Enticing An Angel by Leo Charles Taylor

mother. It
began simply enough with Mrs. Angel having her boys set the table
and Melanie arriving in the kitchen with the kids.
    "Oh, you must be Joshua," she said as she
extended a hand.
    Joshua looked at her hand skeptically and did
not take it as his look became one of contempt and scorn. He was
immediately saved from an awkward social encounter when the
children piped up.
    "Uncle Josh!" they chimed almost in
unison.
    Josh's face transformed almost instantly and
he bent down to receive his hugs. The kids barreled into him and he
almost fell backwards.
    "Oh, careful, little Angels. I'm the runt of
the litter," he said.
    Melanie analyzed him and wondered about his
comment. He was certainly the smallest Angel she had seen, but he
was still taller than she was. He was probably five foot eight and
certainly the slimmest of the boys, but he still sported a nice jaw
line and cheekbones to match. His hair was a dirty blonde, leaning
more to the dirty color, giving him an interestingly handsome
charm. Overall, he was a good-looking man. She could certainly see
why a woman would lie to keep him.
    Melanie smiled as she watched him interact
with the children. Her first impression rapidly altered in her
mind. His dismissal of her, and few seconds of rude behavior, was
erased when she saw him smiling and laughing.
    Joshua picked up Joey and slung him on his
back, while Katherine wrapped herself around his leg.
    "Oh, no," he cried out, and then he spoke
very slowly as if he were over acting. "Must get out of
kitchen."
    His arms extended as if he was Frankenstein's
monster, and he walked across the hardwood floor, dragging
Katherine along as he did so. When he began to pass Melanie, he
looked down at her, and for a moment, that look of contempt flashed
across his face.
    He returned his attention to the kids and
continued to move across the floor. Michael came to stand beside
her and she leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his waist
all without taking her eyes off Joshua.
    "She really messed him up, didn't she?"
Melanie whispered.
    "You don't know the half of it, little
Darling," came the reply.
    Melanie startled and looked up. She was
leaning against Brian; he was staring down at her, smiling as he
did so. She glared at him and pulled away quickly. Brian
scrutinized her again and chuckled. He was not unlike Michael in
that respect, but at least when Michael did it she felt loved. When
Brian did it, she felt as if she were merely an amusement.
    Melanie left Brian and decided to assist Mrs.
Angel. The two of them had hardly spoken a word as Melanie had
spent most of her time playing with the kids—an activity that she
enjoyed. It had been a long time since she had played Chutes and
Ladders.
    "Is there anything I can help with, Mrs.
Angel?" she asked.
    Much like before, Mrs. Angel ignored Melanie
and dismissed her easily.
    "No, that's okay Melanie. I can get this.
It's just lasagna."
    Melanie could feel the coldness from the
woman, but chose to ignore it. She had acted the same way each time
she was at the attorney's office, and Melanie didn't want to read
too much into it. Still, she got the distinct impression that
Michael's mother did not like her.
    The kids were soon back and Joshua was in
tow. Katherine had a book in her hand and came up to Melanie.
    "Will you read us a story?" she asked.
    Melanie frowned and took the book. She
laughed when she saw the title.
    "Well, I'm not sure. I think we need a Pop
for this story. Do you have one?"
    "Uh huh," they both said with exaggerated
nods.
    "Well you better go get him," Melanie said
with a laugh.
    "Daddy!" the kids cried out as they went to
find their dad.
    He was not far. He was obediently setting the
table like a good son. The kids barreled into him as they had done
to Joshua and began to pull him into the living room.
    "Hop on Pop," they began to chime several
times and Melanie laughed as she joined them. She took a seat in a
corner chair, and before opening the book, she cried