HAVING 13 - Johnny Kavanagh

62. Okay, let's talk

JOHNNY
September 14th 2005

I put down the weights I was lifting and checked the time on my phone.

I noticed a message come in. Melissa.

Missy: We should never leave a fight unresolved

Johnny: What's up?

Missy: We almost broke up the other night :(

Johnny: What are you talking about, Mel?

Johnny: Your entire family lives with me, we're not breaking up X

Missy: We should really talk Xx

Johnny: On my way home

Putting away my phone, I started the car and drove home.

Parking on the driveway, I looked into the backyard and saw Ollie and Tadhg already getting dirty before school. They pushed each other around in the mud.

I shook my head, laughing, and made my way inside, going to shower and then talk to my girlfriend.

After my shower, I opened the door to the hallway to find Missy just making her way up the stairs. Perfect timing.

I smiled. "Okay, let's talk."

"So, uh," She bit her lip, her nervous habit.

I gently took her hand and dragged us to her room.

"Basically, I got some advice from a friend," She started.

"Gibs?"

She side-glanced me. "How do you know that?"

"He got philosophical on the phone this morning, acting like he's been in several relationships," I sighed.

"I'd say he's pretty qualified," My girlfriend defended him. "He says he's been betrothed since he was six years old."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. What did he tell ya?"

"We've been spending all our time together, just the two of us, right?"

"Yes." I shrugged.

"Maybe we should spend time together but with other people, too."

"How?" I inquired.

"I don't know, like, double dates or whatever," She tried. "Or more group hangouts."

"Who are the candidates for double dates?" I made sure to get enough information before throwing myself into this crap.

"Katie and Hugh, my brother and Aoife, or Shan and Aran," She answered. "And of course, Gibsie and Claire count without saying."

"Let's go with Gibs," I agreed, liking the idea of hanging out with my best friend instead of going on a corny double date with Hughie and his redhead girlfriend.

"Yay, I totally love Claire," Missy cheered. "Okay, let me call him right now."

I sighed. "Okay."

I was never really present when Gibsie and Melissa talked, which made me wonder what they bonded over. Maybe it was their home situation which made them similar, or perhaps they simply got along because they just did.

Before, I thought that Gibs met her first, but in reality I'd gotten acquainted with her just a few hours prior to him.

She was my diamond in the rough. My treasure.

Following the thought, after a day-long drought, I leaned in, in the middle of her phone call, and kissed her.

She smirked after letting go before continuing to speak into the phone about whatever.

•

MISSY
September 15th 2005

Edel and I were spending some quality time together tonight.

We were going out to eat at a restaurant. Sitting at a table outside, I saw it as a good chance to bring something up that had been on my mind for a while.

"Hey. Dellie," I spoke up, putting my utensils down.

She hummed, signalling for me to go on.

"I've been thinking, maybe I should see a psychiatrist," I hesitantly said. "I think it'd help me, and I really need some professional support right now."

She nodded. "I have a few friends. I'll talk to one of them. I'm assuming you'd prefer to speak to a woman?" She smiled.

I laughed nervously. "Yeah, uh, I'd like that."

"Okay. That's settled. I'm proud of you for asking me, pet," She told me.

I smiled. "Thank you."

"No need. You all have been so grateful to John and I. We took you in for a reason, Melissa. We want you here," She said. "We're family."

I had to hold back tears. This simple request had turned into a speech.

"Thanks," I sniffled, keeping myself from sobbing. "That's sweet."

Edel continued. "When we still lived in Blackrock, we fostered a little girl named Rayna. Johnny doesn't remember her, but we still think she's the reason he's so caring."

"He is, isn't he?" I finished my food.

Step by step. Reclaiming my life.