by Casey Morgan
“Piss off, McDonnell,” said Donovan.
“You piss off, Odell,” he countered. “What’re you even doin’ here? On my family’s property? With this hot piece of ass here?”
Peter was looking me up and down in the way that a lion looks at its prey. I instinctively covered up with my arms.
“She’s your cousin from America, ye git,” said Killian.
“Yeah,” laughed Donovan. “Ya McDonnells are inbred enough, I think.”
“You take that back,” he growled, throwing the shovel aside.
He began moving his fingers, no doubt to summon an orb to throw at Donovan. Since I was related to him, I knew the trick from my own family and my own powers.
“Be careful,” I warned Donovan.
But Donavan was rolling up his sleeves, as if he was about to transform into the Incredible Hulk. It was a powerful sight, since he was already a big, strong elf, and he was gearing up to harness all his elfin power, which made him even bigger.
It certainly looked like Donovan and Peter were about to throw down, but I didn’t want to get caught up in that. I also didn’t want to get anyone hurt.
“Wait, wait, wait,” I said, stepping in between them. “Sorry to bother you, Mr. Mcdonnell. We’ll leave. Just please tell your folks that Mila Jackson was here. They were, I thought, expecting me at some point. Okay?”
“Right,” said Peter, uneasily. “Off you go then.”
We headed back to the car, got in and shut the doors.
“I could’ve taken him,” muttered Donovan.
“I’m sure you could have, but I didn’t want any fighting,” I insisted. “Let’s just go, please.
What had started out as a journey to fulfill my mom’s dreams and find my own kin was beginning to turn into a nightmare.
Chapter 8
Mila
The boys took me on a ride around town so I could see the sights. They pointed out landmarks and places where they grew up and they told stories about what they had done.
“Right over there,” pointed Donovan, toward a tree. “I started the sheep stampede.”
“What’s that?” I asked. “Is that what it sounds like?”
“Pretty much,” said Killian. “Donovan got a hold of some fireworks when he was twelve. Scared the piss out of a herd of sheep and they went running through the village.”
“Aye,” Donovan smiled. “A second herd got caught up in the run. It was a bloody mess. I had to summon all my powers to get all the sheep back where they belonged. Da punished me for three months for that.”
“Where did you get the fireworks?” asked Killian.
“Ordered them online using my phone and a credit card I found on the street. Some tourist must’ve dropped it,” he explained. “It was the only thing I could order before he canceled.”
“You little criminal,” Killian said.
“I know,” Donovan said. “I regret it now, but when I was younger, I was a fucking punk. I just wanted to keep charging things on it, and would have.”
“What a jerk,” joked Aiden. “The nerve of him. Not letting you charge a bunch more stuff on his stolen credit card.”
“Found. Found credit card,” corrected Donovan. “My thinking at the time was that if he didn’t want things charged, he shouldn’t have dropped it on the street. Like I said, I was young and dumb and a near delinquent. But at the time, it was like finding a bar of gold though.”
Donovan drove us to a beach. It was pretty peaceful.
“Remember this place, Aiden?” laughed Donovan.
“Oh, aye,” said Aiden, blushing.
“What happened here?” I asked.
“Aiden and a group of girls from school came here to go swimming. Then while they were in the water— You tell it, Aiden.” prompted Killian. “It’s your story, anyway.”
“All right, fine. While we were in the water,” Aiden continued, seemingly reluctantly, “They dared me to go skinny dipping and take off my bathing suit. I said I would if they did. Well, they took off their tops and bottoms and so did I. But I lost my bathing suit.”
“Then the girls ran out of the water, got dressed and wouldn’t give Aiden his clothes back,” laughed Donovan.
“I was too embarrassed to come out of the water and they left with mi clothes,” he explained. “I was freezing by the time I came out of the water.”
“Poor lad had to walk home naked,” laughed Killian. “But at least you got an eyeful of the girls. That was good, right?”
“I’d rather forget about it,” said Aiden. “The entire day was just — Well, it was fucking awful. But eventually I got to a payphone and called Brody to come get me. He was very amused.”
I felt bad for Aiden that it had happened and even worse that his friends were teasing him by making him tell the story. But I knew that was their rapport and the rapport of many guys. They seemed to bond over taunting each other.
The whole story and the way he told it also endeared me to Aiden even more. I loved his sweet, sensitive side, and the contrast to his physically strong elf body.
I had to admit, it was turning me on, but I willed myself not to think of sex right now. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen between any of the elves and me, and I had no idea how I would choose one.
But for now, I just wanted to concentrate on the beautiful Irish landscape and on having a good day here on vacation. I was glad I could be in all of their company, especially considering how bad meeting the McDonnells – or, attempting to, anyway – had gone.
We drove around some more. There were pastures, sheep farms, rolling hills — Everything you’d expect in the green fields of Ireland. Donovan stopped the car in front of the boys’ school, near a large tree.
“Our old school,” pointed out Donovan.
“I never liked school,” said Aiden.
“That’s only because Peter picked on ye,” said Killian. “It wasn’t all bad. You just have a bad association.”
“I remember what’s associated with this tree,” laughed Donovan.
“That’s not a story for mixed company,” said Killian.
“C’mon, don’t be a wanker,” said Donovan. “Killian was a legend around here.”
“How so?” I asked. “Were you on a sports team?”
“No, but they caught him making out with one of the mothers of a student on a team,” laughed Donovan.
“What?” I said. “How did that happen?”
“Mrs. Digby was a single mother. She normally wore glasses and I was rather tall for my age,” explained Killian. “Anyhow, I was out of school a bit early waiting for Donovan at this tree. She starts chatting me up and doesn’t realize I’m a student. Thinks I’m a father picking up a little one or something.”
“No,” I laughed. “You looked that mature?”
“I guess,” shrugged Killian. “I was smoking a cigarette. Anyhow, we’re chatting and she invites me into the car. Next thing you know, we’re making out right there in the front seat.”
“And then Denise Digby comes out and says, ‘Ma. What are ye doin’?’ He’s in mi Math class,’” laughed Donovan. “Fuckin’ legend, my brother is, for that.”
This story was funny, too. I was enjoying getting to know the elves and hear all about the shenanigans they had had, growing up in this beautiful country.
Donovan continued to drive. There was a road that ran along the beach that was pretty scenic. Eventually, we came upon a couple of Werewolves who had broken down on the side of the road.
The man was having difficulty changing the tire. The road was busy and there were a lot of cars. Donovan slowed to a stop and the elves all got out.
Without much prompting, they immediately began directing traffic around the Were, to give him time to change the tire. It didn’t take much. They basically closed off one lane and then would alternately stop and wave people through as need be.
When the man got his car fixed, he thanked them. His wife was nodding her head and smiling grateful
ly. The boys got back in the car and we continued on.
“That was nice of you,” I said. “Most people would’ve just driven by.”
“Busy road like that, it’s dangerous,” said Donovan. “Not enough room on the sides for him to pull off.”
“Why didn’t he pull off?” said Aiden. “He wouldn’t have to go very far.”
“He’d ruin his rim,” explained Killian. “That’s a costly repair.”
“Fuck the rims,” said Aiden. “I wouldn’t want to be run over changing a tire.”
Donovan drove past an old farm house and right next to it looked to be the foundation of an even older farm house.
“Is that the old farm house?” I asked.
“Yes,” said Donovan.
“Why don’t they knock it down?” I asked.
“It’s made of stones. Where would you put them? You’d just end up stacking them up somewhere,” said Donovan. “It’s fine where it is. If they need the stones from the old foundation, they can just pick it off the structure.”
“Seems so weird to me,” I said.
“What’s that?” asked Aiden.
“In America, our country is so big. Hard to see it all,” I explained. “Here, Ireland is only about the size of a state. It’s so…cozy.”
“If you call almost five million people cozy,” added Killian.
“Five million, huh?” I remarked, with a smile on my face at the thought that he could consider that a lot of people. “The entire population would fit into New York with room to spare.”
“Can you imagine the Irish running New York City?” laughed Donovan. “That would be a laugh.”
“I think for a while, you did,” I said. “Irish folks came up in the ranks just like everyone else in America.”
“But are there elves and witches and Weres and sprites and other fairy folk there, in New York?” Aiden asked, with interest. “Do they just mix in with the general population? Or do they tend to separate themselves some, like they do here in most of Ireland? Luck’s Hollow is mostly for fairy creatures, while the human folk tend to congregate in Dublin and other bigger cities.”
“It’s rather like that in the States, too,” I tell him, after thinking for a minute. “The humans and the fairy folk tend not to acknowledge each others’ existence. Unless it is for commercial purposes, since we’re the land of capitalism, of course.”
“Aye,” Donovan said. “That makes sense. Shanna was telling us that where she’s from – Love’s Hollow, New York – is a haven for fairy folk. But it can get run down by human folk who come in looking to make a big buck, and crash the economy of the fairy folk. It sounds difficult.”
“That’s interesting,” I told them. “I would agree that human/ fairy relations are probably a bit more tense in the States than they seem to be here in Ireland. Is there a connection between Love’s Hollow, New York, and Luck’s Hollow, Ireland? The names are so similar.”
“I think so,” Donovan said. “You should ask your fellow American, Shanna. I believe she’s still exploring the connection, though. Something about Love’s Hollow being founded by witches who left Luck’s Hollow.”
“Yeah, I will,” I said, excited to hear of a possible connection I could make here.
“We should all go there sometime,” Aiden said, with a smile. I loved his positive attitude and the way he said “we” and “all.” “For research. Good to know that there are lots of Irish and elves in New York.”
“Probably why there’s so many Irish pubs there, I hear,” added Killian.
“But they’re nothing like pubs here, I bet,” I added.
“Well, let’s take you there,” said Aiden. “I’m starting to get hungry anyways.”
“Yeah, we can go back to Hennessy House,” suggested Donovan. “You can serve us while giving us the employee discount.”
Aiden slumped in his seat.
“I’m just kidding ye, lad. Jeez. Lighten up.” laughed Donovan.
“You were only half kidding,” said Aiden. “You fucker.”
“Aye, ‘tis true,” admitted Donovan. “But seriously. We’ll go to a different bar. One you don’t have to work at.”
Aiden looked relieved as we drove down a highway that could have been in America except for the fact that we were on the left side of the road. The stores were different, the houses were a little older, but it could’ve been anywhere outside a major American city.
It was still pretty green, though, considering all the buildup. It reminded me a little bit of Virginia.
Donovan got off the highway and started driving through what looked like suburbs. Each house had a small wall and gated fence.
The houses looked pretty uniform. Sometimes you would see a section of town that was completely boarded up and under construction. It would have graffiti on the construction fences and look terrible.
Then, just a few feet away, you’d see an elegant, historical house in perfect condition. It was like the poor and the rich were living side by side almost.
This was “the city” to the boys. What I saw as crowded suburbia, they saw as big city life. They were used to having access to rolling hills, farmland and lots of places to walk.
It was all very serene, but also quite weird to me. In America, you’re so used to seeing stores and signs absolutely everywhere. If the store you want to go to isn’t on your side of the road, just wait a few miles and there will be another one that is. Not here. You’d better gas up when you could.
Even the bars, which I thought would be absolutely everywhere, were few and far apart here. I guessed people in Ireland were more about living than working.
In America, it’s all about the money, your job and how much you can get. Here was different. More relaxed and laid back.
“You all right, Mila?” asked Aiden. ‘You seem lost in thought.”
“Yeah, I was just think about the differences between here and America,” I said. “It’s pretty relaxing here.”
“I can only imagine what it’s like where you live,” he said.
“Go ahead,” I said. “Ask me anything.”
He blushed a little. Then, realizing what I meant, he thought and asked a question.
“Do you have to have… guns… to live there?” he asked.
“It’s not the Wild West there anymore,” laughed Donovan.
“Well, no,” I said. “I mean, I don’t. But there are parts of the country that are pretty bad. You know, crime ridden areas.”
“Like Compton.” added Killian. “I heard about that place from the rappers.”
“Yeah, well, there are lots of places like that, in or near the big cities,” I said. “I’m sure you have places like that in Dublin, right?”
“Oh, Aye,” agreed Donovan. “But I don’t think they’re as bad as in America. Our Irish gangsters are still pretty well armed from their IRA days.”
“I’ve seen Sons of Anarchy,” I added.
“That show,” said Killian. “Where’d some of those actors get their accents from? That’s what I want to know.”
“Yeah! What is it about English and Irish actors that can do American accents, but it seems so hard for American ones to do the reverse?” I asked.
“It’s a very subtle distinction,” said Donovan. “But just remember, you’re the one with the accent, lass.”
Donovan pulled into a gas station, which seemed to be situated far from anything. I got out to check out the various snacks. Aiden went with me.
“Gonna spoil your appetite?” he asked.
“Maybe,” I said. “I just wanted to check out the snacks you have here.”
The rack of snacks was full of American favorites, but also with a few local ones thrown in as well. Crisps like Tay-to and Cadbury candies. There was something called “Snowballs”, which looked interesting.
“You don’t have these at home?” asked Aiden.
“Not exactly,” I said. “We have this other thing called Snowballs, which are more of n upside-down cupcak
e covered in icing and coconut. Plus, they’re pink.”
“Pink? Who’s going to eat something with that unnatural color?” said Aiden. “Do they taste like strawberry or something?”
“Not really,” I said. “It’s more for show.”
“That sounds weird,” said Aiden. “Japanese weird. And they’re everywhere?”
“Oh, yeah, pretty much,” I said. “In fact, if you go into a gas station store in America — some of them are huge. This little rack would just be on the counter. There would actually be at least one or two aisles. One for chips – crisps. And another aisle for just candy. Then there’d be a drink station and all the fridges. Some places you can get beer, so there might be beer.”
“Some places?”
“In some states, you can’t sell any booze without a license so you have to go to a liquor store to get beer,” I explained. Then I saw the shocked look on their faces, and added, “I know, it’s annoying.”
“A whole separate store just for beer? How do they do that?” asked Aiden, astonished.
“Oh, it has beer, whiskey, wine – anything booze related,” I explained. “Yeah, it’s easy to fill up a whole store like that in States.”
“That’s nuts.” laughed Aiden. “I have to see it sometime. I really am going to the States one day, I think. Just on a vacation.”
I wanted to invite him, but I thought that would sound weird – too fast and too forward, probably. We got back into the car and headed for the village.
In no time, we had reached O’Grady’s Pub. It was a bar/restaurant deal that many of the locals would frequent. The Hennesseys had a good relationship with the owners and would sometimes frequent the place, according to Aiden. I was happy to be seeing another part of Ireland. And equally happy to be with my three elves.
I blushed, realizing I had referred to them in my mind as “my three elves”. But I couldn’t help it. They did feel like “mine”, already. I just wondered if one of them would actually become mine, at least while I was here in Ireland, and how I would ever make the decision as to which one it would be.
Chapter 9
Killian
