Simon Kavanagh Stray Dogs of Killybegs

For a few moments they are quiet. The rain beats outside and the fire crackles. Paddy begins to hum a tune. 

GERRY:
That was her favourite, wasn’t it? You said that before. She’d sing it on a Sunday morning, hanging out the linen.

PADDY:
No one blames you. Only a baby. A wee baby. But she was gone the same night you arrived. Dead by the effort of you. Father McNulty said you were a gift to ease the pain. You filled the house with yelps and stinks. Himself didn’t agree. A poor swap, he called you. A poor bloody swap. Look at you now.

GERRY: 
Tell me about her.

PADDY: 
Her eyes shone like diamonds.

GERRY: 
Diamonds. And Himself. I remember. Sitting there on your chair. Staring at the fire. Never a word.

PADDY: 
Never a kind word.

GERRY: 
Never kind.

PADDY:
Never. Gone now. Dead and gone. Just you and me and you and me. Us two both. Together.

GERRY: 
Tell me how I was as a baby.

PADDY:
I’ll tell you how you were as a baby. You’re too young to remember. Only a baby you were.

GERRY:
How did I cry?

PADDY: 
You cried like a banshee. Himself could do nothing for you. You wouldn’t take the bottle. You wouldn’t take the dummy. You cried until...

GERRY: 
The windows.

PADDY: 
Until the windows started to crack. Had to get someone in. Himself was no good with you. Hands like shovels.

GERRY: 
Hands like shovels. How was my head?

PADDY: 
Your head was as bald as your backside. Looking at you from across the room, you wouldn’t know ...

GERRY: 
Which end was up.

PADDY: 
The baby. Everything for the baby. Close the window or the baby will get a cold. Open the window so the baby can get some air. Go up to the shop to get some milk for the baby. Quiet!

GERRY: 
The baby is sleeping.

GERRY / PADDY:
Shh.

Fade lights. End scene.