“She’s a lovely girl, Johnny,” Mam offered. “Seems very fond of you.” She turned to look at me when she said, “You could do a lot worse than a nice girl like her.” “Yeah, well, I don’t see her like that.” Lie. Lie. Barefaced lie. “She’s just a friend.” More lies. “That’s it, Ma.” “Do you honestly think you can sell me that shite, Johnny Kavanagh?” Mam shot back, lips twitching. “I’m your mother. I brought you into this world, and I know every single time you tell me a lie.” “I am not lying,” I lied. “You’re lying to me right now.”
