Fireflies Read online

“Ma, I get these feelings now. I guess they’ve come with the healing but I can tell what people are feeling and thinking just by touching them,” Ennis said plainly and without reservation as Sarah dropped the large cast iron frying pan to the floor.

  “What’s all the noise?” asked Owen as he was coming through the back door.

  “I dropped me pan is all,” said Sarah as she looked over at Ennis.

  “Ennis, why are ya’ up at this hour boy?” asked Owen.

  “I saw the light in the barn. Da, Fagan’s worried about Mary. Something must be awfully wrong for him to be so worried he can’t sleep,” said Ennis.

  “Well son, that’s Fagan’s worry, not yours, and how did you know?” Owen said as he looked over at Sarah, who was shaking her head as if to say ‘Don’t ask.’

  “Da, when I was sitting on your lap last night on the front porch, I got these feelings like you were worried, too,” said Ennis, as Sarah slowly turned around from her frying pan and looked wide eyed at Owen.

  “Well of course I’m worried. I’m always worried Ennis. I’m a father, that’s what we do. We worry,” was Owen’s reply.

  “No, Da. You weren’t worried about us. You were worried about something else. Who are the Flynns?”

  “Flynns?” Owen looked as if he’d seen a ghost. His eyes were wide open and his heart felt as if it were beating out a cadence.

  “Where did you hear that name, son?” Owen asked.

  “From you, Da, from you,” Ennis said, as a look of fear came over his face and he began to back away from his father.

  “The Flynns are a family I knew back in Ireland. They may have crossed me mind last night while we were sitting outside. Ennis, you shouldn’t go pokin’ around like that in people’s heads. If they want something to be heard they’ll tell it to ya’, alright me boy?” Owen said, trying to calm Ennis’ fear as well as his own.

  “We’ll talk about this later Ennis. Now go back to bed until yer Ma calls you to breakfast,” Owen said as he waved his finger in the direction of the doorway.

  “Owen, aren’t you being a little harsh?” Sarah said as she walked toward Ennis and kissed his curls and sent him on his way back to bed.

  “Sarah, the boy is now reaching into the thoughts of others. He has to have boundaries. He can’t just go around doing that,” Owen said, pouring himself a cup of coffee and sitting down at the table.

  “We need to manage this somehow. I just don’t know how. We’ll have to cross each bridge as we reach it. I’ll speak to him after breakfast and tell him he can’t be poking into people’s heads and if he can’t help it, then he isn’t to speak of what he sees aloud without any question,” Sarah said as she went back to her frying pan to turn the bacon.

  “Thank you. I just don’t want him getting inta’ trouble by saying the wrong things,” Owen said softly, as he drank down his coffee and headed off to get washed up and dressed for work.

  “I love you, Sarah,” Owen said as he kissed her cheek and turned to leave the kitchen.

  “Good morning, Ma,” groaned Fagan as he came in the back door.

  “My, this place is busy this mornin’!” she said smiling. “Good mornin’ Fagan. Get yerself a cup of coffee son. Ya’ look like ya’ need one.”

  “I suppose my lack of sleep is showing is it?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Well, those sacs under yer eyes are goin’ to be steamer trunks soon if ya’ don’t get some rest,” Sarah remarked, as she removed the bacon from the pan and began mixing the biscuit dough.

  “Well, with any luck, Ennis is going to help me find out what’s troubling Mary,” Fagan said as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

  “Ennis? You’re not going to use your little brother to poke around inside of Mary’s head,” said Sarah sternly.

  “Why not, Ma? Ennis asked me if I wanted him to and at first I said no but the sooner I find out what it is, the sooner I can help her. It’s almost like healing, Ma,” Fagan explained, meeting his mother’s concerned expression with his own.

  “I realize yer brother’s – well – gifts are a tempting thing and they could possibly help a lot of people, Fagan, but I don’t want to risk his health and well-being by using them to our own ends,” Sarah said, kneading the biscuit dough firmly.

  “Ma, Mary is in some kind of trouble. I can feel that and I certainly don’t have any of Ennis’ gifts. She needs help,” Fagan pleaded.

  “Then ask her son. Just ask her. Don’t depend on Ennis to do it fer ya!” Sarah demanded, slamming the rolling pin down hard on the dough.

  “I understand, Ma,” Fagan said, finishing his coffee and heading back out the door to go to work.

  “Fagan yer’ breakfast!” Sarah called to him. “Oh cac!” she said, covering her mouth just as Owen was entering the kitchen again.

  “Now there’s the Sarah I married!” he laughed.

  “Owen, did you know Fagan planned to use Ennis to find out what is troubling Mary? Oh, and who were the Flynns?” Sarah asked planting her hands firmly on her hips yet again.

  “What’s troubling Mary? For goodness sakes, what’s wrong with the young woman? Can’t he just bloody ask her?” Owen inquired, drawing a second cup of coffee from the pot.

  “My thoughts exactly Owen – and who were the Flynns?” Sarah persisted.

  “Back in Ireland Sarah, they were a family I knew is all,” Owen replied turning away.

  “You know, I knew Flynns as well. Our stable man Dan, old Dan as we called him was a Flynn. Maybe they’re related? Oh wait, never mind. There must be thousands of Flynns in Ireland. Owen, hand me that pot holder,” Sarah said, taking the biscuits out of the oven.

  Owen sat quietly. His mind was again crossing the Atlantic and stepping precariously into Ireland.

  “Owen? The pot holder please?” asked Sarah, holding onto the pan with her dish cloth.

  “Sorry,” Owen said as Sarah’s voice propelled him back into his kitchen.

  “Ma! Should I call the others to breakfast now?” asked Brogan, now standing in the doorway of the kitchen.

  “Yes, Brogan. Yes!” Sarah called back to him impatiently.

  Brogan went on his morning rounds, knocking on Teagan and Liffey’s door, rousing them to breakfast as they were just finishing up their morning rituals.

  “Ennis, Patrick, Connell! Breakfast!” Brogan called.

  “Why does he always have to call us to breakfast?” asked Liffey.

  “Because he’s always hungry,” Teagan said with a giggle.

  “Well you’re awfully cheerful this morning Teagan,” Liffey said.

  “Well of course I am Lif! I’m in love!” Teagan replied, scrubbing her face.

  “Well, I’ll soon be in love too and you’ll just have to tolerate my exuberance as well,” Liffey replied laughing.

  “I certainly hope so, Lif,” Teagan said, embracing her sister. “Now let’s go help Ma and get to the day.”

  “Don’t forget Ennis,” Liffey said with a frown.

  “Oh I haven’t forgotten,” Teagan replied rolling her eyes.

  “He thinks I hate him but that’s ridiculous. I’m just frustrated is all. I want to go to the office with Da and get started on my studies but I can’t. Not until Ma is certain we can manage his gifts,” Teagan said.

  “Gifts?”

  “Yes. Apparently now he can read minds or something of the sort. Yesterday, he told me what I was thinking about him and I hadn’t said a word!” Teagan exclaimed as she buttoned up her shirt.

  “No! My goodness what will happen next?” Liffey asked.

  “Nothing. That’s all I can do,” came Ennis’ voice from the other side of the door.

  “Ennis, come in here please,” said Teagan with sarcastic sweetness.

  “It isn’t polite to eavesdrop, Ennis,” chided Liffey, taking him by the hand and leading him downstairs to breakfast.

  Teagan came right along behind them and they began pulling the dishes and setting the table. Ennis climbed into his c
hair next to his father and lowered his head.

  “Ennis me boy! What’s troubling you son?” Owen asked while pushing Ennis’ curls back from his forehead and watching them fall back into place.

  “Sarah, I believe this child needs a haircut,” Owen remarked.

  “Everyone is angry at me now. I wish this stupid thing would just shut off,” Ennis said quietly to his father.

  “Oh, me boy, they’re not angry. They just don’t understand. To be honest, none of us understand, but…”

  Owen was interrupted by a knock at front door.

  “Go see who’s calling, Patrick,” Owen said just as Patrick entered the room.

  Patrick turned on his heels and headed back out of the kitchen and straight to the front door and pulled it open.

  Standing on the porch was Pastor Lincoln.

  “Good morning, Pastor Lincoln. It’s awfully early don’t you think? We’re just about to have our breakfast. Won’t you come in?” Patrick said, holding the door open for the Pastor to enter.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Da! Pastor Lincoln’s here!” shouted Patrick from the parlor.

  “What in the devil?” Owen fussed, with a fork full of eggs an inch from his lips.

  “Owen!” shouted Sarah, throwing him a look.

  “I’ll just go and see what brings the good pastor out here at this early hour,” Owen grumbled, scrambling to his feet and correcting himself.

  Owen stepped lively into the parlor and greeted Pastor Lincoln, inviting him to have a seat.

  “I’m sorry to call so early, Dr. Whelan,” Pastor Lincoln apologized.

  “Owen, please,” Owen interrupted.

  “Owen. After we spoke Monday evening, I thought about what my wife had said and she and I discussed it further after you and Mrs. Whelan left,” Pastor Lincoln said softly.

  “Well if I’m being honest as I always do me best to do, Mrs. Whelan and I have decided it best if we just take it day by day and keep Ennis’ gifts to ourselves,” Owen replied.

  “Gifts?” asked Pastor Lincoln straightening his back in his seat.

  “Oh did I say gifts? I meant to say gift,” Owen replied.

  “Well, I’d still like to offer my help, as my wife enlightened me to a few things and I feel we may yet have some knowledge to impart to help your…well situation,” said Pastor Lincoln, as he pulled out his handkerchief.

  “Well . . . thank you, Pastor, but I’m sure we’ll be just fine and with all due respect, to us this isn’t a situation, he’s our son,” Owen said as he rose to his feet.

  “Thank you for seeing me unannounced, Owen. Just think about it and we’ll see you Sunday?” said Pastor Lincoln as Owen shook his hand and walked him to the door.

  “We’ll see you Sunday,” said Owen as he closed the door.

  “Owen Whelan,” said Sarah as she stood behind him. “Did you just kick Pastor Lincoln out of our home?”

  “No, Sarah! No! I’m just hungry. Who calls at this hour of the morning? He could have come to my office or stopped by this evening. Now I barely have enough time to eat,” said Owen as he passed Sarah and headed back into the kitchen to join the children.

  “Owen, I’ll speak with you after breakfast. There’s no reasoning with an Irishman when he’s hungry,” Sarah exclaimed as she burst into the kitchen and took her seat.

  All of the children sat silently looking at their parents for a few moments until Patrick spoke.

  “Where’s Fagan?”

  “He went to work early today,” Sarah replied. “Everyone hush and eat.”

  “But, Ma we haven’t said grace,” pleaded Brogan.

  “I’ll say the grace,” said Owen. “Lord, bless our food and keep our family safe as we go through this day and return us safely to our beds tonight. Amen.”

  Owen rushed through his meal and told Connell to bring the carriage around. Fagan had harnessed Joe as usual before he’d left so Connell was quick about meeting his father in front of the house.

  “Owen, have a wonderful day dear,” said Sarah as she placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

  Owen took her in his arms on the front porch and squeezed her tightly. “Sarah, thank you,” was all he could say as he hurried off down the steps and into the carriage.

  “Bye Da!” called Ennis from his mother’s side.

  “Ennis! Come with me. Let’s find something to do,” Teagan suggested.

  Sarah found it curious Teagan was so eager to spend time with Ennis, when only days before she was devastated. Something wasn’t quite right and of course, somehow Sarah would find the reason for Teagan’s sudden acceptance of her circumstances.

  “Chores first,” Sarah said as they ran into the house together.

  Ennis happily trotted along after Teagan, in hopes they would be able to visit the kittens. Teagan asked her mother again if they could go and she again granted permission but Teagan remembered Eli would not be there. He had told her before he returned her home the night before he would be going to work with his father now daily, in order to make the money he would need to start building the house. Teagan did, however, want to speak with Ennis so she chose a picnic for them and allowed him to help her pack the basket once they were finished their morning chores.

  “This looks like a good spot, Ennis,” Teagan said as she pulled the large table cloth from under her arm and began to shake it out over a level area of ground, not far from the house.

  “Teagan, can I set the table?” Ennis asked playfully.

  “Why yes you may, sir,” she replied in turn.

  “This is such fun Teagan. I’m so happy you’re not angry anymore,” Ennis smiled.

  “I believe I’ve realized spending time with you and learning to not always put myself first is a good lesson for me. After all, if I’m to become a doctor, I need to learn compassion and patience,” Teagan said as she pulled a fresh roll from the basket, placed a slice of ham on top and handed it to Ennis.

  “Aren’t you going to ask me about Eli?” Ennis said with his mouth full of food.

  “Well please chew your food first but yes, I was going to ask you about Eli after we’ve eaten.”

  “He loves you. He loves you more than anything Teagan. More than the kittens too,” Ennis said, taking another big bite.

  “Ennis, I told you to stop trying to talk with your mouth full. He does?” Teagan smiled.

  Ennis nodded his head quickly and smiled with his mouth closed.

  “So what do you think, Ennis? Do you think once I become a doctor, Eli and I should get married?” Teagan asked.

  “I do! I do! Hahaha!” Ennis replied jokingly. “Did you get my joke Teagan? I do! I do!”

  Teagan broke into laughter and found she was truly enjoying Ennis’ company for the first time and not simply doing her sisterly duty.

  “Teagan, who are the Flynns?” Ennis asked unexpectedly.

  “Flynns? I don’t know any Flynns, Ennis, why?” Teagan asked, swiping a bit of food from Ennis’ lips.

  “Last night while you were out with Eli, I was sitting with Da and he kept thinking about that name and a place I think is Ireland,” Ennis replied, now reaching for a piece of his mother’s homemade cheese.

  “Was it a lovely place Ennis? I’ve often wondered what a beautiful fancy home Da had as a boy in Ireland. I’m surprised he never speaks about it,” Teagan asked, rolling onto her back on the cloth and looking up at the clouds.

  “I don’t think so. I got the feeling he was very unhappy there and I felt very hungry,” Ennis answered, now lying next to Teagan looking up at the clouds as well.

  “Ennis, you must be mistaken. Da’s family was very well off and I’m sure he was never hungry,” Teagan said as she rolled onto her stomach, looking down at Ennis’ freckled face. He closed his eyes tightly for a few seconds and then opened them and looked right at her.

  “No Teagan, I’m not mistaken. He was sad and he was very hungry. He was saying goodbye to someone in his thoughts. Someone with the name Flynn
but then he was happy and he was with a very lovely older woman in his thoughts. She seemed very kind,” Ennis said smiling now.

  “Hmm . . .well, he was probably thinking of someone he knew as a boy who he felt sorry for. Yes, Ennis, that explains it,” Teagan said reaching into the basket for a piece of cheese.

  “Teagan, I’m so glad you’re happy with Eli and with me,” Ennis sounded pleased.

  “Me too. Now let’s go find Brogan and have him write us a story about sweet old ladies and hungry little boys and we’ll see if Ma has any more of that delicious cake!” Teagan said jumping to her feet and gathering up their picnic.

  “Teagan, can I tell you something?” Ennis asked.

  “Of course. You can tell me anything.”

  “I want to help people. I want to help them get well,” Ennis said softly.

  “Ennis, I’m not sure if that’s a good idea,” Teagan said, brushing his hair back off of his forehead.

  “Why? Why would God make me this way if I wasn’t supposed to help people?” Ennis asked as he sat up.

  “Well, whether God wants you to help people or not Ennis, that doesn’t mean Ma does and she and Da are in charge here on Earth,” Teagan explained, smiling as she tried to comfort him.

  “Teagan, can you help me? Can you help me to find them and make them better?” Ennis pleaded.

  “Ennis, I don’t think I can. I don’t think Ma would allow it,” Teagan replied, watching Ennis climb to his feet.

  “Well, all right, Teagan, but I’m gonna ask Ma and Da and I’m gonna tell them I have to help people or I don’t know what I’ll do!” Ennis said with deep conviction and sincerity.

  “Alright, how about tonight after supper, you and I will talk to Da about it first and we’ll see what he thinks,” Teagan replied thoughtfully, reaching out for his hand.

  “That sounds wonderful. Promise me something will you?” Ennis asked.

  “Of course!”

  “Don’t think about all of that kissing with Eli when we’re together. It makes me sick!” Ennis laughed and started running from Teagan towards the house.

  “Ennis wait! One more thing!” Teagan called out to him.

  Ennis stopped and looked back at her, waiting on the one more thing.