Benny clutched the small box in his hand as he walked up the sidewalk. Snow swirled around his feet and tried to worm its way under his collar but he had thick boots and a warm scarf on. He’d gotten them for Christmas from the Sullivans. He’d been so surprised to see gifts waiting for him—there were more boxes for him under the tree than for anyone else, actually. The boxes held new clothes and outer wear. So many warm, wooly things that he’d never be cold again. Plus, some toiletries and books and a stocking just like the one Scott had, filled with candy and gum and other snacks. Benny had been completely overwhelmed by their generosity.

And just when Benny thought every gift had been opened, Mrs. Sullivan pressed a small, brightly wrapped package into his hand. “Don’t unwrap it,” she said. “Just read the tag.”

To: Angel

Love, Benny & the Sullivans, he read.

Benny gave her a puzzled look and she smiled brightly at him. “I got in contact with someone I know through Child Protective Services. They gave me the number of the people who are looking after Angel. I don’t know the Matthews personally, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about them.”

“Really?”

“Really. And when I called yesterday they said they’d be happy to let you come over and visit Angel tomorrow. You’ll be able to see for yourself.”

“Oh wow.” Benny felt the blood rush through him so fast he got a little dizzy. He could see Angel. Tomorrow.

“We’re still going to look into fostering her here, but in the meantime you’ll be able to reassure yourself she’s not being mistreated.”

“Thank you,” Benny breathed.

Mrs. Sullivan smiled and bent down to kiss the top of his head. It made him feel like a kid again, but not in a bad way. It was nice to have someone looking after him. Taking care of himself was really hard work. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to have them do the same for Angel for a while. Until Benny was ready to do it on his own.

Scott had offered to come with him today to see Angel, but Benny wanted to go alone. Mrs. Sullivan had come, but he didn’t mind that. She was going to talk to the foster parents while he was with Angel. But he felt a flutter of nerves as they approached the front door and a part of him wished Scott was beside him.

Mrs. Sullivan rang the bell, then squeezed Benny’s shoulder as if she could sense his turmoil. What if Angel didn’t want to see him? What if she was mad at him for leaving her? He’d been so focused on seeing her that he hadn’t considered any of that until now. His stomach roiled with fear and nerves and he wanted to spew the waffles they’d had for breakfast all over the steps.

A middle aged woman opened the door. She looked kinda like Mrs. Sullivan, but with dark, short hair. She smiled at them both. “You must be Benny, Angel’s brother. You two look so much alike.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said quietly.

“I’m Karen Matthews. Come in, both of you.”

The house looks clean. That’s good, Benny thought as he took off his wet, snowy boots and hung up his coat on the rack beside the door. He could see a baby in a high chair in the kitchen, banging on the tray with a spoon. But he wasn’t crying or unhappy looking. And as Angel’s foster mom led them into the living room, Benny could see toys scattered around. It seemed like a decent place to live.

“Why don’t you have a seat? I’ll send Angel in and you two can catch up. Want to come with me to the kitchen, Carol? We can have coffee and chat. My husband will be home shortly.”

Mrs. Sullivan nodded, “That would be nice. I brought you a loaf of apple streusel bread.”

“Oh that’s lovely. Thank you.”

Benny heard them chatting as they walked away and he sank onto the couch. He set the gift on the seat next to him. The paper was a little mangled from where he’d been clutching it too tightly but there was nothing he could do about it now.

A few minutes later, he heard Mrs. Matthews say, “Angel. I have a surprise for you. Why don’t you go find it in the living room?”

Benny’s heart leapt at the sound of Angels quiet, “okay”.

His pulse pounded in his ears as he stared at the entrance to the room. A minute later a dark head appeared, peeking around the doorway.

“Hi,” Benny croaked.

For a moment, Angel froze. And then her eyes went wide and almost before he could register it happening, she came barreling through the room and tackled him. He barely had time to throw his arms out wide before she hit his chest with a thud. For as light as she was, the impact was solid and it knocked the wind out of him.

“Benny!” She flung her arms around his neck and clutched at him tightly.

“I’m here, Angel,” he said thickly. “I’m here.”

“I didn’t think you were coming back for me,” she sobbed against his shoulder. He rubbed her narrow back, feeling close to tears himself. That was what he’d been afraid of. That she’d think he had abandoned her. He’d tried to prepare her before he got sent to juvie, but it was hard for a little kid to understand. Almost ten months had been a long time for him. It must have felt like an eternity to her.

“I’m sorry.” He hugged her tighter. “I wanted to, but I couldn’t until now.”

“They took me away and I thought you’d never find me.”

“I found you,” he said.

She pulled back. Her cheeks were wet and her nose was red but he’d never been happier to see her face. “Am I coming home with you today?”

Benny’s heart hurt, knowing he’d have to tell her no. “Not today,” he said. Her expression fell. “But Mrs. Matthews is going to let me come see you.”

Angel’s lip quivered a little bit. “Every day?”

“I will be here as often as she’ll let me come,” he promised. “I don’t know that it’ll be every day, but I’ll try.”

“Why can’t I live with you?”

Benny swallowed. “I don’t have a house of my own. I’m staying with Scott’s mom and dad. You remember Scott, right?”

Angel nodded. “He’s your boyfriend.”

Benny froze. He forgot he’d told her that. For a long time, she was the only one who knew he and Scott were dating. He shouldn’t have trusted a little kid to keep his secret, but as far as he knew, she’d never told anyone. “Yeah. Yeah he is.”

Angel pressed her finger to his nose. “Why are you crying?”

Benny let go of her long enough to wipe at his eyes, but she stayed perched on his lap. “Because I really missed you and I was scared I’d never see you again either.”

“But you’re not going to do that again, right?” Angel played with the button on his new plaid shirt. “Go away and not come back.”

“I’m not,” Benny promised. “I’m going to stay with the Sullivans, and come visit you. I’m going to work at their shop some and finish school. And then I’m going to get a job and hopefully move out on my own.”

“Can I stay with you then?” Angel asked hopefully.

“Maybe. I’m going to try my hardest.” Benny didn’t want to promise her anything he couldn’t deliver. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Is Mrs. Matthews nice to you?”

Angel nodded. “I didn’t like the lady I stayed with before. She yelled a lot and I felt hungry. I had to share my room. But then I came here. She feeds me and lets me read lots of books. And I have my own room here. It’s purple!”

Benny smiled as he looked her over. She did look well cared for. She’d put on a little weight since he saw her last and her cheeks were rounder and had color in them. Her hair was neatly braided and she was dressed in jeans that fit her and a new-looking sweater.

“Caiden screams all the time which is really annoying but he’s just a baby,” Angel continued. “I think they do that a lot.”

“Caiden is a kid who lives here with you?” Angel nodded. “Are there any other kids?”

“No. Just us. I don’t like it when he cries, but Mrs. Matthews is always walking around rocking him. Mr. Matthews says she’s going to wear a hole in the floor someday.”

“What’s Mr. Matthews like?”

She shrugged. “He’s nice. He made me pancakes on Christmas.”

“Are you taking your medicine?” he asked, referring to her inhaler.

“Yep! But I haven’t had an attack in five whole days. We have a chart.” Angel sounded excited.

Honestly, it sounded like Mrs. Sullivan was right. Angel was in a good home. As much as Benny desperately wanted Angel to come live with the Sullivans, it did help to know she was being taken care of here. He still hoped she could come live with them eventually, but at least he didn’t have to worry that something terrible was going to happen to her before then.

“That reminds me,” Benny said softly. “I’ve got a Christmas gift for you.”

Angel’s dark eyes widened. “You do?”

“Well yeah. Did you really think I’d forget?”

She bounced on his lap a little as Benny reached for the gift beside him and he had to warn her that the gift was breakable. Angel was so careful as she unwrapped the pretty bow Mrs. Sullivan had made and she laughed when Benny tied it in her hair. He had to help her with the tape, but she lifted the lid of the box off on her own.

Her eyes got even bigger when she saw the ornament. “See, you have to be very careful with this,” Benny said as he carefully lifted it out of the box. “It’s glass and I actually broke the first one because I dropped it.”

“I’ll be careful,” Angel promised. She held out her hands and he gently placed the ornament in her left palm. “She’s pretty,” Angel whispered as she stroked the glass.

“Just like you,” Benny said. “And even when I’m not here, you can look at her and know I’m watching over you.”

Angel’s smile was so bright it was blinding. Benny helped her put the ornament back in the box with the lid on. Angel brought him a book for him to read to her and she curled up in his arms to listen.

At least an hour later, when Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Matthews came in from the kitchen, Angel was sleeping with her head in his lap. Benny was wide awake though, just stroking Angel’s hair as she snored quietly. His heart felt very full at the moment.

Maybe he and Angel had a future after all.

The End

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Bio

Brigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time writer. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga.  She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.

Her books range from short stories to novellas. They explore gay, bisexual, lesbian, and polyamorous romance in contemporary settings.

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