Before the Storm by Sean McMullen

that’s the way it is!’ said Barry in a stern but soft manner.
    â€˜It’s too disgusting!’ replied her brother in an unsteady voice. ‘Mother once told me that the midwife brings babies in her suitcase. When she puts one in hot water it comes to life.’
    â€˜That’s horseshit, Danny Boy.’
    â€˜Well, have you ever seen anyone doing it?’
    â€˜Look, what do ya think dogs are doin’ when ya see them playing wheelbarrows in the street?’
    â€˜I – come to think of it, people get really embarrassed about dogs doing that, and even throw buckets of water over them,’ Daniel conceded.
    â€˜That’s why grown-ups don’t like boys and girls bein’ left alone.’
    â€˜But Mother never complains about Emmy and me being alone together.’
    â€˜That’s because brothers and sisters don’t do it! Only folk from other families do.’
    â€˜But, but why did the groom do it with Martha? Did they want a baby?’
    â€˜Nah, it just feels good. Real, real good.’
    â€˜How would you know?’
    â€˜Trust me, Danny Boy. Barry the Bag says nothing to incriminate himself, inside a court of law, or outside.’
    â€˜But Martha has not had a baby.’
    â€˜It doesn’t always happen, not sure why. Ya know, girls think it’s the most lovey-dovey thing they can do with a cove, so they risk having a baby just to impress him, like.’
    â€˜So that’s what Father meant when he said Martha was seduced. No, I can’t believe it, I can’t imagine Martha and the groom playing wheelbarrows.’
    â€˜Danny Boy, what would you say if you saw it in a book?’
    â€˜Well … what is in books is true, unless they are novels.’
    â€˜Good, because guess what Barry has in his bag.’
    Emily heard the sound of rummaging.
    â€˜ A Scientific Guide to Human Reproductive –’ began Daniel.
    â€˜Forget that, just turn to page thirty-seven.’
    â€˜Page thirty-seven … Oh my goodness!’
    By now Emily could feel perspiration trickling from her armpits and down her ribcage. All thoughts of the mission profile and leadership disputes had been wiped from her mind while she had listened in on Barry the Bag’s private tutorial on human sexuality, but now she climbed back out of the chasm of absolute and complete shock and began composing plans and strategies. Placing her thumb on the red pad of the command weapon, Emily flung her brother’s bedroom door open just as the two boys inside had begun giggling.
    For a moment there was chaos. Daniel and Barry tossed the book between each other in a bizarre sort of ball game, but at Emily’s command ’Raise your hands!’ the book was allowed to fall to the floor.
    â€˜I can explain,’ said Daniel.
    â€˜Do so,’ replied Emily.
    â€˜Well, er, but not just now.’
    â€˜Move back, both of you!’ snapped Emily.
    The two boys backed away until they were stopped by Daniel’s bookcase. Emily went down on one knee and snatched up the book. Holding it in one hand, she flipped to page thirty-seven. Upon page thirty-seven was a series of rather graphic line drawings, and the blush that blazed over Emily’s cheeks burned like a facecloth that had been dipped in near-boiling water. Daniel and Barry exchanged worried glances.
    Tucking the book under her arm, Emily reached out for Barry’s bag.
    â€˜Barry the … Barry, just what is your proper name?’ she asked.
    â€˜Barry Porter. I got a middle name like Danny Boy has, but me mum died when I was little, and me old man was at the pub when I was christened, so he never told me.’
    â€˜Didn’t your mum run off with a fishmonger from South Melbourne when you were thirteen?’ said Daniel.
    â€˜You said you’d never tell!’ shouted Barry, rounding on Daniel.
    â€˜But –’
    â€˜Anyway, she won’t see me, so she might as