The Seventeenth Summer (1995)

by Mark Peters

Chapter 22

When the boys finally arrived at the car park at Hidden Beach they found the place to be deserted, with not a soul in sight.

'That's unusual, especially during the holidays,' Nate remarked as he looked around at the empty car park. 'There's usually someone around here on days like this.'

'Maybe everyone knew we wanted the place to ourselves today?'

'Dream on, poof!' Nate laughed, while giving Danny a playful shove with his shoulder, which caused Danny to look at him sharply. He couldn't recall if it was the first time anyone had ever called him that and for a few moments it shocked him.

Judging by his friend's initial reaction Danny figured that this must have surprised Nate as well, but then he saw Nate break out into a sheepish grin, which Danny soon returned. They both knew that things were still good between them and the witty comeback that Danny had been trying to come up with, but failed miserably at producing, was no longer needed.

So, what do we do now?' asked Nate.

'We wait, I guess. Jake's bound to get here sooner or later,' he answered, but the slight frown on Danny's face told Nate that he wasn't entirely convinced of that.

'Yeah, he'll get here eventually,' Nate said, trying to reassure his friend. 'Why don't we hit the waves and take a dip while we wait?'

'Yeah, that might be a good idea,' Danny replied.

Pushing their bikes over into the shade of some trees they dumped them and their awkward luggage amongst the bushes, out of sight of anyone who might happen along before heading for the beach. Walking down the path between the dunes towards the beach each of them had the same thing on their minds; the countdown was on and it wouldn't be long now before Danny would be saying farewell to the town and his friends.

Nate could see that Danny was in a pensive mood. He wasn't saying much and was looking at the ground where he was walking rather than interacting with Nate.

'Sorry for calling you a poof,' Nate offered. He was wondering if that might be one of the reasons why Danny had gone so quiet.

'What? Oh, don't worry about it . . . I'll probably get called worse things than that after today.'

'Yeah, you probably will, but I reckon you're big enough and ugly enough to handle it . . .'

'Who are you calling ugly, butt-face!' Danny snarled.

'You! You tallywacker!'

'What? Tallywacker? What the fuck is a tallywacker? And what sort of insult is that?' Danny teased. 'You're going to have to do better than that, my man!'

'Gimme a sec and I'll think of something,' Nate laughed, as once again they playfully bumped shoulders, before Danny grabbed him around the shoulders and began to wrestle with him.

Danny started laughing as well, but then suddenly he stopped in his tracks and turned back to face the car park. 'Hey, do you hear that?' he asked Nate.

'Yeah, it's sweet, ain't it? That sound is unmistakable,' Nate replied, as the sound of a v-8 motor came racing through the trees to greet them.

'C'mon, race you back to the car park,' Danny challenged, before setting off at speed back up the path, with Nate in pursuit.

They reached the edge of the car park just as Jake swung the nose of the panel van through the entrance, with the car fish-tailing in the gravel for a few moments, before straightening and then coming right at them at speed. It was only then that Danny realised something was wrong, with the sound of another vehicle also being heard. No sooner had that thought registered in his mind that he spotted a red flash amongst the trees. It was Frank Thompson's Valiant, in pursuit of Jake.

'Oh shit!' Nate exclaimed. 'What do we do now?'

'Quick, grab a branch or something,' Danny said. 'Something you can use like a club.'

'You can't be serious! You want to fight him?' Nate said, incredulously.

'Not unless I have to. But if the three of us stand up to Frank then maybe that'll be enough to scare him off.'

Quickly the boys looked around them at the dead trees and branches that littered the ground, with both of them managing to find a length of branch that might do the job, just as Jake skidded to a stop in front of them. In one action he seemed to open the door, reach down underneath him, then step out of the car holding what looked to be an aluminium baseball bat.

'Hey, guys. So glad you could make it!' Jake said to them, while grinning as if he didn't have a care in the world. 'What do you reckon? Can the three of us, and my new mate, Hector, take this arsehole . . . that's if he's game enough to step out of that piece of shit he's driving!'

The boys exchanged looks.

'Who's Hector?' Danny asked

Jake just grinned and held up the baseball bat so that the boys could get a better look. It was emblazoned with the name Hector Gonzalez.

'Meet Hector,' Jake chortled. 'Apparently he was some big name player in the States . . . but now I just call his bat Hector the Protector! You like?'

'Yeah, and he might just come in handy,' Danny answered, as he looked up towards Frank's Valiant, which had stopped about twenty yards away.

'I think you shoulda bought a gun instead,' Nate deadpanned.

Slowly the Valiant's door opened, before Frank emerged, taking a couple of steps towards them, but quickly back-pedaling and taking refuge behind the car door when Danny and Nate stepped in front of Jake, while holding their improvised clubs up in front of them.

'Think you're pretty smart with your little boyfriends protecting you, don't you, faggot?' Frank spat in Jake's direction.

'You want to be careful what you say, Frank!' Nate yelled back at him. 'They tell me the only guy around here who has fucked another guy lately is you. You wouldn't want that getting around town now, would you?'

'It's you who wants to be careful, young Nate. A guy could end up getting a bad reputation by hangin' around with the wrong people.'

'Maybe someone ought to tell that to Snoz, then?' Danny added. 'He should be a bit more careful about who he picks as friends.'

'I know it was you who trashed my car, faggot . . .'

'Actually, Frank, you don't know shit. It wasn't Jake at all . . . but I know who did do it . . .' Danny announced, grinning. 'And he'll do it again if anything like what happened to Jake ever happens around here again.'

'What the fuck would you know, you little twerp?' Frank hissed.

Danny simply continued to grin at him. He could feel Nate's eyes boring into him, but he was on a roll, and he could tell that Frank was starting to get nervous.

'Did you know it was us who found Jake and called the cops out here? Did you know that we were grilled by the Sarge and then given a lift back home by him? He was pretty interested in knowing just what happened . . . and what we saw . . .' Danny added, knowing full well that he was laying it on a bit thick, but not caring about that in the slightest, or that he had twisted the truth slightly.

'He's right, you know,' Jake also added. 'The Sarge was really interested in knowing what happened, and in what the boys had to say. I know they haven't told him everything they know . . . but if the need arises I know they're more than willing to do just that . . . the only thing holding them back has been me. And why do you think that is, Frank?'

They could all tell that Frank's brash front was beginning to waver.

'I'll tell you why, Frank. You've got me pegged, it's true . . . but I've also got you pegged, haven't I? And you know that's true as well. I know your type, Frank . . . I had to put up with guys like you at school, hiding behind a big macho exterior when in fact you're nothing but a big old fag yourself, just like me. Isn't that right, Frank?'

Franks eyes went wide and his face exuded pure fear.

'I didn't tell your Sergeant Plod everything that happened that day . . . I mean, why would I? I'd only be setting myself up now, wouldn't I? So here's what we're going to do, Frank. You're going to climb back into that shit-box Valiant of yours and drive out of here, and after you're gone I'm going to do the same. And if I hear of either of these boys having to put up with any sort of crap from you, just because they are friends of mine, I'll be coming back to town and suddenly remembering everything that happened that day and damn the consequences.'

'You wouldn't have the balls,' Frank said, but not with any real conviction.

'You want to try me? The boys know exactly where I'm going to be and how to contact me . . . so we can put it to the test if you really want to? I have other friends too, you know . . . ones who ride motor cycles and ride in packs . . . know what I mean?'

For the first time Frank looked away, choosing instead to look across the car park, before then looking down inside his car, as if something on the floor needed his attention.

'I take it that we understand each other?' Jake pressed, as he bounced Hector the Protector in his hands.

Once more Frank looked back at the three of them. Danny noticed that his lip seemed to curl up into a snarl, but then he simply climbed back into his car and slammed the door shut, all the while holding tightly onto the steering wheel, with his knuckles turning white, and glaring out through the windscreen at Danny, Nate and Jake.

'This ain't over,' they heard him say, before he started his car.

'Oh, yes it is,' Jake yelled back. 'Now why don't you just go and get the fuck out of here?'

Without saying another word Frank slammed the gears into reverse and gunned the motor. Gravel flew as he backed away from the others in an arc and then stopped. It flew once more when he slammed it into first and then floored it, heading for the car park exit amidst a cloud of dust.

As Frank turned onto Beachside Lane and headed for town, it was Nate who jumped into the air first pumping his fist and screaming out, 'And don't you forget it, arsehole!' before high-fiving Danny and Jake.

'We sure showed him!' Danny gushed.

'Yeah, we did,' Jake added. 'But only for now,' he cautioned.

'What do you mean?' asked Nate, suddenly coming back to earth.

'You heard him. He said this ain't over . . . and I have no doubt that he meant it . . . so you're going to need to watch yourself, Nate. Do you understand me?'

'He wouldn't dream of doing anything, would he?' Danny asked.

'Pricks like him don't give up easily, and with you and me both out of the picture, that'll leave Nate as a sitting duck. If Frank suspects that Nate could be an easy target, then he's capable of trying anything.'

'Even if I threaten to go to the cops?'

'Even then,' Jake replied.

'I'll still have Lachie around, though.'

'You might need more than just him, Nate. But I think that if Lachie knows what's going on, and you guys can somehow get the message across to Frank that he and others know his sordid tale, and will be keeping an eye on you, then maybe that will be enough to keep Frank at bay.'

'And if that doesn't work,' Danny remarked, 'you'll just have to come and live with us!'

'What? Me? On a farm? Geez, wouldn't that be a laugh!' Nate replied, as he rolled his eyes at his friend. 'I'm not sure I'd be cut out for that!'

'And you think I am?' Danny laughed.

'You don't have to worry, Nate. It's not like it's a real farm,' Jake said, trying to reassure him. 'It'll just be a few people growing their own food . . . a few chickens, a cow for milk, a veggie patch, that sort of thing. And you will be welcome any time.'

'Well, that sounds a bit better . . . I think I could handle visiting under those circumstances . . . just so long as I don't have to pull the cow's tits! That's just . . . urrgghh . . .' he said, while giving a theatrical shudder at the thought of it.

'Hey, man. If I have to do it, then so do you!' Danny threatened.

'Bastard!' Nate replied.

It was just a short while later when Jake moved the car over by the trees that were close to the spot where the boys had dropped their bikes and Danny's bags, and parked it in some shade.

Jake had taken one look at his new companion's belongings and told the boys he would need to rearrange some of the things in the back of the van, and so after opening up the rear doors and then handing them each a cold drink from his cooler he set about doing just that.

'Do you remember that first day when Jake arrived in town?' Nate asked Danny as they leaned against the side of the car and Jake busied himself with the packing.

'Yeah, who could forget it?' Danny replied. 'We were all pretty buzzed about it, weren't we? This cool looking guy, only just a bit older than us, and with an even cooler car!'

'Yeah, we were. And do you remember saying that one day you were going to fuck around in one of these things . . .' he teased, as he slapped his hand down on the bonnet of the panel van.

'I guess.'

'I bet you didn't expect it to be in this one though?' Nate added. There was no malice or nastiness in his words . . . in fact he sounded kind of amused at the thought.

'No. It's funny how things work out, eh?'

'Yeah. It is,' Nate replied, before taking a sip from his can and studying Danny. 'Are you nervous?' he asked.

'I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. But it's also kind of exciting, you know?'

'Yeah, I can imagine it would be. What about second thoughts?'

For a few moments Danny said nothing, focusing instead on the can of drink he was holding.

Nate suspected he knew what was going on inside his friend's head and gave him a gentle bump with his shoulder.

'You've got to go, man!' Nate said, almost in a whisper. 'You can't stay here all your life like the rest of us . . . you've got to go and do what you want to do . . . see all the places you want to see! You're not just doing it for yourself . . . you're doing it for all of us. We've got no future here . . . but you can go to that new place and be whatever you want to be.'

'What are you talking about? You've got a future . . . of all of us you're the one with the street smarts, you're the one that will be able to get by.'

'But what about when we get out into the real world, Dan! That's different. At least you're going to get out and see that world, but what chance do the rest of us have? We'll only end up about as fucked up as guys like Frank Thompson, maybe. Nah, I think my only hope of getting out of here would be to join the army or something . . . and I might just do that yet, but not until I really have to. So, you go and chase your dreams . . . and think of me when you're doing whatever it is you'll be doing . . .'

For a long time Danny simply stared at his friend.

'It doesn't have to be like that, you know,' Danny offered.

'No, I know that. But that's just how it is. That's just how it has always been . . .'

'So? That doesn't mean it has to always stay that way. You can do something about it . . . you can be in charge of your own destiny . . . like actually go and join the army, like you said. If you do that you'll probably get to see more of the world than me.'

'Yeah, I've been thinking about it. I'm just not too keen on the idea of getting shot at though!'

'But it's not all about being soldiers. Like that guy said who came to school last year and talked to us about it. You can learn a trade in the army these days, so why not become a mechanic, or something like that? Then you'll be able to go wherever you want to go after you've finished your time in there.'

'Yeah, maybe,' Nate replied, before both boys fell silent, seemingly lost in their thoughts.

Moments later they heard Jake slam the rear doors of the van closed, before coming around the side to where they stood.

'Alright, lads. That's your three bags packed away. Just need to tie your swag on top of the surf boards and we'll be right to go,' he said to them.

'Hey, what about your bike?' Nate asked. 'Aren't you going to take that with you, too?'

'I don't think there's any room,' Danny replied.

'We can throw it on top with your swag if you like,' Jake said. 'It's no trouble, and you just never know when it might come in handy.'

'Yeah, like for when Jake throws you out for farting in bed . . . you'll have to be able to get back here somehow!' Nate teased.

'Very! Fucking! Funny!' Danny groaned.

'Come on, Nate. How about giving me a hand and we'll finish loading up,' Jake suggested. 'Then Danny and I will have to do something about hitting the road if want to get to where we're going by nightfall.'

With a nod, Nate walked over to where Danny's bike lay on the ground and picked it up, then just a few minutes later they had the job completed after Jake had retrieved some rope and a blanket from the back of his van so as not to scratch the surf boards.

As the three of them stood back and admired their handiwork a strange quiet fell over them.

The time had finally arrived.

'Well guys,' Jake eventually said. 'I guess it's that time.'

'Yeah, I guess it is,' Nate replied as he looked across at Danny, who was looking just about as forlorn as Nate was feeling.

Danny tried a smile, but it didn't come. Instead, Nate noticed that his bottom lip seemed to quiver just slightly. That was when he went to him and embraced him, while Jake walked around to the other side of the van and leaned in and turned the key in the ignition.

'I'm sure gonna miss you,' Nate whispered to his friend as they heard the engine fire. At the same time Nate pulled a chain that had hung around his neck, over his head. From the chain there was attached a small medallion.

'Not as much as I'm going to miss you,' Danny replied, as Nate transferred it to now hang around Danny's neck. 'What's this?' Danny asked.

'It's a Saint Christopher's medal. Supposed to help protect travellers or something. I want you to have it. Just send me a postcard or something every now and then will you?'

'Of course.'

'Just so, well, that I know you're alright . . .'

'I'll be fine. Anyhow, I'll be seeing you again in a couple of weeks.'

'I know. It's just . . .'

'Yeah, I know. You don't have to say anything, mate,' Danny sniffed, before pulling Nate to him in a hug.

They stood there for what seemed like ages, before Jake cleared his throat behind them and said, 'I hate to break up this little love fest, guys, but . . .'

'Yeah, yeah, keep your shirt on,' Nate shot back as he leaned back and took a look at Danny. They were both grinning; and both still holding onto each other.

'I'll see you soon,' Danny said to him, before quickly giving Nate a kiss on the cheek, then letting him go. A display of affection like that no longer bothered Nate, or at least not like it might have just a couple of months ago. If nothing else, this recent time spent with Danny and Jake had made him see the world in a totally different light. He had come to learn that love is love, no matter who it might be between and everyone has a right to be able to experience that emotion without the judgment of others.

When Nate finally let go of Danny he turned towards Jake, holding out his arms and quickly embracing him also.

'If you hurt him, watch out!' Nate whispered into his ear. 'You'll need more than just Hector to protect you!'

'I wouldn't dream of it,' Jake replied.

When they separated they were grinning at each other. There was an understanding there which didn't need to be stated.

Jake leaned forward and kissed Nate on the other cheek, then let go of him.

'You bloody poofs and all this kissing!' Nate complained. 'What are you trying to do, convert me or something?'

'Even I know that there's no hope of that,' Jake remarked. 'But it sure is fun just getting you worked up!'

'Arsehole! Just get in your car, will you. If it's not bad enough that you're stealing my best friend, now you're really trying to rub salt into the wound.'

'C'mon, Dan, it's obvious we're no longer wanted around here,' said Jake. 'We'll see you in a few weeks, Nate. Behave yourself now!'

'I could say the same to you, but I know it'd be a waste of time,' Nate replied.

'See, you already know me too well,' Jake chuckled.

'Alright you two, you can knock it off . . . I'm getting in the car now,' Danny stated. He gave Nate one last embrace, then opened the car door and climbed in, before slamming it shut, making sure that the window was down just as soon as he was settled.

As Jake walked around to the other side of the car, Nate picked up his bike and threw a leg over the bar, before sitting on the seat and then shuffling forward so that he was beside Danny's window.

'I guess I'll be seeing you,' Danny said.

'Yeah, sooner or later.'

'Say goodbye to the guys for me?'

'Sure,' Nate answered, as the car began to move.

Nate was holding on to the window frame with one hand and allowed himself to be pulled along, while holding the handle bars of the bike with his other hand. Even as the car started picking up speed as they began to cross the car park he held on, grinning at Danny, who was grinning back at him.

'You're a nutcase,' Danny said to him, laughing.

'And you're a poof,' Nate replied.

'Yeah, but at least I'll be getting laid tonight . . .'

'Urrgghh . . . way too much information!' Nate laughed.

The car was really moving now, so Nate had to let go. He started pedaling alongside, trying to keep up, while both boys continued laughing at each other.

When they reached the car park exit and turned onto Beachside Lane, Nate was still there, but out on the road Jake was now speeding up and a gap was growing between them. A grinning Danny leaned out the window and waved at Nate, who took one hand off the handlebars and waved back, but no sooner than he had done that he was swallowed up by a cloud of dust and they lost sight of each other.

As Nate slowed, trying to escape the dust, he knew that his friend was gone.

Nate took his time riding home, as afternoon shadows stretched and the sun dipped low above the mountains to the west of the town. As the realisation that his best friend had now left him began to sink in, a feeling of emptiness came over him. Sure, they would see each other again soon, but things would never be the same, would they? He would never again be able to just ride around to Danny's place when he got bored, or turn to him when something was going wrong. Or tease him about his latest crush . . . not that there would be any more of those!

Yeah, life around here sure was going to be different, but at least he was now old enough to be able to start to make his own decisions, he thought. Just like Danny was doing.

He could leave school. He could get a job if he wanted. He could start making plans about what he wanted to do in life, so maybe that idea about joining the army and learning a trade might just be worth following up on?

As he reached the edge of town he knew in his own mind that that was just what he would do.

If Danny could do it, then so could he.

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