page67 (1/2)

“OK, ot other big news too, haven’t we, Jack?”

Jack looked blank Patrick tilted his head at Ellen and said, “The baby!”

“Oh yeah,” said Jack “Maybe Muirl! She probably knows, right? Likeoff the assembly line in heaven, like in a factory, and it’s like a baby factory, and Mum was there, and she’s, like, hey, that’s Ellen’s new baby, you’re going to be Jack’s little brother! Or, you’re going to be Jack’s—”

“Right,” said Patrick “So, this is Ellen”

He looked up at Ellen, reached for her hand and took it in his

Should I kneel down? I should kneel But what if I’m sick? No, I should definitely kneel

She knelt down There would be grass stains on her crea to have done because Patrick’s face suddenly filled with so an affectionate ar he’d never done before

“Ellen and I are getting married and I know you’d be happy, Colleen, because I always remember that day, when you told me I had to find someone lovely” Patrick’s voice broke, and he squeezed Ellen’s hand painfully hard “And I said I wouldn’t But I have And she is lovely She’s so lovely And she’s made us very happy”

“Yeah” Jack banged his chin gently against Ellen’s shoulder

“Oh, you guys,” said Ellen, because she didn’t knohat else to say She could smell cold damp earth and Patrick’s aftershave and Jack’s peanut buttery breath Patrick’s hand arm around hers, and for a lorious relief

No, this was not an excruciating story to laugh over with Julia Its very aardness and awfulness made it sonant, purethat onderful and tragic about life

Today was the fourth Sunday of the month That means Patrick had lunch with Colleen’s parents