Reputation and responsibility

It was a long time ago back in the 1800s.The area was filled with mansions and “well

respected” people.It was midnight the night before Dermot moon the eleven year old son of

Mrs and Mr moon.His emerald green eyes glimmered with the glow of a freshly set fire as he slowly woke up to see his mother throwing bedding into the fireplace.Dermot climbed out of bed and said “mama what happened?” His mother turned to look at him and said “don’t worry baby just head back to sleep … Dermot looked at the sheets with the red marks all over them .Dermot edged closer to his mother who finished throwing the bedding in the fire and lethargically lifted Dermot onto the sofa bed where she cuddled up to him by the fire and began singing to him … half an hour later he was asleep and the next morning he woke up in his own bed and his mother was lying on the floor sound asleep.Dermot walked over to her and said “mama are you ok ?” She slowly stirred awake to a concerned Dermot standing over her .She got up and said “hey baby ,I’m fine .Let’s get you ready for school…”

No more was said Dermot was sent back to his boarding school .Months later heading into Christmas he recieved a letter from his mother…

Hello son , I’m in the area and would love to see you . I’m staying at a pub on business nearby your school at Harte drinks.I hope to see you tomorrow at noon .I would love to talk .

Love from mama …

Dermot arrived at the well hidden pub the next day at noon to hear his mother singing in the distance and some joyous men surrounding the area listening and cheering her on .He headed over to her and waited for her to come over at the side of the stage .A group of young women approached him giving him loads off attention as she finished and she cut in the line and said “hey girls,give me back my boy …” they All turned to see her and stepped aside saying “he’s your child?” She nodded and walked him over to a table where he kept looking at her stomach.It appeared bigger and he was confused… he said “are you having another child?” She nodded and said “Dermot baby mama is in a bit of a pickle…” he looked at her confused as tears streamed down her cheeks… Dermot waited patiently moving closer to her and holding her as she explained the situation… “my dear boy ,mama is pregnant yes but it’s a long story but it’s not your father’s.That night I threw away the soiled sheets another man had forced himself on me but I had to leave.You know what this would do to the family name …” Dermot looked at her stunned before saying “mama it’s ok ,father would pretend…” she shook her head and said “ I need to leave but I need your help …” he spent the next few months meeting up with her and helping her .

Over the summer the year before Dermot had spent time with his uncle who was a blacksmith and he taught him the trade while he stayed with him .Dermot had sold all of the things he had built and had some money aside and he had given his mum some so she could stay at the pub …

It was Christmas when She contacted him again.He recieved a letter as he was getting ready for a school Christmas event when the letter came to his room.He sat on the bed worriedly as he opened the letter shakily his already pale skin going whiter than snow … he read it (dear Dermot,I need you to come to the pub it’s started… love mama ) Dermot jumped off the bed and propelled himself towards the nearest window with a flat roof .He clambered out of the window and ran in the direction of the pub . He could hear scream from up the road and as he got nearer as snow poured from the sky he caught sight of his mother down the side of the pub .He slid down beside her as the noise in the pub echoed in his mind and said “I’m here mama …” his mother nodded at him as he moved closer and moved her onto his chest so she was more comfortable… snow fell all around them as the night went on and Dermot wrapped his mum in his over coat …

Hours passed before he saw the small head coming and he looked at the little sprouts of hair that matched the snow perfectly.Half an hour later and he was looking into his baby sisters Chrystal ocean blue eyes and had wrapped her up in his second layer.He handed her to his mother and watched as she smiled and said “look at those eyes” and he said “just like Chrystal’s…” and she smiled and said “that’s what we’ll call her ,little Chrystal…” he nodded and cuddled up to her .Over the night his mum started feeling worse and she handed him back Chrystal handed him a necklace round her neck and said “keep it …” tears streamed down both cheeks as he realised what was happening.Snow began falling heavier and Dermot cuddled up to his mum for another hour keeping Chrystal between for warmth.He watched as her condition worsened and by 3 in the morning she was unresponsive and he knew it was time to take responsibility like he’d promised and get out of town before there reputation was tarnished.He ran back to the family home climbed into the old stables Chrystal in arms and connected his horse Belle onto the front of a wagon .He proceeded to follow his mums instructions and he lay Chrystal down in a drawer and began dragging a large case into the wagon and he then put the necklace round his neck and he picked up Chrystal and headed back in the direction of the pub …

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