My Cardboard Balcony

St. Patrick's Day by Belinda Roddie St. Patrick's Day was quieter this year for me and my fiancée. We were fine with that and didn't drown in Irish cheer as much as we had done the other times. One Patrick's Day, we had a complete meal of corned beef and potatoes, and the beer and cider overflowed. We danced with zeal to Celtic music, laughing beneath clear and cloudless skies. This night, however, we had conversation over a modest dinner of spaghetti, all topped with brie (Though we made sure to add some extra zest to our food), and the booze and whiskey still was drunk. So sláinte to all, with good will!

"Special delivery!" hollered Joey, before she trampolined herself off the couch and into my arms as soon as I stepped into the living room. I laughed, then ruffled her hair before planting a kiss on her. "Easy there, cowgirl," I said. "Work's already taken a lot out of me." "Did they give you that raise you asked her?" I nodded and smile. That clearly made Joey giddy, and she bounced on her heels until I gave her another kiss.