One Thing First Before Story: I wasn't planning on posting this chapter yet, but I got an anonymous review (guest, so I couldn't respond privately), and I felt I needed to address what was said since I don't like being told I did something when I didn't. If this comes off as snarky, I mostly apologize, but at the same time your review was inaccurate and left me no means of addressing the problem in a private message.
Yes, in the movie Murphy calls Rocco a "wop." I do know what it's slang for, as I've taught several novels in the schools where I've worked that use the term. I do understand that the term doesn't apply to Connor, hence why Murphy says in my story, "Roc, cover yer fuckin' eyes, ye dumb wop! Connor, what th'fuck, man?!"
The first part of the statement is aimed at Rocco, since there is no logical reason for Murphy to address Connor in such a way nor to tell him to cover his eyes. They walk naked around each other all the time, and Connor's obviously seen the girl naked. Rocco, on the other hand, has no business seeing their girl naked, something that has happened once before and that he is extremely embarrassed about. If this was unclear, I do wish you had asked rather than assuming. Since you left an anonymous review, I had no other way to address this concern.
At the same time, rereading my lines, I did find a spelling typo that bugged the snot out of me, so thank you, because I wouldn't have found it otherwise. All right, my rant is over. On with the gooshiness.
Tuesday, Week 2:
At the sound of a knock on the front door, my heart rate speeds up a bit, and I quickly shut off the television and scoop up all the tissues from my new coffee table.
"Just a sec," I call, and my voice sounds wobbly even to me. I dash about, trashing tissues, hiding the box, and attempting to splash some water on my face so my eyes won't seem so bloodshot and puffy.
You know, what's the point? It's not like these quick fixes ever work, and I don't really care what the person on the other side of the door is going to think.
I just need to keep telling myself that.
I glance through the peephole just to make certain, and sure enough it's Connor. He's shoved his hands into his pockets, chewing on his lip and staring at his feet.
I figured.
I unchain and unlock the door, holding it open a couple of feet or so but making sure to stand in the opening. I have no intention of inviting him in.
"What's up? We weren't going to hang out tonight; I called you guys to make sure and everything. Why're you here?" All considering, I think my voice comes out fairly steady. Probably more snarky than absolutely necessary, but I made my feelings and opinion on Monday night perfectly clear, so I feel I have a right to a little over-snarkiness.
His eyes slide up to mine, and despite my best efforts, my stupid, traitorous heart melts just a little. His forehead has the deep furrows it gets when he's worried about something, and I can tell he didn't sleep well last night. He hasn't shaved today, and honestly he does look a little rough. Which is kind of ridiculous, since I just saw him yesterday.
Jeez, why can I not stay mad at my two idiots?
He seems to be trying to smile reassuringly but isn't sure if he should or not. "I just…er…well, I wanted t'apologize again an' check on ye, lass."
"Well, I'm fine, so thanks but—"
"Ye ain't fine, I c'n see ye been cryin'. We were a bit outta line last night, had too much to drink, an' we—"
Oh, for Pete's sake. "I haven't been crying because of you two idiots. Come in and we'll talk, but don't expect anything, you hear me? Hands where I can see them at all times."
He holds his hands up in mock surrender as a relieved smile brightens his face. If I were ridiculous and poetic and gooey sap-like, I'd be thinking of comparisons to the sun coming out at the end of a cloudy day and…yeah, I'm totally that person. Sigh.
He shuts the door behind us and follows me back to the couch. Connor sits at one end, and I place myself at the far end, sitting sideways so I can watch him.
"So why you and not both of you? Your brother said just as much shit as you, where's his apology?"
Connor leans forward, one elbow resting on a knee while he scratches the back of his neck with his other hand. "We didn't want t'team up against ye, so we thought it should be one at a time."
"First of all, good call. You two did plenty of ganging up on me last night. Second, did you win or lose in order to be the first one to come see me?"
Awkward silence fills the room.
"That's what I thought. Well, bonus points for sucking it up and getting it over with quickly enough." I sigh and relax a little against the arm of the sofa.
"Look, Connor, I'm ticked off at both of you, but I'm getting over it, and I'm not torn up about it. I told you last night that you and Murphy took the teasing too far. I had to live through last week, I didn't need every embarrassing detail recounted and rehashed in stereo by the two of you in front of the entire I-hate-Mondays crowd at McGinty's. Especially not our Sunday afternoon pre-lunch incident."
Connor opens his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. I'm not quite done yet. "The thing is, I get it. You and Murphy have been a team for your whole lives, and I'm not looking to break that up. However, you do have to understand that if you continue to use your combined powers for evil instead of good, I will find a way to make both of you pay." I say the last part with a smile to soften the blow.
"Connor, I don't know what it is that the three of us have going, but I'm sure as hell not done with the two of you yet, and I'm much more likely to get even than to get out."
Connor manages to look extremely relieved and slightly bothered at the same time. "Actually, lass, that's somethin' else I thought we might talk about. Ye said somethin' Sunday night, an' I was hopin' ye might want t—"
"Shut up, Connor!" I've only just realized how long we've been talking, and deep conversation or no, there's no way I'm missing my favorite part. I snatch up my remote and switch the television back on just in time to see the last commercial fade back into my movie.
On the screen a man, two boys, and a girl are dressed up in holiday clothes and playing in the backyard. They're still, listening to something, and the little girl drops from where she's been hanging on the man's back. The smallest boy, maybe five or six years old and clad in a red sweater, walks towards the woods at the edge of the yard and puts his hands to his mouth.
"Here, Chance, here boy!"
I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes already, and I curse under my breath that I moved the tissues. The family on the screen, now joined by the mother, listens as the dog barking in the background draws closer. Suddenly, a black and white American bulldog tops the hill and barrels straight at the little boy. After a few seconds of rejoicing, they're joined by a Himalayan cat who is immediately scooped up and squeezed by the little girl.
"Lass, what—"
"Shut up, Connor, this is the best part!"
The oldest boy watches the hill for a moment, the hope on his face dying. "Come on, Shadow." But no one else appears. He stares for a longer moment, sadness and anger crossing his features. "He was old. It was too far, he was just too old."
He turns to go into the house, but then the mother looks up and sees something and gasps. Peter turns back to see an old, muddy golden retriever slowly limping over the top of the hill.
"Peter," the dog says softly (it is Disney, after all).
"Shadow!" Peter cries and takes off running.
And I lose it completely, sobbing with tears rolling down my face. I'd already been crying before Connor showed up because Shadow fell down the hole at the construction site, but this part has never failed to reduce me to an absolute, blubbering, snotting, idiotic mess.
Connor is at a loss for words, but when I move towards him he has the sense to open his arms and pull me tight against his side. He strokes my hair as I soak the shoulder of the coat he'd been so nervous he forgot to take it off. He rocks me gently and makes vague shushing noises as I slowly cry myself out.
"They play this damned movie every year right around now, and it's made me cry every freakin' time," I wail. "It's like a curse. If it's on, I have to watch it. If I watch it, I cry like there's no tomorrow."
A small chuckle rumbles up from Connor's chest, but he wisely keeps it tamped down. I sniffle and try to wipe the tears from my eyes. "I'm sorry you have to see me like this, I'm a mess. I know I'm ridiculous."
Connor pulls his fingers down from my hair and wipes a stray tear from my cheek. He brushes his lips softly across mine and smiles, bumping his nose to mine. "Ye might be a mess, but yer mine, an' yer perfect."
"Maybe," I sniffle, "But this perfect mess might've just gotten snot on your coat." Sighing, I stand and pull Connor up with me, dragging his coat off his shoulders. I step into the kitchen and wet a rag, scrubbing gently at the spot. I'm always surprised the boys' coat are in as nice condition as they are, considering where the boys work and hang out and how much they rough house, but the coat looks if not new then definitely well taken care of. Go figure.
Warm arms reach around from behind me and pull the coat from my hands, laying it on the counter. Connor turns me around and pulls me close, bringing his lips down to meet mine. I return the kiss for a moment before pulling back.
"I told you not to expect anything, and I need you to show me your hands right now, Connor MacManus."
There's a wicked glint in his eyes as he steps backwards, bringing his hands into view. He starts walking backwards, taking my hands in his and pulling me with him toward my bedroom. "Lass, I'm not expectin' ye t'do a single thing but make as much fuckin' noise as possible, an' I promise ye'll be seein' a lot more den just me hands."
You know, I think it might not be so bad to lose some moral high ground tonight.
Author's Note: Hah! Totally posted the story, read the first review, and realized I didn't even put a for real author's note. How about this. 1,000 internet points to the person who figures out the movie, finds the scene on Youtube, AND doesn't tear up even a little. 1,000 internet points to that person. Enjoy, guys. This one came out earlier than I expected. The next one should be smutty, awkward, and hopefully a little bit interesting, because I sure as hell didn't see it coming (heh). As per usual, if you made it this far, please take a moment to leave a little something in the box. Thank you for reading and for hopefully reviewing as well. Stay awesome.
