Published: 1 Jun 2026

Gossip does, what gossip will;

Late Sunday afternoon Biff is leaning back on his elbows across the bed while Grady packs David’s belongings into three large cartons, most of which is almost new while make-do was the go with his children.

“He has a lot of clothes,” Biff says.

There is a touch of sarcasm in Grady’s answer;

“Dad likes to keep up his social appearance.”

“He has more clothes in one wardrobe than all I’ve owned in twenty years.”

“And me.”

Grady places a rack of dress ties on top of the last box, he holds one up to view, “silk,” he says.

Collecting a second he displays a design of an almost naked woman, her hands strategically placed over her privates while expressing shock at being caught naked.

“Does he actually wear that in public?”

“He did before he was elected to the shire. It was given to him as a birthday present by his brother Uncle Charles,” Grady chuckles; “he often says he wishes it to be part of his burial suit.

Grady closes the lid on the third box;

“That seems to be the lot, right now to get it delivered, can I borrow the car?”

“I’m not coming.”

“You aren’t invited but you can help me carry them to the car.”

As Grady drives away to deliver David’s belongings one could be forgiven in believing nothing had changed between the boys. There may have been a declaration of hearts less than twenty four hours previously but since then nothing more had been exchanged, the only difference being every time Grady glances at Biff his heart fluttered and blood rushed to his member causing him to change into loosely fitting gear. Biff simply appeared more contented than usual then again he was never one to give his feelings away.

Grady drives into the Stock and Feed yard and parks. Before he alights he is met at the car door by his brother Lewis.

“What are you doing here Lewis?”

“I’m visiting dad.”

“Does mum know?”

“You’re not gunna’ tell her are you.”

Grady opens the car door;

“It’s none of my business who you visit – is dad about?”

“He’s talking business with a travelling salesman in his office and told me to bugger off.”

“Then off you go, firstly you can help me carry some boxes.”

Grady goes to the back of the utility, “you take that one its lighter.”

Lewis collects the box then commence towards the stairs leading to the upper floor flat.

“Is Biff at home?” Lewis asks.

“He was when I left, why do you ask?”

“Trish has had the kid, it is a boy.”

“How do you know?”

“I’ve just come from her place and her sister Helen told me but don’t tell Biff.”

“If you didn’t want me to repeat then why say anything.”

As the brothers continue David approaches from his office;

“Take the boxes up to the flat and you Lewis get yourself home before I have your mother on my back.”

Lewis goes on ahead.

“When you’ve done with the boxes Grady I want a word with you.”

The brothers deliver the boxes and return.

“I’ll see you next weekend Lewis,” David says. He waits for Lewis to depart.

Eventually father and son are alone;

“I hear you and half the cricket team were grogging on down the coast.”

“Yes a few of the boys took the weekend, Biff and I went along to run his utility after I did some work on it.”

“You shouldn’t be boozing with a big game next weekend.”

“Come on dad, it was just a few beers and some harmless conversation, we weren’t running wild, beside as for drinking you can blame Michael Brown he gets the beer for nicks from his old man.”

“Umm.”

‘You won’t comment there will you, seeing Ted Brown is not only one of the richest men in the district but one of your shire mates,’ Grady thinks.

“Never mind that, I have a proposition for you.”

“Go on.”

“You were always good with figures, I think it is about time you came into business with me as I need someone I can trust.”

‘Yea I know your game,’

‘You want to break up the family buy cutting us out one by one.’

“You have Lewis for that dad.”

“The cheeky little bugger would have me broke in a week, no as the oldest it is your duty to follow after me.”

“Sorry dad, I’m happy where I am, besides I’m more mechanical than book savvy, at least by fixing things I get a smile; robbing some poor farmer would only bring me grief.”

David appears incensed;

“Is that what you think I do?”

“Sometimes it appears that way.”

Not in control of the situation David cools;

“At least give it some thought son.”

“I better get Biff’s car back.”

“Arrrr; that’s another thing when is Brian Bastian vacating my house?”

Grady smiles with his cheeky response;

“It was mum who invited him in, besides it isn’t your house, didn’t you sign it over to mum years ago?”

David grunts and turns his back on Grady who watches his father as he slowly made his way back to his office.

‘He is starting to show his age,’

‘If he doesn’t leave off the scotch he may need that special tie sooner than he expected.’

‘Do I care?’

‘I suppose I should but I don’t.’

‘Oh well, enough of dad’s problems, I better get Biff’s car home.’

Grady is left with a dilemma, should he repeat Lewis’ news on the birth of Trish’s child to Biff or let town’s gossip work its way.

Arriving home he finds Lewis reading a motor magazine.

“Where did you get that Wheels Magazine?” Grady asks.

“From your room.”

“How many times do I need to tell you to keep out of my room?”

“A few I suppose.”

“Dad is correct you are a cheeky little bugger.”

“Did dad say that?’

“Among other things.”

Grady crosses the room and snatches the magazine from his brother’s hold, the action rips the cover.

“Give it back I’m halfway through an article on the new Holden Sedan,” Lewis demands.

“Say please.”

Please Grady can I read your precious magazine,”

Grady returns the magazine;

“You can have it, I’m finished with it – where is Biff?”

“Dunno’.”

Karen calls from the kitchen;

“I think he’s in his room Grady.”

“You won’t say anything about the kid,” Lewis quietly pleads as Grady departs company.

Grady grins in silence.

“Knock knock,” Grady says before tapping on Biff’s door.

“It’s open.”

Grady enters. Biff is readying he clothes for the morning’s work.

Grady closes the door behind then places the car keys on the bedside table.

“This situation is silly what are we going to do about it,” Grady all but whispers.

“I know what I would like to do,” Biff says.

“What would that be?”

“I’d like to throw you onto the bed and -.”

“And what.”

True it’s all too difficult Grady, I should never have said anything, or put you in such a position.”

“Have you done it before?”

“It!” Biff laughs.

“You know what I mean.”

“A long time ago; I was only a kid then. What about you have you” Biff is grinning, “as you say done it?”

“I have wanted to with you since I realised my dick was for more than pissing but no.”

“If only you had said something.”

“I thought you’d knock my block off if I even looked sideways at you.”

There is a knocking to the door.

“Mum wants to know if you are in for dinner.” Lewis enters without invitation, “what are you two up to?”

“Talking about you Lewis, so fuck off.”

Lewis falters as guilt grips from his repeat of Helen’s news to Grady.

Could he trust his brother?

“Off you go, this is grown up’s business not for the ears of brats like you, and yes we will be in for dinner.”

Gossip does, what gossip will and within the blinking of a gnat’s eye everyone in town knows about Trish’s baby Adam. As for naming the baby’s father; on Adam’s birth certificate it reads Brian Bastian but kept secret from all including Trish’s parents, even so as the baby is named Adam and Biff’s full name happens to be Brian Adam Bastian, therefore the father’s identity could be considered obvious, although Biff’s second given name was only known to Biff himself, Grady and of course Trish.

As everyone already knew about the birth there wasn’t further reason for Trish to remain isolate with her Aunt therefore she returned home while keeping a low profile, besides it never takes long for scandal to become old news as something more intriguing arrives to take its place and there was one ignominy Biff and Grady hoped would never surface even if that remained unaddressed.

Biff heard about Trish’s return with baby Adam from his work mates on the Monday after returning from the camping weekend, during Tuesday morning he took time from work to visit Trish but her mother said she had taken Adam for a check-up at the hospital, immediately he drove to the hospital. As Trish was with the doctor and he was running out of time he left a message at the desk.

During the evening Biff telephoned Trish having difficulty convincing her mother to let him speak with her.

Eventually Trish comes to the telephone.

“What do you want Brian?” she quietly asks. There is a slight tremor in her voice.

“Is it mine?”

“Adam is not called an it, Brian,”

“Then is Adam mine?”

“His birth certificate doesn’t include you,” Trish lies.

“That doesn’t mean anything. Can I see you?”

Trish is silent.

“Please.”

“If you must, come around Thursday night my parents will be out celebrating Aunt Lucy’s birthday but don’t arrive until after seven.”

Without furthering the conversation Trish ends the call leaving Biff in a quandary. Is he the father and if so what is he going to do about it. Biff feels need to share his dilemma and looks for Grady, finding him helping Karen with the night’s dishes.

“What’s up?” Grady asks Biff as Karen passes him the last of the dishes.

She empties the sink.

“That’s done,” Karen says, “now to the ironing.”

“Don’t you dare starch my shirts,” Grady warns but he knows she will. Even so with David gone and both he and Biff doing manual work the need for starched collars is minimal to none.

“I need to talk with you,” Biff expresses in an almost whisper once Karen is beyond hearing.

“Go on,” Grady says.

“Not here come to my room.”

Lewis is hovering before he goes to visit his friend Tug Skinner; “You two are up to something,” Lewis suggests.

“Bugger off Lewis or you’ll cope one,” Grady warns.

“I bet it’s to do with Trish’s kid.”

“I’ve warned you.”

Lewis is grinning, “the whole town knows its Biff’s kid so why the secret.”

Grady makes a threatening move towards his brother;

Lewis quickly skips out the door before Grady can retaliate.

“Well is it?” Grady asks.

“Don’t know, she said I’m not on the birth certificate but I’m going to see her Thursday night.”

“Lewis appears to have heard it is yours.”

“Supposition that’s all, Lewis only knows what he has heard from Helen and Trish said she hasn’t even told her parents.”

“If Adam is yours, will you marry Trish?”

Biff takes a long confused breath;

“Yes I suppose – no – I don’t know; it’s all too much to take in. What do you think I should do?”

Grady’s tone deepens, “what about us?” he softly asks as they depart for Biff’s room.

Once there the door is closed.

“It doesn’t change how I feel for you Grady and never will. I’ve waited too long but now; I just don’t know.”

Grady is as pragmatic as his nature allows;

“I suppose we should simply keep us aside for the present although I can relate a situation that has been kept quiet in the Dowie family for yonks.”

Biff sits on his bed, his expression becoming a vacant as his ability to decide.

“I have a Great Uncle Donald, or as far as the family is concern, had. He is the brother of Karen’s father and he married.”

“So?”

“Donald married at seventeen after a short association with a local girl.”

“Did he live here in town?”

“No it was down at Cardwell. After three years and two kids Donald declared his love for a lad he had known most of his life then he deserted his young family becoming outcast to family and friends.”

“Then what happened?”

“No one has heard of Donald since and his wife and kids became shunned by everyone so to move away.”

“Why? It wasn’t her fault.”

“You know what some folk are like, it was said she was so ugly it would be enough to turn any man gay.”

“How did you hear about your Uncle Donald?”

Grady releases a cheeky grin;

“Folk talk too much after Christmas drinks.”

“I dunno’,” Biff honestly says.

“I suppose if we are to take the next step in our relationship that has been a lifetime coming then a little while longer can’t hurt. It is best to see how your meeting on Thursday with Trish goes.”

“I suppose so.”

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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