Stamp Cowboy

Day 4

We wake up early. It feels awkward. I'm unsure how to act after how we left it last night, but still wanting to show him I am upset with him. I choose the childish avoidance technique. He comes beside me, I move across the room.

"Can we go to breakfast at Lemon Jelly Cafe? Supposed to be one of the best breakfasts around."

"Sure, I have to eat. I'm going on a day trip today. Do you want to come?"

"Yes."

"Wow glad you can fit me in. Do you want to know where or not interested because it's just what you do to make me feel like you are doing something with me."

"Where?"

"Now you feel guilty so you'll ask. hmmm. Am I giving you Hargitay face?"

"C'mon. This isn't fair. There is nothing I can say or do right now that you won't pick on. I know it wasn't cool to leave you for a day with out contacting, but you never even let me explain."

He is right I never heard the full story from him. I never told him about my day, which was actually pretty good. Why am I so mad.

"We can talk over breakfast."

"Thank you. He blows me a kiss."

I don't catch it or avoid it, but I like he is intuitive enough to know not to kiss me right now. I walk into the bathroom and dress. I choose a low cut tank and skinny jeans that are white with thin black stripes. I add a dark maroon cardigan and a silk scarf to match. Something to make his mouth water before the breakfast.

"Ready", I say.

Breakfast is AMAZING. We sit outdoors so we can talk. I explain about the castle and Grace. I even tell him about Noah. I explain the beauty of it in a way I am hoping makes him regret not being there with me. He gives me more details about where he was and what took him so long.

"So you are replacing the architect in your other building plan?"

"Yes."

"Won't the other company be mad? Won't they want to know why they are being replaced?"

"Yes, but I will deal with that later. I'm hoping to find another business plan we can utilize them in so then I can offer the new plan when explaining that the original one fell through and they went with a company they used before.

"Won't they figure out what really happened?"

"Maybe. If I get them on another project they shouldnt care as much."

"Are you done being mad at me? I really want to be excited with you that I pulled off getting the stamp of my dreams and you made friends and toured the city, got a painting.", his voice trails off.

"You haven't pulled it off yet cowboy."

"I like that, I'm the stamp cowboy. I go after what I want."

He comes in for a kiss. I kiss him and it feels nice to feel the resentment relent.

I roll my eyes at how easy it all is for him, "Well Stamp Cowboy, we need to go check out of our room."

"Oh yeah, lets get out of here. Where are we going today?"

"Giants Causeway"

"Is this related to your painting?"

"Maybe"

"Can't wait, I swear I'm yours all day outside of a few emails and calls."

"So you're still working?"

"There are a lot of parts that need to fall into place for my plan to work. I'm the coordinator behind the scenes for it all. It takes coordinating."

"You don't need to come. You can check us into our new hotel at checkin and work in the office area until it's ready."

"No, I want to go. You wont even notice I'm working. That's a promise."

"Okay"

We are checking out of the Maldrone Hotel and checking into the Generator Hostel Hotel. It's supposed to be a more social experience even though we got a private king delux room. We leave our bags with the locker service the hotel provides. The front desk personnel promises our bags will be safe and we can retrieve them once our room is prepared. After leaving our bags in a locker at our new hotel we go to check-in for our day trip to Giants Causeway.

Natural phenomena sometimes produce the most unbelievable creations. Giants Causeway produces a larger than life folkloric playground. A landscape undoubtedly created how the unbelievable stories proclaimed it.
One can almost picture Finn MacCool stomping around. Maybe still the watcher of this place from heaven. If only I could capture this place as I see it in this moment. The picturesque landscape formed of over 40,000 hexagonal shaped basalt columns. I open my arms, face to the sky and spin in the sunshine. It's childish, but it feels good. This place is unreal. A magical path offering various vantage points to perch on. A place where the land, sea, sky, plants and air itself seem to be in a beauty competition. Each so beautiful that once combined the pristine allure is transformative. I imagine standing in the spot I'm standing and how it probably hasn't changed much from even a 100yrs ago. Once I finish my brief spin, Vishal grabs my hand. He holds it and lifts our clasped hands up to the sky as we look out to the sea horizon. I understand he feels the same as me in this place. I'm glad he's here with me.

"I'm glad you're here."

"I'm glad you're here."

4 simple words forming a simple phrase that expresssed it all. As promised I barely noticed him working. Although I know he was, it interfered with nothing. This place even made me start to see the beauty in what Vishal was accomplishing with his acquisition of this stamp. He was like Thor controlling the powers that be and wielding the hammer of power.
My phone's memory is almost completely full from all the pictures I've taken on this trip. I'll probably have to buy more. It's probably worth it, even if every tourist walking away has the same photos.

After a full day of Giants Causeway, I'm ready to see our new room. I know it's not a luxury hotel, but I'm excited for it anyways. It has a sort of back at college or club house kinda feel. I retrieve our bags and head up. Once in the room we shut the door and I throw myself on the bed, back to mattress.

"It will do."

The comforter is fluffy and puffs around my body forming a bed snow angel. I feel Vishal pulling my shoes off, then my socks.
"Can you grab my sleep wear. I need a nap."

Vishal goes to my luggage and locates my sleep wear. He then pulls at the bottom of my pants to help me get them off. I feel him kiss my feet, then my ankles, next my calfs, then my thighs, until his chin rests on my stomach.

"Fully forgiven?", he asks.

"Almost. Is everything worked out?"

"Well that's what I need to talk to you about. You have a choice. I thought it was more fair to give you the choice. Tomorrow I need to do a couple errands related to work and finishing paperwork. I have one more meeting with the architect firm. We will be back to have drinks with our new friends later. Do you want to be with me tomorrow? Or I can set up an excursion for you. I promise I'll be in contact this time. You could even have me on video call."

He was getting undressed, down to his boxers.

"I want to be with you. Sometimes it can be exciting to see your business skills in action. Such a smooth operator."

He pretends to tip a cowboy hat to me and then take off his imaginary hat and throw it in the corner. He then crawls into bed. Instead of handing me my pajamas he takes off the rest of my clothes and his.

"So you're excited to see my skills huh? This cowboy is humbled by yours"

I laugh at his cheesy innuendo and pull him to me to kiss him. I'm inpatient and want to make up for the time we lost to our argument.

Afterwards we nap until it's around 9pm. The Generator has shared social areas with pool tables and things. We decide to get dressed and, if it's not too busy, get in a couple games and socialize with people.

Day 5

The heaving from Vishals breathing gently sways me awake. Our escapades only lasted a few hours last night, but he proved surprisingly better at pool than shuffleboard. We did some incredibly insensitive PDA, but I didn't feel sorry. It felt nice to have our trip back on track. Flashbacks of the night bombard my mind. Maybe a little sorry for the couple I didn't see and put my hand in their fries trying to brace myself. Then Vishal ate one and "Said ooo those are good. Waitress can we get a new order of these and one for us as well". The people rolled their eyes, but accepted our offering. They moved accross the room as soon as the order came. We probably would have been insulted if we hadn't been making out against the wall near their table. "Shameful!", I think to myself.

The Generator is a mixed bag of people which made for an eclectic night of socializing. It was an appropriate warmup in introductions and small talk. At one point I settled on one phrase as my icebreaker, "If you had to choose true love or traveling the world, which country would you go to first?". I followed it up with, "he couldn't decide so he brought his true love to Ireland, but ditched me on the second day, once he wised up. Had a change of heart on the third day, and came back.  It hasn't even been a full week and I've had the same experience with Ireland. It's been a full week". Then I'd wait and watch their faces to see how they took it. Vishal always looked amused. He'd interject he was working. This would lead to explanations of his job and what I have been doing in Ireland. It wasn't an icebreaker I'd use today, but it allowed me to get it out of my system. Plus we met a lot of nice pleople, including a couple who just got engaged.

Today, I would be trying to play backup to Vishal or rather support. More silent, but present. We were taking a short commuter flight to attend our meeting instead of driving. I was surprised to learn this is what he had done the first time. Flights were a big deal to me, to him it was no different than a car drive or bus ride. A necessary activity on route. Again the differences between us were obvious. I felt small town next to him. He was big city. Capitalism in motion. Glass ceilings didn't exist to him, they were obstacles. I wasn't part of the 'life is too hard so give up' culture, but I understood limits and sometimes the answer was it just isn't possible or feasible. I didn't attend my first college of choice for this reason. I turned down my first few jobs of choice for similar reasons. Not excuses or regrets, just how it worked out at the time. Vishal has a way of making anything seem possible. If I ever bring something up about something I'd like to do or a way I'd like to be, he immediately pounces on it and is relentless until it's accomplished. I realized, from our first meeting, I need to be selective in sharing desires with him. He takes a personal responsibility in seeing them fulfilled.

We are meeting with Von Shelby Nafara. Apparently a big wig in architectural circles. I had no idea. Vishal text me a article written about her. Apparently Chuck had said it was a he to keep Vishal from discovering who it is, but he figured it out anyways.

"So you met with a female?"

"Yes, but it's not like that. You will see."

"It's always like that if the people are normal, smart, talented and in general decent."

"I'll make it a point to not be 'normal' than around others."

"You know what I mean."

"Hee-Haw", he starts doing Sam Wainright from 'It's a Wonderful Life'.

"I agree you're an ass", I say through laughs.

"Hey", he says pulling me to him, "My ass", He says while squeezing my butt."

"That's all you see isn't it.", I say in my best offeneded woman voice.

When we were first getting together I pointed out I didn't have huge breasts so he must be a leg man. We were at dinner, a tall model type walked by and I said he must be a mind man. However, I realized I didn't have much to say. So I said a smile man. He had said, "None of the above". When he realized how that had sounded he had laughed and told me he didn't mean it like that.

In business he is inticate and well rehearsed. I liked his verbal clumsiness with me. The real unpolished nature that was in such contrast with his public self. I still don't understand why he seemed so enamored with me from our first meeting.

Flying without luggage is a freeing experience. So much less hassle to endure. Supposedly our flight will take about an hour to get to Killarney. We are getting drinks at Panorama. We will decide if we are eating there or somewhere else depending on how the meeting goes.

Once on the plane I push back into my seat, but don't recline it. I know better to wait until take off. I grip the arm rests and act like a panicked passenger seized with terror of flying.

"Are you alright Miss?", A flight attendant happened to be passing at the exact moment I chose to act.

"Oh yes, I was just making fun of myself to my friend. Just uuhhh acting. Sorry, I'm done. I'll behave."

"Oh I see. If you need something during the flight you can press the attendant button."
She seemed to not fully believe me.

"Are you settled now", Vishal asks in a superior fatherly tone.

"Yes quite. Better actress than I knew"

"Yeah, she keeps looking over here. She seemed genuinely concerned. Great job. I'm going to be checking and sending emails for most the flight. I have to expedite as much of this as possible. Will you be okay or am I going to have to get the attendant back over here."

"I'll behave. I'm going to listen to music."

30 minutes pass uneventfully. Then I hear Vishal mumble something under his breath.

"That Mother Fucker, he's trying to undermine me. Why does he even care."

Then he furiously types away on his laptop and phone. He has his bluetooth headphones in and seems too efficient to be human. I don't want to distract him, but I give his arm a squeeze as a sign of support and solidarity.

The flight is over as soon as it began. Some how during this time Vishal is able to generate contracts he needs using the appropriate software. He gets approval for the stamps authenticity to be verified. The bonus is he thinks he has found a solution for the other architectural firm that's being replaced in his larger contract.

Vishal Day 5

It's incredibly hard to focus on work after the night I had with Ava. Her passive aggressive icebreaker she used last night was adorable. She is such a little lamb. I don't blame her. She should be way more upset with me, but she's as understanding as she is attractive. This trip was supposed to be about us being on vacation and me sharing parts of history and my hobby with her. I was turning it into a selfish stamp treasure hunt for myself. She's always a good sport. Even when I beat her in two of the three games of pool we played last night. I don't think she let me win. God knows she tried distracting me. It even worked slightly. I can't believe she put her hand in those people's fries. I will always have the best repertoire of memories thanks to Ava. Everytime we get together there is something worth remembering. Her mad, was something new and challenging. I don't want to go up against that again. Distance between us made my world disappear.

It's not exactly good business practice to let a personal deal outside of business dictate your current contracts, but the NDA's should take away any chance of my real motives being discovered. 

I would cover just over a third of the cost of the stamp personally. I was waiting on approval from my family trust for the other portion of the funds. Once it's approved the money would be signed over with stipulations. These stamps with the others in my collection, combined, makes a steep incline in the overall evaluation of my collections worth as allowed by my self-directed account. So even after the cost for above par preservation and storage, and the percentage designated as owed back to the trust I should come away with a sizeable amount. Even after taxes on it which its distribution is taken as ordinary income from the year of its purchase. I would need a 1099-R. Always forms and paperwork lending the legality to a transaction and the headache to an otherwise exciting acquisition.

Everything was going swimmingly until my coworker who originally found the architect for the original contract was refuting the change and asking a ton of questions. He is arguing for use of an American company. Luckily for me, Nafara is considered one of the best and specializes in the modern style we are going for in the buildings concept. Thus, my alterior motives weren't so obvious. However, others were in agreement about using an American company.  Unless I can come up with an equally promising deal, this all may be for nothing. I want that stamp. Now I needed to get what I wanted. I want my woman, I want my stamp, I want my deals and I want to know how success feels after getting all I want. I want Ava on the first night after I get my stamp. I think that would be the closest thing to the feeling of happiness and heaven on earth.

I searched through my contacts, open contracts and solicitations of inquiries and propositions. There was one deal I had been putting off. A development project. The project was for a complex for career oriented individuals. It was a career vetting experience. An individual could purchased a room like in a normal hotel, but then participated and completed modules and hands on training in whatever field of interest that aligned with their interest or background. Individuals could be chosen for jobs and given a two week test run on site to see if they were an appropriate fit and to assist with any specific training needs. Individuals were guaranteed employment by the end of the experience or their stay is free. Each candidate was background checked and personally selected before being accepted for a booking. The complex also booked business retreats and employee bonding experiences. It was essentially a high end temp agency in my initial opinion. It allows customers to complete current job duties while searching for new opportunities with the scoutes present. I initially wrote it off, but maybe it wasn't such an odd idea. Somewhat a cross between temp agency and after college job recruitment. The other project that jumped out was an art complex. The art complex was three stories. The first floor was local artist, the second floor was a small art museum. It would draw an admission price. The third floor was high end art sales and expensive reprints of famous works housed in the museum. These were the only other projects that I could possibly make work at the moment.

We arrive at our destination. I'm not nearly ready for our meeting. There is still tons of work I need to resolve, but we're here. We are a little early.

"Is it okay if we find a cafe with internet I can work at?"

"Sure"

I have about 2 hours to get together a proposition and decide if I'm pulling the architect on one of our other projects or trying to pull Nafara in on a new one. Assuming she would still honor our deal. As we speak the stamp is getting appraised and verified for authenticity by the only company I trust to do it.

We find a cafe. I buy Ava a coffee and myself a bottled water. Then I begin working. Ava is probably bored, but she shows no signs of it.

When we are a half hour away from our meeting time we walk around closer to the venue where we will be having drinks. I see a store with a dress in the window I could see Ava in. We are slightly under dressed for Panorama. I suggest we go in. I have her try on the dress while I try on a suit. As I walk out to use the mirror Ava appears beside me in the mirror.

"Wow, look at us. We look powerful."

"Fierce. Better to walk in slightly intimidating. We don't want to be completely bulldozed. We want them to take us seriously and mull over our offer. AND hope she  doesn't see through me and void my deal with the stamp."

"These clothes aren't washed", Ava says.

"You think they are any worse than the clothes we've been wearing around the airport and cafe all day?"

"Good point, I guess not. If we wear these out of here what will we do with our clothes we're wearing?"

"I got this", I say.

I procede to pay for our new clothes. Then I take our old clothes in the bag from the store and find the nearest trash can. Ava only keeping the coat she had brought.

"Hey I liked that outfit."

"I'll buy you a new one later."

"What if that was important or some part sentimental in value?", she protests.

"Was it?"

"No"

"Well than why are we still talking about them. If they had been I'd be apologizing and grabbing them out of the trash. An experience I'd be disgusted by before our meeting, being unable to shower."

I see her smile.

"Oh thats funny to you?"

"That and I'm picturing after dinner seeing a homeless person dressed in my clothes. Probably content with their find. Or a trash diver showing their finds explaining about the 'things people throw away'."

Soon we both are laughing at the mental picture she just painted.

"So we donated, can we get on with it please?! I need to focus, which is hard enough with you in that dress."

"Well I'd take it off, but I'm not sure that'd help the situation.", she says ultra politely.

"No, No it wouldn't.....but later", I flash her a full tooth smile.

"Yes I know you're a pervert, can we please get on with it?! I have a meeting I'm trying to focus on."

I extend a hand and say "My lady". We walk hand in hand and get a car to take us to Panorama which isn't far. I can tell Ava is impressed by the restaurant and the extreme beauty of the restaurants view. She goes to the railing and looks out into the landscape. A wide panoramic view over a lake where the crysyal water reflects the landscape as if trying to capture a portrait for itself. I study her while she studies the view. She must feel my eyes penetrating stair from behind because she turns around to meet my gaze. For a second the noise of the restaurant disappears and everything melts away as I take in this woman against the back drop. Nothing had ever seemed so important or stunning. I'm caught by how she is able to make the most of things. Instead of being annoyed about a meeting during our vacation and my selfish need to obtain an object, she takes the experience in stride. She seems gracious having been given the choice to accompany me.

"Just a mystery", I mouth to her as I shake my head. I know she can read my lips and knows what I said.

I order us wine while we wait.

Mrs. Nafara arrives two minutes before our meeting time. I'm happy we changed after seeing her. Its funny how clothes can level a playing field slightly. I get Mrs. Nafara's attention by putting a finger up in the air. She walks over to us.

"Beautiful isn't it?", she says. "Well since we're all here, shall we get a table and begin. I see you already got some wine. Good. I'll join you"

"Please do. This is my fiancé Ava."

Ava doesn't even flinch she knows I said that because its easier and sounds more dignified. She starts playing the part with a certain enthusiasm that wasn't there before.

We get a table with a non obstructed view of the view.

"I agree with Thoreau about nature. I hope I quote this correctly. 'I love nature, I love the landscape because it is so sincere. It never cheats me. It never jests. It is cheerfully, musically earnest. I lie and relie on the earth.' Do you agree? The view here is to help keep us honest because who can lie in the presence of such beauty. No?"

I glance at Ava. She is already looking my way with a face anticipating my answer. I feel under prepared for this show of wits, but I have to play her game.

"Well, I'll get right to it. I have two projects I think your design expertise would be perfect for. I want you to look over both proposals and tell me which one speaks to you."

"What if both do, we are a large firm."

"The timelines are similar and specifically on one of them the owner asks that their project be the priority. I believe Ralph Waldo Emerson said 'The landscape belongs to the person who looks at it...', the owner of the perspective. So, hear me out, look them over and see where you see your design when you look at it. Fair enough?"

"Yes"

The next part is a lot of explanation, numbers, facts and images of the prospective areas accompanied by maps. I give her copies of the proposal to follow along. We break to eat appetizers and try wines. She seems pleased from what I can tell.
"Well I'll need time to go over it, but by tonight you will have an answer. Fair?"

"So one interests you?"

"I think so. By tonight, no later than 8pm you'll have an answer."

Mrs. Nafara looks at Ava, "You are such a good sport for coming along to this meeting on your vacation. I hope the wine sufficed so you weren't completely bored"

Then my mysterious woman played the game like a seasoned professional shocking even me. She had sat quietly for most the meeting. She responds, "The wine more than sufficed and not to be left out of quoting exceptional individuals I'll quote Frank Lloyd Wright. 'The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilization'.

To which Nafara responds, "Yes, exactly. What a beautiful way to put it. Thank you for that". Ava smiles and blushes.

Mrs. Nafara extends a hand to shake. As I shake her hand she adds, "Either way we have a deal outside of this. Correct?"

"Correct, Thank you!"

I wait for her to be out of sight before I turn to Ava excitedly, "You did it! You got me my deal. She loved you, your quote. All that work and I'm fairly certain it was your one line".

"And the fact I'm your fiancé. You're welcome."

"You should be", I catch myself saying.

"What?"

"Nothing, you ready for dinner and then home to our hotel."

"Yes and yes!"

We get back and keeping with our promise we made the night before, agree to meet Cormac and Grace out at Temple Bar. That bar has good local music anyways. Cormac and Grace are easy to be around. So although I'm tired and would like to persuade Ava to stay in all night in bed I agree to having fun out. Might be good to get an understanding of this Cormac character since he's buying art for Ava.

"Leaving in 5, with or without you."

"Leave without me, I know where you'll be. Won't be as fun celebrating the victory of your deal without me tho.", I say as I step out of the bathroom. BUT lucky for you, turns out I'm ready. Been waiting hours for you."

"That's how you see it?"

"Yeah, that's the truth."

"Just a couple drinks right?", I ask.

"Why? Don't you want to celebrate? Nafara chose the art complex and you get the stamp deal. You don't even have to argue to sign her on to the other deal. I thought this was better. What you wanted?"

"It is, I'm more than happy. I think I'm in disbelief that it's all actually coming together. I keep thinking I shouldn't get my hope's up because it could still fall through."

"Sometimes things just work out."

"You get a percentage of the stamps worth since you are a huge reason I'm getting it."

"I'll prefer not to. Growing old together might be nice."

"Yeah me with Werther's Originals in my pocket to share and you too blind to even see your stamp collection."

"Why do you even like Werther's?"

She shrugs while opening a Werther's and popping it into her mouth.

"Give me a caramel kiss and lets get out of here."

Tomorrow we are shifting hotels. If I'm honest with myself, I think the next one is more my speed. I've enjoyed both so far. Next we are moving into the Pembroke Town House.

As we enter temple bar we hear, "Hey, over here", I see Cormac's red face from the beers he's been drinking. He is flagrantly flagging us down.

We get to the table and Ava hugs Grace and then Cormac. I see her whisper something to Cormac. Cormac looks delighted by what she says. He pretends to tip a hat to her and bow slightly. Grace pulls Ava towards the bar because it's easier than waiting for a waitress right now.

"Hey Cormac, what did ava whisper to you?"

"Oh, that. She just said I learned something new about you. Apparently she spoke to the woman in the green dress in the lobby at your first hotel."

"Yeah she did that night when we got back"

"Well she was referring to that. She's on to me I suppose. So Mate, had a great day in business?, so I've heard. Ava is a swiss army knife huh?"

"Haha never thought of her like that, but yeah I guess she is. Something for any occasion."
"Exactly"

"That's why I try not to go anywhere without her."

"I get it, if you're going to be tethered. So how'd you get into what you do?"

"College. I've always been a great middle man I guess. Knowing who to connect to get things done."

"He's being humble, it started before college. When he was a kid he started a business. He's also from a family of lawyers etc."

"So it's in your blood. Makes me feel better."

"What is it you do again?", I ask.

"I'm a regular worker bee at a corporation, nothing very interesting. It's a living and I'm good at it."

"He's lying he is a writer really.", Grace interjects.

"If that's true I'm the worst and failing. I've never made any money off my writings. It's a hobby at best."

"I'd love to read something. I'm good at connecting people remember. Maybe I could help you."

"Maybe, you'd be my Thomas Crean huh, You watch sports mate?", he changes the subject ignoring Ava's questions about his writings. Rugby?"

"No."

"Must have seen Ireland play the Eagles in 2000. I probably wouldn't be a fan either if it was reversed. I think Americans like everything standardized. They like everything perfectly fair. Rugby fields can vary depending on where the match is played. You know that?"

"No"

"Yeah in Rugby every role is the players job none of that you're a defensive back you're a running back. No, in Rugby what do you need, we do it all."

"Sounds tough"

"Yeah, it's fun. So what do you watch? Can I guess? You are a golf man."

"No not really. More Hockey and a little NBA. Maybe some tennis."
"But you like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones? Phil Lynott?"

"Yes, of Course"

"Than we're good my friend. I Got you. Might even have to try watching tennis."

I'm not sure what any of this has to do with the other, but I decide to go with it because Cormac seems so pleased. He's drunk and I can see him making eyes at a girl near the bar.

"I'll be back, I just need to go over there for a moment", he says as he trails off in the direction of the female.

"Hey Ava you want go back to the hotel soon?"

"Soon, but not yet. Grace and I were talking and we were going to dance a little. Okay?"

"Okay, but don't get too drunk. I want time with you tonight and I dont want to feel like I'm taking advantage of you when I'm listening to you sing for me."

"Sing? But I don't sing that much", she thinks outloud before she gets it.

"Yes you sing for me, you're my song bird"

"Pervert lol, but sweet. I thought Cormac was the writer. Who knew you were so poetic. I'll sing later, just depends if its a song worth singing. We'll see", she laughs.

"You're my favorite song."

"Thank you", she says bashfully. Her cheeks fully blushing.

She blows me a kiss as she and Grace head to the dance floor. I watch from our table as she dances in rhythm to the music. She is still wearing the dress I bought her earlier, but she traded heels for flats. The dress fits her perfectly. Usually to get this kind of fit you'd have to see a tailor. It's supposedly bohemian style with a high slit skirt. Whatever it is, it presents a flawless day dream.

I pull out my phone to research things we can do tomorrow around our new hotel. I see an email notification on my phone. I press the notification. It opens and I begin reading it. My request for funds from the family trust are being denied. Damn. Assuming it's an error, I decide to leave it for tomorrow. Tonight, Ava and I have a song to write in celebration of our accomplishments.

Day 6

"Why are you never beside me when I wake up?", I ask Vishal who is sitting at the small desk.

"Caught me, I was getting a few calls in before our day starts. Did I wake you?"

"No, the coldness of the bed woke me."

"Want a coffee? Orange juice?"

"Sure"

"Cool, I'll take one of each too", he says smiling.

"You think you're cute, but", I get up and move to him and bend down to his face, "but you're not that cute."

"Fine, you're lucky you are. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"I could call for some."

"No, didn't you know I'm going to be broke after this stamp deal. Besides, not here. The next place."

"Okay. But hurry back the beds freezing without you", I say as I run and jump onto the bed.

He follows me jumping on the bed after me. We both end up laughing snuggling. He kisses me and it feels like a scene from a movie.

"This is more like it. Forget the coffee and orange juice. Can't we stay like this for a while."

"We could, but I was going to get waffles with vanilla ice cream and apple snow. Plus we need to move hotels today. We have sites to see."

"I just want ten minutes to forget the world and pretend I'm your world. Be selfishly selfish."

He does a grawl grunt sound in irritation, "That's not pretend".

After ten minutes I let him dress and go. I stay and pack. He gives me the job of picking three things we will do today. I can sense he's hiding worry about something, but afraid to ruin the moment we we're having I decide to ignore it.

There's not much to pack since we never really unpacked here. I hear a notification sound. I search for my phone, but realize it was from his laptop. I resisted being nosy for a couple minutes, but I had to glance. A message with a subject that reads 'Reason for Request Denial'. I decide not to investigate any further. I want to respect his privacy. Also, I've learned, often, you don't want to find answers. I'd let him tell me if he wants to.

Ten minutes later he's back. He's juggling bags carrying food and a drink holder with four drinks precariously fitted into it. How they didn't spill on the walk back is a serious question for physics. Vishal places the bags in the middle of the bed beside me. Then he dislodges each cup from the holder and places them on the nightstand. 
"You want coffee or orange juice to start with?"

"Coffee please."

I open the food containers with my free hand. The smells of the warm food waft upwards to my nose. Sweet and savory. Note's of vanilla are distinguishable.

"This looks and smells great. Thank you!"

I cut a small bite placing a little of everything on the fork and take my sampling. I melt with the food in my mouth and slip away into full culinary enjoyment.

"This is better than excellent."

I make him a bite with a little of everything and feed it to him once he's sitting on the bed. A little drips on his chin. I lick it off.

"Don't want to be wasteful."

He takes some of the apple snow and ice cream and puts it on my neck. He watches as it sides down my chest.

"Don't want to be wasteful", Then he kisses and licks the trail.

"Best breakfast ever, tintilates all the senses."

"It is really good"

"I've never had apple snow before", I confide in him.

"It use to be a common Irish staple."

The notification sound sounded once again from his laptop. He immediately jumps up and checks it. After reading the message he slams his laptop shut.

"It would have been too simple. Nothing real is ever easy. I should have planned on this."

"I don't know. We are real. We are easy. I'm easy with you.", I give my most exaggerated wink.

He gives a half hearted smirk, but continues sitting in the chair with his right thumb supporting his chin.

I finish my coffee. Place the empty cup on the nightstand and pick up the orange juice.

"Did this slake your desire for breakfast?", he says snapping out of the mood that overcame him from the message.

"Slaked."

"You are easy", he laughs.

I get up from bed and twirl, I sway as I dance slowly to the background music we have on.

"I'm going to shower, you want to shower?"

"Yes, love to", he says while stripping.

"Soooo easy.", I say laughing as I walk the rest of the way to the bathroom.

"Yes, yes I am", I hear him saying proudly.

Something about his goofiness just makes my whole body feel like smiling. It shows with the amusement behind the smile on my face that I can't control or hide.

After checkout at the Generator our first stop is Pembroke Townhouse. We leave our bags with the front desk. They promise to leave our bags in our room once it's ready for us. I'm struck by the stately elegance of design here. One feels almost transported to another time and as an important member of the bourgeois. I can tell Vishal paid extra to get us one of the better rooms. The paneling dresses up an otherwise plain wall. One could be bewitched in an atmosphere like this.

Today I chose checking out Aviva Stadium, Herbert Park, Dublin Zoo and if time later the old Jameson Distillery. We both do have a taste for whiskey. I can't afford Macallen Reach. So, I guess I won't know what I'm missing. I once tried Old Overholt at home in the states, but outside of that it's pretty much always Gentleman's Jack. I'm mean if you're a lady, my thinking has always been, you'd rather spend time with a gentleman. I never looked into Buffalo Trace, but I'm sure most brands do the job and offer subtle hints of flavors to please a palate.

Vishal is showing no signs from the earlier disturbance. Although, I know he must be working it over in his mind.

Since check-in isn't until later we walk to the locations I found that were suggested on Pembroke's website. We have a map, but I've also found that generally if you follow the masses they usually lead to a tourist hangout. I'm not really doing an underground, off the menu kinda trip. This trip I'm embracing the general cliche tourist experience. The American St.Patrick's Day kinda experience. The kind that real Irish probably roll their eyes at, but I'm loving it.

We stroll to Aviva Statium. There's no match today which means we can purchase tickets for a tour. The sunshine makes the walk seem strangely familiar considering I'm a stranger to these streets. As the stadium comes into view, Vishal receives a call.

"I'm sorry, I have to take this."

"Do you?"

"I do. Sorry. I will try to be direct so it's a fast call."

"Do what you must."

He mouths sorry as he takes the call.

"Hi. I'm glad you called. I understand your concern, but I can provide you with documents from the process to provide you all the information needed. I think if you were to review the documents you would see the investment as just that an investment. An opportunity for the family."

Silence as he listens to the man on the other line speak.

"Well that was years ago and I am more savvy these days and accustomed to the process. This situation is not comparable to that....It might seem impulsive, but an item on the market like this has to be purchased somewhat impulsively. Much of the research or knowledge of the item is prior to encountering it. Then it's just verifying the seller and authenticity of the object. If you would just schedule a time for a meeting. I will send you all the documentation and I'd be happy to review it all with you."

Silence again

"What do you mean it's not the right time. God Damn it. You aren't understanding the worth here."

Vishal walks away from me. We are now outside the stadium. I sit down outside the stadium. I put in my ear buds and start listening to a podcast and people watching. The stadium is huge and impressive from the outside. There are obvious sports fans going to tour it as well as others who obviously are just friends of a sport fan who have no interest in it.

I sit and I sit. I reapply my sunscreen and put on a hat. I feel like I'm doing a adult 3D simulation of where's Waldo for adults as I try to locate Vishal. I spot him pacing back and forth a few feat in the distance. I look at the time on my phone. I've been sitting outside the stadium for 30 minutes. That's not long in the scheme of life, but it's long when you are just waiting to go in and take a tour probably around the same length. I make a whats going on gesture when he looks at me. He puts a finger up, meaning one minute. I watch youtube videos about the stadium until I'm not sure I really need to go inside. I start to wonder why I don't just go inside and take the tour alone.

I wait 15 more minutes.

I get up and go inside the stadium. I purchase a single ticket. I begin the tour. There are 69 different areas to purchase booze. That seems a bit excessive, but maybe it's just good planning. Shorter lines to get people back to their seats faster. I think with that number it definitely says something about the culture of alcohol here. When I get to the stadium inside and get to look out on the field I begin to understand some emotional awe about it. Something about games being played that have been played for centuries. Something about a competition that's set up infront of so many, but ignored while the competition takes center stage. A field where more than a game is played out, but culture and politics are passed around. A win somehow speaking to a superiority. A microcosm for world strategy. Kids idolizing the heroes on the field. I take a moment to sit in one of the stadium chairs. It has an all imposing feel. I end the tour. Vishal is sitting and waiting in the same spot I had sat and waited. He seems happy to have a moment to meditate by himself.

"Everything alright?"

"I'm working on it. I have a short meeting later via virtual chat. Sorry I messed up our tour of the stadium."

"Keep your sorry and use it for yourself. I had a great time. I'm sorry you missed it and I couldn't wait any longer. Wasn't sure there was an ending point to my waiting."

"I know. I finished just a minute before you walked out."

I try to look disappointed. "Well in that case", I pretend like I'm going to go back in, "I shouldn't be the only one gaining the experience of waiting. Maybe next time I can have food delivered to you out here while you wait."

"Okay Okay I get it. I'm sorry. Where are we going next?"

"Walk around Herbert Park before going to the zoo?

"Sounds great. Maybe purchase a loaf of bread for you to feed ducks at the park. That should buy me at least 20 minutes. Maybe I can start you on a nature collection, there's 20 more minutes."

I slap his arm before cuddling into it.

"Shut up. I don't need a curriculum. It's not bad having a chaperone. Might be nicer to have a partner. Hard to say I have little experience with that. More seriously, what's going on? Is there something I can help with in the process."

"My cousin was made appointee of the family trust when my Dad started having health problems. I asked for money once before for a similar deal. It was when I first started getting serious about collecting. Turns out it was a forgery and we were over paying for it if it had been the original stamp. Double mistake on my part. Cost my family a lot. It was a disaster. My cousin was reminded of this by family when he received my request. I've made tons of investments on my own. I think they don't trust me. They are saying it's not good timing because my sister is using the money for something else right now. They want to focus on that. I just need to prove to them it's a solid investment."

"How will you do that?"

"Like the basis of every deal. Persuasion based on facts and numbers. It's all about getting people to see the way you do. That's the only way anything gets done."

"I don't do stuff like this with my family. I guess I'm a beginner learner with life stuff."

"That's okay. Even the supposedly advanced fall for some of the most common pitfalls. If it were easy, everyone would do it and be rich. Really we're all beginners. Lucky or unlucky chance takers."

"I guess."

"So Herbert Park", He opens his arms wide acting as if presenting the park to me.

I had been so content on listening I hadn't realized we reached it.

"Herbert Park", I say taking in a panoramic view of it as a whole."It's beautiful. What if I could help you, with your deal."

"No. I mean how."

"What if I have something of value. Very valuable. That could be used as collateral with your family for the deal. If the deal doesn't work out your family could have the object. If it does work out I get to keep my item. Then there really is no loss for your family."

"You'd do that for me? You. You have that belief in me."

"I do. I trust in you and your abilities."

"What is the item you'd be putting up?"

"A family heirloom. Trust me it's more than enough. I'll give you certification. I'd rather not say what it is though. Is that okay."

"They will want to know."

"Its a kind of art is all I want to say."

"They would probably go for that. You know I won't let you down. You are as important if not more than my family. Let me think about this. The offer means the most to me. Truly."

"What is there to think about?"

"I can't let you down. I can't be a reason you lose your heirloom."

"You said I get a percentage from the stamp. I only lose my heirloom if it's a bad deal. I trust you know what you are doing. I won't lose my item. I'm expanding my portfolio."

He gives me a long hug.

"I love you too."

We finish out the day. The park is lovely and the Zoo entertaining and wild. Exactly what I had hoped to see when choosing them as activities. We decide to check-in to our room before going to the Jameson Distillery. We need a break. I want to see our room to see what fantasy I'm embracing for the ending of our trip. Plus, now we both have work to work. I need to get proof of worth of my heirloom. Vishal probably wondered why I was being so cryptic and secretive about the item. It really is one of the only items I have of worth. I trust him, but I also buy into the saying "Trust everybody, just don't trust the devil inside them". His family can know they have collateral without knowing details of the item. Safer that way. Then if someone gets the idea to steal it, they won't know what they're looking for. I learned this lesson through an experience I don't care to think of now. I think Vishal is embarrassed it has come to this. He doesn't like accepting help, especially from me. He likes to be the heroic knight coming to my aid, not the other way around. I'm hoping I will find some time to read a book I brought along called Appetite for America. It seems a little off topic for this trip, but I've been trying to find time to start it for months to no unveil. This might be a perfect opportunity.

"Did you like the Zoo?", I ask Vishal.

"Very bio-diverse and informative. What animal are you, if you had to choose?"

"Let me think. What would you be?"

"I'd be some animal in the safari area. Or maybe a rino."

"What? Really?, I'm trying not to laugh, but I don't see him as a rino. Maybe a lion or tiger. If not them a snow leopard or something."

"Huh never thought of those as my animal. Maybe a tortoise."

Where was he getting this. I would have to reevaluate my whole idea of him to see that.

"I'd probably be a lemur that wished it was a gorilla or orangutan."

Now he was laughing hysterically.

"Yeah I see that. Even it's appearance, its a confused racoon. Trying to be part fox, racoon, monkey, squirrel."

He's really getting a kick out of this now. I can see him visualizing and gaining humor from whatever he is seeing.

"Hey, what are you trying to imply? My appearance isn't confused"

He gets slightly more serious, "No, but you always try to be so many things to try for everyone. Plus you always want to be more than you are for some reason. I was more thinking of the Lemur anyways. The comment just caught me off guard. Great answer, Really. It's not as good if I have to explain it."

"I know, I'm kidding. Let's go to our room and leave the animals at the zoo. Let the civilized adults have their time."

"Agreed, My lady after you", he went to open the door to the hotel for me.

"I love it here", I approvingly say to Vishal.

"It's the contemporary Georgian style. Very homey, but classy."

"The inside is nothing like the outside."

"Not into the old pile of red bricks"

"That's just forgettable, but this, this makes a memorable end to the trip."

"Wait til you see the room."

Our room is called 'The Regency', according to the front desk clerk. It's one of the largest rooms they have.

"I was going to get the loft room, but I thought why not splurge for the end of our trip. This way we can take a bath together."

Once we get to our room, I feel spoiled.

"How beautiful. I'm not going anywhere for the rest of our trip. I'm staying in here. An environment for a much needed retreat."

"We'll see."

"I'm running a bath."

"Can you work on writing someone about getting the appraisal of that heirloom of yours?"

"Now? It can't wait until we are back in the states. I'm not sure."

"You just need to write the original appraiser or is the item insured?"

"I know how, but right now?"

"I know. Just,  I don't want Nafara to make a better deal with someone else or something. I want the contracts signed so she can't back out."

"Oh. I scanned the document when I had it done. I just need to access my online files. But it's really a contract with me with a stipulation about your deal with your families trust."

"Yes, I know. Just verifying everything. Making sure everything is in order before I meet with my cousin tonight."

"Okay, Can I use your laptop?"

"Of course."

Not too long ago I added my important documemts and files to a safe online document filer. I can access it remotely, which is convenient. I never expected to use it, but the cost seemed way more worth it at this moment.

It takes me about 20 minutes to locate the document. I haven't really had to use this service very much and embarrassingly had forgotton my password and other details of the suites platform. Anyways after some hair pulling I locate the document. I redact the area that states what item was being appraised and one other section with a description of the item. I feel like a government entity; Releasing documents to the public that after censorship really say nothing, but the public feels a victory knowing the documents exist.

"Here, I saved the document to your desktop. To make it easy to find. Now may I get in our incredible tub for a bath please?"

"Yes, sorry I kept you from your thrown."

The bath sits on a small platform. I think of it less as a thrown and more of a stage, but I assume he's sticking with our accented lingo of royalty from entry.

Vishal takes his place on the couch near the tub. His focus locked on the laptop. He is viewing the document I gave him, switching between screens and generating contracts.

I undress and stand in the buff. I add soap for a bubble bath. Since I'm on a stage I make a show of it. Every movement exaggerated. We have strawberries and champagne in the room. I move them closer to the tub. Situating them on the wall behind the tub. The black tile of the wall further giving into the illusion of a stage. My nakedness, exaggerated soap squeezes and aromatic approval noises elicit no response. I lean over the edge of the tub to feel the water. It's not quite high enough yet so I wait. I grip the edge of the tub and shift weight from one leg to the other giving a wiggle appearance to my backside in tune with the music I put on. Still no attention from Vishal. My ego is taking a hit, a real mental beating. My stage is feeling like a dunce corner. Or asylum where you must wash infront of an orderly. I try to keep the magical view by picturing it more as a scene from the movie a 'Mid Summer Night's Dream' or 'Thumbelina'. I've seen a 'Mid Summer Night's Dream' so many times. I liked Thumbelina as a child until I realized everytime I tried to talk to another child about it they never knew what the heck I was talking about. I guess it wasn't one of the cool princesses. For general public I settled on sleeping beauty most times. However, like most girls I think you never fully grow out of the love for magical fairy realms. A place that hints at more beauty than what real life often has to offer.

"Mmmm that smells good", I see Vishal peek up from his laptop and phone.

With that, my stage is back. I begin tossing rose petals from the rose that came with the strawberries and champagne into the bath and around the base of bath tub. I'm quietly singing along with a song that's been stuck in my head all day on a loop. It's an older one by R.E.M.

When the tub feels like the perfect temp, I ready myself to step in. But as I do, Vishal steps in before me and sits down. I didn't hear the laptop close or his foot steps. The water splashes in waves up the sides as it rocks from one end to the other. I get in opposite of him and lace my legs against his placing my feet on either side of his torso. I hand him a flute of champagne and I take the other.

"Cheers"

"Cheers. This is exactly what I needed. The business world was sucking me in again."

"I noticed"

"Don't hate me, but I'm trying to see if we can pick up the stamp before we leave."

"That leaves tomorrow or the morning after. That's not much time."

"I know, but I want to carry it in my carry on luggage. To get it back under my watchful eyes and safely."

"You think that's better than shipping."

"Kind of, Yes."

"Okay"

He leans his head back on the edge of the tub. Lulled by the aromas and the water's buoyancy. We stay this way until the water is cold. Once out, showered, and dried our skins feel smoother. Well oiled and moisturized.

"This place, they give you full size shampoo and conditioner. That's no joke. Very nice."

Vishal is looking at the bottles reading the label.

"And it's designer", he adds.

"La ti da, look at us", I add.

"We are bringing these home with us. It's better than my usual stuff at home.", He seems surprised by the stuff.

"A propitious idea!, I joke, but can you leave them in the shower right now so I can still use them.

He had been placing them near his bag.

"Yeah, but make sure we don't forget them."

A man who is buying stamps worth more than most peoples homes is worried about forgetting to steal the soaps from his hotel. The little things in life. Sometimes he's too adorable for words.

"I'm going to read in the room while you do your meeting. Maybe I'll explore downstairs, but that would be later and maybe you will be done by then."

"Okay."

He's dressed and ready waiting for his cousin to join their meeting. Fifteen minutes late, his cousin joins. I mouth to Vishal, YOU GOT THIS.

Vishal's cousin carried no familiarity in his greeting or tone. He is business congenial and completely formal. I wonder if they had ever been friends in the past. I attempt to read my book, but eavesdropping and reading is challenging. Only one prevails and it's eavesdropping. Although, I keep the book open I just give up on actually reading it. The few pages I did manage to digest was revealing a historically captivating read. I'd have to find another time. I often wished there were 8 of me, then I'd be able to do so much more with my day's. Two on every task for quality control purposes. After all everything needs checks and balances.

The deal seems simple now. There should be no objection from his cousin because the family will not incur any loss if something goes wrong. Nothing will go wrong because it's a straight forward deal. His cousin is still trying to curtail the deal and further talk.

"We are investing another portion of the funds in your sisters venture. We don't feel it's the right time. I sent you your sisters request."

"Yes, I read it over. I understand, but mine is not risky in any way. You have collateral as protection against any loss. Let's be honest, you don't want to do it. Don't act like it's the family. I have made many invests over the years since the bad one. I feel I've proved myself. I've paid back the money that was lost. Why is this being held against me in this deal. Is this because I haven't been attending the family get togethers. I've been very busy making a place for myself in the business world."

I didn't know he had been turning down invitations to family functions. He hadn't told me. Maybe he didn't want to introduce me yet or maybe he really was busy. In the latter case I feel flattered for all the times he carved out a few hours for me. He had made time at his expense. Still it would have been nice to be told or talked with about it. I want to be his equal, not a sheltered child. Okay, may a sheltered child with superior knowledge and say in things. As the analogy fell apart I heard Vishal getting upset.

"You are being unreasonable. I'm aware of the tax implications."

I go an sit beside him.

"Hello. May I interject."

"Hello", His cousin says.

"I'm Ava. I'm the one providing the collateral should a problem arrise."

Im trying to avoid using the word loss. To accountants or brokers etc that's like screaming fire in a movie theater or bomb on a plane.

"You have all the information, correct? I met with both parties and I feel confident in making a contract. All we are asking is for you to relook at what Vishal has requested. What he is not saying, is this particular stamp is a dream of his. A holy grail in a sense of the stamp community. He can not make this deal with out your backing. He will probably find another way, but with less favorable conditions and more risk. I would also appreciate the family helping to guarantee our future. So my future with him isn't compromised because of this investment. What can we do going forward? Please review everything and get back to us in the morning. We don't need an answer right now. Just a promise you will honestly consider what we are asking."

"The cousin sighs and leans back in his chair. This one. I understand this one. I will think about it. I will meet with you in the morning at 7am."

"5,6, or 7 I'll be up", Vishal replies.

The cousin disconnects.

"That was truly touching stuff", he pretends to wipe tears from his eyes.

"I meant it"

He grabs his chest pretending to have a heart attack, "Even more touching. So we have a long future ahead huh. Tell me more about our future. Where are we in 5yrs Miss Bardot? In 10?"

"Have some manners, in 5yrs address me as Mrs."

"Oh is that right"

Laughing, "I don't know, but we will be together. Need my money from our investment. Might need to start charging you a consulting fee for all the work I'm putting in at meetings."

"So shuffleboard shark and business tycoon. No 5yr plan though?"

"I'd like to have a better job, with better pay and benefits. I'd like to be in a club for something. Have investments of my own. 8yrs from now maybe married to some one loving who makes me see a reason to life and who gives me excitement to wake up. Makes me feel equal. Maybe a dog. Maybe get better at cooking. etc, etc, etc. The usual 10 yr plan I guess. You? I try not to think of a plan, I feel it's usually the fastest way to disappointment and failure. No expectations, no disappointment."

"Pretty similar, but related to my position at work and in collecting. Married with in 4yrs probably.(He flashes a sideways glance and smile). I never thought you'd lived more than me, but that last part is dark. You've been through it huh? You'll have to tell me about it sometime in the future. I'll have to see if I can salvage your point of view in that area. Are we staying in tonight or going out?"

"Staying in. This room really is worthy of a night in."

"Okay in it is, but we will need food, snacks, drinks and some enhancements."

"Enhancements?"

"Entertainment, but I'm not bored doing absolutely "nothing" with you so I chose enhancements."

"Ahhh, bring on the enhancements and embellishments. I mean food and drinks."

"Thank you again. Even if my cousin doesn't approve it, thank you. I never thought he'd be a problem as an appointee of the trust."

"One thing, what are the family functions you have been skipping? Can I go with you to the next one?"
"Can we decide later. We'll talk about it next time I'm invited."

"That's all I'm asking."

"Now new movie or old? and do you want to play cards?"

"New-er and yes."

Day 7

Even waking up, the morning has it's last day feel. It makes one feel stuck in the middle between homesick and not having enough time in your land of travel. This causes an anxiety that settles in the background of everything we do, starting with choosing a breakfast location. There are so many places left to try.

"We can take another trip here in the future."

"I know. Should I invite Cormac and Grace?"

"I thought they left today?"

"Oh, I think your right. I'll call and see anyways."

"Okay, How about the orange goat or High Nelly's coffee house. Press Cafe?"

"Hmmm maybe"

Breakfast was turning more into a late brunch. I looked through reviews and countless pictures of places until I was overwhelmed and over breakfast.

"Hi, Cormac, is Grace there?"

"I'm here . Can't you talk with me?"

"Well sure, I can talk to you."

"Enjoy your painting. When you get it let me know. Send me a picture or did I buy you a painting to never hear from you again?"

"No, you didn't buy me a painting to never hear from me again. I called you. I was wondering if you and Grace wanted to go to breakfast with us?"

"Can't, we already ate and we are headed to the airport."

I never really got close to the others, but I'd miss Grace and Cormac.

"Okay, safe flight. I'll get in touch as soon as the painting arrives."

"Thanks, when do you leave?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Safe flight tomorrow", He says while taking a puff of something. "You smoke pot, because I could drop off my weed pen to you. Get's a person flight ready, you know."

"No I'm fine, but thanks. If I smoked I wouldn't talk and probably would be confused when finding my flights."

"Up to you, but that's the point. Ultimate relaxer for people like you who don't like flying. Besides that's what lover boy is for, he wouldn't let you miss your flight or be so confused you get on the wrong one or something."

"No thanks, really, it would cause me too much anxiety. Thanks for offering. Would you have dropped it off to me? That would be a hassle."

"On the way."

"No, but thanks. You know the day I see you not drinking or smoking I'll be shocked."

"Me too because that means your at my funeral."

"Well, I won't give up on that. Have a safe flight home."

"I would never expect you to give up on it. Lets hope neither of us become famous from dying in a crash."

"Knocking on wood right now. Can we not talk about crashing anymore or you might convince me I need the pen and we've wasted all the time talking when you should have been leaving."

"Okay okay, talk soon."

"Talk soon."

We both hang up on the positive note.

"They can't come to breakfast. They are leaving today. In just a few hours."

"Okay. Well do you just want to eat here? At our hotel?"

"Yes"

I lost motivation and the choice of picking a place seemed too daunting. I was happy to make it easy. Although, a part of me felt it was a missed opportunity to explore the native cuisine.

"Do you know what rowin means?"

"What?"

"Rowin? Are you rowing me?"

"Am I supposed to?"

" I watched the Banshees of Inisherin in preparation for our trip. They say that."

"Random, it's related to the Irish civil war. What did you think that movie would offer in preparation for our trip?"

"Views of the land, food, language, etc. Plus I wanted to see it. I didn't think it'd be a Frommer's travel guide or anything."

"Are you rowing with me?"

"I don't think so. I'm not sure I understand it still to be rowing with you? I think we are changing the usage. You're saying it like 'Are you fucking with me?' That's not it."

"Things have evolved from the civil war times. That's how I'm using it from now on"

"I'm sure the script writers will love that. Ireland too", I say laughing.

Vishal is already ordering food. During a pause he mouths to me, "I'm rowing with you". I sign back in a exaggerated gestures, "I'm rowing with you". He gets through the call.

"Prove it", he says.

"This word is evolving so fast."

"Look what you started"

We fit in a quickie before our food arrives. By the time we are done I'm hungry and thankful for the knock at the door, even though I have to run to the bathroom and grab my robe.

The food didn't make me regret staying in. It's flavorful and delicious, as any place we chose probably would be. However, the convenience of eating in our room would be a experience I would miss once home. I was getting comfortably use to it.

After our brunch I put on my most comfortable, non-frumpy, track suite. At least I hoped it wasn't frumpy, but I needed comfort today. We decide on visiting St. Patricks Cathedral, finishing some shopping for gifts and souvenirs, then finish with cliff walk.

"What's going on with your stamp?"

"We are going to meet one of Nafara's employees at the airport. We will finalize everything there. Basically show proof of payment and make sure no signatures were missed. Then I can carry the stamp home with us."

"Make sure you steer your baby calf to pasture safely."

"I reckon that's Correct miss", he says while tipping his imaginary hat. More in a way attune to 1986 Crocodile Dundee than 1966 Joe played by Clint Eastwood. Maybe more realistically a City Slicker though.

"My assistant has already prepared a place for it in my collection. I will have it prepared before I place it."

"How do you prepare it?", I ask.

"Acid free paper, humidity controlled cabinet, the usual. Except mine is special bc it has special glass thats tinted and protects from UV light. It also has a special light that will illuminate with out damaging the stamps. Plus the cabinet can be revealed or hidden. The usual."

"Of course you do. Just so you know, that's not usual. Maybe the acid free paper, but my friend kept hers in a closet."

"Well, I think they need more love than that. I pay a lot, I don't need them getting destroyed by time faster."

"True"

I think about my friends collection. I don't think any had a value outside of being sentimental. I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around how much a single stamp can cost. What we will pay to feel connected to the past.

As we talked we walk. We made our way to St.Patrick's Cathedral. I had read the original building had probably been a wooden structure. Probably nothing compared to the structure I'm about to view. All the intricate awe inspiring details.

As we approach I study the size of the church. It is large. The outside is a greyish cement color, jigsaw puzzle of stone. Nothing from the outside could have prepared me for what I was walking into. A beautifully crafted interior more elaborate than any place I had ever worshipped in.

The saintly spiritual quality of this place probably could be credited for many a cenobite or convert. We find a spot in the center isle and marvel at the architecture.

"I wish we were in here alone", Vishal said.

"Why? No unpure thoughts in Gods house."

"Even the lord would understand I'm sure. Why wouldn't he want his people to feel good. Give entertainment to those buried here. The author of Gullivers Travels is buried here. Did you know that?"

"He is, respect. I'm not sure you can call yourself one of "his" or God's people. You haven't been in a church since I met you."

"I go every once in a while", he says in a consequential tone.

I try not to look surprised, but I know my face is failing.

"Who is the mystery now. I could go with you sometime, when we are home. I think he would want us to find other ways to feel good."

"Like you said, no unpure thoughts, maybe it is best we go separately.(He laughs) Keep our relationship with the one upstairs. Not test that relationship. Reserve kisses for weddings,  Christmas, and other appropriate times."

"The rules of etiquette by Vishal. This place does make me think I should make more of a religious presence in my life."

"Me too. I like the feeling of hope. Hope at the possibility of being better than we all are, the world being better."

"It seems wrong to go shopping after. We should have gone before.", I say regrettably.

"I agree, but we will worry about that next Sunday?", he whispers to me.

We share an ironic glance and stay a little longer just appreciating the architecture.

I've gotten use to the streets here. We get to the corner of where we are walking and I know where to go to catch the dart. We can take the dart closer to Temple St. for shopping. There are cheaper locations, but convenience wins out. Plus I've already purchased some smaller gifts at other shops: Candies, a notebook with a painting of a beautiful Irish landscape on the cover, some postcards, a key chain with a real 4 leaf clover from a hillside in it, and a few others from the castle. Most are kinda throw away gifts probably. I've never been good at gift buying. Probably because when I was younger I never had enough money to really get the great gifts people wanted. Unless I did a joint gift. Saving for them was nearly impossible. I would like them, but most people will think it's the thought that counted. As I think about what I still need and who I'm still purchasing for the Dart arrives.

I look out the window, but my mind is anywhere but where I'm looking. There is so much to reflect on from the trip and so many possibilities for how things will be once we are back stateside. I still can't believe we are here. I feel closer to Vishal than before the trip. My relationship feels so official now. For some reason I can't stop thinking of all the beautiful cathedrals I've been to and read about and can't stop picturing us doing the nasty in them. The thought is shocking even to myself and I feel horrible after even thinking it. Can just thinking it send me to hell I wonder. I also wonder if others are weirdos who think of these things. It's Vishals fault. Men are such perverts, you hang out with one long enough it's bound to rub off on you. Yeah, that must be it. It is Vishal's fault. This probably isn't entirely true, but it makes her feel better. Out of the corner of my eye I see Vishal take an advil. I saw him take them twice already.

"I know taking 1 or 2 advil for your heart is recommended, but I'm pretty sure by the handful it's not. Your stomach. That's why it's upset at night."

"I've taken 'em a couple times today. Don't worry."

"You took them a couple times, but you took what 4 the first 2 times."

"No, why are you pressing me about this."

"Why are you lying? And why are you taking so many?"

"Isn't that between me and my Doctor?", he says slightly confrontationally.

"Yes, you talked to your doctor?"

There is a long silence. He seems unable to decide on what to say.

Then he settles on, "I don't want to lie to you, but I don't really want to discuss this."

"So don't lie."

"I talked to my doctor. I know the risks. He says it's giving me an ulcer, but my stress is too and the headaches. He is going to give me something else when I get back. He wants to come up with a plan. I'm fine. Okay?"

"Okay."
I knew he took advil, but never thought it was like this. Being so closely cohabitating on the trip, I did see the regularity in his consumption, but didn't want to see the problem. I'd have to let it go for now, but I'd need to check on this. I want to help him get away from this. Maybe even find a wholistic approach.

"Stop thinking about it. Really I'm fine. This is why I didn't want to tell you. Please don't worry about it. It's one thing I need to get under control, but it's not really a problem yet."

"okay, I'm not thinking about it. Really. I'm thinking about us in St. Patricks Cathedral", I say while lifting my eyebrows twice in a hubba hubba way.

"Sorry lord, she knows not what she says or does", He makes a cross and pretends to throw holy water on me. "I'd say you have a problem and should talk to a psychologist, but don't. Don't put that in anyone elses mind definitely not a male psychologist".

"You put it in my head. Don't make me the culprit. Can we stop talking about it. I meant to keep that one to myself. BUT it's your fault, can we agree."

"Fine. I wish I could unhear. You look like an angel, but you're a mind devil."

"Oh a female with a brain is a mind devil, is that what you're saying sir", I pretend to be a reporter with a microphone recording device. "Speak into this."

"Abort it's a feminist", he voices to himself outloud. "Miss that is not at all what I'm saying and I think you know that, Oh look it's our stop. We are here. Would love to finish this, but we need to go."

"Saved", I chuckle.

"I wish, but some things can't be unheard. I'll be saying hell Mary's for weeks."

"Oh come on, get off the bus."

"Yes Ma' am!"

"What are you shopping for?"

"I'll know when I see it."

"You're the worst."

"Sorry, just how I do it."

Stumbling through the shops, pointing out novelties and playing with items, we both walk away with a couple bags full of items. Things we really don't have room for. We purchase another suitcase for our extras. It's a cheap hard shell suitcase we get for a great deal. It's on clearance, making the lime green hard shell bearable. Plus the color will make it easy to spot. I doubt a ton of people will have this color suitcase. I doubt it's a hot commodity.

We shove all our items in the suitcase. We make our way back to Pembroke with a plan of packing and then going on our walk.

I wait until a few hours before sunset to rally Vishal for the Bray to Greystones walk. Some clichés are worth attaining. At the end of sunset and our walk we'll eat dinner at one of the local restaurants. Until now we have been lying around the hotel room. Packing took a whole hour and wasn't the ordeal we had both anticipated. A day completely devoid of any politics, it was a vacation. Leave it to the last day to finally fully feel like vacation.

"You ready for our walk?"

"Ready to work up an appetite for one last dinner."
"I know it's so sad. There's so much food we haven't tried here."

"It's a two hour walk. So dress accordingly."

"Two hours, yikes. I agreed to this? I guess it's to get me back on track for working out huh?"

"It will be nice."

I open a bottle of wine I bought earlier and pour us both a glass. I drink my glass then pour myself another.

"Can I join you with that glass?"
"Please."

He cheers me and takes a sip.

"Feeling more ready as I stand here, but lets not forget our water bottles. Two hours."

The dart is busy, but always there when we need it. Getting where we want to go is really a none issue here.

We dress, leave our room, and catch the dart.

The walking path is mostly a narrow trail of unpaved dirt and rocks that curves and bends along the cliffs edge. It provides endless views that should take the viewers breath away. Supposedly there is a lot of wild life out here. I don't want to encounter any myself. Listening to bird calls and songs is as wild as I'd like to get on this excursion.

We start in Bray. It starts with an open rocky beach and then transforms to a single file trail. I feel the rocks shifting under the soles of my shoes as I trek on. The views don't disappoint. We stop periodically to fully take in the views. There is lush greenery on both sides of the trail broken up by rock patches and wild flowers. Vishal has stopped at a patch of rocks on the side farthest from the view. I thought he was taking a break, but his back is to me. Maybe he's peeing, but he's crouched down. I go over to see what he's doing. He's carving our initials into the side of the large boulder.

"Stop, don't graffiti the rock."

"It's small"

"Don't. I can't take you anywhere."

"I just want to add a tattoo to the rock for us to be able to find next time. We will know this is the spot with the best view."

"We'll know because look, who could forget this. Is that a swiss army knife? With my name on it? Why is my name on it?"

He has an expression of embarrassment when he says, "Something Cormac said. It's a reminder of an inside joke and of what I have with you."

"Not sure I get it. How is what you have with me like a knife."

"Not a knife. More like you have everything I need. Something for every occasion."

"That's kinda sweet I guess. So you and Cormac were talking about me huh?"

"Yes briefly. He was helping me see what I have. Or reaffirming."

"I see. Can you reaffirm to me by getting over here and giving me the most cliché romantic kiss you can muster up."

He pretends to be preparing heavily: boxing like rocky, shaking out his hands and body, then reciting "doe rey mi fa so la ti doe". Then he comes in for a kiss.

"Give me the knife. I guess this spot can be a place to remember, but I don't promote what I'm about to do."

"That good huh", he pretends to polish his nails on his shirt."

"Sure something like that. Actually on second thought, lets not deface the rock. How about I do this instead."

I rumage around in my hiking backpack. I find my swiss army knife. I find the roll of masking tape I have for some reason and a marker. I write Vishal on the tape. I tear it off the roll of tape and place it on my swiss army knife.

"You have everything I need too", I whisper to him. Our deranged friendship token will forever be in my pocket."

"You had me at hello", he replies.

I can't help but laugh.

"No one does cliché better. Can I get another kiss now please. Really get it imprinted in there", I say while pointing to my brain.

Sunset is in full fiery form as the backdrop for our kisses, as if painted with our emotions in a visible abstract for all to see. This is a moment that seems too serene to really be existing in the real world. Like we stepped out of our world for a moment and into a wonderland of sorts. The rest of the walk is paced slowly as we savor the time. The walk is also slightly treacherous. The ground is uneven in places due to the rocks, so some care must be taken to keep balance to avoid tripping. Probably not the most exciting way to end a trip, but it is feeling pretty perfect. The landscape is so naturally beautiful our pictures look almost professional. The last photo I take is a selfie of us at the end of the trail; triumphantly smiling with the trail behind us. We made it through to the other side three hours after starting it. He didn't even notice the time. Dinner consumes an equal amount of time, but neither of us notice. We arrive back to are room late and tired. We only have enough energy to embrace sleep in bed next to one another. Vishal remembers to set his alarm before fully passing out. His excitement in receiving his stamps tomorrow still must be in the forefront of his mind.

Homeward Bound

"Eeh eeh eeh eeh", the alarm blares. A sound my body begrudgingly acknowledges. It's interrupting a dream. A dream where I'm being taught by two women about taxes and something called a decency clause. Once awake I realize this isn't a real thing in taxes. However, as I drink my margarita and swap info about taxes I don't seem to know the difference in my dream. It feels fun even. The alarm pulls me back to my faculties and away from a strawberry peach margarita, the cute high table I was sitting at, the too dressy clothes I was wearing, and my two companions. Another half hour, and my lunch would have been done. I wanted to see where it was going. I usually dread tax talks, but this was going well. Plus, this decency clause seemed to be just what I was looking for. With the alarm and the regaining of my senses I realize a decency clause would not be something related to taxes. Just by name it's not very plausible. I think about telling Vishal to hit snooze, but he is already up and showering. I decide to get up and catch the end of his shower with him. I turn the alarm off on his phone and go to the bathroom.

I have breakfast bladder. Once awake I need to pee then I need coffee. I pee before getting in the shower. He draws hearts on the glass window divider as I pee.

"Turn away, I need to wipe." I always make him turn away when I wipe. It seems more polite or something.  Leaves some mystery to us. It can be tricky in such close quarters and proximity.

"I'm turned"

"Thank you"

I flush, wash my hands, and step into the shower. I know we don't have time to dilley dally, but I want some affection and attention. I'm prepared to get some. I can feel a child like excitement and eagerness emanating off of him. He's trying to hide how wound up he is about getting his stamp, but I can see it. Feel it even.  I rub my hands through his hair while he rinses under the shower head. He closes his eyes as an acceptance of this calming moment before the chaos of the day ensues.


The next alarm rang in the chaos. This alarm notified us that it is the latest time we could leave our hotel and still make the airport on time. After this alarm everything became a cacophony of buzzes, dings, honks, plus Vishal and I checking back on items and information. We leave our room suitcases in toe and juggling tickets and coffee.

"Do you have your cell phone?"

"I think so?"

"Check, make sure you have your I.D too."

As I look in my purse the coffee cup I'm holding slips from my fingers. It falls to the ground and slightly bounces before the lid dislodges and empties it's contents on the hallway floor. Leaving a muddied puddle on the ground.

"Great"

"You can have mine, I'll get another once we're at the airport."

I dont bother with arguing in the sake of politeness and looking unselfish. I need a coffee, especially before dealing with an airport. I'm happy to drink his.

"I have both items", I'm reassured but a little annoyed I lost a coffee for no reason other than peace of mind. On second thought maybe that should be worth it. Peace of mind isn't always easy to come by in todays world climate. Plus we didn't even pay for the coffee, it was complimentary.

"Forget the coffee."

"I have. But I should probably tell the front desk or somebody."

"Okay"

I walk over to an employee.

"Excuse me, somebody spilled a coffee in the hall near the Regency Room on the top floor.
Vishal looks at me with an amused look, "Somebody?".

"Well I am some-body, they don't need to know I'm the somebody. If they have cameras they can figure it out."

"Well at least some-body told them so it gets cleaned up."

"I know right, people."

He grabs my hand, brings it to his lips and kisses it before swiftly leading me to the bus shuttle for the airport.

"Where are we meeting Nafara's employee?"

"Supposed to be inside at a café. I'm to call when we reach the airport. Then the process should take about 15min. After that we fly home! With something exceptional to look at and study."

Real life is coming back to me. No more vacation bubble. We are flying home today, except home is seperate for us. I want to be home, but it will be strange to be alone. I started getting use to being around Vishal all the time. Once he get's his stamp I'll probably be the third wheel. However, even I'm starting to be curious what a stamp worth this much looks like and feels like to own. An item that all others around have no idea of it's worth. It would be our hidden gem in plain sight.

"We have to take sleeping shifts on the plane. One of us needs to be awake at all times. To watch the stamp. It's our baby for the duration of the flight."

"I think this is moving a little fast.", I joke.

"Okay, my baby. You are the babysitter."

"Nope, it's our baby. I'm invested. That's the right analogy. Although, babysitters get paid. Mother's, it's just their job and paid with the feeling of accomplishment, if lucky."

"You could be the neighbor kid, babysitting as a favor."

"Okay, but you get what you pay for."

"I've heard it's the same with wives and husbands. I'm regretting this  analogy now."

"Our baby will be safe with me."

"I know. Do you want first or second shift?"

"Second", I reply. "I don't see you sleeping once we get it though."

"Maybe, but I'll have forever to admire it later. I didn't sleep that much last night. Kinda tired."

The shuttle is a short drive from our stop near the townhouse to the airport. I mentally bid farewell to all the places we've been that I recognize out the window as we pass. What a trip. We are so far from our casual beginnings and somehow found a point of a real start. A connection finalized through an official contract. We were returning home changed. Vishal is one of those people, for me, with a familiarity that always exists. A familiarity that feels like home, as if I've known him my whole life.