“How does an angel screw up? AN ANGEL!” Algonquin cringed as his superior screamed in his face.
“I…Idaknow,” he shrugged back. “I mean, I swooped down there! I was…was just a little…uh, late.”
“And now his leg is broken, Quin!” the superior angel yelled at him. “What if it had been worse? How are humans supposed to have a sense of faith if even the angels can’t handle a situation?”
“Well, I mean…it has been nearly 200 years since my last screw up,” Quin tried to make his situation better, but only succeeded in making it worse.
“BUT you’re a repeat offender here, Quin!”  his superior snapped back at him. “See? Even you realize that!”
“Yes…I mean, no! Um…” Quin found himself cut short.
“Maybe it was best if you left the “guardian” part to angels who can actually handle it,” the superior said quietly. “You can stay here all the time then, and enjoy Heaven.”
“I DO enjoy Heaven!” Quin pleaded, “but I like helping others get here as well! Can’t you just give me one more chance?”
“Are you serious?” the superior angel asked in a disgusted tone. “I mean it Quin! You don’t know what you’re getting in to!”
“Please?” Quin pulled his best sad face. “I promise I can shape up. Just give me one more human, just one!”
“One human? One more human for you to ruin? One more human you may confuse?” his superior continued. “One human is just as important as many!”
“I know! I know!” Quin said. “But I can do this! PLEASE?!”
“Argh! Alright, Quin…” the superior angel finally agreed. “ONE human. ONE. And if you mess up, you’ve gotta give up the guardian thing to an angel more qualified for the job!”
“Thank you, thank you!” Quin jumped up and down, his small, lime-colored wings fluttering. His superior watched unamused.
“But remember, Quin,” he said, “This is it! Don’t play around.”
“I won’t!” Quin nodded stupidly. “I’ll do it right this time! Now what human do I get?”
“Well,” the superior began, “There’s one who’s been needing an angel something awful. Her name is Yasu Keiko. She has some trouble with being bullied, as well as becoming promiscuous on Sundays…”
“The holy day!” Quin said. “So she needs guided as well as protected?”
“Indeed,” the superior said. “Now get going to her before I change my mind! You’ll find her in Tokyo.”
“Sweet!” Quin said happily, clapping his hands together. “You won’t regret your decision!”
Pushing his halo back and flapping his small wings, Quin burst through the clouded barrier of Heaven and headed toward his next spiritual partner.