Come into the Light
A dialogue-only story of 185 words
“I know you’re there.”
“Ears like a hawk, you.”
“Come into the light, where I can see you.”
“Not yet.”
“Will you join me in a dram?”
“It’ll kill you, that stuff.”
“Ah well, we all have to go sometime.”
“That’s for sure.”
“Come into the light, my heart’s sore to see you.”
“In a while.”
“How did it go? Everybody safe?”
“We hit some trouble.”
“I was afraid of that, it’s a dirty old night.”
“Not the rain. They were waiting for us at the bridge.”
“B Specials?”
“Them, and a few boys from the RUC.”
“Is anybody lost?”
“Murphy, Donovan, the Fitz brothers.”
“God rest their souls.”
“We never stood a chance, Da.”
“But you came back, thanks be to God.”
“Aye, I promised, come hell or high water.”
“Come into the light, son.”
“For only a minute. I can’t stay.”
“Oh, sweet Mary, Mother of God! Your face …”
“Listen, they’re at the door. I must go.”
“Stay, son … you need help. Wait …”
“I kept my promise, Da …”
“… while I open the door.
………
“Mr McParland, it’s about your son. You’d better sit down.”
JJ Grafton 