Chapter Five: Golden Opportunities

"Jimmy Mack. Jimmy Mack. Oh, Jimmy Mack. When are you comin' back"

~ Martha and the Vandellas

THE SAME DAY

That afternoon Murphy and Miles sat at the restaurant waiting for Jim Dial. It was a lovely day and they sat outside at an equally lovely table overlooking the street. All that separated them from the pedestrians, on the street, was a small white fence and a few flower boxes. They looked over their menus and waited.

"So, isn't this nice. Two friends. Colleagues. Compadreas. Outside of the office. Talking. Chatting really…"

"Miles, the evening news is not getting my story."

"Oh, come on, Murphy. You have this national forum. Why not use it?

"And I will next week when I go live with my special."

"Well, yes, but why wait a week, when you can do it now. We wouldn't want Diane Sawyer to scoop you again?" Miles tried to taunt Murphy, but she saw right through him.

"You're not getting the story, Miles. In fact, neither will anyone else, because it's my story. I devolved it. I nurtured it, and no one is going to get all the credit and glory, unless it's me." Murphy smirked. "Not even Sawyer can take this one away from me. It's that hot. That explosive… that…shall I say, well… ME!"

Miles look at his watch. "Where's Jim? It's unlike him to be late."

"Well, I told him one just in case. I'm sure he'll be along shortly."

"So, what's Jim been up too? I haven't heard from him in a while."

"I don't know. This will be the first time I've seen him since we left Washington."

"We?"

"Jim and I?"

"Oh."

"You thought I meant me and Jerry didn't you?"

"No, of course not." Miles tried to ignore the question and looked at his menu. "Oh look, pumpkin ravioli. That looks good! I think I'll get that."

"Miles. You're my friend. You're my boss. But grow up! I mean, everyone else is learning to deal with this in a mature and adult matter."

"And how's that?"

"They bring it up and I kill them."

"I'm sorry, Murphy. But I'm you friend. We're all your friends. And we can't sit idly by and watch you throw your life away with Jerry Gold."

"Miles, I'm not throwing my life away! In fact, I think Jerry is very good for me and I think you should be happy for me! BE happy for me!" she grunted. "Happy!"

"The man is the devil, Murphy. Pure Satan. The idea of the two of you…"

"Ok! Stop! That's it. We obviously can't talk about this without getting into this no win argument. Not that that's even stopped me before, but Jim will be here soon and I don't want to upset him with this. So, can we talk about something else?"

"Ok." Miles stuffed his head in his menu. "For Jim's sake."

Murphy threw down her menu and leaned on the back of her chair looked out, away from Miles, on to the street. The two of them didn't talk for a few moments, as the tension was thick, until Murphy thought of something to start the conversation on a new topic.

"Let's talk about you, Miles?" Murphy took off her reading glasses and set them on the table.

"What about me?" Miles dropped his menu to the table, as a waiter brought each of them a glass of water and then walked away

"Well. Coming to work late - leaving early - secret conversations in your office. Someone HAS A girl-friend," she sang the last part as a taunting junior school-er. Miles looked embarrassed. "We know she has to be new, that smile on your face every morning shows that, and it's not the girl from the art department, because according to Corky she found her boyfriend distracting her tonsils by use of his tongue. So, spill!"

"Well, yes, I have a girlfriend…" Miles got a boyish look on his face.

"Good for you, Miles. Who is she? Where did you meet her? Come on. Tell me all the juicy details…"

"Well, actually I told you about her."

"You did?"

"Yeah. I use to date her before…"

"So, this is an old flame. Interesting." Murphy's eyes lit up.

"She's the one who..." And Miles trailed off as he noticed something across the street. "Oh, my god. There she is." Murphy looked across the street and saw a blur of a women wave back. "I should invite her to join us." He looked at Murphy. "Is that alright?"

"Sure." Murphy's eyes twinkled with the lust of taunting Miles even further.

"Murphy, be nice! She really means a lot to me." Miles got up from the table and disappeared.

Murphy took her reading glasses from the table and placed them in her bag. As she turned back to the table and took a swig of her water she could notice two figures approach the table.

"Murphy Brown, I would like you to meet…"

And at the same time Miles gave Rachel's full name Murphy's eyes hit Rachel's face. Murphy's eye rose in shock, as the water she was swallowing entered her air pipe, causing her to chock. Murphy turned her head over the table and brought her hand to her throat.

"Are you, alright?" Rachel and Miles questioned.

Murphy coughed a bit more. As her coughing subsided Rachel and Miles stood across from Murphy, looking concerned, as Murphy put her hand up to suggest she would be alright.

"I'm fine. I'm fine," Murphy demanded.

"You're sure?" Rachel questioned.

Murphy still in a little bit of shock as she looked straight ahead, getting her first good look at Rachel and Miles. "No. I'll be ok." Murphy sat back in her chair.

"Wrong pipe?" Miles asked.

"Yeah, something like that." Murphy looked at Miles and then at Rachel with a smirk.

Rachel looked just like she had on the television, but it was eerier to see her in person. Rachel was of course thinking the same thing about Murphy.

To see Rachel's brown eyes in person, the aura, and her obvious involvement with Miles took a while for Murphy to get used to. Rachel pulled her hair behind her ear and Murphy noticed its shape. Her ear was just like her father's - shaped just like a question mark. Jerry's eyes, the shape of her ear - it was uncanny. Murphy held her hands on the arms of her chair and shook her head. She soon began to grin.

"It's a real pleasure to meet you meet, Ms. Brown." Rachel extended her hand and Murphy took it, still looking at Rachel with amazement. When she did take her hand Murphy noticed some writing, in pen, on the back of her palm.

"Why does that say…" Murphy squinted at the lettering. "Life is weird?"

"Because it is," she stated like a question.

"You can say that again." There was a pause, as Rachel sat down. "So, you're Miles' girlfriend?"

"Yes." Rachel smiled, unsure what was meant in the connotation of Murphy's remark. Besides she felt awkward finally meeting a woman she had admired for years.

"Where did you two meet exactly?" Murphy tried to get Miles goat.

Miles and Rachel looked at each other and laughed.

"Well, it's a funny story…" Miles said in his rather adult way, but before he could finish a phone ring stopped him.

The trio all looked to see if it was theirs. It was Rachel's and she politely excused herself from the table.

"I know what you're thinking?" Miles rushed to Murphy with his words as soon as Rachel was out of earshot.

"Oh, really, Miles?" Murphy leaned back a bit. "I think you have no idea what I'm thinking. None at all." She smirked.

"I know she look's young, but she really a lot wiser than her years. Once you get to know her."

"Get to know her? You don't say?" Her smirked continued. "Miles, there's nothing you want to tell me, is there?"

"No, why?" Miles looked at Murphy confused, as Rachel came up beside him and sat back down next to him. Miles leaned in and kissed Rachel gently and the two looked at Murphy.

Murphy shook her head as her smirk was beginning to become a sort of inner laughter, due to the wonderful joke only she knew the punch line to – and she was reviling in it.

"Well, hello there?" Jim's melodious voice and smile shined down at them.

"Jimbo!" Miles shot up like lighting and gave Jim a large hug, one that made him, as usual, uncomfortable.

"Jim." Murphy smiled at him. "It's so good to see you!" Jim smiled and sat down next to Murphy.

"I didn't realize we've be having company?" Jim looked at Rachel.

"Jim Dial, Rachel Margolis-" Miles introduced them and Murphy continued Miles sentence in an awkward manner.

"-She's Miles' girlfriend. Rachel's Miles' girlfriend."

"Very delighted to meet you." Jim dipped his head at her.

The four had lunch and enjoyed each other's company. Jim talked about his wonderful new job and Murphy was glad to see Jim again, but what really seemed to distract her was Rachel. Somewhat so, Rachel herself, at times felt awkward at the way Murphy was looking at her. It was a very short lunch for Miles and Murphy who needed to get back to work. Near the end of the meal, while Jim had gone away to use the bathroom and Rachel was using the phone again Miles and Murphy were left alone again.

"So, do you like her?" Miles asked.

"Yes, I do. But then again she seems to be the type of person who just comes across well. You know, good genes." Murphy kept hinting, trying either to get something out of Miles, or just play with him for later. Miles smiled at Murphy's comments. "Miles, what do you know about Rachel? I mean is there something you want to tell me? It's ok. I won't judge you. Ok, I'll gloat, but I won't judge." Miles looked confused, but had no time to answer as Rachel appeared at the table.

"I have to go. I'm sorry. I have an audition and it's been moved up." Rachel came up to the table. "Murphy, you know Rachel's up for a spot on Kay's new show."

"Miles, please." Rachel waved Miles off while at the same time scanned Murphy up and down for her thoughts on the matter.

"What? I'm proud of you." Miles looked at his watch. "Oh, I better go find that waiter and get our check. Murphy and I really need to get out of here." Miles kissed Rachel on the lips "I'll see you tonight." And Miles jaunted off.

"It was very nice to meet you, Murphy." Rachel grabbed her purse. "We really should do this again."

"He has no idea does he?" Murphy slightly shook her head and leaned back in her chair. Murphy was playing it cool; what she did best.

"Excuse me, Murphy?" Rachel placed her phone in the purse and looked at Murphy.

"That your father's Jerry Gold." Rachel's faces whiten. "And don't try to deny it. I have a very good source on the subject"

"Who?" Her body stiffened.

"Jerry Gold."

Rachel lowered down into her chair, looking around to see if Miles was still nowhere to be found.
"I thought the two of you were just a rumor?"

"We're not."

"It's never come up..."

"So, you haven't told him yet?" Murphy leaned in a bit.

"I don't see what the big deal is?" Rachel leaned in towards Murphy.

"Oh, I think you do."

"I never see my father. He's not in my life. There's no reason to bring it up." There was a pause. "So, what are you going to do now? Are you going to tell Miles?"

"No." Murphy leaned back. "I think that's up to you." Murphy folded her hands on the table. "Why so concerned?"

Rachel dumped the contents of her purse on the table. "Like you said it, it's up to me." She started to fumble with her cigarette case and Murphy grabbed it from her.

"I wish you wouldn't-" Murphy looked at the case and noticed the monogram of J.A.G on the cover. "Why won't you see him?" She was commenting on the case. "This case. You kept it all these years?"

"It's complicated."

"Tell me about it." She looked at Rachel dead on.

"You wouldn't understand." Rachel was agitated.

"Try me."

"I don't get it, Murphy? What do you see in him?"

"How about we have dinner and I tell you what I see in him?"

"And why should I believe you, Murphy? Because, you and my father are having some fling?"

"No. Because I know Jerry Gold better then he knows himself." Murphy paused. "Because, I happen to love him."

Rachel stared at Murphy intently and Murphy stared back, only the more seasoned reporter of the two had no nerves what-so-ever. Murphy has stared down many an interviewee, in more precarious situations then this one, and she knew when she had someone on the ropes. And Rachel had been hit hard. Murphy sat back and waited.

Suddenly, Rachel caught sight of Miles – she looked terrified. "I have to go." Rachel scooped her belongings into her purse and left.

Murphy still hung on to Jerry's cigarette case. She held it with her thumb and fore fingers, rubbing the sliver cover, as she thought, bobbing the case up and down. It was an interesting situation.

Murphy put the case down, as a waiter and the check, about ten feet away from the table, accosted Miles. She took out her organizer and ripped out a piece of paper. She casually wrote down her phone number plus address and then slid it into the case before snapping it shut. As she finished the activity Miles hit the table. Miles placed the check on the table and sat down.

"Interesting girl," Murphy commented calmly, with a hint of preoccupation.

"Yeah, isn't she?" Miles was very excited.

"Rachel forgot this." Murphy handed Miles the cigarette case.

Miles took it and looked at it funny. "Funny. She loves this thing." Miles was perplexed. "I can't believe she forgot it." He placed the case in his breast pocket.

"Really?" Murphy found this all very interesting.

"Where is your lovely date, Miles?" Jim sat down next to Murphy.

"She had to go." Miles took his wallet out of his pocket

"Too bad. A perfectly delightful girl, Miles."

"Thank you, Jim." Miles placed his credit card on the check plate.

"No, Miles. Let me get this." Jim placed his hand on the check tray and went for his own wallet.

"No, really, Jim, you're our guest. Let me. I have an expense account, you know?" Miles acted important.

"Really, Miles. Let me do it." Jim smiled. "I want to do it!" he huffed.

"No, really, Jim, I insist."

"Let me pay it little man!" he puffed.

"Jim, are you alright?" Murphy was concerned by Jim's attitude.

"Yes. Of course. I'm perfectly fine. Why?" Jim looked around and tried to regain his composure.

"Because, if you huff and puff any more I'm afraid you're gonna to blow the whole house down!"

"Yeah, Jim. Something does seem to be bothering you." Miles added.

"Well..."

Miles leaned in "Jim, you can tell us. If you can't tell us, who can you tell? Come on, we're here for you."

"Is it Doris?" Murphy asked.

"No. She's fine."

"Your job?" Miles asked.

"Well, I..."

"I thought you said you were enjoying your job?" Murphy questioned.

"I lied." Jim finally let it out and became a little more animated than usual. "I have never felt so frustrated in my life." Jim made a disproving sound.

"What happened, Jim?" Murphy questioned.

"I went up to New Hampshire thinking I would help change the world, or at least that small part of it. Doris and I rented the house. Packed up all our bags. We were determined to start anew in our retirement years. To live out our golden years among the golden leaves of New England."

"But, Jim, you're just starting out. I'm sure after time. After you've settled…things will turn around," Murphy tried to reassure Jim.

"Oh, believe me, that's what I told myself at first, but nothing was like what I expected it to be!" Jim shook his head. "I expected to work side by side with old newspapermen. We would work together like the way journalism use to be - helping to inform the people of town - about the world and each other. There'd be a kind old man who owned the place and he'd let me do my magic and once a month he'd come around, check things out." Jim smiled at the idea, which turned into a frown as his next thought crossed his mind. "But instead of some sweet old man in cardigan sweaters who's lived in the town for years, I have Wyn! A twenty something BOY who works for Time/Warner and plays video games while he calls me on his headset phone!" Miles and Murphy didn't know what to say. "I wasn't able to do anything I wanted to do. All they wanted was tawdry and sensational stories," Jim grunted. "No one cared how long the old glorious mill had been around- with its history and its relevance to the community. Nooo! All they wanted to know was how soon it could be torn down to make way for the new Wawa! Do you know that not one of their buildings in the center of town were original! It was just Starbucks, and Kmarts, and Bath and Body Works up the wazu! I moved out of Washington for a change of scenery. Of ambience. The only scenery change I got was the drug fair was now on the left instead of the right!" Jim started to calm down. "I don't know what I was thinking. It's just too late for the America I grew up with. I really thought I could make a different, start from the bottom up. But it looks like finally all the crevices of life have been infiltrated."

"No, it's not, Jim!" Murphy faced off at Jim. "Don't say that. I don't want to believe that we can't change things. So, we feel the demise of what we know and love is becoming more apparent. But that should be what makes us man the gates and fight ever harder! Sure, it seems hopeless. But It can be done." Murphy looked at Miles. "Right, Miles?"

"Right!"

"But how, Murphy? I've tried all the channels?"

"So, you try them again! Think about it, Jim. We're people in power. We're the ones who set the example and if we keep on trying to do that by continuing to inform people of their right as human beings to know the truth, we truly win. Because, we may not understand it, but we are the trendsetters. We are who people look towards, and if we stay committed to our beliefs and don't talk down to people - sooner or later they're come around. I know it. I have to believe that, Jim. We can't be the only ones. It's just too depressing to think otherwise. Come on, Jim? How many times did you tell me not to give up? Don't tell me you're not going to do take your own advice?"

"You're right, Murphy!" he said with a sense of purpose. "I have to continue up that mountain. I can't just say I'll never get to the top. When things weren't working out as I had planned I just assumed it was the system. I never looked at myself! Ohh!" Jim was beginning to understand what his problem had been. "Murphy, I feel so invigorated! I haven't felt this way in so long time. Now, all I have to do is find something to put all this energy." Jim took in an invigorating breath. "Oh, I feel like storming the nightly news right now!"

"Now, hold your horses, Jim," Murphy was concerned. "Remember, I'm on it this week. You could always try ABC. I've seen Jennings at the gym. I think you could take him."

"Ohh!" Miles sprouted up. He had been in thinking mode for the last few minutes. "I have an idea! Bear with me. It's just an idea. But! What if you and Jim... co-hosted the News - together?"

"Together! As in the same time?" Murphy was agog.

"Yeah, the old gang. Back together again!"

"You really mean that, Miles!" Jim looked over at Miles with bated breath. "Oh, it'd be so wonderful to be on the air again. When could I start?"

"I could have you both on the air by tonight!"

"When you mean together?" Murphy questioned. "Do you mean we'd be at the same anchor desk? Or do you mean me anchoring and Jim someplace else?" Murphy was still on her own topic.

"Oh, this is wonderful, Miles. How long will Rather be out?"

"Just a week!" Miles was ecstatic, for Jim.

"Wonderful! I'll have to go back to the hotel, tell Doris, get a change of clothes."

"Oh, this so wonderful! The old gang together. Jimbo!" Miles was more enthusiastic then a sailor in a whorehouse.

"But I'll still be doing the weekend report alone right." Murphy groaned to Miles, as Jim sat up as perky as Jim Dial could.

Miles heard Murphy's words but looked at Jim. "That's right... Jim! Jim! Once Rather comes back and Beckstrom leaves - the weekend spot will be open for a few weeks! The network would flip if you agreed to do it!"

"Miles, I agreed to do it! I did! Me! You asked me to do that spot!" Murphy was just about ready to jump out of her skin.

"Oh, Murphy, you have your specials." He waved Murphy off; Murphy grumbled. "What do you say, Jim?"

"I've always thought the weekend reports could use some buffing up. I have a few ideas I've batted around over the years..." Jim looked at his watch. "Oh, I better get back to hotel so I can get back in time to prep." Jim patted down his tie and took on his anchorman body, face and voice, "I'll see you both in the studio."

"Miles, that's my job!"

"But you have your special to work on?"

"So! I want to do the news too, Miles! You said I could do the news!" Murphy whined "You said I could do the news and you said I could do it alone!"

"Hey, now." Jim tried to settle her down. "Murphy, remember. We're role models." Jim's eyes lit up and he walked off looking as proud as a peacock.

Miles finally looked at Murphy who didn't look happy. "Come on, Murphy, its Jim?" Murphy gave Miles a fierce look which made Miles retreat into himself. "I'm going to pay for this aren't I? Ugg" Miles sunk off to the side.

"More then you know, Miles. More than you know." Murphy smiled and shifted in her chair. "But it will be nice to work with Jim again." She smiled "The old gang together again."

"See, that's the spirit." Miles motioned for the waiter to come over and take the check. Miles had a look of confidence again.

"Oh, don't get me wrong, Miles. You're still gonna pay."

Miles once again had fear in his eyes.

LATER

Murphy went straight home after the broadcast. She opened the door and slammed it with great force before she tossed her keys on a small table she had just bought for the foyer. Murphy began to cross the foyer to the living room, but stopped for a moment, turned back, and eyeballed the table set up against the wall. She didn't seem to like it. Murphy looked towards the center of the foyer and then back at the table next to the door. She picked up the circular table and set it in the center of the room, satisfied with its appearance, as if it made some sort of strange sense in the Murphy Brown's version of Feng Shui. Of course, what Murphy failed to acknowledge to herself, was the fact that there was reasoning behind her sudden need to redecorate, the same thing that compelled her to change around the living room as well. And that was because it made Jerry's apartment look more like her Georgetown townhouse.

Murphy walked into the living room and over to a large table that once had sat in the den, but now was positioned against the back of the center black couch. On top of the table, along with the mail Murphy was heading for, where tons of pictures - all of which were Murphy's. There were pictures of Avery and her, a picture of her mother, a new picture of her and Jerry in the park. An old black and white picture of Murphy and Frank from 1979, and of course her autographed picture of Robert Kennedy, which he personal signed for her when she worked on his campaign for President, among many others. Now, what had once been a drab un-personal apartment, with Murphy's touches had become more like a home. Not that Murphy had brought a lot of things with her from Washington. Bringing too much would of assumed permanency, but the few things she did bring set about the room and the fireplace, made the room more colorful and a bit cluttered. This was because of in the little over half a century that Jerry Gold had occupied his space on earth he seemed to have collected absolutely nothing.

Murphy sifted through the mail and noticed a sound coming from Avery's room that turned out to be Eldin.

"Hideo Ho." Eldin entered the living room.

"Eldin, what are you doing here? I thought you and Avery were going to the park?"

"We were. Until, I had a sudden rush…" Murphy turned around to face Eldin. "…Of inspiration!" Eldin became expressive with his hands. "I was walking with Avery when I had an epiphany… "

"Eldin, did you have the mail forwarded for the summer?"

"What?" He leaned into Murphy in a perturbed way.

"The mail? There's still no mail for me today. Did you have the mail forwarded like I asked?"

"Did you hear anything of what I just said?"

"Yeah. Park. Walk. Painting. Epiphany. I got that. Now, what about the mail?"

"Don't you want to know what it is?"

"Of course. But first can we concentrate on important things. Like me!"

"And you wonder why you were single for fifty years."

"I guess that's a no."

Eldin walked over to the step leading to the dining room and took hold of a wooden paint mixer/stick to mix the paint can resting in his left hand. Murphy made a face, as she took what she thought was the last piece of mail only to discover it not. Murphy stopped short in her perusing of the mail and stared at the large envelope. It looked like it was in German and Murphy recognized the name on the return address, it was from Jerry's lawyer in Germany.

Murphy kicked off her shoes and walked over to Jerry's desk, opposite the hallway door to Avery's room, and deposited Jerry's mail. She started to walk away from the desk but stopped. She looked back at the mail and then picked up the suspicious letter. She put the letter up to the light to see if she could see anything through the envelope and of course she couldn't. In her disgust, over the fact, she tossed the letter back onto Jerry's desk.

Murphy walked over to the phone and dialed information. "Can I have the number for Georgetown post-office, in the Washington DC area? Thank you." Murphy waited for a moment and then slammed the phone down. "Busy!"

Murphy then looked like she was pondering something for a moment. She sat down on the couch and tried to shake off the letter and her brain onto other subjects. Eldin walked back into the living room, as she spoke to herself.

"What am I going to do? Should I tell him? What's the point?"

"What are you going to do? Linseed oil just went up another dollar, but you don't see me whining about it"

"Eldin?" Murphy turned her head, as Eldin circled the back couch with a bucket of rags. "If you knew something about someone that really had no bearing on their relationship what-so-ever… In fact, bringing it up would probably upset or mess up the situation more for the other person then help. Plus, I sort of told this person I wouldn't approach this other person. But it's not like I approached her. I saw an opportunity and I..."

"When you do this for a living do you need an interpreter?" Murphy gave Eldin a look as he picked up his bag of brushes from the corner of the living room.

"Ok, this is the situation..."

"Oh! Oh! Oh, no! You killed someone didn't you? I knew this would happen! Don't tell me anything..."

"Eldin?"

"I wouldn't normal like to break the law like this. But we have to think of the child. He can't be growing up with a mother in the joint."

"No, I didn't kill anyone, Eldin! Now do you mind, I have a very serious dilemma on my hands!" Murphy followed Eldin as he crossed the living room. "I found out that Jerry's daughter is dating my old boss Miles..."

"The short guy with the glasses?" He gestured with the small bucket.

"Yeah…" Murphy was not amused. Eldin laughed. "I'm just debating whether I should tell Jerry. I mean it has no real bearing on his relationship with her, and I feel since... Well, I just don't want to discourage him more then he already is. I feel this could. But if I don't tell him, that's keeping something from him and Jerry and I said we would never do that, not that we tell each other everything. We keep some things from each other, but this is a big something. Plus, I sort of told him I wouldn't say anything to her. Not that I do whatever he tells me to do. I just now it means a lot to him if he does this thing by himself."

"Why is it your life always sounds like a Spanish soap opera without the sub-titles?"

"I'm asking for advice, Eldin!"

"Why are you asking me for? You're just gonna to do what you want."

"That never stopped you before, but fine. I'll make up my own mind, thank you!"

"Well, that was repetitive." Eldin shock his head and walked into the hallway towards his new masterpiece.

Murphy sat herself down on the couch made herself comfortable.

"Hey, Mom!" Avery entered from the den through the hallway to the back of the apartment.

"Hi, Honey." Murphy's eyes lit up, as her young son came over to her, gave her a huge hug and then snuggled next to her on the couch. "How was your day?"

"Great! Eldin took me to the MAMA."

"The MOMA."

"Yeah, the MOMA. The Museum of Modern art."

"I know, Honey." She smiled.

"But we didn't get to go play catch. Maybe tomorrow." He looked sad.

"How about you give me a few minutes to relax and then we'll go to the park before dinner."

"Really? Thanks, Mom." Avery hugged her and ran off towards his room. "I'll get my mitt." And he trailed off.

Murphy smiled, shook her head and then heard the sound of the door being unlocked, followed by the emergence of Jerry at the front door. Murphy turned her head towards the noise as Jerry entered. He threw his keys where the small table had been that morning, only to have them fall to the ground. He turned his head as he noticed the sound of them failing to the floor. Jerry looked at the ground and then over to the center of the room where the table now stood. He gave a look, opened his month, and turned his head, closing the door behind him. Jerry leaned down, picking up his keys, and then threw them on the table along with his newspaper, before entered the living room.

"Hey."

"Hey." Jerry walked towards Murphy on the couch with a smile, but tripped over Murphy's shoes before he could reach her. He regained his balance with an offset look and then walked over to her on the couch before kissing her lightly on the lips. "How was your day?"

"Good. You?"

"Yeah! Fabulous." Jerry leaned in again and kissed Murphy further.

"There's mail for you. I think it's something from you lawyer."

"Oh." Jerry walked over to his desk and leafed through the mail. "So, get this. Ends up since the TV's show's being repeated on Monday nights after the news it's eligible for the Primetime Emmy's in the fall."

"Jerry, that's great!"

"Yeah, I had to decide today which shows I want to summit for consideration. I'm still stuck between the one where James Carvile tried to strangle me, or when Janet Reno threatens to have me deported."

"Well, nothing says awards winning television like a good throttling."

"That's what I was thinking."

"Hey, Mom. You ready?" Avery ran through the room holding two baseball gloves

"Yeah, let me go change."

"Where you guys going?"

"To play ball." Murphy pushed herself off the couch.

"Oh! I need a bat." Avery ran back towards his room.

"And you were going to go without me?" Jerry mocked hurt.

"No offence, Jerry. But you throw like a girl."

"I do not! Baseball just isn't my sport. Now, football, that's a man's game!" Murphy made a face. "Oh, I get it." Jerry started to unbutton his jacket." Fontana's coming." Jerry placed his jacket on the back of his desk chair while Murphy walked over to the hall closet.

"Frank?" Murphy started to search through the closet, throwing things out as she searched. "No, Frank isn't even in town. "Ah, HA!" Murphy found her baseball mitt and kicked the rest of the things she had taken out of the closet back in, barely shutting the door closed. Jerry shook his head and Murphy entered the living room again. "Oh, I saw him today and I just..."

"Today? No, Frank's in the Hamptons all summer. I just talked with him yesterday." Murphy passed Jerry with a strange look on her face.

"Oh, I must have been wrong then." He smiled, as Murphy entered the hallway to their bedroom.

Eldin walked into the living room holding a small ladder over his shoulder. He walked over to the wall next to Jerry's desk and set the ladder against another ladder of equal size, before beginning to compare them.

Jerry stood next to the desk pondering something. "I just saw Fontana…" Jerry took sight of Eldin." Hey, Eldin."

"Yeah, Yeah."

"Eldin?" He turned his head slightly towards him. "You're always around, Murphy..."

"That I'm afraid is true," Eldin said dryly.

"If you knew something about someone. A friend of someone's and..."

"You two talk on Television for a living, right?" Eldin went to pick up the ladder, but Jerry leaned in and whispered to him making him stop before he could.

"I saw her friend Font...Frank, and I know he's been in town for a while - in fact, I'm sure of it...and Murphy just told me she knows nothing about it. I'm not sure if I should tell her about it because..."

"Avery!" Murphy bellowed through the living room.

"Forget we ever had this conversation." Jerry coughed and walked away from Eldin.

"I always do." Eldin picked up the other ladder and crossed the living room again to Avery's room.

Murphy jumped down off the bottom step, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, a baseball hat, with her hair in a ponytail and a glove rested in her right hand.

"OK!" Avery ran out of his room and towards the door and past Jerry.

"Hi, Jerry! Bye, Jerry!" And he opened the door and waited for his mother.

"Hey, Kid."

"We'll be home in an hour." Murphy kissed Jerry and walked towards the foyer, as Jerry crossed the living room in the opposite direction. Murphy hit the first step to the foyer and stopped. She turned around and called to Jerry.

"Jerry?"

Jerry turned his head in anticipation to what Murphy was about to say. "Yeah?"

Murphy shook her head at Jerry. "No," she laughed and shook her head. "Never mind." The two smiled and preceded in the direction they had previous been walking in.

Jerry walked one step and then turned and called to Murphy. "Brown?"

"Yeah?" Murphy turned in anticipation to what Jerry was about to say.

"Nothing. Never mind." Jerry turned his head and the two proceeded as they had before, but they each had only hit two steps when Murphy called Jerry's name again.

"Jer?"

"Yeah." There was a short pause.

"No. I… Never mind." They both turned away and then Jerry started up the conversation again.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" he turned his head and called to her

"No." She smiled "Why? Is there something you want to tell me?"

"No. No." They both looked at each other for a moment and then each exited the living room in opposite directions.

That night Murphy was sleeping when she heard a noise coming from what she thought was the living room. She woke up somewhat befuddled and looked at the clock- it was two a.m. She brushed her hand towards Jerry's side of the bed, as she was about to call out to him, but before she could she could feel he was not lying next to her. Murphy put on her robe and walked into the living room, as her eyes adjusted to the light. She looked around and heard the noise again, coming from a room off the veranda. Murphy walked into what Jerry had allocated to his fitness room

"Gold! What are doing?" Murphy walked into the room and found Jerry doing reps of weights above his head. He looked like he had been there for a good amount of time.

"I'm barraging a peace accord between Israel and the Middle East! What does it look like I'm doing?" Jerry let out a breath and set his weights on a rack above his head. He sat up and wiped the sweat off his brow."

"It's two in the morning!"

"I can't sleep."

"And you feel physical excretions is going to put you to sleep." Murphy's eyes twinkled at her next thought. "Not that it stopped you in other areas," Murphy smiled slyly at her jab.

Jerry ignored the comment and grabbed a towel off a bike machine next to the door and rubbed it along the back of his neck. He was still a bit out of breath. "Well, I had other ideas, but you hate it when-"

Murphy wouldn't even let Jerry finish his vulgar joke this time. "Gold, this is the fifth night in a row. What's going on with you?"

"It hasn't been that much!"

"Jerry, I sleep next to you ever night, I think I know."

"It's not that bad..."

"Jerry, on your show yesterday you fell asleep during the commercial break! There was thirty second of dead air accompanied by your constant snoring!"

"I had Ralph Nador on, of course I fell asleep! Besides, who said I didn't do that on purpose. I was just getting him back at him for that time he slashed my tires. And hey, I thought you didn't listen to my show."

"My camera men do," Murphy said, insinuating his show was lower than her standards. "I overheard them talking about it."

"Really?" He didn't believe her.

"Gold?" Murphy walked closer to him and put her hand on the bike machine.

"Why is it you always think you have the answers when it comes to me, when it comes to everything?! Maybe this has nothing to do with anything! Maybe you're wrong? Did you ever think of that!"

"No!" Murphy walked beside Jerry. "It's about Rachel isn't it?"

"What? You are so wrong!" Jerry turned his head in avoidance and walked over to the window and a rack of weights. "That's over with." He lobbed his towel on the rack with great force.

"Over with?"

"Yeah." Jerry looked at Murphy. "I've made a decision about that. She doesn't want to see so me. And there's nothing I seem to be able to do about it. End of story. Everyone's happy." Jerry walked past Murphy and began pacing the length of the window

"And that's why you're in here doing crunches at two a.m. because you're happy?"

"No. But I find it makes the babes happy." Jerry tried to make a joke with a figurative "wink and a smile", but Murphy had other issues at hand.

"Why don't you go see her again? If it's bothering you so much? I hate to see you like this, Jerry..."

"I did." Jerry stopped and looked at Murphy. "She doesn't want to see me, Brown! So, lay off it already! Jeez!" He stopped for a moment revealing his vulnerable side. "She's ashamed of me, Murphy. What is there I can do? She has an idea about me and there nothing I can do about it. So. I tried. I failed. End of story." He put the façade back on.

"And you're fine with that?"

"Yes!"

"Huh! Well, I don't believe you." Murphy caught his eyes.

"How many times can we have this discussion?" It was of course an exaggeration because Murphy and Jerry had only had this conversation once or twice before.

"What is going on with you, Gold...?" Murphy knew it was eating at him, but this seemed beyond anyway that she had seen him react before. It seemed even worse than that time two months ago in Murphy's kitchen.

"All I'd be doing would be alienating her!"

"It never stopped you before!"

"This is different!" Jerry walked behind the row of weights, on the other side of the room, and over to a small refrigerator.

"What is with you, Gold? This isn't like you?"

"What! I'm still the same."

"You don't give up."

"I'm not giving up! There just comes a time when if someone feels one way there nothing you can do about it."

"Jerry." Murphy followed and talked to him from the other side of the room. "She wants to see you Jerry. She just won't admit it," Murphy said sharply. "I can tell from experience that there's a part of her that..."

"What!" Jerry took a Gatorade out of the refrigerator and slammed the door shut. "How do you know this, Brown?"

"I saw her today."

"Ah. Jeez, Brown!" Jerry slammed the bottle down on the counter and leaned forward.

"I just happen to run into her, I didn't search her out, or have her followed, Gold! I had the opportunity to say something and I took it! I see how tormented you've been over this! I hate to see that! I couldn't just let it pass by! I had to go for it!"

"You just happened to run into her!" Jerry looked up at her and gestured with his drink.

"She's sort of...dating... Miles."

"Sliverberg! Oh great! No wonder she won't see me." Jerry laughed. He opened the bottle and took a drink.

"She had your cigarette case, Jerry. I mean why would she…"

"Wait? My what?" Jerry put the bottle down on a counter and walked towards Murphy.

"Did you ever have a sliver cigarette case?"

"Yeah..."

"With your monogram on it?"

"It was a gift from my mother? So, what?"

"She carries it around with her, Gold! Miles said it's her most prized possession. That means something, Gold! I know it does. If you'd just go see her one more time I know..."

"Brown, I did that! I need to do this on my own terms! I… I.. You know what the real problem here is-"

"-Yeah! You're afraid to show the world the real you. Why is it you can't put down this act for one moment for anyone else but me! If you can't be vulnerable to your own daughter who then! No one knows you more than I do! Why shouldn't I talk to her on your behalf?"

"You are so wrong!" Jerry avoided with his body and then turned back at Murphy. "And... who says she'll believe you when she won't even listen to me..."

"Jerry, I'm the women American trusts…" Murphy said, as if it was common knowledge.

"Oh! And I'm just some hack with a microphone…" He gestured out with both of his hands.

"Jer, that's not what I meant! And you know it!"

"Look! I'll tell you what's really going on here, you don't trust me!"

"What? Where did that come from? Of course I trust you - I'm in a relationship with you!"

"Really? Sometimes I don't know."

"What are you talking about, Gold?"

"You officiously don't want to be here!" Jerry began to pace towards the door. "That's been apparent ever since you got here!" He turned and looked at Murphy. "Why are you here, Brown?"

"I'm here, aren't I?"

"Yeah, in body maybe, but your minds still off in Washington..."

"Don't give me that! This has been very hard for me and I'd appreciate some respect for my feelings here-"

"Let's look at the evidence!" Jerry gestured with his hands. "There's the fact that I had to pull you up here kicking and screaming, I think you can still see your claw marks up Pennsylvania Avenue. Or how about every time I come into this apartment it becomes more and more like - I don't know your house in Georgetown..."

"It is my fault I have classic tastes!"

I just wonder why the hell you decided to come with me! You're officiously not happy here. Am I right, huh! Huh?" There was a pause. "Just tell me, Murphy…" He paced and then looked at her. "Well, I guess I got my answer didn't I!"

"There's more to this, Jerry, it's not just you!" Jerry shook his head and waved Murphy off, as he sped past the door. Murphy walked forwards and yelled at Jerry down the hallway. "It's not always about you, Jerry! I have needs too, you know!"

Jerry left Murphy alone, as he grabbed his keys off the table in the hall and slammed the front door. Murphy heard the door slam and lowered her head, taking a deep breath in disgust. Was this really all worth it?

All is fair in love; love's a crazy game. Two people vow to stay, in love as one they say. But all is changed with time, the future none can see. The road you leave behind, ahead lies mystery. But all is fair in love, I had to go away A writer takes his pen to write the words again That all in love is fair All of fates a chance, its either good or bad I tossed my coin to say in love with me you'd stay. But all in war is so cold, you either win or lose. When all is put away, the losing side I'll play. But all is fair in love; I should have never left your side. A writer takes his pen to write the words again. That all in love is fair. A writer takes his pen to write the words again. That all in love is fair

All Is Fair In Love & War ~ Stevie Wonder

ACROSS TOWN

Miles was awoken from his sleep a little time after Murphy was awoken from hers. He looked around his apartment and heard the faint sound of Motown music coming from the other room. He looked around in his blind gaze and noticed Rachel was not beside him. He squinted and took his glasses off the nightstand next to his bed.

Miles walked into his living room, which was dimly lit by a halogen in the corner and another around the entertainment system, where he saw Rachel standing over the entertainment system, swaying back and forth to the music, as she sorting through a box of cassette tapes. A box he thought had been hidden in the closet. She was bopping her head and lip syncing to the music dressed in a blue silk robe.

"Rachel?" Miles yawned and scratched the back of his head.

"Where did you get these Motown tapes, Miles?" She showed Miles a cassette tape. "I never saw these before." Rachel herself was wearing glasses and they slid a bit down her nose.

"Murphy gave them to me." He said in a daze. "What are you doing, it's late?"

"She has great taste in music." Rachel looked back in the box and pushed her glasses up her nose.

"Rachel, what's wrong?"

"I can't sleep." She picked up another tape and looked at it will owe. "Oh, my mother used to play this one on her record player all the time." Rachel sprung up and replaced the tape in the player with another.

"Rachel, it's two in the morning." Miles wrapped his arms around Rachel's waist.

"Go to bed. I'll be there." She turned her body so she was facing him. Rachel started to sing along with the music.

"You know normal people when they can't sleep read a book, watch TV." He kissed her and walked away, as Rachel lifted the box onto the ground and sat in front of it.

"Murphy gave you all these tapes?" Rachel looked in the box in amazement.

Miles laughed and walked closer to Rachel. "From the day Murphy and I starting working together she was constant about it. Making sure I knew everything about Motown, all that music from the sixties. It was like her one unrelenting goal. Well, that and making all my waking, and un-waking moments a living hell! When I first met her, you know what the first question she asked me was? Not what my background was or where I went to school. No. She asked me if I knew who the Shirelles were. And the Ronettes and the Delfonics. But hey, it's because of her I knew that the Marvelette sang Walking In The Rain."

"The Ronettes."

"What?"

"The Ronettes sang Walking In the Rain. The Marvelettes sang Mr. Postman."

"Oh." He pushed his glasses up his nose. "Wait, how do you know all this?"

"Some people have eclectic tastes, Miles. Besides, I told you, from my mother."

"Oh. Makes sense."

"Miles?" She paused and looked at him. ""Do you trust Murphy? I mean I know you trust her as a journalist, but as a person? Do you trust her opinions? Her judgment?"

"Oh, I didn't mean to make it sound that way. Sure we butted heads, but Murphy is one my most trusted friends. Why so concerned about Murphy?" Miles asked, putting his hands in his pajama pockets.

Rachel stood up and put her arms around Miles. "Oh, just wondering." She leaned in and gave Miles a long kiss. "

"Murphy doesn't just warm up to just anyone – give it time. I know how much you want her to like you. But I don't want you to be disappointed if -"

"Go to bed, I'll be there soon." They parted and Miles walked back to bed.

Rachel waited a moment in the shadow of the music and the room. She looked like she was trying to decide something, as if she was stuck between two pathways. She walked over to the table next to the couch and wrote a note on the small pad next to the phone. She walked over to a desk next to the door and pulled out some tape. She taped the note to the front door, grabbed some clothes off a chair and disappeared into the back halls of Miles' apartment. The note read: I went out, be back later.

MURPHY & JERRY'S APARTMENT

It took Murphy another hour to get to sleep again and she had only been in a deep sleep for what seemed like a few seconds when she was awaken by a sound.

"Jerry?" Murphy sprung up from her slumber and looked around quickly, like a fox, trying to figure out what had taken her from her deep REM sleep. It was the door intercom and even though it didn't have the worst sound in the world it bothered Murphy for other reasons. She looked at the clock and it read past three a.m.. Murphy's feet tripped towards the door and she pushed the talk button. "What is it Danny!"

"This is Tony, Ms. Brown. Danny works during the day."

"Oh, yeah. Yeah. If it's Jerry just send him up." She walked away from the buzzer, but it rang again.

"What?" She hit the talk button again and then the listening button.

"No, Ma'am. It's a woman. She says she needs to see you. I told her it was late, but she threatened me if I didn't ring you up."

"Is she blonde?"

"Brunette."

Murphy thought for a moment. "Ok. Send her up." Murphy began to walk away again when the intercom buzzed again.

"There has to be another way to do this!" She pushed the listen button this time. "What?"

"She says she won't come up?"

"What!"

"She says she wants you to come down. And alone. Ms. Brown."

Murphy watched out of the elevator into the lobby, still in her robe and pajamas. She crossed the beige marble floor towards Tony's desk and the door.

"I tried to tell her, Ms. Brown..." Murphy waved him to stop.

"Rachel?" Murphy questioned, as the girl, who looked like she was dressed in blue workout clothes and sweats, turned and looked at Murphy. It was not the person Murphy had expected to see.

"Murphy?"

"What are you doing here?" Murphy walked closer to her and the door until she was in the center of the lobby.

"I thought we could have our talk?"

"Now? You want to talk now! It's three in the morning!"

"I need to have that talk now, Murphy! I've been doing a lot of thinking." She began to pace the floor. "And if I don't talk to you now - I might just come to my senses and not want to do it at all, but if you don't want to I'll just go..." She went for the door.

"No. Rachel, wait!" Rachel stopped and turned towards Murphy.

"Come on upstairs. I'll find us something to drink."

"Nooo." She shook her head. "I can't go up. I don't want to see him. Not yet. Not 'till I've talked with you first." She folded her arms close to her chest.

"He's not there, Rachel."

"He's not? No. I don't want him coming in on us."

"Ok." Murphy was exhausted and not happy by the situation, but her instincts were telling her she had to do this. "Ok. There's a diner around the corner. I'll get dressed and meet you there."

A LITTLE LATER

Murphy walked into the twenty four-hour diner. By the time she had gotten there it was a little after three-thirty. She had to of course call Eldin to watch Avery and for some reason she couldn't find any socks that matched. Finally, surmising that it wasn't possible to come out of the laundry with an even pair of matching socks, Murphy decided to throw caution to the wind and wear one blue sock and one black sock. The diner was small, but with almost no one in the place it looked much larger than it had when Jerry and Murphy had their breakfast in the mornings. Murphy looked around and noticed Rachel sitting in a booth next to the window, about three booths from the door. Murphy made her way to the table and slid into the booth across from Rachel. They smiled at each other awkwardly.

"So." Murphy eyebrows shot up.

"So," Rachel continued, as there was a short pause.

"I'm still not sure why I'm here?"

"Me either. But why don't we order and we'll see what happens? I'm starving." Rachel pushed her menu to the center of the table.

"Sounds good."

Rachel motioned for a waitress at the counter, who made her way towards them.

"What can I get you?" said the young girl.

"Well." Rachel perked up a bit. "Crystal is it?" Rachel looked at her nametag. "Great. Well, Crystal my friend and I have some very important things to talk about - so, it's ok if you don't come over every once in a while and ask us how we're doing. It will be understood. Anytime we need refills, more food, and I do foresee that happening, we'll call you. I will have a hamburger. Well done. French-Fries. On a separate plate. And honey mustard if you have it? Murphy?" She looked at Murphy. "Oh, I'm sorry are you ready?"

Murphy looked at Rachel with a look of "unbelievable" on her face. It was uncanny. "Hamburger and fries also. But no mustard. " Murphy handed the women the two menus.

"Anything to drink ladies?" Crystal questioned.

"Tea please. Chamomile and honey." Rachel looked at Murphy

"Blackberry and I'll just have sugar." The waitress walked away and Rachel ran her fingers threw her hair and scratched the back of her head with her thumbnails, just like Jerry. Murphy shook her head and smiled.

"It's uncanny?"

"What is?"

"You're just like him."

"I am not."

"There it is. That denying temper."

"I am nothing like him!"

"I think your more like him then you'd care to admit. I think that's what scares you about him."

"You are so wrong!"

"There it goes again…"

"Stop it!" Rachel switched the places of her fork and spoon out of nervousness. "Ok." Rachel looked up at Murphy. "And how do you think you know so much about me, Murphy?"

"Because, I was you. I still am in a way. Take it from me. Don't wait 'till your forties to try and start a relationship with you parents because that road is filled with too many regrets and too lates. I know. I still don't have the best relationship with my father, I try, but I all these issues-"

"-From the past come up-"

"-They get in the way. I know they shouldn't be there. But they still are."

"Yeah." Rachel understood that Murphy wasn't just doing this as her father's girlfriend, but as a woman who knew what she was going through.

"Don't wait until it's too late, Rachel. You'll regret it. Trust me."

"I understand what you're saying, Murphy, but from what I'm guessing you grew up with your father. You got to know him; you know what you're expecting. And right now from what I know I don't trust him."

"Yes. But that was over years that I learned not to trust him. You really don't know Jerry yet. Just give him time." Murphy made a face. "Ok. This is not helping. But then that's why we're here, right? For me to help you better know you father." Murphy leaned back in her booth. The waitress came over and placed the women's tea in front of them. "Understand the man behind the façade. Yup. That's why we're here." Murphy stopped and got a look of fear on her face. "How the hell am I supposed to do that!"

"I don't know, Murphy? This was your idea!"

"Ok. I can do this… Here we go."

"Ok. I'm listening." Rachel leaned back in the booth, as there was a long pause. "Maybe you could start with some of his good qualities?"

"Good qualities… Good qualities…" Rachel tried to interrupt." No, I'll think of them." She waved her hands.

"Murphy, I came here because I trust you, because Miles trusts you. Because, when I was a kid there was no one I looked up to more than you. So, the fact that you claim to love my father is the only reason I'm here. So, why don't you start from there?"

"You're right. You're right! "Murphy took a sugar packet from the table and shook it, regaining her confidence. "Let's just start at the beginning shall we." Murphy ripped the packet and pouring it into her tea. "And we'll just work our way from there." Murphy mixed her tea and took a small sip. "Well, let's see. When I first met your father I thought he was the most irritating, egotistical..."

"And this is suppose be help me, Murphy!"

"Can I finish…" Murphy leaned into the table. "You know, when someone is telling a story you have to trust it's going somewhere!"

"Alright." Rachel leaned back.

"I'm trying to show you that I use to feel the same way about Jerry that you do. That's there's more behind the man…"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm listening."

"Good. So… If we go back it really all started one day at Phil's, a bar I hang out at. I was hanging out after a broadcast with everyone from the show when Jerry Gold walked in." Murphy shook her head slightly. "Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that by the time I left the bar I'd have a date with Jerry Gold."

Murphy told Rachel the story of hearing from Phil that day - about the only reason he let Jerry Gold into his bar. And it was because of the sizeable donations he made each year to Meals On Wheels, a charity that helped the homeless, causing Murphy to start to see Jerry in a different light. That when Murphy integrated Jerry on it the true Jerry came through, shocking her out of her skin, but that truly didn't happen until later. By the time, Murphy left Phil's she had been suckered into a date with Jerry - an idea that boggled Murphy's mind. She made every excuse not to show up, but her curiosity got the better of her. By the time the food came Murphy was on to the moment that changed her life forever, good or bad, it changed everything; the moment that truly could be described as the "jumping out of her skin" moment.

"We both decided it was ridiculous. That we would both go our separate ways. That we both learned a little bit about each other..."

"Then what happened?"

Jerry's words, from ten years ago ran through her head. "That's a good plan. Or we could do this." It was a moment from the past so vivid Murphy could see it like it happened yesterday.

"He leaned in and kissed me. He just took me and kissed me. And. That was it. It felt right. It... From then on I saw him in a different light."

"Then what happened?" Rachel leaned in.

Murphy smiled, leaned back, and continued her story to a completely intrigued and captivated Rachel. She had in the palm of her hand and Murphy loved that.

By the time Murphy had gotten to 1991, just before Avery was born, they had almost finished their food and had just ordered a second helping.

"Wait! Wait!" Rachel laughed. "Wait a minute! Your ex-husband just proposed to you in the living room and Jerry shows up, on your door step, in a penguin outfit!" She gestured with her hands.

"I know! It's crazy. Only it was whale outfit." Murphy took french-fries off of Rachel's plate and dipped them in the ketchup on her own plate, before taking a huge bite out of it, and throwing it into her month.

"Your drinks ladies." Crystal placed two drinks in front of the women.

"I can't believe you've lived in New York you whole life and you never had an egg Cream?" Murphy scolded her.

"Come on, Murphy, finish the story." Murphy took the drink up and then stopped. "Where was I?"

"My father at your door in a penguin suit!" Rachel lifted her drink to her mouth.

"A whale suit! It was a killer whale outfit. In fact…" Murphy smiled slyly. "He said he was a sperm whale." She grinned and leaned back in her seat.

"A whale outfit? Why do I keep doing that?"

"I don't know?" Murphy commented and Rachel outstretched her drink.

"Either way it's still a little weird." Rachel laughed "CHEERS!"

"Cheers!" Murphy did the same. They clicked glasses and both took a drink at the same time.

"Whoa. Who ever invented chocolate needs to get a medal or some kind - at least the Nobel Prize!" She laughed and took another swig.

"Every day after school I'd go into Marty's soda shop, have an egg cream and play Aretha Franklin on the jukebox. Ooh. Those were good times! I wonder if this place has a juke box." Murphy looked around.

"Murphy! You can't tell a story like that and keep me hanging!"

Murphy looked at her knowing full well what she was doing. "So, you're interested." She lifted her eyebrows"

"Yes, Yes. Stop it! What happened?" Murphy smiled. "Why was he there and dressed..."

"In a whale outfit?"

"Yeah, yeah..."

"He wanted me back," she said in an unbelievable tone.

"No!"

"So, there I was stuck between two men I cared about. It drove me crazy. I was this close to the edge." Murphy showed Rachel how small her sanity had reached by putting very little space between her thumb and for finger. "And then when I got pregnant…"

"Whoa, Whoa. Wait a minute! Wait a minute! This was when you got pregnant? You're not saying I have a brother are you?"

"No. No. Jerry's not Avery's father." Murphy got quiet for a moment. "Avery's father is my ex-husband Jake - Jake Lowenstein. I was pregnant by the time Jerry got back from California. In fact, I got pregnant that afternoon before he showed up."

"You know…"

"I know."

"And then…"

"Jake left and Jerry stayed."

"He stayed?"

"Well, for about five seconds he left, and then he came back." Murphy smiled. "He said if I ever needed anything he wasn't going anywhere. And for a while he didn't..."

Murphy proceeded to tell Rachel every, well not every detail, good and bad, she could think of about the Jerry Gold she knew. Right up to the present: eleven years. After the stories where told, the food was finished, and the check was asked for, Murphy and Rachel leaned back in their seats. The sun was about to rise and during the period of time they spent together the two women shared laughs and got to know each other a bit.

"So, what are you going to do?" Murphy asked in a very serious manner.

"I really don't know, Murphy. Your story really changed...a lot of my thoughts. A lot! It's just a lot to absorb. Right now. Just don't pressure me, Murphy."

"I won't. But let me tell you this…"

"Murphy?"

"Ok, I'll shut up. But only because I care deeply about Jerry and Miles and therefore you - that and I'm really tried. God, what time it?" Murphy looked around for a clock. "I haven't stayed up this late… Well, since I was drinking. Of course, then I had no real concept of time, only how many drinks it took me to make it through the day." Murphy didn't notice it but Rachel got a bit nervous. "You're going to have to tell Miles."

"I know."

"When?"

"I have to go to Chicago for two days for an interview. I'll do it when I get back."

"Do you know what you're going to say?"

"No, Murphy. I don't see what the big deal is? So, my father happens to be someone Miles doesn't exactly like. We're all adults here. I think you're over estimating Miles reaction to this. It's not that big a deal."

"Ah, huh." Murphy did not agree.

"It's not, Murphy!"

"Just remind me of that when we all congregate together, in two days, at the cardiac ward at Lenox Hill Hospital."

"Can we talk about something else, please?"

"Oh, sure. So, you looked up to me when you were growing up, huh?"

"Yes, Murphy," she stressed. Rachel was now a bit embarrassed at the revelation.

"So, what was it my crack reporting, my on camera style..."

"No, you reminded me of my mother."

"Oh." Murphy wasn't happy with Rachel's answer.

"No, Murphy, don't get me wrong, that's why I began to look up to you and still do. But when you're a kid there's always that one thing that bridges you with certain things in your life. For you, it was when my mother died."

"Oh. I see." Murphy voice was serious.

"I wanted to be a reporter so badly and there was you - doing everything I wanted to… be. The top of your profession. Then one day I was reading this article on you, I think it was Esquire. You had just gotten out of Betty Ford…"

"You were reading Esquire! What were you eleven?"

"I was always smart for my age. Anyway, I read about your struggles - and it was through that that I saw this strong woman I wanted to be. I really admired you for that, Murphy."

"I never saw myself as a role model to young kids. I never made myself out to be one. I'm not always the best example."

"But that show's your human, Murphy. People like that…"

"That would make me extremely human then. Rachel let me ask you a question? I never thought so, but now...in the corners of my mind I wonder... if when I got pregnant..."

"If it caused me to want to go out and get pregnant myself? Murphy, for god's sake! If anything it showed me how stupid you could be!" Murphy was caught off guard at what she saw as in insult. "I mean if you, Murphy Brown, highly paid, smart, professional women could make a mistake like that then there defiantly wasn't much luck for me and Bobby Kaminsky in the back of his Buick Skylark. If anything you stopped me from making a foolish mistake. You showed me I was human. That I didn't know everything. I mean it was really ridiculous when people criticized you for that! Because - yes I - a fourteen year old girl - who has to ask her grand-parents for the one dollar she gets as an allowance, is going to compare herself to a rich, forty-two year old, shiska woman with her own network show. Please! When I would show kids my age your photo, almost all of them thought you were one of Charlie's Angels! Except with that one guy who kept insisting you with Diane Sawyer! You know there are way just too many of you blondes on the networks. What? Do they make you all share the bottle!"

"So, is that why I reminded you of your mother because I was strong willed and human?"

"That and the alcoholism." Rachel slid a french-fry in her month.

"What! Wait. Your mother was an alcoholic? Jerry never told me this!"

"What did he tell you?"

"Nothing really. Just that she was in a car accident. A drunk driver - Ahh." Murphy got it. "I just assumed…"

"She said she was going to check herself into to rehab the next day. She promised. When I read that article, Murphy, I guess I saw what would have happened to my mother when she got out. I'm sorry. I really shouldn't be telling you this."

"No. It's ok." Murphy smiled. "Come on. It's late. Let's get out of here."

"Yeah. Jerry must be getting worried about you." Rachel got up, as Murphy tried to smile, but it just came out bitter sweetly.

Baby, Baby, sweet Baby
I didn't mean to run you away.
It was pride on my lips.
But not in my heart
To say the things that led you to stray.
But ah, me.
Hear me now
(hear me)
I don't know what I'm gonna do.
(hear me)
Got to get you back somehow.
(hear me now)
I'm praying.
Take me back,
consider me please
If you walk in that door,
I can get up off my knees
I've just been so blue.

~ Aretha Franklin ~ Since you've been gone

TWO DAYS LATER

The elevator dinged and Murphy Brown walked off, she held onto her purse strap with one hand and an arm full of research in another. She was late, she was irritable, and she was Murphy.

"Well, hello, Murphy." Kay greeted Murphy with a great deal of surprise. She came up beside Murphy.

"Hi, Kay." Murphy, in her own world, continued her walk to her office. "What are you doing here?" Murphy dropped her large stake of papers onto her already over packed desk with a thud and a sigh.

"I have an office here now. I also have a final meeting with Stan about my show. I don't even want to go in there anymore. This is going to have to be our fifteenth meeting. I've already complemented everything on that man except his under shorts. Do you think telling a man he'd look good in both briefs or a boxers is just suggestive enough to be flattering, but not enough to come off as a come-on?"

Murphy began to pluck off a slew of pink phone message memos that had been taped to her desk lamp. She looked at each one not happy with their results. "Where is my secretary?"

"Well, after they got her out off that ledge did you really think she'd come back to work so soon?" Murphy gave Kay a look. "Murphy, what's wrong?"

"I always act like this, Kay, where have you been for the last five years!" Murphy tried to keep herself busy.

"Murphy?"

All Murphy could think was how the hell Kay did this – be so right with very little information. "Kay, I've been going out of my mind! Jerry walked out about two nights ago and I haven't seen him since! I'm starting to think he's just not coming back at all." She got serious for a moment and avoided Kay's eyes.

"What happened?"

"What always happens - we had a fight!"

"I'm sure it's fine. Did you try him at work? Men never go far if they have a job and couch in their office."

"His Sunday broadcast was preempted this week, so he didn't have to be there all weekend. I called his secretary this morning just to make sure he was alright and she says she hasn't heard from him either. That's what she says." Murphy finally looked at Kay. "I swear, Kay." Murphy was surprised by everything she was about to say. "It's not like we haven't been through this before. This time it just feels different. In different respects."

"I wonder why?" Kay asked the question she already knew the answer to.

"It's like I have some sort of relationship form of Alzheimer's. Doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over again." Murphy looked at her watch. "Oh, I have to be in editing." Murphy grabbed a tape off her desk and went for the door.

"Murphy, are you going to be alright?" Kay was concerned.

"Of course, Kay. Aren't I always!"

"I suppose." Kay walked to Murphy and faced her near the door. "But what would you do if he doesn't come back?"

"Kay, I'm done talking about this!"

"Alright." Kay let up, like she always did, when she knew something was sensitive to Murphy. She knew letting it be would leave more of an impact on Murphy, but she still had on final comment to make.

"Murphy, did you ever think that reason it feels different this time is because your feelings for Jerry are different this time?"

"Different from what, Kay?"

"You tell me?"

"God, Kay, you're worse than one of those magic eight balls." Murphy walked out the door and then stopped. "Oh, and Kay." Murphy turned and looked at her. "If you see Miles today. Do me a favor? Just be extra nice to him today. He's gonna need it." Murphy then sighed to herself. "Where all gonna need it."

Kay waited a moment before leaving the office satisfied she had served her purpose.

MIDTOWN

Jerry walked out of the GE building, which housed his office. He lifted his hand up to block the sun from his eyes and he stretched his back. Sleeping on the couch in his office all weekend was not the best idea, but it was all he had. He adjusted his tie and put on his jacket, taking in the fresh air. Then Jerry noticed something. It was Frank. In the same place he had seen him the last time, across the street from his building. In fact, he even heard that Frank had been spotted in the building on a few other occasions during the week. That's how he knew that Frank had been in New York, among other reasons, for so long.

He watched Frank talk to a man across the street. It infuriated Jerry that Frank hadn't contacted Murphy, because he knew how much it meant to Murphy and what it was doing to her. Just like Murphy hated to see Jerry tormented by not seeing his daughter, Jerry hated to see Frank do the same thing to Murphy. Frank and the man shook hands and parted ways. Frank pulled his back pack on his left shoulder, towards his neck, and began to cross the street in the middle.

Jerry furrowed his brow and called out to Frank in his most callous voice, "Hey, Fontana!" Jerry proceeded to work towards him, as Frank caught Jerry's eye and tried to pretend he hadn't seen him.
Frank pulled down his baseball cap over his face and tried to speed walk onto the pavement towards Rockefeller Plaza, and away from Jerry. "Hey!" Jerry followed Frank, at an equal fast walk, catching up with him, as they each reached the Plaza.

"I know that's you, Fontana!"

Frank stopped and looked off to the side, unhappy with his predicament. He turned to Jerry and smiled in his most fake way. "Jerry."

"Funny seeing you here, Fontana? Aren't you supposed to be living it up in Long Island with the Baldwin brothers, hugging trees and singing cum-by-ya?"

"I'm in town doing some business, now if you'd excuse me." Frank turned around, but Jerry walked around him and blocked his exit.

"You know… One would think I would have heard that you were in town from Murphy? But you know, she never mentioned it."

"I just got into town. I haven't had time to call her. And why am I explaining this to you!" Frank walked a step and Jerry walked in front of him again. Frank walked back a bit and rolled his head and neck. He looked very uncomfortable.

"Really? Because, I saw you around here about three days ago..."

"I don't need to explain my actions to you! You know you have some nerve…"

"You do when it concerns Murphy. What's with you Fontana? Are you so afraid of me you won't see your best friend!"

"I'm not afraid of you. I'll call her. I've been…"

"You've been in town for two weeks! And don't try to deny it, Fontana, I heard about your little deal with Simon and Schuster. From what I've heard you've been in town, for what? A week now, negotiating it?"

"How long has Murphy known?" Frank said concern.

"I haven't told her." Jerry rubbed his face and looked away.

"What! I'd think this would be something you'd be dying to run and tell Murphy about..."

"It would break her heart, Fontana! I won't do that!"

"No, you're just afraid she'll take my side. Or she won't believe you! There's always an angle with you..."

"Yeah, you know that's what it is!" he said with sarcasm. "Because, I couldn't actually care for the woman of anything right, Fontana?" He paused for a moment. "Listen Font...Frank." Jerry looked around, as he searched for his words carefully. His tone was now calm, "Just call her ok. Don't let me stand in the way of your friendship with Murphy. I don't come with the deal, Fontana. I don't matter." He gestured with his hands. "It's Murphy that matters. And I know that's something we both agree on. Don't be stupid." Jerry put his hands in his pockets and walked backwards. "Just call her, Fontana." Jerry looked at his shoes and turned around. A large wind blew by and Frank watched Jerry walk off, as he strained to comprehend what he had just witnessed.

Ain't not sunshine when she's gone

~ Otis Redding

BLACK ROCK: CBS HEADQUATERS

Kay walked out of the conference room next to her office with a sad look on her face. She walked over to her secretary and handed her list of names.

"I need an appointment with everyone on this list for tomorrow morning. And see if you can get the top name in my office tonight. I hear he's leaving town." Stan walked out of the office behind her. "Are you sure you won't reconsider, Stan. I really think Rachel Margolis would be perfect..."

"How many times do I have to tell you this, Kay. NO! She's too controversial. All I need is for that temper of hers to go off one day and ten thousand dollars' worth of equipment go down with her. It's too risky. Sure she's good-looking; I mean who wants to get the news from a dawg. The news is depressing enough. Her personality is too risky. We don't need that kind of publicity."

"What about Murphy? You keep Murphy around…"

"Murphy Brown is an institution. She came around years ago, in a different time. And now she's a star – so, she can get away with it all! Today everything is trickier. We just can't take a change on someone like her!

"I think it's worth the risk, Stan. I have a feeling about this kid. Let me take care of her? I'll make sure to keep an eye on her. I mean you said you loved her report."

"Yeah, I did. Who produced that thing? I like what they did. Now, that's a person I wouldn't mind you hiring?"

"And she produced the whole thing on her own Stan. I need that on my show. Someone who's a go-getter, who knows what they want-"

"-And young, she'll work cheap. I like it!"

"Ahh, I knew you'd come around Stan." Kay winked at him and bobbed her head. "So, what do we say?" Kay opened the note pad around her neck and took the pen in anticipation to write. "Who should we take off the list, humm?" Kay was faking the fact that she knew which name she wanted to take off the list. "How about Tawny?"

"No. No one goes. You can hire that girl to do whatever she did on that story. Nothing else. Off camera, but not on."

"What are you saying, Stan? You want me to offer her a job as a segment producer? I can't do that..."

"Yeah, that. You can have her be that assistant you wanted. Two jobs and one salary. I'm a genius I tell you. Wow! Look at the time. I have to get going!" Stan looked at the wall behind Kay.

"But, Stan, there's no clock on that wall?" But Stan was gone.

"Well, that just jams the crapper!" Kay leaned into her secretary's desk.

LATER THAT NIGHT

Miles stood at his desk with a phone to his ear. It was after the broadcast, time to go home and forget the day away, before one last piece of business. Miles was equally happy that day because he knew Rachel was on her way home and he would see her that night.

"Miles?" Rachel knocked lightly on the door, as Miles hung up his phone.

"Rachel?" Miles eyes widened. "I thought I was picking you up with from the airport later?" He walked over to her with his arms stretched out. When he reached her he gave her a big hug and kissed her hello.

"I got an earlier flight."

"Great! Give me a moment and we can grab something to eat." Miles walked over to his desk. "How did the interview go?"

"I don't think I got the job. Miles..." she sounded deflated.

"Oh, don't say that. I'm sure it went fine." Miles jotted some things down on a piece of paper. "Miles. I have to tell you something." She adjusted her purse strap nervously.

"Ok, what is it?" Miles walked over to the door, and towards Rachel, in anticipation to leave. "Miles, I think you should close the door."

"What! Why?" Miles voice gurgled and his eyes lit up.

"It's something important and private… "

"Oh, I see." Miles lowered his head like a child and closed the door as if he knew what was going to happen. He walked towards his desk with his head lowered and his fingers together.

"Miles…"

"It's ok, Rachel." Miles looked up with a sense of composure. "I think I know what you're going to say."

"You do?"

"You're pregnant aren't you?" Miles looked like he was trying to hold in his fright.

"No, Miles! I'm not pregnant!"

"Oh, god!" Miles jumped about. "Thank you." He laughed. "I was really afraid there for a second! Whoa!"

"Miles, it's something else. In fact, I don't think it's such a big deal. it's just I... Well. I'm seriously thinking, well almost decided in fact, to try to re-connect with my father and..."

"Oh, Rachel." Miles took her by the shoulders. "That's wonderful. I'm so glad you've decided to take my advice. You'll see in the end that even if things don't work out - you'll be happy you at least got to know him. That you had the opportunity to try."

"Thank you, Miles. Maybe you could come with me and meet him sometime. In fact, you already know him, which was why I wanted to tell you first before it got out."

"I know him? How about that? Who is he?"

"Ok, don't be..."

"It's not Frank is it?"

"No, it's not Frank!"

"Because, the way he spread his seed around, I wouldn't be too careful."

"Miles!"

"Sorry."

"You'll laugh when you hear this." They both laughed. "My father's Jerry Gold. Isn't that funny? I mean with Murphy..."

Miles opened his mouth and eyes in a half laugh. "What? I'm sorry, Rachel," Miles laughed. "I thought you said you father was Jerry Gold?"

"He is."

"Very funny, Rachel. Ha, Ha jokes on me. So, who is he really?"

"Miles, I'm telling the truth."

"Oh come on? Your Jerry Gold's daughter? Noooo! That would mean I was sleeping with Jerry Gold's daughter." Miles smiled and tilted his head to the side, the way he did when he was trying to be cocky. "And that wouldn't happen…"

Rachel took a gulp and reached her hand into her purse. Out of her purse she pulled a picture and gingerly handed it to Miles. Miles, still keeping his smile and head shaking, at what he sassumed was a still a joke. But it all changed when he looked at the picture.

"See." She pointed. "There's him and my mother in 1975." There was a short pause followed by a soft gurgling sound coming out from the young man's throat, which then became loader and loader.

"Miles? Breathe! Miles, breathe!" Rachel hit Miles, as a gust if air suddenly came through his lungs.

"This can't be happening! This can't be happening!"

"Miles, calm down. What is going on with you!"

"I'm dating Jerry Gold's daughter! Jerry Gold's daughter! I should have realized no one that beautiful would want to sleep with me unless she had major problems! I was hoping for maybe manic depression or some sort of split personalities, anything but this!" He started to pace about the room, as if he was arguing with himself. "Not in my wildest dreams. Oh, god!" He jumped up. "It's like some bad dream! Only it's not! Its reality! And I'm living in it! Oh, god - my colon!" Miles looked like he was about to cry, as he ran over to his desk and began rummaging through it. "Where's my Mylanta?" Miles found it in his bottom draw and took a swig leaving a blue mustache on his face." He looked over at Rachel who had followed him to his desk. "You lied to me!"

"Miles? I never lied to you! I just didn't think it was this important. I'm still me…"

"Yes you did!" The last of his words stayed logged in the lower register of his voice. "You kept this from me because you knew how I'd react! God! God!" Miles walked around the other side of his desk, jumping about a bit, and then continuing his conversation with himself. "When were you going to tell me, if he hadn't come along? When? When? On our wedding night...oh, god! What if we'd gotten married! And had children! My children would be the spawn of ...Jerry Gold! We'd look into the bassinet and there be a devil child, only with little red eyes and a two-day growth of beard! Ah, the horror the horror!" He took a swig of his Mylanta. "I'd have little Satan children. Gold children! Oh! They'd taught me all my years 'till I was old and grey! 'Till all my spirit was taken from my body. I'll be referred to as that strange Jewish ball of dust in the corner. Oh, god! Oh, god...I..." Miles looked around. "I…" He was alone in his office. "Rachel?" he called out despondently. Suddenly, the consequences of Miles little out bust came to him and his soul lost its passion.

"Hey, Hey there, old buddy!" Frank Fontana knocked on the door.

"I know, you said you'd be working tonight! But I'm not talking no for an answer this time. The games on in five and I've got brewskis." Frank dangled a six pack of beer into the doorframe. Suddenly, Frank noticed the look on Miles face. "Miles, what happen? You ok?"

"What have I done!" Miles let out a small gurgle of air and looked over at Frank before he fell to the floor. Frank followed his fall with his head and eyes.

Rachel ran up the elevator trying to hold in her tears. She was successful except for a small steam she cleared from her eyelids. She had run two flights down from Miles floor, so he wouldn't follow her, and then decided to take the elevator down the rest of the floors. What she hadn't realized was that it was Kay's floor.

Kay walked out of her office followed by Peter Hunt. He shook his head and smiled at Kay.

"At least consider the offer." Kay was heard saying to Peter.

"Yeah." Peter smiled. "I'll consider it."

"Great!" The two shook hands.

"Listen, Kay, do you ever see Murphy?"

"Occasionally. Why?"

"Could you give her this?" Peter took a scrap of paper out of his pocket. "I stopped by her office and she wasn't there." He handed Kay the paper. "This is where I'm staying, and the second number is my voice mail. Tell her I should be back in New York in a week."

"Will do. Have a safe trip, Peter."

"Thank you. Nice meeting you, Kay." Peter walked away with his hands in his pockets, as Kay watched him walk away with much delight.

Peter walked over to the elevator and stood next to Rachel. The two caught each other's eye and gave that polite I don't know you look. Then just as Rachel was about to recognize who Peter was Kay recognized Rachel.

"Rachel?" Rachel turned around and noticed Kay. "I was just going to call you? Do you have a minute?"

"Sure." Rachel mustered up a smile.

"Why don't you come in my office and we'll talk." Kay opened the door for Rachel. Rachel walked into Kay's office, followed by Kay who then closed the door behind her.

Murphy sat at her desk in her office. The only light that eliminated the brown laden room was her desk lamp. She was trying to get some extra work done before her broadcast next week and with working on the News each night her time was limited. Plus, with Eldin and Avery gone for most of the night she didn't want to be in that apartment alone. Murphy stood up from her desk and looked out her large window onto the New York skyline. She brought her hand to her neck and tried to relieve some of the tension. She took off her glasses, threw them on the table, and rubbed her eyes with a few of her fingers, before yawning. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Murphy was surprised by the sudden noise.

Murphy opened the door to find Jerry standing there, finally after two days. But before Murphy could lash a word out, Jerry grabbed her, from the back of the head, and kissed her passionately. Apparently, Jerry had missed Murphy as much as she had missed him. Murphy kissed Jerry back, as if she had been waiting forever for that kiss. Jerry pulled away leaving Murphy's lower lip last, leaving Murphy astonished by the whole event.

"I'm sorry…" He leaned his head against Murphy's head.

"No. You don't have to..."

"I missed you."

"So did I." Murphy leaned in and kissed Jerry this time.

Jerry stroked the side of Murphy's face. After a beat Jerry walked further into Murphy's office and started to kiss his favorite part of Murphy's neck, as Murphy slid her hands threw his hair. It was then that Murphy shoved the door shut with her other hand.

As they made their way to Murphy's desk it was then that Murphy finally was able to recognize, to herself, that she was in fact, in love with Jerry. She always told herself she was, or had been, but she never really gave herself a moment to absorb it into herself. Because, if she did, that meant she needed him; she didn't want to need anyone but herself.

And of course everything was easy to forget as Jerry and Murphy, again, reacquainted themselves with each other - Jerry with Murphy's neck, her thigh and the outer part of her knee. Murphy with his soft subtle kisses that seemed to linger on her skin, moments after they had moved on. Not that it all matter to Jerry because he could reconfigure Murphy's ever curves by memory. It hadn't been that long so the two fit into each other like an old shoe. They knew each other's every nuance and satisfaction like their own.

But it was now that they wanted to forgive and forget the past and exchange it for their present and their future. They were learning that just living in the present had its own advantages and disadvantages. And they weren't the only people who needed to learn that lesson.

MEANWHILE: At The Metropolitan Museum of Art...

Rachel sat alone in a far off section of an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She sat in the center of a large wooden settee in front of a large Whistler painting. It was the last night of an exhibit on loan from Washington DC. Rachel had always wanted to come see it, but hadn't had the time lately. She wanted to see the exhibit because one of her favorite paintings was on display. It was the painting that stood in front of her and it was the first time she had seen the painting in person.

She didn't really know why it first struck her. Maybe because the woman in the painting reminded her of herself or maybe it was its beauty. The painting was of a dark haired woman dressed in a kimono, looking over a few paintings in her hands, while similar paintings lay set about the floor. The name of the painting was called Caprice in Purple and Gold. Her tears appeared as if they would over flow her eye-lids, as Rachel tried not to breakdown in public.

"Excuse me? Are you alright?" Rachel turned her head to see Eldin Bernecky standing over her. Of course she had no idea who he was. All she knew was he seemed to be a sweet man with a sketch pad in one hand.

"What? Oh yes, I'm fine, thank you."

"You don't look fine?"

"Because, I'm not. I'm here because I thought this painting would give me some perspective. It's not working." She looked back at the painting.

"This one has to be my favorite, also. I love he's use of triangles and lines, but yet he rarely uses horizontal. Do you see that? You know his idea was based on musical forms. He felt that, like music, a painting didn't have to depict a particular person or event. That in the end composition, form and color were the most important elements. I don't know if I agree, but I understand what he is saying. See, I paint murals – so, in a sense, that theory sort of throws everything I'm doing straight out the window..."

"I think it's the colors that first attracted me to it. That and the fact that she looks so elegant, so in control, but inside I don't think she is. She seems stuck, don't you think?" She looked over at Eldin "I'm sorry I tend to make up my own story when I see a painting. I don't analyze it or try to figure out what the painter was thinking. Although I find that equal fascinating."

"Art! Is what you make of it. Much like life."

"Yeah." She half smiled.

"But go on. I'd be curious as to what you see? I love how art can change through the eyes of others."

"Well… when I look at the painting I feel like she's stuck between two worlds. She's in the present, but also in the past. The past of the pictures, her dreams, the way life use to be. The purple and the gold. The purple of the past and the gold of the future. She want's now to be like it was before, but it can't."

"Yeah, I can see that," he said it as if he understood the meaning in life and the painting.

"Or, maybe it's just how I feel. It's funny. I don't know you, yet I feel very convertible taking to you?"

"I suppose I have that quality. God knows I get my ear chew off at the bone by some people. Are you hurt in some way? Can I help you out somehow?"

"No, No. I just have a very important decision to make. In many aspects of my life. But I have a feeling it really all comes down to one thing."

"Oh?"

"I'm on that... which fork in the road do I take - this will change my life - it's time to lean over that table and kiss the mouth of fate, type moments of… in my life."

"Ok."

"I feel like the girl in the painting..."

"I know someone in that same situation…"

"What did you tell her to do?"

"Well, I'm not one to give out advice... I notice things seem to turn out for the best. Like a great piece of art. Sure at first or at some times it might need some pushing in the right direction, but soon without any help - when you're not looking - it becomes this beautiful painting. Nothing like you thought it was going to be and yet more beautiful than if you had ever planned it."

"Yeah, nothing is turning out like I planned. I hate that!"

"See, you can't expect things. I never expect things. Therefore, I am always pleasantly surprised." Eldin gave a quick grin. "You're one of those people who think too much? I know someone who does way too much of that to"

"Excuse me?"

"Maybe, for once, you need to go with your heart. It may not seem right up here." Eldin pointed to his head. "But in the long run it works wonders down here." Eldin pointed to his heart.

"I feel like everything I thought I knew I don't know anymore. Everything that made sense before doesn't? It's like I've been thrown on my head."

"See, that's your head again, what does your heart say. Maybe you should take a lesson from the girl on the painting."

"The painting? But she's stuck. I don't want to be stuck."

"She may be stuck. I can see that. But, eventually, she'd be able to balance them both. Otherwise, the painting would be called Caprice between Purple and Gold. She's in the Purple and the Gold." There was a pause. "I don't know your situation, but a wise person once told me, that it's not hard to leave what you think is a good situation, if you think that something even better is coming after it."

"What's your name? I don't even know your name."

"Eldin Bernenky. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Hello, Eldin, I'm Rachel Margolis" They smiled at each other. "Thank you, Eldin. I think I know what I need to do. In fact… What time is it?"

Eldin threw his arm out causing his shirt cuff to shoot out of the way so he could check his watch. "It's almost nine o'clock."

"What!" Rachel took hold of Eldin's wrist and looked at his watch "It can't be… Are those the apostles?" She looked closer.

"Yeah." Eldin smiled at the pride of his watch. "It's also shock proof and water proof."

"I may still have time…" She shot up. "Thank you... Eldin." She started to walk away, as she fumbled with her purse, but stopped and looked back at him. "Maybe we'll see each other again sometime." And she ran away.

Eldin sat there for a moment before Avery walked up to Eldin and sat down next to him.

"They're closing Eldin. Should we go?"

"Sure, Kid." Eldin got up and put his arm around Avery and they started to walk away. "How about we get some ice cream on the way home?"

"Sounds good." Eldin put his arm around the kid and they walked off together.

Frank and Miles sat on the floor of Miles office with their backs against his big black coach. Frank shook his head and pursed his mouth around a beer.

"Rachel is Jerry Gold's daughter? Who would believe it?" He took another swig.

"Not me!" Miles snarled.

Frank glanced over at Miles who looked a mess, his tie undone around his neck and his glasses escrow on his face. "I just can't believe that Jerry Gold could have a kid that looks like that!" Frank pondered it for a moment. "You know, did I tell you, I finally figured out who she reminds me of?"

"Who? And if you say Jerry Gold I'm hitting you over the head with this beer bottle."

"No." Frank shook his head. "Amy Madrid..." Frank said the name with a sense of the past.

"Madrid?"

"Marsinsky. Amy Madrid Marsinsky. I met her when I first got to New York. She wore tie tied shirts and tight jeans..."

"Why am I not surprised..."

"And one of the real loves of my life." Frank, in a way, was scolding Miles for the comment on his past love. "Now, that was a girl!" Frank nodded his head and took a drink of his beer.

"Madrid, Frank? Where do you meet these women?" Miles laughed at his comment and shook his head.

"It was where she lost her virginity. She called me Frank Ford Pinto." Frank smiled. "I met her the first time I went to vote in nineteen-seventy-two. She was volunteering. She tried to confiscate my button. She had Rachel's coloring. Not to mention that..." He looked at Miles. "Body of work. God!" Frank began to remember fondly. "I loved her."

"What happened Frank? Did a guy named Chris Cadillac take her away in his Ford Gremlin? Ugg." Miles laughed from his throat and took another drink.

"We were together for about five years and then she went off to California to live on a commune or something. She broke my heart. Most women like her do."

"Ahh, I can't believe this is happening to me!" Miles took off his glasses and dug the edge of his palms into his eyes. "Oh, god, Frank." He fumbled with his words. "I said some horrible things…" Miles put his glasses back on his head and looked drearily at Frank. He pointed his hand, filled with a beer bottle to Frank, as if he was going to make a point but paused. "I don't know if this is the beer talking…"

"Miles, you had half a bottle!"

"But I think I love her. No… I know I love her. What am I going to do?" he gurgled.

"I don't know, Miles. I mean, you say you love this girl?"

"I know. It's just, every time I think of Rachel now I see her body, only with Jerry Gold's head... Eww Eww." Miles filched at the image and so did Frank. "And I just can't seem to get over the fact that she lied to me Frank."

"She didn't lie to you, Miles. She has no contact with the man! It'd be like me going up to ever girl I date and saying I was a distance cousin of Al Capone. Why bring it up when you feel it has no importance?"

"Are you?"

"No! Well, maybe." He shrugged it off. "If you care about this girl, Miles - if you love her, all of that shouldn't matter."

"I know it shouldn't, but somehow it does. It's hard. I'm so confused?"

"I don't know, Miles. I mean if Rachel is Jerry's daughter maybe Jerry Gold isn't that bad?" Frank filched at his own comment knowing the reply it would get.

"Not that bad? What's with you, Frank? This is Jerry Gold were talking about. Jerry Gold!"

"I know. I know. It sounds crazy. But yesterday I ran into him on the street and he demanded I call Murphy."

"Why? You haven't called her? He demanded?"

"No. And then there was that incident at Phil's. Of course he could have just been saying that? It's just..." Frank stopped and waved his idea off. "Ah, you're right, it's crazy."

"Frank, you've been here for a week! I figured she'd be the first person you'd call."

"I know. And I kept picking up the phone and walking past her office and her apartment, but I wouldn't go in. I knew we'd get into an argument about Jerry or run into him and I just didn't want to get into that. So, I just stayed away." Frank paused. "Pretty stupid, huh?"

"You're going to have to see her, Frank. She's going to find out you're here. And then you're in trouble." Miles looked at Frank. "Unless… you don't want to see her?" Miles was agog. "You do want to see her, don't you, Frank? Why don't you want to see Murphy?"

"Of course I want to see her! I'm going to see her. I know now how foolish I was being. She's my best friend and she's in love. She says… I should be happy for her," he stated like a question. "I miss her, Miles." Frank took a drink from his beer.

"I know what you mean…"

"Miles, if you love her you have to go after her. Tell her you're sorry. Beg her forgiveness. Tell her how much she means to you."

"You're right, Frank. But it's too late now…" Miles took a swig of his beer.

"No, it's not!" Frank took Miles' beer out of his hand. "Go after her, Miles. Instead of wallowing here in your self-pity - you have to go out and find her! Tell her what you told me!"

"You're right, Frank!" Miles shot up and began scurrying about the room for his jacket, going one way and stopping and going the other way and stopping until it looked like he was playing a game of bumper cars with himself. "My jacket! Where's my Jacket!"

"On the couch, Miles."

"Yes, Yes. Ok. Ok." Miles took his jacket off the couch and ran for the door. Frank stood up, as Miles turned around.

"Frank…"

"It's ok. Go. Go. There's something I need to do myself." He smiled.

"Oh and, Frank, get rid of theses bottles, would you? You really shouldn't have alcohol in the building." Frank made a "what?" face, as Miles flew out, because he hadn't said anything before this.

LATER

Frank made his way down a couple of hallways to where he heard Murphy's office was. It was at the end of a long dark carpet laden hallway. Frank had turned a corner when he saw the door fly open. He was going to say something when he saw Jerry walk out, making Frank quickly hide behind a jetted wall leading to another hallway.

Murphy propped herself up against the door and wrapped her arms around Jerry. He kissed her, caressing his hand across her check. They looked into each other's eyes and Frank could only imagine what had just happened.

"I really am sorry, Jerry. I just thought…"

"I know what you thought. And I understand it."

"What time will you be home tonight?"

"I don't know. I have some work I need to catch up on. You?"

"Same." She smiled at him and Jerry leaned in for one last kiss goodbye. He took her hand and with his other hand pushed a strand of her hair away from her face. "Ah, I love you."

"And I love you." Jerry's eyes twinkled into Murphy's warm face and they parted.

And Frank saw something he hadn't seen before. In a way it was the truth. Or course, it wouldn't have been something Frank would have had the chance to see before – a private moment. Watching from his hiding place, event thought it was something he thought he had seen before; Frank seemed to see what Murphy had always been talking about. He didn't understand it, but he saw it.

Jerry was the first person to see Frank.

"Well hello, Fontana?" He smirked, as he zipped up his fly.

Frank was not pleased and it was a typical Jerry and Frank exchange with no real words, only emotions. Frank walked past Jerry who disappeared down the hallway.

Murphy was just about to close her door when she noticed Frank. Her eyes lit up. "Frank?"

"Hey, Murph!" Frank looked happy, yet embarrassed at the same time.

AT THE SAME TIME

Miles got off the elevator on the sixteenth floor. On his way out of the building, looking for Rachel, a security guard informed him that she had come up to see Kay Carter Shepley on the sixtieth floor, just a half hour before.

Miles noticed Kay come out of her office and lock the door. "Kay?"

"Miles?" Kay let go of her key, and because it was attacked to something, it swung back and disappeared under her layers of shirts. Kay and Miles had met before on small occasions to at least develop an acquaintance for each other. "You're here late?"

"I was told that Rachel Margolis came up to see you? You don't happen to know where she went."

"Sure, she's in her office..."

"Her office!" Miles smiled with pride. "Wow! That's great!"

"It's just down the hall…" Kay pointed to her left and went for the elevator. "Have a good night, Miles," she called behind her.

Miles walked down the hallway, looking at every door, until he found an open one and noticed Rachel un-packing some things from a box. He walked in tentatively, leaning in with his head first. Rachel was reaching towards a high shelve behind the desk when she noticed him. It was a small office. About the side of Murphy's first office at FYI, only this one had a window.

"Rachel?" Miles stepped in further with an unsure look in his eyes.

Rachel turned around in surprise. "Miles? How.."

"I heard you were here… Can I come in?"

"You're already in." Rachel left the book in her hand on the self and then walked over to a small box she had on her desk.

Miles walked closer to her. "You have every reason..."

"Ever reason! Every reason! Miles, you called me the devil! You..."

"Ok," he tried to calm her. "Technical, I called Jerry the devil, so really..

"Stop with the semantics, Miles! Did you think I wouldn't be upset? Did you think I'd just welcome you back with open arms?"

"No, No, of course not. Rachel, I'm soo sorry. Just hear me out. I didn't mean what I said. I overreacted! It just came out."

"Yes, but you meant it! Those were all things you meant…"

"About Jerry Gold! Not about you!"

"But you couldn't distinguish! Miles, you've known me, for what? A year now? You claim to love me? And then, because of one disclosure of my DNA, you see me as some leper. That hurt, Miles. It makes me not trust you anymore."

"You can trust me, you can trust me! Just hear me out..."

"I mean, it makes me think about what you ever saw in me, Miles? I really am beginning to wonder that? It's really made me re-think a lot of things in my life. I mean, if I could misjudge you then maybe I've misjudged a lot of things in my life. Maybe that's why my life is in such a stand still? Maybe, I need to rethink the way I do things? My path in life."

"What are you saying, Rachel? You don't mean you're actually decided to…"

"I'm going to go talk to him, Miles," she said with pride.

"Nooo. What? You can't? I mean..."

"Watch me, Miles…"

"You don't understand. You don't know him!"

"Either do you, Miles? I talked to Murphy. She told me some real eye opening things. And then the way you reacted. Maybe if I misjudged you, I misjudged him..."

"You can't listen to Murphy! He'll corrupt you; manipulate you, just like he did her! He can't be trusted, Rachel."

"Well, right now I don't trust anything! And especially not you!"

"He'll leave again, Rachel. Then where will you be?

"He's my father, Miles. And I want to get to know him."

"He'll just hurt again."

"I'm willing to take that risk."

"Sure, but is it worth it?"

"Well, we'll see. We'll see about a lot of things. All I know, Miles, is that I've been trying to go left all my life and it's not working. It's time I tried to see if I can get there from the right. I… I… It may not be what my mind is telling me is right, but lately that roads been leading me to a dead end. Some things got to change!"

"Rachel, what are you talking about?"

"I'm sorry when I'm upset I talk in metaphors." She ran her hand through her hair and scratched the back of her head with her thumbnails. "I'm changing my life, Miles! It may hurt at first, but it's all for the best." She seemed to be convincing herself. "Because, it's not going anywhere and maybe it's not me that's the problem. Maybe, it's the way I'm going about it. I'm thinking it out too much. I'm going with what I think is right; because that's the way I thought I always wanted it. I have a goal, Miles. To be happy. To be the best! I have to be the best. And to be the best maybe I do it another way. I'm changing my direction." Rachel took a key out of her pocket and handed it to Miles."

"No." He walked away from it, as he whispered the words.

"It's really for the best." Rachel was holding back the tears.

"But I love you?" Miles voice was of a sad little boy.

"I love you too. But sometimes we have to let go of a good thing because we know it's just not good for us. I don't trust you, Miles." Her eyes began to tear up. "I love you. I do. But I don't trust you. That was the most important thing to me. Trust. That's what you promised me." She took Miles hand and dropped the key into the palm, folding his fingers over it. "I'd appreciate it if you'd drop my things off here. I'd rather not go and get them myself. I'll do the same with your things. Although, I don't think there are too many at my place." Rachel lowered her head and walked to the door and stopped. "Maybe a razor of something, a few ties..."

"No, wait! You can't do this! We can work this out! We can... So, everything in your life seemed to be going nowhere." Rachel looked at Miles - he looked like he was pleading for his life. "That doesn't mean… That doesn't mean you have to give everything up. I mean, look at this job! You did it! You're now an anchor at a major news magazine. It's what you always wanted. You're doing it. Why change what works! Your instincts were right!"

"No, I didn't Miles."

"Don't give me that. You…"

"No, Miles. I'm not a co-anchor..."

"Ok, investigative reporter, you always liked that best…" He tried to grin.

"I didn't get the job, Miles!"

"I don't understand," his voice shrieked. "This office - I thought…"

"Kay offered me a job as a segment producer and I took it," she said with bravado.

"Segment producer? Rachel, you're a reporter! And a damn good one."

"Not anymore…" She looked away and back.

"What is going on with you, Rachel? Reporting is you dream?"

"No. Miles. News is my dream. That's all I wanted. To be the best in news. And I will be the best. I'm just going about it a different way."

"No, this isn't you, Rachel? Something else is going on? Its Jerry, isn't it? See, I told you! Already he's manipulating you somehow."

"Miles, I haven't even talked to him yet!"

"But you said you always wanted to be in front of the camera! You didn't want to be like me! You wanted to be in the thick of things!"

"Some things aren't meant to be, Miles." Rachel looked like she was about to cry.

"So, you're giving up. Is that it?"

"No, Miles, I'm not giving up! I'm just doing what's best for me right now. I'm doing what's going to get to the top. To be the best. I'm going to get on that cliff and dive. I have to do what's best for me -in all areas of my life. I have to do what in the end will make me happy."

"You may see it that way." Miles voice became calm and serious. "But I just see this as an excuse. Just another excuse from being the real you. This isn't the girl I fell in love with. I don't know who this is? And yes, getting to know a father, who in the end will just destroy you again, is a bold move. And I do respect you for that. But this is not brave. You deserve to be on front of that camera, not behind it." He looked down and then up at her again, as he took a real stand. "But I would rather stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue at rush hour then see anything hurt you! And believe me, I'm not going to stand by and let you do this to yourself. Before I let him do this to you. I will make you see the truth!"

"Get out, Miles."

"Rachel?"

"Get out, before I throw you out, Miles!" She held onto the door and pointed towards the hallway. Miles tried to plead, as Rachel pushed him out, but he knew he couldn't win. As he reached the hallway he turned around, for one last plea, only to have the door in front of him, bearing the word "Producer", slammed in his face. Miles was left dishevel and heart broken.

BACK AT MURPHY'S OFFICE

"God! Frank!" She gave him a huge hug. "Just the pal I wanted to see!" She let go of her embrace. "Come in! Come in!" Murphy motioned adamantly for Frank to enter her office. She closed the door behind her. "Wow. Frank. What a great surprise? When did you get in?" Frank tried to say something, but nothing seemed to come out. Murphy leaned on the side of her desk with a sly look on her face. "You should have called me to tell me you were coming?"

"Murph..."

"No matter, no matter." She waved her hands. "You're here now! I have a lot of work to do, but hell, that can wait. I've got it! Let's watch the game!" Murphy began to look around for her remote control. "Where is that remote control?"

"Murph. I need to apologize," he blurted it out.

"For what, Frank?"

"For not calling you when I got into town…"

"That's alright? When did you get into town?"

"Last week?"

"Last week, Frank?" She looked at Frank.

"It was a stupid thing to do. I was really being stupid..."

"Was it because of Jerry?"

"Partly. I made you that promise and I was having a really hard time keeping it..."

"But you're here now?"

"Yeah."

"Great!" She smiled "Now help me find the remote?" Murphy walked over to the mahogany wall unit that held the TV and felt around for it.

"You're not mad?"

"Why would I be?" Murphy grimaced as she squished her hand beside the TV. "Got it!" Murphy pulled out the remote and turned on the TV. "Hello! Sammy SOsa! HA!"

"I was in the same town as you and I didn't get in touch with you!"

"If you pushed this issue any further, Frank, I'm going to have to get mad."

"I just don't get it?"

"I think that's always been your problem, Frank."

"Funny," he said sarcastically.

"Frank, you're my best pal. Sure, it hurts that you were afraid to call me. But you're here now and there's one thing I've learned lately is to be thankful for what the present brings me. This is the new me." Murphy paused, as she seemed to be recalling another conversation she had sometime before. "Someone who can live in the past and the present. Sim-u-ltaneously." But she digressed. "Of course if you plan on doing this again. I will have to kick your fifty three-year ass! Well, what's left of it…" Murphy took a peek at Frank's behind. "Frank, have you been to the gym lately?" she smirked.

Frank smiled. "Thank god. You had me worried for a moment!"

"Do me a favor?" Murphy pointed with her finger. "There's some popcorn in my bottom left hand drawer… You want to get some?" Murphy smiled and plopped herself down in one of the large black leather swivel chair. She spread her hands into the arms of the chair and got comfortable, spreading herself out.

Frank did what he was asked. "Hey, Murph? This is microwave popcorn, where are we supposed to cook it?"

"Look under the desk along the wall. The panel closest to my desk."

Frank did what he was told. "Hey, a microwave and a refrigerator?"

"All thanks to the New York boys upstairs. Even the TV." Frank stood up and looked at the large flat screen television, that was revealed by a panel in the wall unit, all by Murphy's push of a bottom. Murphy played with the button to show him how it worked. "Pretty cool, huh?"

"Wow! Look at that!"

"State of the art, Frank! State of the Art! This thing has so many woofers I'm surprised it doesn't bark at me and make me take it for walks." Murphy laughed at her own joke.

Frank shook his head and leaned down to start the microwave. "Wow! New York is great!"

"It is now," she whispered. "It is now." And she smiled at Frank.

AT THE SAME TIME

Jerry sat at his desk looking over some notes. He had a lot of research to read for his Sunday television show and he was behind. His tie was loose around his neck and he untied the remains of it before throwing it to the ground. He leaned over his work, engrossed in his reading, when there was a knock on his open door. Jerry lifted his eyes, off the page, to look towards the door. He was surprised to see any one at his door, at such a late hour. Everyone was gone for the day, but he was even more surprised to see Rachel, his daughter, standing in his doorframe. Jerry shot up, with the shock of seeing Rachel, who stood with her hand leaned up against his doorway. He shot up so fast his head hit his overhead desk lamp.

"Can I come in?" she questioned. Jerry rubbed his head in pain. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I? I can come back?" She started to go.

"No. No. Of course not."

Rachel walked in tentatively, as Jerry walked around the side of his desk towards her. Jerry stood near the window while Rachel stood a few paces from the door. They were close together, but still far apart. They both looked like they didn't know what to say.

"You're here? I'm shocked" Jerry cleared the silence.

"I'm a little surprised myself." She nodded her head awkwardly.

"I figured after our last encounter you'd never want to see me again?"

"Yeah. I have to apologize for the way..."

"Don't, I deserve it." He noticed she was holding a plastic bag with a brown paper bag inside it. "What's with the bag?" Jerry put his hand in his pockets.

"What? I can't carry around a brown paper bag without a cloud of suspicion around it?"

"No. But when there a strange aroma coming from it… it kinda of sends a red flag up."

"It's Chinese food."

"A piece offering? Are we Incas?"

"I thought we could talk over food. I remember when you use to come to visit it was over food."

"It was?"

"You use to take me out for ice cream."

"I did? I don't remember?" Jerry put his hands in his pockets.

"Never mind." Rachel turned her head and rubbed her forehead, while she rested her hand on her left hip. "Look! I don't need a father. That's not why I'm here. I can take care of myself, thank you. But I do want to get to know you. So, I'm giving you a chance. But it's a change, not a free ride, so don't abuse it!"

"Ok. Are you done?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I have a few ground rules myself? Or is this just something only you can do?" Jerry put out his hands, as if to ask for permission without asking for it. Rachel nodded her head. "Ok." He paused for a moment. "Here's what I have say." And Jerry got serious, "I may not remember things like birthdays and where and when I use to take you for ice cream, but I mean well. And I want to get to know you too." He paused and took a breath. "And I want you to get to know me. I just want you to understand that it doesn't mean I don't care. I guess what I'm saying is - I don't know how to be a father. But then I guess you just said you didn't want one." He paused looking for the right words. "Sentiment isn't my forte," he said with a vulnerable lilt
to his voice.

Rachel gave Jerry an off center grin at his last comment for, based on her conversation with Murphy, and the
tone to his voice, she knew his statement wasn't true.

"You're on." Jerry got that quiet sincere look in his eye that caused Murphy to fall in love with him. Rachel walked tentatively towards Jerry's desk. "Why don't we sit on the window sill, there's more room." Rachel walked over to the large windowsill, which in such a large office building looked more like an inside balcony it was so big, and placed the bag down on it. "I have a lot of papers on my desk and…"

Rachel noticed that Jerry had stopped making his excuse and was watching her. She looked over at him embarrassed and wondering what was going on. "What? What?" She leaned over the bag and looked over at him, as she pulled her hair away from her face.

"You… You're just...you look so much like your mother. It's uncanny…"

Rachel laughed. "Uncanny? You sound like Murphy." She hopped into the windowsill.

"You talked with Murphy? Recently, I mean?" He shook his head. "Is that why you're here?"

"Yeah, it is. It's one of the main reasons," she said to him straight.

Jerry smiled and looked off to the side thinking to himself. "Remind me to thank her." Jerry sat down on the other side of the Chinese food bag. Rachel smiled and rummaged through the bag.

"So, what do you want I have chicken and broccoli, or scrimp and lo mein?"

"Actually, I don't eat meat."

"Oh, I'm sorry." She looked up at him.

"It's ok. I'll take the lo mein. I'll just pick out all the shrimp."

Rachel handed Jerry a folk and his white case of food. Rachel and Jerry both opened their food and set it in front of them. Then simultaneously jetted out there arms, ran their fingers through their hair and scratching the back of their heads with their thumb nails. The exchange was then concluded with a release of air. Neither one of them noticed this because they were looking down at their food. They both started to eat in silence, for a moment, while they tried to figure out what to say.

"We should probably say something?" Rachel finally broke in.

"Yeah. Yeah." Jerry looked up and took a breath. "Why don't you tell me a little about yourself?" Jerry took a bite of his food.

"OK?" And then Rachel started to talk a little bit about herself, during all of which Jerry sat back and listened to attentively. Rachel stopped and started, unsure she was saying anything Jerry wanted to hear – she was wrong.

This only happened for about a minute, when Jerry seemed to have something surprising come through his brain and out his mouth. "Serendipity?"

"What?"

"Serendipity. That was the name of the ice cream place I took you too?" Jerry was surprised by the thought.

"Yeah? That was it." So was Rachel

"I can't believe I remembered that!"

"Yeah?" she laughed.

"You were saying..."

And Jerry and Rachel continued their conversation. They talked about themselves and soon transitioned into talking about innate things, like what bugged them, which ran into tangents of funny stories and events.

Of course, they didn't become best of friends that night. But it was the one night they began to trust each other and lay the groundwork for the future. They were no longer relying on the past; they let the future and the present play its own mind games on each other. They were letting it all stand for itself.

MURPHY'S OFFICE

Meanwhile, Frank was setting up the microwave for the popcorn, as Murphy watched him in her chair.

Frank clasped his hands together. "Well. There we go." He smiled.

Murphy eyed him, as he walked over to the windowsill and plopped himself down on it. Frank looked at Murphy funny, as she followed him not only with her eyes, but also with the turn of her chair.

"She kicked you out didn't she, Frank?"

"What! NO! Am I that transparent?"

"As paper, Frank." Murphy sat up and walked over to a sulking Frank.

"It's only temporary. She said I was driving her crazy."

"Oh, jeez, Frank, what did you do?" Murphy asked with a sense of dread.

"I was just concerned for her health. All I did was watch over her and make sure she was all right. Fluff her pillows - get her drinks - get the mail. Wake up every hour to make sure she was breathing. You know stuff like that?"

"Oh, Frank…" Murphy knew what he really had done.

"Finally, she told me if I didn't find something else to do she'd have to dismember me from my body parts."

"You're just like me, Frank. Without work we can't find anything else to do with our lives."

"That was the problem! I had something else to do with my life. And it revolved around talking care of Lesley."

"So, how long are you exiled oh cap-u-tan?"

"Just 'till August. Lesley says that when the weather gets better she might not be so testy. Frank paused from his self-wallowing and looked at Murphy. "Don't say it, Murphy."

"I won't. I won't." She looked around the room trying not to speak ill of Lesley.

Frank buried his head in his hands. "Plus, now that she can be up and around again she can visit some of her family in Connecticut that doesn't like me very much."

Murphy took his hand. Frank looked up at her.

"Why don't we say we don't talk about loved ones? We just talk about ourselves. Ok?"

"Ok."

"In fact, before we get too tired to think. Let's make plans to see each other again. Looks like I'm going to be real busy and who knows when I'll be able to see you again." Murphy got up and took her organizer off her desk, her paper organizer. Murphy had thrown her computerized one in a subway grate somewhere on the B line between the Park and the Museum of Natural History.

"Well, actual that might be sooner than you think. I just talked to Todd and he said I could start up my show right here. I've already been assigned an office and everything."

"Frank, that's wonderful!

"Yeah… I even have a book deal!"

"Frank! Look at you. All grown up. I'm so proud." Murphy's eyes lit up and Frank smiled shyly at Murphy's joke, turning his head to the side as if to say, "It was nothing."

"But I'll still be busy. So, let's make plans now. I want a change to come and see you and Avery. I feel like it's been forever since I've seen him." Frank took his electronic organizer out of his pocket, as they both put on their reading glasses on.

"That's right. He's been asking about you." Murphy flipped through the pages of her organizer. "How about next weekend?"

"I can't next weekend. I have to go back to D.C and pick up some things for the show."

"Ok." Murphy flipped a page and Frank hit a button with his pencil stick. "Why don't you come by tomorrow and we can hang out 'till Avery gets home from swim lessons." Murphy looked up from behind her glasses. "We'll have dinner." Then she realized something. "Or we could just meet you somewhere. We could do that. Someplace else."

"No. No I'll come over…"

"But, Frank, what about…"

"I'll come over. And then next time you come to my place."

"Ok. You're on." Murphy smiled and nodded her head. "Now quick, tell me about your book before the game comes back?"

"Check." Murphy sat back down in his chair and Frank slid himself in-between the window and the wall frame. The New York skyline glowed behind him in blacks and yellows. "It's about my years working with the New York Times…"

"Hey, Frank? When you're in DC could you pick up my mail for me? I forget to have it forwarded." Murphy asked, as she made herself comfortable in her chair.

"Sure."

"Thanks. Keep going."

"Ok. So, I thought I'd tell a few stories about how I rode with that police car for a year."

"Great idea. Don't forget the time you caught that kid trying to mug you and... Hey, Frank? How did this all come about anyway?"

"Remember that story I told you about my last time in Brooklyn. Well I was at a dinner party and I started to tell the story and…. well you never guess who was there..."

And Frank continued to talk, and even when the game came back on Murphy and Frank never paid attention to it, as they talked on into the night.

As Murphy and Frank laughed it up, as they always did, and Rachel and Jerry got to know each other again, for the first time, Miles walked the streets in the after mist of a late July rainstorm. He was alone with only himself, his thoughts and his broken heart. He walked past one of the hundreds of musicians that played on street corners, or the subway platforms, and any place where people with money were sure to pass. He came upon a man playing jazz, not just jazz but the solo saxophone. Usually, in his rush from one place to another Miles would take in only the kernels of notes for the brief moment they were in earshot, but nothing more. This time he stopped and listened to the man play the sweet sounds. The sax sounded as sad as he felt. Miles thought to himself and in a way felt a sense of comfort. It was a relaxing feeling that made Miles wondered why he hadn't stopped to hear the music before. He listened intently and with great focus, and even though his mind was somewhere else, his ears where open. Miles took a hand full of change out of his pocket, tossed it into the man's saxophone case, and walked off into the night - his hands in his pockets and his head lowered. The man on the sax just kept on playing.

Back in Washington DC, Murphy's townhouse was left alone and quiet - with only the ghost of its former inhabitance stuck in its memory. That and the piles of mail that sat on the foyer floor, now that Murphy had installed a mail slot in the door. It was there ever since old man Swenson destroyed her mailbox over a very small disagreement, in which Murphy claimed she was no way at fault.

It had been at least a month since Aretha Franklin played through its hallowed halls or since its ceilings had been etched with new images of the current political climate. The only markings that the house had been lived in and wasn't a museum was the pile of mail covering the floor, almost hitting the middle table. Not that it was a huge amount. It was just that when the new mail hit the old mail it sent it flying backwards. It was way after five o'clock and it way too late for the mailman to call, but one of Murphy's neighbors had received a letter of hers by mistake and was delivering it on his way home from work. Since Murphy had only just phoned in her request to forward her mail for the summer, it was still being delivered to her house. The man slid Murphy's letter it in the slot and drove off.

The letter slid in, and because it was so light, it floated over to the left side of the doorway, away from the pile of mail. It fell, facing up, on the black and white floor. It was a small, white envelope that would have blended in with the others if not for all the overseas mailing on it. It was addressed to Ms. Murphy Brown and it had no return address - just a faint marking in the left-hand corner with the name written next to it: J. Lowenstein. Now all it needed was to be opened.

Heaven help the child who never had a home,
Heaven help the girl who walks the street alone
Heaven help the roses if the bombs begin to fall,
Heaven help us all.

Heaven help the black man if he struggles one more day,
Heaven help the white man if he turns his back away,
Heaven help the man who kicks the man who has to crawl,
Heaven help us all.

Heaven help us all, heaven help us all, help us all.
Heaven help us, Lord; hear our call when we call
Oh, yeah!

Heaven help the boy who won't reach twenty-one,
Heaven help the man who gave that boy a gun.
Heaven help the people with their backs against the wall,
Lord, Heaven help us all.

Heaven help us all, heaven help us all, heaven help us all, help us all.
Heaven help us, Lord; hear our call when we call.

Now I lay me down before I go to sleep.
In a troubled world, I pray the Lord to keep, keep hatred from the mighty,
And the mighty from the small,
Heaven help us all.
Oh, oh, oh, yeah!
Heaven help us all.

~ Heaven Help Us ~ Stevie Wonder

END OF PART TWO