Мишель Роуэн - Angel with Attitude

“I’ll let him know you’re here,” Reggie said, and before Val could say anything, he headed for the center section of the U-shaped motel, where a sign read MANAGER’S OFFICE.

Her immediate thought was to run away, to flee, but where was she going to go? She needed somewhere safe to stay. Somewhere she could think about what to do next. Figure out how to get in contact with somebody Up There to help sort things out. So she could go back.

She crossed her arms protectively in front of her, shivering from being wet for too long.

Before she had a chance to have second thoughts about not running away, Reggie emerged from the office with a white-haired old man who eyed her curiously as they approached.

“You’re here for the job?” the old man asked her.

Reggie snatched the paper out of her hand and showed it to him before she could say anything. Not that she knew what to say.

The old man looked up from the paper, crooked a white eyebrow, and smiled at her. A warm, friendly smile that made deep lines fan out from his blue eyes. “That will not do for a uniform, I’m afraid, young lady.”

Val looked down at herself, feeling embarrassed for the first time. “This, I, uh . . .”

Well, that sounded intelligent, she thought.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you . . .” He stretched out his hand and seemed to be waiting for something.

“Her name’s Valerie,” Reggie piped up.

She stepped closer to the motel and out of the way of two young boys riding skateboards.

They stared at her lack of clothes with wide eyes as they passed by.

At least they don’t have a camera, too, she thought.

“Valerie,” the man continued. Then she found that she was shaking his hand, finding it as strangely warm and comforting as his smile. “I am Bartholomew Barlow. I look after the

Paradise Inn.”

She nodded stiffly. “About the job. I don’t really know—”

“My former employee unfortunately has left us. With no notice. I’ve had to manage on my own for several weeks, and I fear I’m too old, too tired, to continue without assistance. Your help would be greatly appreciated.”

Reggie nodded. “Lisa was gorgeous, too. Didn’t even say good-bye before she took off.”

Mr. Barlow finally let go of Val’s hand and she felt oddly bereft. “I’m not sure I’m what you’re looking for.”

“Nonsense. You’ll do just fine. Though, I’m afraid I’m unable to pay very much. This isn’t the busy time of year around here. At the moment we only have a few tenants.”

“I live here permanently,” Reggie added. “Barlow cut me a great deal. Until Claire lets me move in with her, that is.”

Barlow turned his gaze to the other man. “Speaking of deals. I believe you are behind on your rent.”

Reggie glanced at his wristwatch and tapped it with his index finger. “Will you look at the time? I have somewhere I need to be. Nice meeting you, Valerie.”

Val watched the back of his head moving away as he scurried along the sidewalk. She turned her attention back to the kindly old man.

“It’s not the money, I . . . I just don’t think I’ll be here very long.”

“Here in Niagara Falls?”

She was about to say “on Earth,” but stopped herself. “Yeah, here in Niagara Falls.”

“You don’t like it here?”

“I don’t belong here. There’s somewhere else I need to be.”

He nodded. “Homesick. I understand completely. If you would like the job for as long as you’re here, I would certainly be willing to work something out.”

“Why are you doing this? Offering me a job?”

“Because I am in need of a maid. And you are here. Perhaps you’d like to go back to wherever you’re staying and give it some thought?”

She almost smiled at that, but then realized that it wasn’t very funny. “I don’t have anywhere to stay.”

“No?” He appeared to mull over a thought. “Well, you are welcome to use one of my rooms for as long as you care to. Like I said, there are plenty available. Freshen up. Change your clothes.” He crooked his eyebrow again at her choice of wardrobe.

She pulled the small amount of T-shirt material down as far as she could. “Would you believe me if I told you I didn’t have any clothes?”

She waited for the inevitable questions that she was certain she wouldn’t be able to answer properly. Why don’t you have anywhere to stay? Why don’t you have any possessions . . . suitcases . . . friends . . . family? But he didn’t ask any of that.

“I see,” Barlow finally said. “Then perhaps, if you agree to work for me for a while, I can arrange a small advance on your first paycheck. Help to get you settled? How does that sound?”

Frankly, it sounded too good to be true to her. Was he a demon? She eyed him warily. Is this how they approached to try to lure her to Hell?

But he hadn’t approached her. She’d approached him.

She stared at him for a moment longer, expecting there to be a catch. Expecting him to suddenly turn cruel or lewd. But he simply regarded her with mild interest and a warm expression on his wrinkled face.

She finally put her thoughts into words. “Why are you being so kind to me?”

“Because I can be. We all fall on hard times now and then. I certainly have.”

She felt the almost overwhelming urge to give this kind stranger a hug, but she didn’t. Instead, she gave him a big, heartfelt smile, her first one, and it felt very good.

She looked at the motel again, and it didn’t look quite so bad anymore. It was run-down and old and needed a fresh paint job, but she was welcome there. As she walked into the courtyard leading to the manager’s office, she suddenly felt welcome there. An odd feeling of warmth came over her, taking the chill away as she followed Mr. Barlow. She exhaled slowly. This would have to do until she figured out how to get back to Heaven.

She frowned suddenly

“Wait a minute,” she said. “Did you say you need me to be a maid? As in a ‘cleaning rooms’ and ‘making beds’ maid?”

He turned and nodded at her. “That’s right.”

She sighed, but continued to follow the old man. It could be worse, she supposed. She could be working at Booty Call.

A nine-year-old little girl was going to solve all of Valerie’s problems. Well, all of her problems were really only one, extremely large problem. But the important thing was, after two months stuck in the earthly realm, she’d finally found somebody to help her.

Two months. She could hardly believe it. Working as a maid at the Paradise Inn, which included, as she’d predicted, cleaning rooms and making beds. Also, cleaning toilets, which was just absolutely disgusting. Not the work for an angel, that’s for sure. Not that she could entirely remember what she had and hadn’t done as an angel anymore. Details were still more unclear than she’d like them to be. But she knew that it beat being human any day of the week.

So that’s what she’d done. Worked as a maid. Tried to be friendly to people she met and not give away what she truly was in case they’d think her insane. Tried to cope the best she could with her situation.

She also tried to do as many good deeds as she could. The golden scroll had said that that was one way to get back on Heaven’s good side. Even though she was positive she hadn’t done anything worth getting thrown out for, she wasn’t taking any chances. She helped little old ladies cross the street, she returned stray dogs to their homes, she picked up trash from the sidewalks. Whether these were considered good deeds, or just being helpful, she wasn’t sure.

But she’d soon find out. Because tomorrow was the day she’d fix everything.