“I suspect a place to hang for a few days. Free New York accommodation. Maybe he’s feeling a bit weirded out. He has just turned thirty-seven. That’s the age Dad was when we lost him. Maybe a combination of the two.” He shrugged. “It’s like talking with a stranger. I doubt he’ll stay long.”
“Maybe he’s here to make amends.” Luc suggested hopefully.
“Twenty years later?”
“Maybe?”
-X
Twenty four hours later, Connor was none the wiser.
Luc had hung around for most of the day, but been called back by his Nana for dinner. Connor had been invited, but he explained about his long lost brother’s unexpected visit and that he should stay.
Liam had enjoyed breakfast cooked by Connor. Lunch with the contractors, who he had bonded with (sort of) the day before. A nap in the afternoon, and had disappeared early evening, before re-appearing and getting half-cut on free booze.
Both Aydin and Dave had been coolly polite, but not sought out Liam’s company. Which was odd, and Connor was starting to wonder about it.
Liam had tried flirting with Erin, once he got over the shock of a straight person working in a gay bar. When she, not so subtly, advised him that her husband was nearly as big as Gently (who Liam had avoided, almost to the point of rudeness) and prone to excess possessiveness, Connor had decided to give them all a break and leaving his more than able staff to run the bar, had taken Liam upstairs for beer, movie, and chat.
Liam had talked of their childhood in New York. More than a touch of rose tinted glasses, and had seemed a little put out when Connor reminded him that at five years younger, his early memories were not as clear.
Connor lay for a short while, thoughts circling gently.
He didn’t know why Liam was here, but he thought his suggestion to Luc was close. He wasn’t sure about the making amends part.
Luc’s point of view was from a close knit family who looked out for each other. But Connor and his brother had never been close, and as an adult he didn’t blame a seventeen year old kid for not making a stand.
His bed was lonely without Luc. Connor got back out of bed and grabbed Luc’s sleepy bear that was still living here.
Luc had named him ‘Nozzle’. Connor had no idea why.
He sighed, snuggling Nozzle and let his mind wander again.
Liam’s rose tinted memories of his childhood had made him a little uncomfortable. He felt his experiences were quite different. But it hadn’t all been bad. Certainly before their dad had passed.
A memory appeared from nowhere, long forgotten, and he found himself smiling.
Connor’s dad used to happily trapse around with them, football for Liam and hockey for Connor.
Connor remembered his excitement on scoring a goal and his dad hugging him over the barrier. Saying he was nippy and gritty.
That became the go-to phrase. Nippy and gritty. He had totally forgotten. It was a good memory, but not that long before they lost him.
Of course, at eleven, Connor’s frame was closer to Luc’s now than his adult self. Skinny, wiry and determined.
He would dart around, being a general pain and stealing the puck. He had confidence on the ice that was lacking in other areas.
He heard his dad’s voice, like an echo. “Nippy and gritty, Con gets right in there, he’s not scared.” Felt the almost ghostly memory of his dad scuffing his damp hair. “Good goal, son.”
He grinned, the memory bittersweet, but he was pleased to have it back.
He wouldn’t forget it again.
He rolled, tucking his nose against the bear. He hadn’t skated in years. His aunt had encouraged him when he returned to New York, but he had been too deep in grief and trauma.
Maybe he should take Luc to Rockefeller Center at Christmas, see if he still had some moves, impress his boyfriend.
Connor snorted sleepily. Yea, right. Maybe he should sneak in some practice before he tried to impress anyone!
Still smiling, he slipped into sleep.
-X
Liam came down at 8am the next morning. Apparently surprised to see Connor up and at it.
“Do you never sleep?”
“No time for lazing when you run a pub,” Connor told him. “What are you up to today?”
“Have to go out this morning, but I’ll be back by lunchtime, or close. I was hoping we could talk some more?”
“I’m sure I can squeeze you in.” Connor nodded at the warming oven. “There’s some breakfast in there.”
Liam’s face lit up. “Ohhh, thanks.” He opened the oven to see two breakfast sandwiches. “Two?”
“One’s for Aydin.”
Liam tensed. “When’s he coming?”
“Anytime,” Connor frowned.
“Okay if I take it to go?”
“Sure. You got a problem with Aydin?”
“No. No, not really.” Liam grabbed a napkin and wrapped his sandwich. Taking a healthy bite and chewing. “He’s a bit full on, bit of attitude.”
“Really?”
Liam shrugged. “He’s your employee. If you’re happy with him.”
“He’s my business partner, not my employee.”
“But he calls you, boss?”
Connor sniggered. “Old habit.” He paused his preparation and looked at Liam seriously. “He’s a good guy. My best friend.”
“Oh, I LIKE him,” Liam backtracked, before taking another bite. “I guess I struggle with his accent a bit,” he said, ironically with his mouth full.
“Liam O’Nally. Are you saying you don’t understand the mother-tongue?” Connor grinned when Liam nearly choked at his perfect impression of their granny, who had hailed from Dublin.
“Jesus,” Liam thumped his chest. “That takes me back.”
The door opened at that point and Aydin breezed in. Giving Liam such a cheerful good morning that it had to be fake.
Liam made his excuses, and it seemed like five minutes they were opening the doors to the lunchtime crowd. Well, it felt like a crowd when the contractors all piled in at once.
Dave arrived around 3pm and Luc was due soon after. They were in early to allow Connor and Aydin to have a meeting.
Liam hadn’t arrived back yet. He came in right before Luc.
“I need to speak with you, Con.”
“Liam, I’m sorry. You’re a little later than I expected, we’re about to go upstairs for a meeting. Is it important, can we catch up later?”
“I think you’ll be interested in what I’ve found out.”
Connor frowned at him puzzled, but then Luc came in, all smiles and sunshine.
“Hey, good night?”
“Amazing,” Luc squealed and ran over for a kiss. “I can’t wait to tell you. Hey, Aydin.”
“Afternoon. This sound interesting.”
Luc nodded, moving aside and slipping his bag on to a chair. He belatedly (maybe on purpose) saw Liam. “Hi, Liam,” he said, his voice cool and not making eye contact.
Connor’s suspicions began to rise. Dave had hidden himself in the bar early, Aydin was being fake nice, and Luc was being carefully neutral. What was going on?
“Actually, Luc. I’m glad you’re here. You should see this too.”
Liam smirked smugly as he pulled photographs out of a paper wallet. Actual old fashioned prints. Luc couldn’t guess how far he had gone to get them made, but he had gone to a lot of trouble.
Aydin stood with an air of, ‘this eejit’s annoying me now’.
He could hear Dave chatting as he served in the bar, but the sound faded to a whooshing in his head as the images were laid out in a sequence across the table.
Even sideways, he could recognize then instantly. His eyes darting between the images and Connor, who’s eyes narrowed as Liam set out image after image in front of him.