Suzan lifted the remote, turning off the television she had been watching in the background while doing chores around the house. She put her hair up without looking in the mirror. Absentmindedly milling around as she prepared for a walk. She liked walking long distances. Nothing but fresh air and her own thoughts. She peered out through the curtains at the swirling, grey clouds, hoping the rain would hold off. Just in case she tied a rain coat around her waist. She did not like staying damp while walking. It had been raining in waves during the night before.
She had not been out long before she saw a scruffy, young boy. He sat down on the curb, looking lost.
"Excuse me? Um...hi. Are you lost?" Suzan asked in a soft voice.
He jumped to his feet, afraid at first, but he could see she was homeless. He nodded.
"What's your name? I'm Suzan." She smiled, trying to make conversation with him.
It was not unusual to see lots of oddities. His were a pair of feathered wings and a radiant halo.
"Todd!"
"Okay, Todd. Um…" She looked around. "You shouldn't be out in the rain. Do you have a phone?"
He shook his head.
"You can use mine. It's at my place. It's not far from here. Are you hurt or something?"
Todd shook his head, dipping his hand into a bag of candy. He did not seem too troubled or injured. He didn't look all that different from a normal boy with his beat up sneakers, well-worn jeans and baggy hoodie.
He followed her home without another word. Suzan broke into a jog as the heavens opened up. The deluge of rain pounded down, making the ground dangerous to navigate. She held him by the hand so he did not fall over.
The young angel used up stacks of paper, drawing for the rest of the afternoon while she caught up on some television. The rain prevented them from continuing her walk. Todd even tried to help her make dinner. Which was a disaster. He was very clumsy, but despite the trouble he caused, he learned quickly from Suzan. By the next morning no one had arrived to collect him.
Days turned into weeks. Living with him became the norm. Suzan tried baking with him again. Yikes! That went about as well as she expected. He certainly didn't lack enthusiasm. He lacked cleanliness. Suzan was determined to raise him well.
As he got older, Suzan decided they both deserved a change of scenery. They moved to an enchanted forest. Suzan was taken aback how beautiful it was. Despite Todd's age, she accompanied him while he explored their new environment. Life there was simpler. Surprisingly easier. The lack of neighbours admittedly took some getting used to for the human. His curiosity got Todd into more trouble, but her lessons helped him clean up his own messes. Suzan lamented how speaking to a lost boy had brought her to this point. She could not be happier.