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“But what if I fall asleep and it happens?”
“Go to the bathroom before you fall asleep.”
“I can’t. He won’t let go and I’ve been holding his hand in all day.”
“Well, he’s out cold now,” Hugh whispered back. “They gave him that medicine to make him sleep.”
“Yeah,” I replied, brows furrowing at the memory. “He was so sad.”
“I know.” Hugh sighed heavily. “Just slip your hand out of his and go.”
“I’ve already tried.” My palm was sweaty and hot, but Gerard was still holding onto it with both of his hands. He hadn’t let go of it since the funeral. “I’m stuck, Hugh.”
“Shit.”
“Don’t curse.”
“Just give him the night with the kids, Sadhbh,” I heard my mother say from the other side of the bedroom door. “He’s already asleep, the poor crater. I’ll bring him over first thing in the morning.”
“Oh shit,” Hugh mouthed, flopping back down into sleep position.
“Don’t curse,” I whisper-hissed, mirroring his actions.
“I don’t know what to do here, Sinead,” Gerard’s mother sobbed. “He’s so broken.”
“He’s a strong boy with a wonderful mother who loves him. He can get through anything.”
“But it’s just so awful because he was already struggling with the separation, but now with Joe gone and Keith having moved in last month—” Another pained sob. “I’m afraid he’ll feel like I’m replacing his father.”
More mumbling continued before the sound of footsteps retreating filled the silence.
“She did replace Joe,” Hugh muttered under his breath.
“Hugh!”
“What? It’s true.”
“Yeah, but you still can’t say it out loud.”
“Whether I say it out loud or say it in my head, it’s still true, Claire. Sadhbh dumped Joe for Keith, and everyone knows it.”
“Even Gerard?”
“Especially Gibs.”
“He never told me.”
“Because he treats you like you’re made of glass.”
“He does?”
“Yup.”
“Oh.” Frowning, I twisted sideways to look at my brother. “Hey Hugh? What does ‘dumped’ mean?”
“It’s when someone you love gets rid of you because they love someone else more,” he replied, rolling onto his side to face me.
“Oh.” I chewed my lip and thought about it for a moment. “Is Mammy going to dump Daddy like Sadhbh dumped Joe?”
