Joey Douglas was a man’s man. One of three children, catholic upbringing. Played footy at school. Attended university. Married in his early twenties. Three children of his own – the usual hopes and dreams for them. You know, whatever they wanted, as long as they were happy. He became a member of the school dad’s club. Cheated on his wife. Divorced. Work became his life. Played golf. Drank at the pub with his other divorced mates.
Joey’s wife Isabelle moved to Europe, after their marriage went south, after a job offer she couldn’t turn down, leaving Joey to raise his three teenage children on his own.
Whatever they wanted, as long as they were happy. The children’s mantra was tested early, when his son Gavin announced that he, in fact, like boys rather than girls. Both Gavin’s sisters supported him, apparently, they had known for some time. Gavin’s friendship with his mate, Ben from school, wasn’t everything he and Gavin purported it to be, so his two sisters took great delight in telling their father, once he knew his son's secret.
Joey couldn’t see it, Gavin had girlfriends in his teenage years, girl’s liked him. Gavin was a strapping, handsome lad, tough on the footy field, a boy any father would be proud of. He had lots of mates. Drank beer. He didn’t lisp or have a penchant for fluffy jumpers.
Then came the day that Gavin was bringing over the lad he had fallen for, as Gavin put it. Joey’s girls offered to be there to support their dad, if he needed it, but he said he could and should handle the situation on his own.
Joey’s mind raced; first of all with the picture of a handsome, accomplished, well spoken young man, Steven Grandcourt, whom he, was astounded, would be satisfied with as a husband – is that what you call them now a days? – for his son, Gavin. They seemed like a couple of mates. Boyfriends, Joey said to himself, as he watched the two of them together at the bar fixing a couple of beers.
After Gavin had introduced Steven to Joey, he announced that he planned to marry Steven, if it were at all possible.
Steven was a nice boy - firm handshake, spoke up for himself, could talk about sport, drank beer and acted like any other twenty year old lad.
But then came the further speculation would Gavin be satisfied with Steven, if Joey was taken with his choice of a lover. There was no knowing what would meet his boy’s taste, or touch his affections, in a long term sense. It might be something else, and thus the image of the perfect suitor gave way before a fluctuating combination of qualities that might be imagined to win Gavin’s heart.
What do boys see in other boys? Joey had no idea. He didn’t even like the way blokes smelt.
A quirky sense of humour.
An individual laugh.
The way he tilts his head when he looks at Gavin.
The way he walks?
The size of his… Joey shook his head. What did he know? It hadn't been all that long, in the greater scheme of things, that he'd known that his boy, in fact, liked men. He guessed he was still getting used to the idea, although he suspected, in all reality, that he had had long enough to get used to the situation.
In the difficulty of arriving at the particular conclusion, was this a life long meeting, like his daughter Claudia and her beau Jasper? Or was it something else? All the part time men in the life of his other daughter, Carla?
He guessed because Gavin had said that he was in love, it would necessarily signify that he was in love and that Joey would have to accept Steven, as permanent.
Joey was surprised at his own reaction to his son’s announcement, in as much, as he liked Steven and the two of them together seemed quite normal, almost instantly.
For whatever marriage had been for himself, how could he desire it less for his son? He couldn't. Eventually, he suspected, he'd get used to saying Gavin and Steve rather than Gavin and Eve, for instance. It was just a matter of familiarity, nothing else.
Would he give his son away, if there was a ceremony? He suspected not, but how was he to know what was usual in such circumstances.
Two grooms? Would there be bridesmaids?
The difference his own misfortunes made was that he never dared to impart so much to Gavin on the desirableness of marriage, dreading an answer something like that of the future Mrs Douglas, when her deluded (3 times divorced) mother urged the acceptance of a suitor, said,
You will be happy, my dear.
Yes, Mum, like you.
He and Isabella turned out to be hopelessly mismatched, despite her mother’s blessing.
It was very different to what the mother had said towards the end of their marriage, when Isabella was considering staying with Joey for the children’s sake, despite Joey’s indiscretions.
Your womanhood will rot should you consider this, you silly billy.
Yep Ma, but it itches for him.
She left any way, when Gavin was relatively young. Joey had too many girlfriends behind Isabella's back. The fact that she left her son and daughters also, scandalised her reputation and bought certain kudos to Joey, kudos, deep down, that he knew he did not deserve. How would Gavin know how to behave with a betrothed?
In relation to the problematic Isabella, at least, Mr Grandcourt would measure up? Joey had never been a shining beacon of conjugal bliss for his son to observe. So would Gavin measure up?
In the end Joey decided, no matter what example he had set for his son with his wife Isabella, Gavin must desire Steven Grandcourt and Steven Grandcourt must desire Gavin. It was that simple and immutable. He could only bless them being together, the rest was up to them. And, despite the two, twenty two year olds, looking good, happy together and maybe in spite of the astronomer’s announcement, courtesy of Gavin’s two sisters, that Gavin and Steven were made for each other, it was, after all, still up to them.
Isabella laughed when Joey, finally, told her about their son’s desire for another boy, during one of her infrequent trips home.
“I thought such an upbringing of absent mother and rampant masculinity, from his father, was in danger of producing a son with the same foibles as the father,” said Isabella. “I never thought it would lead to my son choosing to take masculinity to his heart and his bed, in such a way.”
“Perhaps, he needed his mother, after all,” said Joey. “And not some corporate, high flying mentor.”
“Who would have thought that you would raise the perfect little poofter.”
“He wants to have a commitment ceremony,” said Joey. “And he wants you there.”
“Don’t make me laugh,” said Isabella.
“He’s serious.”
“Marriage?” said Isabella.
“Marriage,” said Joey.
"Did he learn nothing from his mother and father?"
"Apparently, not.”
"So this boy..."
"Steven."
"Where is he from? What are his prospects?" said Isabella. "Is that what I'm supposed to ask?"
“Did you ask the same question of Claudia and… um… Carla?”
“I believe, I did,” said Isabella.”
"He’s a lawyer, from a good family," said Joey. "He makes Gavin happy, you can see it, it is obvious to anyone who observes them..."
"I can't believe what I am hearing," said Isabella. “And a lawyer of all low-life professions.”
"If you spent more time in your son's life, you'd..."
"You'd understand what a charming faggot he has turned out to be."
"You would understand him better, Isabella," said Joey. "And maybe, just maybe, you'd be able to drop the 1970's bigotry that, quite frankly, doesn't suit you..."
"This is our son we are talking about..."
"Our son who you are supposed to love unconditionally."
Isabella opened and closed her mouth. She picked up her wine glass and took a large chug of the dark red fluid. "It's time, I guess," she said. "I just need some time to get used to the idea."
"You've got the rest of your life," said Joey. "To get used to the idea."
“Three son’s in law…”
“That is if Carla ever settles down.”
“Who’d have thought?”
“You always were a man’s woman,” said Joey. “I thought that would have suited you best.”
“When do I get to meet this young man?”
“As with everything in life, Isabella, that is up to you.”
