Ask Me 58 Maxieplus
Driving home we felt sorry for them but next week it's our turn, maybe John and Ray can take the kids out for the day?We occupied ourselves by watching the re-run of the Foxtel concert and Con was picking out the flaws, but I couldn't see anything but brilliance as I snuggled up to him then lowered my head in homage. It wasn't long until we were both in the raw and acting like kids ourselves.
I was looking forward to our visitor and cleaned the house from top to bottom then planned a couple of meals with John, who surprisingly wanted to cook them too. I took Con over to Chaddy and we did some shopping, I wanted new sheets for Ted's bed and maybe an adult quilt cover and slips, he of course wanted to look in K-mart so I headed for the Manchester and he headed for the toys. I bought two covers and two sets of sheets; he bought a trolley load for his new nephew who I might add isn't even born yet. I shook my head and he looked like a naughty boy. With his cap and false hair on he wasn't recognized as we sat with our purchases and had a sandwich and coffee, but we were recognized as we passed the mobile phone shop.
"Hey Mr. Conners, Brent." It was Shane.
"Hi Shane good to see you, what brings you to Chadstone?" I asked.
"I work here part time in this Telstra shop, I'm on my break, have to go get something special for Tom. Its our anniversary, four months and still going strong," he explained with a grin. I could tell by his goofy smile he was in love.
"What are you buying him?"
"A gold bracelet if I have enough, do you want to come and help me pick one out?"
"Sure, lead the way kid." Con was excited, more shopping!
We followed him to the jewelry store where the assistant showed him some gorgeous bracelets. He picked out a beautiful simple rolled gold one but the price nearly made him faint; he then looked a bit deflated so I offered to buy it for him, he thanked me but said it wouldn't feel like it was from him if he let me do that. I spied Conner over talking to the manager who was showing him some rings. After a few minutes Shane decided maybe a silver one would be better suited to his budget but he seemed disappointed.
I knew Con was up to something and when the manager came over to ring up Con's purchase, he looked at Shane and asked,
"You're the boy who works in the mobile phone shop aren't you?"
"Yes sir."
"I thought I recognized you, you do know you get a twenty percent discount in here; so when you pick out your purchase I will adjust the price for you?"
His eyes lit up and he asked how much would the gold bracelet be with the discount.
"Oh this one, hang on a minute that's not right, Judy can you go check this price, I thought we got this range cheaper?"
"I'll check Mr. Meurer."
She went out the back and when she returned she had a worried look on her face.
"Sir this has been marked wrong, its twice the price it should be, I've adjusted the tag, thank God you noticed sir."
"It's okay Judy, I marked it wrong, I guess it's nearly time to retire." He did some sums on his calculator and said to Shane,
"It works out with your discount to be one fifty, a bargain young Shane, can you afford it because I will let you take it and you can drop ten bucks a week off to me if you want."
"Honest, you would do that for me?"
"For you only, just because you always give me good service when I'm in your shop."
"I'll take it, I only have one ten in the bank but I can pay ten a week if you will let me."
He was a very happy boy when Judy handed him the bracelet all gift-wrapped and placed into a very spiffy carry bag.
"I bought you a key ring, happy anniversary baby."
"What?"
"A key ring, it cost me three hundred bucks." He winked.
When I opened it there was a little Swarovski teddy hanging off it, I was filled with love and happy that he had helped Shane out. We said our goodbyes and Shane promised to bring Tom around one day for lunch.
The car needed to be taken in today for some minor adjustments so Ray followed me to the dealership then drove me home. John had taken Ted to school and he was eager to see his mates, he hadn't seen them since yesterday. Conner spent the day with Marty, they were going over some ideas for Vegas and it will probably take the best part of the day so I amused myself by cleaning out the bedroom closet, although re-folding t-shirts and jeans didn't take long, it looked a lot tidier. Ted's was in better shape and I only had to do some toys.
I thought I might give Jen a ring as it's been awhile so I talked to her for an hour or so. She was having the day off work because little Con's ears were acting up. She was a bit nervous taking him to the doctor and will let us know the results when she does; she thought he might have an inner ear infection. I thought about it for a while, it's pretty common in kids and they will probably insert tubes into the eardrum, it's risky but common.
The garage rang and our car was ready so I decided instead of bothering Ray I would walk down to the dealership, it's really not that far and I can look in the shops while I'm at it. I collected Grant on the way, he was sitting in the van with another guy organizing his rosters and it was decked out like a little office and I noticed monitors that were showing the front of our and John's houses. Not really knowing what he actually does all day I was kinda interested.He explained this was his mobile office and he ran his operations from it. His eyes are always on the screens and he was on top of everything. Con had two guys following him and he's at Marty's, Ted is having lunch in the playground and the security guards at the school are watching him and updating Grant every fifteen minutes. The two guys with Conner update him every twenty minutes and of course our houses are permanently watched. I must talk to Con about it one day; it's all too confusing.
Grant and I walked down the street to go get the car.We stopped at a few shops but I didn't buy anything, just discussed Manu's arrival and how it will be hard to organize security because he has four guards with him. He said they will be stationed outside our doorway anyway. They don't have the luxury of blending in so they will be obvious; our neighbor's were friendly and used to Grant's van being parked over the road or out the front. I think Con said once they also felt secure just knowing the men were there. I drove us home and he came in for a coffee. Con came home a little while after we sat down, he made his own and started talking about the concerts. He told Grant that Marty would email the changes they had made today to him. Grant's phone rang and he talked to someone out in our backyard then he abruptly disappeared, his coffee still sitting there.
"What was that about Con?"
"He's probably got a problem and has to get to the van, don't worry about it, I'm sure we will hear about it in due course."
We started to do a bit of lip lock which will be a lead to someone getting lucky but Grant came back just as we began to horn up.
"Ready to go get Teddy?"
He looked at us and added,
"Dirty buggers, I can't leave you for five minutes can I?"
We blushed but Conner being Conner asked,
"Want to join us?"
"And see my balls hanging on a piece of string around Stan's neck, no thanks."
I think Con was insulted...I know I was.
On the way I told Con about little Conner's ears, he was very concerned for the little fella and thought we might take a trip out to Jen's place tomorrow, if she's home again, just to see that everything was all right. I told him he didn't have time to go to K-mart tonight so he would have to wait but for him to give Bob a call and see how the land lays.
Training was extra hard today and Grant had the kids running full pelt around the track. Andy was looking forward to next Sunday and he and Sam had planned just to spend it at home alone.
Con was ready for his run and I dropped my track pants to follow him but of course he had a better idea. He would follow me. We passed the little kids several times and at one stage I spied Ted and Bubby sitting behind a tree, I guess they were puffed and as we passed I sang out,
"Teddy Richards, I'll see you at the finish line." That got their attention; they jumped up and started to follow us.
He had arrived in a big flourish. Four bodyguards promptly covered my house, three at the front and one in the back. They were military so I didn't offer them coffee because they didn't even acknowledge us; they were busy doing their guarding stuff.
After we had eaten Manu sat with Ted on the couch and was having his version of a grown up's conversation. Ted was asking about his buddies he had met in Papua and Manu was trying not to laugh. We got Ted into our bed and John and Ray read him a story then after he went to sleep they said their goodnights, I think they wanted to give us some time on our own. I made Manu another scotch, which he downed in one gulp, refusing another.
"Now I need to talk to you boys about doing something very special for me."
"Sure Manu what is it?" I asked.
"In my care is a sixteen year old girl, her mother was white and her father Indonesian, she is at the age where boys are sniffing around her. I can't protect her all the time but I have made sure she is watched, mostly when she's at school. Because of her fairer skin she is a sitting target for anyone that wants to take advantage of her. She's a prized possession for any Papuan male so I need to make her life safer."
"Okay what do you want us to do?"
"Well she has to finish her schooling then maybe go on to university, I was going to send her to Darwin for the latter but I thought maybe she could come here."
We looked at each other; of course we would take her in but having no training with teenagers we would have to do a lot of homework.
"Where are her parents Manu?"
"Her father is in Indonesia, he's a police officer that once worked for me many years ago but it's not an option to send her to him. He would have her married by now, as I said she's very beautiful and I love her like a daughter, I have had her since birth."
"And the mother?"
Manu looked uncomfortable, he looked around the room like he was searching for something...I now know it was courage.
"Her mother died two years ago, she got pregnant after she met my, how shall I say this, bodyguard. She didn't want her family to know so she had the little girl in Darwin hospital and I sent someone over to bring her to me, the mother paid all the expenses." He asked for another Scotch so I got him one, offering Con one too but he declined so I poured myself a small shot. I was thinking there was a lot more to this story and my gut feeling was right.
"I am sorry I have to do this to you my friend but her mother was Patricia." He blurted out.
I was numb, that fucking bitch, my next thought was how could she do this to Diana, how could she keep this secret from her knowing all Di ever wanted around her was a family.
"What you tell Diana is up to you. I will go along with anything you decide, I have brought her up to be western so she has perfect English and manners. She looks like a younger version of her sister Brent, except for her gorgeous eyes."
I just didn't know what to say, there were no tears, no harsh words, just love and a lot of hate for someone that's now dead. Conner took over the conversation and said we would be more than happy to look after her, and we would talk about telling Diana but he was pretty sure Di would embrace her immediately. I agreed but didn't say anything, rather I thought I must ring Di but Con's strong hand on mine calmed that thought down.
"Thank you for telling us Manu and for trusting us with her, when do we get to meet?"
"Next week I will fly her into Melbourne on her own.She already knows her situation; she was born in Darwin so she travels on an Australian passport. She has been here several times but her mother has never met her. She didn't want to have anything to do with her and has never asked. Here in this envelope is a key to a safety deposit box at the National Bank in the city where there is ample money for the rest of her education and more. Every penny Patricia gave me for the child I placed into this box with some extra."
Well that cleared up why he had visited. I couldn't wait to meet this girl and I do know Di will be stoked.
"Okay we will do our best to keep her safe Manu, trust us."
"I do," he said then added,
"I'm sorry Brent, I should have told you earlier but I wanted some distance put between your kidnapping and this revelation."
He patted my hand as I thanked him earnestly; we had showers then went to bed. Con and I didn't talk about it that night, Ted was fast asleep in between us and we were distracted by Manu's creaking bed.
"Do you think he's masturbating baby?"
"No, I think he's just trying to get comfortable." I laughed under the blankets.
Of course no Ted in the morning, he was next door and when Manu came out we went in to have coffee with John and Ray. He passed a plastic soldier over the breakfast counter to Ted who was eating the boiled eggs John was supplying.
"I found one of your troops down the bottom of your bed last night captain."
Ted's eyes opened wide, I think it was the word captain that got his attention, the creaking bed mystery was solved.
We talked about the girl some more and got Ray and John in on it, they thought it best we tell Marty first then we could approach Di, if Marty deemed it okay. I went with that.
"Oh and the most important question Manu, what's her name?" I asked, sort of laughing.
"She is called Skye."
With breakfast out of the way, Manu's driver called to pick him up, he would fly back to Papua tonight after a round of meetings and we hugged as he left us, still reeling in the afterglow of his request.
"If it was up to me I wouldn't tell her but that's because I'm selfish, two Dianas will be just too much for me but I am stoked Di has family hidden away and I'm very sure she will embrace the idea after the shock wears off. Yes, by all means, let's tell her," Marty said as we sat in his office.
"And of course she should live with us if she wants but maybe that rock star you live with Brent might just win her over."
"Well that rock star is the perfect gentleman so she would be quite safe with us as you know Marty."
"Only kidding Brent, but she should be living with her family. I better start looking for that picket fence soon, my apartment is getting cramped."
"When do we tell her? Skye will know about her, well she will after our phone call sometime today. Manu was going to tell her the minute he got back but will wait for our call on Di's reaction."
"I'm sorry boys but she's meeting me for lunch at the Windsor, care to join us?"
"Thank you Marty, it will be our pleasure," Conner accepted.
"It is your shout isn't it?" he added.
Marty smirked...the cheapskate. The Windsor is a very high-class hotel, best known for its high teas and wealthy guests.
We made a move to go to the hotel. Di arrived ten minutes late and was surprised to see us there.
"I'm thinking I'm being ganged up on, what's the jig?" She smiled that beautiful way I loved.
"No problem Di we just thought you might like company for lunch, Marty must be getting pretty boring by now?" I giggled.
She looked at Marty and I detected tears in his eyes?
"You do it Brent, she likes you," he said.
"Do what Marty, what's going on Brent?"
"We want to talk to you about your sister,"I said.
"What the hells going on, you know I don't have a sister Brent. Hey rock god what's going on?" She looked at Conner.
"You do have a sister Di, her name is Skye. She just turned sixteen and has been living in Papua with Manu since Pat gave birth to her in Darwin,"Conner blurted out. I think he was waiting for a plate to be thrown his way because he moved closer to me.
"What? Marty?"
"It's true Di, Manu told the boys last night. Your mother gave birth to her then insisted Manu bring her up, her father was one of Manu's bodyguards at the time. He's alive and living in Indonesia where I believe he's a police officer. Manu said she's beautiful and he has protected her from the locals but it's time she had her real family around her."
Di sat there taking it all in, she looked at us all individually and got up and walked out. I gave her a few minutes then went after her.
I found her in the next alley bawling her eyes out so I enclosed her into my arms and stroked her back while she let the shock flow out.
"That fucking bitch, how could she do that to me and how could she do that to her own daughter? Brent if she wasn't already dead I would personally kill her myself, fucking cunt."
These were strong words for Diana. I knew she would be upset and I also knew when the shock wore off there would be no stopping her. She sobbed some more on my shoulder then wiped her eyes and said.
"I need to talk to Conner, come on."
She grabbed my hand and marched me back to the table, God knows what the other patrons were thinking, probably what is a hot rock star doing with me in a joint like this?
"How soon before I can have the jet?" she demanded.
"Tomorrow but be back by Sunday night, do you want us to come?" Con answered.
"No, it will be just me, Marty and Hope this trip, I need to go get my little sister."
Conner called the boys and they were cool but he got Helen to get a temp to fly this time, we didn't think Adam would have the time to do it seeing he's still helping. Marty and Di didn't want us there and I understood that, this was a private time for her family.
I rang Manu and gave him the green light and he said he would bring her to Darwin to cut Di's flight time, we agreed on a time and I informed Di.
All I heard throughout lunch from Di was,
"Fucking bitch, that fucking bitch."
The mood at the table was a little lighter than before, especially by the time our dessert arrived, but she muttered it again. A lady at the next table looked down her nose and said quite snooty like,
"Theatre types Gerald."
"Oh," was the gentlemen's reply.
"Fucking bitch," was Di's response. If there were ever a naughty corner to be used that day by anyone it would have been her, she was so mad. We told her all we knew about fifty times. I ended the questions by saying she should ring Manu and maybe speak to her sister over the phone before she sets off, she seemed to go with that, which she did I believe as soon as she got home.
Conner and I giggled all the way to the park, we were a bit early but elated that Di took the news well. She has more family than she ever had and with the baby on the way I think Marty should look for that new house. I'm sure Con has a few tucked away somewhere, if not I know Ray and John have several.
We sat in the car park and lightly kissed then Con started trying to make love. It wasn't that we didn't have room, it was just too dangerous especially near a kid's park, the trouble we could get into if we got caught, phew, boy was I getting hot.
"Keep your eye out Con," I said as I slipped over and put his member in my mouth, he smelt sweaty, I groaned.
"Keep watching Con." I disturbed his concentration but he managed to blast one out anyway and I was very happy when he returned the favor. Ten minutes later a very excited boy came up and banged on the window, I opened the door just as Ray caught up.
"Phew."
He waved his hand two and fro.
"Have you got any air freshener, it smells like a public toilet in there boys, been up to no good have we?"
"Yes Ray and loving every mouthful."
"How did Di take it?"
"Better than we thought Ray, she's flying to Darwin to collect her sister tomorrow because she can't wait until next week but she called her mother the FB words quite a few times during lunch." I laughed at the memory.
"Well I don't blame her, that woman has a lot to answer for son." Ray was remembering my abuse at Pat's hands.
"Well she got shot in the head for her trouble Ray, her Jimmy Choo court shoes were all bloody and dirty, terrible shame." I again laughed.
Ted was pulling me towards the picnic bench,as he needed to get to training.
"Who did you shoot in the head daddy?"
"No one baby, just talking about the movie dad and I watched today, just a movie."
"Okay." Shit, big mouth, I hope he doesn't get too upset about that thought, I changed the subject and added,
"Come for a run with me baby."
"Okay and don't call me baby, it's captain, only baby at home dad," he whispered.
I led him around the small oval and I took little steps so he could keep up. Grant arrived and started to do the handball exercise then the goal kicking practice, my Teddy was very good. I hope he gets picked for the senior games in eleven years or so. Con was ready for a run so I followed him around the big boy's track, that's one fine looking ass he's got there, I just want to lick it.
She was gorgeous, if anything more beautiful than Diana and at sixteen she had a massive career in front of her, that's if she wanted to do modeling. She had the same quick wit about her too. Within ten minutes of meeting her both she and Di were throwing lines around like Lucy and Ricky. Skye absolutely doted on Hope, she carried her everywhere and of course she made a play for Conner, well Rick to be exact...Conner's gay. He was red faced when she almost sat on his lap, smitten by his star status but he soon put her right when I walked by. He pulled me onto the sofa and kissed me but she didn't care, she just went on playing with her niece. I suspected she was having Con on, Di would have told her the logistics of our friendship. Marty was already looking for a bigger house and Di was over the moon when he said they should look in our area.
Ted wasn't left out, Skye made a promise she would come and have a sleepover with him soon and maybe she can come and watch a few games.
"That reminds me, I have something for you captain," she said, his eyes popped, I think our boy is straight.
She went and got the rather large photo to give to Ted and he was so happy to see his Papuan mates again. The photo was of all the kids he had met and they all had Ted's school football uniforms on, I looked at Conner, he shrugged. The first thing we had to do was put it up on his wall because he wouldn't settle until it was done. I let Conner do it and the banging on the wall told me he tried several times to get that bloody nail in.
Skye would go to Tom and Shane's school and I know they will become fast friends, and they would keep an eye out for her also. I only have five weeks left, Con has started going into the rehearsal sessions.They will do more in Vegas and the show will be almost the same as the Foxtel one. At the moment it is six weeks with options so I am really not that worried, it will pass by fast but I will miss him. Who will stand up for him, protect him and make sure he gets the best of care, me and only me...yes I was worried.
Ted's short ten week season is going fine, his team is on top of the ladder and this Saturday is the pie day. I helped John make them and we had the kitchen at Nan's working non-stop. The boys won't get them until after the game, which was a bit of a no go seeing all they could think about was pies. We managed to win again and as soon as it finished the kids were all lined up at John's table.
I noticed Bubby had two on his paper plate, I guess he can eat that much but as I followed him he ducked behind the change sheds then re-appeared with one less. My suspicious nature got the better of me so I walked over and peered around the corner, there were three kids sharing the food. They saw me.
"Sorry mister but we were hungry," one little girl said.
"Why are you behind here kids, you know you can line up, the pies are for everybody?"
"We don't go to this school but Bubby is our friend, we never have pies mister and wanted to try one so badly."
"Well finish that one off and come with me and I will get you some more."
"Thanks mister but won't the principal get mad?"
"No honey, she's a friend of mine and won't say anything."
They finished up the one Bubs had given them and I led them over to the table, there were still plenty left as we had made dozens. I gave one to each of them and their faces lit up when I told them they could have another if they felt like it and to help themselves to the tomato sauce, which they did.
"Tomato sauce, really Brent, these pies are gourmet so why would you want to drown them in bloody sauce?"
"Mr. John, that will be a hundred sentences please, I must not swear when children are present." Mrs. Green appeared from nowhere.
"What the bloody hell are you skulking about for?"
"Two hundred Mr. John on my desk Monday morning," she added.
"One hundred from you too Mr. Walsh, I must not strangle women in front of my son."
"But I didn't."
"Then why did you say you did, the whole school is now full of scared kids. First thing Monday morning thank you."
John was disgusted; she must be working through the crowd because I heard Andy scream,
"WHAT?"
Some of the other parents that were hanging around clapped with big grins on their faces, guess they were happy it wasn't them this time.
The Grand final was awesome, Ted's team won.Sean got best player and Bubby got the Beth Richard's medal. Ted was top goal kicker so his jumper was loaded up with medals and his grin was hard to hide when he lifted the grand final cup above his head. Photos for the local paper were taken and Conner stood proudly with his son as the paparazzi snapped away. All the boys from all the teams got grand final medals and a sausage sizzle to be followed with ice creams but our inclement weather was looming. It will be winter soon so I was happy the two-month school footy season was over before the rain and wind started.
I noticed Bubby's friends were lining up for food. I never found out their story but concluded they lived at the flats and went to the state school in the next suburb. I will have to ask Bub one day, they did say thank you.
It was an exhausting day for us and I had to help John and Ray pack up. I insisted Con take Ted home and assured him I would only be an hour away, we cleaned up after stacking the tables in the change room. It wasn't hard work but I did feel rather flat by the time we finished. I arrived home to a little boy sleeping on the couch and my big man was the same next to him, signing all those autographs must have exhausted them. I sat in the easy chair and looked lovingly at them then promptly went to sleep myself.
Two days to go and my man goes out of my bed for a couple of months but I kept my mood bright and supervised the packing of Con's things, especially his Ipad and spare phone. Hopefully they will get a lot of work happening when he feels the need to talk to us. I gave Grant my final instructions, he also had Skype on his pad so he promised he would stay in touch. Adam had my back and Rob was given four weeks off to go with them. I felt Con had enough backup to see him through his concerts. That night I stroked Con's legs, his thighs and his torso remembering how soft he felt on my hands. I was trying to hold that memory inside my mind as he moaned,"I love you," in my ear.
It was another late night for us, we made love like never before and my lips were sore and his body showed the pink results of my gentle nipping and sucking on his beautiful skin.
At the airport we couldn't go onto the plane but we could wave to everybody as they boarded. Con had gotten extra cuddles and kisses off Teddy and heaps of hugs from me before he went through customs, he teared up as I told him everything was going to be all right and to knock em dead with his concerts.