Who's Your Paddy?

Chapter 27

Other than a trip to a store to pick up more food supplies, we elected to spend some time laying low. Liam wanted the events of our first press foray to die down and we both found ourselves wanting to give another more immediate desire some much anticipated attention.

Much like the first couple days I spent in his American house, we decided that having sex in nearly every room to be a right of passage that had to happen. I was surprised it took us so long to get back to that point, but once we did, it was as if the world and it's problems no longer existed.

In one of my rare moments of alone time, I moved a small writing table close to the picture window in the living room and watched him clear some weeds away from the gate in the stone wall behind the house. Seeing him in such a romantic setting conjured up all kinds of conflicted feelings.

I reached a point where I completely understood why he'd be so careful about revealing his past with strangers, especially when you consider the great quality of life he managed to make for himself in America.

Yet, I was still a little uneasy. Not because I didn't want to be thrust head first into his whole life, past and present, but because I wondered if and when my profession was going to jump up and bite us both in the ass.

The next morning, we rose early to have breakfast with his mother before she left for work. Doing so was a duty more than a choice. After seeing several reports on television, she kept calling the house, insisting he move back to her place so she could 'protect' him.

Allowing her to cook us breakfast was the next best thing.

"What on earth would ya be headin' up ta Belfast for?" His mother asked me, astonished.

"For a story I'm working on. We-"

She abruptly cut me off. "He goin' with ya?"

"Uh, yes he is."

She clucked, shaking her head while tossing me a suspicious sort of glance. I was relieved when she finally turned her attention back to the frying eggs. For a tiny woman, she sure knew how to put the fear of God in someone. I was afraid of opening my mouth again in case I offended her, but did it anyway. I had to find a way to reach some common ground with her.

"Is there something I can do to help ease the situation with him? I mean, it was his idea to go, but..."

She didn't answer the question at all. "I don't like it. What's so bleedin' important 'bout goin up there now? Jayses, the train even."

"Mam, quit worryin', it'll be fine," Liam said, entering the kitchen. "We're not stayin' up there anyway. Just in an out."

He sat at the table and popped a small breakfast sausage in his mouth.

In true mother fashion, she waggled the spatula at him. " Don't tell me not ta worry. I know better. And I want ya to ring me the minute yer back."

He got up, pushed the utensil aside and gave her a smooch. "The sausages are lovely. Any more of 'em?" He leaned against her, peeking at the stove over her shoulder. She instantly warmed, nudging him playfully.

I admired how easily he could disarm her.

It was his idea to take the train to Belfast. I was prepared to do the driving, but he insisted it would be more fun to take the train so we could relax and enjoy the sights together. The decision to risk a public mode of transportation smacked a little of rebellion on his part, but it was still fun picking out the brown wig he would sport for the adventure.

We sat in the rear of the train and for the first half of the two hour journey. There weren't more than a handful of people sharing our car. As the train made it's way North along the rugged coastline, the scenery grew stunningly beautiful and I was thankful for so many empty seats. It gave me the opportunity to jump around and take photos from both sides of the train.