“I love you and I want to make it work.”
He kissed me on the lips. “Me too. Let’s do that. We’ll email and call and I’ll graduate in a few months. Who knows what will happen then?”
My heart fluttered at his openness to an extra-long-distance relationship. I knew it would be impossible to maintain this level of chemistry and closeness, but wasn’t life about taking chances? “I have to go,” I repeated.
He walked me to the door, where we hugged and kissed one last time. The intensity behind his lips gave me the answer I needed. We were going to make it work. “Love you,” he said, hanging onto my fingers as I pulled away.
“I love you. I’ll email you when I get home.”
As I walked to the main office to grab my cab, I couldn’t stop the tears. Even though we were going to try to make it work, my heart still broke in half. Half of my heart remained in Galway while the other half would return to America. I didn’t know if the pieces would ever fall together again.
The ride to the bus station was arduous. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait to get on the bus to the airport, otherwise I may have hailed a cab back to Jaime.
Life felt so cruel, falling in love just to shatter your soul.
At the airport, I scavenged the shops, and searched for souvenirs for my parents. Finding a shot glass for my mom that read “FECK IT”, and an Irish history book for my father, I figured it was the thought that counted.
On the plane, I searched through my bag for my guidebook. Flipping through, I smiled, recalling all the places I’d been. There are so many more places to see. Just another reason to come back.
In between the back cover and the last page, I pulled out a folded piece of paper. Unfolding it, I saw Jaime’s scrawl. Rory, it’s been quite the semester, aye? I knew on the plane you were special, but I never thought I would see you again. Funny how life works. I fell in love with you, and I can’t believe you’re gone. You will always have my heart, and I hope one day we’ll see each other again. Even if things don’t work out, you will always be my Galway girl. Love, Jaime.
Behind the letter was a photograph of us from the party at Owen’s. Jaime had pulled me close, our faces almost touching. Huge smiles and sparkling eyes caught me by surprise, as I looked at the picture. I recalled feeling annoyed that night, but based on the photo, I was falling for him. Tears fell onto the photograph and I wiped them away.
Underneath the picture was a postcard-sized paper. Staring back at me was me. It was the drawing I caught Jaime sketching in bed. I stared at the face and barely recognized that person. Sad eyes and a half smile reminded me of a woman who was afraid to embrace life.
I compared the drawing to the photo and placed the photo on top. That was the woman I wanted to remember. The woman who fell in love but was too afraid to admit that the annoying man on the plane had opened her heart. All she needed was time.
Exhausted from the night before, I fell asleep for most of the flight. Galway lived in my dreams, and I didn’t wake up until the flight attendant rubbed my shoulder, motioning to the active passengers collecting their belongings. My stomach dropped and the ball in my throat grew. I was home.
Back to Reality
II
Part Two
Back to Reality
Chapter 40: February 2003
“Rory, I’m heading to the grocery store. Do you need anything?” My mother leaned into the kitchen counter, and surveyed the contents in the cabinet.
“Do you want spaghetti and meatballs tonight?” I flipped through my textbook. “I can cook while you’re shopping.”
“Sure.” She closed the cabinet and looked at me with empty eyes.
“Can you get some garlic bread?”
My mother snatched her purse off the kitchen chair. “Sure. It’s just us. Your father is working late.”
I swallowed and didn’t look up.
“I’ll be home in an hour. Don’t forget to swap out the laundry.” She walked to the door, and it slammed shut. My mother always walked with heavy feet and sudden movements, the house often shaking in her presence.
I placed a pot on the stove and dumped in sauce and meatballs. As I skimmed the pages of my Educational Foundations textbook, I highlighted important words and concepts.
In the middle of chapter twelve, I called my new friend, Jenny, who was also an education major. She started at the community college a year and a half ago and was applying to Boston schools.
“Hey Jenny, do you want to study tonight? We can meet up at the coffee shop in town. I’m not ready for our exam tomorrow.”
