by Maria Boyd
What was I meant to say to that?
No, sir, I mean, yes, sir.
It’s all right, Will. He was smiling at me like he always did.
He extended his hand.
Congratulations on an excellent job, Will. Really. It’s been a pleasure working with you.
This was more like it.
He was called away by someone over on the other side of the room. As he turned to leave he threw over his shoulder, Don’t forget about the assignment due on Monday.
Bastard! He’d done that deliberately.
Mum came over and led me to the older couple who had been standing with her.
Will, these are Mark’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Newman.
Hello, Will. Well done. It was all excellent.
I remembered what Mark had said about his dad. He sure fit the hotshot businessman description, all decked out in his pinstriped suit. He needed to relax, though. He was jiggling up and down on his feet as if he was nervous about something. Maybe if he loosened his tie a bit he’d chill out. But at least he’d made an effort to be here. Mark’s mum was completely different. She and Mum were nattering on like they’d known each other since kindy.
Well, it’s Mark and Elizabeth who are the real stars.
Oh, I don’t know about that, you can’t have a musical without a band. No, I think we can say that you were all brilliant!
No wonder Mrs. Newman and Mum got on. They both spoke the same over-the-top language.
Will you be coming to the party, Will?
Oops! Hadn’t quite got around to asking Mum about that.
Ahhh …
Mark had just reached the group and answered for me.
Yeah, sure he’ll be there, he’s one of the guests of honor.
I smiled over at Mum sheepishly. I knew we’d be talking about this later.
Hello, darling, we thought you were wonderful. Mrs. Newman kissed Mark on the cheek. I don’t know where it comes from—it’s not from my side, that’s for sure. Mind you, your father has a very good voice, don’t you, Stephen?
Mr. Newman looked uncomfortable. Oh, I don’t know about that. He extended his hand rather formally to Mark. Well done, son. I admire your bravery.
Thanks, Dad. It wasn’t much but you could tell that Mark rated the compliment.
There was a moment’s silence while everyone looked at one another and smiled. Then Mark glanced at his watch and said, Right, well, we’d better go home to make sure everything’s ready for tonight.
Oh no, you can’t go yet, Brother Pat boomed. No, there are far too many people who want to meet you. Some of the old boys and their wives think you’re the best thing since …
I grinned wickedly at Mark, who gave me the finger and then turned to give a hasty smile to Brother Patrick.
Hey, Will, Mark called out to me as Brother Patrick marched him off. I nearly forgot. Elizabeth’s waiting for you in the dressing room.
What?
It was pointless. He’d run off. What was she waiting in the dressing room for?
I excused myself while Mum and Mrs. Newman were at it again. Nervously, very nervously, I found my way to the girls’ dressing room and knocked.
I heard a Just a minute.
Elizabeth?
God, what kept you? I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.
She opened the door and started to look around, then she stared at me.
What’s wrong with you?
I was speechless. She looked stunning. I mean stunning. She had on a deep red dress that tied at her neck and hugged her body. I didn’t know backs could be so sexy. I was blown away.
Will, what is it? You’re worrying me now.
God, y-y-you look great! I stammered eventually.
This time it was Elizabeth who blushed.
You don’t think it’s too much, do you?
No way, it’s fantastic!
She moved closer to where I was standing.
Thanks, Will.
We stood looking at each other for a while. I began to wish I’d made a little more effort with my own gear.
Here. She offered me a glass of champagne. Mark’s mum and dad gave it to us at the beginning of the performance.
We clinked our glasses Hollywood style and, in keeping with the theme, I reached over and kissed her.
So, what’s with the meet me in the dressing room? I said eventually, once my heart had stopped hammering. Mark nearly forgot to tell me.
She seemed a little nervous.
I wanted to see you before you met my parents.
Why?
I just wanted to explain. Look, they’re really conservative … in an up-to-date way. I just wanted to warn you.
I know, you’ve told me all this.
All of a sudden I had this vision of the Godfather holding a horse’s head with my name on it.
Dad’s nice and everything, but he would have freaked if he knew we were on our own last night. It’s not that they won’t let me have a boyfriend, it’s just that they like to meet him first and meet his parents. They’re protective, that’s all. She paused. Maybe it’s better you don’t tell them how you got to be involved in the musical.
It’s not exactly something I advertise, Elizabeth.
Please don’t be offended, Will. She paused and lowered her head. It’s just that I don’t want anything to muck us up and I know what they’re like.
I pulled her toward me and let her lean against me. I was full up with the need to make everything all right for her.
Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. How could they not like me? I grabbed her hand, threw the champagne down my throat and opened the door. Come on, I was enough of a basket case for both of us last night. No more stressing, let’s go and have some fun like they keep telling us we spend all our time doing. Now skol!
Will, you’re very, very sad. She threw back the champagne. But I really like that about you.
We walked up to the group and were watched with every step. I was still holding Elizabeth’s hand tight, but her grip was tighter. It looked like Mum had done the hard work for us, though. She’d obviously been talking to Elizabeth’s parents already. She was always good at that sort of thing.
Here they are! You look beautiful, Elizabeth, Mum said as she kissed her hello. And this is my son, William.
I shook hands with Mr. and Mrs. Zefferelli. Mr. Zefferelli nearly managed to end my nonexistent career as a lead guitarist before it even started, his handshake was so full-on. I hid my pain and tried a bit of Patricia Armstrong small talk on him. After the third grunt in answer to my third question, I figured the man either hated my guts or just didn’t do small talk. I moved over to Mum for some support. She was doing well with Mrs. Zefferelli and since I’d already scored some points with the only other female in the Zefferelli family, maybe I’d stand more of a chance there. Just as I was about to launch into a you can’t help but love me hello, Elizabeth, who had been chatting with Brother Pat, came over and Mum took that as her cue to excuse herself. There was no way I was going in there on my own so I also made my escape. As I did I overheard the Zefferellis saying wonderful, spectacular. Apart from the lack of small talk they seemed like pretty normal parents to me.
Thanks, Mum. You’re good at the meet and greet thing.
Thank you, Will.
So Brother Pat invited you to his party?
She grinned at me knowingly. Yes, Will, he did. When were you going to ask me about yours?
Yeah, sorry about that. I meant to tell you about it, but what with everything going on—
It’s all right, Will, just promise me you’ll behave yourself.
I’m not a five-year-old. Besides, how much trouble can there be at a wussy after-musical party?
I caught Mark’s eye across the hall. He pointed to his watch. I gave Mum a kiss, told her to go off, have a good time and stop stressing, then went searching for the Freak. There was no way this kid was not coming to the party. Mr. Cohen smiled at me and shook my hand.
/>
I know he’s in safe hands. Thanks, Will. But, Zach, midnight and that’s final!
Elizabeth had disentangled herself from her parents, who were happily moving off with Mark’s parents and Mum to join Brother Pat.
Be good! they chorused.
We all waved and smiled.
Don’t worry, we will!
The party
When we arrived the music was blaring and there were plenty of people around already. Mark’s Melbourne mates had left right after the show and got things organized. We were cheered as we entered. Well, I wasn’t, but Mark and Elizabeth were.
Mark made a beeline for his friends: three guys, two girls. I wondered again if he was keen on any of them, the blokes I mean. I watched from a distance as he kissed two of them hello. He seemed to act pretty normal but he was paying a lot of attention to one guy in particular and he took a cigarette off him, waited for him to light it, then had three drags and put it out again. I was standing there watching when I had this horrible feeling I was turning into my mum so I started to turn away.
Just as I did, Mark motioned for me to come over.
Yes, this is the man who had the freak attack in the car.
I suppose I deserved that. I wonder when payback time is over.
Thanks for that, Mark.
He introduced me.
But now he’s a mate.
I nodded in his direction and shook hands with all of them.
And I also set him up with my gorgeous costar.
Shit, I’d been so wrapped up in Mark’s love life I’d forgotten about my own. I looked over to see Elizabeth talking to the boys. I excused myself and went straight over. I knew most of them would behave themselves, but I wasn’t so sure about Jock and Tim.
As I approached, I could hear Elizabeth laughing as usual and Jock telling a story, obviously a really funny story. It was when they shut up as I reached them that I figured it was a really funny story about me.
All right, Jock, shut up.
He looked at me innocently.
What, Willo? I was just giving Elizabeth here all the background info she needs on Will Armstrong.
She looked over at me and grinned.
I tried to defend myself. You know no one listens to Jock, Elizabeth. He’s full of it!
Oh, I don’t know, I was enjoying the story until you wrecked it.
The boys went into their usual chorus response of Oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Chris offered to get drinks. Why don’t you give him a hand and Jock can finish his story? said Elizabeth.
I bowed my consent and left to even louder applause. Dad would be proud I’d ended up with a feisty one. I knew she’d be fine, and it was pretty obvious the boys were falling over themselves to impress her. I found Chris by the coolers. He pointed his bottle in the direction of the boys and smiled.
She’s a really nice girl, Will.
Yeah, I know.
I’ve got to say, mate, I’m dead jealous.
I looked at him strangely.
No, don’t get me wrong. You’re my best mate and it’s great you’re happy. I just want you to know that she seems like a really sound girl and it’s obvious she’s totally into you. It’s great and I’m jealous.
Chris was jealous of me?
Thanks, mate. Not that you’re jealous, just thanks for saying it.
We were both quiet. Silence wasn’t a big deal between us, but I got the feeling Chris was a bit embarrassed. Talking about girl stuff was new coming from him. He was normally the one dishing out the advice.
Right, well, that’s it then. Come on.
I grabbed hold of Chris’s arm and pulled him over toward Elizabeth’s friends.
What are you doing?
Well, you were doing all right the other night with Elizabeth’s friends. What was that girl’s name … Maree? It’s time for you to meet them again. Before you start hitting on Elizabeth!
The night was getting louder and more revved up. There were only a couple of people out of control; mostly everyone was still hyped from the show. Considering it had taken nearly a whole term of hard work, it was a pretty major event. And it had been a success. I know it wasn’t a Broadway show or anything, but they were good, we were good. People were buzzing about the funniest moments, who stuffed up their lines and how real the Elizabeth and Mark kiss looked. I kept out of that discussion.
Zach was right at the front doing the now infamous terrier routine. Elizabeth was standing with Mark, who had his arm around her. I looked over at the boys a little fearful they’d be taking the piss, but they were too busy showing off. Some had even resorted to talking to some well-known nerds so they could get introduced. Chris was in deep conversation with the Melbourne girls. A very long, involved conversation. Of course he’d have to find someone who lived a ten-hour car ride away.
One of the footy boys who had come with Jock and Tim called over to me. Hey, mate, you want to keep an eye on your woman.
He nodded over to where Elizabeth and Mark were standing arm in arm at the front door, talking to the geeks who were being picked up by tired parents. Midnight was obviously the latest any of them had been allowed out by themselves in their lives. Zach was there, reluctantly waiting for his dad. I figured I should move over and say goodbye.
I turned around and looked the footy bloke square in the face and smiled. Let him think what he liked.
I waved at the Freak as he got into his dad’s car and continued toward Elizabeth.
Hey! I slid my arms around her. It felt really good.
I’ve been waiting for you to come over.
I looked at her and wondered how I’d gotten so lucky. The whole night had been a success. I was riding the crest of what felt like the world’s biggest wave. I’d been dumped, chewed up, nearly drowned and spat out, but now, right now, I felt like I was riding it.
This was not the time for fear or fumbling. I drew her toward me, running my fingers over her face. I nearly pulled them away, worried that they could scratch something so incredibly soft. She looked at me without flinching. Outside the old chapel, at the pizza place, at school today; each time she had looked at me in exactly the same way. Open and honest, and really, really hot!
I felt her hands navigating my back, her touch sending shivers of excitement up my spine. Our breathing quickened and our bodies pressed together. It had been a whole two hours since we had last kissed and it was time for plenty more….
I, uh, hate to break up this moment of young love, but we have visitors!
What? I managed to mumble. It was Mark and he was looking a little concerned and rather a lot pissed off.
I said we have visitors and they’re not the kind that were invited.
Elizabeth was looking at the two of us. Her face seemed to be a mixture of dismay, anger and puzzlement.
Don’t tell me that one of the most beautiful moments of my teenage life has been interrupted because you two have come over all territorial and full of testosterone.
Mark and I looked at one another. Neither of us knew how to respond.
So someone’s gate-crashing the party, ring the police! You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.
Little did she know I had plenty to prove, but I wasn’t about to get into a deep and meaningful talk about it.
And besides, she continued, I thought if you were gay—she looked at Mark—and the musical, sensitive type—she looked at me—the Neanderthal gene was recessive.
Mark turned to her.
Now, now, you’re more intelligent than to rely on stereotypes, Elizabeth.
She rolled her eyes and told Mark to go away. I went to give her a kiss.
Don’t bother doing your hero’s farewell kiss on me. This isn’t a damsel in distress, thank you. I will do the most sensible thing and ring the police. Now if you will both excuse me, I intend to save you from getting your rather handsome faces pulverized into a bowl of mush.
Mark and I raised our eyebrows and went to the front door. Th
e rest of the boys were already there. Chris was standing in the doorway trying, in his very Atticus Finch way, to speak reason.
Listen, there’s no need for any trouble. The party’s over and the parents are asleep. Why don’t you all go home?
Mark’s parents weren’t home yet and Chris knew it. But it wasn’t a bad tactic. There were five of them. I didn’t know their names but I knew who they were. They were mates of the tuckshop boyzzz who were smart enough to keep away because of what would happen at school, and even smarter to send their mates around to finish the work they couldn’t the other day.
Their tag was in every bus stop in the area. Jock reckoned that was about as hard as they got, but they weren’t looking exactly friendly standing on Mark’s front step. They looked like they’d already been to about ten parties and were ready for a bit of action.
The biggest bloke spoke really slowly, like he was speaking to an idiot.
We don’t want to go home, mate. That’s why we came here. So we could party.
He began to shoulder his way past Chris and attempted to make it through the doorway. I felt Jock and Tim move forward. I moved with them. Mark cut through all of us. His voice was deliberately light but with an undercurrent of strength.
Well, you’re going to have to go home, mate, because this is my house and you’re not invited here.
The bloke looked at Mark and shifted his head as if he recognized him.
Hey, aren’t you that new bloke my mates told me about? Aren’t you the faggot who sang in front of the school and then acted like some tough guy afterward?
This time he spoke to the other four, who were still standing behind him.
Boys, it looks like we’ve stumbled on a party full of fucking faggots. So is that it? Are you all a bunch of filthy shirt-lifters?
By this stage the boys, joined by two of the guys from Melbourne, were ready to knock Mark out of the way and start on all of them.
Jock was red in the face and already swinging his arms. I’m not having a dickhead like you call me a faggot! Who the fuck do you think you are?
The bloke stepped back a bit. Jock was not a forward for nothing. But Mark continued to be the one in front, like a barrier. He was doing it deliberately. I knew he was trying to stop a full-on fight, but I didn’t reckon he was going to have much luck. The thug just kept going, itching for someone to make a move.
