05-09-2022, 08:21 PM
Father Brennan called Edmund by his name like that's what it was. It was one thing for Edmund to convince himself of the identity, but it was another entirely to have someone else believe it. He hoped the surprise didn't show too obviously on his face.
Carefully, he adjusted his grip on Mable's shoulder as he listened to the man speak of things he didn't know about and things he did. London and parish priests were distant concepts to him, in knowledge now more than proximity, but he knew all about small towns not worth mentioning. He spent eighteen years of his life in one.
"We're from the United States. Pennsylvania, if you know where that is." It was a small thing, but as Edmund's defenses lowered, more and more of his accent became distinguishable, affirming his words. Smaller than that was the upward turn of the boy's mouth as he recalled home, only to melt away as he continued.
"Maybe two months ago, now, we left for New York. Got on a boat. Now we're in England."
Edmund tilted his head one way and then the other, the gesture the closest thing to a shrug he could achieve holding his sister in his arms. There was more to the story than that, of course, but so much of it was... indecent, the voyage especially. Too many nights staying up, trying to keep food down, worrying about future ifs and past should haves. If Edmund were lucky, he'd never have to do something like that again.
"Have you ever been on a ship, Father?"
Carefully, he adjusted his grip on Mable's shoulder as he listened to the man speak of things he didn't know about and things he did. London and parish priests were distant concepts to him, in knowledge now more than proximity, but he knew all about small towns not worth mentioning. He spent eighteen years of his life in one.
"We're from the United States. Pennsylvania, if you know where that is." It was a small thing, but as Edmund's defenses lowered, more and more of his accent became distinguishable, affirming his words. Smaller than that was the upward turn of the boy's mouth as he recalled home, only to melt away as he continued.
"Maybe two months ago, now, we left for New York. Got on a boat. Now we're in England."
Edmund tilted his head one way and then the other, the gesture the closest thing to a shrug he could achieve holding his sister in his arms. There was more to the story than that, of course, but so much of it was... indecent, the voyage especially. Too many nights staying up, trying to keep food down, worrying about future ifs and past should haves. If Edmund were lucky, he'd never have to do something like that again.
"Have you ever been on a ship, Father?"
