Читать книгу When Boys Kiss Boys - Richard Crlik - Страница 8

The storm was still raging. Michael was praying that it would ease off soon and his father and brothers would head of to the pub as was usual for them on a Friday night. Still it hadn't been too bad so far. His father had arrived home drunk but flushed having won $40 on a horse race.

Dad had even shouted him and his brothers a take away Chinese meal. He couldn't remember the last time they had eaten together. Ever since his mum had left no one had cooked at home. His dad and brothers ate out at the pub most nights and Michael had to fend for himself on the $5 a day his father gave him for his lunch and dinner.

Usually he had beans on toast or sometimes he went up to the take-away shop, quite often actually, and got a hamburger or fish and chips. He ate alright there. The owners were a Greek family and they looked after him. Michael wasn't sure if it was because he was one of their regular customers, or because Mrs Gianopolous was fascinated by his blonde hair which she always ruffled, or because he made sure their sons hadn't been bullied at school when they first arrived.

He had been going there ever since the first night he had moved there. The Gianopolouses had three sons and two daughters, all younger than him, and all fat and spoiled. Michael had envied them with their doting parents and family gatherings that happened every Sunday.

They'd been kind to him though from the start, giving him an extra helping of fish or chips or a free milkshake. Mrs Gianopolous always giving him a big smile as she ruffled his hair with her sweaty hands.

Michael was a smart boy in more ways than one. When, the following year, the Gianopolous boy had started high school Michael had personally taken him under his wing during the lunch break, ensuring that the other boys knew he was not to be 'initiated'. Even the older boys at school were wary of Michael and his reputation for being a wild fighter. To the boys in his own year Michael was king and they all did whatever he wanted, those who didn't quickly became the target of unending torment from the other boys.

He was the Gianopolous's hero after that and got at least one free dinner from them each week.

Michael rarely bullied anyone. He got the other boys to do his dirty work. His three 'best friends', he actually thought they were dickheads, were his main henchmen but most of the other boys were ready to do his bidding at the drop of a hat.

It had all started on the first day of high school. Unlike the other boys, Michael had arrived alone and without his parents (or at least without his dad) for the 'family orientation morning'. He had hated the school even before he saw it and, as he sat there in the big school hall watching all the other boys looking both nervous and excited and listening to one boring teacher after another talking about 'what a wonderful school it was' and 'how the boys were expected to do their best' or, 'we have a great sporting tradition', Michael had decided that he was having no part of it.

When the teachers had finally stopped droning on and invited the parents to 'stay and enjoy a morning tea with the new students and other parents', Michael had gone outside and wandered around the building and lit a smoke. He had taken a few puffs when one of the other mothers had suddenly appeared. He had remembered seeing her walk in earlier. She was really hot looking and Micheal remembered how lots of the fathers had spent more time sneaking looks at her than watching the presentation, many of the mothers too, although they had all seemed to be looking at her for a different reason than the dads.

Micheal had been about to stub his cigarette out when the lady spoke to him.

'Oh god darling, I'm gasping for a ciggy too. Have you got a light?

Michael remembered how his hands had shaken as he had offered her a light and how she had placed her long elegant hand on his to steady them. She had continued talking as though she had known him for ever.

'Isn't this the most boring bit of drivel you have ever had to listen to?' Micheal had been about to reply 'Shit Yeah!' when a tall, dark haired boy had come up to them. He assumed this was the ladies son as he had seen them sitting together inside. He hadn't seen the boy's face until now though. He had his mothers angular but attractive face and the same big, deep green eyes, only the boy had darker, almost bronze skin, whereas the mother had fair, almost white skin. His lips seemed almost painted on. Full and dark pink. Like a girls Michael thought.

'Oh Ben darling, you don't mind if I go after this ciggy do you? I mean it must be embarrassing for you having your mother hanging around. Jean Pratt even straightened John's tie during the speeches. Did you see her? God if I have to stay any longer I might just do that to you!'

The boy, Ben, had laughed and said 'Sure Mum', before leaving the two of them alone to finish their cigarette.

'Your parents had the right idea not coming darling.' Micheal knew she was just making him feel better and he thought she was even hotter because of that.

Finally, after all the boring speeches were over and the parents had left, the boys were taken outside and divided up into roll classes before being left alone in the school quadrangle for lunch. Nervous first year boys huddled together waiting for the lunch bell to ring and the dreaded 'first year initiation' to begin.

Michael knew all about initiation. It happened in every school and it happened every year. If you didn't have an older brother or friends in another year, or if you were fat, had glasses, or were a wog or a chink, then you knew that you were going to be a target.

Wedgied, tie pulled so tight you thought you were going to choke, held around the neck and pulled down while some fat guy farted in your face. Dragged off to the toilets and your head flushed it you cried.....

Michael didn't have an older brother at the school and he didn't know anyone else there. He knew he would be a target. He waited until the first group of older boys approached him.

'Hey Goldilocks!' One of the boys taunted him as the other boys laughed and looked menacing.

Michael didn't reply. He looked at the boy and smashed his fist into the boys nose, knocking him to the ground. The other boys drew back to the shouts and cheers of all who had seen. Michael waited for the boy to get up and hit him back. He didn't. When he finally stood he looked sheepishly at Micheal, rubbing his now bleeding nose and said.

'Hey man, stay cool, only having fun'. He left with his mates.

Michael started walking away. Off to have a smoke with the older boys. He knew before he got there his reputation would have preceded him. He was safe now. The years of having to defend himself against his older brothers had paid off.

Walking away he was aware of the hushed but admiring stares of the rest of the boys. He felt strangely pleased when he saw that Ben boy smiling at him.