Angel Be Good Read Online Free PDF

had jammed. Nothing. He
turned to Daphne and glared. "Closed circuit TV?"
    She sighed. "No. It's a miracle, dam . . .
darn you!"
    Nat wagged his forefinger. "Careful, Daph.
You don't want your angel catching you cursing."
    "Listen to me, Nat," she said calmly.
"Either with your cooperation or without, you'll be watching this
tape. You might as well make yourself comfortable. Leonard's
determined and let's just say that when an angel's made up his
mind, there's not much that can get in his way."
    "Ridiculous."
    Daphne raised her brow. Just then the tape
began to play again. Nat frantically punched buttons on the remote
to no effect. He tried turning off the power on the VCR, again
without result.
    "I don't have to watch this. I could close
my eyes."
    "Aren't you curious, Nat? You said you
didn't remember your mother. Didn't think she loved you. Watch this
tape. I see love written all over each of her actions."
    "How about a little
you-scratch-my-back-I'll-scratch-yours?"
    "Forget it."
    "Ah, come on, Daph. Be a sport."
    "No way. You've distracted me enough from my
mission already."
    "It's your loss," he growled, then turned
back to the TV as if drawn against his will. On the screen, his
mother rocked him and spoke softly, telling him a delightful story
about Santa's reindeer. He could almost feel her arms about him
now, could almost remember the story.
    "Okay." He swung his gaze back to Daphne.
"Tell Leonard I believe you. There's such a thing as maternal love.
He can turn it off now."
    "Hush. Look, someone's rung the
doorbell."
    Gaze back on the TV, he watched himself as a
tot darting beside his mother to the door, all the while yelling,
"Daddy. I knew he would come!"
    Then the door opened and his childlike
disappointment was clear for anyone to see. Standing in the doorway
were his Uncle Boomer and cousin Percival. Percy hadn't changed
much since then. Even Uncle Boomer's death hadn't been enough to
break Percy of his eternal optimism. At the funeral, he grinned as
widely as the boy captured on tape. Nat had wondered more than once
if Percy was all there. The smile made him look imbecilic.
    Once, Nat had even tried to take Percy aside
and explain the problem with his smile. But Percy thought he was
making a joke and had laughed uproariously, slapping Nat's back.
Some people just couldn't learn.
    Percy might learn soon, though, Nat thought
wryly. Percy's name was on one of the pink slips lining Nat's
outbox.
    On the tape, Percy ran into the room, that
beaming eager-to-please expression on his face. In his hand, he
carried a gaily wrapped box. For Nat.
    Nat's jaw twitched. Percy hadn't been such a
bad sort, always trying to win his friendship. Too bad Nat wasn't
the type to have friends. Friendship didn't pay the electric bill.
Friendship didn't get you anywhere.
    While Uncle Boomer sat quietly talking to
Nat's mother, he and Percy giggled together as they exchanged
gifts. He'd forgotten that once he'd looked up to Percy. Percy was
a good two years older and yet always had time for him. And the
look on his own face—adoration, pure and simple. Had he really
worshiped Percy? Children were fools.
    He could see his mother checking on them
from time to time, a warm smile on her face. He suddenly remembered
her smile and how it had made him feel safe, secure and totally
loved. A boy could get lost in a smile like that and yet as a
child, he'd taken it for granted. If only he'd known how quickly it
could be snatched away.
    The screen faded, and Nat had to stop
himself from crying out. Even if it was over, he'd always carry the
remembrance of her smile, though, almost making the inconvenience
of Daphne's after-hours visit worthwhile.
    What was he thinking? Was he becoming a
softy at thirty? Next, he'd be wanting a child of his own. Nat
cringed. Just then, the screen focused again.
    It narrowed onto his face at the age of
what—seven years old? His first Christmas without his mother. A
Hispanic woman, what was her