Time to do some summer reruns for those who might have missed the initial podcasts.
Short and Sweet includes 6 short stories and one non-fiction homage to my Irish mother. A special Christmas podcast features poetry and sentiment dedicated to my nephew, Tim, who was born on Christmas Eve. This segues to Trio a trilogy of three books: Ginny, Dinner with Sharon Flynn and Meggie, all primarily set in Ireland and lovingly telling the stories of Ginny and her life.
A Promise Kept is a ballad poem about a young woman writer finding her place.
Songs of my Father is that—sheet music for three of Dads songs performed by me (as best I could) and some special poems included in the book.
The Play honors the community theater buffs and that delightful culture.
Hearts of Shamrock is an homage to my Irish mother.
Finally, The Back 40 is new and leads into 98.6, a selection of which will be shared, prefaced by a new song, Swan Song, which may give a clue to the end of Short and Sweet. As we used to say when I was young—that’s all she wrote, Baby.— until Little Brother’s Quilt completes the Reilly story and hopefully leaves a Happy Dance in all the listeners’ reverie
Hello everyone. Well, we left Ginny just about to get into the shower in in last week's chapter one of Ginny, and I think we better help her out here and see what's going on. I know she plans to wash that Irish man right out of her hair, but let's see if she's successful. I'm continuing with the music for Back to Ireland, which I recorded with the um pan flute voice, which I love. I hope you love it too. So here we go with chapter two, which is entitled That Tuesday. The warm water and sweet jasmine shampoo relaxed Ginny and made her feel whole again. Why would Linda give Dan the key to her beach house, knowing that I'm here? Whatever Dan told her must have convinced her that I wouldn't be in jeopardy or she wouldn't have done that, Jinny told herself reassuringly. Ginny trusted Linda completely and told her everything about Dan, so she knew that Linda would never give Dan the key if she suspected that he was drinking. What could Dan have to tell her important enough to take off work on a Tuesday? Jinny puzzled out loud. Dan loved his work and never took time off, except on the rare occasions in the past when Jinny had begged him to get away with her for a few days. The warm water was beginning to get cooler, a sign that Jinny had been in there too long. Turning off the water, Jinny stepped onto the soft chenille rug and grabbed the big white bath towel from the rack. Jinny loved Linda's taste and vowed to decorate just like her when she, if she ever got married and had a home of her own. What am I thinking? Dan, why am I thinking Dan, beautiful Dan, is downstairs and I want him more than ever. Why am I such a loser? Linda, why would you allow him here? Linda, my sister, Linda, my friend, my family. I know you would never abandon me or intentionally harm me. But why? Ever since Linda's parents were killed in an automobile accident just outside of Boston when she and Linda were in their senior year of high school, Ginny and Linda were family. Linda, as the only child, got a tremendous amount of money from her parents' insurance policies and estate. Ginny helped Linda get through that terrible time in her life, and they became bonded like true sisters. Back in the bedroom, Ginny thought of putting on the tight jeans Dan loved and the red sweater, but opted for clean, warm gray sweatpants and her old friend flannel shirt that had helped motivate her up the craggy pathway an hour ago. She also didn't put on any makeup and really wanted to have Dan see that she wasn't trying to please him or seduce him in any way. As she came downstairs, the crackling fire illuminated Dan's beautiful face, and Jinny felt weak. I must be hungry, she quickly thought. Jen, we're out of power, so it's a good thing I made this fire. Are you okay? Check the phone line. Linda wants you to call her to tell her you are okay as soon as you can. I will. I have a few questions for her too, Jinny said as strongly as she could muster. As Jinny dialed the office, thoughts raced through her brain about what to say to Linda. Sarah answered, Mass Marketing, may I help you? Ginny loved the play on words for their state and the type of marketing they did. Hey Sarah, it's Ginny. Is Linda there, please? Ginny, how's your vacation? We miss you. Great, great. I'll see you next week. Ginny loved Sarah too. She was a pleaser like herself, and Ginny recognized that Sarah needed reassurance at every turn, and she didn't want to be short with her. But this day was different. I'll put you through to Linda. She told me to expect a call from you. Bye, Ginny, I miss ya. Linda picked up immediately. Ginny, is everything okay? Well you tell me. Bad storm, no power, but we do have phone service, and as you know, I have an intruder. Has he told you yet, Jinny? No. He said to call you first to let you know I'm okay, which is debatable. Oh, Jinny, please forgive me. I think you'll want to hear him out. Call me later tonight. I love you. Gotta run. Jinny placed the phone back in its cradle and turned to find Dan very close to her. Dan, back up. I need to know what's going on. The truth was that Dan made her heart race and she wanted nothing more when he was that close than to reach up and totally immerse herself in his presence. The smell of him was intoxicating. Thoughts of him so close and deeply involved with her kept running through her mind to the point of madness. Oh Jinny, okay, Dan began, but but I have missed you so incredibly that I can taste you, he said as he sank into the sofa near the fire. Please, Dan, I I just need to hear what you have come to tell me, Jinny said with surprising restraint as she sat in the chair opposite to where he was sitting, crossing her arms and legs to help barricade her emotions. Look, Jinny, I know you love me, and you know for damn sure that I adore you. I know why you left me, and I can't promise that I won't drink again without help. I can't get that help in Boston without my company knowing what's going on and jeopardizing my position at the agency. I can't risk that. I asked Jonas for a leave of absence last Friday for three months to go to Ireland to see my father. He isn't well, and never really has been since Mom died. We all thought he would be better off back in Ireland when Mom passed, but he hasn't gotten over it. Jinny, that's not the primary reason I'm going back to Ireland. It is what I told Jonas, and it's basically true, but the real truth is I'm going to be checking into a rehab center outside of Dublin at the end of next week. And I want you to come to Ireland with me. You can stay with my family and maybe visit me if you learn to drive on the other side of the road. Oh my god, Dan, you want me to go to Ireland with you? What about my job? Does Linda know? Oh I guess she does. Did she did did you tell her we're going you were going to ask me to go to Ireland with you? The lights flickered, came on, and then went off again. Again the firelight dancing off of Dan's face made him look like a saint with a halo. Hmm that's pretty ridiculous, Jinny thought, her eyes glazing over with confusion and hunger. Jinny, where are you? Are you are you hearing what I'm saying to you? Dan, you show up here. I'm not ready for any of this. Yes, you are right. I never stopped loving you, and I can't imagine that I ever will. Dan began to rise from the sofa. No wait, Dan, I'm not through. I can't just jump back in. We have done that forever, and it never works. Jinny, I can't lose you. That's why I'm going to Ireland to get treatment. But I need you to come with me. Dan, I need to eat something. I'm feeling very weak. Jinny had low blood sugar and needed to eat regularly to keep her metabolism balanced. She was a cheap date, Dan used to say. Two drinks and you're done. You're wasted. It's my low blood sugar, Dan. You know I have that problem. I know, Jen. There's no power. Do you want me to try to go out to eat or cook something over the fire? Do you have any hot dogs here or marshmallows? Dan, do you really think you can handle a restaurant? Scotch and soda, remember? She knew that was sarcastic, but the last restaurant date they had was a disaster when they got home. It was the beginning of their last breakup. Dan had begun to accuse her of flirting with the waiter, which was ridiculous, but Dan had no idea how beautiful he was to her and how much she loved him. Those fights always escalated to violence or near violence, and Ginny ran away and vowed to stay from that day forward. Ginny, I am so sorry. I know you weren't interested in that guy. I just can't stand the thought of anyone near you, even a waiter. I'm serious about not drinking, but I need help to get to the bottom of the problem. I've been to AA meetings since we haven't been together. And I've learned a lot. I think I could handle the temptation of a restaurant, but I think we should stick to home, try to talk about what's about to change in my life and hopefully yours. Ginny rose from the chair and went to the kitchen. Even though it was only one in the afternoon, it was dark. Ginny lit some candles on the table, which heightened the beautiful yellow roses. She bent to inhale their fragrance, and Dan came up behind her and pulled her close to him. Without thinking, she locked her arms around his neck and felt his wonderful face near to hers. Ginny melted into his arms and felt the same comfort and simultaneous rushing passion that always engulfed them. Dan held her and cried softly into her neck, telling her how sorry he was for putting her through all of this and bowing to make it right. Dan, I want us to be together. You know that. Dan pulled her arms from around his neck, walked quickly to the sink, and poured a huge tumbler of water, which he downed in a matter of seconds. Dan, I didn't say we couldn't be together. Ginny, I want you forever. And I know we will be together. I don't want to rush you or jeopardize our future by being too aggressive or rough with you in any way. I can't have you running away on me. Ginny felt the weakness return and knew she really needed to eat something quickly. Dan saw the blank look in her eyes and recognized her need for food. Go lay down on the sofa, Ginny, so I can see you while I get something for us to eat. I am feeling weak, Dan, but I wasn't sure if it was your effect on me. Dan smiled and grabbed some hot dogs out of the fridge. They were still cold, even the power had been off for a while. Ginny hadn't had a chance to do much shopping, but she had picked up some hot dogs, hamburgers, pickles, and rolls before she came, and bought the Girl Scout chocolate mint cookies on Friday from Sarah's daughter. Here, have a Girl Scout cookie. It's okay to have dessert before lunch. We're big people, Dan said. The chocolate mint sweetness tasted as good as any food she had ever tasted in her life, and the sweetness on her tongue sent ripples of joy through her small frame. Ah, sugar, she said. Linda had a long barbecue fork which they shared, cooking hot dogs over the open fire, and talking and eating and loving each moment of them of their time together. Yes, they were back. And as usual, their joy was exhilarating and their love was overpowering. That concludes chapter two. And next week we will do chapter three. I'm trying to get the title here for you. Yes, the title is quite revealing. For chapter three, it's I can't believe I'm going to Ireland. Well, there we go. Um, I hope you've enjoyed this, and I will be back with you next week. And um enjoy enjoy your time. I know it's gonna be chilly and cold out there, or at least it is here in in the northeast. But um talk to you again next week.
