KENNY - 10. Chapter 10

‘Yeah, it’s a bit of a stretch but with luck it should work; how’s the lad doing?’

Fitzpatrick and Gloria were sitting in Cree’s old office, and she had just outlined her plan to flush out Billy’s assailant.

‘He’s doing great; it’s in credible how he’s not only overcome his physical injuries but mentally and emotionally he doesn’t show any effects of trauma. He’s like a proverbial red rubber ball; the harder you bounce it, the higher it bounces back. (Sigh) I wish.’

‘Yeah, I understand what you mean. You know (wistfully), this case is screwy. With every other case I’ve had to handle, I’ve been presented with a definite suspect, but have had to go looking for evidence to nail the perp. Now we’ve got lots of evidence but no leads to the perp. That’s why I want you to go ahead with your plan. It just might work and that would be a good start.’

‘Ok, I’m glad you agree; I feel a bit shitty using the kid for our purposes, but knowing Billy, he’ll completely understand.’

‘Gloria, sometimes in detective work the means do justify the ends and we have to make a judgment call to solve the case; don’t worry, I’ll have your back. When do you think you’ll put your plan into action?’

‘Depends when Billy’s strong enough, but I reckon a Friday night is the best time. Incidentally, I did mention my idea to Billy and he became enthusiastic. He thinks it’s a game.’

‘Well, in a way it is; but a very dangerous game. Bye the way, how’s Cree’s younger brother progressing? Do you think he tried to kill himself? Christ Almighty, I mean finding your own brother, and in particular a piece of shit like Laurie Cree, fucking your wife would send anyone round the bend and want to kill . . . either yourself or the other shithead.’

‘Yeah (nodding her head) it would certainly unbalance any normal person; he’s also been involved emotionally with Kenny Jones and I believe . . .’

‘Jones . . . the queer footballer? I didn’t know they were having . . .’

‘Hey! Stop right there! There’s no need for verbal abuse or discrimination; ‘queer’ is a bad word (Fitzpatrick began to go red with embarrassment) . . . a very bad word. Let me ask you Inspector; if you were born gay how would you like to be called a ‘poofter’ a ‘queer’ a ‘faggot’ or a ‘queen’. Huh? How would you feel if someone referred to you by any one of these names?’

‘Shit (sounding humbled) Gloria, I’m really sorry . . . really sorry. You’re right; I apologize. I was wrong – very wrong; I’ve got no excuse, I was offensive. I’m not (earnestly)a homophobe . . . definitely, absolutely not; I’ve got a nephew who’s gay and I know the shit that gay people have to endure. I’m really sorry.’

‘Ok Tom; I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be heavy. Once upon a time, we gays would endure all the profanities directed at us, but not anymore; we’ve learnt that turning the other cheek is counter-productive and demeaning. Apology accepted.’

‘Great! Well enough of that; go and start putting your plan together, and just keep me informed.’

‘Will do.’

♂♂

‘Hey Kenny, just finished going over the plan with Tommy Fitz and I’ve got good news and some really good news. What do you prefer?’

‘I’ll let you be the judge.’

‘Well, Fitzpatrick has ok’d the plan I outlined for you the other day; left it in my hands to implement.’

‘And . . . ?’

‘Jeff’s awake! On the way to see Billy I dropped in for a look . . . and there, large as life, was Jeffry sitting up in bed . . .’

‘. . . He’s (excited) awake? He’s awake; shit almighty. How does he look? No, don’t tell me; I’m gonna drop everything and go see him.’

‘Wow, slow down. He’s still bandaged round the head, so I doubt if you’ll get much conversation from him. He’s also like to be disorientated, and may have trouble remembering what happened. Don’t get yer hopes up tiger. He may need a lot of time to get back to normal.’

‘That’s ok, that’s ok; I just want to be there even if he’s semi-conscious. At least coming out of his coma is a good sign; right?’

‘Yes, I reckon it is; there's hope. But talk to his doctor or at least the head nurse; they’ll be able to tell you more.’

‘I’m on my way. Hey, sorry, sorry; great that you can proceed with the plan involving Billy Have you talked to him about what you want him to do?’

‘Not specifically, no. I’m gonna do that tomorrow; and if you see Jeff, will you give him my love.’

♂♂

Kenny could feel his heart beating fast as he neared Jeff’s room; that he’d been moved out of intensive care to the general population was a very reassuring sign. Jeff was sitting up in bed watching the small TV screen provided by the hospital. As he came face to face with Jeff, Kenny experienced that familiar surge of pleasure; there was no doubt as to his feelings for Jeffry.

‘Hey . . .’

‘Hey . . .’

(Awkward Silence . . .)

(Speaking as one) Oh man; Geeze it’s good . . . (they both laughed)

Then . . .

‘Shit (talking fast) Jeffry Cree you had me really worried. The last time I visited, you were at death’s door; Christ, I was really worried Jeff, really worried. You looked so vulnerable with all those tubes sticking out and that bloody monitor going ‘beep’ ‘beep’ all the time. We all thought we were gonna lose you and . . . why did you do such a stupid thing like that. You know you coulda been killed and if it wasn’t for the air bag you would’ve been killed and . . . and . . . what about Billy; he’s also in hospital with bad injuries but they say . . .’

‘Kenny, Kenny, shut up; slow down; you’re talking too fast. I can’t keep up with you. Slow down; let me look at you. You really are a sight for sore eyes; I’ve really missed you shit-head. When I came out of the coma, my first thoughts were of you. (Pause) . . . I was scared Kenny; bloody scared.’

‘Scared . . . what of?’

‘Of losing you buddy; I was scared of losing you. When I hadn’t heard from you, I began to think the worst.’

‘The worst; what do you mean, the worst?’

‘(Pause) that you’d decided to stay in Melbourne and look after Ri . . . No! Don’t interrupt; please, let me finish. I figured that his needs were more critical than my needs. (Jeff paused and looked down at his hands) I know you told me that you loved me but . . . sorry, they’re only words, and . . . and; I know how I feel Ken. The thought of losing you was extremely painful; too painful. I was very low; I was in a dreadfully dark place. And when . . .’

‘Is that why you tried to destroy. . .’

‘Oh, no, no. Please don’t think that. No! The fact is I wasn’t trying to ‘off’ meself. No! Never! Suicide is a coward’s way out. I may be a dick-head but I’m not a coward; well, I don’t believe I am. Things just sort of piled up and catching Laurie . . . ummm I . . . do you know what happened with Cindy and . . . (Kenny nodded yes) Well, I went into shock I guess; it wasn’t just Cindy being unfaithful, after all she’d fucked half the white men in town . . .’

‘You knew . . .?’

‘Yeah, of course I knew. I mean, I’d lost any interest in her, either emotionally or sexually, from even before we were married. I knew she needed to get serviced . . . can’t blame her . . . so I just turned a blind eye to her ‘adventures’. Fact is I was jealous of her; she was getting what I needed. Shit – what a mess.’

‘So you . . .’

‘I just got in my car and drove like hell to get away from the whole mess. I can’t even remember how fast I was driving or hitting the bloody tree.’

Kenny went and sat down on the bedside chair and took hold of Jeff’s hand; he gave it a gentle squeeze.

‘Well you’re right in one sense; Rickie was all over me making demands he knew could not be satisfied. Because I felt sorry for him – I don’t know why- I let myself become entangled in the mess he’d made of his life. You see Jeff (becoming heated), Rickie is one of those persons who can only think of themselves; everything has to be about him, him and more him. But (pause) I’m only giving you reasons; I don’t have any excuse for not calling you. I was wrong; wrong to not call you and wrong to get ensnared in Rickie’s emotional performances.’

‘Please, please don’t . . .’

‘. . . Don’t blame myself? Well I do because I . . . I love you man. (Pause) I’m so sorry it took me so long to recognize it Jeff. (Choke) I know you’re sensitive and probably not very strong but that’s a part of you that makes me love you. (Pause) . . . If you’ll let me, we’ll plan a life together and grow old together. (Pause) Shit that sounds corny! But I don’t care; (choke) I don’t care about the future, I only care about the present with you, with me.

(Pause) And I can’t wait to wake up and feel you lying beside me; and let me tell you you’re about the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. We’ll have happiness and (pause) yes a few sad times; life’s not easy. But it is certainly easier if you’ve got the person you love sharing the highs and lows with you. (Pause) I don’t know what else I can say . . .’

Silence . . . and then,

‘Kenny, that’s about the most beautiful spoken words I’ve ever heard; no one has ever said anything like that to me before. I don’t know how to respond; but I can tell you my cock’s as hard as a piece of steel. I think I’m gonna explode!’

(Laughing) We can fix that but not here; however here’s what I’m gonna do . . .’

Kenny got up from the chair and taking Jeff’s face in both his hands, kissed him deeply and passionately. Jeff heart rate soared as he returned the passion of Ken’s kiss; for a long moment they clung together, tongues exploring and savoring the close proximity of their bodies. It was the first time that Jeff had passionately kissed another man; he was overwhelmed. Neither man wanted to break the embrace. . .

‘WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY HUSBAND? MY GOD . . . YOU’RE KISSING HIM!

Kenny spun round at the sound of the voice, and came face to face with a very enraged Cynthia. It was a tabloid captured at a moment of time; Kenny, still supporting Jeff’s head, stared at Cynthia; Jeff sitting upright, his mouth open and looking frightened; and Cynthia, dressed provocatively, staring with open disbelief towards the two men. It was Cindy, who broke the impasse,

‘I REPEAT . . . WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH MY HUSBAND?’

‘What does it look like . . . I’m kissing him; and keep your voice down, this is a hospital, and you’re disturbing the other patients.’

‘YOU DIRTY LITTLE FAGGOT! GET AWAY FROM MY HUSBAND; YOU’RE JUST A DIRTY QUEER, TRYING TO CONVERT MY MAN TO YOUR DIRTY DISGUSTING HABITS. LEAVE HIM ALONE!

At this point, a nurse came running into the room and demanded,

‘Please, be quiet; consider the other patients. If you have to abuse each other do it outside. Any more outbursts and I’ll ask you all to leave. Do I make myself clear . . . do I?’

‘Yes answered Kenny, I hear you; you’re right, we won’t raise our voices (looking directly at Cynthia) . . . will we?’

The nurse departed with a withering glance at each person. Kenny was about to respond when Jeff forestalled him,

‘Cynthia, please . . . please hear what I have to say. (Pause) I’m in love with Kenny; probably have been since we were kids. I know Kenny feels the same (Kenny nodded his agreement) about me. (Pause) You know our marriage has been a joke; unsatisfactory for both of us. I know you’ve been fucking around and I don’t blame you for it. You’re only human and being a healthy woman you have to discharge your sexual needs; sexual needs that I couldn’t satisfy.’

‘Hold on, if you think that sweet talk is gonna . . .’

‘Let (sternly) me finish. We’re all adults here and it’s about time we started acting as adults. You don’t love me and I don’t love you, so let’s end this sham and try and get on with our lives. Yes, I’m gay and it’s been wrong of me to pretend otherwise. I’m sorry.’

Both Cynthia and Kenny simply stared at Jeff, stunned by his self-confidence and taking control. Suddenly, gone was the passive Jeff, replaced by an assertive Jeff.

‘You . . . you’re queer – a faggot? And you knew this when you married me? You (choke) you bastard! You (hostile) little piece of shit! I should sue you, for . . .’

‘For what? You’re gonna sue me for what . . . not exposing myself to ignorant people such as you and my so-called brother? But let’s have an end to all this name calling and threats. I don’t really care what you call me, because now I’m free; free to get on with my life and with the person I love, so why don’t we bury the hatchet and try and start anew. We can still be friends, Cindy. And just for the record, I could resort to name calling, but I choose not to as that would not be helpful.’

‘Friends! (Furious) friends! I’d like to bury the hatchet in your head. (Turning towards Kenny) And you; you piece of slime. I’d heard that a faggot footballer was in town; what a joke! You’re not a man; you’re an insult to all the real male footy players. That’s what you are . . . a joke, a disgrace . . . a faggot who’s a disgrace to the game of Aussie Rules. I bet you love getting in the showers and perving on yer mates bums! You’re sick!’

Kenny fixed Cynthia with a contemptuous stare.

‘You know Cynthia; you’re a classic case of ignorance coupled with homophobia. Go see . . . (harsh) No, don’t interrupt; for once in your life listen to someone else. I was about to say that if you see a doctor, there is a course of treatment that will rid you of homophobia. You’ve got a disease which can be cured; given time and determination.’

There followed silence. Kenny gave Jeff’s hand a squeeze to show his support with Jeff’s stand against Cynthia. With a contemptuous sneer, Cynthia turned around and stormed out of the room. Jeff and Kenny just looked at each other and burst out laughing.

‘Wow, I’m rapt Jeffry Cree, you handled that impressively.

♂♂

Kenny felt light-headed and spellbound as he left the hospital; the taste of Jeff’s mouth invoked wonderful memories with the promise of pleasures to come. His mobile rang.

‘Kenny, it’s Gloria. I’m gonna put my plan into action this Friday. I’d like you to be with me ‘cause you can handle Billy better than I can. I thought we’d start about 5.00 pm if that’s alright with you?’

‘Sure Gloria, I’ll be there. Incidentally, I’ve just left Jeff; we had a very interesting altercation with the lovely Cynthia. I’ll fill you in when we meet. It’s looking good.

Great; give the boy my love and best wishes.’

‘Will do.’