Better off Friends
Page 40He didn’t have to remind me.
The next two weeks flew by. Gran and Gramps did everything to make sure I got to see as much as I could before I left. I was almost too tired for my farewell party, but if there was one thing I’d learned during my two months in Ireland, it was that the Irish knew how to throw a good party.
My grandparents’ backyard was transformed into an impromptu music session. We hung up fairy lights around the trees to make it even more magical. Gran and Gramps’s friends, who had become like an extended family to me, started trickling into the backyard. Some of Gramps’s musician friends brought their instruments, and music soon started to fill the cool evening.
Liam arrived with his mom. “Hey, I brought you something to remember me by,” he said. He handed me a CD; the cover was the photo of me with the Fungie statue. I opened up the case and saw a listing of Irish bands he’d introduced me to during my visit. “While I love all things American, we Irish have superior music. Not like you have any Yank bands on your iTunes, you Anglophile. So it’s time you heard some proper, non-U2 Irish bands.”
“Thanks!” I gave him a hug, grateful to have had him around during my visit.
Gramps asked everybody to quiet down. “I want to thank you all for coming here to bid our favorite granddaughter good-bye.”
“Your only granddaughter,” I clarified.
There was laughter from the guests.
“But I think it would only be appropriate to send Macallan off with a parting glass.”
There were nods from their friends, who lifted up a glass. I joined them in the toast, but was unfamiliar with the song they started to play.
Gramps looked at me fondly and began to sing,
Of all the money that e’er I had,
I spent it in good company.
Alas, it was to none but me.
And for all I’ve done for want of wit,
To mem’ry now I can’t recall.
Everybody joined in at this part:
So fill to me the parting glass.
Good night and joy be with you all.
Gran then joined Gramps as he wrapped his arm around her. She sang in a clear beautiful voice:
To all the comrades that e’er I had,
They’re sorry for my going away.
She smiled warmly at me.
And all the sweethearts that e’er I had,
They’d wish me one more day to stay.
That I should rise and you should not,
I’ll gently rise and softly call.
Good night and joy be with you all.
I felt tears rolling down my face. I should’ve been sad about leaving my grandparents and this wonderful place, but the tears weren’t for them.
And Liam knew it. “I’ll make it simple for you,” he said, leaning in. “If you want to be with him, be with him.”
My throat felt tight. “I can’t.”
He shook his head. Liam often teased me about making things difficult — typical American, he’d fondly call me. “I’d ask why, but you and I both know there isn’t any excuse good enough. Stop making excuses and be with him.”
I knew he was right. And it terrified me.
“Do you want to be with him?”
I didn’t think. I answered what I knew was the truth. “Yes.”
“Then be with him.” He got up and joined the group at the front singing.
Good night and joy be with you all.
I was surprised they didn’t hold me at customs since I was so shaky and nervous. As soon as I got my proper entrance stamp and baggage, I bounded for the greeting area. I ran out and didn’t have to wait more than two seconds before I heard Dad, Uncle Adam, and Levi calling out for me. I turned and saw Levi holding a huge sign: BLIMEY IF WE KNOW WHERE MACALLAN IS!
I laughed and ran up to them. There was a flurry of hugs and exchanges of “I missed you” and “You look great!” Dad and Adam took my luggage and went to get the car while Levi waited with me outside.
“I’m so glad you’re home,” he said. He wrapped his arm around me and I fell into him. We both stayed there for a while. It felt right. It had always felt right. But I’d kept telling myself that it would ruin our friendship. Never had I thought about how it could make things even better between us. I knew the average high school couple rarely made it work long-term, but there was nothing average about Levi and me.
I heard his phone go off, and he silenced it. I closed my eyes again, grateful to be back with him. Back home. Happy that the awkwardness we’d had when I left had been erased. I reached for his hand and entwined his fingers with mine. I was debating telling him everything right there and then, but the last thing I wanted was for my dad and uncle to drive up during that conversation, especially if it ended in a kiss. I was pretty sure my dad would be making up new rules about when and where we could be together if he saw that.
Levi’s phone went off again. He reached to silence it again, and I noticed an unfamiliar name on the screen.
“Who’s Stacey?” I asked before I had a chance to stop myself.
Levi pulled away from me. “Oh, yeah, that.” He shuffled uncomfortably. “I wanted to wait for you to be settled in before I told you that you and Stacey would not be allowed to be at parties together.” He laughed lightly.
Why would this girl and I not be allowed to go to …
No.
It hit me like a wall of bricks.