Published: 30 Mar 2026

Decisions to make;

The afternoon arrives without David’s return; his reason comes with a late telephone call while Karen is busy bringing in the washing as rain is expected.

Lewis hears the ringing while arriving home from his day out with Tug and his family;

Lewis answers the call;

“Dad.”

“Tell your mother I won’t be returning until Wednesday there has been a few contractual problems down here, so I’ll stay at the beach house.”

“Right-o.”

The call terminates and Lewis being an irresponsible teenager immediately forgets to relate the message. With the laundry being some distance from the hall telephone Karen didn’t hear the ringing.

It is early evening before Grady and Biff arrive back to the house from visiting Ron, expecting David’s return from his business trip Biff is readying to return home.

“How is Ron?” Karen asks before the boys have settled.

She is carrying a large bundle of washing for ironing.

“I believe the only answer that can be given is he is resting,” Biff says.

“Dinner will be ready in a little while, do you like ravioli Brian?”

“I would if I knew what it is. We cook simple at home, or more to fact, I do as Ron burns everything.”

Karen simplifies the recipe, “I suppose you would call it pasta packages in homemade tomato sauce.”

“Sounds nice but I should be going home; I don’t want to overstay my welcome and upset David.”

“Oh mum!” Lewis Calls from the lounge, “dad telephoned and won’t be home until Wednesday.”

“When did he call?”

“While you were bringing in the washing, he said he’d stay down at the beach house.”

Karen releases an exaggerated disappointed sigh, “Lewis,” she simply says before addressing Biff, “then Brian you will be staying the night and I won’t be hearing any argument.”

“Thank you; before dinner I should go home and get clean clothing.”

“I’ll come with you,” Grady offers.

Karen doesn’t appear pleased;

“Then be as quick as you can or dinner will be ruined.”

“Ten minutes,” Biff suggests.

“Okay – no longer or it will be ravioli soup.”

The boys enter through the rear finding the house void of its usual happy atmosphere. Biff passes Ron’s room and quickly shuts the partly open door before Grady can see inside; untidy true, Ron would say why bother tidying the house; it will only get messy again, besides, he would add, tidiness needs a woman’s touch not the clumsy hands of a man.

Biff’s room could be considered the antithesis to that of Ron’s room with a place for everything. Even so Biff owns little, his clothes, a few keepsakes on a bedside table, a shelf with his many sporting trophies; half a dozen pairs of shoes, included are his football boots and cricket spikes and his sports gear washed and stored ready for use.

Grady is drawn to the trophies; he picks up the previous season’s school swimming cup; he smiles;

“You beat me,” Grady says.

“Yes into third place.”

“Mick Brown came second.” Grady recalls.

“That was the most pleasing victory of them all and Brownie still hasn’t forgiven me. It was said I won by a fingernail.”

Grady laughs; “as you often say a win is a win and I didn’t mid coming third just to see Brownie humiliated.

“Third place wasn’t all that bad,” Biff suggests, “besides there was only a body length between me, Brownie and you.”

“Even so I would like to beat you once in a while.”

“You can try.”

“Do you know the three worst places to come in a race?”

“I guess you are about to tell me,” Biff says.

“They are second, fourth and last. Second and you may have won, fourth and you have missed a spot on the podium and last as everyone is looking at you.”

Biff picks up his football boots;

“I won’t be in need of these anymore.”

Biff returns the boots to his gear box, “oh,” he says, his eyes are on his dirty clothes basket, “Ron was supposed to do the washing and I have nothing for work tomorrow.”

“Bring your washing home mum will do it for you.”

“Oh well,” Biff collects the washing basket, “come on.”

Outside his room Biff puts down the washing and opens his father’s bedroom door wishing to glean from its atmosphere.

“I don’t think you should see in here.”

“Grady pushes past without invitation.

Inside it appears as if a strong wind had emptied Ron’s wardrobe and dumped everything onto the floor and bed.

Grady gapes in surprise.

“I told you.”

“Untidy yes but not dirty and reminds me of Lewis’ bedroom, you need mum to come over she will put Ron straight.”

“Has it worked with Lewis?”

“I guess not.”

Biff enters and commences to tidy – a pair of pants, a torn shirt, underwear – he pauses then allows it all to fall back onto the unmade bed. His back remains towards Grady.

Biff appears to be crying.

Grady had never seen Biff in tears, he had witness his friend beyond pain but never tears. Grady emotionally chokes as he approaches Biff; he wraps his arms about Biff’s shoulders giving a comforting squeeze.

“I’m okay mate,” Biff says, he taps Grady’s arm.

“Sorry.”

Grady commences to retract from his cuddle.

“I didn’t tell you to stop.”

They both laugh.

“Come on we better head back or mum will be cranky, you know what she’s like around meal times,” Grady suggests.

Biff becomes serious.

“Grady, what am I going to do?”

“Ron will pull through.”

“No Grady he won’t, the doctor said so.”

“Whatever you do, we will do it together.”

They leave the room and Biff closes the door behind, it feels as if he is closing the door on his past life.

“Together you say?”

“Why not?”

“That may not be entirely our choice,” Biff suggests.

“Why?”

“Did you post your National Service Registration?”

“I did some time back.”

“If our birth date is drawn out of the barrel we could be off to fight in Vietnam and if so who knows if we will end in the same regiment.”

“I have been trying to forget about it,” Grady says.

“It’s like winning the lottery with the prize being army jungle greens and a 6.72mm SLR rifle.”

“I’ve fired an Enfield .303 during school cadets and it almost broke my shoulder,” Grady admits.

“Yes it has a nasty kick if you don’t hold it correctly; Mick is a good shot with and Enfield.”

“Why mention Mick?”

“Probably because I should be gracious enough and give him at least one credit in life.”

“I do like the uniform,” Grady admits; “it’s a shame we couldn’t have it without the war.”

“Grady you only want to impress the girls.”

“Dad said he missed out on going to the war as he was working on the land at the time.”

“Yes both David and Rob were working cattle out near Croydon. I think the station was Green Hills. Dad said Karen was Governess for the manager’s kids and that’s how they all met.”

“I didn’t know that. Dad never mentions his past.”

“Ron is quite open, did you know Ron and your mother stepped out together before he married mum?”

“No – go on.”

“It was before Ron met mum but David stepped in, Ron said David only started dating Karen out of spite. There is an observation I have formed about them both,” Biff says.

“Go on.”

“Ron is content when his mates call him Rono’ or Ronny, sometimes you old bugger but David would never accept anything but David, never Davo’.”

“You know while we were growing up I always wished Ron was my father.”

“Come on enough of the past, let’s get this washing over to your house and I’ll have to borrow a pair of jeans and underdaks for work tomorrow.”

“Kinky,” Grady laughs.

“What is?”

“You, wearing my underpants.”

Biff wrinkles his brow.

Grady quickly backs away, “I am only joking mate.”

Biff gives a grin as he guides Grady out of Ron’s room;

Biff closes the door;

“The joke Grady is fitting my bits into your undies.”

“Bragging again Biff?”

Dinnertime at the Dowie house is a relaxed affair without David to perform as ring-master. The ravioli is served to Biff, while Karen patiently waited for his critique.

After two mouthfuls judgement arrives with a broad sincere smile;

“Once again you have excelled Mrs. Dowie,” Biff says.

“I’m happy you like it.”

“Ron’s idea of paster is long spaghetti covered in Rosella tomato sauce from the bottle topped and a sprinkling of some kinda’ smelly cheese.”

“Yes I have sampled Ron’s cooking,” Karen recalls.

“When?” Grady asks.

“A long, time ago David and Ron once shared a house where I would visit. I must admit David isn’t any better.”

Grady becomes interested, it is the first time he has heard his mother speak in length of Ron Bastian except for a few words in general conversation.

Lewis cuts across the conversation;

“Ron does make great cheese toasties.”

“What is a toastie?” Robyn asks while pushing a ravioli package from one side of the plate to the other, making a swirling pattern in the sauce; she spills sauce on the tablecloth.

“Don’t play with your food dear.”

“It is a toasted cheese sandwich,” Lewis explains.

Robyn turns her nose, “then why didn’t you say sandwich?” she pushes her plate aside,”

“Don’t do that Robyn. If you have finished your meal, simply sit quietly or ask to be excused from the table.” Karen gently scalds with a smile.

“Can I leave the table?”

“You may leave the table not can; I’m sure Miss Dalgety your English teacher would object to your vocabulary.”

Robyn pouts and corrects; “may I leave the table?”

“Don’t you want ice-cream?”

Now Robyn is smiling, “yes please strawberry.”

“Lewis if you are finished, would you get the dessert.”

Only Robyn has dessert and is given permission to have it in the living room as long as she doesn’t spill any on the sofa.

Lewis commences to clear the table.

For the first time since returning from the camping trip Biff appears happy, even as far as showing his humorous side, although Grady would say Biff’s humour was one step below pathetic.

The hall telephone sounds.

“Lewis would you answer the telephone, it is probably your father.”

“Mum, I’m busy.”

Karen is disappointed with Lewis then on the fifth ringing she answers the telephone herself.

“Hello,”

“Yes that’s me.”

There is a moment of silence.

“Oh!”

“That is sad news.”

“Yes he is here now.”

“Alright.”

“Yes I will tell him.”

“Thank you for calling.”

The call terminates.

Karen returns to the dining room.

“Was that about dad?” Biff asks and for the first time in living memory he referees to Ron as dad.

“I’m afraid so Brian, the doctor said Ron passed away peacefully about an hour ago.”

Biff’s expression becomes listless, his face pale. Without speaking Biff rises from the table and goes to Grady’s room.

“Grady you go with Brian, he shouldn’t be left alone,” Karen suggests.

Grady enters into the room and finds Biff laying face down on his bed. Grady is fighting back the tears, what he wishes to do is throw his arms about his friend’s neck while giving comforting words.

There are no comforting words.

Being there is all Grady can offer.

Grady approaches and sits on the bed next to Biff;

He reaches across the short space and softly places a hand on Biff’s shoulder.

He gives a gentle rocking;

“Are you alright?”

“No Grady I’m not alright,”

Biff turns to face Grady appearing calmer than would be expected.

“Thank you anyway.”

“Ron will be missed,” Grady says when there aren’t any other words that can be said.

“What now Grady?”

Grady remains silent.

“With dad gone what comes next?”

“I don’t know but I promise I’ll always be around,” Grady promises.

“I like that; oh well I suppose I have decisions to make.”

Gary’s stories are about life for gay men in Australia’s past and present. Your emails to him are the only payment he receives. Email Gary to let him know you are reading: Conder 333 at Hotmail dot Com

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