Free Scars that Run Deep by Patrick Touher Page B

to win.
    Stewie called out, ‘Check to see if anyone’s about. Quick, I can’t hold this geezer down much longer . . .’
    â€˜Watch it,’ I shouted to Stewie. I was too late. Brown Tango got Stewie in a head lock. I shouted for Sean, hoping he’d come in. I was so relieved when he hurried in to help Stewie. Stewie gave Tango a punch smack in the eye. ‘That’s for tormenting my pal Collie. Go near him ever again and you’ll be sorry,’ said Stewie. He pushed Brown Tango against the wall. ‘Let’s beat it ou-ra this queer’s face.’
    I looked at Stewie. ‘Listen, thanks for your help, I’d have been done for only for yeh.’ Stewie put an arm around me. I felt safe, though I was naked. He laughed as he said, ‘He’s after your arse, Collie. He’s a violent fucker, and a dangerous one too.’
    I began to get dressed. I felt good in Stewie’s company. When he spoke again I could sense the seriousness in his voice. ‘If that Brown Tango goes near you again and there’s no one around, get the hell out and tell the cops. I mean it. I won’t always be around, Collie. I’m on shift work and I’m going to England next week.’
    My heart missed a beat. ‘Are your folks over there?’
    He stood facing the cracked mirror, combing his hair. His voice was soft.
    â€˜No, no. My parents live here. I don’t get along with my pa. He’s a docker and he’s always full of booze. Do you remember Oxo?’
    I felt my spirits raise. ‘Sure I do.’
    â€˜Well, I’m going to London to stay with him. The bleedin’ money is five times more than I get here. Oxo says the English people he works with are far more Christian and human than the shower over here.’ Stewie continued. ‘Look, Collie. This is not a safe place for the likes of you. Your good looks will draw a certain type to you. Brown Tango is vicious and violent. And you are a good-looking bloke, and I guess you spent quite a bit of time on your knees in Artane. It wasn’t all prayer meetings you were kneeling for and I should know. A few of the Brothers tried to force their hard-on up mine; I know they tried it on you. Remember the night we got caught collecting conkers . . .’
    I said, ‘Yeah. Of course.’
    â€˜Well, he actually poked his long finger up my arse, and the pervert stroked my privates. My guess, he got what he was after up yours, am I right?’
    â€˜No, not really. But he tried. and then he flogged me while I was naked with his leather and hands. Then he embraced me after he calmed down. He became a real nice man. How’s that do you think, the sudden change I mean.’
    I faced Stewie as he shuffled about. I could see that my question embarrassed him. ‘Okay,’ he said eventually. ‘I’ll explain it to you since you don’t understand the flippin’ reason: certain types of men prefer to have sex with young males. They enjoy molesting and even abusing us kids. Theyget pleasure over naked boys in the Saturday showers. Remember, do yeh?’
    â€˜Of course. How could I ever forget. I walk in my sleep, I suffer awful nightmares.’
    â€˜Who are you telling, you got into my bed the other night, Collie. If you were a girl I’d been on top of yeh in a flash. Nothing weird or queer in that, Collie.’
    I was amazed at him. ‘Why is that, I mean, what is the difference?’
    His expression changed. ‘Look Collie, you are really very naive, you are different to us.’
    â€˜You think I’m queer?’ I said.
    He burst out laughing. As he came closer, he put an arm around me. ‘No, you’re not a queer, but you are fucked up. In your head I mean. You need to find a nice girl and learn how to give her pleasure.’
    I was confused. ‘What do yeh mean by that? Can you explain?’
    He gasped, laughed at me and said,