Dealmonie Madigan
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About this ebook
Onteaka Crayton-Scott
Onteaka D. Scott resides in West Memphis, Arkansas. She has been married to Bruce C. Scott, Sr. for 12 years. They have three sons, Bruce Jr., Matthew and Mark. She began writing DeAlmonie Madigan at age 13. Watch for her upcoming sequel entitled, With Love As Our Guide.
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Dealmonie Madigan - Onteaka Crayton-Scott
DeAlmonie Madigan
All Rights Reserved © 2002 by Onteaka D. Scott
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the publisher.
Writers Club Press
an imprint of iUniverse, Inc.
For information address:
iUniverse, Inc.
5220 S. 16th St., Suite 200
Lincoln, NE 68512
www.iuniverse.com
Any resemblance to actual people and events is purely coincidental. This is a work of fiction.
ISBN: 0-595-21702-8
ISBN: 978-1-4697-6031-5 (ebook)
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
Author’s Note
CHAPTER 1
In The Beginning
CHAPTER 2
Just Like Sisters
CHAPTER 3
Like Mother, Like Daughter
CHAPTER 4
Oh So Faux
CHAPTER 5
Darkness Covers All
CHAPTER 6
Like A Woman Scorned
CHAPTER 7
Her Big Break
CHAPTER 8
Deal With The Devil
CHAPTER 9
Their New Beginning
CHAPTER 10
Doing It God’s
Way
CHAPTER 11
God Answers Prayers
This book is dedicated to my loving and devoted husband Bruce C. Scott, Sr. He has encouraged me every step of the way and without his constant support, I could not have possibly completed this task. I also dedicate this book to my beloved parents Robert L. Crayton and the late Hazel B. Crayton who expired in January of 1973, when I was very young. I couldn’t have asked for better parents.
Preface
In a world where things aren’t always what they seem, a beautiful, young woman from a distant land comes to America to make her dreams of becoming a fashion designer a reality. Her eyes sparkle with the sincerity that glows within. In this new land, all that she was taught and all that she has ever known about God’s love will be tested. In her elusive quest for success, will she compromise her values and sell her soul for fame? Her mind is never far from home and all that she left behind.
Acknowledgements
To the following people who have contributed in the way of research or by some other means that was immensely helpful. Thank you.
Dr. Young Ezekiel Braide, M.D. Cicely Wilson Jeanie Martz Linda Roberts Kim Lawson
Author’s Note
Dialect is not heard in letters because it is written, not spoken.
CHAPTER 1
In The Beginning
It was a warm day in Dublin, Ireland, in the summer of 1979. The May sky cast its haze over the many onlookers who bid farewell to their loved ones. Hardly a dry eye was seen for miles. A tall, slender, young woman with long, brown hair slowly boarded the airplane bound for America with its amber waves of grain. Try as she might to go unnoticed, it never happened, for she was indeed a stunning beauty. Her sparkling, green eyes were bewitchingly beautiful. Her flawless figure was second to none, but she still never knew the real effect that she had on men.
She was one to make her opinion known, but she was not opinionated. She was quite tactful and polite, which were some of the reasons that made her so endearing and why people were magnetically drawn to her.
Everyone liked DeAlmonie Marissia Madigan. To say she was gorgeous would be an understatement because that would never tell just how radiant she actually was. Giving one last look over her shoulder, she paused to view her homeland for the last time as a single tear stained her eye.
Mixed emotions filled Elise Madigan as she watched her only child board the airplane. Even though she knew this was for the best, it was still hard letting go. DeAlmonie reminded Elise of her husband and of happier times gone by. A smile soon replaced Elise’s tears as her mind drifted back to when it all began.
The year was 1959. It was a cool, January day in Los Angeles, California. The time was 4:00 in the afternoon, and school had adjourned for the day and so had Elise Thaxton. By day she was an elementary school teacher, but in the evening she donned her dark blue apron and helped her parents run the best place around for delectable desserts in all of Los Angeles, Thaxton’s Bakery.Ithad been a fixture in the neighborhood for the past twenty years. President Eisenhower had even stopped there a few years ago and had his picture taken with her parents. Her father was especially proud of the picture which hung alongside their first dollar bill.
Elise was the envy of most of the female teachers at Horace Mann Elementary School. She was 5’5" tall and was the kind of person people liked to be around. Intelligent, funny and kind were only a few of her positive attributes. Her skin was the color of rich mahogany. It was so smooth and perfect without a single blemish. Oh, those dimples were an added charm, not to mention how her sparkling, pearly whites always seemed to melt the hearts of men everywhere. Her perfect coke-bottle figure was always an immediate head-turner. Elise was quite modest because she never took her unsurpassed beauty seriously. She always thought beauty was indeed in the eye of the beholder and just because someone said that she was beautiful today didn’t mean that same person would feel the same way tomorrow.
On this particular day as Elise entered the bakery, there were only a few customers. Her mother, Hazel, went to the back to assist her father, Robert, in baking more of their special donuts and breads.
One such customer was a tall man about 6’4" with a tan indicative of outdoor work. His stunning good looks could not be denied. His short, light brown crew cut complemented his deep, blue eyes quite favorably. He was the kind of man to whom women were instantly attracted. His stunning physique included broad shoulders, a muscular chest and a washboard abdomen that connected to a tapered waistline that proved he was in excellent physical condition. His white shirt was neatly tucked inside of his gray slacks and held in place by a belt and suspenders.
His type was obvious because it spelled lothario with a capital L.
Even he had grown tired of jumping from bed to bed and from pillow to post. The appeal was gone, and it was no longer any fun to be with a different woman practically every night. He too longed for someone he could love. He knew that one day he would find her and when he did, nothing would stop him from making her his! He never thought he was God’s gift to women, but then he didn’t have to! Oh no, there were far too many women that already believed it.
It was a warm day, so the jacket to his suit was casually thrown across his shoulder as he held it in place with his fingers. This only showcased his well-developed biceps as an older woman smiled when she saw him. He seemed to be in his mid-twenties or so. The 23 year old Elise hurried outfront as she pulled on her apron and tied it around her tiny waist. On the way to the bakery, she kept reminding herself that this year she would adhere to her New Year’s Resolution.
So far, so good! It’s January 5th and I’m going to stay away from the wrong kind of men! I must have an invisible sign on my back, because they all run in my direction and I’m tired of it. I hardly date, but the ones I do take time with are always the wrong kind! If I even think he’ll be a problem, he doesn’t even get the time of day, she thought.
But just as she looked up, she saw the most hypnotic pools of blue she had ever seen staring back at her. Their depth knew no end and it seemed she could see forever in them! They belonged to a tall man who seemed so pleasantly surprised at seeing Elise that he lost himself for a moment. Before he knew what hit him, he mumbled something under his breath. Confident no one heard him, he tried to regain his composure. He was taken aback by her beauty and could
not believe it himself.
Thank God, no one heard me,
he said softly with a sigh of relief.
"Oh, but I did," Elise stated, much to his surprise. The stranger’s eyes widened and he smiled warmly at her.
He must be a Marine with hair like that! I wonder what he just said? It’s obvious now that he’s a foreigner. My guess is Russian since he’s so big and tall. All of the ones that I’ve seen on television are big and robust. Whatever he is, he’s going to have to explain himself. I want to know what he said. I have a feeling it was an insult, Elise thought as she felt his eyes boring holes in her. From the moment their eyes met, he was completely captivated by her, and didn’t care who knew it!
Heaven help me! They don’t make women this beautiful back home! Aye, her skin is so smooth and so flawless! I’ll bet it’s as soft as it is lovely, he thought, as he tried not to stare but failed miserably at it. She noticed his eyes seemed to follow her everywhere as he smiled at her and then approached the counter.
Ta si go halainn. It means, she is beautiful and ya are. I speak Gaelic because I’m Irish,
the stranger said as his eyes saw her beauty in all of its splendor. She didn’t know what to do or think for that matter. Now that her question was answered, she quickly looked away and began helping an older woman in front of him.
The next few moments gave the stranger the opportunity to drink in her essence, and he did just that. He noticed everything about her, including her flawless complexion, her stunning hourglass figure that was accentuated at the waist by the knot she put in her apron, to her shapely legs that he’d never seen the likes of in Ireland.
I don’t see a ring, so she must be single…But his thoughts were interrupted by the sweet sound of her voice. It was as if he was hearing the sweetest words ever uttered as she spoke to him.
May I help you?
Elise asked as brown eyes met blue in a collision course that seemed to be his undoing.
Now was his chance to notice each detail about the most stunning woman he’d ever seen in his life, and he would use it to his fullest advantage! His eyes studied every inch of her mouth and each curve of her face as she stood waiting to assist him. After a brief pause, he smiled at her and stared directly into her deep amber pools.
Good afternoon. Which o’ these luscious desserts did your delicate fingers create?
His thick Irish accent caused her to raise her eyebrows as his comment took her by surprise. She gave him a curious look, and then pointed to the red velvet cake inside the case. Elise had the feeling this was not a random question.
Why did you ask that? No one has ever asked me that since we’ve owned this bakery,
she stated. By now she had begun to suspect something, but she wasn’t sure what to make of it yet. She glanced away from the intensity of his eyes in an attempt to escape somehow. He smiled as she raised her eyebrows in skepticism once more.
Because I want ta buy something your fingers have touched, something ya have created with those beautiful hands o’ yours. I’m a foreigner in this land, but in ma country when a man wants ta become acquainted with a woman, he eats at her table, and then many things are revealed. But what I would really like ta know is, if I may see ya tonight? Perhaps I could come back after ya close for tha day? May I call on ya then? I don’t know anyone here as I just arrived in this country today. Most Americans are, how do ya say, unfriendly. Your smile endeared me ta ya as soon as I saw ya. The name is Ian Duncan Madigan, at your service,
he said with a humble nod and a smile.
Elise couldn’t believe it! He must be a foreigner indeed to walk up to a Negro woman just like that and boldly ask her out without batting an eye. Sure he wasn’t from the states, but surely he noticed the invisible color barrier that separated the races. Ian actually didn’t see any barrier. He couldn’t see it because from that moment on, Ian Madigan was blinded by her beauty and saw only her and not the world that would judge them harshly or give them dirty looks when they were together. None of that mattered to him. He only cared about being with her.
Trying to digest what she just said, Elise gave him a look even more curious than before.
Listen, Mr. Madigan, that’s very nice, but no thank you. Here’s your red velvet cake, and I hope you enjoy it. Now that will be $4.20 please.
He handed the money to her and quickly kissed her hand before she could pull away. Fluttering her eyelashes in surprise, her eyes widened like saucers! Her mother who was watching from the back shook her head as a sign of her displeasure. Much to Elise’s surprise, Ian suddenly stepped behind the counter to be near her.
Please don’t think me too forward, but it’s just that a woman as beautiful as yourself is either married or has suitors storming tha place night and day. So which is it?
He paused only long enough for her to think, but not to respond. He wasn’t finished yet.
But surely a woman as lovely as yourself would wear a ring telling tha world that ya were indeed spoken for. What is your name, dear lady?
Looking down at her naked finger, which stood as a testimony to this very fact, Ian knew he had at least succeeded in putting something on her mind, if nothing else. She didn’t know what to say to all of this unexpected attention. She knew he had to leave and the time was now!
My name is Elise Thaxton. I’m not married, but that is not your concern.
Ian smiled as he heard the sweetest name ever uttered. Over and over he continued hearing her name in his head. It was like a sweet song being carried on the wings of the wind. He inhaled heavily as he smiled at her.
El-ise Thax-ton. Aye, how beautiful your name is! I’ve never heard a sweeter name in all ma life.
His accent was very pronounced as she had never heard anything like it in her life, but she never let on to him that she found it the least bit interesting. Elise turned away and busied herself behind the counter.
There was something about him that was very genuine and captivating. Elise had never felt so drawn to anyone in her life, although she tried with all of her might to resist his charm. She rebuffed his advances vehemently! When his eyes met hers, he made her feel as if no other woman existed in the universe, only her.
He stood there oblivious to everything around him, as his eyes seemed to see only her and no one else. He took his cake and glanced atop of the box that read "Thaxton’s Bakery" in bold print. As he looked closer, he saw the phone number beneath. This seemed to bring a smile to him somehow.
He’s crazy! She thought as she watched him leave, but not before feasting his eyes on her extraordinary beauty once more. In that moment, their eyes met again and there was no denying the very deep connection between them. Ian knew he had never felt anything like this until he looked into her amber pools. He turned to leave, and just when she thought him gone, she gave a small smile. To her surprise, there he was smiling back at her! He had to see one last glimpse of her before leaving and he did. He saw the faintest smile form at the corners of her lips and that was enough encouragement for him. She, on the other hand, wanted to kick herself when she saw his smiling face, which smiled even bigger knowing he had an idea of how she truly felt. No words were necessary as his eyes spoke volumes to hers. Her heart betrayed her, because against her will she dropped her guard, and such a thing as a small smile had given her away.
Why did I smile back? That was so stupid! He wasn’t supposed to turn around and see me do that! This guy is bad news. I can just feel it. This whole situation is nothing more than trouble waiting to happen! She chided herself for letting his smile and warmth catch her off guard.
What did that Irishman say to you, honey? I could hear that accent all the way in the kitchen! He’s not like the average white man who’s just out for what he can get. That man is serious! He had the same look in his eyes that your father had in his when I met him 27 years ago. You just watch because we haven’t seen the last of him! Well, what are you going to do, because he’ll be back,
Elise’s mother asked as she remembered how she felt all of those years ago, when she first laid eyes on her husband. Her eyes had a distant gaze, a somewhat glassy look, as she returned to the present and to her daughter’s unusual problem.
Mama, I can’t explain it, but he is different.
Just then the phone rang.
So, you close at 5:00? Thank you,
Ian said using his best southern accent in an attempt to disguise his voice. He hung up the phone with a smile.
Perfect! That’s all I need ta know,
he said smiling as he strolled into the bathroom. He couldn’t help but feel somewhat confident. After all, she did smile at him, but she also rejected him too. He never gave that part a second thought. Excitement filled him as he thought of how well things had gone for him today. He never imagined things could possibly get any better for him, but they did. He went into the bakery and laid eyes on the most vibrant woman he’d ever seen.
Upon the reading of his father’s will, he learned that his father left a safe deposit box at a Los Angeles bank. The will specified the key be given to Ian and the contents would belong to him, since his mother was already provided for and it was expected that she’d share with his sister who was unmarried and still at home. Ian’s father knew this would help him to make his dreams a reality. Ian had always worked side by side with his father in the family business. The Madigan’s had processed and exported fine wool for years. Ian was all that a father thought a son should be. Among many things, he was a superb boxer just as his father, Keffen was in the beginning until his sight began to fail him. Keffen Madigan coached Ian and the two were a winning combination. Ian looked a lot like his father except he was a much bigger man.
My luck just couldn’t get any better than this! Ah, she was a dream to behold. I must pursue her! I can’t leave the country without her, I just can’t! But how will I make her mine? Ian thought.
Elise had captivated him without even trying. With a fresh shave, shower and a splash of cologne, he was even more appealing than ever! Elise noticed him as he walked inside with a bouquet of two dozen long-stemmed red roses just as she was about to lock the door.
Once inside the door, Ian’s smile warmed her somehow. He had a way of making her feel at ease, which was quite rare. He knew deep within that she had touched a part of him that he always held in reserve for the special woman he wanted to spend forever with. Whatever it took, he had to be in her company; he had to be with her somehow!
Aye Lass, I had ta see ya again. Please don’t send me away! On ma honor, I’m a gentleman. I promise. Your smile has haunted me all tha day long. Would ya do me tha honor o’ having dinner with me and giving me tha chance ta get ta know ya better?
he asked hopefully. His eyes worked their magic on her, but not enough, because she didn’t relent. His eyes were so intense and something in his smile told her she could trust him, somewhat at least. Her heart tugged at her in so many directions all at once! Catching her breath, she exhaled and stood toe to toe with him. Staring him down, she shook her head and projected as much anger as she could.
"Ian, this is not Ireland or haven’t you noticed? I am not some doe-eyed lass who is in awe of your baby blue eyes. Irish eyes certainly aren’t smiling today, and I don’t see any shamrocks around here either! Now why don’t you go somewhere else where the luck of the Irish might be smiling on you, because it isn’t happening here!
They always talk about the ‘devil in the blue dress’ but what they failed to mention is the ‘devil with the blue eyes!’ Now listen Mr. Devil, I mean uh, Madigan, this is a business or haven’t you noticed?" She declared in a serious manner before turning with a jerk. He was saddened to say the least, and she couldn’t have been any clearer than that.
Ian silently walked away and as he did, she tossed her head at him in displeasure. In doing so, her long, black hair whipped across his right cheek. It wasn’t hard enough to hurt him, but it was quite an eye-opener, and it provided him with a long, lasting whiff of her wonderfully scented hair. It felt like a shock to his system! The fresh strawberry scent filled his nostrils, and all he could think of was how nice her hair would feel in his hand, if he ever had the chance to touch it.
Instead of making him angry as she knew he would be and abandon his pursuit of her, he smiled. Her fire ignited a flame within him! Never having known a woman with so much spirit, he laughed out loud.
Spoken like a true Irishman or woman as tha case may be. I think ya have seen a blarney stone or two in your day, haven’t ya lass?
he asked as he smiled and reached for her hand, but just as he was about to bring it to his lips for a kiss, Elise snatched it away with a jerk. Their eyes met as she got the upper hand on him by pulling out of his would-be
embrace. Before he knew it, her hand was history and she was hurrying away from him. Elise came to stand beside the now open door.
I’ll thank you to leave now!
If she would only allow him to explain, he knew she would see things his way or he hoped that she would. He heard the sternness in her voice and knew she wanted him gone, but he couldn’t let it go like that. He had to clear the air.
I know we share a connection because I felt it when I first saw ya, and I’m not imagining that! Ya can ignore me for now, but we Irish are very stubborn. Once we set our minds ta something, we never stop until we get it. Goodnight, Elise.
Two days went by and Ian stayed out of the bakery. He was formulating his plan of how he would win the reluctant heart of the woman he’d come to feel so deeply for in such a short period of time. What a rare flower she is! Those long, thick locks of hers cried out for my caress. I could feel its softness and even smell how fragrant her hair was as she defiantly tossed her head at me. I’ve never seen a more stunning woman in ma life, but she won’t give me the time of day, he thought as frustration overwhelmed him. Ian didn’t know what to do. He agonized as he wondered what course of action he should take.
The following day he went to the bakery much earlier than usual, and as he pulled up, he stumbled upon a startling revelation. Elise was parking her car, then got out and opened the door with a key, her key! She then went into a big, brick house some feet in back of the bakery.
But o’ course! This is her house! What a stroke of luck! I couldn’t have asked for anything better than ta know where tha lady o’ ma dreams lives.
He smiled as he wrote down the address and drove away. As Elise and her parents were settling in for the night, Hazel Thaxton answered the door and her eyes widened as a man carried something inside. Minutes later there was a knock at Elise’s bedroom door.
Come in,
she replied never looking up from the desk full of papers that she was grading. Mrs. Thaxton appeared at her doorway, clearing her throat to get her daughter’s attention.
So, where shall I put these? Like I said before, this man is really serious! No man would go through this much trouble if he wasn’t.
Elise finally glanced up and saw what trouble her mother was referring to. There was a bouquet of various kinds of flowers, including orchids, peonies, lilacs, tulips, lilies, violets, carnations and many others of which she didn’t know the names. They were breathtakingly beautiful. The fresh, springtime aroma they exuded made her smile in spite of herself. It took both of her arms to hold the bountiful bouquet.
Just wait a minute! This isn’t all!
Her mother then produced a card along with a huge basket full of roses, but not just any roses. It was filled with an assortment of red, white, yellow and pink ones.
The thing they both noticed was how the roses had been arranged in the shape of a heart. They had never smelled anything more fragrant than this. Handing the unique, heart-shaped basket of roses to her daughter, Mrs. Thaxton shook her head with concern.
Elise, let me tell your father about all of this, and he’ll never bother you again. He’ll be gone so fast that only a blur will remain. Don’t let this become a problem, because it doesn’t have to be.
Elise then put the basket of roses on the floor beside her bed and the bouquet of flowers on her desk, seeing the concern on her mother’s face.
"Do you realize how serious this is? He’s white, Elise, and that spells trouble! You haven’t been waiting all of this time for a good husband, for someone that shares the same beliefs you do, to even consider settling for someone like him! Is he a believer? I think not! He looked like an out and out Casanova to me! I could see it written all over his face. That man only sleeps alone by choice. I’ll bet he hasn’t slept alone since the crib, and now he wants you too!"
Elise’s eyes widened at her mother’s description of her persistent suitor. Her mother was tiring of the whole situation, and Elise knew something had to be done!
"Mama, I’ve told him before and I’ll tell him again not to send me anything else, because I’ll be forced to discard it, but between you and me, I’m keeping the flowers, she said smiling slightly.
Please don’t tell Daddy. I can handle this myself. I promise!"
Mrs. Thaxton sensed that somewhere underneath it all, her daughter was hiding her true feelings about this stranger. She knew that in time Elise would discuss it with her, so she didn’t press the issue any further. Her mother left her alone to contemplate this matter. Elise read the card as she settled back onto the bed.
m
"My Dearest Elise,
I know you said you don’t want anything to do with me, but your eyes say quite the opposite. They have betrayed you in the same way my heart has done to me. You have captured my heart and you alone hold the key. You’re always in my thoughts, always.
Fondly,
Ian D. Madigan
Elise smiled in spite of herself as his words touched her heart. She knew that this stranger was nothing more than trouble with a capital T,
but somehow she felt drawn to him. She never thought she’d be in a position as unusual as this.
Meanwhile, Ian was cruising along the Pacific Coast Highway. He tried to get his mind off of Elise Thaxton, but he couldn’t seem to do it, no matter how hard he tried.
"Why did Ihavetagota that bakery? Why did I have ta see her? Why is she so incredibly beautiful? Those shiny black locks! That perfect smile! Those delicate hands o’ hers. Why won’t she talk ta me? I’m just an old, stupid bloke, and she’s tha most beautiful woman in tha world, that’s why! Why should she talk ta me? I could see it in her eyes. I know I did! She feels it too. She just doesn’t want ta admit it, that’s all. I’ll have ta find a way somehow!" he murmured.
He drove around for almost an hour, trying to clear his head until he saw a gym.
Exactly what I need ta work off this tension.
Feeling his frustration mounting, he put on a pair of old gloves and began punching the bag that was suspended from the ceiling.
Two men stood around watching as he pounded the bag furiously. One guy nudged the other.
I’ll bet it’s a woman. All of that energy, it has to be! Believe me, it’s a woman. It’s probably some cute little blonde, I’ll bet.
The two men chuckled as they watched him pound the punching bag into a pulp. Ian was unaware he was being discussed as his fists flew faster and faster! Huge drops of sweat flew from his troubled brow. Ian’s staggered breath made his ribcage heave, as he suddenly stopped the flying bag and stood there dazed. His mind was clearly somewhere else, because his heart wasn’t in it.
What am I doin’ here? This won’t get me any closer ta Elise,
he muttered, hanging his head as he pulled off the cumbersome gloves and tossed them onto the floor.
If only she could see me for who I am. If she could see past what makes me different from her. If only she could see beyond ma blue eyes that see only her, ma light brown crew cut hair that yearns for tha soft touch o’ her fingertips and tha difference she can’t seem ta forget, but always welcomes her caress…ma skin. Elise, ya have me under your spell. How could ya not know? How long will it take before ya listen ta your heart instead o’ your head?
He mumbled in a low voice before giving the punching bag one last shot, but this time without wearing his gloves. Ian took off his sweat-soaked shirt, which revealed his sculpted physique.
See, I told you that it was a woman. The bigger they are, the harder they fall, in love I mean,
the older guy said to the younger.
Love is a headache. You can’t live with it, and you sure can’t live without it!
The men chuckled all the way out of the door.
"What good is being a lady’s man, if tha only lady I want doesn’t even pay attention ta me? I’ve always had what women want, but now all o’ that seems so foolish! All I want is Elise, and all she wants is ta stay as far away from me as possible. If I was a Negro, we’d already be together, but I’m not! I can’t help who I am, and I can’t change it either, but if I could, I would! If being like her would help me win her love, I wish I could change. I’d do anything ta have her look at me just once tha way her mother looks at her father and not shy away and turn her head as if she had done something wrong."
The very next day Ian went into the bakery. He didn’t know why he was there, only that he had to see her again. But why was he subjecting himself to this kind of punishment and rejection? He only knew that he had to try to talk to her, he just had to!
Ian took a seat in the corner and constructed his plan while he secretly waited for Elise to show up. As he sipped his coffee and took a bite of his donut, in hurried the woman of his dreams! She wore a long, green dress with a yellow ruffle around the hem and short sleeves that adorned her statuesque figure as well as her usual blue apron that was always tied at the front. Ian watched her every movement while she never noticed him at all. On this particular day he felt the luck of the Irish was with him, so he broke into a soft song. His voice was deep and to her surprise, he didn’t sound half bad.
On tha fourth o’ July, 1806,
We set sail from tha sweet cove o’ Cork,
We were sailing away with a cargo o’ bricks,
For tha grand city hall in New York,
By now people had begun to stop and listen to the song of his homeland. He wasn’t singing very loudly, but his accent was so unique that he now had the attention of all of the customers. At their seats they turned to