Most, of his family could never explain, why Danny O’ Rourke was attracted to the song Danny Boy, since the only thing in common was the name? And, it just wasn’t any version he was attractive too when listening too the Irish tune.
And none, of his friends understood, why we always wanted to eat, at Holly’s Place? Which was owned, by a new owner that only been in town for a few months. But, he beam with a smile when anyone talked about Jack Wilson, who became better known, as Jackson Wilson?
In fact, he was amazed by the Wilson’s rendition, of the Irish tune Danny Boy. Amazed that an African American singer tried to tackle the song the way he has done. When others didn’t want to hear him talk about the tune that made some avoid him. He just didn’t care.
If, he could he would stay, at Holly’s Place not just for the tune, but because he spotted Holly Hamilton, a bright red head that he saw could handle any customer’s that got out, of hand. He personally seen her toss his friends out when they got rowdy.
When they was introduced to one another thanks to his boldness she was impressed because many has avoided her due to her out spoken individuality. Which she contributed to her grandfather Charles O’ Grady, a former law officer. Who use to sing Danny Boy to her because she was consider a tough girl growing up in his care?
While others was afraid, of Holly Hamilton tough exterior it seems O’Rourke loved the exterior toughness of the young woman. He would sing to her the Jackie Wilson tune “To Be Loved” just to see her smile. Because in all the time he has visit her pub he hardly seen a smile upon her face.
And, when he cracked through her toughness to see her inner self come out she vanish for a few weeks. When he inquired, of her assistant manager they would never give information to, where she was? It was as if, she was in the federal witness program with no clue to her whereabouts?
He continue on for two more weeks visiting the club in hope that she has returned but it wasn’t to be according to her friends. Who protected her privacy? Although they couldn’t locate her too.
His friends and associates could see Daniel O’Rourke wasn’t himself when they was in his company. He tries to pretend but many knew him. When Danny Boy was sung,by them and he didn’t join in they knew he was down. Because it took guts for them to even sang the song.
Daniel O’Rourke was surprised when he saw a for sell sign upon the place that Holly Hamilton use to own. He was now in the agreement that she wouldn’t be returning if the pub was up for sale. He stood outside the window, of the close knit pub that made him smile and ponder purchasing it.
And, within weeks he was truly owning it. And christen it “Jackie Wilson’s Pub, with the slogan “To Be Loved” after his favorite singer tune. He smile a little with being a owner. He laugh a little when his friends came and stayed a little. Especially when Wilson’s version, of Danny Boy played every fifteen minutes.
He was also introduced to a elderly gentleman, who would join him in singing Danny Boy, and knew all the lyrics to the song just not a lyric or two. He beg-inned a conversation about just adoring the tune because, of the name Danny. O’Rourke mention to the elderly man that it could be Holly Girl, and he would still adore the song.
To Daniel O’Rourke, it deserved to be seen, a a national treasure. In this elderly man he have found a person that would accept him speaking fondly, of the song without trying to change the subject. And, he would thank the man for being a listening rod.
But, by talking with the elderly man he be-ginned to see sorrow in the man face when he spoke, of his story concerning his grand daughter. Who he hadn’t seen in a few weeks? He hadn’t been able to locate her anywhere he looked? And, since he have decided to leave the house they shared to be on her own he has lost touched with her because she thinks he can’t make it without her in society.
But, from what Danny O’Rourke can visualize Charles Grady is a stable old man with a great Irish temper? Almost reminds him, of himself a independent and out spoken man with an opinion about anything and everything and he felt for this gentleman.
Soon, the elderly man reached out to Daniel O’Rourke and shook his hand and gave him a hug. To which the young Irish man wasn’t sure why? He spoke constantly, of passing the “Irish Test” which O’Rourke found out was being able to sing the Danny Boy song all the way without a mistake.
And, that he wanted to see the heart, of the man that has captured his grand daughter’s heart. The man that she stated remind her, of him to the very end. A man he could call son-in-law and a friend to boot. Still Danny O’Rourke was asking questions.
But got his answer when Holly Hamilton walked through the door singing Danny Boy. To which the elderly gentleman join in with singing the song. At that moment Danny Rourke knew just who the man he has been talking too.
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