♣𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐘♣ 𝐴 𝐿𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝐼𝑛 𝑆𝑡. 𝐿𝑜𝑢𝑖𝑠

♣ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 2: ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀᴛʜᴇʀɪɴɢ♣

In the bustling city of St. Louis, a metal sign creaked gently on the street, proclaiming the presence of "The Little Daisy Café." Its presence set the stage for the lively chatter and clinking of cups that filled the air, an inviting backdrop to the day's unfolding drama.

"Did you finish re-figuring expenses?" Ivy asked, her tone light yet tinged with the weight of their financial woes. Her Godmother, Mitzi May, sat absorbed in a newspaper, the wrinkles on her forehead deepening as she scanned the pages.

"No. As far as reading material goes, the ledger is too depressing. I decided to read the obituaries instead. When you get a little older, you'll discover the only difference between tragedy and comedy... is whether it happened to you or someone else," Mitzi replied, a wry smile tugging at her lips as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

Evelyn bustled into the conversation, balancing a steaming mug of coffee. "Coffee, Miss M?" she chimed, her voice brightening the room. Mitzi accepted the cup, a twinkle in her eye. "Thank you, honey."

Evelyn continued, her brow furrowing slightly, "As always! Anyway, where's Rocky? I thought you said you were giving him a brief rendezvous with Kehoe today?"

"I did, sweetie. He's either late or just busy dealing with his business." Mitzi flipped the page of the newspaper, her eyes widening momentarily. "Oh, look! Wick is in the paper today."

"In the obituaries?" Ivy cut in with a sly smirk, her tone straddling the line between sarcasm and genuine curiosity.

Evelyn interjected with a touch of earnestness, "I heard he's been holed up in his quarry for weeks now, working contracts. Seems like he's been in a rather chipper mood of late."

Mitzi chuckled, nodding. "Yes, he's been doing rather well for himself lately. And no, Ivy, he's gracing the business section, of course." She gave a proud little sigh. "Guess not all news is bad news after all..."

Just then, a commotion outside interrupted their banter. Rocky burst through the door, a wide grin plastered across his face, dirt and mud caking his skin in an almost comical fashion.

"Good afternoon, ladies! It's a lovely day out there... for an extraordinarily long walk..." he proclaimed, a touch of mischief sparkling in his eyes.

Ivy shot him an unamused look, while Evelyn's surprise lingered. Mitzi raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of concern and amusement.

"Say that to yourself; where the hell have you been?" Evelyn inquired, handing him a towel with an exasperated smile.

Rocky began to wipe his face, cheerfully recounting, "Well, I got compromised for a while. Some of the locals insisted on seeing me reenact The Perils of Pauline, but other than that, I'm good, Miss Carter!"

"Oh! Customers! I didn't realize we actually served anyone here. Hello! How's your lunch? Are you enjoying your lunch? Or would you say it's more of an early dinner?" he continued, beaming at the few patrons who had turned to stare, clearly not entertained by his presence.

"Rocky, you know how much you frighten the elderly. Come talk to us over here," Ivy whispered urgently, pulling him aside. "We're in need of any business we can muster. Finances have her looking to dead people for a laugh."

Mitzi finished her coffee and interjected with a wry grin, "Oh, well. Knowing Kehoe, that freight has an unusually high content of embalming fluid anyway."

Evelyn approached, taking Mitzi's empty cup. "Well, I don't know about Kehoe; his booze is no good, but if it's booze, it's booze! I don't mind, it's the big-deal business guy that I mind..." she said, her tone laced with worry.