Published: 20 Feb 2020

Trevor had been away from work for most of the week while his absence did much too enforced Lewis’ realisation he didn’t much appreciate him and if it weren’t for the fact they worked together, he would never associate. Trevor was vulgar and unforgiving without an ounce of charity, while his utter hatred towards Billy was devouring his sensibility. It could be said he was out of control and totally odious but Lewis knew that while at work he would be courteous to his workmate for the sake of peace but was not looking forward to Trevor’s return on the following Monday.

The weekend came and once again Billy borrowed his father’s car and the two drove down to Cairns, where they booked into a hotel. The room had two single beds but at night they drew them together, strapping the legs with their belts to keep them from parting. Come the morning they once again return to the single position giving the impression of heterosexuality in its purist form.

Saturday found them at Green Island and swimming in its warm clear waters, while that night they visited the Criterion Hotel for a few drinks and then to the Railway Hotel and after to the Great Northern, thus by bed time they were in no state to do anything except sleep.

Late Sunday morning the two were almost caught in bed together, when the maid came to service the room. Fortunately Billy had latched the door before retiring the previous night. She tried the chain waking both with a start.

“Hang on I’m not dressed,” Billy called while springing from the bed, then with Lewis’ help and as quietly as possible separated the beds but realising their look of guilt burst into laughter as they quickly dressed and gave the maid entry.

She appeared confused, thinking the humour was directed at her.

“Sorry love, it was a private joke,” Billy apologised.

“Not on me I hope?” The maid answered suggesting she could return later to service the room.

“No my mate has a wacky sense of humour, stay we’ll be out soon.”

“No I’ll leave you to your privacy and return later.” She was gone.

“That was close,” Lewis admitted.

“It would have certainly given her something to tell her grandkids – want first shower?”

By the time they had showered and breakfasted, the sun was high and hot. It was Lewis’ idea to visit Crystal Springs, some distance towards the mountains behind Cairns on their return journey. He had been there previously and remembered its cool running waters and rock pools and being early Billy didn’t wish to arrive home until that night, as to utilise as much of the day as possible.

On their arrival at the springs and after Lewis had twice lost their way, having to enquire directions from a service station, they found the park deserted.

“Of course you have heard the story about the springs?” Lewis suggested as they walked along the low grassy bank of one of the rock pools. Billy had not, which gave Lewis opportunity to narrate his ken for history.

“Its only a story mind you.”

“Okay out with it and none of your usual stalling,” Billy pretended to be interested but was more so with waterfall some distance up the small valley.

“Well it goes something like this.” Then true to form Lewis stalled the story, only to be impatiently prompted to continue.

“There were two from the local native tribe who were in love.”

“A bloke and a sheila or is it to be one of your grubby hostel stories,” Billy cut in.

“Yea a bloke and a sheila, both young and in love but they couldn’t be partnered.”

“Why?” Billy investigated.

“Never mind the why; probably because they were from different totems or something, I don’t remember that part.” Lewis paused but continued before he was again given the hurry up, “well for some reason the girl came here to Crystal Springs and somehow she drowned.” As Lewis gave rendition Billy tested the water with his hand and instantly Lewis pulled him back.

“What’s you problem?” Billy complained.

“I haven’t finished the story yet and when I’m through you may think better of sticking your hand in there.”

“What are there crocs?”

“No crocs.”

“Then hurry up the sun is going down,” Billy protested. His windup was successful and Lewis continued.

“Well the boy came looking for his girlfriend and found her lifeless body wasted and washed to the bank, where he buried her.”

“I didn’t think Aborigines buried bodies?” Billy queried.

“This lot did, anyway her spirit remained in the waters and pined for love and one day when the boyfriend was swimming in the water, she pulled him down to be with her,” Lewis tried to make his story as mysterious as possible but it wasn’t working.

“And that’s it?”

“Hang on I haven’t finished. So from then to now any young and unmarried boy who chances to swim in the springs is pulled down by her spirit to satisfy her loneliness.”

“You believe all that?” Billy asked as he returned his hand to the cool running water.

“No but it is a good story and there has been quite a number of young drownings here.”

“Anyway it can’t happen to me.”

“Why can’t it?”

Billy’s face burst wide with smile as he slowly shook his head, “I’m not a young single boy; I have you.”

The Monday found Trevor back at work but his attitude hadn’t improved. He still talked constantly about tits and fucking and his latest conquests, in fact his smut appeared to have stepped up a notch and had certain viciousness about it, almost as if it was directed at Lewis himself.

That lunch break Trevor didn’t offer to sit under the Mango Trees but remained in the work lunch room, where Lewis joined him.

“Where were you last week?” Lewis asked over a chicken sandwich he had purchased from the stores delicatessen, believing it had all the quality of soggy cardboard.

“Atherton, my Grandmother was dying so we all went up there to see her off.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Lewis sympathised.

“Don’t be she was a nasty, smelly old bitch.” Trevor paused, “what did you do the weekend before last?” He asked accusingly.

“Not a lot, the usual.”

“You were up in Atherton,” Trevor accused.

“As a matter of fact I was; I went up to the lakes with a friend,” Lewis answered as a cold wave of fear enveloped his equilibrium, “how do you know that?”

“I just told you I was up in Atherton and I happened to be in the pub when Stephen Reynolds came in.”

“You know Stephen?” Lewis asked somewhat surprised.

“I went to school with him in Atherton; he and the barmaid were talking and Steve mentioned he saw Billy McKee outside the fish shop, feeding his stupid face with chips; boy did she go off.”

“So?”

“So I went outside to see and what did I see but you and he chatting like old mates.”

If there was a time to back peddle this was it but Lewis had no where to peddle to. All he could offer was they had met at the Royal a couple of weeks back and found some common ground and built on it. Trevor wasn’t buying any of it and seemed like one betrayed.

“Maybe so but there is more,” Trevor glanced at the lunch room clock, “its time to be back to work.”

What do you mean more?” Lewis asked as they disposed of their waste.

“I’ve been back in Mareeba since last Tuesday but the boss, who’s a friend of my dad’s, gave me the week off to get over grandma, who I was over before the old bat died but I still took the offer.”

“What has that to do with anything?” Lewis was becoming annoyed with Trevor’s interfering and could feel anger mounting, almost to the point of lashing out but he held back, knowing doing so wouldn’t prove anything, as once Trevor was set on anything he was unswayable.

“I get around.” Trevor said as they left the lunch room. It was obvious he was savouring his torturing of Lewis and would do so in instalments, thus nothing more was said on the subject that day or the next.

Back at Ashley’s that night Lewis related his conversation with Trevor to Billy, who appeared to be less concerned than anticipated.

“Well that is one way of declaring our association,” he admitted with a sigh and returned to his magazine, “I see Ford has a new model,” he added and turned the page, “can’t afford one,” he concluded and closed the magazine, “Lewis you worry far too much for your years.”

“I am only thinking of you.”

“And I appreciate you’re concern but if out is out, then we have to live with it. Besides being seen together in Atherton by an idiot like Trevor Davies doesn’t amount to much.”

Lewis appreciated the wisdom of Billy’s opinion but remained wary, besides, there was the night he thought he had seen something outside the kitchen window and the more he thought of it, the more he imagined he had seen a face, then it was gone from his thoughts, leaving him to keep the blinds descended while they were together at nights and an ear to any sounds coming from the garden.

From the darkness of the night and as sleep dissolved the events of the day, Lewis gave a gentle sigh, bringing Billy’s arm across his chest.

“Ashley is back this weekend,” Lewis said and moved closer into Billy’s cuddle.

“I know.”

“I don’t want this week to end.”

“Didn’t you say Ashley has agreed that we can meet in the Bungalow?”

Billy reminded.

“That’s not the same as living together.”

“That time will come; you will have to be patient,” Billy removed his arm and reclining back cupped his hands behind his head, “I have an idea.” he smirked.

“What would that be?”

“As we are both awake,” Billy took control of Lewis’ hand and placed it around an already erect member, “go for it.”

Ashley’s return was a day earlier than expected, so Billy and Lewis suggested they use the bungalow for the night, giving Ashley access to his bedroom. The bungalow had only a single bed, which they exchanged for a three quarter sized bed, from the second bedroom that had been used to store the owner’s furniture. It was somewhat cramped but neither minded; besides as Lewis suggested it brought them closer together.

That evening Billy and Ashley were unified in polite conversation for the first time in some years. To Ashley’s surprise Billy wasn’t the person he credited him to be, observing sensibility in him that only the experience of adulthood could create.

The following morning both Billy and Lewis departed for their work in sober attitude, knowing on return they would collect their belongings and return to their individual abodes, only to meet occasionally in the bungalow as arranged. What grieved Lewis most of all was they would no longer be, as he called it, playing house, with Billy doing the cooking and he the cleaning with Billy relaxing naturally on the couch with his magazines. Still as Billy had said, that time would come and patience’s would have to rule the day.

By the time Lewis had completed work and returned for his belongings Billy was already there talking to Ashley in the kitchen.

“Do you want to stay for tea?” Ashley asked of the two, both declined but would stay for a beer.

“I have some news.” Ashley said as he applied pressure on the Gold Top beer caps. “My ex-wife has cancer and had broken up with her partner, so I’m going down to stay with her.”

“Gee I’m sorry to hear that,” Lewis said showing sincere sympathy, while Billy who didn’t realise that Ashley was married also followed the path of sympathy but governed by surprise.

“When will you be leaving?” Lewis asked.

“Within the month, my lease has run out here but I will have to give the station a few weeks notice.”

It was then Lewis came to the realisation that he and Billy would no longer have the use of the bungalow, which would further restrict their meetings.

“I’m sorry about the bungalow,” Ashley apologised, reading concern in Lewis.

“Don’t worry about that, things will work out,” Billy with his usual confidence assured, “Lewis we can always go away for weekends and I have an idea as well,” he added.

“What is that?” Lewis mood lifted with Billy’s words.

“We’ll talk about later, I will have to go now, walk me out.”

Lewis followed Billy along the passage and as they reached the door, Billy turned and wrapping his arms around Lewis kissed him softly on the lips, “Lewis thank you for the last few weeks, I really loved it.” Billy opened the door and stepped out into the warm Mareeba night, “I have already cleared the use of the bungalow with Ashley, see you Friday night.” Billy directed.

“Sure.”

“And best to say you’re going away for the weekend, so we will have at least two nights together.”

“Will!” Lewis called before Billy reached the gate. Billy turned.

“Will, I love you.”

“Ditto kid and stop your worrying.” Billy answered and was gone.

That week dragged and all Lewis could think about was the coming weekend. Trevor was unusually quiet regarding Billy but one could see something was building and knowing Trevor it would not be pleasant.

It was during their Wednesday lunch break while sitting across the work lunchroom table that it came to Lewis but was lost in an equal instant. Maybe it was the way Trevor cocked his head or wrinkled his brow while in thought but whatever the reflection may have been it included Trevor.

At home Winnie had noticed a change in Lewis and commented, again saying that the last time she had seen such a transformation in him it was brought on by love. She was of course jesting but was concerned for her son’s abnormally quiet disposition.

“Mum you are always on about love,” he complained, which only added fuel to her goading.

“Well it’s about time you found a nice girl and thought about settling.”

“Mum I’m only twenty and besides what if I found my self a nice,” Lewis quickly drew back from the precipice of disclosure. He loved his mother dearly but such a revelation may become more than she could contend with and the shame of a homosexual son may banish him from what little family he had. Besides even with his declared love for Billy he still didn’t consider himself to be homosexual.

“By the way mum, I’ll be going away with some work mates this Friday for the weekend.”

“Where to?” Winnie asked, leaving Lewis to create a quick answer.

“Down the coast.”

Winnie accepted Lewis’ answer without question and the conversation moved on. She had received a note from Liz, who appeared to be more than happy in her marriage and was expecting in the New Year, while Ian had been given a junior manager’s job and was doing well.

“Was there any mention of me?” Lewis asked feeling once again cheated by his cousin. There wasn’t, only news of Liz’s mother, Winnie’s sister, who recently had a health scare but had been given the all clear.

“Oh there is a ‘PS’” Winnie said, “her and Ian are calling in this weekend, they will be visiting Ian’s cousin on the Tablelands.”

“That’s a shame I wont be here to see them,” Lewis replied sarcastically.

“Why don’t you like Liz, she is your cousin?” Winnie asked, closing the letter and placing it down on the kitchen table with her crossword and packet of Rothman’s Cigarettes.

“It isn’t that I don’t like Liz, she doesn’t like me.”

Lunch break Friday found Lewis excusing himself from Trevor’s company and heading for Thompson’s department store. Once there he asked the shop assistant to view a t-shirt displayed in the window.

“What size?” She asked sizing Lewis from head to foot and coyly back to the crotch of his work pants. Lewis gave her the size, while she climbed a foot ladder to retrieve a selection from the top shelf, making sure that Lewis had ample view of leg, leading up to her pink underwear.

“That’s not your size Lewis Smith, unless you’re going to beef up in a hurry” She said placing the garments on the counter.

“It’s not for me.”

“A present?” she asked holding up the t-shirt as if trying it against Lewis for size.

Lisa was a brunette, with an almost attractive face but was too liberal with her make up, giving her more the look of a painted doll. Her lavishness extended beyond her paint to her sexuality but generally it was more teasing than activity, although Billy had on a number of occasions satisfied his desires deep within her cavity.

“Yes.” Lewis answered and asked for it to be wrapped.

“Birthday wrapping?” Lisa asked and displayed a sheet of blue paper adorned with stylised aeroplanes.

“Just brown paper will do; no need to get too excited,” Lewis answered glowing red with embarrassment.

“There is only one person in town that would fit this size,” Lisa giggled, her mind obviously diverting to past encounters.

“It’s for a cousin who doesn’t live in this town – it’s his birthday,” Was the best Lewis could conjure as an excuse, while realising his whole life appeared to rotate around cousins, in this he found humour and began to nervously chuckle as he bade Lisa farewell.

“What’s in the package?” Trevor asked on Lewis’ return to work.

“I bought myself a t-shirt.”

“It’s wrapped a bit fancy then.”

“It’s only brown paper!” Lewis snapped as his annoyance built.

“Okay, no need to bite my head off, it just seem funny to be neatly wrapped if it were for you,” Trevor appeared offended, which brought Lewis to apologise as he didn’t want to put his work mate too far off side especially with his hatred of Billy.

“Sorry Trev but Lisa at the shop wanted to wrap it with birthday paper and bows; I only wanted a paper bag.” Again a lie and now his entire life consisted of one lie after another and they were increasing in size.

All Lewis wished for was simplicity but complexity was developing like a constrictor whose coils were tightening by the day, squeezing the very life out of him. It appeared life’s mainframe was unapproachable and unchangeable, set by a billion years of evolution, with rules so gouged into the psyche of humanity that nothing could trowel over the cracks. Yet there were cracks and one of these was his feelings for Billy and surely these were also set in evolution, he didn’t create them they were there within him and as he now realised, were always there. He wished to shout his feelings to the world but fear of reprisal was paramount and he had to think of Billy’s reputation and his old man’s standing in the community, those considerations rejected the words from his lips. He knew he must be patient while in the words of Billy, ‘things will work out.’

Another day and still Trevor hadn’t brought forward what was eating into him. At lunch he departed company with Lewis and was gone for quite some time. After returning he appeared most satisfied and as they walked to their work station Trevor spoke, “what are you doing on the weekend?” he asked.

“Not much probably just staying at home.” Lewis again lied.

“Umm I bet,” Trevor said coldly.

“What do you mean by that?” It was obvious he knew something but for the moment was not prepared to disclose, placing Lewis on a blade’s edge.

“Never mind,” Trevor answered, as he snapped back from his accusing tone, “I’ve a root lined up,” he proudly announced.

“Who this time?” Lewis felt he should enquire, even if he held absolutely no interest in his work mate’s sexual antics.

“Lisa from Thompson’s shop,” Trevor innocently answered, while Lewis felt the blood drain from his face.

“So that’s where you’ve been.”

“She said you bought the t-shirt for a cousin not for you.”

“So.”

“So nothing.”

“She used to be one of McKee’s fucks,” Lewis declared, in an attempt to divert his shock, “are you trying to root your way through McKee’s conquests?” he quietly suggested as their supervisor approached. Both became quiet.

“Busy boys?”

“Yes Mr. Cook,” they both answered in unison. Cook moved on towards the office.

“Enjoy your weekend,” Trevor said and ended their conversation.

Lewis arrived at Ashley’s to find Billy ensconced at the kitchen table sharing conversation and a cold beer. Usually Ashley would be at the station preparing his programme but seeing he was soon departing, he had already resigned and was utilising his time packing and arranging transport. Most of his belongings fitted into three large travelling trunks, with a couple of tea chests crammed full with clothing and books, while his prized film collection was well packed and remained locked in its metal container. As for the furnishings they would not be needed in his new abode and agreement had been struck with the landlord for their disposal, along with the bed linen and kitchen utensils.

There was sadness about the house and for the first time Lewis realised he would miss Ashley, even his often effeminate outbursts. They had now become an integral part of his life, fitting alongside his affection for Billy as would a glove fit a hand.

“Hello Herbie.” Ashley greeted.

“Want a beer?”

Lewis threw his overnight bag into a corner and accepted the beverage. Then wanting to throw his arms around Billy he refrained, instead gently ruffled his honey blond hair and winked.

“So what is this suggestion you were holding secret?” He asked impatiently.

“It will have to wait until next week.” Billy answered as he returned the greeting.

“Aw, I’ve been waiting all week to hear it.”

“Then another week won’t hurt you,” Billy was teasing.

“I suppose you have told Ashley?” Lewis responded feeling somewhat left out of the conversational loop.

“I have but you will have to wait, I have a couple of things to clear first.”

Lewis accepted the wait and related the gossip about Trevor and his pending date with Lisa, to which Billy lacked surprise.

“He has been playing that game for quite some time now,” Billy answered relating to the dating of his past conquests, “and he’s welcome to them, I know one conquest that he won’t have,” he concluded.

“And who would that be?” Lewis asked sounding somewhat wet.

“You – you goose!” Billy proudly answered, which fed Lewis’ need to be continuously convinced of their relationship.

“Now isn’t that nice,” Ashley cut in and kissed the air, to which Billy cringed but soon forgave his hosts unmanly ways.

“Oh I almost forgot; I have something for you.” Lewis said and retrieved his overnight bag withdrawing the small package, passing it to Billy.

“What’s this, it’s not my birthday.”

“Who needs birthdays?” Lewis declared then sat back watching Billy’s face as he opened the package and held up its contents. Lewis felt pride rise throughout his body as Billy shone with the excitement of a little boy at Christmas.

“It’s great but how did you know I wanted this shirt, I was going to see if they had my size tomorrow?” Billy asked, while trying it for size. It was a perfect fit.

“I didn’t; I just thought you would look good in it; and you do.”

Even Ashley agreed that it suited Billy, then again he added with a body like Billy’s anything would look good.

As the evening drew into its darker reaches and a few drinks drowsed them all, Billy stood from the conversation, stretched his arms and tapped Lewis’ shoulder, “come on bed time,” then moved towards the rear of the house. As Lewis rose to join him, Ashley suggested that they take his double bed and he would use the bungalow.

“We can’t take your bed from you,” Billy interjected but Ashley wouldn’t be swayed, explaining that seeing this would be their last chance to accept his hospitality, then the pleasure was all his.

“I’ll be back in a minute, have to piss.” Billy said on entering the bedroom. By the time he returned, Lewis had undressed and was between two lightly powdered sheets. Obviously Ashley had intended them to use his bed from the beginning and had sprinkled baby powder between the layers of cool cotton, while placing a tube of lubricant beside the bed.

Once Billy returned, Lewis demanded that he strip slowly as he wanted to savour every inch of his toned body. Billy grinning, slowly removed his new shirt and then placed a hand on the buckle of his jeans, which he whipped out the belt with speed, returning his hand to the top stud where he halted, “You’re a kinky little bugger,” he said and snapped the top stud open.

“And you love the attention Mr. McKee;” Lewis replied noting a slight rise beneath the denim fabric. With this Billy with one powerful jerk snapped all the studs open and a package wrapped in sky-blue cotton fell through the fly opening. The removal of the jeans was a slower manoeuvre as they were so tight they appeared to be painted onto his body. With the jeans removed, there was only the sky-blue jockettes constricting the quickly growing member within.

Billy turned and comically wiggled his backside and stepped out of the underwear, turning back he displayed an erection that reached proudly past his belly button.

“Does that suit you?” Billy asked as Lewis threw back the sheet to display his own excitement.

“Ditto.”

Billy joined Lewis on the bed and kneeled over his torso, while Lewis gently stroked his friend, “I want to try something.” Said Lewis patting Billy on the thigh.

“What?”

“Lay head to toe.”

Billy obeyed and soon felt the warmth of Lewis’ mouth around his member, then without hesitation he reciprocated, feeling a unity in each other that neither had experienced before. Then as Lewis approached the point of no return, Billy stopped. “Roll over.” He demanded low and forcefully.

“Why?”

“My turn to do you then you can do me.”

Lewis willingly rolled to his stomach, leaving himself exposed to Billy’s pleasure and pleased his turn was first. Billy applied the lubricant to his fingers before slowly working it into Lewis’ unprotected entrance, followed by silence then the sound of the cap being returned to the tube and a slight pressure applied to his sphincter, then with little resistance Billy was inside him and lying across his back lightly breathing at his ear. If there was pain Lewis didn’t recognize it and seeing this wasn’t his first acceptance of Billy, all he could feel was unity with which soon gave way to the warm flow of Billy’s excitement as the breath beside Lewis’ ear became erratic and Billy’s thrust fastened. Then Billy lay motionless as once again his breathing regulated.

Some minutes later Billy extracted himself from Lewis and gently bit him on the shoulder, “your turn,” he whispered and threw himself face down on the bed.

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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