Who's Your Paddy?

Chapter 6

Wisdom, as it turned out, did weasel into our thinking and prompted a joint decision to let the intensity of our extended encounter simmer. I felt so unbelievably great about what happened between us but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that it also scared me once the lust drunk wore off.

I went home to a blinking answering machine and the distraction turned out to be a good one on many levels.

"I'm picturing you, legs in the air, gasping for breath. Or maybe you've been kidnapped by Peruvian bastards and can't get to the phone. Either way, where the hell are you? Got your message but it didn't tell me much. Okay, well when you get untied give me a jingle, I've got news." Paul's voice boomed through the tiny speaker.

After a loud beep, the second message played.

"Annie, give me a buzz. I heard from someone that's been trying to reach you. And where the fuck are you anyway? I've left you two messages. Call me."

It was my sister Lindsey. I clicked off the machine and called her right away.

She picked up on the first ring. "Hey you. I'm glad you're there."

"Annie. Jesus. It's about time. What took you so long to call me?"

"Well hello to you too."

"Sorry. Mom's been bugging me about your not calling enough. Anyway, hi. You been busy or something?"

"I've been running around chasing people for a story."

"Ah, how's the job coming along anyway?"

"Good. Great actually. I got my first big feature."

"A feature! Wow. Things must be looking up for you out there now."

"Yeah, took a while. Hey, who's looking for me anyway?"

"Looking for you?"

"Yeah, your message said someone was looking for me."

"Oh! Your friend, Michelle."

"Michelle! Wow, I've been thinking about her a lot the past few days."

"She called last week. She's coming back here to Boston soon and didn't have your new number."

"Did you talk to her?" I asked.

"I did. She called Mom's, but I answered. I gave her your updated Phoenix info."

"You get hers too?"

"Yep. Got a pen?"

"Yeah." I leaned over to the coffee table for a pen and paper.

"Her last name is about to be Kelly by the way."

"You're shitting! Really?"

"Yeah, she probably wants to fill you in herself, but she moved to Ireland a while ago and met someone."

As she rattled off the rest of the information, I thought about the last time I'd seen Michelle. It had been close to four years. We still talked about once a year, but I hadn't updated her since my last move. I'd known her since childhood--her dad was like a second father to me. We grew up together, dated our way through high school and roomed together at New York University. She dropped out and ran off to backpack her way across Europe. Even though we saw little of each other, our bond remained strong in spite of the occasional gaps in communication.

"That's so great. Can't wait to talk to her. When's the wedding? Did she say?"

"Soon, and I got the impression she wants you involved."