The Aishling Cafe

Part 4

Lorcan walked beside Martha, describing his hometown in Ireland. His eyes filled with excitement as he pictured it in his mind. Martha smiled throughout the description watching Lorcan's waving hands that were trying to sculpt the land in front of the two people. Their walk led through the city and into a nearby park where trees loomed overhead, casting cool shadows across the cement that cut pathways through the park.

"There used to be a large open field next to our house, my sister and I used to race up the side and I would always win. At least until she started to find ways to get up it faster." Lorcan laughed at the thought.

"How'd she do that?" Martha asked with a light voice.

"She'd trip me. Or take our large sheep-dog and have him chase me around and he would run after me and jump on me thinking I was playing tag with him." Lorcan looked at Martha, his blue eyes full of joy.

"Well, that sounds an awful lot like cheating." Martha laughed.

"It was, but I let her get away with it cause I would always tease her 'bout how much taller I was when I was a little child."

"Any other stories?" Martha watched as Lorcan stared off in the distance thoughtfully for a moment before he turned to Martha and shook his head.

"I'd like to her some embarrassing stories of you. You've heard quite a few on me."

Martha hummed in thought turning her face to the tall buildings that towered over them. Coming up with one, she turned to Lorcan. "One time, I was nine years old. My parents took my best friend, Katherine Monroe, and I Christmas shopping. It had just snowed really hard and I was wearing my best white dress because I truly loved wearing that thing. We wandered too close to the streets with the horse drawn carriages and muddy melted snow. And so one carriage came by and it's wheels ran through a large muddy puddle Katherine and I were playing in. Both of us were soaked head to toe in muddy water and I ruined my nice dress that day. My mother was so angry at me."

Lorcan's eyes twinkled in humor, he questioned. "You don't have any siblings?"

"No. But I have a few cousins, and my Uncle- he lives with us." Martha looped her arm through Lorcan's to keep track of him as they passed through a large crowd. Lorcan set his hand over Martha's as soon as they both emerged from the crowd.

"That's a shame. I couldn't imagine not having my sister around." As Martha drew her hand back, Lorcan grabbed it and intertwined their fingers. "Your parents seem... intriguing."

"Yeah?" Martha asked, distracted by the warmth spreading through her arm from their intertwined fingers.

"Your father was pretty entertaining." Lorcan turned to Martha, looking for her opinion.

"He's always been quite interested in many things." She looked at their hands and couldn't help the smile covering her face.

"What is he involved in?" Lorcan asked.

"He does the oil company with my mother. He also likes to take in cars, he's been trying to learn all the mechanics behind them, but it hasn't worked well." Martha gently leaned towards Lorcan.

"Yeah? Well, I have to admit they do look very nice." Lorcan said. He pulled out a pocket watch and sighed, "As much as I dislike having to admit it, I have to get you home. It's already four in the evening."

"It can't be." Martha exclaimed, startled.

"Yes, I'm afraid it is. Let's head back to my car and I can drive you back to your home." Lorcan walked through the crowds dragging Martha along.

***

When Lorcan turned onto Martha's street, she knew something was off. And by the time they had turned into her driveway, she knew something was wrong. Her heart beat heavily against her chest as Lorcan stopped the car. Martha shoved the door open and ran towards the front porch, avoiding the police cars that were scattered around, she rushed up the steps to be stopped by one officer.