A LOVE NEVER FADING
Chapter Fifteen
"This is the place." Brian pushed
open the door that led into one large room. "Eddies' Menswear. They have
everything you'll need. Clothes, shoes, and personal products."
Jack smiled. "Thanks. This shouldn't
take long. I know all my sizes."
Brian put his hands up. "Please, take
your time."
Jack walked along the racks of clothes and
started pull out what he needed. "So, Brian, are you from New York?"
"Oh no, Ireland. So is Maggie, actually.
We moved over here together."
"Really? When was this?"
"Fourteen years ago. Back home we lived
next door to each other." He paused and smiled. "Well, actually we
lived on neighboring farms. There was a lot of land between our houses. But our
families were really close. So we grew up together and when I was thirteen and
she was nine the Fagins and the Hatches sailed across the Atlantic."
"So you've known each other your whole
lives and now you're married. That's really wonderful."
Brian laughed. "I was lucky that she did
marry me. I was a terror to her when we were younger. As a kid I tortured her.
I used to make fun of her and chase her around. On the trip over to America I
softened to her a bit. For a nine-year-old I found her very charming and sweet.
Well, once we got here, our parents rented apartments next to each other. Over
the years we grew to have a friendship. Maggie was the best friend I ever had.
I could just tell her anything. I still would tease her, though, but it was in
a more friendly, joking way. Of course, as she grew, I realized what a
beautiful women she was becoming. I remember when she started having gentleman
callers something inside me was very apprehensive towards them." He
smiled.
Jack smiled at Brian's expression. It was the
same smile he would get when he thought about Rose.
"On her sixteenth birthday we were
sitting out on the steps of the apartment alone. Just talking, and I leaned in
and kissed her. I was as surprised as she was. And we probably sat there for
about thirty seconds. To me it felt like an eternity. This horrible silence
hung in the air and I thought I had ruined our friendship. Then she kissed me.
And that was the start of it all. Shortly after, I proposed. And then we got
married." Brian looked over at Jack. "How old are you and Rose?"
"Seventeen and twenty."
"Maggie was seventeen when we got
married. I was twenty-one. That's why we like you two so much. You are so much
like us when we were your age." He laughed. "Oh, let me help you with
that."
While Brian was talking, Jack had gathered up
a large amount of clothing. He took some of it and walked over to the counter.
They placed the items in front of the clerk. "Would you mind holding these
for me while I go get some other essentials?" Jack kindly asked the stout
old man.
"Certainly, son. I'll ring it all up
when your ready."
Brian led Jack to the back of the store.
"This is where everything else you need should be."
Eager to know more about his new friend, Jack
continued asking questions. "So, Brian, what do you do for a living?"
"I'm a carpenter. Freelance. I made a
lot of the furniture around the house."
"That's interesting. I can't build
anything."
"Well, I can't draw, so we're
even."
Both men laughed. Jack now had everything he
needed. They walked back to the counter and were rung up. "You sure are
doing a lot of shopping. You're gonna buy me out." The man laughed.
Jack smiled. "Well, I'm starting a new
life today."
The man nodded. "I'm happy you picked
here. More money in my pocket. If you ever come in here again, ask for Eddie.
I'll take care of you."
"I will. How much will that be?"
"Forty-six dollars and eighty-seven
cents."
Jack handed Eddie the money. He and Brian
picked up the brown packages. Both were dreading having to walk back home with
all this baggage. Once outside they started back to the apartment. "Would
you mind helping me with something else?" Jack asked.
"Sure, but let's bring all this home
first," Brian replied.
"Sounds good to me."
The two men walked in silence all the way
back. When they reached home, they climbed up the stairs and placed the
packages on Jack and Rose's bed. Then Jack showed Brian what he wanted him to
help with. He pulled the diamond engagement ring out of his pocket. "My
God, Jack, where did you get that?"
"It was in the pocket with the rest of
the items. Rose doesn't know about it. I was wondering if you knew of any pawn
shops. Good ones. I would like to sell it."
Brian shook his head. "I know a place.
But do you really think you should sell it without Rose's permission?"
"I know what I'm doing. This ring is
nothing to her but a chain from her old life. The man who gave it to her kept
her a prisoner. She doesn't need to be reminded of that."
"All right. I'll show you the place. I
just hope you're right about all this."
"Trust me."
Brian lead Jack back outside and towards
their desired destination. "Stacey's Pawn Shop."