Page 115 of Refraction

“Where’d you hang the big one?” Calvin was fascinated with that one, he knew. It was nearly life-size, the central angel made up of several smaller ones, each with different attributes. “Show me?”

He drew Calvin to the back wall, to the one that wasn’t for sale, the one that would come home to a place of honor. The painting hung all alone, the image stealing his breath. It had taken him days. Days of pouring out his joy.

The Pandora’s box was sitting on a column, the Not for Sale sign propped against it. Tucker let him put something in the box for every show. Whatever he chose. They never let anyone else see.

“Oh, tiger. It’s wonderful under all this light, isn’t it? Just stunning.” Calvin put an arm around his waist and gave him a knowing smile. “Thank you.”

“I love you, honey.” His eyes went to the image in the base of the painting, a little cloud of gray with the light piercing it. The original lived with them, traveled with them, made its home with them.

“I love you too.” Calvin stared at the painting another minute or so, then looked at him. There was all kinds of mischief in those eyes. “Take me dancing, cowboy?”

“We could sneak out the back. No one would know.”

Calvin nodded and took his hand. “Marge will forgive us.”

“Marge expects it. Take me to play, honey. I’m ready.”

The angels were done. It was time for them to move on. They slipped out the back door, hand in hand.

His own personal demon looked over at him, eyes glittering in the streetlights. “Come on, Tucker. Time to go.”