LMPYITP: The Random Passages

So Come on, Come on My Brother and Sister

                  

...

            They asked me back on that show with Gay Byrne. I hadn't seen him for a few years plus it was a good excuse to go back to Ireland. I left Sara and the kids back home. I'd only be gone for a couple days so we decided against making it a family affair.

            I got to the studio and they insisted I get done up in make-up and that. I don't understand why. I mean, I've never had a stylist and I certainly don't need one. Me mam tried once and then she realized it was a lost cause.

            I also didn't understand why they asked me back on that show in the first place. I already gave them my opinions on what I thought was the meaning of life and my beliefs still hadn't changed.

            The cameras were ready to roll as I sat down in the chair across from Gay.

            "Good evening, Noel." He said. "How are you?"

            "I've been well." I replied. "The new album's finally finished and..."

            We discussed my music for a bit and then he asked me that question. The one nobody will quit asking.

            "Have you talked to Liam recently?"

            "Yeah." I said trying to conceal my annoyance as best I could. "But I think I've talked to his wife more."

            He tried to conceal his shock just as much as I did with my annoyance.

            "That sounds a bit weird, doesn't it?" I asked with a smile. I could play it off as funny. Loads of people thought I was funny.

            But to be quite honest, I didn't think it was weird at all. Jules was like a little sister to me which is what I always wanted. Back in the day, I wanted one so I could make off with one of her friends. I suppose I don't feel the same way now but I like having Jules around.

            "So tell us about Jules." Gay pressed further. "Why do you prefer her company over your brother's?"

            "Well that one pretty much goes without saying, don't it?" I said. "But in all seriousness, I've always preferred the company of women. I was surrounded by a lotta birds growin' up with my aunts and that. My mam had a lotta sisters. I always wanted a little sister but never got one."

            "You got Liam instead."

            "Yeah. I did." I shook my head at the thought of him and all his...well, you be the judge of that.

            "So you and Jules are very close. Does that ever cause a rift between you and Liam?"

            "Course it does!" I said flatly. "But it's always been because of him and his own thoughts. Jules puts up with a lotta crap with 'im. He's lucky to have her and he knows it."

            "You were there during his trial a few months ago."

            "Oh. I was, yeah."

            "If there's such bad blood between the two of you," he said, "why were you in that courthouse? Everyone saw you there. You can't deny it."

            "I know. Believe me, I know but. The thing about Liam is he's always needed looking after. So when the people who look after him need looking after, that's where I come in."

            "So you look after Jules?"

            "Yes."

            Who else would? Liam needed her more than she needed him. That was obvious. Our Jules doubled as his wife and baby-sitter. Can't say that about all the other birds he'd had in the past.