by Felice Arena
Specky tossed the pamphlets under his bed, determined to try to forget about it all. But it was no use. By the time Monday afternoon rolled around, Specky was back in his bedroom searching for them. When he finally found them, he ran into the study, slammed the door behind him, and picked up the phone. He nervously dialled the number at the bottom of one of the pamphlets. He took in a deep breath. His hands were shaking.
‘Hello, Adoption Information Service, Marge speaking. Hello?’
Specky froze for a second. He couldn’t believe what he was actually doing.
‘Um, yes, hello…’ Specky’s voice wobbled. ‘I’m calling ‘cause I want to find my dad. He loves footy!’
17 DAD?
Specky knew that he had already gone too far. This was it. For a moment he considered hanging up, but instead he repeated what he had just said a few moments ago.
‘Yes, I want to find my biological father. I know he loves footy, and he probably barracks for Geelong. Oh, I also know that my biological mother is dead. She was killed in a car accident. Well, that’s what I was told…’
Specky hadn’t realised that he was rambling on. The female voice on the other end of the line stopped him mid-sentence.
‘You sound kind of young. Can I ask how old are you?’
‘I’m 12,’ replied Specky.
‘Hmm,’ began the lady. ‘Unfortunately, the legal age to search for your biological parents in this state is 18, unless you have the consent of your adoptive parents.’
‘Oh…’ said a deflated Specky.
‘Why don’t you get your adoptive parents to call and we can arrange a time for you all to come in and chat?’
Specky hurriedly thanked the lady for her help, then dropped the phone. His search for his ‘footy father’ hadn’t even got out of the starting blocks. Specky knew that his mum and dad would never consider such a thing—the way they acted the other night was proof of that. But suddenly Specky had an idea.
Maybe someone else could act as one of his parents. Specky smiled to himself. It was an outrageous plan, but worth a shot. He ran downstairs, out through the front door and all the way to Robbo’s house.
‘Well, I’m very flattered, Specky, I really am,’ said Robbo’s father. ‘But I can’t accept your offer. Even though I do sometimes feel that you’re like another son to me…I mean, you’re always around here. No, I think you should let your parents know how you’re feeling. I’m sure they’ll help you search for your biological dad—if that’s what you really want.’
Specky shrugged his shoulders. He was disappointed that Robbo’s father couldn’t help, but he understood.
Later that evening he decided to take Robbo’s dad’s advice and approach his parents. It was after dinner, and they were all in the lounge room watching TV. ‘Um, Mum, Dad, can I ask you something?’
Specky’s parents hadn’t heard him. They were engrossed in a movie. That was, until Specky said, ‘It’s about finding my biological father.’
Now he had their attention. Specky’s dad abruptly switched the TV off. His mother was the first to respond.
‘Simon, what did we tell you? We’re your parents. There’s nothing else you need to know.’
Specky could tell his mother was getting upset again. ‘I know that, Mum, but isn’t it my right to know? I mean, I know that other adopted kids have had the chance to find out.’ Specky wasn’t going to tell them that he had been doing some research.
‘No, it’s not your right!’ snapped Specky’s dad. ‘You’re much too young. Maybe when you’re an adult you can have the right. But until then we’re your parents! How many times do we have to tell you!’
Specky sat on his bed, thinking about what had just happened. He knew it was of no use now to ask his parents to join him in a visit to the adoption information office. He also knew that there was nothing else he could do. Specky thought his search for his ‘footy father’ was now over—or at least on hold for the next six years.
Or maybe not…
The next day after school, he was happy to see a message pop-up on his computer screen:
CHRISkicks: It was nice meeting you the other day.
FOOTYHEAD: Thanks! It was cool meeting you, too!
Specky was unaware that his face had turned bright pink.
CHRISkicks: Hey, I’m glad you’re online!
FOOTYHEAD: Why?
CHRISkicks: Have you read the Herald Sun today?
FOOTYHEAD: No.
CHRISkicks: I think you should.
FOOTYHEAD: Why?
CHRISkicks: Just go and read it—there’s an article you should look at. The heading is ‘HELLO, DADDY?’ Read it and then call me. Here’s my number…
Specky was definitely curious to find out what Christina was talking about. He was also excited that she had given him her number. He smiled at the thought of them becoming closer friends. He had never felt this way about a girl before.
Specky logged off and ran downstairs to look for the paper.
‘Mum, where’s today’s newspaper?’ he shouted.
‘I didn’t get it!’ came her response from the kitchen.
Specky hurried to the milk bar at the end of his street. He picked up the newspaper and quickly flipped through the pages—there was the article. It read:
HELLO, DADDY?
Is former Geelong champion Blade ‘Bazza’ Furlington a father? Well, the AFL legend turned world champion kickboxer, part-time film actor and regular guest on Australia’s number-one footy show, Sensational Stuff!, is accused of being many things—it comes with the role of being a high-profile celebrity. But could the former Geelong legend, and Australia’s most eligible bachelor, also be a dad?
Well, Beverly Yam of Fernsville thinks so. The elderly woman claims that her daughter, who was killed in a car accident 10 years ago, once dated Furlington and gave birth to a boy before she passed away. The boy’s father? Our beloved Bazza!
Ms Yam states that she wasn’t on speaking terms with her daughter back then, and that the two-year-old baby boy was later adopted out by other family members. She claims that Furlington didn’t want to take the child in, fearing it would damage his career and sex-symbol image. Ms Yam believes that somewhere out there is a 12-year-old boy who belongs back with her and that Furlington should financially support them both.
When approached by us, Furlington denied the claim as ‘outlandish’. ‘I get a dozen of these accusations a day from people wanting to make a quick buck,’ he said.
Specky gasped. Could Blade Furlington, one of the most famous sporting figures in the country, be my father? he wondered.
18 BULLY PLAY
When Specky got back home he decided not to call Christina straight away. Instead, he wandered into his backyard and decided to toss a ball to Sammy a few times. So many thoughts were swirling around in his head.
Specky decided that it all made sense—he was dressed up in Geelong gear as a baby in that picture because his real dad played for Geelong. And the whole thing about Specky’s biological mother being killed in a car accident. And the fact that he’s good at footy. The pieces all fitted together. He must be Blade Furlington’s son!
Specky wasn’t sure how he should feel. Excited? Relieved? Both?
Eventually he went inside and called Christina.
‘I can’t believe it!’ said Specky.
‘That’s what I thought. I remembered you telling me about the picture and your biological mum. When I first read the newspaper, I thought it sounded like the woman in the article had just made it up—but it’s too much of a coincidence, don’t you think?’ asked Christina.
‘I don’t know what to think,’ replied Specky.
Christina could sense that Specky was feeling overwhelmed.
‘Hey, having Blade Furlington as your dad isn’t such a bad thing, you know. You said you were hoping your biological dad was into footy—well, you can’t get more of a footy father than Blade.’
Specky let out a nervous laugh. But
his conversation with Christina was cut short because his sister entered the room.
‘Can you get off the phone?’ she ordered. ‘My mobile’s flat and I need to make an important call!’
Specky whispered back into the phone. ‘I’ll talk to you later. Bye.’
As soon as Specky put the phone down Alice started interrogating him.
‘What was all that about?’ she asked.
‘Nothing,’ replied Specky.
‘Yeah, sure. Who were you talking to? You’re hiding something, aren’t you?’
Specky was a terrible liar, but there was no way he was going to let his sister in on what he had just been talking about.
When it came to Robbo and Danny, though, that was another story. The three boys were walking home from school the next day when Specky spilled the beans.
‘No way! That’s awesome! You’ll be able to get us tickets to see Sensational Stuff!. He’s always on the show,’ said Danny.
‘Now you’ll have to barrack for Geelong! Are you sure he’s your dad?’ added Robbo.
‘No, I’m not exactly sure, but everything points towards it being true. Blade just hasn’t admitted it yet. I sort of have his nose, don’t you think?’
‘What are you going to do now?’ asked Danny.
‘I don’t know. I was thinking I’d write him a letter. I’m not sure if I want to meet the old woman from Fernsville—the one who spoke to the newspapers.’
‘You know that woman is your grandmother,’ said Robbo.
Specky hadn’t made the connection until that very moment. He was so caught up with his new-found ‘celebrity dad’ that he hadn’t thought about the rest of his biological family.
‘Hey, look. I wonder what they want?’ said Danny.
Specky looked up to see that three other boys, a couple of years older than him, were approaching him and his friends.
‘Is that your footy?’ one of them asked, pointing at the Sherrin football Robbo was holding under his arm.
‘Yes,’ said Robbo, looking slightly worried.
‘Well, I don’t think so. It looks like mine,’ grumbled the other boy.
Specky could sense that there was trouble brewing. ‘Just ignore them, Robbo. Let’s keep walking,’ he said.
‘You’re not going anywhere until you give it to me!’
The older boys stood directly in front of Specky, Danny and Robbo, and blocked them from passing.
‘Get lost, will ya! Go and pick on someone your own size,’ yelled Danny.
‘Oooh, tough words, shrimp,’ cackled the tallest of the bullies as he suddenly lunged towards Robbo and snatched the younger boy’s football.
‘What the…?’ croaked Robbo, as he watched the bully run off with his ball and casually kick it around with his mates.
Specky and Danny also looked on, stunned.
‘We’ve got to get it back. It was a gift from my dad,’ said Robbo.
‘They’ll kill us! Look how big they are,’ added Danny, who was now having second thoughts about standing up to the older kids.
‘Well, we can’t let them steal Robbo’s footy, that’s for sure,’ said Specky. ‘Let’s go for it.’
Specky dropped his school bag and charged for the bullies. Danny and Robbo hesitantly ran after him.
The bullies sniggered to themselves as they watched Specky charge for them. ‘Come and get it! Come on, here it is,’ they teased.
They were happy to play and torment Specky and his friends. Every time Robbo, Danny or Specky got close to the football, the older boys quickly kicked it away. They out-marked, outran and out-dodged Specky and his friends. Robbo and Danny were becoming visibly frustrated, and more upset with each missed grab. As for Specky, he was determined to keep his cool.
Then one of the bullies kicked a wobbly old punt.
‘This is it,’ whispered Specky under his breath, ‘it’s mine.’
He made a dash towards the ball as it began its slow descent.
The bully nervously positioned himself underneath it. He knew he had messed up the kick. His mates were screaming at him to hurry.
Specky grinned. He knew this was his chance. He imagined he was playing in the grand final, and the team’s success depended on this crucial mark!
‘It’s mine,’ he continued to say to himself, as he drew in closer to the bully.
The bully stumbled back and forth, trying not to lose sight of ball or to be put off by Specky’s fast advance.
‘Time to fly!’ shouted Specky at the top of his lungs.
Danny and Robbo stopped running and looked on as their friend took an almighty leap for the sky. Their jaws dropped in unison. They were witnessing the biggest spring Specky had ever made. Not even during their Saturday morning matches had they seen him get up so high before.
‘Yahooooo! Go Speck! Unreal!!!’ they yelled proudly.
Specky hadn’t taken his eye off the ball. He gracefully soared a metre above the bully’s shoulders, digging his shoes into the bully’s face on the way. With his fingers fully extended he lunged for the ball, and successfully grabbed hold of it. It was a sensational specky!
The other bullies watched on, shocked, as Specky landed firmly on both feet. They shook their heads, completely taken aback by his talent.
‘I don’t believe it,’ one of them gasped.
‘Get him!’ shouted the leader.
‘Go, Speck! GO!’ hollered Robbo and Danny, as they grabbed all of their school bags and scurried off in the opposite direction.
Specky ran as he had never run before. He didn’t dare look back, but he could sense that the bullies were in hot pursuit. His lungs were burning and his heart pounded loudly against his ribcage. It was difficult to sprint with a footy in one hand, but he wasn’t going to let that get in the way. Specky bolted across the park, then threw himself over a fence, shot off down an alleyway, sprinted through a stranger’s back yard, charged up over a steep hill, then darted across a bridge, and finally made it into his street. He choked for air as he slowed down to an exhausted and unstable jog. His face was dripping with perspiration.
When Specky reached his house he collapsed in a heap on the front lawn. Panting and puffing, he just managed to raise his head to make sure that the bullies were nowhere in sight. He had successfully escaped from them—with Robbo’s ball safely in hand.
But just as he thought he had had enough drama for one afternoon, his mother called him in to pick up the phone. He stumbled back to his feet and wobbled into the house to take the call. It was Christina on the other end.
‘Hi Specky. My dad is directing tomorrow night’s live show of Sensational Stuff! and told me that Blade Furlington will be a guest on it. Would you like to come with me and see the show? I thought it might cheer you up, and you’ll be able to get a closer look at your real dad. We may even be able to meet him after the telecast. So, how about it?’
19 CHRISTINA’S CARLTON
‘Specky, are you there?’
Christina could hear Specky gasp. She could tell he was shocked by her generous invitation.
‘Yeah, I’m here,’ he replied, still panting heavily from his terrifying run.
‘Well, what do you think? We can pick you up after school. You can have dinner at my place, then we’ll go with Dad to the TV studios. Okay?’
Specky paused before giving an answer. A million questions ran through his head. What was he doing? How could he do this to his mum and dad? But what if Blade was his father? Would he go to watch Specky play footy? That would be the best. Maybe they could just be friends? But would that be right? Would Specky live with him? But he didn’t really want to leave Mum, Dad and Alice. Maybe he could arrange visits to Blade’s home? Maybe Specky could have two dads? Maybe this was his only chance? Specky wondered what Blade was like in real life. Would he be like Specky? What did he have to lose?’
Specky let out a big sigh.
‘Yes, I’ll come,’ he said hastily. They then made plans about where to meet.
> ‘Bye, Specky. And don’t worry, it’s going to be so much fun.’
‘Yeah, okay, bye,’ said Specky, hanging up the phone, not convinced that he had made the right decision.
Later that evening, in bed, he tossed and turned, thinking about the big day that awaited him. He finally got to sleep around 3.00 a.m. At breakfast he realised he would have to explain to his mother that he wouldn’t be around after school.
‘Mum, Robbo asked me over to his house after school today. I’m invited for dinner. We’re going to work on our homework together. Will that be okay?’
‘Sure. But let Robbo’s parents know I want you back at a reasonable hour.’
Specky caught Alice glaring at him suspiciously from across the table, and he started to feel a little uneasy about lying to his mother.
‘Sure. See ya, Mum,’ he said as he rushed out of the house.
Once at school, Specky found it difficult not to say anything to his friends about his big night. But he held his tongue. He was nervous enough, and letting his friends know would make him even more edgy. So he was glad that there were other things to distract him—like Robbo’s and Danny’s black eyes!
