Summary

Chapter 1

Nine-year-old Eileen Tumulty’s father, Mike, picks her up from Irish step dancing class after finishing his delivery route for Schaefer Beer. He is a large man who fills the doorway. They stop by Doherty’s bar where Eileen does her homework while her father drinks beer with his friends. They call him Big Mike. Bridget, Eileen’s mother wants them home by six o’clock the time dinner is served every evening. One night in June a week before she is to finish fourth grade, Mike and Eileen are late. Her mother sulks and her father leaves.

Eileen and her parents share a room while their lodger, Henry Kehoe, has his own bedroom. Mr. Kehoe keeps to himself and frequently plays his clarinet. She feels safe with Mr. Kehoe, especially on nights when Mike drinks too much whiskey. When Mike drinks...