To Sammy With Love - 10. Chapter 10

Gwen answered her home phone on the third ring. “Oh Gwen, I’m glad I caught you - It’s Elaine from Perth.”

“Hello Elaine. How are you? It’s nice to hear your voice. I guess you’re calling about Samuel?”

“Yes, I am. I’ve already talked to the doctor this morning and I must say he’s sounding a lot more positive than the last time I spoke. Sammy’s still unconscious but he tells me that they will try and keep him semi-conscious so he can heal more quickly.”

“Oh that’s great news Elaine. We've all been very worried. Sounds like he’s out of danger. Thank God.”

“Yes - I’m a bit relieved. But he could relapse at any time. That’s why they’re keeping him sedated, to try to avoid any further complications. Anyway, the reason I’m calling is that I’m coming over to Melbourne. I’ll stay at a hotel nearer to the hospital for the time being. I intend to rent a place for at least six months to look after Samuel whilst he recuperates. I’m thinking around Frankston. I’m flying out tomorrow. I thought I’d better let you know I’m coming over.”

“Oh, that is good news Elaine. We’ll let you get settled and then arrange for you to come down to our place when you’re ready. Just let me know if there’s anything and I mean anything, we can do. I know Jim will love to see you. By the way, do you want Jim to meet you at the airport? He’d only be too happy to help.”

“No, thanks for the offer but I’ll manage Ok. I’m going to call his landlady er - er - Billee, to talk to her more about the incident. I believe the police are involved and I’d like to find out how far their investigation has progressed.”

“I don’t blame you Elaine. I just hope they catch the mongrels who bashed Sammy. And soon. To know that such vicious bastards are running free is a big worry to all of us”.

“Yes. Nobody deserves what they did to him. Well, must go now - I’ll call you as soon as I get settled.”

“Hi Bren, it’s Rick. Look can I come and see you? It’s about Peter.”

“Yes Rick,” Brenda responded wearily. “Yeah, come on around -I’d love to see you. Come as soon as you want.”

When Rick walked in the kitchen door, as he usually did, he found Brenda and Maria sitting at the kitchen table, staring into their coffee cups.

Being Rick, he just launched into what was on his mind without any social niceties.

“I’ve got a mate in the cops who I asked to find out who bashed Sammy. He went over what they knew and in the course of his conversation he talked about Samuel's partner Peter. What’s Peter got to do with Sammy?”

Brenda just started sobbing. Maria raced around and held her tightly in her arms. In a cold voice she said -

“Rick - Peter is Gay. He and Sammy are having an affair. Peter only told Brenda last night. As you can see, she’s deeply distressed.”

For once Rick was silent. Stunned, he sat down in a chair and just looked at Maria with utter disbelief.

“Peter - Gay. How is that possible? I mean, he’s married, got kids, loves the footy - a real top bloke. It’s not possible. Struth. There’s got to be a mistake.”

“We’re all stunned Rick. It’s a shock to everybody. But Brenda -” There was complete silence around the table. Rick was so horrified at Maria’s news; he just stared stupidly at the two women. For a long while, nobody said a word. Brenda continued to sob miserably. It sounded like she had reached the deepest level of despair.

“Oh Bren -” was all he could manage. This was something beyond Rick’s capability to comprehend. Always a person to take people at face value and to trust them implicitly - he was lost. He was a little boy who had just been told there was no Santa Claus. Then he started to get angry.

“The bastard. The bloody, shitty, poofter bastard. He’s lied to us all these years. Probably laughing at us. That’s only what you can expect from all those queers. Their Sick. Ugh - just the thought of what they do to each other makes me want to puke.”

“Rick, for god’s sake, watch your language.” Maria said sharply. “Think of Brenda. We’re all angry Rick - but you’re only making it worse for Brenda. Cool it, please.”

“Oh, sorry. Yeah, you’re right Maria. Sorry Bren, real sorry - I’m just angry.”

“I wish I could feel anger Rickie,” admitted Brenda. I wish I could punch someone. I feel - so - so. Helpless. God Rickie, you’re not Gay are you?”

“No. I’m definitely NOT Gay. And, don’t worry babe. I’ll stick by ya. It hurts me to see you so miserable. Hey, could someone fill me in on how this all came about? I’m totally confused.”

And with that both Maria and Brenda brought Rick up to date with events. Brenda left out her embarrassing reaction late last night. Nobody was going to know that she had degraded herself.

Maria was saying, “and then Karl and I drove back -”

At that point, her mobile rang, and she answered it with -

“Hi Mum. What’s - ? OK, OK cool down - take it slowly. What’s this about Nat - ? NO - OH MY GOD. NOT Nat. IT’S GOT TO BE A TERRIBLE MISTAKE. OH MUM, I don’t understand - Look, I’ll come home straight away.” She rang off. Her face looked like chalk.

Both Brenda and Rick said, “Maria, what’s happened? You look awful.” In a disorientated voice she said -

“My mother called to say that my brother Nat has just been arrested and charged with the attempted murder of Sammy. I’ve got to GO.”

Peter stood beside Sammy’s bed and just stared at the young man who had changed his life. Sammy was still lying immobile, wired up to several monitoring instruments. The silence, interrupted by the steady “beep, beep” of the monitors, was unsettling. He just stood and looked. Then touched Sammy’s hands, giving them a gentle squeeze - almost a caress.

I love you little man - I love you with every fiber of my being. I wish I could hold you and comfort you. I want to tell you that my love is infinitely greater than all the vile hatred that exists in this world. I’ll never let this happen again.

What kind of a world do we live in that harbors such evil against a fellow human being? Don’t worry Sammy; you’re in my care now. I’ll make sure that no one will ever hurt you again. Not while I live.

Then he leaned over and kissed Sammy’s mouth - tenderly and lovingly, just as a pretty nurse walked into the room.

“He needs all of that,” she smiled. “We believe that love and tenderness reach every person in their unconscious state. Never hold back on love. Are you a relative?”

“No,” said Peter quietly. “He’s my lover.”

“Well now,” said the nurse giving Peter an appraising look. “My - Isn’t he the lucky one”.

Peter liked Billee’s corner pub. It was intimate and full of colorful characters. Sitting here in a semi-private booth, he surveyed the crowd and tried to compare the company to his pub back home.

Back home -- where the hell was my home now? I suppose the word’s out that I’m Gay. I can just imagine the conversation now back at the Grand. Shock and disbelief would soon turn to anger. They’re all pissed off that I’ve lied to them all these years. And there’s no way I can ever expect them to understand. It’s my problem - and I must deal with it.

Billee storming into the pub, ignoring other people and plunking herself down in Peter’s cubicle, interrupted his reverie. She was flustered and obviously bursting with news.

“Peter, Peter darling - Have I got news. I can’t wait to tell you. Before I do, can you get me a large carafe of white wine. Please - Oh pretty please. And Hurry.”

When Peter returned with her wine, Billee launched straight away into her news. But first, she had a large swig of wine. Then another.

“As you know I went to - OH shit, I can’t - They’ve arrested a man for Sammy’s bashing. I was there and identified his voice. I’ll never forget that voice. When they brought him out I could see, even without the mask on, that he’s the one. The detective told me that he usually teams up with two others, who are known to them, and they believe that one of them will crack and turn States Evidence. Oh. Isn’t it exciting? They’ve moved so fast, I can hardly believe it.”

“Well, hold on. Slow down”, Peter said calmly. “Who was it? Did you find out the arseholes name?”

“Oh sorry; yes I did. It’s Nathaniel something Hollingsworth, or something like that. Do you know him?”

“No,” Peter said thoughtfully. “The name rings a bell but I just can’t place it. Has he been charged?”

“Yes, with Attempted Murder. They say the attack was so vicious that they want to make sure he’s put away for a long, long time.”

“Bloody hell, that’s great news. I only wish Sammy was conscious to hear the news.” Peter sounded a bit mournful.

“Oh geeze, I forgot - How is the lad? Has there been any improvement?”

“Well, he’s still unconscious but I gather that’s deliberate. He looked peaceful enough. Actually, a nurse walked in and caught me kissing him. For the first time in my life I was able to say, to a perfect stranger, “He’s my lover.”

“Hey kiddo - Here’s to you. That’s an important step.”

“Talking about important matters, I don’t have anywhere . . .” Billee interrupted him by saying -

“If you’re looking for a place to stay, I’d be delighted. In fact, if you didn’t stay with me, I’d be insulted.”

“Thanks heaps Billee. You’ve taken a great weight off my mind. I don’t want to go back home. I believe Brenda would throw me out again anyway.”

“Hey, you haven’t told me what happened last night. I would like to hear about it, if it’s not too personal.”

Struggling to keep his emotions in check, Peter walked Billee through the previous evening’s events.

When Peter finished, Billee sat quietly for a moment and then reached out and took Peter’s hand.

“Look mate, what you did was hard. Maybe some would say cruel. But look on the positive side. You’ve given Brenda and your children all your love and care. But you have never been happy. You spent your life living a lie. That’s society’s fault - Not yours. I remember what it was like for Gay people twenty years ago. Being Gay was almost a death sentence. It’s been almost forty years now since ‘Stonewall’ and sadly, nothing much has changed. Look at Sammy today. He’s lying in a coma in a hospital. Right now. And why? - because he’s gay.” Peter was about to interrupt when Billee said -

“Let me continue. You’ve got a chance now to make a new life for yourself. There will be hurdles - that’s life. But at least you can be honest with yourself. Now, as to Brenda. So, she’s found out her husband is Gay. Shock. Horror. That’s a big issue. But it’s hardly the end of the world. She’s still got her children and the knowledge that you’re going to look after them. You’re not dead and she’s still alive. I know it’s easy to say but - Go live your life Peter.”

While Billee was talking, Peter was listening half mesmerized. This lady was one hell of a bird. She should have been a social worker. The things she was saying were true. So what, Brenda’s been hurt - bad. But it’s not the end - only the beginning. All he could serve up was -

“Thanks Billee, that means a lot to me. You don’t know how much better you’ve made me feel. Thanks.”

“Aw Shucks - Piss off. Now I’ve got some more news. Sammy’s mother Elaine called me to say she’s coming over from Perth to nurse Sammy. She’s staying at the Melbourne Motor Inn for a few nights. She wants to rent a house, somewhere in Frankston, perhaps on a six-month lease. She asked if there was anything I could do to help. I said I’ll talk to her tomorrow when she arrives. Any ideas?”

“Leave it to me. One of my clients is the Property Manager for Mornington Peninsular Real Estate. He owes me a favor. I’ll call him tomorrow and get something set up. I gather she doesn’t want to stay too long at the Motel - Eh.”

“Yeah, they’re pirates. Look, stay as long as you want at my place. Sammy won’t be using it for some time. You’d be doing me a favor, and I enjoy your company. And as long as you don’t rape me, we’ll get along fine.” This said with a happy smile. “And by the way - I’d like you to meet my son Luke. He’s needed a strong male person in his life. I’m sure you’ll like him.”

A very much-relieved Peter simply said, “Hey, now that’s all been settled, let’s have another drink and this one to - Sammy”.

The mood at the Grand hotel was one of utter incredulity. Some were saying that they’d had suspicions for some time. Some said it must be a joke. Some, including Rick, said they didn’t like the guy and good riddance. Everyone said they knew something, but the reality was they knew nothing. It was all Brewers Bullshit. A few pointed out that he was the same Peter that they had known before the news, but these people were in a minor minority.

Karl stood among the group, keeping his peace and marveling how quickly a crowd can turn so nasty. One thing, he didn’t feel like getting pissed. He alone was thinking of all the people involved, and how they were in pain. His mobile interrupted his musing and he answered it

“Hi Maria, what’s - what. Woo…slow down, you sound hysterical. NATT. Your brother. WHAT ARRESTED - WHEN - NO. NO - ABSOLUTELY NOT. I NEVER SAID A WORD - HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT - Realizing that the conversations had stopped and the crowd were all ears he lowered his voice. “Maria - I swear. I didn’t know he’s been arrested until you just told me -. BULLSHIT. You tell your Father and Mother to FUCK OFF. With that he slammed the phone off.

He looked up into a sea of expectant faces. Was that saliva running out of their mouths? The only person who was going to win today was the Cash Register.

“Umm - I guess you heard. Maria’s brother Nat has been arrested and charged with attempted murder of Sammy.”

It is not true that nothing can exceed the speed of light - Gossip travels faster. Within hours, friends, acquaintances and even total strangers would know about one family’s pain.

Sammy’s mother Elaine was phoned in Perth by the Melbourne police and only told that an arrest had been made. She would get more details when she arrived in Melbourne.