* * *
Peter was sitting beside Assumpta's bed in the hospital. Various tubes
and cords connected her to an IV, oxygen, and
a heart monitor, which showed her heart still beating strong, but she
had not yet regained consciousness. Peter's face showed the strain of the
sleepless night. He had not left her side since they had moved her into
this room. And he had not let go of her hand either.
So many pictures and thoughts had played themselves over and over again in his mind throughout the long night: pictures of a white Assumpta lying still on a cold, stone floor; thoughts of the last words they had spoken to one another; thoughts of what if... those especially racked his body with emotional pain and brought the tears rolling down his face again. What if he had lost her? What would he have done? When would she ever wake up! Peter pressed Assumpta's hand against his lips and whispered: "Assumpta. Wake up. Please wake up!"
He did not hear the door to the room quietly open and it was a few moments
before he became aware that someone was
standing at the foot of the bed. He looked up. It was Father Mac. "Father
Clifford, you look awful." Peter cringed. "You need to go home and get
some rest. I can sit with Assumpta for a while."
"No!... I... I want to be here when she wakes up."
"Have the doctors given any indication...?"
Peter shook his head. "They say to give her time."
"Then give her time, Father Clifford. Let me sit with her. Go back to the Church and see to your responsibilities."
"What?!"
"To your flock. They need to hear from you how she is doing. They need your reassurance. And then there is Saturday to prepare for." Peter looked puzzled.
"Kieran's christening."
Peter cringed again and squeezed his aching, tired, eyes shut for a moment. The christening. At a time like this... life just keeps going on; the world doesn't stop turning just because the woman you love is almost killed. He had responsibilities. "The christening."
"You still plan on doing it, then?"
"I don't know how... I..."
"Come Father Clifford, I know Niamh is depending on you. You can't let her down."
Peter struggled with himself to control his temper and speak quietly.
"I will talk to Niamh."
"Father Clifford. Regardless of what has happened, and regardless of
what we discussed before it happen, you are still a priest and should continue
to act like one. It is the best thing for you at this time to continue
to take care of your responsibilities. Come, man, I'm thinking of you."
Peter glared at him, but Father Mac continued. "See Assumpta as often as
you can, of course, but keep to your routine. See to your responsibilites.
It will be best for you, best for everyone. Come lad, you aren't
the only one who is suffering, who loves her. Why, do you know how
many people in Ballykissangel have known Assumpta
virtually her whole life? Michael Ryan, who saved her life last night
- delivered her... Brendan Kearney taught her as a child in school... Ambrose
Egan was at the National School with her... Padraig O'Kelley..."
"Allright, allright," Peter conceded.
"You see, Father Clifford, long before you ever set foot in Ballykissangel there were those who loved Assumpta Fitzgerald." He looked down at her for a moment before continuing. "I know your pain is real - but there is a lot of it out there. You and only you, I believe, can alleviate that pain. It will bring you comfort to do so. You are amongst friends in Ballykissangel, Peter."
Peter looked up at Father Mac and a moment of rare understanding passed between them. He sighed and stood.
"Allright, Father. You sit with her while I go to Ballykay and talk to everyone -- take care of my responsibilities -- prepare for the christening on Saturday. But nothing is going to change my mind about the future. After Saturday, I'm leaving the priesthood. I can't continue to do it anymore. It wouldn't be right in light of my feelings now. I almost lost Assumpta. If I had the least doubt before, that has clarified everything. My future is with her. "
Father Mac nodded. "I understand, and I will not try to persuade you otherwise."
"Thank you." Still holding Assumpta's hand, he kissed it then leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. "I will be back soon," he whispered.
After Peter left, Father Mac sat down in the chair beside Assumpta's bed and looked at her quiet form for a long moment.
"Ah, Assumpta, Assumpta. I have never seen you so still in all your life! Where is your fire? Is it still within you? For your sake... for his sake... I pray it is."
* * *
With Kieran in his baby carrier in the car, Niamh dropped by Fitzgerald's briefly in the morning to check to see that everything was secure before heading to the hospital. In addition to her concern for Assumpta, she was fully aware that Peter had not come home last night. Neither had he called. She sincerely hoped that no news was good news, but she had to know for herself. She let herself in and looked around the dark, still room. A quiet voice from behind startled her. "Hello Niamh." She whirled around to see Leo McGarvey standing on the stairs.
"Oh, Leo! You scared me to death. What are you doing here? I... I would have expected you to be in Cilldargan at the hospital."
He came down the stairs and walked to her. "I wanted to talk to you first."
"Oh? Did Ambrose tell you everything that happened last night?"
"The main points I believe, yes. You are Assumpta's best friend, Niamh. What I want to ask you is... was the Priest with her last night when it happened? Is he at the hospital with her now?"
"Yes. I believe so."
"I'm going to ask you a question, Niamh. You don't have to answer it - just don't lie to me, ok? Is there something going on between Assumpta and the Priest?"
"Is that what you think?"
Frustrated, Leo shouted back at her: "Don't answer a question with a question! Is there something going on?!"
Niamh was startled and offended. "Don't speak to me like that Leo," she warned.
"I have to know."
Niamh shook her head. "I don't know, Leo..." He looked as though he
was about to accuse her of lying and she cut him off before he could say
anything. "Look, she didn't confide in me about that. Never. But I don't
think so. I don't think anything is going on between them. And I believe
I am as observant of them as anyone." She didn't add that it was only yesterday
that she
had observed something different about them. Last night she had observed
that Assumpta looked the happiest she had seen her in weeks -- maybe years.
And Peter hadn't been able to keep a smile from his face either. Something
had happened yesterday, but she was certain it wasn't what Leo was implying.
"Okay, Niamh. Thanks." Leo walked out of the bar. Niamh hated deceiving him. She liked Leo -- a lot -- and she hated seeing him hurt. She ached for him and bit her lower lip in thought. She watched out the door as he climbed into his car parked just up the street.
"Stupid of me not to have noticed his car before, " she thought.
Leo started the engine, made a u-turn, and began to drive down the street before Niamh suddenly remembered Peter. What would happen when Leo encountered Peter at the hospital? Niamh quickly climbed into her own car.
"Sit tight, Kieran. Mummy's on a mission!"
* * *
As Peter had ridden to the hospital in the ambulance, he didn't have a way back to Ballykissangel, and it wasn't time for the bus run. Outside the hospital he asked a few people and managed to find someone who was heading that way. He would have to walk a couple of miles but that might do him good -- clear his head -- give him time to think about what he would say to Brendan and Niamh and all of the others -- his friends. After what they saw and heard last night, they not only needed to know how Assumpta was, they needed an explanation.
Peter's ride let him off and, with his hands in his pockets, he started to walk. As he walked he thought of all the things he wanted to say to Assumpta when she woke up... about how he knew now that she was his destiny...
His progress presently brought him to the site of the roadside Madonna where Peter had once encountered Assumpta, but he was so deep in thought that he didn't notice. He did, however, notice a car approaching fast from the direction of Ballykay. It abruptly swerved in his direction and came to a stop just a few feet in front of him. Peter was appalled to see Leo climb out.
"Great!" he thought at the look on Leo's face. "Just what I need to deal with right now." Peter didn't mince words. "I don't want your company, Leo."
"I wouldn't choose yours either," Leo replied as he walked toward Peter.
"What do you want?"
"Simple answer to a simple question. Did you lay a hand on my wife?"
Peter was startled. "Huh?!"
Leo observed Peter's dishelved appearance, the blood-shot eyes. "You look a wreck, Priest. Has my wife upset you .. you know, almost dying and all?" He saw the fire shoot into Peter's eyes. "Go for it, Father!" he challenged.
Leo wanted a fight. Peter didn't want to give him one, but what choice did he have? --He could let Leo fight him but he could choose to not fight back. He threw his jacket to the ground. "Let's just get it done, Leo."
"Fine by me." Leo hit Peter on one side of his face and then the other, but Peter didn't fight back. "In case you're wondering, Father, turning the cheek's fine by me - I can do this all day."
"I haven't got all day," Peter replied tiredly. "Just get on with it."
But Leo didn't want a one-sided fight. He wanted Peter angry. He then spotted the Madonna among the rocks.
"Is this where you took her to be alone?"
"What?" Peter followed Leo's line of sight and at last saw the Madonna.
"What did you do? Slip behind the Blessed Virgin?"
This was too much! With a loud "Agggh!" and a quick move, Peter smashed Leo in the face with one balled-up fist. Leo fell flat on the ground, knocked out cold. Peter hadn't noticed that in the last minute Niamh had pulled her car up behind Leo's and gotten out. She ran over to the two men.
"No! That's enough," she cried. "Stop it! Are you trying to kill each other?" She looked at Peter and observed his bloodied nose and knuckles. She frowned. "Are you going to give him his penance now?"
Peter shook his head. "Don't start."
Niamh bent down to Leo and patted the side of his face. "Come on Leo - wake up - it's me Niamh."
Leo opened his eyes and looked at her. "I know who you are Niamh." He gingerly touched his bleeding lip and winced. "Did he do that?" To Peter he added: "You couldn't have done that - not on your own."
Peter said simply: "You were out of order, Leo."
Leo indicated Niamh with a nod. "What's she doing here?"
Before Niamh could reply, Peter heard a baby cry out. "Niamh - go back to Kieran." She looked at both men, decided that their anger was now spent, and did as she was asked.
When she was back in her car, Peter said: "I didn't bring Assumpta here Leo. I did meet her here once - by accident - but not what you meant. She told me that that was the most famous statue in Ireland. 'Cause no matter how long you stared at it - or how much drink you'd taken - it will not move one millimetre."
Leo's head was splitting. "I wouldn't be so sure."
Peter looked at him with some sympathy. "I think I've got some aspirin my coat pocket -- from the hospital."
"Forget it." Leo squared his shoulders. "I have to ask you a question Father. I'd appreciate it if you gave me an honest answer."
"I'll try."
"Do you love her?"
Peter hesitated but a moment. There was no point in denying it to Leo. "Yes."
"Does she love you?"
Peter was evasive -- and curious . "Is that what she told you?"
"You're doing what Niamh did -- come on!"
Peter's reply was low: "I believe she does." He added: "Leo - we never..."
But Leo interupted: "And when she married me?" Peter clearly saw the man's pain: he loved his wife. Peter didn't want to hurt him further. "It's the best I can do. She never said."
The two men stood silent for a few moments, then Leo collected himself and asked: "How is she?"
"Still unconsious, as far as I know."
"Is she going to be allright?"
"I don't know, Leo." A long sigh escaped him and he turned to pick up his jacket. "You'd better get along to the hospital." It was clear that he himself would not be going back today.
Without a further word Leo walked back to his car and got in. When he pulled away, Niamh pulled her car up by Peter. "Want a ride, Father?"
"Yes. Please." He climbed in beside her and turned back briefly to greet Kieran, then stared straight ahead. Niamh thought he looked so tired, so dejected. If only Assumpta hadn't married Leo...
"How is Assumpta?"
"Still unconscious when I left her." When he'd left her... It sounded so final to him.
"Father, did you get any sleep last night?"
"...No."
"You look it."
"So I've been told."
Niamh pulled a tissue from her purse and handed it to him.
"What's this for?"
"Your nose, for Heaven's sake. You look bloody awful."
"Oh! Sorry." Peter attempted to wipe away the blood but it was already drying into place. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the headrest.
"I'm taking you to my place and putting you to bed. You need a good rest."
Peter opened his eyes again and shook his head. "No. Take me to the Church. There's work to be done."
"What, exactly? What's so bloody important that you can't rest for a bit. You'll do Assumpta no good if you collapse from exhaustion."
Peter said to himself, "I can do Assumpta no good, anyway."
"What? Peter, don't give up. If you believe Assumpta loves you, don't give up. Just because Leo is back in town doesn't mean that Assumpta will choose him now over you."
"He's her husband, Niamh! ...And I'm a priest."
"For now, yes. But it can all change. Can and will."
Peter laughed. "You do me good, Niamh."
"Good. And now I'm going to see to it you have a rest."
"Very well. I'll have a rest."
A sound from the back seat brought another subject to Niamh's mind. "Father, are we still on for Saturday? Do you think we should postpone... until after..."
"Hmm? No. We'll go through with Kieran's christening -- of course. He shouldn't have to wait any longer. Unless... is Assumpta to be a godparent?"
"Well, I hadn't actually asked her yet. She is hardly fond of anything to do with the Church, ...present company excepted, of course. I was waiting till the last minute so she couldn't back out. What shall I do?"
"Wait, Niamh. See how Assumpta is in a day or two, but have someone else in mind, just in case. Siobhan, perhaps?"
"I suppose. She'll soon know all about mothering, herself." They had by now reached Ballykay and it was hard for them both to look at Fitzgerald's as they passed it, so neither did. Niamh drove by and pulled the car up to her house. Peter helped her into the house by carrying Kieran's bag. Niamh put the boy down in his jumper seat then showed Peter to the bedroom and the bath next to it.
"Here, Father. You can wash up in here, then you lay down on the bed and have your rest. Kieran and I will be real quiet. You won't hear a sound." Niamh handed him a wash cloth and a towel.
As Peter turned on the tap, he assured her: "Don't worry about making noise. I'm sure I'll sleep regardless." But he really doubted it.
After she left him, Peter looked at himself in the mirror over the wash
basin. One side of his upper lip was red and swollen and the same side
of his nose was bloodied. The blood was dried in place. He let warm running
water fill his cupped hands then he buried his face in the water. It felt
good, soothing. He gingerly washed his tender nose. When he was finished,
he gave
himself a long look.
"You do look awful... You are a fool Peter Clifford. Jennie was right.
She said there would be a next time, and she was right. What would she
say now if she could see the mess I've gotten myself into? Would she laugh
at me, mock me, or would she shake her head in sympathy? Oh, how could
she have known me so much better than I know myself? What could I have
done
differently? -- Nothing. This was my destiny. This is what time, and
God, have brought me to."
Only yesterday these same thoughts had filled his mind before he finally had the courage to admit the truth to himself and to Assumpta. And it had felt so damned good to admit it! To say to her -- I love you! "I love you..." he whispered in thought.
Peter dried his face and hands and walked into the bedroom. He slipped off his shoes, laid down on Niamh's bed and pulled up a coverlet that lay folded at his feet. He pulled it right up to his chin, and he closed his eyes.
But Peter's mind would not let him rest at first. It was full of insecure thoughts of the future. What if Assumpta did not recover right away? What if Leo chose to take her back to Dublin with him? He had every right, and he could care for her well there. Peter had no right to stop him. There was absolutely no justification -- no justification except his love.
What would he do without Assumpta if she left Ballykissangel? What if he were to never see her again? Could he go on being a priest, as if none of this had happened? No. He had told Father Mac he was going to quit the priesthood and he would. He could not continue in priestly duties under these circumstances. No, he would go through with what he had planned. And if worse came to worse and he had to leave Ballykissangel without Assumpta... Peter groaned. His face contorted into a grimace and he pressed his fists against his forehead. Destiny... why does it have such a cruel sense of humor?
After a moment Peter relaxed and his thoughts turned to sweeter memories. He thought of the first time he saw Assumpta when she picked him up in the rain on the road to Ballykay. He remembered how her tone of voice -- her whole attitude -- had changed when she learned he was a priest. He smiled to himself at the memory.
And he thought to himself: "When I came to Ballykissangel, I thought I was leaving trouble behind. Instead I was jumping out of the frying pan right into the fire. But when I realized it, I didn't care. I thought I could handle it this time. Assumpta wasn't a sweet, trusting girl like Jennie. She was a tough, independent woman. I thought her dislike of the Church and the clergy was some sort of protection for me. But I was wrong -- it drew me in instead. And Assumpta wasn't as tough as I thought. I didn't count on her frankness -- on her feeling the same as I did. I tempted the fire to burn me." He thought of Brendan and Padraig's play Ryan's Mother. He had been so nervous -- afraid to allow himself that one small freedom in rehersal. But at the same time he had wanted so much... just to know what Assumpta's soft lips tasted like... to drink in her delicious scent. He still didn't know what she tasted like! -- maybe now he never would. If only Father Mac and the Bishop hadn't shown up... Yes, he tempted the fire.
"Well, I got burned real good... Oh, Assumpta!"
Peter quietly sobbed against the pillow until his nervous energy was spent and finally he fell aleep.
* * * * *
"Leo." Her voice was soft and rough.
"Hello love." Assumpta's eyes focused more clearly and she noted
a cut lip and a bruised cheek.
"What... ...did you do to your face?" she asked.
"Oh, this is nothing. I banged into something. The important
question is, how do you feel?"
She thought about it. "I feel... odd -- spacey. My head
hurts, and my chest hurts when I breath." She raised her left hand
and
saw it was well bandaged. "What happened to me? Where I
am?"
"In hospital, in Cilldargan."
"What..."
"You don't remember?"
She gently shook her head. "No."
"You had a bad electrical shock. The fuse box in the cellar, at the
bar. Do you remember anything?"
"The fuse box? The lights kept going out. I fixed it once.
Padraig's going to rewire for me... but I don't have the money..."
"Do you remember last night at all?"
She frowned again. "There was -- a food fair. Chinese food
fair. The lights went out..." Her voice trailed off.
Leo gave her good hand a squeeze. "Ok, I'll go get the doctor.
Let him know you're awake."
When he left the room Assumpta felt anxious, unsure. Leo said it was
just last night. Last night she had felt so happy... Where
was Peter? Why wasn't he here? "He's a priest, for God's sake! He should
be by my side for lots of reasons. Why isn't he? Why is Leo here
instead?"
The doctor walked in with a big smile on his face, followed by Leo.
"Well, Mrs. McGarvey. Awake at last. And how are we
feeling today?"
"With my fingers." The doctor chuckled. Her wit was certainly
not damaged. "Why does my chest hurt when I breath?"
"That's because Doctor Ryan had to push pretty hard to get your heart
restarted. It will be fine in a few days."
Assumpta was stunned. "My heart stopped?"
"From the electrical shock. Doctor Ryan saved your life.You are
very lucky he was in the right place at the right time, or you wouldn't
be here now, young lady. Foolish thing -- messing with fuse boxes.
Tsk, tsk."
Peter leaped into Assumpta's thoughts again. "Oh, God, Peter!
What have I done to you? Where are you?"
Brendan's face brightened and he sat up more straight. This suggestion
was definitely to his likely. "All that work, you'll get thirsty,"
Brian continued. "And I'm feeling real thirsty myself just looking
at the three of ya sitting out here all forlorn. I think I'll go
talk to Niamh." With his hands in his pockets, Brian turned and walked
toward Niamh's house, the one with the Garda sign
out front.
Padraig and Brendan smiled at one another, then Padraig gestured with
a wag of his head. "Fancy a drive with me into Cilldargan? Go get wire."
Brendan shook his head no. "Got to get back to school. So much for
my lunch break."
"I'll go with you, Padraig," Siobhan told him. Brendan frowned. He
hated missing out on anything that seemed the least bit
more fun that handling a room-full of students. He bid them goodbye
and headed uphill toward the school while Padraig and Siobhan headed for
his petrol station.
* * * * *
Brian called a hello to Niamh as he walked through into her kitchen.
She was fixing Ambrose's lunch.
"Hi Dad. Want a sandwich?"
"Fine. Thanks. Niamh, Padraig wants you to open up Fitzgerald's
for him."
Niamh was incensed. "What ever for?! Can't he and his cronies
stand one day of not sitting their arses at Assumpta's bar?"
"No! It's not that. He wants to rewire the place -- as
a homecoming present for Assumpta."
"Oh... That's nice. Who's going to pay for it? He
told Assumpta it would be fairly expensive. That's why she hadn't
gotten it
done yet."
"He says he'll do the work free gratis and all her friends can pitch
in to cover the cost."
"Well! I am surprised. I didn't know Padraig had such generosity
in him. He must be guilt ridden."
"Now, Niamh," Ambrose said with a smile as he came walking into the
kitchen, "Padraig has a lot of generosity in his good Irish
soul."
"And do you know what we're talking about?" she asked, and gave him
one of her arched brow looks.
"It so happens I do. I just came from talking with him and Siobhan
down at his station. He asked me to tell you, Brian, that they are
driving into Cilldargan for supplies even as we speak." Ambrose headed
for the bathroom to wash up for lunch.
"Well," said Brian turning back to Niamh. "There you go. Guilty
or not, he's doing the right thing and that's what counts. Now the
rest of us will do the right thing, too."
"Amazing."
"What?"
Just then Ambrose came wandering back into the kitchen with his mouth
open and a look of puzzled wonder on his face. "Niamh, what is Father Clifford
doing sleeping in our bed?"
"What?!" Brian reacted a bit too loudly.
"Shhh!" Niamh scolded. "He is not in our bed, he's on it.
And he's having a good rest. He didn't get any sleep last night at
the hospital and he had a none-too-pleasant run-in with Leo McGarvey
this morning. Thanks to you, Ambrose."
"Me?"
"You're the one who called Leo."
"And you're the one who agreed that I should!"
Niamh didn't appreciate the reminder. "Oh! Here are your
lunches. Eat! And watch Kieran. Feed him his lunch and keep
him
quiet. Don't bother Peter, either. I'm going into Cilldargan
to see Assumpta." And with that she wiped her hands on a towel, picked
up her purse, and walked out of the kitchen.
"Hold up!" Brian called after her.
"What?!"
"The keys to Fitzgerald's -- for Padraig." Niamh fished into
her purse and handed a ring of keys to her father. Brian held his
breath until she was truely out the door, into the car, and heading
down the street. Then he smiled a little smile. Ambrose knew
that smile and he was instantly suspicious of his father-in-law.
"What are you up to, Brian?"
"Up to? Nothing -- nothing. I've just gotten the keys so Padraig can
get started as soon as he gets back from Cilldargan. That's all. Well,
I've got things to do. See you, Ambrose." With hands again in pockets,
Brian sauntered out of the house and Ambrose shook his head after him.
He knew without a doubt, Brian Quigley was up to something. He just hoped
it wouldn't be at Assumpta's expense.
Brian walked casually across and down the street to Fitzgerald's and
let himself in. The place was eerily quiet. He went around
behind the bar and surveyed the room up and down, especially the tables.
There were sit-down eating places for several people, but with a little
manouvering he could add even more. Yes, this could work just fine.
Brian nodded to himself and again smiled that satisfied little smile.
"When can I go home?" she had asked.
"Let's see how you feel in the morning," the doctor had replied.
After the doctor had left, Assumpta asked Leo what he had been doing
since she had last seen him, just a few weeks before, and whether he could
get in trouble for dropping everything to come down to the country. He
told her he had the day free -- no problem. Then he had proceeded to tell
her what details there were to tell about the news stories he was currently
pursuing. Later, he asked her how long the wiring at the pub had
been acting up and she said just since she had gotten back from
Dublin, though she had known for sometime that it needed replacing.
"Then we will get it replaced for you."
"Leo, you don't have to..."
"Let me help, Assumpta. I am your husband. I can help you
out when you need it and you can help out when I need it. That's
what relationships are all about, even if they are a bit distant."
"Leo, about that..."
But Leo cut her off. "Oh, did I tell you about Joe McSorty's
run in with the law a couple of week's ago?"
Before he could continue, he was interrupted by a knock at the open
door.
It was Niamh. "Hello, you two."
Assumpta had never been more pleased to see anyone. "Oh, Niamh,
come in!"
"Assumpta, I'm so glad to see you are awake. How are you?"
"I'm feeling better by the minute. Come sit by me." Leo
stood up to give Niamh his chair.
"Leo, I've got such a thirst," Assumpta said. He started to reach
for her cup of water but she wrinkled up her face. "I would
dearly love to have something stronger."
He smiled. "I don't think I can do much for you there, Love.
How about a Coke?"
"I suppose that will have to do. Could you get me one?"
He smiled again. "Sure. I'll go see what I can find." And
he left the room.
Assumpta grabbed Niamh's hand. "Niamh! I'm so glad to have
a moment alone with you. Where's Peter?"
"At my house."
"Your house?"
"Having a good sleep. He didn't get any last night, Assumpta.
He sat right here all night watching over you."
Tears came to Assumpta's eyes. "That's sweet. Poor love.
I must have scared him badly."
"Assumpta, you scared us all badly! We thought you were dead.
Maybe you were. But Doctor Ryan revived you, thank God."
"And Peter?"
"He was beside himself! And he didn't care who saw it -- or else
he forgot we were even there. It was pretty clear the man is
in love with you, Assumpta! What happened between you two yesterday?"
"Oh... lots of things. It started the other night really.
At your house. I showed up to baby sit and Peter was already there.
He finally started to talk to me, Niamh. To tell me know he felt.
We went for a walk by the lake after the court hearing and talked more.
Finally last night he told me he loved me and that he wanted me to be a
part of his life. Oh, Niamh! I've never been so happy -- then
I go and do this! Niamh, what am I to do? Leo's here; I'm still married..."
"Peter's a priest..."
"The least of my worries, I think. He said he would leave the
priesthood for me, Niamh."
Niamh's face was full of wonder. "Oh, Assumpta..! Just
don't let him do it before Saturday."
"Saturday?"
"Kieran's christening."
"Oh! Of course."
"Speaking of which, Assumpta, I want you to be one of Kieran's godparents."
"What?! Niamh... I wouldn't know what..."
"Assumpta Fitzgerald. You are perfectly capable of being his
godparent."
"But Niamh, a godparent has to make promises -- one of which is that
the child will be brought up in the Church if anything happens to you.
Niamh, I don't go to Church. I can't raise someone else's child in
the Church when I don't believe in it!"
"Oh, I don't care. And nothing is going to happen to me or Ambrose.
You are my best friend, Assumpta. I want you to be Kieran's godmother."
"The fairy godmother! Niamh, I'm in hospital, in case you haven't
noticed."
"Well, you look good to me. I'm sure you will be out by Saturday."
They heard someone walking toward the room. "I'll think about
it," Assumpta said, then lowering her voice added, "Niamh, I've got to
see Peter. Please tell him."
"But Leo... they've already had one fight."
"What?!"
But there was no more time to talk. Leo walked through the door
carrying three cans of Coke.
"Here we are. One for each of us."
Niamh stood. "Thanks, Leo, but I've got to go. Errands to run, Kieran
to get back to. Assumpta, I'm so glad to see you looking so well. I'll
convey your greetings to everyone. Remember what I asked, Assumpta."
"Remember yourself, Niamh."
After Niamh left and Assumpta explained about the christening, she
reached out a hand for Leo's, and said: "Leo, we've got to
talk."
* * * * *
Kathleen Hendley was standing in her shop gossiping with one of her
older lady customers, the widow Mary O'Casey. Mary wasn't her favorite
partner for her favorite past-time -- she had too sympathetic a nature
-- but she was someone new with whom Kathleen could yet again discuss last
night's happenings.
"Well, I think it's disgraceful," Kathleen was saying. "Assumpta Fitzgerald
nearly dead of shock and the Priest making a
spectacle of himself over her. I always thought they were much too
friendly. She has been a bad influence on him -- not surprisingly. I wouldn't
be surprised if something has been going on between those two behind closed
doors! And her a married woman! I'll not step foot in St. Joseph's again,
as long as HE is the curate! I plan to register my complaints with Father
MacAnally."
"Now Kathleen. Even priest's are human. I think he's a nice young man,
for an Englishman, and he's been a good curate -- very kind and considerate
to me. And Assumpta is lovely, really. If they do care for each other,
then I think its fortunate that they discovered their feelings now, before
anything really happened -- I'm sure it hasn't. We've had too much scandal
in the Church of late -- on far higher levels than a curate. Better that
this not get further out of hand. And now, under the circumstances, we
should be kinder toward Assumpta."
"Well -- still, I..."
Something caught Kathleen's attention outside the window -- more specifically
across the street at Fitzgerald's -- and she did a
double-take.
"What are those two boys up to now?" Mary and Kathleen moved
closer to the window to have a better look. Donal was standing in
front of Fitzgerald's, peering down the street with a pair of binoculars.
Liam was coming down the sidewalk with a small table and two chairs stacked
together and held balanced on his head. Suddenly Donal reacted and
said something to Liam and they both dashed, with tables, into the bar
and shut the door. In less than a minute Niamh Egan drove by in her
car.
"Well, whatever it is," Kathleen decided. "I don't want to know
about it. I don't care to know anything further about Assumpta
Fitzgerald's affairs, or her bar." And with that the two ladies turned
away from the window.