CHAPTER 8

Half an hour later the Irish angel stood in front of apartment 203. She was freshly showered, nicely dressed, and feeling for the first time like she might be able to do something positive for a change instead of just watching things unfold around her. She raised her hand and knocked, then stood back, waiting for the door to open.

“Yes?” Kristin’s tentative sounding voice came through the door. “Who is it?”

“My name is Monica. I’m a new neighbor.”

The door opened and the little angel got her first look at the woman she knew only by name and voice. She was tall, and her light blonde hair was pulled back into a slightly messy ponytail, but the most noticeable thing about her was her stomach. She was at least seven months pregnant. Monica felt a little chill run through her at the thought of what might have happened earlier.

“Hello, Monica. My name’s Kristin. I just moved here myself. Well, my husband and I did… about a month ago.” The woman still seemed a little reserved, but there was a natural friendliness that even bad circumstances hadn’t been able to completely overcome. “Would you like to come in? I just made a fresh pot of coffee and my husband had to run out,” she said, dropping her eyes at the mention of David.

“I’d love to,” Monica said, eyes twinkling at the mere mention of coffee. “Are you sure I’m not interrupting anything?”

“No… nothing.”

Monica walked into the apartment and was struck by the difference between it and her own. The paint was peeling, the floors were badly scuffed, and a narrow crack ran the length of the ceiling.

“Don’t mind the boxes,” Kristin said as she led the way to the kitchen. “I just haven’t had the energy to unpack everything… or the space for that matter.”

There were boxes piled along one wall, but the really striking thing was the fact that the living room looked like a furniture showroom. There were two sofas and numerous chairs all cramped together. A dining table and chairs were sandwiched behind one of the sofas and pressed against the wall, completely unusable. There was even a bookcase, lying on its back on top of the table.

Kristin looked apologetic as she saw Monica’s quick but curious look. “We had to leave our house,” she said. “My husband… David… he got laid off about six months ago. Just a month after we found out I was pregnant.”

“I’m sorry,” Monica said sincerely, as she took the cup Kristin offered and sat down at the kitchen table. “I’m sure it’s been very hard for you.”

Kristin nodded, not exactly sure why she felt so instantly at ease with this little Irish woman. “Yeah… it hasn’t been easy, that’s for sure. It’s been harder for David though. He always dreamed of having a big family. Now we don’t know how we’re going to manage with one baby.”

Monica’s hands gripped her cup tighter when she heard David’s name mentioned. She was startled by how Kristin sympathized for him. From what she had seen and heard, he didn’t deserve it.

“What about your family?” she asked, hoping to find someone she could convince Kristin to go to.

“David’s really all the family I have. My parents divorced when I was just a kid. I ended up never seeing my dad again, and my mom… well, she isn’t really in the best situation herself. Anyway, I’m sure David will get something soon. It just takes time, that’s all.”

Monica ached to say something else. She wanted to tell her that she had heard them arguing, and she wanted to make her see that she was just putting herself in danger by staying with such a horrible man. The hopeful look in Kristin’s eyes was the only thing that stopped her. She remembered having that kind of hope and she didn’t want to be the one to steal it away from someone else. She would just have to keep a very close eye on things and make sure that David didn’t’ get a chance to do anything more than yell.

“So, what brought you to this fine neighborhood, anyway?” Kristin joked.

“Oh… I… I have a job not far from here,” Monica answered, jolted from her planning. “At O’Reilley’s”

“Really?” her tone had a bit of forced cheerfulness behind it. “David goes there sometimes. Maybe you’ll meet up with him there.”

Choosing to not remark on the fact that they had already met, Monica allowed her eyes to wander around the room once more, “Kristin, I have a few hours before I need to get ready for work and I would gladly help you with unpacking some of these boxes….if you don’t think your husband will mind,” she added quickly, fishing for whether or not Kristin thought David would be returning anytime soon.

“I’m sure I won’t even see David until much later,” She remarked, not wanting to say that what she really meant was he would be back once the bars closed, “But I couldn’t ask that of you, Monica.”

“You’re not asking,” The little angel corrected her firmly, “I’m offering and there is a difference,” She smiled at the human and was relieved when the gesture was returned.

“It would be nice to have some semblance of order around here, but I don’t know how much help I can be. With this baby, I’m not quite as agile as I used to be.”

“Not to worry,” Monica assured her with a little pat to her hand, “You just tell me where you want things and I’ll take care of the rest.”

The project came as a great relief to the angel as for the next five hours, she worked diligently alongside of her assignment’s wife, finding places for knickknacks, breaking down boxes to take to the dumpster and even managing to arrange some of the furniture so it looked more presentable. Though the apartment was still crowded, it at least appeared orderly and tidy and Monica was already considering hitting Andrew up for some paint to clean up the walls.

Though she felt tired, it was a good tired and the first for her in quite awhile. Focusing on doing something for someone else had allowed her to feel temporarily rejuvenated, even if Kristin was not the one she was supposed to be helping, though she refused to think about that at the moment. She would see David soon enough.

“Monica, I don’t know how to thank you,” Kristin was absolutely beaming over the work they had done and how much more presentable things looked.

“I enjoyed myself, to be honest,” She admitted truthfully with a little smile, which faded slightly as she realized something. With a baby due in two months, there wasn’t so much as a crib present in the apartment, yet alone smaller accessories such as bottles or diapers and Monica found herself trying to think of a way to get Kristin to accept the tips she would earn in the bar as she certainly didn’t need them. Of course, then there was always the possibility that David would take the money and use it to buy drinks, so she decided that the better plan would be to buy the baby supplies for the young woman instead, “Unfortunately, I need to head to my apartment to get ready for work.”

“I suppose you do,” Kristin sighed, her disappointment written clearly on her face, having not realized how lonely she had been lately until spending the afternoon with her energetic neighbor.

Seeing the human’s expression, Monica smiled, “Listen, if you ever want some company, I’m upstairs in 302. I’m home in the mornings and afternoons, so please don’t hesitate to come by as I’d enjoy the company as well.”

Her smile back in place, Kristin nodded her head, “You may just have a deal on that one, Monica.”

As the angel bid her good-bye and closed the door behind her, Kristin gazed around the room once more. For the first time in so long, she felt a glimmer of hope in her heart that things could possibly turn around for she and David regardless of if that hope had been brought about simply because of a tidy apartment and a new friend.

“Angel, where have you been?”

Andrew’s voice more than startling her, Monica whirled around as her heart pounded in her chest, “Don’t do that!” But she immediately lowered her eyes and her voice regretfully, “You scared me half to death.”

“I’m sorry, Angel Girl,” He approached her, his sincere apology present in his features as he saw her struggling to calm, “I’ve got to start remembering to not sneak up on you like that.”

“Yes, you do,” She replied, a grin on her face.

“I’ve been waiting for hours for you to get back. You had me worried, angel. Where did you go?”

She hesitated. While she didn’t want to keep anything from him, she also didn’t know how the news of her assisting Tess’ assignment was going to go over and she wasn’t sure she could justify that a clean apartment was going to bring David around to seeing the truth, “I just went out for a bit.”

He frowned, knowing there was more to the situation than that, but he knew better than to push her and that she would tell him when she was ready.

“I’m sorry to have worried you. I guess that old habits are dying hard for both of us,” Monica decided, emitting a small sigh.

“And I think you know that my worrying about you has nothing to do with the past few weeks,” He raised an eyebrow as his lips twitched in a smile and he was relieved when she laughed, “As it isn’t raining today, how about I walk you to work? I’d enjoy the fresh air after being inside all day.”

While she knew that his wanting to walk her to work had little to do with fresh air and everything to do with making her feel safe, she was grateful just the same, “I’d like that. Just let me get ready and we can go.”

Twenty minutes later she was dressed in her work attire, nimble fingers entwining her hair into a french braid to keep it out of her way tonight as well as to hopefully cut down on the smoky smell she would bring back to the apartment in the wee hours of the morning. It was only then that she felt the knot of nervousness and fear return to her stomach at the aspect of being near David once again.

She felt certain after this morning that it would take little for his short temper to turn to violence and she was struggling with what to do if that happened. She had no desire to approach him again, but was trying to resign herself to the fact that she needed to, regardless of how much she disliked him. Fact was, she had already written him off, certain she would be unable to change him anymore than she would have been able to change Douglas McArthur if she had been given the chance.

The walk to the bar was filled with chatter but it was mostly one sided. Monica kept silent about how she had spent the day, but she was eager to hear everything about what Andrew had done. She wanted to know about all the people in the building, and any time the conversation seemed to be drifting in her direction she was quick to blow it back to him. The walk went quickly, and she looked up to see the sun setting behind the tall buildings and saw that they were on the same block as the bar.

“So, you get out at two, right?” Andrew hinted as the bar appeared in sight. When Monica said nothing, he continued on, saying, “Do you want me to wait for you outside?” He held his breath waiting to see if she would try to discourage him from coming.

“No, why don’t you come in… they don’t really lock the doors until two-thirty.” She could tell that he hadn’t been expecting that response, but truthfully she had not been looking forward to walking home alone. Having him there would make them both feel better.

“Okay,” he said, doing a good job of keeping the surprise from his tone. “Maybe I’ll even come a little bit early. All work and no play make me a dull angel,” he joked.

Monica rolled her eyes, but she also smiled. “All right… then I guess I’ll see you later.”

They were in front of the bar and she cast a slightly worried glance towards the heavy wooden door. She blinked and smiled again, hoping that Andrew hadn’t seen. “Good luck, Monica. Everything will be fine… you’ll see.” He smiled and gave her a quick hug.

She pulled away and moved to the door, giving him a little grin and a wave as she entered and disappeared from view. Andrew waited until she was inside before he turned away and let the smile slip from his face. He wanted his words to her to be the truth, and he was going to do everything he could to make sure that they were. He was also going to make certain that there were no more “accidents” involving David.

Monica was relieved to see that David was not at his place at the bar, and she quickly made her way over to Beth, her heart much lighter in her chest. “It doesn’t look too bad so far.”

“Famous last words… trust me, it’ll be a mad house by nine. There’s always a big crowd when Killian’s Rose plays.” Beth nodded to the corner where a group of four musicians were beginning to set up. “They’re a big draw around here… although, any excuse to have a drink’ll get come people out,” she continued with a wink.

Monica remembered seeing a flyer posted to the door, but she hadn’t noticed the date. She hoped that perhaps all the extra people would keep David from coming. She knew it was horrible to feel that way, but she needed more time. She still felt so unprepared and she feared that anything she said would only get him even more aggravated with her.

As first one hour passed, and then another, with no sign of her assignment, it looked as though Monica’s wish was coming true. The band had started playing and the bar was filled with the sound of traditional and not-so-traditional Irish music. The little angel found herself practically skipping as she moved from one customer to another, laughing with them, and really enjoying herself. The dim lights and the thin haze of smoke combined with the music and people to turn the bar into something else entirely. It was a snapshot of life and humanity that dated back to her first days on earth.

So little of what really mattered had changed. People were the same, still going through the same troubles and sharing the same laughter. Music still tied them all together, weaving around and over them, inextricably linked to the very rhythm of life. The angel had just delivered another round of drinks to the musicians, and she spun around to head back to the bar. A sharp twinge passed through her as she watched the door open and her assignment enter. That was when she remembered that something had changed, and that something was her.

Somehow, David managed to nab his usual seat, despite the crowd of people, and as soon as Monica stepped behind the bar, he called out to her. “Hey! I’m ready for my drink down here.”

She could tell that he had obviously been drinking already, but she poured him a glass of beer and slid it across the bar to him. “How about a little food?” she asked, pulling out one of the small menus. Maybe if he had something in his stomach besides alcohol, he’d be easier to deal with.

“I’ll let you know if I need something,” he said gruffly, and she quickly retreated, scanning the crowd for someone else to serve.

“Over here, Miss Wings. I wouldn’t mind a nice tall glass of iced tea.” Tess’ voice carried to her from the other end of the bar.

“Tess! What are you doing here?” she asked as she passed her the drink. She looked at her a little warily, wondering if Tess was going to push her into confronting David.

“To be honest, I needed a bit of a break myself,” the older angel said with a sigh. “I worked at that unemployment office all day long, and the one person I was expecting to see never showed up.”

“Your assignment,” Monica said, nervously wiping the counter and avoiding eye contact.

“That’s right. I don’t suppose you know what happened to her?” Tess’ was asking a question, but her tone of voice said that she already knew the answer, and that Monica’s had better match.

“Well, I’m not sure where she was in the morning,” she said slowly, and then withered under Tess’ stern glare. “I kind of spent the afternoon with her,” she admitted. “But her apartment was really disorganized. She needed the help, and I think she feels much better now,” she said in a rush, trying to end on a high note.

Unfortunately, Tess did not look convinced that cleanliness was next to Godliness.

“I think maybe we need to go over the assignments again, Angel Girl,” she said lowly. “Kristin is mine, and see that man at the end of the bar? He is yours.”

Monica lowered her eyes and had the good sense to look appropriately chastened. “I know, Tess.”

“Good. Then I’m sure it won’t happen again.” Tess reached across and gave Monica’s hand a little pat.

The gesture hadn’t been necessary, and under ordinary circumstances, Tess wouldn’t have softened a lecture by ending with such a show of affection. Monica looked up and saw a small twinkle in the older angel’s eye.

“Look’s like you’re plenty busy, there. You’d better get back to the rest of your customers.”

The Irish angel gave her a grateful smile and turned on her heel to answer a call from the other side of the bar.

“Glad you could finally make it tonight,” Paul joked as he slipped into a small booth across from his friend.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m sorry I’ve been so busy. You know how it gets,” Mike replied.

“Yep. I know.” He was talking to Mike, but his eyes quickly searched the bar and saw Monica rushing back and forth. He smiled inwardly. He would have to make sure he got a chance to say hello.

“Let me get the first round, and then you can tell me what’s on your mind,” Mike said, not noticing that Paul was momentarily distracted. He quickly made his way to the bar, and returned carrying two foamy glasses of dark Guinness. “Nothing but the best,” he said as he placed them on the table. “Now, what has you so worked up lately?” He knew exactly what had Paul upset, but he was still hoping to dissuade him. Despite everything, he still considered the younger agent a friend. He didn’t want to have to deal with any unfortunate circumstances.

Paul was a little disarmed by the other agent’s cavalier attitude, but he knew the man well enough to know that sometimes he hid seriousness behind joviality.

“Well I don’t think I need to remind you how my last case ended,” he stated. “Three times, Mike. The bastard found us three times.”

“I know… it was an unfortunate…” One last effort to steer Paul onto the ‘it was all a coincidence’ track.

“It wasn’t unfortunate, Mike,” Paul insisted. “There is no way he could have found us without help from the inside.”

“That’s what you keep telling me, but do you really believe someone we work with is dirty?” The man was good at playing poker, and at the moment he felt like he was in the biggest game of his life.

“I don’t want to believe it, but I did some looking. In the last year alone, twelve of our witnesses ended up dead… witnesses that were so well hidden away their own mothers didn’t know where they were,” Paul’s face was serious. “You can’t tell me that we’re that unlucky.”

“No… no… you’re right…” Mike was cursing at the back of his mind. “It definitely warrants some looking into. Have you told anyone else?” Please say no.

Paul took a long drink. “No… just you. I don’t know who else I can really trust.”

“Yeah… I guess that’s the real problem.”