It's a Complicated World Judy Dosh: Judy Dosh, #3

By David Grant

We follow the lives of a  broad group of young people in Perth, trying to understand the complications of living in the 21st-century, making the most of the freedoms and opportunities it offers, but struggling to come to terms with the complicated world that relationships present.

Once again as Father Ed, one of the characters in the book, said about a play he saw, "it makes you laugh, but it also makes you think".

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Grant
• Release date: Jan 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386935810

David Grant

David Grant. A biographical history of how I came to writing. I am a visual artist. Bodies on the Line is a visual art project which I started over 10 years ago. It was featured in FRINGE WORLD in 2015 and 2017. The project featured charcoal drawings of everyday people in Perth. While posing, models often discussed and talked about just about anything that came into their mind. This included religion, politics, philosophy and especially life and the people of Perth. These thoughts were written on the actual paintings by the model and also in notebooks. The notebooks were later made into printed copies. It soon became clear to me that life in Perth had its own flavour. Relationships seemed to be very problematic. Taking this source of material I decided to write a novel on Perth life. This is where the Judy Dosh series began. It features the lives of a group of imaginary people and their struggles to get on with life and each other.

Book preview

Chapter 1.

I didn't think you were gay, said Sean  softly to Father Ed.

Father Ed, or Edward, as he now liked to be called looked back at him but said nothing.

I mean you don't look or act gay, not that that means much I suppose.

Edward looked at Sean and wondered where this conversation was going. They had met up together in a coffee shop. It was their first meeting in over 10 years. The last time they had talked they were both still in the church. Now they had both left the church. Edward had left nearly 10 years ago, Sean more recently. He noticed Sean looking at him. 'He's waiting for me to say something,' he thought. He didn't know where Sean had got the idea that he was gay from. He wondered now why Sean had tracked him down and contacted him after all these years. He didn't know what to say, because, although the way you looked and acted didn't always reveal your sexuality, it was pretty obvious from the way Sean spoke and acted that he was gay. 'So I've got  to be extra careful not to say anything that could be construed as homophobic,' he thought. The problem was that just about anything you said could be taken the wrong way. So he said nothing.

No you're definitely not gay, I can feel it, said Sean breaking the long awkward silence.

Ed looked at him, but again said nothing.

I am, said Sean. Gay, that is, I am gay.

I thought you might be, said Ed, regretting immediately his choice of words.

Sean laughed nervously, is it that obvious?

No, lied Ed, what I meant was that the fact you were asking about me being gay indicated that you might have been.

Couldn't you guess when I was still in the church? asked Sean.

I can't remember, answered Ed truthfully, that was a long time ago.

I thought it might have been obvious, said Sean. I didn't try very hard to hide it.

Is that why you left the church, asked Ed.

––––––––

There were so many reasons, Ed. But yes, that was one of the big reasons for leaving. Why did you leave?

Also not just one reason really. But I ended up questioning the church so much that I realised I belonged out of the church.

But are you still a believer?

Yes, in some ways I'm still a believer. But not in the way the church wanted me to be. And you?

Yes, I still have my faith! More resolved now than before I entered the church. So some good came from all that thinking!

Edward laughed. You're right, I did so much thinking before I left the church I used to wake up in the morning with a headache!

But you weren't homosexual, so you didn't have to go through all that!

No, I didn't. And by the way what made you think I was gay?

I saw your picture on a gay website.

It couldn't have been me, I've never posted anything on the Internet. Not even on Facebook. Well especially not on Facebook! he laughed. Are you sure it was me?

Absolutely sure!

Is it a gay dating website? Do you think someone put a picture of me on there as a joke?

No, it's not a dating website. It's more than that, said Sean blushing deeply all of a sudden. It's actually a porno site.

Porno?

Well soft porn really.

You look at porn?

Well not the heavy stuff. This site is very tastefully done really, and there are some beautiful bodies.

Male bodies?

Sean sighed. Yes beautiful naked male bodies. And yours was one of the most beautiful, he added shyly. And that is why I just had to meet up with you again.

Well sorry to disappoint you, but it's not me! Could be someone like me but it's not me!

No, it's definitely you Edward! I can just about make out your eyes and it is very definitely your mouth! And that body, oh my god that body!

What do you mean you can just about make out my eyes?

Well you're pulling a T-shirt over your head and that obscures things a bit, but it is definitely you.

Oh my God! groaned Ed.

What's wrong Edward?

Nothing is wrong, it's just that it is me. I remember now!

Of course it's you, and don't look so worried! It really is beautiful, and it's already got heaps of 'likes' and comments!

Bloody Gail, groaned Edward, bloody, bloody Gail!

What's Gail got to do with it?

She took the photograph!

So why did you pose for her if you didn't want the photo taken?

I wasn't posing! I was taking my clothes off to make love to her and she sneakily took my picture, and now it's all over the Internet!

Make love to her? So you're definitely not gay?

No, I'm sorry Sean, but I am definitely not! But what do I do now? How do I get rid of that picture?

Well I'll send you the web address and you can write to them and asked them to remove it.

Ed relaxed a little, well we must do that straight away and get it off the net!

Let's just hope not too many people have shared it, we don't want it to go viral or anything.

Edward groaned again, bloody Gail, he swore, just wait until I see her again!"

Relax Edward! It's not as if you're doing anything! It's just a nude photograph and a beautiful one at that.

But I don't want everyone seen me nude! Especially not on a gay porn site!

Are you homophobic?

No I'm not! Not at all! But that doesn't mean I want to be on that site!

Edward looked across at Sean and immediately felt bad about what he had said. Listen Sean, I am sorry I sounded anti-gay. I really am not. I am very sympathetic to the problems that homosexuals still face in our society.

Sean looked up at Ed and smiled. Thanks Ed. You're right, it is tough being gay even in today's modern world where everyone is supposed to be a whole lot more tolerant.

Was it particularly tough being gay in the church?

It was very tough, said Sean softly, he's voice faltering and Ed noticed the tears welling up in his eyes. He remembered how sensitive Sean had been when they were still in the church.

Instinctively Edward patted Sean on the shoulder. I understand how tough it must be Sean, or I try to understand. It is a tough old world out there it really is! And I'm sure it's even tougher for any minority.

Sean cleared his throat and wiped his eyes dry with the back of his hand. Then he took Ed's hand and smiled at him. Thank you Ed for understanding. I know it's difficult for straight people to understand, but I can sense that you do.

Ed smiled back at him and squeezed his hand. I'll try to understand Sean, I really will!

And they were still sitting there holding hands and smiling at each other when Catherine walked into the cafe and saw them.

Chapter 2

Judy sat out on the back lawn, trying to text her daughter Sandra on her mobile phone. She struggled to operate the phone in the bright sunlight. No matter where she placed it the sun reflected sharply off the screen making it impossible to see the keyboard of the touchscreen. She grew more and more frustrated until she hit on the plan of covering her head with her shirt to shade the screen. It worked well, and she sat inside her makeshift tent and typed a message to Sandra.

I see you've got a new bra!

The male voice interrupted her thoughts and she hastily pulled her shirt down and looked around her. There was nobody there. Then suddenly it hit her! Oh my God, it's you! She rushed over to the fishpond and picked up Rock. It's so good to see you Rock!

It's good to see you too! I have been sitting over here, bored to tears, for nearly a week now! What kept you?

How was I supposed to know you were awake? It's been such a long time, I sometimes wondered if you would ever wake up!

Yes, it's been 10 years! You don't seem to sit on the lawn much these days. And who is the girl who plays at the fishpond?

That's Sandra, my daughter, she is eight, nearly nine.

She looks older than that, and a very attractive girl, I can see the resemblance to you now.

Did you chat to her?

No I didn't! I didn't want to scare her to death!

Judy laughed, it would have! And I'm glad you didn't try to chat her up or anything.

Judy, I'm a rock! How can I chat her up? And she's a little girl for heavens sake!

Oh you can't trust anybody these days.

Judy, it is the first time we've spoken in 10 years and already you are accusing me of stuff you imagine I have done.

I wasn't accusing you of anything, but you are a very charming persuasive talker, even if you are a rock!

"It was bad enough being considered a bloke rock last