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“No, you’re not allowed to say that,” Shannon choked out, looking mortified, as she walked over to her brothers and glared at them. “Now have some manners and thank Mrs. Kavanagh for the ice cream.”

“Thanks, Dellie,” Ollie chimed.

“Yeah,” Tadhg mumbled, flushing a little as he looked up at my mother. “Thanks for this, Edel.”

“You’re more than welcome, boys,” Mam replied, voice hoarse as she walked into the sitting room. “And, Shannon, love, call me Edel.”

“Sorry, Mrs. Kavanagh,” Shannon mumbled, flustered. “I mean—Edel.”

“Alright, boys,” my father said, waving the remote control of the television in his hand. “What are we watching? We have all the channels.”

“Score!” Tadhg cheered and dove for the couch. “Can I pick?”

“No, no, me,” Ollie begged, racing after Tadhg. “Please, John. Me, me—”

“Me, me,” Tadhg mimicked, beaming in victory when Dad handed him the remote. “Thanks, John.” Turning to Ollie, he smirked. “Sit down, kid. You’ll get your turn when you’re up against Sean.”

Huffing out a sigh, Ollie sank down on the couch beside him and shoved a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth. “It’s no fair being younger.”

“Yeah, well, that’s how it feels for me with Shannon and Joey,” Tadhg shot back, unaffected. “Deal with it.”

“And Darren,” Ollie offered. “He’s the oldest.”

Tadhg snorted. “He doesn’t count.”

Ollie turned to look at his brother. “Does Joey still count?”

Tadhg nodded stiffly. “For now.”

“Okay.” Nodding in acceptance, Ollie turned to watch the television as Tadhg channel surfed with my father.

“Are you alright, Shannon, love?” Mam asked in a low tone, eyes glued to my girlfriend’s scratched-up face.

Shannon blushed and nodded. “I’m fine, thanks.” Tucking her hair behind her ear, she moved to walk back to me, but quickly stopped herself short and stiffened, looking uncertain. “I’m just, ah…” Glancing around at her brothers, she exhaled a ragged breath. “I’m really very sorry for bringing my trouble to your door again, Mrs. Kavanagh.” Shoulders sagging, she whispered, “I just didn’t know what else to do.”

“Oh, pet, come here to me—” Mam walked straight over to her and pulled her into her arms. My mother wasn’t a tall woman at five foot four, but she still dwarfed Shannon who was barely five feet. “You’re going to be okay,” I heard Mam whisper in her ear as Shannon remained rigid. “I’m going to take care of all of you.”

Shuddering, Shannon slowly relaxed and hugged my mother back. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, love. You did everything right tonight.” Pressing a kiss to Shannon’s head, Mam pushed her hair off her face, cupped her small face between her hands, and smiled down at her. “You and your brothers are going to stay with us for the night. We’ll get everything straightened up in the morning, okay?”

Shannon nodded weakly. “Thank you so much for your help.”

“I’m very proud of you for calling,” Mam continued to say. “I know you must have been scared, and it was very brave of you to make that phone call when you knew what might happen.”

“Do you think my mam is okay?” Shannon whispered, gaze flicking nervously to the boys and then back to Mam before landing on me. “I shouldn’t have left her there.”

“I’m sure she’s fine, love. Why don’t you sit down with your brothers and Johnny can go and put the tea on for me?” Mam suggested, steering the conversation away from her mother. “AndI’ll—” Walking over to me, Mam tickled Sean’s toes and grinned up at his cherubic face. “Give this gorgeous boy a wash.” Smiling at Sean, she stroked his cheek. “Hmm? What do you say, Seany baby? Will we get you all cleaned up?”

“Good idea, Sean,” Shannon encouraged, voice thick with emotion. “But I don’t have any clothes for him.” Blushing furiously, she whispered, “And he still, uh… He tends to have accidents when he’s nervous.”

“Not to worry,” Mam replied, still smiling at Sean. “There’s plenty of boxes of Johnny’s old clothes in the attic.”

“What do you say, bud?” I asked Sean. “Are you going to go for a nice bath and wash that stinky booze off ya?”

Sean looked up at me for a long moment before nodding and leaning his body toward my mother. “Oh, you’re such a good boy,” Mam coaxed, cuddling him close to her chest as she trailed out of the sitting room. “Oh, and you give the best hugs.”

My father’s phone began to ring then. “Two minutes, lads,” he said, standing up from where he’d been sitting between Ollie and Tadhg, refereeing their battle of the remote. “I’ll just take this.” As he walked past me, he inclined his head for me to follow him.

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