“Oh, Laurence and I have been talking about trips to Earth.”
Still? “You know those can be risky unless you’ve had some training, right?”
“He said that if I keep them under 24 hours, I’ll be okay. Thinking of going to Egypt today. We never made it there after all the terrorism scares. Wanna’ come?”
Well, at least he was asking me along. Still, I tried to imagine finding a tourist trip on Earth more interesting than anything in Heaven. “I promised Hannah I’d take her to Cloud 9. She wanted to see one of my growing-up memories, thought it might be interesting. We’d love to have you with us.”
“Nah, that’s okay. See you tonight.”
He tapped his heart to release his wings, stretched his arms up and flew up and then back down in front of us, where he popped out his ankle wings and showed off his newly-perfected skills in hovering. “What about you, Marie? Pyramids? Want to see how mortals tried for immortality?”
“Gee, not today, but thanks.”
“Okay, see you two.”
He shot up. We watched him as he flew past the clouds, then turned toward the southeast.
Marie rocked a few times, then put her coffee down. “Kara’s guardian stopped by the other day. Kara is sick.”
“Oh, gosh, I’m so sorry. What happened?” When Marie passed through a few years ago, her partner, Kara, had been perfectly healthy.
“All her guardian knows is that she’s been given a few months at best. I’ve been designated as her Awakening contact.”
“You’re kind of a natural choice. You were together for decades.”
“Sure, but it’s . . . complicated. She was estranged from her family for years, and some of them are here. They don’t know me and vice versa. It makes it all . . . kind of dicey.”
“I see.”
“The black community—including her family and my folks, too, I should say—aren’t always welcoming to gay couples. It’s a church thing. Their sense of good and evil just doesn’t leave room for—“
“Love? Then they’re not doing it right.”
“I was going to say ‘perversion,’ but I like your version better. And it’s just a matter of what they’ve been taught. Lots of them probably would feel differently but some of their pastors tell them ‘no.’ My parents came around, but Kara’s dad and brother—her closest family members here—are a little stubborn. So I can’t see how I can have them for her Awakening, do you? I mean, we show our love, and they’re embarrassed or judgmental.”
“It would ruin the moment, I get it. Not that I know what you should do. Besides think it over.”
Marie nodded.
I reached out and touched her shoulder. “And let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
“I’ve never helped someone through before. How soon did you give Joe the Guide and explain things, like . . . oh I don’t know, the cloud system?”
“Actually, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, and Jesus visited him within hours of his arrival.”
“Oh, yes, of course. They left the Guide, I remember now, it’s quite overwhelming. My first days here are a bit of a blur.”
“Yes, and then so many things. . .the cloud system, the different sites, the way we all have a job or a mission here and—“
“—not to mention that nobody is older than, oh, around 30. Weird how the cherubs, or cupids, whatever you choose to call them, have that set as their maximum age.”
“Yeah. I agree. All of that just fell into place as Joe asked questions.”
Laurence had silently joined us on the porch. “Couldn’t stop him, sorry. He seemed a bit jumpy.”
The three of us looked at each other. I sighed. “You tried. I need to get ready to go with Hannah.”
“She told me she’d be back about eleven.” Laurence said.
Marie stood up. “Thanks for the coffee. Visit me soon, okay?”
“Sure.”
Laurence and I watched briefly as Marie joined a steady stream of angels flying just above the clouds. It was a gorgeous day for flying, but then it always was. We turned and went back into our living room but left the French doors open. Laurence went back to his bedroom to search for a book he thought he left by his bed.
“The cupids approach, Madam,” Cloud said.
Our front door evaporated and two girls engrossed in conversation entered. Hannah’s reddish curls hung past her shoulders. Her friend, Tiffany, sported a long, dark brown, shiny ponytail. With their shoulder and ankle wings retracted and form-fitting athleisure wear stretched over their lean bodies, they could have been any teens on Earth. They pulled their earbuds out. Probably listening to HALO, their favorite station, while they talked.
“But, Marty had to find Doc, he had to!” Hannah said.
“Nah. I’m thinking he could have stayed there, back in the fifties.” Tiffany put her soda on our kitchen counter and crossed her arms. “I mean, why not? I’m gonna ask my dad, he knows everything about time travel.”
Hannah pressed her lips together in a determined look I had seen before.
“Okay, ask him, but think about it, he had to get back to the future. Duh.”
“I get that, silly, I’m just talking about how it could have been a choice. I mean, he still would have gotten his parents to fall in love and get married. Otherwise he wouldn’t exist. But after that, why go back to the parents he didn’t get along with?”
“But he did get along with them. He made them much better people by what he did.”
“But he didn’t know that. Anyway, why are we arguing?”
Hannah shrugged. “Seems like we always wind up with our parents.”
“Huh? Mine are getting ready to go to Earth.”
“Not them. Our first ones. The biology ones.”
Tiffany pulled the band off her ponytail, leaned forward and shook her hair loose. She popped back up, smoothed all stray curls down and tied it into a haphazard bun. “Not talking about them now.”
“Yeah, I know,” Hannah said with a sigh.
Time to make my presence known. “Hello, girls.”
“Oh, hi, Claire,” Hannah said. ”Sorry, we didn’t see you.”
“Hi, just reliving the movie from yesterday.”
“You must have enjoyed it. Looks like it got you talking.”
They nodded.
“I figure we’ll go to the sequel, right, Tif?”
Tif was staring straight ahead. Hannah waved her hand in front of her face and clicked her fingers. “Hello? Are you there?”
Tiffany shook her head. “What? Oh, yeah. Sorry.”
“Are you two up for s’mores?” I knew Tiffany would be, this was her favorite snack. Who cared if it was before noon? This was Heaven.
“Oh, yes, please.” she said.
“Sure, great.” Hannah said.
“Cloud, think we need some toasting forks and the fire lit.”
“Of course, Madam. Would you prefer the living room or study fireplace?”
“You choose, girls.”
“Study.” They said in unison. Of course, this would let them be alone, away from me. I had raised teens—all familiar territory.
“Sure. Cloud, leaving it up to you.”
“Never fear, Madam, it poses a perfectly manageable task. The fire, prongs and ingredients await the cupids.”
“Thanks so much. Have fun, girls.”
But they were already out of sight and down the hall. It was acknowledged that thirteen-year-olds in Heaven have more knowledge, skills and powers than their peers on Earth. But, maturity? I wondered.
The next day, Laurence headed out to a seminar on 21st Century American-European relations. I loved the way he filled his head with anything and everything about a world he had never known. I chuckled to myself, remembering how I had danced around the subje
ct of slavery when we first met.
“I don’t remember your being around when the old master beat my daddy,” he’d finally said. “You white, late-20th Century Southerners wallow around in guilt so much, you just wear me out.”
“Think I span from the mid-20th to the early-21st.”
“All the more to my point.” he said, with his soft laugh. I knew immediately we were going to be friends, good friends. We became roommates about six months later, and Laurence had been such a comfort during my first years in Heaven—through my orientation, my stint as a guardian, and now, as we shared parenting. He had also welcomed Joe to his new home and threaded through the delicate task of merging our two households together. Not to mention his role as chief detective, travel partner and spiritual guide last year when Hannah’s wing was stolen.
No wonder Joe was having a tough time settling in. Laurence was a lot to live up to. But maybe Joe hadn’t yet realized, you keep growing in heaven, and Laurence had a century head start. I needed to show more patience with him. Maybe go with him to Earth on a purposeful mission. I could talk to my old mentor about that. Surely he would have some ideas.
But Joe, honestly, he had a quick breakfast again this morning and then had zipped away. I couldn’t keep up with him, he seemed so focused on keeping super active. Seems like we never talked, really shared things anymore. I was finding I missed him.
“Claire, are you busy?”
Hannah shook me from my reverie. “No, what’s up? Where’s Tif?”
“She remembered she’d promised her angel mom she’d go with her to a concert. Jazz.” Hannah’s face screwed up into a little frown. “She pretends like it’s all her mom, but I know she secretly likes it, just won’t talk about it cause most of us are into hip-hop, thrash rock, that sort of thing.”
“Ah, yes, I remember liking many of the big band sounds from the 30s and 40s since my dad played them all the time when I was growing up. This was when all my friends were into Paul, John, Ringo, and George. I dug them, too, however. So she’ll probably come around, but still keep her jazz passion, no big deal.”
Hannah shrugged.
“Hey, I’m sorry, what did you want to talk about?”
She hesitated. “That movie we saw, ‘Back to the Future,’ have you seen it?”
I nodded.
“You remember Marty sees his parents when they were young, and he has to make sure they get together?”
“Ummm, vaguely.” Not sure where this was going.
“Well, it just made Tif and me think about our folks. Do you think they were like that—young and fun, I mean?”
Here it was, a continuing theme: tell me about my real parents. Still, it seemed to help ground her.
I laughed. “Oh, Hannah, of course. Of course, they were full of fun—just like both of you.”
She looked at me and smiled. “You think so?”
“I know so. And tell Tif I’m happy to talk with her anytime she likes.”
She stared at me. “Hum, not sure that’s gonna happen.”
“Why?”
“She almost never talks about her Earth dad, and her mom, zero. So don’t expect anything major.”
“Oh, sure, okay.”
She reached out, palm up and Cloud zapped a root beer to her.
“Thanks, Cloud.”
“But, of course, Miss.”
Parenting was recognizably similar here, but with one big difference. Our cupids who passed through when they were very young were total innocents and knew nothing of human suffering, nor of the darker side of human nature. Laurence, Joe and I were charged with teaching them these lessons so that they could develop compassion for each other—for all creatures, really.
Hannah was turning out pretty nicely, especially after she suffered the loss of her wing. Still, her interest in Tiffany’s problems and for that matter, her own—was still kind of detached. Academic. She still had a ways to go.
Introducing innocents to suffering while still protecting them was a huge task. I breathed a prayer of thanks that I had help.
I slept in, occasionally waking up, checking the clock by my bed, rolling back over, and slipping into light sleep again. The Cherub Academy’s new term started tomorrow, and I knew I would be back in the saddle, getting up before Hannah and helping her get off.
Plus, Tiffany’s parents were going on an extended two-week guardian assignment to Earth, so she was staying with us. Not that I minded. I enjoyed having the two cherubs together.
I finally gave in, got up, and wrapped on my new lavender terry robe. Checking my longish platinum hair in the mirror, I decided I needed a trim. The bangs weren’t lying down right. I asked Cloud to make me an appointment.
I walked into the living room, where Laurence was reading today’s News of the Kingdom.
“Anything happening?”
“Not really. New orientation classes forming, a call for more border guides and guardians. Neither of which appeals to me.” He put the paper down.
“You’ve done both, why should you repeat? Besides, you’re a parent now. That’s work enough.”
“Yes, I know, but Hannah won’t be here forever.”
“How much longer is typical, do you know?”
“I think most cupids start living on their own when they’re about 16.”
I sighed, even if Laurence had asked me to stop.
Laurence gave me a half-smile. “Let’s just enjoy our time with her, shall we? I know Joe enjoys her. Just a few days ago, he was telling her about how you two met.”
“You’re kidding—interesting he would have thought of that. I’ve got to ask him what provoked that old story. Have you seen him?”
“No. I figured he was still asleep, like you.”
“His door is closed. He probably is. I’ll check.”
I walked through the study that Joe and I shared. Our little brown and tan shiba inu, Rose, was sleeping in her bed. I knelt down and rubbed behind her ears.
“Rose, is Joe still asleep?” She looked up at me and her brown eyes told me to keep rubbing.
“Oh, Rose, you know I love you, but I gotta check on Joe.”
I slowly pushed his door open. The bed was empty, made to perfection as only Cloud could do.
“Joe! Joe! Are you here?” I quickly walked through his room and the adjoining bath. No Joe. He must have left the house early. If he’d gone back to Earth, wouldn’t he have told me?
Laurence looked up when I came back. “Well?”
“Nope. Cloud?”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Do you know where Joe is? Have you seen him?”
“The last reliable information I have regarding Mr. Joe was that he was seen approximately 27 and three-quarters of an hour ago leaving through the South East Gate.”
Our eyes met. My mouth opened wide, but I couldn’t speak.
Laurence stood up immediately. “Claire, we need to stay calm. He’ll be fine, we just need to wait.”
“But, but—“
“Yes, I know, almost 28 hours. Not good. Let’s hope he comes home very soon. Cloud, let us know the minute you learn Joe is on his way to us.”
“Of course, Master Laurence. I shall alert my fellow clouds along his outward bound path.”
“Thanks. In the meantime, I’d like some breakfast. Food, coffee, Claire?”
I was staring at the front door. “What? Oh, yes, coffee would be great.”
“Very good, Madam.”
Two scrambled eggs with a side of thick bacon and toast appeared on the low table in front of Laurence, followed by a steaming espresso hovering near my hand.
“Thanks, Cloud.” I paused to smell its caramel aroma. “Mmmm. Even better than Zetêo’s.”
“I radiate with enjoyment if I have pleased you, Madam.”
In spite
of my mood, I had to giggle a bit. We had to remember to get rid of our Wodehouse and Dorothy Sayers books—Cloud had become a serious study of Reginald Jeeves and Bunter. Laurence gave me one of his don’t-react-to-Cloud looks. This only made it more difficult for me to keep a straight face.
“Claire, your coffee is getting cold.”
“Oh, oh, yeah, right.” It wasn’t, of course, but I took a sip.
“Madam, I am reliably informed that Master Joe is within fifteen minutes of home.”
That was quick. “Fantastic! Thanks so much, Cloud.”
“I exist to serve, Madam.”
“Don’t know how we’d survive without you, Cloud,” said Laurence.
“Hopefully, not a topic for serious reflection, Sir. But it would seem that my time estimation was off, for Master Joe is approaching the front entrance.”
Suddenly, there was a bump at the door. Then a thump. I ran to open the door.
Joe lay in front of it, curled up in a ball and looking pale.
I reached down to help him. Laurence got on the other side, and we managed to get him to the nearest sofa. He exhaled a huge breath as he sank in on the thick cushions.
Laurence stared at his still body. “Claire? Why is he wearing those red mittens?”
They were a pair of bulky, nylon-shelled ski mittens that I didn’t recognize. I shook my head. What was going on here?
We had been quietly observing Joe for about thirty minutes, trying not to wake him up, when he began to stir. He started to pull himself up into a sitting position.
“Water.”
A glass and pitcher of ice water appeared on the table beside him.
“Thanks, Cloud,” I whispered. Unusually for Cloud, there was no reply.
Laurence helped Joe steady his hand while he took some sips. “This would go better without these mittens.”
Joe quickly drew his hands in. “No. ”
He emptied his glass and tried to fill it again, but his hands were too shaky.
I got up. “Here, let me.” I handed him more water. “Joe, why do you have on those ski gloves? If you’re cold, we can get you a sweater. It’s pleasant outside, you must have a chill.”
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