THE MOMENT
Mrs. Sweeney blinked to make sure she wasn't dreaming. The day had been more magical than she imagined but it took a twist that she wasn't sure she could handle. A mountainous, broad, red-skinned man in a black suit walked in the door and headed straight for Mrs. Sweeney and her husband. His thick black horns pushed balloons out of his way as he walked.
Mrs. Sweeney could not contain herself. She screeched and spun her new husband around to show him the oncoming demon. The bride screaming like a madwoman was enough of a signal that the band stopped playing. The guests all remained hushed as the 10' tall demon approached the couple. Mr. Sweeney stood his ground and puffed his chest out with pride.
"Congratulations," the devil said. "And thank you so much for the invitation." He smiled broadly and offered them a red-wrapped box that looked tiny in his hands but was about the size of a coffee maker once Mr. Sweeney accepted it.
"Thank you!" the couple replied. Then, the devil left the dance floor and sat at the open bar next to a greying clean-cut man in a navy suit. He ordered a beer from the bartender and sat quietly until it was in front of him. He took a drink, then placed the beer back down and turned to the man next to him.
"You waitin' to show me up; or is there another reason you're hiding?" he asked. The man shook his head but turned to the devil with a smile.
"I'm just here to chat with an old friend," he said. "I'd prefer to keep a low profile."
"Are you... hiding?" the devil asked with an amused smirk. "Dana Sharp bruised your ego and now you're hiding from her? God is scared?" he laughed harder. The man nodded with his own chuckle.
"That's definitely one way to look at it," he said. "On the other hand, if Ms. Sharp wants my job so much, I might as well get a vacation out of it," he winked. The devil laughed again.
"I can hear it on thousands of Earths right now; 'Mommy? Why does God let bad things happen?' 'Because he's on vacation, dear."
"Oh no, don't misunderstand," God said. "This isn't merely a vacation." The devil's smile shrunk and he tilted his head.
"Huh?" he asked.
"Depending on her performance; I'm considering making the change permanent. You chose your successor and I'm tempted to do the same," God shrugged.
"She already changed things beyond repair," the devil said. God nodded subtly and then he understood. "Alright," he sighed. "At least I know why you're letting Dana Sharp act as if she owns the place. Thanks for taking that off my mind," he patted God on the shoulder.
"Of course," God nodded and stood up. "That's all I came for."
"You're not staying for the wedding?" The devil asked. God shook his head.
"Unlike you, I wasn't invited. And, I have other things to address."
"Whoa, so you really came here just for me? You can't track me like the rest, how'd you know I'd be here?" the devil asked. God smiled as he faded away.
"Well, I know they sent you an invite; and, everyone knows how much you love weddings."