Regretted Racism

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. The time is seven o’clock.
We dock at Belfast in approximately half an hour’s time. We hope
you have enjoyed.....” He sat up and rubbed his face. The woman
opposite said good morning. He got up and bought himself a plastic
cup of tea, tepid and weak, and some sandwiches dog-eared from
sitting overnight. It was still dark outside but now the ship was full
of the bustle of people refreshed by sleep, coming from the bathrooms
with toilet bags and towels, whistling, slamming doors. He sat watching,
stale crusts in his hand. He went out to throw them to the gulls and
watch the dawn come up. He hadn’t long to go now.

The man was very anxious and uneasy. It was not difficult to tell
he was restless as he was fidgeting and moving about.

You see, many years ago this man, named David, lived with his
mother, Margaret. His father had died when he was just ten years old.
His older brother, Matt, had hi...