Travels in Eire #23

Dinner consisted of a great lamb stew with carrots and potatoes. There was no question that Maura was a great cook. Cailin could see that Darren loved his mum's cooking as he cleaned his bowl with the fresh baked soda bread. Cailin was surprised that the conversation was just cursory and that Darren's mum didn't ask for any details. Both Darren and Cailin were spent from the long day driving around the Connemara Peninsula and all the fresh ocean air. After dinner and some more small talk about the day, they both headed down the hall toward Cailin's room. As they got to Cailin's door Darren ran his hand down Cailin's arm and leaned over to give her a quick kiss on the forehead. As he pulled away Cailin was one again greeted by his incredible smile, which she returned with one of her own.

Cailin was still smiling as she entered her room. That is until she looked in the mirror and realized that she was still wearing the marble heart that Darren had given her. Funny that Darren's mum didn't ask about the heart. Did she notice? Did she realize that Darren bought it for her? This left Cailin a little uneasy, but she was too tired to dwell on it tonight. She'd ask Darren tomorrow what he thought. It was too late to worry about hiding it now. With wonderful memories of this most amazing day, Cailin drifted off to sleep a night full of dreams of Ireland, and of Darren.

Unlike the day before, Cailin was up, showered, dressed and ready to leave her room when Darren knocked. Cailin was wearing a small print blue and green casual dress with a little sweater over it. Today she had time to dry her long black curly hair and just pull part of it back. She could always add a jean jacket after church, if she needed it. Darren looked very handsome with khakis and a black shirt. It really set off his blue eyes and dark hair.

There was only time for tea and scones this morning before Darren's mum and da headed off for church in their car with Darren and Cailin following in Cailin's rental car. The church was not too far down the road and had a very interesting slant roof style to it. This was the first opportunity that Cailin had to go to mass in Ireland. Other than the thick Irish brogue of the priest, all masses are pretty much the same. She did notice as they entered a nod to Darren's parents from the priest, and a slight approving wink from the priest to Darren. Clearly this priest was familiar with Darren's family.

When mass was over and everyone exited the church, the priest was standing at the door shaking hands, and as Cailin passed him, he gently took her hand, smiled and turned to Darren saying “Way to go Darren”. Cailin blushed, and all chuckled. Unfortunately, Darren's mother didn't seem too happy at all this fuss over Cailin.
“She's just here visiting from America, Father. She'll be leavin' soon.”

Cailin could feel the icy tone of her voice. There was something different today, more knowing in her voice, more disapproving.
Darren could see what was happening and excused himself and Cailin saying they needed to get on the road for the day. Once again, he was pulling Cailin quickly out of the fray that might ensue.

Once in the car Darren headed toward Galway but turned north on the N59 to Moycullen where they stopped to have breakfast at The White Gables Restaurant. From here on out they would be traveling along Lough Corrib into Cong. It was a beautiful day, and after turning off the N59 and R336 to the R345 they could see the beauty of the lough. Again they stopped several times for Cailin to take pictures. She wanted to remember this area. Different from the peninsula of yesterday, but beautiful in it's own right.

At one stop she turned to Darren and asked the question she had been wanting to ask all morning. “So Darren, your mum knows, doesn't she?”

Darren trying ever so carefully not to panic Cailin started with, “What do you mean?”

“Darren, stop that. You know what I mean. I could see it in her eyes last night. She never even mentioned the Connemara marble heart I was wearing. And that curt response to the priest this morning. What is going on?”

“Cailin, I have to apologize. I had totally forgotten about the heart when I bought it. I just thought it was something special I could give you.”

“What? What do you mean you forgot about the heart? I'm not following here,” Cailin was getting a little exasperated.

“I saw my mum take one look at the heart last night and I suddenly remembered that my da had bought her one that was similar when they were going together. I guess that's what told her what she was not wanting to know.”

“Great. Just what I needed,” Cailin groaned. “How can I go back to the house tonight. Your mum is going to slit my throat!”

“Let's not get too dramatic. Hopefully I can calm her down. We don't even know what's going to happen with us.”

This was the first time that anything had actually been said about their relationship. They stood there for a minute staring at each other in surprise.

“STOP!” Cailin shouted. “There is no US at the moment. We've kissed and hugged and we like each other. For now that's it. Let's not put things out of order here. I'm on vacation. I have to go home. So for now, let's put this “US” thing on the back burner. Take me to Cong!”

Darren was slightly crushed, but realized that Cailin was trying to slow things down before all became a problem. In his mind he knew that Cailin had to return home, but his heart was telling him different.

Cailin was upset, but not sure why. Was it Darren's mum, or Darren's rush to make them a couple? She needed to focus on this day, and one day at a time. Her trip would be over soon enough.

And down the road the headed to Cong.