by Gavin Green
10
The final days of March had passed by slowly for Kate, as excited as she was for the trip to the States. With Brody's assistance, the reservations for the flight, hotel, and car rental were made well in advance. All she could do after the plans were set was to wait with growing anticipation.
Other than two weekend trips to London by ferry and train in her college years, Kate had never been out of Ireland. Never having flown in a plane before, the beginning of her vacation was going to begin with thrilling anxiety. The nervous energy she amassed from anticipation was expended on Brody, who had no complaints.
Kate had asked Alana if she'd check in on the cottage while they were gone. Her friend happily agreed, saying she'd house-sit once she and Brody were out of the way, adding that they might have trouble getting her to leave.
Brody didn't even have to ask Simon to check up on the dogs and donkeys; his cousin offered early on to do just that. Kate noted that it was also a viable excuse for him and Alana to cross paths. Jane was also asked to set out some cream and butter for Liadan on the night before they returned. Even with friends and family lending a hand and assuring her that everything was well in hand, Kate knew she was going to be heartsick from missing her pets.
The morning of their flight finally arrived, early and active. Brody had asked her not to drink much coffee before their flight; a nap on the plane would help against jet-lag. Kate didn't see how she was going to be able to sleep, but complied. With the luggage loaded and the pets given last-minute attention, they began the lengthy drive down to Shannon Airport under wet skies. Kate used the drive time to send texts and emails, promising that she'd take more pictures than anyone would care to look at.
At Brody's insistence, their seats were business class; he wanted Kate to be quite comfortable on her first flight. Since first class offered only a few other amenities they wouldn't use, and it came at an exorbitant cost, it was easily dismissed. Kate was very impressed with what was provided: individual flat-screens with a selection of movies, seats that stretched out to near horizontal, and of course the free drinks. The take-off was a rush for her already-pounding heart, but less than an hour later she was in a deep slumber.
The only stop before their final destination was in Newark. Since the layover was only for an hour, they stayed within the sprawling airport. Kate thought to at least take a quick look around outside, but Brody made the comment, "It's Newark, darlin' - you aren't missing anything." Since she wasn't familiar with the stigma, he had to explain that the city - and most of New Jersey, really - had a poor reputation, and was for the most part warranted. With that information, Kate assumed it'd be comparable to a vast traveler campsite, except with smog-belching factories. She was therefore content to wait inside.
After landing in Kansas City and retrieving their luggage, Kate and Brody stepped out into a cool and sunny afternoon. She'd been on planes and in airport terminals for well over thirteen hours and felt as though it should be well dark. The long nap on the first leg of their trip and the invigoration of travel left her wide awake for the rest of that extended day.
Kate was impressed with the size of their rented vehicle; Brody had chosen a full-size SUV to give his big, muscular form plenty of room. They had reserved a penthouse suite at an elegant hotel in the city's trendy - to her, meaning posh - shopping district. On the drive into the city, Kate had her phone camera clicking in all directions.
Brody grinned at her fascination, watched her taking photos almost frantically, and casually asked, "What are you doin'?"
"I'm trying to capture all of the obvious differences from home," she answered while clicking another shot. "Take this motorway, for example. Look at how wide the lanes are! And there are three or four of them at a time, just on our side alone! It's like Dublin, except there's so much room here."
"Darlin', it's just a highway. I'm pretty sure there are better things to sprain your thumb taking pictures of, okay?" She grinned in response and then took a hasty photo of him.
As the hotel brochure promised, their suite was sumptuous. Large windows gave western views of the posh area that Brody called 'the Plaza', and a small balcony faced the city's downtown skyline to the north. Kate lay back onto the soft pillows of the king-sized bed and made a promised call to Alana. Brody likewise called Jamal, even after a few phone chats while still in Ireland. Once off their phones, the couple unpacked a few items before searching out the rooftop bar for a cocktail.
Over dinner in the hotel's fancy Italian restaurant, they discussed plans and itineraries. Other than a few ideas, Brody wanted to play things by ear. Kate, ever the organizer, had a list and timetables she wanted to keep to in order to see everything she found on the net that caught her interest.
Kate finally got to meet Jamal and Carla in person the next day for a lunch of what she considered to be large cuts of steak and pampered service; she'd soon learn that that was the norm. To Kate, the engaged couple seemed a good fit; they both were quite tall, well-educated and level-headed. They both worked in the financial field and kept well within their affluent means - wedding excluded. Because of those pragmatic qualities and educational backgrounds that were akin to her own, it set her at ease with Brody's friends.
Since Kate wanted to find new outfits for the rehearsal dinner and wedding, and because Carla had to see to last minute details, they all finished their oversized meals and said their farewells like old friends.
The rest of the day was a whirlwind of shopping. Brody only wanted a new suit and some sports apparel while Kate seemingly found deals and new styles in every clothing store he brought her to. She even gathered a cart full of sale items and shoes - too many shoes - from a Walmart, a store of daunting proportion. She ignored the strange looks, and Brody's chuckles, when she began taking photos of it. She could only imagine what the lass at the check-out thought at seeing the bushel of American candies that would be going back home with them for friends and family. Well, most of it.
To Kate's delight, Brody's hometown had an amusement park that easily dwarfed the Funderland she'd visited in Galway a few years back. After hours of screaming on rollercoasters and strolling hand in hand throughout the expansive grounds, she was then entertained with a sight-seeing tour around specific areas of the widespread city.
Besides Brody's parents' old home and the apartment complex he lived in before moving to Ireland, Kate was shown both the high and low ends of residential living there. Brody drove slowly through manicured neighborhoods of mansions, but then hurriedly through perturbing slums. She was glad for both speeds, although her camera stayed busy throughout.
During that tour, Brody made a slight alteration to his driving plans and brought Kate to a tidy suburban cemetery. A short walk around other grave markers brought them to the headstone of his parents. The names of Jeremiah (Jerry) Edward and Rosalie (Rose) Anne Lynch were carved into one wide piece of dark marble. Brody said that it was the only type of introduction he could make, but they would have been thrilled to meet Kate.
As they stood there, Kate listened quietly while Brody told a few wistfully funny stories about his parents. All the while, she glanced from him to the headstone and ached for his loss. After a long hug, Kate said that she felt honored to be brought there and be allowed to share that special place.
Although Kate had forgotten about her own birthday, Brody hadn't. She was first taken to a boutique where a beautiful green dress caught her eye; it was elegant enough for formal events, yet modest enough for church. Next was a reservation at a spa, an experience she'd never had before. Kate was treated like royalty while she received hot stone massage, exfoliating facial, a light spray tan, manicure, pedicure, and a hair styling at the adjacent salon. Afterwards, she felt blissfully mellow; the decadent indulgence was beyond what she could have expected.
Brody met Kate in the spa's lobby and complimented her refreshed look and new hair style. He then gave her a set of emerald stud earrings to match her new dress; he'd gotten
them while she was cosseted for the last few hours. While she stared adoringly at the jewelry, Brody light-heartedly mentioned that from then on she was getting home-made gifts. While elated with the pampering and lavish items, Kate didn't mention that she would have enjoyed his hand-crafted presents even more.
The rehearsal dinner was a lavish affair, held in a huge banquet hall to accommodate Jamal's small family and Carla's large one. It was professionally catered with a wide array of foods, from filet mignon to chicken strips. The atmosphere was like a loud, informal party, and all of the guests were in good spirits; the hall was filled with bright nimbuses, but thankfully none that sparkled.
It was obvious that Kate and Brody were the minority at the event, which she should have expected. Kate whispered to Brody that she'd never seen so many black folks all at once before; he was discreetly mortified at her comment. She didn't mean to come off as racist - to her, it was simply an observation.
That evening continued to be festive for a good long while. Simple games of introduction were played, speeches were made, and there was romantic music to slow-dance to after the buffet meal. At one point, Kate found herself sat at a table of older ladies who loved her accent and wanted to know more about her homeland. When Brody came over to say hello, those ladies turned their questions on him. One of them was Jamal's mother, and remembered her son's big friend from the boys' high school days. She and the other ladies were warm and funny and very outspoken.
When the evening began to wind down, the couple said their goodbyes and headed back to their hotel. Kate came away from the dinner with many more pictures, memories of some charming people, and a love for Kansas City barbeque.
The next day was all about the wedding. Kate thought her new green dress, emerald earrings, medium-heeled pumps and clutch purse - plus other jewelry she'd been given at Christmas - made a fetching ensemble. Brody, with that hunger in his eyes that she knew well, said she looked gorgeous. He looked rather dapper and sexy himself in his new tailored suit. Finally ready, they drove out of the covered parking garage into another beautiful day. She felt all this - from notable urban surroundings to fine attire and posh settings - placed her in an invigorating new world.
While nowhere matching the grandeur of the Ballaghadaere cathedral, the church for the ceremony was inviting and tastefully decorated. Kate didn't note the name of the church, but it certainly wasn't a Catholic wedding - there were songs she wasn't familiar with, no communion offered, and the ceremony didn't last as long. Brody told her later that both Jamal and Carla were Baptists. The bride looked stunning in her flowing dress and the groom looked nervous but happy. Even though the old gent next to Kate wore far too much cologne, she thought it was a lovely wedding.
Jamal and Carla's reception started much the same as the rehearsal dinner, except with a number of homemade dishes added to the food selection. Kate and Brody ignored the gift registry list and instead brought engraved Waterford glassware with a decanter, all well-padded for the journey. The couple was made to feel welcome by all the strangers they met, interacting as much as keeping their own company.
While dancing with Jamal's father, Kate once again appreciated how far she'd come along socially since realizing her nimbus sight, and especially having Brody. There was so much laughter and joy and love she would have been completely unaware of otherwise.
For Kate and Brody's last day of vacation, they tried to keep to her itinerary. The morning was spent at the zoo; Dublin's own was nearly as nice but only one third the size. At Kate's request, more barbeque was had for lunch. After the meal, Brody made a huge order of ribs and sauce to be packed for mailing.
Afterwards was more sight-seeing and shopping; they had to buy additional luggage to carry all of the unexpected purchases of clothing, souvenirs, and food. By that evening, the couple agreed that they were ready to go home.
The returning flight to Ireland was early in the morning; Kate and Brody were getting used to sleeping in, so their departure was a drowsy one. They had a layover in Chicago for an hour and a half, wanting to venture no further than to find a café open for breakfast. On the long flight back over the Atlantic, they reset their watches to Ireland time with frowns; it would be past midnight when they landed, followed by a two-hour drive home. Wanting to be back at their country cottage with their pets gave Kate and Brody the energy to stay awake.
On the drive home, Kate realized that she hadn't seen any rain in a week; every day in Kansas City was sunny and comfortable. She wondered if her grandfather Aldritch had anything to do with that. On that note, she never saw one glittering nimbus while in the States. She imagined that the cities were too big, too modern, for the fae's liking. Perhaps it was a lack of old beliefs in the relatively young nation that kept the Other Crowd scarce there. Then again, it could be all three or none of the above; Kate wasn't concerned about it. She'd just had near a week of normalcy and was going to miss it.
Having known their flight schedule, Alana left the cottage in top form and left the dogs to their own devices for a few hours until their masters finally returned. Seeing that a few lights had been left burning and meals waiting to be reheated, Kate felt lucky to have such a good friend. The dogs remained excited for some time and it took a session of wrestling to calm them.
On the last trip to bring the luggage in, Kate noticed two small sparkling nimbuses moving about in the nearest paddock over by Brody's workshop. While she couldn't see their forms, she could see their bright emotional colors glowing in the darkness. It seemed only natural to her to smile and wave in their direction before closing the front door.