As the hour approached many of the musicians fidgeted in their seats in various classrooms around the school. They had all played for family and friends and some had even played in public, few if any were feeling no anxiety at all.
Liam, Cheri and Brian had been given permission to leave class early and set up for the concert. Chairs were set up for each player although some would probably stand when they played or sang. The bell rang for the beginning of the long break; Calvin and Danny met in front of the Caf and bought drinks for everyone involved as requested.
Ten minutes into the lunch break, they were all assembled at the makeshift stage in the quad. It was a sixteen square feet promontory with steps on all sides. Low planters with wide ledges provided seating.
With everyone in place, Liam rose and addressed the crowd, "Hi yas, thanks for coming out to listen. We'll be playing a selection of Irish tunes and we hope you enjoy them.
With a nod from Liam, Amber stood and began the fiddle intro for Tell Me Ma and she nailed it. Everyone sang with enthusiasm and the crowd ate it up. They repeated the final chorus with many in the audience clapping along.
Maggie's Wedding and then Morrison's Jig were played as one song and it was well received with plenty of applause.
Then it was time for Galway Girl. Liam put down his guitar and picked up his Mandolin; he announced the song and began playing.
People seemed to be enjoying the music so they did the last chorus and instrumental twice before the finish. Liam saw at least eight people dancing along.
Liam put his mandolin in its stand and joined Cyrus and Peter, Danny and Tristan joined them with guitars and began playing Kilkelly.
It's a somber song and Liam could see the serious looks on the faces of the audience. Catherine his math teacher was particularly moved and Liam's Uncle Mike looked sad as he listened.
When the song finished they let a quiet interval pass and then performed Bally Bay, bringing the energy level back up where it would stay as they played the last few songs.
They finished with The Irish Pub Song and people roared with support. With that, they were out of time. They thanked the audience, bowed and carried their instruments off the stage. Alan bolted for a restroom to settle his stomach. Most of the group looked happy when they assembled in the music room. A pile of sandwiches and bottled water were arrayed on a folding table.
"That was really great Liam, I really enjoyed doing that," Cyrus raved.
Alan and Peter were of the same mind. "I was so nervous and then we started and it went away. But as soon as it was over I thought I'd be sick," Alan explained.
"I want to thank all of you, I wish there was time to point out every individual but there just isn't. Everyone did a fantastic job out there and hopefully it was fun and you'll want to do it again. You'll all be hearing compliments for weeks to come, just enjoy it," Liam counseled, wishing he could take his own advice.
They all ate quickly and made off for the next class. Liam and Danny went to the History Building and split up for their classes. On the way over, Danny had chattered all the way to their destination. Liam was dealing with his own post performance jitters. History would be a good distraction and allow him to settle down.
"Excellent performance this afternoon Liam, I really enjoyed it," Mr. Galt approved.
With that, the class launched into a discussion of the Peloponnesian wars. By the end of class, Liam was relaxed enough to deal with his last class which was French. He was enjoying getting a handle on the language. He had learned phrases from his neighbors in Dublin but with this class he would be able to hold a conversation and he was committed to learning all he could. He had to admit that the longer class periods and alternating class days worked well.
Danny's class had gone well, he was enjoying the mix of history and geography with the what, where, when approach. History was his favorite subject next to Science at school, although his pottery class was beginning to become very interesting; soon he would start his after school pottery class. Danny helped Liam lug the non-school instruments to the pickup area where they waited for Maeve to collect them.
They didn't have long to wait, Maeve pulled up in front of them and they were loaded up and gone.
"You boys and girls put on a wonderful show this afternoon," Maeve praised. "It seems your audience was impressed, as well, along with bein' enthusiastic. Everyone did wonderfully, and that little Calvin is so cute I could smuggle him home in my luggage."
"That would make Brian very sad, he's very attached to Calvin," Liam informed her.
"Yes, I can tell. Besides his giggling from my suitcase would be a dead giveaway," Maeve agreed.
"I wonder if Mam and Da will call this afternoon. If they're in Dublin by now it'll be getting on to midnight, maybe they'll call soon then," Liam speculated.
"I hope so, or maybe in the morning," Danny agreed.
"What would you lads like for dinner?" Maeve asked.
"If yas fancy chips and cod I know a place in Oldtown Claremont," Liam suggested.
"Do they do it up proper?" Maeve contnued.
"To my reckoning they're dead on. It's food truck night so they'll be in the public parking near Shelton Park. Da's taken us there a hundred times if once," Liam explained.
"It's got my vote, they even have the mushy peas," Danny added.
"That sounds lovely, I could murder some chips and cod. I think I'm going into withdrawal," Maeve laughed.
They arrived home and stowed the instruments. Cyrus had really enjoyed using Liam's melodion and he had decided to get the bellows fixed on his own so he could play more often.
Liam, despite his guitar repair skill, didn't think he could tackle that job, and agreed to ask Justin Carter if he knew of someone who could make the repairs.
The foodies were out in force and Liam was surprised to find Cheri, her parents and Amber taking part.
They all chatted together for a while and then Vince and Nancy decided it was time to get the next day sorted out. Liam and Danny hugged Amber and Cheri and they all went their separate ways.
Liam led Maeve and Danny to the Chippy and they ordered their meal. Maeve returned and ordered butterscotch apple cake for dessert while Liam and Danny visited the gelato truck.
Connor and Terri had not called but Maeve received a message that they would call Saturday morning.
Saturday, Liam, Danny and Maeve had breakfast and drove to the Folk Center music store. Connor and Terri were getting ready to fly to Dublin and they would actually be home a few days early. Weather had spoiled their trip to Amsterdam but they would return at some point in the future.
At the Folk Center, Maeve looked through the selection of twelve-string guitars, two caught her interest, a Taylor and a Guild. Liam asked Scott if they could use the quiet room to try them.
Each had a nice tone but lacked a certain quality of sound that Maeve was looking for. She related this to Scott and he went to find the owner. Liam and Danny tried the two guitars while they waited until the owner Shel knocked on the door.
"That sounds pretty good boys, you and Danny are really impressive," He told Liam.
"Hi Ma'am, I'm Shel the owner here and I have a guitar that I don't show to many people. But Liam has told me about you in the past and you might be interested."
With that, he hoisted a shiny green case onto the long table at one end of the room. Opening it, he removed a fairly plain looking twelve-string.
"This is an older guitar but still new, it was never sold, I suspect it was because nobody really knew the brand. It was made in Northern Ireland by a very accomplished luthier. Would you like to give it a try, Ma'am?"
"Just call me Maeve, and yes I would. Irish-built Lowden's don't come onto the market very often, I'd love to give it a try," Maeve replied.
The guitar was flawless, no nicks or scratches were seen anywhere. Maeve strummed it, gave it a quick tuning and strummed again.
"When was this built?" asked Maeve.
"Nineteen Eighty-Six according to the label inside and my paperwork," Shel answered.
Maeve began playing riffs and parts of tunes that were challenging to say the least. She spent a good twenty minutes playing the guitar and then asked Liam to play it for her so she could hear it from the audience perspective.
"Well Shel, it's a wonderful instrument, let's talk money," Maeve smiled.
An hour and thirty-five hundred dollars later, Maeve loaded the case carefully into the Landcruiser. Maeve had put on a short performance in the shop with the Guild she had tried out. The customers were in awe of her abilities, most people don't get to hear studio musicians play in a small space. It was inspiring for some and daunting for others.
"Are you going to ship that guitar home, Shan?" Liam prompted.
"No, I'll take it on the plane with me, Virgin has a special accommodation for instruments. I don't want it bouncing around a baggage hold or being frozen during the flight. I'll have to pay the V.A.T. but from here, it should only be six percent, if I bought it in the UK or Europe it would be twenty-four percent or more. It's a ridiculous policy but this guitar is worth the trouble," Maeve instructed."
"That same guitar would have cost €4800.00 in Dublin. But if I bought a US made guitar it would be only a bit more expensive than here," Maeve explained.
"But isn't that guitar from Ireland?" Danny asked.
"Northern Ireland Dear, and that's part of the UK and they gouge us for anything that comes from there," Maeve grumbled.
"What time did they say they'd be callin', Shan?" Liam inquired.
"In about half an hour Liam, They'll have dinner out of the way by then," Maeve countered.
The boys relaxed for the short journey home.
Liam's phone chirped right at twelve o'clock and it was a call from Terri's phone.
"Hi Mam, how're yas liking Dublin?"
"Just wonderful Liam, how have you been getting along?" Terri questioned.
"Really great, we performed a few Irish tunes at school in the quad yesterday, the response was great and everybody had a great time doin' it. Danny was just killin' it," Liam crowed. "Would you like a word with him, he looks set to explode."
"I guess I better then, we can't have bits of him all over the walls and carpet," Terri laughed.
"Hi Mom, are you having a good time in Dublin, I really hope so?" Danny peeped.
"Yes, it's a beautiful city and the people are wonderful. It's a good thing I've had a chance to get used to the accent. I catch most of what's said around me. Irish men can be quite cheeky but they mean no harm. We met some of Connor's family and old friends. I think I could live here happily and maybe once you boys are done with college, we'll think about it," Terri shared.
"That could be a long time Mom, I think Liam will go for a PhD. And I don't know what I want to do yet. I'd like to go to space, so I'll need a master's I suspect," Danny speculated.
"I'm sure you'll have a plan when it's time, you have another six years of school before you have to choose I suppose… well, maybe four. You'll need to discuss it with a counsellor and decide how to achieve your goals," Terri soothed.
"Let's let Liam talk to Connor and then we'll all go on speaker, okay Honey?" Terri suggested.
"Hi Da, how's the old home ground?"
"Much the same, but different, too. Fewer pubs and more restaurants with Mediterranean food. Proper chippies are rare, I hope it improves when we get out of the city, or at least to the north of the Liffey. It's like bloody California here in the south side. It's always been more posh but you knew that. I found a place that rents older cars that aren't too pretty to park in Mountjoy if yas get me drift," Connor chuckled.
"Well Da, it's really not that bad up there anyways, it's mostly people takin' the piss," Liam countered.
"Oh I know son, it makes me laugh that people believe that shite, there's only one or two areas I'd steer clear of," Connor assured him.
"Will yas be getting' out of Dublin for some real color?" Liam asked.
"Absolutely, Terri wants to see Kells up the M3 and I'll show her Lough Ramor while we're up that way. I'll take her to meet Cousin John and his family and we'll go from there," Connor shared. "I need a word with me Mam before we're through, is she handy?"
"Okay Da, I'll pass her the phone, I love you. Be sure Danny gets to say bye to Mam," Liam stressed.
"I will do boyo, like she'd let me forget," Connor laughed.
"Shan, Da wants you on the phone," Liam announced and handed the mobile to Maeve.
Danny got his chance to say good bye to Connor and Terri and they disconnected. Danny sat and smiled placidly, he'd be okay for a while. He knew he could call Terri any time he needed but he didn't want to intrude or make her worry.
Maeve and the boys had a relaxing afternoon and Liam asked about the guitar she had purchased.
"Well dear, it's a rare instrument, they started mass producing them in Japan like Yamahas, not bad guitars but the ones from the north, they were special. The man that turned them out only made a few each year and the mid eighties was the peak of quality, he had ironed out all the problems and as you've heard, the tone is out of this world. It's better than any Martin or Guild I ever heard. I'll make sure it comes to you when I stop playing," Maeve offered.
"I'd be honored Shan, but that won't be for a long time," Lam smiled softly.
Danny asked if Liam wanted to go for a ride while they still had a few hours of light left. It was good to get out and burn off some energy.
"This was a great idea Danny, how do you feel about hitting the trails tomorrow?" Liam hinted.
"If the weather holds I'm in, I don't want to ride in the rain," Danny replied.
"And me, why suffer if yas don't need to," Liam cracked.
They completed their circuit and returned home to discover Maeve baking cinnamon cakes and they smelled grand.
"Up you go and get a shower, these will be ready when you come down and I'll put the kettle on," Maeve directed.
The March weather, although not typical, had been brisk and breezy. The boys could do with a warming up and agreed, disappearing up the stairs.
"Connor and Terri will be back Thursday afternoon. They're the only ones besides Duane that are able to do M.O.D. interface… I'm sorry, it's D.O.D. but the gist is the same. Duane needs surgery and Richard is doing a presentation for the Air Force the Monday after your Mam and Da return," Maeve shared.
"What's wrong with Duane, is it serious?" Liam probed.
"He has a tiny sliver of bone in his neck and it's poking a nerve and it's very painful, it could be dangerous to let it go any longer," Maeve reasoned.
"Is the surgery dangerous?" Danny grilled further.
"Not as dangerous as not having it, all surgery is dangerous to some degree but this one outweighs the risks to Duane's long term health," Maeve soothed.
"We should call Jason and see if he needs us to babysit for Arty. It will probably include TJ but we could handle it," Liam suggested.
"We'll call them and see, my guess is that Jason's mam will see to Arty," Maeve speculated. "But we'll make the offer all the same."
"I have the number and I'll give them a call," Liam stated.
"You do that, and let me know please," Maeve requested.
"Are you in for this, Danny?" Liam asked.
"Sure, I just hope it's not the same day Mam and Da get back, oh, and my pottery class starts Thursday, too. I'll skip it if I need to though," Danny agreed.
Liam made the phone call and reported back to Maeve and Danny.
"They said they appreciated the offer but Arty would stay with Rosemary for a couple of days so Jason can be where he's needed most," Liam announced. "But they were really touched by the offer."
Sunday, the boys rode all the way through the new circuit, they paused at the curve where they had helped Craig.
"I almost forgot about it, that was the day of the party and well, it kind of got overshadowed," Danny uttered.
"I know Danny, but it's well in the past and we're doing really well these days. Let's just enjoy the day, eh?" Liam suggested cheerfully.
Danny could never resist Liam's grin and agreed.
They had spent most of the day riding and once the gear was stowed, they went up for showers. They had a late lunch and found Maeve relaxing in the family room.
"Did you lads have a good time? I would love to have joined you but my cycling days are done, I'm afraid. I have an electric in Hamburg but it wants little peddling," Maeve informed them.
"I think we had a pretty good time, we did the full circuit to the top and then back. They keep adding little side trails to make it interesting, some of them are tough," Liam offered.
"Yeah, that's true but it's still a lot of fun," added Danny.
"Dinner?" Maeve raised a brow.
Something light I think at least for me, we've only just eaten lunch. I could cook omelets a bit later, did you have something in mind, Shan?" Liam inquired.
"No Dear, a nice omelet sounds good. We should have all we need to turn out a couple," Maeve smiled. "You boys spoil me, I could get used to that."
"Yer pretty good to us too Shan," Liam returned with a grin.
Liam looked behind him and discovered Danny had dozed off in the love seat.