Chapter Eighteen: Two Hours
Sixteen-year-old Amy Jensen sat at a booth in the back of McGinty's. It was an early night and only the customers there remained at the bar. The teenager felt alone and longed for some social activity, but her uncle – eyeing her from the bar – reminded her nonverbally that she had to finish her Spanish assignment.
She twirled her hair anxiously between her fingers. The chewed-up pencil in her right hand tapped against the table. Her Spanish Four-Level textbook sat before her on a random page. The five-page paper was only half-way done. The assignment's topic was Amy's choice of career after high school (obviously, the paper had to be written entirely in Spanish).
Amy had done similar papers in Spanish Three, however her new teacher was pickier about grammar and structure. Sentences couldn't just be translated from "My name is…" and "I like this…" etc.
The Coke Doc had given her was flat. She wanted to excuse herself and get a fresh drink but it would only make Doc badger her into completing the assignment.
Her own handwriting made her eyes hurt. She had a process when writing papers: write out the paper first, make changes, review rough draft, then type essay.
All Amy wanted to do was to join in on the conversation at the bar.
Rocco was in the middle of telling a joke. Amy tried not to listen – she tried to regain focus – but her eyes went to the man who had the attention of the whole room.
"'I think you're my wife'…"Rocco finished the joke. Everyone laughed. Amy too.
Doc noticed his niece's stare and yelled from the bar: "Aye! Get back ta work missy! Or you go back upstairs!"
Amy waved her pencil in the air. "I'm working on it!"
She mocked Doc's lecturing quietly to herself. Her eyes went back to the notebook paper scattered in front of her.
Her peripherals warned her that people were approaching; Amy looked up and saw Connor and Murphy walking toward her.
"Doc doesn't want me to get distracted," Amy whined.
"That's why we're here," Connor said as he slid into the seat beside Amy.
Murphy sat on the opposite side of the booth. He had brought over his Guinness and placed the glass of dark ale in front of him.
"Aye, so what's the problem?" Murphy asked.
"I just…" Amy sighed. She couldn't help but lose focus – again – and her eyes looked over Murphy and Connor's tattoos. "I want tattoos…" Amy thought aloud.
"Atención (Pay attention)," Connor said, "le ayudaremos (we will help you)."
Murphy nodded and smiled. "¿Con qué hacen usted necesitan ayuda? (What do you need help with?)"
Amy's eyes rolled upward as she thought. "La asignación no es difícil. No puedo pensar (The assignment is not difficult. I cannot think.)"
"Su español es bueno (Your Spanish is good)," Murphy commented.
"Il mio italiano è migliore (My Italian is better)," Amy smirked as she spoke Italian.
"Français? (French?)" Connor asked (in French).
"Je suis meilleur… (I am better…)" Amy thought (in French).
"Deutsch (German),"Murphy inquired (in German).
Amy shrugged. "Ich erlerne. Ich habe gute lehrer (I am learning. I have good teachers.)" She smiled at Connor and Murphy. The two men laughed and Connor patted Amy on the shoulder proudly.
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
Amy sat in between Connor and Murphy on the couch. The three laughed as they reminisced. Murphy bit into his slice of pizza despite the laughter still erupting from his throat. He allowed the slice to dangle between his teeth as he rolled up the sleeves of his gray sweater. Connor took a swig from his beer and held it into the air in Amy's direction; he cheered to her and continued to drink.
"Parlate italiano per il vostro lavoro? (You speak Italian for your work?)" Murphy asked in Italian.
"Sì. Sto provando ad imparare più. Sto prendendo le lezioni giapponesi e russe. Spero di andare in Italia presto. Potrei ottenere trasmesso là per lavoro. In avvenire. (Yes. I am trying to learn more. I am taking Japanese and Russian lessons. I hope to go to Italy soon. I might get sent there for work. In the future.)" Amy explained. She grabbed another slice of pizza from the second box on the center table. "Possono trasmetterli in Francia presto. L'Egitto anche. Se faccio bene, dovrò viaggiare mólto. (They may send me to France soon. Egypt too. If I do well, I will have to travel a lot.)"
Connor gave a small smile and said, "It' s buona abbiamo la birra e pizza. Ed otto anni da parlare di. Ero impaurito, Amy, questo sarei difficile. (It's good we have beer and pizza. And eight years to talk about. I was afraid, Amy, this would be difficult.)"
"È difficile (It's difficult)," Amy commented. She swallowed her bite of pizza. "It's…" Amy switched back to English. "We missed out…a lot… in each others' lives. I had always pictured you guys at my graduations…high school and college…and…" Amy shrugged. "It's still strange to sit here. To even look at you guys…" Amy looked from Connor to Murphy. "But pizza and beer helps."
Connor leaned back into the lush cushion of the couch. "I'm sorry about how it all turned out, love." He thought for a moment and his face lit up. Connor rose from his position and held his hand out to Amy. The woman stared confused at the motion. The smile on the man's face grew wider. "C'mon. Just you and me out on the balcony. I'd like some one-on-one time."
Amy gulped. She had felt awkward enough with the two of them in the room – splitting her time with the twins didn't seem ideal. However Amy took a chance…
She took his hand and stared back at Murphy. "Be right back."
"And don't eat all the fuckin' pizza," Connor called over his shoulder. He had his arm wrapped around Amy's shoulder. The twin turned when Murphy tossed both his and Connor's pea coats to Connor.
"I don't want Amy freezin'," Murphy explained.
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
Connor and Amy sat on the balcony furniture. A cigarette was lit in Connor's hand and Amy tugged at Murphy's coat tighter around her. She recognized Murphy's smell. Amy knew Connor and Murphy seemed to always carry the scent of beer and cigarettes with them – but Murphy's smell was more distinct to her.
Amy noticed Murphy watching TV through the glass balcony doors.
"What are you guys up to?" Amy asked.
"What do you mean?" Connor questioned. "We just wanted to spend time wit' ya."
"No," Amy said slowly. She ran a hand through her hair nervously. "You guys have some sort of appointment later?"
Connor nodded. "We're meetin' up wit' Rome's uncle. He apparently knows his shit. He can…help us out…"
Amy stuck her hands into the pockets of Murphy's jacket. "I still can't believe I'm doing this."
"Doing what?"
"Sitting here…" Amy laughed sarcastically. "Talking with some old friends… men who are wanted by the entire nation…" She shook her head. "I should have kicked you guys out an hour ago…but I can't help it."
"Li amate (You love us)," Connor spoke in Italian. "Siamo stati buoni amici per molti anni. (We have been good friends for many years.)" He leaned over in his chair to rest his hand on Amy's arm. The Irishman smiled warmly at the woman who looked like she was fighting years (again). "Amy, sei speciale…(Amy, you're special…)"
Amy felt Connor's hand squeeze her arm affectionately.
"So c'mon love," Connor coaxed (in English). "I want to hear more about this fella you have back in Illinois."
"Ah yes…" Amy laughed. She relaxed into her chair and cocked her head to the side. "My fella…"
"Doc says the man's asked you to be his wife," Connor asked.
"He has." Amy nodded slowly and stared down at the ring on her hand. "Simon's a good man." She looked up to accept Connor's concerned glare. "He loves me. I love him. We're in the same business and we… we're a good match."
"But…" Connor asked gently, "you haven't said yes?"
"And I haven't said no…" Amy defended. "I was just more concerned with work. He…took me by surprise."
"Now…I've asked you about this guy…and you haven't revealed much about him."
Amy: "He's a good man-"
Connor: "Yea…but what's he like? Would I like him?"
Amy: "You'd like him…you wouldn't necessarily be best friends. Simon has a thing against people who kill."
Connor: "If I met him at a bar-"
Amy: "He doesn't drink."
Connor: "Well fuck 'im."
Amy: "He's smart. Good businessman. Good ethics. I like how his mind works…"
Connor: "Wow."
Amy: "What?"
Connor: "He just sounds…wonderful…"
Amy: "He is."
Connor: "Yea…but you just don't seem excited about this guy. When you talk about him…it's like you're putting in a good word for him or somethin'. Now c'mon…why do you love him?"
Amy: "I just do Connor."
Connor: "Oh c'mon-"
Amy rose from her chair and began to pace in front of Connor. "Enough with the third degree," she argued. "Simon's a good man – a good match for me. It would be unwise not to accept his offer. We…" Her own eyes betrayed her… Amy found herself staring at Murphy through the glass… She shook her head angrily and finished, "…Simon and I are perfect for each other."
"If you say so."
"What about you?"
"No special interest in my life, dear."
"No…" Amy laughed. "Sorry. I didn't mean if you had a 'fella' or not…I meant…your dad." She slowly sat back down in her chair. "What's he like?"
A small smile appeared on Connor's face. "He's our father." The MacManus twin nodded slowly. "He makes sense to be our da'. Besides the 'work' he's done…you'd like him. He's a wonderful speaker…great story-teller. When Murph and I first had the chance to converse with him…we could sit for hours listenin' to him talk." Connor stared at Amy. "The man knows his history. I know you love history. He knows art, too. Sometimes he just likes to sit outside and stare at the world. He's a very religious man. Thanks God every day for the life he has, for his sons, and for the wind and trees… and ammo." Connor laughed. "He's a man who wants to make a difference."
"Following in your father's footsteps?" Amy asked quietly.
"Murphy and I didn't follow him," Connor explained. "However we did find him. We made our choices. We took hold of our destinies. We accepted it. We made a choice…we're all on our own separate paths. Sometimes paths can parallel one another or cross over…"
"I don't believe in that," Amy added. "We all have our own lives to live. I don't think other lives collide with one another…and if they do…it's not destiny-"
"Oh, Amy…" Connor sighed with disappointment in his voice.
"Connor…" Amy crooned. "God didn't pick you for this life…like you said…you made the choices. Rocco made his choice. Your father made a choice. And now you're here – looking for vengeance or justice – whatever that bullshit is."
"It's real Amy," Connor snapped. He leaned forward in his chair with his hands in front of him. "We all bring something into this world. Others take things away…we ensure that motherfuckers don't take any more out of this world-"
The phone on the table rang.
Amy and Connor sat quietly as the cell phone vibrated and beeped simultaneously.
"Ya goin' ta answer that?" Connor asked.
Her eyes narrowed at the small, blue-lit screen.
"It's Simon…" Amy whispered breathlessly.
"Well then…" Connor muttered bitterly. He stood up and began his way to enter the hotel suite. Turning around, Connor gave Amy a small smile and said, "Talk to the man."
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
Amy watched Connor close the glass doors behind him. She leaned over in her chair.
Simon was calling for the third time in a row…
She picked the phone up.
Amy: "Simon."
Simon: "Oh baby, thank god. Where the hell have you been?"
Amy: "Working." She sighed. "I've been terribly busy. My first meeting with Thompson & Falcon didn't go as well as I had hoped… I'm preparing to meet up with them again-"
Simon: "I understand work is hectic, but it's been a week since I've heard from you…"
Amy: "I'm fine…"
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
Connor sank into the couch beside Murphy.
"What are you playing at?" Murphy asked accusingly. He motioned for the balcony. "I saw the two of ya arguin'."
"Not arguin'. Jus' talkin'," Connor replied. "I wish I could explain all this shit to her – for her to understand – but she's bein' too hard-headed."
Murphy slapped Connor's head. "Oy, fuck you! Leave da girl alone. We shouldn't even fuckin' be here. This was such a stupid idea, Con. I can't believe I fuckin' listened to ya-"
"We need time with her," Connor barked. He pointed at Amy from the living room. "That girl is so lost she can't find her own way home. She's not even sure where home fuckin' is. I mean…look at her! With a man she don't give a shit about. Lost touch with her own fuckin' uncle – the man who raised her. And us…we used to be so fuckin' close and now she can't stand to be around us."
The dark-haired twin shook his head and laughed. "What'd you expect? Happy hugs and tears? We got that already. It's done. This is fuckin' reality. Remember? We used to try and protect her from it and now you're just trying to drag her into dis."
Connor stared at Amy again. "Ya know she's in love wit' ya."
Murphy: "Fuck you."
Connor: "Despite the obvious proof – it's clear as fuckin' crystal. Breaks my heart to watch her…she wants to cry when she looks at ya. And at the same time…she wants to be in your arms. And don't fuckin' argue wit' me… it's the same in reverse…you could never stop talkin' about her in Ireland-"
Murphy: "You talked about her too! You missed her just as much as I did-"
Connor: "In a sense. Because of you Da knows so much about Amy, that he practically knows da girl."
Murphy: "What are you tryin' ta do? You almost beat my ass when I told you I slept wit' her. Now you're trying to push us together?"
Connor: "You're both older now."
Murphy: "Things are a bit fuckin' different, don't ya t'ink? For example: we're not exactly the most popular. Plus, she's got a FUCKIN' LIFE! She's got a good life; successful career, good future-fuckin'-husband – she's got everything she should have."
Connor: "Da loved our mother, Murphy." He leaned in close to his brother. "Noah MacManus married a young Annabelle Wallace because he loved her. He didn't think of her as a waste of time or as a speed bump in his road. He loved her. Despite the business, he married her and had us."
Murphy: "Ya forget he left her too."
Connor: "I doubt Ma stopped lovin' him. 'Course she'd give him a good slappin' around if Da ever showed his face… but that's not the point. If there's anything that I've learned from Da…it's that destiny is a real thing."
Murphy: "What the fuck are you talkin' about?"
Connor: "I've got a feelin'. You and Amy need ta talk about what happened eight years ago. C'mon Murphy…after eight fuckin' years we come back to this place. We're on a mission. And eight years later… Amy returns to the home she was kicked out of…we're all here at the same time…we have our duties…but destiny's callin' to us brother."
Murphy shook his head and scoffed, "You're such a dumbass."
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
Amy: "I promise I'll call tomorrow."
Simon: "Keep me updated. And I miss you, darling. Please don't stress."
Amy: "I'll try. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
Simon: "I love and miss you baby."
Amy: "Miss you too."
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
Amy walked back inside with a sullen expression. The twins looked up from the couch and stared with concerned glances.
"Ye alright, Amy?" Connor asked.
The woman nodded and sat in the couch opposite Connor and Murphy.
"Yeah." Amy smiled. "What were you guys talkin' about?"
Connor and Murphy stared at one another.
Murphy: "Guns."
Connor: "Knives."
Amy: "Ah yes. Man things."
Connor shrugged with a smile. "Aye, there's gotta be time to talk about it." He looked at Murphy then back at Amy. "I'm gonna go have another smoke outside." Connor stood up and slapped Murphy's leg. "The two of ya catch up."
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
Murphy and Amy remained in their own seats opposite one another. Amy had her hands tucked in between her knees and her posture was up-right-perfect. Murphy had his arms crossed in his lap and his fingertips tapped against each other.
Connor was outside smoking his third cigarette.
Amy looked at Murphy and asked, "So Romeo's coming in about twenty minutes."
Murphy nodded. "Aye."
Amy nodded. "He seems…dependable."
Murphy: "I sure hope so." He smiled.
Amy couldn't resist but trace his smile with her eyes. It was a gesture she was familiar with – something she had missed, too.
Murphy: "So that was your man on the phone, earlier?"
Amy: "Yes. Simon was checkin' in."
Murphy: "Good."
Amy: "Yeah…"
Murphy: "Ya goin' ta bring him here?"
Amy stared at Murphy oddly. "What?"
The man leaned forward on the couch and asked, "I suspect you'll bring him home soon. Introduce him to Doc. Show him da bar…"
Her shoulders tensed up and Amy laughed jokingly. "I don't think he has much of an interest of Southie."
Murphy: "You're from Southie."
Amy: "Neither of us are really concerned with the past. It's all about 'moving forward' and 'gaining success'…"
Murphy: "His motto?"
Amy: "Ours."
Murphy: "Doesn't sound like you."
The young woman paused and stared at the floor. Her head rose to stare at Murphy and Amy said, "You speak as if you know who I am."
"Of course I do," Murphy whispered. He stood from the couch and walked around the center table. Murphy noticed Amy's body move in a small, but alarmed gesture. He took a seat next to her; their legs and opposite knees touched.
His hand rested on her wrist. The feeling of their skin making contact made Amy feel suddenly cold. Chills ran through her spin and her eyes were too scared to stare up at Murphy. Her eyes were glued to his knees. Just keep focus…Amy told herself. But her body could feel him… Without looking, Amy knew that Murphy's sweater was thin and form-fitting around his abdomen; despite his age, Murphy's body was still in shape…and it made Amy's mind wander back eight years ago…
His jeans were old. Aged. Like him. Amy knew those jeans had probably been through a lot. Her eyes turned away from the jeans when she thought – for a split second – she noticed an old blood stain near the heel of his boot.
Murphy's breathing made contact with Amy's arm…
She could feel his eyes, nose, and lips pointed in her direction…
The proximity with Murphy made Amy's chest ache. She wanted to slip away and run outside. Run anywhere…
"I know you, Amy…" Murphy whispered sweetly. "I know where you come from. And I know who you are."
She pointed her chin – her whole face – away from Murphy. Not meeting his gaze, Amy muttered, "Maybe…maybe I just feel like I don't know you anymore."
"I know Connor overwhelmed you with his big ol' mighty speech," Murphy laughed quietly. "You know how he can be… he just wants you to understand. Gain perspective. Maybe even…" He paused and licked his lips. "Trust us, again."
Amy looked back at Murphy. She tried to smile but her face failed her. "I'm scared for you. For Connor. Even for your dad…" She laughed. "Romeo too. This is dangerous and I just wish you'd stop…"
"We can't stop love," Murphy replied sadly. "We promised we would never stop…" His mind lingered on Murphy's last memory with Rocco…
Her hand slowly enclosed with Murphy's. He looked down and found Amy was holding his hand in hers – she placed her other hand on top of Murphy's free hand.
"You have no idea how much I've missed you…" Murphy said quietly. He met Amy's wide-eyed stare. "A day didn't go by that I didn't think 'bout ya. And I thank God that everything turned out well. I know your life wasn't easy…I know you had a tough time…hell…you may still be struggling. But you're okay. Safe. Alive. Maybe happy?" Murphy slipped his hand out of Amy's to touch her cheek. "That's all I ever wanted for ya."
Amy felt Murphy's thumb stroke the area beneath her eye. His other fingertips played with her hair…
"Murphy…" Amy said slowly. "What I wanted was-"
There was a knock at the door. Amy's heart immediately screamed (metaphorically, speaking): "So close! So close!"
Amy looked up and stared back at Murphy. "It's Romeo." She stood up from the couch – her movement made Murphy's hands fall to his side as he lost his touch of her.
As Amy walked to the door, Murphy motioned for Connor to come back inside.
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
Romeo had his hands on his waist impatiently. The Mexican – as Connor and Murphy called him – waited as the twins hugged Amy.
Connor had his arms around her waist. When the two pulled away, Connor kissed Amy's forehead and touched her chin. "We be seein' ya soon?"
"Yeah. Maybe," Amy nodded.
Connor was the first to take his place in the empty crate.
Murphy stood in front of Amy and smiled shyly. He leaned down and kissed Amy on the area beside her mouth… The corners of their lips touched and Amy moved back out of surprise. Murphy nodded quietly and asked, "Tonight? Might I come back?"
Amy thought for a moment.
"Tomorrow…tomorrow would be better."
Murphy looked back at Romeo and Connor. "How about tomorrow…midnight? Just ta be safe?"
"Midnight it is…" Amy grinned.
Murphy accepted the small smile full heartedly. He bowed his head respectively and climbed into the crate with his brother.
"Okay, c'mon ya dirty towels," Romeo whined. "Get in place. We need ta get out of here." With Amy's help, Romeo and the woman placed the wooden piece on top of Connor and Murphy. Amy finished the job by tossing the towels back on top.
"Thank you Romeo," Amy smiled, "for all your help."
"Anythin' for the pretty lady," Romeo winked. "Maybe I'll buy ya a drink sometime-"
"Shut it Rome!" Connor's voice barked from the crate.
"Stay…away…from…the…girl…" Murphy's voice threatened.
Romeo nodded. "Alright alright." He waved at Amy. "See ya."
Amy opened the door open and watched Romeo push the crate down the hall. She watched as Romeo playfully crashed the crate into the walls a couple of times. Amy laughed.
When the newest addition to the "Saints" disappeared around the corner, Amy placed her hand over her heart.
"Be careful…" She said aloud. Amy realized she wasn't sure if she was talking to anyone…or if anyone was listening.
Amy stepped back inside the suite. She leaned against the door and sank to the floor. Her knees were pressed tightly against her chest and Amy ran a nervous hand through her hair. Amy's forehead touched her knee and the girl whispered "Destiny?" to the air.
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Author's Note: Hope to update soon! Trying to get back into the swing of things! REVIEWS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED! Thanks again everyone!