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Post by celticbear on Jul 19, 2012 21:01:15 GMT -5
This update was great! Love the carnation idea! Also love the reaction the girls got from the Starbucks manager! Wonder what happened to put MY LOVABLE KEITH IN SUCH A BAD MOOD!
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Post by celticsweetheart on Jul 19, 2012 23:09:04 GMT -5
You'll find out in the next post why Keith was in such a bad mood. LOL.. Plus check out the role George is playing as chaperon in the next post, its a good character for him. will give him practice for when his daughter starts dating. The relationship between Neil and Meg will progress. Soon summer will come and Meg, Tony, Kieran and Amanda will be heading to Belfast for a few weeks. They will have amazing adventures and meet interesting people from other colleges and universities in the United States. They come in contact with Treena who is love struck for Keith. Meg will return to Ireland after graduation to take part in a 6 wk program at a pottery studio in Co. Cork. The work she creates during those six weeks gets the attention of a well known potter in Kilkenny. Will Meg find work in Ireland and if she does will her romance will Neil blossom?? What do her parents think about this crazy relationship?? Do they approve or disapprove??? Stay turned for the continuing saga of Meagan O'Leary and Neil Byrne.
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Post by celticbear on Jul 19, 2012 23:51:23 GMT -5
Cute way of setting the stage for what is to come! Looking forward to the next update!
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Post by celticsweetheart on Jul 20, 2012 0:00:21 GMT -5
I made it back to my seat before the chimes signaling the end of intermission went off. My friends asked where I'd gone off to. I said that after I used the bathroom I went to check out the merchandise. I said I'd gotten a text from Neil while I was in the lobby. I showed it to them, passing the phone so they could read the texts. Amanda was shocked she'd never seen a guy text anything quite like that before. I didn't speak because I knew what text she was reading without saying a word. Just then the woman in front of me turned around and asked if I were OK. I quickly replied that was I great. She said that I looked a little flushed. I told her I was thinking about someone special and with a shake of her head she understood.
The band came out and the crowd went wild. Then one by one each of the lads came out to start the second half with a group number. The song they were singing was Heartland. I checked the program after they finished. I really was a lovely song. I loved all the songs that give the band a chance to show off.
Before I knew it the final song was starting. I love Ireland's Call and I can't wait to visit Ireland this summer. Most of all I love the little kilt twirls all the lads do. Paul does his so perfectly that we can see what he's wearing underneath. I wonder if any of my friends saw what I saw. Neil is wearing a kilt but he doesn't do a twirl maybe one day he will.
The lights come up and the theater starts to empty. We stay seated waiting for the people in front of us to start moving toward the back so we won't be rushed or even pushed. Finally we can get up most of those in first 5 rows have left and are now exiting. I ask if everyone still wants to stop at the merchandise area before heading out to wait for the lads.
There is a line of people waiting to make a purchase but I don't worry because I'm not one of them. I made my purchase during intermission so I just stand back and watch as people step up and make their purchases. My phone goes off, I think its a call but its another text message from Neil. He says, "I saw the way your eyes were watching me 2 night. I could definitely feel your love tonight. I can't wait to see you after the show. " It was signed Neil xxxooo. I blush at the text but I don't send a reply, how am I to respond when what he said was the truth. I was watching him all night. Shelia walks up to me and asks if I'm alright. Which I quickly reply that I am just fine. Then she says another text and I just shake my head because I know she understands.
Finally, we are outside and the night air feels so good. I'm not sure if it was all those people or my emotions but I was starting to get a little too warm. Me and Amanda go back to my car to retrieve the gift bags while the others head to the stage door to wait for the lads. In each back there is one thing from each of us. So there are six things in each bag which includes bags for the CT ladies as well as Neil and Declan. I decide to stash my purse in the trunk because I'm running out of room in my hands. Not only am I carrying half the gift bags but also my camera as well.
The crowd is huge well maybe not as big as the one in Atlanta but its still pretty big. We waited just as we did in November. The first one out was Keith and every single lady swarmed him like a fly to honey. Finally, he was close enough to us so we could get his autograph and picture with him.
Next out of the gate was George and when he got to us we had a short chat and we got out picture with him as well as autograph. Paul and Damian came out together which was good but the girls just loved Damian. Poor lad is mobbed by young girls but so was Paul. Once they come to where we are standing we can get their autographs and a picture as well. Last out of the gate is Ryan, he's just so adorable with those beautiful blue eyes. He was Mr. Photogenic. With his autograph and picture in the bag it was time to wait for Mr. Byrne to make his appearance.
My phone goes off, another text, this one says once the crowd is gone I'll come get you and your friends. Everyone has gone to their cars and out comes Neil. I'm carrying the program I bought and my camera along with the bag for Neil. I already gave the other bags out. The guys are still carrying the bags for the CT Ladies. When he get close enough I wrap my arms around him. It hasn't been that long since we last saw one another but for some reason I can't help myself. I bury my nose at the nap of his neck and in hale his sweet scent.
Suddenly I feel small kisses being placed at various locations on my neck then I feel a kiss on my earlobe, then my right cheek and finally I feel a kiss on my lips. My eyes are closed so I can't see what's happening but I know those lips I felt them only hours before in the parking lot of the Chrysler Museum of Art. The kiss is sensual and very warm. I open my eyes just enough to see those beautiful eyes. How is it possible that only after two meeting I'm this much in love.
I hear a deep voice saying, "OK break it up you two." Our lips separate and I realize it the voice belongs to George. I swear I feel like I'm on a class trip again and George is that annoying chaperon that just won't go away. I extend my right hand which is holding the gift bag I created just for him. He looks inside to find a gift card for Starbucks, an iTunes card, an Amazon.com gift card, a guitar strap with Neil burned into the leather, and a baseball cap with Virgina is 4 Lovers on it along with a brand new unopened tube of my favorite lip balm.
All of us get ushered onto one of the buses to celebrate the end of another concert. The guys give each of the ladies in the band the gift bags they created. They both get hugs from the ladies for the thoughtful gifts. I didn't have anything to drink except bottle of Coca Cola since I was going to be the one driving home. Kieran also didn't have anything hard to drink because he too was driving home to Newport News as well.
It was getting late and if we wanted to get home in time to get some sleep before class we had to leave soon. Everyone said their good byes and exited the bus. It's a good thing Keith had decided to turn in early after meeting the fans because I think I would have had to pull Amanda off him. She thought I was bad she was completely crazy for Keith. Her room was plastered with his photos. I just started heading toward the car when a hand place on my right shoulder caused me to stop in my tracks. I turned and Neil handed me a box. When I opened the box inside was a silver necklace with a silver heart charm attached. On further inspection of the heart I noticed that it was a locket and when I opened it I found a picture of Neil. I took it out of the box so Neil could help me put the necklace on. It was so beautiful. I didn't say a word I just gave him the most amazing kiss because there were no words to describe how I felt at that moment. He didn't say good bye to me that night instead he chose to say, "until will meet again, remember me always as I will remember you." I swore I was dreaming again but I'm pretty sure the necklace was real. What he said will stay with me forever. I give him a hug for the road and promise to text him when I get home.
I make it back to the car. Everyone asks what took me so long then its as if the necklace speaks for me. The girls are a wee bit jealous that I got a gift tonight. It's just a little after 1am when we finally head home. I for one will never ever forget this night for the rest of my life. I'm definitely gonna start a scrapbook so I won't ever forget even when I'm old and senile.
There is absolutely no traffic which is great cause it takes like 44 minutes for us to get home. It's a good thing that everyone lives in the same building because once we park we head right into door and then to our own apartments. I for one am exhausted. It is almost 2 am and I have my first class at 10:30 am which gives me enough time to get at least 8 hrs rest before having to go to class. I make sure to text Neil once I'm in my room. I won't put away the stuff in my suitcase until tomorrow I'm too tired but I do make sure to change out of my clothes into my nightgown. I keep sending him messages while I'm in bed. I can't believe how much I miss him is it always going to be this way or will there be a time when I'll be with him forever. After the last reply is sent I close my eyes and drift off into dreamland.
- I too am exhausted. This is one long update. Hope you enjoy as much as I did writing it. Next update will encompass going to Dublin. I can't wait to see where this story will go.
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Post by celticbear on Jul 20, 2012 20:43:43 GMT -5
George needs to leave Meg and Neil alone! Love how Neil kept sending those texts! Love the Necklace! Now on to Belfast and me catching MY KEITH, ONCE AND FOR ALL!
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Post by celticsweetheart on Jul 21, 2012 0:02:26 GMT -5
- Look out Dublin here comes Meg and her friends. The summer will definitely be interesting with this group of college students.
The girl that sits next to me in my 10:30 art history class was admiring my necklace. I open up the heart to show of Neil's picture. She ask who the handsome guy in the picture was. I tell her that is my boyfriend. I don't think he will mind if I refer to him in that manner. I wouldn't mind if he called me his girlfriend. She says its very beautiful which I reply that it is just that, beautiful.
A couple times during the day I show off Neil to classmates who admire the necklace. They say the details on the heart are exquisite which they are. Then when I open the locket everyone is stunned by the picture inside. Some think it looks like a picture that might have come with it but I quickly say its my boyfriend. I am very proud of my necklace and locket w/picture.
The next day I'm the talk of the art department. Jan who is the TA that helped me with a couple projects for Christmas stops me in the hall. She said she heard about this beautiful silver necklace with heart shaped locket. I show her the locket revealing Neil's picture inside. I'd told her about meeting Neil when we first met last December. She agreed that the craftsmanship was superb and that I was a lucky girl to find someone so sweet that he would purchase a piece as lovely as I was.
The groups regular dinner parties started back up at the beginning of April. There weren't many more regular class meetings before finals start. Once finals were over I decided to go home to Knoxville to see if I could get a loan from my dad so I would have enough money when we went to Ireland this summer.
Finals were over on May 1st. I told my friends that I needed to go home for about a week. I said I hadn't been home since I left to start school in Newport News when I moved into my apartment at the end of July 2007. Two years and I felt it was time for me to visit my family. I'd not been home in two Christmases and two Thanksgivings. I had always sent emails as well as an occasional snail mail letter which I knew my mom relished receiving.
My classes were going well and I had no worries about finals which was great. I had a business class but I wasn't really worried about it since it wasn't an accounting class. My friends were having a fairly decent semester as well. We decided to have a going away dinner for me. I would be gone for a week since I owed it to my parents who'd put up with me missing out on family holidays for 2 years.
I had my bags packed and ready to leave on May 2nd. I didn't want to go back to Knoxville but I only had a thousand dollars saved and I needed another 1500 at least. I didn't want to be stuck in a foreign country without enough money. I would be making the trip alone but Amanda told me to call her as soon as I got there. She said if I had trouble getting their help she would talk to them for me.
I leave Newport News at 7am, traffic isn't bad actually its almost non-existent. I make a stop for breakfast and lunch and dinner. I make it to my parents home in 9 hours which is great. I pull up in the driveway and get out of the car. Before I can get to the door my mom comes out to greet me. Its like I've been gone for longer than 2 years. She give me a big hug and ushers me inside. She asks if I've eaten which I had so she offers me dessert. She made my favorite dessert which is so cool but I've been working so hard not to put on anymore weight. It's a good thing they have an in ground pool cause if I eat of piece of chocolate cherry cake I'll pack on ten pounds.
Dad is asleep and I don't want to wake him so I tell mom I'll get my bag and head to bed. I'm really tired and I just want some sleep. I call Amanda as I go out to fetch my bag and laptop. I tell her I got here safe and I'm gonna head to bed. I go back in and head to my room. Mom left it just as it was when I moved out in 2007. I put down my bag on my bed and retrieve my night gown. I sent Neil a text, telling him I was at my parents for the week and that I missed him dearly. Just as I was starting to go to sleep my phone went off. A message from Neil. He said that I should get some rest and that I should think of him while I'm sleeping. I respond that I always think of him while I'm sleeping. He is the only guy I want to be with. The thought of being away from him brings tears to my eyes. A minute later another message this one a little more profound than the last. My love it is I who dream about you every night and every day. One day we will be together and it will be the happiest day of our lives. Just remember that I love you and nothing will ever change that. It's signed Neil xxxooo. I guess I can go to sleep now my lids are starting to close on me.
- enough for tonight. i promised it wont be long until we get to Dublin for 3 weeks.
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Post by celticbear on Jul 21, 2012 20:40:49 GMT -5
Nice update! Hope Meg gets that loan from her Dad! Love the Goodnight Text from Neil! Would love to get one like that from KEITH!
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Post by celticsweetheart on Jul 21, 2012 22:34:53 GMT -5
You thought good nights were great you gotta read good morning texts. I love how he signs his texts, Neil xxxooo. He's a sweet guy I just love him to bits.
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Post by celticsweetheart on Jul 22, 2012 1:40:40 GMT -5
- i promise Ill get to Dublin in either this post or the next.
My alarm goes off at 9 am, I can't believe I still have it set but I guess I just forgot about it. I notice there are three new messages on my phone. First one says, "I hope your OK, when I didn't get a response to my last message I thought something might have happened but then I figured you were probably too tired to respond, hope you have a restful sleep." That came it not long after I fell asleep. The next message, " good morning beautiful, I hope you slept well, just remember that no matter where I am that I will always love you, spending time with you is time well spent, you are the greatest joy in my life." The third message said, "I want you to know you are a very important person in my life and I want to keep it that way as long as possible. You are my love and I dream of spending the rest of my life with you." It was signed Neil, xxxooo. Those are the three most wonderful messages to wake up to.
I get out of bed and put on my robe and slippers. I open the door, the smell of waffles, bacon, sausage and hot coffee hit me like a ton of bricks. Mom is making my favorite breakfast. I miss home but I also miss my friends in Newport News, VA. I slip my phone into the pocket of my robe and go downstairs to the kitchen to get a waffle before my brother, Connor get up. I guess I'm too late cause he's sitting at the table eating a waffle along with bacon and sausage. I scan the table to see if Mom didn't forget the strawberry syrup which is my favorite. It is sitting next to the pancake syrup which is good but I love strawberry syrup.
I take a seat and mom places a waffle in front of me along with a cup of coffee. I pour on the strawberry syrup and some whip cream. I grab a couple sausage links and a few slices of bacon. I take a bit of bacon, there is nothing like homemade bacon. My family would buy a pig every year and when the time came they would have a freezer full of all kinds of pork products. The best thing they would get was bacon, it wasn't too smoky and had a nice apple wood flavor.
As I pour the half & half into my cup, mom starts asking me how my classes were. I tell her I won't know what my grades are until I get back to Newport News. When I moved to Virginia I decided to get all mail associated with school sent to a post office box I had at the local post office. I also got a Virginia driver's license as well. My parents don't know that I changed my driver's license or that I don't have my school mail sent here.
Connor notices my necklace and wants a better look. I tell him I won't take it off but he's welcome to come closer if he wants to see it. He takes a hold of the charm to feel the detail work and he notices that its a locket and I open it. He asks who the guy was in the locket. I tell him that's Neil, my boyfriend. He said, "since when do you have a boyfriend?" My little brother knows how to get under my skin, I can't let it bother me besides I know he's just messing with me. "I hear you have a girlfriend," I say. I heard from the family grapevine that he started dating this girl named Michele that he went to school with. My brother a junior in high school but this is Sunday so he doesn't have to get ready to leave. Mom tells me that I should go get ready for church. It's almost 10:30 and church starts at 11:30 besides I needed to through the clothes I brought with me to see if I have church or not.
I put my dish, silverware and cup into the dishwasher. I head up to my room and before I can open my luggage my phone goes off. This time its a call and not a message. Kieran's picture appears which means that he's calling me. I wonder what he wants I'm pretty sure I told him I was going home. He said, "I just wanted to see how you are doing, I know you didn't know how your parents would react to your going to Dublin this summer. " "I haven't told them just yet I still have to find the clothes for church but I will tell during lunch." I told him that my mom was making all my favorite foods which meant we'd probably have fried chicken for dinner. Lunch would probably be grilled ham and cheese sandwiches which is another favorite of mine. I tell Kieran bye and hang up. I need to find clothes for church.
I open my suitcase to find a nice summer dress, even if it isn't summer just yet its still warm enough to wear. I grab a pair of panties and a bra and head for the bathroom. I swear nothing has changed in here either. My mom must have been hoping I'd move back home at the end of the school year, that she kept everything exactly as it was. I put my robe on the knob on the back of the door. As I'm undressing it goes off this time its a message. Who could it be this time. I'm in the process of getting ready to take a shower. I pull the phone from my robe to see its from Neil. I take a look at the message but will respond once I finished showering.
I finally get in the shower. It feels great but I can't stay in shower too long cause I still need to get dressed. Once I'm out of the bathroom, I read the text again, now that I'm able to devote my full attention to it. "My love not a day goes by that I don't think of you. Every free moment I have you are with me. You are there in my dreams and I swear you were waiting for me when I got out of the shower this morning. I can't wait to see you again, face to face. I know it won't be long until you are in Ireland. Maybe one day you'll come for a visit and never want to leave. I miss you so much and I can't wait for this tour to be over with. Neil xxxooo" Wow what a text, how will I ever respond to that.
I'm dressed and ready to go to church by 15 minutes till 11. I still needed to respond to the text from Neil. Church is about 20 minutes from my parents house which is good. I figure I can come up with a reply in the car. My dad usually drives to church which is great cause I'm not entirely sure how to get there its been a few years since I was last there. Mom and dad are in the front and I'm in the back with my brother who is listening to his iPod. I reread the text again before I reply. I got 20 minutes to come up with a reply.
It shouldn't take that long to type a reply. I start by saying, "thank you for your lovely words they mean so much to me, everywhere I go I see your image. You are in my dreams every night as well and every spare second of my life is devoted to you. You are my love and I'm so glad to have you in my life. I'd like to be a permanent part of your life when the time is right. Meg xxxooo." I hit send just as my dad is pulling into a parking spot.
I quickly turn off my phone before leaving the car. It's been while since I went to church with my family. I wonder if anyone will remember me its been a while. As I'm walking toward the entrance mom is going on about someone at the church. Apparently she was planning to fix me up with someone's nephew but that was before she knew about Neil. She said that he was going to be at the services this morning so I should be on my guard.
Just what I need a weird southern boy chasing after me. I know I've not had good luck with dating but really did my mom need to intervene on my behalf. I was pretty sure I could have found my own date without her help. I have to forgive her since she didn't know until last night but still I hate southern boys from this area of Tennessee. Most act like leeches who will attach themselves to anything that moves. Now I need to figure out how to get this leech off my scent. I just hope they aren't having potluck afterwards because if they are I'm gonna have to give this guy a piece of my mind and it won't be pretty.
As we walk in I see people I know and everyone keeps asking how I am. I still have not see the leech but I know he's here I can smell him. I absolutely hate being set up especially with someone from church. Mom stops to talk Anna Lee Watson for a bit before taking a seat. I decide I'd rather sit than listen to her talk besides it won't be long before services start. As soon as I sit down this guy who I've never seen before sits down in the pew in front of me and then proceeds to turn around as if he's gonna start talking to me. He starts by saying, "aren't you Katherine O'Leary's daughter?" I just shake my head in agreement. He continues by saying, "she told my aunt you were coming home this week and that I should look for you and introduce myself." I don't want this conversation to go any farther. I start by saying that I'm spoken for and that my mom didn't know about my boyfriend before she spoke to your aunt. So save your breathe I'm not interested. My brother give me a high five when the guy moves to another pew. He says, "I'm glad you gave him a swift kick to the curb he's a creep that thinks he some sort of stud."
I look in the bulletin to see what is going on in this little community. I see a lot of normal prayer requests for loved ones in the hospital or ones that are sick at home. I notice that there will be potluck next Sunday after services. I'm very thankful because I'm not sure what might happen if I see the leech again. Mom finally returns after her little conversation with Anna Lee. She mentions seeing Richard move to another pew. Well what ever his name is I'm just glad he's gone.
Once church is over with I take my phone out and turn it back on. No new texts which is great I have a little break. When I get home I'll hook up my laptop to check out my Twitter account. I've been meaning to look into it but I've just been too tired to bother.
- will write more later i'm starting to get tired.
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Post by celticbear on Jul 22, 2012 10:40:04 GMT -5
Good for Meg for kicking that creep to the curb! And you are right, Neil's Good Morning Texts are just as romantic as his Goodnight ones! And you have my blessing for Meg and Neil to play Cupid between Me and Keith! NOW GET THAT LOAN!
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Post by celticsweetheart on Jul 23, 2012 0:01:21 GMT -5
- CIEE Study Abroad Summer 2009 Session II is June 28 - July 21, 2009. By the time Meg returns to Newport News there will still be two more months left before she boards the plane to Dublin.
Now that we are home from church I go to my room and setup my laptop. Once it warms up I'll be able to check my Twitter account to see who is following me. It takes less than a minute to connect to the server which is great my parents didn't change servers while I was absent. I open a window so I can log in to my Twitter account. Once its loads I click on the following button. At the top of the list is Neil's name. So now I can send him direct messages or even tweet to him and actually get a response.
I decide to try my new found form of communication with the one I love. I send him a tweet to see if I get a response. It's not late so its not like he's on stage or anything at this moment. I type wud u believe my mom trid 2 fix me up with a leech, i told him 2 get lost. When I'm finished I hit enter and hope he reads it. I send another that says finally checked twitter 2 see you r following me. I set up twitter on my phone so I can get messages there as well. I shut down the computer and change clothes. It's almost time for lunch and I would really like to use the pool while I'm here. I might go for a swim afterwards.
I go downstairs to the kitchen and no one is there. On the table is a note that says gone to Phyllis and Dan's for lunch. There is a bowl of chicken salad in the fridge plus ham and cheese, really anything you need to make a sandwich. We should be back before dinner, Love Mom and Dad. Your brother went to his friend's house. Wow I'm home alone how is that possible. Wonder when they started going to someone else's house after church for lunch. Never in all my life have I ever been home alone on a Sunday afternoon. Wow this was definitely a first.
I decided to fix myself a grilled ham and cheese sandwich which was my favorite. But before I finished making it I went out back to check out the pool. It didn't look dirty and the water felt nice and warm. The pump was working I opened up the umbrella so I could eat outside and then go for a swim. I noticed the shower and changing area were still up which was a good sign that they still used the pool. Back inside I put the sandwich on the hot grill. I love when the cheese oozed that was another good sign. When it was done I poured myself a glass of sweet tea and then went upstairs to put on my swimsuit. I just hoped mom still had sunscreen in the bathroom.
Back downstairs I take my sandwich, drink and cell phone out to the patio to eat. I just love ham and cheese. I even missed sweet tea and it really tasted better than I remembered. My phone rings and I check to see who it is. Mom was calling so I hit accept. She wanted to make sure I got something to eat. I said I made a grilled ham and cheese and I poured a glass of sweet tea. I also said I was gonna use the pool. She said that was good. The pool had been cleaned last week which meant it was OK to swim in. After I hung up I finished eating my sandwich. I decided to take a picture of me in my swimsuit and send it to Neil. I'd purchased a new suit before heading home, my old one was starting to disintegrate from all the chlorine. It was a really sexy one piece.
I took my plate and class back inside the house before I went for a swim. My parents had a full length mirror in their bedroom that I could use to take a picture of myself in my swimsuit. Once I had the perfect picture I sent it to Neil with a short message, hope you like my new swimsuit. I definitely think that little picture would get his attention. He'd never seen me in anything less. i sorta thought it was a little too revealing but I'd been working on my figure for a little while so why shouldn't I show it off once in a while. I made sure to grab my cover-up before heading back outside. I already had the sunscreen on the table. I also grabbed my swim so I wouldn't get my hair wet.
Before getting in the water I grabbed a towel out of bath house my parents had built when the pool was installed. I then proceeded to wet myself down in the shower so that when I got in the water my skin wasn't shocked. I placed my towel in my chair but just as I was about to get in the water my phone went off. This time it wasn't someone calling but a text. It was from Neil, it said, "OMG." Wow that had to be the shortest text I'd ever received. I sent a quick reply, "glad you enjoyed the picture, I'm going to go for a little swim right now but I'll text you when I'm done."
The water was really nice. The sun was out which helped to keep the water nice and warm. I did a few laps before trying my hand at the diving board. I was an amateur diver but I mostly liked doing the belly flop. After a couple dives I decided to try my hand at the breast stroke. I'm not sure how long I was in the pool but I could have sworn I saw someone in the kitchen. A second later mom pops her head out the door and give me a little way. She said she was making dinner. It was probably around 3 pm, I wonder how long they've been home. I decide to get out of the pool.
Once I'm dried off I check my phone to see if I've gotten any messages. One message from mom that said they'd be home shortly. Second message was from Amanda wanting to know how the talk with my parents was. I'd received two texts from Neil. The first was, "sweetheart you look so beautiful there wasn't any words to describe seeing you in your swimsuit." The second was a little more in depth, "my love thank you for sharing yourself with me, you are so beautiful no matter what you are wearing, Neil xxxooo."
I put my cover-up on and proceeded back in the house to take a shower and get dressed. I would tell them during dinner about my plan to go to Dublin this summer. Mom was making fried chicken which was my favorite. She had made cole slaw and was making mashed potatoes. She'd already made chocolate cherry cake which was my favorite dessert. I went straight to my room to take a shower and change for dinner. The hot shower felt so good but I couldn't stay in here forever.
Back in my room I decided to get on the internet and do a little surfing. There really wasn't that much to do between now and dinner. I lounged around in my bathrobe wearing only my black and white polka dot bra and and panties. I would wear the black and white mini polka dot dress for dinner. I find my self on Twitter to see what's happening in the world. Not a lot that interests me but I do notice a couple direct messages. I know who they are from since he's the only one I ever sent that type of message to. I read the messages and he said it would be OK if I had to deck the jerk but luckily it didn't come to that.
Dinner was done I could smell fried chicken in my bedroom with the door closed. I decided to head downstairs to the kitchen. I set the table and got the sweet tea out of fridge. Mom put the chicken on the table and I put the mashed potatoes in a bowl and place them on the table.
Finally, its time to eat but where is my brother?? Mom says, "he's gonna eat at his friend's house so it's just gonna be the three of us for dinner." I say, "that's means more for me, besides there is something I need to talk to you two about." Dad says, "how were your classes last semester?" I tell they were good I did have one tough class, accounting, but with the help of a tutor I passed it with a B. Then he wants to know how this semester went to which I reply, "I think I did pretty good mostly A's or B's."
I tell them about going to see Celtic Thunder in Atlanta, GA last November. "Why didn't you tell us you were going to be in Atlanta would could have come met you and spent the weekend together." I said, " my friends and I had the weekend planed out beforehand. We got to Atlanta, Friday night and Saturday morning we tried to see if we could meet the guys in the group, instead we met two guys in the band." My dad says, "oh." I explain that we spent the day with the two guys at the World of Coca Cola. The concert was at 7:30 and then we are leaving Sunday morning to Newport News. I tell him this past March we saw the same group but this time we spent the day with more of the group at the Chrysler Museum of Art. Then we went to the concert at 7:30 at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, VA.
My dad then asked me the coveted question. "How can you afford to go to two concerts within four months?" I tell him that I was working at an advertising agency during the summer but once classes started I started working at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center working at the information desk. After we got back from Atlanta I started giving gallery talks which pays a little more. I said at first I was doing both but now I just do the gallery talks. I think that impressed him that I was working like I have been.
Mom said, "show him the necklace." I said, "Ok I'll show him." Dad takes a closer look at the necklace I'm wearing. He asks if I can take it off so he have a better look which I promptly reply "no." I move closer so he can get a better look. I then open the locket to reveal Neil's picture. He ask, "whose the guy in the picture?" I tell him that's Neil Byrne my boyfriend. He doesn't say a word for like 2 minutes. Then he says, "since when have you found the time to date."
I tell him the whole story about Neil and well he gives me the look. I explain that I can only see him when he's on tour with Celtic Thunder. I tell him that I love Neil and nothing he can say is going to change that. He looks at my mom who shrugs her shoulders and says, "she's old enough to make her own decisions in life we should support her." "Your mom is right your old enough to make your own decisions and I should support you. I just don't want you to get hurt, I've seen what happened in the past and I don't want that ever again. The guy was not nice and he treated you so bad." I tell him that he doesn't have anything to worry about. I say, "its different this time, in the past I was too naive to see the signs but this time there are no danger signs just lots of beautiful fireworks."
My dad seems to have digested that bit of information better than I hoped. Now lets see how he takes the news of my going to Dublin for a Summer abroad term. I close my eyes and take a deep breath because if I don't I may never get the courage to ask him again. This is one time shot. I need this loan to help me go to Ireland.
Dad asks, "so do you have any plans for this summer?" I think I know where he's going with that question, he wants to know if I might come home again for a visit this summer. I know that isn't going to be a possibility. I take another deep breath and say, "me and three of my friends from school are going to do a summer abroad program in Dublin, Ireland." Ok dead silence, seriously I didn't think I'd stun them into silence. Mom speaks first, "that's nice honey, so when are you going?" I tell her the program is from June 28 through July 21 but we are leaving on June 26 so we get to Dublin early enough to see some of the sites.
"Wow you got this whole thing planned out. Have you purchased the tickets yet?" Which I quickly reply that I haven't but that won't be a problem because I got one of those airline credit cards I'm gonna put the tickets on. I don't tell him that bit of information but I do mention the part about needing money while over in Ireland. "I have already saved up a thousand dollars for the trip but I think to be on the safe side I need another fifteen hundred dollars because I don't want to be caught in a foreign country without enough money to get me through the 3 weeks that I will be Ireland." He tells me that my grandparents live in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland which isn't too far from Dublin. I knew they lived in Ireland I just didn't know exactly where.
Now I need to ask for the loan since he hasn't figure that is why I came home in the first place. I take a big of chicken before asking for the loan. Mmm I just love fried chicken and a bite of mashed potatoes w/gravy. I take a sip of tea before asking that all important question.
I start by saying, "so your probably wondering why I decided to come home now after being gone for two years. I was wondering if you might consider loaning me the other thousand dollars that I need. I will pay it back and I've never asked you for anything like this before. I think you know by now that my word is good and that I will pay you back the money. I've never asked you for anything like this before but this is my chance to prove to you that I can do anything I set my mind to. "
The room is silent with the exception of my chewing. I'm really hungry when I'm nervous. My dad looks at my mom than she looks at him and then they both look at me. I swear I could cut the tension with a knife.
Finally, my dad speaks and I'm not sure I want to hear what he has to say. "It took a lot of guts to come back home and ask us for help. Your mother and I both know you've been working extremely hard at CNU and working at the art center. Eva told us about your plan to do a study abroad in Dublin." Mom says, "please don't be upset with your sister, she just sorta let it slip out during one of our telephone conversations." My dad continues, "I'm so very proud of you and all you've accomplished these past two years. I know its not been easy but you've done it all on your own without our help but now you find yourself in need of help. You've done your research and you know the cost which shows that you have a lot of drive. Me and your mom will need a couple of days to consider your request." I say that's fair enough and really that was all that I could hope for.
The rest of dinner goes by in utter silence which is fine by me cause now I'm really starving. I finish my leg and grab a thigh. I take a few bites of cole slaw washing it all down with the ice cold sweet tea. I don't want each much more because I really want dessert. I know I usually don't order dessert but when its chocolate cherry cake I want to indulge in a slice.
After dessert I decide to head to bed, I'm really exhausted. I think the swim earlier helped me not be so afraid of asking my parents for a loan. Now all I have to do is wait for their decision. If they say no all I can do is go back to Newport News and work my butt off. If they say yes I'll still go back to work because we won't be leaving until June 26. Before going to be I check my phone to see if I got any messages while I was having the talk with my parents. I got three voice messages from Amanda, two from Kieran, and five texts from Neil. Wow, how long I was I away from my phone.
Both Kieran and Amanda want to know how things went with my parents. They both knew the real reason for me going home for a week. I called Amanda to tell her the news although I won't know for certain for a couple of days but once I find out I'll give her a call. Now onto the texts from Neil. I hope the show tonight was amazing as I'm sure it was.
The first two texts were somewhat similar in there content. He just wanted me to know that he really did appreciate me but most of all he wanted to thank me for the lovely gifts. Everything in his gift bag I purchased. He also said knows exactly which guitar he will attach the lovely guitar strap to once he gets home. Message three was was just to let me know that he would be away from his phone for a while, which I understood. Message 4 was telling me about the crowd at the show tonight. The last message was the best it said, "I missed not seeing your face in the crowd tonight. I thought I saw you in the auditorium but I was mistaken. I guess I was hoping to see you tonight but I know I will see you this summer. The next concert you come to you don't have to bring me a gift seeing you and spending time with is all I need. You are my destiny and I will never let you go. Neil xxxooo."
Wow that last message was amazing. After what happened during dinner this was the sweetest thing I'd ever read. I knew it had to be true love. He didn't need anything from me except me. I've spent most of my adult life looking for someone like that. Where do I find him at a concert but he's not part of the crowd he's part of the band. I would never have thought this could ever happen to me.
I send him a reply before I lay down to try and get some sleep. I start by saying that he is a gift I never want to go away. I've searched long and hard for someone like him. I believe that everyone has a destiny in life and mine led me straight into his arms. I say you don't have to worry because I have no intention of letting you go. I then mention that I'm really tired and that I'm gonna go to bed.
I go to bed that night not really worried about the outcome as much as I had prior to coming home again. I think my parents will lend me the money but I'm not 100% certain but what I know is that they agree to let me live my life as I see fit. I always dream of Neil but this time its different. In most of my dreams I see his face in the crowd but when I call his name he doesn't respond but this time we embrace and I don't want to let go. I'm not sure if God has a hand in this match but what I know is that this is the life I want and desire.
Tomorrow is a busy day its a Monday and my little brother still has to go to school even if I did come home for a visit. By the time I make it downstairs to eat breakfast he's already gone to school. My mom tells me that he's been working really hard this year to improve his grades which is great news cause one year he almost failed a class until my dad arranged for a tutor. Now he's on the honor roll at school which is great.
I have a couple eggs and a slice of toast for breakfast along with my cup of coffee. When I'm done I head back upstairs to get ready for the busy day ahead. Mom is taking me out to do some shopping. She says its her treat. "Besides I think you need a new outfit to wear when you're in Belfast and maybe something nice when you visit Neil." Ok how did she know I was planning on visiting him while I was in Belfast. I don't ask how she knew but I guess she put two and two together and came up with that scenario.
We get back from our shopping trip with two new outfits for me and one for mom. I love the dress I got to wear when I visit Neil in Ireland plus the one I got to wear while I'm in Belfast is pretty amazing as well. Since we were gone so long mom suggest that we order pizza and she'll make a salad which is something I like too. I call the local Jet's Pizza to place an order for an XL deep dish with cheese and pepperoni. We get it delivered instead of going to pick it up. Once I hang up mom starts making the salad.
While she's preparing the salad she starts asking me questions about Neil. I'm more than happy to tell her anything she wants to know about the man I love. I tell her how I met him and how it was all a coincident. I tell her that he is my destiny and that he is someone I have the most respect for as a person. I tell her I dream about him every night and though I've not spent a lot of time with him the time we were together was the greatest time of my life. She says, "I can tell by the look on your face that you truly love this guy and I believe with all my heart that he might just be the one for you." Wow I can't believe what my mom just said am I dreaming or is she seeing my side of this romance that is budding before my very eyes.
Dinner is great even if its pizza from Jets. After dinner I head back to my room. I'm so tired I don't even check my phone but I'm pretty sure there are a few messages from Neil. I will look at them tomorrow. Hopefully by tomorrow I will have my answer but for now all I can do is say a little prayer before I go to sleep.
- ok i'm really getting tired. its time for me to go to bed. i will write more tomorrow. this has to be my biggest update so far. i promise I will get to Dublin in tomorrow's update but right now I'm just too tired.
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Post by celticbear on Jul 23, 2012 0:34:21 GMT -5
This has to be your longest update ever! Love all the text messages from Neil! I'm sure Meg's parents ate going to give her the loan! Now on to Belfast,Meg seeing Neil and the start of Operation Treena Catching Keith! Remember Meg and Neil can help Me catch Keith!
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Post by celticsweetheart on Jul 23, 2012 8:04:06 GMT -5
I got your character in my mind. If you can catch him you have to figure out how to keep him. Meg has Neil and I'm pretty sure she's not gonna give him up without a fight. She was prepared to deck the leech if she needed to, Neil said it was OK for her to do so. She may be lady but will not stand for jerks who think women should fawn over them. I'm pretty sure Connor, her brother would have decked him too. Now you know why she never goes home except in an emergency.
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Post by celticsweetheart on Jul 24, 2012 0:46:51 GMT -5
So Tuesday morning I get up in time to have a chat with Connor. It seems like he's been avoiding me ever since I came home. I told Neil in a text that I thought my brother was avoiding me for some reason. He said I should give him some time to get use to the idea of my being home even if just for a week. So I decided I was gonna get to the bottom of this silence. I wasn't leaving here without an answer either.
No one else was up which was good cause I didn't need any interference. I wanted some answers and I was definitely gonna get them before I left on Friday morning. I think I startled him when I walked into the kitchen. I swear he jumped like a foot in the air when I said, "good morning." "How is school?" He says, "its OK nothing really special going on this year." "So why have you been giving me the cold shoulder, what did I do?" I know that caught him off guard. He says, "its just weird you haven't been home in two years and than all of a sudden Mom says your coming back for a week, what's the real reason for the visit" Wow I didn't see that one coming.
I decide to come clean cause I need another sibling on my side. I tell him that I came to see if they(mom and dad) would loan me a 15 hundred dollars so I will have enough money when I go to Dublin in June. He gives me this weird look as if I'm speaking a foreign language. Then he says, " since when do you want to study abroad? I've been trying to get them to let me do one this summer but so far all I hear is that you need to work if you want to do one of those." "Now that you know the reason don't you feel like a heal for avoiding me. I thought I did something that really made you mad but you had no idea what I came home for since you weren't here last night." All he said was yeah.
Now I feel 100% better that our relationship isn't totally damaged. I tell him to get a job save up your money and maybe you can still go on that study abroad program next summer. Anything is possible as long as you just try to make an effort. They may even help you pay for part of it as long as you make that effort. I've been working really hard but there isn't enough time for me to make that much money and I still have to buy my airline tickets.
We hugged and buried the hatchet. He promised to get a job this summer and save some money to pay for a summer study abroad program next summer while I promised to call him once in a while. I think he feels left out because neither me or my sister have come home since we left for college. He's a good kid who has no one to talk to so I don't mind calling home to talk to him.
Once that was over with he headed to school but promised to be home tonight for dinner. I told him I was looking forward to seeing him tonight.
I basically had the rest of the day to figure out what I wanted to do. I think I'm gonna go for a swim after breakfast and just hang out by the pool. I have to remember to make sure I have sunscreen and water handy.
The pool was definitely a good place to be today. I loved the water and well it does a body good. I kept trying to perfect the breast stroke but no matter what I did I just couldn't get it to work so I went back to freestyle. I was a freestyle expert in high school and was on the swim team. I wanted to go to the Olympics but it never happened. It was something that was never meant to be.
I'm not sure how long I'd been in the water when my mom came out to see if I was hungry. I told her I was getting hungry she she would fix me a sandwich and put it on the table. I decided to get out and dry off. I took a drink apparently I was really thirsty. Mom comes outside, places a chicken salad sandwich in front of me. I thank her and then she decides to take a seat. She tells me that I'm the first person to use this year. The pool may be heated but when its not warm outside its not a good idea to take a swim.
She then asks, "why did you decide that you wanted to do this particular summer abroad term?" Ok that was a legitimate question which I'll answer as soon and I swallow the food in my mouth. I start by saying, "I looked at several other programs but this one was the shortest and offered students the opportunity to partake in cultural activities, such as visits to museums, cathedrals, galleries, and historic sites; day trips to Dublin Castle, the Hill of Tara, and Newgrange; and a field trip to Western Ireland (Session I) and Northern Ireland (Session II)." She then says that it might not be a bad idea to have dinner on the patio. I personally love the idea of having a barbecue. She then gets up and goes back inside.
After I finish my sandwich I decide to check my phone. Just one message today from Amanda, she's wanting to know if they made their decision. I reply that they will let me know either today or tomorrow, they wanted a few days to make a final decision. I hit send and I wait to see if she sends a reply or not. Either way I'll know something before heading back to Newport News.
I get back in the pool and just relax. I don't really want to do anything else that will wear me out so I just get in and relax. Half an hour later mom comes out and checks the grill I guess she needs to make sure their is enough gas in the tank. I wonder what she's making it could be really anything but I know its gonna be a pork product because when I took a peek in the freezer I saw a lot of pork. Barbecued pork chops I just love them.
She turns the grill on and then goes back in the kitchen, I just wonder what she's gonna make. I go back to pondering life's little questions in my mind. I started making a mental check list of things I would definitely need to take, thing that I had to have with me no matter what. It wasn't what clothes I needed to take but other things like sunscreen and allergy pills two things I couldn't live with out especially in summer. Even if it was hazy outside I still needed to be wearing sunscreen plus I would need a pair of sunglasses as well. Now I could move on to more important things like what clothes I should take.
Mom comes back out to the patio, putting what looks like corn on the grill. I just love fresh grilled corn its so yummy. I don't have a grill back at my apartment so I never get anything that good. Next she brings out a plate of what looks to be pork medallions. When I checked my phone earlier I neglected to see what time it was so I climb out of the pool and take a gander at the time.
It's almost 4 and my brother should be getting home from school pretty soon. He is a better diver than I am which is cool and I know he's on the dive team at school. I was a championship swimmer where as he is a championship diver and he has a good chance of going to the Olympics one day.
Someone sticks their head out the patio door to see where everyone is at, its Connor. He wants to know what we are having for dinner. I say, "looks like barbecued pork medallions and grilled corn on the cob." I then say, "how about a little friendly competition in the pool?" My brother loves competition just as much as I do so he replies that he's game.
Twenty minutes later he back outside and ready for anything. I don't wanna start diving while mom's cooking so I suggest the 100 m freestyle. He agrees besides he's a great swimmer too and was on the swim team before jumping ship to diving. If I let him win will he ease up when we start diving? Maybe I'll make it a close race. Mom is going to be the time keeper and judge. It's a good thing we have movable starting blocks so it is easier to have a race. On the count of three we take off and I pay no attention to my brother I just concentrate on hitting the wall. I hit the half way mark first but in the end he beats me by a finger length. I say, "I'll get you next time."
Dinner is ready and everyone sits down to eat. My dad had joined us outside wearing his most festive looking swim trunks. I set the table while mom gets the food off the grill. My dad asks what I've been doing all day which is basically nothing except swimming. I say, "I really just need to relax and I find that swimming helps me to do just that." "Connor did you tell Meg you won a gold medal at your last diving meet?" I tell him that's great and that I'm very proud of him. He then challenges me to a diving competition which I reply game one. I know I won't win but I will give it my best try.
During dinner my dad says that they've made their decision about the load. Right before he utters another word Connor jumps in with a comment of his own. "Meg has accomplished a lot in the time she's been gone away from home. I am proud to call her my sister. She's proven herself to not only me but to all of us, that if you want to get ahead in life you have to work for it. She has definitely worked hard for what she has achieved and I think any help she can get will make her a better person in the long run." Wow didn't expect that and I'm pretty sure neither did my parents. My baby brother was sticking up for his sister.
Midway through dinner my dad starts again this time hopefully without interruption. He says that upon much consideration and discussion that they will give me the loan I need. I thank them both because without their help I wouldn't be able to earn enough money to secure my finances while I'm in Belfast.
After dinner Connor sets up the diving board. It's not a big board but we can do 50 meter dives but I know that Connor's true passion is platform diving. I am not that adventurous but I do like the springboard since its closer to the ground than the platform.
After four dives I know why he won a gold medal cause he kicks my butt each time so I give in not wanting to dive again. I decide to go up to my room to shower and change. After all the swimming and diving I've done today I could use a good nights sleep. I call Amanda to give her the good news and to tell her I'll be back home Friday night. I tell her about being beaten by my brother in a diving competition. I then tell her to give everyone my love and I will see them when I get back.
I text Neil to tell him to have a good night and I will see him in Ireland. I hit send and I turn off the lights, close my eyes.
Its about 2 am when my phone goes off scaring the crap out of me. Neil just got back to the bus after celebrating another successful show. He says only two more shows to do before heading home to Ireland. I'm excited and I really can't wait to go to Ireland. I know he'll be well rested by the time I get there. I text him simply Meg xxxooo. I shut off my phone and go back to sleep.
Wednesday night is church night which means its gonna be a potluck dinner. I sure hope the leech isn't coming because I really don't wanna mess up in front of my parents. I will say a little prayer that he stays home tonight or that he stays far far away from me. I see old friends, mostly family friends who use to frequent our house when we had barbecues and pool parties. I see a girl I use to hang out with when I was younger. Apparently now she's married with two little girls of her own. They are so cute but being married with kids isn't something I want right now maybe in the future just not right now.
Thursday is my last night in Knoxville so dad has invited a group of friends over for a pool party and he's even ordered pizza too. What a great way to end a week back at home. I really do miss being home but I love where I live and wouldn't give that up for anything in the world.
Friday morning I'm back on the road headed toward Newport News, VA after a protein packed breakfast. I stop for lunch and dinner before making it back to my apartment. My parents gave me a check for the amount I asked for so tomorrow I will deposit it into my account. I'm so tired when I get in that I just go straight to my room and collapse on my bed from sheer exhaustion.
- I myself am too tired to write anymore tonight. I promise I should be in Dublin sometime tomorrow.
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Post by celticbear on Jul 24, 2012 1:12:32 GMT -5
So happy Meg got the loan and fixed what was wrong between her and Connor! LOOK OUT BELFAST HERE COMES MEG! AND KEITH BE PREPARED TO BE CAUGHT FOR GOOD!
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