"That'll do you for. Liam said to Assumpta while Donal descended the ladder.
"Thanks boys. Come back when we're open yeah?"
Donal raised his eyebrows with delight, looking forward to their free pints later.
"What's this all about?" Peter asked Assumpta, following her into the pub. He was donning a well worn pair of jeans and grey sweater perfectly comfortable for a lazy day outside St. Joseph's.
"What'd you mean? Ah, Quigley gave me a great deal. Guess all the pubs in Dublin have them and if you can't beat them."
The thing she was referring to was a newly mounted television (including a satellite dish which now gracefully jutted from the roof of Fitzgerald's).
"Won't this cause quite the stir." Peter said, amused.
"If I'm lucky. Make yourself useful, yeah?" she nodded towards the remote control then went into the kitchen to put the kettle on.
Peter had to admit he found himself quite excited to have first access to such a luxury. Sure he had a television at home but it wasn't nearly as nice and got horrible reception.
"What's this?" Assumpta asked handing him a cup of tea.
"Not quite sure yet." Peter accepted the drink which he had in fact not asked for. He wondered if this gesture was an indication that Assumpta was in better spirits. Or that at least their own friendship was on the mend, for whatever that meant.
"Oh, wait, I think I know this one! It's-" he then immediately restrained his excitement and attempted to change the channel.
"Hang on," Assumpta said with a laugh."you're into soaps are you?"
"It's really good!" he said defensively. "Ok, it isn't but it's on so often and-"
"Uh, huh." she smiled.
Just then her first paying customers arrived and she went over to serve them. Peter finished his tea and left for his day's errands.
~o~
When he returned that evening the regulars we're at their station. Siobhan and Padraig were watching the races while Brendan stood defiantly, his back to the tv.
"Aye, Father!" he greeted Peter. "Maybe you'll do me the honor of a good conversation."
Peter sensed sarcasm. It seemed Padraig and Siobhan had been distracted for some time, leaving Brendan pouting into his pint.
Peter took what he hoped was a nonchalant glance at the clock.
"Somewhere to be or is it something to watch?" Assumpta chided.
He turned away, pretending he hadn't heard her. "Brendan, how do you like Fitzgerald's latest accessory?"
"Not nearly as much as some." the school teacher retorted. "I come to the pub to unwind with my friends, not to watch television. A bit of human-to-human contact."
"Wait! I think we get that channel too." Padraig exclaimed as he pretended to change the channel.
Siobhan laughed. "Ah will you lighten up Brendan. Isn't this how most of the students wind down after school?"
"If you hadn't noticed, and you haven't noticed much this evening, I am not a student. I am a teacher." he took a long drag from his pint.
"Well, could have fooled me. Anyhow, I'd best be heading off."
"Oh, me too." added Padraig.
"Hi, bye." Peter said, shaking his head.
Brendan sighed, bowed dramatically to the room and headed out behind the pair.
"Are we certain they're not off to place bets?" Peter asked, seating himself where Siobhan had formerly sat.
Just then Doc Ryan came through the door. "Hello all!"
"Michael." came Peter and Assumpta's voice in unison.
"Just the usual Assumpta. Peter, how are you?" he asked, putting a hand onto his shoulder.
"I'm alright Michael. Yourself?"
Assumpta saw Peter cast a shy glance at the remote.
"Ah, for the love of God." She picked it up and changed the channel.
"Assumpta, I didn't take you for the type." Doc Ryan grinned as he sipped his beer.
"Don't blame me." She said as she shifted to the other end of the bar to serve her only other patrons.
"Peter?" then he leaned in close. "Now, it would be a real shame if Vincent didn't have an accident on his trip."
Peter looked the doctor in the face, eyes round. "I don't think he will."
The men laughed heartily.
"What's all this then?" Assumpta asked coming over.
"Oh, nothing. Just wondering about Vincent." Peter said into his stout.
"What's to wonder?" Assumpta said as she polished a glass. "He'll return and it'll be back off to the railroads with Max."
Peter and Michael looked at her, lost for words.
"I, I thought-" Peter stammered.
"You never asked." Then before either gentleman could get another word in she shushed them and turned up the volume.
"I'm sure you think I'm a womanizer Gerry, they all do, but the truth is that I've never been with-with anyone. Sure I loved a girl or two, I've been home with a girl or two. But it always ended the same. It was never right. So I've been all over this here land just looking for something, someone that feels right ya know. Until that happens I'm sure I'll never feel at home."
Assumpta's other two patrons looked at one another and slipped out the door.
"Hi all!" Niamh said bursting in.
The spell was immediately broken and Assumpta quickly changed the channel.
"What was that?" Niamh asked, eyeing her friend suspiciously.
"Nothing, nothing." said Assumpta in what she hoped was a convincing tone.
"Niamh how's Ambrose?" Peter asked, hoping the question would divert her interest.
"Oh, you know. He'll talk about his work as long as you're willing to listen but I right haven't got the ear for it at the moment. Kieran's down, he's home early. I figured I'd slip out for a bit of me time."
"I know just the thing" Assumpta said to her, going into the kitchen for a white wine.
As quick as she'd gone, before Peter or Michael knew what she was up to, Niamh grabbed the remote and hit the recall button.
"I have never had such a time in all my life!" said a rather chipper young woman. "Max please, just one more swing!" she laughed.
Assumpta came bounding out of the kitchen, bottle in hand. They all looked at one another.
"I can't believe it." smirked Niamh
"Aw, Niamh." Assumpta sighed. "If you breathe one word." she threatened.
"My lips are sealed!"
Ryan looked at Assumpta and raised his eyebrows. Peter stifled a grin. They all knew Assumpta's threat was futile.
"Now did you see that package Vincent was carrying, I bet it was a ring! Think he'll propose?" Niamh asked.
"Of course not." said Peter. "Even if he did she'd never accept, she clearly doesn't love him."
Assumpta scoffed at Peter's innocence and Michael chuckled. "Peter have you never seen these things before? She'll accept Vincent not out of love, but prospect."
"And drama!" Niamh added triumphantly.
~o~
The next evening Peter entered Fitzgerald's to find the place packed, even Fr. Mac was in deep conversation with Brian Quigley. Peter caught the eye of Assumpta who gave a slight shrug, then Doc Ryan and Niamh who each pretended to give their conversations their undivided attention, while secretly longing to watch their program.
"Busy night?" Peter said, looking around the room once more.
"I've no complaints." said Assumpta "Well, actually just one. You see, Gerry-"
"Don't tell me!" he laughed. "I can catch the rerun tomorrow after mass."
"So I was thinking," said Niamh as she saddled in next to Peter"what are we going to do for the finale next week?"
"Niamh!" Assumpta gasped.
"What say we gather here? I'll bring snacks!"
Doc Ryan who'd clearly been keeping an eye the group made his way over. "So what are we plotting?"
"Niamh's trying to get Assumpta to have a sleepover of sorts." said Peter.
"I am not." she smiled at him. "Oh come on Assumpta. It'll be grand. Just record it during the day then we'll all come over after closing."
"I'd rather not supervise a sleepover." said the Doctor.
"It isn't a sleepover and more importantly it is not going to happen." Assumpta said exasperated.
"Oh Father, you think it's a good idea don't you?"
Assumpta looked at Peter.
"I do think it would be nice," he replied cautiously. "I haven't been to a party in ages."
"Fine, I'll give." said Ryan finishing his drink, "A double date it is." he added nudging Niamh.
Peter caught Assumpta's eyes and a slight color rose to his cheeks. She grabbed a glass and pretended to busy herself with it. "I give up, the lot of you."
The other three laughed. It was indeed a date.
~o~
Peter had to admit that he did feel slightly uneasy about the party. He'd not been in Fitzgerald's after hours for some time. In fact he'd only started to revisit regularly quite recently. Leo was gone and although Peter felt a great sense of relief at his absence, he also felt tenser than before. A lack of sleep hadn't been doing him any favors. Yet, ironically enough maybe a late night party would be just what he needed.
The day of their private viewing had arrived. They'd agreed to watch it Monday night as the pub was bound to be at its slowest, Unfortunately that wasn't the case.
While Niamh could easily trot over to Fitzgerald's under the guise of a chat, the sight of the parish priest or doctor arriving after hours would be cause for concern, cause for gossip. Therefore Michael and Peter would need to think of their own excuses.
When Peter arrived the regulars were socializing along with a few customers having supper.
He approached the bar.
"It's still early yet." Assumpta said, reading Peter's mind.
"Father, won't you join us." Padraig called. "Now have you ever in your life seen anything as innovative as this?"
"It's a newspaper." Peter replied as Padraig held it out in front of him.
"But astounding!"
Brendan reached over, snatching his paper from Padraig's hands. Siobhan chuckled.
However as the night wound down and others left, the trio showed no sign of dispersing.
"Hello." Michael said coming in 30 minutes before closing, he was immediately surprised to see more than just Peter and Assumpta at the bar.
"Ah, Michael!" said Brendan
The Doctor cast Peter a questioning look to which he could only shrug.
"Okay, okay." Assumpta said as she collected their glasses. "Don't you all have homes to go to?"
"Oh come on, Assumpta." Siobhan responded "This is the most energy I've had all week."
"It's only Monday!" Assumpta snapped.
They all laughed.
"I'm sure you should be resting anyhow Siobhan." Brendan added nodding towards her belly.
Siobhan shot him a look. She was still not used to Brendan's prying into her well-being. Even if it was for the sake of their child growing within her.
"Well," said Padriag "on that note." They stood up and walked to the door.
"G'night Assumpta."
Brendan stepped back through the doorway. "Peter, Michael are you coming?"
"Oh, I just needed to have a quick word with Assumpta." The Doctor replied quickly. "Private word." He added.
"Father?" Brendan turned to Peter who, dumbstruck, couldn't feign a quick enough reason to justify staying around for a "private" conversation and sheepishly followed him out.
Siobhan gave a honk as she drove by the men.
"You're both more than welcome to mine for a nightcap." Padraig said as they walked.
Brendan paused, pretending to consider this. "No, better not. School night."
"Father?" Padraig asked.
"Ah, actually, I forgot I needed to have a word with Michael regarding a parishioner! I'll just go and catch him."
With that he turned back in the direction of the pub and sighed with relief.
Doc Ryan was connecting Assumpta's VCR to the television when he entered.
"Well look who's found his way back." Assumpta teased. Secretly she was relieved. She and Peter had spent so little time together lately, and this gathering would give her the opportunity to enjoy his company with none of the awkwardness bound to transpire if they were alone.
"That'll do it." The Doctor said.
"Good man Michael." replied Peter.
Just then Niamh slowly opened the door.
"Hello?" she said in a whisper, closing it silently behind her.
"What'd you escape?" asked Assumpta accepting two bags from her. As she extracted the contents (white wine, sparkling cider, popcorn and assorted chocolates) she gave Niamh a curious look.
"Mommy's special stash." Niamh said. "Kieran was being a right nightmare. He's Ambrose's problem now."
Peter adjusted some stools in proper view of the television as Assumpta handed them each a glass.
"Here we go." she clicked play.
Last week on The Home and the Heart: "My dearest Geraldine, please forgive me. I'm returning home from my trip to make this up to you. My deepest love -Vincent." "Max, he'll be here tomorrow! What'll I do?" "Gerry, you've gotta follow your heart. No matter what it says…"
A train pulls into a station and a very dapper young man steps off, brushing his suit.
Then there came the faint sound of crying and a soft knock at the door. Ryan turned towards it suspiciously.
"Oh no."' moaned Niamh.
Assumpta sighed and opened the door.
Ambrose abruptly walked through, bouncing a crying Kiaran.
"Neevee he just won't stop, maybe he's hungry or- Father, Doctor Ryan?" His eyes scanned the room methodically.
"Assumpta are you having a lock-in?"
"No." she said annoyed.
Then he looked up at the TV. "Oh, is this the one with your man from-"
"Ambrose!" Niamh said, cutting him off. Peter walked over accepting the crying babe who immediately hushed in his arms.
"Well I'll be." said Ryan.
"You'll hold onto him won't you Father?" said Ambrose desperately. "We won't be a bother." and with that he helped himself to a fistful of popcorn.
Michael looked at them all "We ready?" and with that he pressed play.
"Vincent!" called the young woman (Geraldine) waving to the gentleman, "Oh Vincent here I am!"
~o~
Across the street Kathleen Hendley was eyeing the lights still on at Fitzgerald's.
She had it on good authority that Assumpta had taken up serving drinks after hours. Sure Brendan Kearney purchased alcohol from her shop, but she was no fool. Enough was enough!
She changed out of her robe and into something more appropriate, surely she would put an end to this!
There came a knock at the door. "Oh for the love of God!" wailed Assumpta opening it.
"What's going on at all!" came Kathleen's shrill tone.
Peter looked down at the sleeping child, afraid this commotion would wake him. However he slept soundly, at peace against the rhythmic beats of anxiety from Peter's heart.
"I don't know what you're playing at but some of us run respectable businesses at respectable hours. I've a right mind to get the garda."
"Oh really?" asked Assumpta smugly, swinging the door fully open so that Kathleen could get a full view of Ambrose who nearly choked on his chocolate bar.
"Ambrose?" she said, startled. "Father." She said with scorn. Then as her eyes scanned the other faces of the party they naturally fell upon the tv. Her demeanor changed completely. "Oh, are you watching The Heart and The Home. Oh this is a grand episode, I'll leave you to it." However she made no attempt to exit.
"Let her stay." Peter whispered, covering Kiaren's ears.
"Listen everyone, I may have to get going if we don't watch this soon." said the Doctor.
Niamh looked at Assumpta mournfully.
"Alright." Assumpta said through gritted teeth. "Look, Kathleen, if you'd like you're welcome to watch it with us."
With a haute demeanor Kathleen walked over to Kiaran. Peter took a step back, cradling the child protectively, as if she would contaminate him. At this she took a seat next to Niamh whom she deemed to be the most respectable person at the moment.
"Now look." said Assumpta to the room. "I am going to turn off the lights. I am going to hit play. There will be no interruptions. Not even to go to the bathroom." she cast Ambrose a look as he bashfully placed his wine back on the table.
~o~
"Sorry to have to dash everyone." said Ryan as the lights came back on.
"No problem." replied Peter.
"Night all." and he was off.
"Well." said Kathleen "I'd best be heading back as well. Thank you Assumpta." she added in as pleasant a tone she could muster.
"Jeez, would you look at the time?" said Ambrose getting to his feet.
Peter had hoped there would be time to discuss the finale afterwards, but given the late start and interruptions everyone just wanted to get home to their beds.
"I'll take him now, Father." said Niamh, scooping up Kiaran.
"You're a Godsend!" Ambrose added. "Night." and they were gone.
"Well. You got your party." Assumpta said to Peter who was moving the seats back to their proper places.
"I'm beginning to think I'm too old for parties."
"But not for soap operas, yeah?"
He grinned, handing her the empty wine bottle for the bin.
She shook the bottle "Damn."
"You're still after a drink?"
"Look," she said as she rolled up the near empty bag of popcorn. "I just spent the night with Kathleen Hendley!"
"We all did." They laughed then grew silent.
"I told you she'd marry Vincent." Assumpta said.
"Yes, you did. Still, it was the wrong choice." Peter said calmly. "She knows it."
"Everyone knows it." said Assumpta too quickly."Anyway, I hear they won't have another season. There will be a movie and that'll end it.."
"But there's still time yet for them to make the right choice." he said heading to the door.
She followed to lock it behind him.
"Goodnight, Assumpta." Peter said, turning to face her.
"Goodnight Peter." she replied quietly. Then softly closed the door.
Across the street Niamh slept soundly, dreaming that a swashbuckling stranger, much like Max, was trying to lure her away from her husband. Away from her home.
Ambrose dreamt that he was being awarded a medal for foiling a plot to kidnap his family.
Kathleen slept heavily. She had almost been too tired to say her prayers before bed. Almost.
Assumpta tossed about restlessly. She didn't miss Leo, but she realized now more than ever how wonderful it would be to share her bed with someone she loved. To awake in the night knowing they'd be there.
And Peter, Peter sat at the edge of his bed praying. Not for guidance or forgiveness but for strength. The strength to do what he knew was right and to endure whatever consequences that would bring.