Published: 26 Oct 2026

The Continuation

It has been sixteen years;

And still the fire burns hot;
Ten years since Trish Baker passed away;
Fifteen since Lewis’ shotgun wedding;
A little longer since the birth of Lewis’ son Shawn;
Thirteen and one half since Lewis divorced;
Eleven since Lewis remarried;
Not neglecting Lewis’ second divorce and a number of failed affairs;
Three and a half years since the boys bought the Auto Garage;
Quite some since Adam was caught in the equipment shed with Danny Trill;
Two and a bit since Robyn gave birth to her fifth and had a hysterectomy:
A year since Lewis shacked-up with Maureen;
Six months since Grady’s mother found a new man;
All the while David had been slowly going broke;

Not forgetting the episode with the boat – although that is yet to come.
And with it all to Biff and Grady it is living the dream;

It’s our birthday next month,” Grady reminds Biff as they casually walk towards the stock yards besides the Johnston River, the river being the western border to their property. The boys had been born on the same day in the same hospital ward with Biff the older by no more than a few minutes, a fact Biff had never shied from sharing with Grady. They grew up best mates sharing many secrets with the usual bumps and bruises of boyhood with a fair share of sporting adversary along the way, eventually developing a bond far beyond friendship. The one secret that had never been shared or known to the boys until reaching their late teenage years was their blood relationship, even so being half brothers only made their association stronger.

Adam’s horse Pup spies the boys approach then commences trotting across the bottom paddock towards them hoping for a treat of a cube of sugar or the occasional apple. There are two other horses used by the boys, for the moment they are separated as Pup, although gelded, has tendency to bite and kick at the mares when they are in season and displaying ardent desires towards him. It had been Adam who induced a reason for Pup’s rejection of the mares declaring Pup must be gay.

Biff is the softie although he forces Pup to muzzle into his pocket before he gives up his treat.

“Don’t tell Adam,” Biff warns Grady as Adam is against giving horses sugar.

Eventually Biff gives up a sugar cube and Pup muzzles for a second.

“That’s your lot fellow – off you trot and next time I promise you an apple.”

Seeing nothing more is offered Pup canters away across the paddock gaily kicking up his fetlocks as he travels, moments later Pup has his head over the adjoining fence with the mares as if to say, my gain your loss.

“Strange that,” Grady says.

“Go on.”

“Put Pup with mares and there is agro’, part them and its canoodling over the adjoining fence like lovers.”

It is two-thirty soon Grady will drive into town to collect Adam from his final year of high school after calling into Dowie Motors to see how his people are coping with his partial retirement from the business, besides Grady believes he has a good head mechanic in Graeme Greene and with the farm’s continuous development his expertise is more required at home in the equipment shed.

“Thirty-six,” Biff quietly utters; the corner of his mouth slightly twitches as he wonders where the years have gone as it only seemed like yesterday Adam was a little boy on him mother’s knee, and they green farmers learning all that is needed to grow sugar cane along the wet northern tropical coast.

‘Sixteen short years and never enough,’ he thinks; giving Grady a sly glance his heart skips a beat.

“And Biff you appear as young and handsome as ever.”

“I’ll accept the accolade Grady although you must admit I’m now a little frayed around the edges.”

“I like that in a man.”

Biff smiles and bashfully reaches down for a stalk of grass as he never warmed to complements, or seldom gave any, a simple ditto and a smile should be enough to say it all.

“What would you like this year?” Grady asks.

“You naked between sheets will suffice.”

“I like that idea although you can have me anytime.”

“Na’, I have everything I need – and more.”

“I’m remembering what Lewis said that very first Christmas after arriving here at the farm,” Grady recalls.

“He said we would never go the distance.”

“Yet we have.”

They enter further into the bottom paddock walking towards the river;

Pup returns to nuzzle Biff’s pocket for an extra cube of sugar, as the treat is not forthcoming Pup gives a hefty head-shove into the middle of Biff’s back almost sending Biff from his balance.

“Steady fella’.”

Biff relents;

“That’s your lot,” Biff gives up another cube and with a gentle slap to Pup’s rump sends him trotting away with a snort.

“Lewis did say that,” Grady agrees.

“What were Lewis’ words?”

“You can’t expect two roosters to be loyal as it isn’t natural,” Grady recalls with a tittering smile.

At the river Biff checks the main water pump as it had recently become blocked with waterweed.

It appeared to be pumping strongly, although there is a small leakage in one of the joining pipes. He would attend to that once Grady has gone to collect Adam.

“Roosters,” Biff chuckles, “yet Lewis accepted us being together and that was something I would never have expected of him.”

“I wouldn’t say he accepted,” Grady corrects, “more he hadn’t any choice as I recall it was an acceptance with an outstretched hand for a loan to purchase a car.”

“A car he smashed shortly afterwards.”

“He did and others since and previously, he’s a menace behind the wheel and his son is no better, Lewis allowing him to drive and barely sixteen. I’m more than surprised they remain living.”

“He never did repay that loan,” Biff recalls.

“And he never will; it is common knowledge Lewis believes other people’s pockets are no more than an extinction of his bank account.”

“As I recall,” Biff says, “that was the Christmas David eventually sold the beach house unfortunately before the documents had been signed and exchanged the house burned.”

“Squatters,” Grady attaches to Biff’s memory, “they did so much damage David couldn’t realise his price and when forced to leave the squatters set fire to the house.”

“The fireman said it was bad electrics,” Biff recalls.

“That maybe, although it is possible David set the fire for the insurance and to remove the squatters, also the fire chief was a mate of David.”

“If not bad luck seemed to follow David.”

“No Biff you can’t excuse poor judgment as bad luck.”

“I guess not.”

Coming from the river it is a short distance to the first of three sugarcane field holding forty acres of ripening cane almost ready for harvesting. Sixteen productive years had seen the original farm grow from thirty acres to somewhere near one hundred and thirty although a portion has been left fallow while at Biff’s insistence that along the river reforested.

“I suppose,” Grady sighs.”

“What do you suppose?”

“Standing about remising won’t get Adam collected from school.”

“I’ll go if you like,” Biff offers.

“No, I need to call into the garage and see how the new apprentice is going.”

Towards the house Biff pauses at the sunken garden he had designed for somewhere Trish could sit with her reading in private contemplation.

No sooner had he completed the work on the sunken garden than Trish came down with Ross River Fever. Normally not lethal but when endured with other symptoms it can become fatal and was.

Firstly there was the fever and after a short stay in hospital and not to be alone on the farm Trish returned home to her parents on the tableland to convalesce. At that time both Biff and Grady were working off farm to make ends meet.

Two days it took and Trish was no more, leaving six year old Adam without his mother.

“What are you thinking?” Grady asks.

“I was remembering Trish’s passing and how we almost lot Adam to his grandparents.”

“The boys they called us and the label stuck, we’ve been the boys ever since.”

“Trish’s parents didn’t want Adam and their animosity had been more towards me for taking Trish away from the family by ruining her good name. If it wasn’t for her sister Helen we may have permanently lost Adam to an orphanage.”

Grady smiles;

“What’s got your funny Grady?”

“I was recalling Adam’s incident that Easter break in the equipment shed with Danny Trill.”

“Do you think Adam is inclined?”

“Na’ I wouldn’t think so, I better make tracks or I’ll be late picking him up from school.”

“While you are in town call in at the post office mailing box, I’m expecting a cheque for those piglets we sold.

Grady is late collecting Adam after remaining too long at the garage followed his visit to the post office. At the garage there had been a problem with a job the apprentice had worked on. Grady immediately called the customer giving guarantee the shoddy workmanship would be righted quickly without cost, going as far as offering the work vehicle as replacement while the adjustment is done.

Approaching the school Grady spies Adam patiently waiting near the main gate, his arse fixed to the ground while appearing to be reading. He is a handsome kid, similar to his father is statute but he has his mother’s softness of voice, also an independent attitude although in most things Biff’s characteristics shine.

Grady pulls up close by and calls;

“What are you reading Adam? I hope it’s to do with schoolwork.”

“Half-unc, you are late – again.”

“Sorry, there was a problem at the garage.”

“Problem fixed?”

“Yes Adam problem fixed.”

Adam had always called Grady his half uncle being shortened to Half-unc, Grady liked the title and could do nothing but smile with pride whenever he heard it spoken. Adam also called his father Biff and never dad as had been the custom between Biff and his father Ron. Being half brother to Biff is not only satisfying to Grady, also a good excuse as the relationship helped dilute the stigma of suggestion, even so some more than likely imagined what went on when the boys were alone in their bedroom but being brothers of sorts sat better with local bios, besides as football heroes from their youthful years they could never be considered inclined in that way.

Opinion being how could they be fairies?

They played football for the northern league – fairies don’t play football.

Yet when spoken about in conversation they were always the boys, while such terminology could be considered derogatory it seemed it was never spoken in malice.

Slowly Adam rises dusting the arse of his khaki school shorts as he approaches the car.

Grady is grinning;

Adam has outgrown his short school trousers appearing somewhat comical on his developing frame, already Adam is two inches taller than his father and if Grady dared think, as handsome. What is most captivating about the lad are his eyes and like his father their blueness appear as if washed by the deepest ocean, while his full lips turn at the corners to produce a continuous smile.

Adam hopefully comes to the driver door;

“Can I drive home?”

“Not on the main road; once we reach the Taylor’s Bend turnoff you can takeover.”

“That’s only a couple of miles from home,” Adam complains; “how can I ever learn to drive properly if I only do the back roads?”

“You have a lead foot on the bitumen Adam, until you learn not to plant the foot then the slower back roads will suffice.”

“Oh well,” Adam agrees as he takes the passenger seat.

“How was your day at school?”

“Exams,” Adam simply says.

“Yea and what have you to say about exams?”

“I failed physics;”

Grady laughs;

“I also failed physics in my final year – so did your father.”

“It’s dad’s birthday next week.”

“It is.”

“And yours; I would like to get you both something nice.”

“I’ll give you some money to get a gift for Biff but a simple smile and a wink is enough for me.”

“Adam laughs; he has a spirit lifting laugh.

“What’s got your funny Adam?”

“I would say you get enough smiles and winks from Biff.”

“Cheeky little bugger. I’m thinking of having a party for Biff.”

There is caution in Adam’s question;

“Who will you invite?”

“Mostly family, my mother Karen, my sister Robyn, her husband Tim and Lewis said he will come if he can find time, also a few friends from town.”

“Shawn?”

“Yes Shawn although I don’t think he will be out and about by then. Maybe not Shawn.”

“I thought so – old fogies, instead I’ll take Pup for a ride into the forest.”

“I don’t think your dad will appreciate you not being there.”

“Can I invite someone?”

Grady pulls up for fuel at the Bruce Highway Road house and café;

“Of course you can invite whoever you like.”

Adam is out of the car without answering;

“Fill her up?” Adam suggests while holding the pump handle of the ancient petrol bowser, possibly the last of its kind to be found anywhere in the north and already considered an antique.

“Go for it and when done get milk; tell Rose to put it on the slate and I’ll fix it when I’m in town on the weekend.”

Adam allows maximum fuel to rise to the large glass container reading ten gallons before releasing it into the tank, once done he goes to the shop.

Grady is watching through the shop window as Adam lingers in conversation with Marcia Henson the young assistant, they appear to share some humour before Adam spends time in the news agency section.

Eventually Adam returns with the latest release of combat war magazine. Adam holds up the magazine as if asking for approval as he approaches;

“I hope you don’t mind Half-unc.”

“Of course I don’t but why do you want to read about war.”

“Dunno’ just do; I believe you and Biff missed out on national service.”

“We did.”

“If your birthday came out of the barrel would you have gone to Vietnam?”

“We wouldn’t have had any choice, it isn’t something you can argue against or they locked you up for a couple of years.”

“When it’s my turn I’ll more than argue,” Adam enforces.

Grady releases a teasing chuckle;

“Would you now?”

“Yep, power to the people, besides it isn’t our war.”

“With some luck conscription will be done away with by the time you reach twenty.”

Grady drives on;

“That talk wouldn’t sit well with David,” Grady recalls from the many conversations had with David.

“Is Granddad Dowie coming to your party?”

“Not if my mother turns up, besides David isn’t your grandfather, he is Lewis and Robyn’s father and Shawn’s grandfather, Ron was your grandfather on Biff’s side of your family.”

“Then David is your father?”

“No Ron was also my father; as I said David is Robyn and Lewis’ father and Shawn’s grandfather.”

“Is Shawn my cousin?”

Grady laughs; “if I were to marry Biff he would be your cousin by marriage.”

Adam releases a disinteresting sigh;

“All too difficult, best I call everyone granddad and uncle and be done with it,” Adam cynically suggests.

“Who do you want to invite to the party – maybe Danny?”

“I haven’t seen Danny since being in primary school. I believe he is living somewhere down south. Why do you suggest Danny?”

“You were once mates,”

Adam is pensive as the vehicle rumbles over the grid towards home, forgetting his wish to take the wheel on reaching the turn off. Experience warns Grady not to press further on the matter. Adam had inherited privacy from his father, therefore the lad’s silence means put an end to the questions, besides nothing more appeared to have instigated since that Easter holiday when Danny and Adam were found in the equipment shed, therefore it had been considered simply youthful exploration.

Horseplay, Grady had suggested to Biff;

I’ve never seen horses do that, had been Biff’s response;

While parking the car Biff is spied leading Pup up from the river paddock. They advance to the slip rails to wait for Biff’s arrival.

“What’s up?” Grady calls.

Biff leads Pup closer before answering;

“I think it better not to leave him in the river paddock.”

Usually the horse paddock is fenced off from the river but the fence had been damaged during the previously year’s flooding and the adage tomorrow will do meant nothing had been done to mend the damaged fence.

“Why?” Adam asks.

“I’ve recently noticed that large male crocodile in back in residence and big enough to tackle a horse, especially if Pup is taking a drink from the river instead of the horse trough.” Biff passes the lead to Adam, “go put him in the holding yard with the others, I’ll get the tractor and bring them fresh feed later.

“I can manage the tractor.”

“Okay be careful on the slight rise towards the shed, you almost toppled the tractor last time,” Biff pauses, “also on the weekend.”

“What about the weekend?”

“You can give me a hand mending the river fence.”

Adam leads Pup away;

“You took your time?” Biff asks.

“There was a problem at the garage, the new apprentice fucked up a job and I had to right it with the customer.”

Biff is laughing;

“What?”

“You Grady, I did warn you about hiring the kid.”

Grady becomes defensive;

“Everyone needs a break now and then.”

“Come on Grady it is Biff you’re talking to; you hired Toby because he is cute.”

“Funny boy; although I can’t argue against Toby being cute, more so I did as a favour for his old man, besides in time and with a little patience I think Toby will make a good mechanic, he has a certain honesty that is rare in kids these days.”

Biff remains humoured;

“And cute,” he reaffirms.

“Do you think so?”

“I do.”

Adam returns on his way to fetch the tractor;

“What’s the convo’ Biff?”

“Grady was explaining how he is about to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear?”

“Don’t get ya’.”

“We were talking about young Toby Stokes my new apprentice; your father believes he won’t make the grade.”

“I knew Toby from school,” Adam is grinning, “he was as dumb as two slices of toast.”

“Toast?” Grady questions.

“Well as thick as two bricks.”

Grady becomes defensive towards the young apprentice; “Toby is good with his hands,” he offers.

“Yea a little too good,” Adam offers.

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing simple school yard gossip.”

“And?”

“And after I’ve delivered the feed I better have a look at the water pump from the header tank, it isn’t pumping water to the yard trough for the horses.”

With Adam gone Grady has a suggestion;

“I know you don’t like surprises, therefore I will tell you.”

“What are you planning Grady?”

“I am arranging a party for our birthday.”

“Errrrr’.”

“Not a big do, simply family and a few friends.”

“I suppose – besides Grady I could never deny you anything.”

“It could be fun, a few drinks, some memories a few laughs it will do you good instead of working the farm every day without any down time.”

“You work as much.”

“I have the garage as a distraction, even if I’m now mostly retired from it.”

“Are you going to invite David?”

“Possibly not if mum is coming, although he has settled a little, the passing years have mellowed him – I will need to think on that invitation.”

“Is that what it’s called? Will you invite Lewis?”

“If he can get the time and his son is out of prison. As for David he is into his sixties now and since losing the Feed and Stock Emporium he’s had time to contemplate his shortcomings.”

“You forgive much too easily Grady.”

“I would say time softens besides what gain is there by holding a grudge.”

“I would never have given David the chances you have.”

“Maybe.”

“Not maybe I wouldn’t.”

“Two poles,” Grady says.

“Eh?”

“Imagine there are two tall sturdy poles held together by a taut wire. If each pole pulls against the other the wire will snap, therefore one pole must be prepared to lean.”

“Yea and who are the poles?”

“I suppose David is one and I am the other.”

“And what is the wire?” Biff asks.

“The wire is the fact that David brought me up while believing I wasn’t his kid therefore I should at least give him some slack, even if he treats me like something he stood in.”

“Yea, maybe,” a pause, “even so I wouldn’t.”

“I know you better that that Biff, in your way you are as soft as I am.”

“I’ll file that with your many adages on life Grady.”

Four-thirty;

It is the end of the working day;

Already the sun is dipping behind Mount Bartle-frere and the giant fruit bats darken the sky in their tens of thousands as they return to the forest to roost, after stripping most of the fruiting trees in a hundred mile radius. The few banana plantations along the northern coast fine necessity to net the palms or lose the crop in a single night and when the mangos are in season the noise can be deafening with the bats fighting over the tastiest fruit. If the mango tree overreaches your metal roofing then it is a constant banging as the bats drop the remanence of their meal onto the roof.

Traditionally it is time of the day for medication and a beer;

The tradition is well respected at Dowie Motors;

Graeme Greene who is Dowie Motors head mechanic is seated on an upturned oil drum at the garage door where he is taking advantage of a slight sea breeze. He is a big man his sandy hair thinning while his cheeks have become jowls hidden under a growth of graying beard, the beard also hides his turkey-neck but not the angry furrows of his brow. If one could describe Greene’s expression it would be considered mean, even intimidating although his threatening character is mostly supported by no more than belligerent comment, while it is commonly suggested the mechanic has a caustic tongue and a coward’s fists.

Close by is the garage’s second mechanic Clive Perkins, he is watching the apprentice Toby Stokes cleaning up after another busy day. Clive has worked at the garage since its inception, obtaining his skill as a truck mechanic during his time in the army and not through apprenticeship; even so Clive has an excellent knowledge of the combustion engine. Clive is a man ready for retirement, his hair as have his teeth are all but gone and he walks with a limp from a wound he received in some far off war he never speaks about. In general Perkins is an agreeable man although he does have tendency to go along with Greene’s bios attitude.

Graeme Greene had worked for the previous owner Henry Prentice long before Grady arrived and when Prentice decided to sell the business Greene couldn’t raise the capital, allowing Grady to purchasing the garage with help from the farm’s finances. Greene had never warmed to Grady and it stuck in Greene’s gut to think Grady was once under his supervision. Greene also had disagreement towards giving young Toby Stokes the apprenticeship, a position he had marked out for his own son. Greene suggested giving his son Norman the opportunity but Grady had already promised Jim Stokes his son Toby could have the position. The fact that Grady has become accustomed to leaving most of the running of the garage to Greene sits well with the mechanic even so there is an obvious undercurrent of animosity that Grady is quick to understand as he turns his ear away from the occasional sarcasm disguised as humour.

Greene’s eyes are fixed on Toby as the lad lethargically sweeps.

With a grin Greene gives a sharp nod towards the lad.

“Hey Clive.”

“What’s up?” Clive asks displaying is usual toothless grin.

“What do your reckon?”

“Reckon about what Graeme?”

“The kid; I reckon I know why the boss hired him.”

Toby lifts his head towards Greene’s question while waiting for the usual slant against his character.

Perkins features slightly twitch but he doesn’t reply.

Toby gives his boss a puzzled expression without response and keeps on with the broom.

Toby is a lean lad of average height, his hair as black as midnight, full eyebrows to match while his dark eyes are always happy; his skin is as white as alabaster being rare under the tanning qualities of the tropical sun. He is a handsome lad although it could be said his attractiveness goes well beyond handsome almost towards pretty and that in itself could be considered a beacon for derision. There is a saying amongst the young lads of the time, if you are going to look pretty then it is important to have strong fists. Toby did not.

Knowing Dowie Motors was looking for an apprentice, Jim Stokes, Toby’s father approached Grady if he would consider taking Toby on as the lad’s education had gone about as far as possible. Toby had passed his scholarship year as a precursor to obtaining apprenticeship but a further year of higher education didn’t improve his erudition while his character leaned more towards working with his hands rather than pushing a pen or advance numeracy.

“How about another beer, Clive?” Greene suggests.

“Reckon so.”

“Hey kid – get us a couple of tinnies.”

Toby puts aside his broom and fetches the beer.”

“Are you going to the boss’ do?” Greene asks Clive.

“I wouldn’t think so; it isn’t my idea of a fun night out.”

Greene turns his attention towards Toby;

“What about you Toby, are you going to the boss’ shindig?”

“I haven’t been invited Mr. Greene.”

Greene is laughing;

“I reckon you’d fit in just dandy up at the big house. Wriggle that little arse of yours about and who knows, you may even end up running the garage.”

Clive Perkins releases a dissuading guttural sound; he may agree with Greene perception of the lad even so he doesn’t wish to lose employment so close to retirement by mouthing off against Grady.

Greene is grinning;

“You know something Clive?”

“I know a few things Graeme; I guess you don’t reach sixty-four without picking up a couple of things in life, although the misses may disagree with that line of thought.”

“Young Toby – don’t you think he would look just dandy in a dress. Yea just dandy, paint his lips, a little rouge and he’d be a fun night out for his mates.”

It is now Clive’s turn to grin;

“Do you fancy the kid yourself Graeme?”

“Fuck off.”

Toby turns his back as he returns to his sweeping; he can feel their eyes piercing into the back of his skull, almost hear their grinning while he is waiting for continuation.

Toby breaks the building tension;

“I am almost finished boss.”

Greene stands and aims his empty beer can at a large rusting oil drum, it hits the inner rim and falls with a clatter with its mates.

“Go on kid, off you go that’s the lot for the day.”

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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