Page 26 of Releasing 10
“Everyone thinks I am.”
“Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret.” She crooked her finger, gesturing for me to come closer. When I did, she whispered in my ear, “Anyone who thinks you’re bad is a stupid fucker.”
My eyes widened in surprise. “You cursed.”
“I did,” she chuckled, tucking my hair behind my ear. “Don’t copy me.”
Snickering, I stroked the white curls on her head. “Your hair looks funny.”
Mam laughed. “That’s because it’s growing back.”
“It looks like puffy clouds,” I replied, tugging on one of the curls. “I missed you.”
“I missed you more, baby.” She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me in for a hug. “I’m sorry I couldn’t pick you up from school today.” She peppered my cheek with kisses. “I had a hospital appointment.”
Hospital.
That was a bad word.
I didn’t like it.
Uh-oh.
“Don’t worry,” she said, soothing me and rubbing her nose against mine. “The doctors are very happy with Mammy.”
“Really?”
She nodded.
I beamed back at her. “Then my wish came true.”
“What wish, sweetheart?”
“I used my birthday wish on you,” I replied happily. “To make you better, and itworked.”
“I had the best day ever!” Caoimhe squealed then, barreling into the kitchen in her new school uniform. “It’s official, Mam: Iloveschool!”
“Well, there’s a first time for everything.” Mam winked at me before standing up and walking over to my sister. “All right, out with it. What boy has put that smile on your face?”
“Who says a boy has anything to do with my smile?” Caoimhe laughed, bouncing around happily. “Maybe I just love Tommen.”
Mam arched a brow. “Caoimhe Catherine Young.”
“Okay, okay, his name is Mark, and he’s a blow-in to Ballylaggin like me,” she gushed. “Recently moved to Clonamore with his dad—you know Clonamore, don’t you, Mam? It’s the town over from Ballylaggin. A ton of kids from the area go to Tommen.”
Our mother opened her mouth to respond, but my sister kept going before she had a chance.
“Well, his mam passed away last year, and his father decided they needed a change of scenery, so they moved down to Cork from Roscommon.” She smiled the biggest megawatt grin. “He’s in my class at Tommen.”
“What about Darren?” I looked up at her. “Is he in your class, too?”
“No.” She sighed sadly. “Darren had to go to BCS.”
“How come?”
“Because his family doesn’t have a lot of money, and Tommen is a private school and it costs alotto attend.”
“That’s not fair.”
