Westpoint Tales - Heroes, 6

Their kiss was interrupted by Justin calling on the intercom. “Good morning, Handsome Boys! Hello? Are you awake in there? Billy T? JH?”

“Hey, Granddad. We’re awake.”

Oh good. I hate to rush you, but hurry up! Sunny has almost got your breakfast ready, come and get it, the sooner the better. You don’t want to see how grumpy he can be in the mornings.”

They heard Billy in the background. “Shut up, Justin.”

“Thanks, Granddad. We won’t be long.”

“Good Boy. See you soon.”

There was a click as Justin disconnected. “Sunny?” JH queried.

“It’s Justin’s name for Granddad Billy. Don’t ask why, I don’t know. It’s just what he calls him.”

“Oh, okay. We’d better get dressed then.”

“Yeah. Worse luck. I’ll pay you back later.”

“Pay me back? You don’t have to do that.”

“Maybe not, but I want to. We’d better get dry now.”

“Okay. Where are the towels?”

“There are no towels.”

“There’s not? How do we dry off then?”

“Like this.” Billy T touched a button and they were enveloped by hot, dry air coming from all of the shower-heads.

“Okay, all done.” He turned it off. “Can you take me back to the bed now please?”

“Of course. I’ll take you to bed any time you like. That’s never going to be a problem.”

They dressed quickly. Billy T took no longer to get his school clothes on than JH did. JH was amused and intrigued at all the little tricks and gadgets that Billy T used to help him dress. He realised that Billy T meant it when he said that he didn’t think of his family as being wealthy, but they did have everything he needed to make his life easier. ‘Fair enough too.’

“Umm, Billy, you know we were talking yesterday, about working? Well, I’ve decided. I don’t know what I’m going to do for money, but I know what I want to do with my life.”

Billy T looked up at him. “What’s that then?”

“I want to be your servant.”

“You bloody will not!”

“I bloody will. I want to be with you and love you and do everything I can to help you live your life. My legs are your legs. My body is your body and my life is yours, now and always. I love you.”

“JH! Blast. Thank you, but, well – thanks. But don’t you think that it’s a bit soon to be giving your life away?”

“Too soon? No. No way. I know what I want; I want you, nothing else. My life began when you smiled at me.”

“I, umm. I wish that I could say the same. I do like you, JH. I like you very much. Please, give me time. I’m not as decisive as you. Just be patient with me and let’s keep it in today. Okay?”

“Okay.” JH leaned over him and kissed him. “I love you, I’ll wait.”

“Cool, thanks. Now, let’s go eat!”

“Well, all right, but not too much. I don’t eat breakfast at all usually.”

“Tell Granddad Billy that, and good luck to you.”

They went up to the top floor. Justin greeted them. “Good morning, Lovely Boys! About time too. Much longer and Sunny would’ve been kicking your door down.”

Billy came out from the kitchen. “Shut up, Justin. Hello Boys – sit.”

They sat at the table to eat and Billy served up two large breakfasts.

“Granddad!” Billy T protested.

“Too much? Just eat what you want. You too, JH.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“What? What did you call me?”

“Sorry. Thank you, Billy.”

“That’s better, much better.” Billy smiled.

Justin sat across from the boys. “Did anyone do any homework last night?”

“No, not a bit,” JH replied.

“We didn’t have much anyway,” Billy T said. “And we were busy. Could you give us a note, Granddad? Tell the school that we had other stuff to do – they’d listen to you.”

“I could,” Justin agreed. “I could but I’m not going to. If you get in trouble, then it’s your fault. Consequences, Boys. Deal with it.”

“Gee thanks, Granddad. I love you too.”

“You know I love you, Billy T. I love you very much and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do you for. Almost nothing – I’m not going to help you to be a slacker though.”

“He’s right you know,” JH said. “Absolutely right. That wouldn’t be doing us any favours. Thanks, umm, Justin.”

Justin sat looking at him over his coffee cup. “Billy T, I think that you’ve got a good one here. I like this boy.”

“So do I, Granddad. I like him very much. Now please stop embarrassing him.”

They finished breakfast, said goodbye and went off to school, surrounded by cousins. JH didn’t know the names of half of them, but they all knew who he was and why he was there. He was a bit embarrassed, but thrilled to be there and accepted as one of them.

Billy T said that he could ride on the chair if he wanted to. But he said no; he’d walk like all the others. Besides, he needed to work off that great breakfast.

Billy T said, “Yeah, thanks. It’s all right for some people!”

We’ll find other ways for you to work it off.”

“Oh yeah!”

Peter and Carl met them at school.

“There you are,” Billy T said. “I thought that, maybe, you’d be taking the day off.”

“And miss an exciting day in Westpoint High?” Carl grinned. “Not likely!”

“Not today anyway,” Peter agreed. “How is it with you guys? Everything good?”

JH replied, “Everything is very good. Thanks Peter, I owe you.”

“No you don’t; I’ve already been paid in full. Thanks to you two, Carl has sorted things with his father and everything is sweet now. Life is good!”

“It is.” They all agreed. “Life is good.”

JH almost said that life was perfect, but it wasn’t, not quite. His life was much better than it was, but it wasn’t perfect. A couple of little things were worrying him. One of which was that he had to see his father, meet Bobby and apologise for the way he’d been for, well, all his life really.

Billy T wasn’t going home with hi after school, not today. He said that it was better for JH to go and talk to them alone. They’d have plenty of our days to be alone together.

They went into the school with grins, all but, fixed on their faces.

The day went well, interminably long, but it passed. After school, Billy T said goodbye and went home with the crowd. They’d talk later. Peter and Carl started off to Carl’s home. Carl’s dad wanted to see Peter; he had no worries about that, not many anyway.

JH stood talking to Claire Lyons while he waited for the bus. She told him that she was delighted about his news. He said that he was too!

Anthony Lyons walked past them. JH smiled. “Hey, Cousin.”

Anthony stopped and looked at him. “Hey yourself. Gone queer have you, JH?”

“Well, yeah!”

“I always knew it.” Anthony walked away, JH stood watching him go.

“Damm. I’ve got some bridges to mend there, Claire.”

“Ah, don’t worry about him,” she replied. “Our Anthony can be a little bitch at times. He’ll come right.”

“I hope you’re right. I don’t want an enemy.”

“Give him time. He’ll be okay. If he’s not, I’ll boot his butt for him.”

“You will? Thanks, Cousin.”

“You’re welcome, JH. I must say, I like the new you a whole lot more.”

“Thanks. So do I.”

The bus arrived, stopped in front of them, the door opened and Daniel O’Brien grinned out at the group on the sidewalk. “Hello, Beautiful People. Sorry we’re a bit late. You’ve got me today because your regular driver is busy. She’s having a baby actually, so don’t forget to congratulate her. Jump in and we’re gone.”

“Bye, Claire.”

“Bye, JH, and stop worrying. Uncle Bobby’s a good guy.”

“I’m trying not to worry.”

“Try harder.”

The bus dropped him off outside the Carvers Beach Billy’s Burgers. As he was going out of the door, the driver said, “JH?”

“Yeah?”

“I hear that Bobby’s home.”

“He is, I think. How do you know that?”

“It’s a small town. Tell him that Danny says ‘hello’.”

“I will. Thanks, Mr. O’Brien.”

He went in through the hamburger restaurant, elevated to the top floor and walked into the living-room. His dad sat, alone, on the big couch. He looked up and smiled.

“Hello, Son. Did you have a good night then?”

“Oh yes! Thanks, Dad. I had an excellent night. I love Billy T and his family are all great people too.”

“They are. They’re the best. So, everything’s all right in your world?”

“It is. Well, almost everything. There’s a couple of things. First of all, I need to apologise to you.”

“To me? What do you need to apologise to me for?”

“For being a prat. You’ve been nothing but nice to me ever since I turned up at your door. You’ve been great, but I was so full of prejudices and ignorance and hate that – well, I was a prat. Sorry. I’ll try to be a better person from now on.”

“I, umm, wow! Thank you, Son. What’s happened to you?”

“I’ve been washed.”

“Washed?”

“Yeah, washed in the sunshine of a smile.”

“Sit down, JH. Come and sit here with me. Whose smile are we talking about, Billy T’s?”

“Oh yes! I love him, Dad. I really, really love him and I think that he loves me too. I never thought that would happen.”

“Neither did I, but I’m glad if it has. Everybody needs somebody to love. Now your life can begin.”

“Now my life has begun!”

“That’s great.” Jon smiled and nodded past JH’s shoulder.

“Look behind you, Son. Someone wants to meet you.”

Jon turned around and saw a tall, slender, black-haired and blue-eyed guy standing there smiling at him.

“Oh, wow! The famous Bobby Lyons!” He rose to his feet. “Nice to meet you, Sir.”

Westport Videos

This is what kids do in Westport (Westpoint)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZzq8zXdg1Q

And, (Square and Highschool in background)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M8lV6GGPJA&feature=related

And, Sunset at the Bay - on the track up to the seal colony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRsNVXeDPXE

I spend far too much time on the internet!

cheers

Westpoint Tales - Heroes, 5

JH moved a chair out of the way for Billy T and sat down, grinning. They sat making short work of the meal. Before they’d finished, Peter and Jay with Claire and Dee arrived and Jonathan, Claudette and ‘Tine came through from next door.

Billy T watched JH across the table and as soon as he’d finished, asked, “Want to get out of here?”

“Sounds good. Where shall we go?”

“Back to my room.”

“Sounds even better. Let’s go.”

“You go down, I’ll get us some drinks and I’ll be there.”

“I could do that.”

“So could I. I’m not useless, JH.”

“I didn’t think that you were, Billy.”

“Sorry. I get a bit touchy. Too often, people see the chair and think that I’m totally helpless.”

“I know that you’re not. You’re a pretty together person really.”

“I am now – together with you. Let’s go before someone wants to question us.”

“I’m gone.”

Back in his room, Billy T checked the time.

“Whoah. It’s late already. I can’t believe how long we slept before.”

“Yeah. It’s late already. I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night so I must’ve been making up for lost time.”

“You were awake all night? So was I. I didn’t sleep much either.”

“Really? I know why I couldn’t sleep. Why couldn’t you?”

“Well, because, I started in my new school yesterday. I met this boy there, a really, really beautiful boy. He was the most beautiful person that I’ve ever seen – just totally gorgeous - and I was upset and frustrated because I thought that someone like him would never want to know a wreck like me.”

“You’re not a wreck, Billy, You’re not and you shouldn’t think like that.”

“But I do. I know who I am. Why couldn’t you sleep, JH?”

“Well, you won’t believe this. I started in my new school yesterday and I met this boy there, the most beautiful boy ever! I thought that he was a red-haired angel in a wheelchair.”

“No way!”

“Way. I’ve never been attracted to a boy before, I’ve never even thought about it; but I saw this boy, saw the sunshine in his smile, and I fell in love with him.”

“Are you serious?”

“Very serious. I love you, Billy T. I loved you then and I love you now. I was so upset, last night, because I didn’t see how I’d ever get to talk to you let alone get to know you.

I know who I am too. I’m a pauper and you’re a prince – a beautiful prince surrounded by all your family. I didn’t think I’d ever get close to you, but I wanted to – so much!”

“Oh, JH. You can get as close to me as you want, the closer the better.”

"Oh yah!” JH kissed him.

“Yeah.” Billy T kissed him back. “Thank goodness for the Family,” he grinned.

“Your family?”

“OUR family. I knew that Carl and Peter are boyfriends.”

“Are they?”

“They are. So I thought that Carl would understand, so I told him my problem. He talked to Peter and he went and got you. I owe them a lot.”

“We owe them, especially me, I owe them the most.”

“You don’t, I do. Let’s go to bed.”

“Oh yah.”

Billy T climbed onto the bed and lay back, smiling widely, while JH slowly peeled his clothes off him. He hadn’t allowed anyone to undress him for years, but this was different and it was way better. His nurses had never grinned and kissed every inch of skin as it was exposed.

“Billy, oh Billy! You’re so, so, beautiful. You’re better than perfect. I love you, Billy T Carver.”

They kissed.

Just a couple of minutes later, they were interrupted by a disembodied voice. Justin was calling on the intercom. “Billy T, are you awake, Sunshine?”

“Hey Granddad, I’m awake.”

“Hey Boy. Turn your phone on, would you? Someone wants to talk to you.”

“I’m a bit busy. Who wants to talk to me?”

“You’ve got all night to get busy. Turn the phone on and you’ll see who it is. ‘Bye Sunshine. Oh, and JH?”

“Yes Sir?”

“Yes, Justin! Your dad expects you at home after school tomorrow. Take Billy T with you if you like – if he wants to, okay? Be good, Boys. See you in the morning and turn that phone on!”

“I’m doing it. ‘Bye Granddad.”

“Justin’s a nice guy.”

“He is. He’s the best granddad ever. Well, first equal anyway. Let’s see who we’ve got here and get it over with. It can’t be your dad, or he wouldn’t have left a message.”

Billy T stretched across JH and got his phone from the bedside cabinet. “Hello, who’s this?”

“Hey Cousin. It’s me – Peter. Is JH still there with you?”

“He’s here. Do you want to talk to him?”

“Yes and no. we want to talk to both of you. Look, put us up on the big screen, would you?”

“Okay, here you go.” Billy T switched the call over to the big vid-screen on the wall. “And there you are. Hey Guys.”

Peter and Carl grinned at them from the screen.

“Hey Peter. Hey Carl. You know JH don’t you?”

“Of course we do. JH Williamson, what are you doing naked in our cousin’s bed?

“I, umm. None of you business, Peter Reynolds!” JH blushed and stammered.

“It’s okay,” Peter laughed. “We haven’t got a lot of clothes on either.”

“We can see that,” Billy T grinned. “What did you want, Peter?”

Carl replied. “We want to say congratulations and thank you. You guys are our heroes.”

“Heroes? Why? We’ve done nothing.”

“Yes you have. You knew what you wanted and you did what you had to do to get it.”

“Well, you’re kind-of right,” Billy T replied. “But it’s you two who are our heroes. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. Thanks Guys.”

“You’re very welcome and thank you to you too. You inspired us. We had a problem too. I put the hard word on Carl and he went and confronted his father for the first time in his life.”

“And now?”

“And now,” Carl grinned, “no more problem. Everything’s sweet.”

“Very cool. Well done, Carl.”

“Oh yeah! Do you guys want to do something; all of us together?”

“That’d be great. Sometime but not now. We’re kinda busy here,” JH grinned widely.

“Okay, cool.. We’re kinda busy too. See you tomorrow, guys.”

“Okay. ‘Bye Carl. ‘Bye Peter. Sleep well.”

“Oh we will! ‘Bye Cousins.”

Next morning, as they climbed out of bed, JH said, “Do you shower, Billy? Or do you have to have a bath?”

“I have both – either, or. But I prefer a shower, it’s quicker.”

“How do you manage that?”

“There’s a big frame thing that I stand in. Come and see. You can help me if you like.”

“Oh yes. I’d like that; that sounds like fun.”

“It could be, but we’d better not take too long. Granddad Billy will be getting breakfast for us by now.”

“Breakfast? Oh no. All I have for breakfast is coffee.”

“Good luck with that! Even Grandmother doesn’t get away with just coffee for breakfast, much as she’d like to. My granddads are great but they can be bossy, especially Billy. Even Justin does what he’s told – usually.”

“Oh. Okay. Maybe we could work-up an appetite?”

“Maybe we could!” Billy T grinned.

“How are we going to go about this? Shall I carry you into the shower?”

JH reached out a hand to him. Billy T’s smile switched off as he pushed the hand away.

“I can do it myself!” He snapped. “I shower myself everyday. You said that I’m not a cripple. Don’t treat me like one.”

“Whoah! Sorry. I was only asking. You said that I could help.”

Billy T sat glaring at him, and then his eyes widened as he lost the attitude. “No. I’m sorry, JH. Really sorry. I told you that I get touchy, but I don’t want to do that with you. Sorry.”

“’S’okay,” JH grinned. “Forget it. I’d get pissed too if I was you. Everything is such an effort for you to do what comes easy to everyone else. I want to help you out of love, not because I don’t think that you can do it yourself.”

“You’re right and I’m wrong. Be patient with me, JH. I’ve got a lot to learn.”

“We both have, Gorgeous Boy. We’ll get there ‘cos I love you.”

“Ah, you’re too sweet. Yes, you can help me, I’d love it if you do. Help me up and then you’ll have to carry me into the shower.”

“Cool.” JH pulled him to his feet. Billy T wrapped his arm around JH’s neck, he lifted him up and carried him into the shower cubicle. The bathroom door opened automatically as they approached it.

Billy T kissed his ear. “You’re not only beautiful, you’re strong too.”

“Strong enough,” JH nodded. “It’s not a problem; there’s nothing of you – skinny little thing that you are.”

“Gee thanks. Make a guy feel good why don’t you?”

“Nothing I want to do more than that!”

“’Oh, yeah.”

Billy T’s ‘disability shower’ was like nothing that JH had ever seen. Billy T told him that his Uncle Jonathan had designed it, so it was probably unique.

For a start, there was no separate shower cubicle, instead the rubber-coated floor in the back of the bathroom sloped down to the drain-holes in the back corners. The shower area contained a contraption like a pair of under-shoulder crutches with heavily padded tops. They were mounted on a small turntable on the floor and there was also a fold-away seat.

The back wall of the shower had moulded shelves for the soap, shampoo and wash-cloths etc. There was a panel with large touch-buttons – the controls for the shower-heads, temperature and what-not.

JH maneuvered Billy T onto the supports and slid his arms over the padded tops. He stood back and looked at him standing there. The boy was shorter than he was and so, so, beautiful. He wished that he had a camera.

“Oops. Sorry, I messed up.”

“I’m fine, JH. What have you messed up?”

“You’re facing the wrong way, aren’t you? You can’t reach the soap and stuff behind you. I’ll turn you around.”

“No need,” Billy T grinned. “I can turn myself.”

He touched a button on the right-hand upright and the turntable revolved, clockwise, so that he faced the back wall. A touch of the button on the left-hand upright turned him back, anti-clockwise.

“See? No problems.”

“Yeah. That’s awesome. Your Uncle Jonathan thought of everything when he designed it.”

“He did. He’s a bright guy. He’d have to be, he is Justin’s twin.”

“I had a twin too, he was still-born. I’ve often wondered what it would be like to have a brother.”

“Yeah, me too. I had a younger brother, but I lost him. Still.” The smile came back. “I think maybe I’ve got a brother now – a better than a brother.”

“Oh yah. Me too! I could stand here all day admiring you, but we’d better not. Shall we shower?”

“Shall we – yes!’

Billy T turned back to the controls and started the water flowing from the ceiling-mounted shower heads, and then from the wall-mounted ones as well. They both stood enjoying the fine, pulsing, spray coming at them from all directions.

He stopped the water and they soaped each other up. JH did Billy T from head to toes. Billy T couldn’t reach further than JH’s crotch, but that was far enough.

He started the water again to rinse off. They knew that they didn’t have much time, but JH could not resist. This beautiful boy was naked and in the ideal position for what he had in mind.

He kissed him lustfully, and then his mouth worked its way down Billy T’s body. He licked and sucked on his balls and ran his tongue up the underside of his dick. He clamped his mouth around the head.

Billy T gasped and giggled and slid his dick into JH’s mouth. This was nothing that they hadn’t done the night before, but that was different, lying down and dry. Now they were upright, hot and wet. It was great! Lotsafun.

JH had never wanted to do this to any boy, until now. Until this boy. He could not believe how much he liked doing it. Billy T was obviously liking it as well. He was gasping and gurgling as his climax approached – bucking and thrusting wildly. JH cupped his hands around his slender thighs, holding him and trying to slow him down a little.

“I’m come. . .I’m come. . .I’m coming! Oh, Fuck JH. So good. So good!”

His whole body went rigid as he pumped his seed into JH’s mouth, and then he relaxed.

JH stood up and grinned at him. “All right then?”

“Oh yes. Very all right! Come and kiss me.”

He did.

Westpoint Tales - Heroes, 4

His father replied, “No, I’m not throwing you out. I wouldn’t do that. Sit down, Carl. Relax.”

He sat down but he couldn’t relax.

“Dad, I’m confused. Are you saying that I can be with Peter? I thought that you hated gayboys.”

Carl Senior sighed, went back to the computer and opened a personal file. “No, I don’t hate gayboys. How could I? Look, who is this?”

He brought up a photo on the screen.

“Umm, Uncle Billy and Uncle Justin? Or, it could be Jonathan, but I suppose that it is Justin if he’s with Billy.”

“Yes, of course it’s Justin – Justin and Billy. Our bosses, by the way, I started working for them before I left school and I still do. And who is this?”

Another pic appeared.

“Uncle Brian and Uncle John.”

“And this?”

“Marty and Andy.”

“And who is this?”

“Daniel and Tony.”

“And this?”

“Uncle Peter and Jay. Dad?”

“One more, who is this?”

“Christian and Roman. I do know all of these guys.”

“Of course you do. They’re our family – friends and family. What have they all got in common?”

“Lots. They’re all gay and they’re all couples. They’ve been together for years, some of them.”

“Right! And, they all stood up for what they wanted and did what they had to do get it. There are others that I could point to, but that’s enough for now. These guys are heroes, all of them are. I don’t hate them, what makes you think that I could hate you?

You’re my oldest son and I love you. Also, I’ve never been prouder of you than I am right now.”

“You are? Dad, I’m getting more and more confused. You said that I was to stay away from Peter. You said that I couldn’t be with him, and now you’re telling me that you’re proud of me because I said that I will be with him?”

“Yes, exactly! It’s time that you stood up for yourself and what you believe in. If Peter is that important to you that you’ll defy me to be with him – well, he’s important.”

And it’s all right with you? Were you testing me?”

“I was testing you. You and Peter have been mates since you were babies, but lately it has gone beyond friendship. Lots of kids mess around, but I had to be sure that you weren’t going to hurt each other. I love Peter too, Carl. I always have.”

“And you still love me?”

“More than ever.”

“Oh, shit, Dad! Thank you.”

They stood up and hugged – hard.

“I love you, Dad.”

“I love you too, Son. Act like a man and I’ll treat you like a man. Act like a boy and I’ll keep on kicking your butt.”

“Wow. Thanks. Really thank you. Now I’ve gotta go.”

“Yes, you do. Go and find Peter. Tell him too, I’m sorry if I upset him. I had to be sure that you were serious and that you both knew what you were doing.”

“Cool. Thanks. I love you, Dad.”

“I love you too. ‘Bye Son.”

He should have stopped and put his ‘blades on. Hover-blades were the fastest way of getting around town, way faster than running – which was why they were banned at school. But, he didn’t. He was way too excited and in too much of a hurry to tell Peter the news. He didn’t even think of his ‘blades until he was halfway across town.

Time was drawing on. The sun had set and the sunset had faded but there was still no sign of Billy T and JH. They were taking no calls, all of their phones were off. Kathleen wanted Justin to go down to Billy T’s room, over-ride the locks and open the door, but he refused.

“Sometimes kids need privacy more than anything else.”

“To hell with privacy! I want to know what the boy is doing, Justin.”

“Grandmother, I think that we all know what they are doing. They don’t need us barging in on them.”

The old lady was not happy, but she let it drop. She knew stubborn when she saw it. Justin always was immovable once his mind was made up.

Shortly after that, Billy received a call from Jon. He put it up on the big screen on the living-room wall so that they could all see it.

“Okay Jon. You’re on the vid-screen now. Just repeat that for Grandmother and Justin’s benefit would you?”

“Hey guys,” Jon image waved from the wall. “I just wanted to know if you know where JH is? I had a message from him, ages ago, saying that he was at the Adelphi with Billy T. I asked him to be back here by 7 because Bobby’s coming home tonight. He’s over an hour late now and I’m starting to get worried. Have you seen him?”

“Yes, he’s here,” Billy replied. “Well, as far as we know he is. They went down to Billy T’s room.”

“And they have been for hours!” Kathleen said. “I told you, Boys. It’s time someone checked-up on them.”

“Okay, Grandmother, we’ll have a quick look,” Justin replied. “Sunny, can I have the controller, please?”

Billy handed the controller to Justin. He took it and turned back to the screen. “I’ll put you on ‘hold’, Jon. Just wait a minute.”

Jon’s image was replaced by a list of programmes which Justin screened through, and then an off-white picture appeared.

Billy peered at the screen. “What you got here, Justin?”

“That’s the ceiling in Billy t’s room. His camera is pointing up at it.”

“This is from Billy T’s camera? Woo-hoo, I didn’t know you could do that. His phones are turned off.”

“Were turned off. There’s ways to over-ride the system if you know how to. Andy showed me. Now, if we can turn the camera.”

The picture scrolled down, scanned around the room and stopped on the two naked boys lying entwined together on the big bed.

“And, there they are. No problems, they’re just sleeping.”

He flicked back to Jon’s image. “Still there, Jon? You can stop worrying, they’re fine. Have a look at this.”

He put the image through to Jon’s phone and then changed back. “Okay, we’re not perving on them. Did you see that? They’re sleeping.”

“Wow!” Jon was amazed. “I saw it but I don’t believe it. My son the homophobe. JH hates gayboys!”

“Not all of them, apparently,” Justin grinned. “Looks to me like he quite likes our boy.”

“It certainly does! What happened?”

“Your guess is as good as ours. I think that we’ll have to wait until they’re ready to tell us.”

“You don’t mind JH being with your boy?”

“Of course we don’t mind – as long as it’s mutual. Billy T has been lonely in the crowd. If they’ve found each other, then that’s good. JH is a nice-enough boy and he comes from good breeding stock.”

“JH comes from the same stock as we all do. You know that, Cousin,” Jon grinned widely.

“I meant his parents not his ancestors,” Justin replied. “But, you’re right, Cousin. Of course, if he ever hurts our boy, I’ll cut his nuts off!”

“I’m sure that you would. But I don’t think that will be happening. He is a decent person despite the attitudes that he’s got from his upbringing.”

Billy said, “Those attitudes have gone out the window by the looks of things. Do you want us to wake them up and send him home now?”

“No, just leave them in peace I think. He can meet Bobby tomorrow. We’re not going anywhere and if they’ve found love that’s much more important.”

“Good call, Jon. Nothing is more important than that. We’ll let you know when they surface. Meanwhile, go get ready for Bobby. I’m sure that you’re cleaning everything in sight.”

“Thanks Superboy. You know me too well. See you all tomorrow, if not sooner. And Justin, if he ever does hurt Billy T, I’ll sharpen the knife for you.”

“’Bye Jon,’ Justin smiled. He cut the connection and turned back to Billy. “Sorry, Sunny. Are you happy with this?”

“Sure I am, Sweetcheeks. If Billy T has found a Superboy, I’m delighted for him. Of course, if he hasn’t, I’ll hold JH down while Jon sharpens the knife for you.”

“You can all mind your own business,” Kathleen grumbled. “Give the boys a chance. They don’t need you all worrying over them.”

“Grandmother!” Justin grinned. “Listen to yourself. You’re the biggest worrier ever. Sunny might not be here now if you hadn’t sent Jonathan to bring him to me.”

“Someone had to do something. You weren’t going to.”

“I wasn’t. Thank you, Grandmother.”

“Amen to that,” Billy agreed. “Thank you, Grandmother.”

“You’re welcome, Boys. About time you said thanks. Are you going to wake those two up?”

“No, we’re going to leave them alone.”

It was only a few minutes later when they emerged anyway. The elevator came up from the room below and two grinning boys came into the room.

“Hello Grandmother. Hey Granddads. Sorry, we fell asleep. Is there any dinner left and have you got some for JH?

“Of course there is,” Billy replied. “It’s just macaroni cheese, but there’s plenty of it. I’ll reheat some for you. It will take a couple of minutes.”

“Cool. Thanks, Granddad. JH come and see the view out the front.”

“JH?” Justin interrupted. “Have you phoned your dad? He’s getting worried about you.”

“Oh, no. I should’ve called him. Sorry.”

“Hey, don’t tell me, tell him.”

“I will, sorry.”

“Come on out here,” Billy T opened the doors. “You can call him while we’re outside.”

“Sure I can.” JH followed him outdoors. “Oh, wow! This is fantastic.”

“It is. Wait until you see it in the daytime. We like to look down at the peasants from here.”

“Peasants like me.”

“Oops, sorry – sore point. I was joking. I never know when to keep my big mouth shut.”

The door closed behind them and Billy grinned at Justin. “The boy’s happy”

“He is. Both of them are, I think.”

“So does he spend the night here or shall we pack him off home to his father?”

“We do nothing. It’s not up to us. JH can work it out with Jon, and with Billy T of course. Jon might like some time alone with Bobby and I’m sure that Billy T won’t mind.

When the boys returned, Billy T asked, “Can JH stay the night here with me? Please, please, please. We won’t stay up too late and we’ll go to school tomorrow.”

“Of course he can, if he wants to,” Billy answered.

“Oh I do, I really do. Thank you, Sir.”

“Just see that you get some sleep,” Kathleen grumbled.

“JH.” Justin stood up. “Let’s get one thing straight. This is Grandmother, he is called Billy and I’m Justin. There are no ‘sirs’ here, okay?”

“Leave the boy alone, Justin” Kathleen said. “I remember another boy who insisted on calling his grandfather ‘Sir’.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Justin grinned.

“I’ll try, Mr. Reynolds,” JH blushed.

“None of that either. I hate being called Mr. Reynolds, especially by family members. Call me ‘Granddad’ if you like – we’ll adopt you.”

“I think I’ll try ‘Justin’, for now.”

“Good for you, Boy.” Billy put their food on the table. “Justin and Billy it is. Come and eat. What do you think of our view out there?”

“It’s great, umm. . . Billy. Really great. You must be literally over the rainbow up here.”

Westpoint Tales - Heroes, 3

JH was suddenly aware that this was not just any beautiful boy here, this was Billy T Carver and he was rich – mega-rich. A nobody simply did not belong in Billy T’s world. He sat up and looked back down at him. Damm! He was so beautiful. Life was unfair.

“What’s the matter?” Billy T asked, worriedly. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No! You didn’t. You couldn’t. Look, umm, Billy – well, you’re rich and I’m not.”

“Do you want my money?”

“What? No! Of course I don’t want your money I wish that you didn’t have any.”

“Well, that’s good because I haven’t anyway.”

“You haven’t? But. Yes you have, you must be worth millions. What about Billy’s Burgers?”

“What about them? I don’t own Billy’s Burgers, it’s my granddads’ company. Granddad Billy and Granddad Justin are the major shareholders. There’s other people who’ve got shares as well, but not me. I don’t own any of it.”

“You don’t? But your face is on everything – all the advertising and the logo. Did they just use you for a model?”

“No,” Billy T laughed. “That’s not me. That’s Granddad Billy when he was a boy. His face is on everything, not mine.”

“It’s not you then? Oh. Sure looks like you.”

“Yeah, I know, but it’s him not me. Well, he is my granddad. I wouldn’t be much use to them – you couldn’t have a cripple advertising healthy food.”

“Oh, Billy, don’t! Don’t call yourself that. You’re not a cripple.”

“I’m not? Could’ve fooled me. I look like a cripple.”

“Well you’re not! You’re not a cripple, you’re just a boy who was in an accident. But, that’s beside the point; you’re still way above my world. I’m down there on the ground and you’re up here in the clouds.”

“I can come down there and you can come up here. We’ve got elevators.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about. Okay, maybe you don’t own Billy’s Burgers, yet. One day you will. Your family is rich.”

“I suppose they are. We just don’t think about it. Yeah, I’m probably in my granddad’s wills, but I’d rather have my granddads. I won’t be the only one, they've got a huge family and lots of friends. Anyway, they’re not going anywhere soon. Granddad’s Grandmother still lives with us and looks like she might do forever.”

“She’s an amazing old lady.”

“She is! Plus, your dad’s not exactly destitute. Whatever he’s got he’ll leave to you.”

“Why would he do that? I’m a stranger to him. I only just met him a couple of weeks ago.”

“You’re not a stranger. You’re the son and heir, the only son.”

“I, umm, yes, I suppose that I might be. But there won’t be a fortune, he works for a living. He works for your family, they own everything, not him.”

“Of course he works, everybody should. One day, you’ll work for a living and so will I, hopefully. But, I wouldn’t bet on him not having a fortune for you. There’s his partner, Bobby’s income as well, remember. Bobby will be worth millions.”

“No!”

“Yes! He’s a world-famous musician isn’t he? They don’t get paid peanuts.”

“But that’s nothing to do with me, I haven’t even met Bobby, yet.”

“Doesn’t matter. He’s your dad’s partner, so, legally, you’re his son and heir as well.”

“But. Am I? It doesn’t matter anyway, they’ll probably be around for 50 years or something.”

“Yeah, they could, and so could my granddads. Forget about all of that, none of it matters anyway. Do you want something to eat?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“You are – real fine! What about a drink then?”

“No, no drink either. Billy, I don’t want anything, I just want to be here with you.”

“Cool. Me too. Hold me, JH.”

He did.

They lay and quietly snuggled together.

“Why JH?”

“Why what?”

“Why are you called JH and not James or Jim or something?”

“Dunno really. I just am. I’ve always been JH. Why are you Billy T? What does the ‘T’ stand for?”

“Nothing at all.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing. It’s a joke, sort of. A long, long time ago there was a comedian, a maori guy; he was very popular and he was always known as Billy T James. The ‘T’ sounds a bit like the maori ‘te’ or ‘the’.”

“So you’re Billy the Carver?”

“Yeah, that’s me. Plus, it stops me getting confused with Granddad, he’s Billy, I’m Billy T.”

“Makes sense. You’re the new improved version.”

“You think? Well, you’re the new improved version of James Hargreaves.”

“Yeah! My Great, Great, Granddad.”

“Our Great, Great, Granddad – Cousin.”

“Kiss me, Cousin.”

“Oh yes!”

Earlier, when Billy T and JH left the school and rolled away up Derby Street, Peter and Carl watched them going and Peter grinned. “Mission accomplished!”

“Yeah. You did good, Peter,” Carl grinned back. “That’s good for them.”

“It is. Really good for them. Why can’t we do that, Carl?”

“Well, we haven’t got a wheelchair for a start. Oops! The dork fell off the chair.”

“He did? Yeah, he’s all right. Forget about those two, I’m trying to have a serious convo here. Why can’t we go home together?”

“You know why we can’t. My father would go ballistic.”

“It’s about time your father grew up. We’re gay and there’s nothing he can do about it.”

“I know that. You know that, but he doesn’t. He thinks that if he can keep us apart then it will all blow over.”

“Know something, Carl? I think he’s right.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that it is blowing over. I do love you, I love you very much, but I’m not going to live like this – sneaking around and hiding in corners. I’ve had it.”

“Peter! You can’t say that.”

“I can say that. I said it and I mean it. You go and sort things with your father, until then – goodbye, Carl.”

Peter walked away, Carl stood staring after him.

“Peter! Don’t, please.”

“Sort it, Carl.” He kept walking.

Everything inside him was screaming, ‘Stop! Turn around. Go back!’ but, no, he would not. Enough was enough. They’d been friends forever and no-one had a problem with it until now.

Now everything had changed. They’d gone beyond friendship, they were in love and Carl’s father was saying that they could not be. Jerk! It was about time Carl grew some balls. He was a nice kid, but he let people walk all over him, especially his father. He always had.

Redheads are supposed to have fiery tempers weren’t they? Carl might have the red hair of his Carver ancestors, but he’d never shown any sign of having a temper. The kid was a wimp!

He was bigger than Peter, physically, he always had been, but all their lives, it had always been Peter sticking up for him and not the other way around. If they were going to spend the rest of their lives together, and Peter seriously intended that they would, then he needed to know that Carl could defend him if he needed to.

For that to happen, Carl was going to have to start at the top and deal to their biggest nemesis – his father. Once he got that out of the way, nothing and no-one else would be a problem. Carl was going to have to do something.

Carl watched the boy he loved walking away and, yes, he was right. He was going to have to deal with this, but – how? His father could be a jerk and a bully at times and he intimidated him. Always had.

He sighed as he watched Peter disappear into the distance. He wasn’t concerned, much. Peter would be back, he had to. Neither of them could live without the other, and both of them knew that. But, what if?

What if Peter really did walk away from him and not come back? Carl had never thought that would happen, but now he was not so sure. What would he do without him? He didn’t want to think about that. But, it could happen!

He would just die, that’s all. There was no life for him without Peter in it. Full of resolution, he went home to talk to his father.

He arrived home to the complex where they lived, the Riverside Motels and Apartments, on the Esplanade, by the bridge. This was the only home he’d ever known, his parents had managed the place since before he was born. Well, his mother managed it really. His father spent most of his days in his home-office, on the computer. He worked, mainly, for Billy’s Burgers, in marketing and administration.

Carl waved his hand over the buzzer and stood, nervous but resolute, in front of the camera by the door. The light changed from red to green and the door slid open. He took a deep breath and stepped into his father’s sanctum.

Carl Senior sat, as usual, in front of the computer. Without looking around, he waved at the chair beside him.

“Sit down, Son. I’ll be with you in a minute.”

Carl sat clutching his hands together and trying not to look nervous. (It wasn’t working).

After a couple of minutes, he shut down the programme and turned to face his son.

“Dammit! I’m surrounded by idiots! What can I do for you, Carl?”

“Dad, umm, look if this is not a good time, I can come back later.”

“No. Now’s as good a time as any. Spit it out.”

“Well, okay. It’s about Peter – Peter and me.”

“What about Peter and you?”

“I love him, Dad. I really love him; I always have and I always will and he loves me too. I can’t live without him and sooner or later we are going to be together. We have to! If that means that you kick me out of the family, I’m sorry, but I’m still going to.”

“You have to be with Peter? Do you seriously believe that you are old enough to make a decision like that?”

Damm. Carl wanted to burst into tears and run away, but he wouldn’t, he couldn’t. He’d come this far and this was way too important to back down now.

“Carl? I asked you a question. Are you old enough?”

“Yes, Dad, I am,” he gulped. “I’m plenty old enough. There is no decision, I can’t live without him.”

“You can’t? I thought I told you to stay away from Peter?”

“You did.”

“And you’ve been seeing him anyway. Is this relationship sexual?”

“Well, yes.” Carl whispered. His face was bright-red.

“Don’t talk to the floor. I can’t hear you, Boy.”

Carl gulped again, lifted his head and took a breath. “Yes we are having sex, every chance we get. I love him.”

“And he loves you?”

“He does.”

Carl Senior got up out of his chair and stood, with his back to him, looking out at the river “So you think that you’re old enough to take control of your life. Are you willing to give up your comfortable life here, to give up your home and your family all to be with Peter Reynolds?”

“Yes, Dad, I am. I don’t want to, I do love you and Mum and everyone else, but I’ll give it up if I have to. I can’t live without him. I can’t and I won’t!”

Carl Senior turned around and studied his son. “You’re serious?”

“Deadly serious.”

“Well, good!” He smiled.

“Good?” Carl could not believe his ears. This conversation had gone beyond weird. He rose to his feet.

“Dad, what do you mean ‘good’? Are you kicking me out?”

Westpoint Tales - Heroes, 2

Peter walked away, thinking, ‘Dammit. I do love you, Carl, but you can be such a wimp! How are you ever going to stand up to your father? Well, if I can do something about these two, maybe it’ll inspire you to do something about us.’

He found JH sitting on the steps near the gym. He was alone, thankfully, so Peter went over and sat down next to him.

“Hey, JH Williamson. I’m Peter Reynolds. Welcome to Westpoint High.”

JH looked at him, suspiciously. “Thanks, I guess.”

“What do you think of it so far?”

“It’s okay, I suppose. I just don’t know hardly anyone here yet.”

“That won’t last long. There’s a boy, a cousin of mine, and he’d very much like to get to know you.”

“He would? I’m not gay you know. Who are we talking about?”

“I said nothing about gay. But, I’m talking about Billy T Carver. Do you want to meet him?”

“Really? Billy T Carver wants to meet me? Really?”

“Yes really. Billy T would like to know you. Are you interested?”

It took JH an age to answer. He sat looking down at his feet. Finally, he lifted his head and looked Peter in the eye. “Yes,” he whispered. “Yes I am very interested. If he wants to, I’d love to know him.”

“Cool. He wants to – he likes the look of you.”

“He does?”

“Yeah, he does.”

“I like the look of him too.”

“That’s great. Right then, meet us out back of the library after school.”

“I’ll be there. Thanks, Peter Reynolds.”

“You’re welcome, my friend. Now I’ll go and find him. See you then.”

“Yeah, later. Thanks.”

JH could not believe his luck. Reynolds wasn’t putting him on, was he? No, why would he? He seemed serious enough. Well, he’d be there anyway. What did he have to lose? Not a lot, but there could be so much to gain. There probably wouldn’t be, but, if Billy T wanted to, he’d be happy to be his friend – more than happy. And, he smiled at him! He’d be there, behind the library, after school. Oh, yes!

Billy T was very excited about Peter’s news, and he was grateful for his help, but he was nervous too. By the time school finished, he’d all-but decided that he wasn’t going. He couldn’t go through with this meeting. Peter gave him no choice. It was about time someone was assertive around here and he was not going to let him back out of it. He made him go. Billy T was quite easy to push around really, he was on wheels after all.

They enlisted Doris’ help and she and Kathy O’Brien helped Carl to keep everyone else away and give the kid some privacy. Peter rolled Billy T around to the back of the library and JH was already there. He stood up as they approached.

“Hey, JH. Good to see you made it.”

“Hey, Peter. I said I’d be here.”

“And you are! Good for you. JH Williamson, this is Billy T Carver. Billy T, JH.”

“Hey.”

“Hey, Billy.”

They smiled at each other and Peter decided that they’d be fine. It was obvious that they liked each other already.

“Cool. Well, you don’t need me, I’ll leave you alone. Don’t mess this up. You both want to know each other – talk!”

Peter left them alone. They looked at each other and grinned.

“Bossy Beggar, isn’t he?”

“Yeah, he is,” Billy T nodded. “I think it’s a Reynolds thing.”

“Bossy lot are they? But you’re a Reynolds.”

“No, I’m not. I’m a Carver, but we’re all related anyway.”

“You are. You’ve got a huge family.”

“We have, and so have you.”

“Me? No, I haven’t got much family at all.”

“You have you know. If you’re descended from James Hargreaves, then you’re one of us. We’re all his offspring too.”

“Right. I am James Hargreaves Williamson.”

“Yeah, and I’m Billy T Carver. Hello, Cousin.”

“Hey cousin. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too – really nice. I, umm, I’m gay you know.”

“Cool. So am I, I think. I never thought I was, but now – well, I think I am.”

“Yeah? What changed your mind then?”

“I didn’t change my mind, I just opened my eyes.”

“Oh? What did you see?”

“I saw a beautiful boy with fire in his hair.”

“Beautiful? There’s only one beautiful boy around here, and that’s you.”

“Rubbish,” JH smiled.

“Not,” Billy T smiled back. “I’ve got to get home, to the Adelphi, before the granddads start organizing a search party. Do you want to come with me? Please?”

“I’d love to, if you really want me to.”

“I do. I don’t think I’ll be playing football today anyway.”

“I suppose not. Do you want me to push you?”

“Not necessary.” Billy T pushed buttons, reversed the chair and turned it around. “The chair’s motorized. Stand on the platform at the back and I’ll give you a ride.”

“Very cool. Thanks.”

They rolled along Derby Street, heading for the towering building up ahead of them. JH could not believe his luck. He LIKED this kid. Billy T was delighted. If he could, he’d lock him in his room and keep him there forever.

‘Ah, if only!’

“Umm,” JH cleared his throat. “This is way cool, Bill. But, can you walk at all?”

“No. Not a step. I can stand up, with support, something to hold on to. The legs are all there, they just don’t work.”

“That’s too bad. What happened?”

“I got smashed up in a car crash when I was just a little kid.”

“Ouch! I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry too. It could’ve been worse, at least I’m alive. My Dad and my little brother were killed, but I survived.”

“I’m glad that you did.”

“Yeah, so am I – now. For a long time I wished that I didn’t. Granddad Justin says that my mind got smashed up too, but it’s coming right.”

“Pleased to hear it. Where’s your mum?”

“She’s dead too, her and my sisters. They were killed in a plane crash.”

“Bugger! You’ve had a hard life. My mum’s dead too – drug overdose. I was raised my my grandparents, but now they’ve gone too, so I’m living with my Dad.”

“So many deaths! Let’s hope that nothing happens to your dad.”

“I do. I really like him. He’s a good guy.”

“He must be. He’s a friend of my granddads and they only have the best. They’re good guys too. I really hope that nothing happens to them. I think I’d just give up if it did.”

“Shoot! You can’t do that! You shouldn’t even think like that. You’re a great kid and you’ve got your whole life ahead of you.”

“I guess. I don’t want to live my life alone though.”

“Can’t see that happening. You’ll always have someone. Lots of people are going to love you.”

“Doubt it. Anyway, I don’t want lots of people. I just want one special someone.”

“That’s cool. Me too. Billy, ummm, I hope that, one day, well, you might think about me.”

There was no reply. Billy T looked straight ahead. JH thought, ‘Fuck! What did I have to go and sat that for?’

“Sorry. I, umm, I’ll leave you alone”

He stepped off the chair, stumbled, fell over and sat on the ground feeling like the world’s biggest idiot. He felt like crying.

“Oh wow!” Billy T stopped and turned around. “What happened, JH. Are you hurt?”

“Just my pride,” he shrugged. “I’m sorry, Billy. I’m just a dork” He got back to his feet.

“I’m a nothing and a nobody and you are – well, you’re Billy T Carver. You wouldn’t want to know me.”

“Yeah, you’re a dork all right. You’re a beautiful person, a super guy and I’m just a wreck in a wheelchair, but I do want to know you. I very much want to. JH, I think I love you.”

“You do?” JH whispered, and he started crying. Copious tears flowed and Billy T answered with tears of his own.

“I don’t think, I know it. I love you, Billy. I do.”

“Yeah so do I.” Billy T pulled himself together. “All right, JH Williamson, it’s up to you. You can walk away and break my heart or you can come down here and kiss me.”

JH bent down and kissed him, briefly. They broke apart and grinned.

“Thank you,” Billy T said. “Please get back on the chair and we’ll go home. I want to be alone with you, if you want to.”

“I want to. I want that more than anything.”

“Cool!” Billy T smiled that smile and JH smiled back. He stood on the chair and they went to the Adelphi. Life was great!

They went straight up the ramp at the side of the main entrance, across the lobby and into an elevator. Billy T fished a card out of his shirt pocket, inserted it in the slot, and they went up to the top floor.

“We’ll have to get a granddad to get you one of these cards.”

In the top-floor living room, Grandmother Kathleen was asleep in front of the television, and Justin sat at a table with a mountain of papers. Granddad Billy came out of the kitchen.

“There you are, at last. Is everything all right? You’re late.”

“Everything’s all right, Granddad. Everything is great actually. This is JH Williamson, he’s my friend.”

“JH Williamson!” Billy smiled and offered his hand. “Great to meet you at last. Welcome to our home.”

“Thank you, Sir. Umm, at last?”

“Yes, at last. We’ve been hearing all about you. We remember you when you were a baby.”

“We certainly do!” Justin spoke up. “I’ll never forget you. You were lying on the floor with no pants on, I picked you up and you peed all over me.”

“Ohmigod. Did I really? Sorry about that.”

Justin laughed. “Yeah, you did. Don’t worry about it, Lad. It was my fault. I should’ve put a nappy on you first. You were just a baby. Don’t do it again though.”

“Leave the boy alone, Justin,” Kathleen growled. “Come over here where I can have a look at you, JH.”

“Grandmother,” said Billy T. “Be nice. This is my friend.”

“I’m always nice,” she snapped. “Well? I can’t see you, Boy.”

“Stand up close, JH,” Billy T said. “Grandmother is getting as blind as a bat but she won’t wear her glasses.”

“Stupid things make me look like an old lady.”

“But you are an old lady, Grandmother.”

“Shut up, Justin. You don’t have to tell everybody. Ah yes, there you are. What a fine-looking boy you are too. You’re a Williamson all right. You look like my cousin, John. I don’t think he looked as good as you though.”

“You people are impossible!” Billy T laughed. “Come on, JH. We’ll go down to my room now.”

The two boys crowded on to Billy T’s personal elevator and they sank down, out of sight, to the floor below.

“What a gorgeous boy!” Justin said.

“Justin!” Billy protested.

“Well he is. Billy T thinks so too.”

“Do you think?”

“He does. We haven’t heard him giggle like that for years. JH may be just what our boy needs.”

“Yes, he might. I think that’s what Billy T is thinking too.”

His granddads were right, that is exactly what Billy T was thinking. He’d never known anyone who he’d liked so much so quickly. If there really was someone for everyone, maybe this was his someone.

“Here we go. This is my room. All set up for the wheels.”

“Yeah? It’s a great room and, wow! Awesome.”

JH crossed the room to look out at the dramatic seascape through the big windows. “What a view!”

“It is that” Billy T agreed. “But you get used to it.”

“Now I see why the Adelphi is so high. I don’t think I’d ever get used to a view like this.”

“I hope you do. I hope you’re around so long that you don’t even see the view.”

“Oh, Billy.” JH turned and looked at him. “I hope so too.”

He came back, stood in front of the chair and bent down with his hands on the arm-rests. “I know that I’ll never get tired of this view.” He kissed him.

Billy T put his hands around his face and he kissed him back.

JH pulled away. “It doesn’t matter if you can’t, but can you? Well – you know?”

“Oh, I can you know, all right!” Billy T laughed. “Ask my poor abused pillows, they’ll tell you.”

“Lucky pillows!”

“I think that, maybe, they’re out of luck now.”

“I hope so. Can I help you?”

“No, it’s okay. I can do this.” Billy T pulled himself upright, lowered onto the bed and, using his hands, lifted his legs around.

“Come and lie with me, please?”

“Oh yes. You’ll never have to ask twice.”

JH kicked his sneakers off, stretched out on the bed and they kissed and cuddled. ‘Awesome!’

There was one sour note when Billy T picked up the remote and the floor-to-ceiling drapes closed the world out.

Meanwhile, Back in Westpoint - Heroes, 1

If you think this is confusing - you should see inside my head!

(For Lloyd).

Westpoint AD2045

Midnight in Westpoint. The town lay sleeping peacefully, it had been a busy day- the first day of the working week and of another school year. Almost of the people lay sleeping; almost, but not quite all. Several boys lay awake, reliving the events of the day.

Billy T lay in his bed high above the North Beach. His eyes looked out at the moon but, in his mind’s eye, he saw the smiling face of a beautiful boy. His name was JH Williamson, and he was the son of Jon Williamson, who was a friend of his granddads’.

There must be some way that he could use that, but how? Even if he got the granddads to get Jon around for a meal, and bring his son with him, he just knew what would happen then. They would get lost in the crowd, again. There was always so many people in and out of here it would be just as bad as it was at school and he wouldn’t get to talk to him, again.

It was a bugger to be shy and totally lacking in confidence, but that’s the way he was.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

His name was Billy T Carver. He was small for a teenager, but he must be one, he was in the Highschool, wasn’t he? He was a skinny little crippled kid in a wheelchair, and he was the most beautiful person that JH had seen in his life. The kid was flat-out gorgeous and he had the most incredible smile.

They hadn’t spoken more that 2 or 3 words, but JH had no doubt at all, he was in love with the boy. And that was just impossible. Wasn’t it? Yes, of course it was – impossible.

Loving a boy like that went against everything that JH had been raised to believe. His grandparents , who had raised him, were good, decent, Christian people and they knew, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that homosexuality was a sin and homosexuals were an abomination before the Lord.

The Lord hated queers and so too should every god-fearing person. What they did was disgusting and they were to be despised. And yet – he loved him. He couldn’t, but he did.

Even if he could overcome the beliefs and conditioning of a lifetime, (and having seen the boy’s smile, he knew he could), it was still impossible. He was a nothing and a nobody, living on the charity of his father and Billy T was rich – mega rich.

Billy’s Burgers were everywhere; there was hardly a town in the country that didn’t have a Billy’s Burgers in some shape of form. Hell, even the Gypsy Fair, the travelling village of housetrucks and caravans, had one. Billy T Carver was Billy’s Burgers, he owned the lot of them, or his family did, which amounted to the same thing.

One day, they all be all his and, as well as the burgers, there was all the other business interests that his family had – like the Adelphi Tower where they all lived. That included shops, restaurants, offices, a theatre, a high-class hotel and private apartments. His own father worked for the Reynolds family, they owned the complex that he managed.

No, the kid was rich. He’d never be interested in a nobody like JH. And yet – he smiled at him! Why did he smile at him? Was he gay? A lot of his family were, apparently.

That was another thing too, his family. There were dozens of them, hundreds of them – the Reynolds, the Carvers, Mathiesons, Sheridans, Duncans and O’Briens etc. Half of the town seemed to be related to them in some way. Maybe he even was himself; he was descended from James Hargreaves Williamson and, apparently, they all were too.

However, be that as it may, he was not one of them. He was an outsider and a stranger here in Westpoint. They were all a huge, close and supportive family. He’d seen that at school today where they all closed ranks around their cousin and escorted him wherever he went. No perverts would ever get their hands on that boy.

Hello? There was a new thought. Was he a pervert now? Probably. He was impossibly in love with the boy, but could a rich boy love a nobody?

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Actually, he could. Billy T had already decided that he loved the beautiful stranger, but he didn’t know how he was ever going to get to know him. Why would a dream like that ever be interested in a wreck like him? But – he smiled at him!

They had both smiled at each other. He wasn’t laughing at him, was he? The perfect young god didn’t think the cripple was funny did he? No, it couldn’t be like that, it wasn’t that sort of smile. It was a bright, friendly, happy-to-see-you kind of smile. He remembered it well, he’d never forget it.

‘Gorgeous Boy.’

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

They met at the school that morning; it was the first day there for both of them. Billy T had just been enrolled by the Secretary, Mr. Tainui, and JH was waiting to do the same. They’d been left alone, in the reception area. They looked at each other, smiled, and fell in love with each other. But they hadn’t got to tell each other that. Well, how would you? ‘Hello, I love you’ won’t you tell me your name?’

They were only alone together for a few minutes and then they got swallowed up in the crowd. The adults came back, Mr. Tainui took JH into the office to enroll him in the school, Mr. Peters took Billy T to his first class, and Grandmother went home.

For the rest of the day, even though they both wanted to, they never got to speak again. Billy T was surrounded by his myriad cousins and JH also had his supporters and was gaining more. He was a good-looking boy, he was new and a novelty in their lives and, also, his name was intriguing. Everyone knew of James Hargreaves Williamson, he was one of the founding fathers of the town.

JH was looking with new eyes at his ‘cousin’ Anthony. He was there, of course, but there was no sign of the boy he’d seen him with. Anthony wasn’t very interested in JH, but everyone else was.

As soon as school was over for the day, Billy T was whisked away, back to the New Adelphi, by his family. One of his granddads was outside the school waiting for him. Disappointed, JH went to the Square to play football with some of his new friends.

Now, late at night, they both lay awake, looking at the moon and ruing the gulf that separated them. They were not the only ones.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

A couple of floors below Billy T, Peter Reynolds lay awake in his bed and he too was feeling frustrated. It was about bloody time Carl stood up to his father and told him to butt-out of his business!

Carl Sheridan senior was being a dork and a dipshit. It was just plain ignorant that, in this day and age, he thought that he could decide that his son was not going to be gay.

If he was braver, he’d tell him himself. “Face it, Mr. Sheridan, Carl is gay, that’s just the way it is. He’s gay, he’s in love with me and I love him too.”

Damm! He wished he could do that; or that Carl would. Somebody had to! They couldn’t go on like they were – hiding in dark corners and stealing moments alone together. It was just madness.

They loved each other and what was wrong with that? Nothing! That’s what. Peter gritted his teeth. Someone was going to have to do something. He would, if he had to, but he’d prefer it was Carl – it was his Father who was the problem. Carl was going to have to do something.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Carl was going to have to do something; if he didn’t then he might lose Peter and he didn’t want that! He’d never known a time when he didn’t know, and love, Peter. He simply could not imagine his life without him in it.

They started school together, on the same day, and, even before that, they’d always been best friends. At pre-school they were best friends together.

They’d always been physical, even as pre-schoolers they always greeted each other with a hug. They’d always hugged and touched each other and liked to sit close together, often in the same chair, but it was only lately that their relationship had become sexual.

They didn’t know why they’d waited so long, they were both 14 already and it was only natural that they were going to do things together. Carl couldn’t suck his own dick, but Peter could do it for him – and vice-versa.

He loved that boy. He really loved Peter. He didn’t think about it a lot, he just did. That’s the way it was and how it always had been. Peter loved him too, of course he did. He always had and always would too, if they were left alone.

That was the problem; they weren’t being left alone. Carl’s father, Carl senior, was saying that his son could not be gay and that he was to keep his hands off Peter.

Hah! Like that was going to happen! Holding Peter’s dick or having Peter hold his one was as natural as holding his own, and there was no way that he was going to stop doing it. Now that they’d started, having sex with Peter was as natural as, and way better than, doing it to himself. No way was he going to give that up.

Carl didn’t really think of himself as being gay, that was just a convenience, and neither did Peter. They weren’t really gay, they weren’t interested in sex with other boys. Why should they? They had each other, always had and always would. Or, they always would if other people would mind their own business and leave them alone.

Carl loved his father, of course he did. Even when he was being stupid, he loved him. And he was being stupid – totally! There was no way that he was going to stop seeing Peter. He couldn’t do that and he wouldn’t. Carl was going to have to do something.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Even the longest night comes to an end. Next morning JH was stumbling around, wishing that the night was longer – now he could get some sleep. It was going to be a long day, but at least he’d get to see Billy T again, if only from a distance. That much he had to look forward to.

‘Must be nice in a way – being in a wheelchair. At least you’d get to sit down all day.’

He seriously could not face eating anything. Strong coffee was all he wanted for breakfast.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Billy T had a good breakfast. His Granddad Billy was an excellent cook. He could see why Justin ran so much; if Billy fed him like this, it was a wonder that he wasn’t as big as a house. Running would deal to the calories.

Great breakfast though. He was going to have to watch the calories himself, cripples got way too fat sometimes. He did NOT want to do that. JH Williamson would never be interested in him if he was a blob. Not that he ever would anyway. Life was not that good.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

They went to school, JH on the bus from Carver’s Beach and Billy T in his chair and surrounded by cousins. They were taking Kathleen seriously – she’d told them all that they had to watch out for him, and so they would.

Billy T smiled to himself. Everyone thought that she was a martinet, but he knew better. She was an old sweetheart really. Anyway, what could she do to them? Chase them up the road?

He arrived at school and saw JH there, but only in the distance. He came off the bus and went straight into the locker room. Billy T sighed as he watched him go. Damm, he was beautiful.

“Hello, got your eye on someone have you, Billy T?”

He looked around at Carl’s smiling face. Maybe Carl would think that his crush was a joke, but it was not. He was in dead earnest here, but he didn’t know what, if anything, he could do about it.

Well, he decided, it wouldn’t hurt to have an ally. Carl was a good guy and he must know what it was like to love a boy, he’d seen him often enough, sneaking away to be with Peter. Plus, he was almost a cousin, wasn’t he? The Sheridan’s all caled Kathleen, ‘Grandmother’.

“Carl, umm, I think I’ve got a problem. Can I talk to you – about personal stuff, I mean?”

“Sure you can. You can talk to me about anything you like, but not now, we’re out of time. I’ll meet you at recess, by the water-fountains out the back. Okay?”

“Thanks. That’ll be great. I’ll see you then.”

“Okay. Laters, Billy T.”

Billy T went to class with another of his cousins – Doris Carver. For some reason, he identified more with his Carver cousins, and there was a lot of them! Of course, the fact that Doris’ hair was exactly the same colour as his own probably helped.

At recess, he went eagerly to the fountains. Carl was already there, waiting for him. There were a couple of others there, but not for long. Carl told them to ‘flake off’; he and Billy T needed to be alone for a bit. Billy T was impressed. He wished that he could be that assertive.

“Okay, alone at last.” Carl sat down on a planter-box, next to him. “What are we talking about?”

“Carl, do you believe in love at first sight?”

“Dunno really. It’s not something I’ve ever experienced.”

“But you do know what it’s like to be in love?”

“Oh yes! I know that all right.”

“I thought you did. You’re in love with Peter.”

“Okay, hold it right there, Sunshine. Peter and I is our business and I’m not talking about it when he’s not here.”

“Okay, okay. Settle. I’m not prying, I’m just saying what I see.”

“What’ve you seen?”

“A lot. I know that you’re a couple, but that’s not what I want to talk about.”

“Cool. What is it then? It must be serious.”

“It is – real serious, for me. Look, Carl, I think I need help. I know you’re not really my cousin, but . .”

“Hold it again. We are cousins, Billy T, real cousins. Realer than a lot of them. Your Granddad Billy and my Gran are brother and sister, didn’t you know that?”

“No, I missed that Relationships are all so damm complicated! Everyone seems to be related around here.”

“Yeah, they are. A lot of them are anyway. You should ask Uncle Marty, he did a family tree a while ago – ask him, he’ll show you.”

“Okay, I just might do that. But anyway, the thing is, there’s this boy. I really, really like him and I’d like to get to know him but I don’t know how to go about it.”

“Are you gay, Billy T?”

“Yes, I’m gay.”

“Cool, me too, I think.”

“I know. Carl, how did you get together with Peter?”

“Well, I’m not much help there either. I’ve always known Peter – always!”

“And you’ve always loved him?”

“Yes, of course. But we’re not talking about Peter. Who are we talking about anyway?”

“You won’t tell anyone?”

“Of course I won’t. Who?”

“Well, JH Williamson actually.”

“JH Williamson? Whoah! Sorry, Kid, but you can do so much better than that. He’s a homophobic prick.”

“Really?”

“Yes really. Anthony said so and he’d know.”

“Anthony?”

“Anthony Lyons. He’s in year 11 and Williamson is his cousin. Actually, he’s your cousin too, and mine. It’s distant but he is related.”

“He’s another cousin?”

“He is. You really need to see that family tree. Ask Marty he’ll send it to you. Email him at canned-heat@hotmail.com. Anyway, he’s a cousin, he’s descended from James Hargreaves Williamson and so are you. So am I, like half the town is.”

“He must’ve been a busy boy then.”

“He only had about four kids, I think, but they had kids and they had kids and on it goes. Anyway, forget JH, he’s a lost cause.”

“But I don’t want to. I can’t! Okay, maybe he’s not gay, but there’s something there, I’m sure there is. Yesterday, I was sitting near him and he smiled at me.”

“You sure he wasn’t laughing at you?”

“I’m sure, it wasn’t like that. I’d be happy to be his friend, but I don’t know how to.”

“I wouldn’t want the prick for a friend, but, okay, you’re not me. I don’t know what to say, Billy T. Look, leave it with me, I’ll talk to Peter and see what he thinks.”

“Thanks, Carl.”

“Not a problem. We’ll do what we can, Cousin.”

Carl went and talked to Peter. He didn’t know what to do either. However, later in the morning he saw JH looking at Billy T, and he thought, ‘Hmm.’

He met Carl at lunchtime, in their usual place. “Carl, you know, maybe it’s not so hopeless, with Billy T and JH Williamson I mean.”

“You think?”

“Yes I do. I just saw JH looking at him and, well, maybe there is a chance. I’m gonna find out – I’ll ask him.”

“Do you think you should? Anthony said that JH is a homophobe.”

“I do think we should. Billy T is family and he’s stuck. JH doesn’t look like he’s anti-gay to me. He was looking at Billy T like he adored him or something. I’m going to ask him, are you coming with me?”

“Peter, I don’t know if we should go sticking our noses in. It’s none of our business.”

“Damm, Carl! It is our business. It’s family and Billy T asked you for help, didn’t he?”

“He was just asking for advice, Peter, and I haven’t got any.”

“No, neither have I, but we can do this. Don’t worry, I’ll be intelligent about it, but I am going to ask him.”

Carl opened his laptop, he was going nowhere. Peter got up and left him. “Later, Carl.”

Kaimoana Tales, 2 - Virgil & Joel

They finished off their meals and went inside to pay the bill. Virgil loaded all their empty plates onto the tray and took them in to the counter. The boy who had served them earlier, took them from him with a smile. “Thanks, Man.”

“You’re welcome. Thanks for a good meal.”

“You’re welcome too. Glad you liked it. Call again.”

They exchanged smiles, the boy took the tray out the back and Virgil went out to the front to wait for his mum.

Natasha came back, looked up and down the street, and announced. “Right then. We’ll go for a walk along the seafront – get some fresh air in the lungs.”

“Why bother, Mum? Your lungs are half-full of cigarette smoke anyway.”

“All the more reason to do it then. Come on, Virgil. Walking.”

It took about 20 minutes to walk the main street and along the tree-lined Esplanade to the end of the bay. The beach, below the sidewalk, was small and stony; it consisted of gray pebbles, mostly. There wasn’t much sand. The incoming surf was small and choppy and there were a lot of big rocks sticking up out of the water in the bay.

It was obviously not a great swimming beach, and this was confirmed by the community swimming-pool, built between the sidewalk and the beach. The pool was surrounded by old wooden bench-type seats and there was no roof over it – obviously.

The concrete walls and floor of the pool were painted, of course, but they weren’t the normal swimming-pool blue. This one was green – bright, pale green. If they were trying to match the colour of the sea out there, it didn’t work.

As they walked along the road and back again, Virgil was checking-out the people they saw, especially the males. He was not looking for Joel’s face. (But he was looking anyway).

They got back to the car, got in and went home. Natasha settled down with a bottle of wine and a soppy movie on the TV. Virgil went to his room to watch a decent one on DVD.

Next morning, after breakfast, he decided to go for a walk and scope-out the town. He missed Jimmy. He’d just have to walk without him then. His mother was still sleeping, he didn’t wake her. He figured that it was best to leave sleeping dogs, and mothers, lying.

He left a note on the kitchen table, weighted down with a coffee mug. The note read, ‘Dear Mum, I’ve gone out. Virgil.’

Well, she couldn’t say that he didn’t tell her.

He left the house quietly and walked down to the main street again. He’d seen a visitor information centre across the road from the café, at the end of the carpark. He’d go there and check it out. What better place to find out about the town they were in?

The visitor’s centre was big for a small town. Not that he’d seen a lot of them, but it was big. The walls were mostly covered in photos, posters and pictures of local attractions and history, along with a few maps and lots of tacky souvenirs and touristy crap.

Who in their right mind would be seen dead in one of those gaudy hand-knitted jerseys and things? Certainly not any teenager hoping to keep his credibility.

The service counter was just inside the door and the center of the long room was filled with long racks containing hundreds and hundreds of brochures advertising accommodation and attractions all around the top half of the South Island, arranged in alphabetical order.

He didn’t expect to find any advertising Tiroroa, but there were a couple – one for the camping ground and one for the Bushman’s Café. Hah! He could tell a thing or two about the food in that place! Gross at best. Still, it was nice to see their brochures. Tiroroa had, almost, been his home for a while. It was an okay sort of small town.

There was a large-scale map on the wall showing Kaimoana and the surrounding district. Looking at it gave him an idea and he went to the telephone kiosk at the end of the room, to have a look at the local phone-book.

As far as he knew, Joel was living with Sally’s family, and her family name was ‘Griffin’. There were half a dozen Griffins in the book, so that wasn’t much help. However, there was a listing for Griffin Marine Engineering, so that would be where Joel was working. That was in South Bay, which was a suburb of the town, over at the other side of the hill – to the south, obviously.

He was not going looking for Joel, but it wouldn’t hurt to know where he lived. Then he’d know where to stay away from.

He decided to go to this South Bay, to have a look at the business. Maybe he’d find a clue to tell him where the owner lived.

He had another check of the map, and then headed off, feeling quite proud of his detective work so far. It wasn’t too far to walk – a couple of kilometers. He had all day and nothing else to do with it.

The highway went up and over the hill to South Bay, but there was another way, a back-road climbing up from behind the Esplanade, so he went that way rather than back-track where he’d already come.

On the way along the Esplanade, he passed the girl who he’d seen yesterday, with Sally, but he couldn’t remember her name, so he just smiled, said ‘Hi’ and kept walking.

The back-road joined the highway at the top of the hill and he walked down there, turned left at the bottom and walked along into South Bay. There was a racecourse, with old stables and grandstand etc., just next to the intersection with the highway, and then a couple of blocks of small houses on the left of the road and the sea to the right.

The sea was calm and flat enough at the moment, but it was so close to the road that waves must wash across it at times.

Near the end of the houses, there were a few buildings, mostly big sheds, on the sea-side of the road with a couple of slipways and a small jetty poking out into the water. One of the sheds had a big sign across the front, above the open door, proudly proclaiming, ‘Griffin Marine Engineering’. Success!

Now, if he could find the owner’s home phone number, he’d be able to work out the address – so that he’d know where to stay away from, of course. What a great detective he’d make!

He crossed the road and went along for a nearer look. He stopped in front of the open door and looked up at the sign. Sure enough, there were several phone numbers up there. Dammit! He didn’t have a pen and it was a long way to go back and get one.

‘Ah, of course!’

He took out his cell to send a message to himself and started recording the numbers. A yard-broom appeared out of the shadows inside, closely followed by a young guy in blue overalls.

‘Joel! Oh, dammit.’

His first impulse was to flee and run back up the road where he’d come from, but, he couldn’t. His legs weren’t taking any messages and it was like he was glued to the spot. Joel leant on his broom and they stood and stared at each other, for ages.

It seemed like hours, but it was only a couple of minutes, before Joel sighed, smiled and said, “Hello Virgil.”

“Hey Joel. How’re you?”

“I’m good. You?”

“I’m fine. We’re living here now, in Kaimoana.”

“Yeah, I know – Sally said.”

“Yes, well. I might see you around then. Goodbye Joel.”

He turned to walk away but stopped and looked back when Joel called.

“Virgil?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you, Virgil. I’ll love you ‘til I die.”

“Joel! Oh shit, Joel. I love you so much.”

Neither of them knew why, but they stood staring and tears ran down their faces. Joel stumbled a tentative step forward. Joel leaned towards him, and then they rushed at each other, threw their arms around each other and hugged hard. They stood sobbing and bawling on each other’s shoulders.

Their heads swiveled, their mouths came together, and they kissed. And kissed. And kissed, pouring their souls into each other. They backed off and grinned widely, still crying.

“So,” Virgil said. “Pulled anyone out of burning cars lately?”

“Not for a while, no,” Joel replied. “You’ve got taller.”

“You think? I’ll be patting you on the head before I’m done.”

“You can pat me anywhere you like.”

“Anywhere?” Virgil reached out and gently patted Joel’s butt.

“Anywhere!” Joel agreed. He reached around, grabbed his buns and pulled him into a close embrace.

They kissed.

“Cynthia’s gone?” Virgil said when they separated again.

“Cynthia who?” Joel replied with a grin. “You’re the only one for me, Virgil. Always have been, always will be. I told you that.”

“You did? When did you tell me that?”

“In the letter I left you. Didn’t you get it?”

The letter. Oh!”

“Oh?”

“Oh. I didn’t read it. I threw it in the fire.”

“You didn’t read it and you threw it in the fire. Stubborn Little Sod.”

“Well, I wasn’t very happy at the time.”

“I know. I’m sorry. That was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. I’ll never do that again, if you’ll take me back.”

“Take you back? Okay, I’ll take you back, on trial.”

“On trial?”

“Yeah. You’ve got 50 years, and then we’ll see.”

Fifty years, is that all? Okay then that’ll do for a start. I love you.”

“I love you too, you big lump! I’ll always love you – always!”

They clinched again. After a couple of minutes, Joel said, “Oh Damm!” He pushed Virgil off and turned him around.

“Virgil, I wish you hadn’t worn a white t-shirt.”

“What do you mean? Why not?”

Virgil looked down at his shirt, he couldn’t see anything wrong with it.

“Come here, I’ll show you.”

Joel took his hand, towed him through the workshop and out to the smoko-room out the back. “There.” He indicated the mirror on the wall. “Take a look at the back of your shirt.”

“Why?” Virgil stood back-on to the mirror and twisted his head around.

“Oh yeah,” he grinned. “You’ve got your big greasy paw-prints all over my back.”

“I did. I’m sorry, Virgil. I forgot that my hands were dirty. Take it off and I’ll try washing it. There’s a washing machine here.”

“You will not! I’m not taking it off and you’re not washing it. I’m never going to wash this shirt – ever! When I’m old and getting doddery, I’ll have it to remind me of when I got my Joel back.”

“Oh sweet Boy! I love you.” Joel left some more paw-prints on the shirt.

“Give me a couple of minutes,” he said, breaking away again. “I’ll wash-up, lock-up and we can get out of here.”

“Great. But, I don’t want you getting in trouble – you’re working here.”

“Not really. I’m not getting paid, it’s Sunday. I just came in to clean-up and mess around for something to do.”

“Really? Haven’t you got anything better to do on your day off?”

“I didn’t, until now. Now I think I’ve got much better things to do,”
Joel grinned.

“Oh yeah!” Virgil grinned back. “Me too!”

A few, long, minutes later, they walked together back up the highway into the town, chattering and delighting in their reunion. They belonged together; both of them knew that.

Joel didn’t have wheels – yet. He soon would, his dad was going to give him the Chevy for Christmas. He just needed to get a new car for himself first. Dick was tired of driving the old gas-guzzler. Joel didn’t mind, he was delighted to get the Chevy, he loved that car, it was special.

Virgil agreed. It was special to him too.

Joel said that he was living with his uncle and his family, in Torbay Street, in town, but he wouldn’t be for long. He wasn’t comfortable there and he’d be out of there as soon as he could.

Sally was okay, she was great actually, but her brothers were a pair of pains in the butt. Aunty didn’t like him at all. She didn’t say anything, but it was obvious that she had no time for him.

Virgil said that she must be nuts then.

Uncle, on the other hand, did like him – too much. He suspected that Uncle had the hots for him. He hadn’t done anything, but Joel could tell.

Virgil said that was quite understandable and – eww!

Back at his new house, his mother wasn’t at home. Where would she be? Shopping probably, that was her favourite hobby. He gave Joel a quick tour of the house and yard and they soon finished up where they wanted to be – in Virgil’s room and in his bed.

It’s not easy getting naked when you’re lying down and your lips are fused to someone else’s, but they managed.

Busy hands were everywhere. They were in such a hurry that they didn’t even notice that the door wasn’t closed properly.

They made sweet love together until they lay cuddled in post-coital bliss and drifted off to sleep. Life didn’t get better. Sweet!

The partially closed door blew wide-open when Virgil’s mother returned and she opened the back-door. She had been shopping and was laden with packages, mostly groceries though.

Natasha dropped everything on the kitchen table, switched on the kettle for a coffee, and went back to the car for the rest of the shopping. Back in the kitchen, she sighed as she surveyed all of her spoils.

She’d spent more than she should have, but there were just so many bargains! The bank balance had had a bit of a battering. Mr. Grumpybum would not be approving.

She was quite aware that she was the mother and she didn’t need to get Virgil’s approval, but he always made such a fuss. Also, her boyfriend, Barry, would be arriving today sometime. What she spent her money on was none of Barry’s business either, but she could do without the pair of them ganging up on her.

Well, what they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them. She collected up her clothes purchases and took them to her room to leave them away out of sight.

She left them all on the floor, on the side of the bed away from the door. Coming out of her room, she looked across into Virgil’s and shook her head at the sight. He was back in bed already. Teenagers! They lived in a different time-zone.

He should’ve shut the door if he was going to sleep the day away. She wouldn’t disturb him, they’d been working hard and he was on holiday after all.

She reached into his room to close the door and stiffened when she realised that there wasn’t just one person in the bed. There was two of them!

“Virgil Cain!!” Natasha roared. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing? Who have you got in that bed with you?”

“Mum! Hey,” Virgil’s head appeared from under the covers. “I . .umm. . .Can you shut the door? I’ll talk to you later.”

“You will not! You’ll talk to me right now! Who is that in your bed?”

The covers stirred again and another bright-red face appeared.

“Hello, Mrs. Cain.”

The three of them stood/sat staring at each other – two naked, embarrassed boys in the bed and the irate mother in the doorway.

“Oh. It’s Joel.” She relaxed suddenly and a big smile spread across her face. “Hello, Sweetheart. How nice to see you. Carry on, Boys. I’ll leave you in peace.”

She closed the door and went back to the kitchen.

“Wow.” Joel sat up and looked down at Virgil. “I thought we were dead.”

“Yes, wow,” Virgil grinned. “That’s my mum.”

“Not your average mother.”

“She’s certainly not! But she’s my mum and she knows me. She knows that I love you.”

“I feel like we’ve slipped into the Twilight Zone,” Joel shook his head.

“No we didn’t.” Virgil sat up and kissed him, briefly. “I love you, Joel Stafford. I love you and we belong together. I know that and so does my mum. Actually, I think that’s why we moved here. I think Mum took the job hoping that we’d get back together.”

“Well, not quite,” Joel grinned.

“What do you mean?”

“I started working on it 6 months ago.”

“You did?”

“Yeah, I did. Dad heard that Mr. Henderson was retiring, so I got him to write and ask him to recommend your mum for the job. He did and the school wrote and offered it to her. That was long before we broke up. Didn’t you notice that I was always singing the praises of Kaimoana?”

“No, I didn’t. I wasn’t listening.”

“Well, your mum was, obviously. I told you that we could work something out.”

“You did say that. You crafty beggar! Devious, aren’t you?”

“No, My Love, not devious, just desperate. I love you, Virgil.”

“Oh Joel! I’ll love you forever.”

They kissed.

Kaimoana Tales, 1 - Virgil

"We’ve all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true."


The school year ended on a high note. Virgil won 2 of the 4 available ‘Best in Class’ awards and also the ‘Sportsperson of the Year’. The latter was largely because of his epic victory against Motueka High, right back at the start of the year.

He was a bit embarrassed but his mother was delighted.

They spent most of the weekend packing and cleaning. The furniture removal truck arrived first thing on Monday morning and, after a final check and lick around the house and yard, they left Tiroroa for good and headed for Kaimoana.

Natasha drove her car and Virgil drove his gran’s housetruck, so it was going to be a long day. Gran was ‘gone overseas’ for Christmas and she’d be joining them in the new year. Well, she said it was overseas, and it was technically, but all that really meant was that she’d gone up North, to Auckland actually. She didn’t take the housetruck up to the North Island, it would cost far too much on the ferry and she ‘wasn’t made of bloody money’.

So they left Tiroroa with few regrets. They’d had some interesting times there but had never really felt like it was home. There had been bad times but there had been good times too. When Virgil thought of Tiroroa he’d think of it as the place where he met the great love of his life – his Joel.

But Joel wasn’t there anymore and he wasn’t Virgil’s either. Prick! He wished that he’d never loved him; but he did and always would.

The worst thing about leaving was that Virgil’s best friend wasn’t coming with them. Jimmy, the Alsatian, was dead and buried down by the river. Poor old thing.

They struggled up and over the Spooner’s Range, down the long, sweeping road into Nelson and slowly through there, thanks to the insane traffic. The summer-holiday makers were arriving already. The housetruck seemed to take forever going over the long, twisting hills after Nelson and it was a relief to finally come down to the Rai Valley, through Canvastown, Havelock and Renwick, Woodbourne and Blenheim.

They stopped for a late lunch at a vineyard café just south of Blenheim. The food there was cheap and plentiful, but the stop still cost them far too much because Natasha had to stock-up on wine for the Christmas season. Virgil didn’t know why she had to buy so much, Gran wouldn’t be there to share it with her and he certainly wouldn’t be having any.

There were more hills after Blenheim, but nothing like as bad as they’d already come over. The highway followed down along the East Coast, but they didn’t see much of the sea until they were getting near Kaimoana and it was getting dark by then.

They were held up, near Kekerengu, when the water in the old truck’s radiator boiled over, again. It was a long, hard haul for a little old housetruck. They waited for a while there, it was good to have a break. When the truck cooled down, Virgil replenished the water with the emergency supply and then refilled that from a creek.

His mum offered to swap vehicles and she’d drive the truck for the rest of the way. It was hard work driving the truck with the manual stick-shift and no power steering. Virgil said thanks but no thanks. He’d started this trek and he’d finish it, he was not a quitter.

They arrived in Kaimoana well after dark. The town, sort-of, snuck-up on them. The scattered farm-houses got closer together and then more concentrated. Next they started passing businesses along the highway – service stations, motels and restaurants, and suddenly they were in the heart of the town.

They didn’t turn off to the main street, as he had expected to, but carried on up the hill and along to their destination – up Churchill Street to Fife Avenue.

The small house was all in darkness, of course. Virgil retrieved the keys, from the letterbox, and they went inside to find a horrendous mess. The Removal Truck guys had off-loaded all of their furniture and possessions and, very kindly, left everything crammed into one room.

“Gee, thanks Guys,” Virgil addressed the mess. “There’s a nice welcome to our new home. What a job this is going to be!”

“We’re not going to worry about it now, Honey. It’s too late. We’ll sort it out tomorrow. We can sleep in the housetruck for tonight.”

“Yeah, good thinking, Mum. We’ll do that. Thank goodness for the old truck.”

“Yes, it does have its uses. We’ll have a coffee and then go to bed.”

“I’m not drinking coffee now. I don’t know how you can do that; I’d be awake all night. I’ll just have a coke.”

“It’s all in the mind you know. There’s caffeine in coke as well, and bulk sugar.”

“Maybe, but it doesn’t keep me awake.”

“Because you’re still just a boy, My Son.”

“Shut up, Mum. I’m just as tall as you.”

“You are! You’re not as old though.”

“You think?”

They closed up the house again and camped-out in the housetruck. It was good to get a reasonably early night. Today had been a long day and tomorrow would be another one.

Funny how travelling can be so tiring when you’re just sitting on your bum all day.

Virgil arose in the morning and took a couple of minutes to check-out their new home in the daylight. It was a small, two-bedroom place, with green weather-boards and a tiled roof and it was one-half of a double unit, which was unusual. It’d be strange knowing that your neighbours were right through the wall and not on their own separate section like they should be.

The street was a small cul-de-sac and the houses were all similar materials and designs. Again, that was unusual for a New Zealand street. Usually every house was very individual.

He figured that it was probably an old state-housing block. The government built thousands of similar houses, back in the 1950’s – mass housing for the masses. Every town in the country had some of them.

Out in the back-yard there was an over-grown vegetable garden, badly in need of attention. That would be a good job for Gran, she was the gardener in the family. The neighbours over the back fence were sheep. They were still going to be living in a small town.

He sighed and went back into the truck for a coffee before the day’s work started.

It’s a lot of bloody work moving into a new place and getting everything set-up the way it should be. They still hadn’t finished in the late afternoon, but they thought that that was enough for one day and it was coming on to dinnertime.

So, they both washed and tidied-up and drove downtown to find somewhere to have a meal, they figured that they’d earned it. There were an awful lot of restaurants, cafes and take-away places for a town of this size.

That was probably because it was a good place to break the journey, more or less halfway between Christchurch and the ferry terminal at Picton, (and vice-versa). Probably every person in the country, and a lot of the tourists, had come along this road at some stage.

They skipped the bigger, newer, places along the highway through the town and went down to the main street to find something more local. Virgil would’ve been happy with Billy’s Burgers; they were cheap and fast, you knew what you were getting and it was supposed to be good for you. Besides, Billy’s Burgers was a Westpoint business, wasn’t it? He liked to support them because his mum came from Westpoint, they might even be related to the owners.

However, his mum decided, no – they weren’t eating at Billy’s Burgers. She wanted something more local than that. Billy’s Burgers were everywhere and they were all much the same. The Craypot Café looked interesting, so they would go there. Kaimoana was known for its seafood. That was what the name of the town meant – Kai, (food), from the sea, (Moana).

Besides, the Craypot Café looked so cute with the outdoor tables on the little wooden balcony looking down over the street. They might even have Whaleburgers, didn’t he know? Whaleburgers were Joel’s favourite, weren’t they?

Virgil said, “Shut up, Mum. What Joel likes is nothing to do with me.”

“Well, it’s a shame. Honey. You and Joel were very close for a while there. I like Joel. He’s living here now you know, in Kaimoana. We’ll probably see him around, it’s not a big town.”

“I might be seeing him but I won’t be talking to him.”

“You could try. You were such good friends!”

“We’re not now. He dumped me, Mum. He bloody dumped me.”

“You’re being silly, My Son.”

“I’m being me. Let’s go eat.”

They went in and ordered, plain old fish and chips, and then sat at a table outside. The sun had gone down behind the hills, but it was still a warm and pleasant evening. The street was quiet, just the occasional car and a few, unhurried, walkers going past. There was definitely a slower pace to life in a small town.

Their meals arrived, brought out to them by a nice-looking boy about Virgil’s age. He and Virgil quietly checked each other out, but not a word was spoken. Virgil was not ready for another relationship and, though he had no way of knowing it, the boy was already spoken for.

They sat quietly eating their meals. Natasha commented that she should have brought a bottle of wine with her.

Virgil protested. “Mum! You can bloody wait until we get home can’t you? You don’t have to have alcohol with everything!”

“Shut up. Don’t be a prude. A bit of wine goes nicely with fish. Everyone knows that.”

“Mum, you and Gran would drink wine with bubble-gum.”

“Eat, Virgil.”

A couple of teenage girls came strolling along the sidewalk below them. Locals, obviously. They were in no hurry to get anywhere. They stopped when one of them did a double-take and she squealed.

“Virgil! Ohmigosh! What are you doing here?”

“Hey Sally,” he smiled. “Nice to see you. We’re just eating here.”

“I can see that, Silly. What are you doing in Kaimoana? You’re a long way from home.”

“Not really. We’re not far at all. We just moved here; we’ll be living in Kaimoana from now on.”

“Really? That’s great. Joel will be delighted.”

“I don’t think so. We’re not friends anymore. He doesn’t want to know me.”

“Oh boy, are you wrong, Boy! He misses you, you know.”

“Doubt it. Or, if he does, he can keep on missing me. We’re over and it was him that said that to me too.”

“We all make mistakes, Virgil. What’s that saying? To err is human but to forgive is divine.”

“I’m not divine then.”

“You’re telling me nothing,” his mother interrupted. “Hello Sally. How are you?”

“I’m good, thanks, Mrs. Cain. I’m always good. I can’t believe that you’re living here. It’s a small world.”

“It certainly is. I’m going to be teaching Manual Classes at the Highschool.”

“Great. Yeah, old Mr. Henderson retired. It’s about time too, he taught my dad.”

“He taught Joel’s dad too. How is Joel, Sally?”

“He’s okay, I guess. He’s a bit of a misery-guts though. He never wants to go anywhere or do anything. He just goes to work and goes home.”

“What about his big new romance?”

“With Cyn? No. That lasted for about 5 minutes. Cyn’s living in Blenheim now and madly in love with her new guy.”

“Dump her, did he?” Virgil scowled.

“I don’t think anyone dumped anybody, they just broke up. I think that they both realised that they’d made a mistake,” Sally replied. “Fern, this is Virgil, he’s a cool kid. Virgil Cain, meet Fern McAuliffe.’

“Hey Fern.”

“Hey. Nice to meet you but we’ve gotta go. Come on Sally, we’ll be late.”

“We’re already late. See you around, Virgil. Bye Mrs. Cain.”

“Goodbye Girls.”

The girls strolled away. They weren’t moving like they were late for anything. Natasha smiled at Virgil.

“See, Honey? You’re going to like it here – there’s two new friends for you already.”

“Yeah, yeah. Eat, Mum.”