“Isn’t it a bit late for a house warming party?” the petite blond said checking herself in the mirror for the umpteenth time.
“Yeah well the fuckers lucky he’s getting’ anythin’.”
“I hope she’s made something to eat I’m starved,” Patsy said looking at Liam who was busy fixing his hair in the mirror as well. “They do know we’re coming?”
Liam ignored her still smoothing out his hair.
“Liam? They did invite us over?”
“Well, not exactly,” Liam said as she was already rolling her eyes at him. “Since when do I need an invite to visit rkid? His house is half mine anyways.”
“Do you really think this is a good idea? You know how they are.”
“'ey that’s enough from you, we’re goin’. He misses me. Sure he ‘asn’t called butI know he’s probably mopin’ and bein’ a sad bastard without me. He’ll thank us.”
Patsy placed her hand on Liam’s cheek as if to say “what am I going to do with you?” and kissed him softly.
“Our cab’s here, c'mon!” Liam hurried her out the door slapping her rear as he closed the dorr behind them.
* * *
Noel was laying on the couch, his head in his wife’s lap. She was absent mindedly stroking his hair, her other holding up a book of poetry.
“You want me to read you another?”
“Why you keep reading that soppy shit to me?”
“My mother sent you this book and you haven’t cracked it oped once!”
“The fook she sending me this shit anyways?”
“She thinks it will improve your writing.”
“Oh great now she thinks I’m shit.”
“Don’t start Noel,” she said tugging his hair gently, smiling down at him.
Suddenly there was several rings of the door bell which made them both jump a bit.
“You expectin’ someone,” Noel eyed Meg suspiciously. “I said no visitors this weekend.”
“I swear it’s wasn’t me.”
The door bell rang once more followed by several kicks at the door.
“Whoever is makin’ this rackets gonna get their 'ead kicked in.”
Meg got up and looked through the peep hole and went back to Noel.
“What the hell are they doing here?”
“Who the fook you talkin’ 'bout?”
“Your Liam and her.”
Another series of kicks and rings ensued.
“Open up we know you’re both in there. Your wife’s car’s in the front you bastard.”
“Don’t you dare let them in!”
“I have to he knows we’re in! The faster we get this over with the better.”
Noel looked at his image in the mirror. Shit, he’s gonna see me lookin’ like shit.
Noel opened the door slowly, the light still stung his eyes even with shades on.
Liam was stood there holding Patsy’s hand, the both looking absolutely stunning.
“So what you guys doing around here?”
“Aren’t you gonna let us on first?”
Noel moved out of the way and let them in. They settled on the couch Liam making himself at home putting his foot on the coffee table.
Meg who joined Noel standing by the hallway gave a disproving look at him. She nudged his arm.
“So what you guys doin’ here?”
“Um, we were in the neighborhood..” Patsy began.
“Of course you’re in the neighborhood, you lot live down the street!” Noel shot back with a strained smile.
“Alright, we just thought we’d bring you a house warming present,” Liam said sheepishly.
“House warming?” he looked over at Meg who wore the same sarcastic smile. “We moved here over a year ago!”
“Alright,” Liam said getting up. “If you don’t want it you cunt.”
“No, no, give it here,” Noel said a bit eagerly, not wanting Liam to leave so soon. He had missed him. It had been too long.
Liam produced from inside his coat a bottle of wine and handed it over to Noel.
“It’s not even my brand,” he said handing it over to Meg as she read the label. “Jeez Liam if you wanted to get drunk you could’ve just invited me to the pub.”
“Ifya don’t want it…”
“Of course we want it, Meg would drink anything, she’s a bit of a drunk..”
Meg slap Noel’s arm.
“What? So am I?”
“Shut up!”
Liam and Patsy just looked at each other and smiled politely.
Noel nudged Meg.
“Oh where are my manners? Um, you want a glass?”
“Sure man, crack it open,” Liam replied looking over at Patsy.
“Oh I’ll help with the glasses,” she said getting up and following Meg into the kitchen.
Liam was sat on the couch turning his gaze on Noel.
He was disheveled, unshaven, looking like he had worn his clothes to bed and generally miserable.
“You okay there Noely?”
“Yeah I’m fine.”
Liam didn’t look convinced.
“What I’m a bit hungover, but I’m fine.”
“You’re wearing shades indoors mate.”
“I’m fine,” he said taking off his shades but after a few seconds of squinting he put them back on.
“So what really brings you to my abode? Television broken?”
“Nah man I just, you know, since we’re not playin’ gigs, I don’t see you..”
“So what yer sayin’ is yer skint?”
“Man fuck you Noel, I just wanted to see you. You didn’t tell me you got married, our mam told me..”
Meg and Patsy soon returned with glasses full of wine and were drunken fast and awkwardly.
“So you in a rush? Don’t you want to stay for lunch?” Meg said halfheartedly.
“Well, I don’t know,” Patsy said unsure.
“Why you offering lunch, you haven’t made anything.”
“I was just being cordial, we can get take away.”
“Take away again? Nice to know that brand new kitchen I built is getting used.”
“I suppose you expect me to cook and clean all day?”
“Well fuck yeah, yer the wife!”
“I do have a life you know, I’m not gonna wait on you hand and foot,” she added lighting her cigarette.
“It’s alright, I’ll eat anything,” Liam said and Patsy shot him a look. “What lemme eat some fookin’ food with my brother. Let’s go Noel.”
Noel grudgingly slipped into his shoes and followed Liam to the door.
“And don’t get the Chinese from the one down the street, from the one a few blocks up!”
“I’m not walkin’ that far!” Noel yelled back slamming the door. He realized how dramatic it was and smiled up at Liam. He placed a cigarette in his mouth and searched his pocket for the light. Liam then held his lighter up and lit it for him.
“Thanks, I knew one day you’d come in handy,” and he ruffled Liam’s hair.
“Hands off, I’m not tryin’ to look like you,” he joked.
“I dunno this might be the next trend, lookin’ like a train wreck.”
“You look like shit Noel,” Liam smiled, stopping for the crosswalk light. “I mean worse than usual.”
There was another silence as they walked into the Chinese take away down the block.
After ordering they sat down waiting for their number to come up.
“So how ya been? How’s married life?”
“Is great man, never been 'appier,” Liam said genuinely. “What 'bout you?”
Noel was biting his nails lost in thought.
Of course he was happy. Why shouldn’t he be. He’s in love. He’s got her name on his arm.
“Noel? I’m talkin’ to you man,” Liam said shaking Noel shoulder. “How’s the missus treatin’ you?”
What the fuck am I supposed to say? That I wasn’t ready, I was drunk, it was a mistake? I was jealous. I was hurt. I felt alone. And now you’re here shoving your beautiful wife in my face and I’m here a sad bastard who hasn’t changed or slept since yesterday.
“It’s good, best decision I’ve ever made.”
“You know we should get together more often, I missed you. Noel.”
“Oh for fooks sake, don’t start yer whining.”
“I feel like we haven’t had a chance to talk since..”
“I don’t want to talk about this.”
“Noel.”
“Stop.”
“I wanna talk about us..”
“Shut up Liam.”
“Noel.”
“Shut up and get the food.”