Page 28 of Heaven on Earth

“Hey Mom, Dad!” I called, picking up my pace to meet them at the car and help them bring their things inside.

“Oh, Ryan, did you just get back from the store?” Mom asked, glancing at the canvas bags slung over one arm.

“Yeah, but that’s all right. I was running a little late this morning.”

“We would have picked that stuff up for you if you’d asked,” Dad said, pulling me into a strong, almost suffocating hug. One of my bags slammed into his back, but he hardly cared.

“I know, but I really don’t mind. I needed to get out for some fresh air today, anyway.”

“Well, it’s good to see you looking healthy and happy for a change.” Mom put her arm around me and kissed my cheek, standing on her tiptoes to reach.

“Here, hand me some of your bags,” I said, pointing toward the car trunk where Dad was beginning to unload. “I still have a free hand.”

We carted everything up the stairs and inside my apartment, which I suddenly noticed was embarrassingly empty. I’d put in almost no effort to unpack or buy things I could have used, and save for the couch and the still-full moving boxes I was using as a coffee table, there was nowhere for my parents to sit or put their things.

“Just set those bags on the floor,” I directed Dad.

He glanced at me with the sort of worried sympathy only a parent could possess, but he set them exactly where I said to and took a seat on the couch, gesturing for Mom to join him.

“Come here, Rebecca. We’ve earned a little rest, don’t you think?”

She rolled her eyes as she sat down next to him. “We’ve been sitting in the car for hours,” she protested. “What wouldreallybe nice is a short walk.”

I perked up. “I know of some nice trails in the area. Just let me put these things away and pack a quick lunch, and then we can go for a walk and a picnic.”

I felt better having my parents here, even if my life was otherwise falling apart. They always knew how to make things better, although this time they didn’t even know the reason I was struggling so much. They thought they did, and that only made it worse. I hated lying to them. I hated lying to myself, too, but that was much easier. If only there were a way to stop lying that wouldn’t turn everything upside down.

22

CIEL

Iforced myself to leave the house one full day after Ryan left. I’d been lounging around in misery for too long, and though my hair was not nearly as smooth or silky as usual and my robe was wrinkled so badly it looked almost intentional, but that first breath of fresh air when I stepped outside was magical.

I didn’t know where to go, so I simply started walking. I walked and walked and walked until I found myself outside the gate leading to Draven and Teddy’s house. Fortune of fortunes, it looked like they were home, so I opened up the gate and slipped inside.

I paused at the front door, debating whether to knock or leave them alone. I hated to disrupt a perfectly lovely Monday afternoon only days after I’d been their guest — and a rather perverted one at that.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to knock because Teddy appeared at the window and saw me standing on their doorstep.

“Ciel, what brings you here?” he asked, swinging the front door open.

“I’m going through quite an inner turmoil,” I told him.

Teddy smiled sympathetically. “Oh, well, that won’t do. Please, come inside. I’ll make us some tea.”

“That would be lovely, thank you. Is Draven home?”

“He is. Would you like me to get him?”

“No, no, I’m sure he’ll turn up any moment now. That sly little devil seems to sense the presence of creatures like me, doesn’t he?”

Teddy chuckled. “It wouldn’t surprise me. Ah, look, here he comes now.”

I sat back on the burgundy sofa in the living room, swinging one leg over the other and spreading my arms over the back of the couch. “Well, well, speak of the devil.”

Draven smirked. “Why, Ciel, you’re back. Did you forget something from Saturday night? Your dignity, perhaps?”

“Draven, stop that,” Teddy hissed.