71 Waffle Haus Routine

Early morning George pulled her borrowed car into one of her favored Waffle Haus parking spots. God it was good to be back. Rube and Roxy insisted the SUV had to go. On the good side she would pick a new one out. She could see Rube's truck in his usual space. Or maybe Fate would send something her way. She had a noisy rabble with her of the living, undead, and the dead. Daisy, Tommy, and Mason exited and entered the Waffle Haus. Ray moved along side, with Benny and Lin keeping a running chatter going with Tommy. Inside Kiffany greeted George with a hug. Rube waited in the booth. They piled in and started ordering preliminaries from Kiffany, coffee for her.

Rube was suppressing a smile. He handed her a menu. "On me today." He paused and added, "Mission accomplished."

"Is that a question, Rube?"

"No. A statement of fact. I saw the news about the jet that disappeared somewhere over the Pacific en route to Hawaii. Another mystery plane incommunicado goes missing."

"Search crews are out?"

"Of course." Rube leaned closer. "Nicely done. How did you make it go down without a peep? Messy? Are they going to find bodies and debris?"

George sat back. She sugared her coffee. "No, nada, nothing. But I can't take all the credit. I had help." She added the cream. Rube watched waiting. Letting her enjoy her moment.

"Really. You had Ray. And?"

"Well, Rube, Ray and I improvised."

"Enlighten me."

Daisy, no intention of letting Georgia enjoy her moment, broke in, "She didn't reap half of them. Left 'em to rot in Davey Jones' Locker."

George frowned at Daisy. She was saving that part. "Well, yes, if you want to be precise. I would say about half I did not reap which left a bunch of kids and the wives and girlfriends…plus the crew." She frowned. "You'd be surprised at how many of those women got the Dark."

Rube had no expression. He watched her over her coffee cup. "And?"

"Well, the pilots were kind enough to explain how to take the plane down quickly and in one piece. It sank pretty fast. There won't be any wreckage to find."

Finally he smiled. "Why would they help you do that? This was after they died, of course?"

Mason took a turn. "Bloody hell if she didn't buzz them."

"Mason. Can I, like, tell it?" Ray was quiet and he was there. "I encouraged. Yes, I encouraged the pilot and co-pilot to see certain advantages in delaying their lights while they helped bring the plane to a safe landing on the water, in one piece, where, after I ghosted several significant parts…temporarily, it sank like a rock. Leaving zero loose shit and no bodies." She took a deep sip of her coffee. She had missed the Waffle Haus special blend. "How's Trip and company?"

Mason said, "They are so busy. Police. Questions. Joy and Mabel are there now."

Daisy helped. "They popped out of the wilderness late yesterday. There's a media frenzy. You going to tell Rube…about the oodles of money?"

George had wanted to hear what Rube knew, not a replay from last night. She looked Daisy's way. Daisy had been so excited by the several pieces of luggage she had brought ghosting back all filled with cash. "I couldn't see the point of leaving all that cash to rot at the bottom of the ocean." Rube could be touchy about wanting things and money, but he didn't complain if the stuff dropped onto his lap. "And it's all in clean bills."

Rube smiled. "That's my girl. You know, we'll have to spread the wealth around the local reaper community."

George shrugged. Mason looked for Kiffany. She caught sight and headed their way. Mason said, "I'm so hungry, Kiffany. Could you add an orange juice and extra bacon to my order?" Kiffany left again. "You going to tell him the rest."

"Yes. I was just about to do that, Mason. Thank you."

Rube waited.

"It turns out that the type of people Father Bob was contracted to eliminate, their shadows, tended towards interesting skill sets, mostly business types and accountants, but others too. I suspect they could be helpful for Trip's…gathering information on competitors. I talked to them before and during the flight about the larger project Trip seems to be intent upon. Several went into their lights, but most, the more sane ones, were interested in what Trip's been up to."

"It must have been a long plane ride."

"Well, I promised to introduce them to Trip, and he can determine whether there might be some common ground."

Tommy spoke up, "Where is Uncle Trip?"

Daisy said, "He and Aunt Charlotte and the others are tied up right now. You'll see them soon, Honey." She looked to Rube. "Joy and Mabel will be bringing Reggie and John home as soon as they can leave."

Ray came close. "We got a visiter."

Duane Ferguson, alone, not a bodyguard in sight, walked through the door and stood there. He did have a shadow, but she did not seem inclined to come any closer. It took him only a moment to spot Tommy at their booth. He approached and stood a respectful distance off waiting to be acknowledged. Daisy started to get up ready to do battle. Rube put a hand on her arm and motioned to let him out of the booth. "Hello, Mr. Ferguson."

Duane looked Rube over. He seemed to be having trouble remembering just who Rube might be.

Rube stepped forward. "Rube Sofer. We met at the Lass house a few days ago."

"Ahh yes. Forgive me Mr. Sofer."

"Rube is fine." Rube motioned towards a nearby chair. "Care to join us?"

This seemed to puzzle Duane. George watched him look about and work through trying a few new pieces to see if they fit. His shadow stayed nearby, but she kept well back from reapers. Tommy wanted to say something to her, but Daisy shook her head. Tommy was learning the complicated dance of who was to be acknowledged when and in what company. Duane found a chair and pulled it over to the table end and sat down. Kiffany approached pad and pen in hand ready to take his order.

Rube said, "Please, Kiffany, give Mr. Ferguson anything he likes…on me."

Duane seemed affronted for a moment and caught himself. He said, "Thank you." And turned to Kiffany who was watching him with raised eyebrows. He said, "I'll have…a coffee."

That settled he turned to face Tommy, and managed his first smile. "Hi, Tommy."

"Hi, Grandpa."

There followed a stretch in which the momentum of their earlier conversation was lost and no one was sure where or what to pick up for a new thread. It approached uncomfortable and she considered saying something, but decided discretion was better. She hadn't had time to drop in at the DMV for a new identity, and her face had just been plastered all over the media as having died just five days ago. Since they used her old DMV picture and she hadn't aged… Rube decided to save matters and asked, "We're glad to see you again, Mr. Ferguson, but we are curious what prompts this approach…here at the Waffle Haus."

George could see a little something lurking in his thinking. Daisy had told her last night about Duane's recent aggressive legal maneuvers to get custody of Tommy. Trip's lawyers had already taken steps to counter his moves. No doubt five days ago when it was reported that Trip and Charlotte were dead Duane was euphoric in believing little Tommy would soon be coming within reach, and then, last night, when it hit the news that Trip had miraculously been found alive, his hopes must have been crushed. The poor man was desperate. She watched his face react to Rube. He was an open book. Who is this Rube? She wondered why he didn't bring his retinue of bodyguards inside. That was curious. They couldn't be far. As far as he knows the threat is very much alive and more real than ever. An alarm bell in her head started ringing. But the man was alone.

Kiffany brought a cup and poured his coffee. He took it black. "I knew you frequent this place. And, well, it seemed like a friendly place to talk. That's all."

Tommy got up and sidled up to his Grandpa. "It's OK, Grandpa."

Duane beamed down at his grandson. "Would you like to sit up here?" He picked Tommy up and placed him on his lap. George did not know the man, but she could feel his soul pulse with happiness. Tommy really was important to him. She understood that in his own way he loved the boy.

Duane was a wet blanket though. With him here Rube could not hand out posits or get more information on the plane. They really needed him to leave, they wanted him to leave, and so when he offered to take Tommy to the restroom only Daisy looked concerned. She and Tommy exchanged glances. Tommy said, "I'll be right back." And grandpa and grandson left to take the short walk to the restroom.

Rube pulled out his book. "Let's get this done." He gave a postit to Mason. "That's it for today. Death takes a holiday, mostly. Probably overworked with George's job yesterday." George explained more of her talk with Father Bob. Rube was surprised that he was the one to deal the fatal blow to the entire plane. No one expected that, especially on the plane, but it explained how the ETD's for everyone could be the same minute. Rube had thought it might be a nose dive hitting the water at high speed. Very messy that would have been.

Daisy looked up and back. They were taking too long. She stood up concern taking over her face. "Mason."

Mason got up and headed for the restroom. He entered and exploded out. "They're gone. They must have slipped through the kitchen."

Grandma Beth hurried over to within easy hearing. "Please don't be angry. He just wants to take care of our grandson."

George seized Grandma Beth holding her in place. That set her off and she started shrieking. George shut that down. Daisy got hold of her. Rube jumped in. "Daisy, don't hurt her."

Daisy held onto the old ghost tightly. She said to Rube, "She knew what he was planning." To Beth she asked, "Where did he take Tommy?"

Rube keeping his voice steady said slowly, "Daisy. Please bring her over here so we can talk to her."

George said, "You can let go. I've got her."

Rube asked, "Beth. It is Beth right?"

She let her talk. "Yes. Please don't hurt Duane. He doesn't understand. He's just trying to protect Tommy."

George asked no one in particular, "Where's Ray?" She couldn't see Benny or Lin either.

Mason said, "I bet they're with Tommy."

Rube seemed to be pondering something. "Beth. Don't worry. We won't hurt your husband."

Daisy said, "Speak for yourself, Rube."

"Daisy, you're not helping." To Beth he said, "It will be OK, don't worry. Do you want to talk to Duane, Beth?"

Ahh, she could see a plan taking shape behind Rube's words. Her own plan leaned more toward pain, but she could work with his.

.

.

Duane was quite pleased with himself. Later, maybe after this lunch, he would talk to his lawyers now that he had the boy. Well, he would keep him safe. That fool, Trip, almost got himself killed yet again. That man attracted more bullets than mosquitoes on a hot summer night. How he had managed to survive this long was a conundrum. His lawyers had discovered through disreputable sources that one of the more notorious criminal families had accepted a contract to kill Trip and his wife, and likely Tommy. That's why his own son was dead. He didn't know who originated the contract, but it seemed to be a Hesburgh feud of some sort and his son died because of it. His grandson couldn't be anywhere close to Trip or that tribe. He doubled his own guard when he had learned that and would bring more in tomorrow. Perhaps if he made it public that he, acting in Tommy's stead, would not pursue, better, would relinquish all claims to his mother's Hesburgh estate. He would have to discuss that with his lawyers, but maybe that would get whoever was behind this madness, no doubt a Hesburgh, to leave his grandson alone. The boy was hungry. He kept looking around. Odd behavior, but then he had been with them for something like a year. "How's the sandwich, Tommy?" They were having their first lunch together, just the two of them. There would be many more. He thought the boy had more of a spark to him than his own son had had. They say the good DNA skips generations. He could homeschool the boy. Teach him early how to do deals.

"It's fine, Grandpa." He took another bite. He had developed an unfortunate lower class fondness for artificially colored American cheeses, grilled no less using white bread purchased no doubt at the local commoner's food store. "Could I have another cookie? And do you have any Kool-Aid?"

"Sure you can." He looked to the servant. "Could you also see if we have any more cookies…and this cool aid?" She nodded and left. Another servant brought in a glass of milk.

He turned back to him and said, "I think you made a mistake, Grandpa."

"Oh. And what mistake would that be?"

"Daisy will be mad about us taking off. When we going back?"

"You're going to spend the rest of today with me here in this house, and tonight too. How would that be?" The boy was easily distracted. He kept looking off to empty air. It was irritating.

"I think you should take me back now. I don't want anything to happen to you, Grandpa."

"Tommy, we are safe here. Whoever tried to…harm your aunt and uncle…they can't get you here."

Every time he said something the boy would look off for the longest pauses before he responded. Very strange.

"That won't be a problem anymore, Grandpa."

"Oh, and why would that be?"

"Aunt George wiped out the whole team…the whole family that was trying to kill us all, well, not you, Grandpa. Meigan hired them. She didn't care about you, but me, Aunt Reggie, and Uncle Trip and Aunt Charlotte." He paused again. He had put his sandwich down and was counting down on his fingers. He added two more. "And I think they wanted to get Uncle Tom and Aunt Jane too."

"Tommy." He studied the boy's face. Where was he getting such drivel? Tommy took another bite of his sandwich. The boy must have heard bits and pieces of talk from that tribe. It wasn't the boy's fault, but he was curious. "OK. If this…Aunt George wiped them out…then why would something happen to me now?"

He took a drink of his milk. He nodded twice and turned to him. "That plane in the news, the one that disappeared yesterday. You know, out in the Pacific Ocean."

"Yes. I believe I heard about that."

"The assassins were on that plane. They were going to Hawaii to celebrate killing Trip and everybody in that house up in the mountains. They chartered the plane. Ray, what does that mean, chartered?" He paused. "OK. Borrowed. Anyway, they're all dead and their bodies are at the bottom of the ocean. So…Ray was surprised when…George didn't even blink an eye taking down the plane with all the mommies and kids. All of them, Grandpa. George…Ray doesn't think…He says Aunt George may decide you're becoming a…what Ray?…a nuisance. Oh Grandpa, you don't want to become a nuisance. It's an annoying afterthought Ray says."

"How would you know anything about that? The authorities just know…" What kind of nonsense were they filling his grandson's head with?

"Grandpa, really, Ray is here with us now. He helped George yesterday at the plane. They're all dead. He wants you to know about it."

"Ray? Ray is here now?" An imaginary friend. "Is Ray a friend of yours?"

"Yes, he is. It's funny. He usually wants me not to tell people about him. Or Lin."

"Lin is another friend?"

"Yes."

"He's here, now?"

"She, Grandpa. She is here."

Again the poor boy was distracted. Now what?

"Grandpa, Lin agrees you're in big trouble. She says George is…what?" He looked a couple of directions. "Aunt George is glowing."

"Aunt George is glowing? Tommy. What does that mean? Who… Oh never mind." This was getting serious. He motioned for one of the servants to come closer. He thought the better and got up and moved with the young woman over to the door and out of ear shot. He whispered, "Call Kathy at the office and have her call me."

The young woman whispered back, "Shall I tell her what this is regarding?"

He considered that. "Tell her I want to get a doctor over here. A specialist in…children…an MD. Just get her to call in. I'll explain."

Tommy asked, "Why do you want a doctor, Grandpa?"

"You could hear me from there?"

"I couldn't but Lin could. I feel just fine." More pause and looking off away from him. "Ray says you think I'm crazy. I'm not crazy, Grandpa."

"Tommy, I don't think you're crazy. I just want you to talk to someone…"

"Ray says that Daisy is right. Ray is getting mad, Grandpa. Don't bring the doctor here."

"OK, Tommy. Why is Ray angry and…why would he want you to tell me about him now?"

"He's mad because you kidnapped me."

"I did not kidnap you. You are my grandson. And I do not believe those…people can protect you." He got control of himself. It had been…a few decades since he had dealt…supervised raising a small child. "OK. So Ray is angry."

"He sent Benny to get Daisy and worse…George, Aunt George will be here soon."

My God, the boy was not well at all. "Who is Benny? Another friend?"

"Yes."

This cannot be good. A small boy with…three imaginary friends. He really would have to get a doctor here to evaluate him…the sooner the better Maybe this could be used in court…he's obviously been harmed by his exposure to those lower class types. "Well, Tommy, assassins or whatever, I have a great many guards so I think we'll be safe, from them and this George."

"Grandpa, the assassins are all dead. All of them are at the bottom of the ocean. All of the mommies and kids were on that plane, too. They won't be a problem anymore. Ray wants you to know that George did it. It's George you need to worry about. She's going to be here soon, and she won't be happy about you taking me." Mercifully Tommy paused his listing the litany of imaginary dangers, but then his imaginary friends seemed to give him more to pass on. "With the assassins gone, and you pulling…this stunt here, she may decide that you are a threat. That you no longer can be trusted to behave yourself. George has the…leeway…to…" Another pause. He took the last bite of his sandwich. He chewed that while he listened to his friends. "Can I have another one, Grandpa?"

"Yes." He nodded to the servant. She left. "You were saying…" The boy clearly was very intelligent, if it was somewhat misdirected. He seemed to be listening to someone. And then he started up again.

"George…"

"Excuse me, Tommy, but who is this George. I don't remember him."

"She, Grandpa, she. This morning Aunt George was sitting in the booth next to Daisy. Across from Uncle Rube."

"That young girl. Yes. She did look familiar. Where have I seen her before?"

"Ray. Grandpa is not supposed to know such things. Why do you want me to tell…?"

He waited. Ray seemed to have a lot to say. "Well? Why does Ray want you to tell me what?"

The boy ignored him. "Ray, no. I don't want anything to happen to Grandpa."

That was nice sentiment from the boy if perhaps borderline insane. "Tommy. Nothing will happen to me. I told you I have many guards, and they have guns."

"Grandpa, I told you those guys won't do you any good. You're not listening. George can ghost here anytime. And Grandpa, George has power over all souls…" He was listening again intently. "The living, the dead…and the undead."

The undead!? The dead?! "I'm confused, Tommy, I thought you said George was that girl in the booth. Now you're saying she's another imaginary friend?" That would be number four by his count just over this first lunch.

Tommy jumped up. "Grandma."

He put his hands to his face. Oh my God. Five. Five and counting. And this was not an imaginary friend, but his dear Beth.

Tommy turned to face him. "Grandpa. Grandma is here now. And she says I can tell you about George and her. It's OK. Uncle Rube said it would be OK."

"Rube? Is that Rube here too?"

"No, Grandpa, of course not. Grandma Beth is here."

"And…"

"Daisy and George are coming soon. They're going to give us some time before they come in."

"They're going to give us some time. For what?" He threw his hands up. The boy seemed to be consulting with his imaginary mob now, his head darting this way and that. Duane waited. He would get the doctor eventually and sort this out. With the proper medications and isolation from those criminals…everything would work out just fine. He picked up his own phone and noticed he had a call coming in from his chief of security. "What?"

We have a car at the front gate, sir. They say you are expecting them."

He got a bad feeling creeping up his spine. "Who are they?"

"A Rube Sofer, ahh…Daisy, Daisy Adair, and ahh….ahh…"

Duane asked, "Someone named George?"

"No, sir. It's a girl, maybe high school…" He dropped off. "She says she's Tommy's Aunt George. Ahh…sir?"

"Send them up but have them escorted with a few men." He cut off and turned to face Tommy.

"Grandma Beth says to stop being a fool."

"Does she now?"

"She says to remind you of what you said on…our wedding night, when you promised to give her a dozen red roses every day for an eternity. She was happy and sad when you put them on her casket at her funeral."

He didn't know what to say or how or who arranged for this nonsense. He felt anger growing. His own grandson was co-opted into this little scheme. How though? They or who, could not have known he would collect him this morning.

"Grandma says she can't pass over until you learn to treat people better, or you can never take care of me. Start by remembering the names of the people who work for you. Remember that after we die we're all going to the same place."

He leaned back. He motioned for the servant to leave the room. She hesitated. "It's OK. Tell our guests to wait down below for now." He turned to Tommy. "And I suppose that dear Grandma Beth wants you to go back to Daisy." This was some trick. Devious bastards. But then he supposed there was a lot of money at stake. Somehow Trip was behind it all. He would have the resources to pull something like this off.

"Yes, she does. You never were a good father to Thomas and…she says I'll be just fine with Daisy."

"Does she now?"

"Benny's back. He says they want to come up. They want to show you something."

"And what might that be?"

Aunt George will show you Grandma Beth."

"Will she now?"

"But no one else. No guards, no helpers."

Ahh the boy was in deep. "How about this Tommy? We'll just have the girl come up. You said she could show us Grandma Beth, right?"

"Grandpa. I can see her just fine. It's you who can't see her." He looked to the side and laughed. "Grandma Beth says you're as blind as a bat on a bright day."

Beth used to say that to him. How'd the boy get a hold of that? He was curious now how this little scheme would play out. The more they played their cards the more he had to use against them in court.

His chief of security came to the door. Duane said, "Let the girl up, the one called George and keep the others below."

"Yes, sir."

"Well, Tommy. Will she show me all of your friends, too, or just Grandma Beth?"

He again looked off to the side. "Grandpa. Ray says he, Benny, and Lin will leave us alone."

"No. No. Tommy. Tell Ray and the others to stay. I want to meet them all."

"Grandpa. They can hear you just fine."

"Ray says you will blow a gasket. What's a gasket?"

"It's OK, Tommy. All my gaskets will be safe."

The girl was at the door. "Really, Mr Ferguson. It might be better if you just meet your wife for now."

He turned. He motioned for the security man to leave them alone. The girl stepped in and Duane got up to close the door. "Oh, I think, I'll be just fine, young lady." He looked her over. He had seen her somewhere. "Young lady. I know you from somewhere." The girl stepped in farther and took a seat, uninvited. Rather confident for one so young. He ignored this challenge.

Tommy gave her a hug. "Hi, Aunt George. I knew you would come. Ray said you would, too."

"Hi, Ray, Benny. Oh, Lin, don't worry. Everything will be just fine." She faced another direction. "Mrs. Ferguson, do you think he's ready to meet you?"

Tommy said, "He's very stubborn. He wants a doctor to come talk to me."

"Daisy was right about that. There will be no head doctors, Mr Ferguson."

"We'll see. So, young lady, who are you?"

"Well, Mr Ferguson. You saw my picture on the news recently. I was murdered up at Trip's vacation house."

He studied the girl's face. She was serious. He couldn't help smiling. "You look pretty good for someone who was just murdered."

"It was traumatic. My first time. You don't remember me from the TV?"

"No. I can't say that I do." He was hoping for something a little better than this, a con with more finesse. "I think we're about done here."

She didn't move, just watched him, supremely confident.

Tommy said, "George, tell him about the plane yesterday."

She turned to Tommy. "Let's not tell Mr Ferguson about that." She paused. "Oh. OK. Let's not tell him anything more about the plane, then."

"Whatever, young lady. Who are you?"

"What I am is probably more important." She looked around. "Remember, you are not in any danger, so let's not make any fuss. Agreed?"

He sat back in his chair and smiled. "I agree that I won't make a fuss." He would have her thrown out in the next few minutes. This had gone past amusing and he was getting annoyed.

"Lin."

Duane looked over where the girl pointed and suddenly right in front of his eyes a little Asian girl appeared…smiling at him. She moved closer. Duane jumped up and moved back. He looked around, but it was just the four of them. Tommy was smiling now. He couldn't. He was sweating. He did not like it when he couldn't follow the con.

The George girl said, "Lin was killed a few years ago. She didn't pass over and she's been a companion to Tommy for some time now. And she is a ghost, Mr. Ferguson." She turned to Lin. "Let Mr. Ferguson touch you, Lin."

The little girl reached toward him.

"Mr. Ferguson. No harm will come to you. Please. Prove to yourself that what I say…what Tommy has told you is true."

Duane moved closer and reached out to touch the girl's hand. His hand passed through. She must be some sort of projection. The little girl giggled. He could hear it. My God this was a well done con. He looked around. It somehow depended on his being alone and altered his perceptions. It was good. He studied the image of the girl. He would play along for now. He needed to get some sort of leverage and find out how they were doing this. Already applications were occurring to him, medical imaging, entertainment.

The George girl smiled. "Good. Now Benny."

And a young man appeared next to the Asian girl. This was good, really quite good. There were two images that looked as real as if they were standing right in front of him. He moved to walk around them. They turned to keep facing him.

The George girl stopped smiling. "Mr. Ferguson, please, you're not taking this seriously."

"Oh, young lady, I am, I am. How are you doing this?" He looked around. He couldn't see a projector of any kind nor could he imagine how they could have set this up. One or more of the hired help. His hired help had to be in on this.

"I'm losing patience, Mr. Ferguson, please sit down."

"Losing patience? This is my house, young lady." He turned to face her. He felt for his phone. Tommy was watching him.

Tommy said, "Grandpa, don't make Aunt George mad, please."

"It's OK, Tommy, I won't hurt your Grandpa. He won't be…going anywhere today."

"No. Young lady. I will not be going anywhere, but you on the other hand…"

She said, "OK. Ray."

A very dangerous looking large man appeared standing well apart. He looked altogether too real. Duane reached for his phone to make a call to security. This had gone on for long enough. And his phone disappeared.

The girl sighed heavily and said, "No. No, Mr. Ferguson, you will not be making any phone calls until I permit it."

He looked her over. She was still sitting. Where was his phone and how could she have done that? He reached into his pocket again and there was no phone. He checked his other pockets. No phone. The big man and the others were watching him. "OK. Nice trick."

Now she stood up. "Trick?" She came closer. Her face leaned toward angry.

The big man moved closer as if he would intervene. "George. Please."

She turned back and then said, "And now your wife, Beth."

And there stood his Beth dressed in the loose casuals she died in. She, however, did not smile. "Duane, you can be so pig-headed. I've been watching you for months." She moved closer, much closer and quickly. "You." She pointed her finger up into his face. "Are going to leave Tommy to his new mother and stop this nonsense." He didn't know what to say.

The George girl smiled again. "We'll leave the three of you to discuss things. I'll wait right outside."

With that the first three friends disappeared and she walked out the door closing it behind, leaving him with Beth and Tommy.

Beth said, "Tommy you go wait with George. Your Grandpa and I have a few things to discuss."

"Grandma. Can I have another grilled cheese sandwich?"

.

.

A little over an hour later Tommy had had his cheese sandwich and Duane emerged. George thought his complexion had recovered.

Beth stood behind him and Tommy and she hugged. "Grandma, is everything OK now?"

"Everything is fine."

Duane watched the two for a moment and returned his attention to George, but didn't say anything.

George asked, "We good here? I've got places to be and I'm sure his mother is downstairs ready to tear you apart."

He put his hands up. "I understand…now."

Tommy came up to him and the old man, looking much older now, crouched down and took Tommy in his arms. "Let's go see Daisy. I'm sure she's wondering where…her boy went to."

They walked hand in hand past his bodyguards and down the stairs. There were more guards downstairs. They stood aside. Tommy caught sight of Daisy and ran to her. George saw Duane signal to his chief and they talked off to the side in whispers. Daisy with Tommy went out through the front door towards Rube's truck.

Rube hung back. "He seems in a better place."

George asked, "Which one?"

Rube said, "Both."

"Yeah. Tommy's got his Grandpa and Grandma back. Daisy got her son, and a new very rich dad of sorts, and Grandpa Duane doesn't have to raise a boy. He looks too old to start that over. And according to Beth he didn't do too well the first time."

"You OK?"

He seemed to be watching for something from her. She had no idea what that might be. She felt like crawling back into that last casket of hers. She liked her second funeral better although she sure did not want to die that way again. The toilet seat was so much cleaner. The third time's the charm they say. She planned to be very careful with her identity and not have to resurrect again for a long long time. Rube had a bit of a smile. Old people could be so devious. You just didn't know what they were up to. "We done here? Let's go, Rube."

"Sure, Peanut, let's go."

"Really, stop calling me Peanut."