Damn! He didn't bite. Must try harder!
Another day another birthday. Brian is 18 today. He's the oldest of the three and completely different to the girls in that he's not a sports nut. He likes football, but was never mad enough about it to deal with the abusive coaches the Lads have.
From the day he was born he's always been an easy going Lad. Don't know what set me off 18 years ago, but I just had this 'feeling' today is the day. I wasn't in pain and water still in tact, so not sure what caused me to think it was time, but anyway. I was already overdue, so when I rang the doctor he told me to come in straight away. We'd push things forward regardless and he'd induce if necessary.
Rang Timothy's sister-in-law to pass on the message that we're off and she sent out the troops to find him on whatever construction job he was working that day. Meanwhile, I casually had a shower, packed my bag and was taking my sweet old time drying my hair 'just so' when Timothy and his brother came tearing through the door all panicked. They nearly lost the plot when I said I wasn't ready yet. 'Ye watch too many movies fer feck sake...calm down! I'll be ready when I'm ready.'
20 minutes later we set of for St. Vincent's Hospital in NYC...we lived in Brooklyn. The Lads were NOT impressed with my delays. After some manic driving I was checked in 25 minutes later without hassle. An hour and 20 minutes and not a whole lot of effort later, we had a 9lb 7oz baby boy named Brian.
When he was only a few months old, he and I were on our way into the city for something. Can't remember what. Anyway, we were stopped by this woman walking through the subway station. I thought she was a bit odd, so I kept my guard. To be fair, you would have thought the same too if some random woman walked up to you and said, 'Excuse me, but can I just have a look at your baby?' With proper NYC attitude, I replied 'Now, why would I do that?' She handed me her card. She was a Margaret Models talent scout.
That was the start of a crazy, crazy year. They signed him immediately and we were being sent all over NYC for 'auditions'. We'd trudge through feet of snow in the winter and deal with the unreal heat of subways in the summer to get to those auditions. They usually chose four children to come back. Those four would be paid for a photo session and the advertiser would pick the best shot for the actual ad. He was often picked as one of the final four, but only once was his shot chosen for an ad.
Johnson and Johnson diaper rash ad. There's something to put on your résumé. lol During the shoot, they have a special person hired just to make the kids smile and laugh. That person asks the parent what their child likes, and that's what the entertainer does for the whole of their shoot. Ya know...things like peek-a-boo, blowing raspberries that kind of stuff. Not my child though. Hell no. She wasn't getting off easy on this gig. Brian thought sneezing was absolutely hysterical, so she had to sneeze for an hour. His reaction had the crew on set in hysterics and that set him off even more. He didn't stop laughing the entire time. Meanwhile, his 'mom' in the shoot was supposed to be kissing his (according to the ad) ' rash free, soft bum'. Even she had a hard time keeping a straight face. We still have the ad. It's a cracker, but I won't post it here. If you're ever in Knocknagree for a visit, will be happy to show you. Just don't tell Brian. Every time it comes out, he's mortified.
Brian was four when we moved to Ireland. He'd come out with phrases the local kids never heard before and have them rolling with laughter. But every now and then he'd have the elders in stitches too.
One day not long after we moved here I took him to the in-laws so they could mind him for a bit. I was heading to town, but before I left he asked if he could go outside. 'I want to go do my farming business. That ok mom? It's only across the road and I'll be careful.' Gave a quick glance over to Sheila and Michael who gave the wink and said 'Yeah, go on then but be careful and listen to your grandparents while I'm gone.' With that he was gone fast as could be. He loved to hang out in the field with the cows I was told.
When I returned, the yard was full of cars. I immediately worried something was wrong and ran into the house. I was greeted by a house full of people in stitches and Brian wearing an outfit borrowed by the neighbours. 'What's happened?! Is everything ok?!' Through fits of giggles Michael said 'Brian, why don't you tell your mum what's happened.' My sweet innocent four year old walked over to me, looked up and said in his wee American accent, 'Well mom, I was out doing my farmer business like I told you and everything was cool. But when I went round to check out the back of the cow he shit up on top of me!' Cue roars of laughter from around the room...and a wee giggle from Brian. Apparently he was covered head to toe when he landed back to Sheila and Michael and came out with that line to explain what had happened.
Fast forward to the past couple of years and he's just as mellow as always. When the Lads go for a night out, Brian asks our permission to join them. Not like other Lads who 'tell' their parents they're heading out. We give him a few bob spending money and send him on his way. All the time I'm quietly worried hoping he'll be ok and come home safe.
Fair play to him. Not once has he pulled an all night job like his friends. Not because he's been given a curfew or anything, just because it's not his style. He likes to come home at the end of the night and is always in no later than 1 or 2 am. He has the odd drink with the Lads these days, but never comes home rancid drunk. We've never made a big deal out of drink in this house so he doesn't feel the need to hide or worry. If he's stuck, he rings us. Granted, that's only happened once, but I was delighted he felt he could.
He's taking his final year exams in a month's time and it won't be easy as he's not great with the books, but either way he'll be grand. With some kids, you just know.
Happy Birthday Honey! xx
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