MY SHOUT
By Linda Wigzell Cress
- 1057 reads
‘What’s for tea Mum?’ ‘Beans on toast’. ‘Not again!’ ‘Well get yourself a job and we may be able to eat better’. ‘I’m doing my ‘A’ Levels! Why can’t you work? You sit on your arse all day with that deadbeat half your age, disgusting you are!’ ‘Damien’s nice; looks after me, not like you!’ ‘Don’t make me laugh! Takes all your benefits, screws you whenever he feels like it – not that you notice, you’re always bloody stoned. Why did you let him take over your life like this? It’s as if he’s got you hypnotised. We were fine before him, now there’s never anything to eat, the house is a tip and there’s always arguments. He only has to shout and you come running’. ‘Why don’t you try being nice to him son? He’s a good man. ‘ …………………. A year later, nothing has changed. ‘Mum, I’ve got the grades so I can do that degree!’ ‘Well done, we’re proud of you, ain’t we Damien. How’s about taking us for a celebration drink? You’ve still got that cash your Dad sent for your 18th!’ ‘Sorry, I’m meeting the lads. Tell you what, I’ll bring us something back later. My shout’. …………………. At midnight, Joe returns and sneaks quietly into his room. His Mum and Damien are asleep on the sofa. Half an hour later he takes three glasses of scotch into the living room. He wakes Damien. ‘As it’s a special occasion, I got some real good stuff for you off that bloke in the pub. But don’t let Mum see, she’s trying to get clean’. ‘Thanks boy, you’re a diamond. I won’t tell her. More for me eh! Ain’t had much of this lately! Oi Shirley, wake up, Joe’s brought us a drink’ ‘Cheers Mum. Cheers Damien’. ‘Cheers son, I’m proud of you’. …………………………………. Several months later, in the Student’s Union at Leeds University, Joe is talking to his new mate Tony. ‘Yeah it was a real shock, came home on results night, had a scotch with Mum and her boyfriend, and went to bed. In the morning Mum was passed out on the floor as usual and Damien – well Damien was dead. He had taken some bad shit and what with the drink as well …..’ ‘What did the cops say?’ ‘Not much. He was a known addict, it was no surprise’. ‘What about your Mum?’ ‘She’s better off without him. He was like the devil, always bullying and shouting at her. It was like she was possessed by him. I told her more than once – she gave him free range on her body, but it was her soul he was after. She’s getting her life back now. Anyway, enough about me. What course you doing Tone?’ ‘Chemistry’. ‘Me too. Chemistry was always my favourite subject. Had my own little lab in my room. Came in handy at times. Another beer? My shout.’
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bernard shaw Great Story, I
bernard shaw
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Really enjoyed this, Linda,
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GReat stuff Linda. I would
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