Liam rose at his regular time, dressed, ate and brushed his teeth. He donned a set of flexible warmups.
He found Connor in his office taking care of a bit of design work.
"Mornin' Da, are you doin' okay today?"
"I'm grand Lad, it was tough getting to sleep without Terri there, I'm going to suggest they just move in with us. I fancy Danny's piano can fit in the family room or we can put it in your room, that's presuming you would want to share. I suppose we should work that out first thing," Connor uttered vacantly.
"I'll check with Danny, he might eventually want his own room. I have no problem sharing and there's plenty of room for another bed, wardrobe and chest."
"Well, as soon as you get the chance you should ask; we can convert one of the other rooms to a guest room and Danny could be right across the hall from you," Connor replied.
"Hopefully I'll see him today. I really hate it when we're apart," Liam lamented.
"I know Lad, I feel the same."
"I have some bad news, the paper got ahold of the story and although your name wasn't mentioned nor Dave's, it's gotten around about what you had to do. If any reporters come at you for a statement run to the office and have them put off the school grounds. If they try to talk to you while you’re off campus, tell them to go away or you'll call the police. They've no business trying to speak to you without my say so and they should know that; so call the police and then call me. If they say what news outfit they're from, take note of it and we'll have our attorney put a cinder in their editor's ear."
"Got it Da, I hope they'll just leave me be. I won't likely be walking alone. And not at all for a week or so, I fancy. Unless the Doc says otherwise."
"There ya go Lad, you've got the best of it. Shall we be goin' then?"
When they arrived at the Pediatric clinic, Liam was shown to an exam room and told to remove his trousers. He kicked off his trainers and dropped the warmup trousers and sat on the table.
"Good morning Liam, how are you feeling today?" Dr. Campbell asked, smiling warmly.
"Not bad Doc, me leg’s a bit sore but I'm getting around really well with the stick. I'd like to get the okay to return to class."
"Well, let me have a look at the wound and then a friend of mine is going to drop in and do a quick range of motion test while he's here. It would have been a week before you could get an appointment but since he's here he'll have a look at you," the doctor explained.
Liam laid on his belly as the doctor removed the dressing and examined the wound and surrounding tissue. Then he excused himself to consult with the specialist. When he returned a Dr. Salvano was with him who introduced himself as an orthopedist and shook Liam and Connor's hands. Then he gloved up and did the same examination and had Liam lay on his back and moved his injured leg in several directions, noting when Liam was uncomfortable.
"The ER doctor indicated that the bullet had lost a lot of energy before it struck your leg and that has made a lot of difference. I'm going to suggest we dispense with Physical Therapy unless you start to have spasms or cramps or any other strange leg movements. I see you have a nice stick there and if it's adequate for you, you should heal quite quickly. Chuck here will have you come back for a checkup in a week or two and by then I'll bet you'll be done with the stick."
"Thanks Milo, Liam do you have any questions?" Dr. Campbell asked.
"Can I have a regular shower, and can I go to school?"
"As long as the wound has a bandage over it I see no reason not to, just make sure you take all the antibiotics you were prescribed and I'll see you in a week or so. You can make an appointment on the way out and they'll give you a release for the school," Dr. Campbell informed him.
"Thanks Doc and you too, Dr. Salvano, I appreciate your help," Liam replied.
"Let's swing by the school and pick Danny up and I can take the release in and hand it to Miss Grace," Connor suggested.
"I'm with ya, Da," Liam chirped.
Connor walked inside and Liam leaned on the fender of the Simca and waited for the bell to sound. Ten minutes later Todd, Darren and Danny were chatting with him and and Mr. Hanlan had shaken his hand and patted his back.
"Sarah and I will drop by to see you this evening, yer da said he has some big news," he grinned.
Cheri and Amber nearly tackled him and hugged and kissed him and then started on Danny.
"How about you Todd, do you want a kiss and a hug?" Cheri asked.
"I never say no to hugs and kisses, bring it,” Todd challenged.
Cheri tackled him and Amber went after Darren.
More kids gathered and they all wanted to hear from Liam; first that he was okay and second, how he kept Dave from shooting him.
"I'm feelin' grand but I'm not allowed to discuss the incident at the moment. By the way, if you see strangers on campus they might be reporters, you should tell the first teacher you see about them and then get away. Me da says they're relentless and they don't care about the people involved, only the story," Liam requested.
Most of the students agreed vocally, some just nodded.
The crowd broke up as parents arrived to collect their kids and some boarded buses.
"I didn't see Brian and Calvin here, they were in school I saw them earlier," Cheri pointed out.
"They go home out the back of the athletic field, same as I do when I walk home," Liam supplied.
"Oh that makes sense. Hey Amber, my mom is here, we gotta leg it," Cheri said grinning at Liam.
Liam , Danny, Todd and Darren waved as the girls ran to the waiting car.
"Hello lads, do yas fancy a ride home?" Connor invited.
"Sure, thanks Sir, we appreciate it. We just live a few blocks from Danny's place," Darren piped.
"Well three of yas in the back and one up front and we'll be away then," Connor instructed.
"Liam, you'll want to stop in and see Miss Grace first thing tomorrow, she was very worried about you and very relieved to hear you were well enough to attend classes again."
"I will do Da, she's a nice lady and very kind," Liam agreed.
They drove to Danny's house and picked up some of his clothes since he would stay with Liam the rest of the week.
TJ was overjoyed to see the boys and payed particular interest to Liam.
"That bad boy hurt you didn't he? Daddy told me you were sad because you thought he might hurt me instead."
"That's true enough TJ, I love you and I don't want you hurt, especially because of someone going after me."
"I love you too Liam, you and Danny and Todd and Darren are like my big brothers," TJ said sweetly.
Liam held TJ tight and then passed him around to the other boys.
Connor dropped Todd and Darren at Todd's home and drove on to their own place.
"The doc gave me a list of things to avoid Danny, and bikes are on it I'm afraid, but I have another appointment in a week and a half and he says he'll likely take the stitches out then."
"That's okay Liam, I can wait. Well find other ways to pass the time," Danny grinned.
“I have a card from Shane and Doug, it was on their bed. I thought we'd open it together and then I forgot about it, so let's have a look, eh?" Liam suggested.
: Dear Liam and Danny, we wanted to say how much we enjoyed staying with you and what your kindness meant to us. Doug is very happy he got a chance to meet you both and so am I. Thank you for introducing me to Pearce, and our special time together. I will always remember our time together and Doug will become a great guitarist because of you two guys. I mean it when I say we love you like brothers and I hope we see you again soon.
Love, Shane & Doug :
"That's a nice card, they really are nice guys and I hope that Shane and Pearce are as happy as I am with you Danny," Liam whispered.
"I hope so too, I think Doug will be great at the guitar before long. He's already got the passion, he just needs good lessons," Danny reflected.
It wasn't long after that when Terri made her appearance and drug Connor to the bedroom.
"I had a hell of a time sleeping last night, I really think for all our sakes and sanity we should move in together," Terri suggested seriously.
"I was going to make the same suggestion Darlin', so I've no arguments against it. Liam is meant to ask Danny if he wants to share or have a room of his own."
"Can you see them sleeping apart if they don't have to, but they should have their own beds even if they only use one most of the time," Terri said thoughtfully.
"I'll get on to a mover straight away and get it done. The boys will have to visit little TJ often though and then we'll want to find a new tenant for the house. I wouldn't think it would take long and we can ask the guys at work if they have a recommendation or know someone who's looking," Connor put in.
"Duane and Jason have been talking about a house, the condo isn't big enough to contain Arthur's energy and they'd love a yard. I'll ask them what they think, they have to decide on renewing their lease soon so this might work out for all of us," Terri added.
"That's grand, shall we go and talk to the boys?"
Ten minutes later the boys were levitating with excitement, "I definitely want to share with Liam," Danny whooped.
"I was thinking we could put your spinet in the family room or there's room in you lads’ room even with another bed and assorted furnishings," Connor speculated.
"Da, we'll have to come over and see TJ regular like, we're both attached to him and I don't want his feelings hurt," Liam pressed.
"Already thought of that my lad, and we'll make sure it happens," Connor agreed.
On Wednesday, Liam did fine walking from class to class, when he walked into the locker room the coach pulled him aside.
"Why are you in the locker room, Dennehy?"
"I fancied I could dress out and do upper body work, it's just me leg that's a problem."
"Well…okay, but no running or football, stick with the weights and machines," the coach agreed. He walked away grinning, many of his students would have milked an excuse like that for all it was worth.
A week later, the little bungalow on Ward was emptied and cleaned, ready for Duane and Jason to move in. Liam and Danny had introduced Artie and TJ and they were instant friends.
The landlord had been pleased that he wouldn't have to advertise or have the place shown. He agreed to the new lease and refunded Terri's cleaning deposit. Terri told him to keep it as a housewarming present for Duane and Jason.
At the Aer Lingus gate, Liam's grandmother was debarking after an eleven hour flight. She had slept well in the first class seat that Connor had booked for her. She only needed to pass through customs and meet her son and grandson and a new woman in their lives, Terri. She sounded very nice and Maeve wondered if they would hit it off. From Connor's description she was everything his first wife Erica was not and it didn't hurt that she'd have another grandson to spoil.
Maeve greeted her Connor and Liam with hugs and kisses and turned her gaze to Danny who was suddenly very shy. She squeezed him, kissed his cheek and introduced herself.
"I guess I'm your new Shan, do you know what that means?"
"Yes ma'am, it means grandmother, Liam told me."
"Then you should address me as Shan or Gramma whichever you prefer. I've heard that you are a very good guitar player, is that true?" She asked.
"I think I'm getting better… Shan, I sure enjoy it though," Danny said softly.
"And modest too; well, we'll have to have a concert, from the both of you mind. And let's get your Da to sing in the bargain," Maeve insisted playfully.
She released Danny and turned her eyes to Terri; Terri gazed back at her clear-eyed and confident something Maeve really liked to see in a woman.
"You must be Terri, how do you do? I'm Maeve. I've heard a great deal about you, we'll want to talk once we have a bit of quiet time together."
"I would like that, Connor has been telling me about you for awhile, he seems to think we'll get along," Terri replied.
"I truly hope so but when it comes right down to it, it's you and Connor that want to be getting along," Maeve cautioned.
"Well, I like you already after that, let's let the boys get your luggage to the car and you and I can chat," Terri suggested.
On the ride home, Maeve questioned Connor.
"Do you have a spare motor or shall I hire one for a few days?" Maeve asked.
"Small or large? I have either available," Connor replied.
"I fancy something easy to park so small would be best."
"We have a Tercel, it's a bit like a Yaris but they don't come in diesel here," Connor shared.
"That would work fine, I don't fancy I'll be on any long treks but a bit of mobility would be nice given the state of public transit in this country," Maeve sniped.
"It's on the mend, Mam, but it's a hard pill for Americans to swallow," Connor agreed partially. "We've a train that can take you downtown but then it's Uber or taxis from there. The bus system is unusable by my reckoning. But it's getting better."
"Don't they drive on the left in Ireland?" Terri asked.
"We do dear but I drive a lot in Germany and they're on the right. Some can't sort it and they end up using a bus or train or even hiring a car with a driver. I spend so much time in Hamburg I have a flat there now."
"Mam, do you still have Da's old Rekord in Dublin?"
"I do and I drive it, if I need a modern car for a trip I hire one or take my motorcycle."
"Me Da bought an Opel Rekord in fifty-eight and never parted with it. It's indestructible. It still passes its MOT, eh Mam?"
"I had to have a new exhaust fitted last go round but it still passes year after year," Maeve grinned.
At home, Maeve was shown to the room across from Liam because it received morning sun which Connor knew his mam loved. A dainty wingback chair was placed in front of the window. Liam had placed two guitars in stands next to a stool. A Martin F-9 f hole arch top from 1934 and his Otto Rauch classical.
"Oh you sweet lad, thank you for the loan of the guitars, you picked out a couple nice ones, I'm impressed." Maeve gave Liam a kiss and asked what he thought of the new arrangement in the house.
"I love it, I have a real Mam now, someone who cares about me and loves me like Erica never did. Will you be here Friday, we have to go to court to see if we can stop the visits; I think the psychologist will back us up and get them ended. I'm always shattered when they're done and useless for days after."
"I'll be here my dear, I've planned two weeks and then I have to do a session with Clapton."
"That sounds grand, is it fun?" Liam inquired.
"Not as such, lots of takes playing the same eight or sixteen bars and then on to another bit of it. It's different from performance although sometimes with some artists it becomes a jam session when we've got the song done."
"I heard it's not the artists, it's the producers that drive everyone round the bend," Liam probed.
"True enough, 'That was lovely people, let's try it with a bit of slide guitar, can you handle that, Maeve?' I just want to beat him with the boom mic."
Liam chuckled and stood, "I'll let you unpack and settle in. Let me know if I can bring you anything."
Liam exited the door and Maeve marveled after him. He had never once asked what she thought of Terri or Danny and Maeve decided right there that if Connor and Liam loved them, she would too.
Liam and Danny had been spending time at the studio with Gavin working on their defensive skills. Gavin was impressed at the rate that Danny picked up the instruction and became confident in his abilities. He pulled Liam aside for a chat.
"So how ya feeling after yer set to with the nutter who shot Ya?"
"The wound’s all but healed Gavin, I'm fine," Liam responded.
"Don't be a prat, you had to mangle that boy to protect yerself and the others, don't try to tell me it didn't affect yer thinky bits!"
"I know Gavin, I did what I felt I needed to do but I didn't like it. If I failed he might have hurt someone I loved and that wasn't going to happen as long as I was alive. Da had me talk to a doctor about it and I've settled in me mind. I did what I needed to and didn't go overboard. So I'm okay," Liam explained.
"Too right, you'd have been justified taking him out permanent like but that would have really given you a burden to live with. I'm pleased you showed restraint and I hope you never have to do it again. Yer a good lad Liam and I'm proud to know you. Your mate Danny is coming along nicely, there'll be nobody pushin' him down in the loo," Gavin declared.
"I feel better that he's trained up a bit and that he took to it so well. Be sure to give him the rules of engagement like you did me, eh?" Liam requested.
"I will do, he's had part of it but I'll give him the rest, I hope he can digest it,” Gavin replied.
"He's stronger than he looks, especially inside, Gavin. He'll be fine, he just needs to hear the reality of it. I think my go round with Dave brought it home but a bit more won't hurt him."
"Hate don't seem to be in him, that's the heart of it, init?"
"True Gavin, it's part of why I love him."
"Well you go have a spar with Marcus and I'll have a word wif our young Danny then eh?"