I put the controller down. “So, you took it upon yourself to find my ring size, instead of waiting for Uncle Niall?”
Hughie laughs. “I think we all know Uncle Niall is a bit helpless at times. Remember when he tried to build that bookcase for me and all the shelves were facing the wrong way, and it kinda leaned to the left?”
“It really did lean to the left. I feel if you had put a single book on it, we would have seen it implode.”
“Exactly, and that’s why I decided to step in and help. What is it we call him at those moments? FromAmerican Dad? The tit?”
I laugh. “The boob.”
What would a proposal look like from Niall? A wedding? Life here in Dublin has been amazing. Having a part-time teaching position at Trinity, helping out in the book pub whenever I can. It was exactly what I needed, a fresh start after how shitty things went back home.
What I do know is Dublin surely is my home now.
“How about this. Tomorrow morning you and I can run out to get donuts before the book launch event, and you and I can jump in a jewelry store and have them measure my ring size? You and I can look at what options they have and, since you’re on the inside, I’ll point at what types of things not to get.”
Hughie rolls his eyes. “Could you imagine if he was left to himself to pick something out? Like with purple and green stones or something? What would you even do when the boob strikes again.”
43
After a few hours it’s time to open presents. Everyone gathers in the pub area where the tables are more plentiful.
Hughie’s friends had chipped in and bought him two games. “We can play together after school!” Clayton, his friend, says as Hughie opens the games.
Irene, unsurprisingly, writes Hughie a check. A hefty check, at that, but Irene lives in her own bubble so we should just be happy she’s here.
The Trinity kids offer to take all of us camping over the summer, on them.
“Can I go next?” John has a box in his hands that, very suspiciously…has holes gouged all over.
“Did he…”
Hughie opens the top of the box and lets out a little squeal. He reaches in, pulling out a small tabby cat. He turns and holds it out to show Niall and I. We smile and, as Hughie turns, I lean into Niall’s shoulder. “Did you get a heads up on this?”
“No,” he whispers back, “but I think it’s fine, right?”
“I like cats.”
“Does he, or she, have a name Uncle John?”
John reaches over and scratches the top of the cat’s head. “Well, the lady called her Fran but I’m sure you can change it.”
Hughie shakes his head. “Nope. Her name’s Fran. I don’t want to confuse her.”
When Hughie opens his gift from Leo and Anders, he holds up a small statue of the Eiffel Tower. “Erm…thanks?” Hughie says, looking inside the box for something else.
“Did you forget to put the note in there?” Leo pokes Anders.
“I thought you were doing that? You have the better handwriting!”
Leo sighs. “Hughie, we’re taking you to Paris for the weekend, whenever works for you and Niall and Danny. But just the three of us. Those two will just drag us down.”
I turn to Niall. “Did they at least run this one by you?”
“Yes, they did. Anders’s parents have a small apartment in Paris that they’ll use. I’ve been there. It’s in a nice area. Maybe we should check it out.”
“I’d like that,” I say, watching Hughie grab the pile of gifts from us. “We’re up.”
Hughie takes the first box, which is a Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts jersey. Dublin became part of the international NFL series this year, and the Colts played the Packers last fall. Manning had tagged along with the team and had done a meet and greet with fans after the game, and he had signed Hughie’s hat. Ever since that day Hughie wants to watch as many Colts games as he can.
