One muggy August's day, Magdalene Masters arrived for a spontaneous coffee date. However, this wasn't with her regular companions. Nor was it in the Ghost Zone. Instead, she'd proceeded to the grand opening of a brand-new coffee shop in Wisconsin.

The coffee shop's name was Brooke's Brew. It was roughly an hour's drive from the Masters' Castle. That is, if you weren't stuck in gridlock. Luckily being half ghost meant Mag could fly. She'd been invited to coffee to meet up with two female friends she didn't see frequently. They're a married lesbian couple whose daughter also harbored a Ghost Gene.

One was Kate Wyler, a biracial physician who worked at Magdalene Memorial Hospital. Her husband's business organization had erected the medical institution shortly after its first year in business. It had state-of-the-art equipment, a plethora of specialists, and treatment opinions. But, most significantly, it delivered free treatment to those who couldn't afford it elsewhere.

All thanks to exceptionally generous donations maintaining it. Mag couldn't have been prouder of her husband since it'd been her recommendation to build such a healthcare facility. She'd been particularly delighted when Vlad followed through.

Dr. Kate Wyler happened to be Chief of the Women's Health Division. Moreover, an essential member of the administration staff. Mag and her husband had handpicked her to execute these assignments. A kickass French-American woman, Jackie Devlin, Kate's wife, was a high-ranking police officer. She occasionally helped out with security for more significant occasions for Vladco.

It's been a long time since the three of them got together. So, going to a new coffee shop would be a treat. Mag had already booked the best table in advance. Furthermore, her husband also paid in advance. So, she quickly located her two companions. Both were captivating females. Similar to Magdalene, each lady looked incredible in whatever they sported.

Kate's lengthy auburn locks were in a fashionable updo. Since her mother was Indian, Kate wore attire inspired by her Hindu heritage. She looked extraordinary. Her wife was the same. Nevertheless, Jackie's family remained quite proud of their roots. So she, too, proudly wore the colors of her beloved France.

Unlike her wife, she kept her golden locks stylishly short. After they'd been served their coffee, the three ladies began to catch up with one another. Mag questioned them about how things were going in each of their careers.

Kate flicked a stray hair out of her face before beginning, "Well, things are going splendid at the hospital. Although, my friend, Connie Weber, whose Head of Oncology, had a disturbing story she recently shared with me."

Mag calmly set her coffee mug down, her blue-violet eyes intrigued. "Oh, what happened? Is it something I should make my husband aware of?"

"I believe you should, Magdalene. That is why I'm bringing this up now," replied the half-Swedish doctor.

"Go on then. Share with me this intriguing tale," the hybrid requested.

Kate took a deep breath before recounting her colleague's story. "You know the life of an oncologist isn't exceptionally joyful. So it's particularly devastating when you're forced to divulge a cancer diagnosis to a child."

"No one ever wants to have cancer. Yet, I've to agree a child having it? It's a double tragedy. It's partly why we've funded so much research into finding a cure," Mag mused thoughtfully.

The fetching young doctor nodded, adding, "Which Connie appreciates. However, while we may find a cure for cancer one day? There genuinely nothing to cure people who don't deserve children."

"What do you mean by that?" Mag asked, quite confused at this point.

Kate looked relatively revolted, yet she gritted her teeth as she resumed the tale. "Connie informed me four months back she diagnosed a fourteen-year-old with A.L.L. Unfortunately, the girl was ultimately out of it. Now, Connie ensures that everyone involved with the patient thoroughly understands what's happening.

However, she quickly comprehended why this particular girl was even more devastated. First off? She had to make the appointment herself since her parents never made a single appointment for her. Curious, she questioned why her parents hadn't set up the appointment. Also, why weren't they here at the hospital?"

Mag's heart was pounding, dreading the answer. "Why weren't they around? Surely parents would be there if your child goes in for serious tests?" As a mother of three, she'd wanted to know if anything was wrong with her babies, especially if it might be cancer!

Kate took a long sip before replying, "She told Connie she'd been forced to make and get to the appointment on her own. Because her parents were too busy attending her older brother's football games."

Mag was immediately floored. Somebody put a sport above a child sick with cancer?! Kate looked enraged herself. Relaying neither parent had gone to be tested as a donor. Consequently, the girl's uncle had to go in instead. Fortunately for the girl, he was a perfect match.

Yet, Dr. Weber had attempted multiple times to get a hold of the parents since its standard protocol. Yet they never came once to visit their daughter. Instead, they only cared about their son.

So when she finally managed to get ahold of the parents? Their first words were that they weren't paying a penny for treatment. Instead, they'd saved their whole lives to send their son to university. And that was their main priority."

"You can't be serious!" Mag essentially spewed her coffee at hearing that. But then, she regained her composure, "Never mind that the hospital offers free treatment for those with financial disadvantages. But to throw their daughter in the garbage? Just allow her to perish as if she's nothing?! I can't believe that! How can people so callous have children?!"

Jackie then cut in. "Connie called me up immediately because she was so pissed. I suggested she call CPS. Then I dispatched some officers to confront the parents. The parents are now in custody. They're awaiting trial and facing serious charges."

"I expect the charges to be regarding child abandonment, endangerment, and neglect?" Mag questioned the brown-eyed woman. Jackie took a swing of her drink before answering her.

"All the above, Mag. There were also additional charges added. But we can't go into further details since its an ongoing investigation. However, I can tell you about a case I dealt with over the weekend. It's an unusual case of child abuse."

"More children being abused? That makes my blood boil. Also, why is this noteworthy?" Mag didn't think anything else could floor it after Kate's story. She was wrong.

"Because the abuse charge was filed due to a father chopping off his thirteen-year-old daughter's hair for getting birthday highlights. The father was divorced, and the mother gave her daughter a makeover for her thirteenth birthday."

"Are you freaking kidding me? Chopping off your daughter's hair because of highlights?!" Mag slammed her coffee cup so hard it nearly shattered, "Of course, when you become a teenager, you start experimenting with your appearance! That is an entirely normal thing for teenagers to do!" she huffed angrily.

She took a few minutes to count to ten before finishing. "Besides, highlights eventually wash out. Again, his ex-wife gave her the makeover for her birthday. So he chopped it off just because he didn't like it?" Mag couldn't help but boil over with rage. She resumed counting to try and get control of her emotions.

"Yep," the French woman replied. She paused to sip her beverage before resuming, "But a judge ruled it constituted child abuse. So now the mother has full custody of their daughter. Also, the father lost his job because of the incident."

"This is terrible! So terrible!" Mag shook her head. This wasn't how she expected this coffee date to go, judging by her friends' expressions. This wasn't how they thought it would play out either.

"We're sorry, we only have tragic news for our coffee date. We'd hoped to have sunnier topics. But, unfortunately, our work lives haven't been sunny lately," apologized Kate, but Mag held up a hand.

"There is nothing to apologize for, Kate. After all, none of us had any say in these circumstances. However, I'm so sorry you've had so much trauma to deal with. My heart broke last week when I went to the vet," as she braced herself for her tragic news.

"Oh, why? We thought your cat was, you know.." Jackie left it hanging. Not wanting to state Mag's pet publicly was the ghost of her childhood pet.

"Even spectral pets have heartbreaking stories, Jackie. As you know, spectral pets come when an animal passes unexpectedly or from a broken heart. When I took Eleanor in for her vaccinations? The vet, Dr. Fawn, told me they'd acquired a new patient that morning. Some despicable humans got their pregnant feline killed!

The human vet figured it out too late. So now the mother and her kittens are in the Ghost Zone. They'll never know the joys of the human world. But hopefully, find good homes in the Ghost Zone. Still, it makes me sick those kinds of people ever owned an animal!

I am so furious to hear countless stories about individuals dumping their pets. Or again, like with this cat, killing them because they don't want them anymore? Like they thought a pet was a toy to play with and not a full-time responsibility.

There need to be stricter guidelines for pet owners. Furthermore, consequences for the abuse these wonderful animals suffered! Finally, I'll make it a point to discuss starting a venture into helping animals with Vlad."

"Well, we can count on you to ensure justice for animals is served," Kate replied, "Also, please inform him what transpired at the hospital. I'm confident he'd be immensely interested in it."

"Oh, don't fret, I will. But, look at the time!" as Mag glanced at her expensive watch. "I'm sorry I've to cut this short, but the kids' school lets out shortly. Therefore, Jazz and Danielle's teams will be at the castle for practice. So, I only have twenty minutes to alert the staff! Perhaps we can meet again next week? I hope our coffee date will be better next week than today."

"Not a problem, Mag. See you later!" as the female couple left while Mag went to find a secluded location to transform to get home fast. She honestly hoped next week's coffee date was better then today's!


Magdalene- Julie Bowen- Queen Arianna Tangled the Series

Dr. Kate Wyler Pretend voice actress Sandra Bullock:

Detective Jackie Devlin Pretend voice actress Brooke Elliot star of Drop Dead Diva.