She felt a weird sensation begin to well up in her chest. It was either indigestion or hope. And since she hadn’t eaten her piece of cake yet, it was probably hope. “What was it?”
“What Alexa said before she left. About either coming with her or using the key . . .”
“Yes?”
“She was referring to a very special key, the key she just gave me as a gift . . .” He trailed off and his grin grew wider.
“Mr. Barlow, I’m about to explode. Tell me!”
“Alexa has given me the Key to Heaven for our anniversary.”
Val leaned back. “The key to say-what-now?”
He looked amused at her reaction. “You heard me. I have the Key to Heaven. I can use it whenever I wish.”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “But I thought the Key to Heaven was just a myth
. . . like when everyone used to talk about a piece of Heaven falling off and disappearing eons ago. Fiction.”
“It’s not a myth. Lucifer made the key before he was cast out of Heaven. His backdoor access, if you will, so he could sneak back in. The key is quite pretty, too. Rather smaller than you’d think. With the incantation to open the doorway etched into its golden surface. Alexa is quite generous. The gift wrapping left a little to be desired, but I’m certainly not going to complain.”
“But,” Valerie still couldn’t believe that it could be true. “If it’s not just a myth, then why didn’t Lucifer ever use it?”
“He never used it for one very simple reason. He lost it.”
“He lost it? No way.”
“People lose things all the time. Just like socks. I tell you, Valerie, I don’t have one matching pair anymore. I really should make a trip to the mall.”
Could it be true? Could she allow herself to believe that something like this was possible? She answered both questions with a resounding yes. This was wonderful. Fabulous. The best news she’d gotten in two long months.
“Wait a minute,” Val said suddenly. “Why would a Tempter Demon give a fallen angel something that would help them go back to Heaven? Doesn’t that defeat the entire purpose of what she does?”
“Yes, it certainly does. No argument. And if her superiors ever find out about her gift she would be punished severely and mercilessly.” He suddenly got a faraway look of concern on his face. “But Alexa cares for me. In her own way. After all of these years, I truly believe that she is more interested in my well-being and happiness than fulfilling her mission to tempt me.”
Val snorted at that. “Sure she is. And Nathaniel wants to take me out shopping for a two-carat diamond solitaire. I’ll send you the wedding invites as soon as they get back from the printer.”
“Sarcasm is not necessary, my dear.”
“I can’t help it. This is just too wonderful. I don’t want to be disappointed when it all turns out to be a big fat lie.”
“We’ll find out tomorrow.”
“Find out what?”
“How well the key works. I plan to use it tomorrow to go back to Heaven. And you’re welcome to come with me.”
Tomorrow. Val didn’t think she’d ever heard a more beautiful word. Wait, she could think of one. Today. Today was an even better word.
“Why don’t we, I mean you, try it now?” she asked. “Why wait?”
“I am very tired. And it’s late. Before I re-enter Heaven I would like to be well rested. I’m quite sure there will be many questions asked when we return unnannounced.”
“But—”
“Valerie,” he cut her off. “It’s my gift. We’ll use it tomorrow. Patience is a virtue, you know.”
She sighed. “Okay. But early tomorrow.”
“I’ll be waiting.” He smiled at her and she couldn’t help but return the expression.
Tomorrow. She was going back to Heaven tomorrow.
She could hardly wait.
Barlow had given her half of his anniverary cake, which she ate almost all of while watching
TV in her room. It was delicious.
She made a list in her ever-present Heavenly Memories Notebook of things she wanted to do before she went back. There was really only one thing on the list: Say good-bye to Reggie.
She’d miss him. He was a good guy. Hopefully he’d be able to work things out with his girlfriend.
After taking a quick shower, she got into her warm flannel pjs—another thing she liked about being human, as they were quite cozy and comfortable. Then she slipped under the covers of her bed, propped the pillows up behind her head, and used the remote control to click off the television.
Just then there was a knock at the door.
Val sighed. Then she salt bolt upright in bed, thinking that it must be Barlow wanting to use the key that night.
She swung her legs out of bed, hurried over to unhook the chain lock, and twisted the handle to open the door.
“Mr. Barlow—” she began with a big smile on her face.
Nathaniel leaned against the door frame, cigarette in hand. He gave her a sly smile.
“Hey Val,” he said. “Did you miss me?”
Val slammed the door in his face.
She was so not ready to deal with the demon tonight. Or ever again, for that matter. This time tomorrow, she’d be long gone and wouldn’t have to face Nathaniel ever again. She decided to ignore him. After a while he’d realize she wasn’t going to open the door again and he’d go away.
She turned around.
Nathaniel was sitting on her bed.
“Mind if I come in?” he said and held out a paper bag. “I brought you some chicken soup for that nasty cold of yours.”