XXXIV

THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS, and DESPERATELY WICKED: WHO CAN KNOW IT?

BRANCH CROMWELL

(JEREMIAH 17:9)

I was headed down a dire path when I first met Sevenia. She was truly an answer to prayer. As feeble as that prayer might have been. The written word, or even a camera, cannot fully capture her beauty to its fullest extent. A little like what John said at the end of his gospel about Jesus.

‘And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25).

As cute and pretty as Sevenia is, if ten guys saw Sevenia and your typical blonde cheerleader walking down the street, nine out of the ten are watching the cheerleader. Maybe even all ten. But if you’re blessed enough to get to know the lovely little nerd, you can see a light and love in her eyes that exceeds anything typically human. When I eventually acknowledged my observation to her, she explained it the way the Savior often explained things. With an ‘it is written.’

“Thank you,” she replied happily. “It’s because I ‘am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.’” (Galatians 2:20)

When she spoke those words to me, it was as if a halo floated above her head. It was the beginning of me truly desiring her as a romantic partner. Yet when I thought of her that way, it was as a companion first, a sexual partner secondary, and sometime in the future.

I cannot lie. When I was first getting to know Sevenia, I was carnal, sold under sin. (Romans 7:14). I looked at girls I was attracted to as conquests. Females I wanted to sexually consume. Although I was still a virgin due to shyness, female attention because of my bad boy image had almost put me in a position to experience my erotic desires.

Then I met Sevenia, and her influence caused me to desire the spiritual over carnal. Instead of wanting to ravage and devour Brittney Stevens or Carly Laimbeer. Hot girls that almost insisted we be intimate. But no, I thought of, and I longed to cuddle and hold Sevenia. I dreamt of us having kids one day and the white picket fence. But behind that, I had issues.

My biological father and grandfather were both somewhat famous Satanists, but for different reasons. The little bit of contact I had with both men who fascinated me, left me with longing. My stepfather was moderately religious and a tyrant. My over exposure to him left me longing for escape. Needless to say, I was confused. Enter an angel named Sevenia.

But I had competition in the form of a super smart, slightly effeminate, mildly black guy named Jeremy. I always felt like he had the edge over me because his family belonged to Sevenia’s church. So I tried not to let my heart be overly beholden by someone who may not want to give hers to me. After all, she was up front with both of us that she was not interested in romance, ever!

Yet there were tells. The way she would crinkle that cute nose and laugh with me in a way she wouldn’t with people like the Storm’s, Easton’s, or Captain Kirk. Or the time she wanted to see the spot where Amy and Dirk Easton kissed for the time. An abandoned railroad bridge that was actually written about in the e-book ‘Knight Storm’ by Johnathan Embers.

I thought it was a hint. Just like it was for Amy and Dirk. You see, they went there because of Mary Gold and Jake Weston, which was another e-book written by Johnathan Embers, ‘Spoiled Produce.’ But after picking up a giggling Sevenia, I carried her across the bridge. She then punched me in the stomach before I could kiss her and stepped away from me. But then she bit her lower lip, as if to say, ‘I wanted to, but I’m going to have a lifetime of celibacy, so don’t tempt me.’

I really didn’t know much about her relationship with Jeremy. So it was wide open to speculation when I saw that engagement ring on Sevenia’s finger. It didn’t enter my mind that he might have tricked it on there. I just assumed he convinced her and she accepted.

It hurt, but I maned up and accepted it. One of the biggest things Sevenia taught me about spirituality was that God doesn’t force Himself on anyone. He wants willful obedience and love that is real and natural. Jesus says if you love me, keep my commandments. (John:14:15)

As painful as it was feeling like I lost Sevenia, it actually pushed me to find God. Sure, I had been in the process of seeking, but I hadn’t surrendered. The whole ordeal could have pushed me back into my old way of thinking and living. I definitely felt the pull. But the drawing of God was stronger and helped me let go. Plus it gave me a comfortable element of peace when I thought about that ring on her finger.

When I found out that Sevenia had been assaulted and was at the hospital, I wanted to rush to her side. But I knew I needed to wait. Then I heard Jeremy killed himself. It was a strong temptation to think ‘good, he deserved it.’ But I made myself pray for his family and for Sevenia, that it would not dim the bright light she had in her soul. The light of Jesus in her that encouraged others.

The following day I needed to see her. I cared about her too much. Even if it were for only a minute, I wanted some assurance that she would pull through. I also thought informing her of my conversion would brighten her spirit. I had no inclination whatsoever that she was going to declare she was in love with me and was interested in courtship. That’s when I knew I had to tell her more details about my family background. I knew she was close to Lexi, but I also knew she found her involvement with the occult disturbing.

“So….” Sevenia drawled. “How does Lexi know your family?”

“She doesn’t actually know them,” I explained. “She knows about them. You see, my biological dad’s name is Axel Cromwell. He’s a well know guitarist for the satanic band Demon’s Reich.”

“I’ve never heard of them,” she frowned.

“They’re big in Europe, but here in the states they’re not as popular as, say, Slayer or Marilyn Manson.”

“Who’s Slayer and Marilyn Manson? Surly you can’t be talking about the sweet little old lady that died a few weeks ago.”

“No, I’m not talking about her, but it doesn’t matter,” I replied with a shrug. “It’s simply that I resemble Axel, and given my last name, Lexi asked if I was related to him and Amstel Cromwell. He’s my grandfather. He was a scientist that was involved with the Manhattan project.”

“Wasn’t that the World War II project that invented the atomic bomb?”

“It was.”

“What role did he play?”

“I’m not sure. It must not have been much. Wikipedia tells more about his friendship with Jack Parsons, the occult, and Hollywood parties than it does any work he might have done.”

“You were born in California, weren’t you?” Sevenia asked. “You’ve told me that before.”

“Yeah, my mom and dad met on the Sunset Strip in LA. My bio dad, Axel, and his band was just starting out, and my mom was an aspiring model. They never married, and split up when I was two. My mom was originally from Iowa and moved here with me. She met my stepdad when she was a waitress at a restaurant he managed. It seemed to me like he was always my dad, and my real dad was like an uncle. I don’t even remember asking about this guy with really long blonde hair that dropped in to see me once or twice a year.”

“Did you resent him?”

“No,” I said with a shrug. “He was always way cool and brought me gifts and stuff. Even when I hated my stepdad, I understood my real dad traveled most of the year.”

“So… Why did you feel the need to warn me?” Sevenia wanted to know. “Did you get involved with the occult too?”

“No, not really,” I replied. “Especially with what happened with my stepdad. I mean, it may be a coincidence, I don’t know, but the timing was really freaky.”

“What are you talking about?” Sevenia frowned.

“Oh, that’s right,” I chuckled. “I’m just now telling you about my bio dad. So about a year before you and I met, I told my real dad about how I was sometimes a punching bag for my stepdad. He told me not to worry about it. He said he had already put a curse on him. He said the spirits told him he was making my life miserable. He told me I would see the result very soon. Now Axel is even worse than your typical rock star, so I just thought he was either nuts or joking. But it was two days later that my stepdad was diagnosed with ALS. He never hit me again.”

“Wow, that is strange.”

“So what do you think?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Sevenia replied with a shrug. “But the Bible warns us that demons and devils have the ability to work miracles. Satan himself will one day appear as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

“So here’s another thing,” I told her, and then winced. “Do you want to hear it?”

“Of course,” the sweet little saint said with wide eyes.

“Lexi has also told me she goes to see Jezebel Black in prison once a month,” I informed  her. “Jezebel also knows my dad. Go figure. So he found out about my Christian commitments. He said he would not only cut me off, but curse me.”

“Oh my!” Sevenia said. “What are you gonna do?”