Leopard Spots - Prologue. Prologue

Neil Rosewood glanced at the large plasma screen that was his father’s pride and joy. He watched for a couple of seconds, trying to sear the images in his mind before returning his attention to his book. He didn’t want his father to know that he had more than a passing curiosity in the news report.

Phillip Rosewood glared at the screen. “Why is this a news story? Some guy prefers to fuck other guys instead of girls and it takes up half the news!”

Neil kept his opinion to himself. His father was exaggerating, as normal. The story about the Victorian Football League’s Jim Henderson’s announcement that he’s gay had been going for less than three minutes, and it looked like it was about to end. Neil would also prefer it if it wasn’t news – that coming out wasn’t something that raised eyebrows – but his father’s reactions weren’t because being gay should be a non-event. Neil’s father would prefer it if homosexuals were neither seen nor heard.

Neil’s father slammed a fist onto the arm of the lounge chair. “Please...enough already! Shut the fuck up and move onto something interesting! I don’t want to hear any more about some fucking poof!”

While his father ranted, Neil pondered the options. Lilydale was at the end of the train line, three stops past the station closest to his house. All it would take was an excuse to be out of the house for a few hours and he would be on the train to Lilydale and the home ground of the Lilydale Leopards Football Club. With a bit of luck, he might catch a glimpse of Jim Henderson in person and maybe say hello.

Neil caught the comment on the news report about Jim having a yet-unnamed boyfriend and how he and Jim had only just started going out.

Neil glanced up from his book again, eyes narrowed as the news report showed another close-up of Jim. Neil liked what he saw, and he made a decision. He needed to be ready to move out of home as soon as he turned eighteen, and having a place to go, a person to be with, would make that step a lot easier.

Jim was only a few years older than Neil, and he might be attracted to younger guys. Neil smiled to himself as he thought that the unnamed boyfriend deserved some competition.

* * *

Marcus Collins gave a huge sigh of relief as he entered his apartment. It had been a long and tiring day at work, and he was happy that it was over and he could spend the weekend recovering.

Dumping his briefcase in his home office, Marcus headed into the lounge-room where he found his long-term boyfriend watching TV.

Marcus glanced at the screen before dropping in the space next to Sam on the couch. He gave Sam a light kiss. “Watching the news?”

“Rewatching it. There was a report that I found interesting,” Sam Bradshaw said, his attention mainly on the television.

Marcus frowned and turned to watch. “Is that the Aussie-rules player who’s just come out? I heard about it on the radio on the way home.”

Sam nodded. “This is yesterday’s press conference where the club he plays for announced that they had financial problems.”

Marcus shrugged. “Bad luck for them, but I have to wonder at the timing. The guy comes out of the closet at the same time his club’s about to fold.”

Sam used the remote control to rewind back to the middle of the press conference. “He explains it in this part. It’s not a coincidence – more that the club’s problems helped him make the decision to come out, hoping the publicity will help save the team.”

Marcus smiled. “I’m not really into Aussie rules, but I know you are. I prefer rugby.”

Sam grunted, not taking his eyes from the TV screen. “I don’t want to get into that debate again, Marcus.”

Marcus frowned. He sensed that something wasn’t quite right. “If you think we should donate some money, I’m happy to do that. Fifty bucks should do.”

Sam shook his head. “If you want to donate, go ahead, but I sent in a donation about an hour ago.”

“How much?”

“A thousand.” Sam’s attention was still on the television.

“A thous.... Are you out of your bloody mind?”

Sam paused the television and turned to his boyfriend. His face was almost expressionless. “I’ve got my reasons.”

“What bloody reason can you have to waste so much of our money?” Marcus glanced at the screen, which was showing a wider view of the conference, with Jim Henderson in the middle, flanked by his coach and the club’s financial controller. The president and teammates were behind them.

Sam turned back to the television but left the screen paused. “It was my money, not ours. I used my personal savings – the money I’d put aside for a new computer. I’m also looking into flights to Melbourne. I’m planning on going to the club next weekend to see if there’s anything I can do to help.”

“But why?” Marcus put an arm around his boyfriend’s shoulders and pulled Sam gently towards him. He was happy when Sam didn’t resist, as he had been scared that something was coming between them.

Sam nodded towards the television. “That’s why.”

Marcus frowned at the screen. “Okay, this Henderson guy isn’t bad looking, but that doesn’t explain a thousand dollars or why you want to go back to Melbourne.”

“Not him. In the back row, third from the right.”

Marcus rose and walked closer to the flat screen TV. He stared at the figure in question.

“There’s something familiar...” Marcus spun around. “Is he...?”

Sam nodded. “That’s Deon. My son.”