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“So bad, Da.” I sighed. “Boom, boom, fucking boom.” I shook my head. “All the time.”
“Johnny, love, it’s Mam.” “Ma,” I slurred, feeling her hand touch my cheek. “Don’t be pissed.” “I’m beyond pissed,” she sobbed. “You could have died.” “She crying, Da?” I slurred, slapping at something touching my nose. “It’s because I had sex.” Smirking, I added, “A lot of sex.” I laughed to myself but it sounded funny. “Just kidding, Ma…no pussy for me.” “Edel, love, he’s high as a kite,” I heard my father say. “He won’t remember a word of this. Best wait to give him the talk until he comes around properly.” “The talk,” I groaned loudly. “All the fucking talks.” “Johnny, love—” “Sex is a
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“Ma!” I exclaimed. “You know the girl!” “What girl, love?” “My girl.” I slapped a hand against my nose, itching the scratch, or scratching the itch. I didn’t know about anything anymore, but I felt fucking great. “See, Da?” I slapped my chest. “Boom, fucking boom, boom.” “What’s he talking about, John?” “God only knows,” my father replied, sounding thoroughly amused. “But it’s the best entertainment I’ve had in years.”
“It’s okay,” I cooed, mashing my lips together. “She’s sixteen now, and I’m—” I slapped my forehead. “Seventeen.” “What are you talking about, Johnny?” “The fractions, Ma,” I groaned. “They’re closing in.” “Fractions of what, love?” “Not too much longer to wait.” I sighed. “Thank fuck, ’cause I’m in love.” “You’re in love?” I nodded happily. “And she’s a river.”
“And I’m gonna buy her a ring…and a dog…and sail a boat…
“You get it, Gibs,” I slurred happily. “You get me.” “I get you, buddy,” he coaxed, squeezing my hand. “Shouldn’t he be out still?” “He should,” my father replied, sounding amused. “But the lad is as strong as an ox.” “I’m a bull,” I slurred. Gibsie snickered. “You’re a bull?” I nodded. “With big balls.” Gibsie laughed. “Big working balls.”
“You found her, Gibs!” I exclaimed. “Thank fuck. I thought I lost her.” “I did, buddy,” Gibsie chuckled softly. “I brought Shannon back to you.”
“Shannon like the river,” I sighed contently. “Shannon Lynch?” Mam exclaimed. “That’s who he’s rambling on about?” “Oh, yeah,” Gibsie mused. “What happened to being friends, Johnny?” Mam asked. “I lied,” I snickered. “I’ve been lying all along.” “Oh, Johnny,” Mam sighed. “You never had to lie, baby. I like that girl.” “She’s mine,” I grumbled. “You can’t have her.” Gibsie laughed loudly. “Everyone knows that, Cap.” Twisting my head, I tried to find my father. “Da?”
“I’m still right here,” Dad assured me, squeezing my right ha...
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“Hi, Johnny.” “Boom, boom, fucking boom, Da,” I groaned, slapping a hand against my chest. “I’m done for.”
“See her, Da? See? So fucking beautiful!” Johnny announced. “Told ye all.” Oh god…
“I love you, Shannon like the river,” he slurred. My heart stopped.
“I fucking love you,” Johnny said again. Oh god. He did. He absolutely did. Twice.
“See, Ma,” Johnny said in a groggy slur. “She’ll have my babies—” He twisted his head from side to side until he found my face. And then he smiled. “You’ll have my babies, won’t you?” “I…” I cleared my throat and exhaled a ragged breath. “I…” “Shannon, I am so sorry,” Mrs. Kavanagh strangled out. “Say it,” Johnny groaned, clutching my hand. “Tell me you’ll have my babies.” “Johnny—” “Just tell me you will,” he begged loudly. “Just say it, Shannon! Please! I can’t take it.” “Sure?” I croaked out, feeling faint. “Whatever you want, Johnny.” “Gibs,” Johnny called out happily. “Did you hear that,
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“Johnny, I know, but I have to go,” I whispered, flustered. “It’s family only.”
“She’s my wife,” he announced then, blowing my mind clean open. “Jonathan Kavanagh,” his mother snapped. “Stop this right now! You’ll scare the girl.” “What are ya talking about?” Johnny slurred. “I’m not scaring her. I love her.” “Johnny, I’ll come back,” I coaxed, exhaling a trembling breath. “I promise I’ll come back, okay?”
“I want you,” he groaned, pulling at my arms. “Just you.”
“Look at that face,” he whispered, staring up at me with a peculiar expression. “I’m gonna keep you.” “Okay.” Relenting to his madness, I coaxed him to lie back on his pillow. “You can keep me.”
“Tell me you love me,” he pleaded. “Johnny—” “Tell me.” Inhaling a steadying breath, I whispered, “Johnny, I love you.” “Thank fuck,” he groaned, exhaling loudly.
“I think I need you for keeps,” he slurred. “I think I need you for keeps, too,” I confessed.
“You are so pretty,” he slurred. “That very first day. Boom.” “Boom?” I giggled. He nodded solemnly. “Boom.”
“Who’s hurting you, baby?” he slurred sleepily. He yawned loudly and then sighed. “I’ll fix it.” “It’s a secret,” I breathed, feeling my body shake. “I won’t tell,” he whispered. Inhaling a trembling breath, I clenched my eyes shut and pressed my lips to his ear. “My father.”
“Did you see that?” Joey demanded, directing his question at Mam. “Did you see him hit me?” Dodging another punch from our father, Joey reared back and leveled our father with a fist to the face. “Can’t you see what he’s doing to your children?”
“You promised you’d never leave me.”
“Make a choice, Mam,” Joey snarled as he glared down at our mother. “Him or us?”
