Revenge is sweetest when close to the bone

a little vignette from 1990s Dublin

Liam was from a small town in the Irish midlands. He had a dry, sarcastic sense of humour that he liked to showcase, sometimes only to see people’s reactions. When he met you for the first time, he said: “How’s it goin,’ horse? Shake hands!” He would take your hand and crush it, causing your knuckles to rub painfully against each other. While you pleade…