Chapter Twenty Four the final Chapter

Chapter Twenty four

Kate and Gavin walked hand in hand down the close. The freedom to bend her leg, after being encased in a cast for the past five weeks, was pure heaven. Her leg still felt a little wobbly but with Gavin's hand in hers, she was confident that she would not fall again. Her rehab would continue for some time before she regained full strength, but for now, this freedom was enough.

At the end of the alley they entered a dark doorway. Kate fumbled with some keys and opened the door. She searched along the dark wall for the switch and flipped on the light.

“Ta da,” she sang.

The pub was finished and tonight was to be the grand opening. Kate had made sure all of her friends and teachers had received invitations. She had observed, over the last few weeks, many people pressing their noses to the window to get a peek inside. Interest was growing and she hoped for a good turnout.

Gavin let out a low whistle. “This is fantastic.” He walked over to the stout dark wood bar that greeted them. He ran his hand down the length of it, admiring the carvings on the front and the general sturdiness of it.

"Aye, this will do. Many a bar fight this will endure." He grinned at her.

Kate loved the way the stemware glistened from where it hung over the bar. And how the different bottles behind the bar made a patchwork of colors that teased the eye and boggled the mind. She and her grandmother had worked ceaselessly to make sure the bottles were in the right place to give it that effect, while her father had stood to the side shaking his head, informing them that after the first few days, the new bartender would be arranging them in a more efficient way. Her grandmother had threatened to put up labels and dock pay if she came in and one bottle was out of place. In the end a compromise was reached, for the first night at least, the effect would be worth the trouble.

Her dad had decided live music would be a necessity in the bar. A sort of open mic format and those with instruments were encouraged to bring them. Of course he envisioned there would be guest musicians from time to time, but mostly they hoped it would be informal and spontaneous. A space was set aside with that in mind, any and all instruments would be accommodated. Her father hoped for the more traditional Celtic music streaming from his establishment, to better draw in tourists, but encouraged all forms of music. Even though he had not one musical bone in his body, Kate knew he loved listening.

Gavin’s mother, a former hotel manager, turned out to be a wealth of information and indispensable in acquiring the kitchen stoves, refrigerators, preparation tables and all the essentials that came with it. She had been a real life saver when it came to procuring the correct licenses and permits. Gavin’s father had designed the front window and printed the menus. Kate's father had found a kindred spirits in Gavin's parents. It was like they had known each other for years, agreeing on just about everything. While Bruce was lost in preparations, Kate had taken it upon herself to create invitations and fliers which filled the time.

For the past few weeks she had seen little of her friends outside of school or defense class. It wasn't that she was too busy helping her dad, or that she didn't want to hang out, but they all had been on some sort of secret mission. Kate had only seen Gavin once or twice, and when she did, he was very vague about what they had been up to. Even today when she had talked to Kenzie on the phone, she asked her outright where everyone had been. Kenzie had told her they had some things to take care of. She pressed her for more specific information, but Kenzie had coughed into the receiver and deftly changed the subject.

With no friends to distract her, Kate had immersed herself in putting the finishing touches on the pub and, although she was miffed at the disappearance of her friends, she was glad that she didn’t feel guilty about spending so much time here. It had been a while since Gavin had last been inside the pub and she was interested to see his reaction to the transformation. Even she was surprised at what changes had taken place in the last twenty four hours. The ratty floors had been sanded and varnished and allowed to dry during the overnight hours. The effect was remarkable. She could almost see herself.

“It’s just about perfect,” Gavin said.

“Just about? I think it is.”

“Oh don’t get me wrong. It is brilliant, but it’s missing something. I can’t quite put me finger on it.”

He pulled out a shiny brass bell from his back pack.

“What is that?” she asked.

“This is a tip bell,” he answered. “It’s to be hung over the bar and whenever someone tips the barkeep, he rings it,” he smiled. “I hear it is a tradition. Not that I frequent many pubs,” he finished lamely.

He handed it to her. “It is really for yer dad, since it is his place.”

She took it and examined it, ‘Off the Beaten Path Established' and the day’s date had been engraved on it.

“It’s wonderful. I’m sure he will love it.”

She set it behind the bar so her dad could hang it when he came in.

“So that is what you have been up to. You could have told me.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't,” he teased.

"Oh come on," she slumped into a booth, massaging her leg. "Tell me." He shook his head. "I work and slave here, at school and therapy. No friend in sight, mind you, and you won't tell me what you have been up to?" He smiled. Hmmm, guilt didn't work either.

“So, have you heard from immigration yet?” he said changing the subject.

“Actually, yes. We have a green light and soon we will be filling out all the forms to stay indefinitely,” she said.

“So, you're abandoning the states to become Scottish citizens?”

“No, we are not abandoning the states. I mean honestly," she chided him. "We are applying for dual citizenship. We will have to travel to the U.S. occasionally to keep our American citizenship in good standing, but we will reside here.”

“Will you be going to visit your grandparents when you go?” he asked.

"Wow, we really haven't seen each other much lately have we? Actually, they have put their house up for sale at home and bought one here. Some of their stuff arrived just this week. They have also applied for citizenship, but I think they’re skipping the dual part. So chalk two more up on the Scottish scoreboard.” She licked her finger and drew two imaginary lines in the air. “It just amazes me, I can’t believe at their age, starting a new life in a new country. I really can’t believe that my dad never told me they were loaded.”

“Loaded, as in?” He made a drinking motion with his hand.

“No!" she laughed. "Loaded, as in rich. The way they live, don’t get me wrong, they had a nice small house and nice little cars. I just never knew. They never did anything outrageous like flying first class for a weekend to Monte Carlo or taking month long exotic trips. They just lived a nice quiet little life.”

Kate started wondering if they scrimped and saved because her grandmother knew this day was coming. Come to think of it her grandmother had known exactly where to find the house they bought. 'She knew!' Kate said quietly to herself. She would have to corner her grandmother and question her about that sometime soon. She pushed that thought to the side for now.

She stood and took his arm. “Would you like to see what your mother has been up to?”

Seven-thirty saw Off the Beaten Path pub filled to overflowing. Tourists and townsfolk alike crowded around the bar and waited for seats. Kate helped the hostess with seating and the busboy with clearing the tables. She was not there in any official capacity, but she wanted to be available to help out in any way she could. Her grandparents had come right in the middle of a rush, but she had put a table aside for them since they were part owners of the establishment, and that afforded them special perks. She had not had the time to ask her grandmother about her suspicions, but she intended not to let them leave until she had an answer.

All of the O’Callaghan’s and the Stewart’s walked in the door together. Kate was happy to see them. She could have done without Tavey’s wolf whistles, but it was nice to see the brothers together again. She had not visited with Catherine and Boyd since that day in the flat and she was glad for the chance to catch up. She found them a nice large booth and sent over some pints of Dark Island Reserve Ale, on the house. She spied Catherine leaving the booth and managed to snag her on the way to the loo.

“It’s nice to see Boyd and Andrew together again,” she said.

“Again? Those two have been inseparable since they found each other. Every single day!  Boyd is at his house or Andrew is at ours.” She sounded exasperated but she had a smile on her face. “Actually, it has invigorated both of them. They act like schoolboys, always out for a walk, I swear I think I will look out one day to see them playing ball. And Billy, don't get me started on Billy! Not sure if I trust that boy.”

They both laughed.

“I have found a friend too. Mary is such a nice lady we have many things in common.”

“Like marrying an O’Callaghan?” Kate asked.

“Have you heard? Andrew is having their name changed officially to O’Callaghan. Mary is not so keen on it but she understands why. Boyd Jr. on the other hand is a bit of a case. I think he will come around in the end, but he does not like it one bit. His words, not mine.” Catherine and Kate shared another laugh and Catherine left her wondering if Boyd Jr. would be angry with her for the name change. She wondered what it would be like to be a Kirkpatrick one day and then an O’Callaghan the next.

A motion outside the window diverted her attention. She peered out the window and saw Monkey looking in. He caught her eye and smiled. She excused herself from Catherine and walked outside to greet him.

“Mr. Monkey. How are you this fine evening?”

“I have come to see how fate was treating you sweet Kate. I heard about the opening tonight and wanted to take a look.”

“Why don’t you come in and have something?” she asked.

“Oh no, I don't think that would be a good idea.”

“And why not?”

“I would’nae want to run into that woman. I’m sorry, yer mum. She sets me skin to tingling and I would hate to cause a scene,” he said.

“She won't be here tonight." She studied this strange, passionate man. He really did seem to care about her. "Actually she is no longer a part of our lives.” Kate shared softly.

“Kate, I am sorry you are sad." He removed his hat and circled the brim through his fingers. "It really is for the best. Besides yer dad needs someone who will give back to him. Ol' Monkey knows that your dad would’nae be able to find her whilst he was with yer Mum.”

“Come in, please. It will be on the house, whatever you order.” He paused for a moment and then nodded. She took him by the hand and led him to the bar. "Anything he orders is on me," she instructed the bartender.

He sat down with a smile and said, “I would like a Coke please.”

Kate was surprised. “You can order anything you’d like,” she said again.

“Darlin', do you have any idea how long I have wanted a Coke? It has been quite a while.”

Kate smiled and left Monkey to his Coke.

Looking around she saw some of her friends sitting in a corner. They must have slipped in without her knowing. Mairi, Lanie and Kenzie were camped out at a table and as she was walking toward them, Tavey appeared out of nowhere to join them. He stuffed a bag under his chair when he saw her.

“Hi guys, I didn’t see you come in.”

“Wow, Kate, this is fantastic. I can’t believe the turnaround in this place. It used to be such a pit,” Kenzie said.

“Completely,” Lanie agreed. “Me and me brother used to come down here and snoop around. Learned how to sneak in through the back door,” She laughed. “Used to think we saw ghosts in here.”

“Ghosts?” Kate laughed. “Really?”

“Ya, a woman. She would walk through here and sometimes she looked right at us.”

“Awe, she’s pulling yer leg, that one,” Tavey guffawed. “No such things as ghosts and you know it.”

“What’s in the bag?” Kate asked Tavey, heading off the coming argument.

“What bag?” He moved the bag with his foot under the table towards Kenzie. “I don’t have a bag.”

“Fine, don’t tell me." She scanned the crowd. "Is Gavin coming? I thought he’d be here by now.” she asked the group.

“He is here,” Kenzie said. “Saw him in the kitchen just a few minutes ago. Think his mum was talking to him. I’m sure he will be out in a moment. Well, he should be any minute now.” She checked her watch as Lanie kicked her under the table.

Just as Kate was beginning to suspect her friends were up to something, an ear piercing sound rang through the pub, startling everyone and causing shouts of pain. Shocked as everyone else, Kate looked to the musicians’ area, where the sound was emanating. She saw Gavin with a microphone and a small amp. He had not turned down the house music before plugging in the microphone, causing the sound to feedback on itself.

“Sorry about that,” he said sheepishly. “Just bear with us for a moment and I promise, the next sounds you hear will not be as painful.” There was laughter throughout the pub.

Kate turned to the rest of the table but they were getting up and walking toward Gavin. She noticed that each of them had some sort of carryall or another. They grabbed a couple of chairs from the wall and pulled them into a semicircle facing the rest of the pub. Tavey produced a violin from the bag he had so cunningly hidden from her. Lanie had a piccolo and Kenzie had a small drum and tambourine. Gavin had disappeared into the kitchen again only to reemerge with a guitar case. Kate was shocked. She had no idea what was going on. She looked around for her father. He was standing behind the bar, smiling from ear to ear. He caught her eye and nodded at her. Her father, the conspirator, must have known all along. She made her way over to the bar.

“You knew about this?” she accused.

“Yep,” he said.

“And you were going to tell me when, exactly?”

“Couldn’t tell, I was sworn to secrecy. Had to prick my finger, sign in blood and everything,” he said with his right hand raised.

Kate shook her head. This is why her friends had been MIA the last few weeks. She had been busy helping out here at the pub and she had called to see if they wanted to help. It never occurred to her, when they said no, that they were up to something other than avoiding work. She turned to listen as they tuned up. She hoped, for her father’s sake, they were good.

Kate looked around the pub, every eye was on the musicians waiting expectantly. Her attention returned to her friends and their instruments.

“Hello!” Gavin said into the microphone. “Welcome to opening night at “Off the Beaten Path.” He waited as the applause died down. “I just wanted to say thank you to the owner, Mr. Thorn, for allowing us the privilege of being the first musicians to play here.” He waited for another round of applause, then looked around at the group and, in a soft voice, counted.

“One, two, three, four.”

The sweetest sound she had ever heard floated through the pub. She was dumbstruck. She had no idea that her friends played, and that they played so well. Gavin carried the tune on the guitar, and Tavey on the violin weaved a soft haunting melody around him. Lanie picked up her piccolo and began a sad counter melody that brought tears to her eyes. Kenzie very subtly carried a beat. Kate stole a look around the pub. Not a soul was talking. Every eye was on the quartet. She noticed others, like herself, dabbing tears from their eyes. There was a moment of silence as the song ended, then deafening applause. The four looked at each other and smiled. Gavin took up the microphone.

“Thank you. That was our version of Happy Birthday.” Laughter washed over them. “I hope you forgive us our next one. It was written to explain to our new friend what it is like to live here in the greatest city in the world. So please don't kill the messenger.” Once again, the count. “One, two, three, four.”

Quick paced, upbeat music filled the room. Gavin pulled the microphone closer and began to sing.

  It rains all the time, you don’t know who you are.

  Hiding inside, deep in the bar.

  Edinburgh and her people are one in the same.

  Reserved by the rain, there is noooo one to blame.

  No perfect day,

  No perfect day. Nooo whoa a whoa

  No perfect day

  I say, there’s no such thing as a perfect day.

  The wind in the wynds, the rain in the close.

  The cold and the mist bite when it blows.

  Think you can change, you don’t understand

  Edinburgh belongs to no mortal man.

  No perfect day,

  No perfect day no whoa a whoa

  No perfect day

  I say, there’s no such thing as a perfect day.

It controls you and you don’t even know

Haunted on high and down from below.”

Kate was stunned. The last note of Gavin’s voice echoed through the pub, suspended in time. Kate felt as if everything was happening in slow motion. People rose from their chairs clapping and whistling. Gavin, Lanie, Tavey and Kenzie stood from their chairs and took a bow. Kate clapped with everyone else as Gavin’s eyes locked with hers, he mouthed, “For you!”

“Thank you!” she mouthed back.

The shouts died down and someone yelled out for more. The group returned to their seats and started playing once again. Kate felt someone at her side and turned to find her grandmother there.

“Want a bit of fresh air?” she asked.

Kate saw everyone enjoying the music and things had quieted down so she nodded and took her grandmother's arm. They passed out into the dark close and found a quiet bench a few feet from the door.

“I think your dad has a hit on his hands. Not only do they like the music, I have heard several people say the food was superb. No surprise there.”

“No surprise to us, maybe. Well, the food was a no brainier, nobody cooks better than Dad, but that music was amazing. Tell me something.”

“Sure.”

“You knew this was all going to happen didn’t you? I mean moving to Scotland with us, opening the pub, Mom leaving. You saw it all from the very beginning didn’t you?” She searched her grandmother’s face.

“Yes, I did. It was a terrible burden to carry. Once the sequence was set in motion I was powerless to stop it. So we planned and saved so we could be here for you two.”

Kate had her answer.

“So what is up next?” Kate asked her.

“I have no idea. I see small things, but nothing as big as this, looming in the future. Likely, your dad will burn some toast tomorrow and you are going to a dance but really nothing big.”

Kate was worried.

“Would you tell me if it was something bad? I understand why you couldn’t tell Dad.”
            “Oh, don’t get me wrong Kate. I tried to tell your dad. He wouldn’t listen. He can be very stubborn. Just like someone else I know.” She poked Kate in the arm.

“I know. I guess it would be hard to hear. I also am glad they stayed together this long. I’m here, if you had tried anything, I might not have been.”

“Now that’s the thing. How could I live with myself if I had convinced your dad not to go through with the wedding, knowing I would never get to know you. It’s a slippery slope. I figured the best thing is to let it run its course and prepare for the fallout. Your grandpa agreed with me. Some things are just too big to tamper with.” She sighed and reached into her pocket and withdrew a note. “I was told to give this to you sometime today. It’s from your mom. I didn’t read it cause I know what it says. No, let me be clear, I can guess what it says. You can read it now or later.”

Kate took the note. And opened it.

Dear Kate,

  Good luck tonight with the pub opening. I have been by several times during the day to see how it is going. I can tell that it will be a success.

Love,

Mom

P.S. Tell your dad he did a good job on the pub and raising a wonderful daughter.

“Well if you guessed short, sweet and to the point, you guessed right. Just a note for luck. I swear I don’t understand that woman.” Kate was exasperated. “Please don’t let me turn out like her,” she said as she put her head on her grandmothers’ shoulder.

“Oh, I don’t think you have to worry about that. You have too much of your father in you.”

A woman walked out of the pub and looked around. She was wearing a white long dress with a high collar. She started walking up the close then stopped and turned around. She walked back down past where they were sitting and stopped again. She spun around in a circle obviously confused about which way to go. Kate’s grandmother caught her eye and nodded toward the woman. Kate shrugged her shoulders. Her grandmother leaned forward.

“Pardon me. Are you lost?” she asked the woman.

Startled the woman turned to look at them.

“Can you help me?” she whispered.

Kate’s grandmother stood up and approached the woman.

“Sure, honey. What do you need?”

“I'm looking for Kate Thorn,” she whispered.

“I'm Kate,” Kate stepped forward. “Do I know you?”

“Thank heaven, Kate. I need help, to get home,” Kate had to lean forward to hear her words. As she did a blanket of cold engulfed her. She backed away from the woman and it dissipated.

The woman looked over Kate's shoulder at someone, Kate and her grandmother turned to look and when they turned back, the woman was gone.

“What on earth?” her grandmother said, as she looked at Kate whose mouth had dropped open.

“Was that a ghost?” Kate asked in awe. “A real ghost?”

“I think it was. And it knew you.” Her grandmother laughed and put her hands on her hips. “I think I am really going to like it here. So many mysteries and riddles in this old city. Yes, I think I am really going to like it here.”

She walked back to the bench and put her arm around Kate. They giggled about it for a while, every time getting it under control, only to burst out giggling again. Finally they managed to subdue themselves. They sat like that for a bit longer, the night’s quiet broken only by the music drifting out of the pub. Even with the sorrow she felt at her parent’s divorce and the excitement of the opening of the pub, she felt a peace she hadn’t felt in a long time. Her life was now off the beaten path and she felt like she belonged. She felt at home.

The End

Chapter Twenty Three

          Chapter Twenty three

Her grandparents were the first to arrive. They'd had no luck with the restaurant properties they toured, but had driven by a few others that looked promising.

“Tomorrow we are scheduled to look at some properties with nice fronts to them and not too far off the beaten path. Depends on what kind of customers are you looking for. Tourist, or something more regular?” Grandpa asked.

“You know, I never really thought of the tourist possibility. I had always pictured a grill back in Blue Springs, and we know there are no tourists there. I would like to have a good mix of regulars, some tourists...but mostly regulars,” Bruce said, thinking through the implications to the business.

“I think you just found your pub's name.” Kate said. They looked at her. “’Off the Beaten Path’ what do you think?”

“’Off the Beaten Path,’...hmmm...I think I like it. It’s not too comical nor is it touristy. Let me think about it.” He went to his room and brought out a pad and pencil. He started sketching, and talking to himself.

There was a knock on the door and Gavin arrived. He was grinning from ear to ear as he took a stack of papers out of his backpack.

“What have you got there?” India asked.

“Oh not much, just the usual homework and a ton of get well messages from Kate’s adoring fans.”

He beamed at her as he set the homework on her lap. Then he handed her an envelope that had several notes and handmade cards.

“Mr. Corkin sends his best and hopes for a speedy recovery so you can return to helping the defense class. He also wanted me to pass along that Mr. Dougall’s sister, his new bride, will be in to talk to the class about her experience next week. He wanted yer father and grandparents there too, if they wished. Kenzie sweet talked him into giving us all paper to make you a card with. Very fun. Got out the crayons and everything, was like being in kindergarten again." He stopped her in the midst of sorting thought the cards. "A word of caution, you might not want to share Tavey and Frazier’s cards with anyone else. Also Mr. Dougall hopes you are feeling better soon and told me to tell you that the ‘mid-term tests wait for no one.”  He did a passable imitation of Mr. Dougall’s voice. “I think he meant that as a threat.”

“I’m sure he did. Is this all from one day? I had no idea that I did so much homework?” She leafed through the papers. “I guess I did most of it while we were still in class.” She pulled one out of the middle and held it up. “Oh no! We have a paper assigned in History!” she cried in dismay. “Are you kidding me? Dad, I can’t stay home anymore. I need to get back to school. I don’t want to flunk my first semester here.”

“Now calm down, Kate,” her grandpa soothed. “No one is going to flunk you because of a broken leg. I’m sure they are just trying to keep you on track by sending, well, it looks like, just about everything.” He started to laugh. “Gavin, is there a desk in that pile too?”

“Can’nae fit it in,” he said, as they shared a laugh.

Kate sat with the pile on her lap and felt as if she was going to cry. Her grandmother took the papers and began to sort them into separate piles for the separate classes. When she got done, it really didn’t look that bad.

“Look here, some of these pages are notes your friends copied for you,” her grandmother said.

“Mairi, Kenzie and Duncan put their notes in from the classes they share with you. They thought it would help, since you really need them to know what is going on. Duncan was thinking about using a recorder so you could listen to the class, but the school rules won't allow it. So you see, it really isn’t as bad as it first looked.” Gavin handed her a tissue.

“I just wish I had never...” she blew her nose and Gavin finished for her.

“Come to Edinburgh,” he said softly.

“No. I was going to say broken my leg.” She wiped her nose as she talked. "I hate this. I can’t go anywhere, do anything, well at least not at normal speed."

“Don’t worry, it will all be over in another five weeks,” Gavin said.

“Five weeks,” she whispered. “Seems like an eternity.” She lay her head on the back of the couch, “I wish I had never stepped into that hole. It was so stupid of me. I feel so stupid. ‘Hey how’d you break your leg? I stepped into a pothole.’ Stupid, stupid, stupid.” She banged her forehead with the palm of her hand.

“Easy there sweetie, you didn’t have a concussion at the hospital and there is no reason to start one now.” Her grandmother took her hand in hers. “There is no safe place,” she said, her eyes were unfocused and although it looked like she had spoken to Kate, she had actually said it to someone unseen. She shook her head and said again. “There really is no safe place. Could have happened at home, at a competition, in a race, no need to play it safe when it could happen anywhere.”

“Most dangerous room in the home?” Gavin asked.

“Kitchen,” Kate answered.

“Nope, the bathroom. So be careful in there,” he said with mock seriousness.

Kate found herself giggling. It felt good and as she looked at the pile of papers in front of her, they really didn’t look so bad. She could do it.

The Shaw/O'Callaghan's arrived just after three o’clock. Boyd looked a little drawn but he was in good spirits. Kate made room for him on the couch next to her.

“I guess turnabout is fair play,” he said. “You came to visit me when I was sick and here we are to repay yer kindness.” He smiled at her with a twinkle in his eye. “So how did you break your leg?”

Kate started giggling. “I stepped in a hole.” She continued to giggle. Boyd looked puzzled. “I’m sorry. I just feel so stupid saying that. You know, sounds so dumb, stepping in a hole.”

“Then you need to make it sound grander. Like, I stepped into a large hole or I stepped into a bear trap. That would get them,” he winked and elbowed her.

“Lots of bear traps around here?” she asked.

“A few, a few, you’d be surprised. Don't be laughing. Well now, the whole point of a trap is that you don't see it. If you’d seen it you would’nae step in it. Would you?”

Kate had really missed Boyd’s humor. It had been so sad to see him sick and it was nice to see him out and about. Catherine had gone into the kitchen and returned with a vase of flowers.

“These are for you,” she said as she set them down.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Kate was a little embarrassed.

“Yes we did,” Catherine said and inclined her head toward Boyd. “Someone insisted.”

“Did you bring me flowers?” Kate asked as she turned to Boyd.

“Well, Catherine carried them for me. I hate turning up empty handed. You know, I always remember me mum taking something, anything when she was invited to someone’s house. We didn’t have much money in those days, but she always found something. Guess it rubbed off on me.”

“Lucky for me it did. They are beautiful, thank you.” She placed her hand on his.

“We brought that other item you wanted us to bring.” Catherine reached into her bag and pulled out the framed picture of a boy that hung in the Shaw Kennel front room. Boyd looked perplexed.

“Yes now, why on earth did you want us to bring that?” he asked.

“I need it to show to someone.” She tried to shift so she could look at Boyd straight on. “Brace yourself, but I think I may have found your brother.”

Boyd became very still. He locked eyes briefly with Catherine and looked back to Kate.

“Andrew?” he said.

“Yes, Andrew. Turns out he is the father of one of my friends. Actually my friend Boyd, not you Boyd, but another Boyd, this could become very confusing, but Boyd’s father is named Andrew and he doesn’t remember his family. Seems he came here decades ago and had an accident and was taken to the hospital but no one ever came for him and after a few years, his memory of his family and where he was from started to fade. I've read about it. It has some kind of term ending in syndrome, Boyd, his son, says now and then his father has small glimpses but he doesn’t remember.” Kate saw Boyd becoming even paler. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, please continue,” he said.

“Well, he was adopted by one of the nurses in the hospital and grew up not far from here.”

“He named his son Boyd?” he said softly in awe.

“Yes, he did. Maybe there’s something there? You’ll have to ask him,” she said.

“Ask him? When?”

“Today,” she smiled. “He should be here.” She glanced out the window.

“He’s coming here? Today?” Boyd was looking nervous.

“I have to warn you I don’t know what he remembers, if he remembers anything at all, that’s why I wanted you to bring the picture. I thought it might help.”

“Kate, you could give an old man some notice about this. You don’t know how many times I would track down someone with the right name or someone that knew him or said they did, only to find it wasn’t him. I thought I was through with all this. I don’t know if I can handle another disappointment.” Tears sprang to his eyes and he began to get himself worked up.

“Boyd, please relax. Why don’t you just meet him and let it go from there. You don’t expect anything from him and he isn’t expecting anything from you. If nothing else you met another person you didn’t know today,” Kate assured him.

Kate turned to Catherine, “I am sorry, I didn’t think. I mean I thought he would be happy. I never realized...if it wasn't him. Oh Boyd, please just talk to him.”

“It’s all right,” she whispered.

“So how does this work? You think Mr. Shaw and Mr. Kirkpatrick are brothers, right?” Gavin asked.

Kate nodded.

“Boyd’s dad?” he clarified. “Why don't they have the same name?”

“My name is really O’Callaghan, it’s a long story. Kate can tell you,” Boyd said, waving off Gavin's impending question, obviously preoccupied with his own thoughts.

“And Boyd...,” Kate looked to Gavin, troubled. “This is going to be confusing with two Boyd’s around. Let's call our Boyd, junior for now. But back to Mr. Kirkpatrick: The nurse who took care of him later adopted him, thus the Kirkpatrick name. Confused?” she asked Gavin.

“Almost.” He was squinting his eyes with eyebrows furrowed. She could see him trying to work it all out. “So they are brothers?” he finally asked.

“I’m pretty sure,” Kate continued, “That’s why I wanted the picture here. Perhaps he will remember it being taken or recognize himself. That way, even if he doesn’t remember, we will know it's him.”

Gavin looked doubtful.

“If that doesn’t work, I have another ace up my sleeve,” she assured him.

“What’s your ace?” he asked. She was about to answer when the bell to the flat rang. India answered it and ushered in Boyd Jr., Andrew and Mary, his wife. Boyd Jr. was a little confused as to why he was here, but as soon as he saw Gavin and Kate, with her cast sitting on the couch, he relaxed.

“Hey, Kate how’s the leg?” Boyd Jr. asked.  

“Um, broken,” Kate deadpanned.

“Stupid question, I know. I just was wondering if you were in pain or are you able to get around?  It’s pretty boring at defense without you.”

Gavin insistently nodded his head in agreement.

Boyd Jr. looked at his parents standing in the door, “Sorry. Mum, this is Kate. Dad, I’m sure you remember her from the hospital.”

He started making introductions but after Kate's dad and grandmother, he was at a loss.

“I got it from here,” Kate jumped in. “Andrew, this is my Grandpa, Fred Thorn and this is,” she faltered, should she introduce Boyd and Catherine as the Shaw’s or O’Callaghan’s?

“This is Catherine and Boyd...”

She stopped again, and Boyd stood and held out his hand to Andrew.

“O’Callaghan,” he completed for her.

In for a penny, in for a pound, she thought.

Andrew turned to his wife and said, “This is me wife, Mary.” He turned back to and looked at Boyd Sr. closely. “Do I know you?” he asked, “You seem familiar.”

Kate's heart jumped in her chest. This is it!

Boyd just smiled calmly. "Perhaps."

Andrew returned the smile as he and Mary eased into the chairs across from them. “O’Callaghan, you say. That, too, is familiar. Are you related to the O’Callaghan’s on the north bank?” he asked.

“No. Though I thought I was at one time,” Boyd Sr. replied.

Catherine took Andrew's hand, “So Andrew, how long have you been in Edinburgh?

“Quite a while. Came as a boy and then moved to Perth for several years and returned when I was in me early twenties. I've lived here ever since.”

No wonder Boyd never found him.

“Perth?” Boyd Sr. asked. Kate heard the same realization echoed in his voice.

“You know, the ‘Fair City’ Perth. When I was younger I had an accident and was taken to Perth by me mother to convalesce. It is beautiful there. But something always called me to be here, so when I became older I left and moved here. How about yer self? Lived here all your life I bet?”

“Actually I grew up in Glasgow,” Boyd Sr. said. He let that hang in the air for a moment. “Visited here frequently in my late teens. Looking for family and such.”

Boyd Sr. was playing it cool. Kate, on the other hand, had needles and pins coming out of her skin. She was dying to jump up and scream, 'You're brothers!' but bit her tongue, knowing it was Boyd’s story to tell.

“Met this lovely lady and never left.” He turned to Catherine and smiled. Then in a tender moment he kissed her on the hand. After a heartbeat, he turned back to Andrew.

“We inherited Catherine’s father's kennels and I have been known as Mr. Shaw ever since. Got tired of explaining that even though it said Shaw on the outside, I was still O’Callaghan on the inside. So I let them think what they wanted. I can hear them now when I’m gone. ‘Old Mr. Shaw died. Oh that’s sad.’ Or some such, they will never know.”

“O’Callaghan?” Andrew rolled the name around a few times.

Kate's eyes bored into him willing it to all come back.

“What have you got there?” Andrew gestured to the picture Catherine was holding. She passed it to him. He took it and stared intently at it. After what seemed an eternity he said, “I know this.” He stroked the picture and closed his eyes. “Kate mentioned something to me in the hospital about walking here with me da'. I din’t understand it at the time what she was getting at but I have been thinking and I do have a vague memory of walking a long way out in the countryside with a group of people and having a feeling that it was all a great adventure.” He opened his eyes and continued to run his fingers over the picture concentrating.

There was a soft knock and India quietly let in two more people. Finger to her lips, she motioned for them to come in. Silently the two entered and stood in the entryway.

“I remember Da' and I were separated for the night,” Andrew continued quietly, “and the next day before I was to meet him, I was with some people I trusted. I forget who. We were out in front of the Tron and a photographer took this on the steps. I don't remember much after that except waking up in hospital with a huge headache and a broken arm.” He finished haltingly. A pained expression came across his face and he closed his eyes, his lips moved as he talked to himself. After a few moments, he opened his eyes to look at the picture again, tears streamed down his face. "O'Callaghan.” He looked at his wife. "Oh my God Mary, my name is O'Callaghan." Mary put her hand to her mouth, her face full of emotion. "Andrew O'Callaghan." He looked over at Boyd, who had a calm but expectant look on his face. "If my name is O'Callaghan and you're an O'Callaghan that must mean we are related." Boyd nodded waiting for Andrew to make the last connection himself. "Boyd O'Callaghan, is it true? Are you really?  Are you really, Boyd!" he cried.

Andrew and Boyd stood in unison, each grabbing hold of the other. The room was completely silent as the two brothers, who had searched for so long clung together, both afraid to let go of the one they'd found.

Kate tore herself from the brothers and glanced about the room. She had not been the only one caught up in this story. Not a dry eye was to be found in the group. She turned to Gavin who caught her look, reached up and pulled her back to sit closer to him. So engrossed in the unfolding of the story, she hadn't realized until then the uncomfortable twisted position she had put herself in. Relief washed over her as a burden lifted.

“So am I a Kirkpatrick or an O’Callaghan?” Boyd Jr.'s question broke the silence.

Laughter answered him as the group felt a wave of emotions wash over them.

“Pick one!” his father laughed, “I don’t care. I have me brother back and that is all I care about right now.” He reached out and ruffled his son’s hair. "Boyd meet your uncle Boyd." He let out a hearty laugh.

He sat back down and wiped the tears from his face.

“It’s amazing after all these years. It is like someone took a sledgehammer and broke open a dam. The memories are almost overwhelming.” He put his hands over his eyes, his face a mask of pain as his mind tried to embrace the memories that flooded in. “I’m sure I have forgotten a lot, but I am remembering. I remember chasing you out of me things,” he teased Boyd Sr. “I remember our home,” his voice caught. “Mum and Da.”

“You remember him?” Boyd Sr. pointed to the newcomers. Andrew looked at two men. A tall slim boy with blonde hair he had come to know as Tavish, and a tall man with gray curly hair he had never met. Or had he?

“Tavish is Boyd’s friend. He comes to the house often.”

“Hello Mr. Kirk-O'Callaghan," Tavey said as only he could. "This is my Granddad, Mr. Stewart, Granddad, this is Boyd’s dad.”

“Billy?” Andrew said, standing again.

“Oh my God, Andrew!”

The two men approached each other. Billy held out his hand and Andrew shoved it away and grabbed him in a rough embrace.

“We...” Billy started through tears, “I never thought I would see you again. We looked and looked. It wasn’t until the second week that we even thought to look in the hospital, but you weren’t there.”

“They had me transferred to a recuperative home after the first couple of days. What were they to do with a boy with no family? They shipped me off to a convalescent home. I was there for a month before me Mum, well, Carole Kirkpatrick, got me out and took me to Perth to live with her family.”

“And that explains why we could nae find you,” Billy said, looking down at his hands. “Yer father was frantic. He searched for a month before we could get him on a bus home. Da' and I carried the news to yer mom.” He paused, “Christ, Andrew. You just disappeared.” He rubbed his forehead. “Yer mom,” Billy’s voice quivered, “took it hard, if it hadn’t been for this one,” pointing at Boyd, “I don’t think she could have survived it.”

Andrew looked from Boyd Sr. back to Billy.

“Da' worked at the shipyard all week and then searched here all weekend,” Boyd said. “When I got old enough, I started coming with him.” He gestured to the picture still in Andrew’s hand, “I carried that with me but by then you din’t look anytheen like that. But there was always the chance.” He sighed and continued with his story, “On one trip I met Catherine and moved here permanently. Mum and Da' stayed in Glasgow awhile longer, but they soon came here to live with us.” He looked at Andrew. “They are buried here in town, I can take you there if you want?”

Andrew's face clouded over, he took a few deep breaths and nodded.

“I always wanted to find me family. Dreamed about what it would be like. I just never thought there would be so much pain. Boyd, I am so sorry.”

“Sorry? For what? Being clumsy, breaking your arm? I don't think so.” He smiled at his brother. “I am just glad I have you back. It makes me life complete. No more mysteries, no more feeling like I let someone down. I have me brother back. Whatever life plans for me next is completely insignificant to that.” He grabbed his brother’s hand. “Besides, Kate here broke her leg and not once has she apologized, lots of complaining but no apology, nothing to apologize for. “

“And we're back to the leg,” Kate sighed.

Kate sat for a while and listened to Boyd Sr. and Billy talk about the old days. She would notice a spark in Andrew’s eyes every now and then as if another memory had resurfaced. She laid her head back just intending to rest her eyes.

She woke up later to soft voices in the kitchen. Her neck was stiff and her leg was throbbing. She gingerly turned from side to side. Boyd Jr., Gavin, and Tavey were standing by the window looking out into the courtyard below.

“What is going on?” Kate asked.

“Hey sleepy head,” Tavey teased. “Did the wee bairn get her little sleepy time?”

Sometimes he could be so trying.

“I guess it must have been the medicine I took before you got here, Tavish.”

"Point taken," he said.

She scratched her head and tried to stand up. She wobbled a little and almost fell but Tavey was there to catch her and helped her hobble to the window with them.

“What are we looking at?” she whispered.

“Why are you whispering?” Gavin asked.

“I don’t know why. You were whispering when I woke up.”

“That was so we wouldn’t wake you.”

“Oh,” she said sheepishly.

“My Granddad and Boyd’s dad and the other Boyd are outside looking for something,” Tavey offered.

“Oh, the thing in the drain pipe?” she asked.

They all turned and stared at her.

“What thing in the drain pipe?” Boyd asked.

Kate still dazed from waking up realized they had no idea what she was talking about. “They are standing by a down spout, I just figured...?” she let it drop.

They watched as the three men moved from one down spout to the next. Billy would get down on his knees and feel around inside the spout. When they didn’t find anything, they moved on to the next. It was torture watching them inch slowly toward the spout Kate knew was the right one. Finally Billy stood up with something in his hand. The three men gathered together. From the window they saw all of them laugh at the same time. They stood there for several minutes passing around what they had found. Just as Kate was getting tired of standing, they turned to come inside.

The boys helped her back to the couch just as the older boys came in the flat.

“What cha got there?” Kate asked.

Andrew handed her a rock. She took it and saw that there was something scratched on it. She tried to read it. She shook her head and handed the rock to the boys. They each took turns but couldn’t decipher it and handed it back to Andrew.

“I give up. What does it say?” Tavey asked.

Billy sighed. “Did they teach you nothing in that fancy school of yours?” He looked sadly at his grandson and his friends and shook his head. “It's in code,” he said

“Oh. It's in code. Why didn’t you think of that?” Tavey punched Boyd.

“Well sure, that’s what I thought,” Boyd said.

“Oh go on with ya.” Tavey shoved Boyd again.

“You two! Don’t make me separate you,” Kate yelled above them.

“Sorry Kate," Boyd Jr. said. "Mr. Stewart, you were saying?”

“Well, it says right here, Billy and Andrew were here,” he pointed to the rock.

Kate took the rock and after a moment she saw it. It wasn’t that there was really a code, just that some letters were deeper than others and some larger. She was amazed at the lengths the two went to keep someone from reading such a simple message.

She handed the rock over to the other boys as she managed to get herself off the couch. She had been sitting for so long she really needed to stretch her other leg. She shuffled down the hall to the bathroom. She stared at herself in the mirror. Sometimes she thought she saw another person looking out at her, but then she was growing up and changing all the time. She heard a noise behind her and in the reflection of the mirror she saw Andrew standing there. He knocked on the open door.

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” he smiled. “I just wanted to thank you and to tell you that last night I realized that I have seen you before. I wasn’t sure until today when all the memories started coming back, but when I was a wee slip of a lad, I used to dream about a girl that looked like you. It never made any sense until now.”

He stopped and looked down, laughing. Kate continued to stare at him through the mirror.

“I sound like a crazy old man, don’t I?” he said.

She shook her head. “No, you don’t. I dreamed about you, too. Of course, for me it was just this year. It never occurred to me that you would have had those dreams in the past.”  She was trying to come to grips with this concept. Time travel? How could this even be? “In fact, I had a dream about you, the younger you, last night. I was going to ask you if you...” she couldn’t frame the words. It was too big for her.

“I remember you,” was all he said. Then he turned and walked back down the hall.

Chapter Twenty Two

          Chapter Twenty two

If Kate could have paced, she would have. Why was the day taking so long to pass? She looked at the clock again. Nine thirty. Wasn’t it just nine twenty eight like an hour ago? She suppose she could have slept in a little longer, but her mother had made quite a lot of noise leaving the flat at six that morning, and after that she couldn’t make it back to sleep. Her excitement pushed her to the point of agitation. She needed a distraction.

She replayed and rehashed the conversation she'd had with her mother. She wished things had gone differently. She wanted to feel bad, she wanted to be mad, she tried for even a twinge, but she felt nothing. She assumed it was because nothing would really change. She realized that her mother had not been a huge part of her life. Most of her memories of her mother were disappointments. Disappointed when her mother had missed this, disappointed when she was late to that, disappointed when she forgot about something else. Her father, her rock, wasn’t going anywhere. At least not without her, and she took comfort in that. As for her mom, she tried again and still she felt nothing. Of course, it did creep into her mind that it could possibly be the painkillers and, once she no longer needed them, the emotions would explode out of her. At least she hoped so.

After her travels to and from the living room last night, she had acquired shooting pains up through her hip and she had been forced, by her father the rock, to take something harder than Tylenol for the pain. Perhaps it was the medicine that caused the slowing of time. She wished it would knock her out like it had done the first day, then she could take the fast route to the afternoon.

She picked up the remote and turned on the television. After surfing the channels several times, she loudly declared Scottish daytime programming worthless and turned off the set. She grabbed a magazine, flipped the pages, tried reading an article, exhaled sharply and tossed the magazine back on the coffee table. Nine forty, the clock insisted. She decided she hated the clock and it must be wrong.

“Dad, what time is it?” she asked her rock in the kitchen.

“A freckle past a hair.”

She heard him giggle to himself.

“Oh please. How old do I look? And how many times are you going to use that one? Really, what time is it? I think this clock in here is wrong.”

He poked his head around the corner. “You’re right. That clock is wrong. It’s five minutes fast.”

“Ugh!” Time was mocking her.

“So, you have a big day ahead. Your grandmother filled me in. This is huge. I can see why you are so anxious for the day to speed by. How about we get you into the kitchen so we have something to feed your guests. It will give you something to do and maybe the day won’t seem to be standing still.”

She agreed, pried herself off the couch and hobbled into the kitchen. Her father looked up from the counter where he was hand mixing some flour concoction. As she was settling into the breakfast nook, she saw he was making homemade turnovers. She loved them, but they took a lot of time when everything was made from scratch. She helped him peel apples and knead dough. The day did seem to go faster, but then the apple turnovers were in the oven and they had the rest of the day ahead of them. Eleven forty five!

“Well, that killed, like, no time.” she complained.

He finished cleaning up the pans and sat at the table with her.

“How about some left over chicken noodle?” he asked.

“That sounds great and then you can tell me all about what you and Mom did yesterday.”

He put the lunch in the microwave and turned it on.

“So, what do you want to know?”

Oh, she thought, how 'devil may care' he sounded. She considered how she wanted to proceed, as the microwave ticked down the seconds.

“Mom and I had a pretty blunt conversation last night,” she said, as the microwave beeped and he handed her a steaming bowl. She took a spoonful and blew on it.

“Yes, I heard. She gave me the short version when she came into the room to pack.”

Kate thought it weird they would share the same room after they had decided to divorce.

“I know that you two went to a lawyer and are getting...” she couldn’t say it. She didn’t want to hurt him.

“A divorce. It’s all right, Kate. You can say it.”

“So where does that leave us...?” she asked, her question incomplete.

“Do we stay or do we go?” he finished her thought.

“You know, I really never even thought about that part of it, at least not until she said something about it last night. When we left to come here I was scared and mad that I had to leave everything and everyone behind. But now, after being here, I don’t really want to leave. It’s like moving away from home all over again. I don’t know if I want to do that right now.” She held up her hand. “Not saying that I would never want to go back, but just not right now. I don’t know how to explain what I am feeling.”

“I know exactly how you feel. Having to leave everything that was familiar and comfortable. Leaving my friends and most of my family and that crappy part time job, which I suppose I have to thank your mother for that, at least. Yet coming here was just about the neatest thing I have done in a long, long time.” He looked so animated as he spoke of his new home. “I have met some really great people here and I love the city.” He looked her straight in the eye. “I don’t want to go back.”

Kate loved his enthusiasm but she wondered if it was covering up something else. Perhaps he viewed going back to the States divorced would be embarrassing, or a failure of some sort. She hated thinking of her father like that. She decided she would take him at his word.

“Dad, how are you?  I mean about this divorce.”

She wanted some straight talk.

“I won’t lie to you. It really hurts. But it’s like a tooth that needs pulling. It hurts, you wiggle it and it hurts, you wiggle it some more and it gets stuck at an awkward angle and hurts more than anything, then you pull real hard, it comes out and the pain stops. There is some bleeding but after it’s done it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“So Mom is the tooth?” she asked.

“Yes and I guess you could say, the other night by your bedroom door, I finally pulled it out,” he said.

“So the time you spent in your room yesterday you were, what? Rinsing?”

He laughed. “I guess you could call it that. I had to take a good look at what was happening and what I felt was the most important thing to me. And when it came right down to it, your mother wasn’t the most important thing.”

He let her think about that for a moment.

“It is really hard to live in the present. We are always making plans for the future or waiting for the next installment of Dr. Who. We hardly ever live in the 'now.' Of course, when we do, it is usually an emergency or when we are on a vacation. That’s why those memories are so sharp. Ask what we did last Thursday, and aside from you going to school and me doing general stuff, I couldn’t tell you. But ask about a sparring match you had last September and I think both of us could describe the whole day in great detail.”

She was beginning to understand what he was saying.

“Yesterday at the lawyers, and in my room, I had to live in the present. I found I didn’t like what I saw. I love your mom, but it’s no way to make a life.”

“Just keep moving on,” she said.

“She gave you that speech too?” He rolled his eyes.

“Chu ya. I hate it when she does that. Like I’m one of her lab assistants.”

“I’m sure she means well,” he said.

“You don’t sound too sure of that.”

“I wouldn’t say otherwise. I might think it, but I would never presume to know what is best for your state of mind. Only you can come to terms with all of this in your own time, in your own way.”

“Let me ask you. Did you never see this coming?” she asked.

“Well, there is that twenty-twenty hindsight, I believe now that I did, but I chose not to believe back then. I had dreams but I just chalked them up to nightmares. Sometimes I would have daydreams about it, but once again, I couldn’t see the truth to it. I always thought it was my imagination running away with me. I tried to talk to your grandmother but you know her, she refused talk to me about it. I see now that I probably wouldn’t have really listened to her either. I couldn't see the forest for the trees.”  She cocked her head at him quizzically. “I was too close to the problem to see it,” he explained.

“Grandmother knew. That’s why they came. Remember when she wouldn’t celebrate your engagement?”

He whistled. “Wow, that long? She sure knows how to keep a secret.”

“Like you said, you probably wouldn’t have believed her. You wouldn’t have wanted to. I know that feeling first hand.”

“Josh?”

“Josh,” she confirmed.

“I didn’t need an inspired vision to see that one coming. He just seemed, oh I don’t know, more into himself than you.” He patted her hand. “I am really sorry about all that.”

“I’m all right. I have new friends and I don’t think about him as much. Guess that says it all, huh?”

“So we stay,” he stated, abruptly coming back to the earlier conversation.

“We stay,” she agreed.

“Great! I have something I want to bounce off of you.”

“Shoot.”

“I want to open my own pub,” he smiled from ear to ear. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. Okay, okay, I didn’t know it was going to be a pub. I thought it would be a diner, a restaurant, grill, something along those lines, but around here they call 'em pubs. I know you think it's ludicrous.”

“Are you kidding? Why did you think I badgered you all the time to write that stuff down?” she asked.

“Well, I want to make sure because it's going to just be the two of us now," Kate rolled her eyes and he shrugged his shoulders at her implication that it had always just been the two of them. "If this is going to work, I need to know your all in on this. It's going to be a lot of hard work and long hours to make it successful. I have been talking to Grandmother and Grandpa and we think it will work.”

“I think it's great. I can so see you in the kitchen of a great pub. But can we really do this? I mean we aren’t made of money.”

“That's where your grandparents come in. I managed to talk them into being co-owners. They are looking into some spaces today. That's what I was going to do today, but when your grandmother told me what you had going on here I thought I should stay. Besides I will need their input and my mom has pretty good taste. They will be over later to talk. Maybe, if you are up to it, we could drive by some of them tomorrow,” he paused, “If they find anything.”

“Are you sure you’re up to this? I mean is this some sort of rebound thing?”

He thought about it for a moment tapping his chin with his forefinger, staring off into space. “You could be right, except I have been thinking of this for a long time, I mean a really long time.” He grinned at her.

“What’s that grin for?”

“Hey, maybe you could get a job there? I know the owner, I could put in a good word for you,” he teased.

“Don’t you mean owners? Aren’t you forgetting Grandpa and Grandmother?  They might have a say about it. Besides, you don’t have a pub yet. Let’s not jump the gun.”

“I am pretty excited about it. Who knew this was all inside of me? Yesterday, in my room, I started making up menus and wine lists. I can talk to my friends at the other pubs and see what other drinks I need to have. I started sketching menu covers. I even came up with a name. Tell me what you think, ‘What Ale’s you?’”

Kate cracked up.

“Yeah, I’m not so sure about that name either. I bet some of your friends would have some ideas,” he said.

“I’ll ask Gavin when he comes over.” She looked around. “What time is it now?”  She looked at the clock. “Yes! It's already two-thirty.”

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty one

Kate was awakened in the middle of the night by a whine coming from the hall. She struggled a bit to get out of bed and managed to get to the door. She peeked out of her room to see Chili sitting at the far end of the hall facing the living room whining. He turned for a quick look at her then just as quickly his attention was back to something in the living room. She hobbled down the hall towards him. She reached down and gave him a scratch behind his ear to calm him, then turned her attention to the room. At first glance the room was empty, but a movement in front of the corner window caught her eye. The little boy, Andrew, was standing there, motioning for her to join him. He pointed out the window toward the courtyard in front of their flat.

“I remember walking down that close. It was before I lost my da'. Billy and I were exploring while our da's were at a rally. We were great explorers back then," he laughed. "I don’t see how we thought we would find anything new in this old city, but we had big imaginations.” He turned to her; “I've come to say goodbye. Won’t be seeing you anymore after tomorrow.” He said it without regret, just a statement of fact. “Only a few pictures here and there.”

“Will Andrew remember me? I mean will he have had the same dreams that I have had?” Kate asked.

The young boy looked thoughtful, “I’m not sure, you’ll have to ask him. Jog his memory.” He pointed to a small drainpipe on the other side of the courtyard. “I seem to remember Billy hiding something over there. Can't really recall what it was. Maybe you could check.” He looked at Kate’s leg. “Oh, or have someone else check.”

“I will.” Kate stared at the pipe. She could only just make it out, but she committed it to memory. She looked back and the boy was gone.

The opening of the front door made Kate jump.

“My God, Kate! You gave me a fright. What are you doing out of bed?” her mother exclaimed as she came in, her hands full of empty shopping bags. “It's two o’clock in the morning.” She dropped the bags and crossed the room to Kate. “Let's get you back to bed. Were you sleep walking?” she asked as she took a hold of her arm.

“Ah, yes? I guess?” Kate used the explanation her mother offered. “I don’t know how I got in here.”

“Here. Let’s see if we can get you back to bed.” She started to lead Kate away from the window.

“No.”

“No?” her mother said.

“No, I don’t want to go back to bed. That's all I do is sleep lately. I'm tired of it.”  The absurdity of the statement was not lost on either of them. She paused and looked at her mother. This was her chance to have her mother alone; to have her explain her side of the story. She knew the reason but she wanted her mother to look at her and tell her.

“Can we sit on the couch for a few minutes?”

“Yes, sure. Here, let's just get that leg up here on the coffee table, and a pillow behind you. There. Comfy?”

“Yes, thank you.”

She felt as if she hadn’t seen her mother in years. Everything seemed so cordial, like this was someone else's mom. The urge to start with ‘so what’s new’ was quickly quelled, her mother didn’t take ribbing well. Kate sat there biting her bottom lip trying to find the right words.

“Things aren’t going to be the same, are they?” she blurted.

“Now what gave you that idea?” her mother said, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Please don’t. I am not a little girl anymore.” Kate was trying not to get angry. “Next you're going to say ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,' but don’t.”

There were a few moments of awkward silence.

“No. Things will not be the same. I don’t know what they are going to be like,” her mother conceded.

“Where were you and Dad today? He came home and disappeared into his room and we only saw him long enough to fill a plate with food and he disappeared again.”

“We had some grown up things to take care of...” She stopped when she saw the look on Kate’s face. “We were meeting with a lawyer,” she admitted. “I'm sure you have figured out that your father and I are getting a divorce.”

She paused.

“Kate, I love you,” she looked at Kate again, “really I do. And I love your father. I know you find all of that hard to believe just now. I fear the old cliché, but it's true, we have grown apart. There is no one to blame. It just happened. I let it happen, I caused it to happen, and oh I don’t know. One day, we were happy, getting married, having a child, the next I was in a lab in a foreign country,” she gestured around the room, “thrilled at what I was doing and realized I wasn’t worrying about what my family was doing. I felt more anguish over failed lab experiments than about missing my child’s play or competition. At work, I always imagined you in dresses, cooking, or, I don’t know, sewing...and then I’d see you in your karate uniform breaking boards with your fists. I really don’t know how you do that, by the way." She smiled sadly. "I come home to find that the daughter I thought I had, was one of my own imagination.”

She paused and ran her hands over her face and through her hair.

“All those years, I can’t get them back and I can’t cry over them either.”

Kate was struck by her mother’s unemotional, analytical reflections of Kate's childhood.

“Keep moving on. I am moving on, your father will move on, and Kate, you will move on and live your life too. We will still see each other but we just won’t be living together,” she finished slowly.

“So that’s it?” Kate asked. “Just moving on to a new life? Don’t look back? That’s the advice you are giving me?” She was taken aback, disappointed tears welling in her eyes. “Is there no point to looking back? What if we lost something in the past and we need to find it?” She sniffed. “Should we just keep ‘moving’ on?”

Kate wondered what happened to hope springs eternal. Hope should just keep its head buried when it came to her mother.

“Kate, let’s not get carried away here. It is what it is; there is nothing that can be done to change it. A failed experiment.”

“I’m a failed experiment!” Kate shrieked. “Failed experiment? What kind of mother are you?” Kate’s tears turned to anger.

“Kate, you are not the failed experiment. I am! I am the failed experiment." A small slice of emotion peeked through her cold veneer. "I am the one who failed. I failed you, your father,” she pointed at Chili, “Chili, I failed everyone and I don’t intend to drag out the inevitable. Perhaps someday you will realize that this is for the best.”

“And Chad George? Where does he fit into all this?”

Kate wiped her nose and let it all out. She may have stepped over the line but she didn’t care.

“Mr. George is none of your concern. Mr. George is my boss, just that." And just like that her emotions were cut off. "Kate, I feel as if I have been very honest with you, more so that I had intended, but this is where I draw the line. Sitting in the dark may give you a sense of freedom, like you are talking to the darkness instead of another person, but that is not the case; we have some borders, boundaries that will not be crossed. And you have crossed the border. If and when I have another relationship is my business. And if it involves you, then I will tell you about it. As for now, this conversation is over.”

“What are the bags for?” Kate asked.

“I am moving some of my things out tomorrow. We threw out all of the moving boxes so I grabbed some bags from work.”

“Where are you moving them to?” Kate already knew the answer.

“I have leased a small flat by the lab.”

“How long?” Kate asked.       

“How long..?” her mother repeated.

“How long have you had this flat?” Kate ventured.

“Just since yesterday, and I don’t think I like your tone.”

“How long till you move out?”

“Kate, you are getting just a little too mouthy for me.”

“No dresses, remember? I’m not the little girl you imagined me to be. I want the answers to the hard questions. Just trying to move forward like you.”

Wow! Kate was getting bolder as the conversation continued, but she just couldn’t stop. She had no desire to stop or pull back. She wanted to know everything, so she could deal with it all at once. It made her feel empowered. Meg shifted away from her.

“Middle of this week. You and your father will stay here until you decide what you want to do. Stay in Edinburgh or go back to the States. It’s entirely up to you. I won’t stand in your way.” She stood up. “Do you need help back to your bed?”

“No, thank you. I am fine,” Kate said sharply.

Meg picked up the bags and headed to the back room. Kate sat there looking into the darkness. Move forward; keep moving forward, just keep moving forward. Sounded like the mantra of someone who was lost in the wilderness?

Kate hobbled over to the window for one last look at the drainpipe; she needed to make a note to remind her to have Gavin, or someone, look into it. She surely would remember in the morning. The morning, less than twelve hours until everyone was here.

She gimped her way down the hall to her room. A small ball of light was floating above her pillow. It slowly rose and approached her. She held her breath as it came closer. It stopped scant inches from her eyes like it was studying her. An icy coldness caressed her cheek and then disappeared through the window.

Kate was bewildered. She pressed her hand to her cheek, so very cold. She sat down on the bed looking out the window wondering what it was, trying to imagine where it went, and if it would be back. Was that the echo of Andrew saying goodbye? After some time she decided she would talk to her grandmother about it. She lay her head on the cold pillow and drifted into a dreamless sleep