Monster (34 page)

“I guess so, but then again, I’m not the only one, am I?”

“That’s wonderful news.”

“Wonderful,” agreed Monster halfheartedly. “So if that’s all you need—”

“How long have you been studying?” said Chester.

“About two weeks,” she replied.

“And you can already accomplish a full-fledged transmogrification? That’s amazing.”

“Amazing.” Monster reached for the doorknob. “So I really have to be going—”

“Are you thinking about a career change, Judy?” said Chester.

“I’m considering a few things.” She smiled. “If I can bring myself to leave the glamorous world of stacking canned goods into decorative pyramids.”

“Tell you what, Chester,” said Monster. “I’ll meet you in the van when you two are done catching up.”

“Monster, wait.”

He stopped halfway out the door. “What?”

“I just thought that maybe we were friends now or something.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. It’s just something you see in the movies all the time. Two people meet and at first they don’t get along. Then they go through some big crisis, help each other out, develop a begrudging level of respect.”

“Movies, huh?” He laughed. “Sounds like bullshit to me.”

“Guess so, but you helped me get on with my life. I’m free. For the first time in my life, I’m living for me. No destiny or cryptos screwing with my life anymore. You didn’t have to do that. You could’ve run away and left me to Lotus.”

“No, I couldn’t.” He grimaced. “I hate cats.”

They shared a laugh.

“Monster, you’re not as big a jerk as you give in your first impression. Just wanted to let you know that.”

“Thanks.”

“No matter what else,” she said, “we did do something special, didn’t we? Something important.”

“I guess we did.”

She offered her hand, and they shook. “Take care of yourself, Monster.”

“You too.”

After they left Judy’s apartment, Chester asked, “Something bothering you?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Come on. I know you. You’ve been down these last couple of weeks. Even by your standards. Don’t deny it.”

Monster didn’t respond. “Later, dudes!” shouted Paulie.

Monster climbed into his van and started it up. He stared out the window with a slight frown.

“Do you want to know what’s bothering me?”

“I asked, didn’t I?” said Chester.

“Magic is making a comeback.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“It’s a good thing for most people.”

“You’ve lost me.”

“It’s simple. Everyone is starting to figure it out. The one thing that gave me any edge in this world at all is changing. And it’s all my fault.”

He dropped his head against the steering wheel.

“And to top it off, I lost my girlfriend and my job is more work than I ever wanted now.”

Chester patted Monster on the back. “I hadn’t thought of it like that. I guess that is kind of a lousy turn of events for you. Although, your girlfriend was a demon.”

“Still the best relationship I ever had,” mumbled Monster. “I should’ve stayed a cat.”

Someone knocked on the window. He turned his head very slowly and looked into the smiling face of an angel.

He rolled down the window.

“You’re Monster, right?” asked Gracie.

He nodded without raising his head off the wheel.

“Can you give me a lift?”

“What about that guy?” He pointed vaguely in Paulie’s direction without turning to look at him.

“Don’t get me started on him,” she said. “If you haven’t anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. That’s my credo.”

“You and Thumper,” said Monster.

“So can you give me a lift or not?”

He sighed. “Hop in.”

Gracie jumped into the passenger side. She pulled her wings close, but they still brushed up against Monster.

“If you don’t need anything else, I’ll be clocking out, boss.”

“Knock yourself out.”

Chester folded into a square and tucked himself into Monster’s pocket.

“Where to?” Monster asked Gracie.

She frowned. “You look sad. Why so down?”

“It’s nothing,” he said.

She wrinkled her nose and noticed his fresh, brimstone-free scent. “Well, I’m glad to see that you ditched your demon girlfriend, at least.”

“I killed her,” said Monster.

“Good for you. I know that you’re not perfect, but a cute guy like you can do better than that.”

“You think I’m cute?”

“Sure. Who doesn’t like a red guy?”

She smiled. “I’m not always red,” he said.

Gracie winked. “Even better.” She struggled with her seat-belt, but her wings made it difficult. “After I’m done with this errand, do you want to maybe grab a cup of coffee or something?”

“Are you asking me out?”

“Maybe. I just figured we could hang out, have some laughs, see what happens. You look like you could use some cheering up, and that’s my job, isn’t it?”

“I thought you didn’t help people like me,” said Monster. “Not-nice people.”

“I don’t know what you’ve been doing lately, but there’s some positive energy in your aura that is just gosh darn sexy.”

“I helped fix the universe. At least, I think I helped fix it. I’m not really sure. I did something with the universe, anyway. So, angels can date humans?”

“Fiddlesticks.” She gave up on the belt, tossing it aside. “Sure. Your imperfect souls are amusing but tend to make long-term relationships difficult. Most angel-human relationships are all about sex. Is that all right with you?”

Smiling, Monster pulled his van into the street.