Secrets Left Neglected

Prologue B

How to Pronounce an Irish Character Name:

Cian sounds like "Key-an".

Irish Language Translation:

"Feis" sounds like "fesh" and means a dance tournament/contest.

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WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG

Tadhg

"Say what now?" I ask, shaking my head unconsciously. Is she for real? Yes, we're best friends, but she's a girl and she wants me to-

"-kiss me," she answers, hands on her hips, her feis skirt fanning out from her waist.

We're behind the staging area after the event and I'm looking around for someone to come and save me.

"Please Tadhg, you have to," she pleads, reaching out to hold my hand in hers. I look down at the tiny Claddagh on her right hand and my heart races in my chest.

"But-" I stutter.

"Tadhg, if you don't do this I'll have to marry someone else. Please don't make me do that."

"Caoi," I respond. "You're only eight years old! I can't marry you. You're too young."

"What, you have a better offer?" she asks giving me an evil look.

"What?" I stammer. "No, I'm eight! Who would want to marry me?" I throw my arms out to emphasize my shock and frustration. Is this girl for real? I peak around to make sure no other dancers are nearby. I can't believe I'm having this conversation. If any of my teammates hear about this I'll be picked on forever. Rugby players do not get married. I look up towards the back of the stage and take in the railings above me. When my gaze comes back down, I take in Caoilainn's pout. I can see the waterworks about to fall from her eyes.

Uh-oh. Oh, shit. I don't like crying. Crying is not good. Crap. What do I do? What do I do?

This is not good. This is bad.

Caoilainn plops down in front of me in a huff.

"What're you doing?" I ask panicking.

"What do you think, Tadhg?" she asks clearly pissed off at me. So much for those tears. They've been replaced with a miniature attitude.

"I'm going to take my hard shoes off and get changed. I have a wedding to be in," she tells me. "And since you won't marry me, I'll have to find someone else who will." She turns her eyes towards the strap around her ankle and gets to work at taking her shoes and poodle socks off.

Someone else? Did she just say she's going to marry someone else? Whew. What a relief. I let out a sigh and rub my hand on my cheek. Thank goodness. I'm off the hook, although...

Who else is she going to ask?

No.

It's not my problem.

Nevermind.

I don't need to know.

Then again, this is Caoi. I can't have her marrying just anyone.

Why the hell am I even having this kind of conversation with her anyway? I'm only eight years old. (Ok, eight and three quarters).

I wonder who she'll ask.

It's not like there are a lot of guys to choose from.

Maybe she'll ask Brody. He's an okay guy, but then again, he's not very good at rugby yet. What if he's not strong enough for Caoilainn?