Chapter 24

Jon sat at the table, head bowed low and a cup of coffee twirling in his hand.

“Who pissed on your porridge this morning?”

“Hello asshole.”

Richie threw his bags on the kitchen floor, a curious look in his eyes as he watched his friend’s black mood.

“Hey! Hey! Pick up your shit and take it to your room. Mary is not gonna be in for a while.”

“Why? Whats wrong?  Did you give her the vacation she needed so badly?”

“Naw not yet. But she will be as soon as the old man gets out of hospital.”

Richie’s butt hit the chair as soon as the words were out.

“But what I don’t understand is. Is the old timer is gonna be ok, why are you so pissy?”

He shrugged his shoulders, trying so shrug it off, but Richie was like a Pit bull, he just won’t let go.

“Megan is here….”

“Meg..Oh shit! Pumkin?”

Richie’s smile almost went around his head.

“Where is that little shit?”

Jon’s blue eyes glittered into Richie’s.

“That’s just it Richie. She is not so little any more. She is a grown woman.”

“Aaaawwww…and she knocked your knees right from under yeah, didn’t  she? She was into you when she was younger… I knew she was going to be a looker. The first time I met her I could see the potential, she was beautiful then…Tell me is she a knockout or what?”

Jon sipped his coffee slowly.

“She’s a fucking knockout alright.”

Richie suddenly slapped him on the shoulder.

“Well lets go say hi. Let me see for myself!”

~~~

The two men walked into the close family atmosphere.

Meg was massaging her father’s legs and Mary was chatting away.

It did Jon’s heart good to see that father and daughter reconciled after all these years.

“Well…well…well. What do we have here? Patrick since when do you get models to massage you? Heck I don’t feel so good..”

Richie feigned a mock sickness and stumbled towards Megan.

“Oh Richie! You haven’t changed a bit! A bit older than I remember..but…”

She stood up to meet him halfway, she was smiling.

“Just as drop dead gorgeous? Who are you? I would have remembered if I’ve met you before!”

“Yeah..yeah. Do you want a hug or not?”

“Do I need air to breath?” his hands were in the air.

Although she had done quite a bit of growing up she still didn’t quite reach his shoulders.

“How have you been sweetheart? Shit but you turned into a stunner haven’t you?”

He lifted her ringfinger.

‘No ring? What’s wrong with the guys where you live? Are they blind?”

“I didn’t have time to get serious.”

“A careerwoman then? Come here you!”