Written as Helen Hughes
Helen wasn't exactly a confrontational person, not in the slightest. If you messed up her order in a restaurant, you wouldn't catch her correcting the waiter. If you disliked one of her interests, and made it clear to her, she wouldn't say anything to defend herself, nor make a snide comment back, she would go quiet.
That's just how it was with Frank, pretty much everyday.
She didn't make a comment as Frank crudely talked about his own death, something that made her a bit nervous, but of course, she was used to his rather brash behavior at this point, and she didn't say anything. Though she was sure Frank would never physically hurt her, she hated conflict, and opted to keep peace whenever possible. A true pacifist one may call it.
The funeral had been an emotional time, it was one of the neighbors. Though the Hughes didn't know them all too well, the man in question, John, was fairly beloved by most of the neighborhood after all. It was pretty sad to see someone go, but he was nearing 80, so that made things a bit easier. Helen tried not to be emotional, she could practically hear Frank rolling his eyes at the sobs of some of the more dramatic neighborhood members.
Though it would seem Helen and Frank didn't have much in common, she had started to live off routine. Though he never encouraged her to speak up for herself or really encourage her in many other ways, she was guilty of the same quite honestly. She had become content with a life of mediocrity, she didn't know any better at this point anyways.
Helen followed suite behind Frank's larger imposing figure as they walked through the driveway and into the house. Her hair was done up elegantly in a bun, and for someone in her very late 40's she looked quite nice. Though she had a few gray strands here and there, for the most part, her hair was still that strong shade of brown it always was throughout her youth.
The smell of Murphy's cooking was in the air as she walked in, a small smile on her face as she did so. She was so proud of her youngest son's accomplishments, she may have babied him quite a bit. She looked around in a bit of confusion as she noticed Murphy was nowhere to be seen! Though his lovely girlfriend, her name was Alice wasn't it? He talked so fondly of her! She had to wonder why he wasn't there now with her.
Ian seemed to be back early, she held her tongue in speaking or even asking about the date, she knew by the time how things went with Melissa more often than naught.
After Alice shook Frank's hand, she noticed her tense up a little and start to get a bit nervous? Was Frank intimidating her in some way? Or was there something else going on with her? She probably was just shy, Helen shook her head and greeted herself briefly to Alice as well, to at least be polite.
"Alice dear, it's so lovely to meet you. Murphy has told us all about you!" Helen finally spoke up, smiling meekly towards the cute blonde. She was a bit blind in some ways, a girl like her with someone like Murphy was almost unprecedented, but she had her son up on a bit of a pedestal, so she thought they were a good match on appearance alone.
"All good things I hope," Alice responded with a smile towards Helen, before she shifted her gaze back towards Frank, Helen didn't miss that.
"Yes, quite good," She cleared her throat awkwardly as she took in another breath, "So um... Where is Murphy? I thought he'd be with you?" Helen tried gently, but Alice seemed to bite her lip at the mention.
"He uh... I'm not sure, he just left a minute ago." Alice looked awkward speaking about him.
Written as Alice White
Why was the universe so cruel? First Ian's... thing made her all flustered, and now she had to meet Murphy's father of all people. Coming up to her so boldly and reaching out his hand for her to shake.
She was a bit shaky, his hands were rough, and quite hairy she may add, but she didn't mind that, it sort of enticed her a bit, but she would never admit that aloud. His aura, just oozed mature man, and she couldn't help but feel a bit drawn to his energy, his presence, she was thankfully snapped out her trance as Helen, Murphy's mother spoke up and let her have a chance to speak.
"I'm... I'm doing good," She managed to whisper to Frank, she was nervous just in front of him now, how foolish she must seem.
Slipping her hand out of Frank's, thankfully he didn't notice her palms starting to sweat a bit with anticipation, is that what was she was going to call it? Anticipation?
Thankfully she managed to get back to her normal self to answer Helen's greeting, and she felt a bit strange to talk about Murphy now. He had seemed angry for some reason, she was about to go after him when Frank and Helen walked in. Though Ian seemed interesting, she was still a bit on edge with him, heck, she only knew him for like 10 minutes anyways, but he was making her feel strange inside, and she wasn't sure she wanted to like that feeling.
"Oh well, I'm sure he'll come back sooner or later, would you like me to help you get settled in dear?" Helen spoke, subtly trying to get some distance between Frank and Alice, she knew it was ridiculous but she was starting to feel a bit... strange.
"That's alright! I'll just be on the couch anyways, I really appreciate you letting me stay here," She looked around the room and offered a bright smile, as flustered as she was, she managed that. "All of you, thanks for having me."
Helen smiled warmly at the girl, finally letting go of her little pettiness that seemed to be arising.
"We are all happy to have you here I'm sure, since you'll be staying with us a bit, I'm thinking of setting up an air mattress, I'm sure it will beat the couch. I'll pick one up tommorow after work, and you should be more comfortable,"
"Thank you ma'am," Alice said gratefully, that surely would be more comfortable, but there was another thing that was starting to itch at her, but she held her tongue.
"Please, call me Helen." Helen nodded her head, and silently whispered to Frank that she was heading up to bed, with a nod towards Ian as well, she left the room. Alice assumed to go to sleep, but she could be wrong.