When the tray had been all but licked clean, Murphy sat back in his seat and pulled out a cigarette. With it poised on his lips, he searched his pockets for his lighter. But Julie plucked the cigarette from his lips and clucked at him
"Nuh-uh," she said. "There's no smoking in here."
"Ah, come on, Julie," Murphy pleaded, looking to his brother for support. Connor only raised his hands in surrender, glancing up at Julie with a playful smile.
"Now, Murphy, you know I don't care all that much that you guys smoke," Julie added. "But just not in here. There's a place out back in the alley that Jayne always goes."
Murphy nodded and went to stand, glancing down at Connor. "Ye comin', Conn?"
"Nah," he shook his head. "Not really in the mood fer one now."
Murphy waved his twin off and headed back for the kitchen, following where Jayne had gone out. Julie sat down next to Connor and gave him a skeptical look. "Why aren't you out smoking with Murphy?"
"I just said I wasn't in the mood for one," Connor answered, a bit defensively.
Julie's look didn't fade, and Connor sighed. "Alright, alright. I've been feelin' a bit under the weather lately. Didn't want Murph ta know I was comin' down with somethin'."
"Are you okay," she asked concerned.
"Fine," he replied. "Really. Just ain't had a taste for smokin' lately 'cause of it."
Julie looked down at the table, saying softly "Are your wounds infected, Connor?"
"No," he assured, brushing his fingers over her hair. "I sterilized everythin' just like ye taught me."
"That doesn't mean it can't get infected," she looked up at him impatiently.
"Julie, me and Murph, we were doin' this stuff a long time before we met ye. And God willin', we'll be doin' it a long time afterwards," Connor said.
"But I wasn't there to worry about you, then" she reminded quietly.
Connor hooked a finger under her chin and raised it so she was looking him in the eye. "Ye don't need ta worry about us, Julie. We'll be fine."
A small smile touched his lips as his eyes scanned her face. "Ye know, ye're down right beautiful when ye're not covered in bruises."
Julie gave a soft giggle, even as his thumb slid gently across the edge of her lower lip. Blushing, she looked down, taking his hand in both of hers. With a quick lick of her lips, she asked "Would you like some coffee, Connor?"
He cleared his throat gently. "Aye, that would be lovely."
She slid out of the seat beside him, going behind the counter to pour a cup. The entrance bell rang again, and she turned to see the little boy from before come rushing in. With a smile, she went back up front, mug in hand to greet the boy.
"Hello, handsome," she smiled as he looked up at her. The toy airplane was stuck into one of his pockets.
"Grammaw told me ta come give you this," he said, holding out a chubby little closed fist. He opened it slowly to reveal two crumpled dollar bills.
"Didn't you like the cookies," she asked setting the mug down in front of a grinning Connor.
"They were yummy," the boy smiled, lighting up his face.
"Well, I'll tell you what," Julie replied, going down on one knee to make her face level with his. "You take this money back to Grammaw and tell her that you can repay me by letting me fly on your airplane when you become a pilot."
The boys face went impossibly brighter. "I'm gonna be the best pilot in the whole world."
"Are ye, now," Connor said playfully. "Well, if ye are, then ye best be taken care of me Julie when she's flyin' with ye. She's precious cargo, ye know."
"I promise," the boy nodded, then tugged on Julie's shirt sleeve. "He talks funny."
"Looks funny too," Julie grinned up at Connor, who promptly stuck his tongue out at her.
She and the little boy laughed, and he tugged on her sleeve again. "Miss Julie, can I have another cookie?"
"Well, hotshot pilots do need their strength," she replied thoughtfully. She went back behind the counter and came back with a cookie wrapped in wax paper. "Here you are. Make sure the paper goes in the trash can when you're done."
"I will, Miss Julie," he smiled, running out the door, pausing only a moment to pull the airplane out so he could pretend to fly it on his way home.
Julie went back behind the counter to do some straightening up. Connor walked over, leaning against the counter as he sipped his coffee. "Ye're gonna make a great mother one day, Julie."
"Right," she replied with a smirk as he took a long sip of coffee. "If I could ever find someone to do me."
Connor nearly choked on his coffee and Julie nearly fell on the floor laughing.
---
Murphy found his way through the kitchen to the back door. Stepping out into the alley, he found Jayne there, leaning back against the wall. She had just closed her cell phone and put it back in her pocket when he came through the door. He gave her a nod in greeting and pulled his cigarette back out.
"Can I bum one of those off you," she asked mildly.
"You smoke," he asked, pulling out his pack and holding it out to her.
"No," she replied with a sarcastic smile, taking one from the pack. "I just randomly ask people for ones to add to my collection."
Murphy smiled, lighting his Zippo and holding the flame out for her. She glanced up at him before leaning in to light her cigarette. He lit his as well before closing the lighter and putting it back in his pocket.
"Your tattoo," Jayne said with a smile. "It's pretty cool. Means 'equality' or 'justice' right?"
"Yeah," Murphy answered, nodding with a little laugh. "Me brother's got one that says 'Veritas.'"
"Truth," Jayne replied, taking a drag. "Pretty cool."
"Tried gettin' Julie ta get one tha' said 'the American way,' but she chickened out," he laughed around his cigarette.
"Aw well, that's Julie for ya," she nodded. "She's a bit on the goody-two-shoes side."
Murphy had to laugh again. "Obviously ye ain't seen 'er with a gun."
"Julie? With a gun," Jayne scoffed. "I don't believe it."
"Believe what ye want," he smirked. "She can be a bit of a bad-ass when ye rouse 'er."
"Wow. I'd have to see that," she smiled, flicking some ashes on the ground. "So, you been friends with her for a long time?"
"Only a few months or so," Murphy answered. "A course, she lived with us fer a while. Ye get ta know someone real well when ye live with 'em."
"Don't I know it," she said under her breath.
Murphy looked over at her with a confused expression. But he let it slide, flicking some ashes himself. "Ye know, these things'll kill ye."
"Yeah," Jayne replied, raising an eyebrow. "Don't see you stomping yours out."
"Oh trust me," he shook his head. "It's not cigarettes that're goin' ta kill me."
He blew a few smoke rings, and from the corner of his eye, he saw Jayne smile at them. Just then, her phone vibrated again, and again, she nearly jumped straight out of her skin. She pulled it out and flipped it open, turning from Murphy and taking a few steps further down the alley.
"Tony," she said nervously. "I told you, I'll be home to cook you dinner by six… But Tony, I have work and can't just leave early everyday. They'll fire me… Tony, please don't do this…"
Murphy listened to a little more of the conversation before stepping back inside the building, already disliking whoever Tony was.