DOWN THE DRAIN
by Doreen Ennis-Greene

Growing up in Merasheen, some of my fondest memories were nurtured at the home of my favourite aunt and dearest friend, "Aunt Elsie Best. Aunt Elsie always seemed to have time for me. Her kindness and gentle nature made me feel special and loved. Today she and I still enjoy our special bond. I eagerly look forward to our occasional visits and our weekly chats.

Aunt Elsie was married to mom's brother, Fred. Uncle Fred was a cuddly giant of a man and was loved by all the children of the area. Wherever Fred went, children followed trailing after their Pied Piper. Uncle Fred would sing, make up tall tales, and torment us by composing little ditties that left us in stitches or as angry as hornets. One of his little verses about me raised the ire of my sister, Patricia, who at seven was the proud protector of her little sister. The object of Patricia's scorn was Mr. Pad Greene, an elderly gentle old soul, who often visited Uncle Mack and Aunt Mary Best. The cause of her ire was Uncle Fred's verse

“Doreen Ennis from Merasheen – Going down the road to see Paddy Greene”.

From the time Patricia heard this ditty, she was determined that Pad Greene wasn't getting me and she plotted to get revenge on him.

One day while we were visiting Uncle Mack and Aunt Mary, Mr. Pad Greene dropped by with 50¢ for Aunt Mary to buy him a pair of socks the next time she went up to Jack Barry's on the Point. He laid the money on the table. Patricia snatched it up and took off outdoors and threw it into the drain where the old slop water from the house flowed. Uncle Mack and the boys spent the whole afternoon bailing out the drain to retrieve the money. Poor Mr. Greene didn't know what was happening. Aunt Mary was mortified, but Patricia was satisfied that she had defended her sister's honour. As for Uncle Fred, he chuckled and made up another verse to cause a bit more consternation within our group.