Finding Niall

Fall 2010: Split

I sent a text back to my mom telling her I'd already checked with Tony and Spencer and that Spencer was joining the search.

I drove off, passing every single store and restaurant in town, driving slowly to peer in through the front windows like a peeping Tom. Then I turned up the hill towards Mammoth Cave. I parked before I got to the entrance and made my way to the cave where Niall and I had tried to spend the night but got scared away by the coyotes. No sign of him. I went into the park itself and told my boss I was going to search the caves for Niall. He asked me to be careful not to interrupt the tours; I nodded but I rolled my eyes behind his back. We were talking about a missing person here, not a stupid tourist attraction.

I scoured every last inch of every cave, even the ones I knew Niall wouldn't venture into because they were too cramped, but I had to check just to be sure. I got into my car several hours later and found just a few texts from people asking if I'd found him yet.

I had run out of ideas. I decided to head back to my house but when I parked, I decided on a whim to go to the treehouse in the back yard. I solemnly made my way up the steps, not wanting to be confronted by the worried faces I was sure to find in my house. When I opened the door, however, I was ecstatic to find Niall curled up on a sleeping bag.

"Niall!" I shouted and fell to my knees next to him. He rolled onto his back and opened his eyes to look at me. I think it took him a few moments to remember where he was. "What's wrong with you?" I cried. "Everyone is worried sick."

He sat up, saying, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for ya to worry. I just needed some time to think."

I sent a quick text to both sets of parents, telling them he was safe and sound and that we'd come home in a while. I didn't mention we were just outside because I didn't know how long Niall would need before going in.

I sat against the wall of the treehouse and motioned for him. "Come here," I said softly and he nestled himself between my legs, lying down and resting his head on my chest. "What happened?" I finally asked.

He shook his head, holding his breath and willing himself not to let the tears fall. But when I urged him further, he hugged me tightly and let go. His body began to shake with sobs and I felt truly terrified for a few moments. I'd never seen him fall apart like this. I pet his hair and rubbed his back while he cried.

Finally I said, "I know your folks are getting a divorce."

"Yeah," he sighed in a sorrowful tone.

"What happened?" I asked.

He drew his long sleeve across his eyes, wiping away the wetness. "My dad...he has another son."

I felt sick; this was like a nightmare. I knew and loved the Horans like they were my own parents. This couldn't be happening. I was completely speechless, so I sat and waited for Niall to continue.

"He's older than me," he said, sniffling. "You met him when we were in Ireland. His name is Greg."

I remembered Greg. He came to hang out once in a while and I was never sure if he was family or just a family friend, but now it made more sense. "Did your mom know?" I asked.

"No," he shook his head. "That's the thing - she just found out somehow and she told my dad to get out."

"Oh crap, Niall, I'm so sorry," I said, pulling him closer against my chest. "That sucks. So does that mean your dad cheated on your mom? Or was he married before and never told her?"

"He cheated," Niall whispered and broke down again. "They were married and it was a long time before I was born. I guess they had kind of a rocky start. I never would have guessed in a million years."

"I know, it's shocking, really."

"I have a brother, Meg. How did I grow up not knowing I had a brother? And now he's getting married and...." his voice trailed off. I didn't rush him, but he eventually finished, "and my parents are separating."

"Are they doing a trial separation first? Or just filing for divorce?"

"Separating, I think. But Meg, everything I knew to be true in my life is different."

"I know, Niall, I know," I whispered, still caressing his back while his arms tightened around my waist. We sat like that for a long time, and I fielded several texts from our parents and friends, telling them I would bring him home when he was ready and assuring them that he was safe and doing all right.

"I know it's not the same," I finally said. "But I'm here Niall and I'm never changing."

He looked up at me with a grateful smile, through bloodshot eyes. "I know y'are, Meg. And I love ya for it." His face still looked so sorrowful, it made my eyes well up again. "I'm not ready to go back yet," he whispered.

"It's all right. They know you're safe. That's all that matters," I assured him.

He got onto his knees, boosting himself up enough to kiss me. What I expected to be a comforting kiss became a heated kiss with Niall aggressively removing my clothes. It was chilly in the treehouse, but we soon snuggled under the sleeping bags and before we connected, Niall asked, "No one knows we're out here, right?"

"Right."

Niall made love to me urgently, obsessively. Like I was the cure for all his his pain. I knew I couldn't take it away for good, but I was happy to be there for him to forget for just a while.

* * * * *

Dun-dun-dun!

Shocked anyone?