Do Come In

Do come in. Feel free to take photographs. I kept his room the way it was when he left – in case he came home.
Surprised about his designer clothes? As a lad, he bought loads and was a stickler for cleanliness. Washing machine going night and day. We couldn’t afford the electricity but he didn’t worry so long as he didn’t pay the bills.
Back then he was more interested in spending our money, painting and photography than saving the planet. You’re interested in the dog? That’s the last photograph he took of Flossie before she was run over. I reckon that’s when the animal rights thing started. Inconsolable he was, raging that if there was no cars, she’d still be here. I thought it was a stupid thing to say. World can’t exist without cars but he’s out to prove me wrong.
After he was arrested on that march, we hadn’t the money to post bail. That’s when he left home, shouting and swearing. For years we searched but not a word til there he is on telly. New name. Newly elected Green Party MP. Who’d have thought.
No, he’s never contacted us. Calls us bourgeois capitalists. But we worked hard to bring him up. His dad gave up cabbying when cars was banned and since meat’s been outlawed, I lost my job at the butchers. Because of him, we’re on benefits. That’s why I’ve invited you here - to know the truth about our new Prime Minister.

© Beverley Byrne