Secrets Left Neglected

Chapter 28

How to Pronounce Irish Character Names:

Niamh sounds like "Neev".

Maebh sounds like "May-v".

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WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG...BEFORE

Caoilainn

"Thanks, Mama," I say, grabbing Tadhg's hand. "We'll be right back."

"Let's be quick," I utter to Tadhg. "You can't miss getting back in the game." Like a shot we run towards the concessions. It's turning out to be a great day. It's half-time and Tadhg's team is up in points. If they keep going as they are they will win the game.

Rugby is really rough. It's like a combination of football and soccer. There isn't any heavy football gear to wear, though. The supposed upside is that the players aren't weighed down by it while they play. On the other hand, they also don't have it to protect themselves during the tackles either.

"What do you want, Caoi?" Tadhg asks me as we approach the window. He wipes the sweat from his brow with the back of his arm and then uses the bottom of his shirt to mop some dirt from his chin. His belly button peaks out from beneath his shirt and I quickly look away. Oh, wow. Awkward.

Tadhg's been my best friend since I can remember so I'm used to seeing him any which way, even only in his underwear, but lately I'm starting to notice things I didn't before. And, I'm feeling a little more uncomfortable than usual. This is weird because I've never worried about things like this with Tadhg. It's strange how lately everything's changing. We're still best friends, though somehow things are different.

Tadhg is kicking grass out of his cleats when the server at the concession stands asks for our order. He looks up when she clears her throat.

"What can I get you two?" she asks us.

"Oh, yeah, um, I'd like a blue Gatorade and Caoilainn will have-wait, Caoi, you never told me. What do you want?"

"I'll take the same plus a box of Cracker Jacks," I respond. "I love eating that stuff. At the end there's always a prize hidden inside the box. It's my favorite part."

Tadhg smiles. "It'll just be a goofy tattoo or something silly, Caoi."

"Yeah, I know, but it's just fun; the not knowing. I like surprises. Don't you?" I ask, smiling at him over the brim of the straw in my drink as we walk back to the field.

"Whatever makes you happy, Caoi. Come on, I gotta get back or coach will bench me," Tadhg rushes.

"Ok, let's run."

We make it back just in time and Tadhg runs over to his team. Meanwhile, I wander towards our moms, who sound like they are at the end of a serious conversation. I slow my pace to see if I can hear what they're saying, and to give them time to finish.

"I just want to make sure you understand what you're getting into, Niamh," Ms. MacCrithein says to my mom. "You know my history with him. I'd hate to see you get hurt, too."

"I understand, and I'm so glad you're not mad at me. I was worried it would cause a problem with our friendship. I would break it off it you told me to.

Oh, but I am so grateful you're not." My mom replies. "After Caoilainn's dad died, I never thought I'd feel like this again, you know? And at my age, no less!"

"Age?" Ms. MacCrithein asked. "You're still young, Niamh. You have your whole life ahead of you. I'm happy for you as long as he treats you right. That's all that matters to me. I'll be happy if it works out. Just guard your heart, ok?"

"Thank you, Maebh. I love you, girl," my mom says, hugging her. "We're really happy. We haven't told the kids anything yet. We wanted to make sure this thing was serious before we did. I think we're going to plan a dinner together with them and let them know. That way, Caoilainn and his son can get to know one another and we can see how things work out. It's a big step for all of us. I have to make sure Caoi will be ok with a man in the house again, and of course, he wants to make sure his son is ok with me. Ever since his wife passed, it's only ever been the two of them in their house."

I glance over at Ms. MacCrithein and watch her take a sip of water through her straw. She looks away from my mom and watches Tadhg on the field with his team. She looks lost in thought. An emotion I don't understand shadows her smile. I can see a small frown tug at her lip.

"Hey, Maebh," my mom says, hugging her from the side. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah, it's fine, Naimh," Ms. MacCrithein whispers. Then, clearing her throat, she says louder, "It's good. I'm good. Just make sure that, well, you know...that you don't ever mention about-"

My mom cuts a look towards the field and starts to shake her head.

"No, I know, Maebh," she says. "I would never. Don't worry about that. And I know he wouldn't say anything either, even if he really does want to.

Something about the way Ms. MacCrithein looked out at Tadhg when they were talking makes me feel queasy. I'm not sure what they were talking about, or why Ms. MacCrithein would look at Tadhg the way she did, but I don't want to hear any more.

In addition, finding out your mother is dating someone new, someone serious, is unsettling. Suddenly, finding the prize in my Cracker Jack box doesn't hold the same appeal that it did a few minutes ago. I was eager for a surprise, but this conversation is one I wasn't anticipating. I toss my half-eaten box into the nearby trashcan and bees spring out of the can at the disturbance. Like them, I feel a little off-kilter as well. I walk over to join my mom and Ms. MacCrithein on the bleachers.

As I do, I'm just in time to watch Tadhg score two conversion points in the game. I cheer for him, but my spark has dimmed in the last few minutes.

Who's this guy Mama has been dating? How long has it been going on? What will he be like?

Mama mentioned a man in the house; will he come live with us? Am I going to have a brother? Will he be nice to me? How old is he?

This rugby game has turned into a lot more than I thought it would be when I got up this morning.