Lee's Turn
Chapter 2
"Tanks, 'n hope ter see yer soon, Mrs. Kalinsky!" Mary O'Donnell stated, after she had handed the newly dry cleaned clothes to her latest customer.
With a nod, Mrs. Kalinsky headed for the exit, the plastic bag draped over her arm. However, before she could open the door to depart, the bell tinkled above as Lee was about to enter. Seeing that the female customer was about to exit, he gallantly stepped aside and held the door open for her.
Mrs. Kalinsky was obviously pleased by the kind gesture from this handsome stranger.
"Thank you!" Mrs. Kalinsky gratefully exclaimed, with a smile so bright it could light up a room.
"My pleasure," Lee smiled, respectfully bowing slightly.
Meanwhile Mary had witnessed the entire scene.
A true gentleman, tat one, she silently concluded, An' handsum, too! Oi wonder if 'e's single?!"
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As Lee looked around the interior of the dry cleaners establishment, he was impressed. The whitewashed paneled walls, antiquated wooden-framed windows, and a rustic timbered counter gave the place an Old World feel. Behind the counter, two wooden shelves were filled with a variety of knickknacks, including carved Celtic crosses, Gaelic harp statuettes, and tiny ceramic cottages.
The only two things that seemed out of place were the racks of clothing with plastic bags covering them, and the cheesy Valentine decorations hanging throughout the store.
"Guid mornin', Sir!" Mary cheerfully greeted Lee when he approached the counter, "Oi'm Mary O'Donnell, ter owner ov tis place! 'Ow may Oi 'elp yer?
Friendly owner, Lee thought, as he placed the pile of clothes on the counter.
"Yes, my name's Lee Stetson, and as you can see, I have 2 suits and 3 dress shirts that require cleaning."
As Lee spoke, Mary's eyes had discreetly traveled down to his ring hand.
Blessed be! She joyously internalized, No ring!
Then clearing her throat she got down to business, "Aye, let's see what we 'ave 'ere..."
Meticulously sorting through his clothes, she took note that his clothes were of the highest quality.
"So what do you think?" Lee inquired.
"Oi tink yer 'ave good taste an' yer don't lack fer money!"
Lee smiled, "Actually, I was asking about the price of your services!"
"Aye! T'be sure!" Mary recovered, "De costs will be $35... Will tat be gran' enuf fer yer, Mr. Stetson?"
He nodded his approval, "That'll be fine."
As Mary began writing out the receipt, she was also internalizing a checklist of Lee's qualities:
(Single: check!)
(Tall: check!)
(Gallant: check!)
(Sophisticated: check!)
(Well-ter-do: check!)
(Guid taste: check!)
(Too handsum fer 'is own guid: double check!)
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A strong contender for Amanda's hand, he'd be!
But first Mary needed a sign from the good heavens above!
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Upon completion of the receipt, Mary asked, "So, did yer take notice ov all ter decorations throughoyt ter store, Mr. Stetson?"
"Uh, yes," Lee looked slightly confused, "they're...nice."
Mary held up the receipt for him, but strangely, it was just far enough out of his reach.
"Do yer knaw why Oi have 'em up?"
"Uh...because it's Valentine's Day?"
She nodded approvingly, "An' do yer believe 'n destiny?"
Lee was further stumped, "What?"
She still hadn't given the receipt to him. It was as if she was holding the receipt ransom.
"Destiny," she repeated and then defined it, "It means somethin' tat's gonna 'appen, no matter whut yer do! Yer knaw…. 'fate.'
"Yes, I am well aware what 'destiny' means, but...Mrs. O'Donnell, this IS a dry cleaners place, right?"
Unlike Lee, Mary wasn't easily ruffled by the sudden change in subject.
"Aye, tat it be!"
"And it's a place where I drop off my clothes and then picked them up after they're cleaned, right?"
"Aye, tat it be, again!"
"Then... what does 'destiny' have to do with your business and when do I get my receipt?"
"Fair enuf questions, Oi suppose!" Mary admitted, surrendering the receipt to him at last, "Oi wus jus' wonderin' if yer be spendin' Valentine's Day wi' someone speshul, is all!"
Alarms went off in Lee's head, "You don't mean, ... that you think you and I should-"
She chuckled, "Nay, Lad! Yer see, besides runnin' me own business, Oi 'appen to do a bit o' matchmakin' on ter side!"
"Why am I not surprise?" he straight-faced.
(Oooo...a guid sense ov 'umor, too! Check!)
She tried again, "So, Mr. Stetson, yer got someone speshul o' not?"
Lee knew the best way out of an uncomfortable conversation with a woman was to opt for a little mild flirtation, "Perhaps I have a few ladies in mind for Valentine's Day, but as I stand here now, they all seem to pale in comparison to the wit and enchantment of one Mary O'Donnell!" he winked.
For one of the few times in her life, Mary blushed, "Mr. Stetson, yer truly be as charmin' as a leprechaun!"
"A leprechaun, eh? I've always enjoyed chasing rainbows!"
"Oh, go on wi' yer now!" Mary reprimanded him, giving him a playful tap on his arm, "Alrigh', so maybe a leprechaun wusn't the righ' comparison, Oi suppose..." she gave it some thought, "'Ndeed, I now see yer as someone who is as charmin' as ter sweepin' vistas on Donegal Bay, yer are!"
Lee gave his awkward chuckle, "Wellll... I'm not sure if I could measure up to Donegal Bay's sweeping vistas, but I appreciate the thought!"
Mary's mouth dropped in astonishment. Her mind was recalling what Amanda had earlier said to her a couple of days earlier:
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"Gee, Mary," Amanda had blushed, "I'm not sure if I could measure up to Dublin's rolling hills, but I appreciate the thought!"
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Lordy be, almos' identical in wordin'!
Mary joyously clasped her hands together and gave a grateful look to the heavens above.
IT'S A SIGN!
He'd be ter one fer Amanda!
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"-Mrs. O'Donnell?" Lee looked concerned at her behavior, "Are you alright?"
Her eyes were sparkling, "Destiny!"
"Again with that word?" Lee moaned.
"Yer two were destined ter meet!" she gleamed.
The last thing Lee needed was to be introduced to ANOTHER woman. But he liked Mary, and wanted to be gentle when he turned her down.
"I'm sure whoever you have in mind as my 'destiny' would be great...fantastic even….but I, uh, think I'll pass on the 'destiny' thing this year, if you don't mind."
Mary was surprised, "But I already tol' yer Oi'm a matchmaker, Mr. Stetson! An' a guid one at tat!"
"I'm sure you're very good, so if you really want to play matchmaker, how about you match me up with my clean clothes in three days instead?"
And despite her disappointment, she couldn't help liking this delightful stranger.
Oh, 'ow he'd be perfect for Amanda!
"Goodbye, Mrs. O'Donnell" he was saying, as she panicked at his leaving, "and have a nice day!"
He headed for the door.
Ack! she must NOT give up!
"-A dark 'aired beauty she'd be!" Mary yelled to his back, "Altho, if truth be told, she can be a wee bit chatty at times, but she's as smart as a whip an' as clever as a village fox!"
Lee was almost to the door but he stopped mid-step as his mind went through all of Mary's descriptive words.
No!
It can't be!
If he didn't know any better, she could be describing...Amanda?
NOOOO!
YET..how many supposedly beautiful, single, clever, and especially talkative brunettes could there be in Arlington?
He HAD to know for sure!
He abruptly turned around and walked back to the counter.
She gave a knowing smile, "Yer come back, yer did!"
"I came back," he concurred as he stared at her with anticipation, "-So... you were saying?"
"Aye, a fine lassie she'd be!" Mary continued, with a faraway look, "-Wit' hair as soft as wool on a sheep's back, an' eyes as warm as ter finest bottle ov whiskey-"
"-Uh, Mrs. O'Donnell?"
"Aye?"
"Could you use less of the Irish poetic platitudes in your descriptions, please?"
Mary laughed, "O' course, Mr. Stetson, Oi can certainly do tat fer yer!"
Meanwhile, Lee was already picturing Amanda's surprised look on February 14th when she would expect to meet up with a secret Valentine's date—only to find out that Lee had played a trick on her!
Just the thought that he will have one-upped her, instead of the other way around, caused a big grin to spread across his face.
"-Mr. Stetson, Lad!" Mary broke into his thoughts, "Yer not ev'n listenin' ter me!"
"Oh. Sorry," he apologized, and then with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "You have my full attention, Mrs. O'Donnell..."
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