Page 33 of Harbor Lights

Christy placed their order and Seán started to pour drinks. Shiv ferried them across to the table until everyone had a drink, then she sat down next to Christy and sipped her soda.

Anto tipped his head. “Are you not having a drink?”

Shiv met his gaze. “This is a drink.”

He shrugged and turned to his older son.

“Will you be managing the holiday lets on the cabin?”

Young Tony nodded. “I believe so. He needs to get it up to scratch first, though. It’s still pretty basic.”

Shiv didn’t try to hide her surprise, and Anto turned to her with a sly smile. “Has Des not told you his plans?”

“He just said he wanted it wired for electricity, and if I want to make any other improvements, I can do them at my own expense. He didn’t mention plans to let it out.”

“It was our family’s home back in the day before Mammy started the hotel. Not much use as a home, now. Too isolated, and too small. The tourists will love it, though.”

Shiv was sure they would. She’d grown to love it in such a short time. But she couldn’t help the disappointment that her granddad hadn’t shared his plans. Perhaps she shouldn’t get too comfortable there.

“Ignore Dad.” Christy nudged her. “I’m sure Uncle Des will let you stay as long as you want.”

“It’s all good.” She forced a casual tone. “I don’t have long-term plans.”

That was true at least. She didn’t have any plans. She half listened as the family chatted, glad no one was questioning her about her past. Seán came and squeezed in next to her on his break, nursing a mug of tea. “You’re very welcome to the island, Siobhán. Will you come up to the house one day and meet Aoife and the kids?”

“Yeah, sure, I’d love to.” She mostly meant it. “Let me know when’s good.”

Before he went back to work, he saved her number in his phone and promised to call. After another round of drinks, she decided she’d done enough socializing and said her goodbyes before she went out into the dark. Being around family wasn’t as bad as she’d expected. She wished her mom could come meet all these cousins she’d never been able to get to know. Surely she’d be safe visiting Shiv here? It might be the only chance they’d ever have to see each other. But would she hang around long enough to convince her mom to visit?

The thought of moving on took her to the rambling house with the purple door across the channel. That was one person she’d definitely miss in her life, no matter how confusing her feelings when Con got up close.

ELEVEN

Con sighedas she watched the young person sitting across the wide desk. She pulled her chair around and sat alongside him, holding out a box of tissues.

“I’m sorry it’s so hard for you, Jay. Have you talked to your teachers about how those kids behave?” She flicked a glance at his mother, Anne-Marie, who sat holding his hand as he spoke.

“Jay doesn’t want to be seen as a telltale. He’s already in the firing line, and he doesn’t want to give the kids any more ammunition.”

Jay blew his nose and sniffed. “It’s just a few older kids. Most people don’t care or aren’t really interested. But they don’t stick up for me, either. And I don’t have anyone to talk to about it. Other young people. There aren’t any other queer kids in the school.”

“You know that’s unlikely?” Con knew it wasn’t true. She’d had similar conversations with kids at Jay’s school as well as at the other schools in the area.

“It doesn’t matter, does it, if no one’s able to be open about it.” Jay’s mother rubbed her son’s back. “He needs to mix with other kids like him. The same way the cis kids do every day.”

Con rubbed her neck and skimmed through the listings on her screen, desperate to find something local. “There’s a trans youth group just outside Galway that meets monthly. I can give you the details.”

Jay shook his head. “I went once, but when Mum’s on shifts, there’s no way for me to get home. It’s miles away.”

“Is there nothing closer?” his mum asked.

“I’m afraid not.” Con sat back and crossed her ankles. “I can arrange counseling, if that would help, but there just aren’t any groups in the area.” She wished she could help. God knew there was the need for it.

Jay stood up. “I’ll be okay. I’m gonna start boxing, so I can look after myself.”

“It’s not good enough, Doc.” His mother stood. “These kids need a safe environment to be themselves.”

“I know, I’m sorry. I wish I could help.” She followed them to the door. “I’ll keep trying. See if I can request something to be set up.”

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