Page 59 of King of Pain

Me: Hey, Murph. How’s she doing?

Inhale.

Murph: Hey man. She’s good. Quiet. We’re running shifts posted across from the house. I tailed her to the grocery store yesterday. She looks good. No bruises or anything.

Exhale.

Me: Good. Thanks for keeping an eye on her. I worry.

Murph: You know I’ve got her. Doves take care of their own. How’re things out there?

I feel bad. I haven’t really caught up with Murph since I got here. Just quick wellness checks on how Ma’s doing. I glance around the apartment. The kitchen that suddenly has fancy utensils and spices I can’t even pronounce, the course books scattered on the dining table—and the guy currently asleep on the couch, Little G curled up under his arm.

Me: It’s beautiful. Good. I’m working at this record shop called Devil Records. Taking art classes. Trying to live normal for once.

Murph: Devil Records? That’s got your name all over it.

Me: Ha. Ha. But, yeah, it’s a good place. Chill. Good people. Keeps my head busy.

Murph: I hear that. Hey, have you heard from that guy Christian we used to run with recently?

Freezing a second, my thumb hovers over the screen.

Me: Christian?

Murph: Yeah. You two were tight, weren’t you?

Me: A little. He’s still in Boston, I think. We don’t talk much these days.

Murph: Huh. Thought you two were closer than that.

I frown at the screen. Why’s he asking about Christian now? Does he know?

Me: We were. Things got complicated.

Murph: Complicated how?

I rake a hand through my hair before typing.

Me: You know he comes from one of those old-money families, right? Big houses, country clubs, all about appearances. He hates it. Always has. But he’s stuck.

Murph: Yeah, but he never played into all that. That’s why he hung out with the likes of us, right?

Me: Yeah, he rebelled against it a little. But where it matters, like leaving, he doesn’t give himself that choice.

Murph: Sounds rough.

Me: It is. Why the sudden interest?

Murph: No reason. Forget I mentioned it.

Weird.

Me: Hey, thanks again for keeping an eye on Ma.

Murph: Always. Focus on your new life out there. I’ve got it handled here.

Me: Appreciate you, Murph. Stay safe.