41
I take Niall the long way back to the condo, to show him the rest of our quaint little downtown. I take my keys out and unlock the bookstore, bringing Niall inside.
“It’s so weird, being in here. I know so much about this place, from your descriptions and Instagram posts, but this is a whole other level.
I can also see where the influences on my shop have come from.
” His hand runs over a table of local Wethersfield products.
“Are souvenirs common for, erm…non-cities?”
I pick up an OW coffee mug. “No, it definitely isn’t common. But the people who live here are very proud and spirited about it. We sell a lot of this stuff. Like these tables are both pretty full when appropriately stocked, but you’ll see the holiday has kinda wiped things out.”
He picks up a t-shirt off the table. “And what is the story of this turkey, and why’s he named Kevin?”
I laugh. “Okay, so there was this one summer where the town was harassed by this turkey. It would walk into the middle of the road. It would attack cars and mail trucks. I even had him chase after me when I running one morning. But, despite everything, the town embraced him. They were so sad when he was relocated somewhere safer for him.” I take the shirt from him and fold it, placing it back on the table.
“As for the name, I can’t remember why he was named Kevin.
But I do love when animals or pets have a clearly human name. ”
“I’m glad that story didn’t end up with him being someone’s Thanksgiving dinner. I know how you Americans get with that holiday.”
“Could you imagine? The town would have gone to the house with torches and pitchforks.”
We walk down Main Street, which is quiet outside of Old Town and The Charles. Looks like some other people are also looking to escape today.
We reach the corner of Garden and Main and I take a deep breath, stumbling back. Niall catches me before I fall. “What is it?”
I feel the tears welling. “This is, umm…this is where it happened. Where Michael died.” And, looking worse for wear, is a small cross planted next to the stop sign. I reach down and straighten it, tapping it before standing.
“I don’t know what I imagined. But I didn’t envision it happening in a small neighborhood area. Or so close to where you live.”
“That’s partially my fault. I think every time you brought up Michael…I kinda shut down, or kept the details vague. Having to acknowledge it brought back too many memories.”
Niall takes my arm as we cross the street, looking both ways before walking the rest of the route to my condo.
* * *
We stand hand in hand on the sidewalk, facing the front window of the condo.
Hughie is chasing Duke around the living room, everyone else sitting on the couch.
Mom turns her head and looks out the window, shooting me a quick smile.
She mouths something to me, what I believe is surprise! I shake my head.
“You’re coming back to Dublin, right? My grand gesture wasn’t done in vain?”
I move in close to Niall, leaning into him.
“Of course I’m coming back. Even if you and I hadn’t worked, I still signed on to teach another semester.
” I turn to look at Niall. “And, being here still doesn’t feel right.
Being inside that condo, it doesn’t feel right anymore.
It’s…it’s haunted. So, even if I decided not to come back, I couldn’t stay here. ”
“Then stay in Dublin.”
I roll my eyes. “That’s what I’m saying Niall. I’m going back for spring semester.”
“No. What I’m saying is come to Dublin and stay. Permanently. You can finish out the semester in Aidan’s apartment and, when you’re done, if you want, you can move into mine.”
I pause. “Niall, while that sounds logical, what if something happens between us? What about if I can’t find a job, or get a work visa or something. What about Hughie? Won’t it be a big change for him if I were to move in?”
“Danny, he’s the one that suggested it. You’re Uncle Danny, remember?”
Oh.
The front door slams in front of us. “Danny!” Hughie running full speed at me and crushes me into a hug. I bend to get level with him and wrap my arms around him. “I missed you so much. Did Uncle Niall tell you he was wrong?”
“He wasn’t wrong Hughie. But we did talk and worked some things out.”
“That means you’re coming back to Ireland with us?”
“I think it does buddy. I think it does. Besides, we need to publish Michael’s book.”
“Oh! The final chapters were amazing. Weren’t they Uncle Niall?”
“I still can’t believe he came up with that ending. That your students wrote those pages. They were beautiful.”
I turn to Niall. “And I’ve got the title. It’s been here all along.”