The main player of games is Lee Porter. He comes from a different world, and his arrival in Melbourne is a step outside his comfort zone, but Lee's the sort of man who can rise to most occasions. I enjoyed writing the scene when he and Lewis meet again. So much has happened, and so many other games are now afoot. But for a short time they can rise above all this and just be themselves. The games get put aside - an amnesty is in place for these two players of consequence from different worlds...
Happy to oblige, not thinking it his duty in the slightest, Lee gave him a potted history of his background and his life, sensibly editing out the more shady elements like the riot of men and parties that had featured so prominently. Lewis made it easy for him with his questioning - innocent
questions which had no obvious motive other than interest in him. Lee found it refreshing, and tried to reciprocate with innocent questions of his own. It was a rare experience for him, to chat aimlessly, but with a purpose - to get to know someone. For an hour they put aside their own purposes for the evening, and relaxed in each other’s company: two players of consequence from different worlds finding neutral ground where neither was king, nor particularly wished to be. They gloried in each other’s company, relishing the words that were spoken and the faces from which they emanated. They spoke of this and that, always avoiding two subjects: tennis, and what would happen after the tennis. But between the lines it was made perfectly clear - that whatever the result of the match to be played there would be no refusals tonight. By the end of the hour they were looking forward to that long-overdue event, but in no rush to move the verbal foreplay on. It came as a disappointment to them both when Jim appeared and drew their time to an end.
“Duty calls,” said Lewis. “There’s a routine to be followed now.”
“Is it best I stay here and keep out of the way?” asked Lee.
“Only if you want to,” replied Lewis as he stood up. “But you’re not in the way, far from it. I’m glad you’re here. I really am.”
Lee rose as well, and seeing that Jim had gone back into the house, he touched the young man on the shoulder, resting his hand there as he gazed into his eyes. The kiss came naturally. It was tender and all confirming: two players of consequence relishing the shared ground. It ended, leaving
pleased but sheepish smiles - and for Lee Porter the surprise of an honest simple statement.
“Me too,” he replied, knowing fine well that it had nothing to do with the plan he had come with - a plan that he seriously needed to reconsider.