A Shine of Rainbows Page #3

you wouldn't want him to call you Alec.

Good enough.

You hardly talk to him.

I try.

He hardly says a word.

You have to show him you want him.

I feed him, put clothes on his back,

share me house with him.

I can't have my own feelings for him

the way you do.

But don't you see, Alec?

I need you to share more things with him.

Not just a house.

Stop it. Stop it.

Give me your paw.

- Ben's a good boy.

- I know you wished for our own child.

But have you considered

that maybe Tomas is a gift to us?

Good boy. That's it.

I'm taking a trip

to the mainland tomorrow.

- Are you sure that's wise?

- Oh, it's pure wisdom.

It's to be a fine day

and smooth sailing.

Besides, I have

this wee piece of paper...

and it has Tomas's name on it.

And next to it, it says March the 3rd.

March the 3rd? That's my b b birthday.

Wouldn't you know it?

And today is March the 1 st.

So you see,

I absolutely must take the trip.

Now, Alec...

did you not say you were going to be

checking the crab traps tomorrow?

Aye, I said it.

And you were thinking--

That, um, you and I could go.

That is, if you're interested.

Mmm--

Is that a yes?

- Mmm.

- That's settled then.

Can I have some more soup, please?

Here she is, the love of my life!

You're an old flirt, Fergus.

I may be old, but I'm still frisky.

Well, now, let's see about that.

Whoo-hoo! And away, lads!

Whoo!

A seal!

Aye.

It's not uncommon for the mothers

to go out fishing...

and leave the wee ones on the shore.

Sometimes they don't come back.

But he might starve.

He might.

We could feed him.

Today. What about tomorrow?

A pup might need carin' for

for weeks, maybe longer.

I'll do it.

- You think you're up to it?

- I am.

Get us a couple of wee fish.

Hey.

Oi! Oi.

Tomas, start working 'em in.

Start working 'em in.

Go on. Go on.

Don't be afraid. Work it. Work it in.

- Yes.

- There you go.

- Oh.

- Now, get another one.

Okay.

That's a start then.

I'll be back.

Now, you see here, the secret is...

to brown the meat until it's really crisp.

Only then do you add

the vegetables and the water.

Mmm.

I bet you're hungry.

Food's good here, isn't it?

Lucky you never ate at the home.

The food tasted like mud.

Really, it did.

My mum's the best cook.

You should try her stew. You'd love it.

But you like your fish raw, don't you?

You know...

I'm going to call you Smudge.

Smudge you are. And I'm Tomas.

Well, Tomas, I think you and I

must be the only ones on Corrie...

who think that a birthday's

a reason for celebrating.

- They don't celebrate birthdays?

- No.

They consider them a feckless waste

of time and money, if you can believe it.

Are you feeding that seal of yours?

I gave him the last of the fish.

- Mmm.

- Oh. You'll be needing this then.

Hmm.

Do you like it?

- I expect you'll want to try it out.

- When?

First thing tomorrow

you can take the boat.

- All by myself?

- Aye, Seamus does. Why not you?

I think what Tomas means is that, uh...

he'd like some help learning how to use

that fishing rod, it being his first time.

Oh, right.

We'll go together then.

Hmm?

All right, Tomas.

Have a close look.

Really look.

It's grand.

That trip wore you out.

You should have seen a doctor.

It's nothing that

a good night's sleep won't fix.

Come on.

Nice hot water bottle there. Get under.

What's this?

That is the present you'll be

giving me on my birthday.

- You It's not for weeks yet.

- Aye.

But I know how you like to

get your shopping done early.

Aren't I very good?

Open it.

Open it.

Ach. Almost blinded me.

There's nothing wrong

with a bit of color, is there?

No. Not as long as it's on you.

Someday we'll get color on you,

Alec O'Donnell.

Ach.

You're all the color I need.

Am I now?

Hey, Alec!

We've got ourselves

a wee boulder that won't budge.

We could use a hand, if you're up to it.

- If it's no bother to you.

- Uh, it's no bother.

I won't be long. Wait down there.

How are you, Nancy?

- Tomas?

- Full day's work out here yet.

It'll put a sweat on you.

Seamus went out about.

He's gone fishing.

I'm g-going fishing too.

Himself is taking me.

- Let's go find some crabs while we wait.

- No, he's coming. I'll wait.

Suit yourself.

I've worked up a terrible thirst.

- Do you not think a pint's in order?

- Aye.

I could do with a drop for sure.

Go down to the boat.

I won't be long.

Don't whimper.

I'll have something for you soon.

I think I see your mum out there.

I bet she's happy to see

how big and strong you're getting.

Pleased to make your acquaintance,

young Smudge.

Thank you. The pleasure's all mine.

And where's Alec?

M-Mr. G-Gallagher needed his help.

Aye. And where is he now?

Havin' a pint.

And he's been at it all day? I see.

Grand.

Young Smudge here

has a hole in his belly.

We must do something about that.

Let's get out there

before the sun goes down.

Okay.

Ooh.

This is far enough.

There's a fierce current beyond the bay.

- Mum?

- Aye?

Why did you pick me?

We picked each other, didn't we?

Because I loved you.

But... you didn't know me.

Oh, but I did.

I watched you.

You know, I was just like you

when I was in the home.

- You were there too?

- In the orphanage for girls.

Till my 16th birthday.

- You never got picked.

- Oh! No.

Never.

No one took the time to know me.

But I know you, Tomas.

Smudge is here in the cove...

but they play in the channel.

- Do they know he's here?

- Aye, they do.

They're just making sure

he's strong enough to survive.

- I asked Smudge to say hello to my gran.

- Did you now?

- You miss her, do you?

- I do.

But I can't remember her.

I see. Well, we can do

something about that.

- We can?

- Aye. Close your eyes.

Close your eyes.

Concentrate.

Do you remember

the color of her dress?

Can you paint her in it then?

Can you paint the dress?

Find all the colors.

Now put her in her favorite chair.

Look into her eyes, Tomas.

Can you paint the eyes?

This means...

anytime I want, I can paint her picture?

Aye. Now you know how.

You know...

you can paint anything.

What are you painting?

First, some yellow.

- What is it?

- And now...

- a bit of blue.

- What?

- And a touch of red.

- What is it?

Perfect.

It's... beautiful.

Compared to being

right inside a rainbow.

- You can really be inside one?

- Aye.

- One day I'll show you that.

- Promise?

Promise.

Are you done, Tomas?

- I am.

- Would you go sweep out the chicken coop?

They've been complainin'all day.

He sat there waiting all day...

convinced to the last you'd be there.

I meant to be there. I did.

But the time... flew.

Time is a precious thing,

Alec O'Donnell.

If I'd have known you'd be takin' him

out in the boat, I would have been there.

- The thought of you goin' out

- Have no regrets on my account.

What you should be concerned about...

is breaking that poor boy's heart.

Did you feed Smudge the fish I gave you?

He ate them so fast he--

- So what's so funny then?

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