Alexandra, Gone by Anna McPartlin

Author:Anna McPartlin
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Irish Novel And Short Story, Psychological fiction, Contemporary Women, Rock music fans, Domestic fiction, Family Life, General, Psychological, Loss (Psychology), Disappeared persons' spouses, Fiction - Psychological Suspense, Fiction, Friendship
ISBN: 9781439123331
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2010-08-15T07:00:00+00:00

9

“No Goodbyes”

I love you now as I loved you then

but it’s time to save our prayers,

it’s time to say amen.

Jack L, Metropolis Blue

May 2008

Breda went to Mass every day and had done so for well over thirty years. Every morning she would wake at seven; she’d wash, dress, and drink a cup of tea; and then she would put on her hat and coat and walk a mile down the road to her local church in time for the eight o’clock service. Over the years she had noticed the church becoming emptier and emptier. The young people had all but disappeared and all that was left were a handful of old men and women, most of whom were waiting patiently for the Lord to call them home.

Breda was early, so she knelt and put her hands together and looked up at the statue of Jesus hanging on the cross. She said an Our Father and then some Hail Marys and a Glory Be after that. The church was empty. Her knees were hurting her and she felt tired and cold. She leaned on the pew and pulled herself into a sitting position, then joined her hands again and waited for the priest and the few last souls seeking solace or saving to join her.

“Dear God,” she said, “I look at Your son on the cross, I see the nails in His hands and feet, the thorns on His head, the blood in His eyes, the wound in His side, and I’d trade places with Him in an instant if You would just give me my Alexandra back. This burden is too great and I can’t carry on much longer. I’m begging You as your servant, have pity on me. Show her the way home. I’m leaving now.” She got up and bowed before the altar. “I won’t be back tomorrow or the next day or the day after that. The day she comes home, that’s when You’ll see me here again.” She walked out of the church, and although bargaining with or indeed threatening the Lord was slightly unnerving, Breda felt that He had left her with no choice.

Kurt woke up to Jane, Rose, Elle, and Irene singing “Happy Birthday” at the end of his bed. He grinned because his grandmother was wearing a party hat with 18 written on it, and Elle was draped in a banner that read 18, LEGAL, AND PISSED ALREADY. Irene was bouncing up and down and blowing on a horn. His mum was standing in between them holding a cake with candles blazing and, of course, she was fighting tears. She always cried at every birthday and every milestone, so it was only a matter of time. He smiled, rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and sat up.

Jane made her way around the bed. “Blow,” she said.

Kurt blew out the candles in one go. Elle, Rose, and Irene clapped.

Jane leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Eighteen,” she said, and she burst into tears.

A big breakfast of steak and chips awaited him when he was showered and dressed.

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