AN INTEREST IN IRELAND
(A mini sequel to "Whispers of Wales.)
***
James Mac Kay opened his laptop, ready to search one more time. He was sitting on the deck of his antique- cum- coffee shop prior to opening time.The waves crashed noisily beyond the railway line but James ignored them. His time was limited.
Inspired by his girlfriend Ruby's success, he wanted to search the ships' lists once more. His great-grandfather, Henry Mac Kay, had been born in Belfast. He'd come over to South Africa from Ireland as a young man. James knew he had been a carpenter, just like Ruby's great-grandfather. What's more, James actually owned a book case made by his Irish ancestor.
He quickly found the site he liked to use, and typed in the details. James had searched several times in the past with no results. But new records were constantly being added to the site and he hadn't checked in a while. He searched impatiently through the list of Mac Kay's which appeared. The name Henry jumped out at James. A quick click brought up a ship's list. Amazed, James read the details. Henry was born in 1877, had been 21 on the date of the voyage and was listed as a joiner. The departure year was 1898, the ship's name, the Aotea and the destination port, Cape Town. The young man had traveled alone.
*******
"Wow," said Ruby, as they sat on the same deck after closing time,"that's amazing, James! And the dates are similar to my great grandmother's, not to mention that he was a carpenter." She rested her head on James' shoulder and gazed out to sea. "They were such adventurers, weren't they?"
James put his arm around her and drew her close."I need to level with you, Ruby. The reason why I've been doing all this research, is because I want to get an Irish passport. Once I found my great grandfather's birth certificate, I realized I might be able to move to Ireland after all. It's something I've been thinking about for a long time."
He felt Ruby tense under his arm, but she didn't say anything, so he continued. "I'm worried about the future of our country. There's so much crime and violence." He sighed, and his eyes looked gray to Ruby in the evening light. "I hear good things about Ireland, Ruby. We could have a great future there."
Ruby sighed. "I hear you James. I can't blame you for wanting to go." She'd been the victim of a smash and grab on her way to work and she heard about many worrying incidents at the school where she taught fourth grade. "But I love Cape Town," she gestured to the mountain and the sea. "I can't imagine leaving."
Neither of them spoke for some moments, but the rugged mountain and dashing breakers spoke eloquently of the appeal of staying. "I can't imagine leaving either," James agreed at last."I just think it might be for the best in the long run."
Ruby turned to him then, her eyes soft with love and concern. "But is it what God wants for you James?"
*******
Ruby's question was still bugging James as he made himself coffee hours later. He surveyed his apartment, and thought of all the work that lay ahead if he were to make the move. He thought of his shop, Nostalgia, and how painful it would be to sell it. And thoughts of Ruby made his heart ache. Judging from what she had said earlier, it was unlikely that she would move over to Ireland with him. Would he be able to convince her otherwise? Did he even have the right to try? They had only been dating for a few months after all. He sat in the wing back chair next to his great grandfather's book case. He reached out to touch the old wood and as he did, he caught sight of his tattoo. The same one Ruby had admired: a cross and an anchor. He'd told Ruby that day, not long after they'd met, that Jesus was his anchor. But was He really? He went over his reasons for wanting to immigrate. They didn't sound like they belonged to a supposedly faith-filled Christian. James agonized over the question long past his usual bedtime. When he finally got under the covers though, he knew what he had to do.
*******
"James!" Exclaimed Ruby , "It's only eight o'clock!" She smiled in spite of her surprise. Not to mention, he'd been constantly in her thoughts since the day before. She dreaded what he might say about moving. Now he stood at her door, a bunch of proteas in his arms. "You know, they don't grow in Ireland." He smiled as he gave them to her." But fortunately, that won't be a problem. I'm not leaving Ruby. God made that clear to me. " He pointed to the anchor on his arm and grinned. "Jesus is my anchor, Ruby. Will you marry me?"
Ruby fell into his arms. "Yes, James. Yes. I prayed too. And If God tells you to go, I'll follow. He will be with us wherever we are."
*******
Here is a little epilogue to this story: Link
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