Visit with the Murphy family

Alex steps from his room and finds Elaine and Mrs. Murphy working together in the kitchen. He offers to assist, but Mrs. Murphy waves him away. “I don’t fiddle around in the workshop, and I’ll thank you to stay out of my kitchen,” she says, pleasantly.

Mr. Murphy is sitting in front of the fire, and Alex joins him.

“I’m very happy for your step-father,” he says. “Tom is a fine man, and I’m pleased he has found a good woman. I’m also grateful to him for asking me about having you as an apprentice. I have been in over my head since losing my last one.”

Alex is about to ask what happened to the last one, but Mrs. Murphy calls them to the dinner table.

Dinner is delicious, and Alex immediately feels like part of the family. He particularly likes the way Mrs. Murphy fusses over him and keeps loading up his plate with additional helpings. “Your mother will expect me to keep you well fed,” she explains, as she sets a plate of steaming-hot apple pie in front of him. “And while you’re here, that’s how I want you to think of me. Please call me ‘Mom.’”

Alex turns to thank her, and nearly buries his face in her ample bosom in the process. It just happens to be right at face level. Embarrassed, he mumbles an apology and backs away. If she noticed, Mrs. Murphy didn’t say anything. She continues to bustle about, tending to everyone, until, one by one, each person around the table pushes back and declares they cannot eat another bite.

Elaine sets to work clearing the table. Mrs. Murphy says, “Now that there are four of us, we’re going to have to coordinate our bathing schedule. It wouldn’t do for us to all be in the tub at one time now, would it?” She places a hand on Alex’s shoulder and laughs. Alex chuckles with her, while silently considering that he wouldn’t object too strongly to sharing the tub with Elaine.

“Well, the missus and I are too set in our ways to change things now,” says Mr. Murphy. “So Alex, it’s between you and Elaine as to which of you wants to get up early to bathe.”

Alex looks at Elaine, and says, “It’s your house; what do you want to do?”

Elaine smiles and says, “Thanks. I’m actually good with mornings.”

Mrs. Murphy beams. “Well, that’s splendid! It’s all settled! Now, Alex, why don’t you go tend to your bath now while Elaine and I finish Here in the kitchen?” With that, she busies herself in her tasks, happily humming a tune to herself.

“I wonder if she is always so happy,” thinks Alex, as he makes his way to the bathroom.