The Mulrooney's - Part Five

“Who is he calling a mope?” said Mr. Mulrooney.

“Pay him no mind, dear,” said Regina. “Perhaps he said mops.”

“No, Mother,” said Dickie. “It was definitely mopes.”

“I wouldn’t mind moping around him for a bit, Mother,” said Megan. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he did die first? I sure hope it’s soon, though. Jay and Meagn. Megan and Jay. I do like the sound of it. I’d like to pounce on him like a cat.”

“Megan!” said Mr. Mulrooney. “You will get those thoughts out of your head, immediately!”

“Oh, Let her be, Rupert,” said Megan. “If it’s grandchildren you’re worried about. It most certainly would have to be a miracle. So let the dear girl alone. She’s eighteen. I remember the age well. Don’t you remember when we first met, Rupert? I couldn’t keep my hands off you. And I was only seventeen. All I wanted to do was kiss you.”

“Was Father a good kisser, Mother?” said Megan.

“It was two years later, on our wedding day,” said Regina, “that he loosened his lips long enough for me to find out.”

“My darling wife,” said Mr. Mulrooney. “Stop trying to embarrass me in front of the children. As you know, my father was a physician and he always discouraged the practice of kissing on the lips. ‘No good can come of it,’ is what he always told me.”

“No wonder you’re an only child,” said Regina. “As a matter of fact, I’m surprised you’re here at all.”

“Hey, Pop,” said Dickie. “That’s pretty funny.”

“It is not funny,” said Mr. Mulrooney. “And stop calling me Pop! You make me sound ridiculous!”

“On that note,” said Regina. “We shall end this conversation and go for a walk in the garden. I’m anxious to see if my tomato plants are still thriving. It will give us a chance to see what that young couple is up to.”

“Oh, yes, let's do, Mother," said Megan.

***

“Did you hear that?” said Jay.

“What?” said Sarah. “Squeaky shoes?”

“No,” said Jay. “A whisper.”

“Well?” said Sarah. “What did the whisperer have to say for itself?”

“It was rather sweet,” said Jay. “She whispered, ‘Meow,’”

“She?”

“Yes,” said Jay. “I’m certain it was the same one who kissed me yesterday morning. In the kitchen. Remember? I can feel her presence. She has a certain odor. No, that doesn’t sound right. Aroma? Fragrance? That’s it. She had a sweet fragrance. Lilacs, I’m thinking. Yes definitely lilacs.”

“Lilacs aren't even in season, yet," said Sarah. "You sure it was a 'meow’ and not a ‘moo’ that was whispered in your ear? Maybe it was a cow ghost, and it was manure you were smelling. Because that’s what it’s starting to smell like to me. I think you’re just having some fun at my expense. Who put you up to it? My sister? She knows how jealous I can get. You two are messing with me. Right?”

“Oh, don’t be that way, Sarah. I don’t know what’s going on. I’m not making this happen. It’s just happening. Ever since we came home with that copper kettle and photo album. And to tell you the truth, it’s creeping me out.”

“I'd forgotten about that album," said Sarah “We’ll check it out after dinner. In the meantime, let’s find the best spot for planting tomatoes. A spot with a lot of warmth and sunshine would be perfect.”

As Jay and Sarah surveyed their garden, Megan Mulrooney removed the lilac garland from around her neck and placed it around Jay’s.

Yeah, definitely lilacs, thought Jay.