Kaimoana Tales, Joel 2

(I think Joel's story should've been posted as one chap.)

“You’re very welcome, my Lovely boy. Having you sleep out here would suit me too. There’s been a few burglaries, and some vandalism, out this way lately. Having a big strapping lad like you on the premises should scare the little shits off.”

“That sounds great, Uncle. I could live out here easy!”

“That’s settled then. You’ll live here, for free, and keep the place secure. You feed yourself, of course. You’re welcome to have Virgil here, after hours, but no parties, okay?”

“No, of course not. I wouldn’t do that.”

“Didn’t think you would. Bloody Stephen and Dougie would though. We might put in a camera or two as well; can’t be too careful.

You never know, when we’re busy, I might stay out here with you, sometimes. You might have a boarder. Now, let’s get this place opened-up. We’ve got work to do.”

Joel said nothing, but he sincerely hoped that the caravan had more than one bed. He was grateful to his uncle, but gratitude only went so far – he was not sleeping with him.

Uncle went home for lunch, Joel didn’t go with him. He wasn’t welcome there and didn’t live there anymore. Instead, he went into town to buy a pie and some groceries. He guessed that he was going to have to go back to get his gear, but wasn’t looking forward to it.

As it turned out, that wasn’t a problem either. When Uncle came back to work, there were boxes full of all Joel’s stuff, in the back of the van.

“She-who-must-be-obeyed has been moving things around. Dougie’s moving into your room, apparently. All of your things that were there are in the back of the van. Let me know if anything’s missing.”

After work, Uncle went home and left Joel to it. He sorted his clothes and gear into the wardrobe and drawers in the caravan, and then he went uptown to see his boy.

As soon as he stopped in the street outside, Virgil came running out and jumped into the car. “Joel! Where’ve you been? Why isn’t your phone turned on?”

“Isn’t it? Whoops, sorry. There, it’s on now.”

“It’s a bit late now. I’ve been looking for you. Sally said that they kicked you out. Where have you been?”

“They didn’t kick me out, I left. I slept in the car last night and now I’ve got a caravan to live in.”

“A caravan? Where did you get a caravan? You should’ve come here, Joel. Why didn’t you come to me?”

“Virgil, it’s okay – really it is. Uncle arrived at work this morning with the caravan for me. I’m going to live out there and use the shower and stuff in the workshop. I didn’t want to disturb you. I’m not bludging off you and your mum, I need to stand on my own feet.”

“I’ll stand on your bloody feet! You wouldn’t be bludging. I love you and Mum would make you welcome here.”

“I know that, My Love. I love you too, but it’s not up to your mum to support me. I’ll make my own way.”

“You’re way too proud, Joel Stafford. Kiss me.”

“Kiss you? Here, in the street?”

“Yes, here. No-one can see us, and if they did, I don’t care. I love you.”

“Oh, Virgil. I love you very much. You’re the best thing in my life – ever!”

He kissed him.

“Okay, thank you.” Virgil pushed him off. “Now you can come inside and explain to Mum why you won’t live here, and good luck to you!”

They went into the house and were met by a wall of words. Natasha was not happy.

“Where the hell have you been, Joel Stafford? I am not impressed! Where did you sleep last night?”

“I, umm . . .yeah. Hello Mrs. Cain. I’m good, how’re you?”

“Don’t you try soft-soaping me, Young Man. We’ve been worried about you. Where have you been?”

“I haven’t been anywhere; just working. I slept in my car, last night, down by Geese Bay.”

“In your car? Of course you did. Well you’re not doing that tonight – you’ll stay here with us. This is where you should have come in the first place. You know that you’re always welcome here.”

“I do know that, and thanks, but I can’t stay here with you guys. I’ve still got a job and I need to make my own way. I’m not a little kid who needs looking after.”

“You’re not little, but sometimes we all need looking after. Where are you planning on sleeping tonight? And don’t say the car.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m all set-up now. Uncle got me a caravan; it’s parked-up at the yard and I’ll be sleeping there. I can use the showers, toilets and kitchen in back of the workshop, so I’ve got everything I need.”

“At the work-shop? You are not! Why can’t you live here with us?”

“Because I can’t. What if I want to bring a girl home for the night?” Joel grinned cheekily.

Virgil shoved him. “Don’t think about it. Don’t you even joke about it. You are mine, and don’t you forget it. We’re going to be living together, sooner or later, why not now?”

“Because we’re not ready. I’m 18 and I’m not. You’re just 15 and you certainly are not. You’re still a school-kid, Virgil, and you need space to grow. I’m not taking that away from you.

I seriously intend that we’re going to spend our lives together, so we have to do it right. I don’t want to stuff it up by starting on the wrong foot.”

“There is no wrong foot, you Dork! I’m as ready now as I’ll ever be. But . . . okay, if that’s the way you have to do it, then we will. But, you just remember – I’m ready whenever you are.”

“When the time is right, we both be ready and we’ll know; not before.”

Natasha said, “Virgil, if you ever let this boy go, I’ll . . . well, I don’t know what I’ll do but I won’t be happy.”

“I’m not letting him go,” Virgil replied. “Not now, not ever.”

“See that you don’t!” Virgil’s gran spoke up. “You’re never going to find better than Joel. Anytime you don’t want him, I’ll have him.”

“Shut up, Gran. Eww! No-one’s having my Boy, not you, not Mum, and no-one else either. Joel is mine!”

“All yours, My Virgil.”

“Don’t ever forget it,” Natasha said. “Now go away while I get us something to eat. You’re eating with us, Joel. Don’t say no.”

“I won’t, not this time,” Joel grinned. “Thanks everyone, you really are great! Virgil, come with me. I’ve got something for you.

They went into Virgil’s room. Joel closed the door, carefully, and turned to face him.

“Well?” Virgil was not known for his patience. “What’ve you got for me?”

“This is for you, and only for you, always.” Joel kissed him.

“Oh, yes!” Virgil beamed. “I love you, Joel. So much!” He kissed him back.

“Do you think we’ve got time for a quickie before dinner?”

“No, we have not, Horndog!” Joel laughed. “I’ll love you later. We’re not risking coitus interuptus. I do love you, Virgil.”

“I know! After dinner, we’ll go and have a look at this caravan, there’ll be no interuptus there.”

“Good idea. We’ll christen it and maybe break the bed in.”

“Maybe we’ll break the bed.”

“Well, we can try.”

“Oh, I intend to!”