“I borrowed this outfit.” Zing stood up and turned in a circle so Nell could get the full effect of her new clothes. She was wearing orange Capri pants. They weren’t supposed to be Capris, but Zing was a lot taller than Miracle’s ex-girlfriend. Her black T-shirt pictured Xena holding a spear on the front. Zing didn’t know who Xena was, but Miracle said she was a warrior and that seemed like a good thing. Zing would need a warrior’s strength if she were to become a better guardian angel.
“Very nice,” Nell said. “Xena is always a good choice.”
“Oh, guess what? I’ll be staying here for a whole month. I got an extension.”
“What about Bertha? From what I saw, she looked like a very strict boss.”
“Bertha doesn’t like it, but she can’t argue because it’s in the book. Miracle, she’s my new friend, called it a ‘loophole,’ when I told her about it.”
A group of college students came through the door. Nell looked back at the counter. Tammy, the college student she’d recently hired, took their orders. Tammy chatted with them while she got them a dozen donuts and four coffees.
“So. . .” Nell began, “You’re going to be here one month, then you go back to. . .” she pointed her index finger up.
“To the second floor?” Zing asked.
Nell laughed. “I meant back to HQ.”
“That’s right. I’m staying until I can keep you safe for a while, then I’ll go back.”
“But I’m safe now,” Nell said.
“No, I don’t think you are. Your heart is still at risk—that’s what happened to Queen Katherine of Aragon when Henry VIII broke her heart and took away her jewels. Her heart turned black, shriveled up like a dried plum, and she died.”
“Were you her guardian angel, too?”
“No, Miracle and I binge-watched The Tudors last night. Can I have my donut now? I’d like one of those boxes of donuts like those people have and some coffee.”
“Sure,” Nell said. “Do you want to pick the donuts out?”
“I wouldn’t know what to choose. Surprise me,” Zing said.
“All right, I’ll be back in a jiffy,” Nell said. She turned and went through the swinging door that led to the back of the shop.
Zing picked up an old newspaper someone left at the table. “Hmm…” she said as she studied the headlines and saw all the killings, stabbings, and shootings. The world evidently needed more guardian angels.
Nell returned with her donuts. Zing closed her eyes and inhaled deeply over the box. They smelled delicious. Her mouth began to water in anticipation.
“I didn’t know what you take in your coffee so I didn’t put anything in it.” Nell handed Zing a cup of black liquid.
Zing tasted it. “Yikes,” she said. She grabbed a napkin from the dispenser and wiped at her tongue.
“I’ll get you some cream and sugar,” Nell said.
Zing picked the tiny pieces of wet napkin off her tongue as she opened the box and stared at the wonderful array of sprinkles, chocolate frosting, and donuts with white stuff and fruit squishing out. They all looked delectable. She decided to start with the ones on the left and work her way to the right. The glazed donut was still warm and she swallowed it in two bites. Next she tried a chocolate one, and then a maple one. By the time Nell returned with her doctored coffee, Zing had eaten six donuts.
“Whoa, you better slow down on those,” Nell said.
“Why?” Zing asked, taking the coffee. She tasted it. Much better. She took two gulps to wash down the donuts.
“Because you’ll get sick.” Nell sat down and shut the lid on the box. “You can take the rest with you for later.”
“Really? You’d let me do that?”
“I’m sure guardian angels need to keep their strength up.”
“True,” Zing said. “Most humans keep their angels on their toes. But you’re more of a. . . low-maintenance type of human. I guess that’s why I took up Hacky Sack while I waited for you to do something worth watching.”
“I think you just called me boring,” Nell said.
Before Zing could respond, a voice boomed, “What the hell’s she doing here?” It was Carol. She marched across the room, jabbing a finger in Zing’s direction.
“I’m having donuts,” Zing said. “And keeping an eye on Nell.”
“Because you’re her guardian angel,” Carol said, snidely. She had flour on her nose. “That’s still your story?”
“Yes.”
Carol rolled her eyes. “You know, here on earth we call that stalking. And it’s illegal.”