Murphy Ch. 06

Murphy easily put two and two together and laughed, "No, not gonna happen,"

"I don't know I'm feeling some Sapphic chemistry between us,"

Murphy scoffed, "Even still, you're my sister and –no, out of the question."

"Oh really, how about I go in there and tell her how 'not that serious' you guys are and we'll both see what happens next."

"I know what this is; you're just trying to prove to everyone you're actually gay and not pretending."

Murphy knew that that would deter her from trying to hit on Nandy. Rosa huffed exasperated, "For the last time, I'm not pretending. Why would I pretend to like girls? It's not because it's easier I can tell you that much."

"You just suck at picking up girls," He said teasing his sister.

"I do. I'm horrible at it. I'm just so used to people hitting on me it's awkward to hit on people."

"Confidence, maricona, you just got to walk up to her like you're the shit and talk to her. Compliment the shit outta her."

Rosa laughed, "Don't call me maricona, asshole." She slapped his shoulder, "So, is that how you picked up Ananda?"

"Drop it, Rosa, you can't have my girlfriend." He said poking her ribs.

"No, I'm just curious,"

"If you want to know the truth, she picked me up. I saw her across the room at Denny's and a couple minutes later she'd bought the whole squad pancakes. That girl's got more confidence than even she knows what to do with."

"Then why aren't you guys more serious?" Rosa said. She thought it was a reasonable question but you never knew with Murphy. If he didn't want to share he had a tendency to make you feel bad about asking. He scratched at his jaw and sighed.

"A lot of reasons but two in particular, She's not ready for anything serious and I don't want to be the old guy that locked her down. I don't want to be her burden."

"Did she tell you she wasn't ready?"

"She didn't have to." Was all he said. Rosa sighed when it was evident that he wasn't going to elaborate.

Rosa thought that he was wrong. He was obviously scared. He had strong feelings for that woman in their father's kitchen and it scared him. She could be wrong, but what it seemed like to her was Murphy was keeping her at arm's length because with strong feelings comes the potential for strong pain. He was scared and he'd figure it out soon. Then again Rosa didn't know the whole story so she kept her mouth shut.

After they made the hunch punch Murphy's sisters scattered and Ananda found herself examining the wall of pictures in the hall leading to the garage. She couldn't help it, there were a lot of them and it told the story of his family. Ananda stopped and fixated on a particularly adorable photo of Murphy and Rosalind.

Murphy couldn't have been no more than eleven or twelve and had a head full of dark blond curls. He sat next to a laughing woman with his green eyes crossed, his tongue sticking out of his mouth, tugging at his ear. Rosa, only a toddler on the woman's knee was trying her little hardest to recreate Murphy's pose, her eyes straining to look at Murph. Ananda smiled and muttered 'monkey see monkey do'. She turned her attention to the laughing woman. She wasn't a particular beauty but that there was something about her that shined even through the photograph. Her love for the children she held was apparent and she looked as if she had a good sense of humor.

"That was out firs day in South Florida," Carlos said.

Ananda hadn't realized he joined her, "This is your wife, I reckon" She said turning toward him.

Carlos looked at the picture wistfully, "Yes, Marisol, Murphy has told you about her, yes?"

"Very little, if anything. What was she like?" Ananda asked softly registering the tinge of sadness as he looked toward her.

"She drove me crazy," He said with a chuckle, "She couldn't stay serious for longer than ten minutes, always with the jokes and laughs and, oh, those two loved it." He said gesturing towards another picture of the trio now a bit older seconds before pushing an angsty looking teenaged Bianca into a pool.

"They were her little partners in crime," Carlos continued, "Even before our last two children came along she brought so much laughter to our home."



Murphy was going to the kitchen to get him another beer when he heard Ananda's laugh from the back hall. He wondered who she was talking to and what embarrassing story from his childhood his family brushed up to tell her. Peeking just around the corner he heard his father's voice regaling her with tales of him and his mother.

"It all makes so much sense now," She was saying

"He is a joker with you, yes?" His father said.

"Not pranks no but he does make me laugh a lot. Your son is a great guy and I have her to thank, don't I?"

"Yes," His father said laughing jovially, "But he got his good looks from me." Nandy laughed again.

Something swelled in Murphy's heart at the exchange. She was bragging on him. Even more, his father was telling her about his mother and he was smiling, laughing even. His papa rarely spoke about his mom and they did not bring it up, rather honoring their mother's life by living theirs to the fullest. Murphy realized that he may have passed a point of no return with Nandy. His family adored her way more than he ever expected. His father opened up to her, not to mention he was irrevocably in love with her. He realized he was totally at her mercy. She had his heart, his family, and his love and she didn't even know it.

"Murph," He heard someone call close behind him. He jumped, being thrust out of his thoughts. He turned to his younger cousin Lazaro looking as if he was bracing himself for a shot to the face.

"What is it?" Murphy knew it couldn't be good and he could almost already fathom the problem. Lazaro was one of his cousins at the bar last night. He knew the mess that Murphy made of himself and could only imagine what the young man was going to say next.

Nandy walked with Murphy's father out into the garage and was immediately stopped in her tracks.

"Nandy!" She heard someone call enthusiastically. She knew him he was about twenty with dark brown hair tall, skinny and tan.

"Cal!" She said back greeting Raphaela's brother jovially, She knew that with Cal here Ella would not be too far away.

"Nandy," She heard on queue and knew it was Ella.

She turned after trying her hardest to produce a genuine smile. Nandy loved her, she was one of her oldest friends but she knew Ella was here to cause trouble. It was inevitable. She shook away that thought. Nothing was going to ruin this good day. She almost believed it until Murphy rushed out the house looking just as unhappy to see Ella as she was. Now, Ananda had no claim at being a genius or being able to read people like a book but she knew Murphy and that look didn't bode well.

They were cordial as the party picked up. Nandy found out Ella knew Murphy's cousin. People ate and a few danced the house was full of warmth and gaiety. Ananda even manage to catch up with Ella. Despite what was between them they had been good friends since college.

"Where is Murphy's pretty girl?" Carlos called from the living room where he'd been dancing. Ananda stood in the kitchen with Murphy, Ella, Her brother Cal, and a few of Murphy's cousins. The whole room seemed to look between her an Ella and Nandy prickled. Did they look at Ella because she was the more "appropriate" choice?

Murphy pulled her in the by the waist, "My dad's calling you," He said into her ear before kissing her temple. Nandy decided she'd drop it, for now. In the living room it was much louder and a few couples including Murphy's older sister and brother-in-law were dancing.

"Pretty Girl, can you dance?" He asked with a grin.

"Uh...depends on what kind of dancing," She answered giving a small smile to Murphy. He smiled back recalling the personal lap dance she'd given him not two weeks ago.

"Furro, you must dance furro to deserve my Murphy," He said taking Nandy by the hand and leading her to the center of the floor.

"Pa, she doesn't know how to furro. Don't make her." Murphy protested.

"I can learn," She said, "Besides I have to earn you, right?"

"Exactly," Carlos said, "Let's dance,"

It was surprisingly easy, a simple two step from side to side with a twirl here or there. It wasn't long before Nandy had the swing of it and was enjoying herself. The music was lively but all in Portuguese and everyone who wasn't dancing clapped along. Murphy danced with his sister Bianca nearby while Rosa danced with Cal and Ella with Murphy's cousin Lazaro. The music ended and everyone cheered.

Murphy came up behind her intending to dance the next song with her.

"I think you've earned him," Carlos said handing her off to his son. She smiled at him. He really was a sweet guy and fun just like her Murphy.

"Enjoying yourself?" He asked as he led her in the next dance.

Ananda pressed closer than probably necessary, "Very much. I love your family, especially Rosa. She's fun."

"I did mention Rosa was a lesbian, right?"

"Bianca did," She said after a twirl.

"You also know that she's been hitting on you all night,"

"I picked up on that too. She's not very good at it. I figured she needed practice and I was the only girl here she wasn't related to. Well now there's Ella so maybe she'd practice on her."

Murphy grimaced at the mention of Ella. "What is it with you and her, why is everyone acting strange around her?" Ananda asked never being the one to beat around the bush.

"It insignificant but if you still want to talk about it, we can when I get you home." Murphy said. He would tell her everything he just didn't want to ruin tonight, not yet.

"Okay," She agreed.

Murphy hogged her on the dance floor but Rosa managed to get a dance in with her as everyone's partners changed. Rosa was really bad at hitting on her. She was trying too hard to be like best buddies and not trying to rouse passion in her. She wasn't going to get a girlfriend that way, that's how people got trapped in the friend zone. Next she danced with Cal but was interrupted by Ella slipping in. Nandy was wary to dance with her since she didn't know what was going on between her and Murphy. It was like showing up to a knife fight unarmed.

Murphy was looking their way trying not to look worried, but worry creased in his brow despite it.

"Ella, we've been friends for a long time," Nandy started sincerely, "Please tell me the truth, what is going on? There's a pink elephant in the room that everyone can see but me. I just want to know how big it is." Nandy knew she was throwing herself at Ella's mercy and Ella looked as if she were savoring the truth on the tip of her tongue

"Last night, Murphy kissed me," She said softly after pulling Nandy closer to her.

"Oh," Nandy said as the air left her body. She felt like she was shot in the chest. Her heart squeezed in her chest. It was nothing less than she deserved for the fiasco with Cole but damn if it didn't hurt, Ella was her friend. She thought she finally found someone who she trusted not to succumb to Ella but he did. She felt a lump forming in her throat and tears threatened her eyes. She wasn't going to cry, especially not in front of Ella.

"I've always told you," Ella said holding Nandy tighter, "They're all the same, every last one of them. That's why I love them and leave them."

Nandy was still absolutely speechless and hurt and yet it was somehow comforting to be held by Ella. Despite the conniving, Ella was always upfront and truthful. It was a constant thing despite who came in and out of her life. Then something Ella said stuck with her.

"Leave them? So you plan on not continuing anything with Murphy." Nandy said trying to hide the hope in her voice. Something like anger or frustration flashed in Ella's eyes briefly but she didn't answer.

"Ella, I love him so much," She said softly, "I couldn't care if he is like the others. I'm happy with him. He makes me so..." She couldn't put it into words.

"If you loved him so much why is your picture with another man all over the internet?" She said with steel in her voice.

"To protect him. Do you think the media really cares about yet another one of Cole's 'conquests'? No, they want the story on the 'jilted man'. I've been working my ass off to keep Murphy's name and picture out of the gossip rags. So what, if some pictures with me and my client happen to slip out, it doesn't change how I feel. Just please, Ella, leave him alone. If you cared anything about me as your friend, you'd do this."

"He can't love you like...you deserve." She said biting her sentence in half.

"Please," Nandy repeated not bothering to hide her sadness and desperation.

The song ended before Ella had answered and it was too late, Murphy was immediately by her side pulling her away. Ella gave Murphy a leer. Ella loved Nandy dearly, but this was far from over.



****



"I cried Jolene," Ananda admitted shifting her niece, Trudy, on her hip. She was a little too old to be held but God didn't make her this tall for nothing. Besides, Nandy had already spoiled her little niece.

"You didn't!" Ruby said at the same time Jae asked "You what?" Obviously Jae didn't understand the saying.

"Jolene, I'm begging of you please don't take my man," Ruby clarified by singing the Dolly Parton song.

"Oh, I always called it, crying mercy." Jae said, she never had to do this but she had a name for it. "I don't know why you're still friends with her anyway; she does this all the time."

Nandy gave her a pointed look, not able to mention her history with Ella in front of the children. They were like blow horns, they repeated everything loudly.

Nandy, Ruby and Jae walked from the Starbucks down the street to Young Circle Park where the kids were going to enjoy their Sunday afternoon.

"You can't save the world, Nandy" Jae said.

They'd finally reached the park and Ruby's twins shot off toward the playground. They took seats on the bench, sipped their coffee and enjoyed the unseasonably cool weather.

"I don't know what I'm going to do." Nandy sighed into her drink.

"Cut that bitch off," Ruby said.

"Snip-Snip, hoe" Jae agreed.

"If I cut her off now she'd only get worse out of pure vindication."

All three were silent as they mulled it over. When Nandy had gotten back to Murphy's place he explained it all. It was upsetting, even as he stuttered over explaining exactly why the photos made him angry. She gave him the benefit of the doubt of course; it was the very least she could do. It mulled around her brain all night. What if he hadn't gotten sick, would that kiss have been so much more? Maybe Raphaela was 'the baddest bitch' and in the end, she'd take him away. That hurt to even imagine.

"Enough about me, Murphy says that Delvin won't shut up about you. He's sprung city. What are you doing to him, and can you teach me?" Nandy said changing the subject.

Nandy and Ruby both waited patiently as Jae took an unnecessarily long sip from her drink.

"No," she said finally.

"What? Why? " Ruby asked.

"I'm not talking about this," She said pleasantly as if it was story about distant people.

"We tell you everything," Nandy said.

"I didn't ask to know. Besides, I don't want anyone running interference or anything. I don't want to mess this up."

"Uh-oh, guess that means you didn't tell him about your celibacy plan, did you? " Nandy said.

"We're not talking about this." She repeated.

"You really should tell him," said Ruby, "it's not like it's a big deal."

"Not all men are gonna run from it, it's a noble thing. If he'll wait for you you'll know for sure. He's a keeper." Nandy explained.

Of course Jae knew this but what if he didn't understand. She wasn't ready to give him up yet.

"So, Ruby, what about Truman telling you to not to talk to Nandy anymore?" Jae said to change the subject. Ruby gave her a 'you weren't supposed to say anything' look.

"He said that!?" Nandy asked shocked, "this is because of the Murphy/Cole thing isn't it. Tell him he can't judge me. Mr. Whack it to Lesbian Porn with My Surround Sound on Full Blast."

"Nandy it's not like that, he's been stressed a lot lately and just needed something to bitch about."

Nandy rolled her eyes, "I liked Truman too. I was all for you guys when Jae thought you guys were too young to get married. I thought he'd be on my side."

"He is just going through some things," she explained shooting a glare at Jae who merely shrugged.



****



Maybe she was as bad as Truman thought. She knew Truman just as long as Ruby did and he definitely wouldn't have said something like that without good reason. She sighed, she was human and entitled to get fuck ups but this fuck up in particular cost her Murphy and if Ruby wasn't related to her, maybe even her cousin.

She'd dropped off Ruby and the kids and headed straight home and showered because Murphy was coming. When she'd hopped out of the shower she found herself staring at her reflection in the foggy mirror. To her own eyes she still looked and felt like that fourteen year old girl, tainted and helpless. She wasn't tainted, her family only thought so according to their zealous religious belief that she'd done away with long ago. They convinced her she was. They told her she was tainted, worthless, and unlovable. She sighed to herself. She knew it wasn't true and yet some times she could believe it. She still couldn't help but feel that way. She was no longer helpless; she was the most in control person she knew.

Ananda was soon jarred from her reverie by a knock at the door.

She smiled at her reflection before dropping the towel and rushing to the door. Murphy was greeted by her nude embrace. Nandy pressed her naked body against the hard contours of his. She nibbled at his ear as he nervously checked the hall for strangers who may see the wanton way she pressed herself against him and purred.

When he was sure the coast was clear he claimed her mouth in a passionate kiss, his tongue thrusting in her mouth, his hands groping her plump ass. She never ceased to amaze, amuse, and arouse him.

He picked her up, her body melting and wrapping around him, and walked them into the apartment kicking the door closed behind him. Murphy laid her down on the nearest flat surface, her worn dining table and nipped at her smooth damp skin.

Murphy needed her right then and he could tell she wanted him just as soon, her body writhing against him as she moaned into their kiss. He found her swollen nub with his fingers as she reached between them to free Murphy from his jeans.

Murphy hissed as she worked his hardness in her soft hand. He grunted unable to hold off any longer. He positioned himself to her entrance and swiftly pieced her wetness hissing at how tightly it gripped him. He withdrew then trusted deeper until Nandy let out a growl from her chest.

Growl? She didn't growl, only for Murphy who pumped into her deeply, filling her completely. No one has ever made her hunger for them, filled her every waking thought, or realized her every fantasy like Murphy had. He threw her legs over his shoulders entering her from a different angle and pushing deeper than he'd been before.

"Oh my god! Don't stop!" She commanded as his every stroke seemed to hit her g spot and drive her closer to the edge.

He was so close he was thrusting into her like a jack rabbit. He couldn't help it, everything turned him on about her, from the way her breasts grazed his chest, the softness of her skin, the sweetness of vanilla and sex that wafted around them, and especially the way she moaned his name like a prayer. Suddenly she went ridged and silent and he knew he had her. He didn't stop until she was shaking beneath him, her body gripping him.She writhed and moaned as pleasure shot through her body. Her thoughts were unintelligible, all she knew was Murphy filled her mind, soul, and body. That knowledge alone was winding her body tighter even as she convulsed beneath him. She whimpered as she felt she wouldn't survive the next wave of pure bliss.