All The Rage Comes Down

All The Rage Comes Down

I made his tea as usual and put it in the oven for when he got home. He
was late again, but I didn't mind tonight because I knew that he had a
lot to do. I settled down to watch Coronation Street and waited for the
van to pull into the drive. At a quarter to ten, I went to bed. I could
barely keep my eyes open. I read for a little while and then felt
myself drift off. It must have been half past twelve when I heard the
door. The dog barked a couple of times and then stopped.

'Thank God it's him at last.' I thought. I put on my dressing gown and
went downstairs. The dog was jumping up and down all over him. He was
struggling with his coat and looked flushed.
'Are you alright, Davey?'

'Aye, It's been a long day.' He slurred as he spoke and I was
annoyed.

'How did you no ring me. I've been worried sick.'

'Awe Jessie!&;#8230; no the night.'

'Did you drive home? You know that the Police are looking out for your
car.' He sat down at the kitchen table and fumbled with a handkerchief.
He tried to blow his nose but didn't have the puff.

'Is there anythin' tae eat then?'

'Its bloody ruined. If you'd phoned I'd have waited and made it later.'
I pulled the casserole dish out of the oven and examined the charred
remains. I added some water from the kettle and spooned the stew out
onto a plate.

'I'm afraid that's all there is. I need to go shopping tomorrow.'

'Where's ma dug?' The dog leapt up on the bench and licked his face.
Then he stared at the food for a minute.

'Whit's this?'

'It was lovely five hours ago!' I could swing for him sometimes, I
really could. I left him there and went to the dining room to pour
myself a drink. When I returned, he was slouched over his food, rubbing
his hands and talking to himself. I couldn't make out what he was
saying but it upset me to see him in such a state.

'You should go to bed, Davey' He ignored me and fumbled in his shirt
pocket. He pulled out what looked like a wage packet and slammed it
down on the kitchen table.

'See that..? that's the last you'll see one of them.' I picked up the
brown envelope and opened it. There was less than twenty pounds in it
and no pay slip.

'That is the lot.' He gestured with his arm. 'That is it... finito!' I
folded up the notes and put them in the jar by the fridge.
'Come on Davey.. let's just go to bed. We can sort all this in the
morning.' Suddenly he exploded. He kicked the table over and his plate
of food smashed on the floor. The dog jumped down and started licking
up the mess. He stood up and stared at the wall. He was raging. He
punched the laminated panelling. His fist went straight through the
wood and smashed against the brickwork behind. He pulled out his
bleeding hand, thought about another swipe and then collapsed back down
on the bench.
He was breathing hard and I tried not to aggravate the situation.

'Let me have a look at that.' But he pulled his hand away and roared a
mouthful at me. After a minute or so, I tried again.

'Look, let me just wipe off the blood at least.' He held out his fist.
I bathed the knuckles in warm water and then wrapped his hand in a
kitchen towel.
'C'mon, let's get you to bed.' He was ready this time and I helped him
to his feet. We staggered upstairs, and I got him undressed and tucked
him in. Then I lay down beside him and waited.

It must have been about three o clock. A noise woke me up but I
couldn't tell where it was coming from. At first I thought it was
outside but then I realised it was Davey. He was crying. It was a
quiet, soft whimper. I turned over but he had his back to me.

'Are you OK, Davey?' The noise stopped.

Are you alright?' He sniffed and sighed. I pulled at his shoulder but
he resisted. Then he slowly turned round. Now, close up, I could see
him quite clearly. His face was soaking wet. He started sobbing loudly.
It broke my heart to see him like that. I put my arms around him and he
looked at me.

'I'm sorry Jessie.'

'Shh... there now. What's all this?'

'I don't know.. its..' he stopped and sighed again.

'What's the matter, darling?'

'I don't know how I'm going to pay them tomorrow. All the money's
gone.' He was sobbing now and breathing fast.

'Listen, Davey.. listen to me. We will get through this, me and you.
We'll find some way out. Nothing's ever as bad...'

'But the men... what will I say to them?'

'Just tell them what's happened. Tell them the truth. They'll not blame
you. They know how hard you've worked.'

'But their families, what are they going to do?'

'Nobody's going to let them starve, Davey. They know it's not your
fault.'

'I can't do it any more Jessie... I can't.'

'I know darling but we are together and we'll find a way, OK?' He said
nothing.

'OK?' I held his face in my hands.

'OK.' He said, finally. I wiped the tears from his eyes and I kissed
him gently. After a few moments he stopped crying and said,
'I love you, Jessie.' I smiled and held his hand under the
covers.

'I love you too.'

Then he turned over and I squeezed into the curve of his back.