The farewell party that John McDermott’s parents had thrown in Paddy Mac’s was a sad affair for Daniel Clarke. John had always dreamed of going to America and had been saving his money for such a day. Finding his fare had been paid and accommodation waiting for him, he gave his parents his savings to organize what was often called an American Wake.
Daniel, on the other hand, had never once thought of emigrating with his friend. His seasonal trips to England twice a year supplemented what he earned on his father’s boat and that was how he had envisioned his future. In time he would have saved enough money to afford a wife and settled down to a life much like that of his parents.
“What are all the long faces for?” asked John as he approached the Clarke family. “Look, your two wee sisters are enjoying themselves, Daniel. Get out there and join the fun.”
“If you will excuse us we’ll be saying goodnight to you, John, I have a blinding headache and Matthew is going to walk me home.” Lizzy Clarke embraced the young man, “Have a good life in America and watch out for each other – and don’t forget to go to Mass of a Sunday. I’ll see you in the morning, Daniel, I’m sure to be asleep by the time you get back to the house.”
“Do you want me to fetch my parents, Mrs. Clarke? It’s no trouble,” asked John.
Matthew looked across the crowded floor, to where the McDermotts were dancing a set and said, “Leave them be, son. We will see them tomorrow at the quayside, when yourself and Daniel take your leave of us.”
Daniel watched with a heavy heart as his parents walked away, his father’s arm around his mother’s waist. John stood beside him and elbowed his friend in the ribs. He couldn’t understand why the Clarke’s looked so downhearted.
“Aren’t we the fortunate ones? Passage paid for and employment waiting for us. Sure what more could we ask for? Wait till you get there, Daniel, it won’t take long for you to settle in and before you know it you will have saved up the fare for your Ma and Da to visit. They might like it so much, they will want to move over themselves. Come on and grab a partner before the night is over.”
“You go on ahead, John. I’ll be there in a minute, I just need some fresh air,” said Daniel.
Outside, a group of men who had been talking quietly among themselves, stopped their conversation when Daniel sat nearby on the wall across from Paddy Mac’s. After exchanging some pleasantries and wishing the young man well in America, the men went back to join the party. The air smelled of seaweed and as Daniel inhaled deeply, he tasted a trace of salt on his lips. The waves were lapping onto the sand behind him as he closed his eyes to savour all the smells and sounds of home.
“Do you mind if I join you Daniel?” James McGrother’s quiet voice invaded the young man’s thoughts.
“I was trying to set the sound of home firmly in my head, so when I’m away I can recall it whenever I feel the need to. Do you think I’m behaving like an old woman, James?” laughed Daniel.
“I do the same thing the night before I take the boat to England, every time I go. Some of us are not meant to leave, there’s nothing wrong with that. Are you going because of your friendship with John McDermott?” asked James.
“That’s as good a reason as any, isn’t it?” replied Daniel. “Did you never think about going yourself, to America, I mean?”
“I had a friend once who begged me and Mary to go with him and his wife. He tried England for a while but America had a greater pull on him. We get a letter once or twice a year from him and in each one he still urges me to join him but I have never once been tempted – until now, that is.”
“Do you mean because of your uncle? Is that why you would think of going?” asked Daniel.
“I can’t bear to think of him trapped inside that place, away from his family. The children miss him sorely. No matter what he did, he’s an old man who deserves to be shown some mercy. Would you not agree?”
“I would, James, I would. I’ll pray for his release every night until I hear word that he’s free. It won’t be long until his case is heard. The magistrates are bound to go easy on him, on account of his age, I’m sure of it.”
James stood and stretched his legs. The stamping of feet and clapping of hands in time to the music reminded him of the farewell parties his family held each time he left England to return home. He had brought Maggie and Catherine to Paddy Mac’s but Mary had not been in the humour, electing to stay home with the younger children. James had spent most of the evening sitting on the wall looking out to sea, regretting the sale of his boat. He held out a hand to Daniel wishing him a safe voyage and a good life.
“I had best be getting my young one home but wild horses would not drag my sister away from that music,” said James.
“I’ll see that she gets home safe, no need to worry. I had better come in with you, John will be thinking I’ve left the country without him,” laughed Daniel.
Matthew Clarke stood in the shadows watching his son return to the party with James McGrother. He had wanted to speak with Daniel in private and was making his way back, when he saw both men sitting together on the wall. Deciding it was better not to interrupt their conversation, Matthew waited until they had gone inside before entering himself and taking a seat at one of the tables.
He watched his son dancing a set and his heart ached at the false smile the young man was wearing. Matthew knew that it would be a very long time before they would see each other again, but that was easy enough to accept, he was a patient man and so was his son. It was the fact that Daniel did not want to go that made his parting hard to bear.
“Well Da, what are you thinking about? Are you wishing you were coming with me?”
Matthew looked up and realized his son was standing in front of him. The music had stopped and Daniel was holding out a jug.
“Go on, it’s only lemonade. You have a thirsty look about you.”
“Thank you, son. I came back to have a bit of time alone with you but you seem to be enjoying the company. I’ll leave it till morning, before the rest of the family wake up. Your ma will be clinging to you like a barnacle until you step foot on the boat.”