Page 48 of Half Blind

“There are a lot of things you don't know about the lady, Michael. Back it off and turn it down, please.”

“Okay, let me know,” Slow said. “Later.”

“Yeah, later.”

Try as he might to comprehend what was happening, he couldn't. If he had a Scrabble board, none of the words floating in his head would be acceptable. He needed to get to work. Then his cellphone rang again.

“Oh, for Pete's sake,” he said, looking at the phone and seeing no caller ID. He yelled in the line, “What?”

“So angry, so early,” the Archangel said. “Are you okay? Did you meditate this morning?”

“Yes, I'm fine. How may I help you?”

“Checking in, checking on you,” the Archangel said, pausing. “Did she like the house? I ordered high end finishes with the granite countertops. That backsplash is amazing. Did she like them?”

Mustang turned to look at the window to check for his reflection. He wanted to make sure he wasn't dead and living in an alternate universe. The spook which covered the upper half of Ohio for the CIA was calling him to see if his woman liked the finishes for the countertops and backsplashes in the home.

“Yes, she did,” Mustang said. “How did you know she'd been here?”

“Your heart rate,” Archangel stated.

“Excuse me. My what?”

“Belial, your former handler, transferred your transponder to me for the time being since you're still implanted for safety purposes,” he said. “Your heart rate spiked, then dipped to near death on Friday, Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning, twice on Monday evening, and then again, this morning. Man, you are a stallion! That poor woman. You aren’t abusing her, are you?”

“I think I hate you,” Mustang said, “and that is creepy and preternatural. Stop it.”

“Whatever and nice word choice. Does she know how smart you really are? I hope so, you make a nice couple. When is the wedding?”

“What?”

“She needs a wedding,” the Archangel said. “I don't want to marry you guys on paper. If you don't have a best man, you can sign me up to stand at your side. Bleu had a nice church wedding, and I got to be a groomsman. We brought guns in the church and everything, it was fun to scare his wife's ex, who had the nerve to say that baby was his.”

“I'm dead. This can't be my real life,” Mustang said. “Hold up, you pulled guns in church?”

“Yeah, me, Zeke, Daddy, ha, that preacher yelled out,‘Ish just got real.’ So much fun,” the Archangel said, chuckling. “Anyway. Helen needs a wedding. We also need it as a family to come together and celebrate. Plus, I'll get to dance with her. Can she dance? I bet she can dance really well. Also, it will help her heal and bring you full circle. Will you take any kids?”

“No, so to be clear, this is my refusal statement on your offer to accept kids,” Mustang said. “Don't send any either because I will send them back.”

“Just as a heads up, the boy Oscar, he loves her,” the Archangel said. “She received a bonus for shutting down three of those nasty warehouses in Milwaukee. She even shared a portion of it with Bad Apple and Yield, did you know that? She's different. I think I'm falling for her too, but don't tell my wife. I know you love her to make the changes you have, so do right by her. She deserves it. You deserve it. Initially, I didn't see it, but I do now. You guys will do well together. She'll make a cool mom.”

“I'm hanging up now,” Mustang said.

“Wait,” the Archangel stated. “How is the new job? Do you like it? I mean it's a pretty homogeneous workplace. Any trouble?”

“Just an old fart who needs to retire who bemoans the old days with just the ole boys,” Mustang said, “plus the little lady gave me some advice. She reminded me that I was rich and didn't need the job. I could quit and make furniture full-time.”

“She knows you make furniture?”

“Yes, we made a few pieces when she came to Oregon,” he said, leaving the line quiet. “Hey! Want to know how to keep a busybody in suspense?”

Mustang ended the call. For once, in a conversation with the Archangel, he got to be the one to end the call first.Being a gentleman, he couldn’t confess to the Archangel, even though the man was also his cousin, that Helen made a love potion, which was the reason for all the activity over the weekend. He had a healthy libido, but today, his butt cheek still hurt as well as his lower back. Neither of them expected once she showered, the oils would seep into her skin and bind to her pheromones. Each time Helen sweated, it started all over again. His pupils would dilate, the blood would rush to his junk and he was a goner.

“Hanging up on him first felt good as hell. Now I need to get to work. Helen, whatever you're putting into the universe to build this fascination around you, keep it up.”

He found himself smiling as well as making a mental note for future conversations with his woman. Soon she would be back in training with Lemon. Another smile came to his face. Since she was in Ohio, it would be mighty fun to have her track the Archangel and show up on his doorstep with a Bundt cake or some shit she made in her craft room. He had no idea what she crafted and looked forward to the touches she would add to their home. The curtains were nice as well as the rugs.

“Yeah, scary,” he said, laughing.

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