by Gavin Green
***
The following day, St. Stephen's Day, Simon found himself in a more relaxed state than he had expected to be. By late morning, Brody's cottage was bustling with happy visitors; the McCarthy clan was there, whom he'd met at the school play. The local priest and a few other friends arrived, who made themselves comfortable at Kate's request.
One of last to show up was Alana Quinn. She wasn't as forward with Simon as before, but engaged him in various conversations throughout the day. He liked it best watching her walk toward him, or walking away; he was afraid that any chats in-between would cause him to lose interest or find her tedious, like he had with most other people. Simon later found himself pleasantly surprised to find that the lively gal was also smart, sarcastic, and quick with a come-back. Alana knew various degrees of many topics, and was an energetic font of information in his questions about Ireland.
Even when seated with Brody and many of the others while they watched horse races on his cousin's big-screen television, Simon was tolerating, if not enjoying, the general buzz of the crowded room.
However, he couldn't deny that the old Moynihan couple was sort of creepy, the way they just sat there and smiled like they were passing gas; he was sure that if old George farted too hard, it'd break his hip. And he was positive that Kate's mother must have lit her own tampon on fire just before she walked in. Luckily, Cora mellowed out as the day went on. Simon guessed that Kate was slipping sedatives in her tea so that the old priest wouldn't have to forgive someone of murdering the bitch.
Jack and his dad Liam more than made up for any deficits of atmosphere. While the father was much more mellow and sage, they both talked of subjects that Simon had interest in. Even the old priest was cracking jokes and yelling at the races on the screen. When Simon ventured to make a comment about one of the horses, the others listened, and it usually spurred another interesting conversation.
On a few occasions, Simon surveyed the guests; other than a few annoying kids, no one was a blatant moron, no one tried to bullshit him, no one was a drunken jackass in need of a thumping. As long as that kept up, he had more incentive to make Ireland his new home.
Kate, Jane, and Fiona had set up food in the kitchen for a buffet style meal. Brody made sure that drinks were always on-hand. Liam, Jack, and Simon visited the donkeys, but they mostly talked of duck-hunting. Cora eventually seemed more relaxed in an environment where she was merely a guest, and finally let herself enjoy the camaraderie. Even the subdued Moynihan's seemed enlivened by the energy of the household.
It was a good day had by all, especially Brody and Flinn Sweeney, who won some large bets on a few horses; and also for Simon, because he began to see himself in others.
The remaining handful of days before Simon's departure was rainy and cold; Brody told him to get used to it. Around the property, the two discussed docks and boats, signs to watch for with the donkeys, and more ideas concerning crafts and their planned shop. Indoors, usually over meals or sitting back in the living room, Simon told of a few instances during his cursed years. From those stories, Brody and Kate had a better understanding of what he went through, and inwardly cringed at the pain it must have caused. Another main topic during those days was the fae and all that had been learned from one of the Other Crowd, someone who the couple considered a friend.
A number of short trips were made out to the home that awaited Simon's possession. He and Brody would sit out in the sun room and discuss land updates or what to plant in the neglected garden at the back of the lawn. Whenever the rain would let up, they'd inspect the huge outbuilding and the small horse barn. Simon made mention of things he'd have to sell, items and machinery that might be difficult to find anywhere nearby.
To solve the problem of metalsmith equipment, Brody offered - then insisted on - hiring a small cargo plane to fly everything Simon owned over all at once. His cousin protested the possible cost, but Brody considered the matter settled.
As the two men stood in discussion under the carport behind the house, they were being watched. Just beyond the lawn, nestled in bushes and shaded by a few trees, sat a small stone shed with a slate roof. The cousins had no idea it was there, for it had been glamoured to remain hidden. It was a small but sturdy construct, old and settled but clean, with only a small front door and a tiny four-pane window in the front. It was Liadan's new haven, recently earned from her pact with Enochia.
The little fae had seen the labor crews come and go, and then Brody with another man on two occasions. But this time, she gleaned that the straw-haired human was a relative of Mr. Lynch, and that fellow would soon be moving in. The brownie hovered back to her haven, shaking her head with a reluctant smile. 'That clever oracle,' Liadan thought, 'she knows her business, sure'.
In the men's sporadic absences, Kate retrieved information from the internet involving house prices and land values in Simon's area of Colorado. Since assessments had risen from when he first bought the property outright, she suggested that he place it on the market at the same price he paid for it if a quick sale was desired. She also made inquiries into costs for cargo planes and moving companies, finding it much cheaper than what Brody paid for a private jet flight.
Besides those searches, Kate also kept up on their stock portfolio, emails from recipients reporting how the Foundation donations were being used, and adding updates to the Rose Foundation website. She realized they could use the skills of a competent, discreet web designer, both for the Foundation and Brody's upcoming shop.
New Year's Eve was spent at the cottage, with Alana joining the three of them for a quieter celebration than she usually attended. Their private party ran late, and the other spare bedroom was claimed by Kate's inebriated long-time friend. In the morning of New Year's Day, Brody and Kate were up well before their guests. They discussed any last options to entertain Simon before he left the following day, but soon decided that he'd probably be in no shape for any adventures after the late night of alcohol he'd just had.
They were correct. Alana was invited to stay until she felt up to driving herself home, which turned out to be in the afternoon. Simon lingered around the cottage like an arthritic old man for part of the day. Brody had no pity and mocked him at every opportunity. Simon took it on the chin.
Standing in the Shannon Airport terminal, Simon offered his fond farewells to his big, younger cousin and the good woman at his side until he returned, the next time as a neighbor. Brody held him firmly for a few seconds and spoke his heartfelt thanks for Simon's presence over the holidays. He found Brody to be even more gregarious and affable - and muscle-bound - in person. His generosity was to be admired; Simon doubted he'd be so giving in Brody's shoes. And the love between Brody and Kate was a near-tangible thing.
While Kate gave Simon a soft hug, he thought of her displays of emotion toward Brody, as well as her frequent stares of adoration toward her man; Simon was glad his cousin had a good woman in his life. The demure, classic beauty type like Kate didn't fit his own preferences, but it fit Brody perfectly. They were great hosts and even better friends, and on more than one occasion showed that family was most important above all else. Simon felt like the worm had turned.
Brody and Kate waved one last time before Simon walked down the tunnel to his plane. In private discussions, they'd both agreed on a number of each other's insights regarding Simon Rike. While an independent man and comfortable with silence, Simon also longed for human connection, albeit in short amounts and on his terms. He was many things, all at once: sad, gruff, funny, and grounded.
Kate thought Simon was a cordial guest; well-mannered when the situation called for it, and had some traits to be admired. She was happy that Brody finally had family he could be proud of.
Brody thought that he and Simon had only grown closer during his visit; they shared many common interests, both important and trivial, and their talks or shared silence were relaxed and natural. He wanted the best for his cousin, and hoped Simon would finally find peace o
f mind in the comfort of Ireland's soft rains and warm people. He was already impatient for his cousin's permanent return.
"So," Brody wondered as he and Kate stood hand in hand while watching Simon's plane taxi out to a runway, "what do you think now? Still have the same impressions as when he got here?"
"Hmm; I still say Simon is eccentric but endearing, once you get past his tough exterior. But there are two things I'm sure of now. For one, he needed this experience with you and other good people. And for another," Kate gave Brody's big hand a squeeze with her small one, "Simon's loneliness is fading."
"That's really good to hear," he said softly.
Kate looked up and saw her fella still gazing out the window, but with a deep, satisfied smile on his handsome face. "Come along," she said with an enthusiastic grin, giving his hand a tug, "I believe we have some shopping to do."
