With a gentle smile, Metatron rose as well and set his hand on Anthony's shoulder. "I won't ask what was said, it's personal sometimes. I understand your guilt, but you will lose everything Anthony. And you will have wasted this chance."
"Wait a moment," he picked up the lunch and took a crumb from the bread. "And allow me to be very cruel." He set the crumb on his finger. "This is a mortal in comparison to us." he blew it off his finger, "and that's how easy they go away, not to get them back." he spoke from experience there. "I was married Anthony. I was much like you and your fellows. I was old when I asked God for this task. My children had children, and one of them had just presented me with
their
child. I had greater purpose. Her memory and that of my children is long gone, but yet not. I do not recall their faces, or their names. I recall their love."
He removed his hand from Anthony's shoulder. "And no offense my dear boy but you're hardly trying if you're here, rather then with someone you care for. You should honestly go home to this girl." He set his fingers on the folders. "This is important," then he set his hand on Anthony's heart, "but as is this. Whcih is more important to you?"