Family Portraits
Page 17
Soon, in the evenings, the women would bring their older children, particularly their sons, to be near him. Finn was embarrassed by the attention and asked one of the administrators why this was happening and what he should do.
“Their respect for you is so great, Finn, that they want you to bless their children,” he was told.
“But I’m not a priest,” Finn said in confusion.
“Just speak to them like you would to your grandchildren.”
And so he did. He told them to respect their parents who had made so many sacrifices for them. He told them to be kind and support each other. He told them to never stop learning. Education would lead to a better life. The things he said echoed what he had told his own children, with a little bit of Gabriel thrown in.
In three weeks, the house was deemed “magnifico,” and it was time to go home. Dennis had a great deal of film to edit and many wonderful personal shots of the team members and his father and his flock. He couldn’t wait to get home to work on the documentary.
After a joyous reunion at the Toronto Airport, the team and their loved ones returned to Finn and Molly’s home. The senior Gallaghers’ friends and neighbors had put together an enormous spread of food from their own kitchens.
There was turkey and ham, Irish stew, vegetable dishes, salads, and a seemingly endless array of desserts. It was enough food to feed the entire village in Mexico.
Everyone dug in. The food at the building site had been sufficient, but plain fare. On the last night, chicken had been added to the usual rice and beans and greens, hog parts, or fish if available. Billy ate so much that afterwards he lay down on the living room floor, declaring himself a whale.
The mood was exuberant, and during coffee and dessert, the Nova Scotia Gallaghers called via Skype. What a clatter as everyone tried to talk at once! “We are so proud of you,” Theresa said. “We thought about you all the time.”
“Hey, Billy, how happy do you suppose Gabriel is right now?” asked Gordie from the cheering group.
“It’s not like the olden days,” Alex observed privately to his brother.
“You got that right,” agreed Liam. “Back then, everyone would be bawling their eyes out.”
Later that night in bed, Finn and Molly clung to each other. They had never been apart since 1970, and it had been hard. They made love, not with the urgent passion they had known when they were young, but leisurely and comfortably, a promise of love forever.
“I yearned for you every night, my precious one,” Finn said. “I was remembering the person I was when I met you, a man with no heart. You have made me what I am today. You are my raison d’être.”
“And you are mine,” Molly whispered.
Young Molly was preparing to write her final exams. The years at St. Francis Xavier had flown by, and Molly had excelled. She was on the Dean’s Honors List every year.
She had changed her mind about four years majoring in Education with a minor in Music. Her musical education was already at the point where she could teach music in an elementary school, and she opted for a pass degree so that she could get there sooner.
She was well known in Antigonish, a regular visitor to the local schools, seniors’ residences, and the library, sometimes playing with her father. She loved the interactions, and everyone loved her.
Someone in particular loved her: Steve Byrne, a doctoral student at the University. She had noticed him on campus; he was hard to miss with his bright red hair and neatly trimmed beard. When they were introduced, she found him to be quiet and thoughtful, extremely intelligent, with an Irish background like her own. She thought he was the nicest person she had ever met, and the admiration was mutual.
The budding romance didn’t distract her from her studies. Well, only a tiny bit. Her ultimate goal was to walk across the stage and be graduated summa cum laude and see the pride and happiness on her daddy’s face.
And so it happened. Gordie cried, and her family members who had traveled to Nova Scotia for this momentous day all shed a tear, even Alex and Liam.
Months in advance, Gordie had booked a room at a charming local inn for the reception because he didn’t want Theresa to have to do any work. There was a group of forty, and what a celebration it was!
This was the first time most of the family had met Steve. He was a big success, and he recognized them as a warm and wonderful group. He knew in his heart that in time he would be one of them as he looked at Molly who was aglow with happiness.
Early the next morning, the family met for breakfast at Theresa and Gordie’s. Long tables were set out on the patio and porch. Seamus and his wife and Brendan and his family were also invited.
It was a beautiful day, and everyone was in good spirits. Over coffee and just a wee drop of Irish whiskey for some, Seamus rose to speak. "Molly, my love, yesterday was your day. Today, I have something to say to all of you.
“It’s sad to admit that I’m getting on in years, but the truth must be told. I decided a while back that it’s time to enjoy what’s left of my good health. First, my darlin’ Maureen and I are going back to our homeland for three months this summer. I want to walk the Ring of Kerry one more time while I still can.”
(Applause)
“I have made legal arrangements regarding my business, and I am pleased with them. I will remain owner. My son Brendan who has worked with me since he was a little lad and knows the business as well as I do – well, almost – will take on the role as Business Manager.”
(Major applause)
“My adopted son – I hope you don’t mind, Finn and Molly – Gordie will be Service Manager. He is not only a master mechanic, but he has what fancy folks call ‘charisma.’ The customers just love him.”
(Enthusiastic applause)
“Stand up, boys, and take your bows. I know that this arrangement will be a success since these two have been thick as thieves since they were young rascals.”
Brendan and Gordie stood up and high-fived and hugged to cheers and shouted congratulations.
In conclusion, Seamus toasted, “Here’s to the continued success of the O’Connor Service Center. And Erin go Bragh!”
Afterwards, everyone headed out, Steve and Brendan driving two vehicles to the Halifax Airport, Dennis and Sharon and Fawn and the Gascoynes heading back to Ontario by way of Quebec City. Molly and Finn were the last to leave, having decided to travel around Gaspe.
They were very happy and suggested that they might fly down in September to celebrate Molly’s birthday. “Thank you so much, my children,” Molly said to Theresa and Gordie. “It was a truly wonderful time.” And she hugged them both.
“Goodbye to you too, my sweetie pies,” she kissed Joy and Sean. “We’ll talk to you all when we get home.”
“Thank you, sweetheart,” Finn said as he kissed Theresa goodbye. He embraced Gordie and said, “I’m very proud of you, my son.”
“I love you, Daddy,” Gordie replied in a voice that shook only the slightest bit.
“Please come back soon.”
“Drive carefully,” Theresa called to them as they pulled away.
The RCMP officers arrived at Gordie and Theresa’s home later that afternoon. Their faces were grim, and their news was horrific. Finn and Molly were dead, just outside Antigonish, killed instantly by a drunk driver who had crossed the line. Gordie sat on the couch ashen-faced, unable to speak. Theresa held him in her arms as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
She could see them as they were just a few hours ago. They were holding hands, smiling at each other. For almost fifty years, they stayed together. And now it was over.
Epilogue
“You look positively angelic tonight, my love,” he said. “You have stars tangled in your hair.”
“Oh, Finn, the things you say,” Molly laughed.
“Are you ready for the next part?” he asked.
“As long as I’m with you.”
“Here, take my hand, and let’s go,” he said.
***
The next morning, the announcer on the Cobh local radio station said several listeners had phoned in the night before to report a shower of falling stars over Cork Harbor.
One caller described it as a rare event, incredibly beautiful. Another called it a gift of love from the heavens.