Read Online Pig Boy by J.C. Burke - Free Book Online Page B

away?’ He laughs at his joke. I try and laugh too but it comes out like a long tired cough. All in all it’s not a good start.
    â€˜I received a letter in the post about my minor’s permit expiring.’ The adrenaline is kicking back in. I’m circling the room, moderating my voice, trying to sound like a reasonable bloke. ‘So, so I need to apply for a new licence and I wanted to know if I can do the safety awareness course down at your club?’
    â€˜Yes, we run the course here.’
    â€˜When?’
    â€˜They’re not that often,’ he answers. I can hear him shuffling papers. ‘Most of the folk do it in Mereton, these days. Ah, this Wednesday there’s one. How about that? Starts at 6.30 pm. The first hour is theory with a multiple choice exam and the second hour is practical. All simple, common-sense stuff. You being a minor’s permit holder would know it anyway. But it’s the law and a refresher is always good.’
    â€˜So, so it’s two hours?’
    â€˜That’s right. Then you put in your application with the Firearms Registry and in about four weeks you’ll get a letter back saying your licence is ready. You get your photo –’
    â€˜Four weeks! But I need it for work.’
    â€˜That’s how long it takes, son.’
    Four weeks. I don’t know if I’ve got that much time. I’m struggling to get the panic out of my voice.
    â€˜I, I see.’
    â€˜Are you a member of this club?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜Well, we better fix that.’ Mr Curlewis chuckles again. He’s a sort of a Santa Claus, Mr Curlewis, with a fat, ruddy face and a thick cotton wool beard. He’s the jolly type who tends to slap his knee when he laughs. I picture how his face would change if he knew it was me on the other end of the phone. Mr Curlewis and Archie were friends.
    â€˜Are you a member of any shooting clubs in the state? You have to provide a genuine reason for having a licence …’
    â€˜I, um, want to start target shooting,’ I say. ‘I’ve been told it’s a, a great sport. Great sport! So I’d really like to give it a go.’ I’ve almost convinced myself that this is the genuine reason. ‘So, yeah, I want to join the club. Definitely.’
    â€˜Come down and we’ll have a chat. I’m here pretty much all the time. I’ll book you in for Wednesday’s course too. What’s your name?’
    I hang up. What the hell am I playing at?
    I take off Archie’s hunting fatigues and collapse into bed.

    Mum is standing over me, saying my name. It’s a second before I get a handle on the situation and when I do I’m on my feet ready for action.
    â€˜What? What?’
    â€˜Ya very jumpy, son,’ Mum says to me. She’s holding a picture frame. It’s me on my first day of school. ‘Love this photo. Ya was so cute, love.’
    I force myself to sit down. A bit of Archie’s hunting shirt is sticking out from under the bed so I place my feet over it. ‘What do you want, Mum?’ I say it calmer this time.
    â€˜I’m gettin’ me hair done down at Pat’s house. I want ya to drive me out there.’ Mum leans against the wardrobe. ‘I don’t like goin’ on that back road. I may as well make use of ya.’
    â€˜Sure. Sure.’ I’m getting up and walking towards her because I know that’ll make her move.
    â€˜Ya know it’s almost lunchtime, love.’ Mum starts to edge away from the wardrobe. ‘We got to go in five minutes.’
    â€˜Not “got to go”,’ I correct. ‘It’s “we need to go”.’
    Mum rolls her eyes at me, hands me the photo frame and walks out. I close the door behind her.
    â€˜Damon!’ she squawks.
    â€˜I’ll be there in a sec.’
    There’s one thing to check.
    The relief whistles through my teeth. The wardrobe hasn’t