Page 144 of The Missing Sister
Having prayed, but found no direct answer, James decided he must let his instincts lead the way. The following Sunday after Mass, he asked a bleary-eyed John whether he’d be able to call on him the following evening.
‘Six o’clock would suit, Father. I have... things to do from seven. Is anything wrong?’
‘Not at all. In fact, it’s very good news.’
‘I’ll be needing some o’ that just now. Goodbye, Father.’
James watched the man wander over to the long line of O’Reilly graves in the cemetery surrounding the church. The rest of his family were kneeling over the plot where their mother and her tiny newborn baby had been interred. It was still waiting for a headstone and the sight of Maggie O’Reilly’s children placing posies of spring flowers picked from fields and hedgerows brought tears to his eyes. Even Bill and little Pat had laid a squashed handful of wild violets upon the mound, still yet to grow a full head of grass.
‘I trust you, Lord, but sometimes, I’m not understanding the way you work,’ James muttered as he walked back inside the church.
‘So, that’s the situation, John. The question is, what do you think? As Merry’s father, it’s ultimately your decision.’
James watched as various emotions passed across John O’Reilly’s face. It was a long time before he spoke.
‘Is it your friend Ambrose Lister who’ll be paying?’
‘No. Merry won the scholarship fair and square. It’s a huge achievement, John, and all credit to her.’
There was another long pause.
‘I – and Maggie – we love her so much. Maggie always said she was special. Merry has the brains, but a kind heart too, and some fierce strength inside her. She’s the one who’s comforted the small ones and slept with them in their beds when they’ve been crying for their mammy. Nora and Katie might be better at the washing and the cooking, but ’tis Merry who’s kept this family’s spirit going since...’
James could only watch as John put his head in his hands.
‘Sorry, Father. I loved Maggie from the moment I laid eyes on her at aceilidhin Timoleague. Our parents weren’t for the match; her mammy and daddy refused permission, but Maggie and me, we married anyway. She gave up everything to be with me, and what did I give her? A life o’ hell, that’s what! Her life was no better than if I’d chained her in a cellar on rations. And then... Jaysus, Father, I killed her by putting that babe inside her, but me and Maggie, as well as love, that... side of us was one thing we always had in our marriage.’
‘You also have seven beautiful children that were made out of that love,’ James said quietly. ‘And you must thank the Lord for that.’
John looked up at him. ‘I don’t want to lose Merry, but is it my decision to make?’
‘You’re her father, John, so yes, it is.’
‘What does Mr Lister say?’
‘That she should go. But then, he’s all for education, teaching as he does at a famous university. He thinks it’s an opportunity for Merry to better herself.’
John paused again before he spoke. ‘Then better herself she should. It’s what my Maggie would have wanted. Even though ’twill break my heart.’
‘She’ll be home for the holidays, John. And Bridget O’Mahoney is joining her there, so at least she’ll be going with someone she knows. They can ride to Dublin on the train together. Do you want to tell her, or shall I?’
‘You, Father. I’d not be knowing what to say.’
As James left the room, he caught a glimpse of John reaching down the side of his chair for the whiskey bottle. And felt such sorrow for a fine, good man, broken by the harsh life God had chosen for him to live.
Merry and Katie were in the kitchen setting out the table for tea when Father O’Brien came in and asked to speak to Merry outside. He beckoned her to sit down on the bench in the courtyard.
‘Have I done something wrong, Father?’
‘No, no, Merry, not at all. Quite the opposite in fact. You’ve won the scholarship.’
‘I’ve what?’ Merry stared at him as though he’d told her she was about to be shot.
‘You’ve won the scholarship to the boarding school in Dublin.’
‘I...’
Then she burst into tears.
