Michael runs to me. Mammy was crying. Mammy was crying for
you, Frankie.
She says,Where were you all night?
I was here.
You had me demented.Your father walked every street in Limerick
looking for you.
Mr. Clohessy says,Whos at the door?
Its my mother, Mr. Clohessy.
God above, is that Angela?
Tis, Mr. Clohessy.
He struggles up on his elbows.Well, for the love of God, will you
come in,Angela. Dont you know me?
Mam looks puzzled. Its dark in the room and she tries to make out
who is in the bed. He says, Tis me, Dennis Clohessy,Angela.
Ah, no.
Tis,Angela.
Ah, no.
I know,Angela. Im changed.The cough is killin me. But I remem-
ber the nights at the Wembley Hall.Aw, Jaysus, you were a great dancer.
Nights at the Wembley Hall, Angela, and the fish and chips after. Oh,
boys, oh, boys,Angela.
My mother has tears running down her face. She says,You were a
great dancer yourself, Dennis Clohessy.
We could have won competitions,Angela. Fred and Ginger would
have been lookin over their shoulders but you had to run off to Amer-
ica.Aw, Jaysus.
He has another coughing fit and we have to stand and watch him
hang over the bucket again and bring up the bad stuff from his insides.
Guard Dennehy says, I think, missus, we found the by an Ill be going.
He says to me, If you ever go on the mooch again, by, well have you in
the jail above.Are you listenin to me, by?
I am, Guard.
Dont be tormentin your mother, by.Thats wan thing the guards
wont put up with, the tormentin of mothers.
I wont, Guard. I wont torment her.
He leaves and Mam goes to the bed to take Mr. Clohessys hand.
His face is caved in all around his eyes and his hair is shiny black with
the sweat running from the top of his head. His children stand around
the bed looking at him and looking at Mam. Mrs. Clohessy sits by
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