“How are you feeling?” Ms. Jones asked, not really looking at me.
“I’m better, thank you. I had a rough couple of days, but I think things are slowly falling into place.” I wasn’t sure what it was, but she noticeably relaxed. Even her husband released the breath he was holding. I wondered when I had started noticing those little details.
“We’re so happy, and congratulations.”
I just smiled back at her. They ordered the Monday carne asada special.
By the time I got back to the bar, Gabe had a drink, courtesy of Abuelita. They were chitchatting merrily. I cautiously walked around her and left the orders on her stand in the kitchen. When I turned around, they were both smiling at me. Abuelita went back to the kitchen, very chipper.
“Isis, I’m so sorry I scared you on Saturday.” His smile had changed to a look of concern.
“Don’t be. It was probably my fault for not reading the manual.” Eventually I would give in and read the damn thing. Maybe.
“You have a manual?” For an angel, Gabe had a fabulous mischievous smile.
“So I’ve been told. Really, it’s all good. Lesson learned. My sergeants would have told me it was good training.”
“I’m pretty sure Constantine would say the same.” Gabe relaxed, and he radiated confidence and peace. That, I definitely hadn’t noticed before.
“Everyone knows Constantine.” I said that more as a statement than a question. I obviously knew the answer already.
“The boy has been around. No matter what people say about him, he’s good at his job.” Gabe’s voice had a touch of pride. I was pretty sure they were old friends.
“How long has Constantine worked for Death?” I leaned over the bar and watched him drink his horchata.
“Rumor has it he always has worked for her. Officially, since Cleopatra. Now be nice, and don’t try to get an honest boy in trouble. It’s bad to gossip.” Gabe winked at me and pulled out his phone. “Work calls; be right back.” He strode out the front door to take his call. What kind of long-distance plan did God have?
The rest of my night flew by. I was seeing my customers in a new light. As if the veil of reality had been pulled off. At first everyone was cautious and short around me. I guessed that like Abuelita, they were expecting me to change. I might need to tell people I was too lazy to learn a new personality.
Chapter 12
Six hours on my feet were murder. I had purchased really good shoes a while back, but I obviously needed new ones. It was still odd—the concept of a steady income. From what everyone said at Abuelita’s, interns had mixed reputations and short life spans, so the salary was a great compensation plan. Maybe this week I could swing by the mall or the Shoe Carnival. I wasn’t sure when I would find time, but it was a fun thought.
I pulled up to the car entrance of Reapers. Bartholomew had had a hand scanner installed ten feet from the building. That way I wouldn’t have to get out to unlock the gate. The boy was impressive—probably dangerous, but impressive. I rolled in slowly and waited for the security system to do its magic. As soon as the second set of doors was up, I rolled down the shop to the car area. The emergency lights were the only lights on downstairs. The upstairs loft gave enough light to compensate.
It was past ten in the evening, and I didn’t want to cook. I had cheated and brought food with me instead. I had not been expecting all the advice I had received from everyone. Even Abuelita was amazed at how concerned everyone was for me. I needed to say some extra payers of thanks for all the customers. By the time I reached the upstairs door, Bartholomew and Constantine were waiting for me. Neither was very patient.
“OK, what did I miss?” I dropped the food bag by the counter and waited for the lecture that was coming. When people looked at you so agitated, lectures were coming.
“We need your help. We have no idea how to make any of the stuff we bought today. We’ve already burned several weird packets of pasta.” Bartholomew’s face was priceless. He looked like the eleven-year-old boy he was, not like the genius hacker he played most of the time.
My heart dropped. Why did I always jump to the worst conclusions about people? It was a blessing I wasn’t a gambler, because I was sucking at discerning people lately.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. Somehow, everyone wanted to talk after Constantine’s announcement. Did you tell the whole world?” I was pulling containers out of the bag. “I figured it was a little too late to make food, so I brought dinner instead. Hope that’s OK.”
Bartholomew and Constantine’s jaws both dropped. They looked as if they were almost drooling. I really didn’t want to know what they had been eating.
“You brought Abuelita’s home?” Bartholomew was now five and looking younger. It was incredible how young he sounded.
“Yes, I did, and I even checked that it was gluten-free.” I found plates in the cabinet and made a plate of carne asada, beans, and rice for Bartholomew. I added a side of salsa and guacamole just in case. For Constantine I skipped the beans and rice but added an extra helping of chicken.
I handed the plates to Bartholomew, who took them to the dining table. Like most of Abuelita’s clients, I was nuts for the horchata. I had brought a large container. I poured a cup for Bartholomew and a small saucer for Constantine. They were both waiting for me very patiently. It was weird to have people waiting for me to actually eat, not just to get their food. I gave them both their drinks.
“Aren’t you having dinner with us?” It was the first time Constantine had spoken. If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought
