Rhythm

by

John Terry Moore
 

CHAPTER 42

Tim and Praveen joined Adam, Patrick and the family under the back veranda for a barbeque.  Tom and Mary, Will and Maurie were there, as well as Melanie Benson and her partner, Brian Petersen.  And Matthew and Philippe; looking fit and well, the happiest Tim and Praveen could remember their old head of security looking!  There was a special bond there; they teased him mercilessly but were so pleased life had finally treated him well.  Adam and Tom were on barbeque duty, with Olivia Green serving.  Patrick and Mary had made country salads and homemade potato chips from the homestead’s vegetable garden, and the meal was simple but beautiful, as usual.  Maurie was in his element, particularly after the children were put to bed and he could use some ‘illustrative language’.  Tim smiled with relief; this was just what Praveen needed; a good belly laugh among friends.  Adam was showing Tim and Praveen some colourful ponchos they had bought in Mexico after their last lecture series at the American Institute of Sport.  “This is mine,” Adam said, swirling the brightly coloured garment around as if he were a matador, taunting a bull. 

“Very colourful darling,” said Maurie, seemingly oblivious to its bad taste. 

“And this one’s Patrick’s,” Adam said, displaying a much less colourful example, but one that Praveen noted was of course in quieter taste and well cut. 

“Huh,” said Maurie scornfully, “how very plain and uninteresting, just like her!”  Praveen rolled about the floor.  “Oooh, Maurie,” he laughed, “that will get back, I’m sure.” 

“Oh I do hope so,” Maurie grinned. 

“Don’t worry, it’s got back already,” came Patrick’s voice from the doorway.  “Anyway,” said Patrick with a straight face, so much so it fooled even Adam.  “It’s all a case of mind over matter.”  Tim O’Brien screwed his eyes up; he’d heard the line before and just couldn’t remember the detail. 

“Mind over matter?” said Praveen delightedly, stirring the pot further. 

“Yes,” said Patrick with an evil smile; “I don’t mind, and she doesn’t fucking matter!”  They all roared; Maurie’s eyes sparkled, and Praveen was at peace at last, Tim noted.  They thanked everyone for their hospitality and their company, deciding to have a quiet walk together, then an early night.  They knew there would be security nearby, but they still relaxed, it had been part of their life for years.  They walked arm in arm; around the shearing shed, past the machine shed with the tractors and farm equipment inside, their paintwork a dull gleam in the moonlight.  They paused under the veranda; near the outside light.  Tim leaned in and kissed Praveen on the lips.  “You’ve had such a hard year,” Tim whispered, “it’s lovely to see you enjoying yourself again.”  Just then, there was a discernible click; no mistaking what it was and they disappeared inside, going straight to their bedroom.  Praveen was on his Telemailer instantly, and in less than a minute, Doug Evers, their security chief was in the room with them.  “What’s wrong?” he said looking fearfully at them, but reassured they appeared their normal healthy selves. 

“We both heard it distinctly,” Tim said, “a mobile phone camera obviously with the flash switched off.”  Doug silently nodded his understanding.  It was a risk they couldn’t take; unauthorised photographs with a few well-told lies had been the nemesis of many people in public life.  They all understood that sensationalism was very profitable and they had all kept their jobs for so long because Praveen had been so careful and protective of their privacy when off duty.  “Sorry,” Doug said, “leave it to me.  We’ll have some resolution in the morning.” 

Doug went immediately to the roster on his Telemailer.  Igor was on close watch tonight.  Which meant he would have been the only one close enough to use a camera.  There were five others on outer watch around the homestead and sheds and another five watching access roads and the skies.  He rang his deputy, Tarek, and asked him to meet him immediately in his portable office.  Then he called Igor, a twenty-two-year old of Russian / Slavic descent;----- tall, blond and extremely good-looking.  So much so there was only one expression that fitted him.  Breathtakingly beautiful.  Even in this bastion of male same-sex families, it was not an expression that was used often.  But it certainly applied to this bloke.  Born in Australia, he had always wanted to be of service to his country.  A fierce national pride had consumed him; this was such a peaceful place and it had given his family new hope and opportunities.  So he joined the Service straight out of college, continuing his university studies on a part-time basis.  ‘So why fuck things up for himself?’ Doug Evers wondered.  This was stupid stuff; everyone knew The Boss and Praveen were vulnerable enough with unauthorised pictures flying around!  That’s why taking pictures was forbidden!  One of the major reasons the security force existed in these days of relative peacefulness!  Yet this kid had taken happy snaps of Tim and Praveen in a private, loving moment.  They deserved better!  After all the sacrifices they had made for Australia and Australians, they should be able to feel relaxed in a place like this, around their friends. 

Igor walked in to a hostile reception.  Doug was livid, but he wanted to know why.  It was important to know so the motivation to do something like this again could be avoided.  “Why?”  he snapped.  Igor looked embarrassed and Doug realised the kid had something private to tell him.  Tarek, intuitive as ever, quietly padded out the door, closing it softly. 

“They are my ----- heroes,” Igor began slowly.  “I love older men,” he confessed.  Doug nodded; he knew by the employee file that Igor had already volunteered the information that he was same-sex attracted.  “But why did you take photographs of them, you know that’s absolutely bloody forbidden,” he hissed through his teeth. 

“I didn’t want to sell them,” Igor said sadly, realising his job was probably slipping away from him as he spoke.  “I intended to frame them for my own use,” he said truthfully. 

“You silly little shit!” Doug snarled.  “Don’t you realise that they would have given you a signed photograph if you’d asked for it?” 

“Sorry,” Igor said, hanging his head and feeling like shit.  Doug realised he was becoming less objective than he should be and had a brainwave.  He called his old boss, Matthew Drummond and asked if he could help him.  He asked his deputy to wait with Igor until he arrived back.  Within two minutes he was on the veranda of the homestead, talking to Matthew.  He told the story quickly, and Matthew listened intently.  “He just sounds a little immature, Doug,” he smiled.  “Some of us grow up quicker than others, you know.” 

“I should sack the prick,” Doug ranted.  “And if you do and Praveen asks where he is, seeing he is already in the loop with this thing, then you are going to be in the biggest pile of shit you ever saw, my friend.”  Doug nodded his head miserably. 

“What’s the kid’s mindset?” Matthew asked quietly. 

“He’s not exactly jumping for joy.” 

“There’s another conundrum for you,” Matthew continued.  “What if he tries to top himself because he’s depressed over this issue?”  Doug covered his face with his hands.  “I know, I know,” he said.  “I’m fucked no matter what I do.” 

“No you’re not.” 

“Whattaya mean?”  Your deputy’s a gay man isn’t he?” 

“Yes.” 

“Why don’t you ask him to look after the kid for the next few nights?  Share a room together.” 

Doug looked at Matthew, open-mouthed.  “This could go several ways, couldn’t it, all of them good.” 

“Well if the kid likes older men, Tarek would certainly be pleased to assist, I’m sure.  Look what a younger man did for me!”  Doug grinned; he had never ceased to be amazed at Matthew’s about face on sexuality; ----- until he was introduced to Philippe, and then he understood.  That’s why Matthew was a wonderful resource at a time like this!  “Dougie,” Matthew grinned, “he’s certainly a beautiful looking young man, you might even get a promotion out of this.” 

“Just to keep what I’ve got Matt, that’s enough at the moment.  Thanks, mate, I owe ya one.” 

*****

Doug beckoned Tarek over as he neared the office.  Tarek stared back at him, as Doug outlined his strategy.  Doug focussed on the need to keep the kid safe and to watch for any reaction to the right royal bollocking he‘d handed out already.  “Get Gary to move his stuff out right now,” Doug said, “and I’ll get the kid to move his in.”  The impassive expression on Tarek’s face lightened a little, understanding the cheeky way Doug was resolving the issue.  “You know the kid’s gay, of course,” Tarek smiled softly at Doug.  “You hoping I’ll take his mind off The Boss and Praveen?” 

“Never crossed my mind.” 

“Liar.  You’ve been talking to Matt, haven’t you?” 

“Well we did have a couple of words.”  Tarek looked through Doug like he was invisible.  “What you and Matthew forget is that there is a human being involved,” Tarek said, with a dangerous smile on his face.  “You’re talking about a person’s life here, his feelings, his self-esteem and his career, more or less in that order.  Throwing him into a situation where you hope that a night of debauchery with me will fix everything!  That’s dishonest!  You should level with the kid beforehand.  By the way, does he get to keep his job?” 

Doug Evers had never heard his deputy put more than a few words together in all the years they had worked together.  His mini-tirade shocked him.  But he trusted Tarek more than anyone, and the last thing he wanted to do was offend him.  He apologised, confirmed he’d let Igor off with a warning, and that he’d already confiscated his firearm, which was standard procedure.  They sat in the office with Igor, and Doug explained that he would receive a letter of reprimand, nothing more.  And that he would be sharing with Tarek for the next three nights.  Tarek spoke up.  “Igor, I will respect your privacy, I do not want you to feel that just because you are the most beautiful young man, and that we are both same-sex orientated, that I expect anything from you, other than friendship.  Nor do I want you to feel upset that I am watching you for reasons of security.  I trust you implicitly, and no one else will know about your lapse of judgement, because that’s all it was.  None of us are perfect, least of all Douglas and I.  I think the best thing we can do is to sleep well tonight.  We will all feel better about this in the morning.  I would like to handle the de-brief with the Boss and Praveen,” he said to Doug, who nodded his agreement.  He turned to Igor.  “I have altered the roster so we do not have anymore late shifts on this job, you and I together, OK?  Igor smiled his understanding; supremely grateful that his career and his self-esteem had been saved. 

*****

Igor showered in the communal block and made his way back to the unit he now shared with Tarek.  He made up the single bed just inside the door as Tarek, wrapped in a towel, strode inside, smiling at him.  Igor watched him as he cleaned the dry grass from his feet, a legacy of the Australian paddock outside.  “Tarek,” said Igor, “where are you from, you know, originally?” 

“Jordan.” 

“Really.” 

“Yup.” 

‘That explains his hairy body and the dark skin,’ Igor thought. 

“Born and bred in Amman, but spent a lot of time in Petra, because my father was an archaeologist.” 

“Was?” 

“Oh yes, he eventually retired.  Both of them are.  Mother was Professor of Language Studies at Amman University.  My sister gave them lots of grandchildren; kids were never high on my list of priorities until recently actually.”  He waved his hand in the direction of the homestead; “Adam and Patrick changed my ideas about that,” he laughed, “perhaps I wouldn’t want two sets of twins, but just two would be great.”  He laughed.  “Gotta find myself a boyfriend first, trust me to get it back to front.” 

“So why did you come to Australia?” asked Igor. 

“Well I’m really lucky with my family,” he smiled.  “They’re academics, intelligent people and very enlightened, so being gay was never a problem around them.  But it’s very hard to meet gay people in Jordan who want to settle down.  It’s probably the most progressive country in the region socially, but the old traditions are still there.  You stay single if you’re gay, or you get married like many still do and have your boyfriend on the side.  Not for this fella,” he smiled, “I expect more than that, I’d love something like Adam and Patrick and their mates have got going, not to be some rich Bedouin’s bitch, thank you very much!” 

Igor laughed, a full rich laugh.  “I couldn’t imagine you being a bitch for anyone,” he grinned. 

“You could be right there,” Tarek continued.  “I heard about Adam and Patrick, the university and the ICHP, and I came here.  Got an Economics degree, couldn’t find a job and ended up in the Service, looking after our leaders.  But tell me about yourself.  We couldn’t be anymore diverse, you and I; I’m dark and hairy and you’re so beautiful and smooth, fair skin, fair hair and blue eyes; magic!” 

“Gee thanks,” Igor said.  “But my name’s the only exotic thing I’ve got; I was born here, and mum and dad are both health professionals; dad’s a thoracic surgeon and mum’s a urologist.” 

“Any siblings?”

“Yeah, I’ve got a sister too, she married last year but no kids as yet.”  They were surprised sometime later to find they had been talking for nearly two hours and it was nearly midnight.  “Tarek?” Igor asked.” 

“Yes my friend.” 

“When you do the de-brief with the President and Mr Nayar, would it be OK if I came along with you?” 

“Sure, any particular reason?” 

“I want to apologise to them, they were probably trying to rest after a stressful time and I ruined their enjoyment.  It was very selfish of me, and I need to grow up.” 

“Well as I said before, I like you just the way you are,” Tarek grinned, “and I’ll bet they will too.  Don’t berate yourself too much, they are the coolest guys you’ll ever meet, seriously.”  Tarek then did something without thinking; surprising himself.  In two steps he was at Igor’s side, leaned in and kissed him goodnight.  Igor’s eyes were huge under his blond crew cut.  He grabbed Tarek’s neck and pulled him closer to do the same thing.  They gazed at each other; a few seconds earlier they had been two individuals with different destinations.  Now it was as one.  Both of them exhibiting a sense of shyness because the effect of what they were feeling was overwhelming.  They smiled at each other and held each other’s gaze until Tarek climbed into his double bed, switching off the light. 

They slept surprisingly well; it was cool for an early summer evening and there had been a good breeze through the unit.  Morning dawned; a warm day was on the way, and they set off to the communal bathroom together.  Tarek left some designer stubble on his face because his beard grew so quickly.  ‘Looks less untidy after a long day,’ he confided in Igor. 

“And really hot,” Igor shot back, his heart jumping in his chest.  Tarek processed the information slowly.  The look that passed between them last night was no accident, he realised, but he felt like a big girl with this young bloke next to him as they shaved in front of a double mirror.  ‘What does a thirty-six-year-old say to a twenty-two-year-old god like him,’ he thought, ‘without sounding like a dirty old man!’  He knew there was something special happening between them, but seemed powerless to do anything about it lest he stuff it all up and make a fool of himself. 

Igor understood.  They finished shaving, and he took Tarek’s hand, leading him into the open shower section, skilfully removing his towel.  Tarek stood there like a dummy, his handsome swarthy features softening with the beginning of a smile.  The water somehow started, he reasoned that Igor must have turned it on, even the temperature was perfect.  He gasped at the creature before him, the creamy skin, the buzz cut and those penetrating blue eyes!  His gaze travelled down Igor’s smooth body; muscles rippling under the skin, the gentle, friendly nature of a gay kid underpinned by the toughness and physical training of the Service.  A heady combination.  He saw Igor’s hand stretch towards him; he watched, fascinated as he stroked his swollen member.  He wondered how he got so hard so quickly!  He’d been so absorbed by Igor’s presence he hadn’t noticed he was as hard as a rock!  And so was Igor; long and uncut, it was beautiful, bouncing up on his flat stomach.  He was incapable of speech; he leaned back against the wall as Igor kissed him.  Middle Eastern men never kissed like this but he tasted clean and manly, and he ran his tongue over Tarek’s lips, looking for him again as Igor sank to his knees taking him into his mouth.  Tarek just didn’t care anymore.  He didn’t care if someone walked in on them; he knew his life was changing and he felt the inevitability of it.  Within two minutes he came with a roar and Igor did the same, coating their feet.  They clung to each other under the shower, and the wait was over for both of them.  Tarek understood that whilst Igor was physically young his mind was ancient; there was a natural longing there, a mutual longing that they must satisfy.  The age difference faded away because it was all planned, Nature intended this, he decided.  Igor studied the handsome dark features, now smiling back at him.  The large circumcised weapon of Tarek’s armoury had started to grow again.  “I think we need more than just love to sustain us just now,” he said.  “I’m so hungry after that workout, let’s have some breakfast.” 

*****

It was Saturday morning.  Tim and Praveen, totally relaxed, were enjoying a mid-morning coffee in the kitchen, talking to Adam and Patrick.  The twins, normally playing in the backyard, were making the most of their visitors, climbing over them, showing off and wanting to be entertained.  Jack and his two progeny entered and left through a doggy door at regular intervals.  The main crowd would be arriving soon; the cricket match would be this afternoon, and the recently formed President’s Eleven (as of yesterday), was mentally preparing itself to take on all comers.  There was a knock on the door and Tarek entered, followed by Igor.  “Good morning, boss, good morning Praveen,” he smiled.  “I wonder if we might have a quiet chat for five minutes?”  Patrick pointed to the living room door, and closed it as they walked in and say down.  “I just wanted to cover last night’s event for your information,” Tarek smiled, introducing Igor. 

“Oh, that’s all right, Tarek,” Praveen smiled, “no harm done.” 

“But I ruined your night through my insensitivity,” Igor cut in.  “I asked to come along with Tarek so I could personally apologise, I am so sorry.  It was an error of judgement, it won’t ever happen again.”  He looked and sounded upset; so much so, that Tim was on his feet quickly, throwing his arms around him for a hug, kissing him on the cheek like a baby.  Praveen smiled; twenty years ago kids would have been totally freaked out if another man kissed them in public.  Particularly someone in late middle-age!  The ageist statement alone would have labelled Tim a dirty old man!  The fact was, of course that their partnership was so public that they were protected by its very existence.  And how kids had moved on, particularly since the owners of the property at which they were relaxing, had won the double sculls at the 2020 Olympics!  “Don’t I get a cuddle then?” smiled Praveen.  “Second-hand Rose, that’s me!”  Igor gave a little giggle and Praveen knew immediately.  He looked from one to the other, from Tarek to Igor, understanding there was yet another romance under their very noses.