Wow! Your voice is excellent. The words and imagery are so vivid and so fresh and uncliched, this is a joy to read. As well, your characterizations are spot-on. I particularly like your Darla. I'm of the opinion she wanted a son as well- look at the whole Connon thing. You make her so much more than some writers choose to portray.
You make Angel/us so much more, as well. He comes off sort of as a buffoon a lot, but you bring out the artist with the cynical worldview and the dark sense of humor that is what makes me love him.
This is just... really good.
I also really was struck by the explanation of the rats, and love this explanation _so_ much. You've made me have a whole new appreciation of souled Angel- he may have a soul, but it's lovely to think of him as still wanting the zesty flavor of life. Thank you!