“Callum’s mam arrives today?” Graínne asks.
“Yup! We’ll be leaving at about three-thirty to pick her up.”
“We’ll have a family dinner with her tonight and then another tomorrow night when Teagan gets here.” Rosaura tells us.
“Thank you, that sounds wonderful.” I smile at them.
“You all enjoy your brunch.” Rosaura says as they all hug us goodbye.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Callum
After the girls leave, Cillian and I sit down to talk.
“I need to apologize to you.” I say to him.
“Why?” he asks as he pours us coffee.
“I realized that in all this time, I never asked you about your childhood. About how your mam dealt with everything. Did you have a da growing up? And what’s your mam’s name?”
Cillian chuckles. “First, you don’t need to apologize for that. My mam’s name is Teagan. And the funny thing is that you and I grew up similar. My mam dated. I know that much. But she never really brought them around me. I would stay with my Daideó and Mamo when she would go out. I think the only real difference is that my Daideó and Mamo were around all the time. They picked me up from school and took care of me till my mam got off work. They took me to all my hockey practices. Because my mam had to work, she came to my games as much as she could. I always understood that she wanted to be there, but sometimes she just couldn’t. What’s your mam’s name?”
“My mam’s name is Fiona. Did you ever wonder about your da?”
“There was a time I did and when I asked my mam about him, she got really sad. So I tried not to ask her. I did ask my Daideó and he said my da wasn’t a good man. A good man would never leave his family. I realized then that I never wanted to be that kind of man.”
I nod. “I was the same way. Although my Granda and Gran weren’t around until I was ten. They didn’t agree with my mam having me without being married.”
“I don’t think mine were happy with that. But luckily they stayed anyway. I’m sorry that yours didn’t.”
“It’s okay, they made up for it later on. They haven’t left our side since they came back. Even when my mam tried to throw them out.” I laugh. “I remember that day so clearly. The day before was the day they came back. They apologized and told her how wrong they were. She told them that since it took them ten years to figure that out, maybe they could take the next ten years to realize she still didn’t need them. Then she slammed the door on them. The next morning, they were back. They even brought breakfast. Mam wouldn’t open the door, but eventually she had to. It started raining in typical Scotland weather. She yelled at them through the door to go home. And they kept saying no. Finally she opened the door, when they came in, they were soaking wet. That’s my first real memory of my grandparents.”
Cillian laughs as I tell my story.
“I will say that I feel like you’re my brother and we do look alike.”
“I’ve been thinking that too. I thought that when we met, but I thought there’s no way. You’re an Irish McGregor and I’m a Scottish one. But it looks like it’s not the case.”
“Well, I’ve always wanted a sibling. At least I’m the older one.” Cillian laughs.
“Oh no. You’re going to be one ofthoseolder siblings.” I laugh.
“Oh hell yes. Finding out I have a younger sibling? That’s going to be so much fun. My mam is excited to meet you and your mam. At first she was really sad that another family had to go through what we did. But I told her all about you and your mam. I have a feeling that even if we’re not related, our mams are going to be close.”
“I worry about my mam being in Scotland alone. She spends most of her time in Doolin, because of my cafe. And I know she’s wanted to make more friends there.”
“My mam is planning on visiting the cafe. She’s in Ennis, so they’re not far from each other.”
“I really hope they love each other. Having someone there with her would make me feel so much better.”
“Oh I’m sure they will.” He smiles as we hear the front door open.
The girls come back with a variety of pastries and some soup and sandwiches. It’s all so delicious.
Before we know it, it’s time to head to the airport to pick up my mam. I’m really excited to see her, I’ve missed her a lot. After talking to Cillian, I’m not as worried about my mam. I feel like having Teagan close by will help her a lot.
We pull up to the airport and see my mam waiting. Moira and I get out of the car and instead of hugging me first, mam hugs Moira. I chuckle. I love that my mam loves my girl.
