When Molly arrived home she suddenly realized that she had no clue what to wear that evening. While it was a casual dinner, she was starting to feel it was more like a date, and became a little panicked. How long had it been since she had been on a date? Her entire life had been so involved with the sail shop that she never really thought about it. Since her friends had given up on trying to set her up, it had been months since she had the opportunity to have dinner with someone.
Oh, of course, there were the lads she would sit and chat with at the pub when she stopped by for a pint after a long day on the water. But they all knew her, and most were spoken for anyway. She felt very comfortable around them and could have a laugh or two while she washed away the salt water feel from being out with customers. This was the first time one of her customers asked her to join them.
Eventually she changed into a pair of black slacks, and a lightweight blue knit sweater with a silk scarf around her neck. Kehoe's was as casual as you could get in Kilmore, so, other than the fact that she didn't have jeans on, she was considered dressed up. She pulled her long dark hair back at the base of her neck, which was pretty much the way she wore it from day to day. There was going to be no major fussing for this lad. One last glimpse in the mirror, and she headed off for the pub.
As Molly entered Kehoe's she spotted Kevin at the bar. He was deep in conversation with several of the locals, and seemed to fit right in. Molly had to remind herself that Kevin was a salesman and blessed with that gift of gab, so this was his forte. She strolled up quietly behind him to see if she could catch the gist of the chat.
Before she had a chance to listen in, Billy Malloy, who was seated sideways on a bar stool listening to Kevin caught sight of her and winked. Kevin caught this and quickly turned around. He was wearing a light blue Polo with the collar up and navy chinos. You would have thought the two of them had coordinated their outfits. The looked at each other and began to laugh along with Billy and Eoin (pronounced Owen) Mahaffey who sat on the other side of Kevin.
“Two minds thinking alike!” Kevin kidded as he smiled at Molly.
“At least I wore a scarf,” responded Molly smiling with a slight blush.
By the time Kevin turned around to order a drink for Molly, there was one sitting on the bar for her. Sean, the bartender, knew that Molly liked to sip on a shot of Tullamore Dew with just a touch of water. It would last her hours if she was busy in conversation. Molly was a careful drinker. She had watched too many of her friends over imbibe and carry on. This was not her style. She always wondered why she never relaxed enough to let herself go like they did. Just not her way.
After some short chat with Billy and Eoin, Molly and Kevin headed for a table where they could sit and order dinner. They found a quiet snug and settled in. Dinner would be today's catch, fresh and tasty, with some spuds and a root vegetable. Nothing fancy for Molly. This was regular fare for her. Kevin seemed to enjoy this hearty meal as he also totally consumed the homemade brown bread put on the table for them as they ate.
“I guess I worked up a pretty big appetite after today's sail,” he explained as he cleaned his plate.
“Nothing like the fresh sea air to do that,” agreed Molly as she sipped her whiskey and nodded across the room to Sean that she'd like another. She knew well that her friends at the bar would be looking out for her with this stranger they knew very little about. It was a small fishing village and they all looked out for each other. Kevin was surprised as Sean stopped by the snug to drop off both a drink for Molly and a refill for Kevin.
Molly explained to Kevin, “My friends know me well and they do look after me.”
“Something I guess I should remember,” Kevin acknowledged as he raised his glass in a toast to Molly. “Slainte.”
Kevin and Molly sat and talked for quite a while after they had finished dinner. This gave Molly the chance to learn more about Kevin and his strong ties to the Dublin area. In exchange, Kevin was able to learn the same about Molly. With the time slipping away, Molly reminded Kevin that they did have a sailing lesson the next morning and needed to get plenty of rest as she was going to expand his experiences well out into the open sea the next day. Kevin offered to walk Molly home, but she explained that she was quite capable of getting there herself, and bid a casual good night leaving Kevin leaning on the doorway of Kehoe's watching her walk down the road.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
#6 The Quay
Saturday morning arrived and Kevin was waiting outside the sail shop as Molly arrived.
“I know, I'm early. But I can't wait to get out on the water. It's been too long and I'm afraid that I've forgotten everything I learned,” Kevin looked like a child ready to open gifts on Christmas morning.
“Well then as soon as I grab my gear and put my note on the door, I'll be ready to go too,” Molly chuckled as she let herself in the shop.
The morning was clear and cool, Fall had not started to bite into the air yet and autumn was the season for the best sailing around Kilmore Quay. The two headed out and set a course to sail around the Saltee Islands. With comfortable conversation sprinkled with instruction on Molly's part, the morning passed quickly. Once again Molly was how surprised she enjoyed sailing with Kevin along. He had plenty of questions about things he should be doing, but took to the instructions quickly, and Molly was pleased that she could actually allow Kevin to take control and watch as he maneuvered the sloop around the islands.
Since this was a whole day lesson, Molly had packed sandwiches for lunch with some lemonade for the two of them. They ate and talked about sailing as they sailed into a small cove to take some time for lunch. Kevin devoured his sandwich and could not wait to get to the cookies that Molly brought for dessert. Once they were done they headed out of the cove with the light breeze into the open water.
All was fine until they were suddenly dead in the water with no breeze to catch their sails. It had been a while since Molly had been around this side of the islands and she had forgotten how the wind would suddenly disappear. This was a good lesson for Kevin as he was stymied when the sails dropped like sheets out to dry on a calm day.
“Molly, I think I'm in trouble here. What ever do I do when there is no wind for the sails?” Kevin looked a little panicked.
Molly laughed as she moved from where she was seated at the back of the sloop, “Did you forget the motor located back here?”
Molly started the motor and positioned the sloop back in line to catch the wind. Within a few minutes they were out of the dead area with the sails full and the motor cut.
“Somehow I get the feeling that you set me up for this?” Kevin turned questioning Molly.
“Kevin, it's been a while since I've been round this side of the islands. Most of my lessons never get this far. I hate to admit it, but I totally forgot about that dead zone until it happened. I don't know if you realized it, or not, but I always make sure there is petrol in the engine just in case. A good lesson to learn,” Molly smiled as she finished her explanation.
The two of them laughed as they headed back to shore. Now is where Kevin's lessons took a turn as usually at this point students say good-bye to Molly and they are done. Since Kevin wanted to learn more, Molly decided that he need to understand the implications of taking care of a sloop, so she had him help with the clean up and storing of the equipment for the day. She was waiting for a groan of complaint, but none came. Like her, he treated this as part of his instruction and worked beside her continuing their friendly banter.
As they walked back toward the shop Kevin seemed to want to say something, but hesitated in his conversation.
“I know this is.... I wanted to ask you....”
“Is there something wrong, Kevin?” Molly was confused as to what Kevin was trying to ask.
“Oh, hell..would you like to to out to dinner with me?” he blurted out almost shouting.
Molly was flustered with his question. She didn't have a policy about not dating her students, but she had never needed one.
Kevin continued, “I was just thinking that since I don't really know anyone here, and that since we seemed to get along so well together today, that it might be nice to have some good company for dinner.”
“Kevin, I'm very flattered that you would ask. I have enjoyed our time together today and I think having some dinner together would be a nice change,” Molly surprised herself with her response.
“I was thinking the Silver Fox might be a good place. I passed it when I was making my reservations at The Quay House. Or do you know of a better place in town?” Kevin seemed very open to suggestions.
“There is a pub that has pretty good seafood, if that's what you'd like. It's called Kehoe's. A little more friendly and casual than the Silver Fox. How does that sound to you?” Molly was hoping to make this a very casual dinner rather than something dressy.
“That sounds perfect!” Kevin was delighted to hear that Molly would prefer the pub. It would have been his first suggestion, but he didn't want to seem crude after asking Molly to dinner.
Molly wanted to go home and changed into some fresh clothes, so they both agreed to meet at the bar in Kehoe's.
“I know, I'm early. But I can't wait to get out on the water. It's been too long and I'm afraid that I've forgotten everything I learned,” Kevin looked like a child ready to open gifts on Christmas morning.
“Well then as soon as I grab my gear and put my note on the door, I'll be ready to go too,” Molly chuckled as she let herself in the shop.
The morning was clear and cool, Fall had not started to bite into the air yet and autumn was the season for the best sailing around Kilmore Quay. The two headed out and set a course to sail around the Saltee Islands. With comfortable conversation sprinkled with instruction on Molly's part, the morning passed quickly. Once again Molly was how surprised she enjoyed sailing with Kevin along. He had plenty of questions about things he should be doing, but took to the instructions quickly, and Molly was pleased that she could actually allow Kevin to take control and watch as he maneuvered the sloop around the islands.
Since this was a whole day lesson, Molly had packed sandwiches for lunch with some lemonade for the two of them. They ate and talked about sailing as they sailed into a small cove to take some time for lunch. Kevin devoured his sandwich and could not wait to get to the cookies that Molly brought for dessert. Once they were done they headed out of the cove with the light breeze into the open water.
All was fine until they were suddenly dead in the water with no breeze to catch their sails. It had been a while since Molly had been around this side of the islands and she had forgotten how the wind would suddenly disappear. This was a good lesson for Kevin as he was stymied when the sails dropped like sheets out to dry on a calm day.
“Molly, I think I'm in trouble here. What ever do I do when there is no wind for the sails?” Kevin looked a little panicked.
Molly laughed as she moved from where she was seated at the back of the sloop, “Did you forget the motor located back here?”
Molly started the motor and positioned the sloop back in line to catch the wind. Within a few minutes they were out of the dead area with the sails full and the motor cut.
“Somehow I get the feeling that you set me up for this?” Kevin turned questioning Molly.
“Kevin, it's been a while since I've been round this side of the islands. Most of my lessons never get this far. I hate to admit it, but I totally forgot about that dead zone until it happened. I don't know if you realized it, or not, but I always make sure there is petrol in the engine just in case. A good lesson to learn,” Molly smiled as she finished her explanation.
The two of them laughed as they headed back to shore. Now is where Kevin's lessons took a turn as usually at this point students say good-bye to Molly and they are done. Since Kevin wanted to learn more, Molly decided that he need to understand the implications of taking care of a sloop, so she had him help with the clean up and storing of the equipment for the day. She was waiting for a groan of complaint, but none came. Like her, he treated this as part of his instruction and worked beside her continuing their friendly banter.
As they walked back toward the shop Kevin seemed to want to say something, but hesitated in his conversation.
“I know this is.... I wanted to ask you....”
“Is there something wrong, Kevin?” Molly was confused as to what Kevin was trying to ask.
“Oh, hell..would you like to to out to dinner with me?” he blurted out almost shouting.
Molly was flustered with his question. She didn't have a policy about not dating her students, but she had never needed one.
Kevin continued, “I was just thinking that since I don't really know anyone here, and that since we seemed to get along so well together today, that it might be nice to have some good company for dinner.”
“Kevin, I'm very flattered that you would ask. I have enjoyed our time together today and I think having some dinner together would be a nice change,” Molly surprised herself with her response.
“I was thinking the Silver Fox might be a good place. I passed it when I was making my reservations at The Quay House. Or do you know of a better place in town?” Kevin seemed very open to suggestions.
“There is a pub that has pretty good seafood, if that's what you'd like. It's called Kehoe's. A little more friendly and casual than the Silver Fox. How does that sound to you?” Molly was hoping to make this a very casual dinner rather than something dressy.
“That sounds perfect!” Kevin was delighted to hear that Molly would prefer the pub. It would have been his first suggestion, but he didn't want to seem crude after asking Molly to dinner.
Molly wanted to go home and changed into some fresh clothes, so they both agreed to meet at the bar in Kehoe's.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
#5 The Quay
Molly was not one to turn away business and if this was THE Kevin O'Brien that she had met previously, there was no reason not to do the lessons. She had enjoyed his company when they first met, and knew he would be a good student. The reservations were made for two weeks later for the weekend. Molly set the date in her calendar and went on about her regular business for the next two weeks.
Friday arrived and as Molly walked up from the dock when she finished her afternoon lesson and waiting on the bench next to the shop door holding her note was Kevin O'Brien. He was relaxed, reading the local paper, as he looked over the top edge to greet her as she arrived at the door.
“Bet you never thought you'd see me again,” he chuckled.
“I never bet on whether clients will be back or not. I just hope they have learned what I have taught them and put it to good use. So did you impress your boss?” Molly was curious.
“Oh, that. Actually I did fine. He was very impressed. I didn't get the promotion and ended up leaving that firm and got another job. But I never forgot how much I enjoyed my time sailing and told everyone about it every chance I had,” Kevin explained.
“I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself. It's a shame you didn't get that promotion,” Molly was still wondering about Kevin's motives.
“Yeah, I guess I was talking about it so much that when my birthday came my sister called you and purchased more lessons for me!” he laughed.
It was at this point that Molly was finally putting it all together. A great birthday gift. She would have to add that to her website as an idea to build up some business during slower times.
“But you are early,” Molly queried.
“Oh, I know. I wanted to just stop by and ask if you had any ideas of places that I could look to let on a regular basis on the weekends. I'm thinking I might like to extend my sister's gift and start taking more lessons on weekends until I become more proficient,” Kevin smiled at Molly as he said the word “proficient”.
“Kevin, the only problem with that is most of the cottages down here let by the week only. If you were planning on only the weekends you might be better with the local hotel, The Saltee Hotel (http://www.hotelsaltees.ie/), or the Quay House B&B (http://www.quayhouse.net/),” Molly explained.
“Well then, I'm off to check both of those locations to see what I can set up, and I'll be back in the morning for my lesson,” Kevin acknowledged Molly's suggestion and turned and was off.
Molly took the time she had to grab a snack and take care of some business in the sail shop. Besides lessons, she also had to make sure she had adequate supplies for sailing and for others who came into the area to sail. She also carried a small inventory of hats and shirts that had the Callahan Sail Shop logo and were given to customers who booked a week's worth of lessons, or those who just wanted to purchase the items.
Molly was a business woman and knew how important it was to keep her business in the forefront and continue to bring customers in for sailing lessons and for purchasing supplies at the shop. Even thinking about the fact that Kevin was so pleased with his new sailing acumen that he wanted to come back for more lessons was a testament to Molly's skills.
Friday arrived and as Molly walked up from the dock when she finished her afternoon lesson and waiting on the bench next to the shop door holding her note was Kevin O'Brien. He was relaxed, reading the local paper, as he looked over the top edge to greet her as she arrived at the door.
“Bet you never thought you'd see me again,” he chuckled.
“I never bet on whether clients will be back or not. I just hope they have learned what I have taught them and put it to good use. So did you impress your boss?” Molly was curious.
“Oh, that. Actually I did fine. He was very impressed. I didn't get the promotion and ended up leaving that firm and got another job. But I never forgot how much I enjoyed my time sailing and told everyone about it every chance I had,” Kevin explained.
“I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself. It's a shame you didn't get that promotion,” Molly was still wondering about Kevin's motives.
“Yeah, I guess I was talking about it so much that when my birthday came my sister called you and purchased more lessons for me!” he laughed.
It was at this point that Molly was finally putting it all together. A great birthday gift. She would have to add that to her website as an idea to build up some business during slower times.
“But you are early,” Molly queried.
“Oh, I know. I wanted to just stop by and ask if you had any ideas of places that I could look to let on a regular basis on the weekends. I'm thinking I might like to extend my sister's gift and start taking more lessons on weekends until I become more proficient,” Kevin smiled at Molly as he said the word “proficient”.
“Kevin, the only problem with that is most of the cottages down here let by the week only. If you were planning on only the weekends you might be better with the local hotel, The Saltee Hotel (http://www.hotelsaltees.ie/), or the Quay House B&B (http://www.quayhouse.net/),” Molly explained.
“Well then, I'm off to check both of those locations to see what I can set up, and I'll be back in the morning for my lesson,” Kevin acknowledged Molly's suggestion and turned and was off.
Molly took the time she had to grab a snack and take care of some business in the sail shop. Besides lessons, she also had to make sure she had adequate supplies for sailing and for others who came into the area to sail. She also carried a small inventory of hats and shirts that had the Callahan Sail Shop logo and were given to customers who booked a week's worth of lessons, or those who just wanted to purchase the items.
Molly was a business woman and knew how important it was to keep her business in the forefront and continue to bring customers in for sailing lessons and for purchasing supplies at the shop. Even thinking about the fact that Kevin was so pleased with his new sailing acumen that he wanted to come back for more lessons was a testament to Molly's skills.
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