Taylor almost slit his wrist from the cry. He looked around, wondering what was going on. He heard the voice clearly, but there was no one around. He frantically looked at the room, looking for the owner of the voice. He figured he imagined it, and picked up the fallen cutter.
"What the hell?" Angela said. "I told you not to do it!" She grabbed the cutter and threw it across the room. Taylor watched in amazement, then shook his head. It was too much, all too much. "I�m sorry," Angela said, and grabbed him hand to let him know where she was.
"Who are you?" he asked. It confused the hell out of him, which hurt Angela. He didn�t need to be confused about anything else. "W-Why are you here?"
"Taylor, my name is Angela Kennedy. I live in Atlantic City. I�m an angel, well, sort of. I�ve been sent to keep you from doing stupid stuff. Like trying to kill yourself." She noticed his finger, he had cut himself rather badly. She could see that it hurt. "Now don�t expect this often, but I�ll take care of this nasty gash." She made sure her voice was soft, she didn�t want anyone to hear.
Angela brought Taylor�s hand to her mouth and kissed his finger. The wound healed immediately. Taylor looked at his hand and wiggled it around to see if it was real. "It�s all real, Taylor."
"Why can�t I see you?" he asked.
"This is only my spirit. My body�s asleep back in Atlantic City. I�m surprised you can feel me." She took his hand again. "The Maker of Dreams brought me here. He knew you needed someone."
"What? Who? Why?" Taylor fumbled out. He closed his eyes, not being able to stand the fact that he couldn�t see the owner of the voice. "I don�t get it." Angela smiled. She knew he wouldn�t.
"Taylor you needed help. Millions of Earthbound Angels take care of others every night. Whoever needs it, that�s all. Be grateful you have someone who speaks the same language." She ran her fingers over his earring. "I�ve been wanting to rip on you about this for a while now."
"And what is wrong with it?" She was glad he was comfortable talking with her, and noticed the smile on his face. At least she broke his depression and got him talking. "Now I want to rip on you but I can�t see you."
Angela smiled and leaned against the bathroom door. It opened and she fell in. He heard her land against the tile, and smiled. "I forgot to tell you, that door is open." How embarrassing, she thought.
She sat up and shut the door. "You shut up!" He laughed at her. "I win! I broke your depression and got you laughing. Ha!" He rolled his eyes and stood up. "Hey! Sit down, I�m not done with you yet."
"Angela, how old are you?" Taylor asked. Angela glanced around and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. She was glad he couldn�t see her. She could be ashamed openly.
"Fifteen," she mumbled. He caught it immediately and began to laugh again. "Hey! Why are you laughing at me?"
"Angela, you�re younger than me and you expect me to take orders from you? I don�t think so. Now I�m hungry, I skipped dinner. I have to walk down there and get another verbal punishment form my father and give an apology to my brother. You�re welcome to accompany me, but don�t start bossing me around."
"Hey dude," Angela said. "I saved your life. You owe me, so don�t even start with me." Angela got up, walked over and pinched him. He jumped. "Remember, you can�t see me." Taylor found her hands and held them tightly.
"Now I know where you are." Taylor opened the door and walked downstairs. It was hard for Angela to stay in step with him for his legs were much longer, but she found a way. As they passed the living room, a little boy stopped them. Angela tried to hide behind Taylor, but the boy had spotted her. "What�s wrong?" Taylor quietly asked her.
"I didn�t know you had a little brother, well not this young. He wasn�t at dinner last night." She put her head on his back and closer her eyes.
"I thought everyone knew I have younger siblings. And since when have you been at dinner?" Angela sighed and gripped his hands. "What�s the problem, he can�t see you." Angela shook her head, forgetting he wouldn�t see it.
"Taylor, little kids can see me. Little kids can see Angels." The boy walked up to them, and waved at Angela. She smiled at him. "Hello."
"Hi Angel," the boy replied. "Why are you here? Is there something wrong with Taylor?" Angela looked at Taylor, and let go of him. She bent over so she was eye level with him. "You�re pretty."
"Why thank you! No, there�s nothing wrong with your brother." This news made the boy smile. "What�s your name?" Angela asked, and glanced at Taylor. He was shocked.
"Mackenzie," the boy replied. "Your wings are gone, how come you don�t have wings?" Angela smiled and kissed his forehead, giving him the knowledge he needed to know about Earthbound and Heaven Angels. It also gave him a blessing. He smiled to her.
"So you don�t have wings?" he asked. She nodded. "Okay." Angela watched him run off, probably to annoy someone else. Angela grabbed Taylor�s hand, and the two started to walk to the kitchen.
"And what exactly was that all about?"
"Children can see angels of all kinds until they�re six years old. They don�t know they can until they see one. It�s your brother�s lucky day, he�ll remember that for the rest of his life. It�s the same with expectant mothers. Please tell me your mother isn�t pregnant."
"Oh God no! That would make eight of us! I don�t think so, she�s done. Well, she better be done." Angela smiled and walked into the kitchen. Mackenzie was in there, occupying his interest with a drawing. Angela watched him while Taylor found some food in the refrigerator.
The atmosphere was quiet, except for Taylor�s roaming in the fridge. When Zac walked in, the atmosphere was suddenly awkward. Even Mackenzie felt the tension, and decided to break the silence.
"Zakky have you met Angel?" Angela quickly shook her head to the boy. He got the message and had to ward of Zac�s strange look. "Nevermind." Angela stopped and pulled the little boy out of the room.
"Why don�t you show me all your toys?" she asked. Mackenzie nodded and pulled her to where all his things were. "Woah! You have a pretty neat truck here." Angela started to push around a small truck with her hand. He showed her all his toys, and was amused when she only played with the truck.
"You know there�s toys here more exciting than a truck," Mackenzie said. She told him that she liked the truck, and crawled around the room, pushing it with her.
Taylor walked in and saw the truck moving around the room by itself. He decided to follow it, and told his brother to keep quiet. He snuck up behind Angela, judged where her waist would be, then picked her up. She contained the scream but couldn�t contain the laughter.
"Alright Angel, you�ve had your fun, playing with a little boy�s truck. Time to go back upstairs." He put her down and she kept a hold of his hand. As they left, she waved goodbye to Mackenzie. He smiled and waved back.
Taylor took Angela upstairs, and made sure the door was locked. "I�ll take Mackenzie�s word that you�re pretty." Angela was glad he couldn�t see her blush. "Tell me, why are you here again?"
"To help you!" Angela had been tired of explaining it. The reason came back to him, and he nodded. "Geez you�re slow." He smiled and sat on the bed. Obviously he hadn�t taken the comment to heart, like Angela had briefly feared.
Angela took a seat next to him, not knowing what to say. The silence was uncomfortable. She noticed a weary look on his face. "You look tired." He smiled and turned to her. The weary look was prominent in his eyes.
"I am," he said, and did nothing about it. She shook her head. That kind of attitude was why he wasn�t getting his much deserved sleep.
"Well you get ready for bed, then. I don�t mind." He mentioned something about not being able to sleep. "I�ll put ya to sleep, don�t worry." He let a confused look form on his face. "Don�t worry, dude. I�ll do it."
Angela watched as he got ready. He forgot she was in there and remembered right before he took off his pants. She noticed his hesitation. "Hey, I was in here yesterday. I didn�t look then and I won�t look now."
She turned away, until she heard him in the bed. Angela climbed onto the bed next to him, and put her hand in front of his face. She noticed his worry disappear and his body relax. It was working already.
Angela circled his face with her hands, faster and faster until Taylor�s eyes closed. His breathing slowed and she stopped. He was asleep. Angela let herself lay down next to him. Soon she was asleep herself.