Straight Up Part 2

Chapter Forty

"It does lily heart good to see you back behind that bar," said the Mouth with a satisfied smile. The Mouth, one of the regulars at his parents' pub, wasn't the first person to express this sentiment when they walked into the Wild Hart to find Liam back at his old post. PJ. back in New York after a worldwide book tour, had said so, too, as had Mrs. Colgan (whose new parrot, Rudy II, was just as annoying as his predecessor). Even the Major, the man of few words, made a point of coming over to say he was pleased to see Liam.Things had changed in the year he'd been away. The Wild Hart had become the unofficial hangout for the New York Blades, Manhattan's hometown hockey team, who were determined to bring the Stanley Cup to New York for a third time. There was a female bartender, Christie, who'd replaced him. Liam felt bad for her, since she'd been forced to work with his uncle Jimmy, a retired cop who lived to milk his back pain and loved to needle people. That Christie was a firefighter just made Uncle Jimmy's barbs all the more pointed.And of course, things had changed in his family, too. Maggie and Brendan now had baby Charlie, whom Aislinn couldn't seem to resist picking up and cuddling. Sinead was talking about dating again. Quinn's blog had become very popular. Quinn's wife Natalie was managing an extremely prestigious French restaurant. Everyone was happy and healthy, including his parents who, though they were definitely looking older, had lost none of their s.p.u.n.k or backbreaking work ethic.Liam smiled at Aislinn as she slipped behind the bar and gently tugged on his ap.r.o.n. "We've got to leave for home soon, you know.""I know. I just wanted to see if I can get this lot" - he gestured at the regulars - "to give me some decent tips. G.o.d knows they didn't before I left.""I didn't have the money, then," PJ pointed out."Yeah, but you do now," said Mary Colgan in a voice tinged with envy. "So don't be a skinflint.""It's always been my belief that money can complicate the delicate balance of friendship, said the Mouth, the bar's philosopher. As the great -""Please shut up," Liam begged with a groan."Bet you don't miss that," Christie ribbed."Believe it or not, I do."Christie looked at Aislinn. "I can't believe you're dragging him home! It's been so much fun having him here.""Dad said he's interviewing a replacement for Jimmy, don't worry," Liam a.s.sured her."I hate to tell you, but he's been saying that for a year," said Christie."I'll put a bug in his ear before I go.""Thank you," she said gratefully."Thank you for doing such a great job," said Liam. squeezing her arm. He turned to Aislinn. "Shall we?"*****"Now. we're coming over at Christmas. Don't forget."Aislinn smiled indulgently as her mother-in-law reminded her of this for the third time in an hour. The whole family was standing in the small kitchen of Liam's parents' flat above the Wild Hart, all gathered round to say their good-byes before she and Liam flew back to Ireland.She still got queasy when she thought back on how she'd been on pins and needles the whole day after she and Liam had had their "discussion." What if he came home and said he wanted to go back to America, and she could take it or leave it? He'd come in after work that night to find her waiting up for him in bed, tense and wakeful, bordering on fearful. He'd stripped off his clothes, slid between the sheets, and, tenderly pushing a few stray wisps of hair off her face, had whispered, nJ love you. Our life is here."Oh, G.o.d, the joy of it nearly propelled her through the ceiling. She thanked him for making that sacrifice for her, but he told her that in the end, it was a no-brainer. Jack had told him he had a job at the Oak for as long as he wanted, and that eventually he could buy the pub when Jack retired because, according to Jack, his son Neil would "rather drive a spike through his own head than own the Oak.""That sealed the deal right there," said Liam. "That, and realizing the most important thing in my life is you. You're a Ballycraiger, and now I am, too."Two weeks later, they'd flown into New York to see Liam's family, who were warmer than she ever could have imagined. His parents were affectionate and chatty and welcomed her into the fold immediately, making her feel as if she'd known them her whole life. Sinead was slightly aloof at first, until Aislinn realized that it was more shyness than anything else. Maggie was colorful and exuberant. Her even-tempered husband Brendan was clearly the anchor that kept her tethered to the earth. Quinn was as charming as he'd been in Dublin. Talk about chalk and cheese! The first thing Aislinn thought when she met Quinn's French wife, Natalie, was that opposites obviously attracted. She was quiet and refined, quite the contrast to Quinn's boisterousness. But it was clear that she and Quinn adored one another. Aislinn was sad to be leaving; their visit seemed to have flown by.Aislinn reveled in the hug Liam's mother gave her. "It was lovely to meet you, darling.""You, too, Mrs. O'Brien.""How many times have I told you?" Liam's mother chided with a cluck of the tongue. "It's Kathleen. Or Mom, when you feel comfortable enough.""Mom, then," Aislinn said softly.Liam's mother cupped Aislinn's cheek. "I'm so glad he found you.""You're a definite step up for him," said Quinn."I agree," said Maggie, joining in on the teasing as she looked at Liam. "You married up, Bro.""Tell me about it." Liam regarded his father. "You have to replace Uncle Jimmy. Seriously.""Tell me something I don't know," said his father wearily. "But it's hard. He's my brother, and he says he doesn't know what he'd do with himself if he didn't have this job, now that he's retired.""Couldn't he set himself up as a private detective or something?" asked Aislinn."Oh, yeah, he's a right gumshoe, that one," said Mr. O'Brien dryly. He patted Liam's shoulder. "I'll find a replacement, I promise. I know he's driving Christie spare. I don't want to lose her.""Good. I mean, I know no one could ever be as good as me behind the bar, but still...""Hey, truer words were never spoken," said Liam's dad. "I hope Jack realizes that."He does. Liam checked his watch. We should go, he said quietly. I'm sure our cab is downstairs waiting.Aislinn swallowed, a lump forming in her throat as she hugged Liam's mother again. "Thank you so much. It's been a wonderful visit.""Don't be daft."Aislinn moved on to hug Liam's father. "You keep an eye on him now," he said to her, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Keep him out of trouble.""Oh, she's whipped me into shape, believe me." Liam quipped. "It's very clear who wears the Wellies in our house."Everyone laughed as Aislinn's jaw dropped. "I beg your pardon?""That was a joke. McCafferty.""It had better be."Aislinn hugged Quinn, then Natalie, who squeezed her hand tight. "Any time you need a place to stay in New York, you're welcome to stay with us.""Or us," said Maggie."And I have a pretty roomy apartment myself," said Sinead."I can see we're going to have to draw straws next time you're here," said Liam's dad.Aislinn hugged Maggie warmly, then bent to kiss little Charlie's rosy cheek. "G.o.d, he's gorgeous.""Most of the time," said Maggie. "Perhaps I'll send him over to you when he hits the terrible twos." She looked at her husband, Brendan. "What do you think?""I think that's a great idea," he said with a big grin. He drew Aislinn into a big bear hug. "You and Li should feel free to get in touch with my family next time you're in Dublin. They'd love it.""That'll probably be about five years from now," said Liam, razzing Aislinn. "She's not big on cities."His mother's face fell. "Did you not like it here in New York?" she asked Aislinn, looking disappointed."No, no, I liked it fine," Aislinn hurried to a.s.sure her.She'd been overwhelmed at first, and truly, it wasn't her cup of tea, but the visit was less about getting to know the city than getting to know Liam's family.Liam put his arm around her shoulder. "She prefers the country life," he said affectionately."I can see that," said his mother, looking sentimental. "I do miss Ballycraig sometimes.""You'll be back there soon enough, woman," Liam's father said."True," she said. She looked down at Aislinn and Liam's bags. "You've got everything?""Yup," said Liam."I packed you some soda bread for the plane just in case you get hungry," Liam's mother confided to Aislinn.Aislinn laughed. "Thank you."Liam picked up one of their bags, Aislinn the other. "Off we go." They started down the stairs. "You'll ring when you get in, won't you?" his mother called after him. "Of course we will." "Bye," everyone called down to them. "Love you!" "Love you, too!" Aislinn and Liam replied. Aislinn hadn't felt this loved since her parents were alive.*****Downstairs in the bar, they made a quick stop to say good-bye to the regulars, PJ especially. "I'll see you two in the summer," he said to Aislinn. "Looking forward to it," she replied, meaning it. "Safe trip," the Major said quietly. "Thanks," said Liam, patting his shoulder. "For everything." The Major nodded curtly, then returned to reading his copy of the Irish Independent News. "Me 'n' Rudy here will miss you," said Mrs. Colgan, petting her parrot. She paused. "Do you have many parrots in the Emerald Isle?" "Uh, I'll have to get back to you on that," said Liam. The Mouth, somewhat formally, shook both Liam and Aislinn's hands. " 'Parting is such sweet sorrow" - so sayeth the immortal bard." "Right," said Liam. He looked at Aislinn. "Let's roll, McCafferty." "You got it, O'Brien."*****In the cab on their way to the airport, Aislinn was prepared for Liam to descend into melancholy. If the visit with his family had flown by fast for her, she couldn't imagine how the time must have raced by for him. She took his hand. "You okay?" Liam looked perplexed. "Yeah. Why do you ask?" "I just thought you'd be blue after saying good-bye." "I am." he admitted. He leaned back with a sigh. "But it'll be good to get home." Aislinn laid her head on his shoulder contently, closed her eyes, and smiled. Home."I am," he admitted. He leaned back with a sigh. "But it'll be good to get home." Aislinn laid her head on his shoulder contently, closed her eyes, and smiled. Home.******About The Author***New York Times Bestselling Author Deirdre Martin was six when she wrote her first "book,"a Peanuts parody. In addition to penning bad, maudlin poetry in junior high school and serving as the Arts Editor on her high school newspaper, she was also the Arts Editor at her college newspaper at the University of New York at Buffalo, where she earned her BA in English in 1985. While writing for the student newspaper there, she sold her first freelance magazine article and won a city wide play writing contest. Her play, Spin Cycle, about two lonely people at a laundromat, was subsequently performed in a theater s.p.a.ce in downtown Buffalo.Ater graduating college, Deirdre worked at a series of trade magazines before landing a job at Soap Opera Digest. While she says it was fun working in a place where she got to watch TV all afternoon, she longed to branch out, and after two years, left to begin freelancing full time. Over the course of her twelve year freelance career, her work appeared in a wide variety of publications, including Seventeen, YM, McCall's, Fitness, New Woman, Bride's, Bridal Guide, Inside Sports, Woman's World, Modern Maturity, Islands, Newsday, and the New York Times. In 1998, her first non fiction book was published: Investing for Retirement (Avon). She also contributed to Lifescripts for Managers, Lifescripts for Employees, and Lifescripts for the Self Employed. (MacMillan, 1999).******