The Heart's Invisible Furies

by John Boyne

“Every man is afraid of women as far as I can see,” said Julian, displaying an understanding of the universe far beyond his years. “That’s true,” she said. “But only because most men are not as smart as women and yet they continue to hold all the power. They fear a change of the world order.”

“What you know about women,” replied Maude, “could be written in large font on the back of a postage stamp and there’d still be room for the Lord’s Prayer.

“Right then. I’m almost afraid to ask but is there anything else?” “There is, Father.” “Go on so. I’ll hold on to my chair.”

“Anything is possible,” I said. “But most things are unlikely.”

“Ah Jesus,” she said, laughing as she stood up. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’re none of us normal. Not in this fucking country.”

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in more than seven decades of life, it’s that the world is a completely fucked-up place. You never know what’s around the corner and it’s often something unpleasant.”

Maybe there were no villains in my mother’s story at all. Just men and women, trying to do their best by each other. And failing.