Flood by James Heneghan

Author:James Heneghan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV013030
Publisher: Groundwood Books Ltd.
Published: 2002-03-31T16:00:00+00:00

11

THE THIRD WEEK PASSED without Vinny finding a job. He stayed out all night again, and got home at noon the next day, bleary-eyed and stinking of cigarettes and liquor. Then he slept till evening and went out again. Andy worried about him.

On the Monday afternoon of the fourth week, Andy looked out the window to see a pale sun emerge from gray clouds and shimmer brightly in the pothole puddles. Vinny got up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and made for the kitchen. Andy heard the clink of a bottle. Then his father returned to his room and dressed.

Andy, now sick and tired of so much freedom every day, and mindful of the two girls in the coffee shop — the looks of disgust on their faces — told his father that he was ready to go shopping for clothes. He was starting to smell. And he was cold most of the time. It seemed bizarre to be telling his father, an adult, what needed to be done, but in some ways, Andy was beginning to realize, Vinny was like a child. Andy would have to be the one to get things started.

“I need a warm jacket,” he told Vinny. “And some socks and shirts and underclothes, that’s all. And my own towel. And you need clothes, too, Vinny.”

“Don’t I wish I could, but I can’t go with you, Andy. I’ve too much to do. If I give you the money, could you go on your own, d’you think?” He took out a handful of crumpled bills from his pocket.

“No, Vinny, I won’t go on my own. You’re coming with me whether you like it or not. So get ready and let’s go. If you don’t, then I’ll walk through Dan Noonan’s naked and I’ll tell everyone you’re not taking proper care of me.”

Vinny laughed. “You’ve the great spirit, Andy, so you have. But you’re right. I’m no kind of father to you at all. Naked in Noonan’s! Ha! Wouldn’t that give them something to talk about!” He threw his arms about Andy enthusiastically and whiskey-stubble-kissed his cheek. “Give me a few minutes to throw something on and we’ll go together. We’ll get the things you need and then we’ll have something to drink down on the waterfront, how would that be?”

Vinny shaved. Andy knew his habits by now: he shaved only once a week, if that, and had to be reminded sometimes to brush his teeth.

They shopped in Eaton’s children’s department for a warm winter jacket. Andy had been wearing the thin nylon jacket ever since he left the hospital in Vancouver. The new one was a green-and-black parka that came down warmly over his thighs. Vinny’s stock of coins and crumpled bills — he didn’t seem to use a wallet — grew smaller as he let Andy pick out whatever else he needed, socks and pants and T-shirts and a pair of comfortable walking boots. Andy said, “I could use an extra blanket, too. A thick one.

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