Claiming My Voice: From the darkness, the light emerges.

“I’ll take a coffee. Can I get a little bit of double cream on the side? I’d also like a croissant if you have any.” The server noted Deidre’s American accent, nodded and moved away to get the requested items. It was unseasonably sunny for May, especially in Dublin. She was happy that she’d decided to come to Ireland. The people were friendly and the rain reminded her of home back in Oregon. But today the sun was welcome. It countered her mood. She was annoyed. Today she’d found a grey hair…OK…she’d found several. She was way too young for this many grey hairs. Clearly it was time for a color and maybe a new style. Not being familiar with Dublin, she wasn’t sure where to go. She’d ask the server for suggestions when she came back.

Since this part of Europe still preferred tea, their coffee skills still weren’t great but double cream and a bit of sugar made it bearable. When the server returned, Deidre asked, “I need to get my hair done. Can you suggest anywhere nearby that might take a last minute walk-in?” “I’m sorry, my gal is down in Wicklow. Do you have a car?” After deciding that was too far for a color and style, she resigned herself to walking around the neighborhood later and seeing if she could find someplace that could give her a new look.

While she sipped her coffee and had a croissant, she thought of home. She’d been in Dublin now over three weeks: Just long enough to start getting home sick. She missed the folks at work, her brother and her mom. Sure, she’d developed a nice little routine here but she missed her routine at home. She missed the familiarity of the streets she’d grown up on and the sound of the river on her morning walk. Sure, she often found herself by the River Liffey but it didn’t sound quite the same as the Willamette. Soon she’d be moving even farther from home. She hadn’t decided yet but she new she was going farther into Europe. France next. Maybe Spain.

Her reverie was interrupted by a guy standing over her blocking the sunlight. “Excuse me. I couldn’t help over hearing you. Are you looking for a stylist? I just talked to my girlfriend and she had an appointment today. It turns out she had to reschedule that appointment because her boss called her into work (jerk!). I bet they’d take you!” She couldn’t believe her luck! She was mixed with surprise at being talked to by this stranger, her good luck at finding a last minute opening and not to mention how very handsome this stranger was, and he was offering her exactly what she needed. For a brief moment, her paranoia made her question why a stranger was listening to her but as she looked around, she realized the little cafe’s outdoor area was so small it would have been more surprising if others hadn’t heard her ask the server about a stylist. She also noticed that he also had an American accent. “Thank you so much! You are also from the States! Where about? What time is the appointment? Where is it located?” She was doing it again. When she got excited, she tended to babble. She’d just asked him way too many questions and now he was talking and she wasn’t listening because she was thinking about how many questions she’d asked. ‘Start listening!’ She chided herself.

“My name is Jon. I’m from Wisconsin.” He said as he sat down. She thought he was a bit forward, but decided he seemed friendly enough and was grateful for the company. “The appointment is in about 2 hours…noon. It’s on the other side of the river. I don’t know the address off hand. Let me text my girlfriend and get the address. Sorry! You don’t mind if I join you?” He was so dang cute!. She couldn’t take her eyes off his. There was something strong and sweet about him. While he texted she sized him up and sipped her coffee. He was fit, probably about 3 years younger than her and, based on the fact that his girlfriend worked in Dublin, he also lived here. Had he come here for vacation and met her here? Had they met online and he moved here for her. She found herself a bit disappointed at her jealousy. Watching him, she wished he was single. She would love to flirt with him.

While they waited for the girlfriend’s response, Deidre decided to flirt anyway. ‘What’s the harm in flirting,’ she decided. “What brought you to Dublin?” She asked slightly hoping it had nothing to do with another woman. He told her how he had come here for work and fallen in love with the city and the people. He believed that he probably had some Irish blood in him but his family wasn’t into tracking ancestry and he hadn’t done any DNA testing so he wasn’t sure, but he sure loved it here. He had done the paperwork and had stayed. He said he’d been there about a year and a half. He asked Deidre what she was doing in Dublin and she told him she was there on vacation. They both finished their drinks and Jon said that his girlfriend was not texting him back. “I’m so sorry. She must have already gotten into work and doesn’t have her phone on her. I know about where it is but I don’t know the address. I’d be happy to walk you over there. I don’t work today. It would be my pleasure and it would give me something to do.” By now Deidre was smitten. Would she like to spend another hour or so with this fine man? Of course she would!

They paid their individual tabs and started walking. The day was starting to warm and it promised to be perfect. The sun was rising and there was a slight breeze. Deidre thought about the homesickness she had felt less than an hour before and how this was the perfect remedy: A nice day, engaging company and a new hairdo! And maybe all of this would help her forget the mess she’d left back home too. She and Jon meandered through the charming streets of Dublin. They spent time looking through the shop windows, quietly mimicking the delightful phrases and accents overheard by passersby, and wondered at the historical significance of different buildings and items they came across. Every few moments, Deidre would forget Jon was taken and that she herself would be moving on soon. Then she would shake herself and remind herself that here, very soon, they would part and she needed to move on. But damn! He was perfect. If only…

At about 11:50, they came to a small store front in a quiet neighborhood. “This is it!” Jon exclaimed. They went inside and there was a small waiting room with a few very uncomfortable metal chairs lined along the front window. They sat and waited. Jon got very quiet. Deidre suspected, nay hoped, that he was feeling what she was feeling. She wanted him to wait for her. To be there when she was done. To go with her across the Irish Sea. To run away with her. Her thoughts were interrupted by footsteps coming down the narrow hallway and a beautiful dark-haired woman emerged. “You must be Deidre.” Deidre smiled, nodded and stood to shake the woman’s hand. “I appreciate you letting me step in for the cancellation you had.” She turned to say goodbye to Jon but he stood and indicated that he’d join them. The dark-haired woman turned to lead them down the hallway. Deidre’s blood started rushing. Could she hope to dream?! He was staying! Was he just being polite? These last 2 hours were the best she’d had in some time. Maybe he felt it too. He had to. Why else would he be coming with them to get her hair styled?

The hallway opened into a small room with a single stylist chair and a sink in the corner. It didn’t look particularly professional to Deidre but beggars can’t be choosers and she was too blissed out to care. Jon was here. He didn’t leave. Everything was going to be OK. The stylist motioned for Deidre to sit down so she did.

Suddenly the woman grabbed Deidre’s right arm and before Deidre could process what was happening, her arm was cuffed to the chair. Jon had moved to the other side and had cuffed her left arm to the chair as well. Deidre, resigning herself to her fate didn’t even cry out. She knew what was happening. “Well done.” She said as she looked up and looked directly into Jon’s eyes with just a bit of sadness in her voice. “Is your name even Jon?”

“You know, you couldn’t have made it easier for me. I picked up your bounty notice 2 weeks ago back in Oregon. I talked to a couple of your friends…they are all very chatty…and they all said you often talked about going to Ireland so this was my first stop. I got here about a week ago and just started roaming the tourist spots. It took me one day to spot you. You looked to happy here though. I couldn’t steal this from you so I’ve just been following you. My friend here, Stella, and I have been waiting for the right opportunity and when I was ready, we simply ramped this up. When I heard you ask for a stylist, I knew it was time. Stella put this little “shop” together while I deterred you. I do want you to know that you are a sweet person and I’m sad I have to take you back, but you have to face the consequences of your actions. By the way, yes, my name is Jon,” and he smiled a stunningly bright smile.

Deidre looked at Jon, winked and got comfortable: Ready to face whatever came next. She’d got to come to Ireland. She knew she had to go home. Maybe after she cleaned up her mess she’d come back. Maybe she’d meet someone else wonderful here. Anything is possible you know.