37
Wrapping up my other classes, and their final exams, is a much lengthier process. To the point that I don’t get to update the Word file for the final chapters until the day I fly home for Christmas.
I just knew I had to get a clean copy to Hughie before I left, and I finish typing it an hour before I need to leave for the airport.
I look around the apartment, having tidied it up so Aidan doesn’t think I’m a total slob. Holing up in the apartment for weeks on end had put it in quite a state. I made sure the fridge was stocked with some drinks and that anything really perishable was thrown out.
Outside, Temple Bar is lively with people in the Christmas spirit. It’s barely nine o’clock in the morning, but people are already starting to loiter outside the pubs waiting for them to open. To no surprise, some people are drinking their own stash as they wait.
I pop into Books and Brews, which is full of last-minute shoppers for the holiday. I browse a bit while looking around at the various nooks and crannies. But it appears that Niall isn’t working today.
Which leaves the apartment.
I climb the stairs to Niall’s floor, reaching their door and give a loud knock. After a few moments I try again, but again receive no response. I put my ear to the door, to see if I can hear anything coming from inside the apartment, but I’m greeted with silence.
It’s either they aren’t home, or Niall looked through the peephole, saw it was me, and they are actively ignoring me.
Prepping for the worst, I take out a pen and write on the cover page of the chapters:
Hughie - Sorry I missed you before I went home for Christmas.
But I thought you’d like to see what the class did with the final chapters of the book.
The battle chapters flow brilliantly, and the ending you suggested could not have been any better.
I hope to hear what you think of these pages, and hope you and Uncle Niall have a happy Christmas. ~Danny.
I fold the pages and slide them through the mail slot on the door, a thump echoing on the other end. I linger outside the door a few moments longer, hoping to hear the pages picked up or maybe even have the door open, but neither happen.
I take the stairs down, just me and my suitcase, to catch a ride to the airport.
To head home.