13. Chapter 13 - Lochinvar

The night began wearin' down and Ash was less busy. She came and pulled up a stool beside me. "Just one table left before I can go."

I said, "Mistress Ash, I apologize for the turmoil I caused ye earlier."

She said, "That wasn't your fault, that was Buck, he always causes trouble." She looked at me intently. "I just want you to know… we used to date. I don't date him anymore, I don't know why I ever did. It wasn't for long, he was my first boyfriend when I graduated and when I came back we went out for a bit. I thought… he was comfortable. I didn't have to think about anything, and I thought he was the good kind of trouble, like fun. One thing you might want to know about me is I like an adrenaline rush, but I realized he was the bad kind of trouble. The kind that upends your whole life…"

I said, "The kind of trouble that upends yer life, like what?"

"You know, like fighting, like being edgy?—"

Dan, who had been busy at the end of the bar, overheard our conversation. He added, "You're forgetting to mention that he's a lying cheater too."

"Yeah, I think seeing him behave this way tonight got me past the whole ‘he cheated on me' bullshit. I'm remembering how bad he was overall, in every single way. But this is… that's a lot to dump on you. I just want to say, I am very impressed at how you handled him."

"Twas naethin' much, I had been lookin' for a chance tae recite the poem and there twas."

Don and Ash both laughed.

Don said, "That was pretty epic."

"I dinna even get tae the best, most heroic part. Tis a love poem and a tale of heroism, first he wins the maiden and steals her away?—"

Ash said, "Tell us that part."

I considered where it started, then recited: "‘One touch tae her hand, and one word in her ear, when they reach'd the hall-door, and the charger stood near; so light tae the croup the fair lady he swung, so light to the saddle before her he sprung!' That is them gettin' on the horse, ye ken, then he says, ‘She is won! we are gone, over bank, bush, and scaur; they'll have fleet steeds that follow,' quoth young Lochinvar."

Ash applauded.

I said, "Then the other men chase, but the poem finishes with, ‘There was racin' and chasing on Cannobie Lee...' They never do catch him. Then it finishes, ‘So daring in love, and so dauntless in war, Have ye e'er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar?'"

Don said, "I'm not big on poetry but I can see why you'd memorize that one."

"Aye, tis a fine poem, but ye daena like poetry, Master Don? Ye hae poets recitin' tae ye, comin' from the speakers all around ye right now."

"I guess that's a little different."

I shrugged, "Where I come from the line between poem and song is verra thin, and in the evening, around a fire in the Great Hall, a man recitin' poems is likely tae break intae song."

Ash said, "Scotland sounds a lot different than I thought."

"Aye, tis a lifetime of difference between these places, but some things are all the same, like men who want tae start trouble, and laughin' barkeeps, and maidens with a bonny smile."

She said, "Lochie, are you saying my smile is bonny?"

"Aye, it lights up the rainy night."

She smiled and said, "Don, did you hear it?"

"I did, Ash, he's hitting on you."

I said, "What does this mean? I wouldna hit her, I daena…?"

Ash said, "Don means you're trying to ask me out on a date."

"Och aye, I would like to take ye tae dinner, Mistress Ash, tae yer favorite restaurant."

"I don't think I've ever gotten to pick my favorite restaurant before, um… what would I like..?" She said, "What's your favorite food?"

I chuckled. "I am verra fond of cookies, it has made me verra popular with m'nieces and nephews."

Then Ash said something that won m'heart completely. "I love baking, my aunt runs a bakery, not here, in Atlanta, but she taught me to bake."

"Ye bake, ye love tae bake…? Yer aunt runs a bakery...?"

"Yes, I love it, my favorite things to make are pies."

Twas all I could do tae keep from droppin' tae m'knees right then. I ran a hand through my hair. "I verra much like cherry pie."

"I don't have cherry, but I have a peach pie, most of one, on my kitchen counter right now. Would you like to come have a midnight slice?"

"Aye, did I mention peach pie is m'favorite? I would like it verra much."