Molly stood next to the washing machine as it finished its cycles.
She flicked through several pages of a small notebook that contained various bits of information on domestic life. From cooking tips to proper laundry detergent use, that one had many little scribbles and crossed out words. She added another note about low temperatures for certain materials before tucking it into a tiny pocket in her shorts.
Once the machine was done she scooped out all the bed sheets, pillows, underwear, sofa covers and the like into a large wicker basket. She went up the stairs from the basement and out the backdoors into the garden.
After hanging it all up to dry she returned to the house.
From the front of the fridge she took a scrap of paper with a list of things on it.
She gave it a read over before nodding to herself.
“Okay, last thing to do for today.” She muttered with a wag of her tail.
She took a large cloth bag and hung it over one arm as she left her home.
The air was fresh and the sunlight that radiated from the sky was warm.
It had only been a couple of weeks since she moved in but she had settled down nicely.
There was a lot to learn about home keeping and Collin did like things to be tidy.
But Heaven was comfortable, it was easy to get into a routine.
The only difficulty had been the locals.
They were friendly, with a smile and a wave when they saw her.
But it was clear that they were keeping their distance.
Even so it did not bother Molly.
She had Collin, a wonderful home and all the pleasures of Heaven.
It didn’t matter to her what the other Angels thought of her.
Once she reached the nearby store she went around to pick up everything off the list.
Two dozen eggs to start as they had quickly become her favourite snack.
Collin does need the protein too. Really perks him up.
Vitamin infused fruit yogurts, a favourite of Collin.
Some basics, such as freshly baked bread and orange juice made fresh on the day.
As well as some fruit and a selection of meat. It was kind of funny to her that despite the mostly vegetarian and vegan lifestyles that Angels liked to live, they still had the finest steak and sausage she had ever tasted.
Although she did wonder to some amount if it was even real meat…
Best not to think about that before I ruin a good thing.
With the shopping done she returned home.
Her walk over was slow and leisurely as she took in the pleasant atmosphere around her.
She did not have much on her mind either.
After everything had been packed away into the kitchen she took down the laundry.
It always dried fast. More so than you would expect even with the warm weather.
Perks of Heaven it seems, everything is just a little easy.
A little too easy. There is almost no friction with anything you want to do.
Molly folded everything up and just like that she had finished all the chores.
Barely past noon too.
She got a glass of cold water and one of the yogurts from the fridge, as well as a spoon.
But she didn’t eat any of it. Molly instead went upstairs to check on Collin.
Their bedroom had been turned into a little den of depression.
The curtains closed to block out the sunlight, with only a lamp for light.
Near the bed was a pillow fort, made up of blankets and camping supplies.
Inside was Collin.
He was all huddled up under a blanket while listening to music from a stereo.
Scattered around were CD cases. With one currently empty.
Molly placed the water and yogurt down on a tiny coffee table to the side of the fort.
She picked up the case and gave it a look over.
“How are we doing… ‘My heart is a graveyard’ by Terminal Love… That bad eh?”
“They understand me.” Collin replied.
He had been here for the past couple of days.
And Molly had taken it on herself to care for him until he got through it.
“It’s time for water. And I got you a snack too.” She told him.
Collin rolled over. Then he sat up slowly.
He shook his head and rubbed his eyes, but they were clear.
He hasn’t been crying, that’s good.
“I’m not hungry.”
“That’s cool, just the water then.” Molly replied.
He took the glass and lazily drank some.
“Sorry if I’m being…” He tried to speak.
“Shush, are you fine.” She replied.
Molly pulled the blanket and moved herself under it alongside him.
Once had drunk enough he put the glass back.
They laid down together.
The pair cuddled up to each other as they switched off for a while.
No worries, no responsibilities. Just them.
After a while Collin spoke up.
“I’m thinking of redecorating. Less saturated colours.”
“A touch of grey can be classy, I've heard.” Molly added.
“I’ve found that black is kind of soothing to look at.”
“It does compliment any colour.” Molly replied.
Suddenly she got a thought, and she sat up.
“Have you thought about a make over?” She asked.
“A makeover? New clothing?” He asked.
“Yeah, a new look for a new you.” She explained.
Collin sat up as well.
He took a moment to think about it.
And then he reached up, and pulled his halo off his head.
“Whoa, easy. What.” Molly stammered.
“It’s alright. Don’t worry.” He replied as he gave a reassuring look.
He looked down at the glowing ring in his hands.
“A halo is just a symbol. That all things within Heaven are equal, from the poorest peasant, to the greatest king, to the immortal archangels that sit at God’s throne. We are all given a crown.”
“So it doesn’t do anything?” Molly asked.
“It generates magic and stores a large quantity. And makes for a good nightlight?”
Collin said humorously as he finally broke out into a small smile.
He tightened his hands around it.
And from them, spreading out, the edges of the Halo began to turn black.
It flowed around like ink until the entire ring was devoid of light.
“There. Much better.” Collin said as he put it back over his head.
It seemed to snap into place, as if held aloft by some magnetic force.
“That’s not gonna blow up or something, right?” Molly asked.
She poked the halo a little and it wobbled slightly in the air.
“Oh no, the form is quite easy to change.”
“A makeover.” Molly nodded, now understanding.
Collin crawled over and turned off the music.
“A change of clothes could suit me well. And some fresh air.”
He admitted as he stood up and stretched out his sore limbs.
“Are you ready to go today? No rush.” Molly asked.
“Yeah. I’m feeling better. Thanks.” He replied.
“I think I have an idea on what might look on you.”
Molly said as she excitedly wagged her tail.
Collin could not help but feel a little bit of concern.
But he trusted her well enough at this point to go along with it.
