by Galen Rose
The house was simply decorated but it had an air of elegance about it. Dark mahogany end tables, with family pictures set here and there, framed paintings on one wall, and not an inch of dust on the coffee table. An Aubusson rug of rich claret ran the length of the room. The room had a lived-in elegance. Not like my Aunt Katherine’s home, which had been kept like a museum. She had practically beat me black and blue once for spilling crumbs on her floor.
It was clear that Tommy and Molly both valued family. They had numerous framed pictures, of people I assumed were their kids, along the walls and on shelves — two girls and two boys, including Sean. They even had several shelves devoted to photo albums. I found myself more curious about who they were and I was certainly envious of the sense of love and family on display.
The faint sound of voices broke into my thoughts and I reluctantly left the comfort of the room. My stomach was starting to growl anyway. Far be it from me to ever keep food waiting.
When I stepped into the dining room, I could tell Molly and Tommy had been discussing me. People always get a certain look about them when they realize they might have been caught talking about you behind your back — and they had it. Tommy stepped back from Molly and moved toward the tables.
“Well, you look a hundred percent better already. Some color back in your face.” Molly gently patted my cheek. “Now sit down and let’s eat.” She indicated a tall-backed chair for me. “I didn’t know what you might like and I was in a cooking mood,” Molly said. She looked closely at me again and then began removing covers from several dishes already on the table. Eggs, sausage, potatoes — the works was spread before me. I had died and gone to food heaven.
Tommy began filling a plate for me before I could say anything. “She’s always in a cooking mood,” he chuckled. Molly patted his arm before disappearing through a swinging door.
Sean sat down across from me as Tommy was setting the nearly overflowing plate before me. Sean frowned at me and I could tell he was gritting his teeth. I had no idea what the hell I had done to cause him to dislike me, but the displeasure was quite clear on his face and that was fine by me. He was the most pompous person I’d ever met and I wanted to push his buttons like crazy.
Molly came back in the room carrying a basket of fresh-baked blueberry muffins and I almost cried, the scent was so sweet.
My God, did people still really live like this? I think the last time I’d had fresh-baked anything was when I slept in an alley that was behind a donut shop. The baker felt sorry for me and gave me a huge bag of donuts and a large coffee.
But my stomach was way ahead of me and made its presence known quite loudly.
“Excuse me,” I said hoping to keep the blush that was creeping up my neck from going any further. “I’m umm … not used to all this. Thank you.” Trying hard to remember all the manners that had been drilled into me as a child, and picked up my fork.
Tommy just waved his hand. “’Tis no great matter. I expected you to be hungry and the Lord knows Sean and I cannot keep up with everything this woman cooks.” He winked at his wife. As Tommy and Molly bantered on about her cooking the smells turned my mind off and my stomach on. No sense in letting all this go to waste, and since I had no idea what my next move was, I knew I needed some energy to keep me going. I was planning my escape and only halfway listening to the talk going on around me as I bit into a warm muffin and all coherent thought left me as the melted butter and blueberries mingled on my tongue.
I glanced up to see Tommy wink at Molly. I looked at Sean who was still watching me, distrust written all over his face. Jesus, did he think I was going to make off with the silverware as soon as his back was turned?
Tommy looked over at Sean, “Sean, are you planning to come to Thea’s going away party tonight?”
Sean grunted and began reaching for more food to refill his already empty plate. “Yes, of course. I heard that you interviewed several people yesterday. Any luck?”
“No. No luck at all.” Tommy sighed with some exaggeration.
“I can build a Guinness. I’ve done it before.” For the life of me, I had no idea what made me speak up. Wasn’t my problem if he was short a bartender, but it was as if some cosmic force took hold of my tongue and used it for its own purpose. I hate when that happens.
“Yeah? Where?” asked Sean sitting back in his chair, looking for all the world like a man setting himself on an interrogation. It took everything I had not to reach across the table and wipe that smug look off his face.
“You the boss?” I asked, getting to my feet. “Don’t look like it from where I’m standing.” Sean got to his feet as well and started to say something but Tommy cleared his throat. “Mind your manners, Sean. We didn’t raise barbarians. Laney, sit down and finish eating, please. Then after we’re done with breakfast you can come over to the pub and show me your Guinness-building abilities.”
“But,” Sean started to say something but one look from Tommy had him shaking his head and finally shutting up.
As soon as breakfast was done, I followed Tommy to the pub. Unfortunately, Sean joined us as well. Oh goody.
The Muldoon house was behind the pub, or you could say that the pub sat behind the house. Either way it was a short walk as we headed out the back door and down the steps that led to a garden. Although, in theory, spring was still days away, it looked like this garden felt it already. Bright colors popped up here and there, as small yellow and purple crocuses made their announcement that spring was here regardless of what any calendar might say. Even a few tulips were beginning to push their way up to the sun.
We walked across the yard and through the back door of the pub. The wide hallway had framed photos along the walls but none were of visiting celebrities or politicians. The photos that adorned the walls were of real people, with smiling faces, holding hands or babies. These walls were reserved for friends and family, weddings and births. Life lived and breathed within these walls. Family was that life.
We passed the bathrooms and made our way to the kitchen, where a huge, ebony-skinned man with a bald head was stirring something on the stove that smelled incredible.
“Morning, Jacob,” said Tommy. Jacob just smiled and winked at me, and stuck his tongue out at Sean, making me giggle to my surprise. I don’t giggle. A woman who considers herself a hard ass does not giggle. I couldn’t even remember the last time I had even laughed, much less giggled.
Sean ignored Jacob and scowled at me. I guessed Mr. Arrogant was not happy with me being here in his territory. Tough. I wasn’t planning on leaving right away. Mostly because I wanted to put Sean’s pretty nose out of joint, mentally and physically, and to be perfectly honest, I liked Tommy. Well hell, let’s be even more honest, I needed a job and I could not afford to be picky.
The hall opened up to the pub. There were several teenagers putting up a “Goodbye” banner and blowing up balloons. They waved at Tommy and continued decorating.
“We’re closed on Sunday,” Tommy said, lifting up the pass thru for me to go behind the bar.
Sean came around and sat down at the front of the bar, while Tommy leaned against the counter. “Well?” Tommy looked expectantly at me.
I smiled, picked up a pencil, and quickly pulled my hair up into a loose bun on my head using the pencil to hold it in place. I washed my hands and, flipping a clean bar towel over my shoulder, picked up a pint glass and got to work. I noticed a bartender’s guidebook tucked into a shelf below the bar. I picked it up with my free hand and tossed it to Sean.
“Ask me.” I pointed to the book. “Go ahead, Mr. Arrogant. Ask me about any drink.”
He looked at me for a moment and then flipped through the book.
“Piña Colada.” He smirked. His voice was all bravado and he was daring me to beat him. The gauntlet had been thrown and far be it from me to let it lie.
I sighed and shook my head, “Is that the best you can do? Coconut cream, pineapple juice, light rum, blend with ice and serve in a highball gl
ass with a garnish of cherry and orange. But I like to get a bit fancier and make a small shish kabob of fruit and one of those little umbrellas. Now ask me something harder.”
I was slowly building the pint. Making sure not to draw too much foam. Building a Guinness is a painstaking process. Though it wasn’t the drink for me, I have found that those who appreciate its strong, yeasty taste appreciate the way it’s made too.
Sean thumbed through the book. “Angel’s Lips?”
“Benedictine and Baileys.”
“Banshee,” he fired off.
“Crème de cacoa, crème de banana, and sweet cream, mixed with ice and strained.”
The more I got correct, the more determined Sean became to find one I didn’t know. Jacob came from the back and the kids had stopped setting up decorations and were listening. I’d already made my shamrock shape on the perfectly proportioned foam head of the pint and handed it to Tommy for his inspection, while Sean was doing his damnedest to find something I didn’t know. I made a drink for Sean and set it on the counter.
“Here is something especially for you. I think it’s right up your alley, Ace. I call it a sour puss.” With that, I plucked the book out of his hands and put it away and turned to Tommy who was holding back laughter.
“Well?” I asked.
“You can start tonight at the party.” Tommy turned to look at Jacob. I guess for Sean’s sake they waited until he slammed out the front door before letting loose with the laughter.
“Laney, I got a place above the pub here if you want it.” Tommy held up his hand to forestall my forthcoming comment of “No thanks.”
“It’s not charity lass. You will be paying rent and you’ll be doing me a favor by renting it out instead of letting it gather dust.” He knew right where to hit already. I sighed and looked at him. “Fine. I got enough to put a bit down for a deposit now.”
“Good, then I’ll show it to you later on. Now what was in that concoction you made for Sean?”
“I have no idea. But I didn’t figure he’d be drinking it this early in the day and he needed a set down as far as I was concerned.”
Jacob looked at Tommy and said something in Gaelic. A language I had not heard in a lifetime. I stood behind the bar, remembering the Gaelic I had heard so many, many years ago from parents I barely remembered. I shook my head to chase the memories back to the recesses of my mind and then made myself useful by checking over the bar and learning where everything was. It was already stocked and ready for tonight’s festivities so with several hours left and nothing to do, I decided to explore a bit of the neighborhood — of the flower shops, bakeries, clothing stores, and several other pubs within a six-block radius of Muldoon’s. Briefly checking out the other drinking establishments, I soon realized they had nothing on Muldoon’s. I was going to be in for a treat working there. That was apparent from the very beginning. But was I up to it? Only time would tell.
Once I got back to the house, Molly showed me to my new apartment. It had a bed, small table, closet, bathroom, and a kitchenette with a single burner and small refrigerator. Since I didn’t cook I knew that space would be of no use to me. What the room lacked in space it made up for in decor and that same feeling of home that I had noticed in their house. I couldn’t quite decide whether that was comforting or disconcerting.
“Laney? Earth to Laney.” Molly gently, laid her hand on my arm. I tried not to flinch. If she noticed she didn’t give it away. “You okay? You know, you might want to nap. It’s not as if you just got over the flu or anything, you know.” I smiled at her teasing but sarcastic tone.
“I’m fine. I … um … I appreciate everything you and Tommy have done, ma’am. I really do.” I meant it, too.
Molly smiled and gave my arm a gentle squeeze, “Laney, we mean it when we say you are welcome here and that should you need anything, you have but to ask.” She slid her hand away and placed the key to my new home in my hand. She walked to the door and turned to look back at me, “Rest. I’ll see you at six.” She smiled at me and closed the door behind her.
I don’t know how long I stood there, wondering why a part of me felt like I could unburden my soul to that woman and she would not have blinked. Why the hell did I want to unburden it? It’s my job to deal with my soul, not hers and certainly not God’s. All mine.
I took a deep breath, determined to dispel the gloom that was settling over me. If I kept this up, I would be drinking instead of serving tonight.
Besides, I didn’t want to break the trust of these people. That was another surprise. I was allowing myself to care. Well, hell. Now that was unexpected.
Chapter Three
The party was lively and fun. Streamers hung from the rafters and children chased balloons on the floor as people mingled easily with each other, hugging, kissing, and singing karaoke both good and bad. It was amazing to see so many people who cared so much about each other. It was almost palpable, the love and affection everyone had for Thea, who was getting married and moving to Chicago. But it wasn’t reserved just for her. It was a common thread running among everyone.
Quite a few people she had befriended over the years worked for Woo Security. I was only vaguely familiar with the company. When I had lived near Hollywood you couldn’t help but hear about celebrities who had bodyguards, or how their lavish homes were set up with the best alarm systems. Woo was the best. William had loved to watch Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and Entertainment Tonight. He always promised me that one day we’d be rich and that I’d be set up in style. I always laughed at him. What did I know about style? Didn’t really matter to me. I was comfortable in jeans and plain shirts. The only jewelry I wore was a small silver Celtic trinity knot that had been my dad’s.
I served up drinks and returned the occasional glare that Sean tossed my way. At one point he answered his cell phone and the look he gave me could have cut glass. I’d had it! I flipped him off.
I didn’t care that the man sitting at the bar saw it. What was his name? Chase. Strange name. Drank water and made small talk with me. He seemed to find my response to Sean amusing.
I signaled Tommy to take over for a few minutes so I could go to the storage in the basement to get more champagne. I almost dropped the whole case when I turned and found Sean behind me, blocking the doorway.
“Move, Ace. You’re in my way.”
“Sweetheart, I haven’t even begun to be in your way.” He leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. “I will not allow you to hurt Tommy or Molly, so why don’t you pack up your schemes and dreams and hit the road. You won’t get a penny from them. I’ll see to that.”
I have never been known for having an even temper but I’ve worked hard to keep it under control. But not this time.
“Look, asshole, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. You’re delusional if you think I have any intention of taking a dime from Tommy that I haven’t earned. I pay my way!”
“Sure you do. I ran your fingerprints, darlin’, right off your juice glass from this morning. You’ve got a nice background there, Laney. Pandering? Breaking and entering? Those are great ways to pay your way, huh? You got a scam to bilk Tommy, but you might as well hit the road running, babe,” He smiled, acting quite pleased with himself. “Tommy and Molly all too often fall for the sob story and feel sorry for the strays that come along.”
I felt that to my core. Stray? Felt sorry for me? The last thing I needed was anyone’s pity. But right at the moment the only thing I felt was the need to strike back at Sean. “Stray, huh? Weren’t you a stray too? They feel sorry for you then? Take you in on pity?” I saw his jaw tighten and knew I’d scored.
“Leave now and I won’t tell them your plans to take them for a ride,” he growled.
“My plans? You’re so sure about my plans, huh? Wow, you sure are smart, Sean Michael Muldoon. You ran my fingerprints and so now you know my whole life story in one fell swoop? Look, you arrogant ass, you have no idea what my life has been like and a couple
of knocks on a police sheet only tells you what your narrow-minded brain wants to hear. But for your parents’ sake, I’ll go and save you the trouble of making a fool out of yourself.” I tossed the case of champagne at him. He let out a curse, as he lunged to catch the box and I shoved him hard when I went through the doorway. I heard him hit the shelves, rattling bottles and swearing a blue streak. I heard the case of champagne hit the floor with a thud and the sound of breaking glass.
I know I could have done worse and to this day I still have no idea why I didn’t kick him in the nuts, or flat out deck him. I should have done something other than leave. I wanted to do anything other than leave, but I couldn’t bear having to own up to some of the missteps I had made long ago.
I left Sean in the storage room and headed up the stairs, passing Chase who was coming down. I looked him in the eyes and silently dared him to stop me, but he only stepped aside to let me pass before continuing down the steps. I went to my room to pack and an hour later I was once again standing before a map in the Greyhound station. This time, the map was of the whole United States. I thought it might be better to broaden my horizons this time. Maybe my luck would improve if I got out of California. If I had said it couldn’t get any worse I’d have been a lying fool. I always knew it could get worse.
I saw Sean’s reflection in the map board, as he came up behind me, but I chose to ignore it. I’d watched his slow and cautious approach. I could feel the tension in his body as he waited for me to lash out at him. I would be damned if I was going to give him the satisfaction of allowing him to get to me more than he already had. He didn’t deserve my attention. Part of me was saddened at not saying goodbye to Tommy and Molly. Regardless of the kindness they had shown me, once they knew that my past had been somewhat checkered they might not be quite so forgiving. Most people weren’t. Most people only allowed the luxury of forgiveness for themselves. For those of us outside the box, forgiveness was usually doled out sparingly. Sean’s voice brought my wavering attention back to him and my future decisions.