2 Waffle Haus Routine Broken

"Why shouldn't I get the books to balance?

Why shouldn't I make things add up?

I'm tired of playing by the rules.

I wanna be bad.

I wanna have fun.

I want to keep stealing back pieces from where my life used to be.

I'm just like everyone else

and I'm ready to even the score." - George Lass

"Rube, there is no way she can move in with us." She spread her open hands facing Rube to fend off the evil proposal he was trying to put over on their house. This Saturday morning Waffle Haus breakfast get-together was already getting torturous and it hadn't begun. "Not going to happen." George had had her fill of Rube's not too subtle suggestions that Marsha move in with them. George knew better. She still cringed at the memory of Rube pushing Daisy into her tiny apartment 10 years ago. Just because that eventually worked out didn't mean that now they should take in Marsha. She understood Penny's frustration driving the woman to her reaps and that Penny's charitable feelings for the revenant reaper were pushing beyond even Penny's patience. George had a pretty good idea why upstairs management sent the Dark to take her in 1927. George would like to send her back in exchange for Maria. The transition from living to undead reaper was tough enough without throwing an almost 90 year gap into the mix. Penny and Rube knew her as well as any reaper did in 1927, and when you wiped away the polite lipstick, they both thought she was several cards short of a full deck. And in her opinion she lost a few more important cards while she was away visiting with the big bad Dark.

"OK. Let's put this aside for now." He looked over her head to outside. "Roxy and Trip are here. Could you pull John away from your sister?"

George rose high enough over the booth's back to get John's attention and nodded it was time. He was at the other table waiting for Rube and her to finish their little discussion before the big meeting got going. He picked up his coffee and headed toward the reaper booth. Outside Roxy had parked her car up against the window and led the way in through the double doors followed by Jane, Trip and then Tom. Tom settled in at the big table, with his back to the wall, where Mason, Daisy, Tommy, Reggie, Marsha, and Penny were gathered. Ray was hovering not far from Tommy. Roxy waved her hellos towards the table and sat next to Rube. John settled next to George and Trip and Jane took the two ends. Rube waited for Kiffany to take orders. His frowning signaled he wanted to get started. But he had to wait. Once Kiffany had the water, coffee and juice on the table Rube looked to get Ray's attention. Kiffany saw him and thought he might want something more and Rube had to cover for that misunderstanding. Signaling to empty air could be so easily misconstrued. He finally got Ray's attention while Kiffany was taking orders elsewhere and motioned for him to come over.

George caught sight of a familiar car moving a little too fast through the parking lot. Good thing it was so early and few of the living were here yet. Late, Grace parked and hurried in. Just in front of the cash register she stopped and looked toward John in the booth and then Reggie at the table. Reggie motioned for her to join them and Grace took John's spot next to Reggie.

George locked onto Rube's eyes and nodded. The Marsha problem was far from resolved. Rube said, "I think everyone has heard the news. Dave has been sprung."

Rube looked Trip's way. Trip said, "Yes, well, my sources have told me that Dave was released, rather suddenly, and before I could take steps. He then disappeared. I want to review what our options are, and maybe my options, before I undertake anything…active assuming we can locate him again. I wasn't happy that Meigan was released back into the wild, but as long as she was sticking close to Dave, well, she wasn't here."

Roxy said, "A friend of mine at the prison confirmed that Meigan was with him when he left."

Trip said, "Those two outside working together unnerves me. Either one alone is relatively harmless, but together they could be dangerous, especially if Dave goes back to his employer. I do not like to think of her wandering around my house sizing up the perfect opportunity for Dave and his minions to make a return visit. And I don't want to stumble into paranoia, but Dave did not arrange for his own release. I'm sure of that."

Rube said, "And you'd be right."

George asked, "So why don't we…" Shit. "They go active?" Rube raised an eyebrow her way. She had already discussed this with him and she knew what he was going to say, but the option had to be put out there for at least Trip and Jane, and John's benefit too. "They find him and make sure he can't hurt anyone, before he does something to one of ours." Rube started to say something and she continued, "I know, we can't do anything, but they could. We just maybe provide a little information." She nodded her head towards the three seated in the booth still counted among the living.

Roxy said, "Taking the initiative to bring about Dave's end is a really bad idea." She paused. "This turns on free will and choice. We can't interfere. If Dave and his old friends get back together with Meigan's help they're making a choice that upstairs can react to, but we can't preemptively put them down."

Jane asked, "Well, what if we take care of it without any input from you at all? I don't see how that could be a problem."

Rube spoke up, "It wouldn't, but it would create new problems for you all, problems that we won't be able to help you with, say with the secular authorities, murder being against the law, not to mention the Testalino family is supposed to be pretty formidable…as you must be aware, Jane. But if we take precautions, defensive, and let them walk into our sphere of action, or reaction, then I'm pretty sure that things will work out. And by the way if Dave talks or his old friends start spreading information about us they may never get close enough to attempt something."

Jane said, "Dave understood a lot about the dangers of communicating about reapers. And I'm sure his understanding has improved after the events at the warehouse last year. My guess is that Father Bob has arranged for his release because he doesn't believe the public story. The really bad news is he will feel obligated to finish the contract."

John spoke up, "Jane, and Ray, didn't you tell us once that Dave was sent because their head guy had some awareness of the real problem?"

Ray said, "I…"

Rube broke in, "Roxy, George." Roxy, under the table, put her hand on Trip's and George did the same for John, who made contact with Jane.

Ray continued, "Jane's right. Bob is the head of a family with a long tradition of working contracts. They don't take sides among the organized crime groups. Another tenet that they really take to heart, at least the family members do, is that the entire family is obligated to finish any contract. You hire one you've hired them all. Also I've heard that they, the family, have been hurting because they failed so badly…twice…several of the non-family members have declined to work with them…have just walked away."

Trip said, "Well, my dear sister is a bit…let's call her obsessive. And, unfortunately, I'm pretty sure she can access cash from overseas accounts, not alone, but with Dave's help."

Jane said, "Money adds fuel to an already big fire. Bob will put everything into settling scores and making sure the original contract is fulfilled, and I'm guessing with new add-ons."

George asked, "Add-ons?"

Jane looked down to her coffee and decided to try some. It was a bit cool now. She looked for Kiffany. Ray saw her hesitation and spoke up, "Well, it's obvious that Trip and Charlotte are at the top of the list. Probably Tommy. But Bob will be very keen to add Jane and Tom, and I would suspect one more." Ray shifted to look toward the big table.

Jane looked towards her and said, "George, if Trip's sister has any say at all, and I'm sure since she has the cash she will, ahhh, your sister will be at the top of her list. She won't forget who shot her dead."

George was afraid of that very point. "OK. So how about I accidentally ghost John somewhere within gunshot range of dear Dave and we just end this? I will ghost Dave's bullets and when Dave tries to shoot, John ends this whole thing."

Before John could react Rube said, "Peanut, listen, upstairs management will not overlook something so blatant." He smiled at her. "Don't worry. Solutions will present themselves."

Trip said, "OK. While we're waiting for some of those solutions to present I've already taken a few steps. I've hired a small army of bodyguards." She could see one standing next to his car. "And after Reggie patiently explained to me the major flaw in the Ferguson house security…I mean the fact that there was no safe place anywhere to escape from home invaders. Remember John you found she had tried to hide Tommy in a closet?" He smiled. "From the day after the warehouse attempt I've had contractors fixing that problem in my house here in Seattle and at my vacation house."

Roxy asked, "What about the Ferguson place?"

Trip said, "I can't undertake major renovations until the legal custody of Tommy is affirmed, and then as permanent legal guardian I can use his inheritance to make the necessary changes. However, I have closed it up and installed caretakers."

George did not like that. "What do you mean affirmed?"

"I've gotten word the grandfather has been making inquiries through legal channels. He could be a problem."

"Well, he won't be if you tell Daisy."

Rube broke in, "Tommy will be fine. He probably just wants to make sure the boy is being well taken care of."

George glanced toward Trip and said, "Rube, I think there's a lot of money at stake here, and…"

Rube said, "Tommy's situation, if Tommy has a situation, isn't our problem here. Tommy is safe where he's at. Let's focus on the Dave and Meigan reunion problem."

John said, "I think Trip's right. With Meigan anywhere nearby she's the perfect spy and could watch his every move and listen in on his, or our, plans. And we only have the one ghost, Ray, who has his focus on Tommy. That leaves a huge hole, big enough to drive…"

John stopped because of shouting coming from the other table. George could make out the words from Marsha 'Canadian Irish' that seemed to be directed Daisy's way. George was shocked - she had no idea Daisy was Canadian…or Irish…or why it would matter either alone or together. Kiffany had stepped back holding a full coffee pot. Jane got up and moved closer. Trip stood up and watched. Tommy was up next to Daisy. Daisy was standing facing off against Marsha. The two were throwing harsh words cross talking so most from here was garbled. Poor Tom was looking from one to the other, more confused than ever. The only two seated now were Reggie and Grace, and both had pushed back from the table. Penny was next to Marsha trying to calm her down. Mason was stepping in between the two women. Both were glaring at each other. Things started calming down, whatever was being said it was in lowered voices. Kiffany walked away with the pot, like maybe they had had enough caffeine.

George said, "You know, Rube, I have an idea."

Rube looked her way as did the rest of the table. John turned back and both Jane and Trip returned focus to the table getting back into the booth. He said, "Yeah, what's that? Send Marsha after Meigan?"

"No. No. I was thinking that instead of trying to foist Marsha onto our house, why don't you take her in? I'm sure that you and Roxy would be a great influence acclimating her to like today versus that world she thinks she still inhabits." She picked up her coffee to help her keep a straight face. George thought the idea of Marsha living with Rube and Roxy hilarious. And she bet Penny would second it too, but Rube was not smiling.

Trip asked, "Who is this Marsha anyway?"

Roxy glowered her way. She probably didn't say anything because she knew Rube wouldn't go near the idea and knew Roxy would never agree to it. George spoke up, "Marsha and Rube both became reapers in the same year."

Trip raised his eyebrows. "I forgot. When was that?"

Rube said, "It was in 1927."

When he didn't offer to go on, George helped him out. "She…"

Rube put his hands up and looked pained. "Peanut, please, this has nothing to do with Trip."

Rube's default mode was to tell the living only what they absolutely had a need to know. But… George got another idea. Maybe one that Rube would appreciate too. She said, "Oh, I don't know about that. I think there might be a good fit."

Trip asked, "A good fit? What do you mean?"

George said, "Marsha had some bad news dumped on her yesterday and is upset."

Rube wanted to stop her, but Roxy, perhaps motivated a bit or maybe just seeing where this might go, said, "Let's fill him in and let him decide."

Rube shrugged but didn't offer to speak further. George resumed. "Well, Trip, Marsha died right after giving birth to a son in 1927 in New York. She came out to Seattle with Penny and Rube that same year. And yesterday John and Roxy delivered some bad news from some research they did on her behalf."

Trip shifted his attention first to Roxy and then John. John said, "She grew up in a very wealthy Anglo-Saxon family and then married into a branch of the New York Morgan clan. For her, living among us common folk is humbling in the extreme. Roxy and I did some research on what happened to her family after she died, in particular, her only son."

Roxy said, "Basically, her husband also learned about the humble side of life in 1929. He lost everything and was never able to recover. The son grew up in a difficult home, stepmother never appreciated him. He never did very well, never married, had some trouble with the law, no known children. And, I found his reaper, the son died just a few years ago, and we know he did not pass over."

Trip asked, "He got that dark cloud thing?"

Roxy said, "No. He refused to go into his lights."

Trip asked, "And she…?"

Rube said, "So her only son, who happened to be named John, apparently did not do well and left no children." Rube nodded towards Daisy and the table. "While others from very very humble stock, Canadian Irish background apparently, also had a son, also separated at birth, who despite all the odds, survived, grew up in an orphanage, became an upstanding soldier, good citizen, never got a parking ticket, left five children, and several grandchildren. Daisy will be meeting one of her grandchildren, a priest, soon. He's been transferred up here to a church within walking distance. And to top all that off now Fate has dropped onto Daisy's lap a young member of Seattle's bluest blue bloods to raise, despite being a reaper." Rube pointed at Trip, John, and then towards the big table. "All this fraternization between reapers and the living, the raising of a living boy by reapers, that's just not happening anywhere else. Marsha is taking it all hard."

Trip said, "And…?"

George said, "And she cannot stay with Penny. She lives too far from our core territory and Penny can't keep chauffeuring her to reaps. Marsha can't move in with us. She can't survive on her own, and she's got a bit of a gap in time, a mental gap that's even wider, a gap that she hasn't yet demonstrated any inclination to overcome." She paused, saw Trip about to say something. "And keep in mind although Rube and Penny were there with her in 1927 they've lived through the intervening years. Marsha was…put on ice. For her 1927 was less than a year ago. And I suspect she wasn't ever raised to be flexible." She looked over her shoulder. "Or maybe it's just not in her." She really wondered why she was ever drafted into the ranks of the undead.

"And you think that maybe I could provide the necessary environment for her to thrive?"

George threw in the clincher. "She can see ghosts, protect you from them, in particular, your dear sister Meigan, who wants to reconnect with you across that life death barrier in ways that involve you joining her on that side."

"I'll have to discuss this with Charlotte, but the idea has merit." He looked thoughtful. "I could provide her with a car, a chauffeur, a suite of rooms…"

George pondered that. "A credit card would help." It would restore to Marsha some thin veneer of the life she had and wanted badly again, but not what she really wanted so desperately, And she was going to be reminded of what she wanted every time she came into contact with Daisy. George understood that pretty well. She was sitting next to John. But…she didn't begrudge her sister. George had come to understand she was dead, that so much of the life going on all around her was not for her, was closed off to her, and anyway, no matter what, she could never have kept hold of John. Like Daisy her contact with the living could only be brief and include no lasting relationships. Daisy's mother son relationship with Tommy, this opportunity to raise one of the living was apparently extremely rare. Daisy won the reaper lottery. Anyway. She genuinely was happy for Reggie and John. But Reggie and she shared a blood tie, while Daisy and Marsha did not. And perhaps more to the point Marsha having been a reaper less than a year seemed about as far from achieving sainthood as a reaper could get.

Sticking Trip with her was the obvious choice.