Scáth Powers

I blink away the memories. I hated that b***h, I hated their daughter and I hate their granddaughter. They all looked the same, like they were the same person. Tall and skinny, long and wavy red hair, except now the little beast has Éadrom's eyes. My brother. The only thing I ever loved, the only thing that ever loved me. But he left, left to build this farm and that family. He already had a family, me. I wasn't good enough, he needed them. Now they're all dead, except that little beast. I would've gotten rid of her by now too... except those eyes. Every time I look at her, I see him looking back. It disgusts me. She doesn't deserve those eyes and they didn't deserve him.

When he left I had just turned 12, and Da was dead before I turned 15. I wasn't too upset about it, he was old when I was born and seemed to be sick in that bed most of my life. He never played with me or even talked to me much. Éadrom was more of a father to me then Michael Powers ever was. Mum was nice enough but I scared her. Every time I walked in a room she cringed and watched me out of the corner of her eye. It'd been that way ever since the cat incident. I don't see what the big deal was, I found it already dead with a few bite marks in her stomach. I just finished what the dog had started. I was curious what was inside, under the fur, beneath the body's outward appearances.

Mum got even more distant when the dog died. That was a genuine accident. I shouldn't have been throwing rocks at it, I know; but sometimes I wanted something else to feel as hated or pained as I felt. The last rock was too big and I should have known. He was already on the ground from all the other rocks I'd thrown so when I stood over him with that big rock and dropped it on his head, I just wanted to see what would happen. When I heard him screech and whimper I knew I'd gone too far. I only took his paw as a reminder that things are weaker than they appear, and me stronger than I realize.

After Da died I moved to the storage shed out back and Mum didn't say a word. I preferred to be alone and out of that house and I knew she did too. I came and went as I pleased, worked as a farm hand or dock hand, doing odd jobs to give Mum some money; I knew the few items she tailored didn't earn her much. I spent the rest at the pubs. I had no friends but saw a few girls around town, or met them in a pub and spent a night with them. They never wanted more than a night with me and to tell you the truth I didn't either. Sex only seemed fun to me when I slapped them around a bit. Just like the dog, I knew it was wrong but enjoyed it and didn't care anyway. I couldn't seem to stay hard or want it as much unless I got rough with them and I don't blame them for staying away from me afterward.

Mum lasted 10 years after Da. She was lonely beyond all hell, probably even more-so than me and I was surprised she lasted so long. I was even more surprised when Éadrom showed up to pay his respects, after-all he hadn't when Da died. We stood in the graveyard the day he arrived looking down at her stone marker:

Eihmer Powers 1836-1906 Loving Wife and Mother

'I'm sorry it's been so long,' Éadrom started.'...she's happier now. She's there with Da.'

I knew he was right; whether there was a heaven or not she was happier dead, but it was still an awful way to start after so much time had passed. I was a child and he was my whole world, my real father and he left. Now I was a man of 25 and had nobody. He knew that. I just stared at the stone and didn't respond.

'Why don't you come back with me? Come to Paradis, we'd love to have you. You could help me out on the farm, be a part of the family. Wait 'til you meet little Kelly, she's 11 now and will be just crazy about you, I just know it. Start fresh in a new country. Come with me, brother.'

Nothing was left for me in Enniscrone, we both knew it. So that's exactly what I did.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

A good chapter. You gave some more history. History of the characters is needed to keep the attention of the reader. I like the tone of the story. Life was hard and people learn to accept little. Thank you for sharing the excellent chapter.
Coyote