Thank God for my brother, because his interruption was a major deflection away from Leif and I if ever there was one.
Dad composed himself. “How’s the tea, Ti—” he cut himself off. As with Mum, he had his names for us. I was “Sport” and Jasper had always been “Tiger.” I could understand why my dad was hesitant, as the boundaries were shifting within our family dynamic and he was trying to keep up.
Jasper smiled. “The tea’s great, Dad. As always. And you can call me Tiger; tigers can be boys or girls.”
Dad nodded, his face relaxing. With a sigh of relief, he said quietly, “Just know that I love you and will always be on your side, even if I don’t understand any of this.”
“I love you, too, Dad.”
“Now,” he added, clapping his hands. “Seeing as there will be four teenage boys eating me out of house and home, because I’m sure Austin will be here more often than not, do I need to get another job?”
I laughed.
Leif still held onto me tighter, that smile of his as warm as his beautiful soul.
Mum rolled her eyes, also smiling. “No, David, you’ll just have to start selling body parts to fund their hunger. I hear kidneys are going for great prices these days on the black market.”
“Oh, good. No rush on needing to work another job then.”
They both laughed.
My phone buzzed, causing the table to vibrate. After opening my messaging app, there was a text from Ben: Did you hear? The canteen will be closed tomorrow. Something about there being a plague of mice or something. The school is investigating why that would happen when they’ve only just passed the last health inspection.
No way! I texted in reply.
Yes, way. And from what the Safe School Committee told me, it’s bad, buddy. The whole school could get closed down. Then there will be no footy. I love footy, Lyle!
And no library.
That I’m not too worried about. (Laugh out loud emoji).
I smiled, an idea forming in my mind. “Leif, Jasper…I believe we’ve got some investigating to do.”
Jasper looked at me questioningly. “Can Austin join us?”
“Yeah, he sure can.”
“Cool. Then I’m in—whatever it is.”
I texted back, Ben, can you and Edwin come over tomorrow morning again so we can walk to school together? I think we have a new mission!
We’ll be there, buddy.
Thanks. Love you. Love to Edwin, too.
Love you, buddy. And give my love to Leif and Jasper. Nite.
G’nite.
“Mum?” I said, putting down my phone.
“Yes, sweetheart.”
“We’ll have to take a packed lunch tomorrow.” Friday was one of the two days I was allowed to buy my lunch. “The canteen’s closed. And then can you talk to the principal for us? I have an idea.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What are you up to?”
I beamed a bigger smile than when Leif and I came out of our room. Yeah, it was our room, because his mum had to stay in Mildura a lot longer than she originally thought when it came to taking care of Aunt Nora. Perhaps a month or more. “Nothing Leif and I and the rest of the Preston LGBTQ Investigation Team can’t handle—with the principal’s permission, of course.”
“Ooh, I love that name for us,” Leif piped up.
“Way, cool,” Jasper added.
Mum and Dad looked at each other but said nothing. Eventually, she said, “Of course I will. I am the newest member of the PTA now, aren’t I?”
“And you’re gonna be sooooo cool at it, Mum,” Jasper said.
She beamed a smile as big as mine had been earlier.
I said proudly, “And I want to start our investigation at the scene of the crime—the canteen!” My mind spiralled about a new mystery to solve, a new adventure.
It was going to be fabulous!
The End
Leif and Lyle’s—and the gang’s—adventures will continue in:
“The School Mouse Mystery,” book two of the “Fabulous Adventures of Leif and Lyle.”
Author’s Note
There are so many people to thank once again. Most of all, I’d like to thank one of my dearest friends, my mentor, and editor extraordinaire, Charlie, for their continued and unfaltering support as I wrestle with my demons. I’d like to also give a special mention to someone who has always had my back, through good times and bad, and that’s Allen!
Thank you to the both of you.
All my stories feature the use of condoms. Not only does safe sex help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, using them with the one you want to be intimate with is a sign of both respecting them and respecting yourself. And that’s important, too!
Thank you for reading!
Also by Eridani Books
The Arty Tekken Chronicles:
Book One: The Battle of Crystal and Water
Short Stories/Novellas:
Enough Blue Sky to Mend a Pair of Sailor’s Trousers
Dylan’s Love
Dylan’s Love 2
The Cute Gay Romance Series:
Healthy, Wealthy and Boyfriend Wise
Mr Heartbreak
Help! I’ve Got a Crush
The New Boy Next Door, Uh-Oh!
Harvey & Jordan, the Odd Couple
I Would Do Anything for You
That Boy’s the Talk of the Town
About the Author
I write LGBTQ+ stories. As a therapist who helps people with all sorts of conditions, injuries, and disabilities I'm an advocate for those people, especially if they're teens.
The Fabulous Adventures of Leif & Lyle Page 11