Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

DECLAN

I’ve been on the job site since four this morning. By three, I’m done for the day and head over to my best friend, Paddy’s, bar on the southside, O’Toole’s. Paddy and I met in high school, and he’s been there for everything with my mom and with August. I even invested a little in his bar when he opened it a few years ago. August and I even work on Saint Patick’s Day. Last year we made over two thousand dollars each in tips alone. We spend weekends here drinking and hanging out with friends. I love our life, the only I want to change is that I want her to be my wife. I need it.

“Hey bro,” he says as soon as I walk in. He comes out from behind the bar to greet me.

“Hey. Long time no see,” I reply, shaking his hand. That hand shake turns into a bro hug. It’s been about two weeks since August and I’ve been into O’Toole’s.

“It’s been a while. I’ve been so busy at work. The Fording Building isn’t going to build itself.”

“I hear that. Want your usual?” Paddy asks and I nod. An ice-cold Guinness will hit the spot.

“That’d be great.”

I take a seat at the bar as he slides a pint down to me. I take a long drink of the frothy brew and let the work week fade away. I’ve had to be at work at four all week and I’m exhausted. I don’t drink during the week, but on weekends, I like to let loose.

“How’s August?”

“She’s great. I’m going to ask her to marry me next week.”

“That’s great, man. Congratulations. She’s the best.”

“I know. I love her more than I ever thought possible.”

“That’s great man. Hey, Wes. How’s the wife?” he asks the cop who just sat down beside me.

“She’s great. I’ll take a beer.”

“Coming right up, Wes.” I met Wes about a year ago. His sister is married to Mitch Halstead

After my drink, I say my goodbyes and head to the florist and pickup my weekly flowers for August. A few years ago, we got into a fight about something stupid. I don’t even remember what we were fighting over now. I got her the flowers to apologize, and she loved it. I kept getting them for her because she loved them so much. This week, I choose orange Tigerlily’s and head home.

Lately, I’ve been noticing things are off with her. She’s not as cheerful as she usually is, not that she needs to cheerful all the time by any means, she just usually is. I know that she’ll tell me eventually, so for now, I’ll just keep noticing her and I’ll say something if I need to.

I just want her to be happy. I’ve been planning the engagement in earnest now. I want to give her the world. I say it all the time. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. Nothing. I’d die, lie, steal for her. Whatever she needs, I’ll be the one to provide it.