Family Portraits

by JoAnn Aitken

  “I do know,” said the little boy.

  “If you get lonesome in the night, you come next door and climb in bed with us, okay?”

  “I will,” Gabriel said sleepily. Gordie kissed him and tucked him in. As he left the bedroom, he felt a wonderful warmth course through his body. This time last year, he had been in prison.

  Late every morning, Theresa walked carrying a little cooler to the service center where Gordie worked. She did this for three reasons: she was pregnant and needed some exercise and fresh air; she liked to take Gordie a fresh hot or cold lunch, depending on the season; and she wanted to be with Gordie, even for just a few minutes.

  Gordie’s workmates teased him, calling him spoiled and Theresa’s wee boy. They weren’t laughing, however, when they saw his wife’s beautiful smile and watched him eat his special lunch while they had mundane sandwiches and pudding cups.

  Now Theresa had a companion. She called Gabriel her “Happy Hopper” because he never walked. He hopped and skipped and tried to catch squirrels to be his friends. He had endless questions about the houses, the trees, the birds, and the occasional dog or cat that would happen by.

  The shopkeepers came to know him. His friendliness and boundless curiosity about everything made him a favorite. Everybody would take time to talk with him while his mother shopped. He became known as “Gordie and Theresa Gallagher’s adorable little son.”

  Back home, Gabriel had a bunch of grown-up cousins and a couple of little baby ones. That was nice, but in Antigonish, he had lots of cousins of all ages. And they were really fun!

  Billy used to freeze a rink in the yard if the weather was cold enough so Gabriel and his sister and brothers all learned to skate. He had started out with baby skates with two blades, but since he was “almost four,” he had skates like his brothers.

  They hadn’t been packed in the last-minute rush, so his cousin Robby O’Connor gave him his old ones. Robby was growing like a weed, his mother said, so the skates were in fine condition.

  Almost every weekend there was a skating party. If it wasn’t too cold, there would be a fire and everybody would toast marshmallows and drink hot chocolate from thermoses. The O’Connors were always singing and laughing, so these were great times.

  In February, it was Gabriel’s birthday and he was “almost six.” He got so many presents; it took ages to open them. And his mommy made a huge birthday cake with two layers: one was chocolate and the other was yellow. There were Smarties all over it!

  Gran sent him a disposable camera to take pictures of the party and an album to put them in. The very first picture was of Gabriel on the ice, looking sharp and proud in the candy cane-striped scarf, hat, and mitts that Gamma Molly had knitted for him. The second picture was of him with the toboggan he got from Mommy and Daddy.

  That album was filled with happy pictures in no time flat. Gabriel thought Antigonish was a great place, and the weeks flew by.

  At the beginning of April, his mommy had a new baby. She and Daddy asked him what he would suggest for a name. Kitten Flower sounded nice to him, and everybody else thought so too. They all laughed and hugged him.

  Mommy and Daddy explained that they were going to call her “Joy” because that is what she had brought them. Barbara would be her first name, and Kitten Flower her third. Daddy said it was really special to have three names, like the princes and princesses in England. Wow!

  To our dear family and friends

  Gordie and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of our daughter, Barbara Joy Kitten Flower Gallagher, on April 8, 2006.

  Weighing six pounds, she fit easily into her father’s waiting hands. She is a sleepy little girl, only making tiny mewing sounds when she requires attention. We sit and watch her endlessly, marveling at the miracles that brought her to us.

  Her formal name is splendid: Barbara (for her great Gran, Barbara Campbell) Joy Kitten Flower (chosen by her big brother Gabriel who is “almost six”). We have decided to call her Joy on a day-to-day basis because she symbolizes our overwhelming happiness and gratitude and the eternal love we share.

  With every best wish to you all,

  Theresa and Gordie

  Billy sat in front of the computer in his office. He had a glass of Irish whiskey in hand and was prepared to feel very sorry for himself. He finally opened the e-mail from Theresa entitled “Joyous News!”

  He read it over and over. He looked at the attached photographs: a tiny naked rosebud with a mop of black hair cradled in Gordie’s hands, the same little flower dressed in pink with a small pink bow in her unruly mane. She was not his child. She was Gordie’s. Theresa was not his wife. She was Gordie’s. The message was absolutely unequivocal: “the eternal love we share.”

  Billy reached for the bottle to pour himself another shot. Suddenly, a voice spoke to him. It came from inside his head, but it sounded suspiciously like Kim.

  “So, Billy,” the voice said, "why not have another drink? You could be passed out by dinnertime instead of enjoying your children on this gorgeous Sunday afternoon.

  "Aren’t you ready to admit that you are all alone in your misery? Are Theresa and Gordie unhappy? Are they brooding about you?

  “The hands are racing around the clock. The days of you and Theresa ended in 1994. Look around you: you have five wonderful children who love you, a successful business, a nice home, and someone who will stand beside you through thick and thin. Dig it, my friend. It’s time to live your life.”

  The voice was so strong that he swiveled in his chair to see if Kim really was in the room. She wasn’t, but he got up and put the bottle away. It was indeed time.

  He turned off the computer and walked out into the sunshine. He watered his dogs and drove to Kim’s.

  “My love, come and see the e-mail Theresa sent us. There are pictures of our new granddaughter,” called Finn.

  Molly hurried into the room and scooted a chair over beside him at the computer. Together they laughed over “Kitten Flower.”

  “That blessed little boy,” said Molly.

  The pictures were wondrous, and Molly said, “That looks just like Gordie in your hands after he was born. So incredibly beautiful!”

  “He was a good deal more vocal as I recall,” said Finn.

  “Oh, Finn, let’s go down to see them, just for a weekend,” Molly implored.

  “They’ll be here in September for Dennis and Sharon’s wedding, my love,” he replied.

  “I can’t wait that long, Finn. Please, please.”

  “You can play me like an instrument, my tiny fawn,” he sighed.

  Molly giggled. “Let’s check with Theresa to see what’s convenient for them.”

  Molly hopped up and started rummaging through the trunk that held all her craft materials. “I’m going to crochet a little outfit for Joy. Bright pink to suit her coloring, not that washed-out pastel.”

  For a long while, Finn stared at the picture of the child in her father’s hands. He felt the stab of the pain that never really went away. “My son,” he whispered so softly that Molly was able to pretend she hadn’t heard.

  Wool in hand, she came up behind him. “I love you, Finnegan,” she said and placed a kiss on top of his head.

  Finn and Molly came to meet Joy the first week in May. They had only come for a long weekend.

  It was a busy visit with the O’Connors hosting a big party for them on Saturday night. Molly spent a lot of time fussing over the baby, and she baked all Saturday morning. She made goodies for the party and many treats for Theresa’s freezer. They would go in Gordie’s special lunches. Everybody was happy.

  Gordie took his father to see the service center and introduced him around the town. Finn was pleased to see how well people responded to his son, and Seamus told him privately at the party that Gordie was his number one mechanic, superior to his own son Brendan because of his exceptional interpersonal skills. Seamus said that customers would book appointments for their vehicles and specifically ask for Gordie.


  It would appear that the boy had turned his life around.

  With Gordie and Theresa’s permission, Molly asked Gabriel if he would like to fly home with them. He said no, he wasn’t ready to leave his parents and baby sister. His grandmother and grandfather were a little disappointed, but it was certain that he would be back for school and Sharon and Dennis’ wedding on Labor Day Weekend.

  Although Barbara had bought Gordie a computer for his birthday in March before Joy was born, Theresa and Kim liked to talk on the phone on a regular basis. They had known each other for a long time and were good friends. They were able to be perfectly frank with each other.

  Kim told her that Billy was very disappointed that Gabriel hadn’t chosen to return with Molly and Finn after their May visit. Theresa suggested that they come with all the children for a visit in July, and she would bet that Gabriel would come back with them.

  Gordie had booked a cottage on Prince Edward Island for a week, and Theresa thought it would be a good time for the kids, a week in Antigonish and a stay on the Island. She was anxious that Molly and M-G visit Nova Scotia and meet their new sister. She hoped that they would be comfortable there and want to come often.

  Kim agreed that it was a good idea, but Billy couldn’t come too, not because of his attitude, but because it was his busy season. She said that his business was booming, and he had hired a couple of students from the Landscaping Program at a local community college to work with him for the summer.

  She said that she was very proud of him and that he seemed happier than he had been in a long time, although he pined for Gabriel. She said he now referred to Gordie by name and didn’t call him “that goddamn bastard” or the like. The change seemed to have come around the time of Joy’s birth. Thank God!

  Anyway, they would all meet at Sharon and Dennis’ wedding in September. Billy had actually said of course he would go.

  There was great excitement in Ontario and Nova Scotia as everyone got ready for the July adventure. Kim and the children would fly to Halifax where she would pick up a rental van. Gordie and Theresa could travel in their car with their baby, and Kim would chauffeur the kids.

  Everything about the two-week holiday was perfect. Kim and company did some local touring, and the five children loved it. They camped in the backyard some nights, swam and fished, enjoyed picnics and barbeques with the O’Connors, and Little Molly and M-G spent time with their parents and Joy.

  One morning on P.E.I., Gordie and Gabriel were up early and went for a walk on the beach. After many questions about everything, Gabriel asked Gordie, “Do you know that I’m going to go back with Kim and the kids?”

  “I know it’s time, but it’s really hard to see you go,” replied his father.

  “They need me, Daddy, and I’ll see you at the wedding,” the little boy said, tightening his hold on Gordie’s hand.

  “Can I come back next year?”

  “You can come back any time you want,” said Gordie. “This is your home too you know,”

  “I know,” said Gabriel, but he looked a little sad.

  Gordie crouched down and said, “I’m going to tell you a big secret that you can carry in your heart until we see you in September. Mommy’s going to have another baby next spring. So maybe you can come down around Easter with Gamma and Gampa for a little visit before you come in the summer. What do you think about that?”

  “Did you make a boy this time?”

  “I don’t know, son. It’s always a surprise. It could be a puppy.”

  Gabriel laughed and said, “That’s silly!”

  He put his arms around his father’s neck and hugged him tight. “You’re my very own daddy,” he declared.

  Labor Day Weekend 2006:

  There had been a family pool as to when this day might come. Patrick’s wife, Linda, was the lucky winner. Everyone was happy, although some said they’d believe it when they saw it.

  The wedding at Barbara’s home was to be exactly to Sharon’s specifications. No extravagance, no fussiness or “la-di-da” as she described it. It was a simple civil ceremony before Barbara’s lawyer, Theresa, and Gordie in attendance. There were no dress-up for the wedding party or guests, and no bouquets or boutonnieres. She just wanted a great party which everyone would always remember.

  In the last few minutes before the boys would arrive to walk them downstairs, Sharon and Theresa talked. Sharon was pacing, and Theresa asked her if she was nervous. “Wouldn’t you be nervous if you were about to marry a giant toddler?” she snapped.

  “I thought he was doing a lot better since he got a real job,” Theresa said mildly.

  “Well,” Sharon replied, “I do have to admit that. But I never know when he will get a hare-brained idea and move us to some godforsaken place so he can make a sad documentary while I try to help people with no medical facilities, supplies, or probably even running water. I have to be constantly vigilant against his big heart and generous ways.”

  Theresa bit her lip to keep from laughing. “I’m sure you can keep him under control,” she said.

  “You’ve been together a long time. You love him dearly?” she asked rhetorically.

  Sharon’s eyes filled with tears. “I do. But don’t you ever dare tell anyone. And I don’t need any sentimental slop right now.”

  The pair hugged just as Gordie called through the door that it was time.

  The brothers looked handsome and, although Dennis feared he would get into deep trouble, he gave Sharon a long-stemmed pink rose to carry. Her face got all soft, and she said, “Oh, Dennis. You just can’t follow instructions.”

  Gordie and Theresa looked at each other and tried to remain straight-faced.

  They descended the beautiful old staircase and approached a small table which was covered in one of Barbara’s lace cloths. There were no flowers.

  In less than five minutes, everything was done, including the signatures on the marriage certificate. Gordie spoke to the guests: "Everyone, it is my extreme pleasure to introduce our little sister and my brother and best friend, one of the most mature guys I know, now and forever to be known as ‘Dennis and Sharon Gallagher.’

  “God, I hope I got that right,” Gordie looked at Sharon. She nodded approvingly and, unexpectedly, threw her arms around Dennis and kissed him passionately. He turned his head toward the cheering, applauding group and with a smile of pure sunshine said, “She loves me.”

  Oh, what a wonderful party!

  Billy’s irrepressible sons, Alex and Liam, were bouncing on the spot. “Daddy, Daddy, there’s a whole pig cooking in the yard, and salads all over the place. And stuff we don’t know what it is.”

  “Then we’d better get some drinks and go out and have a look,” said Billy.

  “Perhaps a double scotch for you, my sweetness,” he asked Kim, laughing.

  “I think you’re right,” she told him.

  The buffet was amazing, and the venue was gorgeous. The guests enjoyed the beautiful late afternoon at tables with umbrellas on the lawn and patio. The exuberant children were corralled on the big verandah. Dennis had put together some discs he called “The Greatest Tunes of All Time,” and people kept bursting into song and jumping up to dance.

  Gamma Molly pronounced it the best time she had ever had. Even Barbara was all smiles.

  After dark, there was dancing and mingling in the great room. Dennis left Sharon’s side occasionally to capture what he called “iconic” shots from the party.

  What would become the most famous, the one displayed in people’s homes for many years into the future, was of Finn and Gordie, in their shirt sleeves, ties loosened, sitting facing each other, in an interrupted conversation. Gabriel sat on his grandfather’s knee, his arms outstretched toward his father who returned his delighted grin.

  Molly called it the “three-peas-in-a-pod” picture.

  As it got late, Gordie jumped up and grabbed Theresa’s hand. “Come on, baby. Here’s our song!”

  Gordie was a won
derful dancer, and Theresa trusted him so completely that she could follow him anywhere he led. She said she could feel his energy through his hand on her back.

  The beautiful couple gazed into each other’s eyes. “I want to make love to you all night long, T,” he told her softly.

  “Oh, Gordie, please do,” she whispered. “When can we start?”

  “Very soon,” he promised and led her off the floor as the song ended.

  “Mommy, Daddy, guess what,” said Gabriel excitedly. He was up far past his bedtime and was a little hyper. “Billy said I could sleep over with you! Isn’t that great?”

  “That’s wonderful news, Buddy, and I would like to thank Billy very much,” said Gordie dryly. Theresa and Kim laughed.

  “I hope you have a real good night, Gordie,” Billy said with mock sincerity. “The other kids are a little disappointed they can’t stay too, but you do have Joy to take care of.”

  “Always thinking of others is our Billy,” Kim poked him with her elbow.

  “We’ll see you late morning.”

  “What an absolutely fabulous time,” were Theresa’s last words as she snuggled up beside her husband.

  In the morning, Gordie went to shower and was surprised when Gabriel asked if he could come in too. “We can sing,” he suggested cheerily.

  “Sure,” said his father. “What would you like to sing?”

  “O Canada,” responded the little boy.

  “Okay,” Gordie said, “I’ll wash your hair while we sing.”

  Gordie’s big voice and Gabriel’s little one resonated in the excellent acoustics of the shower. It was truly inspiring. Theresa lay in bed with her baby and thought her heart might explode with love. She knew she would remember this moment all her life.

  May 2008

  “Do you think we should do something about Mother’s seventieth birthday?” Katherine asked Emma.

  “I don’t know,” her sister replied. “She’s been in an awful bad mood lately, saying stuff like ‘Seventy years old and less than twenty years of happiness. I wish I’d gone to Fredericton with your father and been riding on the back of his snowmobile.’”

  “Jesus,” Kathy said. "I feel sorry for you, living with all that misery. As if you haven’t had enough of your own.