It had been another boring day for the brothers and a night at McGinty's was just what they needed to put some lively spirit into their day. When they arrived they were greeted with cheers from other regulars and patrons of the pub. Murphy took a deep breath as he slid onto the bar stool next to his brother. The air was thick with smoke and the smell of beer filled his nostrils. The light was dimmed enough not to cause harm to those were smashed beyond their wits while the Dubliners played in the background. All in all it looked like it was going to be a typical night. That is it was going to be a typical night until his eyes landed on a young woman he had never seen before sitting in a corner booth closest to the bar. She had long brown hair that fell in a cascade of curls down her back and ivory skin. Her lips were full and were a soft shade of red. She wasn't a skinny girl but she wasn't a big girl either. She was healthy looking, looked like she had meat on her bones unlike most women he saw now of days. Overall she had a very simple, yet attractive, look to her. She wasn't drop dead gorgeous but she wasn't bad looking either. Actually, he found her to be quite pretty. He thought simplicity was beauty when it came to women and this girl truly defined that. She didn't have her faced coated in makeup or her nails painted, her clothes weren't high end or slutty looking, and her hair looked as if she just put some product in it and ran a brush through it. But with all that being said what really caught his attention was the fact that she was wearing sunglasses inside and that she had headphones in her ears.
He didn't have long to ponder the thought though as his brother slapped him on the back with a laugh. Murphy quickly rejoined the conversation and laughter. As curious as he was it wasn't any of his business. It was 6:30 and there was still some light outside, perhaps it just hurt her eyes. He shook his head, it wasn't his business. For the remainder of the night Murphy kept a close eye on the young woman sitting alone in the corner. He quickly discovered that Maggie, one of the serving girls, had brought her. Well that explained why he had never seen her before, but there were still questions that were left unanswered. It was going on 9:45 and she was still wearing her sunglasses. He had kept telling himself that it wasn't any of his business until a man sat down across from her. He watched as she took the headphones off and conversed with him. It was clear the man was trying to buy her a drink but she just smiled and shook her head and after ten minutes of trying he got up and left. He relaxed again until an hour or so later another one tried to talk to her. This time though the man plopped down hard in the seat across from her and set a beer down in front of her. She jumped a moment after he sat down which made Murphy tense up again. This guy came prepared and offered her the beer in front of her but she declined and kept her hands in her lap. After a few minutes the guy shrugged and got up and left. He watched as she carefully felt around the table, her hand skirted around the bottle before her fingers came in contact with the bottle. She felt up the bottle and when she was sure she had a good grip carefully slid it across the table away from her. It was in that moment that Murphy knew why she was wearing sunglasses inside, why she had jumped when the man so unexpectedly sat down. She was blind. It was then that Murphy made it his business to keep a closer eye on her throughout the night.
Connor noticed he didn't have his brother's full attention tonight and wondered what was up. He observed his brother for a bit and noticed his eyes kept darting over to a booth near the end of the bar where a young woman in sunglasses was sitting. He frowned a bit, wondering what it was about the woman that held his brothers attention so. He nudged him in the ribs causing him to look at him,
"Oi, what ya starin' at da lass for? Ya fancy 'er or somethin'?" Murphy shook his head,
"Jus' keepin' an eye out for 'er." This caused Connor to furrow his brow,
"What da bloody hell for? She a grown woman ain't she? Don't need no stalker like ya to be watchin' her." He glared at Connor,
""at's not what I'm sayin'."
"Well what are ya sayin' then?" Murphy rolled his eyes at him,
"Been a few fellas come 'round to talk to 'er. Jus' makin' sure they don't try nothin'."
"Murph, ya still not makin' any sense." Murphy sighed, exasperated that he had to draw it out for him,
"She's blind ya git. Can't see a t'ing. Jus' makin' sure she's alrigh'." Connor took another look at the woman and watched as she sat at the table listening to her Walkman and effectively ignoring the rest of the world. She didn't look at anyone, not that you could tell with the sunglasses, or react to any of the drunken patrons that would stumble past her. She didn't even spare them a glance. It all made sense to Connor now, why she was wearing the sunglasses and why his brother had taken up his post of watching over her.
"Well I'll be…"
"Doc said she's a friend of Maggie. Brought 'er 'ere till the end of 'er shift. Been stoppin' by every now and again ta check on 'er." Connor nodded his head. Neither one of the brothers liked to see a woman be defenseless but this poor lass drew the short end of the stick. A young blind woman in the South end of Boston, the whole situation screamed bad news.
"Any trouble so far?" He shook his head,
"Not really. Few fellas tried to buy 'er a drink an' talk to 'er but she turned 'em all down." The two brothers watched her as she continued to listen with great interest to whatever was playing on her Walkman when a large man sat down next to her. He was a chubby guy who clearly had had far too much to drink. Murphy watched as he threw his arm around her and pulled her close. Murphy gripped the bar tightly as Connor narrowed his eyes at the man. They'd wait and see if he left in peace like all the others but we're ready to spring into action should he try anything ungentlemanly. It wasn't until he pulled her into his lap and tried to take her glasses off that Murphy leapt into action, quickly making his way over to them with Connor right on his heels. When they were closer he could hear her raise her voice at him,
"What I choose ta wear is none of your concern, now let me go." Murphy pulled her off of the man's lap,
"Oi!" He pushed her behind him and into his brother's hands, "Keep ya hand off her." Connor moved her to the side of him so he could keep her in his sights,
"Aye, the lass doesn't want ya to be pawin her so leave her alone." The man groaned,
"Aw we was jus havin' some fun." She scoffed,
"Like hell we were." Connor smirked to himself before turning back to the man in front of him,
"Now ya see, the lass doesn't want ya." Murphy clenched his fists tightly as he glared at the drunkard in front of him,
"Ya best be leavin' an' keep your hands ta yourself 'fore we break it." The man scowled at them and grumbled as stood on his wobbly feet, muttering to himself indignantly. He mostly cursed the two Irish brothers, something that both brothers could live with, but when he called her a stupid slut Murphy lost his temper. He didn't even think and merely reacted letting his fist fly and connect with the man's nose. He fell back onto the table clutching his nose and cursing. Blood began to flow freely giving Murphy some satisfaction in the fact that he had caused this man pain, "Now tha' wasn't very nice was it. Ya shoulda just left when ya hand the chance."
Connor shook his head with a smirk, "Aye, ya didn't need to go insultin' the poor lass." He knew his brother had a temper but he also knew that this man deserved the punch and if Murph hadn't done it then he gladly would have.
"Now, are ya gonna apologize and walk outta 'ere or are we gonna break ya jaw next and throw ya out." The man glared at the brothers before muttering more curses and stumbled for the door. Granted he didn't get the apology but he still left which was a reward in and of itself. Murphy finally turned to look at the woman up close, "Are ya alright lass?" Before she said anything though Maggie had dashed over and pulled the young woman into a hug,
"Oh are ya alright Chris?" The girl smiled a bit,
"I'm fine Maggie." After the two pulled away Maggie gave the twins grateful looks,
"Thank you boys so much." Murphy smiled a little,
"Ah it was notin' Maggie."
"Aye, we couldn't leave the poor lass to fend him off by herself." Maggie smiled at the two before introducing them,
"Boys, this is Christian Doyle. Chris, this is Murphy and Connor MacManus." Murphy and Connor each took her hand and kissed her knuckles,
"Pleasure to meet ya lass." A slight blush crossed her face and she nodded bashfully. Maggie grinned,
"Boys, can ya stay with Chris for the rest of the nigh' for me. At least until I get off my shift?" Christian's eyebrows rose as she tried to protest,
"Maggie-" Murphy quickly cut her off,
"O' course we can!"
"Aye, be no trouble at all." Maggie laughed,
"Thanks boys, I'll grab ya beer. On the house." The boys made their way back to the table while Maggie quietly spoke with Chris before she led her back to the table and helped her slide back into the booth. Murphy sat down next to her while Connor sat across from,
"So Christian,"
"Please, call me Chris or Doyle."
"Chris then. What are ya doin' here at McGinty's?"
"Aye, never seen ya 'round 'ere 'fore."
"My apartment's bein' fumigated so I'm stayin' with Maggie for a few weeks." So that was why she here. The boys watched as she let her hand wander the space in front of her, making it look as if she were drawing imaginary shapes on the table. A slight frown crossed her face, "Hate to have to ask this but do you boys see my Walkman anywhere?"
"Aye, here it is." Murphy reached across from him and grabbed the Walkman that was sitting near Connor's elbow before taking hold of her hand and placing it in her palm,
"Thanks."
"No problem." She held her breath with a look of anticipation. Clearly she was waiting for one of them to ask her about her sightlessness. The two brothers shared a look before Connor spoke up,
"So where ya from lass?" The tenseness in her shoulders melted away and a relieved look crossed her features. They continued to carry on a conversation about where they were from and where they worked. Murphy soaked in every little detail, wanting to remember everything. She was an intriguing woman and he wanted to know more about her. He learned that she worked at a school and that she had met Maggie in school and had been friends since. In turn they told her about their job at the meat packing plant and their home back in Ireland. It wasn't until a bit later that she asked them which brother was which. By the look on her face it must have been bothering her for a while and by the red blush that covered her cheeks she was thoroughly embarrassed for having to ask. Murphy covered her hand with a smile,
"I'm Murphy, and that clod across from ya is Connor." The indignant look on his brother's face was pricelss,
"Eh! I'm not da clod you are!" And just like that the two were squabbling with one another again. Nothing serious of course, it was all rather lighthearted and it made her laugh. He liked to hear her laugh, he got the impression that she didn't laugh often enough and by the look on Maggie's face as she passed by he knew that he was right. When she took her sunglasses off and he finally got to see her eyes he almost lost his breath. Most people who were blind had pale blue eyes, at least that's what he'd heard, but her eyes were brown. At one point they looked to be a deep shade of chocolate but now looked milky and pale but had an ethereal look to them. They were gorgeous. Her simple beauty was only increased by her eyes accented her looks very well.
As the night continued on he learned more about her and what she was like. He discovered that what she was listening to on her Walkman was actually an audiobook of Pride and Prejudice. Apparently she loved books and could play the violin. Murphy and Connor told her stories about their childhood and how much hell they raised back home. She found the story about Murphy snorting whisky out his nose the first time he tried it to be particularly funny. If it hadn't put such a smile on her face he would've clocked his brother then and there. In turn though he told her about when their Ma caught Connor smoking for the first time and she chased him with a switch all the way into town.
It was almost three in the morning when she began to get tired. The boys could see it in her face, the way her eyelids were beginning to drop and the way she leaned to her left with a sleepy smile on her face. Connor shot his brother a smirk and excused himself before heading back towards the bathroom leaving Murphy alone with Chris. He watched her for a moment before draping his arm over her shoulder and pulling her closer.
"Ya can close your eyes if ya like lass." She sighed happily before mumbling,
"I'm okay." He chuckled as he watched her eyelids droop even more,
"No ya not. Ya barely awake." She chuckled before snuggling down against his chest. She was warm and despite himself he couldn't help but enjoy the feeling of holding her close to him. She looked she hadn't had a descent nights sleep in a while,
"Okay, maybe I am a bit tired."
"Codladh go maith cailín sleep well lass." Her breathing quickly evened out and before Connor returned she was fast asleep. Murphy watched her sleep with a mix of sadness and wonder. She looked so vulnerable while she slept, she reminded him of a small rabbit shivering in fear and always on the lookout for danger. He noticed the slight dark circles under her eyes, clearly she didn't get enough sleep or perhaps she was afraid to sleep. The thought of he being frightened didn't sit well with him. She was too nice to be afraid, too sweet to have to be scared of anything. In the short amount of time he had known her he felt a strong need to protect her. Not just because she was blind, but because of how innocent she was. She had a pure heart and that was something that wasn't easy to come by in this world.
When Connor returned and found Chris fast asleep against Murphy he smiled. He knew that his brother was attached to the girl. Frankly so was he, she was sweet and gentle. She didn't have any hate in her heart or a single malicious bone in her body. She was kind. Granted they still didn't know a whole lot about her but they knew enough. Connor had no doubt that they would be seeing more of Christian Doyle in the future and that he and his brother would be spending more of their time looking out for her. It would do them both some good to have someone to remind them that there was some good in the world.
Maggie came up next to him and smiled,
"She really likes you guys." Connor glanced at her and noticed she had her coat on,
"Aye, we like 'er too. She's a sweet lass." Maggie nodded,
"Always been that way. Even when we was kids." Connor whistled a bit to get his brothers attention before motioning to the door with his head. The two watched as Murphy carefully slid out of the booth before scooping Chris up in his arms. Maggie collected her Walkman and sunglasses while connor held the door for them as they began to make their way toward Maggie's apartment. Connor offered her his arm which she gladly took seeing how her feet were killing her, "You know, I haven't heard her laugh like that in years. She used to laugh like that all the time. She was the happiest girl around." A sad smile crossed her face, "Been a long time since she smiled like that. Thank you lads." Murphy shook his head,
"Was nothin'."
"Aye, we enjoyed her company."
"I hope you lads plan on bein' around more. She could use people like you in her life." The boys nodded,
"Plan on bein' 'round if she don't mind." They made their way up the front steps of the apartment,
"She won't mind. In fact, I'll bring her 'round tomorrow night again if that's alrigh' with you."
"Sounds fine ta us." Murphy carried her in to the apartment and followed Maggied back to the bedroom where he gently laid her down while Maggie tucked her in. Murphy looked her over one more time before following Maggie back out to the front door,
"Just one last thin' lads."
"Aye?" Maggie crossed her arms and gave them a sad smile,
"Don't bring up her parents. She'll bring them up eventually but not until she's ready." Her words were heavy and caused a sick feeling to swell inside Murphy's stomach. Thankfully Connor spoke up,
"Not a problem Maggie." She gave them both a grateful smile,
"Thank ya boys."
"Have a good night Maggie."
"Night Maggie."
"Goodnight boys." As Connor and Murphy made their way back home neither said a word. Both were going over the nights events in their head and each came up with a different conclusion in the end. Both brothers agreed that she was a sweet and had been hurt badly before and neither wanted to see her face that again. One wanted to protect her and help her learn to stand again while the other wanted to show her that she was worth caring about. That she was important and that she shouldn't let anyone tell her otherwise. And he'd be damned if he let anyone treat her any differently.