Year 6, 5

Every time they went to Kaimoana, they agreed that it was their best holiday ever. This time was no exception, it was the very best time, mostly because they met some of the locals and they were good guys, mostly. They even got to spend time with some of them at home, in the flat up above the Emporium, in the house up behind the Craypot Cafe and at Virgil's place.

Lachlan had a part-time job, working for Mr. Hilliard, filling in for his son, Brodie, who was away at varsity with William's Dylan. The Hilliards had a small business, taking tourists for guided tours on 4WD bikes. Lachlan arranged for a free trip, up Mount Fife, for them. That was great. Awesome views up there too. They should've had a camera, but didn't. Next year they'd make sure that they did.

Time passed, the days flew by, they were busy and ejoying their brilliant holiday together. They only had 2 weeks and their time had almost gone, there was only a couple of days left when they remembered and realised that they'd done nothing about finding out about the Kerstens and Stones here in Kaimoana and if there were any family connections.

Mrs. Stone and Mrs. Kersten were related because they were sisters, but were their husbands related to Jared and Ethan? It'd be very cool if they were, like they were fated to be together or something.

Okay, it was nothing to do with anything, but they wanted to know.

Mrs. Kersten and Mrs. Stone had both told them that they knew nothing about it, so they'd need to talk to their men. They went back to the Craypot and asked Mrs. Stone where and when they could talk to her husband. He worked for Baker Brothers, didn't he?

"That's right," she replied. "But not today, it's his day off and he's gone fishing. If you want to see him, you'll probably find him on the rocks, down at Geese Bay. That's where he usually goes."

"Geese Bay? That's down the highway, isn't it?"

"Right. It's about 5k south of here, down where the first set of road tunnels are."

"We'll go there then. Thanks."

As they went up the Esplanade, Ethan said, "I'm not walking."

"Yeah, you are," Jared grinned. "Look at your feet! You're walking and doing it so well."

"Shut up, Dork. I mean I'm not walking all the way out there, it'd take all day and it's too hot."

"Yeah, it is. We don't have to walk, we've got a car."

"Cool. I thought you'd forgotten that."

"Shut up. I haven't forgotten, we just haven't needed to use it. Everything's only a few minutes walk away."

"It is, but Geese Bay is not."

"So we're going in the car. Don't be grumpy, Ethan."

"Or what?"

"Or I'll kiss you."

"Promises, promises."

They exchanged a grin, life was good.

Jared slid into the driver's seat and the car started on the first try, which was really good seeing as how it'd been sitting outside and hadn't moved at all in nearly 2 weeks. He drove them out to Geese Bay and parked off the road.

There were several people out there, fishing from the rocks at the edge of the broken coastline. They went over to the first one and struck it lucky, he was Edward Stone, Betty's husband. They told him of their mission and that was where their good luck ended. He couldn't help them and, even worse, he wasn't really a member of the Stone family, not Ethan's one anyway.

"Ah, yeah," he nodded. "Kersten and Stone. I remember talking to Alice and Betty about that, ages ago. Sorry Boys, it's just a co-incidence. My Great-Grandfather was a foundling baby, left on the steps of an orphanage, back in Edinburgh, in Scotland. The matron of the orphanage chose the name for him. Edward for the king's name and Stone because, well, who knows? He had to have a name, so she named him Edward Stone, the same as me.

I'm not related to Brian in any way that we know of. Maybe we're both descended from Adam and Eve, who knows?"

"Oh. Bugger."

"Yeah, bugger. Thanks, Mr. Stone. It doesn't change anything. We just thought it'd be really cool if we were related somehow."

"Yeah, I guess it would, but the only way you could be related is if you do what we did - get married."

He was joking, he grinned as he said it, but it sowed an idea in their minds. They sat thinking quietly as Ethan drove back to the motels. He pulled up there.

Jared said, "Let's do it then."

"Let's do what?"

"Get married, then we'll be related, like the man said."

"Jared, are you asking me to marry you?"

"Well, yeah. As soon as we're old enough we can do that civil union thing. It's the same as marrying, people call it a marriage. We don't need a church, we never go near one anyway."

"So you love me?"

"Of course I bloody love you, you know that."

"I do know that and I love you too, Okay, yes. Let's get married, as soon as."

"Yeah, as soon as. We can have a posh double-barrelled name. We'll be Mr. Ethan Kersten-Stone and Mr. Jared Kersten-Stone."

"Yeah, and we'll buy a house together and live together for always and if anyone doesn't like it - fuck 'em!"

"Yeah, fuck 'em. It's about time you kissed me."

"It's about time we went inside and did more than that."

They did.

Their two weeks flashed past and it was time to go home. There was no sadness this time because they were going home together and they knew that they'd be back, together. They drove south, to Christchurch. They'd be coming back here again and again. This was their favourite holiday town. Definitely!

Driving home, they passed the junction with the West Coast road, near Waipara. Ethan said, "I do love Kaimoana, it's the best town."

"It is," Jared nodded. "We'll go back there again."

"We will, for sure, but not next time. Our next holiday, I want to go somewhere else."

"Oh? Like where?"

"Like, over there, to the Coast. I want us to go to Westpoint. We might meet Jason and Jordan there."

"We'll go to Westpoint then. I don't care where we go as long as you're happy and we go there together."

"Thanks, Jared."

Ethan loved Jared heaps, big heaps.

Jared loved Ethan, mountains.

Year 6, 4

They slept late next morning. They often did. Jared woke first, he got out of bed without waking his mate and made breakfast - coffee and crumpets. Ethan came staggering out before he was ready, so he sent him back to bed.

He took Ethan's breakfast in to him, went back for his own and returned with it and got back into bed. "All right there?"

"Yeah, this is choice. Thanks Jared."

"Enjoy. I just wanted to say thank you."

"Thank me, for what?"

"For not freaking out when I climbed up the cliffs yesterday."

"I nearly did."

"I know you did, but you didn't. Thanks. I had to do that."

"You won't do it again?"

"No. I don't have to now."

"You know you're weird, don't you? But I love you anyway."

"I'M weird? Look in the mirror."

"What would I see?"

"The weird boy who I love."

"Oh, yah! Shut up, Jared."

They sat in bed and ate their breakfast, smiling at each other. It was just a snack really, they'd have more for lunch.

"What's that noise?"

"What noise?"

"That noise. Listen."

"Oh. Don't know." Ethan slid out and opened the drapes on the front windows, standing directly in front of the big window, stark naked, with his arms outstretched. Not even 2 meters away, looking straight at him, there was a blond kid out there, washing the window. The boy grinned as he looked at him.

Ethan clapped his hands over his naughty bits and dived back into bed, pulling the covers over his head. "Damm!"

Jared was laughing his stupid head off.

"Shut up, Jared. Damm, that was embarrassing!"

"Funny but," Jared laughed.

Ethan came out of the covers. The boy outside was laughing too, he smiled and waved at him. Ethan grinned and waved back and was relieved when the boy moved on to the next window.

"I hope he doesn't think he's coming in here to do the inside."

"Damm! That was so funny. You should've seen your face."

"I don't think it was my face he was looking at."

"Probably not. But, did you get a look at him? What a looker! He's freaking gorgeous."

"Jared, shut up. You're not helping."

"Well it's true. He is."

"I dunno, I wasn't looking. All I saw was someone grinning at me"

"Ah, don't worry about it. He's just a stranger, we'll never see him again. Anyway, it was a bit of a treat for him. You look very nice with no clothes on."

"Shut up, Jared!"

"He probably didn't see your face anyway."

"Shut up! That was so not funny."

"Was from where I'm sitting."

When they got out of bed, the first thing Ethan did was to slam the drapes shut again. They showered together, which took a long time, as usual, then dressed and went out for a walk. There was no sign of the window-washing boy, he'd gone, which Ethan thought was a good thing too.

The lady who ran the motels, Mrs. Tanner, was out there, doing some weeding in the big garden-boxes on the side of the street. She looked up and smiled as they passed. "Good morning, Boys. Lovely day! Is everything all right then?"

"Oh yes," Ethan smiled. "Everything's great, thanks Mrs. Tanner."

"Yeah," Jared agreed. "It's all good. The windows are looking good," He grinned at Ethan's glare.

"The windows?" She looked around. "Oh yes, William's been cleaning them. It takes a lot because we're in the salt-spray zone here."

"William?"

"William Scott, a local boy. He's got a part-time job helping me out sometimes."

"Oh, okay. We're going for a walk. See you, Mrs. Tanner."

"Yes, goodbye, Boys, enjoy your day."

"Oh we will!"

They wandered downtown again. Jared was in no hurry. Ethan was, he wanted to check-out the art place. There was no-one using the skateboard park, but they still had to walk through there. The path through the small Memorial Gardens was lined with a row of arches - pairs of whale bones.

"They must be ribs."

"Yea, I reckon. Huge aren't they?"

"They're big. Now we know what Jonah felt like in the belly of the whale."

"Yeah, sort of. There was plenty of room for him."

"There was. He could've taken his whole family with him!"

"Did he have a family?"

"Dunno. Read the book."

"Yeah, one day."

They passed the visitor's centre. They'd have to have a look in there someday.

The carpark along the beach side of the main street was huge. It was nearly half the length of the shopping area. It was needed though, there were heaps of cars in there.

"Town gets a lot of visitors."

"Obviously. They're pretty crafty making them pay to park. The local council must be making a fortune from the traffic."

"Fair enough. If the cars didn't stop they wouldn't need the parking spaces."

"You think?"

"Shut up, Ethan."

"At last! Here's the Kaimoana Emporium."

"Yeah, okay enjoy, but don't stay here all bloody day."

They walked into the shop, Ethan made a bee-line for the art works on the walls, Jared went right, into the music department. He soon found the CD he was looking for. There were quite a few he'd like, but he couldn't afford them all. This one though, he had to have - 'The Kaimoana Operatic Society presents the "True" Story of Kaimoana.' He'd never seen it on sale in Christchurch, it should be! They'd only heard that one song, but that alone was worth the price.

He stood at the counter, waiting to be served. The young guy working there was busy with another couple of customers. Jared opened the case, slipped out the enclosed booklet and opened it. The contents were mostly photos and cartoons of the show's cast. That must be that Gary guy at the piano. Whoah, he had another look at the guy in the shop. It was him, that was the piano-man right there, Gary Stafford.

So he was the rich guy. He didn't look rich, he was just a kid, an older teenager. Nice-looking though, he had a nice smile.

"Hi! How can we help you?"

He looked around at the speaker behind the counter and it was the window-washing guy! Damm, this was a small town, if it was him.

"Oh, hey. I just wanted this one."

"Of course you did. That's our biggest seller and we don't even get the profits from it."

"You don't?"

"No, it's a community effort. Profits go to the Society."

"Yeah, of course. Are you a twin?"

"Me? No, there's just one of me."

"Have you got a brother?"

"No, just a sister."

"That was you washing the windows at the Ocean View Motel then."

"Right, I was. Oh, yeah, that was you in the bed. I didn't know you with your clothes on," he grinned and Jared blushed.

"Hey! We were still in bed, well, I was still in bed."

"Yeah," William smiled. "Your mate was out though, for a short time."

"A very short time," Jared laughed.

"So, are you two here together?"

"Yeah, Ethan's over there. We're here for 2 weeks."

"Very cool. Have a great holiday."

"We will, we always do. We've been coming here for years but this is our first time alone together."

"You're a couple, aren't you?"

"Oh, yeah. Definitely."

"Cool. I've got a guy, he's on the CD too - Dylan James, singing Summer Nights."

"He's your guy?"

"He is. Tell you what, there's a DVD of the show too. That's got all the songs on the CD and more, and you get a video with it."

"No thanks, I'll just take the CD. It's cheaper."

"Sure it is, but if you want to change, I can let you have the DVD for the CD price."

"Really? That'd be excellent!"

"Right then. Just don't tell Gary."

"Don't tell Gary what?"

"What? Oh. Hello, Boss, how's it going?"

"Don't soft-soap me, William Scott. You giving our profits away?"

"Well, yeah. Just this once. This guy and that one over there are a couple. They're good guys, you should see them naked!"

"You what? I don't want to know. And you think that makes it right to give the Society's profits away, do you?"

"It's okay, thanks," Jared said. "We only wanted the CD anyway. We couldn't play the DVD in the car."

"You're a fan, are you?" Gary turned to him.

"We've only heard The Impossible Dream, but it's great."

"Yeah, it is," Gary smiled. "That's my cousin, Joel, singing. He's amazing."

"He is!"

"Okay, William, you're right, he's a nice kid. They can have the CD and the DVD for the price of the CD."

Jared beamed, "Both of them? Really? Thanks."

"No worries. I'd give you both of them, but Mrs. Braidwood might shoot me. She's the Boss, but what she doesn't know won't hurt her."

"You sure it's all right?"

"It's okay, Kid. You enjoy them. You'll see William in there too, he's in the chorus. That alone is worth the price."

"Shut up, Boss."

Gary went over to talk to Ethan and William rang up the sale.

"So," Jared queried. "You work here as well as at the motels?"

"Sometimes, yeah. Gary gives me part-time work. I need the money so that I can go down to Christchurch for weekends to see my Dills. He's at varsity there."

"Oh, so you're a couple too?"

"Very much so. Great, isn't it?"

Jared looked over at Ethan and sighed, "Oh yes!"

William moved on to another customer, Jared took his CD and DVD and went over to join Ethan.

"That's him, isn't it?" Ethan nodded at William. "The kid who was washing the windows."

"Yeah, that's him," Jared grinned. "He said it was nice to see you too."

"Jared! Shut up. He didn't, did he?"

"No, just kidding. He's a nice guy, so's that one there. That's Gary, this is his shop. I bought the CD and he gave us the DVD for free."

"For free? Very cool. Nice people around here."

"Yeah, some of them. What do you want to do now? Don't say go to bed."

"Why not? No, let's go out to Taylor's Beach for a swim and we'll eat in that cafe out there."

"That's a plan. C'mon."

Year 6, 3

The further along the track they went, the easier the walking was. By the time they walked under the 'maori' archway and out into the settlement of South Bay, the track was easily wide and flat enough to drive a car along it. Talking quietly and secure in their own little world, they were still holding hands and didn't even know it. They were soon reminded though.

They were passing in front of the big open door on the front of a workshop/shed, Griffin Marine Engineering, and 2 big uncouth types there sneered at them.

"Fucking queers!"

"Yeah, Fuck off, Queers. Keep that stuff in the bedroom where decent people don't have to look at it.

'Decent people?'

They looked at them. Ethan tried to pull his hand away, but Jared held tight and wouldn't let go. Fuck 'em anyway. He knew these two, he remembered them from years and years ago. They were the same two who were giving Ethan a hard time on the beach that day. They were older and bigger now, but it was them, he was sure of it. They hadn't changed.

"Grow up, why don'cha?" He sneered back at them.

"Jared, don't!" Ethan protested.

Jared spoke to Ethan but looked defiantly at the other two and spoke loud enough for them to hear. "Don't worry about them, My Friend. We smacked these two over when we were 10 and we'll do it again."

There was no answer and they kept on walking, still with their hands linked. When they were out of earshot, he let Ethan go. "I hate idiots like them."

"Don't hate them," Ethan replied. "You're better than that."

"Yeah? So are you, much better."

"I thought that we were in trouble there."

"No. Those type are cowards, usually. Stand up to them and they'll back off."

"Usually, but not always. You think they're the same two you saved me from on the beach that day."

"They are, I'm sure of it. Can't be that many of them around here. Anyway, I didn't just save you, you saved me too."

"I did, didn't I?" Ethan grinned. "I had to, you were fighting for me. You're an awesome kid, Jared."

"So are you, totally awesome. We should thank them really."

"We should thank those creeps? Why?"

"Because if it wasn't for them, we might never have got together. I was getting nowhere with you until then."

"Well, I was shy."

"You're not now. I love you, Ethan."

"I love you too. Shall we go back and thank them then?"

"I don't think so. Keep walking, Dork."

"Oh? I'm a dork, am I?"

"Yeah, but you're my dork."

"And you're my one."

"Oh, yah!"

In the racecourse, near the corner where the road met the highway, a tall blond guy was running around the track at an impossible speed. They stopped and watched, he was impressive. A smaller dark-haired youth cheered him on from the side and timed him with a stop-watch. The runner completed another circuit, breasted an imaginary finishing tape and stopped, panting.

"Awesome, Lachlan!" The dark-haired youth yelled. "Simply fucking awesome! And the crowd goes wild. Yay, yay, yay!" He danced around waving his hands in the air.

"Shut up, Virgil," the blond grinned. "You're an idiot!"

"I am not!"

"Yeah you are. Those guys think you are too." He nodded at Jared and Ethan, over the fence.

"Hey!" The guy, Virgil, turned and looked at them. "Do you think I'm an idiot?"

"Well," Ethan grinned. "If it looks like one and it sounds like one . . ."

"Shut the fuck up," he grinned back. "No-one asked for your opinion. Lachie, that was your best time ever. You just keep on getting better and better."

"You think?"

"I've got the timer, haven't I?" He showed the stopwatch. "Next time we go to Westpoint, you'll leave Superboy for dead."

"Not likely," Lachlan snorted. He picked his clothes up and shrugged into his top. "No-one beats Superboy - nobody!"

"Superboy?" Jared wondered aloud.

"Yeah, Superboy." Virgil turned around. "He's a guy over in Westpoint and he's a fucking awesome runner. Probably the best, until now. He's my cousin too, well, distantly he is."

"He sounds good."

"He is, he's very good. Not as good as Lachlan though."

"Shut up, Virgil," Lachlan blushed. "He is too, he's way better. Hey, Guys. I'm Lachlan and this is Virgil, who are you"

"Hey, Lachlan. Hey, Virgil. I'm Jared and he's Ethan. We're from Christchurch and we're holidaying here."

"Of course you are," Virgil grinned. "Honeymooning, are you?"

"Honeymooning? What makes you think that?"

"Well, there is this." Virgil held his hands up and clasped them together.

"Oh." Jared and Ethan both looked down and blushed. They were holding hands again and didn't know it.

"Oh, yeah," Ethan said. "Yes, we're a couple. We've been together for years and what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing wrong with that," Lachlan replied. "Absolutely nothing. If I thought there was I wouldn't have a boyfriend and neither would Virgil."

"Oh?" said Jared. "You guys are a couple too?"

"No, they're not," said Ethan.

"They're not? How do you know that?"

"Because Lachlan's with Gary, at the art shop. Aren't you? There can't be 2 Lachlan's in a town this size."

"There isn't," Virgil replied. "There's only room enough for one."

"Don't be cheeky," Lachlan grinned. "Yeah, Gary is my mate. How do you know that?"

"We were talking to what's-his-name, the red-haired guy at the Craypot Cafe, he told us."

"Jacob," Virgil nodded. "What's-his-name's name was Jacob."

"It probably still is."

"Don't be smart, Lachie." Virgil took his cell out and looked at it. "Are you guys going into town? I'm going there in a minute if you want a lift."

"That'd be great, thanks," Jared replied. "We've done enough walking. But how are you going to give us a lift? I don't see any cars."

"We haven't got one, but there's one on the way. Joel's coming to get me."

"And Joel is?"

"The best boy in the world. Joel's my mate."

"Maybe one of the best." Ethan put his hand on Jared's shoulder.

"Yeah, one of them." Jared put his hand over Ethan's.

"Ain't love grand?" Virgil smiled. "Here's my Joel coming now. Where are you guys staying?"

"The Ocean View Motel, on the Esplanade. Do you know it?"

"Of course we know the Ocean View," Lachlan beamed. "Gary owns it."

Jared said, "Of course he does. Your Gary must be really rich."

"Yes and no. He would have a lot, but it's all tied-up in investments. He's never got a dollar to spend. Borrows off me half the time and I'm definitely not rich."

"The rich boyfriend borrows money off you? That's not right."

"No, it's not like that. He pays me back and he'd give me anything I wanted, I just don't ask. It's good to see him being wise with his money, and he is."

"Your Gary's a good guy then?"

"He is. He's the best."

"No, he's not," Virgil said. "Here's the best boy now.

A big old Chevy pulled up ahead of the two on the road.

"All right! We're outta here." Virgil vaulted the fence. "See you, Lachie."

"Yeah, later, My Friend. See you around, Guys." Lachlan waved to Joel and started walking home.

Ethan said, "He doesn't live with Gary then?"

"No, he lives up the road, with his parents. Joel lives with Gary."

"Your boyfriend lives with Lachlan's boyfriend."

"Yeah, in separate rooms. They're cousins."

"Small town."

"Very small town. Hey Joel, how's it?"

"It's good, Gorgeous Boy. Who've you got here?"

"A couple of strays. Jared and Ethan. They're staying in the Ocean View. Can we give them a lift into town?"

"Sure we can. Hey, Guys. Jump in the back."

Jared opened the door and they both got in. Virgil sat in the front seat and started rummaging through the glove-box. Joel shook his head at him.

"So, you guys want to go to the Ocean View?"

"Yeah, we're staying there. Just anywhere in town would be good, thanks."

"We'll take you there, it's not far out of our way. Staying there with your family, are you?"

"No," Ethan smiled. "Just us. We've been there before, but this is our first holiday alone together."

"You're a couple? Very cool. Virgil, what are you doing there?"

"Looking for my CD. Where've you put it?"

"Of course you are. You won't find it in there."

"Where then? C'mon, Joel, hand it over. I want to hear my CD."

"For the millioneth time. Okay, here it is."

"Cool! Ta very much and don't hide it from me again." Virgil took it from him and put it in the slot. "Where's the cover, Joel Stafford? You scratch this CD and you're in fucking big trouble!"

"Thought I might be," Joel grinned. "And, he presses 'start'," (Virgil pressed 'start'). "And, he presses 'select', and he selects track 4 and he sits back grinning."

"Shut up and listen."

"I've heard it before. I sung the bloody thing!"

"You did, and you did it brilliantly."

Virgil swung around and looked at the 2 in the backseat. "Listen to this, Guys. Best song in the world. It's live, on stage, too, at the show last year. Bloody brilliant!"

There was some crowd murmuring from the speakers, it stopped when a piano started. They lay back in their seats to listen to the quiet music, but the tempo quickly increased. The singer's voice started, loud and clear, "To dream the Impossible Dream."

Jared and Ethan both sat up listening carefully. The song went on as they went over the hill, along the crowded main street and up the Esplanade. They didn't even see the sights, they were looking at the speakers. The final crashing notes sounded as they pulled into the Motels' driveway and they sat motionless and speechless.

Virgil swung around to look at them agian, grinning widely. "Well, is that good or what?"

"Wow!"

"Double wow. Damm, Joel, was that really you? That was awesome. Just awesome."

"Fucking good, eh? Virgil beamed. "That's my boy!"

"I've never heard anything like it," Ethan said. "Not my sort of music, but that was great."

"It was," Jared agreed. "Where can we get a copy of that?"

Virgil said, "Gary sells them, in his Emporium. It's on the True Story of Kaimoana CD."

"We're going there tomorrow," Ethan nodded. "We've gotta get that. Wow."

Joel said, "The piano was Gary. It wouldn't be the same without him."

"You a professional singer?"

"No, I work for Baker Brothers. Very handy too, I live upstairs from them."

"With Gary, yeah. You're a talented family."

"Just the best," Virgil beamed. "Okay, you're home. Bugger off now, we've got things to do."

"Yeah? So have we. Thanks for the lift."

"Not a problem. We'll see you around."

"Hope we do. We might want you to autograph that CD. 'Bye."

"'Bye already. Go!"

They got out and waved as the car drove away.

"Ethan, I do like this town. More and more."

"Me too. But let's go inside and shut the world out now."

They did.

They went out for a walk later, a bit after midnight. It was Ethan's idea, of course, and Jared wasn't letting him go out there alone. They weren't gone long, not even an hour. They went along the moon-lit beach and back by the quiet main street and the Esplanade. They didn't see a soul the whole time they were walking, just a couple of passing cars.

It was a pleasant, quiet night, but a bit chilly. Especially when you're wearing nothing but shorts and t-shirts. They went back to bed, where it was warm.

Year 6, 2

They were still a bit early, but it wasn't a problem. The lady at the motels welcomed and registered them As they were leaving the office, Jared said, "Thanks, Ms. Tanner."

"You're welcome." She looked down at her ample bossom and around the desk. "But how did you know my name?"

"Oh, I can read your mind."

"You can not," Ethan scoffed. "Jacob, at the Craypot Cafe, told us that Ms. Tanner manages the Ocean View now."

"Manages? I do everything, including scrubbing the toilets. Anyway, that's not right."

"Not right?"

"No, it's not. I do manage the joint, but my name is Mrs. Tanner, not Ms. I hate that. I'm a Mrs. and proud of it."

"Oh, okay, sorry. Thank you, Mrs. Tanner."

"That's better. Thanks, Love. Enjoy your stay."

"We will. We always do."

"Yeah, this is our favourite place."

"Yeah? Mine too. See you later, Boys."

They took their bags into Unit 4. Units 5 and 6 were already taken, worse luck, but it was still the Ocean View and not too different. This was their home away from home and they loved it here. This was where they began and it was always good to come back. In their new home, they closed the drapes and tried the bed out because, well, they had to.

It wasn't their first holiday together, that was years ago, but it was their first time together alone. They were free to do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. Everything, that is, except climbing cliffs. They weren't going back there again. Hurts.

That was good, it always was. They'd had a lot of practice and they were good at it. They loved their time in bed together, but they couldn't stay in there forever, there was other things to do, like eating! They got up, cleaned up, dressed and went out for a walk. They needed to buy some groceries so that they could cook dinner. Eating out was all very well, but they couldn't afford to do it all the time, they weren't rich.

They left the motels and went over to the beach. Nothing had changed there, the beach was exactly the same as it always was. Jared said, and Ethan agreed, it was funny really. They had grown and changed so much since they first met, right here, and the beach hadn't changed at all. Funny and good.

They made their way along the beach, towards the town area. It was hard work walking on the round stones. It would've been easier to go up and walk along the sidewalk, but they wouldn't let it beat them. They kept at it and they made it, they walked all the way down to the back of the railway station.

The station was so close to the beach that it must be hit by the surf on stormy nights, well almost. The booking office for the whale watching trips was in there, so they went in to check out the times and the cost of the trips.

It cost way too much, but it was a once in a lifetime experience, so they decided that they'd go out if they still had enough money left at the end of their holiday. The guy on the counter said no, they didn't do the plane flights, that was another company, they just did the boats. The planes operated out of the airfield, south of the town. He thought that they were even more expensive and not as good value for money, (but he would say that, wouldn't he?). His company offered a guarantee and refunded 80% of the cost if they didn't sight a whale, the planes didn't do that. He didn't know much else about them. They'd have to go and find out for themselves.

Jared said that they could do that, no worries. He knew where the airfield was, he saw it on the way into town and it wasn't far, in a car. Ethan said, no, they weren't going to bother.

"We're not made of money. If we go out at all, we'll go on a boat."

"You sure? Won't be much fun if you're sick out there."

"It wouldn't. We'll go to your dad's shop and get some drugs. They sell travel-sickness pills, they must have something for seasick."

"Yeah, probably. You're not the only rotten sailor in the world. Dad must've thought of that angle."

"You dad has got a shop here?"

"He has, CK Chemists. CK is my dad, Calvin Kersten."

"I see. He's got a good little business there. My cousin works there."

"Your cousin?"

"Yeah, Missy Waipouri."

"Whoah! Scary lady."

"She makes out she is. She's as soft as butter really, when you get to know her."

"You might be right. Dad really likes Missy, he calls her his Maori Princess."

"That's her. She is a princess, sort of, but the only person she belongs to is herself."

"I believe that! This is such a small town."

"It is. A small town and a great town."

"Yeah, we like it too. Let's go, Ethan. We need to get to the Supermarket before it shuts."

They didn't go into the art shop. By the time they got to there they were loaded up with groceries, so they gave it a miss and agreed to come back, maybe tomorrow. They stopped for a rest and watched the kids in the skateboard park. It was nothing exciting. It was a great setting, between the road and the beach, but it was only a little park and little kids. There was one boy doing stunts on a BMX bike and they watched him carefully because they were sure that he was going to go over the wall, but he didn't. Probably a good thing, but it would'ver been funny to watch.

They had a beggars' banquet for dinner - boiled potatos and saveloys, swimming in tomato sauce. Their mother's would not have approved, but whatever. They weren't there, so they could eat what they liked. Hah!

They were in bed early, of course, so they were awake early next day. They got up, cleaned up and tidied their mess up.

"Hey!"

"Hay makes the bull fat."

"Yeah? Shut up. Look at this."

"Look at what?"

"This tide-table on the door here. It's going to be low tide in about 2 hours. We should go out to the seals and the tide will be down when we get there."

"We could wait and go in the car."

"We're not, we're walking."

"Okay, Bossy, but we are NOT climbing any cliffs."

"Who's bossy?"

They microwaved a couple of lasagna squares - Ethan's favourite meal. They were quick and easy and he said that they were a square meal. While he did that, Jared made coffee. They ate and drank and started walkiing, up the Esplanade, around the bays and out to the seal colony.

They had no money on them, as usual, and they were too early anyway. The lady was setting up the portable cafe at the back of Taylor's Beach, but they agreed that they'd have to come out and eat there before they went home.

The seals were disappointing. The tide was well out and the rocks uncovered, but there were hardly any seals there - about 6 at the most, and they were scarred old bulls and very sleepy. Well, probably bulls, who could tell? They were covered in old battle scars, so probably.

"Where are all the seals then?"

"Who knows? Maybe they've gone on holiday."

"Yeah, they might be in Christchurch, shopping in the malls and stuff."

"Yeah right! More likely, it's their breeding season or something. These old guys would be too old for breeding."

"Yeah, too old and too ugly, so they got left behind. What are we going to do now? Back to town?"

"This is the end of the road. I know, we'll go back but we'll go around the Peninsular. The track goes all the way to South Bay."

"That'll take ages."

"So? We've got all day."

"Okay, let's do it."

They started doing it. The track was easier than they remembered. The waves were miles away. Last time they'd had to run between them, this time they were nowhere near the track. It wasn't long before they came to the gully where they'd climbed up to the top of the cliffs. They stopped and stood quietly, side by side and looking up. Ethan slid an arm around Jared's back.

"I thought I'd lost you," he said.

"Yeah," Jared sighed. "I thought you had too."

"I love you, Jared."

"I love you too."

"C'mon, this is not a good place."

"Wait. I want to go up there."

"Up on the cliffs? Jared, no!"

"Yes, Ethan. I have to."

"No you don't! Please don't. Look what happened last time."

"I know what happened, I'll never forget it. That's why I have to go back up there."

"But why? That's mad. It's bloody dangerous. Last time, you nearly died. I had nightmares for months afterwards."

"I still have nightmares. I dream I'm falling and falling and I wake up covered in sweat. If I'm ever going to get rid of this, I have to beat it. It won't take long. I'll just go up, look at the top, and then come down again."

"Jared, I wish you wouldn't. You're scaring me."

"Sorry, Mate, but I have to. Otherwise, I'll be the one who's scared forever. You don't want me to go through life like a frightened little baby, do you?"

"No, but you wouldn't. That's not you."

"That's why I have to do this. Are you coming up with me?"

"No way! I've got nothing to prove, I'm staying here."

"I have got something to prove - to myself. Wait here, I won't be long."

"Do it then, but please be careful. If you bloody fall again, I'll never forgive you!"

"I won't fall. I'll be careful. I'll be back soon."

"Don't hurry. I'm not watching you, I can't! I love you, Jared."

"Love you too. Wait for me."

"I'll wait but I'm not watching and you're bloody mad."

"I'm not, I'm sane and I want to stay that way."

Jared climbed, slowly and carefully, all the way up the narrow little gully to the ledge at the top of the cliffs. He stood there, briefly, and then started making his way down again. How did Ethan know that? He watched him, of course. He couldn't take his eyes off him.

He reached the bottom, slid down the last bit and walked out on to the beach, grinning widely.

"Hi, Honey. I'm home."

"You're not funny!" Ethan snapped. "I bloody hate you, Jared Kersten." He grabbed him and sobbed over his shoulder. "Don't you ever do that again."

"I won't. I don't have to now, it's over."

"Bloody good job too! Let's get out of here"

They carried on walking towards South Bay, hand in hand. Jared was happy, he'd faced his fear and beaten a personal demon. Ethan didn't understand that at all, but he was happy too. His Jared was back with him, safe and sound and in one piece.

Year 6, 1

John Stone managed a car-sales yard, on Morehouse Avenue in Christchurch. So, when they were ready, he was able to get them a really good deal, and Jared and Ethan bought a car.

It was nothing flash, just a little Volkswagen Golf. It was old but tidy and should be a good reliable car. Their first car!

All of the parents tried to talk them out of it, but the boys were adamant. They both paid for it and it was their car. They would share ownership, that was important to them both. It was not like either of them would ever be going anywhere without the other anyway. It was their first car and they owned it together.

They both had after-school and weekend jobs, at the same place, at Burger King on Bealey Ave. They shared the work and now they'd share the fruits of it, together. They already had their licences to drive, of course. They'd studied together and got them as soon as they turned 15. Having a car opened their world up. They were much more mobile and didn't have to rely on anyone to take them places.

The summer holidays rolled around and the four parents decided that they were going to have a holiday together, over on the West Coast. It was somewhere different and they felt like a change. Jared and Ethan didn't agree and, after much negotiation, they were going for a holiday in Kaimoana. They didn't want to go anywhere else. They planned on driving up there. They'd take a tent and stay in the camping ground. That was all that they could afford.

However, the mothers talked over the boys' plans and decided that they were not happy about them staying alone in a camping ground. They were good kids and always sensible and supportive of one another, but they were still just kids. They weren't even 16 yet.

So, Mrs. Kersten and Mrs. Stone paid for their boys to stay in a motel. In the Ocean View Motels of course. They'd be happier with them there. Jared and Ethan didn't mind a bit. Good call! They'd be there alone like they were grown-ups already.

So, at last, the two families headed off together for their semi-annual summer holiday. They parted at the junction near Waipara. Jared and Ethan continued north, to Kaimoana, where they were not allowed to go climbing any cliffs! The others all went West.

When they arrived in their favourite town, it was still early and they weren't due to check in to the motel until 2pm, so they stopped first at the Lookout up on top of the hill where they could look out over the town. It was too windy and a bit cold up there, so they went downtown to get something to eat. There was no wind at all on the main street. The Craypot Cafe looked choice with the tables and chairs out on the deck by the side of the street, so they went in there.

They walked in and a lady came out to serve them. "Hello there," Ethan grinned. "You're working here now?"

"Working here? I've been here for years."

"But weren't you at the hospital? You were on the reception desk there."

"No, Dear," she smiled. "That wasn't me. That'd be my sister."

"Oh, so you're not Mrs. Kersten? You sure look like her."

"No, she looks like me."

Jared said, "You must be Mrs. Stone then."

"I am. I'm Betty Stone. How on earth did you know that?"

"Mrs. Kersten said that she had a sister named Mrs. Stone."

"That's right, she has - me. You've got a good memory."

"Not really, you see, that's our names too. I'm Ethan Stone and Jared is Jared Kersten."

"Right. I remember! You must be the boy who fell off the cliff on the Peninsular, a couple of years ago."

"That's right. Well, Jared did. I just went to the hospital with him."

"Of course you did. Alice said that you were very upset."

"I was. Jared's my mate and I thought he was going to die or something."

"He obviously didn't, and now you've come back. Don't go climbing any cliffs."

"Everybody tells us that," Jared grinned.

"Good. Listen to them. What can we do for you, Boys?"

"We just want some lunch. Do you do burgers?"

"We do not! Go to Billy's if you want burgers, they're the best in town.

"You don't have Burger King then?" Jared said. "I don't want a burger, I'm sick of the sight of them. What's the seafood chowder like?"

"Just the best. It is because I make it."

"We'll have a couple of bowls of that then, thanks."

"Coming right up. Take a seat and I'll send them to you."

Ethan said, "Thanks. Can we sit outside?"

"You can if you're quick. Those seats out there are never empty for long."

"Come on, Jared."

They sat at a table, on the deck, out in the sunshine and looked up and down the main street. They could see it all from where they were sitting.

"I do like this place," Ethan nodded.

"Yeah, it's cool. Little though, there's more shops in a mall in Christchurch."

"There is, but it's not the same. This is my favourite little town in the whole world."

"Yeah? Seen them all, have you?"

"You know I haven't, but I don't have to. This is the best town because it's where I met the love of my life."

"That right? So did I, years and years ago. Best boy in the world and I met him right here."

"Me too." Ethan reached across and held Jared's hand. They sat gazing and smiling at each other. Life was good.

"I love you heaps, Jared Kersten."

"I love you mountains, Ethan Stone."

"Get a room, why don'cha?"

Their hands flew apart and they sat blushing as a grinning red-haired guy put a tray on the table between them. "Hey! It's okay, Guys. I'm Jacob and I've got a boyfriend too. Mine's better than yours though."

"Not!'

"Is not."

"He is too. Riley's the greatest. So, you're Mr. Stone and Mr. Kersten?"

"Yeah, we're Jared Kersten and Ethan Stone."

"Betty's talking about you. Same names as her and her sister. Very cool. You related?"

"Not that we know of."

"We should find out while we're here."

"Yeah, do that. You're a couple?"

"Yes, definitely!"

"Cool. And you're staying here?"

"We are. We're staying at the Ocean View Motels, just the two of us together."

"That's very cool too. We should do that sometime. Tell Patsy I said hello."

"Patsy?"

"Patsy Tanner. Gary bought the place and she runs it now."

"Who is Gary when he's at home?"

"Gary's our mate. He's got that place over the road. When he's at home, he's upstairs. He lives in the flat up there."

"Your friend owns the motels and also The Kaimoana Emporium? Is he rich or something?"

"Yeah. Very rich, apparently, but he doesn't talk about it. Gary's a good guy. Ask Lachlan, he'll tell you. He's very proud of Gary."

"And who is Lachlan?"

"Oh, right. He's just a kid. He's Gary's partner."

"Rich Gary is gay and he's got a kid for a partner? That doesn't sound right."

"It doesn't, does it?" Jacob laughed. "It's okay. They're both kids, both about 16 or 17."

"Oh, that's all right then." Ethan nodded. "Jared, I want to have a look around in the art gallery."

"Of course you do. Ethan's an artist you know. A good one too."

"So you say," Jacob grinned. "He'd have to be good to beat those guys. Most of the art stuff that Gary sells is by Jordan Taylor and Jason McDonald, they're great artists and quite well-known."

"They are well-known," Ethan said. "We studied their pencil drawings in Art Class. Their black and white sunsets are awesome."

"Yeah, they're good. What can I get you to drink?" They asked for capauchinos, of course and Jacob left them to enjoy their chowder.

"What are we going to do today?"

"Don't know. Maybe we could just check-in at the motel and go to bed."

"C'mon, Ethan, we are not! We could do that at home. We've gotta go out and do stuff."

"We could do stuff in bed."

"Horny bugger! We've got all night."

"All night and every night."

"Oh, yah. How about we go out and see the seals?"

"Only if you've got a parachute. No, let's go to the railway station and check-out the whale-watching trips. We've never done that and it's about time we did."

"I thought you hated going out on the water?"

"We don't have to. There's planes do trips out there as well."

"Whale-watching from a plane? We could, I guess, but that'd be expensive, wouldn't it?"

"So we'll go and ask, and then we'll know."

"Yeah. Ethan, this is so good being here like this, just you and I together."

"It's good. Get used to it, this is the way our lives are going to be."

"That's the way I want it. I love you, heaps."

"I love you, mountains. Shut up and eat now, and wipe your chin. You're disgusting."

"And you love that too."

"Sometimes."

When they'd finished, they put all the empties back on the tray and took it in to the counter. The lady there smiled at them, "Thank you, Mr. Stone."

"Thank you, Mrs. Stone," Ethan grinned back. "You do good chowder."

"Oh, aren't you lovely? Thanks, I'm glad you liked it."

"What's not to like?" A dark-haired guy came out from the kitchen behind her. "Thanks, Guys, but you don't have to bring your empties back. That's my job, you'll be getting me fired."

"That's not going to happen, Riley," Mrs. Stone said. "Your mum's not going to fire you."

"Worse luck!"

Jared said, "Don't you believe it. Ethan's dad fired us."

"He did? What did he do that for?"

Ethen answered, "We were working for him, cleaning and grooming cars in his sales yard and he sacked us. He said we were messing around too much and not taking it seriously."

"And he was right," Jared nodded. "Ethan can be a clown sometimes."

"Hey! Shut up. You were just as bad. Worse in fact."

"But you look so good when you're all wet!"

"Too much information!" Mrs. Stone laughed. "So, tell me, did you ever figure out if you're related to my husband's family?"

"Not yet. We were just saying that we should try to do that while we're here."

"Yes, do that. I wouldn't be much help to you, but go and talk to my husband. He works over the road there."

"Does he work in the Art Gallery?"

"No, not there. He works for Baker Brothers, they've got a factory in the back of the same building."

"They have? I thought they worked out of Westpoint, over on the Coast. There was an article in our paper about them."

"No, That'd be about the opening of their new factory. Their original one is right here, in Kaimoana."

"They've got 2 factories? That's cool. We love Baker Brothers' desserts, they're the best thing that Billy's Burgers sell."

"Of course they are! Go and see him, you might get a free sample."

"We'll have to do that. Thanks."

Jacob came out from the kitchen and Jared said, "Does Rich Gary own Baker Brothers as well?"

"Not likely! He's not that rich. They just rent the building from him. Or, from us actually. My brother and I have got shares in Gary's company. Dianne bought them for us."

"Dianne?"

"Riley's mum. She's our foster-mother and our lawyer. She's got some shares in there too."

"Wow. Is everybody rich around here?"

"Not yet," Riley replied. "But we're working on it."

Mrs. Stone said, "Do some bloody work then. Those tables out the front need clearing."

"Damm, Betty! You're getting as bad as Mum."

"I'm working on it."

Ethan said, "We'd better stop holding you up. Come on, Jared. Let's go and check in at the motel."

"Yeah, okay. Thanks, Guys. We'll see you around."

"Not if we see you first!" Jacob grinned. "'Bye, Kersten and Stone."

"'Bye, Whatever."