Guardian

Chapter 12

Why?

That was the question Thomas wanted answered. Why couldn't he get Aidan's face out of his head? Why did he feel so guilty?

His plan worked. He got kicked out, but in that moment when Aidan's necklace was sucked up, his angry, desperate energy kicked Thomas in the gut.

His cat senses were always sensitive to other's emotions. He could always tell when his mom was particularly angry or sad. For instance, when he'd shown up back home after being a cat for so many years, the first thing that hit him was the wave of emotion coming off her. He remembered it clearly, even if he was mostly wild at that moment.

He'd hurt Aidan, and now what? That damn machine was sitting in the corner of his room above the pub where he'd left it last night, taunting him. The necklace was still very much inside.

"Thomas! Yer beer!" Seamus said from his stool at the bar.

Thomas glanced down at the overflowing pint of Guinness. The dark amber liquid flowed down the sides, over his hand, and down the drain. 'Twas a sad waste. Yet, understandable considering his state of mind.

The smell of hops and molasses, along with the sounds of chatter and music playing softly in the background, came back into focus. The afternoon sun streamed through the back window. The storm had finally passed.

Seamus, a daily patron, sat patiently waiting for his drink. "What's eating ye?" he said, "I know ye wouldn't be wastin' Guinness on purpose like."

"Och, not much. It's just..." Thomas was used to talking natural like to the locals, but this time felt different. He cleaned the outside of the pint and set it gently down in front of the man.

"And what're ye chewin' on? Spit it out now. Ye'll feel all the better for it." Seamus nodded encouragingly and took a large swig from the glass. He had a slight smile on his white-bearded face.

Thomas smiled in return. He couldn't help it. The man really did remind him of Santa. It also made him want to tell him all his secrets. "Ay, alright then. Ye see, I've been tasked with..."

There was no way he could tell the whole truth, so...

"Aye?" Seamus prompted.

"I've been tasked by m'family to help the new man in town settle, and had no urge to do such a task, so I set about getting that person to kick me out by any means necessary –"

" – And why didn't ye just refuse yer family?"

"It's tradition to help new folks settle. Anyway, I figured it'd be alright if he kicked me out, ye know?"

"An odd tradition if ye ask me."

"Ye think so, too?"

Seamus took another sip of his Guinness. "What did ye do?"

"Not too much, ye see. I was vacuuming, without much thought and may or may not have sucked his necklace up."

"So, just get the necklace out."

"The vacuum won't open."

"So, just take it over to Jack's."

"Is it really that easy? Ye see, he did kick me out, which is what I wanted." It was true.

"So, give the man his necklace and be done with it. Why is it such a big deal? It's not like ye have to go back and stay." Seamus nodded emphatically.

He was right again. It was true. He could hand the necklace over, say nice knowin' ye, and leave.

Bertie interrupted and set a cup of hot beef stew in front of Seamus. She addressed Thomas, "Did ye go and get yerself kicked out then?"

"Aye, Auntie, and it's what I wanted."