John pulled an empty chair toward me.
"'ave a seat, Will, me son."
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I sat down, nodding to those present.
John, Captain Parsons and two other men. I recognized their faces, but never caught their names.
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"Dis be me bruther, Colin and he's bruther-in-law, Peter."
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I shook hands with all four men.
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"Johnny be sayin' dat youse interested in buyin' all da land dat bes 'round youse, at da point?"
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I nodded.
"I do, Colin."
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He laughed slightly.
"Why be youse want dat old land. Not be gud fer nuttin'."
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"So I've heard," I agreed.
"Let's just say it has sentimental value."
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John spoke.
"We've talked it over Will, me son, but we can't seem to come up with no kind of decent price."
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I motioned for a round of drinks and spoke to the four.
"Well. Lets do a trade then."
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Peter laughed.
"A trade? What kinda trade?"
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I waited until the drinks arrived and I paid for them, before continuing.
"Here is what I was thinking. You sign the land over to me or sell it for $1 or whatever is legal and I will do something special for the village."
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"Well, Will, me son. We can legally sell it fer let's say one hundred dollars. Dats never been da issue Will. I means, youse has done so much fer us already, with da tractor and such. We's is jest wondering' why the hell youse wants it."
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I took a deep breath.
"I heard there is a pirate's treasure buried there."
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The four stared at me and then at each other and then cracked up laughing.
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"I always says youse is a bit strange, Will me son," John said, slapping me on the back.
"Don't be telling' Cora I called you dat tho."
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"Don't worry," I assured him.
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"Okay, Will," John quipped, sitting back in his chair.
"Youse has yer own reasons fer wantin' dat land and wes all 'ppreciates dat, me son.
But now youse got me curious as to what youse wants to trade fer it."
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I took a deep breath.
"Well, what about I build you a village centre. One with a, lets say, a gymnasium, where you can have a fitness centre and a place to hold dances and such."
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"Youse sayin' we be fat," Colin laughed, shaking his belly.
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"Youse is fat," Peter snapped back.
"Now let da young man finish what he be sayin'."
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"Well it could be like a town hall as well. An office for the Mayor and maybe even a small library with computers and such. Maybe even have a small Pub as well."
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"We has our Pub, Will, boy," Peter reminded me.
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I nodded.
"I know that Peter. Let's just say that you guys draw the plans up and I will build it anyway that you want."
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John leaned forward.
"Youse be serious, Will?"
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I nodded, sipping my beer.
"Very much so, John."
I took a deep breath.
"Whatever you want. I will hire an architect to design the building and I will pay for everything."
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Colin laughed.
"What be youse won da lottery or somethin', Will?"
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I had to snicker.
"Or something," I answered.
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"Will boy, we's already agreed dat youse can 'ave da land. Youse don't 'ave to do anythin' else."
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"I want to, John, but I do have a couple stipulations."
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He nodded.
"What be dat?"
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"The building has to be named after the Dove family, that used to live out at the point and the library has to be named after Jennifer Nicole.
The little girl who disappeared the night of the fire."
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John nodded and looked at the others.
"Well, me sons. What be youse thinkin'?"
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"Ise be curious 'ow did young fella can be affording' dis," Colin mentioned.
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"Let's just say that I came into some money a few years ago and I made some pretty smart investments. Internet and such."
I did not want to tell them about the lottery winnings, but at the same time, I did not want to lie to the men.
This seemed like a good compromise.
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Captain Parsons laughed.
"Now if you agreed to put some new shingles on the church roof, that would be perfect."
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I agreed, immediately.
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"I was just joking Will, although the old girl could use it."
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I nodded.
"I will fix up the roof. Even a new paint job, if you want."
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Captain Parsons smiled and shook my hand.
"Then you have my support, Will."
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John got up from his chair.
"CAN I 'AVE ALL YOUSE 'TENTION, PLEASE."
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It took a minute or so, for silence to come to the Pub.
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John turned to me.
"Stand up Will."
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I did so, tentatively. I did not like being the centre of attention.
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John addressed the village.
"Will 'ere wants to 'ave all dat scrubby land around he's 'ouse, out dere at da point."
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"Why da 'ell would he be wantin' dat old land?" someone yelled.
Others wondered as well.
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John shook his head.
"Not be me business.
But, what Will say he will do is be buildin' us a new community place. One where we can 'ave dances and meetins and such and even have an office for da Mayor and even a library and such."
He turned to the Captain.
"He has even agreed to put a new roof on da church, ifin we wants."
He turned to me.
"Yer turn, Will."
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"Ah shit," I cracked, not expecting to be put on the spot.
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"Dere be a bat'room near da bar, Will me son."
Everyone in the Pub laughed.
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Cora stood up.
"Okay, everyone. Let da poor boy 'ave hes say."
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A moment later the Pub was silent again.
I took a deep breath.
"I love it here at Maynard's Rock. For the first time in my life, I feel like I belong somewhere and I just want to show my appreciation to the community.
I intend to live here for a long time and I guess this is my way of saying thank you for allowing me to be a part of your community."
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John started clapping and soon everyone joined him.
I know I turned a hundred shades of red.
When it quietened down a little, someone from the back of the Pub yelled.
"Ise tinks da new guy shut be buyin' us all a wee drink."
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I nodded and smiled, turning toward the bar.
"Drinks are on me for the rest of the day."
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The bartender smiled and rang the ships bell at the end of the bar.
"Drinks be on da 'ouse."
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This time there was a huge cheer, as people headed toward the bar.
Each and every one of them shook my hand or hugged me.
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It felt good.