“Right as always. He said no because he thinks I need to grow up and stop partying,” I shrugged. “I’m not Sawyer, but he wants to treat me like I am.”
“I agree. You didn’t get into too much trouble in college.” She gestured for them to place the food down on the table. “You’re a bit young to want to be in this business already. What’s the drive?”
“I’m just ready. I admit I had fun in college, but now I’m excited to join in.” I forked a bite of antipasto. “Can you help me convince him to let me start my post-college life with the family?”
“I’ll tell you what. Let me think about a good angle that will work on that grouchy brother in-law of mine.” She laid her napkin on the table. “Murphy tells me she asked you to help her with the theatre.”
“She did, but I’m still thinking about it. I worked hard for my engineering degree,” I drank some water, “too hard, if I’m being honest. It didn’t come easy, so now I wanna use that knowledge.”
“Admirable. Tell me what’s been going on with you?”
“Nothing really, I have all of these ideas blowing up my brain and I want to move on them.” I finished my food. “I’ll do whatever I have to so I can get started.”
“I understand. I really need to go to a meeting, but I promise to think about it.” She stood. “You meet with Murphy. Helping there can’t hurt your quest to prove yourself.”
“Yes ma’am. I already told Murph I’d be there tonight.” I gave her a hug. “You going tonight?”
“We’ll be there. Murphy asked me to meet the lead ballet dancer.”
“I don’t know about the lead dancer, but I did witness verbal abuse last night. No idea who the guy was, but it shouldn’t be allowed.”
“And that’s where you can be of great help for Murphy. I’ll see you tonight.” She waved and walked away.
My cell was vibrating in my pocket. At quick glance I saw it was a text from my buddy to join the guys again tonight at the bar. As much as I enjoyed my time with the guys, I had to do less partying to prove myself. I shot back a text that I couldn’t make it, then sent Murphy a text.
“Hey, Murph. I’m gonna get there a little early tonight.”
“Sounds good. You bring the pizza and meet me there around five.”
“Always with the pizza. How do you stay so thin?”
“I work out instead of drinking all the time.”
“I’m gonna pretend you didn’t take a jab at me just now.”
“But I did. Ha!”
“Not cool.”
“Oh please. You’re not that sensitive. Why are you coming early anyways?”
“I’m a very sensitive person.”
“Uh-huh…”
“I wanna check out that creep from last night. He was so mean to that dancer.”
“They treat their dancers different in other countries. I don’t like it either.”
“I can’t sit by and watch abuse. Does he hurt them?”
“I don’t know. They don’t say much. I don’t think they’re allowed to.”
“Good god. That’s awful.”
“Yep. See you later on. My cell is ringing.”
“Later”