Rhythm

by

John Terry Moore
 

CHAPTER 9

They showered and dressed quickly; breakfast was later on Sundays but nothing of any real calorific value remained after 9.00am.  They arrived at the dining room, and Adam took his hand, dragging Patrick into the little courtyard behind a bedraggled looking conifer for a ‘quick snog’ as he put it.  Patrick realised there was no point in refusing and (bugger it), he wanted to anyway!  In their besotted state of mind they didn’t notice a blind gently unfurl behind the window where every single member of the Senior Eight sat at their table, together with Gerry Hansen, the RESLO; (read Resident Student Liaison Officer), who were now watching the State championship title holders of the Double Sculls playing tonsil hockey!  Consequently, when they finally walked in the front doors, they received the type of applause typically reserved for race days!  A standing ovation!  Patrick felt himself go beetroot red, but he looked at Adam ‘who looked so damn happy’ and shrugged his shoulders.  They were ‘sprung’ so there was no point hiding their partnership, and it was obvious Adam was so proud of it anyway.  They returned to the table and two spaces were cleared for them as they sat down and began eating.  Suddenly Adam realised what he had done.  “I’m so sorry Pats,” he whispered.  “I didn’t bloody think.  I’m sorry if I embarrassed you, I should have been more discreet.  They reckon love makes fools of some people, and I’m it.  Sorry, darls.” 

Patrick’s eyes narrowed.  “You aren’t a fool,” he said defensively.  “The guys here don’t mind.  I don’t mind.  The wonderful thing about you Adam,” he said, “is that you’ve always been so completely bloody natural and if you want to kiss your partner in a public place, then feel free to do so. There’s only one condition, however.”  Adam’s eyebrows arched up in a questioning look. 

“If you pash on with anyone else in public or private, you’ll be singin’ falsetto in the varsity choir!”  The Eight roared with mirth and Gerry grinned, obviously enjoying the entertainment.  “Now why don’t we give these big sheilas something to really talk about!” smiled Patrick with a wicked grin.  He picked up a crispy piece of bacon and inserted it between Adam’s lips.  He then proceeded, in the most erotic way possible, to progressively nibble away at the object, pushing what was left into his astonished partner’s mouth.  Then thrust his tongue after it and passionately kissed Adam for all he was worth!  The Eight applauded wildly, and Gerry, the RESLO laughed at them all.  Lance, the gigantic seven man’s eyes nearly fell out of his head!  “You lucky buggers,” he roared, “everyone’s gettin’ a bit except me!”  That caused a riot of laughter because Lance’s exploits with the fairer sex were legendary; there was a never-ending supply of girls who would literally follow him around! 

“But, but,” he yelled over the din; “no one wants to give me head!  And when they do, it’s ordinary!”  There was a lull in the conversation, and from the other end of the table came Angelo Rossetti’s voice; “Listen here Long Tack, I’ll give you head and I guarantee it won’t be ordinary!”  The Eight roared again; many of them blushed and cast their eyes downward because Angelo (or Little Fur Ball), the bow man was a skilled cock sucker and had helped most of them out when the fairer sex were either not available or plain not interested!

*****

Gerry felt blessed; he’d had some problem groups in his career but by comparison, these guys were just so easy to manage.  Even the wildest of them had nice manners and whilst they kept all the available females on their toes, there had never been any nastiness or lack of respect shown to the young women which sometimes typified this age group.  And they tended very much to stick around each other for much of the time, which was unusual.  And Adam and Patrick ----- well, where would anyone find such wonderful young men?  The whole university loved them, and the Eight idolised them!  Not just for their sporting prowess, but because they were just so unpretentious, they took an interest in the people around them, and were, thought Gerry, ‘two very mature young guys for their age.’  Adam and Patrick didn’t do drugs!  None at all!  A glass of wine or a few beers!  So the example they set to those around them was

priceless given the number of undergraduates getting trashed nightly.  Gerry was watching several guys for excessive drug consumption; the worst offender actually being Angelo Rossetti.  He thought he knew what Ange’s underlying problem was ‘but only he could sort that out’, he mused.  But now Adam and Patrick were obviously in love!  And that was amazing, because almost everyone around them, including the Eight thought they had been an item months ago!  Gerry recognised it for being what it was; ----- the beginning of a lifetime commitment and he thought they just looked and sounded just wonderful, regardless of Adam’s initial chagrin over breakfast. 

And Patrick had defended him, just simply confirming the closeness and the depth of feeling that already existed between them. 

The Eight were reasonably typical of this generation; most of them had been born just before the turn of the century, the younger ones just after.  There was no doubt young people were now driving so much of Australia’s social agenda; to the amazement of politicians who ignored that fact and did so at their peril.  The population wasn’t ageing as fast these days, due to increased immigration from Asia, so the opinions of young people had suddenly become fundamental to winning elections.  Gone were the days when governments simply had to balance the books and be responsible economic managers to stay in power.  Young people made it known through the polls that they expected governments to be environmentally responsible, to be more interactive with their Asian neighbours and trading partners, and consequently to outlaw racism in any shape or form.  The Eight had four Anglo Saxon members and four of mixed race; in thirty years’ time the general population would also be nearing a 50/50 split.  But it was the social agenda over which the 18 to 30 year olds had exerted profound influence. 

Ten years earlier, in 2008/2009, same-sex couples had been awarded the same legal standing as hetero de facto couples by a centre left Labour government.  The then Prime Minister thought it ‘inappropriate’ to go the final step and allow same-sex couples to marry, because, (wait for it), he was a Christian!  There were no massive street marches or demonstrations; but a Facebook, You Tube, Your Space, Twitter and email campaign inclusive of all areas of society; and all sexualities, not just same-sex attracted people.  There were parents, relatives, friends, Aboriginal people, and the entire racial mix that now constituted Australian society, protesting online.  But mostly they were young people; teenagers through to early 30s, who were outraged that government should be involved in what humanity and nature had already decided. The campaign central theme talked about Australia being a free society as long as you weren’t a same-sex couple and particularly if you were a same-sex couple with kids.  And suddenly, as mainstream media became involved through television and newspapers, the politicians began to get nervous.  President Obama came to power in the United States in 2009 and eventually repealed the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA) which saw a landslide of American States legislate in favour of gay marriage.  Unbelievably, it was a Liberal government in Australia who, shocked at the result of focus groups and terrified of voter reaction, decided to legislate in favour of same-sex marriage in 2015, fearing a backlash in the polls if they didn’t.  The Labour Party lost the following election by only a handful of seats. 

After the election, the Labour Party, with a new leader, agreed to support the legislation, and it was signed into law in November 2015.  There was no chance therefore that the legislation could be revoked and the legislation stayed in place, unlike California some ten years previously.  The churches were vitriolic, (quite un-Christian in fact) and the Catholics in particular were flabbergasted they had lost their power base in the Labour Party.  But there was even worse news for the ‘religious right’.  The new leader of the Labour Party, Timothy O’Brien, a high profile AFL football player, son of a famous Australian industrialist and the darling of the popular press, married his Indian boy friend of some years, Praveen Nayar, exactly one calendar month and a day after the legislation was signed into law, the minimum legal notice.  And they already had two lovely children, a girl and a boy.  So it was in this rapidly changing and challenging environment that Gerry Hansen, the RESLO found himself.  In addition to his duties as Lecturer in Literature in the English department, he was the RESLO for around a hundred and seventy students, male and female.  And he had a household of his own to run, for which the Dean said, made him eminently suitable for his RESLO job. 

*****

It was about three years previously that Gerry Hansen, well established as a lecturer and RESLO at the university, had stepped in to help some friends.  His childhood mate of many years, Wayne Rodgers, rang him with some disturbing news.  His beautiful wife Cherie had inoperable and very aggressive cancer and had only weeks to live.  He had visited a very brave Cherie in hospital, who had accepted her fate, but was really concerned about Wayne and their daughter, Bronwyn.  Cherie, with eyes blazing reiterated what Gerry already knew; that both their birth families were hopeless; they were drug addicts and alcoholics, and she didn’t want Bronwyn anywhere near them.  She wanted Gerry to move in with Wayne and Bronwyn and create an environment where Bronwyn would continue to learn by example, a good example, which she knew Gerry would bring to her family.  “I know it’s a big ask for you,” she said.  “But even if time wasn’t a priority, I’d still want you there looking after them.  I know you don’t understand just yet, but I have the strongest feeling you were meant to be there.  The important thing is,” she continued, her voice weakening, “both Wayne and Bronwyn love you more than you will ever know, mark my words.”  And that was it.  She had nothing left to organise, everything was in place and two nights later, after her visitors left for the evening, she quickly and quietly passed away; typically unselfish to the end of her lovely life. 

*****

Gerry was between a rock and a very hard place.  He had already alerted the Dean to his predicament, and had taken temporary leave of absence for a few weeks.  But because he was living off campus in this period, a temporary RESLO was appointed, but she was required for other duties after six months.  So Gerry lived with Wayne and Bronwyn and despite his initial reservations, the household really sang along.  He worked hard for the English department during the day and became a ‘housemother’ for Wayne and Bronwyn at night and weekends.  After six months he had to negotiate his return to campus living, with Wayne and Bronwyn on one hand, and the Dean on the other.  He was absolutely torn, so a compromise was reached which didn’t really work for either party.  He spent four nights on campus and three nights with the Rodgers family.  Every time he left for his on campus duty, Wayne and Bronnie were tearful.  When he left the campus to go home to Wayne and Bronwyn again, he felt guilty that he was letting his students down by not being available when they most needed him; ----- at weekends.  It was around this time that Wayne’s behaviour began to change; they had always been naturally ‘touchy feely’ friends, and very honest with each other, but this had progressed to long and loving cuddles.  Gerry rationalised this behaviour on the basis that the grieving period for Wayne was ending and that he was casting around for a new outlet; normal and understandable.  Except when Wayne finally blurted out that his frustration with life wasn’t that he wanted to start dating ladies again, ----- all he wanted was Gerry!  Gerry panicked for two reasons; he also had feelings for Wayne; so strong they were making life intolerable at home with Wayne because he was so attracted to him and at university because he missed him so much.  He told Wayne they had no future; gay men like himself falling for straight men were potentially an emotional trap because straight men always moved on and married women.  Gerry had a permanently damp shoulder where in years past, young gay students had fallen in love with straight guys who mostly used them for sex and then dumped them for a suitable female.  He didn’t want to be in that category although he really loved Wayne in all ways. 

Finally, he went to the Dean; was honest with her, and asked for her help.  “Margaret,” he pleaded, “I just don’t know what to do, I’m bloody desperate.”  The Dean looked at him over the rim of a generous glass of Scotch.  Professor Margaret Reeve was a formidable woman; a renowned academic in her own right, but also a brilliant administrator.  She was affectionately known as ‘The Dean’ from her days as Dean of the Faculty of English Studies and Language, and was rarely known as Vice Chancellor, her true title, effectively the CEO of the university.  The Dean’s administrative ability was enhanced because she could read people so well, and that she actually cared about her fellow human beings.  And she cared very much for Gerard Hansen, her Nordic-looking RESLO and lecturer in English Literature.  The university’s charter was very much to provide a tertiary education system of world standard which catered to alternative and free thinking kids and their families.  Therefore, same-sex individuals and couples were especially welcome, as were the many new nationalities that increasingly called Australia home.  Gerry was the most valuable resource she had as a RESLO because he was same-sex attracted and therefore understood the problems the kids needed resolving.  “Gerry,” the Dean had said.  “Bring your little family to dinner tomorrow night.  I think I have a logistical solution.  But I can’t solve your affairs of the heart.”  Gerry smiled to himself as he recalled the Dean’s words.  “Gerry,” she had said, “sometimes we just have to take risks, particularly if the future happiness of our very existence is at stake.  Just because the man’s orientation has been hetero in the past, doesn’t mean he’s eventually going to run off with a woman, you know.”  The dinner party was actually most enjoyable, Viktor, the Dean’s husband was a great chef and the meal was excellent.  The Dean and Bronwyn spent most of the night chatting animatedly with each other and Viktor was, as always, the charming host.  Gerry recalled how handsome Wayne had looked that night; and how he realised the worry lines had almost disappeared from his face, making him look almost like a teenager again.  How Wayne had shyly held his hand under the table as they just grinned at each other.  And Wayne’s grip on his hand had tightened when the Dean suggested they rent out Wayne’s house and take over a two-bedroom unit on the main campus grounds which would be available in two weeks.  And if he wanted work closer to home, there would be a position in the Maintenance Department that would suit a qualified electrician like Wayne when Ted Richardson retired in about three months.  It came time to leave and Bronwyn at twelve years of age, with a knowing smile, produced her school uniform on a hanger and an overnight bag seemingly from nowhere and asked if she could be dropped off at a girlfriend’s place to spend the night! 

Gerry never tired of reflecting on that night, now three years ago, when the course of his life had changed.  They had arrived home and decided to have a little night cap.  Wayne poured the drinks and had then opened his arms for a cuddle.  Gerry chuckled as he remembered what happened next.  He had kissed Wayne on the cheek, just to show affection; the acknowledgement of a best friend. 

“Gerry,” said Wayne, “if you’re going to kiss me, for Christ’s sake give me a proper kiss, not an auntie kiss!  An auntie kiss,” he explained, “is the kiss you give your auntie at Christmas!  A proper kiss is like this,” he smiled, pressing their lips gently together and ever so gently pushing the tip of his tongue into Gerry’s mouth.  ‘And that was it,’ thought Gerry, ‘The Moment’.  It wasn’t like a fireworks display or seeing stars; it was simply a very peaceful and radiating warmth that seemed to spread through his body and his mind.  They had lain in each other’s arms on the sofa and talked for half the night, how Wayne had always had feelings for Gerry, and how Cherie understood.  “So all these years,” Wayne had said, “I’ve carried a torch for you!”  Gerry had listened, mouth agape.  “And now by circumstances, as sad as they are,” said Wayne, “I’ve made a choice, and I can tell you that’s exactly what my late wife would have wanted.  There’s just one other piece of information you should be aware of,” smiled Wayne. 

Gerry had looked at him, fearing something dreadful.  “I love you, Gerry,” he said, and Gerry felt his eyes mist over.  Wayne had taken his hand and led him into his bedroom where they made love, gently, for the remainder of the night, both of them overtaken by a deep passion which unsurprisingly, was both unselfish and quite amazing. 

The next morning, the Dean looked out her office window and smiled at the trio walking towards her, hand-in-hand.  She ushered them into her office, but it was Bronwyn, excused from school for a few hours, who couldn’t hold back any longer.  “Isn’t it great Auntie Margaret?” she shrieked.  “I now officially have two dads!  Won’t that give some of those bitches at school something to think about!” 

Gerry sighed with pleasure as he recalled the last three years; how their little family had become part of the university culture and how students from all over the campus, had sought them out in good and bad times.  And the Dean was ecstatic; here, on campus was a functioning, loving and very together same-sex family which set a brilliant example for students to aspire to ----- no matter what their sexuality.  Just after the ‘marriage between a man and a woman’ provision of the Marriage Act was repealed and the same-sex partner’s provision was inserted and signed into law, Wayne promptly proposed.  ‘Or he and Bronwyn did,’ smiled Gerry.  The ceremony was very quiet. The Dean and Viktor were their witnesses, and of course, Bronnie was flower girl.  As they signed the documents with the celebrant, there was another paper which now legally recognised Gerry’s shared parental role with Wayne as Bronwyn’s parents. 

*****

Gerry speed dialled his phone and spoke a few words, then waved Adam and Patrick over and congratulated them.  He explained some of the support services available now they were a couple, such as allowances, networking through the International Centre For Human Partnerships (ICHP), which was now an annexe of the university, and (heaven forbid) counselling if their partnership ever struck a rough patch.  Just then a smaller, compact man around Gerry’s age joined them; wiry and fit, he complemented Gerry’s blond Nordic looks with darker blond hair and skin, and a beautiful smile.  Adam and Patrick looked on as Gerry introduced Wayne, and then two minutes later, Bronwyn arrived.  They introduced their daughter to Adam and Patrick, who suddenly felt very inclusive of the system and amazed what doors had been opened to them as the university’s latest couple.