Author Information
GOOD MANNERS
Skinny Kid sat
by the white metal table
on the lawn
Anne sat opposite him
her crutches
by her chair
I heard
you puked last night?
Anne said
I did
Skinny kid said
all over the blankets
and pillowcase
nice
said Anne
it was the liver
they made me eat
he said
I told them
it made me ill
but they said
it was good for me
and said
I had to eat it
serves them right
she said
Sister Bridget moaned at me
he said
O her
she's got a face
on her
like a sufferer
of haemorrhoids
what's haemorrhoids?
he asked
painful
bulging blood vessels
hanging from the arse
she said
he tried not
to picture it
or see it
in the nun's face
feel better now though
he said
good
she replied
my mum's visiting today
he said
good for you
she said
has your mum
visited you yet?
he asked
no I think she's
making the most
of me
not being around
Anne said
it's a kind of holiday
for her
me stuck here
after my fecking leg
was chopped off
he stared
at the area
of her skirt
where no leg appeared
she saw me in the hospital
and brought me grapes
and flowers and stuff
and a bag
of odd socks
he stared
at her one leg
hanging from out
of the skirt
does it hurt?
he asked
it does at times
and I go to rub it
and it isn't there
someone's stolen
me fecking leg
Anne bellowed
to the kids
playing on the swings
and slide
on the lawn
of the nursing home
they looked over
at her
then quickly
looked away
a nun nearby
shook her head
and wagged
a finger
Skinny Kid looked
at the vacant area
of skirt again
what's the matter Kid
want to see my stump?
and she hitched up
her skirt
to reveal the stump
of her leg
and a glimpse
of blue underwear
he blushed
and looked
at his hands in his lap
never mind Kid
she said
good manners
is a load of crap.
