Travels in Eire #56

As Darren opened the door to the flat, he and Cailin entered as one, in their continuing embrace and kiss. There was no hurried rush to this, it was warm and loving. As their lips parted, their eyes met, each knowing what was to come and the decision they had made. They walked slowly down the hall to Cailin's bedroom with Darren's arm wrapped around Cailin's waist, and Cailin's head nuzzled on Darren's shoulder.

They had never been so intimate before, and Darren was very careful to continue this calm loving sentiment as they both fell to the bed. Cailin barely remembered the ectasy of the night after the slow soft kisses Darren planted down her neck. Her body was seathing inside. She had never felt this way before. Her need was more than she could imagine, yet Darren was patient and gentle with her. Cailin's hands reached up around Darren's shoulders and felt the smoothness of his skin with the strength of his muscles and their definition. Their skin was a warmth for each other heating the emotions that ran so deep for both of them. It was a tender and loving intimacy that they shared this night that would bind their relationship.

Cailin woke the next morning cradled in Darren's arms. It felt so natural. She tried not to wake him as she started to move a little.

“Don't worry love, I'm already awake,” Darren whispered into her ear.

“Why didn't you wake me up?” Cailin queried.

“I was just enjoying watching you sleeping in my arms,” he replied as he kissed her bare shoulder. “You do realized that I want to wake up this way every morning?”

Cailin shyly responded, “I do too.” And they both smiled.

“Cailin, we have some things to take care of this morning, and lots to talk about,” Darren's tune seemed to change quickly. “I'm not one to take all this lightly.”

Cailin didn't know what to expect. Darren had her hop in the shower while he made them both a cuppa tea. Once Cailin was done, Darren hopped into the shower, but was stuck with putting on the same clothes he had on the night before.

“This will not do on a regular basis,” he frowned as he looked at his rumpled clothes and Cailin. And Cailin started to understand that this conversation was going to involve some important decisions for both of them.

Travels in Eire #55

As Cailin stepped off the bus in Derry Darren was waiting for her and greeted her by wrapping his arms around her and planting a big kiss on her forehead. They both laughed and shared a long loving kiss. Cailin hadn't realized how much she missed Darren and was anxious to share the last two days with him but she also realized how absolutely starving she had become on the bus ride home. Not to worry as Darren had anticipated how hungry Cailin would be and made arrangements to meet Keith for dinner and a little business on the side.

They headed into Derry chatting all the way about Cailin's ride with Ryan, her visit with Rorey, and the invitation by Ryan to attend mass at St. John's.

“Darren, I told Ryan that when he came to Derry I owed him a dinner for the ride and company from Dungannon to Mullaghmore. Rorey and I heard him sing and you really should see about Ryan performing at one of your fund raisers.” Cailin was feeling pretty good that she could make a musical suggestion to Darren.

Keith was already inside the restaurant with a Guinness sitting in front of him. He waved to Cailin and Darren and yelled out for two more cold ones. It was a casual restaurant, and not too many people were there. Cailin got the feeling they knew Keith as a regular. The conversation turned to music and Cailin brought up seeing Ryan sing in church.

“He's mostly done pubs and church, but he does have pipes. He's toured some in the US also.” Keith added to the conversation. “I could probably get him up here to give us a tune for the Hospital Festival Fund Raiser.”

“So Keith, are you going to help me produce this project? You have such access to the kind of musical groups that would be best for a festival. Especially since this will be a summer outdoor festival. No where near Glasgowbury, but something small at a park with about five or six acts during the day. And of course, you would be the headliner!” Darren was hoping that having Keith as the headliner would bring in a bigger crowd and more donations for the hospital.

“Yeow!! Of course I'd love it. Have to work around my other stuff. I'll be heading over to the States for a while. Probably about 4 months or so.” Keith sounded excited to be part of this.

“No worries, Keith, remember how far in advance I need to plan this. It will be next summer and I'll make sure to work with you on the dates. Just wanted to make sure you were on board for this. Now let's get this hungry lass something to eat!”

Dinner was full of conversation and laughter. Darren and Keith shared some stories about some of the groups they know and some of the crazy things they had done.

The evening ended with a last round of drinks and laughter and Darren and Cailin headed back to Cailin's flat. This had been an extraordinary evening and Cailin was just bubbling with energy as they headed up the stairs to her room. Maybe it was all the Guinness.

As always Darren reached around Cailin to open the lock on the door, like he had done since the first night they met. But this time was different. Darren leaned in for a long, deep loving kiss. Tonight was not going to stop at the door.

Travels in Eire #54

There was something about being in Mullaghmore, that made Cailin's sleep even more restful than usual. She woke as the sun shone through the bedroom window feeling happy and alive. She dressed and was ready to head downstairs just as Brendan was heading up the stairs to make sure she was awake. He saw her coming down and smiled a good mornin'.

“So lassie, will it be one of my special breakfasts with all the trimmings today?” he asked as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Actually Brendan, I'd just like some tea and toast, if you have it. I've had a few too many Ulster fries and I need to watch my diet! she laughed back to him.

“Your choice lassie, but your missing a real treat.”

Cailin didn't want to hurt Brendan's feelings, so she acquiesced to a small version of Brendan's special breakfast with a cup of tea. She knew that he would still make a full version, but this way she would still be a gracious guest.

Rorey arrived as Cailin was finishing about half of her meal and stayed for a cup of tea. They then headed off to Ardboe. The road to Ardboe passed by the carvery where Cailin had first met Ryan. As they motored down the road she recognized his SUV in the parking lot.

“Rorey, we need to make a quick stop here please,” she knew Rorey would not refuse. “I want to see a friend and thank him.”

Cailin climbed out of Rorey's small compact and entered the restaurant. As she poked her head in she saw Ryan drinking a cup of tea. He had obviously finished his breakfast and sat alone as he drank his tea. He looked up at the door as she entered, and smiled, surprised.

“HI Ryan, I'm on my way to church in Ardboe and saw your SUV outside. I just wanted to thank you again for the ride the other day.”

“Ardboe for church? Why not here at St. John's?” Ryan asked back. “Actually I'll be singing while my da play the organ today.” Cailin could tell Ryan wanted her to hear him sing.

“Let me check with my ride,” Cailin was hoping Rorey would approve.

Rorey asked Cailin, “Who's this singer again? Did you say Ryan Kelly? I've heard of him singing in some pubs around here. And now he's doing a mass? Ought to be interesting, I'm up for this.”

Ryan came out of the restaurant at that point and Cailin gave him the thumbs up. He walked over and introduced himself to Rorey. They had a few quick words about people they knew in common and the he said they needed to be off to church. St. John's was just around the corner and down the street a bit. It was a small pretty church. It seemed that most of the parish was attending this mass. Cailin wondered if they came to hear Ryan and his father.

Rorey and Cailin were seated about midway back in the pews and noticed the balcony with the organ. Ryan had added a jacket and tie to his dress shirt and stood off to the side at the front. The mass was beautiful and Ryan's voice filled the entire church. His voice had a slight raspy tone at times, and other times pure and true. He was very talented. One song he accompanied himself with his guitar. Cailin was so glad that she and Rorey had this opportunity.

After mass was over, Ryan introduced Rorey and Cailin to his parents. Cailin reminded Ryan that she owed him a dinner the next time he came to Derry and Ryan promised that would be soon. They parted ways and Rorey and Cailin headed for the Old Ardboe Cross to say some prayers for family members who were buried there.

Visiting the Old Ardboe Cemetery was bittersweet for Cailin this time. She now knew so much more about her family tree thanks to Rorey. After a while, they headed down the road to Dungannon for Cailin to catch the bus back to Derry and to see Darren for dinner.

Travels in Eire #53

Cailin opened the door to the pub and stepped in. It took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the darkened atmosphere. It was a quiet afternoon. As she scanned around the room there was only one customer sitting hunched over it the corner. It was Rorey. As she entered he raised his head and a grin started to form on his face. Before he could say anything, from behind the bar came a deep pitched shout, “Well looky here, she's come back home again!” It was Brendan moving his bulky body from behind the bar right up to her for a huge hug. Cailin was almost breathless from his squeeze.

“Hi, Brendan. What a wonderful welcome. I thought it was time I paid a visit here, now that I'm living in Derry,” Cailin tried to get as much information out quickly as she could. “Rorey, I'm so glad you were here. Saves me a trip wandering all over town looking for you,” she smiled as she approached Rorey.

“Well, my Irish lassie. Good to see you haven't forgotten your roots here in our little town of Mullaghmore. And Derry it is... Guess the big city American girl needed a big city over here as well,” Cailin could tell this was a little criticism as Rorey would have liked to see Cailin settle down closer to family ties.

“First things first. Brendan, do you have a room for me tonight? I'm planning on staying over until tomorrow afternoon when I need to get back to Dungannon to catch the bus to Derry. I'm a working girl now and need to be home for Monday morning.”

“Lassie, I will always have a room for you. Same one as before, right?” you could see how happy Brendan was that Cailin would be staying over. “And I”ll have an ample breakfast for you in the morning too. You look to need a little meat on them bones,” Brendan grabbed his middle and chuckled.

“And Brendan, I've got a terrible thirst here. Can I get a cold pint for Rorey and I?” Cailin had come to enjoy the cool stout that was part of all Irish tradition. Guinness was best when pumped regularly at pubs and it didn't travel well, so she only drank it when in Ireland.

Cailin moved until she stood next to Rorey. “Well, do I even get a greeting here?”

Rorey's grin grew bigger and he stood to properly welcome Cailin back. She felt so at home once again. Like she had never left.

“Rorey, I have so much to tell you. My life has just been so amazing since we first met when I came over here on vacation less than a couple of months ago. This is the first time I've been able to take a weekend and come back here to Mullaghmore and see you,” Cailin was trying to ease into her news slowly, but she knew that wasn't going to happen.

“Ahhh, Cailin, you've found yourself a lad. Look at you, you are as bright as the sun on a day with a shining rainbow, and beaming all over. I know that look. I've seen it before. So first tell me how you came to move here after your vacation. I didn't think I'd be seeing you this soon again,” Rorey was ready to hear Cailin's story and she didn't disappoint. She recounted everything from how she met Darren, to her decision to leave her job in New York City and work remotely from Derry so she could be close to Darren and get to know him better and see where things were going. She talked about Darren's parents and filled Rorey in pretty completely.

“So Cailin, when do I get to meet this lad? You do know you need someone here to approve of him?” Rorey's eyes were sparkling with mischief.

At first Cailin thought Rorey was being extremely serious, then realized that he was teasing her. “Rorey, I'm sure that Daren would hold up to any checking out that you might have in mind,” she replied laughing.

And so the afternoon wore on. Cailin and Rorey finished their drinks and headed out of the pub for a walk around town. They planned the rest of the day and the following morning. They would go to the small church in Ardboe and stop by the Ardboe Cross and cemetery. Then Rorey would drop Cailin off in Dungannon to catch her bus back to Derry. They had a hearty dinner in the diner in Mullaghmore sitting by the window where they had sat when Cailin first met Rorey. The evening finished back at the pub sitting by the fire with Rorey telling stories of the family members that Cailin had never had the chance to get to know.

As Cailin headed up the stairs to bed, she couldn't help but remember the first time she had ended up here, soaking wet and lost. She wasn't lost anymore.

Travels in Eire #52

As they finished their lunch the rain had stopped and Cailin had used a few minutes to pull some dry clothes out of her backpack and use the restroom to change into some dry clothes.
“Quite the fashion statement,” Ryan smiled and commented as she came out the door to get into his SUV. It was an outfit that Ruth had helped her choose.

Cailin laughed, “Sorry, I just couldn't bare to get those wonderful leather seats all wet again.” And she climbed into the vehicle.

As they headed down the road Ryan was quiet until he blurted out, “Do you like sports? You are from New York City, right?”

Cailin didn't really follow sports too much, but she could carry on an intelligent conversation about sports in general. She was wondering if Ryan thought just because she was from New York City if she was involved with the sports teams there.

“I know about sports, Ryan, why do you ask?” she was trying to be considerate of his interests.

“I follow a lot of American sports teams and wondered if you did too?” Ryan explained. “I'm a big Celtics fan. But that's a Boston team.”

“Ohhhhh,” Cailin responded. “Do many people here in Ireland follow American sports? I had never thought about that. Darren never really mentions sports too much. Mostly he talks about music and concerts.”

“You should have Darren bring you to a Gaelic football game. Now there's a sport!” Ryan was almost beaming. “I used to play some myself. In my younger days that was.” Cailin could see how Ryan was proud of his country's sport and that he had played. He had the body of an athlete, but looked more like a runner.

“Ryan, our American football players are all bulked up, you look like a runner. It is very different that American football?” Cailin was doing her research.

“Actually, I am a runner. when I stopped playing footy, I started running to stay healthy. Running is a huge thing here in Ireland too. We have lots of competitions throughout the country. With the running my body shaped changed. And I can run when I'm traveling. No equipment needed. Except a GPS that is.” Ryan was slowly opening up and chatting more as they drove. This quiet man was now feeling comfortable with her and she was please with that.

The ride to Mullaghmore was quicker than Cailin had expected. She pointed out Connor's pub and B&B to Ryan and he pulled up front to drop her off. Cailin offered a drink for her driver, but he declined.

“I accept that for now Ryan, but the next time you have a chance to come up to Derry, you have an open invitation for dinner with Darren and I? You have no idea how much I appreciate this.” Cailin wanted to make sure Ryan understood her appreciation.

“Now that sounds like a plan. I will hold you to that. I hope you can cook,” Ryan chuckled and smiled as he pulled away back in the direction they had come.

Travels in Eire #51

Days began to flow into a regular schedule for Cailin. She adjusted her work schedule to coordinate with New York as much as possible. She didn't really want to work late into the evening to match their work hours, so much of her research was done before her office in New York was even open. The transition was going smoother than she had imagined. Her home office was networked so she could communicate easily with New York.

Cailin's afternoons took her off to the shops down the street for snacks, food and groceries. She felt so comfortable here. Regular calls to her parents in hopes that they might consider a trip over to visit kept her up to date with the goings on at home. Almost every evening Darren would stop by on his way home and either stay for dinner, or to take Cailin out for dinner. On a rare occasion, Cailin would meet Darren at his place for dinner. As a guy, his place was neither fully equipped for cooking, or very well stocked. Cailin had to laugh the first time Darren invited her over. When Cailin thought her kitchen was small, she found Darren's even smaller.

Cailin also started spending time with some new friends she had met through Darren. She and Ruth O'Leary, along with Ruth's sister Joyce, had spent a few girl evenings and done some shopping in town. With Ruth and Joyce being musicians also, they didn't have much time to spend with Cailin, but when either of them, mostly Ruth, were in Derry, they spent time together. There were a few times that they had gone out to a club late at night and Ruth would stay over at Cailin's. They loved shopping together, and Cailin was becoming quite the shoe shopper. Her style was changing too as Ruth helped her choose some new clothes. Darren seemed to enjoy this change.

Some nights Darren was busy in late meetings and Cailin was on her own. She found that she enjoyed some time to herself and was anxious to explore more than she could without a car. Darren was still very protective and wanted to make sure that Cailin was always with someone who knew the area. Cailin also wanted to take a weekend and return to Mullaghmore to see Rorey. She had not seen him since she had moved back to Ireland.

The biggest problem Cailin had with traveling around is that she didn't have a rental car like her vacation and was not familiar enough with the buses that traveled outside of Derry. Darren was very protective of her and wanted to make sure she was safe. After some discussion about her taking a weekend away to visit Ardboe and Mullaghmore, Darren came up with a plan to help her navigate the roads and still be able to be mostly on her own. Darren would have gone with her, but had meetings that weekend for another fund raiser for the hospital that could not be changed.

Darren was not beyond using his music connections to help facilitate this venture when he could. He felt if he could get Cailin on the right bus to Dungannon, then Keith's friend Ryan Kelly could help her get to Mullaghmore from there. Ryan lived right off the Dungannon Road between Dungannon and Mullaghmore and could drop Cailin off at Mullaghmore and get her back on Sunday to the bus in Dungannon to get home. Now this whole plan needed the cooperation of both Keith and Ryan. Darren was pretty sure he could depend on Keith as they had known each other for a long time and Keith only had to see if Ryan was available on Saturday and Sunday to pick up and drop off Cailin. On the other hand, Cailin felt strange with this, but trusted Darren to take care of the necessary details. Cailin would catch the bus at the Foyle station in Derry and arrive about 2 hours later in Dungannon center. From there Ryan would meet her and drive her to Mullaghmore. Cailin would stay over at Brendan's pub and get a ride back to Dungannon the next day to catch the bus back home. It was a perfect plan if all went well.

But as things go, not all plans go so well. Cailin was still getting used to some things that are so natural in Ireland. Never go anywhere without an umbrella. Once she was on the bus to Dungannon, it started to rain. As she traveled, the rain came down harder. It started to remind her of the night she first arrived in Ireland. The bus was going slow and she could see the sloshing water as they drove. It was still raining when they arrived in Dungannon and pulled up to the curb at the bus stop. There was no cover when Cailin exited the bus.

As Cailin exited the bus she looked around for Ryan. It had been a while since she saw him and didn't know what kind of car to look for. As she searched she was getting soaked. She suddenly realized that something was covering her. It was a large umbrella.
“Looks like you are in need of a towel and a ride,” Ryan chuckled and smiled as he covered her with the umbrella. “I'm parked over here,” he directed her and took the backpack she was carrying. Cailin could have sworn he was having a good laugh over her current condition. He seemed to be walking with his head down and turned away so she couldn't see his face.

“Ryan, I really appreciate you taking the time to come here and pick me up,” and she stopped in her tracks as Ryan lead her to a huge SUV. “Th-this?”

“Yes, this is mine. Is there a problem?” Ryan looked at Cailin quizzically.

“It's just that I'm so used to seeing all the small compact cars here, I hardly realized anyone having such a big car. It's fine, if I can climb up high enough to get in!”

Ryan stood by with his umbrella and a helping hand as Cailin literally climbed into the front seat of the vehicle.

“I'm so sorry that I'm getting the inside of you car wet. I should know better already. I was just so excited about making this trip,” Cailin tried to keep her wet hair and skirt from doing too much damage.

“No worries, Cailin. This is my splurge. The seats are leather. They do fine like a cow in the rain. Are you all settled?” Ryan settled into his seat and started the engine. At least Cailin had no fear that they would be run off the road.

They barely got started when Ryan turned to Cailin and asked if she was hungry and if she wanted some lunch. Cailin had not thought too much about it during the ride, but she was hungry, but didn't want to inconvenience Ryan.

“Ryan, it was already an inconvenience for you to come to Dungannon to pick me up, I hardly want you to have to stop just for me,” she was trying to be considerate, but was hopeful.

“Cailin, I was coming to Dungannon to stop at the post anyway, so it's no trouble. And I haven't eaten yet, so if you are up to a little lunch we can stop by the Otter Lodge (http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Otter-Lodge-Cookstown-P12279) just down the road for some great fish and chips. It's a great lunch location. Or you can just sit in the car while I eat something.” Ryan turned and smiled as he said this so she understood he was teasing.

His jet black hair and sparkling eyes along with that smile were quite charming. Overall Ryan was a pretty quiet man, but seemed to love getting the best of Cailin.

They put in their orders and were able to sit at a table overlooking the river. Even with the rain, it was a beautiful view. Over lunch Ryan probed Cailin about her experiences so far in Derry and her time in Ireland.

Travels in Eire #50

That night left Cailin very restless. Her dreams, or rather nightmares, wandered throughout her life as to what the psychic would bring up. What if the psychic said that she and Darren were not meant for each other? What if they said she was not going to be staying in Ireland? Or that all this was just all a mistake?

Ragged and sleepy from such a restless night, Cailin dragged herself out of bed to shower and dress for this day with Maura and her friend. There was no hiding how worried she was as she headed out the door to what she expected was to be her doom.

As she exited the taxi at the address that Maura had given her, she only saw Maura, and not her friend. Maura explained that her friend had to take care of some other things this morning and would join them later. At this point, Cailin wished she could have begged off for a similar reason, but there was no avoiding this.

Maura and Cailin walked up the steps to this traditional Irish house with a dark blue door and rang the bell. A large but friendly woman answered the door with, “You must be Maura and Cailin. I've been expecting you.”

Cailin was surprised she knew their names at first, but realized that Maura had probably given her their names. At least she hoped so.

“Good afternoon. My name is Sorcha. Would you like to do your readings together, or individually?”

“Oh, definitely together,” Maura said before Cailin could protest for individual readings. There was no defense now.

“Please let's sit down here where I can get your information. I am not a fortune teller. I read signs and dates, and determine your future and direction from what the stars and dates tell me. So who will be first?”

“Oh, Cailin will go first,” Maura piped up. And after answering all the questions that Sorcha asked, Sorcha looked at her horoscope table, referred to some books and slowly looked up to Cailin with a puzzled look.

“You are Irish, are you not?” Sorcha asked.

“I'm Irish by birth, yes,” Cailin replied.

“But your reading shows that you are an older Irish soul. Your heart is part of the land. How could this be?” Sorcha seemed extremely conflicted.

“Are you sure?” asked Cailin as she looked at Maura confused.

“So Sorcha, are you saying that even while Cailin is a young person, her soul is routed here in Ireland? Can that happen since her grandmother had such an impact on her life?” Maura seemed to be reaching here.

“Maura, you may have a point there. Cailin I can tell you feel very connected to Ireland. Am I correct?” Sorcha continued to try and understand her results.

“Why, yes, I do feel very connected to the country. It always feels like home to me, and even more so since I found all my family tombstones in Ardboe and Sligo.” Cailn explained to Sorcha.

“Then that's why you seem like you belong here so strongly. And your love life is very connect to Ireland too. I can see you being very happy here,” and Cailin turned to Maura seeing her smiling from ear to ear.

Sorcha continued, “Okay Maura, now you.” It was then that Cailin could see that Maura was a little hesitant about what Sorcha would say.

“Maura, I'm sure it will be fine,” Cailin tried to assure Maura.

Sorcha looked at all of the information for Maura, and turned to her with a smile. “You have found some peace in life recently, haven't you? It's been a long time since you have felt this way. And you have become more understanding through this process.”

Maura was amazed. For once she was absolutely speechless. All she could do was turn and smile at Cailin as she took hold of her hand. “Yes, I have just recently found much peace in my life. Much of that thanks to Cailin.” All this as Cailin saw tears in Maura's eyes. The two women leaned in for a gentle hug. This was a defining moment in their relationship.

Both Cailin and Maura understood that from this point on they would be fine together and that Cailin was the right girl for Darren. They thanked Sorcha and hand in hand they left to meet Maura's friend for lunch with their great news.

Cailin couldn't wait to text Darren with just a smile. She would see him later that evening and share everything then. Actually, since they would be having a last dinner with Darren's parents before they headed back to Spiddal, she was sure that Maura would be doing all the sharing.