Rhythm
by
John Terry Moore
CHAPTER 17
The autumn sun streamed through the kitchen windows in Caulfield as Jacob sipped his mum’s imported coffee. He’d forgotten what really good coffee could be like, even though he and Darcy had their own percolator. It was a week before Easter; he was with his mum and dad for a few days whilst Darcy broached the subject of their partnership with his parents. Darcy had spent a few days the previous Christmas with his parents at home on the New South Wales North Coast. At that time, he had chickened out, fleeing to Melbourne to spend the remainder of the Christmas break with Jacob and his parents. Max and Iris Kaplan thought Darcy was wonderful. There was never any talk of the rights or wrongs of same-sex partnerships; when Jacob had announced his status some months prior, there was a spreading of hands, a shrugging of shoulders, and Iris said to her husband, “I told you so!” But importantly for Jacob, nothing changed in terms of parental attitudes, as he expected. Until he introduced Darcy, and they were captivated.
Darcy and Max spent hours together, discussing 19th Century European history, (which amazed Jacob because for an accountancy undergraduate, that sort of knowledge was about as much use as tits to a bull!) And completely unprompted, Darcy bought Iris flowers and some chocolates on every visit. Darcy insisted on spending more and more weekends in Caulfield, Jacob’s big king-size bed a definite bonus! Including Darcy, they all realised that Max and Iris filled a void in Darcy’s life in the absence of understanding and affirmation of his own parents. Much against Jacob’s judgement, he had allowed Darcy to go to the North Coast alone. Darcy had no strategy, no backup plan and Jacob expected a mini-disaster for his lovely partner who so loved his family, but who could become alienated from them, because of his father’s entrenched homophobia. But Darcy was adamant and determined; they were his family and his responsibility, and he “would go it alone.” The weekend before, Max had counselled Darcy as much as he dared. “Darcy,” he said, “if they reject you, Iris and I will put you through university. Don’t despair if they take some time to work through this. Remember that we all love you.”
*****
Jacob’s coffee was never finished. His phone sang its silly song and of course it was Darcy. A depressed and somewhat repentant Darcy who admitted he’d fucked up not listening to Jacob ----- who just wanted him there; not to persuade his parents to accept his lifestyle, but just because he missed him. They would stay at a local hotel if the family objected. Jacob smiled to himself. He and Darcy had spent only five nights apart in their whole partnership and Darcy was a total sook!
“I’ll book on the eleven am out of Melbourne and I should be able to pick up the twelve thirty shuttle,” Jacob replied.
“I’ll be there, darlin’ can’t wait,” said Darcy, his voice brightening immediately. Jacob turned around to see Max and Iris standing there, their faces wreathed in smiles.
“Plan B?” grinned Max.
“Yes, dad, just be ready and I’ll give you the nod.” After a quick shower, Jacob grabbed the bag by the door and left for the airport by taxi, on a flight booked the day before.
All Jacob could see were a pair of aviator dark glasses wearing a huge smile underneath. The arms went around Jacob and the wet kiss had amazing intensity. “Thank Christ you’re here,” he said, “I was nearly goin’ mental without ya.” They drove to a coffee shop where Darcy filled Jacob in. ‘Christ,’ thought Jacob, ‘we’re in a worse situation than before! I’m now the Scarlet Woman!’
Darcy read Jacob’s thoughts. “I’m really sorry to put you through this,” he said miserably, “you deserve better, I’ll book us into a hotel.”
“Darcy,” snapped Jacob, “don’t be so negative. We’ll get it all fixed, I just need you to trust me more than ever.” Darcy nodded. “By the way, how’s your brother and sister?” (Ben and Sally, Darcy’s older siblings were both married and living in Sydney with their families.)
“They’re really cool; they even offered to come up here and sort the Old Man out, but I told ’em it’s my battle.”
“So your mum is OK?”
“Actually that’s the good news. She’s really supportive but has taken neutral ground until dad calms down ----- if he ever does.”
Jacob nodded. “Take me to him,” he said.
“You sure?” grinned Darcy.
“I’m sure, he can only throw me out!”
*****
Even Jacob was surprised at the ‘Villa Sullivan’. ‘Christ,’ he thought, ‘the Caulfield Jews would fight over this place! It was a very large house, but it was in good taste,’ he decided. ‘Maybe the Jews wouldn’t like it after all!’ Darcy led him into the kitchen where both his parents were seated in the dining area.
“Ah there you are boys,” said Leticia Sullivan, as Darcy introduced him. She was tall, slim and had a glint in her eye, Jacob noticed. Darcy had mentioned that she was ‘a touch artistic’. She didn’t disappoint, and was wearing a daring bejewelled top with nice well-cut slacks. And she had brilliant purple hair!
“Welcome to our home,” she said, walked over and kissed him on the cheek. Jacob, ever the gentleman, took her hand and kissed her back. “And this is Jack, Darcy’s father,” she said. Jacob met the antagonistic stare, eye to eye, not daring to give an inch. It was obvious that Leticia had given her husband a right royal serve on good manners, and a few other things, Jacob decided, so the ball was back in his and Darcy’s court. Darcy looked on, not knowing what to do.
“Yes, Darce,” said Jacob, “I’d love a cup of tea, thanks.”
“But you just had ----- oh yeah, sure, coming up,” he replied, getting the message. Jack Sullivan wasn’t much taller than his wife, but ‘he was built like a brick shithouse’ thought Jacob. A deep barrel-chested man with a craggy face, criss-crossed with lines that spoke of a lifetime on building sites and out on the water, his favourite past time. Jacob held out his hand to Darcy’s father. “How do you do, Mr Sullivan,” he said.
“Name’s Jack,” came the answering grunt. Jacob rummaged through his bag and turned to Leticia, offering a parcel. “My mum sent you these,” he said “they’re special biscuits the Jews have around Easter; we’re not at all religious, but these are really nice.
“Ooooh thank you Jacob,” she smiled, “how thoughtful, why don’t we try them now?” ‘Round one to me,’ thought Jacob, suddenly feeling much better about the situation.
“I like the boat in the driveway,” he said to Darcy’s father.
“Oh that’s the little one, just use it for fishing,” he replied, his tone still surly. “Got a sixty-footer moored at the Angler’s Club Marina.”
Jacob refused to give up. “I did a lot of fishing on Port Phillip Bay when I was a little kid,” he said. “Our neighbour had a boat about the same size. Caught a lot of whiting in those days, flathead, gummy shark and oh, at night we caught heaps of squid. Calamari is nearly my favourite meal.”
“Well,” interrupted Leticia. “Jack’s going fishing tomorrow morning, why don’t you take Jacob with you, dear?” she said sweetly. ‘The old mongrel was about to object,’ thought Jacob, ‘but Leticia saved the day.’
“No one should be in a boat by themselves, because of the safety aspect,” she continued, “and I need Darcy to drive me down the coast for the opening of a gallery where I‘m showing some of my new stuff. You see, I’ve never driven a car,” she explained to Jacob, “and I think it’s too late to learn now. The traffic makes me nervous. But I can handle our sixty-footer out on the ocean and I don’t have a problem!”
*****
It was just six o’clock when Jacob kissed Darcy goodbye and met his father in the kitchen. “You drink tea or coffee?” he snarled.
“If it’s instant coffee, don’t bother,” replied Jacob, “I’d rather have tea, thanks.” Jack filled a large thermos with tea, whilst Jacob grabbed the sandwiches from the refrigerator. The boat was already hooked to Jack’s big Land Cruiser, and Jacob expertly wound down and stored the jockey wheel; in place overnight to keep the weight off the tow vehicle’s suspension. Jack’s mouth dropped open as Jacob went around checking everything. “You got the bungs inside?” he asked. Jack fished them out of a side pocket and Jacob sprang up, screwing them into place. “Got plenty of fuel?” he enquired. Jack just nodded. Darcy was usually a liability in a boat, but this bloke had obviously done it all before. They were on the water by 6.45am and Jack handed the wheel over to Jacob, showing him where to steer.
They drifted on a gentle tide, rods over the side as the sun came up. Jack had watched, fascinated, as Jacob had set up the hooks and sinker on his line, splicing new hooks in place, at a very specific distance. Suddenly the whiting began to bite and Jacob caught a boatful. By 10.30am they had drifted past them, and decided to eat their sandwiches and drink their tea. “Will I throw the pick over?” asked Jacob. Jack nodded and they anchored.
“This isn’t easy for either of us, is it?” said Jack as the boat rocked gently.
“It’s a bloody sight harder for Darcy, because he loves you both so much,” smiled Jacob grimly. “Your son is the most marvellous human being I’ve ever met; I know I get very protective of him, but he doesn’t deserve to be thrown out of the family because of his lifestyle.”
“I never thought I’d ever see a son of mine a poofter,” snarled Jack.
“And I never thought I’d see a parent of Darcy’s who would be so homophobic and insensitive in this modern day and age,” replied Jacob. “Darcy is such an intelligent man, and I guess I expected that intelligence had to come from somewhere. I guess I’m as disappointed in you as you are in me. We didn’t ask to fall in love, we just did, just like you and Mrs Sullivan did.”
“What did you say?” squeaked Jack. “You fell in love with my son?”
Jacob suddenly realised that Jack was a throwback; one of those old-fashioned creatures who through sheer ignorance or lack of knowledge thought that same-sex attracted people only did sex, they didn’t do love! That gay people and paedophilia were one and the same. Jacob looked more kindly at Jack, who was obviously struggling with his emotions. “Jack,” he said, “I’m only a young man, but let me educate you! Then I’ll tell you how Darcy and I got together. And about the other people we go to university with. And Adam and Patrick in particular, who will probably represent Australia in the double sculls event at the Olympics in a few months, and who have been great role models for everyone around us.”
*****
Jacob knew he had never been more eloquent or persuasive. He simply told the truth; and Jack listened. He reminded him about their Prime Minister and his partner, Praveen, and their two children. “I vote Liberal anyway,” snapped Jack, “his family situation just gave me another reason to hate him! But I must admit he’s been a good Australian.”
“And his best friend is the Leader of the Opposition,” laughed Jacob. Then Jacob’s demeanour changed, and he became quite serious as he described first meeting Darcy as a fellow crew member of the Eight. How even though he was a wild party animal, he was always kind hearted and thoughtful of other people. How he set Angelo and Lance up together. And, as a result, how he and Darcy became room-mates. Both straight boys, only ever been with girls before. And how they started spending more and more time together, Darcy preferring to stay at home instead of raging and how he changed streams so they could spend even more time together. And after only a few weeks, they both realised what had happened to them. Jacob’s voice wavered as he described the feeling that very first day after they made love. How they both felt a sense of déjà vu`; that their future together had already been decided. And it was in their hands to ensure the success of the opportunity they had been given.
“Obviously we’re not the first couple to be in this exact situation,” Jacob went on. “In the past when society wasn’t as forgiving, guys like us would write off the experience, pretend it didn’t happen, get married to a woman, have kids and everything that goes with it.” He paused, allowing the message to sink in. He looked Jack directly in the eye and went on. “And forever have a regret that they had let the love of their life slip through their fingers. With the added risk of ruining a woman’s life because who knows what path they may have taken in the future. It’s funny,” he said to Jack, “we seem to be the least concerned about the fact that we were two straight guys who fell in love! We’re just so happy and relaxed with our partnership! No hang-ups at all! A few others are a bit puzzled, but from that first day we’ve never felt, either of us, that we’d made anything other than the right decision. Do you know what I mean?” he said, looking imploringly at Jack.
Jack was sitting in the stern of the boat, with his mouth open and a look of surrender on his face. He suddenly realised he’d been entrusted with personal information that no one else had been privy to, and felt strangely privileged. “Jack,” Jacob said, “please don’t throw Darcy out of the family! At the moment you’re forcing him to choose between the people he loves most in his life and that’s not fair!”
“I didn’t know about any of this stuff,” Jack pleaded. “I know life has moved on with these ----- social issues, but it was convenient for me to assume that my family would never be part of this ‘alternative’ scene, even though my wife is very artistic and creative! But you two boys are so different! You don’t look or even sound ----- gay; if you know what I mean?” Jacob laughed heartily, and smiled at a less than confident Jack Sullivan.
“Jack,” he said gently, “that stereotype hasn’t been around since well before Darcy and I were born! So if you’re wondering how Darcy’s straight mates will react, don’t worry, because we’re certainly not an ‘alternative’ scene as you put it! People our age only want to see everyone free to do their own thing. That freedom has won and lost federal elections, you know! And in your age group, almost everyone has a son, or a daughter, a grandchild, a niece or a nephew who is same-sex attracted. So it’s no big deal, certainly not risking breaking up a family over, that’s for sure.”
Jack looked at the Jewish boy, sitting back on the gunwale of the boat, cleaning fish as he was talking. “You must love Darcy so much to go to this much trouble,” he whispered, amazed at Jacob’s tenacity and loyalty.
“When you love someone, Jack, you’ll do anything,” he said. “Simple as that.”
*****
Darcy and his mother arrived home about 4.00pm. The boat was in its usual parking place beside the driveway, bungs removed and washed out, looking immaculate. Leticia had counselled her son, knowing it would take time for Jack Sullivan to accept Darcy’s status, both of them naturally wondering during the day how the fishing trip had panned out!
Suddenly there was a yell from the general area of the kitchen. Darcy and his mum tore inside to find Jacob at the head of the stairs, shouting in the general direction of the bar, from which Jack’s hysterical laughter could be heard. “You dirty old prick,” yelled Jacob, “now I know where your son gets his farting ability from!
“Christ, Leticia,” said Jacob, “what did you put in those sandwiches? He’s absolutely rotten. I mean Darcy’s bad enough, but he’s vile!”
Darcy and Leticia looked at each other and the ice was finally broken. Jacob looked at them as if they were mad; but the more he protested, the harder they laughed. “You want to give me an Easter present? Then make it a bloody gas mask.” They lapsed into hysterics again, and Jacob walked back down the stairs, fanning the air in front of him with a newspaper. Finally, he had to laugh as well.
“Your friend caught all the bloody fish,” said Jack, changing the subject. “Nothin’ much left for me.”
“You have done well, dear,” said Leticia, “you’ve actually cleaned and filleted the fish; that’s a nice change.”
“He did that as well,” Jack grinned. “Never seen anyone fillet whiting so bloody fast in all me life.” Darcy and his mother looked at each other in disbelief. Jack and Jacob sounded like each other’s best mate! Was this the same homophobe from yesterday? Who today was actually boasting about his son’s lover’s expertise with fishing and fish? It was quite obvious the fishermen had plenty of liquid fortification, but the surprises kept on coming.
“Leticia,” said Jacob, “I’m cooking tonight. Darce, can you make one of your special salads that you make for Max and Iris?” Darcy nodded in agreement.
“Who’s Max and Iris?” said Jack a little stupidly.
“My mother and father-in-law,” said Darcy proudly, “they’re great.”
*****
Nothing further was mentioned about Darcy and Jacob’s partnership the following day; Darcy just shook his head and marvelled at Jacob’s ‘salesmanship’ as he called it. Jack and Leticia offered to take them out for dinner the following night to Jack’s ‘other home,’ the Angling and Motor Yacht Club. Deciding to leave quite early, Jack and Leticia bundled them all into a cab so they could enjoy their night out without worrying about the drive home. Jacob was quite proudly introduced to Jack’s cronies as ‘Darcy’s mate and a bloody good fisherman.’ Jacob’s pride knew no bounds when they were jointly interrogated by one of the member’s wives, who insistently declared that she had two wonderful daughters at home and were they interested? Darcy quietly took the hapless lady to one side, but still within earshot and explained the facts of life to her.
“I didn’t know you were like that Darcy,” she said with a nasty smirk on her face. “Well I didn’t know either until Jacob came along, Beryl,” he said, smiling broadly. “But I’m very fortunate to have a family that supports me in everything I do, and who love me no matter what. And I’m the luckiest person in the world to have a partner like Jacob!”
“Yes,” said Beryl, “I can see that, he seems to be lovely.”
“Well I hope we have better luck than your niece, Samantha,” said Darcy, sweetly. “She had a lovely girlfriend, but some people in this town with too much time on their hands made their lives a misery through gossip.” Beryl fled. Jacob and Leticia doubled up with mirth. Even Jack grinned.
“Darce,” said his mother, “where did that come from? You were brilliant. Oh, of course, you’ve got a wonderful role model, now dear, haven’t you!”
“Oh thanks very much,” protested Jacob, “I think you lot could play me on a break after that little outburst!” But Darcy became serious, looking his parents in the eye.
“Guys,” he said, “I didn’t realise what damage people like Beryl could do until I became part of a minority group myself. If we come back here to work in this town after uni, it’s important to put people like her on notice!”
*****
The cab dropped them off at the front door, and the boys elected to go for a walk before bedtime. ‘Funny,’ thought Jacob. ‘Jack looks a bit disappointed for some reason.’ The night was cool and they didn’t walk far. Jacob knew what was on his partner’s mind and it was pretty much the same lascivious thought process as he had, so they turned for home. They let themselves in the kitchen door and mounted the stairs quietly so as not to wake Leticia and Jack. Darcy pushed open the bedroom door and turned on the light. They stood there, a few steps inside the door, absolutely transfixed. In place of Darcy’s little twin beds was a single, magnificent king-size bed, with matching side tables and lamps. Complete with new bedding in a very masculine design. They looked at each other. Jack Sullivan was a man of very few words; instead he certainly believed in action!
“So that’s why they pushed us off to the club so early,” Darcy said in a hushed tone. With a shout they ran down the stairs and hammered on his parents’ door. “Yeah, whaddaya want?” came the muffled reply, and they ran in to find them both, sitting on the bed, fully clothed!
It was emotional, naturally; Leticia and Jacob watching as father and son hugged each other. ‘At last it’s over and we can get on with our lives,’ thought Jacob as Jack poured pre-chilled champagne into flutes, and they toasted each other.
Darcy looked at Jacob, and then swung his attention to his beaming parents.
“Ah, there’s another, er, small matter,” he said. “Max and Iris; poor buggers will be sitting around in Caulfield, wondering what’s going on. Jacob says they were coming up here to help out, poor darlings.”
“What, in case we spat the dummy properly?” smiled Jack. “Why don’t we invite them for Easter, love, I’ll do a bit extra!”
“I think you’ve done plenty already, Jack Sullivan,” Leticia said softly. “You’ve just reminded me why I married you in the first place.”