Page 86 of Releasing 10
Now, I was no Patrick Feely. In fact, I couldn’t sing for shit and wasalwaysput in the far back in the choir, but I decided to break into song right now, because he needed me to.
Crowing like a lark, I belted out the first song that came to mind, which just so happened to be Christy Moore’s “Don’t Forget Your Shovel.”
Thankfully my attempt to cheer him up was a success. He choked out a laugh. Encouraged by his hearty chuckles, I upped the stakes, mimicking his father’s hobbled walk as I scuffled toward him.
“You’re a dope,” he laughed, nudging my shoulder with his when I reached him.
Grinning, I threw my arm around him and continued to croon the words until he gave in and sang along with me.
And that’s how we spent the rest of his birthday, knee-deep in cow shit on his father’s farm, singing about shovels and holes in buckets.
I WAS TRYING TO PROTECT YOU
Lizzie
SEPTEMBER 9, 1995
THE SCREAMING STARTED SHORTLY AFTER OUR PARENTS LEFT TO JOIN THEIR FRIENDSat the pub and grew louder and louder until I couldn’t take another high-pitched wail.
Our bedrooms were both on the second floor and a good distant apart, but Caoimhe was screaming so loud that I could hear her all the way from mine.
I knew I wasn’t supposed to go near my sister’s room when he was over—she made it crystal clear that I was to stay out—but I couldn’t stand the sound of her shrill screams.
I knew what they meant.
He was using his special powers.
That scared me because it meant my sister was sick like me. Worried, I climbed out of bed and padded down the hall to her bedroom door. Pressing my ear against the old wooden frame, I listened carefully to the noises coming from the other side of it.
“Oh my God!”
“You like that?”
“Fuck, yes, just like that.”
“Mm, that’s it, baby. Just like that.”
“I can’t, I can’t…”
“Take it. Fucking take it, you bad girl!”
“Don’t stop!”
“Turn over.”
“But I don’t—”
“I said turn the fuck over. Now!”
“Okay, but be gentle this time… Ahhh!”
My sister screamed so loud that it made me scream even louder. Panicked, I lost all control over my voice and pushed the door inward, afraid that she might be sick like our mam.
“Lizzie, what the hell are you doing!” Caoimhe roared, but I couldn’t do anything but stand in the doorway and scream. She was leaning, face-down over the side of her bed, and he was standing behind her. They didn’t have any clothes on and he was giving her the special medicine. The one that he made me take, even when I didn’t want to.
My heart sank.
Shewassick.
