The Malloys, 6

"What?" Sarah exclaimed. "Oh, damm! It's the bloody Queen Mother! What's she doing here? It's not her birthday. Don't be too impressed with the car, it's a clapped-out old heap even if it is a roller."

"The Queen Mother?"

"Yeah, Tommy's mother. She's a freaky lady, Nancy's terrified of her. I'd better go and tell Nancy that she's here."

Sarah went inside, Michael sat looking at the car. He couldn't see inside it because of the tinted windows. They called Tommy's mother the Queen Mother and Nancy was terrified of her? She must be REALLY scary.

He was expecting some sort of monster to emerge from the car, but when the door opened it was a tiny, little old white-haired lady who came out of it. She didn't look like any monster he'd ever seen. Tommy's mother? She must be his grandmother. Wow.

The little lady took a cloth out of her huge hand-bag and wiped a couple of, (imaginary?), spots from her shiny car. She folded the cloth, put it back in her bag and stood, waiting, by the front gate. Sarah came rushing out and opened the gate.

"Hello, Grandmother. How nice to see you."

"Of course it is, Dear," she smiled and came in the gate. "It's a nice day to wait in the sunshine, isn't it? Is your mother out of bed yet?"

"Of course she is. Nancy's been up for hours. I think she's just freshening up and getting changed."

"I'm sure she is. She does try to make a good impression, not very hard, but she tries. Where is your father?"

"Tommy's still in bed."

"I wish you wouldn't call him that, Dear. He is your father, you should show him some respect. It is Sunday, I suppose. A working man needs his rest."

"A working man? Tommy? Yeah, sure, Grandmother."

"Of course he is. And who is this young man here? Are his legs broken so he can't stand to show some respect to a lady, or is he an idiot?"

Michael took his feet out of the water and stood up. "Ah, yeah, hello."

"Oh, it can speak then," she smiled sweetly. "Introductions please, Sarah. Hasn't your mother taught you any manners? No, sorry, that was a stupid question, wasn't it?"

"Grandmother!" Sarah sighed. "You know very well who this is. This is Michael, Tommy's other boy. Michael, your grandmother."

"Hello, Grandmother."

"I think 'Mrs. Malloy' will suffice for now, thank you, Michael. We are strangers after all. So you are the bastard. Has your father decided if you can stay here?"

"Well, yeah, I think so. Nancy said I can stay."

"Oh? So Nancy makes the decisions for the head of the house now, does she? Thomas is far too soft on this family. Come along, Sarah - inside. It is common to stand in the street in the view of all the neighbours. When you have finished washing those feet, Boy, I shall be in the lounge."'

She swept into the house. Sarah grimaced and shrugged at him. "Our grandmother," she sighed, and then she followed her inside.

Hori came rushing out, sat on him and cuddled in.

"Scares you, does she, Hori? I'm not surprised, she scares me too. Don't worry, I'll look after you."

Hori nodded against his chest and Michael hugged him. He liked having a little nephew. Even if he was a dummy, he was a nice kid. They sat there for a few minutes, no-one came back so he figured that he'd better do something.

"Hori? I'd better go in and see her. Do you want to come too?"

Hori shook his head vigorously. There was no mistaking a 'no'.

"You don't want to? Can't say I blame you. What now? Come inside and you can show me where your room is. You'll be safe in there."

He stood and lifted the boy to his feet, took his hand and led him inside. Hori towed him to a bedroom at the back and they went in there.

"This is your room, Hori? Very nice. And there's Pooh Bear. Hello Pooh. He's back in bed early, isn't he?"

Hori giggled.

"Okay, Hori? You'll be all right here. I'm going to leave you here and I'll go and see them in the lounge, okay? I don't know why I keep asking you questions. I'll be back soon, wait here for me."

He went out and closed the door, softly. Now, where was the lounge? At the front probably. At the front end of the hallway, there was a closed door on either side. He knocked on the one on the left. There was no answer, so he opened it and looked inside.

It was a darkened bedroom. He wasn't sure, but thought that that was probably Tommy in the bed. He withdrew and closed the door quietly. He was about to knock on the other door when Nancy came up the hallway.

"Ah, Michael. Wait a minute. Do me a favour, take this in to Her Majesty." She handed him a tea-tray. "Thanks. Let her pour the tea, she's the only one who knows how to do it properly."

"Ah, sure, Nancy. Are you not coming in?"

"In there? Not if I don't have to. I'll be in the kitchen."

She opened the door for him, and then retreated rapidly down the hall. Michael shrugged, pushed the door open with the tray and stepped inside. The old lady was sitting there, looking tiny all by herself on the big couch. She was sitting perched straight upright, her feet together on the floor and the handbag in her lap. She looked up.

"Do people not knock and wait to be invited to enter where you came from? What a strange world. Still," she smiled, "you have brought the tea. That's nice and it wasn't an extremely long time to wait, was it? Better late than never, as they say. You can put it down here beside me, that will be nice."

It was crazy the way she made him feel nervous. His hands shook as he lowered the tray on to the low coffee table and the cups rattled. He put it down and stood back.

"There we are then. Thank you. Safely delivered and no nasty accidents. Wasn't that well done? Perhaps you'd like to sit over there so that I don't have to strain my neck to look at you"

He sat in the indicated seat, across the room and directly in front of her. Sarah and a guy he hadn't met were sitting there, uncomfortably.

"There now, isn't this nice?" She started pouring teas. "All good things come to he who waits. You don't think you've made the tea a little weak, Michael?"

"Umm, I wouldn't know. I didn't make it, Nancy did."

"Nancy made the tea! Didn't she do well? And where is Nancy now? Having a little rest, I suppose. It is rather a trial for large people. Everything they do is such an effort for them while they are carrying all that extra weight. Do sit up straight, Michael. It is not seemly to sprawl in a chair, even if it is old and rather uncomfortable."

He sat up and suddenly felt very uncomfortable. He was sure that the real Queen Mother was nicer than this old bat.

"Now then. Have you met all of the family? Sarah you know, of course. Sarah showed such promise as a girl. What a shame that she got herself in the family way - and twice! We must hope that never happens again. This is Thomas Junior. Thomas is my eldest grandson. He was legitimate of course, only just but he was legitimate. You were lucky there, Thomas, weren't you?"

Thomas Junior nodded and grinned. "Hey, Michael."

"Hey, Thomas."

"TJ. Call me TJ, Brother."

"Oh, that is nice of you to acknowledge your bastard brother, Thomas. But TJ? Rather common don't you think?"

"But we are common, Grandmother."

"Some of us are more common than others. You must aspire to rise above your unfortunate beginnings, Thomas. Try to bring out the best in your lineage."

"Yes, Grandmother."

"Don't sigh. That's so unmanly. Speaking of which." She turned her attention back on Michael. "Is it true that you are a homosexual?"

"Well . . yes, it's true. I'm gay," Michael replied.

On the way here, he'd decided he was going to make the most of a new beginning and he was not going to hide who he was. He was gay and so what? So far, it was looking good. The family knew that Big Mike was gay and it didn't worry them. Why should it anyway? If this old lady didn't like it, well, tough! She was nothing to him anyway.

"I see," she nodded. "And are you sexually active?"

'What??' Dammit, it was none of her business! He shot her his best glare, which achieved nothing. She waited, he didn't answer.

"Cat's got your tongue has it? It is difficult when we're ashamed of our misdeeds."

"I'm not ashamed of anything and it's none of your business!" Michael snapped. "No, I'm not sexually active. Happy now?" He was red in the face and he was wild. Who did this old thing think she was?

The old thing in question was, apparently, speechless. She sat quietly staring at him, as did Sarah and TJ. TJ's mouth was hanging open. In his experience, you simply did not talk to the older Mrs. Malloy like that. She pulled herself together and forced a smile.

"Well. You have such a lot to learn, don't you? A course on good manners and civilised behaviour might be a good place to start. Anyway, it is too late for the other Michael, but if you are not sexually active, then there may be hope for you yet. I shall speak to Father O'Reilly. He will know where a cure can be arranged for you."

"A cure? For being gay? You can get lost, Old Lady!" He started for the door.

"Where do you think you're going, Michael Malloy?"

"Going? Anywhere away from here. Anywhere away from you!"

"You will not. We haven't finished here." There was no sign of the smiley old lady now. Her face was as hard as flint."Michael! You come back here and sit down. I am your grandmother, Boy!"

He stopped and looked back. "Grandmother? I've lived this long without one, I don't need a grandmother. I think it would be best if you called me 'Mister Malloy'. We are strangers, after all." He left the room.

Nancy was standing in the hallway outside. He slammed the door and she nodded. "Come with me."

She led the way back to the kitchen, closed the door and looked at him. "Hmmm," she smiled. "You certainly have got spirit. I like it. Would you like a drink? There's beer in the fridge."

"No, no drink, thanks Nancy. I've just had tea."

"Yes. Tea with the Queen Mother - lucky you."

"Or not. I, umm, I've just had a row with her."

"I know you did. I heard every word."

"You don't think I went too far?"

"You didn't. It's time someone stood up to the old bag, she needs it."

"Oh, good. I'm glad you're not upset."

"Upset? I'm proud of you, Boy. It's a delight to have you in our family. Now, go and dig Hori out of his room. Take him for a walk in the sunshine.

There's a park down at the end of the road, he knows where, it's his favourite place. Michael, look after our baby, won't you? Don't let him get hurt. Kids pick on him."

"They'd better not try while he's with me! We'll do that, we'll go for a walk. Thanks, Nancy."

"Thank you, Michael. Now go."

He went to Hori's room and collected him.

"Can we go out by the back-door, Hori? I want us to go to the park, but you'll have to show me where it is. Nancy said that you know."

Hori grinned, nodded and ducked back into his room.

"Hori?" Michael thought that he didn't want to go with him, but then he came back out with a red plastic frisbee. He held it up and grinned. Michael took it from him.

"Cool. You've got a frisbee. Let's go to the park and play with it."

Hori led the way out, around the house and out to the street. Limping up the sidewalk, trying to keep up with the excited kid, Michael was regretting the bare feet. Sarah hadn't had a chance to tie his ankle up again. 'Oh well, too late now.' "Wait up, Hori!"

They reached the park, Hori led the way in there. It was nothing flash, just a small sports-field, some flower beds near the entrance, a small pavillion/club rooms and some bench seats scattered around. A group of kids of various ages, both boys and girls, were playing touch-rugby, kind of. They didn't really have enough players for one team, let alone two. Michael looked around.

"Okay, My Friend. We'd better stay out of their way. We'll play down near this end."

They played outside the end goal-line, throwing the frisbee from side to side across the end of the field and carefully keeping out of the way of the other players. They were evenly matched. Hori couldn't throw as well as Michael, but he was much more agile and quicker to run and catch. Michael was having fun and Hori obviously was too - his beaming smile said it all.

'Damm, Kid, you're going to be a heartbreaker in 10 years or so.'

Their fun ground to a halt when 4 kids left the football game and one of them jumped in and caught the frisbee.

"Hey!" Michael protested. "Throw it here."

The boy looked at him and threw it to one of the others. Hori ran over and tried to grab it, but he threw it on to another, laughing mockingly.

Hori ran after it, but the 3rd one threw it back to the 1st. The boy sneered, "C'mon, Dummy. You want it, you come and get it."

"Come on," Michael said. This is not funny. Give the boy his frisbee back."

"Make me!" The kid threw it on to another.

Hori leapt and missed it, and then he ran at the boy now holding it. He met him with a fist and knocked him to the ground.

"Fuck off, Dummy!"

Hori was roaring and Michael ran over and lifted him up. He turned to the boy.

"This is not on. Give me that fucking frisbee or you'll be sorry."

"Yeah, right." He threw it on to the others.

Michael hit him, he punched him in the guts. The kid was younger than him, probably about 11 or 12, but he didn't care, he was bloody wild. He hit him as hard as he could. The kid hit the ground and lay there moaning, curled around his guts. One of the others ran at him, roaring. Michael met him with a fist and batted him away. He turned on the boy with the frisbee.

"Give it here. Now!"

This one wasn't stupid, he threw it to him. "It was just a bit of fun."

"Fun for you, maybe, but it wasn't for the boy and it's his toy."

"How sad, never mind. Kid's just a fucking dummy anyway."

"And that makes it all right to pick on him? Fuck off and leave him alone!"

Michael took a couple of angry paces towards him. The boy backed-off and ran away. The other two were back on their feet, they retreated as well. One of them stopped and looked back.

"You're the new Malloy in town, aren't you? You'll be sorry, you're gonna pay for this. You don't know who you're messing with."

"Bring it on!" Michael walked at them, they ran away. He went back to Hori and offered the frisbee.

"You okay, My Friend?"

Hori grinned, nodded, swiped at his tears and hugged him. Michael hugged him back.

"Right, Hori. I think we should go home now, okay?"

They left the park and started for home.

The Malloys, 5

It was hours later when Big Mike arrived home. Michael was already in bed sleeping, but not for long. Big Mike was alone but making enough noise for half a dozen people. He was singing, loudly and badly, when he came into the sleep-out. He flicked the light on, skidded on the pile of glossy magazines on the floor and collapsed in a heap of yelling profanities.

"Shit! Damm and Fuck it! Who left those fucking books all over the floor?"

Michael sat up groggily and peered at him. "Umm. Well, you did actually."

"Oh, yeah. I did too," he giggled. "Sorry. Did I wake you up?"

"Did you what? You probably woke the bloody dead! Damm, Mike, it's not on. I'm not staying here if you're going to carry on like this."

"Okay, okay. Don't get your tits in a tangle. Sheesh! I said I was sorry."

"Yeah? So am I - sorry I ever came here. I'm not staying in this nut-farm."

"Come on, Brother. Don't be like that. We're not that bad. Well, Tommy is, but the rest of us are okay. Look, I said I was sorry and I am. I was happy and I forgot you were here. It won't happen again."

"Well . . all right then, as long as it doesn't." Michael lay down again.

Big Mike stripped his clothes off, turned out the light and climbed into his own bed. "Where are you going to go anyway? You've got nowhere."

"I'd find something."

"Yeah? Can I come with you?"

"O you bloody can't!" Michael laughed. It was hard to stay mad with this kid. "Have you been drinking?"

"No I haven't! Well, maybe a little bit of Maxie."

"A little bit of Maxie? I don't think I want to know."

"Not telling you anyway."

"Well good! Tommy arrived home before, singing his head off."

"Tommy was singing?"

"Yeah, just like you were."

"Like me? That's a worry. Okay, Brother, sleeping time. G'night and I'll see you in the morning."

"Chances are. G'night, Mike."

"That's Big Mike. Don't forget the Big."

"Yeah, whatever."

Michael knew that he was grumpy, but he wasn't sorry, he was tired. He hadn't got much sleep the night before, trying to sleep under a tree by the road, and he'd walked for bloody hours! He was tired. He drifted off to sleep.

He was woken again in the early hours of the morning. Someone was climbing into his bed!

"What the?"

He struggled upright and looked around. It was still early, the sky outside was not quite gray and Hori, complete with his own pillow, was in bed with him!

"Damm, Hori. What are you doing? You can't sleep in here."

"Ah, leave him." Big Mike rolled over in the other bed. "It's just Hori. Sometimes he likes a warm body to sleep with. Sarah's probably got Paulie in with her."

"Well, are you sure it's all right?"

"Course it is. Just cuddle him and go back to sleep. He usually sleeps with me, looks like I'm not the favourite uncle anymore."

"Okay then. He won't wet the bed will he?"

"You'll be the first to know if he does. No, he won't wet the bed. Go to sleep."

He lay back down again. Hori reached behind him and pulled Michael's arm across himself. He spooned around the warm little body and went back to sleep with a smile on his face.

When he woke again, Hori was kneeling in the bed, closely studying his face. Michael stretched and smiled. "Good morning, Hori," he whispered.

He was rewarded with another big smile. Then Hori leaned forward, kissed him on the lips, slid out of bed and was gone. That felt good. Michael stretched and smiled and looked up at the wooden ceiling that was not that far above him. He looked over at the other bed. Big Mike was lying there grinning at him and he grinned back.

"Hori's a great wee boy. I like him a lot."

"Yeah, he is," Big Mike answered. "He's a great kid and he's got a lot of love to give. Just see you don't touch his dick, Nancy would kill you - seriously."

"Mike! Sorry, Big Mike, there is no way I'd touch a baby's dick. I'm not a sicko."

"Didn't think you were. If I did, you'd already be dead, and I ain't kidding."

"It's not something to joke about, I wouldn't do something like that, but I'm not scared of you anyway."

"Yeah? I gathered that. Okay, you don't need to be, but be aware of who to fear."

"Yeah, I know - Nancy, right?"

"Wrong. Well, Nancy too, but she's mostly all mouth. It's Sarah you mostly don't want to cross. If she gets her rag out - look out!"

"Sarah? I thought Sarah was nice."

"Well she is, and she'd smile nicely while she rips your guts out with her bare hands."

"For real?"

"Oh yes. We'd better get up. Come and I'll show you where the shower is."

They went into the house.

"What are you like at mowing lawns?" Big Mike asked.

"Useless!"

"Dammit. You'd better learn."

They showered, separately of course, and then helped themselves to breakfast in the kitchen. There was no-one else there.

"It's Sunday," Big Mike said. "We're all back-slidden Catholics, but we do like our day of rest."

"Back-slidden?"

"Yeah. Nancy's been warring with the local priest for years. The last straw was when he wanted Sarah to adopt her baby. Stupid old man, then we'd have no Hori."

"Yeah, that wouldn't be good. So, would you normally be in bed on a Sunday?"

"Sometimes, but not today. We've got things to do. How's the feet?"

"Not too bad. As long as I don't have to walk too far they should be okay."

"I think there's an old wheelchair, in the garage somewhere. If we can dig that out, I'll push you in it."

"No way. I'm not sitting in a wheelchair, I'm not a crip."

"No-one said you were. You didn't mind sitting in the trolley yesterday."

"No, but that was different. That was yesterday and the ankle was really hurting. It's better today."

"It won't be if we don't look after it."

"It's my foot, I'll look after it."

"Sheesh! You're more stubborn than I am! Okay, walk then - it's not too far, just downtown."

"What are we going there for?"

"Would you rather mow the lawns? No? I thought not. C'mon Brother, don't you want to see your new town? I want the town to see you. It's not often I've got something to be proud of."

Well! Michael couldn't resist that. They went for a walk downtown.

They walked, slowly, back down to the main street, one block along there and around to the skateboard park behind it. Michael was surely glad to see the bench-seats around the park. He was well ready for a rest.

"Here we are then," Big Mike led the way over. "This is our skatie-park. Way cool, eh? Shame I haven't got a board, but Maxie has so it's all good. Everyone hangs out here anyway. This is where you come to see and be seen."

"Oh, okay then, as long as I can sit down."

"Should've let me get the chair, shouldn't you? With a bit of luck, someone might drive us home. And here comes Maxie. You can look but don't touch."

"Wouldn't think of it."

"Hey, Maxie, how're you? This is the new brother I was telling you about. Michael - Maxie."

"Hey, Maxie. I'm not getting up - feet are sore."

"Yeah, I heard that too, and the name's Max. Only Big Mike calls me Maxie."

"Okay, hey, Max then."

"That's better. What are we going to call you? Little Mike wouldn't work. I guess you'll have to be Bigger Mike."

"Bigger Mike," he laughed. "No, I don't think so. My name is Michael, nothing else."

"Okay, Michael Nothing Else, pleased to meet cha," Max grinned.

"Whatever."

Max sat on one side of him and Big Mike sat on the other, they talked. Michael liked this guy, he was okay, but he soon got tired of being intro'd to more and more people. He never remember all their names. Everyone wanted to know all about him, he was the new kid in town. Big Mike was fussing around, beaming with pride, like he'd made him or something, so he put up with it - for now.

Harri turned up and he was delighted to see a familiar face. She stood back, watching, and then she went and got a girl from over the other side.

"Michael, you ready to go home?"

"Yeah, well ready, Harri."

"Right then. This is my cousin, Fiona. She's got a car, so come with us and we'll take you there."

"Sounds good to me." He got to his feet.

"Hey, wait up!" Big Mike protested. "No hurry, is there?

Harri turned on him. "Shut it, Big Mike. Look at the kid, he's knackered. He should be resting. You've got no business dragging him around town like this."

Michael answered. "It's okay, Harri. Thanks, but I agreed to come out."

"Well you shouldn't have. You need to rest. Want me to get Sarah on to you?"

"Well, no."

"Shut up and do what you're told then. Come on, we're outta here."

"Yeah, okay, thanks. Are you coming, Big Mike?"

"Not yet," he grinned at Max. "No. You go with Harri and Fiona. Maxie and me have got things to do."

"Things to do?"


"Don't ask," said Harri. "Come on, we're gone."

"Right. Bye, Big Mike. Nice to meet, Max."

"Likewise."

The girls took him back to his new home - his new, old, home. Sarah was sitting on the front verandah, nursing the baby and watching him hobble in.

"Look at you! You shouldn't be walking around yet. Sit down here. I'll get some water and you can soak the feet again."

"Thanks. That'll be great." He sat down with a sigh. "But not too hot!"

"It'll be hot enough. Stay there."

She took Paulie inside and he sat alone in the sunshine. Harri and Fiona had already driven away. Hori came out and handed him a teddy-bear, he took it with a smile.

"This your teddy, Hori? Thanks. He's very cool."

Hori smiled that smile. Michael inspected the teddy. It was old, a bit grubby and quite limp - it was badly in need of restuffing. "I think your teddy needs feeding. We'll have to find him some honey."



Sarah returned, with the bowl of water, and stood grinning down at him. "Wow. You're privileged."



"Privileged?"



"Definitely. That's Hori's Pooh Bear you've got there, his most precious possession. Nobody, but nobody, is allowed to touch Pooh."



"I see. Thanks, Hori. I'm very honoured and I'll be careful with him."


Hori smiled and sat down next to him. Michael smiled back and held out the bear, offering it back to him. Hori shook his head, but then he changed his mind, grabbed it off him and cuddled it to his face.



"He does love his teddy," Sarah said. "Probably because its name is Pooh, he thinks that's very funny. Okay, are you going to get those sneakers off or do I have to do it for you?"



"I can do it!" He hurried to remove them before Sarah pulled them off again. She removed the bandage and he sat soaking his feet.



"Where's Big Mike?"



"We left him at the skateboard park. He's with Max Weavers."



"Of course he is. I'll be glad when he's over Max Weavers."



"You don't like him?"



"Not much. Oh, he's all right in his way I suppose. He's got a rotten family, they're snobs and they think they're better than us."



"And they're not?"



"They probably are, but they don't have to tell everybody."



"Definitely not. Wow, is that a Rolls Royce?"



A big black car pulled up in the street outside.

The Malloys, 5

It was hours later when Big Mike arrived home. Michael was already in bed sleeping, but not for long. Big Mike was alone but making enough noise for half a dozen people. He was singing, loudly and badly, when he came into the sleep-out. He flicked the light on, skidded on the pile of glossy magazines on the floor and collapsed in a heap of yelling profanities.

"Shit! Damm and Fuck it! Who left those fucking books all over the floor?"

Michael sat up groggily and peered at him. "Umm. Well, you did actually."

"Oh, yeah. I did too," he giggled. "Sorry. Did I wake you up?"

"Did you what? You probably woke the bloody dead! Damm, Mike, it's not on. I'm not staying here if you're going to carry on like this."

"Okay, okay. Don't get your tits in a tangle. Sheesh! I said I was sorry."

"Yeah? So am I - sorry I ever came here. I'm not staying in this nut-farm."

"Come on, Brother. Don't be like that. We're not that bad. Well, Tommy is, but the rest of us are okay. Look, I said I was sorry and I am. I was happy and I forgot you were here. It won't happen again."

"Well . . all right then, as long as it doesn't." Michael lay down again.

Big Mike stripped his clothes off, turned out the light and climbed into his own bed. "Where are you going to go anyway? You've got nowhere."

"I'd find something."

"Yeah? Can I come with you?"

"O you bloody can't!" Michael laughed. It was hard to stay mad with this kid. "Have you been drinking?"

"No I haven't! Well, maybe a little bit of Maxie."

"A little bit of Maxie? I don't think I want to know."

"Not telling you anyway."

"Well good! Tommy arrived home before, singing his head off."

"Tommy was singing?"

"Yeah, just like you were."

"Like me? That's a worry. Okay, Brother, sleeping time. G'night and I'll see you in the morning."

"Chances are. G'night, Mike."

"That's Big Mike. Don't forget the Big."

"Yeah, whatever."

Michael knew that he was grumpy, but he wasn't sorry, he was tired. He hadn't got much sleep the night before, trying to sleep under a tree by the road, and he'd walked for bloody hours! He was tired. He drifted off to sleep.

He was woken again in the early hours of the morning. Someone was climbing into his bed!

"What the?"

He struggled upright and looked around. It was still early, the sky outside was not quite gray and Hori, complete with his own pillow, was in bed with him!

"Damm, Hori. What are you doing? You can't sleep in here."

"Ah, leave him." Big Mike rolled over in the other bed. "It's just Hori. Sometimes he likes a warm body to sleep with. Sarah's probably got Paulie in with her."

"Well, are you sure it's all right?"

"Course it is. Just cuddle him and go back to sleep. He usually sleeps with me, looks like I'm not the favourite uncle anymore."

"Okay then. He won't wet the bed will he?"

"You'll be the first to know if he does. No, he won't wet the bed. Go to sleep."

He lay back down again. Hori reached behind him and pulled Michael's arm across himself. He spooned around the warm little body and went back to sleep with a smile on his face.

When he woke again, Hori was kneeling in the bed, closely studying his face. Michael stretched and smiled. "Good morning, Hori," he whispered.

He was rewarded with another big smile. Then Hori leaned forward, kissed him on the lips, slid out of bed and was gone. That felt good. Michael stretched and smiled and looked up at the wooden ceiling that was not that far above him. He looked over at the other bed. Big Mike was lying there grinning at him and he grinned back.

"Hori's a great wee boy. I like him a lot."

"Yeah, he is," Big Mike answered. "He's a great kid and he's got a lot of love to give. Just see you don't touch his dick, Nancy would kill you - seriously."

"Mike! Sorry, Big Mike, there is no way I'd touch a baby's dick. I'm not a sicko."

"Didn't think you were. If I did, you'd already be dead, and I ain't kidding."

"It's not something to joke about, I wouldn't do something like that, but I'm not scared of you anyway."

"Yeah? I gathered that. Okay, you don't need to be, but be aware of who to fear."

"Yeah, I know - Nancy, right?"

"Wrong. Well, Nancy too, but she's mostly all mouth. It's Sarah you mostly don't want to cross. If she gets her rag out - look out!"

"Sarah? I thought Sarah was nice."

"Well she is, and she'd smile nicely while she rips your guts out with her bare hands."

"For real?"

"Oh yes. We'd better get up. Come and I'll show you where the shower is."

They went into the house.

"What are you like at mowing lawns?" Big Mike asked.

"Useless!"

"Dammit. You'd better learn."

They showered, separately of course, and then helped themselves to breakfast in the kitchen. There was no-one else there.

"It's Sunday," Big Mike said. "We're all back-slidden Catholics, but we do like our day of rest."

"Back-slidden?"

"Yeah. Nancy's been warring with the local priest for years. The last straw was when he wanted Sarah to adopt her baby. Stupid old man, then we'd have no Hori."

"Yeah, that wouldn't be good. So, would you normally be in bed on a Sunday?"

"Sometimes, but not today. We've got things to do. How's the feet?"

"Not too bad. As long as I don't have to walk too far they should be okay."

"I think there's an old wheelchair, in the garage somewhere. If we can dig that out, I'll push you in it."

"No way. I'm not sitting in a wheelchair, I'm not a crip."

"No-one said you were. You didn't mind sitting in the trolley yesterday."

"No, but that was different. That was yesterday and the ankle was really hurting. It's better today."

"It won't be if we don't look after it."

"It's my foot, I'll look after it."

"Sheesh! You're more stubborn than I am! Okay, walk then - it's not too far, just downtown."

"What are we going there for?"

"Would you rather mow the lawns? No? I thought not. C'mon Brother, don't you want to see your new town? I want the town to see you. It's not often I've got something to be proud of."

Well! Michael couldn't resist that. They went for a walk downtown.

They walked, slowly, back down to the main street, one block along there and around to the skateboard park behind it. Michael was surely glad to see the bench-seats around the park. He was well ready for a rest.

"Here we are then," Big Mike led the way over. "This is our skatie-park. Way cool, eh? Shame I haven't got a board, but Maxie has so it's all good. Everyone hangs out here anyway. This is where you come to see and be seen."

"Oh, okay then, as long as I can sit down."

"Should've let me get the chair, shouldn't you? With a bit of luck, someone might drive us home. And here comes Maxie. You can look but don't touch."

"Wouldn't think of it."

"Hey, Maxie, how're you? This is the new brother I was telling you about. Michael - Maxie."

"Hey, Maxie. I'm not getting up - feet are sore."

"Yeah, I heard that too, and the name's Max. Only Big Mike calls me Maxie."

"Okay, hey, Max then."

"That's better. What are we going to call you? Little Mike wouldn't work. I guess you'll have to be Bigger Mike."

"Bigger Mike," he laughed. "No, I don't think so. My name is Michael, nothing else."

"Okay, Michael Nothing Else, pleased to meet cha," Max grinned.

"Whatever."

Max sat on one side of him and Big Mike sat on the other, they talked. Michael liked this guy, he was okay, but he soon got tired of being intro'd to more and more people. He never remember all their names. Everyone wanted to know all about him, he was the new kid in town. Big Mike was fussing around, beaming with pride, like he'd made him or something, so he put up with it - for now.

Harri turned up and he was delighted to see a familiar face. She stood back, watching, and then she went and got a girl from over the other side.

"Michael, you ready to go home?"

"Yeah, well ready, Harri."

"Right then. This is my cousin, Fiona. She's got a car, so come with us and we'll take you there."

"Sounds good to me." He got to his feet.

"Hey, wait up!" Big Mike protested. "No hurry, is there?

Harri turned on him. "Shut it, Big Mike. Look at the kid, he's knackered. He should be resting. You've got no business dragging him around town like this."

Michael answered. "It's okay, Harri. Thanks, but I agreed to come out."

"Well you shouldn't have. You need to rest. Want me to get Sarah on to you?"

"Well, no."

"Shut up and do what you're told then. Come on, we're outta here."

"Yeah, okay, thanks. Are you coming, Big Mike?"

"Not yet," he grinned at Max. "No. You go with Harri and Fiona. Maxie and me have got things to do."

"Things to do?"

"Don't ask," said Harri. "Come on, we're gone."

"Right. Bye, Big Mike. Nice to meet, Max."

"Likewise."

The girls took him back to his new home - his new, old, home. Sarah was sitting on the front verandah, nursing the baby and watching him hobble in.

"Look at you! You shouldn't be walking around yet. Sit down here. I'll get some water and you can soak the feet again."

"Thanks. That'll be great." He sat down with a sigh. "But not too hot!"

"It'll be hot enough. Stay there."

She took Paulie inside and he sat alone in the sunshine. Harri and Fiona had already driven away. Hori came out and handed him a teddy-bear, he took it with a smile.

"This your teddy, Hori? Thanks. He's very cool."

Hori smiled that smile. Michael inspected the teddy. It was old, a bit grubby and quite limp - it was badly in need of restuffing. "I think your teddy needs feeding. We'll have to find him some honey."

Sarah returned, with the bowl of water, and stood grinning down at him. "Wow. You're privileged."

"Privileged?"

"Definitely. That's Hori's Pooh Bear you've got there, his most precious possession. Nobody, but nobody, is allowed to touch Pooh."

"I see. Thanks, Hori. I'm very honoured and I'll be careful with him."

Hori smiled and sat down next to him. Michael smiled back and held out the bear, offering it back to him. Hori shook his head, but then he changed his mind, grabbed it off him and cuddled it to his face.

"He does love his teddy," Sarah said. "Probably because its name is Pooh, he thinks that's very funny. Okay, are you going to get those sneakers off or do I have to do it for you?"

"I can do it!" He hurried to remove them before Sarah pulled them off again. She removed the bandage and he sat soaking his feet.

"Where's Big Mike?"

"We left him at the skateboard park. He's with Max Weavers."

"Of course he is. I'll be glad when he's over Max Weavers."

"You don't like him?"

"Not much. Oh, he's all right in his way I suppose. He's got a rotten family, they're snobs and they think they're better than us."

"And they're not?"

"They probably are, but they don't have to tell everybody."

"Definitely not. Wow, is that a Rolls Royce?"

A big black car pulled up in the street outside.

The Malloys, 4

Big Mike led the way into the house. The backdoor opened into a long hallway that ran right through to the front. From there they went, left, into the big old kitchen. It was hot in there! Nancy was sitting at the top of the table, spoon-feeding baby Paulie who was in a wooden highchair. Sarah was standing at the stove and Hori and a little girl were sitting at the table. There was no sign of Tommy, he was not there.

Michael was a bit disappointed, the whole point of coming here was to get to know his father. But, whatever, he was hungry.

"There you are," Sarah smiled. "That's your plates, over that side. Sit down and get stuck in."

They went around to the back of the table. Big Mike sat down at the end, next to Nancy, Michael sat between him and Hori. Hori immediately stopped eating, picked-up his plate and went around to sit at the other side, opposite him.

"Oh?" Michael said. "Don't you want to sit by me, Hori?"

The wee boy looked up and grinned at him.

"Wow," Sarah said. "Hori likes you, Michael."

"Does he? I thought he was moving away from me."

"Well he did. He wants to sit opposite so he can look at you."

Hori grinned and nodded at him. Michael felt good and he grinned back.

"I like you too, Hori. You're okay."

"Of course he bloody is," Nancy snorted. "He's a good boy, aren't you, My Darling?"

Hori smiled and continued eating. He really was a beautiful little boy.

"Well?" Nancy continued. "Eat, Boy. Don't let it get cold."

It was a mince stew with boiled potatoes. It didn't look very appetising, but it tasted great. It wouldn't have mattered much anyway, he was so hungry he'd eat anything. But it was good.

Sarah asked, "Have you got any little brothers or sisters, Michael?"

"No, there was just Mum and me. I didn't know that I had any brothers at all."

Nancy said, "Maybe you were better off not knowing."

"Hey! No he wasn't," Big Mike protested.

"Shut up, Big Mike. Eat."

Michael had to ask, "Nancy, is Tommy not eating with us?"

"He's not. Tommy's got money in his pocket and a story to tell about his new son. Where the hell do you think he'd be? He's in the pub, of course. We won't see him again today."

"Oh, I see. Thanks."

"Tommy spends far too much time in the pub. Say hello to your sister. Molly, this is Michael."

"Hey, Molly. How are you?"

Molly blushed and looked down at the table. Maybe she was another dummy? But then, she glanced at Nancy, and then looked back at him and spoke, all in a rush.

"Hello Michael. Sarah said that you are 14 so you are a teenager but I'm not, I'm only 8 and I'm not allowed to talk at the table because you have to be a teenager before you can talk or Nancy gets very cross and she tells you to shut up or she'll smack you one, and then she takes your dinner away and you are not allowed to finish it, even if you are really hungry, so it's best not to talk at all, but I think it's okay just this once to say hello to you - so hello and can you pass the tomato sauce please?"

"Umm, yeah, sure," he grinned as he passed the bottle across. "Maybe we can talk later?"

She just blushed again and nodded her head. The rest of the meal passed in silence, perhaps it was some sort of respect for Molly's confusion. Whatever the reason, they ate quietly.

As soon as it was finished, Big Mike stood up and anounced, "Okay, that's me done. I'm outta here - going around to see Maxie. Thanks Sarah, good meal. I'll see you later, Michael. Don't wait up."

"What about the dishes?" Nancy snapped. "You're not going anywhere until they're done."

"Aww, Nancy! I've been doing the flaming dishes around here forever. Let Michael do them, it must be about his bloody turn!"

"All right then, Michael will do them, and don't you bloody swear at me, Boy! now get."

"I'm gone. Thanks, Nancy." He left in a hurry.

"I will wash the dishes. Molly and Hori can help dry them." Sarah stood up. "Stay there, Michael and talk to Nancy. She won't admit it, but she's dying to know all about you."

"How come everyone decides what's happening around here except Nancy?" Nancy complained, but she did want to know. "Do the dishes, Girl, but bring us a cup of tea first."

Sarah made a pot of tea and brought it to the table for Nancy to pour. With the children's help, such as it was, she took care of the washing-up and Michael talked to Nancy, repeating the story of his life. She was very interested and asked a lot of questions. When he'd finished, she declared.

"Just as I thought. Your mother's a stupid woman, I always knew she was. You're better-off here, but you're not sitting around on your butt all day. You're gonna have to go to school, or something."

"I guess I am. I'm only 14," Michael replied. "But I don't mind if I do. I quite like school, I'm good at it."

"You're what? Good at it and you like it? Are you sure that Tommy's your father?"

"Nancy," Sarah interrupted. "You know very well that all of Tommy's kids are bright enough."

"Like you, you mean?"

"I was Dux of the school."

"Fat lot of good that did you. You should've kept your legs closed, Girl."

"But then you'd have no grandchildren to fuss over."

"Well, yes, there is that. Anyway, you lot all got your brains from me, not Tommy."

"Sure, Nancy."

Big Mike escaped from home and hurried across town to Maxie's place. Damm, he wished that he had a bike. He used to, but Tommy sold it. Little Swine! No, Tommy was okay really. It was his own fault, he should've had it locked up. He knew what Tommy was like when he was on the booze. He'd sell his kids if he could - just as bloody well he couldn't!

It didn't take long to get there, it wasn't a big town. He soon arrived at Maxie's place and walked up to the frontdoor. It was quite a big house, much bigger than his own and that wasn't small. However, the Malloy's old place only had one storey, like most houses did, this one had more than one, it had three. The Weaver's was probably the only three-storey house in town, if you don't count attics. They weren't filthy-rich, but they were much better off than the Malloys. Having jobs probably helped with that.

He walked up to the frontdoor and the doorbell rang, making him jump, as always. It always freaked him out when it did that. He didn't ring it, there wasn't even a button to push, it just rang when someone approached the door. Bloody Showoffs! Nancy would say that they're just skiting.

The door opened and a tall, skinny woman with bottle-blonde hair and clothes that would fit a kid better, looked out. "Oh. Hello, Michael. You're looking for Max, I suppose?"

('Who else?') "Yeah, I am. Is he here please, Mrs. Weavers?"

"I think he's up in his room. You'd better go up and have a look."

"I will. Thanks Mrs. Weavers."

She sighed and shook her head as she watched him bounding up the stairs. 'Oh, to have the energy of the young!'

He was a nice-enough kid, she supposed, but she'd be glad when Max got over this infatuation with him. She knew that her son was gay, she'd accepted that a long time ago, but she was sure that he could do better than the son of one of the town drunks. She got on with her work.

Big Mike ran up to Maxie's room on the top floor and walked in the open door. "Maxie? You here?"

"I'm here, My Boy. Come on in."

"I already did. What ARE you doing?"

All that could be seen of Max was his feet and lower legs, the rest of him was beneath a huge agglomeration that took-up over half of the floor-space. He wriggled his way out from under it, sat up and grinned. "Just working on my latest invention."

"And what's this one meant to do?"

"It's a time-saving device - badly needed."

"How on earth is that thing going to save you time?"

"By having my breakfast ready and waiting when I stagger down in the mornings."

"You're a bloody nut-bar. You know that, don't you? It'll never work, they never do."

"Oh, ye of little faith!"

"I've got faith, faith that you'll stuff it up again."

"One day I'll get it right. This could be the day."

"Or not. Is your dad home?"

"No. He had a meeting after work. He won't be home intil all hours."

"Cool." Big Mike dropped to his knees in front of Max. "Kiss me then."

"Kiss You? Here? Big Mike, you know we're not allowed the door shut when you're up here."

"Yeah, worse luck. We don't need the door shut. Your dad's not here and your mum's down at the front, she won't come up here."

"We're in huge trouble if she does, but - okay. Come here, Big Boy."

They kissed briefly but Max couldn't get into it, he was too busy watching the doorway."

"Damm, Maxie, you're so romantic."

"There's a time and a place and this ain't it."

"Guess not. You still love me?"

"Always."

"Yeah! I love you too. I've got a new brother. Well, he's not new, he's second-hand, but he's ours now."

"Big Mike, I don't know what you're talking about. A second-hand brother?"

"That's right. He used to live with his mother but she kicked him out, so now he's ours."

"Oh. So what's his name?"

"Michael Malloy."

"Is not!"

"Is too. He's Michael Thomas Malloy, he's 14 and he's my brother. Tommy's his dad."

"How did Tommy get to be his father?"

"Usual way - fucking."

"No way! What did Nancy say?"

"Not a lot, she already knew. It happened a long time ago. The kid's 14, same as me."

"And the same name? Wow! Tell me more."

They sat on the floor and Big Mike told Max all about his new brother, and then he had to go and meet him.

"You serious? Can't it wait? I just walked across town to see you."

"And it's such a long way! C'mon, Big Mike, I want to meet your brother. Is he as good-looking as you?"

"Nah. He's ugly. You really don't want to see him."

"Bloody do! Come on, we'll go now, and then we'll go somewhere private."

"Like where?"

"Like, Dad's got an old van in his car-sales yard, it's really cool. The back's all fitted out for sleeping and I know where the keys are."

"We're going to pinch it?"

"No, we're not. We don't have to go anywhere, it's parked in the yard and there's no-one there now."

A big grin spread acroos his face. "Sounds good to me. What are we waiting for?"

"Well . . nothing really. Let's go."

They went downstairs, told Max's mother what they were doing, (some of what they were doing), and then they left. Big Mike wanted to go on Max's bike, he could double him on it, but they couldn't - it was broken.

"About time you started looking after your stuff, Maximillian Weavers."

"Yes, Mum. Whatever you say, Mum."

"Shut up, Maxie."

They started walking to Big Mike's place, but they never got there. Sometimes things turn-out better than you planned and they passed the car-sales yard on the way. So, of course, they had to stop in there and check-out the van. Then they checked-out the inside. Big Mike lay down on the bed to try it out, Maxie lay down with him. They didn't walk any further.

The Malloys, 3

"Tommy Malloy, this boy is yours. He's staying here and you are damm well going to be a father to him."

"Me? Nancy, you know I'm no good at that sort of stuff."

"You're good for nothing! We all know that. It's about time you did the right thing for once in your life. He's staying here!"

"Don't I get any say in this?" Tommy was only half the size of his wife, but he wasn't cowered by her.

"No you don't."

"I don't know where he's going to sleep."

"He can go in the sleep-out with Big Mike. There's plenty of room in there. TJ and Red shared it for years, now these two can. Big Mike, take your brother to your room."

"Nancy! I don't want him in there."

"Well, tough! You've got him, like it or not. No-one asked for your opinion."

"Sheesh! It's my room. Anyway, he's gay."

"So, bloody, what? So are you and we let you sleep in there, don't we? Now get! Tommy, you can get around the back and take those filthy overalls off before you come into my house."

Nancy went back inside and Sarah followed. Tommy walked away to the back of the house, complaining loudly to nobody.

"There y'go, Brother," Big Mike grinned. "Told you that you're in. Welcome to our happy family."

"I don't feel welcome. I don't know if I should stay, no-one wants me here."

"Sure we do. Don't listen to Tommy, that's just the way you have to deal with Nancy. If you want something, tell her the opposite, works every time."

"Well, if you're sure?"

"I'm sure. Where else are you going to sleep anyway, under a tree?"

"I was thinking about it."

"That's just dumb. We're nothing flash here, but there's always room for one more. Come and see our room, it's in back of the garage."

Big Mike led the way up the drive to the back of the house. Tommy was scrubbing-up in the sink by the back-door. He'd dropped the overalls to his waist, baring his white and skinny torso. He looked up and grinned as they passed.

"Welcome home, Son. Always remember, no means yes."

"Well, umm, thanks, Dad."

"Dad? Nah. No-one calls me that, my name's Tommy. Keep going before Nancy sees me talking to you. If she knew we'd conned her, she'd throw us all out."

The sleep-out was not big. It was one of the old relocatable railwaymen's huts. It had one door and two windows, but one of them was useless because it was hard-up against the back wall of the garage. Inside, there was a built-in wardrobe, drawers and cupboards. There was a fold-down table between the two beds, which were also built-in. One had been slept in, the other was covered in clothes, books and stuff.

"Home sweet Home," Big Mike announced "What d'you think?"

"Looks good to me. Mike, are you sure you don't mind me being here?"

"That's Big Mike, don't forget the Big. Do I get a choice? No, I don't mind. Two Michael Malloys! That'll be fun. Interesting times, as they say."

"It's not going to cause a scandal for your family in the town, is it?"

"Sunshine, nothing the Malloys do is going to shock this town, they've seen it all before. Anyway, sorry to have to tell you this, but you're family too."

"Sounds good to me. Any family is better than none."

"Don't be too sure about that. You can take the weight off your foot, sit on my bed while I take the junk off the other one. I'll drop all these clothes in the laundry and somebody might wash them, with a bit of luck."

"Don't you do your own laundry?"

"Nah. Woman's work, My Son. Don't tell Nancy that! Or Sarah either, come to think of it."

He sat waiting on the unmade bed while Big Mike cleared the other one. He had a million questions, but they could wait. It was going to take a while to sort-out how this family worked. It was like no other family he'd ever seen. One question though, was going to have to be asked.

"Mike, sorry - Big Mike, did Nancy say that you're gay?"

"Yeah, that's right. I'll just get rid of these clothes. Be back in a minute."

Wow. When Michael told his mother that he was gay she went off like a rocket. Seemed like it was no big deal around here, everyone was so matter of fact about it. He said that to Big Mike when he came back, he agreed, no big deal.

"No sense in getting all worked-up about it. If you're gay, then you are. No-one can do anything about it."

"People try though, don't they? To cure it, I mean.'

"Religious nutters try. What's to cure? Look, I've got blue eyes. I could hide them, but I couldn't change them. They're blue and that's all there is to it."

"Well, yeah, but it's not the same. Is it?"

"Bloody is. Think about it."

Michael sat and thought about it while Big Mike finished clearing the junk off the other one and tidying it up. Blue eyes the same as being gay? No. What a load of rubbish! They were two different things. Weren't they?

"There y'go." Big Mike turned and faced him. "And that's the last time I fix your bed up. From now on, you do it."

"Thanks, Big Mike."

"You're welcome, My Brother. Now, get off my bed!"

They swapped beds and both stretched-out and relaxed. Big Mike was feeling good. He couldn't even remember what he was so mad about before. 'Oh yeah, bloody Harri laughing at my dick! That'll keep, Cheeky Beggar.'

Whatever, he had other things to think about now. This was going to be so cool, having a brother all of his own. He had other brothers, of course, but that was different, they were groan-up, they didn't live at home and they weren't gay. This one was. Way cool!

Well, time to get to know him. He wanted to know everything about him. "Michael?" He glanced over at the other bed. Dammit, the kid had gone to sleep already. He thought about throwing something at him to wake him up, but, no, that'd be mean. He must be knackered.Where had he come from anyway? He said it was a long way.

Michael woke-up with a start. Whoah! He didn't mean to go to sleep. What would his new brother think of him? He turned-over and looked at the other bed. It was empty. Damm. What was he going to do now? He didn't like to just go wandering into their house. When that Nancy saw him, she might change her mind and throw him out again. He didn't want that.

Nancy was obviously the boss around there and he didn't want to cross her. That would not be wise.

What about Tommy then? His father was certainly different. He was such a weedy little guy, not at all like he'd imagined his father would be. They said that Tommny was a dead-beat, but he must have something about him, obviously. He was sleeping with two women at the same time, and they'd both named their babies after him. Kind of.

Sarah was nice - bossy but nice. He liked Sarah.

He swung his feet down on to the floor and stood-up carefully. Okay, they weren't too bad, he'd survive. Having his ankle tied-up had definitely helped. That was good. How long had he been sleeping? Not long, it was still daytime.

He hobbled over and tried the door, but couldn't open it. It was locked! There was no other way out of there, except for the window and that was way too small and too high. Dammit. What would they lock him in for? Maybe it was just stuck? The hut was old. He tried the door again and rattled the handle, but it wasn't moving.

"Hold on. Hold on!" Big Mike's voice came from outside. The key clicked in the lock, the door opened and Big Mike grinned at him.

"There y'go. What's the panic? I just locked the door to keep the kids out. Sleep well?"

"Ah, yes. I guess I needed that. Feels better now. How long was I out for?"

"Not long. Only about an hour or so. I didn't want to disturb you. You were rattling the windows, you were snoring that much."

"I was not! I don't snore. Do I?"

"Yeah you do. You were nearly lifting the roof off. Wasn't he, Harri?" He appealed to the girl sitting on the fence behind him.

"No he wasn't, I didn't hear a thing. Don't listen to Big Mike. You can't believe a word he says and the mouth is the biggest part of him."

"Hey! Love you too."

"Course you do. Hello Michael Malloy. I'm Harri and I'm the best friend Big Mike's got."

"Well, maybe," Big Mike grumbled.

"Ah, yeah," Michael grinned. "Hello, umm, Harri?"

"Yes, Harri. It's short for Harriet which stupid, girly and old-fashioned. It might've suited my grandmother, but it doesn't fit me."

"Yeah," Big Mike nodded. "Harri is much more butch."

"Watch it, Boy! Behave yourself or I'll sit on you. Right, Mike the Second, come and tell us all about yourself."

"There's not much to say really. I'm just ordinary - what you see is what you get."

"Come on, Boy. Nobody's ordinary and we don't know what we're looking at, do we? So where are you from?"

Harri slid down off the fence and sat below it. The boys sat down, facing her, while they talked. Michael told them about his boring life so far. No, he didn't have a boyfriend, he never had. If he had designs on Big Mike, he could forget it, because he did have a boyfriend, thank you very much. Whatever.

A little maori boy stood there looking at them, his thumb in his mouth and big, brown eyes peering out from under his over-grown fringe of black hair. He didn't say a word.

Michael waited a couple of minutes, nobody was saying anything, so he had to ask.

"Who's the kid?"

"Oh, that's Hori," Big Mike replied.

"That's not nice. Hori is an insulting term for a maori, isn't it?"

"Yeah, maybe, but that's what he is. His name is Hori, it's maori for George. He's Sarah's boy. Hori, this is your new uncle. His name's Michael."

The kid just stood there looking.

"Hello, Hori," Michael smiled. "Nice to meet you." There was no reply. He looked back at Big Mike.

"He doesn't say much, does he?"

"He never does. Hori doesn't talk, he's a dummy."

"A dummy? Damm, Big Mike, that's not nice either."

"Maybe not, but that's what he is. He's nearly 4 years old and he's never said a word in his life. He's a dummy."

"That's rough. The poor kid. Is he deaf?"

"No, he hears every word you're saying, he just doesn't talk. There's nothing wrong with his vocal cords either, upset him and he roars like a bull!"

"I'll try not to do that then."

"Yeah, it pays not to. Nancy says that he'll talk when he's good and bloody ready. He's not stupid, just dumb."

"Must be hard, going through life and not talking."

"Yeah, it must be. I'd bloody hate it," Big Mike grinned.

"You couldn't do it anyway," Harri said. "Maybe he just doesn't want to tell anyone that Tommy's his granddad."

"Yeah, he might still be in shock after finding that out."

Michael said, "We're talking about the boy like he's not here. I'm pleased to meet you anyway, Hori. I'll be happy to be your uncle."

The thumb came out of his mouth and he smiled - a dazzling white smile in his dark face. He was a handsome kid. Michael smiled back and Hori ran into the house.

"Harriet Nelson! How many times have I told you to stay away from that bad boy over there?" A stern-looking policewoman frowned over the fence.

"About a million," Harri looked-up and shrugged. "Got bad news for you, Mum. They've got another one. Meet Michael - Tommy's other boy."

"Another one? Oh, Good Lord! Just what we need. Hello Michael. I'm Ronnie and I'm Harri's mother. What's your other name?"

"Umm, Malloy. Michael Thomas Malloy."

"Trust Tommy to have two boys with the same name. And you'll be living here now?"

"I think so. I hope so. If they let me stay."

"Oh you're staying," Big Mike said. "Nancy said you are, so that's that."

"Heaven help us," the policewoman said. "Well, I live right over here and I'll be watching, so behave yourself."

"I'll make sure he does," Big Mike grinned.

"You? You're the biggest villian of the lot of them."

"She loves me really," Big Mike grinned. "When are you going to marry me, Ronnie?"

"Marry you? Not likely! And don't you think about it either, Harri. Nice to meet you, Michael. Be good and we'll get on fine."

"Ah, yeah. I'll try to anyway."

"You do that. See you later, Kids."

She left and Michael turned back to Harri. "Your mum's a cop?"

"Sure is. Dad's a cop too, they both are. Actually, so was my granddad. I come from a long line of cops. Maybe I'll join-up too."

"They wouldn't have you," Big Mike scoffed. "Anyway, if you were a cop, that'd be us finished."

"You mean you're not going to marry me?"

"Not bloody likely!"

"Yeah? I wouldn't want to marry a girl anyway."

"I'm not a girl, I'm a boy!"

"Just."

"Shut up, Harri."

Michael grinned as he watched them. He liked these guys, they were fun. Living here might be all right.

"Big Mike, Michael!" Sarah called them. "Your dinner's on the table, come and get it. You eating with us, Harri."

"Thanks, Sarah, but no, not this time. I'd better get home."

"Okay, go away then. Come on, Boys. Hurry up."

"Coming," Big Mike answered. "See you later, Harri."

"Yeah, much later. 'Bye Boys and be good. No rude stuff in that sleep-out tonight or I'm telling Max."

"As if! Bugger off."

"That's what I'm worried about, innit? No buggering."

"We'll bugger you."

"In your dreams."

"Nightmares maybe. 'Bye Harri."

She climbed the fence and was gone. Michael looked at Big Mike.

"Who's Max when he's at home?"

"Maxie's my boyfriend. I'll go and see him later and tell him about you before somebody else does. Let's go eat."

"Hah. Who knows I'm here anyway?"

"Probably half the town by now. Come on."

The Malloys, 2

They arrived at the big old house the Malloys lived in. Big Mike pushed the trolley up to the front verandah where a big, gray-haired, woman stood looking down at them. This woman was huge. Her bare arms were like a pair of Christmas hams and her floral-print dress would be big enough for a tent.

"What the hell have you got there, Big Mike?" she rumbled. "Is the Supermarket selling kids now?"

"No, I just found him in the street. Nancy, this is Michael Thomas Malloy and he wants to see Tommy - says that Tommy's his father."

"Does he just? So Tommy's chickens are coming home to roost. Well you can bugger-off, Kid. We don't need any more around here."

The boy struggled up out of the trolley and stood there, favouring his right foot. He looked like he was about to cry. "I can't see him? I've come a long way."

"I don't care how far you've come and, no, you can't see him. Go away."

Nancy crossed her big arms and stood there glaring at him. She was obviously not someone to argue with, and the boy caved right away. His head went down.

"Oh. Sorry. I'll go then." He started walking away, pushing the trolley.

"Yeah, you do that."

"Nancy!" Big Mike protested. "He's got nowhere to go."

"Not my problem."

"It's not his fault that Tommy is his father."

"Not mine either."

"Couldn't he at least meet him? Every kid should know his father, even if it is Tommy."

"Sometimes they're better off not knowing. It's about time you cut these lawns. Look at the state of them!"

"I'll get there. I've been busy. You're a hard woman, Nancy."

"I am, and you should be glad of that with the father you've got."

"Sometimes I'm glad of it."

"Don't be smart. Mow the lawns."

Nancy stood there, like the original immovable object, watching the defeated boy limp away. She had a change of heart.

"Wait a minute, Kid. What's wrong with your foot?"

He stopped and looked back. "It's nothing. It's just sore because I twisted my ankle."

"That's not nothing. What does Big Mike mean, you've got nowhere to go?"

"I haven't. My mother moved to Aussie without me. She told me to go and find my father."

"Stupid woman! Haven't you got any other family you can go to?"

"No, there's no-one. My Mother's family wanted nothing to do with her after I was born.

"I can understand that. Look at the man she had! What are you going to do then?"

"I don't know!" Michael was tired, he was exhausted, he was sore and he'd had enough of this. His temper flared. "I don't know and I don't care. Not your problem, is it?"

"Don't you tell me what's my problem and what isn't! All right, you can meet your father. Get your butt back over here and sit down. Big Mike, go and find Tommy. He's meant to be working at the Council Workshops, and if he isn't, I'll bloody kill him."

"Do I have to?" Big Mike knew how to deal with Nancy. He'd had practice.

"Yes, you have to, now get! You, get your butt back here and sit down before you fall down."

Big Mike grinned and winked at the kid as he passed him. "You're in, Kid. Keep your mouth shut and you'll be right." He hurried back down the street.

Michael limped back to the verandah and sat down with a sigh, looking straight ahead.

"You've got spirit then," Nancy said. "You didn't get that from Tommy."

She looked back behind her and called into the house. "Sarah! We've got one out here who needs nursing. Bring a bucket of hot water so he can soak his foot. Bring a bandage too, you can strap his foot up."

"Thanks, but you don't have to worry," Michael sighed.

"I'll worry if I want to. You just sit there and shut up. Sarah will fix you up. she used to be a nurse. Why did your mother dump you? You a bad egg?"

"No, I don't think so. I haven't been in trouble."

"Why would she dump you then?"

"Because I'm gay. She can't handle that."

"You've got your troubles, haven't you? You're gay with Tommy for a father and a bitch for a mother. Poor little bugger. Well, I've got better things to do.Stay there and Sarah will fix you up while you're waiting for Tommy, if he shows." She walked away into the house.

A tall, dark-haired girl, with a steaming bucket of water in her hand and a baby on her hip, came out and looked down at him.

"Are you the patient? What's wrong with your foot?"

"That'd be me, and it's not a lot, I just twisted my ankle."

"Ouch! You're sure it's not broken?"

"It's not, I think. It hurts, but not that much. I wouldn't walk on it if it was broken, would I?"

"Probably not. Okay, get your shoe off and we'll have a look."

She came down and stood in front of him while he undid the laces and started, gingerly, easing his sneaker off.

"Oh, for goodness sake!" She put the bucket down, grabbed his sneaker and whipped it off.

"There," she grinned. "Now it's off. I'm Sarah, Nancy's first-born. Who are you?"

"I'm Michael Malloy."

"Michael Malloy? You're Tommy's other kid?"

"Yes, that's me. I don't know him though. Have you heard about me?"

"Of course I have. I'm your big sister. Get your sock off and stick your foot in the bucket."

He tried, but jerked his foot out again. The water was way too hot.

"Oww!"

"What's the matter? Too hot?" Sarah bent her arm and dunked her elbow in the bucket, pulling it back out quickly.

"Okay, that's too hot. Sorry. Here," she passed the baby to him. "Meet your nephew. That's Paulie. Wait here a minute. Look after Paulie and I'll get some cold water."

He sat holding the baby - carefully, he knew nothing about babies and it looked like it would break easily. It was sleeping and didn't wake up - lucky kid.

Sarah returned in a couple of minutes, carrying a big plastic bowl with some water in it and she had an old towel slung over her shoulder. She put the bowl down in front of him, poured in some hot water from the bucket, tested the temperature and poured in some more. She tested it again and nodded.

"Okay, that's good enough. Put your foot in."

He lifted his foot, dunked it in the water and pulled it out again.

"It's still too hot."

"No, it's not." She she put a hand on his knee and forced the foot back into the water, holding it there. "Don't be a wuss, Boy. It's got to be hot to work. It'll get better."

It did. He wasn't sure if the water was cooling or if he was just getting used to it, but it got better. Meanwhile, Sarah was stripping his other foot. She lifted and inspected it.

"Phew! You're a bit smelly. It pongs. Oh boy, you've got blisters. Right, shove this one in too." She pushed it in with the other foot and stood up.

"I'll be right back, don't go away."

She went back inside and returned with a bottle of Dettol, poured some of that into the bowl and swirled it around, using his 'good' foot as a stirring spoon. Michael relaxed and let his poor, sore, feet soak until Sarah decided that he'd had enough. She took them out, gently patted them dry, and then bound his sprained ankle up in a tight bandage. It felt much better.

Sarah had only just finished that when Big Mike returned, accompanied by a skinny, weedy, little man dressed in oil-stained blue overalls. They were arguing as they came in off the street. Sarah stood up and took her baby back.

"Here we are then," she grinned. "You've already met Big Mike. Michael Thomas Malloy, meet Thomas Michael Malloy. Tommy, your other boy has come to see you."

The little guy stood there looking him up and down. Michael was surprised. He'd always imagined that his father was a big, big man. This guy was no taller than he was. Probably weighed less too.Tommy rolled a cigarette, coughed when he lit it, and then he had another look. "What d'you want?"

"Want?" Michael gulped. "I just wanted to meet you. Mum said that I should."

"Yeah. Okay, now you've done that." Tommy walked up the front steps.

"I've, umm, I've got nowhere to go," Michael gulped."Mum's gone to Aussie and left me behind. She says that she doesn't want me around."

"Neither do I. You can bugger-off, Kid. There's too many mouths around here as it is."

"Oh. I . . alright. Sorry. Goodbye then." He put his socks and sneakers into the trolley.

"Thanks, Sarah, for fixing my ankle up. It feels much better now." He started pushing the trolley back to the street.

"Wait a minute. Wait a minute," Sarah protested. "Tommy, this is your son and he's homeless. You can't just throw him out in the street."

"Oh yes I can. His mother's had him for 14 years and she doesn't want him; why the hell should I take him on? I don't even know the kid and I don't want to."

"Tommy, he's yours! He didn't ask to be born."

"I didn't ask him to either. He was just an accident. Go away, Boy."

"You rotten Little Shit!" a red-faced Nancy came roaring out of the house, pushing Tommy back out of the doorway. "You are the worst father, ever, in the history of the world! Michael, you get back in here. You are going nowhere."

The Malloys, 1

Big Mike Malloy pounded down the sidewalk and the ground trembled beneath his feet. Well, in his head it did. Everything trembled when Big Mike walked by.

On the outside, he was not so big. He was a puny little kid really, on the outside.

In mining towns, it's common for people to be given familiar names, or nick-names. Of course, trying to be funny, the locals often pick on a feature of a person and name them the opposite. 'Blue' had red hair, 'Rowdy' Daglish was a very quiet guy, 'Tiny' Johnston was huge and Big Mike Malloy was little.

That's not how he saw himself though, Mike really did think that he was big. He'd been called that ever since he could remember and he'd come to believe it, sort-of. His older brothers had hung the name on him. He was still a pre-schooler when they were teenagers and when he protested that they were allowed to do things that he wasn't, he always claimed, "I'm big. Big Mikey!"

Over the years, Mikey had been shortened to Mike, but the Big still remained. His brothers were men now and they were not small. Maybe, one day, Big Mike might grow into his name, but it hadn't happened yet and he was 14 already. Fourteen years old, 4 foot nothing and 70 odd pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes, he looked like a little kid. His best friend was twice the size of him, and she was a girl.

Harri Roberts lived next door. She called him Big Mike, she always had, everybody did. Harri was the reason that he was not so happy. They were down at the river, getting dressed after swimming and Harri was proudly showing off her new boobs. She looked at his dick and laughed at him!

"Damm, Big Mike, a few less centimeters and you'd be a girl too!"

Ha bloody ha! She was so not funny. What did she expect anyway? They'd just been in the river and cold water shrinks things. She was a girl and girls knew nothing. Pity her boobs didn't shrivel up too - disgusting uddery things that they were.

He was big - Big Mike Malloy and the ground shook when he walked.

On the main street, around the corner by the newspaper office, he nearly crashed into a supermarket trolley and he scowled at the kid pushing it.

"Watch it, Mate."

"I am watching. Why don't you try it? And, I'm not your mate."

Whoah, the attitude! There was no time for fighting with strangers in the street, Big Mike backed off. "Suit yourself." He shrugged and went to walk around him.

"Hey Kid," the stranger said, "are you a local?"

"Yeah, of course, I've always lived here. Why?"

"Well I'm not. I'm a stranger here."

"Lucky you." Big Mike started walking.

"Can you tell me where Tommy Malloy lives. Tommy and Nancy Malloy?"

"Tommy and Nancy Malloy?" Big Mike was puzzled. "Yeah, I know where they live. What are you looking for them for?"

"I've got to talk to him. I've come a long way and I've got nowhere else to go."

"You haven't? You have? Why do you have to talk to Tommy?"

"I just do. It's really important; I need his help."

"You need his help? Good luck with that. Tommy's a drunken bum and he don't help nobody."

"I'm hoping that he'll help me. I've got nowhere to go," the kid was pleading.

"Hmm. Okay then, come with me and I'll show you where he lives."

"Oh, great! Thanks."

"No probs. Come on."

Tommy and Nancy were Big Mike's parents, so he was curious now. What did this kid want his father for? Tommy was not the type to help anybody, he couldn't look after himself. It was Nancy who ran their house, not Tommy. 'This could be interesting.'

He started for home in a hurry, but had to stop and wait. The kid was limping and he wasn't keeping up.

"Sorry," the stranger shrugged when he caught up to him. "I'm having trouble."

"So I see. What've you done to your foot?"

"I twisted my ankle, and I think I've got blisters. I've been walking for hours."

"Pushing the trolley?"

"No. I found it up the road and I've just borrowed it. I thought it would be easier than carrying my pack and stuff. It's dammed hard to steer though."

"They're made like that to slow you down."

"You might be right. Have we got far to go?"

"No, not far at all. It's just a couple of blocks up the road."

"Good!"

"Yeah. What's your name anyway?"

"I'm Michael Malloy."

"You what? You are not!"

"Yeah I am. That's my name - Michael Thomas Malloy."

"For real? But that's my name. I'm Michael Thomas Malloy."

"You are? Are you related to Tommy Malloy?"

"Unfortunately, yes. He's my father."

"He is? Really? He's my father too."

"No!"

"Yes."

"Oh, wow! Just wow. I've never heard anything about you. Does Tommy know? He's gonna be in SO much trouble!"

"Yeah, he knows. Well, he used to. I hope he remembers. He used to send maintainance money for me, sometimes, but it stopped years ago."

"That sounds like him. I hope you don't think you're going to get money out of him now. You've got no show because he hasn't got any. The only people Tommy supports are publicans.

Come on, I can't wait to get home. This is gonna be fun! Can I push the trolley for you?"

"No, it's okay, thanks. It helps to support my foot."

"Still looks like hard work. I'll tell you what, get in it, sit on your pack and I'll push you."

"Well . . . yeah, thanks. That'd be great if you'll do that, it'd be a big help."

"No probs. If Tommy's your father, then we're brothers, I guess."

"That is so cool. I wasn't expecting to find any brothers. Are there any others?"

"Yeah, there's two - TJ, which means Tommy Junior, (poor bugger), and Blue, but they don't live at home, they're grown-up and they've got their own places."

Michael climbed into the trolley while Big Mike stood holding it steady. He settled down and Big Mike started walking. It wasn't too bad, once he got going.

"You, I mean, we, have a brother named Blue?"

"No, his name is Gavin, but he's called Blue because he's got red hair."

"Of course. What do they call you?"

"I'm Big Mike."

"Because you're little?"

"No, Dork. Because I'm big!"

"Umm. Okay then. Do you always call your father Tommy?"

"Yeah. Everybody does. They're just Tommy and Nancy. How old are you?"

"I'm fourteen."

"Fourteen? Me too! When's your birthday?"

"The 3rd of July."

"Mine's the 5th of August. We're not twins then."

"We're not. We've got two different mothers but the same father."

"Yeah, wow. Nancy is too, she's very different, you'll see. It's Nancy that you'll have to charm if you want to get your foot in the door. Nancy's the boss, Tommy's just useless."

"Thanks, I'll remember that."

"No-one forgets it. Oh, Blue's not your brother. He's mine but not yours. He's got a different father - Nancy had a fling when Tommy was in Pap one time."

"In Pap?"

"Paparoa Prison. Tommy's a bit of a crim. He's not very good at it, he keeps getting caught."

"Our father is no saint then."

"Definitely not! Neither is Nancy, but she's okay. Oh, there's two sisters too. Sarah's the oldest, but she lives at home. She's got 2 kids of her own, but they're just little. She split with her boyfriend so now she's back at home with her kids. And there's Molly, she's the youngest and the baby. She's 8."

"It's a busy house then."

"It surely is. Have you got any other brothers and sisters?"

"No, there's just me and now Mum's decided that there's no room for me either. She's got a new boyfriend, they've gone to live in Aussie and they don't want me. She told me to bugger off and go find my father. It's about time that he was responsible for me."

"Good luck with that!"

They carried on up the street. It was just as well they didn't live on a hill!

They both had a lot to think about. Big Mike was mostly thinking, 'Wow!' It was never boring around there for long, but today could be the most interesting ever. As fast as he could, they went home.