Published: 17 Oct 2019

“Do you want to do something on the weekend?” Ian asked from his support of pillows while lying back lackadaisically upon his bed, his face beaming with its usual enthusiasm which Lewis could never resist. Ian could have asked for most anything and Lewis would have been at his beckoning. It was the nature of the beast and this beast was sub-servant to its friend.

“Suppose so, what do you have in mind?” Lewis asked and closed the bungalow door behind him. He had that moment arrived along the dark side of the house to avoid contact with Ashley, who was as he passed busy with the night’s dishes, while in dramatic rendition of some obscure American musical dating from the thirties, followed by over emphasised hand action with plate and soap-suds, like some string puppet controlled by some unknown director. Lewis had quickly left the framed comic animation beyond the kitchen window to join Ian.

“How would you like to drive me to Townsville and meet my parents?” Ian asked, his eyes pleading and resembling those of a hurt puppy.

Lewis’ heart jumped with excitement, “sure, that sounds like a good idea,” he agreed with equal enthusiasm.

“Good we’ll leave after work on Saturday morning; did you see Ashley on your way in?”

“I saw him through the kitchen window. He’s doing the dishes, and singing to some old recording. “He has a shithouse voice, sounds like a cat caught up in a mangle,” liking his description Lewis followed with a derogatory sneer.

Lewis didn’t dislike the man, more so he was bemused by Ashley’s humour and knowledge of the world. It wasn’t even fear of Ashley once again trying to gain access to his privacy but fear he may concede to the man’s perversion and in doing so Ashley would broadcast his success.

As for allowing the man further advancement, once could be considered experimentation, or even the result of alcohol but if it were to happen again, that may be considered to be a measure of his own sexuality and Lewis knew he was straight. He liked girls and continuously dreamed of having sex with them, so when it came to Ashley, avoidance was considered the best strategy.

“You don’t like Ashley do you?” Ian asked quizzically, leaving Lewis little room to manoeuvre.

“He’s alright I guess – he’s funny,” Lewis answered nervously.

“Then why do you avoid him, he’s harmless,” stated Ian with some certainty.

“Did Ashley say I was avoiding him?” Lewis asked as his palms became hot and clammy and fear built in his throat.

“No, Ashley hasn’t mentioned you at all but blind Freddie can see you are avoiding him.”

“What if he tries something?”

“You do know how to say no – he won’t rape you.”

For one fleeting instant Lewis wished to tell all, his guilt was as a pack of wild dogs howling at his conscious but would Ian understand or would he condemn, then as quickly the dogs were tethered and he calmed to the situation.

“Na, I don’t have anything against the old poof,” Lewis smiled weakly through a long drawn breath but Ian wasn’t ready to let the matter pass and brought the dogs back from bay.

“I know you Lewis and something’s up,” Ian declared with potency, from which Lewis drew anger.

“Let it be ok!” he snapped. “I said there’s nothing wrong so accept it!”

“Alright, no need to bite my head off.”

Lewis calmed and remembering Liz’s previous conversation was ready to question Ian on the matter. “What did you say to Liz?” he asked.

“About what?”

“She asked me if I had a girl friend and implied you said something.”

“I can’t recollect saying anything, besides there isn’t anything to tell.”

“I know that but she asked me if you were also at the hostel.”

“Ah yes she mentioned the hostel and I said all those boys together and no girls.”

“You shouldn’t have said anything, now she thinks I’m a poof.”

“Lewis I didn’t say anything, I can’t help the way she thinks.”

“I suppose but don’t tell her anything she always builds it up into something big and then aims it at me.”

“Are you going to the pub tomorrow night?” Ian asked as he redirected the conversation to release the tightening tension developing within the room.

“Not to the Dunlop.” Lewis quickly answered.

“And why not the Dunlop it’s easier to be served underage there?” Ian curiously asked as he leant forward from his pillows and gently rubbed his friend on top of his head. It was rare for Ian to advance warmth and to actually touch was almost unknown. The feel of Ian’s hand on Lewis’ head created a sense of comfort and if he could purr he would have done so.

“The tap beer is better at the Royal,” it was a lie, he had always preferred the Royal but with McKee as the barman and his taunting attitude, Lewis had switched to the Dunlop, only visiting the Royal when McKee was off roster.

“That’s alright by me, so back to the Royal,” Ian agreed “but isn’t McKee the barman at the Royal?” he added, then after a pause continued, “you don’t think much of McKee so why the return to the Royal?”

“He’s gone – call-up, he’s now the responsibility of the Australia Army.” Lewis said with a gentle smile, which soon died, realising his attitude towards McKee was as benign as Liz’s word to describe Ian’s character.

“Then it’s the Royal but I never had a problem with McKee.”

“You didn’t go to school with him.”

“I thought you went to school in Herberton?” Ian suggested.

“I did twice and here and in Mareeba for one term, school of the air, Hughenden, Torrens Creek and three more in Melbourne.”

“Were you in the same grade as McKee?”

“No, not actually at school with him, but often saw him while back here during holiday.”

“As for all those schools Lewis, it’s no wonder you’re dumb.”

“I’m not –“Lewis saw the banter in Ian and calmed, “you cunt,” he cursed without measure.

“I only went to Townsville, why so many?”

“Lucky fella’ I guess.”

“I would think the travelling would be fun.”

“Problem is you just get to know people and you’re gone again, forever making and loosing mates.”

“I see you point but I don’t see your prob’ with McKee, as I said, I get along with him just fine.”

Lewis left the question unanswered. There was something deep within the oceans of Ian’s eyes that Lewis could sense but not translate. There were thoughts and secrets. Sometimes he believed he could read those oceans but lacked the words to explain. This night was no different and the mention of McKee’s name flashed secretly, possibly even Ian had been captivated by the barman’s magnetism, or was Lewis projecting his own emotions onto the translation.

“What do you really think of McKee?” Lewis asked, directing his glance away from the oceans of his friend’s eyes while attempting to post his question as sterile as possible.

“Not a lot why?”

“Liz had a liking for him.”

“I knew that, she said so, I guess McKee has red hair!” Ian laughed indifferently.

“And a big dick!” Lewis said.

“Now how would you know that Lewis?” Ian’s tone soft in friendly accusation.

“Hang on, I just happened to see it and erect!” Lewis protested then gave a full rendition of the Atherton experience, while Ian listened in disbelief, interjecting on the occasion to enquire of Liz’s reception towards McKee’s nudity and the worth of the Atherton Barmaid’s body and the size of her breasts. Lewis related the encounter and in doing so found he was more focused on McKee’s nakedness and not that of the barmaid. Realising his folly he quickly diverted to the barmaid’s attributes.

“I should think if Liz saw me naked and erect, she would be disappointed,” Ian protested.”

“Are you fishing for a complement?”

“No but unlike you I don’t have a lot to compare with.”

“What do you mean?” Lewis snapped.

“All I meant was you would have seen many while at the hostel, nothing more,” Ian explained apologetically.

“Kids they were kids.”

“I haven’t even seen yours,” Ian laughed.

“Do you want to?”

“No,” followed by a nervous disassociating chortle.

“Anyway I reckon you’re big enough to please Liz,” Lewis assured and winked “and as they say it isn’t always the size but what you do with it.”

“So they say but you still need experience and there hasn’t been much of that as yet.”

“What about when you were dating Kylie,” Lewis asked wishing to replace her name with that of Liz.

“I tried often enough; there was once back in high school but only a quick hand job.”

Lewis laughed.

“What?”

“It seems that all anyone gets in a town like this.”

Silence grew in the room until one or the other felt they must speak. It was Ian who wore that insignia and with the structure of a nervous question.

”Did Liz have sex with McKee, as she never mentioned visiting him in Atherton,” he asked his voice touched with a measure of cautious jealousy. It was tempting for Lewis to sham and give affirmation, if only to redirect Ian from his growing attraction towards his cousin but with friendship is loyalty and the truth would out.

“I am sure she hasn’t as they had only recently met and I don’t think she liked him that way,” Lewis paused, “besides not in actual words but McKee suggested they hadn’t.”

Friday night found the Royal almost empty. There was a dance night at the town hall which may have skimmed the younger crowd, also a James Bond movie showing at the drive-in, leaving only a sprinkling of tobacco farmers relaxing over a few cold drinks to clear the dusty days work from their throats.

“What do you think?” Ian asked as the two took stools at Lewis’ favourite corner. From that advantage he could view who was in the lady’s lounge and patrons as they entered and left by the main door, besides the legal drinking age remained twenty-one but most of the town’s establishment allowed those hovering on the turn a few quiet beers and Lewis’ dark corner hid him from view when the cops did their nightly round of the hotels, they being sure to received a free beer at each in turn.

“I think it’s a bit bloody quiet,” Lewis eventually answered after ordering drinks.

“How about we leg it to the Dunlop?” Ian suggested as he half downed his beer in anticipation of leaving.

“Are you after the gins?” Lewis laughed knowing how some women from the camp were inclined to lurk around the entrance looking for handouts of grog and smokes, while offering sex in payment. Ian ignored the suggestion and resettled into his drink.

The lady’s lounge was a barn of a space, much larger than the main bar and sparsely furnished, creating the illusion of being even bigger. There were a number of small tables and a scattering of chairs, while in the distant corner and visible from their position at the bar was a full size billiard table. It stood alone and neglected by the passing years but still proudly played a game of quality.

Being a time of changing values few women used the lounge, as most of the older women patronised the newer Masterson hotel, while the younger females considered themselves liberated enough to join with the men at the main bar, so management decided to reclaim part of the lounge for the billiard table, besides it was much too large for anywhere else.

“How’s McKee enjoying army life?” Ian asked of the replacement barman.

“Dunno, he’s my cousin but we don’t mix much,” the new man answered, “I’m Brian McKee and if you want to know about Billy ask his old man, he’s over the back arguing with that mob of farmers about tobacco prices.” Brian suggested, as he wiped his hands from the beer tap drip and moved along the bar to attend to others.

“You sure keep the business in the family?” Ian suggested on the barman’s return passing, knowing the McKee family were publican and staff as well as most other things in town.

The barman glanced across his shoulder towards his uncle. “Family wages as well!” he softly complained displaying a noticeable sneer to his upper lip.

Brian didn’t look anything like his Cousin Billy. He was tall, thin, with almost black hair and a face full of pimples, some would say he was built like a greyhound, all cock and ribs but alas unlike his cousin the front of Brian’s pants didn’t display anything there in. He was also slightly younger than his Billy, smiled more and conversed on a higher level without bringing sex or women’s parts into the conversation at every opportunity, while displaying little respect for Billy, or Billy’s father.

It was Lewis who saw them first, he had been watching for quite some time. Eventually he spoke. “Hey Brian who are the two birds playing pool in the Lounge?” As he spoke Ian turned on his stool to survey the situation.

“One’s not bad eh?” Ian said with a wanting grin.

“They’re tourists from down south, doing some tobacco work,” the barman answered without showing any degree of interest. “Lesbians,” he added incidentally, “so you two won’t be getting anything there tonight,” he concluded with a derisive chortle.

“What female poofters, how do you know that?” Ian asked in disbelief.

“They told me so.” said the barman.

“Just like that! – poor me a drink and by the way we’re poofters!” Ian said forcefully.

“No not poofters, the word is lesbians, if you were to suck your mate on the dick, then you would be a poofter.” the barman grinned as he nodded towards Lewis, whose face flushed with embarrassment, “Just a joke,” the barman freely presented, “or is it?” he attached and moved away.

“Fuck off!” Lewis barked.

“Poofter, lesbian it’s all the same, besides they just haven’t had the right bloke to guide them,” Ian added as he collected his drink and commenced in the direction of the lounge, “are you coming?” he asked of Lewis, who was eagerly behind Ian’s lead.

“Whatever you say,” Brian fired quietly after the two as they moved from the bar.

The tourists ignored the two as they approached and appeared to be totally impervious to their existence as they drew stools close to the billiard table. One girl was quite pretty; her long brown hair hung past her shoulders and creased the top of her breasts, swishing back and forth on each strike of a ball.

The second girl had red hair in loose curls, with a boyish countenance and a light dusting of freckles. ‘Yes,’ Lewis though believing she could be considered a pretty boy with full lips and blue eyes although her well developed breasts were defiantly not those of some pubescent lad. His eyes were magnetically drawn down from her handsome face to the fullness within the tight t-shirt. She smiled but didn’t speak, leaving the lad to fumble within his emotions.

It was Ian who spoke first, aiming his conversation to the taller prettier girl.

“You’re good at billiards?” He said as she sunk a ball into the distant pocket. She re-chalked her queue and answered with an air of aloofness, while her companion readied for a strike.

“Do you play?” She asked with a mischievous tone.

“No but I watch a lot,” Ian said, sending the two giggling.

“I thought not.” The taller girl assumed, “It’s not billiards but snooker.”

“You’re from down South?” Ian asked, ignoring the slant on his lack of knowledge, bringing the taller girl to an erect stance while passing her queue to her friend who placed it next to her own on the table. Retrieving a packet of Rothmans cigarettes from the table bolster, she lit up then spoke, blowing a lazy cloud of bluish seethe into Ian’s direction.

“You could at least buy us a drink,” she suggested, her request directed at Ian while ignoring the existence of Lewis, standing close by in his shadow.

“What are you drinking?” Ian asked.

“The same as you two will do,” suggested the redhead as Ian turned to face Lewis, who instantly understood his friend. Ian was broke, they were paid fortnightly and this was an off week, so this night Lewis would be the wallet.

“Beer okay?” Lewis suggested, both girls nodded and he was gone. On his return he found Ian in deep conversation with the taller girl, while the redhead had retired to the closest table, where she sat amused with Ian’s attempt to create something out of his encounter. Lewis passed around the drinks and sat with the redhead and attempted to equal his friend’s enthusiasm.

“I’m Lewis,” he nervously introduced, “and my friend is Ian.”

“I know your friend told us, I’m Barbara and that’s Jenny,” she contributed nodding in the direction of her friend.

“So where down South are you from? South is a big chunk of country.”

Lewis described, “Brisbane? Sydney?”

“You most probably wouldn’t know the place.” Barbara said apathetically, treating Lewis as if he were some country hick.

“Try me,” he said ignoring her superior attitude.

“Melbourne,” Barbara answered proudly.

“Well what do you know?” Lewis said feeling a measure of analogy rise in his breast, “where in Melbourne?” he asked.

“I’m from Oakleigh and Jenny is from Carnegie, they are suburbs about ten miles out of the main City.”

“I’m from Clayton, well actually Westall! We were practically neighbours!” declared Lewis, his eyes wide with excitement.

“So what are you doing up here?” asked Barbara also feeling his analogy.

“I’m going back one day.” Lewis stated.

“He’s always saying that but he’s still here!” Ian interjected from the side in tease of his friend.

“I will be – and soon.” Lewis added as Ian and Jenny joined him.

“Hey what’s this story about you two?” Ian asked suggestively.

‘Ian – be nice!” Lewis interjected.

“You’ve been talking to the barman,” said Jenny laughing then took a sip from her drink while butting her half finished cigarette into the already full ashtray.

“So?” said Ian quizzically.

“Well it’s sort of true but we also like boys,” Barbara assured while looking towards her companion and laughing. “Actually it’s not true at all, we use it to keep the likes of you at heel,” she added.

“Were boys!” declared Ian hopefully.

“Well so you are,” Barbara answered then continued, “or at least you are dressed as boys.”

“And smell like boys,” Jenny offered.

“Oh we can prove it if you like,” Ian answered cheekily grinning with hopeful anticipation.

“What about you Lewis, can you prove it?”

“I reckon I can,” he answered coyly, feeling Barbara’s eyes fixed on the front of his pants. He became embarrassed and commenced to rise under her gaze. The tables had been turned, now he was being visually undressed by the opposite sex and he wasn’t amused.

“Where do you live, have you two a place of your own?” Jenny asked.

“I’m still at home,” Lewis answered, “and Ian boards.”

“It’s hot in here how about a walk?” Jenny proposed; “any cool suggestions?” she added as she collected her bag.

It was Ian who recommended it would be cooler along the Barron River’s bank. There had been heavy rain up in the tablelands so the Tinaroo dam had released a generous flow of water, raising the river and cooling as it swiftly flowed through the outskirts of the town.

Both girls supported skinny dipping but were soon put off the idea when Lewis declared that because of the flow, if they entered by the Cairns Road bridge they would more than likely end up at Kuranda and half way to the coast in no time flat, making a cool walk along the banks more sensible.

Within a short while they were seated on the grassy bank below the bridge and bathed in the weak glow from a distant street light while conversing like old friends.

“It’s quiet here,” Barbara acknowledged.

“Not many come this way, except the occasional dog walker.”

“No dogs around tonight.” Jenny said.

“Only you two,” Barbara corrected.

“That’s not nice,” Ian pretended hurt.

“No you are alright,” Barbara admitted and found a soft spot on the short grass.

“I would think lots happen around here.” Jenny suggested joining Barbara’s seating arrangement.

“Now that could be a fact.” Ian answered.

“Yes lots of things,” Jenny continued in underlying tone.

“What is this story of you two then?” Ian finally asked and moved towards the river bank.

“Do you mean the lesbian story?” laughed Barbara.

“No you did explain that. What are you doing so far from home?” said Ian.

“Working holiday and saving to go to England.” Barbara answered as she rested back into the cool grass.

“I do like the lesbian story,” Ian was becoming bold.

“In what way would that be?” Jenny asked.

“I guess being the meat in a lesbo sandwich.”

“You reckon you could handle two lesbians Ian?” Barbara queered.

“I would surly love to try.”

“Na we only say that to shock people and ward of unwanted advances.” Jenny reassured.

“Pity.”

“Why so, wouldn’t you like to be your so called meat in a straight girl sandwich?” Jenny asked.

“Any sandwich,” Ian quickly responded.

“How about it if I was the meat in a boy sandwich with you two?” Jenny suggested.

“I don’t think so.”

“What about you Lewis, would you like that?” Jenny asked.

Lewis weakly smiled and shook his head.

“Strange that. You blokes are all the same.”

Lewis remained quiet allowing Ian to dictate the direction of conversation. He wanted to speak but remained shy and hard, as he had produced an erection at the pub, which remained half so during the walk to the river and now with the conversation hovering around sex; it had once again reached full strength and under tight restraint began to hurt.

On the occasion he would glance across at his friend’s crotch in search of effects but Ian had positioned himself against discovery.

“Do you consider us as unwanted advances?” Ian laughed jokingly yet in hopeful anticipation.

“You’re both alright.” said Jenny.

“For what?” asked Ian looking across at Lewis and smirking as if to say, where in here, being that kind of smirk a man has when he is onto a sure thing.

“We don’t fuck on the first date, if that is what you mean!” Barbara forcefully projected.

“What do you do on the first date?” asked Ian, standing and facing the fast flowing water. He stooped and collected a flat stone and skipped it across the surface It failed on the first skip and quickly sunk into the current while the light from a distant street lamp glistened on the disturbance. A second throw produced two skips before sinking

“I’ll suck your dick if it’s big enough,” Jenny called after Ian. He didn’t answer but the animation of a third tossing of a stone faltered.

“What about me?” Lewis pleaded feeling segregated, while quite unaccustomed to such forwardness from the opposite sex.

“Melbourne boy – I’ll suck it for you,” laughed Barbara.

Lewis now grew cold as his social inadequateness gripped at him, choking all words from his throat. Fortunately Ian wasn’t backwards and as he turned his pants fell to his ankles and as quickly his underwear followed to his knees. Bathed in the light of the street lamp he displayed an erection any young red-blooded male would be proud off, “then come on,” he cheekily demanded in anticipation. Immediately Jenny approached Ian and wrapped her hand around his begging member, feeling his heat as a slight tremble vibrated throughout his body.

Lewis was now also standing at some distance but unlike Ian he remained fully dressed, being much too coy to follow the forwardness of his friend.

“Are you going shy on me Melbourne boy?” Barbara asked as she took hold of his belt. Unbuckled she lowered his trousers and underwear to his knees from where gravity took control, descending them to his ankles.

“Not bad,” Barbara said somewhat discouragingly, “what have you there Jenny?” she called across to her friend.

“Not bad, I have seen bigger.” Jenny answered.

“You reckon they’ll do?” Barbara followed.

“I should think they will do.” The girls were attempting to belittle the boys but both were so heated they didn’t associate the slur on their manhood.

Lewis felt her touch, as soft dexterous fingers gently massage his dick and manipulate his sack; he glanced across to Ian, whose member was disappearing into the willing mouth of Jenny. Ian gasped with pleasure as Lewis felt his own member become surrounded by warmth he had only felt once before and the mouth of Ashley didn’t count. His mind became a multitude of swirling colours, spinning into unknown sensations which he wished would never end.

If ten seconds could be counted, then that it was and as they quickly ticked away his gaze wasn’t on Barbra’s devouring mouth but on the length of his friend’s member as it worked like a piston driving an ocean liner towards paradise.

Arrrrr – shit?” grunted Lewis as his few seconds ended and he ejaculated into the unwilling mouth of Barbara.

“Christ!” she cried disconnecting from Lewis’ ejaculation, sending more and more of his fluid to the dark grass below.

“You could have warned me!” cried Barbara, spitting out that private part of Lewis that only a handkerchief or old towel had usual privilege to. Barbara rushed to the water’s edge and cupped water to rinse her mouth, at this Jenny halted long enough to laugh at her friend’s discomfort and embarrassment, before continuing with Ian’s pleasure. “Don’t you dare!” she warned Ian, who didn’t answer but would dare if she were not quick enough. Ian reached down to Barbara’s breast but his advance was soon halted. “No touching,” she demanded and returned to work on him.

“Sorry!” Lewis apologised as Barbara’s reaction dissipated, “sorry” he repeated as he buckled his belt. All the while his eyes fixed on the actions of his friend. Lewis was jealous and wished he was the recipient of Ian’s pride, even though the actual of having a man’s member in his mouth was unknown and abhorrent.

Moments later Ian arched his back, placed his hands behind his head and with one thrust he let go. Jennie was more in tune with Ian’s readiness than her friend and had detached from his swollen member, then with a short pumping with her hand had Ian ejaculating over the grass before him. Lewis was captivated and was once again erect.

“You like that big boy?” Jenny asked releasing her hold, allowing his now limpness to ooze the surplus across his naked thigh. Ian didn’t answer but took a line of deep breaths. The pleasure on his face was affirmative.

“Hey Melbourne boy, you need to slow that flow if you want to satisfy a girl.” Jenny called across to Lewis as he sat back upon the damp grass as if nothing unusual had occurred. He didn’t answer.

Friday – 25^th. Aug 1967

Went to the Royal with Ian and met a couple of girls from Melbourne then went down to the river where they S.O.D., but wouldn’t R, still it was fun while it lasted.

I am going to Townsville with Ian tomorrow to meet his parents. I’m a little worried about the car; I have had some trouble with the electronics of late. Now and then the lights go out but Terry Saunders at the garage said it’s nothing and if I’m worried don’t drive at night. That is Terry’s answer to everything – if you are worried than don’t drive.

Liz asked about the trip to Townsville and sounded a little jealous but she has already arranged a date with Ian for the following weekend.

As Lewis wrote the words he almost penned ‘sucked our dicks onto the page followed by ‘root’ but once again couldn’t bring himself to announce his privacy even to the paper beneath the pen. Then closing the diary he doused the light and gave further rendition to the night’s events with the motion of his sturdy right hand but it wasn’t Barbara’s moist and willing mouth that sparked his excitement.

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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