Siobhan’s heart went icy cold at the horror unfolding at the Mother’s Day table. She had no idea what Agnes was implying about Collin, but he must know – he was turning beat red, his hands were shaking, and he picked at a scab on his neck.
“What could’ve possessed you to say such things to your uncle, Agnes?” Siobhan implored. “You should be ashamed.”
“I’m only asking questions, Mama. These questions have been gnawing at me for years and I still don’t have answers.”
“It is a sin how you’ve disobeyed your mother,” Collin said.
“It is a sin for me to dishonor her, Uncle Collin. The Ten Commandments tell us to honor our parents, not to obey them.”
The chasm opened up and swallowed them – Agnes and Collin, her only daughter and her favorite brother, slashing each other with words they could never retract.
“Agnes, you’ll regret this,” Collin thundered as he retreated to the foyer. “Siobhan, get your coat. You’re not to say another word. Do I make myself clear?”
Siohan wept anew. “I just don’t understand, Agnes. Why have you thrown us into this pit? My daughter is lost to me, Collin. She is gone, gone, gone!”
Collin pushed her out the door and slammed it shut. The quick bang pierced Siobhan to the heart. She still didn’t understand what Agnes had been implying about Collin and the school boys who shivered when they passed his office.
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