“Let me see,” I teased, “this kind of importance would have to be your mother.”
“Oh, stop. You’re such a brat.” Murphy pretended to pout. “I can handle this place.”
“I know you can. The bigger question is why would you want to?” I sat my empty glass on a waiter’s tray as he went by. “You have a degree and a trust fund.”
“The degree was for my parents and the trust fund is just money.” Murphy swayed to the music playing in the background. “I want to do something worthwhile.”
“Just money?” I scoffed. “Since when is it “just money”?
“You know what I mean. The money is great, of course, but look at all of my brothers.”
“What about them? They’re old married men now.” I scrunched up my face like what I said was tart. “You have a lot going for you- too much to get married, if that’s what you’re referring to.”
“No, I don’t want to get married, silly.”
“Come on now, Murphy, all girls wanna get married, go shopping, and have spa days.” I grabbed another champagne.
“Don’t be like that, Cota. You know better than to include me with your socialite girlfriends.”
“I didn’t mean it like that, Murphy. I just meant, from my experience, all girls wanna get married. The rest was just to irritate you.”
“I think most people wanna get married and live happily ever after. So, in that sense, sure, but not right now, or even any time soon. That’s for later in life.”
“Yeah, I get it,” I smiled. “Actually, I wanna get married too, someday.” I smiled at her. “Now, why am I here?”
“What makes you think I have a reason other than wanting to hang out with you?” Murphy fake pouted.
“Might have something to do with it being a Saturday night and ballet would never be my first choice of fun, or yours, for that matter.”
“Then why did you come?” Murphy waved to a woman walking by.
“Murph, just tell me what’s up.”
“Fine, I asked you to come because last month you said you wanted to get into the family business, and I was thinking maybe you could help me around here.” Murphy waved her hand around the theatre.
“I’m not sure how to respond to that.” I looked around the room. “I mean, thanks and all, but I was thinking I would use my engineering degree.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know what you meant. I just thought you could prove yourself to your dad by helping me here.”
“Well, it’s a good back up plan, but I’m meeting with my dad tomorrow to talk about me working in one of the businesses.” I grabbed yet another passing drink.
“Okay, but if your meeting doesn’t go well, come see me.” Murphy slid her arm around my arm. “Come on, the show’s starting again.”
“Murphy, I’m gonna go catch up with the guys,” I kissed her cheek, “enjoy the show.”
“Yeah, get outta here.” Murphy grinned. “Bring the guys back for the after-party.”
“I just might do that. Any hot girls gonna be there?” I winked and turned to walk away. “Text me when the show is over.”
“I think we could have fun working together.”
“Oh, I know we’d have fun, that’s just the problem,” I nodded. “I need to stop having fun to prove my dad wrong.”
“Then help me and don’t have fun,” Murphy called out. “I won’t be nice to you. I’ll be mean.”
“I think you have enough of that going on backstage without me being here.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”