“That sounds great, but it’s up to Lilian.”“Sean, do you know you have a son? Mom, would you fetch him? He’s out back.”
Again, there was a silence that befell the room. Mom walked in and set him beside his father. Sean wrapped his arms around the boy,
“What’s his name?”
“Sean,” replied Lilian.
Sean choked with emotion.
“Will you stay for dinner, Sean?”
“Yes, I’m staying with mom and dad at the moment.”
Lilian perked up,
“No, you're not, Sean. You’re staying here with me and sleeping in my bed.”
Mother and father looked at one another,
“Of course.”
Lilian kept looking at Sean. He had changed so much from when she last knew him. He was a carefree type of individual now. What sat before her was a mature, prosperous businessman. Trials and hardships had made a giant out of him; she was blessed to have him by her side.
Well, Wednesday rolled around, and Father O’Malley gladly married the happy couple - both parents attending the auspicious occasion. Never thinking one day they would be joined through marriage. Then it was off to the pub. Sean never let his son out of his sight. It was a full three-course meal, served with wine and all the trimmings. The families had never sat down to such a feast gratis Sean O’Connor. Before the feast, speeches were in order. Timothy got up after a couple of pints.
“Well, I’m a man of few words. But today brings out the best in me, to be the father of the bride to Sean O’Connor fills my heart with joy. He is literally a rags-to-riches story, and Ireland is surely proud of him. Betty and I wish them both all the happiness and hope their only troubles are little ones. Let’s drink to the happy couple.”
Next up was Sean’s father.
“A happier occasion I can’t imagine. Like Timothy, I had all but given up hope of ever hearing from my son again. To see him in the flesh is nothing short of a miracle. And being wed to Lilian… I’m lost for words! To realize in a week or so, they will disappear once again from our lives, adds sorrow to an otherwise beautiful day. I hope the good Lord blesses them with more children, as I’m sure they will be needed on the cattle ranch. Let’s drink to the happy couple!” With that, he sat down.
Next to grace the floor was Sean. All eyes fixed on him as though he were some divine apparition.
Everybody was enamoured by his American accent,
“Well, what a thrill to be back from the dead, the proverbial prodigal son. There were times down the mines when I doubted I would ever see Ireland again. In fact, I was sure I would die down there. It was the closest place to hell you can imagine. But a stroke of luck changed everything. Today, I stand before you a very wealthy guy, but even that wasn’t easy. Starting to build a cattle herd from scratch was hell. But I’m glad to tell you it all paid off, and now I’m basking in my laurels. I hope Lilian and my son like it; they have a thousand acres to roam around. I'd better sit down.”
