Morning MASS and Good Impressions

As it were the group of them barely made it on time. They ended up half running down the aisle. What a picture they made, Patrick O'Hara thought to himself. Frank and his wife Carolina, with their baby Melanie, Sean and Ashley Campbell, he'd have to talk to Margaret, unless he missed the boat, unlikely, those two would soon be married, and speaking of marriage, here came Shauna, more dressed up for church than she had been in quite awhile, her hand was wrapped firmly around her friend Conrad's hand, dragging him along beside her. He stood up and let the troop of them pass. Conrad sat down next to him. 'Friend?' He wondered, or perhaps something more. Conrad wrapped his arm around her, 'Hah' Patrick thought as the Conrad then checked to make sure that was appropriate. Shauna smiled at him. 'Yep. That one's special.' Margaret turned and looked over her shoulder at him from the pew in front. The two families normally sat together, but with most of the Campbell children home and all of the O'Hara children, with the exception of his nephew Rodger Murray, present and accounted for, along with wives, and significant others there just wasn't room on one pew. 'Yes, Margaret', he nodded, 'That is my youngest son with his arm wrapped around your youngest daughter and yes, that is my only daughter holding hands with a gentleman.' Margaret turned forward as the service began.

The service eventually ended and people turned to their neighbors to catch up on the latest news and to say hello to those they didn't get to speak to before the service. "Patrick, our children are growing up."

"Yes, Margaret, they certainly are." Patrick made his way into the center aisle to escort Margaret out of church, "How's that knee of yours today?"

"Oh, fine, just a little stiff from gardening. But we'll have green tomatoes to fry for our supper and I'm going to teach Ashley how to make a decent pound cake if it kills me!"

Patrick looked back over at Ashley, "I'm not sure she'd appreciate being torn from Sean's side. The first day of the match is tomorrow."

Margaret looked up at her neighbor, "Really? So soon? But it is just Sean this time, right?"

Patrick nodded, "The boys both have families of their own to tend to and Shauna sees all the fights she can handle on a day-to-day basis."

"What's the story on the gentleman that followed her to church?"

"He came in with her last night. Shauna was down in Florida working during the hurricane. Her CO gave her leave. She called me late last night from a pay phone and told me she and three friends were on their way up to Atlanta and could they all stay at our house. I put the porch light on and then I told her I'd make room and put the coffee pot on. She barely got the introductions out before she fell asleep. I'm sure she'll explain everything at supper. Shall we go then?"

Margaret nodded her assent, "I'm eager to get back home to find out what all the mess is about. I didn't get a chance to speak to Brian and Samantha. Are they all well?"

"Yes. They'll be at home by the time we get there, Brian will be ready to eat and we won't have even gotten started cooking!"

"What about Shauna's gentleman? He is a gentleman, isn't he?"

"She wouldn't bring any other kind home. She'll bring him to us soon enough. It looks like they're headed to the graveyard. I believe she wants to spend a few minutes with her mother. If you don't mind I'll leave you with your children and go check on her."

"Don't worry about me Patrick, I'll see you back at the house. Just remind her that we're frying chicken!" she called after him

Duke and Scarlett had made their way out of the church and were walking towards the cemetery that accompanied it. Scarlett paused at the gate, "I need to speak to my mother a little bit. Will you come with me? I know it sounds silly but I want to introduce you."

Duke, thinking about his father's death squeezed her hand gently, "I'd be honored."

She nodded and made her way though the lines of carefully tended graves until she came upon one under an old live oak. She dropped his hand and knelt down by her mother's grave. "Hi, mama. I guess it's been awhile since I came to visit you here. I talk to you all the time so I guess there's not much new. We got through that hurricane just fine. I always know when you're watching over me. I do my best to take care of daddy and look after everyone. I think Sean is tupping Ash Campbell, but then you're in a better position to watch over them than I am. I brought someone special with me today." Conrad came and bent down next to her once more taking her hand in his, "This is Conrad, mama. You see him with me all the time but I just thought that since we've gotten real serious that I'd better bring him here and formally introduce him. I love him mama and he loves me just as much. He's real good about making me keep my head and not rush off in full temper like I used to do so often. We take good care of each other." She paused for a moment to collect her thought; "Daddy and Mrs. Campbell are probably waiting supper on us so we'd better go. Take good care of Mr. Campbell and we'll take good care of all the rest of the Campbells. I love you mama." Shauna let Duke help her up and went gratefully into his waiting arms. "Do you ever talk to your dad like that?" Duke held her tight, "I used to. Then I started to wonder if it did any good and I was afraid of offending Jack. But if it helps you Shauna, keep talking. I know she's listening to you."

They just stood there for a few moments and held each other not knowing that her father stood just a few feet away and had witnessed the whole thing. 'She's all grown up now, Michaela, I wonder if she needs me for anything anymore. It looks like she found herself a good man.' Patrick went and met Mrs. Campbell as she was coming out of the church. "Find someone to talk to Margaret?"

"Always do Patrick. What's the matter?"

He gave a little laugh, "You always see so much." He turned to watch his daughter and her companion walk out of the cemetery. "She's grown up now. She's going to marry that man and then she won't need me for anything."

"Oh, Patrick! You know that's not true. Frank and Brian still come to you for advice. Sean's not gone yet and besides, she'll always be your daughter. She'll always need her father. She may not need you as much but she still needs you. Now, how about we go and see about supper? Brain and Frank are already on their way to the house. My boys have left and the girls are only waiting on Shauna."

Patrick offered Mrs. Campbell his arm, "Very well Margaret, you've dispensed with enough wisdom for today."