One more thing before I wrap up the first installment of my story, what Arthur and Kenyatta's twins call my 'origin story.'

Three days after talking with Shandra in the cemetery, I finished stocking the shelves of the General Store. I grabbed the mop, because the floor by the freezer section stuck to the soles of my shoes. Steve Kryzan came for his rototiller blades, and Mrs. Reuter got a check for one of her quilts. When Johann called about the liquor shipment, Trish and Gustav headed to the B&B, leaving me in charge of the cash drawer.

The bell jingled while I was wringing the mop.

I stood from the bucket and saw a pretty girl standing inside the door, carrying a pizza box. I thought she was a guest at the B&B until her familiar watchful stillness made my breath catch.

Rachel Kravitz, with her hair shorter and lighter. She crossed to the counter and slid the pizza box beside the cash register.

My heart did strange things in my chest. I felt myself smiling.

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"I like your hair," I said.

She bit her lower lip, which I'd never seen before. "It's a pixie cut."

Neither of us said anything for a while. She looked around the store. She looked at the jar of Slim Jims and the stack of mail and the chainsaw blades. The long silence didn't feel awkward, though, at least not to me. The long silence felt good.

Then Rachel circled around and stood in front of me again. "You heard about Boone?"

"Yeah," I said, trying not to stare at her. "The hero of New Park. He fell from heaven and saved the world."

"They love him in DC, just like he wanted. Gave him a hefty contract and high-level access."

"How about you?"

"I’m delivering pizzas." She opened the box and showed me the pie, with dates and honey, walnuts and rosemary.

My mouth watered at the scent. "It’s still warm."

"I used the oven at the bed and breakfast." She watched my eyes. "The Johns say you're not such a bad guy."

"You can’t trust them," I told her. "They raised me."

"Which means they know all your flaws," she said. "How’s your chest?"

"It's okay." I looked at the pizza then looked at her face. "Some of us know who really fell from heaven and saved New Park."

"You did, Lark. Why do you think I brought pizza? That’s your reward. One free pie with every city saved."

I flushed. "All I did was stumble around behind you."

"Whatever you did," she said, "it worked. We're a good team. Ever think of becoming an elevator mechanic? Because I've got a job for you.

"I missed you," I said.

"Good," she said.