Human - A Love Story

by Seth Halpern Editor

Human found himself in prison on death row. He didn’t just appear there. He had done a lot to get himself into that hopeless predicament. Drugs, Armed Robbery, even Murder were all part of Human’s rap sheet. He was scheduled for execution, but the legal red tape held off the final consequence. Human always seemed to do what he wanted without much conscience or guilt. However, lately he had been thinking about how his life would have been different had he made other choices. Perhaps twenty-three hours alone in a small cell gave Human the time he needed to ponder these questions.

On the other side of the Globe was Love. Love had, as His Name implies, wonderful thoughts and actions. The only thing that brought Him to sadness and even anger was injustice in the world. Love had a son named Servant. It was interesting that He chose this name for His son because their relationship was not one of master and slave, or even boss and worker. No, Love and Servant were extremely close. In fact, they were always together laughing, smiling, and simply enjoying time together.

Love heard about Human’s plight and felt compassion. He sought to help. He talked to lawyers and judges, but no one could help. In fact, they were questioning why Love would even want to help. “He did the crime, now he’ll do the time”, they would say. Love wasn’t satisfied with that and sought more counsel. He was willing to pay a great sum of money for Human’s release, but money could not buy his freedom. After sending letters and making phone calls, even taking trips to speak with people who thought they could help, Love saw that it was more difficult to help than he imagined. Still, Love pressed on, determined to help Human. Human, however, had no idea that any of this was taking place.

One day, after much research and effort, Love found a way to rescue Human. He went with Servant to a meeting and found that if he could provide another to take the place of Human, then Human would be set free. But who could he find to face certain death by execution. Justice demanded that a price be paid. That price was the cost of a life. Love and Servant looked at each other and, with a bittersweet smile, nodded their heads in agreement. Servant was to take Human’s place.

When Human heard the news, he did not believe it, but thought someone was playing a cruel joke on him. In fact, it angered him at first. Slowly, Human began to accept that it was true. He didn’t know how to respond. He was filled with confusion, questions mixed with subdued jubilation. Was this really true? Am I to be a free man? Who would do this? What do they want in return? Or is there some catch? These questions filled his mind until he could stand it no more. Human was about to request that the “transaction” be stopped, when he was introduced to Love.

Love met Human and explained what he otherwise could not or would not understand. Love’s presence alone seemed to answer Human’s questions more than logical answers in words. Love and Human embraced, with tears from both and peace in Human that had never before existed.

Love said that He had a special gift to give Human. Human couldn’t imagine anything greater than what he already was given. Love took out a cell phone and gave it to Human. He was thankful, but it seemed to be a bit underwhelming in light of the price paid for his freedom. Love went on to tell Human that this was a special phone, one that simply needed to be flipped up to talk, no buttons to push. Human thought that was interesting but still did not see the significance. Love told him “No other numbers can be reached with this phone. It is programmed to call me only. When I hear it, I will answer no matter what else I am doing or who else I am talking to. You can call for any reason. Any help, any advice, any request, or simply just to talk. Sometimes I’ll call you too, to warn you of trouble, to guide you to blessing, or just to tell you I love you. Now Human understood the significance of the phone, for it showed Love’s availability and desire for a relationship with Human. Human and Love continued to embrace and enjoy the time together.

Soon Love went back home and Human was a free man. Human started to write letters and call Love on the phone. After a while, Human began to spend time with the “friends” he had before prison. They were excited to see him and listened while he shared what happened with Love and Servant. Although they listened cordially, they wanted to enjoy the “old days” with their buddy, Human.

Soon, Human felt out of place with his friends and they called him less and less. He became lonely and when he called one of his “friends”, he was told that they just didn’t have anything in common anymore. Saddened, Human thought maybe he was being too pushy with them. Maybe he should just hang out with his friends a little more and “loosen up”. He also began calling Love less and less. In fact, the phone that previously never left his pocket was now left in a drawer at home. It would ring, but Human couldn’t hear it.

The letters from Love were still coming but Human didn’t feel he had much to say so he stopped writing back. Soon, he even stopped reading Love’s letters because when he read them the guilt made him sad.

After a while the phone, which was not recharged, died and the letters remained in the envelopes unopened. One day, as Human was watching the television news, the story of Servant’s execution was being reported. The footage showed in his final minutes, when asked if he had any last words, he said “Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” With Love by his side, Servant and Love once again smiled bitter-sweetly and nodded to each other. As the execution took place, Human watched with horror at the punishment that he rightfully should have endured. He watched as Servant uttered his final words “It is finished”. Human fell to the ground with a flood of tears and cried out for Love’s forgiveness. At once, he heard the phone ring.•••