Malachy sits up in the bed. I dont want it, he says.
And I tell him I dont want it, either.
Dad stands for a minute, swaying, and puts the penny back in his
pocket. He turns toward Mam and she says,Youre not sleeping in this
bed tonight. He makes his way downstairs with the candle, sleeps on a
chair, misses work in the morning, loses the job at the cement factory,
and were back on the dole again.
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