Read Online Give Me Truth by Bill Condon - Free Book Online Page A

lying.’
    â€˜Told her you were gay.’
    â€˜Thanks for that.’
    â€˜She’s interested, I can tell. Whenever you’re around, her neck turns red – have you noticed?’
    â€˜You’re crazy.’
    â€˜You watch next time. She wants your body, Dave.’
    â€˜Shuttt uppp.’
    â€˜I asked her why she liked you and you know what she said?’
    â€˜I’m not listening.’
    â€˜Good things come in small packages.’
    â€˜Hey Lanny – ’
    â€˜Told her about your website, too, Dave – littledick dot com.’
    â€˜Lanny – ’
    â€˜She said she’s been there but she couldn’t see anything.’
    â€˜Can I say something?’
    â€˜I told her no one could!’
    He’s laughing too hard to say any more so at last I get a turn.
    â€˜Lanny, if she likes small things – no one beats you. You’re the man.’
    He grins at me, holding his gaze a moment longer than he needs to. Then his fist pushes into my shoulder. It’s not a punch – it’s just being close.
    â€˜I’m goin’ to the canteen,’ he says. ‘You want somethin’?’
    â€˜No, thanks. I’ve got to make a phone call.’
    He saunters off, still smiling to himself. I head down to the oval. It’s the one place where I won’t be interrupted when I ring Dad.
    I lean against the goal posts and stare at the phone for a long time. Suddenly talking is hard. He’s my father but I don’t know what to say. And how’s he going to react? I heard Mum say she didn’t love him. I felt what that did to him. I saw him cry. My proud Dad. How can he ever get past last night?
    I punch in the number …
    â€˜Hello. The office of Michael Curtis is unattended at the moment, but I shall return your call shortly. Please leave a message or send a fax, after the tone.’
    I hang up without leaving a message. Wasn’t expecting the machine. Dad has the same routine every day. First thing he goes to his post office box. He’s back just after nine and then he doesn’t leave his desk until one. I timed the call just right. It’s a few minutes past eleven. He should be there. He has to be.
    I wait a minute before hitting the number again.
    â€˜Hello. The office of Michael Curtis is unattended at the moment, but I – ’
    â€˜Hi, Dad. It’s David. Where are you? Just ringing to see how you’re goin’. Nothing much happening here. Everything’s good. You’ve got my mobile number so if you want to call me … anyway, I’ll try you again later. Okay? Bye.’
    I’m so weak. Nothing much happening here – that was such a lie. I’m falling apart here, Dad! That’s what I should have said. You and Mum get it together and stop stuffing me and Allie around! Why didn’t I tell him that?
    Or why didn’t I just say I loved him? Why was that so hard?
    I’m about to ring again when someone calls my name.
    A couple of guys at the top of the hill are waving for me to come up.
    â€˜Hey, Curtis – your father’s here. office.’
    I run all the way. As I reach the quadrangle the bell sounds and kids file into their classes. I dodge past them, take the steps to the office two at a time.
    â€˜Hi, Dad.’
    â€˜David.’
    Today it’s the grey suit. Dark blue tie and white shirt. He always has the shiniest shoes in town. But there’s something not quite right. His movements seem slower, his energy down. I see silver bristles on his face that I only see on Sundays.
    He turns to Mrs Sullivan, the school secretary. ‘Thank you. I won’t keep him long. If we can have a word alone.’
    â€˜Of course.’
    Once she’s gone Dad sits down. He looks at the carpet. I sit beside him.
    â€˜Everything’s all right.’ I grin. It’s so phony but that’s what I do. ‘Allie’s good. I’m good.