Chapter Five: Atlanta and Charleston:

Soot and Amanda

Soot turned to his girl. “You ready to do this?”

The angel looked at him. “Yeah.” Soot took a breath.

“Right,” he said. “Let’s do this.” He held her ghostly hand. How long has it been since they had been back here? It felt like it had been too long. He didn’t want to do this. She was the one who wanted to come back.

“You sure about that?” Soot asked.

“Yes,” Mandy insisted. Her eyes looked so bright. The boy tried to look away. But how could he say no to her?

They didn’t have any family to visit. Maybe a couple of old friends. Even Soot didn’t want to see them. Still, Mandy wanted to go back.

“Why do you want to go back so badly?” Soot asked on the plane. The angel held his hand.

“It’s just nice to be home,” she said. He looked at her, frowning.

“What home?” Soot muttered to himself. Mandy looked over at him.

“Hm?” she asked. Her boyfriend shook his head.

“Nothing let’s just get this over with,” he said. They would make it to Atlanta shortly before noon. Mandy looked over at Soot.

“What should do first?” she asked.

“Get something to eat,” he said. A sweat drop formed on the side of Mandy’s head.

“Of course, you would,” she said. She leaned her head on his shoulder. He patted her on the hand. He was doing this for her. He wasn’t complaining either. She leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

“Thank you so much,” the angel whispered as he slept. She looked past him at the window.

Ann, Chris, and Stan

Charleston. They haven’t been here in years. It was uncertain if this was a good idea. Ann insisted.

“I can do this,” she said.

“Are you sure?” Chris asked. His wife nodded once. The cop pulled her into his arms.

“Okay,” he said. “We’ll go back for Christmas.” Chris was the one who set everything up with Noiz.

“And you are sure about this?” she asked.

“Yes,” Chris said. “She thinks that she is up for it.” Noiz bowed her head.

“I understand,” she said.

“Thank you,” the cop said.

The ride to the airport was tense. Nobody spoke. Ann looked out the window. Chris put his hand on her knee.

“We can turn back if you want,” he whispered. His wife shook her head.

“Okay,” he said. Stan sat in the back, looking out the window. They were going to visit Chris’ parents. Chris was the one who came up with the idea. But first, he had to check with his family.

“I don’t mind,” Stan said. “But is she okay with it?” Chris didn’t have an answer.

Well, they were here now. The cop looked at his family. Wife and son stared out the window.

“Last chance,” he said. “Does anyone want to go back?”

“No,” Stan said. Ann shook her head. Chris took a breath.

“Alright,” he said. The family got out of the car and walked to the airport.

That was twelve hours ago. They were going to make it to Charleston by morning. Chris called his mother ahead of time.

“Hello?” she asked.

“Mom?” Chris said. There was a pause on the other line.

“Chris? Chris is that you?” his mother asked. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, mom,” he said. “We’re coming home for Christmas.”

“You are?” his mother asked. He closed his eyes.

“Yes,” he said. “We will be home soon.” The call lasted about two more minutes before Chris had to hang up. Ann and Stan looked at him as he climbed into the car.

“Well?” Stan asked. “What did she say?” His father perked up.

“She’s going to be happy to see us,” he said. Ann and Stan looked a little bit better.

“When are we going to be at your mom’s house?” Ann asked.

“We should be there before lunch,” Chris said as he climbed into the driver’s seat. The family pulled out of the airport parking lot and drove out towards his mother’s house.