After the funeral, we all shuffle through the rain to Avery’s Tavern for a shot of whisky and to tell tall tales about the Old Days. I’m not sure that Granny figures in any of them. Maybe a couple of her old friends are remembering her kindly, but most have passed on, God rest them.
I lose Damien in the crowd, but he finds me sitting in a corner, sorry for myself.
“Rosie? Would you want company now?”
“Depends who it is,” I say, feeling warm for the first time today. “If it’s yourself, then yes, please.”
He hands me a glass. “Whisky?”
I shoot back the liquor and it burns a trail down my throat. “I would love a cigarette. If Bianca was here, she’d give me one.”
He taps one out of a little box in his pocket, then he holds out a lighter and glances around the tavern. “She’s not here?”
“Couldn’t get time off work,” I say, blowing out the smoke. “Thank you kindly, by the way, for paying your respects.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your granny, Rosie. I don’t like to see you hurt, and I’d never leave you to suffer alone.”
He hugs me, and I hold on to him with one arm, my cigarette safely out of range. I need this, his arms wrapped around me. He’s filling me with strength just by being with me. When he draws back, his hands go to my shoulders, but in that moment, I feel Mr. Carboni’s grip instead. Quick as a flash, I shift out of reach.
Concern creases Damien’s brow. “What is it?”
“Nothing,” I say, embarrassed. “Can we leave here? The noise is too much.”
He takes my hand, and we walk into the early evening. The ground isstill wet, but at least the rain’s stopped. The sun peeks out from behind low, dark clouds, turning the crooked rooftops of The Ward gold. The raindrops on the dark green grass sparkle like jewels. I like that Damien doesn’t try to break the silence with chatter. He doesn’t talk just to fill the quiet. Sometimes, a silent mouth is sweet to hear. I think he understands that. Damien understands me, and ’tis a rare thing.
We walk past Li’s house, but everyone must be inside, keeping dry. We turn the corner.
“Where are we going?” I ask, dropping my cigarette in a puddle.
“Wherever you want,” he says. “I just want to be with you.”
That stops me in my tracks. “That’s the loveliest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
He faces me. “?’Tis true, Rosie. Surely you know that. Tell me plain. Do you want me with you?”
“You and only you,” I assure him, meaning it to the core of my soul.
He takes my face in his hands so he can kiss me with a passion that turns me to liquid.Thisis what I want. This and more of it, and more still. I want everything he has. Of course it’s a sin, but Father William seemed to care not one whit. I tell myself that means I don’t need his forgiveness, because ’tis not so bad. God is good. We all know that. And because of that, I can lie to myself and say that God would never forbid something this wonderful.
“You know I mean it,” he says, resting his brow against mine. I can feel his warm breath tickling my lips, and my body tingles with desire. “I’m saving my money for me and you. For our life ahead. You know that, right?”
“I do.”
“Would you marry me? I mean, not right now, but someday?”
Everything I feel when I’m with Damien bubbles up through my chest like the champagne in the flutes of the guests on the night of the opening gala. I shut the door against the guilt in my heart, and I seize his face in my hands so I can kiss him again.
I whisper against his lips, “I would marry you any day.”
“I’m waiting on a big payday.” The words come out in a rush, as if he’sbeen holding them in. “Do you know how to get a letter to your da? I could write to ask for your hand.”
His voice is steady and certain, and the words he speaks are not the words of a rascal, but of an honest man. The change catches me unawares. Love swells in my chest, and I am helpless to deny him anything.
“I don’t think Da’s ever coming back, Damien. It’s been months with no word.” My throat tightens into a knot. I try not to think about Da these days, for the truth hurts.
He leans in close. “Shall I ask the Father, then?”
“No. Father William doesn’t care. Just ask me. Never mind those fellas.”
