Part 12: A Journey of Separate Hearts – The Voice
Disclaimers: The song "The Voice", lyrics by Brendan Graham and performed by Eimaer Quinn, doesn't belong to me. But I have to say that this song touches my heart every single time I listen to it. If you get the chance, then listen to it. It's just wonderful and it's a reflection of the spirit of Ireland.
Here're some links about Eimaer Quinn:
The drama "There will be Hope – always" is only a piece of my fantasy – at least as I know it. It's that what I imagine when I listened to the song "The Voice".
AN: Thanks again to my big sis, without her I wouldn't have spelled all the French words right (Coucoune take a look g) and wouldn't have remembered the main idea of the song completely. But you're totally free to build your own opinion to that song. Just a little piece of lyric I wanted to share with you.
February 10th 2003, Monday
2220 Zulu (22:20 hrs GMT)
In front of the Abbey Theatre
Dublin, Ireland
After nearly twenty minutes, Gaelic stopped the car, left it and went to the side where Mac sat. He opened the door and held out his hand helping her out. After Harm came around to join them, Gaelic turned around and informed them solemnly, "Here we are. That is the Abbey Theatre."
He turned back to face Harm and Mac and spoke up again: "The Abbey Theatre is the national theatre of Ireland and today you're going to see a drama in it. You're lucky because it isn't often that the drama group plays this late. Therefore you'll only see a little piece of drama. It's kind of new and old at the same time. The title is 'There will be Hope – Always'. The author of this drama refers to a song called 'The Voice'. It was sung by Eimaer Quinn and it's the winning song of the Grand Prix d'Eurovision de la chanson in 1996. You could say that this drama is a story about the alliance to nature – Mother Earth. It deals with the history and the future of nature. The voice is in fact an inner voice and it not only talks about the future of nature but also about the future of a person or maybe all human beings. But I've said enough already. Watch it and make your own thoughts and opinion. Hurry up, it'll start in 5 minutes!"
With that, Mac and Harm hurried into the breathtakingly wonderful building. A theatre assistant led them to their places and after a few seconds the light dimmed and the deep red velvet curtain opened.
There were only a few people on the stage wearing costumes, which made them look like trees, flowers, birds and other animals. The sets made the stage look like a wonderful Irish landscape with green hills, a river, a small village and things like that. The sky was cloudy and it seemed like it would rain.
'Kind of an interesting special effect!' thought both – Harm and Mac.
Although you could see children wearing soft brown and green gowns, which made them look like elves and fairies. A soft melody started. Mac immediately felt home once again and touched by typical Irish tones and sounds. The fairies and elves started to move to the sound of music and you could say that they danced like the wind. The animals behaved normally, for example a roe deer mother took care of her fawn or some birds flew through the air the setting on a branch. It was amazing.
Then suddenly a young woman appeared and walked lonely through the landscape wearing a warm winter coat. She looked like if she was miles away, deep in thought – a hint of sadness or maybe hopelessness in her eyes. Her posture was bent down and she bowed her head. Her hair got soaked with the raindrops.
She was walking through the forest without being aware of all the creatures around her when a wonderful, high, clear female voice started to sing:
I hear your voice on the wind
And I hear you call out my name
Listen my child, you say to me
I am the Voice of your history
Be not afraid - come follow me
Answer my call and I'll set you free
I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
I am the voice, I will remain
I am the voice in the fields when the summer's gone
The dance of the leaves when the autumn winds blow
Now do I sleep throughout all the cold winter long
I am the force that in springtime will grow
I am the voice of the past that will always be
Filled with my sorrows and blood in my fields
I am the voice of the future
Bring me your peace
Bring me your peace and my wounds - they will heal
I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
I am the voice
I am the voice of the past that will always be
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice of the future
I am the voice
I am the voice
I am the voice
I am the voice
("The Voice" by Eimear Quinn)
Mac and Harm watched how the expression, the posture – everything – of the young woman changed during the verses of the song. All her movements reflected all the words from that song – soft, but powerful in its meaning.
At the end the sky had cleared and rays of sunshine warmed not only Mother Nature but the woman's soul, too. Her eyes sparkled and the audience saw the hope in them.
When the song ended the young woman looked at all the people in the theatre for a long moment full of unspoken but clearly understandable emotions before she spoke with a serious but soft voice, "There will always be hope no matter how tough and unfair the life seems to be. Everyone has the strength to survive it. Life is worth living and remember you're not alone in this world. There will always be a helping hand you can take hold of."
Slowly the curtain closed again.
After a short moment when everyone was left to one's own thoughts, a thunderous applause echoed through the whole theatre turning into standing ovation and didn't stop until the whole cast – especially the female singer and the young actress – appeared and bowed to the audience four times.
Mac and Harm slowly followed the other people out of the theatre. Just when they reached the entrance and took in the cool night air they spoke up again.
"That was awesome, Harm. I haven't seen anything like that. It was so simple but at the same time so powerful. It was just wonderful!"
"Yeah, Mac, I can't remember ever seeing anything as amazing as this little drama. It is only thirty minutes long, but wow … it was amazing …" 'Like you, Sarah!' he added softly in his mind.
They reached the place where Gaelic's cab was still standing. He approached them and asked curiously, "So tell me, how do you like it? Did you enjoy the drama?"
"Definitely and 100 % yes! It was … I … can't describe it in words … at least they wouldn't express all the emotions I felt during the drama. It's like I told you today at the airport … it's like knowing I'm sort of home … it's just … wow!" Mac told him in a rush.
Harm could only nod agreeing, still deeply in thought.
"That's wonderful to hear, we hoped for it. Anyway, we have to go now. Your last appointment of today awaits you."
"There's still more? It's already late and I thought that was the entertainment for tonight!" Harm exclaimed.
"No, there's still one more thing. C'mon, get in so I can drive you to it."
February 10th 2003, Monday
2310 Zulu (23:10 hrs GMT)
Phoenix Park
Dublin, Ireland
They hurried and after 10 minutes the cab stopped again.
"Get out of the car. There's someone and something waiting for you," called Gaelic amused when he saw that Mac was cuddled into Harm's warm right arm, her head leaning on his shoulder. Leaning back in his embrace had simply been the absolute right and most normal thing in the world to Mac, and Harm obviously enjoyed every single moment.
Both surrendered and left the car only to find themselves in front of park. At the entrance there stood a black carriage pulled by two white and two beautiful black horses. The coachman greeted them when they arrived at the carriage.
"Hello, my name is Duncan O'Connell and I'm your coachman for your ride through Phoenix Park. I'll tell you now a little bit about it so you only can enjoy the ride, yourself and the park on your own without me talking all the time."
"Good evening, Mr. O'Connell. My name is Harmon Rabb," Harm turned to look at his partner's face, "and this beautiful woman is Sarah MacKenzie."
"Nice to meet you, but it's only Duncan. And ma'am, I have to agree, you're really beautiful – like a wild and free rose." smiled Duncan.
Mac immediately blushed. "You're quite a charmer! Thank you!"
"You're welcome. As for the Phoenix Park: it's one of the most amazing parks here in Dublin, ah…in the whole world. Sure it's dark, but you will see enough because of the park lights. They dip the park in a wonderful soft light. It's a huge park with forest, green spaces… But I haven't told you the best thing yet. The zoological garden represents the jewel of the Phoenix Park. There are many outdoor enclosures with interesting and different animal species. It's just worth a look – better, more. Furthermore it's the third oldest zoological garden in Europe. We'll only pass the area of the gardens, but if you find the time tomorrow or come back anytime later in your life, then you have to visit it in the daytime. Ok, enough for now. Take a seat. I see you're wearing warm winter coats – very well. Nevertheless here's a warm woolen blanket." He handed Harm a blanket and he covered Mac and himself with it, now knowing why Martha suggested they wear a warm winter coat.
"Thank you, Gaelic. I'll be back in an hour."
"Ready?" asked Duncan turning his head slightly to Harm and Mac.
"Ready, Duncan," answered both in union.
Duncan smiled and the horses started to move. As promised, Duncan remained in silence during the whole tour.
Harm and Mac only enjoyed the ride for a while. Mac leaned back and Harm draped his arm around her shoulders. When she shivered a bit, he tucked the blanket tighter and pulled Mac closer to him. She didn't stop him as he place his chin on her head. They just enjoyed the closeness and peace between them.
Suddenly Harm broke the silence "Mac?"
"Mmmh…" was a whispered answer.
"Mac, do you remember our talk the day when Martha called me and told us about this vacation? I promised you something. Do you still remember it?"
Of course, Mac was totally awake by now, immediately knowing what he was referring to.
"Yes, Harm. You said that we would have plenty of time to continue our talk where we had to stop it that night."
"Right. How about continuing it here. I know we won't finish it, but it's a start and I figured it would be too much and too heavy to talk about everything at one time. How about taking it in little steps?"
"That's a good idea," she admitted seriously. A few seconds went by neither of them said anything.
Then Mac started, "You said that evening that you wanted us back: us as friends and partners."
"Yeah, that's true, but I said more. I told you that I want more than just being friends and partners. I told you that I want a future 'us' that goes beyond simple friendship." He paused, but she didn't speak up again knowing her flyboy and just how hard it was for him to be totally honest about his feelings.
"Mac, I know we need time to get past all that's happened in our lives…god, Sarah…I … I know I've screwed up so many times and I know it won't be easy to overcome all the mistakes I've made, but … but, Sarah, I want this. I mean, I want us – together. I don't want to rush anything here. I want to make it right this time. So I figured that I have to be totally honest with you and that scares me to death, because I don't know if you'll stay with me or even understand me. But I have to try – not only for you, but for myself, too. But I think I need your help. I don't think I can deal with all the issues without you by my side…" he trailed off, concern and fear in his eyes.
"Shh, Harm, I'll never leave you. I'll stay whatever comes. There's no doubt for me. I know we can make it right this time. And, of course, I'm afraid, too, because we don't have much practice in admitting our feelings. It's already hard to realize them for ourselves, but telling each other is much more difficult. But together we'll do it. And you again took the first step this evening like at our dinner last Saturday. You've changed in some way. There's something different about you. I can't quite figure it out and therefore, I'm a little bit scared, too. Because I'm afraid that I don't know you anymore. But something in my heart tells me that it is a good change. I feel you've realized something – in fact, I've realized something for myself as well: I've realized that all the times we've touched each other since your kiss on my neck the evening on Martha's terrace, it feels so right and I want our newfound closeness to last forever. In fact, I have to hold back the urge to kiss you right now. But I don't want to push you again. I made that mistake once in Sydney when you weren't ready. I wanted too much and didn't see that you weren't able to let go. I didn't listen to you. You rejected me. At least that's what I heard, but I now know that you only needed a little bit more time."
"Sydney wasn't only your mistake – it was mine, too. I couldn't express what I meant and I can't blame you, that you misinterpreted my words. And if I had the chance I would change it, but we can't go back. But life gives us…me a second chance and I'm planning to take this chance. As for not being able to let go I have news for you, Mac…"
Mac immediately stiffened, unsure what kind of news he had for hear, not wanting to hold up hope again, but she couldn't stop that exact feeling from creeping into her heart.
"Sarah, I am ready now. I can let go now, but I still need your help with it. Will you help me?" He had felt her stiffness, but she immediately relaxed in his embrace when he finished his question. Now her eyes locked with his aquamarine ones and a smile curled around her lips when she answered.
"Of course, I'll help you. We'll help each other. I know it's still a bit early to say anything close to 'love' but we're on the right path and that's the only thing that matters, Harm!"
She raised her head up to his and touched his lips softly with hers. It was more a whisper than a real kiss, but he couldn't imagine what else she could have done as this soft touch. That and her last words made Harm totally happy. He knew that she understood him and planned to go through everything with him – together! He brought her to him as close as it was possible and neither of them said another word. They only enjoyed feeling the warmth of each other. Neither of them realized that the hour was over until Duncan had stopped the carriage in front of Gaelic's car.
Slowly they woke up from drowning in each other. Harm jumped from the carriage and held out his hand to support Mac. She took it smiling and found herself in his arms again – only for a short moment before both pulled back and turned to Duncan.
"That was a wonderful ride, Duncan. Thank you for that. We enjoyed it very much!" Harm thanked Duncan and they shook hands.
"Good night, Duncan. And thank you!" Mac held out her hand to shake Duncan's as well but he took her hand and lowered his head kissing her on her hand. Mac closed her eyes and blushed, but nevertheless smiled about the gesture.
"You're more than welcome, ma'am." he returned her smile as well.
Harm kept his hand on the small of her back and led her to Gaelic. He had witnessed the whole arrival and the exchange the two of them had made. He didn't want to interrupt these feelings and decided only to smile at them.
For the last time that night, they leaned into the backseat of the car and Gaelic drove them back to the Shannon's Inn.
February 11th 2003, Tuesday
0045 Zulu (00:45 hrs GMT)
Shannon's Inn
Dublin, Ireland
Half an hour later they arrived at their hotel. Harm helped Mac out of the car and before they walked into the hotel they thanked Gaelic.
"Gaelic, that was a wonderful evening and thank you for driving us around. I guess we'll see us tomorrow?"
"You're more than welcome, both you and Harm. And you'll definitely see me tomorrow. Good night, guys. Sleep well!"
"Good night, Gaelic," they both said as well and walked to the red front door of Shannon's Inn. Mac opened the – at this time locked – door and again locked it when they were inside the house.
After a few minutes they reached their separate hotel rooms.
They turned to each other.
"Good night, Harm. It was a wonderful night and I enjoyed every single moment with you. I wouldn't change anything!"
"Neither would I. Sleep tight, Mac."
When she started to turn around and reach for the doorknob he stopped her and pulled her into a final embrace. They held each other close for a moment, then he pulled a few inches back and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. She smiled happily.
"Good night, Sarah." With that, he let her go and they both went to sleep with a slight smile on their faces and a last thought of the other one.