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Kathleen Rose

Do you know at Yoga the other day when Carol asked us to imagine a pleasant place for our meditation and she suggested a beach scene well I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do it. I just felt really anxious and I shook like mad.”
“And what about the girl? Didn’t you ever meet her since? “John managed to suppress a burp. He’d really have to curb his appetite.
“I managed to get what I thought was a number for her last week. I rang it the other night when you were over in Seamus and Veronica’s. It wasn’t her. The number belonged to her twin sister Maria. My girl was called Kathleen. She passed away several years ago. Oh. John, I could have died. I felt I had let her down so badly. I’d never thanked her. And, John, do you know what is even stranger? She was only 12 years old at the time that she risked her life to save us. Mammy had alwayssaid that she was only a slip of a girl.”
“And what brought all this on? You have been acting a bit strange lately. To tell the truth I have been a bit worried, “John asked.
“Do you remember I went in to Ardara last week?”Shannon queried.
John nodded, “Well, I’ve been to see the doctor”. John’s face turned ashen.” You aren’t sick are you?“. “No, love, no. Oh my God, no. Well in a way I am sick if you call nausea an affliction. I haven’t had the heart to tell you before now. You have been so happy and relaxed lately. I’m pregnant! I hope it doesn’t come as too much of a shock to you but I just feel so right about this baby. And John if it is a girl I want to call her Kathleen Rose. Are you alright? I know your mother will be less than impressed. She isn’t too fond of me at the best of times”.
“My mother? Actually, no,” says John……..” Actually I’m………….I’m over the moon! To tell you the truth I was afraid you were having second thoughts about us. So in fact I‘m very, very relieved. And as for the timing - sure we’re getting married in the Fall.

Besides did you know that in pre Christian times in Ireland, under Brehon Law there was no such a concept as illegitimacy and the needs of the child were considered more important than that of the man and woman.”
Shannon stared at him incredulously, “Great that will be a great comfort to your Ma when she hears the happy news.”
“Yikes!” John yelled, just that wee bit too loudly. Shannon blushed and squirmed awkwardly. Why hadn’t she thought of asking for a more secluded table? She should have told him back at home or over the phone.
“Oh waoh I am in shock”, continued the prospective parent.”But if it is a boy?”
“It is a girl. I can feel it in my bones. Mammy said that one of the men was called Mickey. So, Michael would be his name if I am wrong. Maybe we could try and find out who the other man was. We have just over 7 months to do it. I’m quite shocked myself by all this to tell you the truth. It will mean a lot of changes, you know? The baby will need her own room eventually”
“Baby. She’ll need brothers and sisters too, you know. Kathleen Rose, a fine name.” Yes I’ve thought about it a lot. I’m certain, that’s the name. Rose died trying to save a friend and I really believe that she was there to see that the sea didn’t claim me and Maeve. Kathleen went without me thanking her. I think our wee one will be very proud of her namesakes. I just want to say thank you to them both and to let them know that, in the scheme of things, they mattered. I feel at ease because of their presence. Do you think I am nuts, John? It isn’t just the hormones talking. I’ve never felt surer of anything in my life.”
“Not at all, my little soon- to- be- rotund, cherub. Why, only the other day at work we were talking about how many of the world’s diverse cultures believe in the positive influence of those who have gone before us. Some even say that our ancestors are embodied in nature and in Filipino mythology they are called ‘anitos’. They are present in nature and in the earth all around us.

The very wind that swirls in and around our houses is said to be the spirit of our loved ones staying around to see if we are alright. So, if that is true then what you are feeling makes perfect sense and even if it is the wanderings of two romantic fools it’ll be such a wonderful story to tell to our grandchildren.” “Yes, and heroes and heroines deserve to be remembered”. “Just one thing, Shannon “, “Yes”, she queried, feeling wonderfully warm and content. Nothing could rock her world now. “You’ll have to go back to Geraldine and ask her to alter the dress. “John suggested cheekily.
Shannon lifted a sugar sachet and threw it at him laughingly.

Much, much later as they lay blissfully entwined in front of a blazing turf fire back at the cottage Shannon managed to get the last word in, “How were them Brehons or whatever on eloping?”

By Shell Stephany

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