“Well, the cupids are,” Joe said.
“Oh, but it’s still fun.” I motioned for the girls to go ahead.
They didn’t need my encouragement; the box’s bow and the envelope’s wax seal were simultaneously discarded.
Hannah peeked in her box and squealed. “I’ve got one, too!” She lifted out a gorgeous gold bracelet, identical to Tiffany’s, except hers had a little gold and deep blue sapphire wing charm. She read the inscription. “12th Year Mission, First Anniversary.”
“Yes, very kind of him,” I said. “Tif, go ahead.” She pulled a stiff sheet of card stock out of the envelope. It looked like a certificate or formal proclamation.
She began reading. “Let it be known that the Cupid Tiffany has completed the first two parts of her 12th Year Mission. The Cherub Academy offers her the following position that will serve as the fulfillment of her final and third challenge: Founding Member in the Academy’s Inaugural Mandarin Language Class.
Knock, and the door will be opened.
Many distinguished teachers will lead this class, including the exalted King Liu An. Signed this day of our Lord by The Archangel Gabriel and The Headmistress Isabella.”
“King?” Tiffany said.
“Of course,” Laurence said. “Liu An was a Second Century B.C. emperor.”
We stared at him. Silence.
“Yes, well,” Laurence said, “He was responsible for the Huainanzi, a classic compilation of rules for governing. His court compiled these writings and he served as editor.”
“Awesome.” Tiffany said.
We gave her a few moments for this to sink in. The fact that she had been tutored by a former king. That he had treated her with respect and interest, as if she were older than her thirteen years. And that the Academy—the thirteen-year-olds—would now have an opportunity to take Mandarin. Then Rose jumped up on Tif’s lap, and the moment was broken.
“Rose, here, go to Jamie.” Tiffany scooted the little dog off, and dropped back against the couch.
“Mandarin.” Hannah said as she flopped back with her. “First time ever for the Academy. Used to be just for fifteen and up.”
“Yeah. “ Tiffany said. “Wow, I want to do this class.”
The cupids sat up for a few minutes. They silently stared at their new finds. Hannah held up her bracelet for Tiffany to put on her wrist. Then they both sank back.
“You’ve pretty much finished your mission.” Hannah said.
“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking.”
“How does it feel?”
“Okay. I mean, it was hard, learning that stuff about my Mom. But I feel like . . . I understand things better.”
“Ready for school?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, let’s get ready for bed. Know it’s early, but I’m tired.”
The girls stood up, put their arms around each other’s shoulders and walked toward their bedrooms.
“Shall I have Cloud send you some dinner?” I said.
“Maybe just dessert, really beat.” Hannah said.
“Yeah, a chocolate dessert would be great,” said Tiffany.
“Will do,” Joe said.
“Good night!” Hannah said to us as an afterthought.
“Yeah, good night!” Tiffany said.
After we had called back our good nights, we held up our glasses for a toast.
“To the cupids.” I said.
“And to their angel parents, who deserve some laid-back peace and quiet.” Jamie said.
We smiled and took a sip.
“Oh, bro,” Joe said to Laurence. “You never mentioned Europa as a travel spot.”
“You never asked.” Laurence said with a chuckle. “But now that you have, I heartily recommend it. The view of Jupiter from the ice fields is astonishing. Would you like to go in a few months? I hear that all the flights are booked until then.”
“I would love to go,” Joe said. “But only if you and Jamie go with me.”
The three guys fist-bumped. “Deal.” Laurence said. “Done.” said Jamie.
The four of us sat in the quiet for a few moments.
“Another cupid mission down,” Joe said. “Feels great.”
“The last one.” I said.
“I wonder.” Laurence said. “Not so sure—Cloud, are you aware of any additional formal challenges or missions that cupids must do before they turn 16?”
“It is not a subject with which I am familiar, but if you will allow me, I shall ponder it and return to you posthaste with an answer. “
“Very good,” Laurence said.
“Madam, knowing that your immediate cupid duties were finished, I have taken the liberty of scheduling a hair cut for you tomorrow at 10 a.m. with Mr. Guy. I understand he is very much up to the standards of Joel’s Salon.”
“Cloud, what would we do without you?” I said.
“Let us not explore that as an option,” Cloud said. “Instead, let us rejoice that as we proceed with life in Heaven, all shall be well.”
Laurence stood and opened the French doors. The sun was setting early, with streaks of tangerine, aqua and violet beginning to fill the sky. A breeze blew in a few cherry blossoms from our nearby tree. Joe, Jamie and I joined him on the terrace. No one spoke for a few moments.
“Indeed, all shall be well,” Laurence said and sipped his champagne. “But I hear there’s more.”
Pulled away from staring at the sky, I thought I hadn’t heard him. “More?”
“Things more astonishing, more miraculous.”
“What could be better than life here?” Jamie said.
Joe put his arm on his shoulder. “Don’t know, son, I’m with you.”
“When we’ve been there 10,000 years, bright shining as the sun,” I said.
“Something like that, yes.” said Laurence. “Outside in, inside out.”
Joe slipped his other arm on my shoulder and I held on to him and Laurence. The linked four of us stared at the now swirling palette of soft watercolors.
Laurence spoke softly. “Augustine said many centuries ago, si comprehendis, non est Deus.” We looked at him, then Joe slowly translated. “If you do understand, it’s not God.”
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