So, it was brought to my attention that when I write out the accent it can be hardish to read, so I'll try to cut that down a little and let you use your imaginations.
Onward!
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I didn't have to work tonight, I had Mondays and Wednesdays off, but I somehow found my feet leading me to the Silver Vixen at the end of my evening walk and I didn't fight their leading. After all, a cold beer combined with warm and happy atmosphere sounded like a great way to chase away the damp of the previous night's rain.
I shook my hood back as I pushed the door open, the merry jingle of the old bell above the door announced my arrival. It was pretty slow, I noticed as I took a seat at the bar next to Clint McGwire, the local priest. He was definitely not opposed to having a pint now and then and I found him to be an easy person to talk to.
"Hi, Father McGwire," I greeted cheerily.
"Hi, Aby," he replied with a smiled, "You workin' tonight?"
"No, but I figured I'd stop by and see how things were going," I said honestly, "I'm on my way home from a walk."
We fell into an easy conversation as I sipped my Guinness and an hour passed before I even realized it. Shit, Titus was going to claw my eyes out for feeding him so late!
"Well, it's been great chatting with you, Father," I drank the last of my second glass of beer and laid my money down, "But I've got a hungry cat waiting for me at home so I've gotta go get him fed."
"See ya around!" Clint called as I waved goodbye.
I stepped out onto the stoop and pulled my hood back up then stepped forward...but ran smack into something warm and solid and I bounced back because it sure wasn't moving. I looked up in surprise and found Murphy MacManus' blue eyes staring at me with amusement.
"In a hurry, lass?" he asked brightly. I looked around expecting to see Connor, but he wasn't there.
"Where's your other half?" I asked him, pushing my hood back a bit so I could see him better.
"Had to stay back and help our Da with somethin'," Murphy explained vaguely, "You goin' in?"
I shook my head.
"No, I've gotta get home and feed my cat," I said with an apologetic head nod. "I'm a bit off schedule."
"You're in Ireland, Aby," Murphy stated with a smile, "Schedules mean nothin'."
I couldn't deny that fact, I'd been late for work my first day working at the pub because my alarm hadn't gone off and I'd arrived a half hour late. I'd expected a stern talking to but Mr. O'Fallon had simply welcomed me and showed me the ropes without a word about it even though I apologized a thousand times.
"Well, maybe not to humans, but cats have their own rules," I shrugged, "Have a good night, Murphy!"
He nodded at me and I started walking but before I knew it, he was at my side.
"Mind if I walk with ya?" he asked brightly.
"Aren't you going to the Vixen?" I asked.
"Naw, I just had to get off the farm for a while, nothing specific planned," he stated nonchalantly, taking the cigarette from behind his ear and placing it between his lips. He flicked open a lighter and the scent of tabacco smoke filled my nose. I breathed it in with a smile, the smell of smoke reminded me of times long past, family members now gone, it was a homey smell.
Murphy was looking at her funny when she came back to the present.
"Doesn't bother ya, does it?" he asked, waving the cigarette in my direction.
"No, not at all," I replied honestly.
"Ya want one?" he asked.
"Nope," I shook my head, "Never touch them. But I like the smell."
Murphy smirked and took another drag, he kept the smoke in for a second before he blew it out slowly, making a perfect circle out of it. I was impressed...maybe I'm just too easily impressed, but I was fascinated by that ability, always have been.
"How do you DO that!?" I asked.
"I'm something of a professional," Murphy answered with a wink, "Or just...an addict."
We both laughed and once again I found myself loving the sound of his high toned mirth. We walked along the cobbled streets and chatted freely about sheep, smoking, Connor and Collinstown. I was delighted to see that Murphy was just as easy to talk to as Connor and I wondered once again what had been wrong with him that first night they'd come in the pub.
"You know, Murphy," I stated when a break in conversation occurred, "When you came into the pub the other day, when I met you and Connor, I didn't like you."
Murphy looked at me funny.
"Yeah? Is it the hair?" he asked.
"Well, I admit...I think you two look like hobos...but no, it was your attitude," I admitted, "You hardly said a word and you were...scary."
"Sorry," he apologized, he looked down at the road and kicked at a loose stone in the street. "It was a rough day."
"Yeah, I know that NOW," I teased, "You're a totally different person now."
"I look like a hobo, huh?" he asked suddenly and I cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Yeah, sorry," I felt kind of stupid now for saying that. Geez! "I mean...you...I didn't...I suck."
Murphy let out a bark of a laugh and had to stop walking for a minute while he leaned over to let it ride out.
"I'm sorry, that was super rude of me!" I tried to clarify, "I just mean you look kind of...ok, you know what, I'm gonna stop talking right now."
"I don't blame ya, lass!" Murphy said with a chuckle, "Some days, if I happen upon a mirror, I barely recognize meself."
"What do you look like under all that?" I was curious now. I honestly couldn't picture him. He DID have beautiful eyes though...
"Irish." was all he offered and we walked on.
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"Thanks for walking me home, Murphy," I said when we reached the bakery's side door that led up to my apartment.
"You live in a bakery?"
"Above it, thank you," I laughed and a very unlike me thought came into my head. "You want to come up?"
Murphy smiled at the expression my face took on when I realized I'd just asked a complete stranger into my apartment.
"Ye sure?" he asked with a half grin. "Ya seem to be second guessing that."
"No, I mean it, sorry," I assured him as I unlocked the door and began walking up the steps, he followed without a word and I wondered vaguely if I was stupid for having him come in. Seriously, I barely knew this guy. When I opened my apartment door, Titus came flying off the couch and tangled his body around my ankles but then stopped to look at Murphy. I waited for his reaction and was surprised when he went right to Murphy who scooped him up with a laugh.
"Well that's odd," I commented as Titus began to purr loudly, "He usually doesn't take to anyone but me."
"I love cats," Murphy commented, "I guess they can sense it about a person."
"Guess so," I agreed, "Well, I guess you're a not a rapist or anything because my cat likes you."
"I can guarantee that," he said as he let Titus down.
"Well, uh, there's Guinness in the fridge if you want one," I offered, "TV in the living room, make yourself at home."
Murphy grinned and took me up on the Guinness offer immediately while I grabbed Titus' food and poured his bowl full. I checked the water bowl and refilled it then made my way to the living room. Murphy was reclined on the couch, legs spread wide looking completely at ease. He held out a bottle of Guinness in my direction and I took it with a "thanks" before I sat down on the other end of the small couch.
We sat there for hours watching tv and I discovered a show that Murphy claimed I would probably enjoy called "Father Ted" and we had a good old time laughing at the antics of the three priests and their lives on Craggy Island. When the show ended Murphy clicked off the TV and turned towards me.
"So, Aby, where are ye from in the States?" he asked, seemingly interested and not just being polite.
"Illinois. Middle of the country..."
"I know where Illinois is, believe it or not," Murphy winked and I rolled my eyes.
"Right, sorry, some people don't have a clue about the Midwest...anyway, yeah, Illinois," I finished lamely.
"So is Aby short for Abigail?"
Aw dang it...I KNEW that was going to come up sooner or later.
"No..." I sighed heavily, "It's short for Abyssinia."
The look he was giving me was borderline hilarious and I giggled.
"Abyssinia? Ain't that a cat breed?"
"Yes, but it's also the ancient name for Ethiopia," I clarified, "My mother was an archeologist and she just...thought it was pretty."
"It's different, that's fer sure," Murphy said, nodding, "But, she's right, it IS pretty."
And so the night was spent much like that, Murphy asking all the questions and me giving him the answers. I told him about my family back in the States and how my mom had died when I graduated from high school and how my dad drank himself into a frenzy and died only a year later. I told him about my three older brothers. I told him I'd left the States because I'd always loved Ireland and that I needed a fresh start. But he wouldn't answer any question I asked him all night and I started getting annoyed at that fact.
"Hey, how come you get to hear my life story and I can't get yours?" I finally snapped at him. He just shook his head sadly.
"Nothing to tell," he said, meeting my eyes as if to dare me to deny that. "Well, hey, it's late and Connor's gonna be needing help watching the flock tonight. See you at the Vixen?"
I crossed my arms but sighed, knowing he was avoiding my question.
"Yeah, I guess so," I muttered as he made his way to the door. "Hey, tell Connor I said hi."
"Will do, Aby," Murphy gave me a wave before shutting the door behind him. I got up and locked it and then made my way to my bedroom, wondering how come he was so tight lipped about anything concerning him or his brother's personal life as I slipped on my pajamas. A million reason flooded my mind, each one more disturbing than the next but I fought them off.
"Probably just like he said," I reasoned, "The life of a sheep farmer isn't really all that glamorous or interesting."
I brushed my teeth and brushed my thick, chestnut colored hair free from its tangles then plopped onto my mattress with a sigh. I considered reading for a moment but my mind was too busy so I settled for clicking off the lamp and laying in the dark, thinking of my new life here in this beautiful country and the interesting people I'd met so far.
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Sorry if this seems rushed but I had to cut it short because I have to get to EMT class! More to come!