Page 37 of Cillian

Racing through town, I finally made time to spend a moment with my sister, Órfhlaith, who I hadn’t seen since my time inside. You could say we were close, which was why it hurt not seeing her at my release, but she promised to let me meet my nephew soon and I couldn’t wait to meet him. I parked a block away, walking with a spring in my step the whole way to my sister’s dress shop. There was a note on the door saying she'd be back in twenty minutes, but knowing her, she was probably in the back just having a quick smoke.

I knocked hard, pulling out a pocket watch to ensure the time was right. A second later, she came out from the back fixing her shirt and lipstick.

“All bloody right. I'm coming. Didn't you see the sign on her door.” The moment she opened the door, I picked her up and swung her in my arms even though she had me waiting out here like a bloody customer.

“Good to see you too, little brother. Not so little anymore, I see.”

“Where's the baby?” I said, looking around disappointed that I couldn’t meet him now.

“I forgot to tell you, I left her with Saoirse today. I had a few custom orders to plan for, so I knew I'd be staying a little over but if you really want to see him, I'll take him over to you. Long as your wife don't mind.”

My attention drew to a woman in a cleaning uniform exiting the backroom, a Black lass who resembled one of those famous jazz singers had she not had looked so tired and flush faced. She had a decent figure like Órfhlaith, but her meek, nervous demeanor had her gaze pointed towards the floor.

“Think I best be on my way, Miss Sullivan. See you Thursday morning. Hello, sir.”

“Hello,” I replied back confused since my sister has never been known to hire a housekeeper.

“Have a good afternoon, ma'am.”

“Thank you, Pearl. I'll have your paycheck when you drop in next time.” My eyes followed her to the exit, as I lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

“Who was that?”

“My helper. She comes around a few days a week and helps me keep the store clean.”

“Too pretty to be cleaning anything. And since when do you hire Coloreds?” She grabbed my cigarette from me, confiscating it as her own.

“You and the boys ain't the only ones knowing Black people. Plus, it's hard to get an Irish maid. They're all too busy being housewives for their drunk husbands. Did she like the dress?”

“What?”

“Your wife? Did she like the dress?” She clarified, wiping me out of my stupor.

“Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. And now that I'm here, I might as well pick up another one. But something a little more casual this time. You know, something she can wear to the pub. You look good, by the way.” She shrugged.

“Well, that's because I haven't got a man to stress me out. Do you like the girl? Paddy tells me her name is Queenie.” A wide grin spread across my face, and an eyebrow cocked on the left side of hers.

“I stand corrected, you love the girl. A big feeling for someone Tadhg told me you didn't even want to marry.”

“Don't tell me you put bets on me too.”

“No, I'm not a gambling woman, but I have to say I'm a bit surprised. You meet her people yet?” I released a huge sigh, taking a seat on a lounge chair in the main front of the store.

“I met her parents, but she don't talk much about family. And personally, I don't like her father much of what I know about him but if she wants me to meet more of them, I will.” She gave me this accusatory look that was almost judgmental.

“What are you staring at me for?”

“You just seem happy. Not all miserable like the rest of us. I'm just glad Pa ain't around to fuck this up. Now about that dress. I just got a shipment in from a line in Paris. Think she’ll like anything from that?” When I thought about it, I didn't know anything about her style, but she had nice legs. So long as whatever I bought her emphasized them, I could have left with a paper bag.

“She likes light colors. Don't they only ever wear black in Paris.” She rolled her eyes.

“Oh, little brother, you know nothing about ladies’ fashion. What’s her personality like, I’ll base it on that. And just for you, I'll throw in a family discount.

***

Struggling with full hands trying to get the keys in the door, the bolt of the lock finally submitted as I pushed the door open with my elbow.

“Queenie,” I called out ignoring the late time on my watch. With the club, I’d always have late nights, but I begged her to wait up for me, and called to check in to remind her I'd be late. To ease the troubles, I stopped by the florist to pick up a dozen of her favorite flowers in addition to the dress my sister helped pick out and followed the fragrant smell of cooked food coming from the kitchen.

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