“Yeah, well before you start deciding your future, check with technology to see whether lawyer jobs will still be plentiful down the road.”
“People will always break the law.”
“True. Criminal attorneys might be around.”
Murphy fixed his rye and coke and took the first swill, moaning from the good taste.
Talin watched and grinned. “How come you never get drunk from that stuff?”
“’Cause, I know my body. When to quit before I lose control. And don’t say you want to be like me in that way too. It’s my one vice, otherwise I’m perfect.” A cynical grin broke out over a face not used to smiling.”
“Last time I asked, you called it a crutch.”
“Guess I’d had my second by then. Listen, squirt, grab a life where you don’t need anything but brains and hard work.”
“No more with the squirt bullshit. I figure I’ve outgrown that nickname.”
“Fine, Batman, have it your way. Where’s my dinner?”
Talin plated the four sandwiches and scored a big glass of milk from the fridge. “I’m staying tonight, okay?”
“Hell, yeah. I wouldn’t ask a dog to go back next door the way your old man is tonight. I’ll go and mess with him in the morning and see if I can’t get him cleaned up.”
“You’re the only one he listens to anymore.”
“That’s ‘cause I scare the shit outta him.” Murphy took another long swill. “He’s an idiot, but not a complete loss. Your mom’s death hit him hard.”
“Maybe you should tell him what you told me.”
“What’s that?”
“You growled at me when I was being pathetic. You said, she’d hate to see me become a loser and use the excuse of her dying to behave like a shit. But, if I used her memory to become the son she’d be proud of, she’d be smiling with the angels. Remember?”
“Yeah. It’s good advice. Don’t know how I got so smart.” Murphy chuckled.
Talin pulled a funny face and took a huge bite.