Gillean squinted and blinked. Just as he was about to step away and reach for his specs, he saw the connected points of light. They were faint but steady, glowing right where Arlen said they would be.
“I’ll be…” he whispered reverently.
“Okay, stay focused.” Arlen was behind him, excitedly directing. “Look a wee bit further up. You should see two stars directly next to each other, and then two more a bit spaced out heading north.”
“Where, son?” Gillean did as directed but could only see a dark void above the well-known clusters.
“Right above Cancer, four stars. Ya gotta look beyond that patch of darkness to find them.”
“I don’t think…” Gillean placed his hand on the instrument. “Oh, wait, here now, yes, two stars.” Gradually the void became filled with tiny dots of light. “And, yes, yes, the other two above. I would have never…” He breathed in the frosty March air, which he exhaled in a puff of thin, white mist. “How did you manage to find that one?”
“Awesome, isn’t it?” Arlen was beaming. “It’s the Lynx, one of the last vestiges of winter, and Arcturus rising in the east is one of the first signs of the coming summer.”
The lad’s hands extended to the sky as if it were a gigantic chalk board and he an eager professor sharing his knowledge with his attentive pupils. “Shakespeare referred to the stars as, ‘the night’s candles.”
“You read Shakespeare?” Gillean could scarcely fathom it. This astute young man was the same little boy who had followed him over every inch of the stage during his sound checks as if his father were the Pied Piper.
“Well, no, not avidly,” Arlen laughed. “Sully told me that bit one night.”
“Sully did?”
“Uh huh.”
“You’re good mates, you and he?” Gillean tried not to seem overly curious.
“Sure, I mean, he’s a real decent bloke. Kinda strange, but in a good way.”
“Do you…do you remember what he did for you?” Gillean measured out his words carefully, not wanting to foist unpleasant memories on his son.
“Ya mean how he saved my life?”
Gillean nodded.
“Yeah, I do. I didn’t at first, I mean when I first saw Sully after. But, little by little, it came back to me. I asked him about it. I couldn’t remember all of what happened, just that it was him who saved me from bein’ creamed by a car.”
Gillean remained cautious. “What did he tell you?”
“He said not to think about it. He said I should remember to look both ways before I cross the street, and put the rest behind me. Weird, huh?”
Gillean sent out a silent sentiment of gratitude to his soul mate for not revealing anything about Ciar to Arlen. “Sully is an exceptional individual to be sure,” he concurred.
“He cares for you too, Da. I guess I should have listened to him about some things besides Shakespeare.”
“How’s that?”
“Sully told me once that maybe you were afraid I didn’t love ya.”
“He did?”
“Yeah. He explained to me that ya just wanted to do right by our family, and I should talk to ya more. I’m sorry I didn’t—talk to ya, I mean. I should have. Ya must get pretty lonely sometimes.”
“Arlen, lad—” Gillean would not allow his son to take on the burden of faults not his own.
“No, Da. I was wrong. After I talked with Sully, I felt better knowin’ ya weren’t as perfect as everybody else believes ya to be. But I still should have come to ya. I hope ya aren’t ticked at me.”
Gillean put his arm over Arlen’s shoulder and led him to a set of swings behind their house. It seemed like yesterday when he and Adara had installed the wooden play set on the grounds of their ‘dream home’. Arlen had already grown past the age of swings and jungle gyms, but his younger brothers, Declan and Dolan, along with Dolan’s twin sister Isabella, gave their older brother many occasions for excise by demanding to be pushed on the “fly chairs”, as they called them. Gillean rarely had the time for such family experiences, as his career was just beginning to soar.
Gillean and his son sat on the vinyl swings, side by side. It was quiet here, not like the Vale with its many night creatures and their songs of praise for the water.
“You said something profoundly wise tonight, something I will remember always. You said I had to look beyond the patches of darkness to find the light. You said that son. Not Shakespeare, not Sully, but you, Arlen Faraday. Thanks for being patient with me, for teaching me.”
“Actually, Galileo was the first to observe that.” Arlen was looking to the magnificent moon hanging like a plump, golden fruit on the tree of night. “But thanks for hearing me. I miss ya when yer away. I’ll try and be more patient.”
“You won’t have to. This here perfect musician is retiring.” Gillean propelled his swing forward, offering his son a mischievous smile.
“What? Ya can’t be serious?” Arlen’s swing didn’t move. The boy’s feet were planted on the grass below as Gillean gained momentum. “Yer not goin’ on the road anymore? Not writing songs or recording? Ya can’t quit. It’s who ya are.”
Gillean swung higher still. The cold air rushing against his body felt as if he could simply let go and take flight. Little by little all the weighted objects of fame that had restrained his movement and hid the knowledge of himself as merely a person in the world were falling away. He was at once like every other man. And yet, uniquely, he was Gillean Faraday—a new being with a new purpose.
“Who I am,” he said between staggered breaths, “is a father who loves his children and won’t waste another minute away from their esteemed company.”
Arlen’s amazed expression propelled Gillean to swing faster and higher.
“My son, the brilliant astronomer!” Gillean announced to the sky. “Look out ye stars, planets, and alien life forms.” He shook a chiding finger at the heavens causing his swing to wobble. “You too, Galileo! Arlen Faraday is now on watch!”
“Jaysus, Da, have ya gone round the bend?”
“I’m right where I need to be. And there’s going to be some major changes round here. I need to know that you’ll be okay with them,” Gillean shouted to his stationary son.
“Not if it means you giving up yer music.” The boy started up his own swing. It took him a few good heaves to reach the heights Gillean had.
“I’m proud of you and what ya do,” the teen hollered back.
“Really?” Gillean let gravity take its course and offered no more of his own power to keep the swing going. “You’re proud of me?”
“Come on, ya didn’t know?” Arlen’s deep eyes, the very same as his father’s, stared back. “You inspire people with what ya do. It wasn’t news to me when Sully talked of how you inspired him.”
Gillean held on to his child with his eyes as they slowly descended back to the ground. “That means more coming from you than anybody else on this earth.” Gillean’s voice was ragged from shouting and emotion.
Arlen dragged his feet on the grass. “I’m sorry I didn’t say it before now.”
“Don’t be. I’m sorry for so many things, enough for both of us. But there’s something else I have to tell you. And, it involves Sully,” Gillean put forward warily. “Another change that may be a little more difficult to accept. I hope you will trust me when I say it is the right thing.”
“Da, we already had that talk.”
“What talk?”
“Ya know, that talk,” Arlen jabbed at Gillean. “I think when I was like nine or ten. I remember ya weren’t too good at it then either!”
Gillean tightly grasped the ropes of his swing, taking a quick glance at the sky imbued with the stars his son so admired. “I’m sure I didn’t cover this bit with you back then.” He felt his face redden. His son was wiser than himself.
“Go on, spill,” Arlen encouraged.
“I don’t expect you to understand. I’m not even asking you to accept the idea of Sully and me
—”
“Remember when I became a vegetarian?” Arlen interjected.
“Yes, you were all of eight-years old.” Gillean chuckled at the memory of his zealous little boy.
“Yeah, and you were up in arms, sayin’ it was just a phase, I would get sick, people are meant to be carnivores and all that rubbish.”
“Well, I—”
“And it’s been seven years. I’m taller than most boys in me class. I can out run most of em too.” Arlen scratched his head as if a thought overtook him. “Come to think of it, I don’t even remember the last time you’ve had a steak. Used to be yer favorite meal, huh?”
“Your point?” Gillean teasingly swatted at his son’s arm.
“People aren’t meant to be anythin’ other than who they are. I’m not the only vegetarian in the world.” Arlen spoke with the quality of voice that only teenagers possess; the ‘why are adults so daft?’ tone. “And I would suppose that you and Sully aren’t the only two men in the world who care for one another, either.”
Gillean inched his swing closer to his son’s so that they were face to face. “That doesn’t make you uncomfortable?” He feared he was placing too much in Arlen’s lap. “I know this must be tough to take in.”
“I mean, yeah, it’ll be a bit weird for sure, but I’m not a little kid anymore. I know you and Mam weren’t happy together for a long time. I can’t say I understand how this came about, or how it will be, but, if you and Sully are together…”
“What, son?”
“I don’t want ya to think I’ll love ya any less, or that I don’t want us to be a family—Mam and the rest I mean.” The boy’s eyes filled. “I know there’s a way for us to still be a family altogether, right?”
Gillean smoothed his son’s hair remembering the rare nights he was home to send Arlen off to sleep with a song. “Somewhere along the years, you turned from a shy, fair-haired boy into an intelligent, thoughtful young man. One who can teach his old man here a thing or two about life. I love you very much, so does your mother, and Sully. I have absolute faith that we’ll all manage. Things may be a little difficult to start. I want you to talk to me no matter what, no matter how you feel. Promise me.”
Arlen cocked his head to one side imitating a dubious stare. “Ya promise to listen?”
“What?” Gillean craned his neck towards the lad. “Did you say something?”
“Okay, Da. Yer so brilliant.” Arlen rolled his eyes looking akin to his mother at seventeen.
“Right.” Gillean brushed away tears and stood. “Why don’t you come with me when I collect Sully? I’m sure he could use your friendship and assistance. You’re the best one to help him to get to know your brothers and sister.”
“Sure,” Arlen said, as he stood next to Gillean. “It would be cool.”
“It’s all a little strange, I know. But from here on out, we’re going to be fan-flipping-tastic!” He gathered his son in a bear hug.
“Da!” The boy playfully wrestled against his father’s grip.
Walking back to the house Gillean’s hopes were not of the fragile, easily dashed sort of his youth. This time, what he aspired to be was not meant to be gained by painful sacrifice, but by the simple joy of living.
~~~
Adara spoke to her son from the driveway as he helped Gillean ready for his trip to the Vale. “It’s good you want to be with your father. But, are you sure you want to go? We both want you to feel comfortable, no matter what your choice.”
Gillean didn’t oppose his wife, but allowed the lad the chance to speak for himself.
“Mam,” Arlen responded with a rascally smile. “It’s okay. I owe Sully. Besides, I happen to like him too.”
The boy kissed his mother’s cheek and jumped into the passenger seat of the strange, old car his father had arrived with. “Ta-ta for now.” He saluted her from the window.
Gillean tapped Adara on the shoulder as he donned his sunglasses and fished for the car keys in the pocket of faded blue jeans. “Damn fine lad we have there.”
The day was warm for early spring. A cloudless sky the color of cornflowers cradled a saffron sun.
“Gillean, I want you to know that I appreciate the way you’ve been these past few weeks; how you’re changing. It’s, well—”
“I know. You’re terrifically proud of me.” He tossed a duffel bag packed with CDs, as well as some snacks for the road, over his shoulder.
“I see you still maintain a healthy sense of ego,” she scoffed.
“Some things never change.” He winked.
She appeared to have more on her mind. “I know you said you’re fine with the children and I remaining here for as long as I wish,” she began, “but you and Sully…” She pressed a wrist to her lips.
Gillean hoped it was not to stem her tears. “Sully and I will be right up the road. You call whenever you’re ready.” He cupped her chin in his hand. “Anytime, you need.”
“Right then.” She exhaled.
He hesitated, not wanting to make their parting more difficult, but needing to give her a final warning. “Please be careful of Ciar.” He lowered his voice, taking care his son would not hear. “If she should come here while I’m away—”
“Not to worry. We have all we need to keep her at bay.”
He waited for further explanation.
“We trust one another now. There are no secrets any more, no dirty little cracks she can slip into. What you are doing now—going back for Sully, she has to know there is nothing left for her to prey upon.”
“I’m so sorry she ever had a hold on me. I wish you could believe that empty, selfish man is gone for good and all.”
“No more apologies,” she said, handing him a diamond ring. “We get to write the rest of the story.”
“What’s this?” He held the flawless ring. The jewel, like Ciar, was blinding, robbing the eye of unclouded vision.
“You gave it to her, didn’t you?” Adara eyes drifted from him to the ring as if verifying the connection.
“No, I didn’t give her a ring.” Gillean recoiled as if the shiny object possessed a nefarious power. “My God, did she make you think…I never asked her to marry me!”
“You swear?”
“On my life.”
“She told Sully you had.” Adara stepped back, motioning for Gillean to follow so their son would not be privy to the exchange.
“She made him promise, Gillean, she wounded Sully and made him promise to stay away from you and our family.”
Pulling at her hair, she revealed what had transpired at the Vale.
“Sully didn’t tell me this! And why didn’t you tell me until now?” Gillean rubbed his sweaty palms against the denim of his pants.
Adara’s eyes darkened against the whiteness of her skin. “I thought you knew.”
Gillean paced the pavement, hands trembling. “I’m afraid only Sully understands what she really wants, and he has tried with everything he has to protect us from that knowledge.”
“I’ll come with you. We should be together now. Maybe that is how we defeat her.”
He loved her for her willingness to help undo the laborious leash he felt entirely responsible for securing around them.
“Hey! Come on, Da. Step it up will ya!” Arlen gave two quick impatient beeps of the horn, jolting Gillean and Adara out of their shared bond of dread.
Gillean held Adara’s hands in his. “You must stay here with the children. I came to Sully on my own. I rejected her. There’s no telling how Ciar will react.” He tried to gather courage as if it were as easy as collecting a bundle of twigs. “You be strong, Dara. You were right, as long as we stay united in the truth, we have power.” He headed to the car.
It was time for Gillean to repair the damage he had caused. He would run head on into the storm if necessary.
“Hey pal, sorry, but change of plans.” Gillean opened Arlen’s door. “You better stay here with your mam.”
“I don’t think so. I remember
Ciar too.” Arlen belted himself in. “If she is after Sully, then I’m ridin’ with ya.”
Gillean looked to Adara, stealing himself against the crushing terror he bore. She waved her approval. “Alright.” He shifted the car into gear. “You’re with me.”
“Be safe!” Adara called out.
~~~
Standing unseen beside her, the old angel vowed to do his utmost to answer her, and to keep his promise to the man waiting at the Meeting of the Waters.
Duet
Charlie’s vintage, rented car miraculously plodded its way through yet another significant road trip, seeming to run on the combination of a little gas and the substantial prayers of the driver. The car wheezed and chugged along like a terminally ill patient determined to cheat death.
As the vehicle turned off the main road, the sun slipped behind a gathering of bloated clouds. It wasn’t long before the first drops of rain hit the windshield, falling like so many tears from the grieved universe, only to be swept away by the car wipers.
When Gillean commented on the unpredictability of the Irish weather, Arlen appeared to be mesmerized by something not in Gillean’s purview. The remote look in the boy’s eyes made it clear that Arlen wasn’t taking in the swiftly passing scenery.
“Arlen, what is it?”
The slick road and his preoccupied son divided Gillean’s attention.
“It’s right you should do this, Da.” Arlen’s focus was unshakable staring straight into the oncoming rain.
“What do you mean?”
“Help Sully. Ya know it was raining the day they laid him to rest. I can see their black umbrellas and smell the roses. They laid yellow roses on his casket.” He fixed his disturbing eyes on Gillean. “And it was yer music they played. The priest said it was Sully’s favorite. Your music was meant to say ‘goodbye’, when really they were each saying, ‘I’m sorry we were too late’.”
Gillean tried to keep the wheels from lifting off the road as he veered the car over to the shoulder and cut the engine.
“How could you know that? How could you possibly know what happened the day Sully was buried?” he demanded.
Ash-blond hair fell across the boy’s eyes as he shook his head, seemingly untroubled by Gillean’s distress. “I don’t know how, but…it’s like I was there, like a memory.”
Blackthorns of the Forgotten Page 26