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As she drove, Mo Murphy asked herself for the hundredth time, "Why?"
Why are you going back to Sinful, Louisiana? Part one of your life that covered your birth until you left Sinful for college? That wasn't humiliating enough? Okay, so part two of your life, college to responsible adult, now returning home to Sinful, was even worse. Now wait- is that even possible? Think, Mo, think!
Part one of your life- Your rebellious, slutty teenage mama ran away from home and gave birth to you in New Orleans, then left you in a basket on the street during a parade. That wasn't your fault. Your Grannie Annie tracked you down within a few days and brought you back to Sinful to raise you. Not your fault. Your name- Moses May Murphy? Shudder! Not your fault. Blame Grannie Annie for that heavy-handed attempt at Biblical humor turned to horrifying humiliation.
In high school, you were voted most likely to (there was nothing after those words), and nominated for the senior prom court as jester. You won because you were the only candidate. Everyone called you "Little Mo" because you were short, skinny, and flat chested. And the fact that had Junior Whitehead asked you to the prom, you would have said yes? Oh, crap! Was life really that bad? Oh, my God- it was!
Move along to part two of your life! The college years weren't so bad. You escaped Sinful and ended up in California. And that pot hole you just hit in the road? That's a painful reminder that no one will call you "Little" Mo again, and that bras are no longer considered enemies, but necessities. But getting back to California. Maybe it was a mixed bag, or maybe more like a sack of crap. Divorced (not dumped). Your ex and that model wife won't last a year... make it five years now.
A failed career? Well, lots of adults returned home when the economy bottomed out. That's nothing to be ashamed of. Then again, they moved during the economic free fall. Maybe your career was another victim of the ripple effect from that whole thing. But more than likely, it was your less than ethical business partner, who turned your thriving business into a money laundering operation for the mob. Just because you answered the phone, made appointments, led a field crew, and kept the legitimate books didn't make you guilty.
Thank goodness for jury trials and good friends married to better lawyers! Not that those lawyers gave discounts. So paying out your life's savings to stay out of prison wasn't really a hard choice to make. It left you starting over, but at least you don't have to worry about getting shanked in the prison yard because you got the baked potato that someone else wanted. Let's face it, Mo. You're just gullible. You bought every lie and half-truth your business partner told because they came dished out with a side of compliment. You felt useful and needed.