by Felice Arena
13. cork
Specky woke up the next morning unable to lift his leg. His right butt cheek had swollen to almost twice its normal size. It would have been embarrassing if it weren’t so painful. A corked buttock had been the diagnosis. The knocks had caused internal bleeding and Specky had set his alarm to go off every three hours throughout the night so he could apply a massive ice pack to the affected area to keep the swelling down.
Tired and in pain, Specky dressed and made his way to the kitchen for some breakfast.
‘How are you feeling?’ asked his mum, who was feeding Jack.
‘I’ll survive,’ Specky said, through clenched teeth, not sure he believed it himself.
Moments later, his grandpa appeared.
‘Need to borrow the car, Jane,’ he said, as he poured himself a cup of coffee. ‘Come on, lad, we’re heading down to St Kilda beach. Gotta get you in the salt water to help reduce that swelling.’
‘Ken, I’m not so sure. You said yourself you got a bit lost the other day, and besides it’s freezing outside. He’ll catch pneumonia.’
‘Simon can be my GSP … GST … or whatever they call those electronic map things,’ said Grandpa Ken. ‘If he’s going to be right to play in a week, we’ve got to get straight onto it.’
‘He’s right, Mum,’ added Specky. ‘The AFL players do it all the time and I need all the help I can get.’
‘Well, as long as you’re right to drive, Ken, and both of you take it easy,’ said Mrs Magee reluctantly. ‘Ken, don’t keep him down there too long. And, Simon, take your mobile because if you …’
Specky didn’t hear the rest. He and his grandpa were already out the door.
‘I haven’t said much about the game, but I will just say this one thing,’ said Grandpa Ken as he drove off down Specky’s street. ‘You bounced back, lad, and I’m proud of you. You could have sulked after being taken from the ground, but you won back the respect of everyone at that game by showing your courage in the last minute. Now, all we need to worry about is getting that bum of yours right.’
As Specky and Grandpa Ken pulled up at the car park near the St Kilda pier, Specky paused before hopping out.
‘What? You having second thoughts?’ said Grandpa Ken. ‘Cause I must admit, it does look a little blowy out there.’
‘No, it’s not that,’ Specky said. ‘It’s just … well … can I ask you a personal question? You won’t get upset?’
‘Nah, course not,’ said Grandpa Ken. ‘There’s obviously something on your mind. Spit it out!’
Specky took a deep breath. ‘Well, I wanted to know what the problem is between you and Dad. Why do you seem to hate each other?’
‘We don’t hate each other,’ said Grandpa Ken, awkwardly. ‘We just see the world differently, that’s all.’
‘Right,’ mumbled Specky, hoping his grandpa would elaborate without him having to ask.
‘Look,’ sighed Grandpa Ken. ‘I know you probably want some simple explanation. But life isn’t always clear, or rosy for that matter. Especially when it comes to your father and me. It’s complicated, lad. And to be honest I’m not sure if I really want to talk about it right now.’
‘Okay, fair enough.’ Specky shrugged, opening up the car door.
‘Now, hang on!’ Grandpa Ken called out, before taking a deep breath. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve made it awkward for you. I’m not shutting you out, kid. There are just a lot of things that have happened recently to make me look at life differently, and there are things that I deeply regret. Like not being around more for my grandchildren – you’re terrific kids, and I’m a selfish old fool who’s missed a good part of your growing up.’
Grandpa Ken paused and sighed heavily.
‘But it was never my intention to come and visit after all these years and stir things up with your father. Truly, it wasn’t. And I am trying to get along – you’ve got to believe me when I say that.’
Grandpa Ken looked at Specky for a moment and sighed. ‘But for you, kid, I’ll try harder. Now, let’s hit that water!’
Specky’s time in the cold salt water definitely helped. By Tuesday afternoon he was feeling a little better, but he knew there was no way he was going to be able to train with the Victorian team that evening. He wasn’t going to miss being there at Punt Road Oval, though – cork or no cork.
As he hobbled into the change rooms of Richmond’s home ground, the first person he bumped into was his friend Brian Edwards.
‘Geez, Speck, you’re walking like an old man,’ he said. ‘What happened to you?’
Specky explained what had happened in Saturday’s game.
‘Well, you’ve got a big job ahead of you, mate,’ said Brian. ‘A Grand Final with your school team and the National Final the following week at the MCG. What do you reckon Grub’s gonna say when you see him? Do you think he’ll let you play with your school team?’
‘I dunno, mate. Do you think he’ll ban me from playing?’
Before Brian could answer, Dicky Atkins, Skull Morgan and Bear Gleeson all wandered into the rooms. They were excited to be together again, and training at Punt Road Oval made it all the more special. The mighty MCG was only a hundred metres away, and with AFL finals in full swing the atmosphere around the world-famous stadium was electric. There were even a couple of television journalists out on the Punt Road ground conducting an interview with Grub.
‘Well, here goes,’ said Specky. ‘I better get this out of the way. I’ll see you after training.’
Specky made his way to the medical room to find Bobby Stockdale, the team manager. He had rung him straight after the game on Saturday, and told him about his injury. Bobby had been great, and given him strict instructions about icing the injury and recovery, but Specky was still petrified about facing up to Grub.
‘How’s it feeling, Simon?’ asked Bobby, as he joined him at the physio’s bench.
‘Yeah, pretty good,’ replied Specky, not wanting to raise any doubts about his fitness for the big game. ‘It’s improved heaps in the past few days.’
Just then, Grub’s unmistakable voice got everyone’s attention. He had finished his interviews and wanted to get training underway.
‘Come on, you young guns! Stop standing around gas-bagging like a bunch of oldies at a lawn bowls tournament. Get ya bloody footy gear on and get out on the track.’
Grub’s gravelly voice had an immediate effect on Specky’s team-mates and they all sprung into action. Specky held his breath as Grub entered the medical room.
‘Aww, Magee, that’s not the greatest way to greet your coach,’ winced Grub, as the physio and the doctor assessed the damage to Specky’s right buttock. ‘It’s not your most flattering side, kid.’
Talk about embarrassing, thought Specky, his face turning as red as a Sherrin.
Grub ignored Specky for the moment and addressed the doctor and the physio. ‘What’s the verdict, boys? Are we going to have to amputate?’
‘Not quite, Jay, but he has got some significant swelling,’ said the doctor, laughing.
‘It’s not as bad as it looks,’ protested Specky, desperately trying to downplay the injury.
‘Yeah, well, I’m not asking you, am I?’ said Grub. ‘Go on, Doc.’
‘Well, the bruising has come out, which is a good thing.’
‘You call that a good thing?’ said Grub, pointing at the massive purple, grey and yellow bruise that covered most of Specky’s backside.
‘It’s a good sign, Jay. At least we can start some massage to try and move some of this bleeding. As you can see, it’s started to track down his leg. That’s why it’s important to keep him off his feet for a few days. We don’t want any complications with bleeding into his hamstring. If he does all the right things, I’m pretty confident he’ll be right to play Saturday week. If he had a game this weekend it would be touch and go, and another knock on it would lay him up for three to four weeks.’
Specky lay there quietly, face down on the physio’s table. Af
ter what had happened at the last game, he didn’t want to be seen to be backing out or letting Booyong down. He knew he had to mention the schools Grand Final, but he was pretty sure Grub would ban him from playing. Just as he was working up the courage, Grub beat him to it.
‘Well, you’ve got a decision to make then, don’t you, Simon? Don’t think me and Bobby don’t know what’s going on with our players.’
Specky put on a brave face and quickly sat up on the bench to face Grub and Bobby.
‘I’ll be fine, Grub. My body heals really quickly and I’ll be running tomorrow and be able to train by Thursday.’
Grub, Bobby, the physio and the team doctor didn’t seem convinced.
Specky ploughed on. ‘I can ask our coach to play me at full-forward so I don’t have to do as much work if that means you’ll let me play.’
Specky held his breath, waiting for Grub’s response. He had an uncompromising reputation and was not known to be overly sympathetic.
But Grub pulled up a chair and began to talk to him in a quiet, calm voice.
‘Simon, I will never tell you not to play with your school team. You have made a commitment to them and they will be relying on you enormously. But I will give you a couple of things to consider when you make your decision.’
Specky’s eyes were fixed on his coach.
‘I won’t take any player into the National Final who is less than one hundred percent fit. There’s nowhere to hide on the MCG and we’re playing a South Australian team that is desperate to knock us off and take the title back home. Now, you know that I want you – need you – to be available for us. You have an injury that will almost certainly heal in time to play. The game will be televised and every talent scout in the land will be watching and taking notes. And you need to know that you are also in contention for the All Australian team, which, if you’re selected, travels to Ireland next year to play in the Youth International Rules Series.’
Now Specky’s head was really spinning. He looked down at the floor.
‘Should you decide to play for your school this weekend the chances of you being available the following week diminish greatly. And don’t think you can bluff your way through a game and hold something back or take it a bit easy by playing at full-forward. If you go into a game with doubts, you usually come out with pain.’
Specky’s head snapped up. It was exactly the same advice Johnny had given him – and he had been right.
‘So, I’m going to leave it up to you, son,’ said Grub as he got up from his seat. ‘Welcome to the big time, kiddo. Tough decisions are just a part of this caper and you’re going to have to get used to it. We’ve all been really impressed by your attitude and maturity since you joined this team. I know you’ll make the right choice again this time. But don’t think for one second we’re going to judge you, regardless of what that might be. We’ll back you one hundred percent, whatever you decide.’
Specky gingerly made his way down to the boundary to watch training, having completed his treatment. Bobby joined him. The team was in top form and they were both impressed by the standard of football on display.
‘You okay with everything?’ Bobby asked.
‘Yeah, I think so, Bobby. I don’t know if I’ll play yet, but I’m going to do everything I can to get myself right and hopefully train with the Lions on Thursday night either way.’
‘Well, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, mate. Just control the things that you can and the rest will sort itself out. You’ve got a long football career in front of you so don’t make a bad decision now that you’ll live to regret.’
As Bobby moved on to explain the science behind muscle tissue recovery, Specky was suddenly struck by a strange feeling that he was being watched. Over by the grandstand he noticed a familiar-looking man taking a great interest in what he and Bobby were discussing. It took a minute to place him, but Specky finally recognised the bald man he had seen at both Adelaide and Melbourne airports.
Who is he? thought Specky. Could he be another talent manager?
Specky turned back to Bobby to ask if he knew him, but when Specky looked back at the grandstand, the bald man was gone.
14. the test
The following morning, Specky shuffled into the kitchen just as the sun was beginning to rise. His mother was playing with Jack, who often woke up early and didn’t go back to sleep for an hour or so.
‘Hey,’ Mrs Magee said softly. ‘Why are you awake so early? We didn’t wake you up, did we? We were very quiet this morning.’
‘Nah,’ mumbled Specky, opening the pantry and grabbing some cereal. ‘I’ve got some studying to do …’
Specky realised what he had just said. He hadn’t told his parents anything about how he had failed Mr Rutherford’s Maths exam and been asked to sit another one. With any luck his studying would pay off, he’d pass, and they would be none the wiser.
‘Really?’ said Specky’s mum. ‘Studying? Studying for what?’
Specky had to think quickly.
‘Um … did I say studying? I meant running. I’ve gotta get a run in.’
‘What about your injury?’
‘I’ll take it really easy,’ Specky called over his shoulder, as he limped out of the room.
As far as runs go, this one was very short and very, very slow, and by eight o’clock he was in his school library. He’d never thought he’d be looking forward to studying for Maths, but this time was different. He had organised to meet up with Tiger Girl.
‘Um, sorry about moving our study time,’ said Specky, pulling up a chair. ‘State training was moved at the last minute.’
‘Ah … the demands of being a superstar,’ beamed TG. ‘We mere mortals are just pushed to the background. But you won’t be a superstar for Booyong if you don’t past this test …’
Specky didn’t have the heart to tell her that he might not be playing for Booyong anyway. ‘Well, what are you waiting for, mere mortal?’ he joked. ‘Teach me all you know.’
For the next fifty minutes, TG took Specky through a revision of everything they had studied that term.
‘So that means x equals thirty?’ asked Specky.
‘Yes, perfect!’ she exclaimed. ‘You have so got this now. I think you’re gonna be okay.’
‘Thanks, TG,’ said Specky, sincerely. ‘You’re unreal!’
For a moment Specky just sat there, smiling at her. I’ve got to snap out of it! he thought. What’s going on? All of a sudden he had strong feelings for TG and he couldn’t explain why. He had always thought of her as a mate, even when he had thought she liked him. Was it just that his loyalty to Christina meant that he didn’t want to admit he had feelings for someone else? But Christina was no longer in the picture and now Specky couldn’t get past seeing TG as a girl … a girl that he liked. He squirmed in his chair. If she didn’t feel the same way, it could ruin their friendship, and if she did, it could ruin his friendship with Robbo.
TG looked away and started tapping her pen against the desk. Finally, she broke the silence. ‘What’s going on?’ she asked, straight out.
‘Nothing,’ stuttered Specky. ‘Nothing’s going on.’
‘Really?’
‘Yeah,’ said Specky, his mouth drying up. He had to quickly change the subject. ‘So, um, I’m sorry about you and Robbo …’
Specky couldn’t believe what he’d just said. Am I completely brain dead? Talk about a loaded conversation topic! Why couldn’t I have picked something that has nothing to do with feelings? Like the latest footy tipping results or the latest Hangar McPhearson book? Or the weather?
‘Don’t be sorry …’ said TG. ‘I knew it wasn’t going anywhere. We both knew it. Robbo’s a great guy, but we didn’t fully click, you know? Not like … well … like us.’
Specky was suddenly feeling very hot. Had the librarian turned up the heating?
DING! DING! DING!
Saved by the first period bell, he thought.
Specky quickly gathered his boo
ks and stood up, dropping some of his pencils on the ground. ‘I got this,’ he stuttered nervously, as he bent down to pick them up. ‘Thanks again for your help. Catch ya later!’
Specky couldn’t scurry out of the library fast enough.
‘Good luck!’ TG called out after him.
Specky glanced over his shoulder to see her grinning like the Cheshire cat.
Specky arrived several minutes late for the Maths test, thanks to a last-minute toilet stop. Nerves had set in. Sols was already seated and had started, and Mr Rutherford looked far from impressed.
‘Right, Magee,’ he growled. ‘Obviously, this isn’t important to you. I don’t tolerate tardiness, so I’ve deducted one mark before you even begin.’
‘You can’t do that,’ gasped Specky. ‘I just needed to go to the toilet.’
‘Well, you should have gone earlier.’
‘Um, I actually don’t have control over that.’
‘Don’t be smart with me, Magee. Two marks deducted. Now get to it!’
Specky shuffled to his place two tables across from Sols and began his test.
‘So, when do you find out if you passed or not?’ Danny asked Specky, while he and his friends kicked a footy during their lunch break.
‘I’m supposed to see Rutherford just before the bell goes,’ Specky answered, as he handballed to Robbo. He didn’t feel confident enough to kick. His injury was still troubling him.
‘And the great Magee is sweating buckets, folks!’
‘Yeah, nice one, Gob, but actually I’m pretty confident,’ said Specky, as he watched Danny and the Bombay Bullet battle to take a mark. ‘TG went through almost all of the same problems with me just before the test.’
‘Well, folks …’ Gobba added, ‘as another school term draws to an end, the men of the moment – Simon “Specky” Magee and yours truly – will experience one of the greatest days of their lives. But before we get too carried away, questions must be asked. Will Magee pass his Maths test? Will he play in his school team’s Grand Final this Saturday? Will he go on to shine for his State side and blitz the opposition in front of thousands on AFL Grand Final Day? And, most importantly, will I – the magnificent Gobba – take out the Cork in the Ocean trophy on that very same day? Well, stay right where you are, viewers, because all that and more is to come right after the break …’