Page 51 of My Saintly Demon

“Uh, well, I have these now.” Standing, I remove my coat and dress shirt quickly and right there in the kitchen in front of my dad, I spread my wings. Dad’s eyes shimmer with unshed tears. “I, uh, my horns don’t get as big when I’m… uh… when I’m aroused. And, um, these have been brewing for a few days. I was pretty itchy and last night they just sort of popped out.”

Dad smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

“I was told that could happen when your internal psyche knew which side of the path it wanted to follow. You needed time to work it out and when you do, the change kicks in. Usually mitigated by an event or… a person.”

“It was both, I think. Do you want to meet him?”

My dad smiles and nods.

“I’d love to. Is it the priest you mentioned?”

“Yeah, he’s going through his own stuff. Figuring out his own path, like you said. I don’t understand what the pull is and what all this stuff is I keep feeling, but it didn’t happen until him.”

Dad stares off into the distance and says nothing for a few minutes.

“You’re a wonderful man, Dave. Just because I didn’t get my wish for you to be all demon doesn’t mean I’m disappointed. But with this change, you’ll have special circumstances to maneuver. Wings don’t make you an angel. Those horns are still there too. Life will be challenging sometimes because you may not know who you are some days. But if you’ve found someone who accepts this and loves you, anyway? You’ve found the needle in the haystack and I want to meet the man who loves my boy.”

I move towards the hall but Charles is already standing there and a new ache that’s foreign to my body settles across my chest. But it’s a softer one and I find I don’t mind it so much. He steps up to my dad and extends a hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I’m Charles. The one who loves your son.”

My dad takes his hand and even though it’s an emotional moment, his jaw sets, and I know he’s testing Charles.

“So, is it still Father Charles?”

He shakes his head as he steps back. “No, just Charles. That’s not my place anymore.”

“And do you know where your place is?”

Licking his lips he glances at me before stepping closer.

“Wherever Dave is. That’s where I’ll be.”

Dad seems satisfied with the answer, but he stands to go and I’m not ready for him to leave yet.

“Wait, Dad. What happens now? I mean, obviously I failed the test and I think I lost the damn handbook, anyway. But… do I have to go back?”

My voice wavers, and Charles squeezes my hand.

Dad shakes his head slowly.

“You can’t ever come back, son. I can’t protect you there anymore. Especially now that you have wings. You’d be killed.”

“Can he stay here, then? Like, be here. With me?”

Charles’s cheeks turn pink with his blurt and he mumbles under his breath, “I told you I’d say something bold.”

“He has to. It’s the only place a being with both visible traits can stay.”

“So I’ll never get to see you again?”

Dad stuffs his hands in his pockets and looks to his shiny loafer covered feet.

“Occasionally. Mike still keeps in touch. He owes me for eternity, remember? It’s not forever, son. It’s just for now.” He turns to walk to the closet and changes his mind, heading for the front door instead. “I think I’ll avoid the mitten route for the way back.”

Just like that, my dad is gone.

Turning to Charles, I find him still staring at the door.

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