by Drew Hunt
“Woman’s stuff, yuck. I don’t like girls.”
Joey smiled. “You’ll probably change your mind when you get a bit older.” Least ways I hope you do. “Now, can you get me a box of screws? Yeah, those ones,” Joey said when Simon had his hand over the correct ones. “We need some raw plugs as well.”
Their purchases made, the two left the store, and Joey took a few minutes trying to fit the long planks of wood into his mother’s Peugeot.
“Can we stop off at the park, Uncle Joey?”
“We’ve got to get all this stuff back to Uncle Jacob’s.”
“Please, just for a bit? It’s boring at Uncle Jacob’s. He’s no fun, not like you.”
The little shit knew which buttons to press. “Okay, but only for ten minutes. I’ve got stuff on later today.”
“Thanks, you’re the bestest uncle in the world.” Joey was treated to a wide grin.
If Joey thought he’d be allowed to just sit on a park bench while Simon played on the swings, he was very much mistaken.
“Push me, please. Make it go really high.” Simon encouraged.
Joey had held back, he didn’t want to frighten the kid by pushing too hard.
Simon let out a loud whoop when Joey had given the swing a hard shove. “Yeah, higher, Uncle Joey, make it go higher,” Simon’s excited and unbroken voice encouraged.
“That’s high enough,” Joey shouted as the swing almost became parallel to the ground at the end of its arc. Carole would skin me alive if he fell off. Joey shuddered at the thought. And when his sister finished with him, he’d have to face his mother.
After a quarter of an hour, Joey stopped pushing the swing. “Come on, we better be going.”
“Can’t I have a few more minutes? Please?”
“Well, okay, but do you wanna have a go on something else?” Something a bit less strenuous, he thought.
“Okay, then.”
Simon jumped from the swing as it was still in motion. Joey’s heart stopped momentarily. But Simon landed on his feet and ran round the corner. Joey quickly followed, needing to keep his nephew in sight. He wondered why he was being so paternal. When he was a kid, Joey thought nothing of going to the park either by himself or with a group of mates. He couldn’t ever remember having an adult in tow.
“Uncle Joey, this is Tim and Bobby, they’re my best friends from school,” Simon said once Joey had rounded the corner and discovered his nephew talking to a couple of lads his own age. Turning back to his friends, Simon said with a note of pride, “This is my Uncle Joey, he’s really cool.”
Joey knew there was no greater accolade that could be bestowed on him. “Hi, guys.”
“Um, hello,” the smaller of the two said very shyly. “Simon’s told us a lot about you.”
“Bet he hasn’t told you that I’m really strict with him and if he gets his homework wrong he has to bend over my knee?”
The kid paled.
“Uncle Joey, stop it! He’s teasing you. Remember I said he was always joking around? He’s just like a big teddy bear, I can twist him round my little finger when I want to.”
“Com’ere ya little sod!” Joey said, grabbing the wriggling boy, up-ending him and delivering a playful slap to his bottom.
“Put me down, you big bully.” Simon said through his laughter.
The other two boys seemed wary and backed away. Joey did as he was asked, he stood Simon in front of him and wrapped his arms around his nephew’s upper chest. Simon leaned into the embrace.
“Will you push us on the roundabout, Uncle Joey?”
“Only for a couple of minutes. Your grandma will be calling the police to come and get us if we don’t go back to Uncle Jacob’s soon.”
“Yeah, she probably would.” Simon broke from Joey’s tight hug and raced to the wooden roundabout, the other boys following along behind.
“Come on, Uncle Joey, we haven’t got long!” Simon said, once he and his friends had situated themselves.
“Cheeky bugger,” Joey said, breaking out into a jog.
“Make it go faster. Come on, put some welly into it!” Simon screeched.
The roundabout was going fast enough for Joey’s liking. But he thought he’d better comply.
The adventure playground rang with the delighted screams of preadolescent boys having a good time. Joey stood back and crossed his arms over his chest. He loved being around kids, and they seemed to like him, too. His happiness faded when he realised that as a gay man, it would be unlikely he’d have a son of his own.
After the boys had been spun around for about ten minutes, Joey grabbed one of the ride’s handlebars and brought the roundabout to a stop. Ignoring the groans of protest, Joey insisted they had to go.
“Will you carry me, Uncle Joey, I’m really tired,” Simon pleaded.
“Sod off, it’s me who’s tired, what with all the stuff you’ve had me doing.”
“It’s not easy at your age, is it?”
“Come‘ere ya little bugger.”
Joey chased after his giggling nephew. Once he’d caught up with him, he rugby tackled the boy to the grass.
“What were you saying about me being old?” Joey mock threatened as he began to tickle Simon’s ribs.
“Geroff, I’ll pee myself,” Simon said through his laughter.
Not wanting to have to explain why his nephew was wearing wet pants, Joey stopped his tickling. He got to his feet and slung Simon over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. “Now be a good boy and say bye-bye to your little play mates.”
“Err,” Simon wriggled. “See ya tomorrow at school, guys.”
“Yeah, bye Simon, bye mister, um—”
“Goldman, but you can call me Uncle Joey if you like.”
Joey was treated to two broad grins. Spinning round a couple of times—much to Simon’s delight—Joey made for the park’s exit.
Once he was set back on the ground at the passenger side of the car, Simon gave Joey a hug. “Thanks, Uncle Joey, Tim and Bobby were dead impressed. They’ll be real jealous of me now.”
Joey wore a broad grin for the rest of the journey back to Jacob’s house. His happy mood soon dissipated along with that of Simon’s when they saw Carole’s car parked in the driveway.
“Shit, mum’s here.”
“Simon!” Joey admonished.
“Well, she’ll make sure I won’t have any more fun now.”
“Cheer up, kiddo, it isn’t that bad.”
“Wanna bet?”
“You’re stuck with her until you leave for university.” Joey’s mother had already decided Simon would receive a higher education.
“Humph!” Simon sat in the car, not showing any sign of wanting to get out.
“Come on, you can give me a hand getting these shelves into the house. Maybe your mum will let you stay and help me put them up.
Simon’s sad expression brightened considerably.
As soon as they entered the house, Carole intercepted them. “You’ve got grass stains on your new trousers. You’ll never have anything decent. Come on, we’re already late.” Turning a disapproving gaze at her brother, she continued. “Where have you been with him? Mother said that you were only going out to get some shelving.”
“I took him to the park, you know, to have some fun, remember what that is?” Carole had very successfully ruined what had been a happy afternoon.
“Come on, Simon,” Carole said, ignoring Joey’s barbed comment.
“Uncle Joey said I could stay and help him put the shelves up.”
“I’ve got to get home, there’s all the housework to do. That pile of ironing won’t do itself, and you’ll be the first to complain if I send you to school in wrinkled clothes.”
“But mum, I promised Uncle Joey.”
“Feh, It’s all right for you, you don’t have to run a house, a job and look after a whining kid.”
Joey struggled to keep a lid on his temper. “I’ll drop him off later, so you’ll be able to do your bloody ironi
ng without interruption.”
“Fine,” Carole said, brushing passed them.
“There is no way my grandson is riding on that death-trap of yours.” Why did his mother always choose to stick her oar in at the wrong time?
Carole sighed. “He’ll just have to come home with me, then. Come on, let’s go.”
Simon looked beseechingly up at Joey.
“Ma, can you take our Simon home in your car later?”
“I’ve got to be going, I’ve left Mrs Slivovitz looking after your dad, and I’ve been gone longer than I said I would.”
“Please, Uncle Joey, it’d be great riding on your bike.”
“I wish you could, champ, but I don’t have a helmet that’d fit you, and your grandma’s right, it wouldn’t really be safe anyway.”
Joey thought Simon would burst into tears.
“Well, I suppose I can come back to get you once I’ve put your granddad to bed. But it’ll mean you having to stay here for a few hours,” she told her grandson, whose expression rapidly brightened.
“That’s okay, Uncle Joey will stay with me, won’t you Uncle Joey?”
“I’ve got to be somewhere later,” Joey said, thinking of Kevin. When he saw the corners of Simon’s mouth beginning to droop he knew he couldn’t let the kid down. Though Simon wouldn’t come to any harm staying alone with Jacob, Joey knew the old man would start to worry. Ever since he’d been liberated from the concentration camps of Nazi Germany at the end of the war, Jacob had had numerous bouts of mental illness. “I suppose I can hang around till you get back, ma, but please try not to be too long.”
“You know your father, if he’s in one of his moods, there’s no telling when I’ll be able to get him settled.”
Although his dad had suffered a debilitating stroke about five years earlier, Joey always found it hard to feel sorry for the man’s predicament. He’d made his adolescent life a living hell. His dad was a vegetable, doing little more than sitting in an armchair all-day and dribbling. Joey shuddered, determined he wouldn’t end his days like that.
“Okay, Ma, don’t worry, I’ll stay here until you get back.”
“Thanks, Uncle Joey.”
Carole just sniffed before leaving the house, their mother following her out.
* * * *
The afternoon had been great, if long, Joey concluded as he straddled his bike after waving off his nephew. Simon had been eager to please, always seeming to know when to hand over a screw, raw plug or whatever. Joey had looked down a number of times as he worked, to see his nephew’s expression of total concentration. Joey had given him a running commentary on his actions, Simon butting in with the occasional intelligent question. The lad had been totally wowed as he watched the bubble move along the spirit level calling out to Joey when it was in the centre. Joey had to admit it had been useful having an extra pair of hands and eyes around to hold up the other end of a shelf, or pick up a dropped screw. But through it all, Joey had worried about Kevin sitting alone waiting for him. He wished he’d had the man’s phone number so he could let him know that he’d be late. Once when he’d gone to the toilet Joey had called Directory Enquiries, but Kevin was ex-directory, and despite putting on the charm with the female operator, she’d resolutely refused to give Joey the information he’d wanted.
Riding along the artificially lit streets Joey hoped Kevin wouldn’t be too distressed at his protracted absence. The closer he got to Kevin’s, the more determined he became to tell the smaller man of his true feelings towards him. He’d been a total prick earlier when he’d remained silent after Kevin had poured out his feelings to him. Joey promised himself that as soon as Kevin opened the door, he was going to pick him up—Joey realised how much he enjoyed carrying his lover around—he’d lay the biggest, sloppiest kiss on him, then tell him that he loved him. Decision made, Joey’s mind was eased, and he could concentrate more on his driving.
Deciding that he’d not be away from his bike for long, Joey removed his crash helmet and tucked it under his arm. He took the stairs two at a time, his heart beginning to race. Pausing for breath outside the door, Joey at first thought about knocking loudly, but opted for a gentle knock instead. It only took a few seconds for Kevin to answer. Joey opened his arms and advanced on Kevin. He’d just lifted him up, when he saw someone sitting in Kevin’s only armchair. “Sorry, Pu…um, Kevin, I didn’t know you had company.”
“Uh, yeah,” Kevin said, sounding a little breathless.
Joey set Kevin back on his feet.
“This is my best mate Peter, and his boyfriend, Terry.”
Joey turned to see a huge gorilla of a man rise from the bed. If the groaning of the mattress springs were to be believed, the bed was grateful to be relieved of its burden. Though Terry seemed harmless enough, Joey was somewhat wary; he held out a hand in greeting, which the big man took with surprising gentleness.
“Pleased to meet ya,” the big man rumbled. “Kevin’s been telling us a lot about you.”
“Oh?” Joey wondered how much Kevin had revealed.
Terry smiled, his face could never be described as handsome, but his smile seemed to warm the whole room, Joey couldn’t help but smile along with him. The two were still holding hands. Terry didn’t seem eager to let go.
Peter nodded at Joey before turning to Kevin. “Look, we’ll be off now.”
“Thanks for, um, well, thanks for coming round.” Kevin smiled shyly.
“That’s okay,” Peter told him.
Staring right at Joey, Terry tilted his head towards the door. “A quick word?”
“Um, sure.” Joey, despite his air of bravado, was secretly a little concerned. Though the guy wasn’t in tiptop shape, he’d still be able to inflict some serious damage if he had a mind to.
Terry, Joey and Peter exited Kevin’s room, Terry pulling the door closed behind them.
Terry looked down kindly at Joey, few men had the size advantage to be able to do that. “Kevin’s our friend,” he said simply.
Joey thought Terry had finished speaking, and was about to reply, when Peter piped up with, “Has Kev told you about Cal?”
Ah, so that was where this was heading. Joey nodded.
“It’s taken him a long time to get over him. Fact is, he’s still getting over him.”
“Yeah, he’s mentioned Cal and something of what went on between them.” Joey found his fists clenching at the thought of what that bastard had done.
“Look, what we’re saying is,” Peter said, nervously shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “Kevin’s a really great guy, we hope you’ll treat him right.”
Joey shook his head. He wasn’t used to discussing his love life, and had no intension of starting now.
“A word to the wise. You hurt him, and he,” Peter pointed to Terry, “will hurt you.”
Joey’s fists clenched again. “Kevin and I are none of your business.”
Terry shifted, and began to look more menacing.
“That’s true up to a point,” Peter said. “Look, we’re sure you’re a good bloke and all that, but Cal almost did for Kev, and I’ll be buggered if I’m gonna let the first bloke who gets close to him fuck him over.”
Joey wondered if he could take the two of them on. Peter looked as though a stiff breeze would knock him over, but Terry was a different kettle of fish. Fortunately sense prevailed. Joey realised the two men were just doing their bit to watch out for their friend, he could live with, even admire that.
The door behind Joey opened, and Kevin poked his head out. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing, Pup.” Joey stroked Kevin’s cheek before turning back to the dynamic duo. “Even though I’ve not known Kevin long,” he remembered he’d worked with the guy for a couple of years, so continued with, “on a personal level, I…think a lot about him.” This was not the time to declare his true feelings.
Peter smiled, as did his sidekick.
“Right then, we’re off,” Peter said to Kevin. Turning to
Joey, he treated him to a relatively friendly glance, before setting off down the corridor, his oversized bodyguard following along obediently behind.
Joey let out a breath.
“Sorry about that,” Kevin said, leading Joey into his bed-sit.
“Sor-right, Pup. It was kinda cute in a way. They care about you.”
Kevin nodded. “There’s been times when…”
Needing to brighten the mood, Joey asked, “Missed me?”
“Oh, Sir, you’ve no idea.”
Joey dipped his head and delivered a soft, closed-mouth kiss to Kevin’s lips. “Sorry it took so long, family obligations, you know.”
Kevin sighed. “I thought it’d be something like that.”
Joey sensed there was more, he was pretty sure what it was, but the encounter with Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee had blown his previous intentions to smithereens.
“You hungry? Uncle Jacob doesn’t follow the family tradition of feeding his guests till they’re too wide to get out of the door. So I’m starved. “
Kevin looked down and started to do his carpet scrutiny thing again. “I’m sorry, Sir, but I thought you weren’t gonna come, and Terry and Peter were hungry, and…”
Joey put a finger under Kevin’s chin and raised it. His actions served to silence the smaller man. “Sor-right. I was a lot longer than I said I’d be. Go and pack a few things in an overnight bag, and on the way back to mine we’ll stop off at the Indian so I can get something for my dinner.”
“Sir?”
“Yeah?”
“Well, um, you’ve got a few things in the fridge back at your place, all that stuff your mother brought round.”
Joey groaned.
“I don’t really know anything about Jewish cuisine, but I’m not too bad in the kitchen. It seems a shame to let all that food go to waste. Would you let me cook you something?”
Joey smiled, he really liked the idea. “You got a deal, Pup.”
It only took Kevin a couple of minutes to gather up some clothing and put it in a bag. He was about to reach for his toothbrush when Joey stopped him.
“I’ve still got that new one you used last time. You might as well have that one now.” Joey hoped Kevin would grasp the significance behind the offer. The couple of swallows Kevin had to do seemed to prove that he understood.