Five for Four

At 9 of this frustrating Morning I took my trousers, combed my hair, but still looking wild, I sighed and decided to take a day off from my work and see a psychiatrist. For that I have to inform my 'Creepy Boss' about my day off.

I took a deep breath and picked up the telephone, my hands shaking slightly as I dialed the number for my boss's office. Ringing, each tone amplifying my anxiety. Finally, Someone answered.

"Good morning, O'Reilly's Printing," said Mr. O'Reilly, his tone brisk as always.

"Hello, sir. It's me," I replied, my voice wavering. "I wanted to let you know that I need to take a day off."

"Is everything alright?" he asked, a hint of concern creeping into his voice.

"Yes, just… personal matters. I need to see a psychiatrist," I admitted, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders just saying it.

"Very well. Take the day and take care of yourself," he said, sounding supportive. "We can manage without you for a bit."

"Thank you, sir," I replied, with relief and I hung up the phone. "Less Creepy? How?" I said Laughing.

I grabbed the map, locked the door behind me, and took a deep breath. Opening the map, I shook it out, looking for the nearest psychiatric clinic. "Oh great, I'm in Ireland," I muttered, starting to walk. Just as I took my first step, I heard someone call my name.

"Hey, Allan!" It was Liam, running up to me, panting. "Boss told me you're heading to the psychiatrist. Didn't I warn you about dreaming of girls?" He teased. I felt a bit embarrassed but managed a small smile.

"But yeah, it's a good idea to get checked out," he added. "I'll come with you. Got permission from Creepy Trooper," he said, making us both laugh.

"Thanks, Liam," I said, feeling grateful.

"I'll take you to my uncle," Liam said with a grin. "He's both a psychiatrist and a psychologist."

"Where is he?" I asked, curious.

"Just a little far," Liam replied casually.

"Alright then, let's go!" I said, feeling a bit relieved.

"Well what did you dreamed today? " He asked, moving all through the bus stop I told him all story

He laughed and said, "No problem, brother, my uncle can handle this stuff. Or maybe you just need some rest!"

We sat at the bus stop, and I sighed, "Yeah, maybe rest." But inside, my mind was racing. I trust Amour. She's real, not a dream, I thought, which suddenly triggered a wave of panic.

Before I knew it, I was shouting, losing control. Liam slapped me hard across the face, snapping me out of it. "Shut down your dog mode! The bus is coming," he said.

A blue, old-looking bus came to a stop right in front of us. Liam grabbed me by the waist and pulled me inside. "Two tickets, please," he said.

"To where?" the guide asked.

"A7," Liam answered.

"A7?" I repeated, still a bit lost. We got our tickets and sat down, right next to two old ladies.

"Where are you off to, young ladies?" Liam asked, smiling.

"Young?" I whispered, confused. Liam quickly kicked my foot to shut me up.

"A6," the ladies said.

"Oh! We're going to A7, just the next stop!" Liam said cheerfully.

I shook my head, feeling a little dizzy. "A7, A6… I don't get this bus stuff at all," I said, feeling kinda lost, like I'd had one too many drinks or something.

The ladies laughed softly, and we settled into our seats behind them. "The whole bus is empty, but we end up sitting here? Behind these boring old ladies?" I murmured as the bus started to move forward.

"Hey, it's not that bad. Plus, you could use some fresh air," Liam said, pointing me towards the window seat.

Just as I leaned back, the shorter lady, her face covered with black bumps, turned around. "Would you like s-some d-d-drinks, children?"

"Uh, eww..." I whispered under my breath due to her face, turning my face toward the window to avoid any more awkwardness.

"I wouldn't mind, but my friend here isn't a fan," Liam said, laughing nervously.

"Well, you haven't told me where we're going yet," I said to Liam, feeling annoyed.

"I told you already! It's not far. Just relax and enjoy the view," Liam replied, grinning.

"Ugh, the view? All I see are warehouses, trees, more trees, and even more trees! So boring!" I groaned.

"Boring? Hold on, it's not always boring," Liam said, pointing out the window. "Look at that girl in the bus behind us, fixing her clothes!"

I looked back, half-curious, half-confused. "What?! Seriously, dude? You are married!"

"Yes, I am!" Liam said, teasing me. "But you're not married, Allan! So it's totally fine for you to check out girls like that."

"Not interested," I said, trying to hide my face and stay out of it.

"Oh, come on!" Liam said, pulling a picture out of his pocket. It was a family photo. "That's how I met Maria," he added with a shy grin.

"What!?" I exclaimed, totally shocked.

"Yep, you heard me right," Liam said, blushing like a teen.

"I was in Limerick with my nephew," Liam began, storytelling. "He was just in primary school, but already obsessed with girls. Every day after school, he'd come to me with stories—once, he told me that a girl kissed him, and another time, he said he accidentally fell onto a girl's chest!"

"Oh, I see! Inheritance at its peak!" I teased Liam.

"Not in the mood for jokes," Liam said, shutting me up. He continued, "One day, my nephew told me he wanted a girl to be his wife. It was a big thing for an 11-year-old to say, but I guess kids can be that way. I was 17 then."

"Oh, so this is a 1917 story?" I asked.

"Yep," he nodded. "That day, I was curious to see which girl he had his eyes on, so I told him I'd pick him up from school. The next day, when I asked him to point her out, he pointed behind me. And what do I see? A 19-year-old girl—Maria!"

"Oh, interesting!" I said, stretching the word with a grin.

"But actually," Liam continued, "he was pointing to the little girl Maria was picking up. Turns out, that girl was Maria's niece."

"Ohhh!" I said, laughing. "So it wasn't Maria he was after?"

"Exactly!" Liam exclaimed. "But I didn't care about the mix-up. The moment I saw Maria, I knew she was the one for me."

"How did you confess then?" I asked, curious.

"Uhm, what?" Liam replied, looking a bit confused.

"Your love confession!" I nudged him playfully.

"I didn't confess," he admitted.

"Then how did you get married?" I pressed on.

"She confessed, and I don't want to tell you anything more about it," he said, suddenly looking a bit gloomy.

"Ahh!!" I groaned, "Don't leave me in Suspense like that! I won't be able to sleep all night!"

"I don't care!" he said rudely.

"Okay," I said, feeling a bit emotional.

The bus then stopped at A4.

Three girls and a boy got on, all looking around the same age—maybe 26? One of the girls was wearing a big pink straw hat, so I couldn't see her face. They all looked British. The boy, who definitely had a Scottish accent, asked for five tickets to B1, but there were only four of them. "Where's the fifth person?" I wondered.

Liam looked at them, then back at me, and raised an eyebrow. "Five tickets for four people?" he whispered.

"I know, right? Who's the mystery guest?" I replied, still trying to sneak a glance at the girl with the big pink straw hat. Her face was completely hidden by it, and I was getting curious.

"They all look so... alike," I muttered, leaning closer to Liam. "British for sure, but the guy... definitely Scottish."

FIVE FOR FOUR?