Published: 27 Apr 2026

Like a bird leaving its nest;

For Biff it would be a sad week as the new owners decided to reside in the house and not rent the property as was first suggested. Biff had procrastinated during the time given to find new residency and it is now paramount with less than two weeks left in his tenure to find new lodgings.

The leaving didn’t faze Biff as the house had been allowed to run down over recent years, even the toilet only flushed with it felt in the mood and only one tap could run at any given time or water-hammer rumbled through the pipes becoming almost deafening, also the electrical switchboard was prone to blow a fuse if more than two appliances were used, that often included lighting. Biff’s sadness came from a lifetime of memories, of the passing of his mother and how Ron struggled without female company although he managed to raise Biff to become a healthy, relatively well adjusted young man.

True Biff told Grady his dad wasn’t in the cemetery but in his head. In reality Ron remained in every room in that old house, even after so much time Biff believed he could smell Ron’s scent in his bedroom while most of Ron’s belongs remained where they had been left. Adding to sentiment Biff placed the photograph Karen gave of his mother into a picture frame holding a photograph of Ron. Some may call Biff’s action wasted sentiment yet to Biff it was simply honouring of two people who loved each other and gave him life.

The year had progressed, now Tony’s wedding is only days away and still neither Biff nor Grady had found partners not to appear as dejected wallflowers during the hopefully happy event. That is hopefully joyous, as the young couple were fighting about even the simplest arrangement to the approaching ceremony with future accommodation being foremost. Leanne’s parents weren’t happy with the newlyweds living with them as it is already a tight squeeze and Leanne didn’t wish to live with Tony’s lot. As neither had permanent work a place of one’s own was as far away as one could conceive. Some suggest once wedded they should live apart with their respective parents and have occasional congenial visits.

That idea well suited Tony’s promiscuous nature.

Thursday and Biff is invited by Karen for dinner. As usual Karen has excel, putting on what she would descried a Sunday’s roast with all the trimmings, dessert would be her mother’s recipe for treacle pudding with vanilla custard, of course using real vanilla beans received by mail-order and not bottled essence from the grocery department.

During the late afternoon Grady decides to releases a little of his pent up tension mowing both front and back lawn as with the heat and rain one could believe it possible to observe the grass growing.

Biff is close by offering criticism towards his mowing skills.

“I don’t think David would be pleased with your edges,” Biff suggests pointing to the long tuffs of grass lining the brick work between lawn and garden.

“He’s not here to complain.”

“What’s the go with David?”

“Don’t rightly know and don’t concern anymore, he comes around Thursday nights as regular as clockwork, leaves the house keeping money on the kitchen table, collects any bills that may have arrived, with mum making herself scarce during the visits.”

“What does Karen think of the arrangement?”

“Mum keeps her thoughts close and I don’t ask. I did see a letter from Lester and partner’s solicitor’s office. Possibly she is putting an official end to it.”

“You may all end up looking for somewhere to live like me,” Biff suggests.

“That won’t happen dad signed the house over to mum for taxation purposes years ago. As for you living somewhere, mum wants to talk to you about living here that’s what dinner is about.”

With the mowing finished Grady pushes the mower back into the shed in travelling he knocks over a pile of wooden crates stacked in a dark corner. Biff commences to right the crates, in doing so a number of magazines slip from between two of the crates.

“Hello what’s this?”

“Well what do you know; you’ve found dad’s porn’ collection I thought he must have taken them with him.”

Biff commences to thumb through the top magazine, “interesting,” he says.

“Give them here; I’ll put them in the incinerator before Robyn finds them.”

Biff has a hungry look; “no you won’t.”

“I thought you weren’t into smut?”

“If you haven’t had a root for as long as me, even smut is interesting.”

“How long since you’ve got your end in?”

“Grady I could ask you the same question.”

“I asked first.”

“Not since I broke up with Trish.”

Grady is reminded of his promise to Trish;

‘Possibly that is when she became pregnant.’

‘Just think, Biff a dad.’

‘He’d make a great dad.’

Grady is noticing something going on in Biff’s trousers, “you’re getting a woody,” he laughs while pointing towards the offending rise.

Biff pears down then pushes the stiffness aside;

“I’ll keep these for later – got a paper bag or something?”

Grady’s mouth becomes dry and his pulse is rising, the sight of Biff’s building erection has set him going.

“You better put them back; dad may come looking for them.”

“Alright,” Biff agrees placing the magazines back within the restacked crates.

Grady feels confused. Firstly Biff is usually coy with anything sexual and would never admit to being frustrated. What was more difficult for Grady to understand, he also became aroused. Was his arousal from the pornography or from seeing Biff with half a woody while sensing an urged to reach out and touch Biff?

The situation is interrupted with Lewis calling from the shed door;

“Mum is about to dish up.”

“Coming,” Grady answers.

“What are you two up to?”

“Cleaning up after mowing what do you think we’re doing?”

Lewis is grinning;

“I bet you found dads dirty mags’.”

“I thought he took them with him.”

Lewis is now laughing;

“Maybe he did. Mum said to get a move-on dinner is getting cold.

“Righto’ on our way, firstly I’ll finish cleaning the mower blades.”

Lewis departs;

“I would say Lewis knows their new hiding place,” Biff suggests.

Grady gives the blades a quick wipe with an oily rag;

“I reckon so; he’s never got his hand of his dick.”

“Memories eh’ Grady.”

Grady recalls a time when they were Lewis’ age while on a scouting trip but that was simply watching each other in the semidarkness of their two man tent.

‘Would it have gone further if we weren’t interrupted?’

‘I guess not, besides before now Biff has never mentioned the situation.’

During dinner it is Lewis who starts the conversation on Biff’s approaching destitution, suggesting he could use one of the benches under the mango trees along the main street, firstly he would need to chase away the drunks who used the seating to sleep away the effects of booze.

“That may be the end result,” Biff candidly agrees.

“Lewis, if you can’t be courteous then remain quiet.”

“I’m only asking.”

“Lewis has a fair point Mrs. Dowie, Friday is my last day and so far I’ve found nothing except for a room in the shire’s vagrancy accommodation.”

“You can’t live there Brian, you need to be among people of your own age, not old pensioners and drunks, besides what would you do for meals.”

“Fish and chips at the Tip-top café I suppose.” Biff helps himself to a second roast potato; “you roast the spuds like my mother used to,” he complements, “as for living in Shire accommodation it would only for a while until I find something suitable.”

“Do you remember much about your mother, Brian?”

“Remember yes although if I close my eyes her face has totally gone from my memory and the only thing I have is that photograph you gave me of you both while on holidays.”

“I believe I still have some old photos in a shoe box somewhere, possibly I can find some more of your mother.”

“That would be appreciated.”

“Who is for desert?” Karen asks.

“Robyn is first to agree.”

“Lewis you are closest to the kitchen and there’s a fresh tub of ice cream in the freezer and bring out the custard and treacle pudding.”

“Ice cream,” Robyn brightly repeats.

“Don’t you want treacle pudding Robyn?”

No thank you just ice cream.”

Karen becomes serious;

“Brian you can live here if you like.”

Lewis hears Karen’s offer from the kitchen;

“Biff’s not having my room.”

He returns with the desert.

“As David has moved out you can have the spare room.”

“Won’t David be returning?” Biff asks.

Karen frowns as she serves the desert;

“Robyn you take your ice cream into the living room and you can turn on the radio there is usually nice music at the time of night.”

Robyn immediately realises it is time for grown-up chatter and without hesitation slips from the table towards the living room.

Karen sighs;

“Ah Brian, I guess you are as much family as any, so you may as well hear the truth, David will not be returning, he has shacked-up with the barmaid from the Royal and I’ve applied for divorce. Therefore you can have the spare room for as long as you wish.”

No sooner had Karen spoken than Robyn appears at the door with her pudding bowl.

Karen breaks from conversation.

“Would you like some more pudding Robyn?”

Robyn appears more confused that hungry;

“Isn’t daddy coming home?”

“Daddy is having a little holiday,” Karen suggests hoping time would heal over that question.

“Aren’t I going to be a flower girl with Cousin Penny at Tony and Leanne’s party in the church?”

“Of course you are besides the party is after going to church; you and your Cousin Penny will be flower girls during the church ceremony.”

Robyn appears satisfied and holds up her pudding bowl for more ice cream.

“Lewis, be a sweetie get Robyn some more ice cream and put the water on for coffee.”

The train of thought had been lost but Karen soon regains the more important part being offering Biff the spare room.

“Then Brian what do you think of my offer?”

“Thank you I like it.”

“Even so you appear hesitant.”

“What if David returns, what would he say if he sees me here?”

Karen gives a gentle titter;

“Quite a lot I should think but that isn’t your problem, David is mostly a coward, when it comes to confrontation he blusters and shouts, slamming lots of doors and little more.”

Lewis returns with the coffee, “then dad hides away in his shed.”

Karen shows interest;

“I’ve often wondered what he did for long hours in his precious shed and why he needed to keep it locked.”

Lewis is grinning;

Grady throws Lewis a frown that prevents his brother from progressing as the conversation returns to Biff taking the spare room.

“So Brian, what do you think of having the room?”

“I like the idea Mrs. Dowie.”

“Then it’s settled and Brian for the last time please stop referring to me as Mrs. Dowie, it makes me feel old.”

“I guess it is a life time of habit Karen,”

“There you go, you can do it. Now one last problem, it is becoming urgent to arrange seating at the wedding function, Brian I know you have broken up with Trish and as she is also invited, will you be her partner for the event.”

“I suppose she may agree for the day.”

“What about you Grady?”

“Irons in fire mum; put me down as partnered.”

“The wedding is Saturday and there are place-names to consider.”

“Couldn’t the placing be left blank until the day?”

Karen isn’t pleased as she had arranged for a friend who is skilled in calligraphy to print the placement cards;

“You are as usual difficult to a fault young man,” Karen half agrees with Grady’s suggestion.

Late Thursday evening at what was once the Bastian house. Grady is helping Biff pack his few possessions into an old battered suitcase Ron had kept for that elusive holiday.

One day lad, just you and me will go down to the city and whoop it up, stay at one of those fancy hotels and see the sights.

The closest Ron got to whooping it up was his dreadful singing on the rare occasion when he overindulged at parties.

The suitcase is full, mostly with Biff’s sporting trophies and now he stands beside his bed with its hospital corners, his arms akimbo and lost in thought as memories float by like ghosts in the night.

Grady approaches comically looping an arm through Biffs akimbo.

Biff breaks the stand and smiles.

“How do you feel?”

“In truth Grady, I feel like a bird leaving its nest. You know one day you must but when the day comes it isn’t easy and I never believed I would be leaving under such circumstances.”

Biff takes a deep breath and is back from his mood; “Bedding?”

“Mum has plenty.”

“Then that’s the lot.”

“Don’t you want to take something of Ron’s as a memory?”

“I’ve already said Ron is in my head not in this house, as for memories they will come with me without needing to be packed. Although I must admit we had some good times here.”

Grady hears Biff’s adage without belief as his friend would never admit pain of the body or the heart.

Biff collects his suitcase from the bed – he falters.

“There is one thing I mustn’t forget.”

Biff leaves his suitcase in the passage and advances to his father’s room. He returns holding a photo frame, “Ron and mum’s picture,” he says in reference to the photograph given by Karen. The one of Ron was taken with Biff on the day the team won the Tableland Rugby cup.

“Have you forgotten anything?”

“I suppose that’s the lot Grady, let’s get outa’ here.”

“What will happen to Ron’s gear and the furnishings?”

“I’ve already arranged for Ron’s clothes to go to the Salvo’s and the new owner has agreed to dispose of the contents. Come on time to leave.”

Friday arrives in a flurry of activity with the telephone sounding off at six thirty in the morning, it is Leanne’s mother and with one day remaining to the wedding Leanne has called it off, or at best postponed until a later time. The cause of the controversy being Tony was discovered sowing his single man’s oats in another field. Tony’s excuse being until Saturday afternoon he remained a free man therefore it didn’t count. Leanne didn’t agree, especially as Tony had already sown his seed in her and the result was becoming obvious.

As Karen had the position of invitation manager, she needed to call guests with the distressing news. Grady could inform those who were friends of both he and Tony, while Biff said he would inform Trish, a task Grady believed should have been left to him as it was obvious Biff had not been in contact with Trish since their break-up. Even more obvious it appeared Biff knew nothing about Trish’s pregnancy.

Later Friday morning at the Dowie house, Lewis is taking longer than usual showering with Grady pushing at the locked bathroom door calling for his brother to hurry as it would make him late for work.

Grady again pushes against the locked door before knocking loudly;

“What are you doing in there?”

“What do you think I’m doing?” Lewis growls from under the splashing of water.

“You’re not tugging you dick, keep that up and it will wear away?”

“Fuck off!”

“Nice language, mum heard you Lewis.” Grady lies.

“Bullshit Grady; I’ll be out in a minute.”

Breakfast with Biff last to the table because of Lewis’ extended shower. He takes his place.

“Brian, will you let Trish know about the wedding cancellation?”

“We knock off at four this afternoon so I’ll call around and see her.”

“Is she still working at the Tobacco Board?”

“She is.”

Grady is concerned for Biff as it is obvious Trish hadn’t told him about her pregnancy, although he would eventually find out as a growing tummy doesn’t always mean excessive eating, especially with young women in a small town of overheated young men.

“I’ll let her know if you like?”

“No Grady, I think it is up to me, besides I need to explain a few things.”

Lewis discovers his humour, “from what I’ve heard it is Trish who needs to do the explaining.”

“What does that mean?” Grady demands.

“Nothing; it’s none of my business.”

“Then keep it that way.”

Too late Biff is interested in Lewis’ comment and would definitely be the one to visit Trish.

“How did you find the bed?” Karen asks Biff as she commences to clear the breakfast table, “I always find it takes me a few nights to accustom to a new bed,” she suggests.

“No worries, besides I could sleep soundly on a park bench.”

Again Lewis is humoured, “maybe you should have done that a couple of months back,” he says as he slips away from the table.

“Again Lewis, your meaning?” Grady demands.

“Gotta’ go or I’ll be late for school.”

Lewis collects his bag from the side table before heading for the door.

“Haven’t you forgotten something?” Karen calls.

“What?”

“Your lunch, I’ve made roast beef and pickle sandwiches, they are on the bench.”

As Lewis departs Biff gives Grady a confused glance in regards to the exchange between the brothers.

Grady understands the meaning, and shrugs a silent negative answer.

“Right that’s settled,” Biff says in relation to him visiting Trish, “has the wedding been rescheduled?”

“I think it is too soon for rescheduling Brian,” Karen suggests.

“Then for now I’ll report it is simply postponed, I know Trish will be disappointed as she bought a dress for the occasion.”

Robyn had been listening to the conversation and as Mrs. Halsall sounds the car horn to collect Robyn for school she slips from the table, “won’t I be going to Leanne and Tony’s party?”

“I’m afraid not for a while love,”

“But my new dress, I was going to wear it to the party.”

“You can wear it to Cousin Penny’s birthday party.”

Gary’s stories are about life for gay men in Australia’s past and present. Your emails to him are the only payment he receives. Email Gary to let him know you are reading: Conder 333 at Hotmail dot Com

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