Early

The note had read, "You can come early if you want; I can be ready in the blink of an eye. Everything is sorted; I don't mind. No rush, of course, if you're busy. I know you're busy. I'm not trying to impose." Gladys had set it on the window sill, so that Heaven could read it and maybe, just maybe ... He thought about it all day and, when he clocked out, he doubled back to her room to sit a while and chat - keep the loneliness at bay for a bit. When Vic entered, he was surprised to find two angels (one a being formed from perfect light and another formed from perfect shadow), haggling over their next move on the chess board. "Oh, hello, dear!" Gladys called to him, smiling. "Care to join us?" Vic stood there, shocked, and had only enough sense about him to remove his cap. "She's an absolute shark," the Light said. "Beyond ruthless," the Dark added. Vic, backing up, simply stammered, "Uh ... sorry. Sorry ... uh ... yeah ..." and felt the complete idiot. "Nothing to be sorry for, dear," Gladys said tenderly (with a smile). "Maybe come back for a visit tomorrow? I would love that!" And they all waved as he tripped over his own feet letting himself out.