by T L Harty
It took four days to get our transcripts from the school counselors. Rick could tell that he better get me to Chicago before I burst with impatience. Both of us had our cars at school, but we decided to take Rick’s and leave mine behind. I’d keep it parked in the dorm lot and let dad know where he could pick it up.
The day before we planned to leave, I drove to the beach by myself, to say goodbye to the Pacific, an old friend. The sand between my toes and the sound of the waves always comforted my soul. I breathed in the sea air, closing my eyes. In between the cries of the gulls, I heard a far-off plea for Scotia. A howling of sorrow and despair…of pain and loss.
Getting to Chicago would be wonderful, but voluntarily giving up all I had in California pained me. It went beyond the beach and straight to the foothills of my grandparent’s home. They were the true constant I’d known and they would be hurt when they learned that I didn’t share my wedding or my plans.
Tears fell on the beach a good portion of the day and as the sun set on the horizon, I took one last look before walking away from the only home I’d known.
________________________
There would be a lot to learn about my new spouse during our life together. This road trip to Chicago enlightened me to a couple of things I found instantly annoying: He didn’t mind the car having garbage strewn about, he’d be content to survive on nothing but fast food and he sang along to the radio. The latter could be tolerated…if he could sing on pitch or knew the words to the songs.
The drive took four days because we got stuck on the I-80 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. They literally closed off the road because the storm and winds were deemed too dangerous. We had to sleep in the car and keep it running, so the heat would stay on. It would have felt strange, except for the hundreds of other cars and semi’s that were doing the same thing, lining the roads and waiting the storm out.
By morning, the skies had cleared and we could continue on. The traffic moved slowly and this part of the trip dragged on. Once we reached the middle of Nebraska, it felt as though we were moving again at a normal speed.
We didn’t risk driving overnight because we observed all the cars and trucks that had made the mistake and now lay abandoned after skidding off the road or being overturned. It looked like an eerie, vehicle cemetery.
Iowa would be our final stop before we made it to Chicago. We went out to breakfast the next morning because we had some time and skipping a fast food breakfast felt wonderful.
“I’m nervous about tomorrow,” I said. “Are we meeting your grandmother right away? I’ve heard people from Chicago are different than people out West. Is that true?”
Rick shook his head. “I forget what a sheltered life you’ve lived.”
That remark hurt my feelings and did nothing to assuage my anxiety about living in a new area or meeting Rick’s grandmother. Five hours stood between me and a completely new life. Getting married seemed trivial now, compared to moving this far across the country.
We started coming into the Chicago area as soon as we got onto I-55 and headed north. I looked out the window, soaking in the sights. There were many industrial buildings, which made me wonder if that’s all the “city of big shoulders” had going for it. What a wonderful surprise when we started traveling on Lake Shore Drive! The lake to the right and the city to the left- it became difficult to decide where to concentrate my attention.
We barely got off Lake Shore Drive, when Rick pulled in front of a building on Lakeview Ave.
“I need to find a place to park. Go ahead and get the bags we need right now and I’ll carry the rest up later.”
“O.K., I’ll wait for you inside.”
After putting my jacket on and retrieving the bags, I went in the entranceway to the building, where a doorman was posted. He asked if he could help, but I explained that my boyfriend would be here soon. Then, I awkwardly corrected myself and said that my husband would be here soon, making it sound like I had one of each.
The entranceway boasted some of the most beautiful décor I’d ever seen. It reminded me of some of the fanciest buildings in San Francisco. When Rick came in through the door, he announced that we were there to see Riona on the tenth floor.
The doorman eyed us suspiciously and called up. I didn’t blame him- we didn’t look fancy enough to be in the building.
“I’m her grandson,” Rick said, sounding annoyed.
The doorman motioned to the elevator that opened at the other end of the building. We got in, the door shut, and we began immediately moving upward. When the elevator door opened, four people stood there to receive us. Three of them were women and I didn’t know enough about Rick’s grandmother to pick her out of a line up.
We stepped off the elevator and Rick hugged his grandmother. Watching the embrace melted my heart.
“Well,” Riona said to me, “let me have a look at ‘cha, darling.’”
She came over and walked around me, as though judging a prize horse at the fair. Riona reminded me of my grandmother, but with puffier cheeks and a softer expression. Her hair laid tied back in a neat bun, with the slightest bit of color among the grey.
“She’s certainly beautiful, Ricky.”
I looked at Rick, wide-eyed, not because of her judgment. It was the first time I ever heard anyone call him “Ricky” and I gathered she must be the only one to get away with such a thing.
“You’ll be staying with me for a couple of days, while the house is getting ready. The tenants left at the beginning of January and it’s being re-painted and cleaned,” Riona shared. “Why don’t you get settled in your room, clean up for dinner and join us in the dining room in an hour?”
It sounded as though Riona made a suggestion but, just like Grammy, those were action items to be accomplished. The hour came and went quickly. We joined Riona in the dining room at 4:30pm and had cocktails and appetizers before dinner. During dinner, we talked about plans for the future, the trip out to Chicago and Rick spoke to Riona about family.
We all retired to a sitting room. I tried to wrap my head around the size and beauty of Riona’s home, as it took up the entire 10th floor of the building. Not long after we entered the room, Rick yawned.
“Rick, why don’t you go lie down? I’d like to spend time and get to know my new granddaughter,” Riona said.
Don’t go…don’t leave me here.
“Sounds good, gran,” Rick agreed, before leaving the room.
Riona got up and shut the door behind him, which brought on an additional level of discomfort. Once she returned to her seat, she folded her hands in her lap and looked at me.
“When my grandson started talking about this young girl he had met at school, I was a wee bit skeptical. He never told his old gran’ about the ladies in his life. I believed him to be a bit of a Casanova.”
“I would agree with that statement.”
“Yet, here you are. Rick is willing to go against his parent’s wishes and stop playing the field to be with you.”
“No one in my family is happy about this relationship, either.”
We sat in an uncomfortable silence. She watched me intently…studied me. Tidbits of information ran through my head that I wanted to share: that Rick had been my first and only lover, that I had tried to let him go, that he pursued me constantly. My gut told me to keep my mouth shut. If I wanted to defend myself, it would appear that I may be guilty of something. My conscience clear, Riona broke the silence first.
“You seem an intelligent girl.”
I looked at her as she spoke, being respectful, not fully aware of the rules of engagement.
“You have no response to my statement?”
“A response is not required of a statement,” I said. “It would be foolish for me to agree or disagree with your opinion because it belongs to you. We’ve known each other for a short time. My only truthful response would be to ask why you think I’m intelligent when you barely know me.”
She rose from her seat and went over to the de
canter of Irish whisky on the trolley, practically filling up her short glass. She moved quickly for a woman of advanced years. The contents of the glass, once raised to Riona’s mouth, quickly disappeared. It impressed me. She turned in my direction.
“There isn’t much I don’t know about you. Between the detectives I’ve hired and all the records obtained…I’ve learned most everything. However, speaking with your grandmother brought to light more than expected.”
The fact that she had the nerve to do all this made me angry, but I sat in silence, trying to be calm. Riona is the one person that supported Rick’s decision and she wouldn’t be an enemy of mine without cause.
“Your grandmother told me a little about your ancestry. I believe you come from royal Irish stock.”
To this announcement, I snickered a bit. Riona squinted.
_________________________________
In the following month, Rick and I settled into the house, a few miles north of where Riona resided. We borrowed furniture or purchased some cheaply at thrift stores. I wanted to owe Riona as little as possible. Her squinting glare from the first night we met, haunted me.
Valentine’s day was approaching and Rick wanted to take me out for a night on the town, but between starting school and working part-time, I most desired a long nap.
After making love one night, we watched the snow fall from our bed. Rick snuggled up behind me, kissing my shoulder as we watched the spectacle outside the window. The dim streetlight below made the snow glisten.
“You are so beautiful.”
“And you are incredibly handsome.”
Rick quickly rose up to a sitting position. “Do you realize we’ve made love almost every night since we’ve been in Chicago?”
“Are you complaining?”
“No, of course not, don’t be ridiculous.” Rick sprang to his feet, pacing naked at the end of the bed.
I sat up, holding the sheets over my chest, wondering what had gotten into him.
“We don’t have sex when you’re on your period. We’ve been having sex since the end of December! When did you last have your period?”
A huge lump formed in my throat and I felt like throwing up. It never crossed my mind. I started to tear up and then to cry. Rick came to my side, calming me down.
“We’ll go to the doctor tomorrow,” Rick said.
We both attempted to sleep, knowing the doctor visit would be a mere formality. We were about to be parents.
Chapter 28- Requirements
No other news had rocked me like Delvin’s. Not when Grammy told me I was an Oris, not when Jed or my grandparent’s died in car accidents…not even when I lost my baby.
I decided to walk back to the house because getting in the van with Delvin could not be considered. The tears ran down my face and as I approached the house, I fell to the ground, wailing. The council came outside to help me up and into the house.
Once they had positioned me on a couch, they peppered me with questions that remained unanswered. We were soon joined by the guardsmen, including Delvin.
“What happened when you went out to lunch?!” Macy asked Delvin.
Delvin looked around, afraid to speak.
I sat up on the couch. “I demand you to speak the truth. Tell them what happened.”
Delvin tried to control his tongue, but the spell wouldn’t allow it.
“I raped Muriel.”
In the blink of an eye, Liam had slammed Delvin against a wall and Macy had taken out her dagger.
“NO!” I screamed.
Macy turned toward me, while Liam still held Delvin against the wall, ready to end him.
“Let him go!” I demanded.
“But, my queen, are you OK?” Benni asked.
As I looked around the room and saw the expressions of horror, I realized the source of their confusion. Liam let go of Delvin, but kept an eye on him. Macy kept her dagger at her side and Clio sat next to me on the couch.
“You mustn’t ever hurt him. The rape he’s talking about happened years ago and I didn’t even know about it until today. He may be Deidra’s father, so no one is ever allowed to harm him. Deidra has the right to know her father.”
This bit of news would take some time to digest- not only for the council and guard, but for me as well.
“Tomorrow, we go to Kildare and ready ourselves for the third ceremony,” I said. “Nothing can distract from our purpose. I’m tired of distractions.”
I started to make my way to my suite, but when Liam followed, I put my hand on his chest.
“Corey, you’ll guard me in my suite tonight and I don’t care who is posted outside my quarters.”
When the evening came, Corey knocked at my door and I let him in. I had already changed into my pajamas and made sure they covered me from head to toe.
“You’re going to join me in my bed tonight, but no funny business. I’d love to catch up with you some other time, but tonight, please just be here for me in the way that I need.”
He said nothing, waited for me to get into bed and laid on top of the covers, while I slept.
In the early morning hours, Macy came into my room and woke us to go to our new castle. As we rustled, I could see a pained, frozen Liam in the doorway.
Once again, the sun had not cleared the horizon and we were moving about under the cover of darkness. When we were barely out of Dalkey, the light began to fill the day.
Liam took the seat next to me in the back of one of the vans. He held my hand in his and kissed it when he thought no one was watching. Kildare lay an hour ahead of us and Liam filled the time with holding hands, smelling my hair or stealthily placing his hand on my leg. We exchanged glances, but no words.
Clio, who sat a couple rows in front of us, announced that we were almost there. After turning off the main road, we climbed a small incline and took a couple of turns before coming to a clearing. Off in the distance stood a beautiful building that looked like it had been transported here from the past. It resembled a castle, made of sand-colored stones.
My first thought when we stopped in front of the building was that it seemed quite modest, compared to castle Danu. The grounds boasted all manner of gardens, which made the acreage look very regal, but it didn’t seem like there would be enough space for everyone. The guardsmen, kitchen and housekeeping staff lined up outside the entrance. A man stood at the doorway and welcomed us to Danu Castle.
As usual, my judgment proved premature. Once we entered the front of our new domicile, I could fully appreciate the expanse of the property.
“My name is Donogal and I’m head of the castle’s grounds and structures. We’re so happy to have you here. Please let me take you on a short tour.”
Donogal first showed us the beautiful entranceway that boasted four huge columns, supporting a great deal of the structure. Looking up, I could see a large, rounded opening encased in balusters, which appeared to be a second floor peek-through. Between the two back columns, an immense glass window displayed the rest of the grounds.
On the right and left of the entranceway were two immense, rounded, wood doors. The one on the right led to a huge living room area. The light from outside streamed in and the décor shone in all its splendor.
The door on the left led to a magnificent dining room, with four long tables. The kitchen lay beyond the dining area and from the sound of the noises, they had made their way back in the house and started preparing for a meal. This room also let in a lot of outside light.
On the opposite wall of the windows, were beverage dispensers and a half a dozen small, glass-doored refrigerators that housed milk, yogurts, cut up fruits and vegetables, cheese, and many other selections if you missed meal time or found yourself hungry for a snack. There were cabinets filled with dry food selections as well.
Donogal returned us to the entranceway and drew the curtain over the large window.
“If we ever have company, we close this so the rest of the grounds are not known.”
; “That curtain would make me quite curious and I’d move it aside,” Macy said.
“Go ahead,” Donogal encouraged. He moved out of the way and let Macy pull back the curtain.
We were surprised when our reflections peered back at us.
Donogal smiled. “This is double-paned glass and when the curtain is activated, a sheet of aluminum descends between the glass, making it a mirror. That way, the rest of the grounds remain unseen.
Quite an interesting trick, as the view from the window exposed a courtyard, lined on each side by a large, two-story structure. These two rows of housing butted up against a building across the courtyard, shaped similarly to the one we stood in. The castle was a large rectangle, with a beautiful garden and fountain in the middle.
Donogal took us back into the living room, directing our attention to the staircase.
“Behind each staircase in the main house, you will see a door. It will look like a closet when guests are here. However, it serves as an entranceway to the living quarters in the back. The entire closet enclosure rolls out of the way. Let’s go upstairs.”
He guided us up a beautiful wooden staircase. A small hallway to the left, led to two bedrooms on that side of the house. At the top of the stairs was an office and, as we approached the rounded peek-through to the downstairs, a bathroom sat to the left. A library spanned the entire front of the rounded path at the front of the house. Past the library, were additional bathrooms and bedrooms. If I counted right, six bedrooms in all, upstairs.
We walked to the end of the other side of the house, where the stairway led back down into the kitchen, but Donogal opened the door to the living quarters instead. A long, well-lit hall lay before us.
“You’ll notice that there are no windows on the outside wall. This is to help with security and it also contributes to keeping our location well hidden. There are trees that line the outside of this building and the roof is covered with shrubbery. The small lights throughout the gardens are also on the roof, making it mimic one big garden to anyone flying over or using binoculars in the evening hours...both of those scenarios being highly unlikely.”