Eire of Mystery

by Gavin Green

Chapter 28

  A few minutes after Kate left, Brody realized the time and was able to call Simon before he boarded his first-ever flight. Brody had made arrangements with a travel agency in Denver for his cousin's international trip; all Simon had to do was to wait for his passport and go pick up his tickets. In recent conversations and texts, Brody had told his cousin what to expect and what not to worry about.

  Despite only having electronic means of communication, the two began to share a solid kinship. The strengthening bond of friendship had come along quickly, but nothing felt rushed or forced. They shared a natural rapport based on similar opinions and interests, only bolstered by the fact that they were the only close relatives that each of them had.

  The chat with Simon before his initial flight was glib and filled with light sarcasm, but Brody heard the undercurrent of anxiety. It would be too late for another call when Simon had his layover in Boston, so Brody told him to enjoy the trip and he'd see him in the morning.

  During one of his naps, Brody had missed a text from Jamal. He called his friend and financial advisor back just after his talk with Simon. Jamal answered, they exchanged pleasantries, and then the reason for the text was discussed. There were some higher-risk ventures that looked very promising, and Brody's approval was needed to move some of his safe capital around, should he allow it. There was more than enough trust to allow Jamal to do what he did best, and without hesitation. They chatted amiably for a bit longer before Brody let him go.

  Brody was ready for bed by the time Kate came home, but he stayed up to look at all the pictures she'd taken. It looked like everyone had a great time; Brody didn't let his disappointment show that he wasn't there with her.

  They then talked about Simon's arrival in the morning. Kate was still concerned about Brody driving on his own while not at full health, but he assured her that his being tended to all day had done wonders. Reasonably assured, Kate said she'd make sure that the cottage was in good form when Brody brought his cousin back, and with a big breakfast soon after. They slid under the covers and talked about plans to entertain their guest before Brody succumbed to fatigue yet again.

  Feeling surprisingly refreshed after he woke the next morning, Brody cleaned up, gave Kate a smiling kiss goodbye and went to go get Simon. His feeling of anticipation overrode most of the dark images that were produced from the fight with Devlin. A few evocative thoughts of Brody's own death plagued his sleep, but worse were the images of Kate being left alone in danger. Once he was awake and alert, however, Brody felt revitalized, at least mentally. His body felt a little tender and weak, but nonetheless energetic.

  On the drive to Knock Airport, Brody surmised that the euphoria from escaping mortal peril had finally caught up with him. Then he considered that it might be exultation and pride in having defeated a powerful otherworldly creature. He finally chose to apply his buoyant feelings to Simon's impending visit, and let the matter go.

  There was no mistaking Simon when the passengers came out of the gate; his wool-lined denim coat and western lawman hat set him apart. Nor could Simon miss Brody; his cousin was even bigger in person, and dwarfed everyone around him. They met with warm smiles and a firm handshake, and talked of the flight while they waited on Simon's baggage. As they loaded a trolley with heavy boxes, Brody's cousin reiterated his weakness for the Irish accent, and might fall in love with any woman who said a word to him while on vacation.

  During the drive back to the cottage, Simon exchanged light and easy chat with his cousin while he continuously looked out on the lush, serene landscapes, and the cozy homes nestled into them. Eased into the comfortable leather passenger seat, Simon's gaze out onto the scenery was accompanied by more than one wistful sigh.

  After the casual drive, Brody pulled up to the Bed and Breakfast that Simon had insisted on with his own money. They'd had that particular conversation on more than one occasion; Brody requested that Simon stay at the cottage, while Simon stated that he wasn't going to intrude upon his cousin's new relationship any more than necessary. A room at the B&B was simply a sign of respect. Besides, it was less than a mile away from the cottage, and he'd enjoy the occasional walk.

  Being acquainted with the owners of the comfortable establishment from church, Brody greeted them and made introductions. They unloaded over half of Simon's luggage, said their farewells to the gracious middle-aged couple, and headed for the cottage. Kate and the dogs were at the front door when they arrived; Honey and her big children greeted their master enthusiastically, and gave Simon a few cursory sniffs of consent.

  After Brody's perfunctory introduction, Kate only hesitated a moment before giving Simon a friendly hug. She stepped back and said, "Welcome to our home. We're so glad to have you here."

  Simon was a bit overwhelmed from having so much warmth and kindness shown to him in such a short time. He had trouble finding the words, but finally replied, "I'm grateful, ma'am."

  Kate turned to Brody and they shared a quick kiss before she said, "Now, you help our guest get situated, and breakfast will be waiting."

  While Brody opened up the back hatch of his car to begin unloading, Simon took a few seconds to take in the cottage and what paddocks he could see from that vantage. Brody noticed him just standing there, so he took a step closer and asked, "Is everything okay?"

  Simon was then looking out over the lake, but nodded. He turned to Brody and said, "Cuz, you've got a bang-up spread here. And, just like your lady, pictures don't do it justice."

  Smiling at the compliment, Brody gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "While you're here," he said earnestly, "it's your place, too... lady not included." The cousins shared a quick laugh and then finished unloading the car.

  Once the remainder of the luggage was piled into one of the guest bedrooms, they enjoyed lively and interesting conversation over a big morning meal. Between Kate's occasional Irish slang and Simon's ingrained use of old west parlance, Brody was the only one who best understood what both were saying. They all laughed at the simple misunderstandings and confusion of idioms; Simon even asked Kate to repeat some words and phrases in case he heard them again elsewhere while on vacation.

  Soon enough, Simon sat back with a hand on his lean stomach and declared, "That's about the best meal I could hope for to start my day. Kate, you're even better in the kitchen than Brody bragged on." Before she could give a thankful reply, he stood and said, "Now you two get reacquainted; I'm gonna go visit them smart lookin' donkeys for a time."

  As they watched through the kitchen windows as Simon strode across the back lawn toward the north paddocks, Brody asked, "So, what's your impression, darlin'?"

  "Are you asking my opinion of your cousin, or about his nimbus?"

  Brody put his arm around her. "Well, both, I guess."

  "First off, I think he's odd, but not he's off his nut." Kate slipped her arm around Brody's waist and explained. "He's got a likeable sort of eccentricity about him that's modestly endearing. I'd say he's quick-witted, and I like his barbed sense of humor. And like I've said before, he must have some intellect to reintegrate himself into modern society as well as he has." She looked up at Brody. "Simon would fit right in around here."

  "You and your big words," he said with a smirk. They began cleaning up the kitchen when Brody asked, "And his nimbus?"

  Kate continued gathering leftovers, but had a thoughtful look. After a moment, she answered, "To put it simply, he's... euphoric. But," Kate stopped in her chore and looked over at Brody, who waited for her next words with arched brows. "Simon has an undercurrent of desolate sadness like I've never seen before."

  Having only slept a few hours on each flight, Simon begged off going to church with Brody and Kate in order to get a small nap in. Upon their return, the couple found Simon out in the southern paddocks with the dogs, taking in the peaceful setting. Brody thought of Kate's words, of Simon fitting in, and another idea began to form.

  They had a small lunch before everyone loaded into Brody's
car, dogs included, for a drive through Ballaghadaere and nearby points of interest. When they got back to the cottage, Simon pointed out a few more informative details about equines, donkeys in particular. He'd worked with them a fair bit in his younger years, both from labor in corrals where miners kept their pack animals, and also while employed at the Cooper smithy.

  With the mention of one aspect of Simon's former life, Brody asked a few other questions about his cousin's fantastical 'hibernation'. The ultimate goal was to get Simon to explain his cryptic statement from a month before, about being hated. That ambiguous aspect was somehow related to the rest of Simon's bizarre past, and he wanted the whole story.

  Braving the cool breeze, Brody grilled steaks while potatoes baked; a meal that both men favored. While tending to the sizzling meat, Brody asked his cousin for an explanation. Simon, sitting on the patio, sipping juice and smoking an unfiltered cigarette, asked that the meal not be ruined with his story; he'd finally explain over dessert. Brody acquiesced and moved on to other topics.

  With dinner eaten and out of the way, the three of them sat back down for slices of chocolate Guinness cake. There was enough time for more conversation before they all cleaned up and went to the school Christmas play that starred Jane, so Brody asked for Simon's full story. In return, he'd give his own. Simon wasn't aware that Brody and Kate were holding anything back, but still agreed.

  With a somber set to his weathered face and straight, sandy hair shielding his hazel eyes, Simon gave an overview of what they already knew. With Kate present, he made sure to once again offer details to validate his story; he was sure Brody believed him, but wasn't sure where she stood. Simon then took a deep breath and told the rest of his story.

  He tried to explain how society treated him when he walked into a new world. Learning everything from scratch in an alien environment was difficult enough, but he was also met with derision and hostility from literally everyone he encountered. Simon simply explained how that affected every aspect of his new life. And then, for some unknown reason, all that immediately ended when Brody first called. He used the situation with the visiting social worker as a prime example.

  Simon noticed that Brody and Kate listened intently, and had asked a few questions during the telling for clarification or detail. There were no frowns of disbelief as he'd half-expected; rather, they'd share curious or knowing looks from time to time.

  After Simon finished, he tentatively asked their thoughts. It was Kate who answered for them, but prefaced her answer with the request that Simon keep an open mind as well. With his nod, Kate moved closer to Brody and said that there were possible explanations for what happened to him.

  On the edge of his seat, Simon's full attention was given to Kate when she divulged that she and Brody believed in fairies, creatures from folklore. They'd had numerous interactions with them recently, in fact, but would get to that later. In their extensive studies, Brody and Kate read old stories about abductions of both adults and children. With a few other details given, it could surely explain Simon's 'hibernation'.

  Kate went on with what they'd learned, and described something that might offer more clues. Fae (the word 'fairy' was only used for the young and foolish of their kind) had the ability, amongst many others, to fog or alter memories; they had witnessed its use on her brother Jack. The Other Crowd, as older folks in Ireland might refer to them, were also adept with offering luck or bestowing curses. Simon might have been an unfortunate recipient of the latter, but for reasons they may never know. Apparently, Brody had somehow helped to break that curse.

  Considering that the fae did in fact exist, Simon was given at least some sort of explanation for the mysteries that surrounded him. He therefore asked Brody for the reasons and examples of their actions, so that he himself could have further validity. Simon needed to believe - nothing else made any better sense - and he trusted his cousin enough not to be fed bullshit.

  Sharing a wry grin with Kate, Brody told his own edited tale from the beginning. It started with the Wagner's, which led to Lorcan, Oriana, and Aldritch. With Kate's approval, the familial relation was mentioned in order to explain her nimbus sight. Then the situations of Kazimir, Liadan, and finally Devlin were told, after which Brody gave a few details of his stone gift.

  Simon listened to the wild encounters with growing fascination, his eyes intense while his jaw hung loosely. After Brody finished his own account, Simon eagerly asked for demonstrations of their extraordinary abilities. Both Brody and Kate smiled and said they'd show him a few things when there was daylight.

  At the school theatre, Brody noticed that Simon was reserved and uncomfortable as he or Kate made various introductions while the crowd grew. He thought of his cousin's dilemma, how he'd come to accept everyone having a bad or violent reaction to him. With that in mind, being surrounded by a large group of strangers would be a nightmare. Simon was no longer cursed, but he still had trouble believing it after years of continuous hatred. Brody hoped that the innate friendliness of the villagers, as well as Jane's performance, would soothe his discomfort.

  By the end of the school play, Brody and Kate noticed Simon smiling and clapping along with the rest of the audience, who all gave a standing ovation of Jane's moving performance. A majority of the people lingered afterwards, reveling in the social gathering and chatting amiably.

  Simon then was introduced to a few other friends of Brody and Kate, one of which was Alana Quinn, who showed obvious interest in the rangy American visitor. It was she who suggested that they all head over to Gil's for a few pints to round off the evening.

  The pub was crowded, but the four of them secured a booth. Kate went easy on the drinks while the others indulged themselves; it was an evening full of stories and music and laughter. Simon was no smooth talker, but he was candid and sharp with a verbal retort; traits which Alana found attractive. Perhaps the alcohol played a part, but by the time they left, Simon had made arrangements for a date with the cute and feisty Miss Quinn.

  Over the next few days before the holiday, Simon noticed that Brody and Kate had many interests that occupied their time, but only when they chose. Of course, caring for all of the pets was a one of their few routines.

  Early on, Brody and Kate both gave Simon examples of their gifts as requested. Kate's nimbus-sight wasn't an obvious ability; she reminded him that she could only read emotions, not why someone felt the way they did. Brody's gift, on the other hand, was overwhelmingly evidenced. His only example was taking a field stone, concentrating for a few seconds, and then pushed his finger into it as if it were stiff putty. Simon was awed by their gifts, and the potential of each.

  Other than plying their extraordinary talents when needed, Kate spent a fair amount of time on her computer while Brody busied himself with sculpting or construction endeavors. Simon noticed that they both made plenty of casual time for each other, and for the pets as well. While he was there, they happily included him.

  Brody drove Simon around the area quite a bit while he checked up on his houses, or visited friends who needed a hand with one chore or another. It was during those drives that Brody told more of his idea for opening a shop in the village. Simon, much more accustomed to internet sales than personal interaction, offered a few ideas that further inspired the concept.

  At certain points during the early part of the days before Christmas, both Brody and Kate listened to a radio program that included financial assistance to particular listeners, and also commercials for a house give-away. Simon inquired about their avid interest, and Kate explained that they were sponsoring those events. He was getting a better idea how monetarily comfortable the couple was, and his guilt lessened over how much Brody spent to have him there.

  On Christmas Eve morning, a winner was announced on the radio for the home give-away. The house itself was a large four-bedroom, two-bath home on the northwestern edge of the village. It had been refurbished with modern and energy-efficient amenities, and came with a gen
erous voucher that could be used in any and all of Ballaghadaere's shops and stores.

  The winner was a man named Jedrik - Jed - Gorski, originally born in Poland, but had been an Irish resident for twenty years. Jed was a chef with strong credentials. His wife, who died a few years back from breast cancer, had given him three children. His two daughters were in their teens and his son, who was autistic, had just turned twelve. For his son's sake, Jed needed a calm and quiet environment. Ballaghadaere fit that need perfectly.

  The following day, Alana stopped by to pick up Simon to spend the afternoon up in Sligo town. Brody, Kate, Father Doyle, and a few others went to go meet Mr. Gorski when he went to go see his new home first-hand. A few reporters showed up as well, getting quick interviews and then departing, finally letting the locals welcome the teary-eyed man to the village.

  Jed Gorski was a short, healthy man of forty or so years, with close-cropped salt and pepper hair, and apparently was prone to show his emotions. The man gave more embraces than most people gave handshakes, or maybe it was just a product of his elation. He led his new neighbors on a tour of the place, although Brody and Kate were already well aware of the layout.

  Before they left, Brody and Kate pulled Jed aside and gave him a modest check, and explained it was for moving expenses and interim cash before he started his new job at Doolin's restaurant. Jed gave them both another stifling hug whether the couple wanted one or not.

  A few hours later, Alana returned Simon back to the cottage. Kate invited her in for dinner, and they all shared stories of their entertaining day. Despite how well Simon and Alana were hitting it off, they both kept in mind that he was only on vacation, so they kept their time together light and fun.

  After Alana said her farewells, Simon stayed a while longer before announcing his own departure for the B&B. Both Brody and Kate protested, but he was resolute; they should spend their first Christmas together without guests to worry about. He promised to come back for brunch, and watch over the place while Brody and Kate went to her family's get-together. Simon was offered to join them there as well, but he politely declined.

  After he left, Brody and Kate then kept themselves awake with a movie before dressing up to attend midnight mass. Once home, they made gentle love and eventually fell asleep in each other's arms.