Hours of Gladness by Thomas Fleming

Author:Thomas Fleming
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Published: 2012-05-24T16:00:00+00:00

“But the strangest turn to the whole concern is only just beginnin’.

Bloat went to hell but his wife got well and she’s still alive and sinnin’.

For the razor blade was German made but the sheet was Belfast linen.”

Billy got a big hand and Mick good-naturedly joined in the applause. “Come on, Kilroy, I’ll take you home.”

Mick poured Billy into the front seat of the squad car.

“Marine, huh?” Billy said. “Them’s the best in America, they tell me.”

“Yeah.”

“Me old man was the best in the fookin’ British army. Was in the Irish Guards he was. Soldier of the fookin’ queen.”

“No kiddin’. Where’d he fight?”

“Fookin’ Korea.”

“He buy the farm?”

“What? We never had a pot to piss in much less a farm.”

“I mean, did he get killed?”

“Nah. Died of fookin’ pneumonia.”

“Rough. How old were you then?”

“I dunno. A wee brat. I don’t even remember him.”

“I guess we’re about the same age. I was born during the Korean War.”

“Where’s your old man? Did he get it in the head out there?”

“Nah. He lives in Jersey City. My old lady didn’t get along with him.”

“And they just split up? You’re no different from the bloody Prods.”

“We don’t curse the pope. We just ignore him.”

“I’ll buy that, true enough.”

“What do you think happened to that money?” Mick asked.

“O’Gorman’s got it. I’ll bet my eyes on it. He’s got it somewhere. But he’s afraid to run because he knows I’ll follow him.”

“Sing me another Belfast song.”

Billy let his head fall back on the cushion. In a wailing voice that seemed about five years old, he sang:

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