Page 5 of Murphy's Laws of Attraction
“Quite alright, a good blubber every now and then is good for the soul. Now do you want to tell me what happened, or are you good to go back to class now?” Her face contorts into disgust and she shakes her head no.
“Um...I can’t go back to class. I um...I started my period.” Like a bolt of lightning, I now understand the hoodie tied around her waist and the notebooks covering her front.
“Oh honey, no worries. These things happen all the time, no one is going to remember tomorrow I promise. Let’s call mom and have her bring you a change of clothes and whatever you have at home to use. What’s your name honey?” Now that I know the problem, the solution is an easy one.
“Paisley Murphy, but...” Murphy, that last name gives me pause. She can’t be related to him, there’s no way. Fate wouldn’t be so cruel to me. It wouldn’t put me face to face with my ex-best friend and my high school crush or would it. He was supposed to be serving his country, not living back in our hometown.
Looking up Paisley’s file I realize that fate can be that cruel. Right there in black and white Finn Murphy’s name under parent information. Fuck my life, he’s back in town and hisdaughter is attending the school I work at. Lovely, just fucking lovely. I wish the floor would open up and swallow me whole right about now.
It’s not her fault her mom was a horrible backstabbing friend. Savannah didn’t even know Finn existed until I pointed him out to her. Then she decided she had to have him, even though she knew I had a crush on him. Paisley doesn’t know that her father and I were inseparable all through elementary school and junior high, or that I dreamed of her dad asking me out all throughout high school. No, she doesn’t know any of that, and she doesn’t need to. I just need to do my job and act like this doesn’t cut me wide open all over again. Smiling, I dial the phone number listed in Paisley’s file.
“Don’t worry honey, I’ll get mom to bring you some stuff soon.” Only it’s not mom who answers the phone, no, yet again fate is being a cruel bitch.
“Hello.” His gruff voice comes over the line and my heart rate instantly picks up. Down girl, he’s married with a kid now.
“Hi this is Ms. Gordan from the nurse's office, can I speak to Paisley’s mother please.” There’s a growl at the other end of the line.
“Is Paisley alright? I’m her father, is there something she needs?” Concern laces his voice.
“Paisley is fine, there is just a situation that would be better discussed with her mother if she is available.” There’s a sigh followed by a soft curse.
“Look Paisley’s mother is not here; I’m her father whatever the situation is you can discuss it with me.” Clearly the military didn’t teach him any manners, I’m tempted to tell Mr. Grumpypants he can fuck right off when I look at Paisleystanding there with tears still in her eyes. This isn’t about me, this is about her. I remind myself.
“Yes, Mr. Murphy Paisley has started her period. Is there any way her mother can come bring her some clothes or come pick her up?” Silence greets me at the other end of the line followed by some heavy breathing.
“Mr. Murphy, are you alright?” I can hear grumbling on the other end, but I can’t make out the words.
“Everything’s fine, I’ll take care of Paisley. I just...I just need to figure out how to do that. Let me call my mom and then I’ll be there.” Why would he need to call his mom?
“I’m sure Savannah knows what to do, just have her come get Paisley.” It slips out before I can stop myself.
“If Savannah would, I would call her. Thank you, Miss, I’m sorry what was your name again.” He sounded pissed, like mentioning Savannah was against some unwritten rule.
“I’m Ms. Gordan, the school nurse. Paisley is right here in front of me and very uncomfortable. Is there any way either you or your wife can come bring her some clothes and feminine products or just come pick her up?” I hear Finn curse under his breath and then lots of slamming of objects on the other end of the phone.
“Mira Gordan is that you? Holy shit it’s been a while, but my ex-wife will probably not answer the phone if you call. Please don’t tell Paisley that, I will be there shortly to pick her up. In the meantime, I will see if my mom is available to help her out. I just don’t know what she needs. I'd be afraid to buy the wrong thing. Any suggestions?” Holy shit he remembers me, holy shit he’s divorced, and holy shit he’s asking me for advice. I think I swallowed my tongue for a minute.
“You know what Mr. Murphy, how about you come take Paisley home. I’ll send her home with something she can use until I get off work. School is almost out. I can swing by and take her shopping for what she needs. Unless your momma or her momma shows up to take care of it first. How does that sound?” There’s a sigh of relief on the other end of the phone like I just removed the weight of the world off his shoulders.
“Mira, I could kiss you, that sounds like an excellent plan. Give Paisley your number so I can call if either my momma or Savannah shows up. I should have prepared for this, I knew it was coming I just kept hoping it wouldn’t come anytime soon. Thank you for your help, I owe you dinner.” The phone cuts off before I get a chance to tell him that’s not necessary.
Chapter Five
Finn
Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit. Paisley started her period, and I have no clue how to deal with this shit. I’ve been trying to call both my mom and Savannah the whole way to the high school with no answer from either. I am not equipped to help Paisley through this transition. She already knows the medical side of things, but she really needs a woman to be there for her. I finally give up deciding that Mira can be that woman.
I’ve known Mira since we were little kids. She was practically my best friend up until high school. Then things changed for us, I was busy with sports and she was busy doing girl stuff. Okay I admit that’s a lame ass excuse, but after she got boobs it was hard to be around her without staring. How was I going to explain my erection to a girl that thought of me as a friend? She would have freaked the fuck out. So I avoided being alone with her.
Then I started dating Savannah and she practically disappeared from my life. I figured she’d found a boyfriend, and they were doing their own thing. Walking through the front doors of the high school I’m transported back in time. Back to when life was simpler and I didn’t know my girlfriend would one day leave me for another man.
“I’m here to pick up Paisley Murphy, she’s in the nurse's office.” I tell the receptionist that is so old she’s probably the same woman that ran the place back in my day. She takes my ID and scans it in then hands it along with a sticker with my name and picture on it to me.
“Put this on and follow the signs for the nurse’s office. You can’t miss it.” The receptionist points to the double doors and I go through those. I find the signs for the nurse’s office and follow them till I get to a brightly decorated door with Ms. Gordan in big black letters on it. She’s still a Ms., so she must not have ever gotten married. Why does that thought make me happy?
Shaking that thought out of my head I knock on the door and wait. Maybe she’s engaged, or maybe she’s divorced too, or maybe I need to not be concerned with her relationship status. When the door opens the vision that greets me is definitely not the awkward teenage girl I once knew. This is a woman in front of me, all curves and softness. I’m stunned by how beautiful she is, even after all these years. She was pretty in high school, but now she’s just stunning.
“Holy shit, I mean hey Mira.” She looks a little shocked before she pulls herself together.
