Page 32 of Paddy
Assuming the piano in the background of the room was where they’d meant for me to play, I switched from my seat on the couch to the bench in front of the piano. My hands always fluttered a bit getting used to a foreign piano, but I liked to test the sound to see if I were working with something full and round or brighter and mellow.
Checking to make sure both the white and black keys were on the same level, my hands expertly glided across piano keys as I decided to share something that I was working on while I wasn't in a room full of critics.
Soon, my stage fright went away as the voice that burst out of me sang a song about moving on in a swing-adjacent tune. Halfway through, seemed like the entire house was in the room as Bellamy offered his hand to Órfhlaith and they danced to the whimsical tune.
I almost hadn't wanted the attention to end. Vernon used to watch me play just for the pure excitement. Now he only sat in to make sure I stayed on brand. Sometimes I forgot what it was like to play for others, for fun, and not because a big check was expected to follow it.
“That was amazing!” Queenie clapped, as the clapping appeared to be contagious, and it wasn't long before everyone else was too.
“It's just a little something I've been working on. It's not done, along with over half a dozen others I'm still tweaking. But it's good to hear the words of confidence.”
“We should really get started on dinner,” Órfhlaith suggested pushing her brother, Bellamy close to the patio door. Cillian took his son back from Paddy, insisting that he'd meet everyone outside while Queenie joined him to check on their other newborn.
Two long tables plus a small one for the kids made up the space in the home's backyard, as much of the table was already set for the food. Volunteers all carried something to the table from the kitchen, as all there was left was a cobbler someone almost missed.
When Cillian and Queenie finally joined, they came out with separate basinets carrying their twin children. Órfhlaith insisted Queenie to sit, as she dressed her brother's plates with food, including Paddy’s.
She wasn't lying when she said he took care of her brothers. I just hope they took care of her in return. It didn't take long after a prayer for many to bond over food and spirits. I would have enjoyed getting my mind off things regardless, but even in a short time, everyone had made me feel welcome.
“So…what embarrassing stories can you tell me about Paddy?” I asked whimsically, hoping to share in a harmful laugh at his expense.
“This one right here was a bully. Holding up neighborhood kids for their lunch money. To be honest, some things haven’t changed,” Cillian joked. It hit better knowing what he did for a living, but I was guessing they didn’t know I knew that.
“Oh, what about the time he thought he got some lass pregnant? Turns out they never even shagged. He was just slow enough to think because he came on her knickers, it was enough to knock her up,” Órfhlaith added.
“That story is not appropriate in front of children,” Queenie sneered.
“I'm sorry, Queenie, it's just the best one I got.”
“Well, I was fifteen at the time. Ain't like Pa or mum ever explained any of that shite to me. They were ten seconds away from making me marry that girl, till she fessed up and said her boyfriend dumped her when he found out. Glad almost being baby trapped is funny to you.”
“Paddy's hard to make fun of. He's either gone too long or ahead of the joke,” Bellamy added. “Don't hurt that he's been a bloody pretty boy his whole life. Pa used to say?—”
“Don't!” Paddy spoke with authority.
“What I was only messing?—”
“I said fucking don't!” This time, Paddy banged on the table as it took some time to divert the tension away. Mentioning his father didn't appear to be a good subject for him, and I'd have to tread lightly if he ever came up in casual conversation again.
“When are you due, Queenie?” I asked excited for her.
“I'm only four and a half months along, and the twins came a little late, so I'm not sure.”
“Thought of any names?” Paddy asked, finding his rhythm after creating the initial silence.
“If it's a boy, we were thinking about Aiden,” Cillian added.
“If it’s a girl, I really want to name her Georgina,” Queenie beamed.
“Not an Irish name?” Paddy asked, surprised.
“Sullivan's Irish enough. Plus, Queenie’s worried what it'll be like for them when they're old enough for school. Black kids with Irish names. I didn't even think about that when it came to names, but I didn't do so much school either,” Cillian admitted.
Every time I attempted to guide the conversation, no matter what I did, it always came back to me how I started, where I was from, what inspired the food I brought. It was like being interviewed for a paper, the amount of questions directed at me.
“What brought along your lovely presence this Sunday dinner?” Bellamy flirted.
My heart sunk back into my stomach, reminding myself why I was here tonight and not celebrating ten years of marriage with my husband. Imagine my relief when Paddy intercepted for me. “The woman's always working. Figured she could use a night off, so I invited her. No big deal.”