Chapter 11: Tommy
"So Ryan, you survived your first week on the job. How are you feeling?"
After a very long week, an invitation from Charles to head to the pub after our shift Saturday night was more than welcoming. A group of us had secured a table and drinks as more and more people started to fill the pub, ready to wind down and drink away the stress of the week.
"Can I be honest?"
"Shoot," Charles reached for the beer pitcher, filling his glass.
"I feel like we do a hell of a lot work for bringing in less than ten bucks a week."
"You're just figuring that out?"
"Shit, he really is new," Brian, a man who was as Irish as you could imagine with wild copper hair and thick beard to match, laughed to himself, "Get used to it, lad."
"I'll have you a skilled worker in no time," Charles leaned back in his chair, "You're now my protégé."
"Well I appreciate that."
"Gotta look out for each other right?" He took a swig of his beer, "If we don't, no one else will."
"It's true. Big wigs do nothin' but sit up in their office while we get all the work done for 'em," scowled Harry, a boyish dark haired man with bright eyes.
"Careful with that talk, word gets out they'll be sayin' we're tryin' to start a riot," Brian wiped the foam from his beer off his beard.
"Would that be a bad thing?" I raised my eyebrows, downing my drink. Everyone exchanged glances.
"Not if it gets us out of a job," replied Brian.
"It's fucked, isn't it? Come all the way out here for a better life just to be treated like scum," I shook my head in disdain.
"I wouldn't know. Been here all my life," Charles shrugged, "Just cause you're born here doesn't guarantee you a damn thing."
"15 years I've been here, barely seen any improvements," Brian stated, "I'd still take this over Ireland any day."
"Really?"
"Sure," he nodded, "Love the city, love people. I'm comfortable here."
"Makes one of us," I refilled my glass, "I like the quiet."
"You got family here, Ryan?" Brian asked, "Can be a hard adjustment with no one here."
"Sure. I have an aunt that came here and her husband," I took a swig, "And I have a fiancée at home."
"Is that right?" Charles smirked, Brian and Harry exchanged glances. I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, that's right."
"You're not married yet and you live together?" Harry asked. I nodded, "How the hell you manage that one?"
"I'd say that's unconventional," Charles looked impressed.
"We've been unconventional from the moment we met honestly."
"How's that?"
"We met on Titanic for one thing."
All their jaws seemed to drop at once.
"No shit," Brian let out.
"It's the truth."
"And you lived?" Harry's blue eyes looked like they were gonna pop right out of his head.
"Nope, clearly I didn't," I replied with a sarcastic smirk, "I'm gonna need something stronger to get through this," I stood up, then asking if anyone else needed anything.
"Nah, think we're good," they responded. I headed right to the bar.
I wasn't lying when I said I needed something stronger to get through talking about Titanic. I still had trouble sleeping at night, wondering how I managed to make it out alive but people like Jack and Fabrizio didn't. There was a guilt that ate at me, no way was I more deserving of life than the two of them, or anyone else that died on that ship for that matter. It was hard to stomach. I could barely talk to El about it.
"What can I get ya?" The bartender, an Italian man, broke me of my thoughts.
"Whiskey."
"Single or double?"
"Double, please," I replied with no hesitation. As the bartender poured, I noticed a rough looking older man out of the corner of my eye spotting me up and down with the dirtiest of looks.
"Damn paddy," he muttered, spitting on the ground. I rolled my eyes.
"Evening to you too," I tipped my hat, letting the insult roll off. He scowled, muttering more expletives before downing the drink in his hand. The bartender handed me my drink, I leaned in close, sliding him enough cash for the drink and a substantial tip, "Watch that one over there, he may have had a bit too much to drink. Don't want him causin' trouble."
He nodded thanks, and I headed back to the table.
"What's up with that asshole over there?" Brian asked as I sat, "I saw that look he was givin' ya."
"Eh, just a drunk."
"You just gonna let him talk to ya like that?"
"Been in enough trouble back home, need none of that here," I stated, "Besides, I think the bartender will be cuttin' his night short."
"Well played," Charles chuckled.
"Us Irishmen need to stick together, Ryan," Brian sat up tall, "If you stumble upon another arse I'll gladly take care of him."
"Thanks," I smirked.
"What part ya from?"
"Belfast. You?"
"Dublin."
"So back to Titanic," Harry interrupted, leaning in closely, as if I was about to let him in on a big secret, "How was it?"
"Jesus ye deft lad, what kind of question is that?" Brian smacked him on that back of the head, making me and Charles snicker.
"Ow! I didn't mean it like that," Harry was rubbing the back of his head now, "I just mean, how did you make it? How did you meet your lady?"
I took a large gulp of whiskey. The burning sensation was a relief.
"I fell in a lifeboat after almost getting shot at. I met El by chance, she was traveling first class, me in third."
"Well I'd be damned," they all looked shocked.
"Stroke of luck. I swear meeting that woman saved my life that night."
"Sounds like fate," Harry sipped his beer.
"Please tell me you're marrying into her money too," Charles said.
"No, not really. She's not exactly close with her family."
"I see."
"We've been inseparable ever since," I shrugged, "I asked her to come with me to stay with me at my aunt and uncle's after everything happened, and now thanks to this job, we got our own place. Just kinda how things worked out."
"That's something," Harry was shaking his head in disbelief, "Jenny would have had a field day if I suggested living together before we got married."
"As I said, unconventional," I replied, taking another sip of my drink, "But I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Is it really true they didn't have enough lifeboats for everyone?"
"Harry..." Brian growled giving him a look.
"I'm sorry, I'm just-"
"I know, I know, it's alright," I held my hand up, assuring him it was ok, "No, there wasn't enough for everyone. It was a beautiful ship and it's a real shame what happened. Could've been prevented, which burns me up. Horrible things happen, and I wish it never did. I still think about it. How they locked people like us down there lettin' the rich ones go up first. Seeing all those people falling to their deaths, freezing in the water," another swig, "But I'm more than grateful. And the fact that I met my future wife out of the ordeal is the one thing that gets me through each day."
"All you can do, right? Just get through each day?" Charles was listening intently.
"That's right," I sighed, "But that's that. Enough about me now."
"Yeah, that's enough interrogatin' for one night," Brian bellowed before smacking Harry again, who shot him a glare, "Charlie boy, how goes it at home?"
"Ugh," he sighed, running his hand through his hair, "It's a mad house."
"Kids drivin' you nuts, huh?"
"I love 'em to death but god, I don't know how Marion handles it daily," he shook his head, "A day off isn't exactly a day off."
"How many you got?" I asked.
"Three under three," he chuckled, "And it's just gonna get worse."
"What, is there another one on the way?"
"It's a whole story. Marion has one of the biggest hearts you can imagine," he sipped his beer, "Too big for her own good. She works over at a textile mill, and she got really close with one of the girls there. Turns out, this girl is pregnant. And the owner tossed her on the street when he found out."
"Jesus," I shook my head.
"It's not good. Girl's not married, said the father passed away in a tragic accident. She's closed off about it. But Marion felt for her, so she begged me to let her stay with us and after meeting her, I couldn't say no. She's got no family, nowhere to go. I just don't know how we can sustain two more mouths to feed."
"Yeah, that's a tough situation."
"Exactly, which why I'm here taking advantage of not being home," he chuckled, "I know we'll make it work. She's a sweet girl, helps out around the house doing all she can in her condition. I know she'll get a job when she can. She's just the saddest you've ever seen."
"Sounds like she's been through a lot."
"Must've been. Absolutely beautiful girl though, hard not to take your eyes off her," he smirked, "Shes got this beautiful head of red hair, she's a stunner. Marion would kick my ass if she could read my thoughts. But she knows I love her," he took another drink.
"You're trouble boy," Brian scolded.
"You better watch yourself," I snickered, taking another drink myself.
Then it suddenly hit me. It hit me as hard as a train. And I knew it was no coincidence. Charlie's brows furrowed.
"What's up, Ryan? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"You said she's a red head?"
"Yeah?"
"And she's the saddest you've seen?"
"Pretty much."
"And she's pregnant?"
"Yeah, about halfway through I'd say."
"Lost the father in an accident, she says?"
"All she's said, what's up?" he looked concerned.
"Her name Rose?"
Silence at the table. Charlie blinked in response.
"How the hell you know that?"
"I know her," I finished my drink quickly. All three of them looked at each other in surprise. Charlie laughed in disbelief.
"What, did you knock her up?"
They all roared. I rolled my eyes.
"No you jackass, she's my future sister in law."
"Well I'd be damned."
"Tommy boy, you're full of surprises," Brian laughed.
"You must have quite a looker on your hands if she's her sister," Charlie grinned mischievously.
"She's a goddess, not that she'd ever bat her eyes at the likes of you," I poked at him, making the others crack up in laughter again, "You have to take me to her."
"Ugh, it's too early to go home," he whined.
"Her sister has been wonderin' where she's been for months," I stood up, "Please."
He sighed, finishing up his glass of beer.
"Well boys, til I see you Monday," he stood up with a wave, "No way Marion will let me come back."
"Do what you gotta do," Brian nodded.
"We'll still be here if you get her to change her mind," Harry grinned.
"Doubt that," he turned to me, "You owe me."
"I got your drinks covered next week," I patted him on the back as we made our way out. He smirked in response.
"Deal."
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