Things I Know by Helena Close

Author:Helena Close [Helena Close]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781915071033
Publisher: Little Island Books
Published: 2022-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

14

The sun comes out as soon as I step off the bus, making Limerick look exotic and European and cosmopolitan. I’m at Arthur’s Quay and I stroll over to the river as I know Jade’ll be late. It’s high tide and kayakers battle the Curragower Falls while the castle keeps guard. I inhale the river, deep Malcolm-breaths, and it’s like it kickstarts my home city DNA. No tightness here. No watching eyes and interconnecting people whose family trees are a psychologist’s dream. The sun’s dipping over the Shannon, ready to drop, and spreads liquid gold across the water. I can feel my chest loosen and my lungs expand for the first time in months.

‘Bitch! Told ya I’d be on time.’

Jade’s walking across the park, a black mirage in the sunshine. Her hair is pink today and she’s wearing a tight black jumpsuit with a maroon leather jacket. She must be melting.

‘You’re half an hour late.’

She crosses her eyes. ‘So, Mam’s party is at eight – your nana’s there now, decorating the place and swamping gins – fuck. I told you to bring your guitar. Mam wants you to play Johnny Cash. So Nicky’s coming later. Wait until you see the brothers, Saoirse – fucking giants – like four Paul O’Connells. I swear, you’d need a trough to feed them. Anyway – I have a plan.’

I’m caught up already in Jade’s mad energy. ‘I dread your plans.’

She grins. ‘I found a fella for you.’

‘Oh fuck.’

‘Yep. Luke. A genius – guess what his pet subject is? Guess … guess …’

‘I don’t want a fella, Jade, seriously.’

‘The brain. He’s as obsessed as you. He’s a first year in UL – studying … am … something I can’t remember, something complicated. Which reminds me: I was drunk filling out my CAO form – I haven’t a clue what I applied for. So yeah. Come on.’

‘Are we not going to Nana’s first? I want to drop off my backpack.’

She doesn’t even hear me. She’s marching down the path towards the castle. I have to run to catch up with her. She’s talking away, not realising I’m behind. This is exactly what I needed. Distraction, familiarity, belonging. Minus the fella. She can keep him. I want to get wasted. We’ve reached the castle, and Jade sits down on the sloping grass verge and pats the space next to her. I sit down beside her and she pulls off her backpack.

‘Bag of cans – literally,’ she says, handing me one. ‘It’s shite but they were on offer,’ she says, popping the can and slugging it back. ‘Thought we’d need a drink before we face a fiftieth party, and anyway – this is my new favourite spot. Do you like it?’

She talks about it like it’s a new outfit. I pop a can and take a warm sip of beer. ‘It’s perfect, Jade, just perfect. I needed a dose of home.’

She takes out a vape and puffs on it. ‘How are things back there? Sorry I didn’t get down.

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