The Moose, the Tree, and the Irish Writer

Tabby bounced down the stairs barefoot and came to the door. Orlando and Sean were standing there stamping their feet and peering through the glass.

She opened the door smiling at them and Sean and Orlando just stood there staring at her. Oh her photo didn't do her justice at all. Petite and soft looking with all that pretty coppery hair...bed hair but it still looked gorgeous Sean thought. No wonder Viggo was so taken with the little pixie.

Orlando looked at him just before she opened the door and said, “Christ she’s adorable, and not much bigger than a hobbit, Sean.” Sean just smiled.

"Hello! Céad míle fáilte romhat!" She said cheerfully. "Sorry I didn't get down here sooner...was asleep."

Orlando looked at Sean and whispered. “What the hell did she just say?”

Sean laughed. “She said a hundred thousand welcomes. It’s Gaelic.”

“OOrlaOrlando smiled. “Viggo must love that…another person who slips in and out of other languages.”

They came in with their bags and stood in Viggo's living room.

"Is Viggo back from New York?" Sean asked taking off his coat. God it was already cold in September!

"Yes, he got back around four this morning...that’s why we didn't hear you. He should be down in a few minutes if he didn't fall back to sleep." She responded. "I will put some tea on...are you two hungry? I can make griddle cakes."

Orlando smiled. "I'm always hungry."

"Good...come on." She said tugging on his hand and leading the young man into the kitchen.

"Oh Sean I like her." He whispered walking past Sean.

Sean just laughed shaking his head.

Tabby already had both the men seated with cups of tea before Viggo came in the kitchen. His hair was standing up on one side of his head and Tabby had to resist the urge to laugh at him. The two guests turned around and practically tackled Viggo in a double bear hug. His face split into a huge smile and Tabby turned back to the stove. She wanted them to have their moment together without her interference.

Sean broke the hug first and said, "Are you ok?"

"Yeah...yeah I am...I just didn't want to stay for the funeral. I did what I needed to...I got to say goodbye." Viggo said sadly. Orlando hugged hgaingain and Viggo smiled at him.

They all sat down and Tabby pressed a cup of tea into his hand. He grabbed her hand with his free hand and squeezed smiling. She just smiled at him and turned back to her cooking.

Sean noticed the gesture and then said, "Well Tabby...that smells wonderful dear."

"Thank you." She said smiling brightly over her shoulder at him.

Orlando also noticed the way Viggo's eyes didn't leave her very often. "So you gona show me that painting?"

“Hmm oh yeah it’s in the studio.” Viggo said getting up and walking to the studio with Orlando. Sean stayed behind with Tabby.

“So, how are you?” Sean asked taking another sip of tea.

“Good…better now that Viggo’s back. Oh I know that sounds so silly doesn’t it but it were strange here without him. I am just a guest after all and then to be here alone for two days…well it was odd.” Tabby said waving the spatula about a bit. Sean could tell already that she was good for Viggo…really good for him. “Guess it’s good I was here though, I took care of the horses while he was gone.”

Sean sat back a bit. “You took care of the horses?” God she was tiny and Brego and Sky were both huge.

“Aye…I grew up around race horses in Kilfenora.” She said turning back to flip a pancake.

“I see. Well I am sure he appreciates that. He certainly loves those animals.” He said taking another drink of his tea. Kilfenora was a place Sean knew quite well in fact.

She moved around Viggo’s kitchen as if she had been here for years instead of less than a week. Sean noticed how her hands moved so efficiently as she worked, definitely a well-bred Irish girl. He also noticed the tiny gold cross that dangled at her neck…he was fascinated by the girl. How could she possibly be over thirty? She looked so young, and innocent.

“Orlando doesn’t speak any Gaelic.” Sean said then.

“What? Oh, oh yes I am so sorry…I didn’t even think when I welcomed you…did you tell him I wasn’t insulting him?” She asked concerned.

Sean laughed. “Yes I told him.”

Viggo and Orlando came back into the kitchen talking about Orlando’s latest movie as the phone began to ring.

“Uh Tabby…where is the phone?” Viggo asked looking around.

“Oh it’s by the couch.” She answered without turning around. Orlando and Sean just looked at each other. They already seemed like a couple…one with years behind them instead of days.

Viggo ran into the living room and grabbed it. “Hello? Oh yes…who is calling for her? Alright.”

“Tabby it’s for you…someone named Janie.” Viggo announced walking into the kitchen.

“Oh…uh can you just hold the phone to my ear I am elbow deep in batter.” She said working at the stove. So Viggo held the phone to her ear as Sean and Orlando watched.

“Hi Janie…yes…yes. No the black boots…yes, my riding boots….Oh Christ woman you know which ones. Yes just those things….yes…Janie my God you are kidding right? Well tell Martin that I already have five chapters for him…yes…yes five…are they good…I should hang up on you right now.” Then Tabby laughed. “Yes…well it had an accident in Nevada”

When she said that Viggo chuckled. Tabby glared at him and he just tried to suppress a grin which he had some difficulty doing.

“Alright Janie…thank you..yes just charge the shipping t exp expense account and I will pay Martin back for it…please. Thanks…yes uhhh why don’t you have Viggo give you the address.”

Viggo looked at her. “I am having Janie send me some of my things…clothes mostly…if I am going to be here a month I figured I need something more than three pair of jeans and a couple dresses.”

Viggo nodded and started talking to Janie giving her his address. He hung up and put the phone back.

“An accident in Nevada huh?” Viggo laughed.

“Well I can’t very well tell her she pissed me off so bad I tossed the cell out the window could I?” Tabby said smacking the spatula against the side of the pan. Viggo just laughed again while Sean and Orlando stared at them.

“Janie is Tabby’s agent. She was giving Tabby a hard time a few days ago and Tabby didn’t even bother to hang up on her just tossed her cell phone out the window somewhere in the desert in Nevada outside Las Vegas.” Viggo said trying not to laugh.

“Oh wish I had thought of that one!” Orlando said laughing. Sean just shook his head.

“Irish temperament.” Sean muttered.

Tabby turned around and raised her eyebrow at him “And what of it Mr. Bean?”

All three men just burst out laughing at her. “You’d be much more convincing if you weren’t so damn cute.” Viggo said smiling at her.

“Oh you…your making fun of me…all of you get out…get out until I am finished cooking!” she said tossing a towel at Viggo.