A face in the crowd

 

Ireland was alone now. Sure, she knew her friends wanted to have a fantastic St. Patrick's day. After all, it was her birthday. But she'd gotten wiser over the years. Sometimes, it was best to have a fun dinner and leave sooner instead than later. Besides, all her friends were married now and couldn't stay out late, anyway. 

Yes, she was Auntie Ireland now and she could only be called that for so long on occasion. It felt as if the world just kept spinning and she might never catch up. There was a time she'd promised to go to Ireland with her Dad since he would always believe they were Irish. Silly man, but she'd listen to all his tales of how they must have been dark Irish at one time or another. 

"You just like to drink beer," she used to tease him. And he'd smile back and say, "Yeap, I sure do."

Now, she squeezed into the bar on a packed night. Oh, it might have been easier to have gone to the Stop and Go and drank a few beers at the picnic table. But no, there was just something about keeping a tradition going even if her Dad wasn't around to drink with and maybe even get up the courage to do a jig.

Of course, she ordered a pale ale. Really, she was a Blue Moon kind of girl, or any of that local brew would do. She would have two drinks tops and call it a night. Yes, she was possibly the most boring person ever. Nothing like her dad would have wanted his Ireland to be. Oh, it was a lot to mull over, how it used to be and how it would be.

"Well, hello there Ireland," said a gentle voice. She wasn't sure who said it, but then she looked up to see him smile. He was working the bar.

How did he know my name? Ireland practically said but didn't as she stared at his charming face. 

"Yes, you were here last year, at this time." His smile was that of her youth when boys ran the neighborhood streets on their bicycles. His hair was a mop that held no trend, but he was young and ever so sexy and serious.

"You? You remember me?" She looked at him blankly. She had no recollection of him. Was this a vague Deja Vu?

"You know, you haven't gotten any more Irish." He tilted his head and smiled. "Where's your Blue Moon?" He handed over the fresh bottle of brew.

She paused as if she couldn't, but he said it was just a birthday present. "Promise, I won't get you drunk."

"But..but I don't remember-" she winced.

"That's because you drank too much with your friends. They challenged you and you got up on the table over there and did a little jig." He asked about them, wondering why they weren't here to help her celebrate.

"Things change," she told him and took a sip of the beer he'd offered. "Lux is gonna have a baby and Jade just got married."

"Oh, so it's like that," he nodded. He went on to clean the spot next to her and then the other side. He even grabbed something on tap for someone, but he came back.

"Who are you?" She couldn't believe a bartender with his memory would still be bartending.

"That's right," He laughed with a nod then. "You never asked before."

"Huh." Ireland really did feel she'd been so oblivious. What else had she missed?

"Conor, I live downstairs from you." He shrugged.

"Downstairs?" Ireland winced. That couldn't be possible.

"We just keep missing each other," he smiled. "Look, I get off at ten, hang around until then."

Ireland couldn't help to keep gazing at him. Maybe her luck was changing.