House Rules

Right after McKenzie ran upstairs, Reggie's step-mother Eve came in. She was in a hurry.

"Ugh," she said, "running late. Have to meet Holly for shopping and lunch!"

"FREEZE!"

Eve froze. Fear rose in her eyes as she could not move.

"DO WHATEVER REGGIE SAYS AND BELIEVE WHATEVER HE SAYS. YOU KNOW HE IS ALWAYS RIGHT, AND YOU ALWAYS AGREE WITH HIM! UNFREEZE!"

Eve took a step. "That was weird. I couldn't move for a second."

"You can't meet Holly today," said Reggie. "You and I have business to attend to."

"Um, oh yeah," said Eve, "I forgot. I guess I double booked. Uh, what was our business again?"

"You'll see," said Reggie. "Call Holly and tell her you can't make it but insist she comes over for dinner tonight. Don't take 'no' for an answer."

"OK," said Eve. She took her phone out of her purse.

Reggie went upstairs and combed his hair and put on a button down shirt, and he left his room, he could hear McKenzie's moans. He smiled and went downstairs. He found Eve waiting for him. "Drive us to your bank first," he ordered her.

"OK," said Eve, "um, what do we have to do there?"

"I'll let you know when we get there."

They drove to Eve's bank. Reggie had her empty her accounts and have all of her money put into a check made out to him. He told Eve not to ask why. After he deposited the check into his account, he had Holly take him to a coffee shop. As they sat at a table with their drinks, Reggie explained things to Eve. "Eve, you are dead broke."

"I just emptied my accounts!" she said.

"No, no you did not. You spent every last dime on McKenzie. That is why you are broke."

Eve thought for a second. "Yes, you're right. I guess I over-indulged her."

"Yes, and you know she is an ungrateful, snotty, conceited bitch," said Reggie.

"Ugh! Yes, you're right. She is." Eve stared glumly at her cup of cappuccino.

"Well, you have no money, so you can't pay bills. You need to transfer the deed of the house to me, but that will leave you broke and homeless."

"What will I do?" asked a worried Eve.

"Tell you what, even though you've been a total bitch to me, I'll let you continue to live in the house. We'll move me into the master bedroom and move you into McKenzie's room. You can work off your rent by doing all the grocery shopping, cooking, and keeping the kitchen clean, so learn to be a better cook. You know that's very generous of me."

"Oh, it is! Thank you so much, Reggie!" said Eve. "I'm sorry for being such a bitch to you!"

"Fine, fine, " said Reggie. "Now to save money, you will cut your own hair and only buy the absolute cheapest make up, and if you need new clothes, shop only at discount stores. That will start to get you back on track to financial independence."

"Good advice, but what will I do for money?"

"We'll handle that. I saw a help wanted sign outside of the burger place next door. You stay here, and I'll go talk to the manager."

"A burger place?"

"You have no skills, so you need to be grateful for anyone who hires you."

"Oh, of course," said Eve, "I don't want to be like McKenzie.

Reggie got up and went next door. He used his new telepathic powers to get Eve a part-time job. Her duties were the most menial in the restaurant: cleaning the bathrooms, sweeping and mopping the lobby, wiping tables, taking out the trash, and emptying the grease traps. He returned to Eve.

"I got you the job. You start tomorrow. You owe me!"

"Oh, thank you, Reggie. I do owe you. Thank you for being so generous."

"Yes, you are in debt to me, so repay me by being the best employee for me and the restaurant. Come we have to buy you some uniform pants and some hair nets. You must wear hair nets as you don't want to wear the restaurant ball caps. You're too mature for that."

"OK," said Eve.

They drove to a uniform store, and using the cash Eve still had on her, Reggie had her buy three pair of polyester black slacks that were a size too small and very tight, but he convinced her they fit fine. They bought the hair nets, and Reggie had Eve drive to a real estate office to find out what was needed to transfer the deed of the house to his name.