Seeing You - Boys of Tommen

Lightning Crashes

Patrick:

The days following the death of Marie and Teddy Lynch were truly heartbreaking. Watching those poor children, mourn their mother, while also witnessing the relief of their father's demise was absolutely tragic. 

I couldn't wrap my head around the strength of the Lynch kids, even the young ones still found it within themselves to smile. 

The lads and I had spent a lot of time at the Kavanagh's house, helping in whatever way we could. I really admired Johnny's folks, the way they had taken them all in, even Joey.

It was inconceivable what they were all dealing with. It was hard not to absorb the tragedy that leaked through all of their veins, but we tried to keep brave faces for them, especially the little ones. We had spent a lot of time with Shannon's younger brothers, and their resilience was admirable.

The lads and I, renovated Johnny's old tree house, as a space just for them and it felt good to make something with my hands that resulted in the look on their faces. It was a mix of joy and the promise of safety. 

Arrangements were being made for the funeral and I volunteered to sing. I don't know what possessed me to do it, but I felt it was something I had to do. I hadn't been close with Shannon or Joey at all, but I knew I needed to do it. In a perfect world, Katie would be up there with me, but I knew she was too shy. 

Things had been off with her since the ski trip, she seemed better at the party at the beginning of January. And there was lots of times, she was back to her old self, but it was never permanent. 

I had seen Casey a few times, I had decided to call her, I thought it might get Katie out of my system. Well it didn't work, and Casey really only wanted me for sex. She called it casual sex and the name suited the deed. 

It made me feel like an asshole, but she assured me that she didn't want anything more. I had also caught onto a vibe that she had feelings for one of Joey's friends, Alex or Alec or something like that. Which made me feel like less of a bastard for hanging onto any thing she mentioned regarding Katie. I tried my best not to bring her up, and would only engage if she was brought up naturally.

Joey had demanded that "Lightning Crashes" by Live was played and I spent my time perfecting the chords and learning the lyrics.

I was currently in the Tommen music room, practicing and to my surprise the door swung open and in came Katie.

"Oh, sorry, you're probably practicing for the... I'll leave you."

"Actually, if you wouldn't mind listening." I bit my lip, "You've got a good ear for this kind of thing." She blushes and I expect her to refuse but she walks over and sits on the piano bench.

I find myself very nervous and a little tongue tied, I straighten the music sheets on the stand and begin strumming. The lyrics are fucking loaded with meaning and I can see why Joey chose it. It's a truly haunting song. I push through my self consciousness and begin.

"Lightning crashes a new mother cries

Her placenta falls to the floor

The angel opens her eyes

The confusion sets in

Before the doctor can even close the door

Lightning crashes an old mother dies

Her intentions fall to the floor

The angel closes her eyes

The confusion that was hers

Belongs now to the baby down the hall"

Katie's staring at me, and I've never felt so connected with another person. Without speaking I pass her the lyric sheet. I haven't needed it for the past few days and I've been dying to sing with her again. 

She looks at me confused and I just nod, hoping the look I give her conveys what I want. Katie takes a deep breath and our voices fall into sync.

"Oh now feel it, comin' back again

Like a rollin', thunder chasing the wind

Forces pullin' from

The center of the earth again

I can feel it

Lightning crashes a new mother cries

This moment she's been waiting for

The angel opens her eyes

Pale blue coloured iris

Presents the circle

And puts the glory out to hide, hide

Oh now feel it, comin' back again

Like a rollin', thunder chasing the wind

Forces pullin' from

The center of the earth again

I can feel it"

I'm strumming harder and both our volumes increase, it feels like we're transcending into something greater than the two of us. The connection is almost painful, but call me a masochist because I never wanted it to stop. 

"Oh now feel it, comin' back again

Like a rollin', thunder chasing the wind

Forces pullin' from

The center of the earth again

I can feel it

Oh now feel it, comin' back again

Like a rollin', thunder chasing the wind

Forces pullin' from

The center of the earth again

I can feel it"

We're catching our breaths after singing the last high note, and I can't take my eyes off of her. 

"It's perfect, I think their Mom would have liked it." I almost forgot that she was supposed to help me. "This is a really good thing you're doing Patrick."

"Oh, thanks" I say, "least I could do."

"No, you've done a lot for that family."

I try to stop myself from asking, because I know the answer but I ask it anyway, "Do you want to perform it with me? At the funeral."

She looks down, and for a minute I let myself hope, but she shakes her head. "I... I just can't"

"No worries, just a thought" I say, trying to ease the pressure off of her. 

"Thanks, Patrick."

"No problem, Katie Kat."

Thanks for reading! - H <3