The Gospel According to Cane: a Novel by Courttia Newland

Author:Courttia Newland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Akashic Books
Published: 2013-01-14T00:00:00+00:00

Reality is pain. What determines real in the outside world is defined by electrical impulses that make contact with our nerves, and in turn our brains. What determines pain in our bodies is defined by electrical impulses that make contact with our nerves, and in turn our brains. How we perceive the world, both inner and outer, is grossly affected by how we are hardwired as human beings. We experience the world this way because we are built to. Reality is pain.

I had my appointment with Sue, so I got washed and ready and made my way. She answered the door in a sober manner, saying little. In the office that wasn’t really one, she sat and listened. I wasn’t sure what to tell her, and if it hadn’t been for the confidentiality agreement I wouldn’t have said a word.

—That’s it? she said when I’d been quiet for some time.

—That’s quite a lot, I replied, and she nodded. She thought for a while, knee bouncing. She was dressed attractively: black boots, cream tights, and a plaid skirt that fit her slim figure well.

—I don’t have to say I think you’ve made a big mistake.

—Cute way to remind me.

—I’m serious. No jokes. You don’t know this boy.

—So everyone keeps saying.

—Okay. You’re fully aware. So can I be frank?

—Yes. Please.

—Let’s just say he is your son.

—Okay.

—For twenty years he’s been brought up in someone else’s care. That person, or people—forgive me, but I’m being frank here—quite probably abused him.

—Yes.

—Which probably contributed to him being expelled from not just one school, but many.

—Yes.

—After which he was placed in a pupil referral unit where it’s very likely he was either subjected to, or carried out, further abuse.

—We don’t know that, but yes, for the purposes of your theory, let’s assume you’re correct.

—Then he was ejected into the world, where he ends up in a supervised youth hostel and later finds evidence that suggests he was abducted as a child, and the people he believed to be his abusive parents are in fact liars, and his real parents are out there somewhere, with no knowledge of who he is and what’s become of him. A fair assessment?

—Very.

—So, bearing all this in mind, wouldn’t you think that this boy—this vulnerable, fragile boy—is more than likely pretty disturbed?

—That would be true, yes.

—And the fact that a boy with possible mental health issues is staying in your home doesn’t bother you in the slightest?

—Of course. But I’m his mother. I’ve abandoned him before.

—You didn’t abandon him, Beverley.

—You know what I mean.

Sue was thinking, watching, tapping her foot harder.

—If he isn’t your son, the same rules apply, you know.

I tried to stay upright, couldn’t, and slumped.

—Yes, I said, quieter.

—Who knows what he could do. What he’s done over the years. What’s in his files, whether he may already have been diagnosed.

I squirmed. I was the soft creature without a shell, exposed.

—And if he was some boarding-school graduate?

—The same rules would apply.

I clutched the armrests, breathing hard.

—Beverley. This isn’t good. For you.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.