Author's Note:

This story will be solely from Huey's POV and will likely be kinda short, maybe ten to twelve short chapters at best.

This was just one of those things that popped into my head.

If you have any feedback, feel free to let me know. I'm genuinely interested in hearing what you think.

Chapter One

Without opening my eyes, I knew two things:

Chicago was covered in snow, and it was windy as heaven.

As heaven.

As motherloving heaven.

Godblessed, what the heaven?

I groaned, wondering what was happening to me as I tried – and failed- to cuss like a sailor.

Godbless it.

My eyes, open or shut, widened when I heard the angel from before, her light blinding and then absent in a second.

How the love did that happen?

"Heavenly beings cannot curse, Huey." The angel admonished me, her voice loud and clear in my head. "Besides, it is time to wake up, dearest angel. You have much work to do."

I groaned, slowly lifting as I took in my surroundings, listening to the sounds, the people walking past, the Christmas music in the air.

So many people out, humming and cheerful, going on with their lives like there was nothing wrong at all.

It was a messed up awakening.

I'd died in vain.

I was lying near a large brownstone, resting on the steps, when I noticed a familiar face looking down at me.

"You fell pretty hard there, sir." They said, staring down at me. "Let me take you to the hospital. Make sure you don't have a concussion."

"Huh?" I managed, looking around at my surroundings.

It was unintelligible, even I had to snort, but honestly, I was still shocked.

One minute I'd been dead, the next I'd been in heaven, and now I was staring up at Cairo Jackson, one of my least favorite people when I'd been alive.

I burst out laughing, amused that he of all people would suggest such a thing.

Especially since he'd been the one to give me a concussion in the first godblessed place.

"Uh…." He backed up, a bit nervous despite eyeing me like a moth to a flame.

I wondered why that was.

"It's divine intervention." The angel informed me, her presence a bit aggravating but helpful nonetheless. "It makes people receptive to things they wouldn't be otherwise. Makes them more willing to cooperate with us."

I nearly nodded, and then, realizing that it would look crazy, took a minute to process what was happening to me, feel the concrete under my fingertips, the pain in my back….

And finally, I relished in the pain of sweet, sweet agony, almost relieved that itfelt like I'd been hit by a truck.

It was good to be back.

Sort of.

Dusting myself off, I sat up slowly, both relieved and surprised to feel the residual effects of pain in my new body.

"I'm good man, thanks." I stood to my feet, shaking his hand. "I'm Huey. Huey Jenkins."

Ping.

I wrinkled my nose, frowning at the loud sound in my ear.

I waited for the angel to explain what it meant, but of course, she conveniently had nothing to say.

Angels.

What a pain in the godblessed behind.

I turned my attention back to Cairo, remembering that if he was talking I was supposed to be listening to him.

"Any chance you're related to Duey Jenkins?" Cairo asked me. "Me and him go way back."

"I doubt it." I shook my head. "I've never met him to know for sure."

"I see." He nodded, slowly inspecting me to make sure I wouldn't pass out. "Well then." Cairo smiled, waving politely. "It was nice meeting you, Mr. Jenkins. Merry Christmas."

Ping!

"Actually." I interjected, somehow knowing the pings meant I was not on track. "The hotels here are all out of rooms."

I tried to look innocent, wondering if I looked just as blankfaced as before.

"I was wondering if I could stay here for the holidays." I said, adding a little twang to my voice. "I heard you're the reverend at Gaines Baptist, that you could help me out with a room for the holidays."

Cairo paused for a moment, eyeing me like he knew this was a crazy rear idea , but he quickly hid his suspicion with a tight smile, ushering me inside. "Well, just say that next time, brotha! Come right on in!"

His voice shifted instantly, taking on the voice of the good reverend delivering a sermon.

Disgusting.

"You sure are something, son. Out here living on the literal ledge." He chuckled. "But I'm here to help. I'm always happy to assist a member in need."

There was shuffling from upstairs, and then….

"Baby, who are you talking to?" Jazmine called from whatever room she was in. "Who's that?"

My heart stopped all over again. Hearing her speak, her voice just as melodic as I'd remembered, it made me relieved…and slightly disappointed.

In another life, with different values, maybe things could've worked between us.

But now, too much time had passed to make it right, even if it technically hadn't been long since I'd seen her.

Still, I never thought I'd hear her voice again.

And hearing it now made it feel real, made this feel real.

Huey Freeman was actually dead.

"The church sent someone to stay with us for the holidays." Cairo called back again after a barrage of "What's?" from Jazmine, smiling at me. "His name is Huey!"

There was a crash, a gasp, and then a pause.

At least she'd finally gotten the message.

"Huey who?" She yelled.

Cairo looked at me as if he'd forgotten and then quickly snapped his fingers, yelling back to her. "Said his name is Huey Jenkins, babe!"

Jazmine flew down the stairs, almost anxious as she glanced down from a few steps ahead, looking to see me for herself.

Even though several years had passed for her, she was still just as striking as she'd been ten years ago, even in a sweatshirt and jeans.

"I'm sorry." She shook her head, still staring at me after too many seconds had passed. "It's just…you look…I just….excuse me."

She rushed back up the stairs, and I turned to Cairo, struggling to keep my face straight.

More things crashed upstairs, including something sharp from the sound of it.

"Shit!" She hissed. "Now, I have to clean all this up? This shit sucks!"

Well, at least somebody could curse around here.

"Wife?" I glanced at the steps.

"Eight years." Cairo lifted his hand and pointed at the silver band on his finger. "Dated about a year and a half. It took a while to wear her down, but it worked out."

"She's pretty." I nodded, keeping my voice casual. "Seems like you got a good one."

"I do." Cairo sighed, suddenly interested in something outside. "Even if I don't always show it the right way."

"I'm sure she knows that." I raised an eyebrow, frowning despite what I was saying. "Marriage isn't easy."

Cairo kept his eyes on the window, and I could feel his sadness, lingering in the air all around us.

"It's not." He finally said. "It's not easy at all."

Jazmine suddenly reappeared, not even looking at Cairo as she ran to the front door.

"I'm heading out." She breezed past. "I'll be back home tonight."

She didn't even kiss him or tell him she loved him.

It was odd, watching Jazmine be so casual, so…cold.

Especially to her husband.

"Okay." Cairo nodded. "Be safe."

Jazmine didn't say anything back. She flounced out of the door with her coat, unbothered.

I wasn't sure what to say.

"I don't know where I'm going wrong." Cairo shook his head. "She's not as affectionate these days, and it's always hard for her this time of year. I've tried asking, seeing if there's anything I can do to perk her up, but she never tells me why. Like she's grieving a ghost all alone." He sighed, his voice low and full of shame. "No matter what I do, she still doesn't trust me enough to let me all the way in."

I averted my gaze.

It was selfish of me to be happy that she missed me, especially under such messed up circumstances. But nevertheless, I was pleased all the same.

"Maybe, that'll change soon." I made my way over to him, gathering my things in my hands.

Cairo nodded, glancing back at the door. "Maybe."

He headed up the stairs, leading me to a spare bedroom. "You can stay in here, Huey."

"Thanks, man." I set my things down. "Preciate it."

"You know…" Cairo paused again for a moment. "I used to be friends with someone named Huey." He sighed, glancing out the window. "He was a childhood friend of mine, died before I could make things right."

He leaned against the doorframe, contemplating what to say next.

"It didn't matter, I guess." He shrugged. "I mean, we were two ten-year-old boys growing up in Chicago." He sighed. "I just always wished I could tell him I was sorry. I headbutted him one time when we were kids and regretted it ever since. I was just too proud to tell him that I took the move-"

He paused again and frowned, snapping out of it.

"Sorry, man." He laughed to himself. "Went off on a long tangent there, didn't I? Old man brain does that sorta thing to you."

"You're good, rev." I eased onto the bed. "Common names bring on a whole host of memories. You'd be surprised how many people I get compared to."

His eyes brightened, amused by my statement.

"Sounds about right." He laughed again, heading down the stairs. "You sure you don't have a taste for anything? Chicken? Soup? My wife makes a mean baked lasagna, whether it's veggie, chicken, or meat. Ole girl can throw down."

I knew exactly what lasagna he was talking about.

It had gotten me in bed with his wife in the first place.

But he clearly didn't know that, and I for blessed sure wasn't gonna be dumb enough to tell him.

"No thank you." I shook my head, knowing Jazmine would be suspicious if she saw me devouring her lasagna. "Kinda hard to find stuff I like without getting sick. I really have to be careful with the ingredient list, not everything agrees with my stomach." I kept talking, refusing to look away and prove his suspicions correct. " But thanks for offering. I'll swing by the store and grab some salad mix."

"Hm." Cairo stared harder, glancing at me for a moment, as if he knew exactly who I was. "What a coincidence." He said. "So is my wife."

"Wow." I acted surprised, throwing in a fake chuckle for good measure. "I guess the vegan lifestyle has really picked up. I'm surprised she didn't put you on it too."

That was enough to make Cairo really start laughing.

"Believe me, brotha." He shook his head. "That woman has tried to force me to eat that stuff for years now." He laughed. "She always has this long speech about all the preservatives and sodium that lead to long-lasting health issues. Even started a nonprofit for healthy eating in Chicago."

"That's impressive." I nodded, kind of amused that she'd taken my rant and kept it going. "She must be making a real difference."

"I guess so." Cairo shrugged. "She tells me it's going well."

"Tells you?" I tried not to let it show, but heaven….this was odd. "You've never seen her in action?"

"Being a reverend takes up a lot of my time, Huey." Cairo nodded. "My wife understands my commitment to the ministry comes first. It takes a lot of work to do what I do, and we have a system that works."

His defensive tone was enough to make me quickly drop the subject.

It was bad enough he was struggling as it was. He didn't need me blowing up his spot just yet.

"Can I grab you something at the store?" I asked him. "Bread? A pot pie? Some cake?"

He laughed again.

"Man!" He shook his head. "You and my wife act just alike! She makes that same face when I'm eating something I'm not supposed to be eating." He leaned forward, that slightly suspicious glint in his eyes again. "You too in cahoots or something?"

"Nah, man." I laughed as well, heading for the door. "Just being polite. My folks raised me not to visit empty-handed."

"Well then…." He nodded, turning back into the kitchen. "You can bring me one of those pecan Patti pies, then."

"I'm on it." I grabbed the coat I hadn't remembered being there before and tipped my hat, heading out of the door.

It was only when the cold hit my face that it registered.

I still had no clue what I looked like.