The end
Spent all of yesterday alternately working on computer stuff, proofreading Chris' chapter, getting lost in the software I'm learning, interrupting Chris to ask about the software, typing a to do list, etc., etc., and reading an actual book. I forgot I had actual books to read. Nice to hold them in your hands sometimes.
Jason came home what seemed to me to be early, but I really don't know what his usual time home is. He came in bearing a four-pack of cans of Guinness "for my favourite American" he said. "They won't let me take that on the plane," I quipped. "Better drink it here, then!" he said. I declined. Thanks. It was still afternoon. Jason did some stuff in the garden and came back in. "Beer o'clock," he said, pouring one for himself and handing one to me. I drank it very slowly, over the course of the next hour, before we headed off to the pub for dinner. The pub, unfortunately, wasn't fantastic and was rather expensive for what you get. None of us will be going there again anytime soon. Jason wanted wine with dinner, but I again demurred, sipped my cider, and accepted a small glass of port he ordered for me without asking for dessert.
Got back to the house around 10, maybe. Jason pulled out the other two Guinnesses. Chris went to bed. Then what happened.... oh. We played a couple more games of backgammon, both of which I lost, and then just talked. For hours. And there was whiskey (both Scottish and Irish). (Actually, first there was Jason's offer of vodka, "Nice vodka". "No thanks." "It's very nice. You won't feel a thing." "Thanks. No thanks.") And we talked some more. And Jason was a real sweetheart, basically planning my next visit for me, since I was saying I wasn't sure when I'd be back and feeling sad about it. And reassuring me that that visit too, on the last night, we'll stay up and talk and drink whiskey. Because I was saying I hate change. And then he looked outside and said, "Bloody hell. Dawn!" And it was 5 AM. I really love Jason. I see him wind Chris up sometimes, and I know he's doing it intentionally, which is frustrating, but he really is a nice guy in the end, and I'm so glad to have had several trips here to meet him and get to know him. He even thanked me for being here with Chris the last couple weeks because, he said, "You talk to her on her level, which I just can't do and don't understand." Very sweet.
So I haven't slept is really what I'm telling you. I climbed in bed shortly after 5, but basically just lay there shivering with my eyes closed, running to the bathroom every half hour. (The whiskey, thankfully, had been interspersed with a mug of tea and a glass of water...) But the longest I stayed in bed was an hour, and then I got up at 8:30 to pack. I still need to shower, but my tummy's starting to feel better (thankfully) and I was indeed careful not to WAY overdo like last year. And then I head for the airport in an hour and a half.
Jason came home what seemed to me to be early, but I really don't know what his usual time home is. He came in bearing a four-pack of cans of Guinness "for my favourite American" he said. "They won't let me take that on the plane," I quipped. "Better drink it here, then!" he said. I declined. Thanks. It was still afternoon. Jason did some stuff in the garden and came back in. "Beer o'clock," he said, pouring one for himself and handing one to me. I drank it very slowly, over the course of the next hour, before we headed off to the pub for dinner. The pub, unfortunately, wasn't fantastic and was rather expensive for what you get. None of us will be going there again anytime soon. Jason wanted wine with dinner, but I again demurred, sipped my cider, and accepted a small glass of port he ordered for me without asking for dessert.
Got back to the house around 10, maybe. Jason pulled out the other two Guinnesses. Chris went to bed. Then what happened.... oh. We played a couple more games of backgammon, both of which I lost, and then just talked. For hours. And there was whiskey (both Scottish and Irish). (Actually, first there was Jason's offer of vodka, "Nice vodka". "No thanks." "It's very nice. You won't feel a thing." "Thanks. No thanks.") And we talked some more. And Jason was a real sweetheart, basically planning my next visit for me, since I was saying I wasn't sure when I'd be back and feeling sad about it. And reassuring me that that visit too, on the last night, we'll stay up and talk and drink whiskey. Because I was saying I hate change. And then he looked outside and said, "Bloody hell. Dawn!" And it was 5 AM. I really love Jason. I see him wind Chris up sometimes, and I know he's doing it intentionally, which is frustrating, but he really is a nice guy in the end, and I'm so glad to have had several trips here to meet him and get to know him. He even thanked me for being here with Chris the last couple weeks because, he said, "You talk to her on her level, which I just can't do and don't understand." Very sweet.
So I haven't slept is really what I'm telling you. I climbed in bed shortly after 5, but basically just lay there shivering with my eyes closed, running to the bathroom every half hour. (The whiskey, thankfully, had been interspersed with a mug of tea and a glass of water...) But the longest I stayed in bed was an hour, and then I got up at 8:30 to pack. I still need to shower, but my tummy's starting to feel better (thankfully) and I was indeed careful not to WAY overdo like last year. And then I head for the airport in an hour and a half.