Published: 3 Aug 2026

Trouble at the Dowie House;

Biff is in his room, he couldn’t help hearing the loudest of the argument between Lewis and Karen while having no wish to be part of it. He is attempting to read the perspective of an E-type jaguar, being the very vehicle Grady was salivating over but his mind keeps wandering back to the continuing unpleasantness, it disturbs him greatly to hear a family he loves so dearly tearing itself apart.

‘I think it is about time I moved on,’ Biff thinks.

‘What of Grady?’

‘I can’t leave without Grady.’

‘There is always the coast.’

‘But will Grady agree.’

‘I won’t know that answer unless I ask.’

The raucous dies down and Biff returns to his magazine.

Eventually Biff’s thoughts are interrupted by a soft knocking to the door.

He places his magazine aside.

“It’s open,” Biff calls.

Grady enters wearing the expression of a confused puppy.

“What’s up?”

“Lewis had been drinking and started an argument with mum.”

“That is why I thought better not to stay about. I can see that boy getting into all sorts of trouble before he reaches drinking age.

“Also you won’t believe what mum told me.”

“Try me.”

“I suppose I should start with brother, or should I say half brother.”

Biff lacks surprise;

“Go on?”

“Mum had a few drinks and the truth came out, well ninety-nine to one hundred percent of it that is.”

“So you know at last.”

“What do you mean by at last?”

“Ron told me way back, even before we were mates in primary grade.”

“And you didn’t think I should know, going as far as lying to me.”

“I almost told you on a number of occasions but thought better of doing so”

“As a mate you should have.”

“Grady, it wasn’t my business to tell you and even now it isn’t my place to comment.”

“What about us?”

“If you mean our relationship, why should it matter?”

Grady sits on the bed and shrugs away his lack of an answer.

“Biff continues;

“It isn’t as if we are having kids, besides I think it’s cute, I not only have someone I love but a constant reminder of Ron and except for little Adam you are actually the only blood family I have.”

“I like that, only I feel you have helped in causing me to live a lie for all those years.”

“Grady it wasn’t my doing.”

“Still as a mate you could have said something.”

“Ron swore me to secrecy and I couldn’t be responsible for tearing you away from your family, besides there always was and still is your mother to consider. She had to live with her secret as well as David’s suspicions therefore I needed to consider Karen as well as you.”

“Still,”

“Still nothing Grady, if I had told you all those years ago what would you have done about it?”

“I don’t know.”

“I do; you would have ended hating your mother, David and more than likely also Ron and as for our friendship, it would have ended there.”

“As usual you are right; even so it has come as a shock.”

Biff pauses and forces a smile; he reaches across the space between them and ruffles Grady’s hair.

“Sorry.”

“As I said it has come as a shock.”Grady admits.

“I guess it would.”

“Who else knows?”

“No one except for Karen, me and when he was living, Ron. Also I’m sure David expects but hasn’t any proof.”

“Yes I’m sure he does by some of what he has said over time, What about Trish, did you tell her?”

“No and I wouldn’t, it isn’t my business to tell anyone; as it wasn’t my place to tell you.”

“In a way it sort of makes Trish my half sister in law.”

“Not really.”

“Why not?”

“We never married and never would because of what I feel for you. You do realise Trish knew about us from the start, it’s almost impossible to hide that sort of thing from a woman.”

“At least Adam is sorta’ a half-nephew.”

“Yea I suppose the title would be acceptable. Did Lewis hear Karen tell you about Ron being your dad?”

“No he was well gone by then.”

“Where is Lewis now?”

“He stormed out carrying a bag saying he is going to live with dad.”

“That may be good for Karen as he had been a handful of late; I’ve even come close to giving him a thump myself.”

“What now?” Grady asks.

“Do you mean us?” Biff asks.

“I guess I do.”

Biff reaches across the bed drawing Grady into a cuddle with his head against his shoulder.

“Life goes on; I haven’t changed so I suppose it’s up to you.”

Grady pulls away;

“I don’t like having to carry the responsibility of this family, or the blame for it breaking apart.”

“You don’t, none of it is your doing.”

“You try explaining that to my brain.”

Biff appears frustrated with his mate; taking a deep breath he releases it as quickly;

“May I change the subject?”

“Go on.”

“In a week or so I will put something to you.”

“Why not do so now?”

“You know me Grady; everything, like Trish and her bloody planets, has to be in perfect alignment before I decide anything.”

Grady gives a broad smile;

“I don’t know how many times you’ve half told me something then left it floating like – like,” Grady pauses, “well I dunno’ like bloody something.”

“See I’ve taken your mind of it already.”

“I should go see how mum is.”

“You say Karen has been drinking?”

“A little more than usual.”

“I suggest leave Karen to her own company, what I have noticed is she prefers to be alone when facing a problem.”

“Yes I have noticed.”

“Besides if Karen has over indulged she may not remember telling you by morning about Ron being your dad, so my advice is to leave well enough alone.”

“I suppose you are right.”

“How do you feel?” Biff asks.

“Dunno’; in a way I believe I’ve always known David isn’t my father, everyone said my character was more like Ron’s and Lewis more akin to David.”

“To be truthful Grady you don’t actually look like Ron or David, you take more after your mother, you have her eyes,” Biff gives a cheeky chortle, “although I must say we both have Ron’s dick.”

“I’ve never seen “Ron naked,” Grady admits.

“I couldn’t help as I have said Ron was a great one for going about the house naked.”

Grady takes a deep breath, his eyes are downcast towards the bedroom floor he makes a sound as if to speak but holds the thought.

“What are you thinking?” Biff asks.

“Strangely it is as if I have always known the truth, somewhat like a cuckoo laying its egg in a sparrow’s nest, one day I would outgrow my siblings and become what was intended.”

“That is deep for you,” Biff suggests.

At last Grady laughs, “I read it in some book; even so I think there is part of me that has always known.”

“You do realise it was David even while believing you weren’t his kid who kept you safe for all those years, so no matter what I think of him or David of me, you should give him some credit.”

“As usual Biff you are right.”

By Biff’s expression he is up to something;

“If Karen’s a little tipsy – well.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“You could close the door and see what comes up.”

Sometimes it takes a lifetime to get over a shock, sometimes a week, although with a week’s passing Grady remained dwelling on his newly found family disruption. Fortunately Grady has a strong mental constitution therefore he managed to, as if to speak, put it on the back burner and get on with life. Oddly as Karen was so stressed and influenced by gin at her telling, she did not remember the incident and Grady had no intention reminding her. As for Lewis he remained living with his father although on shifting ground, with David warning he would soon need to return home or find lodgings elsewhere. Also Biff had not as yet taken Grady into confidence on his future intension and Grady knew better than to push back on his friend by asking.

That was the week an argument between Trish and her father once again became over heated with a continual on the circumcision of Adam as the catalyst. In reality it is her father’s disdain towards Biff that is driving his irritation as if the act of cutting away a miniscule slice of flesh could rid any connection to the child’s father. Possibly having one small victory was preferable to none at all. The argument ended in giving Trish notice to either to put Adam up for adoption, or find somewhere else to live. Trish kept her situation secret from Biff while finding sympathy with an aunt on her mother’s side, allowing her and the baby temporary lodgings in the small community of Chewko, a short distance from town.

The evening before Trish went to live with her aunt she attempted to contact Biff by telephoning the Dowie residence, discovering Biff is away down the coast and wouldn’t be returning until the Sunday night.

As Grady answered the telephone Trish gave him the news.

“Will you be staying at your aunts in Chewko permanently?” Grady asks.

“For a while Aunt Sylvia isn’t very well and may have to go into care.”

Grady becomes concerned for his newly discovered half-nephew;

“Will your parents allow you to go back home?”

Trish is hesitant, “Don’t concern Grady everything will be fine,” she then laughs, “I have a lot of aunties, just give Brian the address also Aunt Sylvia isn’t connected to the telephone.”

Another week and another crisis this time it is Lewis. Arriving intoxicated at David’s flat late one evening David gives him his marching orders, simply go home to your mother, or find a bridge to sleep under. With the command came words Lewis never thought he would hear from his father and confidante, being don’t bother coming to work in the morning you’re fired.

Coming down from the effects of the alcohol and feeling sorry for himself Lewis makes a beeline to his mate Tug. After explaining his sorrowful state to Mrs. Skinner she allowed Lewis to bed down for the night on the floor of Dennis’ room but come the morning he would need to reapproach either his mother or father with a believable apology.

Tug thought the whole affair somewhat amusing and showed little sympathy towards his friend’s predicament saying Lewis should have been more cautious in telling David so many stories about his brother, as living back home may come back and bite him on the arse.

“I only told the truth,” Lewis protested.

“No you followed both Greedy and Biff and after seeing nothing you created the remainder.”

“Oh well, it’s done now.”

The following morning Lewis arrives at work hoping an apology would restore his job and bed at his father’s flat. By now David had all but given up on his family, beside Lyn Worthing, David’s new woman found having Lewis staying at the flat was a little off-putting so with no uncertain words she told David either Lewis went or she would.

Lewis cautiously approaches David’s office door finding his father in heated argument with his accountant, the most of what Lewis hears is if David couldn’t come up with ten grand and quickly the business may go under.

“What do you suggest?” David growls.

“A second mortgage on the house,” the accountant’s tone is quivering as he had exhausted all other options possible.

“That can’t be done.”

“Then dump the machinery business you should never have bought and you may come out ahead.”

“Or more to point dump you as my financial advisor and find someone with more appropriate answers.”

“You could try that approach David although I don’t think you will get a better suggestion, only someone who will take your money and tell you lies, then at the end of the day you may find you have also lost the Emporium.”

There is a quiet moment with Lewis waiting nervously beyond the open office door.

Eventually David speaks and by his tone he is defeated;

“Alright I can see your point Ralph although I’ll lose on the deal, sell the fucken’ machinery business.”

“Better you lose on the deal than lose everything David.”

David leaves his office almost falling over Lewis cowering like a timid puppy at the door.

“I thought I fired you kid?”

Lewis gives a nervous chortle;

“I thought you were joking.”

“I never joke, go up to the flat, collect your belongings and piss off back to your mother.”

David walks away smarting over having to sell the tractor and equipment business he previously purchased cheaply without realising it had already failed while being secretly loaded with debt.

Lewis advances towards the flat to collect his belongings with a decision to make, either find that bridge David suggested, or return home with a believable apology to his mother.

Lewis decides on the latter.

Tuesday afternoon and Lewis has built enough courage to face Karen. It is a sorrowful young man who now stands in the Dowie kitchen as Karen prepares the evening meal.

“So your father kicked you out?” Karen coolly says.

“It’s that woman he’s living with, she’s a right bitch and she hates me.”

‘Then hate her back,’ Karen thinks remembering it to be one of Ron’s favourites but as doesn’t wish to give impression she has consideration towards David’s infidelity she keeps it to herself.

“I believe it would be more your attitude Lewis.”

Lewis remains repressed waiting for his mother’s decision.

Karen is in no hurry to make that decision, in a way she has won a victory over David as he had only allowed Lewis to stay as revenge on her, also his continued association with Lewis was to glean information about her and if possible anything on Biff and Grady that could be used against Karen.

Karen will allow Lewis to return.

A father may disregard his son but not a mother, even a son as recalcitrant as Lewis although there would need to be changes in Lewis’ behaviour.

“Lewis,” Karen quietly says as she shells the last of a bowl of peas.

Lewis quietly waits while attempting to display his most miserable expression.

“Very well you can return home but there are conditions.”

Lewis remains silent.

“No more drinking and like Grady and Biff you will have to pay your way.”

At last Lewis has voice, even if it is soft and obliging;

“Dad sacked me.”

“That was never a real job so you will then have to find alternate employment. Do you agree?”

“Yes mum.”

“And no more drinking.”

“Not even a beer on the weekend.”

“No not even then only when you are of drinking age and not before.”

‘As if,’ Karen thinks.

‘Even so it is worth a try.’

So it is agreed, Lewis will return home, he will need to find work and pay his way but leopards and spots do not change and even at Lewis’ tender age renegade attitude had set like concrete also his taste for alcohol had become well developed, there may be a short period of readjustment but could Lewis honour his commitment permanently.

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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