Published: 13 Feb 2020

If a day could be made to order, Saturday was that day. Billy picked up his fathers car and after returning for Lewis set off for the Tablelands. On reaching Atherton, Lewis suggested they journey to the lakes via Herberton, as he wanted to show Billy the hostel where he had spent much of his childhood.

Within a short time they were entering the small mining town, with Lewis giving his usual history lesson. Firstly up the steep hill to the school and a quick walk around its yards then to the shopping strip and its dozen or so shops before calling into Jacks Café for a milkshake and hamburger.

Somehow the town appeared smaller and the area dryer. Coming out of the green skirts of Atherton to the dusty streets of Herberton was like arriving in another country while the two town’s separation was only a matter of a few miles. Billy listened with interest to Lewis’ rendition of his past and wondered at the old hostel building as it slowly decayed from its boisterous past.

“Knowing you Lewis I can imagine what you got up to with all those boys,” Billy jested while slowly driving away from the forlorn forgotten tomb.

“Horseplay mate only horseplay,” Lewis answered as they left the town towards the green of the higher reaches of the tableland and the national parks around the two volcanic lakes.

“Which Lake?” Billy asked, passing the turn off for the volcanic crater.

“I reckon Echam is better than Barrine,” Lewis suggested remembering the many visits to Echam when he was at the hostel.

“Then Echam it will be. What was it like living at the Hostel?” Billy asked.

“I often thought I was almost an orphan.”

“You had your mother, I know Win to be quite a woman.” Billy said.

“She is but I often wondered what life would be like with brothers, sisters and a home with a father coming home after work and throwing a cricket ball before tea.” Lewis became quite bleak.

“I had all that so I guess I can’t realise where you are coming from. What happened with your father?” Billy asked.

“I never knew him, he was gone before childhood memory was formed and for many years I believed another man to be my dad.”

“You mean John?”

“No he arrived much later, I believe my real dad was a drunken no hoper and deserted us in Melbourne and mum met up with someone else before coming here to Queensland. I was all but two years old at the time.” Lewis paused and took a deep breath.

“Sorry I don’t mean to pry.”

“No worries, I don’t concern about it but the man who I thought was my father was as bad and mum left him in Torrens Creek.”

“Where’s that?”

“It’s out west; Hughenden way, they both worked on a sheep station for a while before moving into Torrens Creek township.”

“You once said you went to school there?”

“I did and had horses and often look back on those days with happy thoughts.”

“I’ve never been on a horse.”

“I’ve a question.”

“Yes, possibly I have an answer.”

“You know all about my hostel antics.”

“Some of them.”

“I assure you they were quite ordinary, when was the first time you – well you know.”

“Not like you to be lost for words Lewis.”

“Played around.”

“Ah, a fair question. The year I squirrel gripped your balls. I was on holiday camp and the joker I shared the tent got at me and called in others to witness the size of my dick.”

“How old were you?”

“Probably thirteen and going on fourteen, just before Ashley, that is more than likely why I allowed him.”

“Was there anything else before the army episode?” Lewis asked.

“It’s Mareeba; opportunity doesn’t come along that often. We’ve arrived but it appears to be somewhat crowded.” Billy commented as they turned off the main road.

The car park at Lake Echam was crowded with a number of tour buses. Not long previously they would almost have the lakes to themselves but now with the tourist industry finding North Queensland and especially the Atherton Tablelands they were migrating from Sydney and especially Melbourne in numbers to escape the cold weather, travelling north and renaming the region, for the sake of mystique, Far North Queensland.

“It’s a little crowded how about trying Barrine?” Billy suggested as he pulled into a vacant parking bay.

“Na, Barrine will be the same, I know a quiet spot around to the left, not many people go there and we used to skinny dip among the trees.”

Lewis lead the way past the diving platform and kiosk and the glen of fire flies, which flickered in electric blue and red to green in the darkness under the canopy of giant forest trees.

“I’ll show you something.” Lewis said on approaching a large grove of bamboo, some of which were as thick as a man’s thigh. He searched for a moment then found what he was looking for, “have a look at this.”

Carved into the thickest stand of bamboo were the words ‘Lyn Loves Lance.’

“Back at the Hostel Lance was my hero; he was a year older than I and had the same honey blond hair that you have.”

“So you only like me for my hair,” Billy protested, pretending to be hurt.

“No yours is much nicer but Lance and I did play around a little.” Lewis ran his finger downwards and read what was beneath, ‘and so do I.’ Lewis laughed,

“I added that and it was how I felt about him as well.”

“You didn’t sign it.”

“I can imagine what would have been the outcome if I did; I was the only Lewis at the Hostel.”

“True, so it was horseplay?” Billy commented.

“Well with Lance it was a little more than horseplay, I was sixteen and he seventeen,” Lewis paused, “and we tried to root each other, I almost managed to enter him but he was too dry and it hurt me more that it did Lance. I was so excited and nervous I couldn’t even raise a spit to lubricate.”

“You dirty little bugger.”

“Puppy love I guess,” Lewis protested.

“Woof,” Billy made light.

“There was quite a lot of woofing going on in those days.”

“So you were inclined towards the darker side even then?” Billy suggested.

For a moment Lewis thought, realising until that moment he believed it was only horseplay, growing up and experimenting but in truth it was love and love for a boy not a girl, he had been gay all the while and could not, would not recognise so. He refrained from answering.

At some distance from the grove of bamboo, Lewis led the way off the track and down a slight incline to arrive at the lake’s edge, to where a small shallow backwater joined the deep blackness of the lake.

“I haven’t been past the main area before, can you walk all the way around?” Billy asked, removing his shoes and stepping into the cooling water.

“Na the track ends a little past those large trees.” Lewis answered, pointing to a grove of forest trees a little way from where they were, “want to have a swim?”

Without answering and in unison they both stripped then waded into the shallows, feeling the temperate water attack their privates which sent their balls to seek shelter from their withering sacks.

“Hey Lewis it’s about time we were seen out socialising, you know having a chat and a drink, all those blokie things.” Billy suggested as he drifted far out into the deeper waters of the lake, then with a few powerful strokes return to stand beside Lewis, “would have to be a slow process, what do you think?”

Lewis agreed and asked how it should be done.

“I don’t know but it would have to be gradual, maybe within a group of friends or a party or something,” Billy again drifted out into the deeper water, this time further out above the five hundred foot or so depths of black cold water then powerfully stroked his returned.

“You’re a good swimmer?” Lewis praised as Billy returned.

“I have swum across this lake and back but that was years ago,” he answered.

“How about Barrine, it’s bigger?”

“That as well, I was in the swimming club at school and they often brought us here for practice, I once held the Queensland record for the one hundred meter freestyle.”

“Why didn’t you go to the Olympics?”

“Na, I wasn’t that good, come the trials two in New South Wales and one in Victoria beet my record by almost a full second and I never reached it again, so I gave swimming a miss.”

“Still, in my mind that is more than good.”

You didn’t answer my question on socialising?”

“I agree but I worry more about your reputation than mine. I don’t have one,” Lewis laughed.

“Reputations can come and go. One moment you’re a rooster the next a feather duster.”

“Which one are you Will?”

“Neither I don’t really give a fuck about myself but I don’t want to destroy my family.”

“I think my reputation’s already a feather duster, fulla’ chook feathers.” Lewis laughed.

“Hungry?” Billy asked returning to the grassy bank and dressing, “I don’t like the kiosk here much, how about getting something at Greasy Joe’s fish and chips in Atherton?”

On the return to Atherton, Billy pulled into the Curtain Fig Tree near Yungaburra as although he had lived most of his life around the tableland he had never seen it and Lewis having the aptitude of a frustrated tour guide was only too happy to explain its existence.

On viewing the vale of roots descending from the strangler fig Billy shook his head in disbelief, commenting he couldn’t understand why people became so excited about it. To him it was just a tree with a lot of aerial roots and he had had more roots than it had.

“You haven’t rooted me,” Lewis said in jest as they turned to leave.

“Give me time mate; I’m working up to it.”

Billy’s statement made Lewis’ sphincter pucker, remembering after trying it on with his ginger friend and Lance’s failed attempt to enter him back at Herberton and Billy was twice the size of Lance. He therefore decided in this instance silence was valour.

Fish and Chips always tasted better from newspaper wrapping, possibly the addition of printer’s ink and seated outside the shop they hungrily devoured their share.

“Hey Lewis Smith what are you doing back in Atherton?” The voice sounded familiar and came from behind. Turning Lewis discovered Stephen, the son of the lady he boarded with when Winnie and John had the farm at Barron Bridge and later the shop in Atherton. As usual Stephen appeared a little worse for wear.

“Only passing through Stephen, that’s all.”

“I thought you were in Melbourne?”

“Was – what about you?”

“The old woman kicked me out, said I was a bad influence on my sisters.” Stephen appeared indifferent towards his eviction, “shacked up with Trish Edwards in Wilson Street.”

“I remember Trish but am surprised she would go for you.”

“Charm mate, that’s what it is.”

Stephen was the original rebellious kid who hated school and any level of authority, especially from his mother. In the year Lewis had boarded with the family, Stephen’s character had disintegrated into one of alcohol and cigarettes, defying any curfew placed on him, while at night taking to the town, mixing with Atherton’s worse, dressing in his rebellious tight black denim pants, greased hair and pointed shoes that could encourage winkles from their shells. Now except for the premature ageing and change in dress style, although supporting the same greased hair, he was much the same person, while still without work and living on the edge of rebellion.

“Stephen meet -;” but before Lewis could introduce Will, Stephen cut him short,

“I’ll be buggered, Billy McKee, well mate I know a certain barmaid here in Atherton who is so pissed off with you, she’d chew off ya’ balls!” Stephen said as he offered his hand.

“So that certain barmaid still has charm for me?”

“Hey I’m heading to the pub want to come for a couple?” Steve released his grip and stole a hand full of chips from Lewis’ portion, “that certain barmaid is there and would love to be reacquainted with you.” he said to Billy as he departed.

“No thanks, we’ll have to give it a miss I have to get the car back to my old man,” Billy answered as Steve departed.

“Suit your self, see ya Lewis,” and Steve was gone.

Billy was down on his knees in front of the large sideboard rummaging through its contents.

“What are you looking for?” Lewis enquired while admiring the view of Billy’s well formed rear as it moved from left to right, then up and down.

“Just curious.”

“You’re not looking for Ashley’s porn collection are you?”

“Maybe.”

“Now who’s the dirty bugger? You won’t find them in there”

“Ok where are they?” Billy said, becoming frustrated with his searching.

Lewis beckoned with his finger and lead Billy to the washhouse, where in a corner he lifted up some loose floor boards, retrieving a large metal container, which he dumped before Billy, “go for it.” Quickly Billy lifted the case and returned to the living room. It was locked.

“Key,” Billy demanded holding out his hand and clicking his fingers.

The key was on the ring with the house keys, which Lewis handed to Billy, telling him to find it.

“You’re bloody enjoying this aren’t you?” Billy complained, then after a number of tries had the case open. Inside he discovered countless reels of Super-8 films, all in cardboard boxes with pictures describing the storyline on their covers.

“Shit where do you start?” Billy gasped; “have you seen all these?”

“Only a couple, trouble is if you stay long enough to watch them, you end up with your dick down Ashley’s throat, so its best to decline.”

“Want to watch one?” Billy suggested sheepishly.

“With you I’d love to,” Lewis answered, kneeling with Billy beside the box as Billy read some of the titles out aloud.

“Do you want straight or gay?” Lewis suggested.

“Dunno, maybe big tits.”

“This one has big tits,” Said Lewis picking up one of the titles.

“Na she’s ugly, how about one with a couple of blokes for a laugh?”

Lewis searched through the box and retrieved a film that had two naked men on the container, both thin and hairy with moustaches, naked and smiling their intent.

“This one?”

“That will do, can you use the projector?”

“Sure.”

Lewis set up the screen then fed the reel into the projector. Soon he had numbers and circles and spots, flickering on the white screen and as the titles appeared he doused the lights and sat beside Billy.

The story line was simple, two naked men all over each other and within seconds, without foreplay, were jockeying for who was going to be the jockey. One was blond and hairy, while the other had black hair and was equally fury, then the dark headed star came behind the other and rammed his tongue into the rear of the willing blond who released a loud moan, then without notice reversed the issue. Turning the black headed star onto his stomach and drawing him up onto his knees he rammed his digit home. Straight up the back passage, without even knocking.

“What do you think of that?” Billy was finding humour in the film rather than sexual stimulation.

“They aren’t the most pleasant of fellers’,” Lewis admitted.

“Sorry Lewis on seeing porn, it doesn’t do a lot for me.”

Lewis switched off the projector and fed through a straight film.

After another twenty minute film of a second set of Scandinavian so called stars doing the same thing as the previous, Billy decided to try one of the straight films in the collection. There was one on Lesbians that Ashley used as bait for his heterosexual prey, to which Billy didn’t show interest. He didn’t mind the ladies but it was more fun with a free swing set of balls and a stiff dick, so they settled on a film with one female and two males, both were hung like pit ponies and soon mounted her at the same time.

“Ouch,” Billy cringed as the two entered together, one in each orifice.

“That is something I would never thought of,” Lewis admitted.

“And I believed I was well seasoned.” Billy actually appeared shocked.

“Does that getya’ going?” Lewis asked.

“Not a great deal, I’ve had so much real stuff I guess film can’t make the grade. I think I’ve seen enough.”

Lewis turned off the projector and returned the films to their hide.

“So what do you think?” Lewis asked

“It does encourage me to take you to the bedroom,” Billy smirked, yawned and progressed towards the bedroom, “coming?” Lewis needed no encouragement and followed.

“Want to try something?” Billy asked with his clothes already on the floor and his body between the sheets.

“Depends.” Lewis answered cautiously.

“Come on,” Billy patted the bed and winked at Lewis as he undressed.

“Again what?”

“Penetration,” Billy said with a smile.

“Bum-jumping!” Lewis answered, remembering what they call such an act during his hostel days.

“Call it what you like but do you want to try?” Billy said while running his hand slowly down Lewis’ chest across his stomach to encircle his already erect member.

“I don’t know; you’re pretty big down there.”

“I’m not that big, besides you can try it on me first,” Billy suggested.

Lewis immediately commenced giggling with nervous disposition. It was a fact that he often gazed relentlessly at the perfection of Billy’s rear and wondered what it would be like to enter there but never thought the chance would be offered. Nor would he have asked to do so, a degree of taboo existed and the act of male penetration was thought to be the barrier between being homosexual and horseplay. Lewis was now before that barrier and if it were any one else but Billy suggesting the crossing, he would have been abhorred.

Without waiting for an answer Billy rolled onto his stomach, while Lewis remained stilted on his haunches. “Don’t leave it all night or I may change my mind.” Said Billy impatiently as Lewis moved slowly between the wide opened legs of his friend and attempted to part the two alabaster mounds.

“I’ll need a crowbar to get in there.”

“You won’t be going any where dry,” Billy said and reached to the bedside table, retrieving a small jar of Vaseline which he handed back to Lewis without turning, “use this and take it slowly.”

“You sure were prepared,” Lewis commented and unscrewed the lid as Billy released the vice that held his mounds together, allowing Lewis to part them and view that what previously was most private. Lewis gently laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Billy complained.

“I’ve never seen anyone’s bum hole before.”

“Not even your own?”

“It’s a bit difficult without a mirror and I’ve never had the interest to do so.”

“You said you tried at school with that Lance fella’.”

“It was dark.”

“Do you want the light out?”

“No way.”

Billy remained silent while Lewis slowly applied the grease to the willing entrance and worked a measure internally, Billy’s muscles tightened around his finger, he paused and retracted, “am I hurting you?” Lewis asked.

“No are you in?”

“It was only the tip of my finger.”

“I thought you had shrunk,” Billy laughed.

Slowly Lewis drew closer, his dick resting against entry, he moved a little forward and felt resistance against his advance. He halted for an instant and nervously applied gentle pressure as the grease took effect and he felt the resistance give. Billy flinched but remained silent as the stiffness passed the barrier. Lewis paused as his entire body shook with pleasure, then lay motionless across Billy’s powerful back afraid to move unless he climaxed.

“Sorry.” He apologised and remained motionless.

“It’s okay, keep going.” Billy answered then commenced to massage Lewis’ erection from inside using his sphincter muscle, giving Lewis maximum pleasure without having to move. Lewis felt a closeness that he thought impossible and was at one with his friend.

“Does that hurt?” Lewis whispered.

“Not really, a little uncomfortable I guess. How does it feel for you?”

“All I can say is if you keep doing what you’re doing I’ll, to late.” Lewis gasped as he felt warmth flow into warmth and was spent.

They lay locked together until softness brought Lewis from his mount and as Billy rolled over, Lewis collapsed onto Billy’s chest, listening to his heartbeat as it came back to regularity.

“Now it’s my turn.” Billy declared and placed his hands on Lewis’ buttocks parting them.

“Aaah!” was all that Lewis could contribute to the conversation and was relieved with Billy’s promise of another night and request for a hand job instead.

“You know Billy I wish these few weeks would never end,” Lewis sighed as they lay together in the darkness.

“They will but things will work out, you worry too much.”

“You keep saying that.”

“Then believe me, it will.” Billy paused, “but one thing, although we spoke of it, I don’t know if I’m ready to relate out friendship to family and friends just yet,” he again paused, “don’t think that means I’m growing cold on you, it’s quite the opposite but more to the point, I’m not sure how to go about it.” Billy lay silent for a time then continued. “I know we agreed to start socialising and maybe that’s the way, slowly with friends at the pub and things like that,” another pause, “what do you think?”

“I’ll have to let you lead on that one Will.”

“Suppose it’s the best way but not just yet,” Billy sighed.

“Especially with Trevor sticking his nose in.”

“Bugger Trevor, if he keeps it up, I’ll knock his flaming block off!”

“Yes I guess that’s the way.” Lewis answered as confidence crept back into his psyche.

“Yep that’s the way, it will work out, now get to sleep,” Billy declared as he drew Lewis close.

It was during the second week while doing the dishes Lewis noticed movement in the shadows outside the kitchen window. He called Billy, who suggested it was only the cat from two houses down, as it was always hanging round Ashley’s place. “Cats are like that,” he said with a measure of authority.

“Like what.”

“You mentioned Ashley hates cats and cats sense it and hang around to piss you off.”

Lewis didn’t think so, what caught his eye appeared to be too high and he imagined he had seen a face. He also believed he recognised the face but as quickly his recognition had gone and only the shadows remained.

Lewis continued to watch the shadows as he completed the dishes, then curiosity controlled his actions and he went outside, following down the side of the house to where he believed he had seen motion. On reaching the walkway beyond the kitchen window, he thought he heard the front gate latch click but on reaching the gate, there wasn’t anyone in sight along the street.

“Will I am sure I saw someone outside the window,” Lewis assured on returning to the kitchen but he couldn’t convince Billy, who sat reading his car magazine.

Lewis wasn’t swayed by his friend’s negativity nor was he prepared to spend the night worrying about shadows. After the dishes he joined Billy on the couch but not before he descended the blind above the kitchen sink.

“Are you thinking of getting a car?” Lewis asked as Billy homed in on a foreign vehicle, running a finger along its design.

“Dad has promised me the Jaguar at the end of the year.”

“Nice car.”

“Dunno’, it chews threw the petrol and is always going out of tune, you need to be a mechanic to own it, besides my brother wants it.”

“Which brother is that?” Lewis asked believing at last he had opportunity to extract Billy’s secret.

“The younger Calvin and no Lewis I’m not yet prepared to say more on that subject.”

“Nearly gotya’”

“Nearly nothing;”

“I’ve given up on getting another for the moment,” Lewis admitted while taking on the character of boredom as he was never a car minded person.

“You look bored,” Billy discarded his magazine.

“Not really, I was thinking who could have been in the yard.” Lewis sat along the couch resting his feet in Billy’s lap, “want to watch some of Ashley’s films?”

“Are you getting randy?”

“Not the pawn, one of his old movies.”

Billy thought for a moment then gave a wide grin, “nope I’ve something else in mind.”

“And what may that be Will McKee?”

“It must be my turn.”

It was true, seeing Billy had been the receiver of Lewis’ pleasure on a number of occasions that week, it was only fair the reverse action occurred and Billy had decided this would be the night.

Lewis felt a cold chill overcome him. He knew sooner or later he would have to allow Billy passage but at the same time hoped it would never eventuate. Mentally he was eager, believing the act would full circle their relationship but Billy’s appendage was almost twice that of his.

“You will take it easy?”

“Come on, I’ll be as gentle as a lamb.” Billy took Lewis’ arm and led him to the bedroom, while wearing the biggest grin of assumption he could exhibit.

“Yea a lamb to the slaughter,” Lewis mumbled but felt ready to accommodate the unknown.

“I Promise, come on.”

Gary’s stories are all about what life in Australia was like for a homosexual man (mostly, long 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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