Mum, unable to control herself no doubt, blurted, “No thanks to Mr. Williams blocking every attempt at trying to create a fair and tolerant school policy for all, I think it’s high time the policies included all aspects of identity, not excluding them as he’s wanted all along.”
“I don’t follow you, Mrs. Wallace.”
“If you really want to make amends for the behaviour of this man,” she waved her finger towards Coach Williams, “and set things right in the aftermath of what he’s done, then you should know my youngest son is genderfluid, as I’m sure other kids are who attend this school. I would want them all to know they’re safe here and the school accommodates their needs and wishes. Also, there shouldn’t be any teacher here who calls students sissies or girls as a derogatory term if they are boys and vice-versa. Students here who are gay, non-binary, straight, or however else they identify should feel welcome at the place they spend most of their time outside their homes. Why does this school not even have non-gendered toilet facilities like so many others? Why is the school uniform policy so outdated? Why is there gender separated sports?”
“That’s going too far!” Coach Williams shouted as he stood again, wobbling this time because the desk caught his good leg, his face purple.
“Sit down, John!” Principal Arkwright bellowed, eyes bulging. I got scared; the man was usually so calm, to hear him raise his voice sure was something to witness. “I’ve never before had someone working for me who has behaved as you have, with hatred guiding your actions. It’s despicable, disgusting, and deplorable…and…and it will not be tolerated. Not while I’m principal of this school, anyway.”
That was a lot of “D” words to describe Coach William’s actions, but Principal Arkwright was right. The coach was all of those things. Mum smiled victoriously. I knew she’d be talking with the principal further once we were all dismissed, and she had gained his attention.
I couldn’t help but think about how we’d been able to solve all of this—the coach sure hadn’t made it easy. So, his motivation was his hate for gay people? How original. I really didn’t feel sorry for him after all now. He deserved everything he got, and from what Principal Arkwright had been talking about, it didn’t bode well for the man.
The Principal’s next words confirmed some of my thoughts. “We will need to talk further about your ideas, Mrs. Wallace and—”
Rapid knocking on the door disturbed him from continuing and stopped me from spiralling into another reverie. I almost jumped out of my skin, if I was being honest.
Two policemen entered the office when called to do so by the principal, but they stayed near the doorway—they wouldn’t have fit in the office, anyway.
One said, “I think we have something of yours, young man.” The other policeman held an oblivious but no less adorable bundle of Basset hound gorgeousness in his arms.
For the first time in a long time, Leif let go of my hand as he pushed past everyone to get to Mister Metaxas. It felt weird not to have him holding me, feeling what he was feeling through the pressure of his touch, but it was for a good reason.
The joy in Leif’s voice, one that trembled with emotion when he said, “Oh, boy, I missed you so much,” was palpable.
I got misty-eyed myself.
Leif hugged his beloved dog after the policeman handed him over. Mister Metaxas’ tail wagged, and he rumbled an “owww roww moww” in reply to Leif’s fussing.
I had never seen anything so beautiful.
“You’re back where you belong, boy.’ Leif said, crying tears of joy. “You’re back with me and Lyle and all of those who love you. I missed you so much. I love you. Yes, I do. I love you.”
“Roww moww moww.”
“Yes, that’s right, but I love you more.”
“Moww.”
I went to Leif, putting my arm around him. “I’m so glad we got him back safe and sound.”
Leif turned to me, smiling from ear to ear, his cheeks wet. “Thank you for helping me. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you, Lyle. Thank you so much. I love you.”
“I love you, too. And don’t mention it—I’d do anything for you.”
And with that, he kissed me. Not on the cheek but on my lips. Right in front of the two policemen, Principal Arkwright, my mum, my brother, my friends, and a homophobe.
And I couldn’t have been happier.
That afternoon, and after one of the most interesting days at school I’ve ever had because everyone wanted to know what happened to Coach Williams as the police escorted him from the main building, Ben, Edwin, Austin, Britney, and Lucy came over my house—and yeah, Lucy was back at school after talking to Principal Arkwright that morning.
Leif and I were heroes to a lot of the students at school, but all we wanted to do was celebrate Mister Metaxas being back where he belonged.
Of course, Mister Metaxas was more than happy about all the extra hands giving him belly rubs. Except by Lucy; she really wasn’t a fan of dogs, but only because she feared them after being attacked by one when she was little. She showed us the scars on her leg above her ankle, explaining that the dog at her house was her dads—he was a certified dog trainer—but it stayed outside except when with him.
But I think Mister Metaxas was winning Lucy over…slowly. “He’s kinda cute, I suppose.”
“Oww roww oww.”
“Yes, you are cute, boy.” Leif hadn’t stopped hugging Mister Metaxas at any given opportunity. And not being held by my hand during those times was A-Okay with me.
“Now don’t forget to wash your hands before you eat,” Mum announced. “All of you.”
Dad had ordered pizza, plus he’d bought chicken wings, party pies, and sausage rolls from the supermarket. Mum had made her famous potato salad, the one with eggs and bacon in it.
My stomach rumbled at the sight of all that food on the kitchen table.
“This is so awesome, Missus W!” Ben always called my mum that. I think she liked it, because she smiled.
Aside from my hunger, I had other things on my mind. “What did the principal say to you after we left, Mum?”
“Well,” she began, “there are still some things to work out, but I am pleased to announce that any student who attends Preston High will be able to wear anything that will help them be who they identify as so long as it’s in line with school policy.”
“What does that mean?” Jasper asked.
“It means you can wear makeup if you want to, honey.”
Austin said, “Cool.”
Leif asked, “What about the uniform? Can Jasper wear the school skirt and stockings if he wants to?”
“That’s the complication,” Mum countered. Of course, it was, I mused. But I let her continue without interruption. “At the moment, it’s school policy to adhere to the government’s guidelines and have anyone in Jasper’s situation be assessed by an appointed gender specialist before he will have permission to wear the girls’ uniform.”
Britney immediately said, “Why should someone else, like, determine your identity? That sucks.”
“It does,” Mum agreed. “But it’s a start and I’ve already made that appointment so you can be who you want to be as soon as possible.”
“Thanks, Mum.”
“Don’t mention it, honey. It’s not going to be easy being analysed, and I know there will be a lot of questions. But with me there by your side, we’ll get through this. I know it.”
Jasper hugged Mum. “I love you, Mum.”
“I love you, too, honey. And besides, there was another victory. One toilet per block is now going to be designated as non-gendered.”
Edwin said, “That’s awesome!”
Lucy interjected, “Let’s hope the knuckle draggers don’t ruin it for everyone. Like, seriously, they’ll think it’s funny or whatever to tease anyone going in there.”
“That’s why the designated toilet will be closest to the teacher’s offices. It’s worked for other schools, so I don’t see how it won�
�t work at ours.”
“You’re the best, Missus W,” Ben said. “The. Best.”
“Thank you, Ben.” Mum smiled. Dad brought his arm around her.
He announced, “Well, tuck in everyone before it gets cold.”
Over the next hour, we all ate, chatted, laughed, and talked about what had happened. Mum and Dad went into the loungeroom to watch TV, leaving us all to keep enjoying each other’s company.
“I think we should all play a game,” Ben suggested as he swallowed the last bite of his pizza.
“What kind of game?” Edwin asked cautiously.
“Tell a truth—everyone tells one truth from their heart. Easy. C’mon, it’ll be fun.” And that was it. How could anyone say no to Ben, anyway? But he said, “I’ll go first so you know what I mean. Okay?” We all agreed. Ben sipped on his Coke and cleared his throat. He looked at Edwin, love in his eyes. “When we’re old enough, I would so want to be Ben Sparks, ‘cause that would be amazing.”
Edwin blushed. “You mean…you mean…you want us to get m-married?”
“One-hundred percent correct, Sparkles.”
“Oh, wow!”
Naturally, there was then the Ben and Edwin show after that, all smooches, kissing noises, and hugging to really give us an eye and earful. The whole panoramic HD quality experience. Jeez, I loved them both so much.
Leif said, “What about you, Edwin? What’s your truth?”
Edwin, after coming up for air, breathing hard, and adjusting his clothing, replied. “I would so want to provide for Ben for the rest of his life because he hasn’t got any family anymore. Only me.”
That hit me hard.
My eyes misted.
Ben and Edwin kissed again.
“My turn,” Britney declared, bringing me back to the moment. “I’m sorry I called you guys lamingtons—”
“Me, too,” Lucy chimed in. “It was, like, so wrong.”
Britney smiled at Lucy. “And I wanna be a welfare worker one day so I can fight for LGBTQ rights. There. I’m done. Who’s next?”
Lucy replied, her voice filled with emotion, “I need to stand up to bullies more, so they don’t make me do things I don’t want to. First, I’m sorry to you, Brits, I really am. I sabotaged your pom poms after Owen threatened to tell Coach Williams if I didn’t. And then I would have got another detention and my dad would have flipped. I didn’t want to do those notes really, I didn’t. But I did manage to warn you with the first note, Leif. That’s why the creep gave me detention that day. Owen caught me slipping it into your locker and told him. I’m so glad Owen got suspended for skipping classes and being a bully, but I’m also sorry for my involvement. Second, I’m really sorry to you, Leif. And you, Lyle. Sorry everyone.” She wiped her eyes.
Lucy sure had a lot of truths to tell.
There was a long moment of silence.
Then, Leif whispered, “I accept your apology, Lucy.” He reached out to hug her, and she reciprocated. We all hugged her. “And we understand why you did what you did.”
We all agreed.
Jasper was next, going around the table as we seemed to be doing. He grabbed Austin’s hand. That didn’t surprise me, or what my brother said next. “I’d like you to be my boyfriend, Austin. That’s my truth.”
The whole table cheered, me included. It was nice to hear something wonderful after Lucy’s heartfelt apology.
Austin’s mouth had dropped open; he looked stunned.
“So, what’s your truth then, Austin, buddy?” Ben asked.
Austin blushed, but nowhere near as bright red as Edwin’s usually were. I think his blush was more about being asked to be Jasper’s boyfriend in front of us. “My truth…my truth is that I’d love to be your boyfriend, Jasper. You’re so pretty and I’ve wanted to ask you out for a long time.”
And they hugged.
It was adorable.
“Now you, Leif,” Ben prompted.
Leif shrugged. “My truth is easy and it’s something I’ve always had, to be honest. I’ve always had all of you by my side and I will always want that. And to have Mister Metaxas back is the best!” At that, Mister Metaxas put his head onto Leif’s leg, his sad droopy eyes looking up. “Yes, I’m so glad you’re back, boy. Yes, I am.”
“Roww moww roww.”
“I know. I love you, too.” And there was a lot of petting after that, attention Mister Metaxas did nothing to discourage. Dogs were such attention seekers—and I smiled at that.
I piped up, because it was now my turn. “And my truth is that I love all of you, but my Mum and Dad more than anything because they provide Jasper and me with a home where we can be who we want to be with love and support and understanding. And…and I love you, too, Leif. With all my heart.”
“I love you, too, Lyle,” Leif declared. “And that was so beautiful.”
And then we hugged. With Leif’s warmth enveloping me, I felt giddy. But from the corner of my eye I saw Mum at the doorway, smiling. She’d heard us and I’m glad. My mum was the best, as Ben had said.
When Leif and I parted, we kissed. Not anywhere near as showy or deep as Ben and Edwin’s, because that wasn’t us. Ours was a kiss of our love; simple, caring, and important.
And that was my truth.
Chapter Fourteen
Leif and Lyle Forever
That evening—after our shower but before Dad made hot drinks to settle everyone before we went to sleep—Leif and I sat on my bed so that we faced each other, holding each other’s hands, sharing kisses and more kisses. We had two single beds but had pushed them together on the first night Leif stayed. Leif held my hand until I fell asleep every night since then.
Tonight, the sound of Mister Metaxas sleeping soundly—or should I say snoring—in his basket at the foot of Leif’s bed filled the room. It was great to have him here with us.
Mum and Dad were in the shower.
Jasper was in his room trying on some more makeup Mum had bought him today. He had put on nail polish earlier, too; I loved him with blue-painted glittery nails.
Leif and I weren’t wearing our pyjamas. He had opened the packet of condoms his mum had got him after he said I was his boyfriend.
“Jeez, it sure feels weird, Leif.” And my statement was true—it was like my boy bits were being squeezed but I couldn’t work out if it was a good feeling or a bad one.
“Isn’t your condom fitting right?” Leif smiled as he looked down at me, then at himself. “Mine feels okay.”
“I think it’s okay. But it sure looks weird wearing one as well.”
“We don’t have to do this. We can just kiss and touch like we always do. I mean, you want to do this, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“Then looking weird is all part of it. Now, give me a kiss and let’s see how this goes.”
“You make it sound like a challenge.”
Leif blushed, high roses of red on his cheeks. “I’m just nervous, that’s all.”
“Same here.”
“Are you sure then?”
I nodded. “We’ll…we’ll take it slowly. Okay—I mean, the only other part of you I’ve had in my mouth is your tongue. This is a big step.”
Leif giggled nervously. “If what we’re going to do is half as good as kissing then, yeah, I’m gonna love it.”
“Me, too!”
“But kiss me first, because I really do love that.”
I pulled him closer. “So do I.”
Leif rested his hands on the small of my back like he always did. It felt so right. We kissed, all tongues touching and gentle encouraging groans from the both of us.
I was giddy already.
It was beautiful, exhilarating and lovely all rolled into one.
My head spun and my insides did their thing where they went all gooey and I almost lost my balance, falling backwards if Leif hadn’t been holding me. We did that for ages, just being together, being close, breathing the same air, thinking the same things. Actually, kissing Leif was
the only time my mind seemed clear.
I really didn’t want to think of anything other than being with him, anyway.
As Leif’s warmth enveloped me, we went to the next level of our relationship with mutual trepidation, nerves, giggles, and a sense of discovery about ourselves that was so profound it made my heart pound against the back of my ribs. I ached. His closeness made it the most beautiful but powerful experience I’ve ever had with him. One that shook me to my core and made me feel without any doubt that Leif was who I wanted to be with to my soul.
And that was something I’d never forget no matter what happened from then on.
I cradled the mug Dad gave me, its warmth radiating through my fingers. Dad made the best tea. Leif was holding my arm, resting his head on my shoulder. He hadn’t stopped smiling, and neither had I.
Mum must have picked up on what our smiles meant. “If I’m reading the room correctly, I hope you boys didn’t flush anything down the toilet you weren’t supposed to.”
Dad, sitting at his usual place at the kitchen table, blinked, and then stared into space absently, sipping on his tea. The poor guy. I knew all of what had happened was hard on him.
Before I could answer, not that there was any way to answer without admitting what we’d done, Jasper burst into the kitchen. “Mum!” he blurted. “I want to shave my legs!”
Dad spat his tea, coughing and spluttering. Mum immediately got a napkin to clean up the splatter. She was patting Dad on his back when she addressed Jasper. “You do know it’s better to wax your legs, honey. Don’t you?”
“Doesn’t that hurt?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe. But the things us girls have to do to feel pretty…it’s almost exhausting.”
“As I’m quickly finding out,” Jasper said with a giggle. “Then will you show me how to wax my legs, Mum?” He had taken his usual seat at the table, grabbing his cup of tea dad made him.
“Of course, I will.”
The Fabulous Adventures of Leif & Lyle Page 10
