Before quietly making her way out the front door, Kathleen held the unopened gift from her father in her hands as one more tear made its way down her cheek. Sooner or later she would have to open it, may as well when she got back from her walk as long as no one was around to hear her cry.
Outside, it was much more warm and sunny than it was in Ireland. Kathleen already knew she hated the weather in America- Tulsa, wherever she was. She walked along the sidewalk looking at her feet, occasionally looking up to make sure she wasn't about to run into anything. Then she realized, she was about to pass the lot where those same boys she saw earlier were playing. She quickened her pace hoping they wouldn't notice her or think she was just a normal person living in the neighborhood out for a walk. But one of the older looking boys in a Mickey Mouse t-shirt caught a glimpse of her whispered to one of his friends. "Hey girl! You new 'round here?" He yelled to her. She stopped and looked at them and nodded. The group crowded around while the boy who shouted to her spoke. "Well, we all like to make sure new comers feel welcome. What's your name?" Kathleen shyly looked down. "Kate," she said just loud enough to hear. "Wow you talk funny! Where ya from?" he asked. "Ireland." "You're pretty far from home ain't ya?" a handsome blond boy said. Kathleen nodded. The boy in the Mickey Mouse t-shirt started talking again, "I'm Two-Bit…" he went on introducing the boys in the group. The two brothers Ponyboy Curtis, who was only 14 and the youngest, Sodapop Curtis, the handsome blond boy, Sodapop's best friend Steve, Dallas or "Dally," a tough looking guy with hard blue eyes, and the last one introduced caught Kathleen's eye. His name was Johnny, and he was just about one of the most handsome boys she ever saw. He looked shy like Kathleen was, and he had gentle dark eyes and a soft face.
She noticed that she was staring, and was embarrassed to see that Johhny was staring back at her emerald green eyes, skin like cream, small, frail, figure, and hair of beautiful bright red that touched her waist and was pulled back in a silver Celtic barrette. He smiled slightly and so did Kathleen.
"So, whatcha doin' out walkin alone?" Two-Bit seemed to be doing most of the talking. "Well, I was, tryin' to find a pub maybe. Are there any around here? One's that play music?" The boys looked a little confused. "What kinda music were ya thinkin'?" Sodapop asked. "Well, in Ireland all the pubs play music. Just…Irish music I guess," Kathleen began to feel stupid for asking. This wasn't Ireland. This was a completely different country. Steve seemed to be thinking though. "I think there's actually an Irish style pub a few blocks away. It's called somethin' like O'Malley's. Ya might try there." Kathleen's eyes lit up. If Steve was right, there might be a little bit of Ireland here for her. "I'm gonna go find it." She said as she started to walk off. "Wait a minute," Johnny said. The boys looked surprised. Johnny never talked in front of new people. "We'll come with ya. Won't we?" He gave the others a look that seemed to say "you guys better come or you'll regret it later." "Sure," Two-Bit said.
Steve was right. There was an Irish style pub called O'Malley's. Kathleen raced inside the door, and, just as she had hoped, an Irish band played an up-beat jig on a small wooden stage just like they did back in Killarney. "Top o' the mornin' to ye!" An Irishman greeted them at the door. "The same to you sir," Kathleen said. "Ah, an Irish girl are ye?" "Yes sir. From Killarney." The man held out his hand for Kathleen to shake. "I'm from Dublin meself. Tis' nice to meet ye Miss…" "Kathleen. Or Kitty if you prefer." She looked around and was pleased by what she saw, and then a though came into her head. "Mr. Um…" "O'Malley me dear." "Mr. O'Malley? Do ye let people sing in the evenin' time?" "O course we do! Do ye sing Miss Kitty?" "I do. I used to sing back home in Ireland quite often." "Well then why don't you and your friends come back this evenin' and I'll have ye sing after the band." Kathleen was so excited all she could do was nod her head in agreement. "Thank ye Mr. O'Malley!" She said, shaking his hand again and racing out the door. "Somebody's excited," Steve said. "Thank ye Steve! Thank ye!" Steve looked proud of himself as the others rolled their eyes at how full of himself he was.