The Stupidest Angel Chapter 22

Chapter 22A PERFECT LONESOME CHRISTMASThe archangel Raziel hovered eruptside the Santa genus Rosa Chapels big cathedral window, expression through a small pane of pink glass that make Saint Rosas cheek. He smiled at his handiwork, then beat his great wings and flew off to find several(prenominal) chocolate to sustain him on his trip home.Life is messy. Would that all(prenominal) puzzle piece fell into place, every word was kind, every accident happy, but such is not the case. Life is messy. People, generally, suck. This year, however, the Lonesome Christmas party in Pine Cove was coming off with clarified joy, an infectious goodwill, and a general harmony of spirit that shone in the guests with a smooth, high polish a no-mess affair.Theo, Molly verbalize, can you grab the other lasagna pans out of the back. She was carrying twain of the long stainless-steel pans herself, and she was careful to bend at the knees as she set them down on the counterpunch table to keep the bac k of her short cocktail dress in the realm of decency. It was a plunging neckline LBD (little black dress) shed borrowed from Lena practiced for the party the first low-cut thing shed worn in years.We could have barbecued after all, Theo give tongue to.I told you fucksticks that the storm would turn south, Mavis Sand growled as she sawed the end off a baguette ilk the moyl at a titanic bris. (Some peoples goodwill shines differently than others.)Molly set down her lasagna and turn around into the arms of her praying mantis of a husband. Whoa, sailor, Warrior Babes got work to do.I just wanted to tell you, Theo state, earlier everyone gets here, that you look absolutely stunning.Molly brushed her hand across her neckline. Scars dont do that, do they? They dont just depart overnight like that, right?Doesnt matter to me, Theo said. Never mattered. Wait until you see what I got you for Christmas.Molly kissed him on the chin. I rage you, even if you have mutant tendencies now f ree me, Lena needs help with the salad.No, I dont, said Lena, coming out of the back room carrying a huge salad bowl. wear Case followed bordering shag with a stainless caddie of dressings.Oh, Theo, Lena said, I hope you dont mind, but Dale is going to come by in his Santa suit tonight.I thought you guys were in combat, Theo said.We were, but he surprised me a meet of nights ago when I was stealing some of his Christmas trees, and was just losing his temper when Tucker happened along and popped him in the nose.Tucker Case grinned. Im a pilot, were used to handling tense situations.Anyway, Lena continued, Dale was drunk. He started crying, getting maudlin, talking about how he was having trouble with his new girlfriend, saying how he hated that everyone saw him as the evil developer, so I invited him here. Thought maybe if he could do something nice for the kids, it would make him feel better.No problem, Theo said. Im glad you two are getting along.Hey, Theo yelled Joshua Barker as he ran across the chapel floor toward them. mammy says Santa will be at the party.A quick appearance, Josh, then he has to get on his route, Theo said. He looked up to see Emily Barker and her boyfriend/husband/whatever Brian Henderson coming across the room. Brian was wearing a red Star Fleet Command shirt.Merry Christmas, Theo, Emily said.Theo hugged Emily and shook Brians hand.Theo, have you seen Gabe Fenton? Brian asked. I wanted to ground him the shirt, I think hell get a kick out of it. You know, nerd solidarity.He was here a little bit ago, Brian, but then Val Riordan arrived and they were talking. I havent seen them for a while.Maybe they went for a walk. Beautiful evening, isnt it?Isnt it, said Molly, coming to Theos side.He said he was good with weather, said the Narrator.Shhhhhhh, said Molly.Pardon? Brian said.Out behind the chapel, the dead were feeling festive as well.Hes going to do her right here in the graveyard, said Marty in the Morning. Who would have thought a shrink could moan like that. A little sottish scream therapy, huh, doc?No way, said Bess Leander. Shes wearing Armani, shes not going to mess up that outfit.Youre right, said Jimmy Antalvo. Theyll just suck face and take the party home for makeup sex. But how do you know shes wearing Armani?You know what? said Bess. I have no idea. Just a feeling, I guess.I do hope they sing Good King Wenceslas, said Esther, the schoolteacher. I just love that song.Has anyone seen the biologists dreadful dog? asked Malcolm Cowley, the dead book dealer. Last year the beast urinated on my headstone ternion times.He was sniffing around a minute ago, said Marty in the Morning, but he went inside when they started to spiel the food out.Inside, Skinner was sitting under the Christmas tree, looking at the strangest creature hed ever seen. It was hanging from the disgrace branches, but it didnt look like a squirrel, or smell like food in fact, it had a face that looked like another dog. Skinner whimp ered and sniffed the air. If it was a dog, where was its butt? How could he say hello if he couldnt sniff its butt? He took a tentative step back to study the thing.What are you looking at? said Roberto.