Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 18:29:09 +1030
From: Marcus McNally <marcusis32@live.com.au>
Subject: Love On The Rocks - 38

Love On The Rocks – 38

This story contains sexual situations between males. If material of this
nature offends you then you should not read this story.  If you are under
18 years of age you are probably not legally allowed to read this story.
This story is purely a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons
living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely
coincidental. The author claims all copyrights in this story and no
duplication or publication of this story is allowed (except by the web
sites to which it has been posted) without the consent of the author.

*************

As I stood in the doorway and looked at George, I didn't need to try to
read his reaction.  I hadn't shaved for several days, I was wringing wet
and my eyes were puffy and red from crying.  This was a `me' George had
never seen and he was as taken aback as I would surely be if I looked in a
mirror.

George stood back as I walked into the foyer, looking through into the
lounge room.  I saw the swinging door to the kitchen start to open and was
surprised when nobody appeared.  It was only when I looked down that I
realised it was Scruffy, who made his way towards me with his tail wagging,
before whimpering at my feet, his paw extended for a shake.  It flashed
through my mind that maybe this was a good sign.  If Ty's dog could still
love me ...

As I bent to pat Scruffy, the door swung open again and as Ty walked in he
froze, looking at me with a mixture of trepidation and jubilation on his
face.  A few seconds ticked by before the emotional volcano that had been
building up inside of me erupted again and I started to cry.  I tried to
speak but the words wouldn't come.  As tears ran down my face I opened my
arms and managed to rasp, "I love you, mate ..."

I don't remember seeing him move but suddenly Ty was in my arms, clinging
to me like a drowning man to a life raft.  I had one arm holding him close
and my other hand was stroking the back of his head.  My heart was beating
so fast I wondered if I was going to faint.

Ty eventually pulled back from me while still holding his hands around the
tops of my arms.  He looked directly into my eyes and my memory flashed on
the first time we kissed, that fateful day at Grand Apartments.  That kiss
was initiated by Ty, albeit at my request.  This time the smacker was going
to come from me and if it turned out that this reunion was `kiss me
goodbye', then I was going to make it a kiss to remember.

I put my left hand on the back of Ty's head and drew him towards me.  I
held his gaze as my mouth hungrily covered his and after a split second's
hesitation on his part, Ty returned the kiss and my legs almost buckled.

Ty said what he had to say to me when he belted out Faith Hill's "There
You'll Be" for the opening of the AFI Awards, and it was Faith Hill I
thought of in this moment ... "It's the way you love me, it's a feeling
like this ...  this kiss, this kiss (unstoppable) ..."*

Just like that first time, I thought time had stopped.  Locking lips like
this, I felt I was floating somewhere outside myself and I only returned to
my body when I heard George clear his throat.  "I'll put the kettle on,
shall I?" he said as he made his way to the kitchen.

Ty and I clung together for a long time before we pulled apart.  Ty looked
at me, tears brimming in his eyes.  "I'm sorry Mike," he blubbered.  "I am
so, so sorry.  I wish I could turn back time, but I can't."

"I'm sorry too Ty," I sobbed.  "I never thought we'd come to this."

Ty's hand touched my cheek and stroked softly.  "I have to know, Mike," he
asked.  "I really have to know.  Can you ever love me again?"

"I never stopped loving you Ty," I choked.  "Never.  Not once.  Even when I
was at my angriest, I loved you."

"That's the easier question," he wept.  "Can you forgive me?"

"I can forgive you if you'll forgive me."

Ty almost recoiled.  "What for?"

"For letting things get to this stage.  I should have done something before
now, but I just shut down.  I ..."

We both jumped slightly when the kitchen door swung open and George walked
in with his tray.  "Tea's ready," he announced.  "And there's cake and
biscotti."

Ty and I walked into the lounge and stood in front of opposite couches.  I
was about to sit when George leapt at me and started helping me out of my
coat.  "No wet clothes on the settee," he admonished as he removed the
offending garment.

George poured tea as Ty and I sat and looked at one another.  George
disappeared back to the kitchen and it was clear that neither Ty nor I knew
quite where to start.  We filled the void by sipping our tea until George
stuck his head around the door.  "The way it works is one of you starts a
dialogue," he sighed.  "You've had the kiss, you've agreed that you love
each other.  Now you talk to one another.  Call out when you need more
tea."

Despite the uncertainty of this sudden reunion, Ty giggled.  "I love that
guy," he said loudly to me, "even if he's old and wrinkly!"

"Yeah, I'm glad we brought him home with us," I replied, just as loudly.
"Same with Scruffy ..."

"Not quite as many fleas."

We knew George was listening close to the door.  "Remember I'm making the
tea," he called back, "and I can't find my glasses.  `Ratsack' looks
remarkably like `Rooibos' to these tired old eyes ..."

George's casual irreverence helped us relax a little, and within a few
minutes we started slowly opening the channels of communication.

For an hour we talked through the lead-up to our confrontation in
Stanthorpe, the things that had happened along the way that led so quickly
to a major upheaval in our lives. It was in this exchange that Ty found out
I had gone to see his counsellor with Lachlan.

"You talked to Janet?" he asked.  "About us?"

"Thanks to Lachlan and Ellie, yes I did," I replied.  "Janet told me some
things I needed to know and gave me a different perspective."

"She's fantastic, Mike," Ty enthused.  "I never thought I'd want to blurt
out all my feelings to some woman I didn't know, but she's really helped
me.  I've been confronted with stuff about myself I never realised ..."

"She helped me too, mate," I smiled. "I need a bit of healing myself.  It's
time to let go of some stuff."

Ty looked fidgety.

"What?" I asked.

"Would you think about going to see Janet with me?  I've got a murderous
rehearsal schedule coming up for the tour, but I'm going to make sure I
have some time for a couple more sessions with her."

I didn't hesitate.  "Mate, I'd love to do that.  I really want us back
where we were when we woke up on Bedarra the morning after your showcase.
Whatever it takes, I'll do it ..."

For the next few hours, we lay on separate couches facing each other and
talked.  Ty shared what he'd learned about his control issues and his need
to accept that his cherished brothers now had lives of their own; the
realisation that he couldn't always make everything OK for everyone.

He also revealed that Janet had helped him recognise that on a subconscious
level he felt guilt that he had earned vast sums of money relatively easily
while his parents had struggled most of their married life to provide a
good, happy home for their three sons.

I admitted my own inability to put my dysfunctional relationship with Aaron
completely behind me, acknowledging that somewhere deep down was a real
fear that if I gave my heart completely it would be broken again.

Another hour was spent talking about Ty's perception of some of the things
I'd done.

"When Lachie was injured, I just couldn't function," Ty cried.  "You just
stepped in and took over.  You dealt with the Department of Defence, you
organised Mum and Dad and Scotty to come to Sydney.  You just did it all
and I did ... nothing ..."

"That's understandable Ty," I tried to assure him.  "You didn't know
whether your brother was alive or dead."

"Then you organised his release from hospital, took him for his outpatient
visits, set up the trust fund.  Fuck, you even found his future wife for
him.  Again I did nothing.  I just flashed the credit card every time
something needed to be paid for ..."

"I was trying to help you, mate," I sniffed.  "I knew how important your
family was to you and I wanted to show you that I loved them.  I didn't
realise ..."

"I know that now Mike," Ty said, new tears in his eyes.  "I should have
been so grateful but instead I started feeling resentful and I stifled it.
I hated myself for feeling that way."

"You should have told me Ty," I said.  "We could have dealt with it then
and there."

"When Scotty came back from Africa was the worst," he whispered.  "When I
found out he'd contacted you and you'd picked him up from the airport, that
really, really hurt."

"He was embarrassed Ty," I sighed.  "I think he needed to gauge my level of
disapproval so he could get some idea of what he might be in for when he
confronted you and Lachlan."

"Again, I know that now," Ty said quietly.  "It was the headspace I was in
at the time.  Scotty would always come straight to me whenever anything was
wrong and I would always fix it.  It felt like Scotty loved you more than
he loved me.  It's so stupid, I know, but that's how I was feeling."

Somewhere around three in the morning, we moved on to Ty's decision to come
out.  When I asked him outright if he'd gone public for himself or for me,
he won me with this assurance that he'd done it for us.

"I meant what I said the last time I saw you," Ty said earnestly.  "I'm
prepared to give it all up if that's what it takes for us to be together.
I'll have to do the tour, but I'll sell Sugarloaf Road and give all the
money back to the record company and the publishers.  I'll get a job on a
building site ..."

I couldn't help smiling at the thought of Ty in overalls, lugging bricks.
"I don't want you to give anything up, mate," I assured him.  "I know what
your music means to you and any fool can see what it means to your fans.  I
want you to be successful and fulfilled; most of all I want you to be
happy."

"You make me happy Mike," he replied, and for the first time in an age I
saw that goofy grin I'd fallen in love with.  "None of this means anything
without you to share it."

"I wasn't expecting the Kenny Best bombshell ..." I ventured.

"I had to do it Mike," Ty replied.  "I just needed to put it out there and
deal with the wash-up.  It gutted me to think I'd lost you, but I needed to
stop hiding.  I realised the people I care about most in the world knew
about us, so it was time to stick up my hand and say `I'm a man who likes
men, you're gonna have to deal with it'."

"Are you still glad you did it?"

"You bet.  I feel ... free.  It's liberating to be able to say `this is me'
and not pretend I'm someone else.  I was expecting some sort of backlash
but there's really been nothing much at all.  Mind you, I spent days
wondering how you'd reacted to me saying your name."

"That was a surprise," I smiled.

"No repercussions?"

"The senior partner sent me away to the south coast for a few days to
hide!"

"I'm sorry mate," Ty said softly.  "I know you're probably not ready to be
part of my public life, and that's OK, but I'm not going to pretend I don't
have someone special in my life."

I remember glancing at the clock and realising it was 3:40.  The next thing
I knew, light was streaming into the lounge room and I could smell coffee.
I eased my eyes open and saw that Ty was no longer opposite me.  The clock
told me it was now 7:17 and as I sat up and stretched, George walked into
the room with coffee and toast.

"Mr. Hill has had his shower, sir," he said, as he handed me a towel and
some toiletries.  "He's taken Scruffy down to the beach to do his business.
I suggest you take your coffee to the bathroom and clean yourself up."

I looked at George questioningly.

"Forgive me sir, but you look like a Yeti!" he explained.

I chuckled as I ran my hand over what was getting on for a full beard.

"I've laid out a razor and shaving cream for you.  There are some clean
clothes hanging on the back of the door, things you didn't pack when you
... moved.  When you're ready, breakfast will be served on the balcony."

Even though he was taking care of everything as he always did, I could
sense a real excitement in George that made me feel I was really welcomed
home.  Ty and I weren't out of the woods yet, not by a long shot, but I had
a feeling we were heading in the right direction.

For now I headed in the direction of our en suite bathroom and as I walked
into the bedroom we had shared I was touched to see on the bedside table a
small framed photo of Ty and me in our Batman and Robin suits, taken at the
farm at Christmas, before ... well, just before.

In the bathroom, I shaved off my heavy beard, surprising myself in the
mirror by how much older it made me look.  I stripped and stepped into the
shower and stood as the hot water cleaned and relaxed my body.  After
washing my hair I stepped out and dried myself before dressing in the
clothes George had left hanging on the hook behind the door.  He'd
thoughtfully left out a new toothbrush and some cologne so I made myself as
presentable as I could and followed the smell of bacon and eggs to the
kitchen.

George had laid on another of his spectacular breakfast buffets; cereals
and sliced fruit, buttered muffins and croissants, bacon, eggs, sausages,
freshly squeezed orange juice and percolated coffee. I helped him stack
plates next to knives, forks, spoons and napkins as I watched Ty meandering
along the beach back to the house with a panting Scruffy in tow.

Scruffy trotted through the back door first and again headed straight for
me.  He sat and offered me his paw as I crouched down to give him a pat.
He was followed by Ty who chuckled and commented, "There's someone else
who's missed you!"

"I've missed him too," I grinned, as Scruffy rolled onto his back for a
tummy rub.

After we washed our hands, George steered us to the buffet where we loaded
up our plates before moving to the table on the balcony.  George poured
coffee for us both and disappeared back into the kitchen.

"You're looking a bit fresher after your shower," Ty smiled.

"I feel better, too," I answered.  "I think I've decided a beard doesn't
suit me!"

We hoed into breakfast until we couldn't eat any more and Scruffy was
excited to find that for once, there was leftover bacon.  As George cleared
the plates away, I stood at the balcony railing looking out to sea,
reminding myself of how idyllic our beachfront home was.  A few moments
later, Ty joined me and we stood side by side, watching the gentle waves
lap the shore.

The silence was broken when Ty turned and looked at me.  "Do you remember
Bedarra?" he asked.

"How could I forget?" I smiled.

"Occasionally the sound of the ocean here takes me back to that night."

"I remember the next morning.  Day breaking, the birds chirping, me
watching you sleep.  I'd never really watched anyone sleeping until that
day."

Ty looked at me intently and smiled.  "I'd only known you a few days and
already I was hopelessly in love with you."

"You wanted to pay me a commission on the publishing deal.  Then you
offered to pay for something I really wanted!"

Ty smirked.  "You said, `OK, I'd really like you to kiss me again!"

We both sighed at the memory.  "Do you remember how it went?" I asked.

"How could I forget?" Ty laughed as he leaned forward, drew my face to his
and pressed his lips against mine.  Once again it was a kiss so tender that
it made my pulse race, and just like that night on the island, it was as if
nothing else existed in the world.

It stopped only when George again cleared his throat.  "There are people on
the beach with cameras," he cautioned.  "Best you two move indoors!"

We walked through the kitchen into the lounge room and again sat on
opposite couches.  It was Ty who resumed our discussion.  "I've got the
ARIAs tomorrow night and then next week rehearsals start for the tour," he
said.

"How's the box office?" I asked.  "Did the Kenny Best program affect ticket
sales?"

"It's not sold out, but Vince seems pretty pleased," Ty replied.  "We're
about 75% full, so we're past break even.  The TV ad campaign will kick
back in for the last two weeks before the first concert, so it should be
OK."

"When do you actually leave?"

"A week from Monday.  The first show is in Perth next Thursday, and then
it's Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle, the Gold Coast, and
Brisbane.  Twelve concerts in all."

"So everything's going to be pretty full-on for the next few weeks?"

"Yep," he sighed.  "But the rehearsal schedule has been spaced out to allow
me time for some sessions with Janet.  Did you mean it when you said you'd
come with me?"

"Of course I did mate," I assured him.  "We've both got stuff we have to
deal with and I think the sooner we get started the sooner we'll be able to
move forward."

"There's one thing we need to talk about before then," Ty ventured.  "The
... well, you know ..."

I knew, but I waited for him to say it.

"The ... punch."

I nodded and automatically ran my hand around my jaw as I recalled the
moment.

"I don't know what to say," Ty said earnestly.  "Sorry isn't nearly enough.
I don't know why I did it, Mike.  You know I'm not a fighter. It just came
out of nowhere, and then I felt so ashamed of myself that I couldn't face
up to it."

"You broke my tooth, mate," I said.

"I didn't know that at the time," Ty replied.  "When I finally got back and
you'd gone, I copped it from Scott.  It was like the wrath of God.  I've
never seen him so angry, he went completely ape-shit."

"He was very upset when I left," I reflected.

"It got worse when Mum and Dad got home and Lachie arrived.  Scott told
them what had happened and I copped it from everyone, especially Lachlan.
He couldn't believe you'd left because of what I did ..."

I let my mind return to the events of that day and the emotional
rollercoaster it set me on.  "Ty," I said softly, looking up.  "I have to
say this.  That can never happen again.  I can't commit to a relationship
where assault is an issue."

Ty's eyes suddenly filled with tears.  "I know that Mike," he said.  "If
only you knew the regret I've lived with because of that moment.  I promise
you it will NEVER happen again.  I've been working with Janet to figure out
why I did it and to put things in place so that I deal with a problem when
it arises instead of lashing out."

"You know, Ty," I said, "I tried for a while to pass it off, convince
myself it happens all the time ... in any Aussie pub ... loud and angry,
fists flying, over in seconds.  But Ty, it was more than that.  It was
driven by something dark.  It was ... it was like you hated me.  No, the
truth is you did hate me in that moment."

Ty quickly tried to reassure me.  "I could never hate you Mike," he
stressed.  "Never.  I was resentful and I felt like I was useless ..."

We stopped talking when George walked in with a pot of tea and a plate of
ribbon sandwiches.

"We only had breakfast an hour ago George!" I laughed.

"I know sir, but I have to do something in the kitchen.  It's good to be
preparing meals again.  Mr. Hill's been living on toast, take-away pizza,
and beer."

Ty and I had tea and a couple of sandwich strips before Ty laid back on the
couch.  "Man I'm tired," he yawned.

His yawn triggered mine and I lay back against the cushions.  "So am I," I
said drowsily as I rubbed my eyes.  The house was so quiet and when I heard
Ty start to snore softly, I started nodding off ...

**********

I was enjoying a peaceful sleep, conscious of the fact that for the first
time in weeks I had been able to drift off without a heavy heart.  I had no
idea what time it was when I found myself being gently pulled back from my
slumber.

Ty was kissing me!  His lips felt warm and wet against mine and with my
eyes still closed I sank into it.

I was surprised to find Ty's ardor was making me horny.  I was even more
surprised when Ty started to lick my face.  Oddly, his beard felt prickly.
Then I remembered he was clean-shaven at breakfast, so that could only mean
... shit!

My eyes flew open and I pushed myself back into the couch to escape
Scruffy's drooling tongue.  I was still in shock when I heard a sudden
burst of uncontrolled laughter from across the coffee table.  I looked up
to see Ty splitting his sides.

"Mate!" he guffawed.  "That was so fuckin' funny! You had this stupid
little smile on your face! ..."

"Scruffy's never done that before!" I exclaimed.

"It's because you had a bit of chicken and mayo on your lip from the
sandwiches earlier!"

I patted Scruffy and push him down to the floor before wiping my face
thoroughly on a napkin.  "Just for the record," I grinned, "you're a better
kisser."

"I know!"

I stood and stretched, and yawned again.  Ty followed suit and as we looked
at one another across the table Ty said, "There's just one thing I still
don't really understand mate," he said cautiously.

"What's that?"

"I don't want you to think I'm trying to shift any blame here, but I don't
get why you allowed this to happen.  Why you let me get away with the way I
was behaving.  That's not an excuse of course, but I think if you'd been
more, I dunno, confrontational with me, I might have pulled my head in."

"I'm not a confrontational person Ty," I said.  "I end up dealing with
everything as a lawyer, staying calm at all costs."

"Seriously mate, there's another thing that bothers me.  When I punched
you, you really should have clobbered me back.  I don't know for the life
of me why you didn't.  If you had, we could have seen it as a punch-up
between mates and maybe I'd have come to my senses and stopped behaving
like an arse."

"I don't fight, Ty.  I never have.  Even with Steve when we were little.
He'd try to pick a fight me with and I'd negotiate my way out of it."

"You didn't even yell at me," Ty continued.  "The most you ever did was
raise your voice and even then, it was only once or twice.  If you'd lost
your shit at me, I'd probably have paid attention."

I went to speak, but closed my mouth when it occurred to me that Ty was
right.  I had always avoided confrontation.

"You never even got angry.  You just let me go on being more and more of an
asshole," he said.

He walked around the coffee table and stood in front of me.  Without
warning, he jabbed me in the chest, hard.  "What you should have done was
go ballistic at me, or threaten to leave.  It would have forced me to think
about what I was doing."

I stepped back.  Ty stepped forward.  He poked his fingers into my chest
again.  "You need to just stand up sometimes Mike, and tell me when I'm
fucking up. It might mean an argument, but that's way better than what
ended up happening."

I shrugged.  "I guess ..."

Ty looked at me and rolled his eyes.  He reached out and pulled my head
towards him.  He kissed me quickly but tenderly and then pulled back.  He
stared at me and then pulled me back into a second kiss, only this time he
bit my bottom lip – hard - and pulled it back with his teeth.

I tasted blood as I pulled back from him.  Startled, I held my hand to my
lip and asked, "What did you do that for?"

"Because I can," he smirked.  "It's not like you're gonna stop me is it,
Mr. Lawyer?  You'll just stay calm."

I wasn't quite sure what Ty was getting at.  I picked up a napkin to dab my
lip.  "I've got blood on my shirt now," I sighed.

Ty grinned at me.  "That's terrible, Mike," he said, as he reached in and
grabbed my shirt, tearing it open as buttons flew from top to bottom.

I was shocked and for a moment, angry.  "What did you do that for?" I
yelled at him.

"Because I can, apparently."

"It's an Armani!"

"Shame!"

"You can buy me a new one!"

"Nah, don't think so."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?" he asked as he reached out lightly slapped me on the side of
my head.

"That!" I spluttered.

"Oh sorry, wrong side," he replied as he slapped me on the other side of
the head.

I was starting to get pissed off.  I pushed him backward and said "Cut it
out!"

"Or what?" he grinned. "You gonna punch me?  You wouldn't dare!"

"Knock it off Ty," I said lamely.

He stepped forward and pinched my exposed nipple.  As I grimaced, he pulled
my head towards him again and this time, he licked my bottom lip.

"Blood!" he said as his eyes blazed into mine.  "Your boyfriend's a very
nasty man!  You wanna fuck him?"

"What?"

"Do you wanna fuck me?"

"Well, I mean ... um ..."

"I think you should."

"I'm not ... well, I don't think ..."

Ty lowered his hand and grabbed my crotch.  "I think you want to," he
smirked.  "Your cock's hard!"

He had a point.

Before I could respond, the kitchen door flew open and George walked in,
dressed in his coat and scarf with wallet in hand.

We both looked at him as he looked at us.

"Foreplay's changed a lot in the last 50 years," he deadpanned.  "Time I
was leaving.  Henri and I are going to catch the afternoon session of `Wish
You Were Here' and because you two probably `Wish I Wasn't Here', I'll
leave you alone to behave disgracefully."

Ty grinned.  "I think Mike's gonna fuck me, George," he taunted.

"Very good, sir," George chirped as he walked out the front door.  "Don't
make too much mess.  I'll be home around six."

When Ty looked back at me I reached out and twisted his ear.

"Ouch!" he gasped.

I picked up a glass of water and threw it at Ty's top half, making him
recoil.  "Better get you out of these wet clothes before you catch a cold!"
I said.

Ty stepped back and started to undress. With my eyes locked on his, I did
the same.  We were down to our boxers when we suddenly rushed towards the
bedroom ...

**********

As the door slammed behind us, everything became a blur; a frenzy of ripped
satin shorts, tangled limbs and lip locks.  Pillows and covers went flying
as we hit the bed and rolled backwards and forwards on top of each other,
hands frantically roaming over each other's naked bodies.

There was no wooing, no foreplay, just two sex-starved men desperate to
sate pent-up urges.  As I lay on top of Ty, pinning his arms, I kissed him
forcibly, leaving his lips and chin smeared with the blood that still
seeped from my bottom lip.

I covered his face and neck with kisses as he grabbed my shoulders and
clung to me for dear life.  He wrapped his legs around my waist and lifted
his ass off the mattress, giving my throbbing cock easy access.  With my
tongue half way down his throat, I thrust my hips and we both groaned
loudly as I sank inside him in one fluid movement.

Sheer pleasure made my whole body slump.  For one brief moment I felt like
I was astral travelling, so exquisite was that familiar feeling that
overwhelmed me every time Ty and I made love; he and I were so physically
in tune.  The fuck was frantic, each of us trying desperately to please the
other and yet racing to get rid of that itch that hadn't been scratched for
many weeks.

This was never going to be a languid, drawn-out afternoon session.  It had
been so long since I'd had any sexual release that I lasted only a couple
of minutes.  Ty wasn't much better.  We'd probably have laughed if we
weren't feeling so euphoric.

I stayed with my arms wrapped around Ty while I came down from my high.  He
kept his legs wrapped around me and his arms held me tight.  Our
interrelationship skills may need some work, but the intimate side of our
partnership was as mind-blowingly perfect as it had been that first time,
off the coast of Queensland.

We eventually disentangled and lay holding each other for a long time
before I rolled on to my back.  I loved it when Ty immediately and
instinctively turned and rested his head on my chest.  I wondered if he
knew how much that simple gesture had always meant to me?

For the next hour or so, as I ran my fingers through his curls and he
stroked the hair on my chest, we talked.  Ty wanted to know where I'd been
and what I'd been doing these past weeks and why I wasn't working.  I
needed to know how his family felt about his public outing and why he
hadn't once called me.

We filled in some gaps before Ty asked me, completely out of the blue,
whether I'd ever thought about us growing old together.  I was shocked to
realise I hadn't.  Because he was the love of my life, I'd just assumed we
would always be together.  Being part of the `forever young' generation, I
didn't ever think about the `growing old' bit.

Ty and me in our late fifties together?  We'd be Lachlan's and Ellie's
kids' old gay uncles.  Would we still be doing what we were doing now?
Would I still be an entertainment lawyer?  Would Ty still be making music
and topping the charts?  Would either of us get sick and not be able to
work?

I had no immediate answers, so I handballed it back to Ty.  How did he feel
about staying with me as time took its toll?  Would we have this connection
five years from now?  Ten? Twenty?

Ty was silent for a while and then he sighed.  "I was never a
`play-the-field' kind of guy Mike.  I guess I want to be like my Mum and
Dad, find that `perfect' partner and spend my life with him.  I found him.
So yeah, I hope I'm with you fifty years from now.  I want to think you're
always gonna love me and I'm always gonna want to come home to you."

Yeah, there was a little tear.  Just a small one; mine.  Then we kissed and
made love again, slowly and tenderly this time.

We were still embracing when the sun started to sink and the sunlight
patterns on the bedroom walls began to change.  We didn't disengage when we
heard George return home and even though our door was closed, we knew he
was taking off his coat in the foyer and hanging it on the coat rack,
followed by his scarf and his umbrella.  He walked into the kitchen, made a
bit of noise shifting cooking utensils and plates and then knocked on our
door.

"Come in George," I called.

"Did you enjoy your nap, sirs?" he asked as he walked into the room and
surveyed the damage.

"We were very tired George," I chuckled.

"Did you and Henri enjoy `Wish You Were Here'?" Ty asked.

"Marvellous, sir," George replied.  "Joel Edgerton has come a long way
since `Water Rats'.  He was runner-up to you in Cosmopolitan's `Dream Boat
Top 10', Mr. Hill."

"How do you even know that, George?" Ty laughed.

"I'm widely read, sir," George deadpanned.  "Surprising, I know..."

"Are you going to feed us, George?" I asked.

"Of course, Mr. Stewart.  I'm making prawn tempura with garlic aioli,
Moroccan potatoes and a warm root vegetable stack served with a side plate
of every green vegetable known to man, followed by vanilla bean ice cream
with chocolate sauce and fresh honeycomb."

"Go George!" Ty laughed.  "If Scotty was here, he'd have a boner!"

"Thanks for the visual, sir," George smiled.  "Dinner will be ready in an
hour."

We waited until George left the room before we snuck in a few more kisses.
We left it to the last minute before jumping in the shower and cleaning up,
redressing and following the food smells to the balcony.  George had set
the table using our best crockery and the best crystal.  We knew
immediately he was trying to make this a special night.

We coerced George into joining us for his amazing meal, and the
conversation flowed.  Ty and I were aware that George was inventing
opportunities to weave into the conversation many great memories for the
two of us.  It reminded us how much he cared for us and how well he knew us
individually and as a couple.

The reminiscing died off around the time the ice cream was served; ice
cream for Ty was a religious experience, and the ritual needed to be
observed.  Coffee and more wine followed and when everything was finished,
we were shooed off to bed while George cleaned up.  We were both tired, so
while we kissed and ran our hands over each other's body, there was no late
night lovemaking for Ty and me.

As we turned on our sides, I pulled Ty in close and wrapped my arms around
him.  I drifted off to sleep feeling the happiest I had been for many
weeks, and certain I would wake in the morning to a future with this
beautiful man ...

**********

I woke with Ty's head on my chest.  It didn't seem to matter how I turned
in the night, Ty always found his way back to the position we'd established
as perfect for us, right from the start.  I enjoyed feeling Ty's breath on
my abdomen as I thought about the day ahead.  It was ARIAs night and Ty was
about to take centre stage again.  A few days later, his national tour
would take him away from me for another three weeks.

As Ty slept, I mulled over what might happen next.  I was keen for us to
start seeing Janet as a couple as soon as possible, but Ty's schedule meant
we couldn't establish a pattern with her for at least a month.  In the
meantime, I needed to return to work and show Max that his faith in me was
justified.

I was still thinking these things through when curly top started to stir.
He stretched a little, looked up at me with sleepy eyes and smiled.  He
craned his neck and kissed me lightly on the lips.  "That was the best
sleep I've had for a while!" he grinned.

I was about to kiss him back when our 8:00a.m. door knock came.  George
walked in, opened the curtains and announced that breakfast would be served
in 30 minutes.  We disentangled and headed to the bathroom.  Ty took a long
leak while I shaved and then he joined me in the shower where we had fun
washing each other.  Yesterday's urgent lovemaking had not left us in any
urgent need of sexual satisfaction and we were content to reacquaint
ourselves with each other's relaxed junk.

We dressed and headed to the balcony where George and Scruffy were waiting.
We started breakfast with freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee before
George served us mushroom and spinach omelettes with sides of fried cherry
tomatoes and hash browns.

"What are you wearing for the awards?" I asked Ty.

"Monique's had a suit made for me by that tailor in Double Bay who has my
measurements," he answered.  "She reckons it'll be great.  I didn't really
care, so I guess I'll find out when I turn up today."

"Are you just there as a nominee or are you presenting?"

"Nah, but I'm singing this year.  All the nominees for "Best Selling
Single' are doing the song they're nominated for."

"`Angels On High'?" I asked.

"Yeah.  You know that `Until You Came Along' is up for Best Male Artist?"

"I didn't!  That's great!"

Ty took a bite out of his muffin and swallowed another mouthful of coffee
before asking quietly, "I don't guess you'd think about coming with me?"

I was momentarily thrown by the question, but I decided I'd answer
honestly.  "I'm not quite ready for it, mate," I said.

He tried not to show it but I knew Ty was disappointed.  "It's your night,
Ty," I qualified.  "If we play the `here's Mike' card tonight, there'll be
no focus on your music.  It'll be `here's the rock star's boyfriend'.  I'm
not sure I want to be in tomorrow's daily papers as the `mystery guy'.
I've got some stuff to work out with this.  I don't wanna be David Furnish
just yet."

"That's cool," Ty sighed.  "I'll just look forward to coming home tonight
and letting you polish my trophy!"

I hesitated.  "I was planning on going back to my apartment," I said.

"Oh."

"Well, I ... I just thought maybe we should give each other some space.
We'll have some sessions with Janet, and then see where we are."

Ty slumped a little.  "I just figured ..." he began.  "After yesterday
... I thought maybe we'd be able to start again."

A huge sigh from George stopped me replying.  He looked at both of us and
then stomped into the kitchen.

"Did I miss something?" I asked Ty.

"No idea!" he replied.

I started to tell Ty that it might be a mistake if we simply `normalised'
our situation before we found out where our danger zones were, when George
appeared on the balcony with two glasses of iced water which he placed on
the table at the same time as he dropped an envelope between us.

I looked at Ty quizzically as George returned indoors.  Ty shrugged and I
pushed the envelope towards him.  He tore it open and recoiled.

"GEORGE?" he thundered.  "You're resigning??"

I'm not sure which of us was more shocked.  George was drying a platter
when he walked back onto the balcony.  "Floppy and I have decided we may as
well go back to the Gold Coast," he stated matter-of-factly.

"But," Ty stumbled, "we need you George!"

"Clearly you don't sir," George corrected.

"Why?"

"Well if you're not going to be living together, I don't really have a
job."

Ty hopped in with, "Even if it's just me here George, I still need you."

"Forgive me sir," George replied.  "But that's a crock of shit!"

"Excuse me?"

"Well, for the past few weeks I've put up with you moping around the house.
You haven't wanted me to cook for you because the pimply boy at Pizza Hut
has become your new chef.  I haven't been needed to clean your bedroom
because you've slept on the couch most nights because you can't face
sleeping in your bed without Mr. Stewart.  The only real washing I've done
for you is undies, track suit pants and smelly tee shirts.  You don't need
a housekeeper ..."

"We'd be lost without you George," I offered. "You can't leave us ..."

"Us?" George asked.  "You living in the city and Mr. Hill on tour and then
him coming back to Point Piper to sloth around the house some more?
Where's the `us' in that?  I can't see why I'm here."

"Are you serious, George?" I asked, shocked.  "There's nothing we can do?
..."

"Yes of course there's something you can do," George said, rolling his
eyes.  "You can go back to your apartment, pack up your things and move
back to your home.  Today!  It's commendable that you're going to do
couples counseling, but no real progress can be made unless the two of you
are living together and learning new ways of coping – together - with
everything that happens in your lives."

I think Ty was as stunned as I was, but it was Ty who found his tongue
first.  "I'd love you to come home, mate," he admitted.  "If I know I've
got you to come home to, then everything's gonna be OK.  It's up to you."

I needed a moment to think, aware two sets of eyes were on me.  It didn't
take too long.

"You'll stay if I move back?" I asked George.

"I will," George promised.

"OK, I'll move home," I said, as Ty leaned in and bumped fists with me.

George rolled his eyes and turned towards the kitchen.  "Young people!" he
mumbled as he moved indoors.

**********

I sat on the bed and watched as Ty walked around in circles, trying to fill
a bag with everything he needed for the evening's awards telecast.  He
packed things and then unpacked them, and scratched his head a lot.

I smiled as I called out, "George!"

In he marched, picked up Ty's bag and dropped it on the floor.  "I've
packed a case for you, sir," he told Ty.  "It's in the hallway.  There's a
dinner suit, shirt and tie, in case you don't like the outfit that's been
made for you.  There are jeans, a shirt and jacket for leaving the hotel, a
bag of regular toiletries and a separate wet pack with your stage stuff.
There's an envelope with publicity photos in it and some felt pens for
signing.  A few copies of `Hill Songs' in case you need them and some
throat lozenges in the zip pocket in case your throat gives you trouble
..."

"Man, you're a fucking legend ..." Ty marvelled.

"Yes sir," George said dismissively.  "I called Monique.  You're in 3205,
the penthouse.  Your parents are in 2912, Lachlan and Ellie are in 2914,
I'm next to them in 2916, Steve and Fran are in 2918, Scott and Simon are
in 2922 and Vince and Consuela are in 2924."

"Who's Consuela?" Ty asked.

"The Artist Previously Known As Miss Can't-Sing-A-Note," George sighed.

"Of course."

"I checked with the hotel and the buffet breakfast is included for all your
guests," George continued.  "Monique has a media schedule and your radio
interviews start at 7:50a.m.  Eight are confirmed, and at 9:45 you're
required for a `group hug' with the other winners for the cameras.  You'll
check out at 11:00 and a driver will pick you up.  Lachlan and Ellie have
their car and cab vouchers have been arranged for the rest of the family to
get back here."

"I'll never remember all that!" Ty groaned.

"I've typed it all up and printed it out for you and it's on the top of
your clothes in the suitcase, sir," George replied patiently.  "I've
printed out Monique's media call sheet as well.  The conferencing centre
will connect calls straight through to your room at approximately 20 minute
intervals."

"Is that everything?" Ty asked, exasperated.

"If I've forgotten anything," George deadpanned, "have me flogged."

"I love you George," Ty grinned.

"Yes, of course you do," George tutted as he swept from the room.  "All the
pretty boys do."

By now I'd laid on the bed watching George in full flight.  Ty came and
joined me.

"He's awesome!" Ty sighed.

"That he is," I agreed.

We were silent for a while when I asked suddenly, "Ty, are we doing the
right thing?"

"Meaning?"

"Should I really be moving home?"

Ty rolled on his side, propped up by an arm.  "We can make it, Mike," he
whispered.  "I need you to trust me.  You make me want to wake up in the
morning.  It would be really helpful if you were actually here in the
morning!"

He leaned in and kissed me lightly.  I reached out and pulled his head
closer, into a deeper more mind- blowing kiss. We were about to start
groping each other when George appeared.  "No time for that!" he said,
clapping his hands.  "Your sound check is in 45 minutes Mr. Hill, which
means you need to be leaving here in the next ten minutes."

Ty sighed.

"And Mr. Stewart, you need to start moving your things back from the city.
It might take a few trips.  I'll be leaving for the hotel with Mr. Hill, to
get the babies settled, so I've made you spinach and ricotta Cannelloni
with a mango and avocado salad.  There's some Coldstream Hills chardonnay
in the fridge."

"Thanks George," I said, as I ran my fingers through Ty's hair and my
morning whiskers across his right cheek.  "You're the best!"

"Will I still be the best when I pour a bucket of iced water over you
both?" he asked.  "That's going to happen in about three minutes."

Ty and I quickly sat up and got off the bed.  We heard an engine in the
driveway and looked at George.  "It's your driver, sir."

"Give us 10 minutes, mate," Ty pleaded.

George closed the door and Ty turned to me.  "Mate," he said, as he clasped
my face in his hands.  "Thank you.  Thank you for hanging on to us.  We're
going to be OK, I swear.  Short term I know we've got work to do but long
term I just wanna love you and know that you love me."

I smiled, as much as my squashed face would allow.  "You gonna kiss me?" I
asked.

"I wanna do so much more than just kiss you," Ty replied as he locked lips
with me.  "But the Gestapo's on my case!  Gotta go ..."

"So everyone's coming back here tomorrow morning?" I asked tentatively.

"Yeah," Ty smirked. "They're so gonna be over the moon when they see you!"

"You're not telling them?"

"Nah, thought I'd make it a surprise.  You know they'll be more stoked to
see you than they will be if I win any awards!"

"Well make the most of it while it lasts, mate!" I grinned.  "Good luck!"

The door opened and George started tapping his foot.  "We need to be
leaving, sir," he said.

"OK, OK," Ty sighed.  "I'm leaving."

"I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Stewart," George said.  Before he headed out
the door, he hugged me quickly.  "It's good to have you home, sir," he
said.  "You both need to start realising how perfect you are for one
another."

"Thanks George," I smiled.  "I really can't imagine how we'd be without you
bullying us!  You gave us a scare you know ..."

"Scary George!" he chuckled.  "I like it ..."

**********

It felt strange to be suddenly alone in the house, but it was a good
strange. I was home!  I made a coffee and sat on the balcony where I was
joined by Scruffy, who rested his face on my leg and waited for a pat.  To
complete the picture, Floppy suddenly glided up the stairs and jumped up on
to the chair next to me.

"Hey Flops!" I smiled, tickling her under the chin.  "It's just us animals
for the next 24 hours.  Enjoy it while it lasts!"

In the kitchen I located my wallet and keys.  Grabbing my phone, I realised
it had been turned off since I arrived, which explained why there had been
no calls. Switching it on, I had several message alerts.  My brother had
rung once and left a message and I had three missed calls from Max, who was
concerned about where I was.

I called the office, but was told Max was in a client meeting.  I was put
through to his secretary Trish who told me Max was keen to speak to me.

"Don't interrupt his meeting, Trish," I told her.  "I'm heading into the
city and I'll swing by the office.  Will Max be free in an hour?"

"I'll make certain he is," she assured me.

I called Steve and had to think of a quick excuse why I couldn't catch up
with him for lunch. I invented a couple of appointments that couldn't be
changed.  "Let's do something tomorrow, mate," I said.  "We can speak in
the morning?"

"Not too early, eh?" he asked.  "Got a feeling it's gonna be a big night."

"Don't party too hard," I laughed, "or you'll have Lachlan breathing down
your neck!"

"Don't I know it!" he chuckled.  "I'll behave.  I'm just stoked to be going
to the ARIAs.  I've never been to anything this top class before!"

"You'll have a blast, Steve," I assured him.  "Have a great night.  Talk
tomorrow."

I gave my animal friends a treat each, locked up the house and headed into
town.  I pulled up at the office and found a parking spot in the street; I
wasn't intending to spend long with Max so it seemed pointless going
through the rigmarole of accessing the basement car park.

As I walked out of the lift I was pleased to see Anita back at the front
desk.  "Hey Michael!" she said cheerfully.  "Long time no see!"

"Welcome back Anita.  Did you have a good break?"

"My husband and I went to Thailand and had a great time!"

Trish stuck her head around the corner and said, "Max is waiting."

I walked in to Max's office and closed the door.  As we shook hands, Max
asked, "Is everything alright?  You haven't been answering your phone."

"Everything's great Max," I assured him, as I went on to fill him in on the
latest turn of events.

"So, everything's OK between you and lover boy then?" Max asked with a
smile.

"It will be," I nodded.  "We're going to do some sessions with a therapist
just to get us back on track, but I feel really positive Max."

"I'm glad, Mike," Max replied.  "I've always had confidence in your ability
to do the right thing and if this feels right for you, then go for it!"

"I want to thank you, Max," I said, trying not to be emotional.  "You
helped me through the worst of it and I really appreciate the fact you were
there."

"Just protecting my investment!" Max said dismissively.  "So, what's next?"

"Well actually, I want to come back to work," I said.

"You've still got another three weeks if you want them," he responded.

"I know, but I'm ready to get back on the horse," I grinned.  "Ty's away on
tour from Monday week, so it seems like a good time for me to ease myself
back into the workforce."

"That's great news, son," Max smiled.  "Give me a call the weekend before
you start back and I'll give you a head's up on where everything's
sitting."

"I will," I said as I stood to leave.  "When the tour's over, how about you
come and have dinner with Ty and me at our place?"

"I'll look forward to it, Mike," Max said.  "I can get my CDs signed!"

A short time later I was back in Castlereagh Street riding the lift to the
15th floor of my apartment block.  I looked around at the space that had
been `home' for the past couple of months and realized for the first time
just how sad I'd felt while living here.

With a month still to go on the lease there was no rush to clear it out, so
I decided to leave the goods and chattels for another time and packed just
my clothes, toiletries, and personal effects into two suitcases.  I changed
into gym gear and decided to use the facility downstairs one final time.

I started with the treadmill and graduated to the bike and then lifted
weights.  An hour and a half later I ended my session with a good sweat in
the sauna. I'd showered and was changing when my mobile rang.  The caller
ID was blocked, but I knew it would be Ty.

"Hey," I said as I flopped down on the bench under my locker.

"Hey mate, whatcha doing?"

"I've just finished a couple of hours in the gym," I said. "George's
cooking is going to make me fat!"

"Which gym?"

"There's one in the apartment block in Castlereagh Street and I felt like a
bit of exercise.  How are things going with you?"

"I've had one quick rehearsal.  Sound check is in about an hour.  I've just
been with Mum and Dad in their suite, explaining how all the `new fangled
gadgets' work!  They're not used to automatic blinds or the Internet
through the TV set!"

"What are you all doing for dinner?"

"Lachie, Ellie, Scott and Simon are all eating at the restaurant
downstairs.  I was going to go with them but there are too many fans
hanging around.  It turns into a circus, so I'll eat in my suite with Mum
and Dad.  I wanted them to go out for dinner too, but Mum wants to be close
to the twins."

"I thought George was looking after them?"

"He is and he does a great job, but you know Mum!"

I heard Ty speak quickly to someone.  "I've gotta do some more photos,
mate," he sighed.

"You go," I said.  "Good luck Ty.  I'll be rooting for you!"

"I wish you wouldn't say things like that!" he whispered into the phone.
"My trousers are tight enough as it is!"

**********

I was back at Point Piper by 6:00pm and judging by the attention I was
being paid by my four-legged housemates, it was clearly their dinner time.
I had just settled on the couch with some cheese and grapes and a glass of
wine when my mobile rang again.  This time it was George.

"I'm just checking that everything's alright, sir," he said.

"No you're not George.  You're just checking that I've moved my things
back!"

"That didn't even enter my mind!" George exclaimed.  "Have you?"

"Yes, George.  I've not been back long from the apartment.  Everything OK
there?"

"Yes sir," George replied.  "The babies have been changed and fed.  Rodney
is sleeping but Matthew wants to play.  The rattle, in his world, is the
best invention ever!"

I heard a doorbell ring and George sighed.  "That'll be Dorothy," he
groaned.  "She keeps inventing reasons to come to Lachlan's room, just so
she can check on the children."

"She's just being a good Grandma, George," I chuckled.

"That's what Little Red Riding Hood thought, sir!" George sighed.

I sat on the couch with Scruffy at my feet and Floppy on my lap watching
the evening news and the start of a current affairs program before deposing
the cat and getting my meal organized so I could eat and watch the start of
the ARIAs.

I was seated just in time to see the end of the red carpet arrivals.  It
always amused me that for red carpets, the stars were already staying at
the hotel, so they would all be herded into the basement and put in
limousines leaving at five minute intervals, to drive around the block and
pull up at the hotel for their grand entrance!

A who's who of Australian rock made their way from the cavalcade to the
ballroom, waving to the crowds and posing for photographs along the way.  I
was just beginning to think I'd missed Ty when the cameras found him,
flanked by his brothers as he walked from the limo.  He seemed to be
causing a commotion as fans surged towards him but were restrained by
security officers.

He stood and posed for photographs and moved off the carpet briefly to
shake hands with those fans that were close enough to touch him.  In the
background I saw Steve, Simon and the girls, and to one side trying to
avoid any fuss were Dot and Frank looking delightfully bewildered.

A long ad break later, the awards ceremony was underway.  The host did his
welcome and his warm up, clips were played of the big names and the cameras
panned the room focussing on expectant nominees.  The close up of Ty saw
him leaning over and putting his arm around his Mum.

The host couldn't resist a Tyson Hill joke-de-jour.  "Do you like my
jacket?" he asked, drawing attention to a tailored red blazer with velvet
trim.  The audience applauded their approval.

"They had a gold lame jacket waiting in my dressing room, but I didn't like
it.  I took it back to the wardrobe department, but there was nobody there.
I opened the closet and I found this!  And this year, Tyson Hill wasn't
hiding in there!"

The gag got a groan and a polite round of applause.  A quick camera shot of
the Hill table thankfully caught almost everyone smiling.  If Ty was
thrown, it didn't show.

Two guest hosts were introduced and it was straight into the first of the
major awards, for Highest Selling Single.  With "Angels on High", Ty faced
some tough competition from - amongst others - Gotye, Guy Sebastian, Havana
Brown and Jessica Mauboy, most of whom had `featured guests' on their
tracks.

The presenters, Good Charlotte's Joel and Benji Madden, dragged it out as
long as they could, between clips of the songs, before one of them – can
never tell the difference – made the big announcement.  "The winner of
the ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single is ... Tyson Hill, for "Angels on
High".

The room erupted as Ty was seen being congratulated by his family before he
stood and made his way to the podium.  He was handed his award and made a
heart-felt speech thanking Vince and his team for their "endless support",
his record company, his family, and his fans.

The awards rolled on with winners announced for many categories in which Ty
wasn't nominated.  In every second ad break I noted the record company had
placed ads for Ty's `Greatest Hits' album and the tour.  It was only after
the half way mark, when the cameras scoured the room again that I spotted
Daniel and his Mum Mandy at the table next to Ty.  How handsome Daniel
looked in his dinner suit, with his matching black beanie.

Surprisingly, Ty wasn't included in the list of nominees for Single of the
Year.  It was followed by Album of the Year, for which he was competing
with the likes of Boy & Bear, Eskimo Joe, and `Gurrumul'.  This would
surely be close.  I held my breath as Delta Goodrem opened the envelope and
I expelled it in a great burst when Ty's name wasn't announced.

A short while later, two ABC breakfast radio hosts read out the nominees
for Best Rock Album, which pitted Ty against the likes of Eskimo Joe,
Jebediah and The Living End.  After a montage of clips by each artist, the
younger of the hosts announced, "The ARIA goes to ... Tyson Hill for `Hill
Songs'!"

This time Ty thanked the musicians who played on his album, the backing
singers, his producer and engineer, and the fans who had remained loyal to
him from the very start.

The award for Highest Selling Album also eluded Ty, going instead to `Get
Closer' by Keith Urban.  After a great speech, Urban made his way through
the crowd, stopping to shake hands with Altiyan Childs, Angus and Julia
Stone, and Ty.  Urban and Ty hugged and I laughed at the look of
undisguised elation on my brother Steve's face, being so close to another
of his musical idols.

Half an hour later, after four of the five nominees for Best Male Artist
had performed the songs for which they were nominated, it was Ty's turn.
He was announced and strode on stage looking every inch the smouldering
rock God.  Monique had done a superb job dressing him.  He was resplendent
in what appeared to be a form-fitting charcoal grey herringbone suit with
the thinnest of white threads running through it, a light blue silk shirt
with the top button undone and a dark blue silk jacquard tie with a
repeated geometric motif.

He launched into "Until You Came Along" and gave it everything he had,
bringing the audience to its feet as he took his bows.  I knew the stage
manager would keep Ty in the wings as the show went to a commercial break
just in case he won Best Male Artist, which was coming up next.

I took a quick leak and poured another wine during the break and was
alerted to a text message on my phone as I sat back down on the couch.  It
was Ty: `If I win, this one's for you mate!  I love you.'

The presenter, one of MTV's many rock jocks, dragged it out by first
voicing the roll call of industry people who had passed away during the
previous 12 months, as tribute footage rolled.  Then it was on to the big
award and each contender was announced.

Ty's biggest competition was Josh Pyke for "No One Wants a Lover" and Gotye
for "Somebody That I Used to Know", both great tracks.  I figured that Ty
had already won two major awards and if this one went to somebody else he
should still be well pleased.  I was sure he felt the same.

The presenter read through the nominations which were accompanied by clips
of their songs and then the big moment came.  He played the tease by
opening the envelope, gasping and then closing it again, to scattered
`boos' from the audience.

"Ok, OK," he said.  "I'll put you guys out of your misery.  The winner of
this year's Best Male Artist ARIA is ... the king of cool ... Mr. Tyson
Hill, for `Until You Came Along'."

Once again the audience was on its feet and a visibly ebullient Ty walked
on from the wings, his arms outstretched in a show of gratitude to his
music industry contemporaries.

He held his trophy high for the photographers and as the applause died down
and the audience took their seats, he spoke.  "Right up front, I want to
salute my fellow nominees, all equally deserving of this award as I am.
Josh, mate, that album of yours is on high rotation in my car!  As for my
song, `Until You Came Along', you may remember I recently mentioned on
national television that there has only been one person I've ever loved
with all my heart ..."

Ty stood back as the audience began to clap and he waited.  Stepping back
to the microphone, he continued, "I wrote `Until You Came Along' for him.
Michael this one's for you, mate!"  He once again held the trophy high,
stepped back, bowed, and strolled off stage with the presenter to a
play-off of his hit song.

I was beside myself with excitement that Ty had nailed one of the biggest
awards of the night and had to stop myself calling him, knowing that he'd
be facing journalists in the media room.  I received an over-the-top text
from Steve who was stoked that the song Ty had written for me was an
award-winner, and George also texted to share his elation.  His message was
quickly followed by a photo of Roddy and Matty in their shared cot, swathed
in bunny rugs and fast asleep.  The accompanying text read, "Apparently not
everybody cares!"

The telecast came to an end and as the credits rolled, the cameras switched
to the media room where Ty was centre stage.  I caught him pulling Daniel
up on to the dais with him and then standing back to give his teenage mate
his moment in the spotlight.

A few minutes later, Ty called and I was able to quickly congratulate him.
He sounded happy and calm.  "I can't talk for long," he called above the
din.  "I've got to go and do the whole photo thing now and then there's the
after party.  Just wanted to share the moment with you, mate.  Our song
won!  Woo hoo!"

"I'm so happy for you Ty," I exclaimed.  "You did good.  I love you, mate."

"Right back at ya, Mike!" he yelled.  "Gotta go, things are insane here.
Can't wait to get all this done so I can be with you at home!"

We disconnected the call and as I got ready for bed I thought about
tomorrow, when Ty's family would be leaving the hotel.  They were in for a
surprise when they arrived at the house and came face to face with me for
the first time in many long weeks.

As I was to learn, I was in for a couple of surprises myself ...

**********

Always happy to have your feedback.  marcusis32@live.com.au

FOOTNOTE:

You can hear other versions of songs referenced in this chapter via the
following links:

* "This Kiss"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajCmPTZ5K7w