Chapter 16: Putting the fear of God into God

"Is she alright?" Clare asked.

"She looks fucking stoned!" Michelle joked.

"Ach, It's so lovely! Isn't it?" Clare exclaimed.

"Yeah." James said. Looking at Erin.

"Aye." Erin echoed. But they weren't talking about Marco and Orla.

Michelle then glanced at Erin and James and spotted their affectionate gazes. She scrunched her brow and took in what she saw, this is what she hadn't seen before in Donegal. But then, she looked back at Orla and Marco, and her rebellious side began to get the better of her, she started to loosen her lips. Clare noticed and pleaded with her not to interfere. Michelle insisted she wasn't going to do anything, but Clare knew her all too well. They saw that Marco appeared to try and awaken Orla from her trance. Orla eventually came out of her trance. She gazed at Marco with a warm smile. They were talking… If only the others could hear what they were saying. Orla then leaned in and initiated their second kiss. She'd freed her arms from between them and wrapped around Marco's neck. Marco held the side of her waist. Finally, Michelle gawked so hard she couldn't hold it in anymore. She felt so ecstatic she made everyone in an ear shot jump out of their skin.

"FUUUUUUCCKK-A-DOOOOODLE-DOOOOOOOO!" She screamed and laughed. She then proceeded to walk towards the shocked couple. Clare almost died from fright. Erin and James gritted their teeth angrily towards her.

Orla shot her head in their direction, and clinched onto Marco in sheer fright, she held him tightly and hid her face. Marco asked if she was ok. But all she could utter was "Oh my god! No!" Orla pointed and Marco saw Michelle walking towards them. Marco rested his head on Orla's shoulder. He feared the worst. The rest of the gang followed Michelle, livid that she broke up their tender moment. Marco awaited Michelle's wrath.

"Orla? Marco? So, what's the craic?" Michelle asked mischievously.

"What?" Marco had a puzzled expression.

"Jesus Michelle! You are just impossible!" Erin shouted. Following Michelle.

"You sly little fecker!" Michelle joked at Marco. Her smile evident.

"Michelle, don't!" James said.

"What?" Michelle protested.

"I nearly cacked myself back there, Michelle, So I did. Hi guys." Clare said. Looking at the startled couple.

"Were yous all watching us?" Orla asked, her eyes wide with embarrassment.

"Jesus! It's like an episode of Beadles about." Marco said as Orla hid her face again in his shoulder.

"Yes, we were, but It was by accident mate, promise." James said.

"Complete accident. Obviously, I can't speak for everyone here." Erin said.

"Ach, don't get all prissy. It's not like anyone noticed." Michelle argued.

"No, only everyone noticed Michelle." James quipped.

"Aye, they noticed Marco and Orla eating each other's faces off." Michelle quipped.

"Thanks, Michelle." Marco said. Now his face was blushing.

"Ach Shut up, dicko. You can't get broke to the bone." Michelle quipped.

"Orla, Come out from there. It's alright." Clare promised. As Orla emerged, her face was red.

"Awww, I think she's the one who's broke to the bone girls." Erin laughed.

"Dirrrrty Motherfuckers!" Michelle shouted with enthusiasm.

"Miss Mallon, do you mind?!" Came an even louder voice. The gang were frozen on their feet. They knew that voice. The voice that would put the fear of God into God. They turned and saw Sister Michael herself standing before them. Orla hid behind Marco, still embarrassed. Marco finally came face to face with the infamous nun that James had told him about.

"Would you mind telling me what in God's name do you think you're doing shouting such obscenities in public, Miss Mallon?" Sister Michael bellowed. No one answered. They wouldn't dare tell Sister Michael that Orla, the most unlikely of the girls was seen kissing a fella in public.

"I'm waiting for an answer!"

"Hello…Sister…Michael? Is it? Marco asked. Stepping up for the group.

"I most certainly am. But you have the advantage over me, young man, I don't believe we've met."

"This is Marco, Sister Michael. He's visiting from England. He's… my best friend." James said.

There was a slight pause.

"Ach… I see. So, you're the same Marco who's staying with The Mallons, correct?"

"Yes?" Marco answered. Slightly puzzled that she knew.

"Sister! Yes Sister!" Clare whispered, correcting him.

"Uh, Yes, Sister!" Marco corrected himself.

"Yes…. Mrs Mallon spoke to me about you earlier today."

"Did she?" Marco was taken aback by this.

"My ma spoke to you? about Marco?" Michelle queried. Tilting her head towards him.

"She did indeed Miss Mallon. She mentioned to me that this young man was visiting Mr Maguire, and mentioned that he needed some apparent…further educational guidance?"

Her condescending, sinister tone made Marco gulp with embarrassment. Reminded of his predicament all over again, his eyes dropped towards the floor. James saw the diminished change in his best friend's posture. He placed his hand on Marco's left shoulder for support. Marco closed his eyes as the motion confirmed to him that James also knew. The girls saw it as well. Sometimes, Sister Michael's non-existent filter could be so cruel.

"What does that mean, Sister?" Clare queried further.

"I think that now isn't the right time, Miss Devlin. But Mrs Mallon felt it right to make me aware of…your friend's past and current tribulations. Mr. Maguire. A sensitive subject from what I see, am I right Mr. Gallucci?"

"Who's that?" Orla asked. Popping her head up from behind Marco.

"It's Marco's last name, Orla." Erin said. Orla raised her eyebrows.

"Marco Gallucci? That's a cracker name!" Orla said. But she noticed Marco wasn't smiling.

"Indeed…. Well, Mrs Mallon spoke very highly of you. She said that you were quite a gentleman. Lord knows where she got that idea, being English and all. Nevertheless, I agreed and would like you to come and see me on Monday morning. First thing. Mr. Gallucci. So, that I may offer some practical advice that might… assist you?"

"Yea… I guess."

"There is no guessing here, young man. If you truly value your future, you will be there. Is that clear?" Sister Michael said, practically ordering him.

"Yes, I'll be there Sister." Marco answered, sounding defeated. He felt Orla take his hand and she intertwined her fingers with his, secretly hidden away from Sister Michael's eyes.

"Well. Until Monday morning. I trust you can keep yourself in check when you come to Our Lady Immaculate? Mr. Maguire has certainly managed to do so, but being gay, that's no surprise."

Erin cracked a crooked smile as she saw James wince that the same old insult. But Sister Michael's remark couldn't stir a smile from Marco. He simply nodded.

"Very well. Until then. Good day to you all." Sister Michael said.

Sister Michael turned to leave. Marco looked at James who smiled at his best friend. While the rest of the group breathed a sigh of relief, but Sister Michael wasn't quite done yet.

"One second, young man. I forgot to ask." She said. The group looked at her at once.

"You're catholic, are you not?"

"Yes, Sister?"

"And from the name, no surprises that you're Italian, correct?"

"Yea?"

"Are you sure about that?" Michelle whispered. But then covered her mouth. Appalled at herself.

"Michelle!" James complained.

"Sorry. False of habit." She whispered as she gritted her teeth, she knew that was a bit too far.

"I must ask, Roberto Baggio? How in God's name did he manage to take such a pitiful penalty in that World Cup final?"

Sister Michael at her best. Kicking them when they're down. The group knew better than to push back. They then looked at Marco, who amazingly, did push back.

"Unlucky, I guess. But I guess sometimes it helps to be lucky than good. How else do you explain Ireland beating Italy?"

The group gawked and shot their attention to Sister Michael. Who's eyes were like wild animals. Clare hid behind Michelle, who shot a look of shock at Marco. Erin slid a shoulder behind James's, ready to run. Orla was already hidden behind Marco but didn't register what they were talking about. Sister Michael stood still, and the group braced themselves.

"Touché!" Sister Michael said slowly back to him, with her eyes squinted. And with that, she left.

"Ach, bless ye Sister Michael, I hope ye cold's not too bad." Orla called out.

The group then quickly ushered themselves away in the opposite direction. As they walked, Michelle eventually piped up.

"Nice one Marco, she's got some fucking nerve on her, so she does."

"It's alright Michelle." Marco quietly replied.

"No! Michelle's right. She's got no right to bring ye private business up like that."

"It's ok now Clare…. You alright mate? James asked.

Marco looked at James but couldn't answer. James still had his hand on Marco's shoulder. The group fell silent again. Not sure of what to say. Orla was now on the outside of the line up. She kept looking over her shoulder, making sure Sister Michael was truly out of sight. As soon as it was clear, she looked down the line at Marco. She couldn't stand seeing him so down again. She rubbed the side of her head in agony. Erin, who was next to her, spotted her cousin frowning; she could tell what Orla wanted to do. Erin reached round and pulled on James's jacket, slightly confused at first, James then quickly clocked on what Erin was doing. They swapped their positions so Orla could be near Marco. Orla lifted Marco's arm and pulled him into herself, nuzzling his cheek with her nose. Everyone smiled with empathy. Erin hugged James's arm. His heart skipped a beat as Erin intertwined her fingers with his. He felt his stomach flutter strongly. This one gesture allowed him to think that maybe, just maybe she felt the same way as he did. But he knew that assuming such a thing would be very dangerous. So, for now, he resigned to simply enjoy her gentle embrace, even if it was just as a friend. Or was it?

"Are you sure you're, ok?" Orla asked Marco.

"I am now. Thanks. Are you ok?" Marco replied.

"Had a bit of a cack attack back there, Thanks Michelle! But I'm ok now." Orla said.

"Got to admit, Orla. I never knew ye had it in ye." Michelle said. Unable to resist.

"What?"

"Nabbing yourself a ride!" Michelle said, smiling.

Everyone couldn't help but laugh. Marco and Orla sniggered with embarrassment. Michelle bounded ahead. The group arrived at the entrance to Primark. Now the objective of the day could truly begin. And what a day it had already been. Erin saw that James seemed uncomfortable. She knew he needed to talk with Marco alone. She also knew she wanted to talk to him alone. One thing at a time. She took charge of the situation.

"Right, girls. Lets give a shift on inside… and we'll let the boys talk. Hi?"

"Aye, good idea, Erin." Clare agreed.

"Aye" Michelle also agreed.

Orla said nothing but nodded in agreement.

Michelle walked in between both fellas, patting them both on their shoulders and lead the way. Clare hugged them both and followed Michelle. Erin spotted that James looked nervous. She stroked his hair into place and James smiled at her. Orla gripped Marco's hand, her nose still nuzzling his cheek before Erin began to lead Orla into Primark. As Erin passed Marco, she gripped his arm.

"Ye can do this." She whispered. Marco gave her a nervous smile.

Erin and Orla glanced back at James and Marco as they walked into Primark. James patted Marco again and the two friend's half smiled at each other. They could feel that the conversation was going to get heavy. They sighted a bench out of the way from Primark. When they sat; James regarded Marco who was looking at the floor, unable to look at his friend. This had been the most silent they'd ever been with each other. James matched Marco's stance and leant forward before finally plucking up the courage to speak first.

"Marco?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm so sorry about your Nanna. I always liked her. I always thought she was one of the nicest people in your family."

"Thanks mate." Marco finally looking at him.

"It'd have been nice if I could have laid some flowers down for her. She always took good care of us, didn't she?"

"Yeah, she was always asking about you. I don't think she ever accepted you being gone."

"I'm just sorry I wasn't there for you. I wish you'd said something though."

"It's just been hard to accept, you know? For so long, Nanna was always the one who knew how to make everything ok…. But you're right, I'm sorry... I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"It's alright…. Did she know…. About… you know?"

"Yeah… she knew. She found out when my da- when he tried to throw me out of her house while I was staying there."

"You were staying with her?"

Now Marco was staring straight ahead.

"Yeah… I had to get away from my mum. When they split up… She'd… started drinking…. more than usual. She was out late most nights… hungover the next morning. But it didn't stop her getting her digs in."

"What do you mean?" James asked.

Marco breathed heavy.

"… Things like. I wish I'd gotten rid of you! I gave up the best years of my life for you!" It was like she thought I owed her.

"That's fucked up mate."

"Fucking right it is." Marco agreed. His eyes were red again, angry, and sad.

"But why did- he try to throw you out?"

"He made me go and have a DNA test done."

"And…."

"It didn't match…. It was like, everything I ever knew…was a lie. But he went off on one at my mum. He then shot round and told Nanna that I wasn't her grandson. And told me to get out and go back to live with my mum. He said, "You aren't my fucking problem no more." Just like that… But Nanna wouldn't move. She swore a lot at him in Italian. But all she kept saying to me was that… it didn't matter to her. Soon after that, she started to tell me that she changed her will. That didn't go down well with him either."

"What was your mum saying about all this?"

"Ach, all of the sudden, I was the most important person in her life." James closed his eyes. He'd heard that line before.

"She started saying that she wanted me to come home, but she weren't fucking saying that before she found out about the will." Marco continued.

"You're joking?"

Marco didn't answer, he just shook his head. He began to feel a lump develop in his throat.

"So, your Nanna's left you… everything?"

"No. Half of it. He tried to get it changed back. He tried to convince some doctors that he own mum was going loopy, didn't know what she was doing. But that didn't work. Nanna was as sharp as a knife. But I think that hurt her, I mean, really hurt her. Up until Nanna's funeral, I hadn't spoken to him for over a year."

"A year?"

"Yeah. He didn't waste much time though, he's with someone else now, and she's eight months pregnant, and mum is all shacked up with some other bloke."

"So where have you been staying all this time?" James asked.

"My Nanna's house."

"What, alone?"

"Yeah- "

James simply couldn't believe it. He now struggled to navigate himself through Marco tribulations. But was lost.

"I'm not sure what to say here mate. But…"

"You don't need to say anything."

"Yes, I do. You always knew what to say when I was going through my problems. I always wanted to give you what you gave me, Marco. But I wasn't there."

"That's not your fault, James. It's not like it mattered anyway. I ain't worth it."

"No! don't do that to yourself, mate. You are fucking worth it. Look what you gave me? You gave me this, our friendship. Well, more than that, you always protected me, you know?... like a brother would. Christ, you went through all that, and I must have sounded like a right Pussy complaining in those letters, about moving here, and my problems with my mum..."

"No, you didn't. Your letters were the best thing… the only good thing that I had."

James frowned with empathy, he still felt guilty for sharing how great his life in Derry had been, now knowing what Marco had been through.

"James, mate, this is gonna sound selfish, but I'd have given anything just to have you back home. It's been… so hard, for so long…. But, seeing you doing so well, here, with the girls… they're great, you know?" Marco managed a smile while sporty watery eyes, as did James.

"Those letters gave me…. I dunno… drive, or something? It snapped me out of all the shit I was dealing with. It helped knowing that… you didn't…abandon me."

"No way, mate. I'd never abandon you. Marco: You have no idea what those letters back did for me mate. I don't think I'd have gotten through that first year if it hadn't been for you. You kept me going, you and Michelle…. in her own weird way." James made Marco chuckle with that remark.

"But if I'd have only known… besides my mum, you'd have been the only reason I would have come back. You have no idea how much I've missed this. You and me!"

Marco dropped his head and finally broke down. They each threw an arm around each other; James embraced the chance to finally give his best friend the protection he'd so desperately needed. James's eyes grew red. Their individual pasts practically mirroring each other. Best friends, side by side, united in their pain.

"This is gonna sound selfish as well. But I don't want you to go back."

"I have to mate; I've got myself enrolled at a college to re-sit some of my GCSE's. I need to get them sorted if I want to go to university. Also, there's the whole thing with my Nanna's will. Her house is being sold off…."

"But what are you gonna do after that? Where you gonna stay?"

"I don't know, mate."

James looked off, his eyes searching for a solution. The realization dawned on him that Marco would have no choice but to move back in with his mum. Although she was his mum, she clearly cared more for herself than Marco. Something James could identify with. James's inner Michelle began to boil inside him. Just then, James remembered that day when Michelle told him he was one of the gang, that he was a Derry girl. The wee English fella's eyes widened and squinted; he then snapped his head back towards Marco. He'd just had an idea.

"Why don't you come and stay, here?" His voice cracking.

"What?" Marco asked.

"Move here!"

"Piss off! Are you fucking serious?"

James shot up from where he sat. He stood in front of Marco with his arms out. The answer seemingly staring at him the whole time. Marco was startled by James's somewhat aggressive stance. It was like he was talking like Michelle.

"YES! I'm fucking serious! Why not? I mean, you're not in school anymore, but you could come to college here!"

Marco stood up and debated. "But mate, I'm already enrolled in a college. If I don't start now, I'll have to wait more, and I'll just fall behind more… I think."

Marco was unsure if that was true or not and could see James's look become desperate. Marco mirrored the same look. Now they were really stuck.

"Sister Michael!" James exclaimed.

"What about her?"

"You'll see her on Monday. Ask her!"

"Do you reckon?"

"Well, it's worth a try."

Marco and James both contemplated the actual possibility. Their former pain had now been replaced with a strange optimism. Marco especially began to wonder, but then suddenly….

"OI! Yous two!" Michelle shouted. Both the wee English fellas looked as she stood in the doorway of Primark.

"Get ye arses in here! NOW!" She yelled.

They looked at one another and sprinted towards Michelle.