“How do you know about 27 and 53?” I said.“Ernie’s favorite. Used to hear him on the phone. 27 and 53, he used to say.
I asked a nurse if she knew where the people with arthritis went. She said lots of them went to Ward 34
“In the garden. Used to watch him through the windows.Couldn’t eat it all. Used to find hisl eavings in the bin next morning. 27 and 53.Used to look at me, but look right through me like I wasn’t there.
She’s nice. She’ll tell nobody else. She’s clever. She’ll know how to help you
She’s called Mina
Damn kids
Bring the street. Bring the whole damn town
Now get out.
Everything will be OK, Michael
Poor soul...
cod-liver oil and a positive mind.
What’ll help him?
I’ve got a friend with arthritis
as Dad prepared to get started again in the front room, I took a bottle of brown ale from the fridge. A handful of cod-liver oil capsules from the bathroom andput them in my pocket
I asked if it was okay if I went to see Mina again. “Don't worry about me,” Dad said. “I’ll do all the dirty work. You just run around and have a good time.”