by Felice Arena
‘Hey, Magee, I hope you’re getting a good look at how a true forward is meant to play,’ gloated Screamer’s dad as Specky passed him.
Specky turned to see if any of the other parents or Coach Pate had caught Mr Johnson’s insult, but they hadn’t. Already feeling down and pretty sensitive about not playing, Specky was hurt by the cutting comment. He chose not to respond and continued walking, feeling even more depressed. A few moments later, the ball rolled over the boundary line right by his feet. The boundary umpire brushed past Specky, retrieved the footy and tossed it over his shoulder.
‘Come on, Robbo!’ egged Specky as Robbo wrestled with the opposition’s ruck.
‘Go, Hornets!’ shouted some spectators for the other school. The Endlich Road Hornets were decked out in black-and-gold guernseys – the same colours as Richmond. Suddenly, Specky was reminded of Tiger Girl. After he watched Robbo gain possession and boot the ball down the ground, Specky found himself walking in the opposite direction – away from the spectators, his team-mates and the game. It was a spontaneous urge he couldn’t quite understand, and before he knew it, he had walked all the way to the railway station where he boarded a train.
At Flinders Street Station, he asked a shop clerk for directions to the Royal Children’s Hospital and caught a tram that stopped directly in front.
As he made his way through the main entrance, Specky glanced down at his watch – the trip had taken a little over thirty minutes.
They probably would’ve just started the third quarter, he thought. That doesn’t give me much time to visit and get back home when Mum and Dad expect me.
Specky turned up his nose at the scent of disinfectant wafting through the air in the main reception area.
‘Can I help you?’ asked a friendly looking woman from behind the front desk.
‘Um, I’ve come to visit a friend. I don’t know what room she’s in. Her name is Tiger Gir – I mean, Samantha Shepherd.’
The receptionist tapped on her keyboard, and looked over her glasses at the computer screen.
‘Right, here she is,’ she said. ‘Samantha Shepherd is in the adolescent ward located on level three. She’s in room Two B. You can take the lift behind you.’
Once inside the elevator, Specky began to wonder how Tiger Girl would react to him showing up out of the blue like this.
She’ll love it, he thought, smiling. She’ll probably want to hug me – I wonder if I smell okay!
When the lift doors opened on level three, Specky took a couple of steps on the polished white floor, unsure whether to turn left or right. He wandered down one corridor, peering into each room he passed. He saw a few kids his age. Some were watching TV, others were sleeping; a couple were hooked up to machines with tubes. Specky remembered how he had been knocked out cold in a footy match last year and had spent some time in hospital. He had hated it – especially feeling cooped up and being forced to eat gross-looking food. Eventually, Specky found room 2B. He decided to tiptoe in, just in case Tiger Girl was sleeping. Straight away, he spotted her sitting up in bed, her face partly hidden behind the sports pages of a newspaper.
‘So, your name’s Samantha. I think I’ll still call you Tiger Girl!’ said Specky grinning.
Tiger Girl jumped and scrunched the paper up close to her chest.
Specky froze. He was stunned by her appearance. Tiger Girl’s beautiful hair had been shaved off completely – she had a number one crop all over. She had lost a bit of weight and looked as though she hadn’t slept in days.
‘Um, sur … sur … surprise!’ stuttered Specky, trying to look as if he hadn’t noticed. But Tiger Girl wasn’t smiling.
‘What are you doing here?’ she snapped, her brow furrowed and her voice filled with anger.
‘I heard you were in hospital and –’
‘GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT OF HERE!’ she screamed.
10. ultimate dream
Specky repetitively punched the elevator’s ‘down’ button. He couldn’t get out of the hospital quickly enough.
‘Specky! Wait!’
Tiger Girl, who was dressed in Tiger pyjamas, had gotten out of her bed and shuffled after Specky.
‘Don’t go! I didn’t mean it,’ she said.
‘No, you’re right. I shouldn’t be here,’ croaked Specky, feeling embarrassed and finding it difficult to look directly at Tiger Girl.
The elevator doors opened, but before Specky could step inside, Tiger Girl gently took his hand.
‘Please,’ she said softly. ‘It’s good to have a friend come see me.’
Specky nodded, unable to resist.
He followed her back to her room.
‘I was just shocked to see you here, that’s all,’ she added, slowly getting back into her hospital cot. Specky stood at the foot of the bed.
‘So, what’s wrong with you? Apart from barracking for Richmond,’ he asked, trying to make light of the situation.
‘Leave my yellow-and-black boys alone,’ smiled Tiger Girl. Then, pausing a moment, she said, ‘I’m okay. I have a tumour in my stomach – that’s all. It’s the size of a cricket ball. The real name for it is Burkitt’s lymphoma. It’s a rare type of cancer. But it’s no big deal, I’m gonna get better.’
Specky was really concerned.
‘Seriously, it’s okay,’ continued Tiger Girl. ‘The doctor said it’s curable with some full-on chemotherapy. So, it’s nothing to sweat over. I’ll beat it. It’s hard to keep a tiger down. Look how Richmond flogged the Bulldogs, last week!’
Specky wasn’t sure what to say. Despite her humour and the way she spoke about her illness as if it was just like having a bad cold or something, he could tell that Tiger Girl was putting on a brave act.
‘So, how long are you in here for?’ Specky asked.
‘Well, I’ll be resting at home on weekdays, but I’ll have to be here every weekend for the next couple of months or so – it just depends on how I respond to the treatment.’
In here every weekend, thought Specky. Not playing footy for a while didn’t seem so bad, by comparison.
‘So, is that why they shaved your hair?’ he added.
‘Hey, what is this? Twenty questions or something?’
‘Sorry.’
‘I’m stirring. You can ask whatever you want, but I reckon it’s boring. I shaved my hair off ’cause I was going for a punk look,’ said Tiger Girl sliding her palm over her prickly head.
‘Really?’ exclaimed Specky.
‘Gee, you’re easily sucked in,’ she teased affectionately. ‘Nah, I shaved it off cause the medicine I’m on will make it fall out – and I didn’t want to see that. And, anyway, I’ve always wanted to look like Micky Martyn.’
Specky forced a smile. ‘No one would want to look like Micky Martyn,’ he joked uncomfortably.
‘Hey, stop looking at me like that!’ Tiger Girl snapped.
‘Like what?’ asked Specky, shocked that she seemed suddenly angry at him.
‘Like I’m some sad case. And, besides, I think Micky Martyn is just a big, cute, cuddly teddy bear. Now, enough of the doom and gloom. What are your footy tips for this week?’
From that point on, Specky promised himself, he would try not to make a fuss about her illness if she didn’t want him to.
‘So, who might this be?’
Specky turned and recognised the woman he had seen with Tiger Girl in the doctor’s waiting room.
‘Specky, this is my mother. Mum, this is Specky – Simon,’ said Tiger Girl.
‘Specky-Simon. What an unusual name. Is that like one of those American, hyphenated names, like Billy-Bob or Mary-Lou?’ she asked, not noticing how Specky and Tiger Girl were trying not to laugh.
‘Sort of. It’s just a nickname,’ Specky replied politely.
‘Well, it’s nice to meet you Specky-Simon. It’s good to see that Samantha has a friend visiting her. I think she scares off a lot of friends with her obsession with that ghastly football.’
Tiger Girl cringed.
‘Mum!’
‘Well, it’s true, darling. It’s not the type of thing a young lady like you should get carried away with. Isn’t that right, Specky-Simon?’
‘Um, well …’ Specky was at a loss. He could tell that Tiger Girl’s mum didn’t think much of footy and was kind of snobbish about the game.
‘Mum, Specky loves footy. He’s a champion at it. So leave him alone,’ interjected Tiger Girl.
Specky winced. He didn’t want to get in the middle of an argument or, worse, be the reason for it.
‘Well, I think your friend should know that your energy should be focused on getting better, not on football. You should have seen her for the past week,’ Mrs Shepherd said, turning to Specky. ‘I’ve never seen my baby so weak and frightened before.’
‘Mum, please! Specky doesn’t need to hear this!’
Mrs Shepherd continued as if she hadn’t heard Tiger Girl.
‘But, I have to say she’s looking more like herself, today. And, fortunately, the doctors have said she has reacted to her first dose of therapy as well as anyone can. We’re lucky; she hasn’t had a violent reaction to it.’
‘Please, Mum! Let’s not talk about it, now,’ sighed Tiger Girl, looking embarrassed.
‘Okay, darling. I know. Did you tell your Specky-Simon about our trip?’
But before Tiger Girl could say a word, her mother filled Specky in. ‘Well, I’m not sure if Samantha has told you, but before her father, my husband Roland, passed away several years ago, it had always been our dream to visit the great cities of the world – Paris, Rome, London and, of course, New York.’
Specky glanced back at Tiger Girl, catching her rolling her eyes. ‘And after Samantha gets over this hurdle, I’ve promised her that we’re finally going to take that trip and make that dream come true. Aren’t we, darling?’
For a moment there, Specky thought he could see tears in Mrs Shepherd’s eyes. He sensed that she was also putting on a brave face: about Tiger Girl being in hospital and about the chances of them making that trip.
‘Anyway, I’ll leave you two for now. I’m off to get some tea at the canteen. Lovely meeting you, Specky-Simon. I’m sure we’ll see you again,’ she said, leaving the room.
‘Sorry, about that,’ Tiger Girl said to Specky. ‘She doesn’t mean to sound so up herself. She just doesn’t understand me sometimes.’
‘That’s okay,’ shrugged Specky. ‘My folks used to be the same way. They used to hate footy. But they’re coming around – ’cause they can see how much it means to me.’
Specky went on to tell Tiger Girl about his life. He hadn’t intended to, but he was so comfortable around her that he felt he could tell her anything. He told her things that he hadn’t even talked to his mates about. In fact, the only other person that Specky had ever spoken to like this was Christina.
So, for the next few Saturdays, Specky had a new routine. He would support his team for the first quarter and a half, and, then, without telling anyone, not even Robbo or Danny, he’d sneak off to visit Tiger Girl in hospital.
‘Awrrh, Specky this is so cool! Thanks!’
Specky sat on the edge of Tiger Girl’s bed and watched her rip into a gift he had just given her – a bandana with a tiger print on it.
‘I found it at the Camberwell Market. Thought you might like it,’ he added, glad to see Tiger Girl’s happy reaction.
‘I love it!’ she said, quickly putting it on. ‘Not so sure about the wrapping paper, though,’ she added, smiling.
Specky had used scrunched-up newspaper.
‘I saw your mum downstairs. She said she’ll be up in a few minutes. She also said that she spoke to a travel agent today about your big around-the-world trip. Are you excited?’
Specky noticed Tiger Girl screwing up her face.
‘What? Don’t you wanna go? I thought it was a dream of yours?’ he asked.
‘You gotta be kidding!’ she retorted. ‘It’s her dream, not mine. I’d rather go and see a Richmond game.’
‘What? You’re telling me you’ve never seen them play live? Ever?’
Specky gave Tiger Girl a look of amazement as she sadly shook her head.
‘Well, just tell your mum to take you when you get better,’ he said, not seeing what the problem was.
‘I can’t. You know what she thinks of footy. Anyway, I’m used to it now. And, besides, if this trip makes her happy, then I s’pose that’s cool. Me being in here has been tough for her, too, you know.’
Specky felt a wave of pride for Tiger Girl. He thought it was great the way she put her own feelings aside to please her mother.
‘Anyway, if we’re talking about dreams here, what’s yours?’ Tiger Girl asked, turning it back on Specky.
‘To win a billion dollars, own an island, a couple of Ferraris and, yeah, that’s about it!’ Specky said laughing.
‘No, seriously. Come on. What’s your ultimate dream?’
Specky squirmed a little, too embarrassed to say it aloud. But he knew what his answer would be. Tiger Girl coaxed him some more.
‘Come on, don’t be a chicken. Tell me.’
Specky took a deep breath.
‘I wanna play footy. I wanna make it to the AFL.’
Specky looked down.
‘Thought you did. And I bet you will,’ Tiger Girl added softly.
‘Can I ask you something?’ said Specky, suddenly looking serious.
‘Sure! What?’
Specky told Tiger Girl how he had been approached by the talent scout from Gosmore Grammar. He told her about feeling really guilty because he had lied to Coach Pate and how he was planning to disobey his parents and play against Gosmore that coming Tuesday.
‘Actually, I think I might not play,’ sighed Specky.
‘You better!’ ordered Tiger Girl excitedly. ‘Do you know how many legends in the game have come out of that school? There’s no way you can miss a chance like this. What about your dream? I say, go for it, Speck! Life’s too short. You gotta follow your dreams – no matter what!’
11. gosmore bound
Specky hurriedly thumped down the stairs to the kitchen to have breakfast. It was Tuesday morning, the day his team was to play against Gosmore Grammar. He tried to contain his excitement, not wanting to get caught out by his parents.
‘Why have you got your jacket on?’ a perplexed Mrs Magee asked Specky.
‘Um, I’m just really cold,’ he lied. He was wearing his footy gear under his school clothes. His jacket was zipped up to the very top to cover up his Booyong Lions jumper, underneath.
‘And why are you wearing your football socks?’ his mum asked a few moments later.
Specky almost choked on his cereal – he had one of his feet raised up against the leg of the kitchen table. He quickly put both feet on the floor, hiding them under the table.
‘Um, I’m just really cold, Mum. I’m freezing. These are my warmest socks,’ he nervously replied.
Specky’s mum took a step forward and placed the back of her hand on his forehead.
‘Maybe you’re coming down with something. You feel like you might have a little bit of a temperature. Maybe you should have today off school.’
‘NO!’ snapped Specky. ‘I mean, no, because I can’t miss school ’cause we have a really important test today, in English.’ Then Specky realised what he had just said. His mum knew him well enough to know he never got excited about tests. He had no choice but to backtrack as fast as possible.
‘You know how I hate tests, but this one I’ve really studied for. And I think I’ll ace it.’
‘Well, I must say that’s very mature of you,’ smiled Mrs Magee, looking impressed.
Phew! That was close, thought Specky.
When Specky eventually got to school, he joined Coach Pate, Mr Stout, his team-mates and another teacher called Mr Ellis, who was assigned as their trainer for the day. They were all ready to board the bus that was to take them to the home of the Gosmore Grammar Knights – the starting place
for so many AFL careers over the years.
‘Right,’ said Coach Pate. ‘When we get on the bus, I want you to sit in your positions. The full-back line will take the back row of seats, the half-back line will take the next row, and so on, until we get to the interchange bench, who will be seated up the front of the bus. I’ve been able to get my hands on a video tape of Gosmore Grammar’s last game, and I have compiled a match report for you all to read on the way to the ground.’
Specky caught Danny and Robbo shooting him an impressed look. Coach Pate continued.
‘You’ll be able to get an idea of the opposition player you’re most likely to play on, and I have attempted to list some of the strengths and weaknesses of each of their players. Read the report thoroughly, and then you can discuss it with the team-mates you are seated next to. I’ve also got a litre of water for each of you to drink on the way. As you would know, if you were listening in our Diet and Nutrition class last week, you all need to be very well hydrated. If you only drink when you’re thirsty, it’s probably too late, so just sip on the water for the whole trip.
‘This is a big game for our school so our preparation has to be as thorough as it possibly can be. It will take about an hour and a half to get there, so I’ll leave you to it for a while. I’ll talk to you all again toward the end of the trip.’
Specky felt his heart race as he found his seat on the bus. He was nervous, but also excited that Coach Pate had gone to the trouble of preparing a report on the opposition. He turned to Danny.
‘And to think at the beginning of the season you had doubts about her taking the reins from Coach Pappas!’
‘Yeah, I know, how dumb was I?’ shrugged Danny. ‘She’s done an unreal job with these reports. It’s just like the AFL. I feel like we’re the Brisbane Lions, instead of the Booyong Lions – it’s really professional.’
‘Speaking of lions,’ said Specky, ‘What’s that?’
Danny was holding a large stuffed toy lion.
‘Oh,’ said Danny, looking pleased with himself. ‘I’ve brought along a team mascot. Robbo and I won it at the Melbourne Show last year. What d’you think, Speck?’