Chapter 21, Welcome Home! Summary

It is August of 1973 and Bert, who has a penchant for yellow attire, becomes Patrick's new provider. The duo gets drunk nearly every evening, and sings karaoke and dances to jukebox songs in crowded cafes. One evening while he is drunk, Bert rants about Welcome Home, a song about a house. Bert feels that there should be a Welcome Home 2, in which the insides of the house are explained in detail.

Charlie argues with Irwin about his involvement with the IRA. Irwin lies, telling her that he only sells copies of the Republican News newspaper. In actuality, Irwin has participated in several operations, including one which was a retaliation to the death of a comrade, who was found floating down the river on a mattress with a six-inch nail through his head. Irwin and two other members of the...