Page 23 of My Irish Roommate

“I lived in the city because it was convenient for school and because there are more job opportunities, but if I had my choice to live anywhere, it would be somewhere like this. It’s so green and the air smells so clean and sweet.”

“Here we are,” I tell her as I point to the fully restored stone house.

She looks at me and says, “I know my mother can be a bit much, but she’s always been hard on me. If she gets out of hand, please just ignore her. I’m used to her bickering.”

“I’ll try, baby girl. I want you to have a good time.”

“Thank you. I want us both to have a good time.”

“I won’t lie,” I smirk. “I’ll probably spend the whole night fantasizing about what I’m going to do to you when we get back home. That’ll keep a smile on my face.”

She tries to give me a little kiss, but I pull her close and slide my tongue between her lips. We make out like teenagers for more than ten minutes, then I put the car back in gear and drive up to the house.

Emma comes to the door and throws her arms around her daughter. “You must have been so scared. I can’t believe this happened to you. I’m still in shock,” she cries.

“I’m just thankful that it’s all over now, Mom.”

“Come inside. I want to show you what we’ve done to the kitchen,” Emma says and pulls Ricki away from me. I contemplate the real possibility that she’s going to pretend I’m not here.

I wander into my father’s study where I find him sipping on his Irish Whisky.

“Hello, Pops,” I nod as he pours me a shot.

“My son the hero. Emma’s been talking about you non-stop.”

“Really? She didn’t even say hello when I came in.”

“Trust me, son, you’re her new favorite celebrity.”

“Funny, I thought I left my celebrity status behind when my fighting career ended.”

He glances out the door to make sure he won’t be overheard then asks, “How are things between you and the girl?”

“Ricki, Pops. She’s your wife’s daughter. You should know her name. Everything is great between us. I couldn’t be happier and neither could she.”

“That’s good. I thought you’d never settle down.”

I tilt my head and squint my eyes, “Just last week you were completely against this. What changed?”

“One day you’ll understand, son. If you want a happy life, you side with the wife.”

“So, you never had a problem with this personally? You just didn’t want to upset your happy home?”

“I don’t even know the girl's name. She’s not your sister. She’s a stranger. I couldn’t care less.”

“Nice to know where your loyalty lies, Pops. I’m your son. Couldn’t you have tried to put a bug in Emma’s ear?”

“You’re my adult son. It’s not my responsibility to play referee between you and my wife. Maybe one day you’ll have a son so you can learn that lesson, too.”

I discontinue the conversation because I promised Ricki I would behave, but I know in my heart that I would never choose sides against my son. Especially if my disdain was nothing more than an act to benefit someone else.

“We should go out to the veranda for a cigar before dinner,” he tells me.

“Why outside?”

“I’m not allowed to smoke in the house anymore,” he scoffs.

“Alright, let’s go, Pops, “ I pat him on the back. This is not the man that I grew up with.

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