Shamrocks and Secrets

by Cayce Poponea

  “Yes, he’s that killer that escaped last week, right?”

  “Yes, he’s also the man that Patrick killed last night.”

  I watched as my coffee cup left my fingers and crashed onto the tabletop. “Oh, God…”

  My father got a dish towel and began to clean up the broken china and spilled coffee.

  “Patrick said he was upstairs watching you have fun with the girls and decided to leave you alone. He was just about to turn away from watching you when he saw Vailer move in and recognized him from his mug shot. Patrick said that animal was already trying to leave with you in his arms and was about two seconds from raping you on the dance floor with his hand. Christi, promise me you won’t be angry with him for stopping that monster however he could. I know how you are.”

  My dad was right; had I not been told who the guy was, I would be thinking the worst about Patrick right now.

  “I swear it, Dad.”

  “Good. Now why do you suppose Patrick went to Ireland?”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  I didn’t like the way my dad asked that question, “Why is Patrick in Ireland?” I instantly felt something was off, like he knew something and was just seeing if I knew it as well. I didn’t have time to question him further, though, as the doorbell rang, followed by hard pounding.

  Dad was quicker reaching the door and honestly, I was grateful. Once he looked through the peephole, he grinned as he unlocked the door.

  “And it begins…” he said with a chuckle.

  The door flew open and in marched a very excited Nora, Allyson, and Paige.

  “Oh, my God, Christi! Are you all right?”

  “Thank God my brother was there…”

  “He has good form, doesn’t he?”

  All three were talking at once and I could do nothing but let them get out what they had to say.

  Once they ran out of breath or shit to say, we all settled into my living room. Dad brought out a tray of coffee and then left for his own house.

  “Okay, so I’m just going to just get this out of the way and deal with the elephant in the room.” Allyson was always a “to the point” kind of girl. “Last night was the first time you saw his dark side…you doing okay?”

  I pondered her question for a moment. “Honestly, when I first noticed the guy, I tried to warn him. I knew Tonto was close and I knew he would’ve pummeled the guy right there in front of us all. But I didn’t want to ruin Shannon's night so I tried to just get him to go away peacefully. I had no idea Patrick was even in the room…”

  My thoughts began to drift back to the music that was playing and the way everyone was laughing.

  “Honestly, when I got in the car, I was on overload. I didn’t know what to think, nor did I really want to.” I tucked my legs under myself and took a large sip of my coffee. “I’ve never seen anyone as angry as Patrick was last night. I’ve never witnessed that kind of rage. It was like he was a different person.”

  The girls didn’t interrupt as I continued.

  “When I woke up this morning, I was fully ready to end my relationship with him. Seeing him lose control like that terrified me and I began to realize that he had an entire side I have no desire to know. But when my dad told me the guy’s name…”

  I began to feel strange, like I was becoming a new person, a better person.

  “Is it sadistic of me to be thankful that Patrick was there, that he did what he did, and that I was able to walk away? What kind of person does that make me? What kind of person am I, so fucking happy that my boyfriend was willing to step in and beat the life out of someone? What kind of person am I that I’m so grateful that all I want to do is get dressed up in my naughtiest outfit, march over to his condo and thank him in ways that are illegal in seven states?”

  Nora smiled warmly at me. “Christi, listen, you have every right to feel the way you do about Darius being dead and you being alive, that’s human nature. I’m just glad to hear that you want to continue a relationship with my son.”

  I smiled as Nora crossed the room and wrapped me in her arms; this was what having a Mother felt like.

  "I’m worried about Patrick, though. I thought for sure he would’ve come by the house when he found out I didn’t go to his condo. He hasn’t even called.”

  Nora took my hands in hers. Her hands were so warm and soft, like the feel of a warm blanket on a cold day. It was then that I noticed the slight bruising that was forming on her swollen right knuckles. I worried that she had gotten involved last night. Surely Patrick’s men would have protected her.

  “Lass, he couldn’t. That’s why he called your father. By the time the police left, he had to catch his plane.”

  I looked to her hand and then back to her face. “Nora, what happened to your hand?”

  Paige began to giggle and Allyson bumped shoulders with Nora.

  “I had to remind a certain future in-law that tradition cannot be messed with.”

  I gave her a curious look before Paige interrupted. “You should’ve seen it, Christi. Eileen was trying to say that she had sent the lace to the cleaners. The cleaners! Like you’d send a piece of priceless material to the same place you send your everyday dry-cleaning. Lucky for me, Ma knows a lot of people in this town. Eileen didn’t even get a chance to spend the cash before they called my Ma with the lace.”

  My eyes went wide; Eileen had tried to sell the lace?

  “Please say you’re joking. She sold the family lace?”

  “She tried, and for so little money,” Nora shook her head in disgust.

  “Can you believe this, Christi? For a lousy seventy-five hundred bucks, she tried to ruin the tradition.” Paige was now the one to eye roll.

  “Yes, but our Ma took care of that. Eileen won’t soon be forgetting what’s important in this family,” Allyson piped up from the corner.

  I then looked to Nora. She had the biggest look of pride on her face. She had protected the family and the rich traditions it held. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Nora had hit Eileen. My curiosity was in what Eileen looked like.

  “So, back to Patrick, should I expect a call later today?”

  Nora’s face turned to mischief. “No, Lass. It’ll be a while before you hear anything from him. His business is in a very remote area and he won’t have access to any form of communication.”

  I was certain I didn’t want to know anything. I would just say a prayer every night for his safe return.

  “Enough about my stupid brother; let’s get you dressed and hit some stores.”

  “Paige, some of us have work to do. Like, I don't know, a little wedding that’s happening in a week,” I gave her the bitch brow.

  “Oh no, Christi, you owe me. You managed to get out of going shopping that day in Patrick’s condo, you’re so going now.”

  I then turned my attention back to Paige. I remembered that day a little differently. I remembered having my very sexy boyfriend all hot and ready, only to be interrupted by this evil sprite.

  “Oh no, dear Paige, as I remember it, you owe me. I was about to get laid by your very sexy brother before you so rudely, and I emphasize rudely interrupted us.” I then remembered that his Mother was still very much in the room as I quickly added, “Sorry, Nora.”

  Everyone giggled as Nora began, “Did something happen, Paige?”

  Paige tossed her head back and huffed. “Oh, good God! I went over to Patrick’s condo and these two were about to do the nasty,” she said as she pointed at me and smirked evilly, “Just call me the resident cock blocker.”

  Nora tried to hold back her laughter. “Oh, Christi, you should make him wait until your wedding night anyway. It’d serve him right.”

  Paige was quick to jump up and began to raise her voice, “Really, Ma? Well, let’s see, you married Da in November and Patrick was born the following April. If you do the math, it’s obvious you so didn’t wait till your wedding night and neither will Patrick.”

  Nora held her head up, but
a hint of blush tinged her cheeks. “That’s neither here nor there. The fact is, Patrick could use a good humbling and who better to do it than Christi? Besides, it’ll set a good precedent as to who’s really in charge. What do you say, Christi?”

  I couldn’t help but giggle and blush given this conversation was with his Mother of all people. "I'll think about it,” was all I would commit to.

  That seemed to be good enough for Nora. “Fair enough, Lass. So, now that we have that all settled, we have another important matter to discuss. Patrick’s birthday is coming up.”

  It seemed that Patrick’s birthday was the weekend before Shannon’s wedding, a detail he had neglected to tell me. Patrick preferred to have just the family present to celebrate. Small quiet dinners were all he had ever allowed.

  I had to give Nora credit; she was at least telling me this was a family affair so I didn’t get upset when I wasn’t formally invited.

  “Um, all right, then I’ll given him my gift either the day before or the day after, depending on when he returns from his trip.”

  Nora then looked at me with a questioning expression, “Why would you do that?”

  “Because, you said it’s just family.”

  Laughter erupted; well, they laughed, I just looked confused.

  “Oh, Christi, I absolutely love your humor. You had me going there for a while,” Nora chuckled as she took another sip of her coffee.

  Guess I was considered family

  All week long, the news was bombarded with the story of DariusVailer’s death and subsequent absence from the streets as a wanted and much-feared serial rapist. The person responsible for getting him off the street was considered something of a hero in the media. Patrick’s name was never mentioned, but the reports stated that the person donated the sizable amount of reward money that had been offered to a battered women’s shelter and I couldn’t help but smile.

  I expected to hear from Patrick at some point during his trip, but it had been four days without a word and I started to worry a little. I remembered how my dad had seemed to know a little more than he let on so I called him.

  “Hey, Dad.”

  “Hey, Christi. Missing Patrick?” he chuckled.

  “All right, Dad, cut the shit and tell me what you know.”

  He laughed even harder. “Well, it seems the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, you’re just as questioning as I am. You should have become a detective like your old man.”

  “Whatever, Dad, what do you know. Why haven’t I heard from him?”

  “Sorry, Sweetheart, the only thing I can tell you is that he’s in Ireland and he should be back in a few days.”

  “I don’t like the way you say should, what aren’t you tell me?”

  “Oh, I’m not telling you plenty, you’ll have to wait and hear it from Patrick.”

  Men…such useless creatures…ugh!

  More days passed and still no word from Patrick. Thankfully, I had my sister’s wedding to help plan, as well as Paige’s. I had bigger worries on my mind, though. What do I get Patrick for his birthday? What did you get the man who owned nearly the entire town? He could buy anything he wanted, and then it hit me, the one thing he couldn’t buy. I giggled as I began to put my idea into action.

  Dinner was to be at Thomas and Nora’s, family only, a very small affair. Most people would think that was maybe ten to fifteen people, but most people would be wrong. We are Irish after all.

  There had to be at least sixty people sitting around three huge tables that were arranged in a horseshoe design. Everyone had a drink in their hand and was laughing and enjoying themselves. I scanned the room, but I didn’t find the guest of honor.

  “He isn’t here,” a voice sounded in my ear.

  I turned to my left and found Thomas standing with a martini glass in one hand and a beer in the other.

  I chuckled as I questioned, “Are we double-fisting it tonight?”

  He laughed and then handed me the martini glass. “Patrick said this was your favorite and I swore I’d make certain you had one the minute you got here.”

  I took a drink and then smiled at him, “Thank you.”

  “Absolutely, let me introduce you to a few people.”

  “A few? Thomas, we have got to work on your definitions.”

  I met so many uncles, aunts, first and second cousins, that I was certain I would never remember everyone’s name. Everyone, and I mean everyone, already knew everything about me.

  I was well into my third martini when I had just about decided he wasn’t going to show. Something had to have happened in Ireland. Maybe his plane had been delayed, or he had decided to celebrate in Ireland.

  As I began to take the final sip of my martini before telling everyone goodnight, the front door opened and in walked a very gruff-looking Patrick.

  Whenever I had ever seen Patrick, he had always been well-groomed and dressed impeccably and always in tailor-made clothing. His hair now looked as if he hadn’t washed it all week, and his jeans were torn in several places. I finally noticed how quiet the room became as Patrick got closer to me. I found it odd that none of the men were greeting him. I took a look around the room to find that everyone had formed a circle around us.

  “Uh, Patrick?” My voice shaky as I turned again to look around the room.

  “Mo ghra.” (My love.)

  “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

  I was getting nervous. I hadn’t seen him in a while and honestly, his current appearance was unsettling.

  “Na biodh eagla ort, le do thoil, beidh me ag insint duit goch rud” (Don’t be afraid, please, I will tell you everything.)

  His voice was so calming and I watched as he motioned for me to come closer to him.

  “Christi, do you remember the story I told you about the promise my great-grandfather made to my great-grandmother?”

  I could only nod my head as I turned once again to scan the room. It was then I noticed my sister and my father standing beside Thomas and Nora. My father’s arms were crossed and he had a look of pure joy across his face.

  “Sweetheart, in my family, the men continue that tradition when they decide to marry. We go through a rite of passage if we want to prove to our elders that we’re indeed ready for that step.”

  I couldn’t speak. Here stood the man I had tried so hard to push away, telling myself and everyone who would listen that I could never be what he needed. And here he was telling me he had been proving to his family that he was good enough for me.

  “I’ve spent the past week in the hills surrounding the very village where they grew up and fell in love. I cannot tell you what I’ve had to endure, as that’s a secret I’ll pass on to our sons.”

  I noticed my father chuckle at Patrick’s words and Nora kissed Thomas’s cheek.

  “That first night I saw you, I watched you move around the room and I couldn’t take my eyes off you. You had me spellbound from that moment on. You had such confidence and I just knew my father had been right when he said you were perfect.”

  My eyes then shot directly to Thomas, he simply smiled, and then shrugged his shoulders.

  “Then you confirmed my opinion, when you showed up in my office and stood your ground.” I blushed at the memory, not one of my better decisions. “But in the end, even knowing who and what I am, you gave me a chance and you let me show you who I could be. And even after you agreed to wear my necklace, you showed grace and courage, and you even called me out when I was acting like an idiot.”

  I watched as Patrick reached into his jeans pocket and removed a piece of lace cloth. As he unwrapped it, I noticed an appliqué of vines and letters. It was too small for me to make out from where I stood. He then held what looked like a green string.

  “I told you he gave her a shamrock when he left her and came to America.” He placed the lace on the table beside him. “I have a shamrock from the very same hill where he stood and promised to return to her.”

  I watched his fingers
shake as he came closer to where I stood. His eyes locked with mine as he slowly lowered himself to one knee.

  “Christi, I’ve loved you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. You’ve made me want to be a better and stronger, and I swear to you that if you’ll grant me this one wish, on my birthday, I’ll die a happy man. A bheidh tu posadh liom?” (Will you marry me?)

  I could hear myself gasp as I looked into his deep green eyes. I looked to his outstretched hand that held the tiny shamrock.

  “Yes,” I heard myself answer as I felt the tears run down my face.

  Patrick began to tie the end of the shamrock around my ring finger as the room was once again loud with laughter and applause.

  I was quickly surrounded by the women of the room and engulfed in tight hugs. Patrick was quick to interrupt as he placed his dirty hands on my face and looked longingly into my eyes. He slowly leaned in and placed a soft kiss to my lips.

  “Christi, as I was sitting in the middle of the shamrocks on the hill, I was asking myself over and over if I was really good enough for you. Then I looked down and I saw this. I think it was a sign.”

  His left hand was open flat and in the center of his palm was a very old, very distressed three-pence piece. I could barely make out the jack rabbit that sat in the center. I remembered seeing coins like this at my grandmother’s house.

  “I read somewhere that Irish brides carried a penny in their shoe on their wedding day. Since you’ve already said yes, I’d love for you to wear this as you walk down the aisle.”

  Tears were flowing down my face. Patrick was my home and my heart, my every wish come true.

  “Patrick, of all the things you’ve given me, this is the one I’ll treasure the most. This is priceless.”

  He gently kissed my forehead, “I’d hoped you would.”

  I raised my face to meet his, our eyes locked as well as our hearts, “As will our daughters.”

  We both smiled at that.