Things Heat up

Claude

When his mother summoned him to his sister’s room, he was more than a little bewildered. As was his routine these nights, he was in the room occupied by Paddy, staring at his brother who had been his sidekick all their lives. The sight of his brother, shy and unassuming, lying almost lifeless on the large bed, with tubes and bags attached to his poor, frail body, never failed to make Claude want to beat up someone.

Although he did not let on to his other siblings, he talked to Paddy, and told him about everything he had been doing all day. Explained how his father was planning to fight the inaugural bouts in the Ring for the Big Fight on opening day at the Club. And how unfair that was because Claude had wanted to be doing it.

He knew that Mumma made it a point to come and sit and talk to Paddy every evening for an hour, no matter how busy or how tired she was.

Claude was not skeptical about that. In fact, when he was talking, he had a strong feeling that Paddy seemed to be lis