Luck, Fish and a Crate full of Vegetables

[Dr.R.R. Donovan]

He had been here for hours already, and the day was barely beginning…at least today was his “day” off…the others should be arriving soon and he could be on his merry way. He planned on taking the rest of the morning and afternoon to go out to the dock and cast a couple fishing pools into the water. So what if it was raining…fish still searched for food and his hook was always holding a fat worm that they were sure to be unable to ignore.

“Amy! Where is that case of vegetables I ordered?” he didn’t bother to look up from his paper work, knowing she would stick her pretty little head in, all frantic and panicked, trying to come up with a reason why it wasn’t on time…and like always the squirrely little delivery guy would kick in the back door and spill his crate across the kitchen floor and Amy would vanish, scrambling to clean up before her bosses nearly none existent wrath would come crashing down over her over dramatic world.

“Three…two…one…” he counted down and right on cue she opened the office door, rambling off her excuses, “It’s the rain sir! I am so sorry! Maybe he got stuck in some traffic or the order went out late! Please sir…don’t worry sir…its coming sir!”Riley pivoted around in his chair and looked at her, icy blue eyes set in a serious face, “Are you sure Amy…?” God…he loved screwing with her. She squeaked and jumped at his question, unable to look in his eyes, her obvious attraction to him intense, “Yes!”

He smiled slightly, “I know. I’m just messing with you kiddo. Wait for it…” the backdoor in the kitchen slammed open and the telltale sound of a crate hitting the floor met his ears, “Jacob is going to need your help…” he smiled, hoping maybe this time Amy would notice how nervous Jacob was around her…and perhaps she would finally see the depth of love in the boys eyes…Riley had been working for weeks to try and hint at her, but she was always so scatter brained, she never actually got the hint. Perhaps today was the day…

Riley rose and stood in the doorway, watching the two of them scurry about the kitchen, collecting vegetables and placing them back into the crate. Amy had an apron full…Jacob loading his arms as fast as he could. Both were paying little attention to the other and when they both spun around to drop their loads, they collided, just as Riley’s vision from months ago had shown.
The man grinned to himself, entirely satisfied and went back to paperwork…fish still awaited him in that river…and his luck was running strong today…

[Zeph.Madigan]

Zeph walked quickly along the rain soaked waterway, his first few days back and only one of them did the sun shine. After spending these last days locked up in his old family home with his baby sister he knew it was time to risk being drowned in the rain. That is how he now found himself hunched against the rain with his goal in sight. The Book and Prayer was like a second home to him in the same way that the hospital was one to Amara.

When he was younger he would hide from whatever trouble he and his friends had caused around town in the tavern. Then when he was old enough to work, to need a job to support his new family while he went to school, he was glad to know the new owner. Riley had been the one to clean him up and make him respectible enough for his ex-wife to take a second look at him. Riley had also been the one to kick him in the ass and get him standing again when she left with his son.

Zeph couldn't help but smile at the thought as he walked into the glourious dry that The Book and Prayer offered to him. Slowly he focused on the work of unwrapping himself from all the scarves and jackets Amara had armed him with. Only after he was back in his scrubs alone did the docter bee line for the back, nodding adn calling out hellos to regulars and employees alike.

He leaned against the doorway and used his foot to knock on the door. "Hey Barkeep, I thought you'd be down by the water. Rain or shine."

[Dr.R.R. Donovan]

"Have things to finish." he looked up at the man in his doorway. It wasn't unusual for random people to step into his office. Zeph was no different from any of the others in a long list of souls who once needed help and had found their way into his tavern. It was something Riley had long learned to get used too...even if sometimes he didn't get the space he needed in order to the be alone with his thoughts and his fishing pole. He turned his head again, scribbling across the paperwork in front of him as he recorded various things, all in his half breed scrawl,"I don't think I'm gonna be headed down there anytime soon. But I will make it happen at some point today." he erased a mistake with a jerk of his hand, rolling his chair back and to the files on the other side of the room, only to kick himself back, flipping through papers.

It was hard work running this place...especially with all the new laws being passed on alcohol distribution and the like. It wasn't like The Book and Prayer was a shady business, it did however make it a ton more difficult to keep his books in order so that when the Government did stop in, they could easily pick his place from the other well...not so decent places on this side of the tracks. So work hard he did...writing...checking...rechecking each number and statement. Riley Raphael's business lawyer hated how often he requested rewrites of transcripts and tax sheets...but he did love the challenge the man gave him with his own personal need for a 'strong arm'.

Riley may be a great owner...but he often found himself in pickles when it came down to his life outside of the tavern walls. A whole different man would often present himself if he wasn't trying to run a respectable place...but who didn't have their demons that needed to run wild once in awhile. That's what lawyers are for...

[Zeph.Madigan]

Zeph gave the older man a lop-sided grin and pushed off of the door jam to stand staight again. "I forgot that you don't believe in playing hooky, do you?" he shook his head and smiled a little broader. "Amara told me how she hasn't seen you around in a while so I figured I needed to come see for myself that you haven't pissed the wrong person off. I don't think the tavern would last if you weren't incahrge of it." Zeph then ran his hand through his hair and stuffed his hands in his pockets, shrugging. "Life's no fun if you waste it away on paperwork if you ask me, but have fun." With that he started walking back towrads the front of The Book and Prayer but stopped short and turned back. This time only his head intruded on Riley's space. "Amara told me to invite you to the house tonight for dinner. Your brothers and sister too," he waited only a few more seconds before nodding, like that really put an end to the conversation. Finally he walked away, calling back with a laugh caught in his voice as he walked through the door that connected the back from the front of the tavern. "Six O'clock. Try not to drown in the rain."