“Why not?”
Addie shrugged. “We’re different people. He drives me crazy, always has. I can barely tolerate being in the same room with him.”
“He might have changed.” The English teacher caught up to the conversation. “People do, you know.”
“I don’t think so,” she said, remembering the conflicts of their youth. At one time she’d badly wanted to be friends with Erich and her brother, but they’d been set on excluding her. Then, because she felt she had to explain, she added, “Erich and I have a history that dates back to grade school, and none of it’s pleasant.” She remembered how, even as a kid, Erich had taken delight in teasing her mercilessly, and going out of his way to embarrass her in front of their classmates. Just thinking about how he’d treated her caused her to bristle. As much as Addie would like to help her mom out by looking after Erich so they could take the cruise, it’d never work. The mere idea was impossible.
“Didn’t I hear you say you’d recently moved back into the area?” Harry asked.
Addie couldn’t remember mentioning anything of the sort, but perhaps she had. “Yes.”
“How long has it been since you’ve had anything to do with your neighbor’s son?”
“A while,” she admitted with some reluctance. “Six years, actually.”
Harry smiled. “That’s what I thought. Six years is a long time. You’re not the same person you were when you left, are you?”
“No.” Addie could already see the direction this conversation was taking, and she didn’t like it.
“Erich isn’t a teenager any longer, either.”
“He hasn’t changed,” she argued. He might have been fairly decent helping her place the outside Christmas lights, but he was like that. Just when she felt she could trust him, he’d turn on her. One time, when she was about nine, Erich told her she could come into the fort Jerry and he had built if she ate a worm. As disgusting as that was, she would have done anything to get into that fort with them. She’d run inside the house for the can of whipped cream she knew was in the fridge. She almost gagged, but managed to let the worm glide down her throat along with the cream. And then he’d laughed and refused to let her in the fort.
It didn’t get better when she entered junior high, either. Erich convinced her that one of the cutest boys in the class had a crush on her. The boy played along, making fun of her behind her back. Later, she’d learned Erich had asked for help because he wanted to distract her from following him around like a sad little puppy. All too soon the entire school was in on the joke and she’d been mortified. Oh no, Erich wasn’t to be trusted.
“I guess it depends on how much you want to help your mother,” Celeste added, on a sad note.
“Not really,” Addie said, as she took her latte and headed off across campus. However, Celeste’s last words followed her all the way to the parking lot, echoing in her head.
Caught up in her thoughts, she didn’t hear anyone walking behind her until the dog barked. Glancing over her shoulder, Addie saw that it was Andrew Fairfax from class. The dog trotted along at his side.
The Army veteran caught up with her and then slowed his gait to match hers. He wore a knitted cap over his head. When he spoke he kept his gaze downward and didn’t look in her direction.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi,” he returned, then hesitated. “I wanted to apologize about … you know.”
“Hey, no problem,” she said, quickening her steps. He didn’t seem to know what else to say. An awkward silence stretched between them, but still he continued walking with her.
“I know I scared you. I don’t like people touching me …”
“Like I said, it wasn’t a big deal.”
Andrew expelled a harsh breath.
Hoping to ease the tension, Addie looked down at the shepherd and asked, “What’s the dog’s name?”
“Tommy.”
It wasn’t a common name for a dog, but Addie didn’t feel she should comment. “Hello, Tommy.” They paused in front of a big parking lot. Addie bent down to pet his ears. She liked animals, especially dogs.
“Please don’t,” Andrew said, stopping her. “He’s a service dog, and it’s best that you don’t touch him … either.”
“Sorry, I didn’t know. What is his job?”
“The Army gave him to me … as a companion, to help keep me calm. I wasn’t interested at first, but I’ve changed my mind since he’s come to live with me. My sister calls him my comfort dog, and you know what? She’s right. He helps.”
“Good!” Addie realized she wasn’t the only one in this class who came with a load of emotional baggage; knowing that helped. She had more in common with this Army veteran than he realized.
Andrew quickly headed off in the opposite direction, almost as if he couldn’t get away from her fast enough. Addie suspected it had taken a great deal of courage for him to find her and apologize. The military taught you to be tough, not to be vulnerable, and yet they were both opening themselves up by taking this class, taking a leap of faith.
When Addie arrived home, she found her mother sitting in front of the television, staring blankly at the screen. A wad of crumpled tissues rested on the side table.
“Hi, Mom,” Addie said, and sat down on the ottoman and reached for her mother’s hands, holding them in her own.
Her mother responded with a weak smile. “How was your class?”
“Not bad.”
“What do you think of your teacher?”
Addie shrugged. “He’s okay, a little awkward. He seemed to know me from somewhere, but I swear I’ve never met the man in my life.”
Her mother’s knitting rested in her lap. It didn’t look as if she’d had much enthusiasm for the project.
“I’m really sorry about the cruise,” Addie felt obliged to say again.
A tear leaked from her mother’s eyes. “Yes, me, too … Julie and I aren’t even sure we can get a refund. We didn’t pay for travel insurance … we were both so sure nothing would ever stop us from taking this trip.”
“Oh Mom.” Addie leaned forward and hugged her mother.
“The worst part is, we’ll never be able to afford to do this again … especially without a refund.”
Addie closed her eyes. She couldn’t believe she would even consider making this offer, but … straightening, she expelled her breath and whispered, “Maybe there’s something I could do to help.”
“What was that look about?” Harry asked Celeste. He’d come to the Hub to reassure her all had gone well with the class and ask a few questions. When he’d arrived he’d found Celeste chatting with Addie Folsom. Before he fully understood their conversation, Celeste had sent him a look sharper than any dagger he’d ever seen. Clearly he’d missed something important having to do with his young charge. Frankly, he hadn’t had a lot of time to think about Addie. He was upset about the way the security guard had talked with Elaina. Angels weren’t supposed to get upset; problems bounced off them like tennis balls in a court. This feeling was foreign to him, and he needed to ask Celeste what was happening to him.
“Harry, you should have been the one to suggest Addie help her mother.”
“Me?” He felt his eyes go wide.
“Addie is your first earthly assignment. You said helping her would be easy, remember? Apparently, it’s too easy, because you have yet to become involved.”
“I’m involved,” he argued, taken aback by her reprimand. It wasn’t like he didn’t know what to do. “I suggested that if she’d changed in the last six years, then perhaps Erich had, too,” he reminded his mentor.
“Yes, and that was good.”
“Thank you.”
“It wasn’t enough.”
Harry was beginning to think he’d already messed up his first earthly mission. He needed advice. Coming to Celeste had meant swallowing his pride and admitting he might actually have overestimated his abilities. This was something else he wanted to discuss. He needed to know
where this pride thing originated. He’d been dealing with it from the moment he’d landed on Earth.
Leaning forward, he braced his hand against his forehead. “Unfortunately, I’ve gotten myself into a bit of a situation.”
Celeste braced her hands against her hips. “Okay, tell me what’s happened.”
“First off … I flubbed up a couple of times with the students. No worries there—I was able to muddle through without a problem.” Then, feeling he should explain a bit more, he added, “I called the students by their names before they had a chance to introduce themselves is all. No big deal, right?” He studied her and had the distinct feeling she already knew all this.
Celeste frowned. “There’s more going on here than you’re telling me, isn’t there, Harry?”
He nodded, unsure exactly where to start.
“It involves Dr. Conceito, doesn’t it?”
“Ah …”
“Harry, I warned you to stay away from the school president as much as possible, remember?”
“I remember.”
“And what was one of the first things you did?”
Harry didn’t need the reminder. That same feeling he’d experienced earlier—that she already knew—returned, and he cocked his head, unsure what it was.
“Harry?”
“I walked across the lawn.” He pressed his hand against his stomach in order to deal with the uneasy feeling that stole over him.
“What’s the matter?”
Harry blinked several times. “I’m not sure.”
She gave him a knowing smile. “You can tell me.”
Lowering his voice, Harry said, “I was upset earlier. Angels don’t get upset. Have I done wrong … is that why?”
“No,” she reassured him. “You’ve forgotten something very important, Harry. You have a human body now, not a spiritual one; therefore, you will experience human emotions. They’ll be foreign and uncomfortable in the beginning, but gradually you’ll learn to recognize and deal with them.”
“You mean like frustration, anger … that sort of thing?”
“Exactly. I tried to warn you earlier,” she reminded him, “but you were convinced you knew it all. Now you see.”
Harry couldn’t very well comment. He’d brought this on himself, walked into this without realizing what it meant to be transformed from one body to another.
Celeste gently patted his hand.
Taking a sip of his latte, Harry lubricated his throat, which had gone dry and tight. “I met Elaina Gomez, who works in the cafeteria.”
“I know Elaina,” Celeste said, with a note of expectation. “She’s a wonderful single mother with two little girls.”
“She got caught standing outside the classroom listening in on the lecture. I sort of stepped in when the security guard was about to physically remove her from the building.” Brady Whitall had been none too gentle, either. Harry suspected the guard had been waiting for an opportunity all night to get physical with someone. He was a man who seemed to be spoiling for a fight.
“That could only be Brady,” Celeste said, frowning. “He’s a piece of work. He tried out for the Tacoma Police Department six times and failed each time.”
“I defended her and …” He paused as his mentor slowly started to shake her head.
“Harry, you can’t do that. Your powers are limited to the students inside the class. Elaina isn’t under your protection. Unfortunately, you can’t help her.”
“But …”
“No buts.”
Harry wanted to argue, but he knew Celeste was right. He should never have gotten involved, especially on his first day of teaching. His downfall was he’d been touched by the gentle woman’s desire to learn. She couldn’t afford to take the classes, and apparently this wasn’t the first time she’d been caught standing in the hallway, listening, in order to glean what knowledge she could. From their short conversation, Harry learned that Elaina was a voracious reader who liked to practice her English by reading novels. She had grabbed hold of the Dickens novel he’d given her as if he’d gifted her with a diamond.
“You realize Dr. Conceito will find out about this, don’t you?”
Harry measured his response carefully. “I was thinking that maybe you could make that not happen?” His eyes were wide and hopeful.
“Sorry, Harry, I can’t do that.” To her credit, she did sound regretful.
Harry’s throat tightened, but, wanting to downplay what had happened, he waved his hand. “I don’t think there will be a problem. I can handle the school president.”
“Might I remind you that unless it’s a matter directly related to Addie Folsom or another one of your students, you’re unable to use any spiritual powers to counteract Dr. Conceito? Didn’t I warn you earlier that the man is a force to be reckoned with?” she reminded him.
Swallowing tightly, Harry nodded. “I’ll do what I can to make matters right.”
“Good. Don’t hesitate to come to me with problems. I’ll do what I can to help, but I, too, have limitations. And remember, your time here is probationary. I realize coming to Earth has been something you’ve been waiting a long time for, but you need to prove yourself if you’re going to stay longer than the time it takes to teach this one class.”
“Got it.” This assignment wasn’t nearly as easy as he’d assumed it would be. He’d viewed Earth from heaven and been intrigued. Now that he was here on the other side, he found it to be quite complicated.
“By the way,” Celeste asked, lowering her voice, “what did you think of Andrew Fairfax’s dog?”
Harry remembered how the shepherd had remained on the floor at the young veteran’s side during the class. “He’s well behaved,” Harry said.
Then he noticed Celeste’s quirky smile and recalled how the animal’s gaze had briefly connected with his own. Harry was quick to make the connection. “He’s one of us, isn’t he?”
Celeste nodded. “Not all angels come in human form, you know.”
“Andrew needs two angels?”
“Some humans require even more.”
Harry had had no idea.
“Things will get better,” she promised. “I feel bad that this first class caused you problems. Focus, Harry. Remember your assignment. You should have been the one to suggest Addie volunteer to help Erich, not me.” She slapped his back in a comforting gesture. “Now, there’s something more you need to tell me, isn’t there?”
Harry’s eyes widened. “You know about …”
“Oh yes, Harry, I do know. Now, let’s talk.”
He swallowed tightly and held in a sigh. He had the distinct feeling this next issue wouldn’t be so easily resolved.
Chapter Four
Harry’s stomach was in knots. This was a matter no one discussed in heaven. He understood that Earth had its limitations, and that he’d have emotions, but no one had mentioned … this. His gut felt like an alien creature had taken up residence. He planted his hand over his abdomen, hoping that would help. Nothing could have prepared him for …
“Harry?” Celeste said gingerly. “You’ve gone pale.”
“Well … after class I had a visitor.”
“Yes, I know. Tell me about it.” Celeste’s look was friendly, inviting him to speak openly.
“Do you know Michelle Heath? I had no idea humans could be so …”
“Attractive,” Celeste supplied.
“Yes, and friendly, very friendly.”
Celeste’s face broke into a huge smile. “Ah, yes. Well, I’m sure it’s not every day she meets an unattached rather handsome man around her own age.”
Harry straightened his shoulders. He hadn’t thought of himself as handsome. The truth was, he hadn’t given much thought to his looks; he’d been handed this body to use as a vehicle, nothing more. It had never occurred to him that how he looked mattered.
Celeste was about to say more when a student approached the coffee stand and ordered a peppermint skinny latte.
&nbs
p; Skinny? Harry didn’t have a clue what that meant, but apparently Celeste did, because she didn’t hesitate. For the next few minutes the barista was busy brewing coffee and steaming milk.
While Celeste was preoccupied with the customer, Harry mentally reviewed the meeting with the French teacher. He’d been a bit shaken following the exchange between the young Hispanic woman and the security guard, which might be why his guard had been down. The classroom was empty and he had been sitting there, reflecting on what had happened and how he might have handled the situation differently.
Harry had been at his desk wondering what the ramifications would be if Dr. Conceito learned of his intervention in the incident between Elaina and the security guard. Because he was preoccupied and distracted, he didn’t notice that someone was in the room—that was the only excuse he could think of that made sense. He had plenty to worry about, given the way Celeste had warned him to avoid the college president.
When Harry happened to glance up he found this lovely woman poised in the doorway. Her eyes were blue like Venetian glass, and her skin was creamy and soft like cotton. For the longest moment he hadn’t been able to breathe or take his eyes off her. When she spoke, it was in this breathy sort of way that caused his skin to tingle. Right then he heard the tinkling of bells announcing danger; trouble was on the horizon.
All humans were said to struggle against weaknesses. It was all part of living in a fallen world, and Harry, while an angel, was in a human body and prone to all things human … like desire. This was definitely an uncomfortable sensation, unfamiliar and awkward. He’d swallowed tightly and realized he couldn’t make his tongue work. His mouth didn’t seem to want to cooperate, either.
Thankfully, she spoke first. “Welcome,” she said, in a voice that made shivers run down his spine.
Unable to take his eyes off her, Harry managed to come to his feet and stretch out his arm in order to shake her hand and introduce himself. It demanded a monumental effort to remember his name. “Harry Mills.”
She clasped his hand in her own. Hers was warm and soft. “Michelle Heath.” She held on to his hand for a long moment, as if she was unwilling to let it go. “I teach the French class just down the hall,” she told him.