going to be with God soon, and she wanted to see you, says Ruth.

Robbie, you listen to your mother. Grandma is very old, and heaven is calling for her, but before she goes, she wants to see you at least one more time. You want to see Grandma, right? says Larry, Robbie’s father.

Yeah.

Well, you have to be strong now because Grandma wants to see you, and we don’t want her to see you crying, says Larry from the driver’s seat.

I don’t cry, Daddy, you know that.

I know you don’t, Son. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t going to start now. Larry turns the very large green car to the left and into the hospital parking lot, which is also very large. He drives up to the entrance and then meanders through the parking lot until he finds a place to park.

OK, we are here. Robbie, are you ready to go see Grandma? says Larry.

Yeah, says Robbie, who is all smiles and anxious to see Grandma.

Ruth gets out of the passenger’s side of the car and opens the back door, letting Robbie out. She grabs hold of his hand. Larry gets out the car and heads for the entrance.

Come on, Robbie, let’s go see Grandma, says Ruth, walking behind Larry and holding Robbie’s hand. The three of them walk into the hospital, approach the service counter, and wait for the clerk.

Hi, may I help you? says the clerk at the front desk.

Hi, yes. I am Larry Fergason, and this is my wife Ruth and my son Robbie. We are here to see my mother, Beverly Fergason. That is Fergason spelled with an A, Larry explains to the clerk because most people spell Fergason with a U and not an A.

Oh yes, Mr. Fergason. Hold on just one minute. I will have a nurse show you to her room. Give me just one moment, please, says the clerk behind the glass window. She closes the window, leaving just a very narrow gap open.

No problem, take your time, says Larry.

Robbie is still holding his mother’s hand, and it is almost five in the afternoon. It is early summer, so the sun will not set for a few hours yet, and it is shining through the windows, leaving a very bright glare. Robbie looks around, and there are a lot of very old people here. Some of them are watching TV. Some of them are sitting on couches or in chairs. Robbie thinks to himself, Boy these people look so sad. I wonder if they really are.

Mommy, are these people here all sad?

No, honey. Why would you think that?

Because they all look so sad.

No, Robbie. They are just very old, and this is what old people do. Oh hi, Joan. It is good to see you again, says Ruth, addressing Joan, a nurse whom the Fergasons are familiar with.

Hi, Mrs. Fergason and Mr. Fergason. How are you today? And look at you, aren’t you just a handsome little man? says Joan, smiling and motioning toward Robbie but not touching him.

Hi, Joan. So how is Mom doing? asks Larry as he follows Joan, who leads the Fergasons to the room of Larry’s mother.

Well, Mr. Fergason, she is, you know, holding her own, but you are aware she is close.

I know, I know. I was very surprised to hear she got up and called for us to come and see her.

Your mother is very special, Larry. She has a great bond with all the older generation here, and we are all going to miss her very much. She loves her little grandson so much, and she told me earlier she knew her time was coming. She asked me if I would have her son, her daughter-in-law, and her grandson come see her, and of course, I called right away, says Joan, stopping at a door and holding her right arm toward the room.

Thank you, Joan. We will be fine for now, says Larry.

OK, guys, you know the way out. Stay as long as you like, OK? says Joan as she leaves the Fergasons to visit with Beverly.

Thank you, Joan, says Ruth.

Bye, says Robbie.

The three of them walk into the room. The first bed has an older lady lying in it, and she is sleeping. Larry walks right to the second bed, and his mother is lying there. She looks so peaceful. She has an IV running into her right arm, and her bed is arched upward, so she is almost in a sitting position. Larry walks up to the right side of the bed, gently hugs his mother, and kisses her on the cheek.

Hi, Mom. I got the call, and we came right away. How are you feeling? asks Larry.

Ruth walks up the other side of the bed, still holing Robbie’s hand. She smiles as she sees Beverly. Hi, Mom, says Ruth, kissing Beverly on the other cheek.

Beverly smiles. She tries very hard to raise her arms to touch and hold her family, and it is obvious she is very weak, but still, she has a big smile on her face. You can see she is very old. Larry grabs Beverly’s right hand, and Ruth grabs the left. Robbie is still too small to see up the bed.

Mom, are you OK? How are you feeling, Mom? asks Larry.

Larry, my boy. Ruth, my girl. I could never have asked for a better family and a better life than I have had. You are all the beauty that has made my life so very wonderful, but I know you know my time is coming. I wanted to see you all and tell you I love you all so very much, says Beverly, and tears gently roll down her face.

Oh, Mom, we love you too, but don’t talk like this. You are not going anywhere, says Ruth.

Ruth, I thank the Lord every day that you walked into my son’s life. You are the stability and the rock that he needed, and he still needs you. You keep him in line, and he will protect you and my beautiful grand boy, says Beverly.

Don’t you worry, Mom. I won’t let either of them out of my sight for too long, says Ruth.

I know you won’t, says Beverly. Larry, I said no to another surgery. They want to go into me again and take out more of my intestine. I said no, Larry. I don’t want to go through the surgeries anymore. Larry, my boy, my beautiful boy. I can’t go through it anymore. My time is coming. Please understand it is my time.

Larry has tears forming in his eyes as he kisses his mother’s hand, not arguing with her, just understanding and listening to her. Ruth is doing the same on the opposite side of the bed.

We support you, and we are here for you, says Ruth.

I know you are. May I have a few minutes to talk with my grandson alone? I need to say my peace to him. I need to see my beautiful grandson before my time is gone.

Of course, you can, Mom. Ruth and I will wait outside, says Larry, kissing his mother’s hand and cheek.

Ruth does the same and lifts Robbie onto the bed. Larry and Ruth walk out of the room, and Robbie looks at his grandmother.

Grandma, I don’t want you to go. Mommy and Daddy say you are going to be with God. Grandma, I want you to stay here with us.

Oh Robbie, you are such a special boy. You are my special grand baby, and you are going to make me so proud, says Beverly as she picks up Robbie’s hand and draws him toward her. Robbie gives his grandmother a hug.

Grandma, I don’t want you to go. I don’t want you to go away, Grandma.

I know, Robbie, but it is my time. God is calling for me, and I am going to go be with him. I have seen him already, and he is beautiful. I am so lucky to be going with God.

Really, Grandma? You saw God?

Yes, I have, and he talked to me.

Really, Grandma?

Yes, and he has told me that there are very special and great things in store for you.

But can’t you be here to share them with me, Grandma?

Oh Robbie, I wish I could, says Beverly with a big smile on her face.

Grandma, I told my daddy that I don’t cry, and I don’t, but I don’t want you to go away, says Robbie as his eyes tear up and he lets out a loud cry. I don’t want you to go away, Grandma. Robbie hugs his grandmother around her neck, lying there on her chest and shoulder.

I know you don’t cry, Robbie, and this is the first time I have ever seen you cry unless you have hurt yourself, says Beverly, positioning Robbie down her side and sitting him on the bed right next to her left hip so it is more comfortable for her to talk. Robbie, I have had a wonderful life. Do you know how old I am? I am ninety-two years old, and I have seen so much in my life. I have seen so many wonderful things, but my time is coming to an end, and that is a beautiful thing.

No it’s not, Grandma. It’s not beautiful.

I got to see your father come into this world, and I got to see you come into this world as well. I cannot think of anything more wonderful than that. You remember all the bedtime stories I used to tell you before you went to sleep, right?

Yes, I remember, Grandma.

Good, Robbie. You remember all we talked about, and remember I will always be here with you, right here in your heart, says Beverly, rubbing Robbie’s chest above his heart. Anytime you think of me, I will be right here, so I will never actually be gone. I will always be right here with you.

Really, Grandma? If I think of you, you will be right here with me?

That’s right, Robbie. I will always be with you in spirit and in your heart.

I like it best when you are right here with me telling me stories, Grandma.

You know what? I like that best too, Robbie, says Beverly, hugging Robbie. Now listen to me, Robbie. I want you to promise me something, OK. Can you promise me something?

Yes, Grandma.

There are going to be times in your life when you are scared, and there are going to be times in your life when you don’t know what you should do. I want you to promise me that when you are unsure about things, and I mean about really serious things, you will think about me, OK?

Yes, Grandma, I will. But Grandma, I think about you all the time anyway.

Oh Robbie, I am sure you do, says Beverly, smiling and putting her hand over her chest, breathing a bit irregularly. Robbie, go get your parents and bring them in here, OK?

OK, Grandma, says Robbie, who rolls to his stomach and falls off the side of the bed with the bars lowered flush with the mattress. Robbie runs out into the hall, calling, Mommy, Daddy, Grandma wants to see you, Grandma wants to see you. Robbie runs down the hall to his parents, who are standing by a window that is open. A nurse is sitting in a chair behind the window.

Robbie, stop running, says Larry as he scoops Robbie up. Larry and Ruth say goodbye to the nurse and head back to Beverly’s room. Larry is walking with Robbie on his left side, holding him up with his left arm. When he enters his mother’s room, he hesitates and steps back out. Ruth, wait here with Robbie.

Ruth looks into the room and smiles very sadly, picking up Robbie and hugging him tightly. Larry closes the door behind him.

CHAPTER 2

Bedtime Story

Grandma, tell me about saving the world, says Robbie, smiling and sitting on his bed.

First things first, Robbie. Get under the covers, and we will get you all tucked in, says Beverly, pulling the covers down so Robbie can slide under them.

Robbie slides under the covers and lays his head on his pillow. Beverly pulls the covers up and tucks Robbie under them so he is all nice and covered, except for his head resting on his pillow. Robbie has the biggest smile on his face.

OK, Grandma, I am all tucked in. You can tell me a bedtime story now.

You didn’t forget to brush your teeth, right, Robbie? You washed your face and hands, right? You didn’t forget to wash behind your ears, right? says Beverly, inspecting her grandson and his cleanliness.

No, Grandma, I washed all over and brushed my teeth, so you can tell me my bedtime story now, says Robbie, laughing and smiling in response to his grandmother tickling him.

OK, Robbie, you are ready now. Ah, where should I begin? Ah yes, the shadow monsters. The shadow monsters are almost invisible, almost like smoke vanishing in the air. And no one can see them. No one can see them except for you.

I am the only one who can see the shadow monsters, Grandma? Why can’t anyone else see them?

Well, the shadow monsters are real, but you cannot see them unless you believe they are really there. You will be the only one who can see them because you know they are there and you know they are real. No one else believes they are there, so the shadow monsters can even move through everyone else—because they do not believe.

I can see them because I know they are real, right, Grandma?

Yup, that is right, Robbie. You know they are real, and you know they are very dangerous.

Will I fight the shadow monsters and save the world from them, Grandma?

Yes, you will, Robbie. You will fight them, and you will beat them.

I will fight the shadow monsters and beat them because I know they are bad. They want to hurt people, and I will make sure they can’t hurt anyone.

That’s right, Robbie. You will fight them and send them away so they can never hurt anybody.

But, Grandma, how can I fight the shadow monsters? What will I use to beat them and send them away? asks Robbie.

Well, Robbie, the shadow monsters are not real in the sense that they have bodies and they can be touched, but they are real. They are more like smoke and shadows, so you cannot use guns or clubs. You can’t hit them or punch them. If you tried to punch them, your punches would go right through them. Just like if you tried to shoot them with bullets, the bullets would pass right through them and not hurt them at all.

So, Grandma, if I can’t shoot them, what am I supposed to do? Can I tell them to go away and they will leave?

No, it won’t be that easy, says Beverly, laughing. You will have a very special weapon that only you can use. Only you can use this weapon because you believe in the shadow monsters and you know that only one kind of weapon will work against them. This is a very special gun, and this is a gun that a lot of people will have. A lot of people can even use this gun, but only you know of its real power, and only you believe that it will work against the shadow monsters. This gun will not be made out of metal, and it will not shoot bullets. This gun will shoot a very special liquid, and it will only work against the shadow monsters.

So, Grandma, how will I know what this gun looks like, and how will I know where to get it? How will I know where to get the special liquid to shoot out of it? asks Robbie.

Well, Robbie, sometimes the most important things in life are right there in front of us. Sometimes in life, the things that we think are so hard to reach, the things we think are impossible, are the easiest things to have and hold. When the time comes for you to fight the shadow monsters, you have to remember, you have to believe that the weapon you need to save the world is right in front of you.

Like God. Right, Grandma?

Yes, like God, Robbie. He is always there. He is always around us, and he is always giving us the things we need to live our lives the way we are supposed to, says Beverly.

So is God telling you to tell me how to save the world, Grandma? Is God always going to be there with me? God is going to make sure I beat the shadow monsters and save the world, right, Grandma?

God is always in your heart, Robbie, just like me and you have to always remember we are here with you in your heart. Even after I have gone to be with God and you can’t see me anymore, I am still here with you, just like God always will be. When you have to fight the shadow monsters, we will be right here with you in your heart, and this will be the strength you need to defeat the shadow monsters.

Wow, I can’t believe it’s me, Grandma. I can’t believe God chose me to save the world. I will do it, Grandma. I will save the world, and I won’t go yelling at everybody like Daddy does all the time. I will save the world, and I won’t ask for a thing in return. I just want everyone to be OK, says Robbie with the biggest, warmest smile on his face.

Oh Robbie, you are so special. You are one of a kind, and that is why God has chosen you to save the world. There is great responsibility and great sacrifice that comes with the task of saving the world. You won’t bother people with your struggles, you won’t complain all the time, and you will always be happy, knowing that you are special and you are chosen by God himself to save the world.

Grandma, did God always know I am special? Did God tell you to tell me about saving the world? Did God make me the one to beat the shadow monsters? asks Robbie.

God has talked to me, and I told him all about you. Of course, God always knew everything about you, but he wanted me to tell you how special you are because he wanted you to hear it, and he wanted to hear what you would say. God has always given all of us the freedom to speak our minds, and he has heard your words, Robbie. Now it is time for you to grow up and be the man you are right now. It is time for you to start your journey through life, knowing that there are great things in life that you are going to do, and you will not be one of those people who always think everything is supposed to be given to you. You will be a great man, and that is because you will work hard, knowing that the things in life you are supposed to do are the things you work for.

Grandma, you talked to God?

Oh yes. I talk to God all the time, and I am going to be with him after I talk with you.

Grandma, did God tell you about my girl?

What do you mean your girl? asks Beverly.

My girl, Grandma. Am I going to get married and have a girl that is so special? A girl that is so beautiful? says Robbie.

Oh yes, Robbie. You are going to marry the most beautiful woman in the world, and you are going to love her so much, says Beverly.

Robbie smiles so big with a happy sigh. I know, Grandma. I am going to marry the most beautiful woman, and I am going to be the best husband in the world, says Robbie, glowing with a huge smile. And what about Mommy and Daddy, Grandma? Are they going to help me save the world? Are they going to be there and watch me marry the most beautiful woman in the world?

Well, your mommy and daddy have different journeys in life than you do, Robbie. They love you very much, and they will always be your parents, but God has chosen a different path in life for them. God has already talked with your mommy and daddy, and they have talked with God.

They did, Grandma? Mommy and Daddy have talked with God?

Oh yes, Robbie, and they had the most difficult responsibility of all people. They had to love each other, which was very easy for them. They had to make a life for themselves, and they had to make the most special little boy in the whole world—and that is you, Robbie.

Oh boy, Grandma. I always knew I had the best parents in the whole wide world, says Robbie, with the biggest glowing smile you ever saw on a little boy.

***

Robbie, who are you talking to? asks Robbie’s mother, walking into his bedroom.

I am talking to Grandma, Mommy, says Robbie, looking to the side of his bed where he was talking to his grandmother.

There is a chair next to his bed, and the chair is empty. Robbie’s mother walks over and sits in the chair. She puts her hands on Robbie’s hands. He now has the covers just under his shoulders, so his hands and arms are exposed. Robbie’s mother runs her left hand over Robbie’s face and her fingers through his hair.

Robbie, you miss Grandma very much, don’t you? says Ruth.

No, Mommy, she is right here. She was just right here, Mommy.

Robbie, Grandma has been gone for almost a year now. We all miss her so much.

Mommy, she was just right here. I was talking to her, and she was telling me how I am going to save the world and marry the most beautiful girl in the whole wide world. She told me how you and Daddy had to make the most special boy in the whole world, and that is me.

Well, your grandma was right, Robbie. You are the most special little boy in the whole world, and I am quite sure you will marry the most beautiful woman in the whole world, says Ruth with a bittersweet smile on her face. Ruth continues to run her fingers through Robbie’s hair.

Mommy, where did Grandma go? She was just right here, asks Robbie.

Robbie, Grandma has gone to be with God. We have talked about this. I know you miss her, but you have to understand, Grandma is no longer with us. She is with God now. Robbie, you are going to be five years old soon, and Grandma can’t come to tell you bedtime stories anymore. After your birthday, we can go and see where Grandma lies. Will that make you feel better? asks Ruth.

Uh huh. Robbie sighs, nodding. He no longer has a smile on his face.

Your birthday is next week, and all your friends are coming over to have cake and ice cream, and you are going to get a lot of presents. That will make you feel better, right?

Yeah, says Robbie, smiling. Ruth kisses Robbie on the cheek and tucks him in.

You get some sleep now. We have a long day tomorrow, says Ruth as she gets up and leaves the room, which was lighted by the light from the hallway. Robbie rolls over to his side, saying to himself, I know you were here, Grandma. I know you are always with me, Grandma.

CHAPTER 3

Robbie Turns Five Years Old

Robbie gets out of bed and goes downstairs. His mother is in the kitchen, and she has just started to make Robbie’s birthday cake.

Good morning, Robbie. I see you finally woke up. Are you ready for your big day? says Ruth, bending down and picking up her son, hugging him and kissing him on his cheek. Ruth twirls, holding her son like she is dancing—and she is. Robbie, you are five years old today. Aren’t you so excited?

Yes, Mommy, I’m five today, says Robbie, smiling as Ruth sets him down on the floor.

What kind of birthday cake do you want, Robbie?

"I want