Story 25 - Part 2 - Jigsaw Puzzle

“I can’t believe you went dumpster diving, sis,” Boomer laughed. “Oh, wait, I can.”

Boomer had come down to join the lobby group and found his sister Roxanne and her private investigator friend trying to tape together shredded paper. Rox had asked for help and so everyone in the lobby pitched in like they were trying to solve one complex jigsaw puzzle. At first Boomer had been worried about his twin sister moving into the same apartment complex as him, but it seemed that his worry was unfounded.

Rox was a first rate bounty hunter, Boomer had to admit that. It just meant that sometimes her people skills were not the best. Or at least that had been the problem in the past. They still were not as smooth as butter, but at least she had more tact now. It looked like his sister had learned how to do investigative work and not just chasing down fugitives.

“Everyone’s going to have to stop in half an hour,” Tasha called out from the Owens’ apartment where she was helping with the meal. “Dinner will be ready at noon.”

“Have we gotten anything useful put together?” Rox asked the puzzle crew.

“Well,” Jordan said as he held up the taped strips he had. “I can tell you how much he’s paying for cable.”

Tech flipped around three gas station receipts and a rent payment. It was obvious that these were not getting Rox and Sandra, Rox’s private investigator roommate, the information they wanted. Rox worked with a small bounty hunter team, but they were very good and could make their living entirely off of rewards earned.

“So, what is this guy’s income?” Vire asked as she studied the bits of paper that she had taped together.

“Well, it should be average,” Sandra said. “You know; normal working class.”

“San,” Roxanne laughed. “You’re talking to a group of people who don’t fall under the category of normal.”

“Is there one person in this group who has a normal occupation?” Sandra asked.

“Tasha teaches gymnastics,” Boomer offered.

“I was talking about blue and white collar work,” Sandra explained. “You know? Basic labor and office work?”

“Oh, yes,” Jordan said thoughtfully. “I think I’ve heard of that sort of thing. I remember choosing explosives instead.”

Everyone started laughing and began trying to figure out if anyone had a job that would resemble something along the lines of normal. It was an entertaining conversation as they continued puzzling together the little strips of paper. Normal occupation seemed so boring. In the environment of the apartment complex, normalcy could not last long.

Boomer had to stifle a laugh as he enjoyed the company. Tasha had talked a lot about moving in order to have a bigger home for more children. She had also mentioned that she was not sure about the environment that they were raising their girls in. In the end, though, Tasha had to admit that she would be bored to death in a suburban neighborhood.

“Hey,” Boomer said excitedly as he taped the last piece of a computer print out together. “I just found a very expensive travel itinerary.”

“How expensive?” Rox and Sandra asked at the same time.

“Well, certainly not something you would expect from Mister Working Class. It’s a full round trip with all the works.”

“Let me see it,” the bounty hunting team said simultaneously.

While everyone else worked on figuring out the travel receipt, Boomer and Jordan found themselves roped into setting up tables and chairs for the big feast. Izzy and Lisa were absolutely adorable as they helped in the kitchen and setting the table. No matter what, it seemed that his children were going to be forever cute, and forever incapable of living a so-called normal life.