Published: 29 Oct 2020

While designing the final plan to there departure, Calvin had one more visit he needed to make and that was his Grandmother, now at a retirement home in Tully. When this was conveyed to Lewis he appeared somewhat troubled.

“Oh,” Lewis gasped.

“What appears to be the prob?”

“If you visit your grandmother, then I’m coming with you,” Lewis insisted.

“Why,”

“The last I saw of Will was as he drove away to visit your grandmother, the accident was on his return. I’m not tempting fate, if it happens again I’m going over the mountain as well.”

“Lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same spot.” Calvin assured.

“Still I’m not tempting it, I can wait at the local pub if you like but no matter what you say, I am coming with you.”

“I’d be proud to show you off to Granny McKee.”

“So that is settled.”

With a little over a week before departure Lewis introduced Calvin to his mother and she appeared satisfied he wasn’t the ratbag she feared.

“So mother of mine I suppose we should be heading back to Mareeba,” Lewis declared after that final and lengthy visit. Winnie was obviously distressed with his leaving but as she had left Melbourne many years before, believing one day her son would return there, she realised it was a forgone conclusion.

“You look after him Calvin,” She said with a knowing tone as they departed.

“I promise Mrs. Smith,” Calvin declared in his deep masculine voice giving Winnie confidence in the man.

“I like your mother; do you think she suspects anything between us?” Calvin asked on the return journey.

“She is a very astute woman and probably does but would never say so or appreciate being told. Most mothers want their sons to marry and have children of their own.” Lewis answered somewhat seriously as the emotion of seeing his mother, possibly for the last time, become apparent. Calvin realised Lewis’ plight and assured him there would be plenty of holidays.

“I suppose so,”

“Besides we’ll call by on our way south, not forgetting we have a kid of our own to care for now.” Calvin added.

“Yes and a very handsome young fellow at that,” Lewis laughed “Almost as handsome as his father and his uncle.”

On returning home from visiting his mother, Lewis was surprised by a letter from Bob Kelly who had heard of his intended travel from Lewis’ correspondence to Ivy. Bob admitted being pleased with his decision to follow his dream, saying it was bout time, also assuring Horse was doing well and her foals growing at speed. It was the last line of the letter that lifted Lewis’ mood with the mention that once settled in Melbourne with his man, to contact and although Melbourne was at the arse end of the world, he would visit.

That final Saturday they arranged to visit Wayne, so after collecting a basket of things a young lad would like and wish to share, they left Will with a neighbour and headed for Herberton for their farewell visit.

“What’s happening?” Wayne asked as he jumped into the back seat of the car.

“Where do you want to go this time?” Calvin asked.

“Lake Eacham swimming and I have my togs.” Wayne waved his faded red swimwear around his head hitting Calvin on the back of the head.

“Oops sorry.”

“No worries – I thought you would want to go swimming so we brought ours this time.”

Lewis turned in his seat, “That basket of stuff is for you and we have some news.”

“What’s that?” Wayne asked as the smile dissolved from his face. He didn’t much like news as it always seemed to be bad.

“Calvin and I are leaving to live in Melbourne next week.”

“No!” The lad was on the verge of tears which brought Lewis to the brink of joining him as so often over his youth he had been the recipient of such news.

“You’ll be alright you will be living in Mareeba with your mother.” Lewis declared not realising that Wayne had not yet received his mother’s letter.

“When?” Wayne asked in disbelief.

“Haven’t you received a letter?”

“No!”

“Sorry I received the news two days back,” Lewis now felt bad for disclosing what Ivy had related to him.

“You’re not kidding me?”

“It’s a fact and don’t go telling your mother I let the cat out of the bag, okay.”

With that, the bad new of Lewis leaving was light weight compared with Wayne’s pending departure from the hostel and his excitement level remained constant through out the day.

“I’ll have to change schools?” Wayne realised.

“Mareeba has a good high school,” Calvin assured.

“I won’t know anyone,” Now losing his friends of some years became apparent to Wayne and shock set in.”

“I know a couple of kids your age, I’ll have them look after you,” Calvin promised.

Once parked at Eacham they advanced to the shower block to change into their togs and as Lewis and Calvin stripped Wayne watched with a broad grin, which Calvin couldn’t help but notice.

“What are you waiting for aren’t you going swimming?” He asked.

“He’s waiting to take a look at our dicks.” Lewis said as he stripped to his underwear.

“Well I suppose we are all men of the world,” Calvin admitted and was naked before the lad, followed by Lewis. Wayne’s mouth fell open as Calvin’s underwear hit the floor displaying the biggest member that Wayne had encountered overhanging two goose sized eggs all surrounded by a mass of curly honey-blond hair but as quickly it all disappeared from display into his swimming wear with a ‘tut tut’ and a shaking of Calvin’s head.

“Are you coming swimming?” Calvin asked as he and Lewis commenced to leave the shower block.

“Can’t.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’ve got a fat!” Wayne complained in a pitched voice.

“That’s your problem come on, haven’t got all day.”

Wayne tucked his erection away as best he could and followed and seeing there wasn’t anyone else around he disregarded the tell tale bulge that snaked across his upper leg, to which both Lewis and Calvin laughed.

“Can we go skinny dipping around the lake?” Wayne suggested.

“No you’ve seen more than enough for one day.” Lewis rebuffed.

After their swim they visited Atherton for fish and chips which they consumed while parked at the outflow at the Tinaroo Dam. It was then Wayne once more returned to his questioning.

“You didn’t answer me on your last visit, are you two bum-jumping?” he asked with a supercilious grin.

“Do you bum-jump your mates at the hostel?” Calvin enquired smiling at the terminology while asking Lewis where the term came from.

“Don’t rightly know but it was in use where I was there as well.” Lewis explained.

“Well are you?” Wayne insisted.

“What do you think – should I?” Lewis asked of Calvin.

“May as well.” Calvin answered.

“Wayne what word do you use for blokes who do that?” Lewis asked the lad.

“Poofters I suppose.” He answered.

“Does that worry you being called a poofter?”

“It’s only a word,” Wayne admitted.

“Alright then in your word yes Calvin and I are in partnership does that shock you?” Lewis sounded serious as he decanted the truth.

“Na I always knew it anyway.”

“What about yourself?” Calvin asked.

“I suppose I’ll be a poof when I’m older but now its just mucking about we don’t really bum-jump.” Wayne sounded serious as he shared his sexuality.

“Are you this open with your school mates?” Calvin enquired.

“Shit no, you would never hear the end of it.” Wayne paused then with a begging tone continued. “I don’t suppose we all could -”

“No!” Lewis and Calvin declared in unison realising what Wayne was about to ask.

“Okay well one day when I leave school.”

“And a few more years as well,” Lewis quickly corrected.

“I’ll come back to Melbourne and visit you.

“Back to Melbourne?” Calvin questioned.

“Yes Wayne is also from Melbourne.” Lewis related then with a thought he turned in his seat to Wayne. “I suppose I am now handing the title of the stay behind kid over to you Wayne. As for visiting, you will be welcome anytime but get your schooling over with first and do the right thing by your mother.”

Departure came slowly for Lewis as there were many farewells to perform, most for bragging rites as if to prove what he had always announced was fact and not wishful thinking.

During his return from visiting Gladys King and thanking Gladys for her kindness when he was almost destitute, Lewis happened to chance upon his old adversary in the guise of Trevor Davies. Lewis was passing the Royal Hotel as Trevor commenced to enter, on spying Lewis he paused.

“Smith,” Davies snarled and waited for Lewis’ approach.

“Trevor Davies, how are you these days?”

“No better for you breaking me fucken’ nose.”

“It looks straight enough,” Lewis attempted to make light. A burning question then came to mind and one that most needed an answer. Lewis drew serious, took a breath and asked. “There is a rumour circulating you cut the break line on Will’s car?”

“You can’t believe everything you hear,” Davies answered with a grin of guilt.

“Well did you?”

Trevor growled and took a forward step. He faltered. “I hear you’re kicking around with Calvin McKee.”

“I wouldn’t say kicking but have you got Calvin on your hate list as well.”

“Ya fucken’ poofters,” Davies muttered and entered without further offer.

“And a good day to you as well,” Lewis lightly smiled and continued on his way. ‘Now that’s one fellow I won’t regret leaving behind,’ he thought.

With the car packed and both more than eager to be on their way, Lewis had one last duty and that was to Will, directing Calvin to the cemetery. Calvin wasn’t one for ceremony and in his words, the shrine for Will was in his head and there wasn’t any need to honour the earth where his brother’s remains lay. Lewis still wished to stand by the grave with a few departing words.

“Would you like me to stand with you?” Calvin asked as he parked.

“Only if you want to but I think I’d rather do so alone.”

“I said my goodbye at his bedside, best I wait in the car; for you it is private.”

Will’s grave stone gleamed stark in the morning sun as Lewis stood silently remembering the good times they had shared. What foremost came to mind was the day they came out to each other and how clumsy they had been. He remembered catching the barramundi and the weekends away. He remembered house sitting and clandestine meetings along the Barron river bank in Mareeba and how proud he felt as Will drove away on the last visit to his grandmother and how devastated he had been that night on receiving the news of the accident.

“It will be okay,” the words came to mind, Lewis gave a smile.

“They have turned out okay,” Lewis spoke.

“I still love you Will,”

“But I also love Calvin,”

“I hope you don’t mind.”

Lewis drew in a deep breath and prepared to leave. As he did so he sunk both hand into his pockets. There was something there. It felt smooth and cold against his touch. Withdrawing it he remembered the agate he had found in Gilbert sand as he departed the cairn. It was to be his keepsake for his stay at Gilbert Downs. He leaned forward and placed the stone on Will’s grave and took a second deep breath.

“Look after Will for me,” he said without understanding what his words may mean. Lewis turned and walked away, he was walking towards a new future and one he knew would turn out okay.

After surviving Calvin’s final visit to his Grandmother they were gone. Each stop along the way was a holiday in itself, while with each stop Lewis became more attached to Calvin and by the time they reached Sydney he could see a beautiful future in Melbourne.

Young Will took to the trip with as much excitement a three year old could. He had never seen the ocean before and was fascinated with it. With each wave that met the sand he would laugh loudly and wait impatiently for the next. He had also taken to calling both Lewis and Calvin daddy which made them proud but they had decided from the first to always let him know the full story of his life. Of his Aboriginal mother and his handsome father who was taken by the mountain and if he wished at a future time be in contact with Mary White that would also be acceptable.

“You do realise aborigines don’t throw-back.” Calvin admitted regarding to the boy’s bloodline.

“What does that mean?”

“After two hundred years they haven’t and if they marry white their kids become whiter and not once has a coloured baby been born to a believed white couple with native background.”

“Where is that leading?” Lewis asked.

“Young Will, I think he should know of his aboriginality right from the start, as if he eventually marries it may be important.”

“I agree.”

Calving gave a grin, “he will have a leg in both camps and should be proud of it.”

“What if he turns out like his father and uncle, it appears to run in your family.”

“As it obviously does so in yours?” Calvin argued.

“No I believe I’m the only one, all my cousins have either married young or are engaged.”

“Then if he does so, we will have to guide him well.”

Reaching Sydney Lewis directed Calvin to Randwick. “Did you know John Ashley when he was in Mareeba?” Lewis asked Calvin as he parked the car outside of Ashley’s house with concern they were arriving unannounced.

“Only his voice on the radio and some from Will,” Calvin admitted.

“Yes he can be somewhat effeminate but harmless enough and would do anything for you,” Lewis assured as they walked to Ashley’s door.

The door opened and on seeing Calvin holding young Will Ashley’s mouth fell open.

“Good grief Will McKee!” He gasped feeling the blood dissipate from his face, to be replaced by a prickling sensation.

“No mate Will’s younger brother.” Calvin smiled.

“Lewis what are you doing down here, come in, come in and I’ll make you a cup of tea or something, and I think I’ll need something stronger.” Ashley showed them to the lounge then disappeared into the kitchen to boil the kettle. Returning he demanded the entire story and received it from Lewis.

“I thought Will had a younger brother?” Ashley asked believing the man before him could not be so.

“He did I am the younger by eleven minutes but other than that identical.”

“And the young fellow?”

“His mother was part Aboriginal and Will was the father and she didn’t want him.” Calvin paused, “so he’s now ours; that is if anyone can own another.”

“Are you two an item?”

“Sure are and that is another long story.” Lewis proudly answered, “how’s Peter?”

“He’s visiting family up at Byron but I don’t think he will be returning.” Ashley admitted without displaying regret.

“I guess you miss him.”

“Not really he is far to animated for me, I like the quite life. Now come on out with it, what’s the story of you two?”

The stay with Ashley extended into a month then Calvin declared he was becoming eager to return to Melbourne and show Lewis their home, so they once more packed the car and after a lengthy farewell with Ashley took the Hume highway out of Sydney.

“Home State, “Lewis declared as they crossed the Murray River at Albury, then his happy tone brought voice to young Will.

“Home,” the lad repeated.

“Yes Will we are home,”

“I love you Daddies,” he said from the back seat and hugged the back of Lewis’ neck.

“We love you too Will.” Calvin answered and smiled at Lewis.

“And I love you too Calvin.” Lewis freely admitted.
 
 

THE END……………

Gary’s stories are all about what life in Australia was like for a homosexual man (mostly, before we used the term, “gay”). Email Gary to let him know you are reading: Gary dot Conder at CastleRoland dot Net

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