Westpoint Tales
by Kiwi
Jason and Jordan's tale - 10
A drink?"
"Yes, a drink. A cup of tea."
"Okay, but no tea for me. Is there any of that coke left?"
"No. But you can have coffee if you like."
"I thought you didn't have any coffee?"
"We didn't, but we have now. I went and got some yesterday."
"For me? Thanks Jason. How did you know I'd come back?"
"I didn't. I didn't think that you would come back, but I hoped that you would. I really wanted you to and I had to be ready if you did."
"So, you're a thinker then."
"I think, sometimes, but I'm organised. That's what I am - organised."
In the kitchen, Jason flicked on the heater, the radio and the kettle.
"Do you want instant coffee or do you prefer percolated?"
"Umm, instant's fine. Have you got both?"
"Well, yeah. I didn't know what you'd like, so - ", (he opened a cupboard and began pulling out packets of instant coffee), "There's Bushells, Nestles, Greggs, umm - Faggs, or this, or this."
"Jason! Did you get every sort of coffee that they've got?"
"Pretty much, yeah. Well it was important, I didn't know what you'd like."
"You daft bugger." Jordan went over and hugged him. "Thank you, Jase. Any of them will do. It's you I like, the coffee doesn't matter."
They hugged, they kissed and hugged again. When a tear fell on Jordan's neck, he pulled back and looked at him.
"You're crying. What are you crying for?"
"I dunno." He wiped his eyes. "I'm just happy, really happy. I love you Jordan. Thank you for coming back."
"Wow," Jordan whispered. "You really mean it, don't you? Thanks Jase, I love you too. And thanks for all the coffees, that's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me."
"Hey," Jason grinned as he wiped his tears away again. "It wasn't that nice. What you don't use, I can take back. I checked before I bought them."
"Organised," Jordan smiled and nodded.
"Very", Jason agreed. "So, get your own drink, I'm making tea for me."
A song came on the radio - North'n West Coast Sun - they both stopped what they were doing and looked at each other.
"Sorry," Jason said. "Do you want to change the station?"
"No, I don't want to change the station. This is my favourite song."
"No it's not. You don't even like it."
"Well I do now. It's my new favourite song."
"Really?"
"Yes really. It's our song."
"Cool. It's our song."
As they sat down, opposite each other, at the table, the singer on the radio sang.
"The girls are frisky in old Westpoint. A pretty little chick wherever you go - "
"Oh yes," Jordan smiled. "Some of the boys are pretty frisky too."
"Hope so," Jason countered.
"Behave yourself."
They sat sipping their drinks and looking at each other. The song finished and the announcer came on.
"You've gotta love it! Local music by local kids. You're listening to Robbie Keenan on West FM, the voice of the Coast. While we're listening to local music, let's have a classic. Here's Superboy's song -"
"Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high. There's a land that I dreamed of, once in a lullaby."
"I was there that day," Jason nodded at the radio.
"You were there what day?"
"When Superboy walked into the bullets. That day."
"Oh? Must have been scary. Just as well you weren't shot too."
"Yeah, I reckon. I didn't need telling twice, as soon as Jeremy told me to go, I was outta there. Faster than a speeding bullet."
"Jeremy? Jeremy Carver?"
"Yeah, Jeremy Carver."
"Was he a friend of yours then?"
"No. I had no friends then. Not even him, poor bugger."
"What happened then? Why did he tell you to leave?"
"I don't know. Maybe he felt sorry for me. Or more likely, maybe he thought I wouldn't make a good hostage. Nobody would have cared if he shot me."
"I'm sure somebody would have. I would have cared if I was there. Tell me what happened."
"There's not much to tell really. I was in the library with the other nerds, it's a good hiding place. There was noises outside, sounded like a car back-firing, and there was screaming and stuff. Next thing, Jeremy came running in, crying and waving a gun around. He yelled at us and made everyone get down on the floor by the back wall. Then he looked us over and said, "Jason McDonald, you can go. Get out now."
"And you don't know why?"
"Haven't a clue. That's the only time he ever spoke to me. Anyway, I never stopped to ask questions. I just got up and went, as fast as I could."
"Wow. You were so lucky. Maybe he was gay?"
"I dunno, maybe. Anyway, as it turned out, no-one else got shot anyway, except for Superboy."
"Yeah, except for Superboy. Why do you think he did that?"
"Superboy?"
"No, Jeremy. Why did he go off like that?"
"Dunno. He was out of his tree. They say that the bullies pushed him until he snapped. Poor bugger."
"Yeah, he was. Poor little bugger."
"There's no bullying around here now."
"No. They wouldn't dare. Some of their mouths can get pretty cruel though. Words can hurt. Did you ever get picked on at your old school, Jordan?"
"Me? No. It was never a problem. We sort of looked out for each other, my friends and I."
"Your friends. It must've been hard leaving them?"
"Yeah, it was. But I'm starting to think it was worth it. I had friends, but not really close friends. I've never had a best friend - not until now." Jordan reached out and held Jason's hand across the tabletop.
For some reason, Jason felt like he was going to cry again. "Damm," he whispered. "You're such a nice person. What the hell are you doing here with me?"
"Ain't no place I'd rather be, Jase. Nowhere but right here."
"Really?'
"Yes really."
Jason grinned across the table - and the tears started. He started crying, the tears poured out as he gulped and sobbed. He dropped his face onto his arms on the tabletop and sat there sobbing and crying.
Concerned, Jordan got up and went around and knelt next to him. He put a hand on Jason's back.
"Hey. Don't. What’s wrong?"
"Nothing. Nothing's wrong." Jason slid off the chair to sit on the floor beside him. They wrapped theirs arms around each other, holding on tight, as he sobbed over Jordan's shoulder.
"Jordan. Oh Jordan. I've been so lonely. All my life I've wished that I had a friend like you."
"Hey Kid. I feel the same way, and now we have so it's all good."
"Yeah," Jason sniffed. "It's good. Really good."
"Well stop crying then you dork!" He kissed him on the forehead and grinned through his own tears. "Come on, let's do something. What time do you feed the dogs?"
"Not until later, it's too early yet. We could take them down to the river for a swim."
"Cool. Let's do that then. But I'm not swimming, it's too cold."
"Too cold for me too, but they don't mind. They love swimming and it's easier than bathing them."
They straightened up, then went outside to get the dogs.
"There's something I've been wondering," Jordan said. "What good are guard dogs if they're tied up out here? I mean, if someone broke into the house, what could they do about it?"
"Oh, they could do plenty. There's a weak link in their chains, one link has been partly sawn through. If they really wanted to, they could break free easily."
"I see - then heaven help the burglars eh?"
"Yeah. I probably wouldn't have to feed them that day."
"Is that why you've got the dogs? To look after you when your dad's not here?"
"Get real. No-one worries about me. They're Dad's babies. He loves them far more than me. I'm just the mug who hangs around and feeds them when he's not here."
"Oh. But it works out that way, doesn't it? You look after them and they look after you."
"Yeah. I guess."
"I wish we had a dog," Jordan sighed. "I've always wanted one but we never have."
"Man's best friend and all that? I'll be your dog Jordan."
"What?" He grinned. "Are you going to be my bitch?"
"If you like. I'll be anything you want me to be as long as I can be with you."
"Be my friend, Jason. Just be my friend and love me."
"No problems. I do love you - lots. Love me Jordan."
"Oh, I do. More and more I do." They slid into another warm embrace until Jason broke away.
"Come on, we're not standing here putting on a show for the neighbours. Let's get down to the river."
They released the dogs and headed up the side of the house to the gate out to the front yard.
"Hey wow. You've got a motor home."
"What? O yeah, the campervan. We don't use it - it just sits there."
"Why not? It'd be so cool, driving away and parking up by beaches and rivers and stuff."
"That was the plan. Dad was going to fix it up, but he's never gotten around to it. We used it one weekend, but it's just sat there ever since. Just another one of his half-baked schemes. He's far too busy with his girlfriend now and she's not into camping.'
"Too bad. Maybe we could use it sometime? What's wrong with it anyway? Looks pretty good to me."
"It is in good condition. It's just that it's all electric. Nothing works, not even the toilet, unless it's plugged in to a mains supply. There's not a lot of power points out in the bush."
"No, I guess not. Not unless you had a long extension cord."
"Yeah, a really, really long extension cord. Come on then." He opened the gate and they followed the excited dogs out to the street.
They crossed over King Street and went down and into the Domain. The dogs were way ahead of them as they walked down the long, flat, path under the trees.
"What is this place anyway?" Jordan asked. "They call it "the Domain", don't they? That sounds like a park - wide open spaces and sports fields. This is all just trees, thick bush and tangled undergrowth, with paths cut through them."
"That's exactly what it is. Thick rain-forest left in its natural state. The whole of Westpoint must have been like this before they cleared it for the town."
"Probably. So why is it "The Domain"?"
"I dunno. Maybe they planned on making a park here but didn't need it when they had the Square and everything. Anyway, it got left like this. Pretty cool though."
"Yeah it's cool, I suppose. If you like trees. Where's the river?"
"Just down here. The dogs are already in it, I think."
They spent a couple of enjoyable hours down on the riverbank. There was no more sexual tension or professions of undying love. They were just two boys, and three dogs, having fun in the sun.
When they went back to the house, Jason cooked up a late lunch for them both - stir-fried noodles with pork chunks, mixed vegetables and diced onions. Jordan was most impressed.
"Shit man, this is great. I wish I could cook."
"No big deal - it's quick and easy. Bit like me really," he grinned.
"What? I don't mind if you're easy, but I hope you're not too quick."
"Wanna find out?"
"Down boy. Behave yourself. We'll find out, all in good time."
"Soon is good."
"Jason!"
"Okay, I'll behave. What do you want to do now?"
"Let's go to my place. School will be out by now. Come and meet the family and see where we live."
"To your place? I dunno, Jordan. I'm not good with people, I'm shy."
"There's no need to be shy, they're not going to bite you. It’s just my family. Just be yourself and they'll love you. C'mon Jase, please, pretty please. I'll show you my drawings."
"Well, in that case, okay then. I do want to see your drawings - especially the stormy sunsets."
"Shut up. Cheeky bugger."
"Cheeky? You ain't seen nothing yet."
"All in good time my friend. Let's go then."
"Okay. Give me a minute though. I'd better feed the dogs first."
Jordan was amazed at how big the dog's meals were. "Whoa. That's a lot."
"Yeah. Well they're bigger than you or me. They only get one feed a day and the girls are both growing puppies inside them."
"Right. Do you know how many puppies they're going to have?"
"The vet reckons that Queenie's got at least six, maybe more. It's Sheba's first time, she'll probably have three or four."
"That's a lot of dogs, a lot of money. You are going to sell them?"
"Well we're not keeping them all. Dad's going to sell them, they're his dogs. They should be worth about 400 dollars each."
"Wow. ten times 400 dollars - lotsa money!"
"They're worth it, they're purebreeds. Costs a bloody fortune to keep them anyway."
"It wouldn't cost that much to keep me, I don't eat that much."
"No. But you don't eat dog food, I hope."
He took the food out to the dogs, came back, and put on a polar-fleece jacket. ("Well it's cold out there.") Then they started walking.
Going along King Street, at the first intersection they came to, Jason waved up the side street. "Sandie lives up there, third house on the left."
"Sandie?"
"Yes Sandie. Sandie Metcalf, your friend remember?"
"Course I remember, but she's our friend now isn't she? Sandie's really cool."
"She is. I wish she'd lose the boyfriend though."
"What? Don't you like Tommy?"
"Not much. He's a creep."
"Right first time," Jordan grinned. "She's too good for him."
"She is. But she likes him - maybe he's got a really big dick or something."
"You think? No, I think he's most likely got a little 'un."
"You'll never know."
"Bloody hope not."
"Yeah, me too."
"You think they're doing it, Jordan?"
"Probably. Everyone seems to be doing it. Everyone in relationships that is."
"Are we in a relationship?"
"Dunno. I think so. I hope so."
"Yeah. Me too. How come we're not doing it then?"
"Shut up Jason. You know how come. We'll know when the time is right."
The town clock struck, three-thirty pm. They grinned at each other, laughed and punched each other's shoulders. Life was good.
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