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Inveniens Domum

Today marked the two-month anniversary of my arrival in America.

Since then, I had found a job teaching music at a nearby elementary school. I had furnished my apartment. I had made friends at work.

Steve was my best friend. He supported me no matter what. He was my first friend in America. After I had arrived, he came to my house with a loaf of soda bread the next day. His mother had taught him to make it. I began to sob, and he held me as a cried. Now, I was mostly over the homesickness, but it still haunted me at times.

It was October now. It was my favorite time of year at home. I loved Halloween, but I loved barmbrack more. Steve promised to take me to see the leaves in the park. Back home, it's too mild for them to change. He also promised to take me apple-picking.

We sat around the coffee table in my apartment. It was at least 10 PM and everyone was at least a little drunk, except for Steve. He never even seemed to get tipsy. Maybe it's because he's so big.

Surrounded by my new friends, I finally began to feel a little at home. My friends from school were all in attendance - Leila Brown, Danny Walker, Cecilia Watson, and Jane Neiman, as well as Steve's friend Natasha. I couldn't help but think that there was something going on between them. She always found a way to place a hand on his arm, despite the fact that she was in a relationship. Her boyfriend was at the party as well. Bruce. He was a sweet man, and was always very kind to me. I felt bad for him. He didn't deserve to be her second choice.

But maybe I was just jealous? I don't know why I would be. Because there was nothing going on between Steve and I. He was my best friend. I couldn't date him. It would ruin our friendship. I didn't want to date him. Why was I even thinking about it?

Everybody at the party was long gone when Steve and I were cleaning up. He swept some beer bottles into a garbage bag, as I replaced the pillows on the couch.

"What's it like?" Steve asked me as he tied the bag.

"Ireland?"

"Yeah."

"It's perfect. The grass is greener, the people are kinder, the sky is bluer."

"I'd love to go someday."

"Maybe when I go back to visit you can come with." I said before I knew what I was doing.

Steve's face turned red. Why did I say that? That's not something you say to a guy friend. Come with me to visit a country all the way across the ocean. Stupid.

"T-that sounds nice."

That was not what I expected. Steve smiled down at me. I met his eyes and smiled back. His eyes were the color of the Irish sky. I fidgeted a little bit and bit my lip. Steve's eyes flickered between my lips and my eyes.

"Well I, uh, I oughta get to bed. I have to teach tomorrow and it's pretty late." Steve nodded and took a step back.

"I agree." He said, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." I replied, offering him a shy smile.