Ma fell in love with this town from the second she set foot in it, and I’m happy for her even if I’m miserable. We weren’t with her and Da on their research trip at the start of the year, after the pharma company he worked for in Dublin gave him a big promotion that required moving to the US.
Ma couldn’t stop gushing about how quaint the town is, how friendly the people are, and how incredible the scenery is. Dad returned armed with tons of leaflets and info about the local high school and their precedent-setting football—sorry,soccer—team and the opportunities for getting a soccer scholarship to a local D1 university after I graduate.
As if that would make up for ripping me from my team back home and pretty much ruining my prospects of a professional football career. Da doesn’t get it. My best chance at getting scouted to play for an English Premier League team is back in Ireland. US players getting signed are few and far between. I know the MLS is gaining in popularity in the US, largely thanksto strategic improvements and the construction of soccer-specific stadiums, which have attracted star players and legends like Lionel Messi and David Beckham, but it’s still not my preferred career path.
Football is my life, and playing it professionally has been my dream since I was a little kid. This move might suit my parents, but it sure as fuck does not suit me. I don’t know why they couldn’t just let me stay with my grandparents for sixth year or move into Dara’s student apartment in town. My older brother talked to my parents, but they were adamant they were not leaving me behind. Until I’m eighteen, I’m under their control, and I have no choice.
Doesn’t mean I have to make it easy for them. Maybe if I sulk and argue enough, they’ll get sick of me and send me back to Kilcoole.
I scramble off the bed. “You know how I feel, Ma. I’m here under protest, and that’s not going to change.” Grabbing my washbag and a towel, I walk out of the room to the bathroom and slam the door shut after me.
“Everyone be on their best behavior,” Ma warns as we leave our house. “It is really nice of the Nevans to invite us for a barbecue, and you will not make a show of me.” Her eyes pin me in place, and we all know she meansme.
I make a halo motion around the top of my head. “When have I ever embarrassed you, Ma?” I know I’m a moody prick these days, but I would never let my parents down by acting like a dick in public.
I’m fully reserving those actions for behind closed doors.
“You’ve been like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum since we told you about my promotion and our move,” Da says, but I purposely ignore him like I’ve been doing since we got here a month ago. “Are you going to continue the silent treatment in front of others?”
“Tony. This isn’t the time.” Ma pierces Da with one of her special looks.
“Please act like civil human beings. I don’t ask much of you, but I am asking this. Today is important to me. Please.”
“I’m sorry, honey.” Dad pulls Mum into his arms and kisses her.
Erin smiles dreamily at them as she winds her fingers through mine. “You promised me, Cal,” she whispers.
“I’ll behave,” I tell my parents.
“No cursing.” Ma narrows her eyes at my dad. “I’m talking to you as much as Callan, Tony.”
Dad mirrors my halo motion over his head. “I’ll do my best, but I can’t make any promises.”
She rolls her eyes but mercifully lets it drop. “Come on. They’re probably looking out the windows, wondering why the weird foreigners are standing outside their front door, gabbing.” Mum thrusts the large basket at Dad. “Carry that and be careful not to drop anything. I’ll hold the cheesecake.”
Ma was baking up a storm this morning, making a ton of Irish treats for the neighbors. She has barmbrack, apple tart, brown bread, soda bread, scones, coffee cake, and her specialty—a delicious Bailey’s chocolate cheesecake that is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.
We set out across the road toward the Nevans’ house. This area is nice with sixteen different types of houses spread across both sides of the road. Enclosed within a cul-de-sac, each detached property is on a decent plot of land with large gardens to the front and rear. It’s certainly a lot more private andspacious than the crowded housing estates back home. Heavily forested woodland rims the perimeter of the area, and there is an abundance of trees everywhere in this town.
Our house and the Nevans’ house are at the start of the cul-de-sac, on opposite sides of the road, with a neighboring house on one side and wide-open fields on the other. Unlike our decrepit home, the Nevans’ two-story house, with a large garage, is modern and well-maintained, and has an impressive front garden. The mown lawn contains various flowerbeds housing an abundance of colorful shrubs and flowers.
Sweet scents tickle my nostrils as we walk up their short driveway toward the front porch. Two rocking chairs are tucked into one side of the porch, and the other contains a two-seater outdoor couch with three matching chairs and a coffee table. Large pots contain more colorful flowers, and two bountiful hanging baskets reside on either side of the front door.
Ma raises her hand to ring the bell, but the door swings open before she reaches it.
“Welcome, welcome,” a stunning, tall blonde woman says, grabbing Ma into a hug. “We are so happy you have moved to the street.” She kisses Ma on both cheeks as an older man with dark hair threaded with gray comes up behind her, smiling warmly at all of us.
“You’ll have to excuse Elsa; she’s been very excited to meet you,” he says, watching in amusement as Elsa squeezes my dad in a bear hug and then gushes over Erin and me.
“You’re such a pretty girl,” she says, and my sister’s cheeks pink. “I love your dress.”
“My nana made it for me,” Erin confirms. “It was a going-away present because she said she’ll miss me.”
“I’m sure she will, sweetie,” Elsa says before pressing a kiss to Erin’s cheek.
“And who is this handsome young man?” she asks, turning her attention to me. She’s a fucking knockout, and I’m betting she tops the list of MILFs in the town.
“That’s Callan,” Ma says. “Our eldest son, Dara, is back in Ireland. He’s studying at Trinity College.”
