Timothy Geary: The Irishman

By George Berger

A young Irishman by the name of Timothy Geary comes to the United States of America to find fortune and adventure. Along the way he finds romance, a stint in the U.S. Marine Corp, action in Afghanistan, broken hearts and broken dreams. After suffering wounds in battle, he is shocked to find that an uncle has left him a vast estate. He is suddenly a very rich man. But there were more adventures to come….

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ventura-Berger Press
• Release date: Oct 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781732802407

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

This book is about a young Irishman by the name of Timothy Geary, who comes to the United States of America to find fortune and a change of pace from his life in Ireland. Timothy also comes to America out of curiosity and his desire is to seek adventure. He will accept any fortune that comes his way.

The book is a work of pure fiction based on the imagination of the author. He has never written a book before this one. The story is told by Timothy Geary, weaving one event into another. There are a few factual events in the book from the experience of the author. The author served eight years in the United States Marine Corps during both the second World War and the Korean War. There are parts in the book where he describes his own personal experiences while going through military training. Another factual event in the book is the author’s description of the important role the ‘Navajo Code Talkers’ contributed in winning battles against the Japanese during World War II. The author also mentions Edward Snowden and what effect he had on the National Security Agency.

Timothy describes these events through the eyes of the author. Timothy comes alive when he has conversations with the many characters in the book. The author feels it makes Timothy a more realistic and believable character.

A bit of information on the author, George E. Berger. The author has Irish heritage running through his veins. His mother and grandmother were 100% Irish. His grandmother (McGrath) married a German. He gets the name Berger from his father who is both Irish and German. The name of the main character in the book was taken from his great grand-father.

The author is ninety-three years old and has been happily married to the same great lady for sixty-nine years. He has three children; two boys and one girl—with four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Writing this story has opened a new challenge by letting the author’s imagination take over. He never intended to be a professional writer, which he is not. He has enjoyed writing this book. It has been fun bringing Timothy Geary to his life and through the author’s story. Anyone who has taken the time to read this book has found the story to be fun and interesting. This book is not meant to be taken too seriously.

Chapter 1

AMERICA

Timothy Geary is my name. I am thirty years old and sitting in a pub in Boston sipping on a schooner of beer. I look around and let out a hardy laugh. This is where I had my first job. It is true what goes around, comes around. I was only twenty-one years old when I first landed in Boston straight from Ireland. I have already enjoyed a lifetime of experiences. Some of it good, some not so good, with plenty of regrets. One has to play the hand they’re dealt. No looking back. I have had some very good fortune. I am a multi-millionaire, never dreaming that all this would happen to me in my short time in America.

After living in America for only nine years, I am looking forward to many more years of adventure and excitement. Returning back to ‘Patty’s Bar and Grill’ gives me time to reflect on my past. Looking back, I recognize how various events have shaped my life. While I was attending the University of Dublin, taking courses in Computer Science, I learned about the horrible death of both my parents in an automobile accident. I was in a state of shock, feeling bewildered and confused. I found myself drifting into a deep state of depression. I lost my desire to continue in school. I felt I left a potentially promising career in Computer Science, although I didn’t really have a choice. My mind was about to explode with so many painful memories. I needed to get out of the house and make a complete change.

My thoughts drifted to my father’s brother who was living in the United States. His name is Patrick Geary. When I was a small lad, my father would get a letter from him about once a year. Despite my father never talking about his youth, it was known that he and Uncle Patrick were both raised in a Catholic orphanage. Neither of them ever knew who their parents were.

On my mother’s side of the family, her father died of cancer when she was in her early teens. She lost her mother to heart failure shortly after she married my father. With no brothers or sisters, or any living relatives in Ireland, I was now completely on my own. The only living relative I had was Uncle Patrick.

I knew very little about him other than that he lived somewhere in South Dakota and had something to do with the oil business. I didn’t have any desire to find him or even talk to him since he was really a complete stranger to me.

Being only twenty-one with no family, no roots, and no real prospects of achieving much in Ireland, my thoughts turned to the ‘Land of Opportunity’ ... America. The more I thought about it, the more I became intrigued with the idea of going there as a welcome change of pace. The bee was in my bonnet. I could not get the thought of America out of my mind. I asked myself, Why not?

I made up my mind to make the move to at least visit and possibly live there. I know just about everyone in Ireland has relatives or someone they know that lives in America. So I resolved to no longer just think about it, but just do it!

I put my folks’ house up for sale. The sale of the house would give me a nice little bankroll to take care of my expenses. I had heard there were many Irish living in Boston.... so Boston it was! I went and purchased my air fare to Boston which meant there was no looking back now.

My plane landed at Logan Airport on a Monday afternoon in the middle of summer. It was hot and muggy. I gathered what little baggage I had and hailed a taxi. A cab pulled up to the curb and the driver jumped out. He grabbed my bags and threw them in the trunk of the cab. He turned to me and said, Where to lad?

I have no idea where I want to go. I have to find someplace to live.

The cabbie said, Another Irishman in Boston, that’s just what we need!

Does it show?

With that red hair and that Irish accent, you can’t hide it.

While sitting in the back of the cab, off to find my new home, I thought to myself, ‘Boston is just another big city.’

The cabbie took me to a district in Boston. He turned and said, You will be right at home in this place. It’s full of Irishmen.

The district where the cabbie dropped me off seemed to be a nice neighborhood with many apartments. After finding a place, I stayed close to home for the first two weeks trying to get acquainted with my new neighbors and surroundings. I found that the residents who said they were Irish still identified with their Irish heritage. Mostly, they were second and third generation Irish. They made me laugh. They knew nothing of Ireland nor had they ever been there. But, they still claimed to be Irish. I consider an Irishman to be one who was born and lived in Ireland. I went along with their little charade. I played their game. Let them think they were Irish. To me, they were Americans.

I had a nice bankroll from the sale of my parents’ house but I still had to watch how I spent my money since I did not have a job or any income. Buying a car wasn’t really in my budget, so I settled on buying a bicycle. I drifted around Boston for about three months while trying to get acquainted with the city. I started feeling bored and decided it was time to get serious and find a job. Finding a job became paramount, although I didn’t have any particular job in mind. I just need to go to work.

There was a pub two blocks from my apartment called ‘Patty’s Bar and Grill’. I liked to stop and have a glass of suds there. I became friendly with the bartender, who just happened to be the owner and also was Irish. I told him how I happened to land in Boston. One thing led to another and it seemed he had taken a liking to me.

Do you want to be a bartender and work for me?

Absolutely!

Lad, I have to ask a personal question. Are you one of those drinking Irishmen?

Truth be told, I never acquired a taste for the hard stuff or wine. Just a glass of suds every now and then.

Patrick O’Brien hired me on the spot. Now I was a bartender. I had my new job in Boston. It was a start to my new life. I had no idea where things would go from there. It was all a new adventure—and my credo became Why not?!!

Chapter 2

OPPORTUNITY

A bartender has the opportunity of meeting all types of people. There was a group of young men who frequented the watering hole every day after work. They worked for a large corporation and would talk about their work in the computer industry. I overheard some of their conversation and became interested in what they had to say. I didn’t want to appear too pushy, but having studied computer science at Dublin University, I would try to engage in the conversation by asking a few questions. The questions I asked seemed to pique their interest. They understood that I had some real knowledge of what they were talking about. The more I engaged in their conversation, the more they seemed to accept me. One of the young men was an officer in the corporation. He was impressed with my knowledge of computers. He invited me to come to his office to have a meeting and discuss the possibility of my employment with his firm.

The following day, I waited patiently outside the office of the man who had asked me to come for an interview. I was interested in what he was going to say and how I would fit in with their program. A young lady approached and asked if I was Timothy Geary. I acknowledged that I was. She introduced herself as Mr. Franks’ secretary. Mr. Franks is expecting you. Follow me Mr. Geary and I’ll show you in.

Sitting behind a large oak desk was the same man whom I had served many drinks to at the pub. Mr. Franks put out his hand, Welcome to the M and M Company. May I call you Tim?

Absolutely.

Tim, as you know, I am Jerry Franks, the Chief Executive Officer of this company. This is my domain. I have complete control of the company and am the only one who can hire or fire anyone. The reason I am telling you this is because it is my responsibility that this company runs with the best people. I am not impressed with most of the people that come through that door looking for employment. This is why I have invited you to my office. I have been listening to you for the last six months talking with my fellow employees. You’re a bright young man. You don’t belong behind a bar. Tim, you have impressed me with your knowledge of computers. Where did you get your education?

Mr. Franks, I lived in Ireland and studied at the University of Dublin.

I take it you’re not a citizen?

Yes sir. I am not yet.

I can only hire you, that is if you’re interested, after passing a complete background check. In this company we cannot have any individual that has the slightest flaw in their personal background. They cannot serve in any capacity. After hearing everything I’ve told you would you be interested in working here?

Yes sir, I would.

Tim, let me give you the background of this company. The name of the company is the M & M Company. The two M’s are taken from the last name of the owners and founders of the company. Their names are David Matthews and James Marshall. The two of them were good friends in college. They both graduated from Stanford University. Both of them studied and graduated with degrees in Computer Science...just like you did in Dublin.

Mr. Franks, I did not graduate. I studied there.

"O.K. Whatever. On with the story. They felt there was a need for large and small corporations to have absolute security against hackers or any type of cyber-attacks, keeping all secrets and classified information safe and guarded from outside intruders. Cyber theft can destroy a company or ruin their reputation. It is paramount for our company to protect and guard other companies from hackers. We’re paid very well...this protection costs a great deal of money.

"These two men started from humble beginnings operating out of their houses in Mountain View, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. There was plenty of available talent to draw from in the area. Finding talented people was not the problem. The problem was in keeping them. People were moving from company to company seeking higher salaries. The companies began to suffer from ‘brain drain.’ The demand for the best talent costs a lot of money and retraining people takes time. The turnover in personnel was costing the company too much. David Matthews, the true brains of the company, had it up to his chin. Enough was enough! He made arrangements for the company to move to Boston. Why Boston? Because it is the intellectual center of the United States, boasting more colleges per square mile than any place in the world. Some of them are premier colleges such as Harvard, Boston College, and MIT. Every semester, there are bright and talented young people graduating and seeking employment.

"After five years in Silicon Valley, the company moved to Boston—one of the smartest moves this company ever made. We lost half of our employees, while half moved with the company. The loss in personnel was short-lived. The cost of living in Silicon Valley is out-of-sight. Housing here in Boston is much more affordable compared to that in Silicon Valley. If you can even find housing there. Our employees love it here in Boston. The East Coast has a lot to offer. That’s pretty much the story.

Tim why did you come to Boston?

Because there are a lot of Irish here.

Good answer.

Mr. Franks, how long have you been with the company?

From the beginning—twenty years. Timothy, the company is thriving. You have a future here if you want it. It’s up to you.

What about the two owners?

They keep their eyes on the company. They do not manage it anymore. I run the whole show. They are happy and I’m happy. It’s a good place to work. David and James are exploring a new territory. They both have moved back to California and have purchased several small wine companies in Napa Valley. They’re investing in something they know nothing about. They’re learning the wine business from the bottom up. They are both risk takers. I would never count them out. They will make this new venture a success. They are both winners.

I was notified that I passed all the background checks and security clearances. The job was mine if I wanted it. I accepted. My bartending days were over. When I learned what my new duties were, I found things to come quite easily, having a natural talent for computers.

I was with the company for