Shannon in Reagan

---------------- ORIGINAL STORY FROM THE 1960s- ----------------

May 769

The sun began to set on the little village and the straw thatch looked like it was afire. Most of the people were inside eating at this hour, and pots could be heard clanking, a song might be heard on the wind and an occasional scold of a woman reprimanding her husband or child.

Two solitary figures strolled the main road through the town. A lute was slung over the shoulder of the man, and his son kicked rocks as he followed his father. Occasionally the little boy might glance up at his father's puzzling face. As they neared the house where they were headed, he looked up again.

"Da, when are going back to see Peter?" the little boy said in thick, rich Gaelic.

"Ah now, Seamus, ye know we can't go back so soon." Shannon smiled sadly down at him. Walking up to the door, he knocked and waited as the door latch was pulled. Two timid brown eyes peered out and flashed a smile of welcome when the visitor was recognize. Shannon smiled too, and made a face. The door was open and he and Seamus entered. One inside Seamus ran over to the fireside and dove into some hot stew. Shannon shut the door and turned to the greeter. "I'm sorry we're late, Heather. I stopped off at Tim's to let Seamus ride the donkey." Both looked over at the boy who had already started on his second bowl. "I'd better get over there before he eats it all!"

He snatched a kiss and went to the sit by Seamus. "Where's Deidre?"

Heather looked around at the bedroom door. "He went to sleep early this evening. I let him play with the ducks in the pond and he got quite tired. Filthy, too." She went over to where Shannon was seated. He stopped eating and reached up to take her hand. Pulling he down, he said, "Delicious, as usual. I envy your father. He was eating your cooking all the time I was eating inn food." He made a face at the thought of the greasy meat and watered-down ale so common in inns. Heather laughed and sat down by him. Despite his general sorrow, Shannon was able to disguise it and lighted and put one arm about his wife's waist.

It was true that Shannon was in love with Queen Josephine, but he also loved his wife. He showed it openly to her, but yet she was hurt by his constant brooding over his more desperate love for the queen.