The familiar scent of peat infiltrated my nostrils, and Jaime’s rustling body in the bed beside mine kept my alert mind awake. Thoughts about Jaime, my parents, Marty and Scott, Willie Daly, and my upcoming departure back to America rolled around like a lottery machine. Each thought bouncing higher and lower, hitting off each other, until eventually one of them shot to the top, stealing my attention for a few seconds before another emerged.
Jaime had reserved a night at the castle, but we weren’t on speaking terms. I didn’t know if we were still going or if I wanted to go and be alone with him. He shifted again and I heard the sheets rustle. “Jaime? Are you awake?” He didn’t respond right away. “Jaime? I know you’re awake.”
I saw his shadow shift again. “What?”
“Can we talk? Please?”
He groaned and flipped on the side lamp. “It’s two o’clock in the morning. What do you want to talk about?”
“Tomorrow.”
“What about it?”
“Are we still going?” My voice was mousier than I wanted and I heard that little girl deep inside who shied away from confrontation.
“Why wouldn’t we?”
“Because we had a fight.” I felt foolish for stating the obvious. Was I being immature? Maybe this was a non-issue.
“Yeah, we had a fight. I still love you.”
My heart stopped and I wondered if he meant as a friend or more than a friend. Unsure of his intentions, I played it cool. “Okay, great. Good night.”
The next morning, Jaime and I climbed into Deirdre’s tiny car and her wild hair flew out the window as we rolled through the Connemara twists and turns. Connor’s head pushed against the ceiling and obscured my view out the front windshield. Our backpacks rested between us on the tiny middle seat in the back.
I remained quiet for the thirty-minute drive. Jaime talked with his parents about the weather, neighbors and friends, and the recent development being built off Sky Road. I zoned in and out, expressing obligatory smiles and frowns, depending on the topic.
“Here we are,” Deirdre exclaimed. She pulled off Sky Road and traveled down a long driveway.
I leaned into the middle seat to peek around Connor’s head. In front of me stood a wall of green. The trees created smooth textures, and they reminded me of giant scoops of pistachio ice cream. Turning a corner, a monstrous castle nestled amongst the greenery jumped out at me.
I inhaled deeply, as feelings of excitement and amazement bubbled inside me. I looked at Jaime, wide-eyed and bright, and he cautiously smiled back at me. “Wow,” I said.
Deirdre parked the car, and I hurried out, breathing the clean, crisp air. The stone castle walls, partially covered in green moss, looked like something out of The Sword in the Stone. The green growing up the walls blended in perfectly with the green mountains, and parts of the castle disappeared.
Returning to Deirdre and Connor, I watched Jaime gather our items. Connor hugged him and Deirdre kissed him on the forehead. “You be good, aye? Have a grand time. You’re getting the bus tomorrow, are ye?”
Jaime nodded. “Tomorrow we go back to Galway. I’ll be home in a few weeks for Christmas.”
My heart softened at their public display of affection for each other. I adjusted my hat, still gazing at the castle grounds, and Deirdre wrapped me in a hug. Tears leaked out of my eyes, never having felt such love from strangers before. “You be good, ye hear? I hope to see you again. Good luck with everything.”
My stomach heaved with the heavy realization that I might never see her again. I squeezed her tighter. “Thank you for everything.”
I hugged Connor with less affection, having not connected with him at the same level as I connected with Deirdre. “Thank you for letting me stay with you. It was a great experience.”
Jaime and I watched them climb into her petite car and zip down the driveway, beeping the entire way. We waved and grinned until they were gone. Turning to Jaime, I watched his face tighten from joy to unease.
I cleared my throat. “Ready?”
He led me into the foyer and checked us in. A man wearing a black suit handed us the old-fashioned keys and directed us to our room.
“Your palace awaits, your majesty.” Jaime turned the doorknob and invited me into a large, Victorian bedroom with a four-poster canopy bed set in the middle.
I gasped, fully transported to another era. I ran to the bed and flopped on it, tossing my backpack on the floor. “This is amazing!” I moved my arms and legs over the silky-smooth duvet and rolled from side to side against the fluffy pillows.
Jaime chuckled and pulled open the floor-to-ceiling curtains, exposing a large window overlooking the gardens. “Welcome to your castle.”
I sat up in bed and patted the space beside me. “Come here, Jaime.”
