Chapter 14 - The Bar Mitzvah Boy
Murphy's phone rang while she was reviewing the newest cut of her story on the identity of Deep Throat on her TV. She paused the tape, when no one answered the phone after the third ring and answered it herself. "Brown," she announced flatly.
"Murphy, is that you?" The voice on the other end asked.
"Yes." She answered in the same monotone.
"Why are you answering your own phone?" He questioned in that way he had that just got right under her skin.
"Miles, why do you care? And why are you calling me, instead of spending this time in a meeting deciding how to murder my expense account again?" Murphy answered.
"Well, Murphy I have something very important to ask you. Are you in a good mood?"
Murphy just laughed in his ear. "What do you want, Miles?"
He decided to wade in carefully, hopefully, carefully enough. It was always a toss up. "Well, Murphy, I called to ask what you were doing for Avery's bar mitzvah? He's a man now, you know."
"He's thirteen, Miles. And, news flash, I am not Jewish. So your point in calling again was?" Murphy's voice pitched upward, searching for any answer.
"His father is Jewish! Are you not teaching him anything, Murphy?" The questions were becoming extremely annoying now.
"That would require that I know anything at all about being Jewish, which, as I have already stated, I do not!" Murphy answered, in that way she had.
"Well, Murphy, if you are not going to do anything, I guess I will."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning, I want you to send him to me. And even though I can't put him through a full ceremony, I do have a Rabbi who will teach him about his Jewish side. Also, the Beastie Boys are performing in Brooklyn and I want to take him to see them. He needs roll models, Murphy."
"He has roll models, Miles. He has Aretha, Martha Reeves, and whoever this 50 Cents is. Two of those worked pretty well for me, you know."
"The Beastie Boys are three Jewish guys, and I think they would be extremely good, and up to date, roll models for him.
"Don't you have kids of your own yet, Miles? Because I have chosen that mine will have no specific religious affiliation. I kind of decided that a long time ago."
"That's your decision, Murphy, but as a Jew I have made it my duty to teach your kid about his Jewish side." Miles stated, now standing up to Murphy, which made his butt clinch every time he did it. "Besides I'm banking on it bringing some good karma my way."
"Okay, fine. When do you want him?" Murphy asked, begrudgingly.
"The concert is in a month. How about two weeks before that?" Miles asked.
"He'll still be on his Summer vacation, so that works. Plus, I really need to get him away from this little girl he thinks he likes. She's extremely annoying and rude."