Bitin' Back

by Vivienne Cleven

  Gwen walks up beside him. ‘Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Don’t worry, love, Big Boy’ll be proud of ya.’

  ‘It’s done, no use worryin bout it now. Nevil, ya done whatcha had to, son. But, tell me somethin, how’d ya know to fight like that?’

  ‘Could always fight like that, Ma. Ya think I survived this long without knowing how to look after myself? I got the best teacher in the world. Yeah, that’s right— you, old girl.’ He finds a laugh.

  ‘Seemed a woman did somethin right.’ I watch Nevil’s back n wonder where this fella come from. Wonder what goes on in that head a his. Seems like I never did know the boy to start whit.

  ELEVEN

  The Dealer

  Max Brown looks at me over his wire-rimmed glasses. ‘Do you know who he really is?’ he asks, shufflin papers.

  ‘Yeah, I know who he is,’ I reply, pattin down the hem a me dress.

  ‘I don’t think you do,’ he answers with a short laugh.

  ‘Well, if he ain’t Trevor Davidson, who is he?’ I watch Max’s face redden.

  ‘I shouldn’t tell you this, Mavis, but that bloke in there isn’t Trevor Davidson,’ he pauses, his dull grey eyes takin in the shocked look on me face. ‘His real name is Isaac Edge. That’s right, the biggest drug dealer this side of the dingo fence,’ he says, pointin in the direction of the cells.

  ‘Isaac Edge! Ya gotta be jokin!’

  ‘No joke, Mavis. That’s one tough bastard in there. Don’t be fooled by that pretty boy face of his. He’s a killer. Yep, done more time than we ever had lunches. It just isn’t safe for you to have anything to do with him.’

  I stare at him tryin to find some flicker a mischief in his face. There ain’t. Max Brown never jokes, ever. The man’s a vault.

  ‘How do you know he’s Isaac Edge?’ I question him.

  ‘I got the detectives down here from Bullya. They’ve got an identikit. It’s our man. Now, Mavis, if there’s anything you want to tell me—’ He coughs loudly and offers me a curious look.

  ‘Like what?’ I’m still disbelievin.

  ‘Anything he may have told you or Nevil. Any mention of drugs—anything, really.’

  ‘Done told me nuthin. Max, you got the wrong man! Trevor definitely ain’t no big time drug dealer! That the craziest thing I ever heard.’ I wipe the sweat off me lip. Yep, Max getting too ol for this job.

  ‘That’s his ace card, his smooth looks make an impression on women. Don’t be taken in by that. You’re not the first one he’s fooled. That’s how he operates, preying on innocent folk.’ Max nods his head firmly, his lips curled back in disgust.

  ‘I’d betcha my life he ain’t no drug dealer. I jus don’t swallow it.’ I slap a smile on me dial, hopin that’ll convince the man.

  ‘Well, we caught him at your brother’s place, bare-knuckle boxing. Doesn’t that tell you something, hmm?’

  ‘Wrong man, Max. I don’t believe it. He’s Nevil’s mate! No, I ain’t seen anythin suss. The boy treat me house like a castle.’

  ‘Look, Mavis, I hate to tell you this but he’s our man. Perhaps it’s true he’s been very nice to you but that’s just an act. Trust me, I know about this type of scum.’

  ‘Anyway, can I go n see him?’

  ‘If you want to, but be careful. He’s a lot smarter than he lets on. Don’t be taken in by his claims of innocence, Mavis. I know some folk from small towns are charitable and all the rest of it but this bludger is a parasite and he’ll take advantage of you. Be on your toes, Missus Dooley.’

  ‘Yeah, how he gonna take advantage of me, eh?’ I laugh. Take advantage of me! Trevor a big timer drug dealer! Not friggin likely.

  ‘Use you, Mavis.’ Max says, dead certain.

  ‘Can’t see how. A woman ain’t got nuthin he’d want.’

  ‘Mavis, people like this are sleazebags and because I’ve known you for a long time I’m just trying to warn you to be careful. He’s been selling stuff here in Mandamooka. I’m advising you in your best interests here. The problem is we get all the city scum coming out here trying to sell this rubbish to our kids. I won’t have it!’

  ‘Trevor’s been sellin drugs? I mean, can you prove he’s been sellin here?’

  ‘We have witnesses. I just regret that he’s taken advantage of your goodwill. That’s the thing, Mavis, you’re too goodhearted. But I can’t tell you any more than this.’ He grabs a big bunch a keys and stands up.

  Trevor a drug dealer? Nah, jus don’t add up, do it? Load a bulldust. Isaac Edge me arse. I let the thoughts go and follow Max to the cells.

  Trevor sits on the edge of the cell bed, his head between his knees.

  ‘Trev, love,’ I say, and at the sound a me voice the boy leaps up.

  ‘Missus Dooley, thank God! They’re saying I’m some sort of drug dealer! That I’m selling drugs to kids and everything!’ he blurts out, his face pasty, eyes red, his whole body tremblin. I go in and sit beside him.

  ‘It’s okay, Max. He won’t do anythin.’

  ‘Right, Mavis. I’ll be just out here if you need me.’ Max pushes the cell door closed with a loud clang.

  Trev’s voice is shaky. ‘I’ve given them my business card and told them to phone Brisbane and check out my story.’

  ‘They think you’re some fella by the name a Isaac Edge. Trev, what’s goin on? Now tell me the truth.’

  Trevor turns to me with a look of desperation. ‘There’s nothing to tell. I haven’t done a damned thing. Oh God, why me? Ever since I came to this bloody town I’ve had nothing but bad luck. Missus Dooley, you don’t think I’m a drug dealer, do you?’

  ‘Love, I know ya ain’t. They jus got you mixed up whit this other fella that looks like you. But, I can’t work out how the hell Max hauled ya in.’

  ‘I think it was your neighbour and another woman. I walked past them both the other day when I was carrying my briefcase. I heard the old woman say to her friend: ‘‘Look, Dotty, it’s the druggie boy.’’ Like, you know, they thought I had the drugs in my briefcase!’ He sighs wearily and stares down at the concrete floor.

  ‘Friggin Missus Warby n Dotty Reedman! I shoulda guessed. Missus Warby’s a real ol stickybeak n Dotty Reedman’s the biggest liar this side a the black stump! Jeesus, a woman can’t friggin win!’ I grit me teeth. Don’t it ever end?

  ‘How’s Nev holding up?’

  ‘Trevor, they only brought you in yesterday, not ten years ago!’ I laugh. ‘Nevil’s fine. Righto, Trev, you wanna tell me once and for all what the hell’s goin on whit you two. Things seemed to take a turn when you showed up. I wanna know right here, right now, what the fuckery’s been goin on, hmmm?’ Danger question this one.

  ‘I can’t really say. Um, well, I don’t really know.’ He shrugs his shoulders.

  ‘Trevor, somethin’s goin on whit you two. What is it? I ain’t no idiot. I got eyes n see things.’

  ‘Missus Dooley, I can’t tell you. No, Missus Dooley, I’m not Nevil’s boyfriend if that’s what you think. It’s all been some terrible mistake, all of this. It’s like I walked into some sort of nightmare. I’m just here to help Nevil, that’s all.’

  ‘Help Nevil? What’s that sposed to mean, eh?’

  ‘He doesn’t want me to tell you or anyone. Nevil’s just not ready to tell you anything just yet. And as his friend I’ve sworn that I won’t say anything. Please, Missus Dooley, please just be ... well ... be patient.’

  ‘Be patient! Patient me foot! Ever since the day he woke up n said he’s a woman there ain’t nuthin been the same since! I reckon it’s got a hell of a lot do do whit you.’

  ‘Well, don’t worry about me too much. I’ll be going home after the football game. When Nevil’s ready to tell you and everyone else what’s going on, he will.’

  ‘Yeah, I got a good idea a what’s happenin. Ya want Nevil to go to the big smoke so he can be a transvestay! That’s it, ain’t it?’ Yep, this ol scrubber been round. I know the big timin city ways.

  He looks at me like I’d hit
him whit a two-by-four. Then he laughs so hard that tears run down his cheeks. He doubles over n falls onto the floor, holdin his stomach as he gasps n splutters.

  I realise the boy ain’t right in the head. He’s mucked up, maybe from drugs? Come to think of it em eyes a his look kinda zonked out. Should get him to Doctor Chin.

  ‘Tranny. A tranny,’ he gasps, gettin to his feet and holdin onto the dirty sink.

  I jus sit n stare at him. Can’t work the fella out like. One thing for sure, he ain’t no friggin Isaac Edge! Smooth, huh? He’s bout as smooth as a friggin ride in the back a Booty’s ute!

  ‘Nev a tranny. A tranny!’ He collapses onto the bed and looks at me, red-faced and horrified at the same time. Like he can’t stop hisself. Like he wanna stop laughin but everytime he look at me he gotta start up again.

  ‘It’s the drugs, ain’t it?’ I purse me lips. ‘Tell me, Trevor. I know ya ain’t no dealer but I know ya smoke it,’ I whisper hoarsely. Maybe he’s fulla that arse drug—crack? I dunno why they’d wanna shove it up their ring holes for—it got a woman beat. Maybe this poor crapper fulla that shit? Yep, n maybe he got Nevil hooked on it?

  ‘Son, ya full a crack is ya?’ I have to ask.

  He coughs loudly, then clears his throat. ‘Crack, Missus Dooley? Like drugs?’ He flings back his head n looks at me like I’m the lunatic.

  ‘That’s right, Trevor. Crack, Mary Jane, drugs, dope, stuff that makes people think they somethin else. Yeah, make a man think he a woman.’ Chew on that.

  ‘My God! Absolutely not! Oh, Missus Dooley, I thought you knew me by now. How on God’s earth did you come up with an idea like that?’

  ‘Now, Trevor, I could be wrong but a mother has to keep her eyes peeled on her kid, right? If I found ya was givin me boy that sorta shit, then, son, ya ain’t gonna be gettin outta this town alive.’

  ‘Missus Dooley, you’ve got to believe me. I wouldn’t, no, I don’t do drugs. Never have! Nevil’s not on anything, you must believe me! Please, oh please, believe me.’

  ‘If I was you—Trevor, Isaac Edge, whoever the hell ya really are—I’d be more worried bout what em ol detectives are gonna do to ya. That’s right, Trevor, detectives! They ain’t here for a Sunday picnic, is they? Ooohhh nnooo, they’re here to haul ya arse off to the big lockup.’

  ‘What detectives? And for what?’ He blabbers, face palin, hands shakin.

  Yeah, that knocked the piss right outta him. Made the boy realise this is bad egg business we dealin whit.

  ‘Cos they think ya Isaac Edge! Ya in big trouble, Sonny!’ I watch his chin collapse onto his chest. The boy wouldn’t make a drug dealer’s dog. Nah, he soft, soft as butter. I can see it in the back a his scared eyes. The boy ready to bawlbaby.

  ‘Tell them, Missus Dooley! Tell them I’m not that person, for God’s sake! I can prove it. Yeah, I can really prove it!’ he stands up, his whole body quiverin like a fly-swarmed horse.

  ‘I already done that. The only thing—’ I stop as the cell door flings open and two navy-suited men stride in, Max Brown behind them. The Ds.

  ‘Mavis, please step outside while the detectives have a talk to our friend here.’ Max steers me out the door and into his office.

  ‘Max, what’s goin on?’ I ask, a thick lump in me throat. They gonna sew the boy up.

  ‘They need to ask a few questions. Look, I’m sorry, Mavis, that you’ve got to go through all this but it’s my duty.’ Max offers me a seat. ‘Anyway, how’s Nevil? Ready for the big game, is he?’

  ‘He’s all right. Yeah, he’s lookin forward to the game. It’s his life you know. I reckon we’ll take it out this year, eh?’

  ‘With Nevil playing we’re bound to. Talented boy you got there, Mavis. All the more reason you got to keep him from scum like that in there.’ Max hates druggies, full stop.

  ‘Now Mavis, I’ve got a few phone calls to make. So you take yourself off home.’ He shoos me outta his office and I pretend to head out the front door. I sidle up the side wall n cock me ear in the direction of the voices. I sidle up the side wall n cock my ear in the direction of the voices.

  ‘That’s right, Edge, cocaine.’

  ‘Coke.’

  ‘Nose candy.’

  ‘You had it all set up, didn’t you? Preying on the town people like a fucking vulture. Yeah, had it set from go, didn’t you?’

  ‘Fucking skag bucket.’

  ‘No, no, sir, please, you’ve got it all wrong.’

  ‘Yeah? How wrong can two deaths be?’

  ‘We’re gonna do you over, boyo.’

  ‘Bare knuckling, hey. Let’s see how tough you are in the big house.’

  ‘No, no ... I ... I’m not tough. No, sir, I can’t.’

  ‘Using Missus Dooley, aren’t you? Nice lady like her. Using them pretty boy looks to suck her in. Fucking cocksucking bastard!’

  ‘No! No! Please don’t hit me! Sir, I respect Missus Dooley!’ Trevor yells loud and squeaky.

  Me heart races in terror as I flatten meself gainst the wall. What can I do?

  Panic grips me. That friggin Dotty n Missus Warby, they cause alla this! Suddenly a piercin scream rips through the air. Goosebumps break out on me neck. That’s it. That’s it. I’ve had nough a this shit! Can’t they see he wouldn’t hurt a fly. I pelt through the cell door knockin the fat D outta the way.

  ‘He’s not fucken Isaac Edge! Hear that, not fucken Edge! Ya got it all wrong!’ I shout wildly, more so when I see Trevor’s tearstained, terrified face. ‘Leave him alone! Ya listenin to the biggest liars in town! Dotty Reedman’s a liar. Missus Warby’s a lunatic!’ I stumble over to Trevor and grab hold a his hands.

  ‘If he’s Edge then I’m white.’

  The fat detective tosses a look to his skinny friend and they both smirk at me.

  ‘Sleeping with her, huh Edge?’ the fat fella barks.

  ‘Hold on, everybody just hold on,’ it’s Max’s voice.

  He stands in the doorway lookin sheepish n red-faced. He looks gob smacked to see me, then turns to the detectives. ‘Sorry boys, wrong man—I’ve had him checked.’

  ‘I done told ya that! Ya bastards keep ya fucken hands to ya self! The boy ain’t no dealer!’ I shout it out for all it’s worth n haul Trevor to his feet. ‘This boy here been a good person in me home n I won’t have nobody treatin him like dirt. Yeah, that’s right, Max! Leave him alone!’ I glass me eyeballs at him.

  Max just nods his head. Looking shamed n shufflin his feet, he signals for us to follow him out the door.

  The detectives stride out in front a us laughin n makin fuck motions whit their hands. Fucken pigs. That’s all they good for, beltin kids.

  ‘Oink, oink,’ I whisper nudgin Trevor in the ribs.

  ‘Sorry, Mavis,’ Max apologises. ‘Just a bloody big slip-up.’ He turns to Trevor. ‘Sorry mate, it’s just that you look a lot like this bloke and he’s supposed to be in this area somewhere.’

  He gives us a weak grin. ‘Tell Nevil I’m counting on him to take out the man of the match.’

  ‘Sure will, Max.’ I grip Trevor’s arm as we walk out onto the street.

  ‘Close shave, love.’ I pat his shakin arm. Poor kid.

  ‘I think I’ve had enough of this town. I can’t take any more. It’s killing me, just torturing me. And those ... those things back there punched me in the head. It hurt, Missus Dooley.’ Trevor’s bottom lip pokes out. He gonna start bawlin for sure.

  ‘Never mind, love. Ya lucky ya isn’t black, else you’d be crawlin outta there. It’s over now. Let it pass, love. They’ll soon find some other poor sucker to belt.’ I look at his tear-stained face. He ain’t hard. He’s jus a boy caught up in Nevil’s world, my world n the whole friggin town.

  ‘Who do ya reckon Isaac Edge is?’

  Trevor shrugs.

  ‘I reckon whoever he is, he’s one smart bastard. But doncha reckon it’s all a bit strange how this stuff all seems to be happenin at once?’

  ‘Maybe it’s because I’m new her
e. An easy target.’

  ‘Hmm, I dunno, Trev. I got a gut feelin bout all this. And if I’m right this won’t be the end a it.’

  A woman can feel it in her bones.

  TWELVE

  Will It Ever End?

  Gracie picks at her teeth with a matchstick as she gives Nevil the spitty eye.

  ‘Feminine side, eh. Now what’s that sposed to mean?’ She directs the question to Trevor.

  Trevor throws me a quick look then says, ‘Well, it’s um, sort of like this—men, well, men have a female side. It’s like we have portions of Adam and Eve inside of us.’ He grins.

  She looks at him, her face set in a frown, jaw hangin open. She blinks once, twice, then stares hard at Nevil. ‘That’d mean I gotta man inside a me? That I’m really a man?’

  ‘No, I mean, well, yeah, something like that,’ Trevor answers, rubbin his stubbly chin. ‘It’s a subconscious process that has to be developed. It has to be nurtured, like something that has to be encouraged to come out.’

  ‘Come out? Like when you a poofter n you tell the world?’ She glares at him, suspicion washin over her face.

  ‘Gracie! That word’s not allowed in this house, don’t say it!’ I bark. Sayin stuff like that is bound to stick to Nevil.

  ‘Anyway, it’s not like he gonna be like that forever, eh?’ I throw a smile at Nevil.

  ‘No, Mum,’ he answers, a slight grin on his face.

  ‘Now, what you got to do is keep all this to yourself, Gracie. Nevil n Trevor are workin on somethin portant n if people find out bout this there’ll be shit goin down, right.’ I narrow me peepers n watch the way she tilts her head to one side, like she can’t work me out.

  ‘Yeah, yeah, I know. So how long is this goin on for?’ She missiles the question to Nevil, lookin at him like he’s a stranger or somethin.