You Found Me (Warrior)

13. You Can Take the Girl Out of the Country

PRESENT

There was an awkward silence as we ate our food. I don't know what I'd prefer, awkward silence or awkward conversation. I took another bite. At least no one was talking about the weather...or sports.

"So, Tommy..." James began. "You planning on watching the game Sunday?" I smiled to myself. I spoke too soon. Before he could answer, Anna put her fork down and I knew something horrible was about to happen. She raised her arm.

"Sorry to interrupt sweetheart..." She turned to him. "But Tommy can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah...sure."

"So, Tommy...what exactly are your intentions with my sister?" Oh, fuck me! Once Anna got started, I knew she wouldn't stop.

"Oh, here we go" James rolled his eyes, but didn't try to stop her...not like he could. I sighed and kept silent.

"Ahh..." Tommy nodded.

You know what, I thought. I have to say something. He doesn't have to explain anything to her...after what...less than a month of dating.

"He's not answering that... Tommy, you don't have to answer that." I turned to her. "What the hell is your problem?"

"Nothing, I was just asking a question, Danielle." She glanced around. "I don't see any of you putting effort into any conversation."

"Yeah, well you picked a very specific question to ask. Who do you think you are?"

"Well I want to know. You haven't seen this guy in what...ten years and you think you guys can just get back to where you left off. You guys are completely different people than you were before."

"How the hell would you know?"

"It's OK Dani, don't worry about it," Tommy interrupted. " I'll answer the damn question if it will make your sister happy."

Anna raised her eyebrow, "Go ahead," she challenged. I held my breath.

"I love your sister more than anything in the world. I always have and I always will." I blushed, while Anna rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, says the guy who just got out of jail ... because love pays bills right. Oh, right...you have Brendan for that. Do you even know how to support yourself?"

Tommy kept quiet, but his jaw was clenched as he looked off to the side...his leg, bouncing furiously.

Anna was enjoying this. "Or we can talk about the man you've become... You know, I saw you on TV...

"Stop it", I said as I grabbed onto Anna's should, but she brushed me off. I was being ignored by both parties...caught in the middle of two firecrackers about to explode.

She continued. "Any of Paddy's behaviour rub off on you, huh Tommy?"

Immediately, he pushed his chair away from the table, and it made a loud screeching noise as he did, which caused everyone around, to take notice.

"You know what...fuck this, and fuck you. I don't have to take this shit." Tommy got up from his chair.

"Tommy, wait." I said to him, but he was already walking off.

I held my head down and tried to breathe...count to ten...that always works. Why here? I thought.

"Ahh...I see your vocabulary hasn't changed much Tommy." She called after him, obviously satisfied with her work.

"Great job, honey..." James sighed. She just shrugged and took a sip of her wine.

I don't know what she expected. Did she think I would just sit there and finish dinner with her? I clenched my fists and slowly lifted my head. "I can't believe you just said that."