Summary

The short story “To Keep the Faith” by Michael Becket opens with Jean McGrath, a policeman’s wife, being told about her husband’s death during a mission. The police think the IRA was responsible. The son, Billy, learns of his father’s death when he comes home from school and responds with anger.

Jean is visited by the local priest, who tries to comfort her, but Jean does not want to listen to him. Billy blames his father for always being peaceful and respecting everyone’s rights. He even turns against his Catholic friends, blaming them as a group for his father’s death. 

Jean and Billy receive a visit from their friends Siobhan Culrose and her son, Jamey, who are Catholic. Billy rejects Jamey and accuses Catholics of his father’s death, while Jamey...