Specky Magee and a Legend in the Making Read online

‘Yeah?’ said Specky, wondering how those two things were connected.

  ‘Help me with my picks,’ asked Dieter. ‘I was leading the Year Twelve tipping comp until I stuffed it up last round. I need your thoughts on this weekend's games.’

  ‘What's that got to do with Alice?’ asked Specky.

  ‘Nothing. I'll get to that in a sec. So, come on, what are your picks? You know all the AFL teams better than anyone else.’

  As a rule, Specky prided himself on keeping up with everything that was happening in the world of football. He read the sports pages every day, devouring every snippet of football news that he could possibly find. He also walked around the house with his headphones on, listening to the various sports shows on the radio, following all of the debates that raged after a weekend of football. He loved listening to the opinions of the commentators, former players and journalists and had, occasionally, even called the talkback number to ask a question or two. Specky had been successful in lobbying his dad to get pay TV installed so he could keep up-to-date with the latest selection and injury news. It had also caused a few fights with his sister, Alice. When Alice's all-time favourite reality show clashed with Footy Yak from My Armchair, a footy chat show with former AFL legend Bernard Sealy and the newspaper journalist Michael Heanan, all hell broke loose in the Magee household. Specky eventually had to strike a bargain with his sister to take the bins out AND pack the dishwasher, just so he could catch the first segment every week. In addition to all of that, Specky surfed the club websites every week to try and pick up some of the ‘inside mail’ that the other media might have missed. It all added up to the most amazing knowledge of the AFL and Dieter was aware that what Specky didn't know about football wasn't worth knowing.

  ‘Well…Brisbane versus West Coast at the Gabba—I would normally take Brisbane at home, but I'd say go for West Coast. They're playing well with a full list, and their midfield has taken over from the Lions as the best midfield in the competition. Plus, the Lions’ injury list is getting worse by the minute,’ said Specky.

  For the next few minutes Specky helped pick the rest of Dieter's tips for the round.

  ‘And one more,’ prompted the Great McCarthy. ‘Richmond versus the Ds on Sunday.’

  ‘You'd know that one better than me,’ said Specky, knowing that Dieter was a diehard Richmond fan.

  ‘Yeah, you're right. I'll forget the whole go with your head not your heart thing. I'm going for my Tiges.’

  ‘So, look who it is—my main man, the subject of my article.’

  Specky stepped aside as a Year 12 girl pushed herself past him and Dieter.

  ‘Main man? What?’ Specky asked, confused.

  ‘No hard feelings about the article?’ asked the girl, smiling smugly as she made her way into the kitchen.

  ‘Keep movin', Full On,’ snapped Dieter, annoyed by the interruption.

  Suddenly Specky realised who she was.

  ‘Full On?’ Specky questioned.

  ‘Yeah, Theresa Fallon—everyone calls her “Full On”. 'Cause she is most of the time.’

  ‘She got stuck into me in her article—’

  ‘Yeah, well, I wouldn't worry about her,’ said Dieter, cutting Specky off mid-sentence. ‘She thinks she's gonna be the next gossip columnist for TV Week or a mega-newspaper tycoon or something. And she probably will be. She's obsessed with the paper. Now, about Alice.’

  Specky filed the name ‘Theresa Fallon’ away as someone he needed to be a little careful around. He had read enough newspapers to know that the best journalists in the country never missed anything and that they could be ruthless when they were chasing down a story. It seemed that Theresa Fallon had ambitions of her own, and if a story emerged that involved Specky, good or bad, then she would have no hesitation in writing it.

  Specky was feeling increasingly uncomfortable—more Year 12s were giving him dirty looks as they streamed into the room for their lunch.

  ‘Has your sister mentioned anything about the deb to you?’

  ‘The what?’

  ‘Her debutante.’

  ‘Her what?’

  Specky realised he had been so caught up in his own life in the past week, he had no idea what was happening with Alice.

  ‘Yeah, she's going to be a debutante. You know, where girls are presented to society at a ball. Make their debut. Really get dressed up for it, in white dresses and stuff.’

  Specky noticed some panic in the Great McCarthy's voice. He even seemed to have broken out in a cold sweat.

  ‘What's that got to do with me? And why are you freaking out all of a sudden?’ asked Specky.

  ‘I'm not freaking out! It's just that each debutante asks someone to partner her at the ball. Then they have to do weeks of ballroom dancing practice and then at the ball they have to dance in front of their families and friends.’

  Dieter was chewing his bottom lip nervously.

  ‘So?’ Specky said. ‘What's the big deal? You're Alice's boyfriend. You should partner her.’

  ‘I know, I know. But I can't.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘'Cause I can't dance for nuts! I reckon I have a phobia about performing in front of others.’

  ‘What?’ Specky choked in disbelief. ‘You used to be the mascot for the Richmond Footy Club. In front of thousands of people.’

  ‘I know, but that's different—I was hidden in a costume. No one could see me. So, what I want you to do is let your sister know that maybe she should look for another partner.’

  Specky couldn't believe what he was hearing. Dieter was supposed to be the Great McCarthy. At the moment he was sounding more like the Great McChicken.

  ‘Mate, haven't you seen that dancing show on TV? They have actors, swimmers, newsreaders, even AFL players doing all sorts of dances. Some of them are hopeless as, but they don't care! If they can do it, you can.’

  Dieter sighed heavily.

  ‘Don't you like Alice anymore?’ Specky had to ask. ‘Are you dumping her?’

  ‘No! No! I really like her. I just can't dance.’

  ‘So what? Don't be a wimp. Just do it!’

  For a moment, Specky wondered if he had gone too far by calling Dieter a wimp. He looked pretty cheesed off.

  Then he nodded. ‘Yeah, you're right,’ he agreed. ‘I just have to grit my teeth and do it. Thanks, Speck.’

  Specky rushed out of the common room to meet up with Johnny. He was only a few paces past the door when he was stopped again. It was Tiger Girl.

  ‘Hey,’ she said, swinging her arm affectionately around Specky's shoulders.

  ‘Hi, TG,’ smiled Specky.

  ‘I wanna ask you something.’

  First Dieter and now you, thought Specky. If it keeps going like this, lunchtime will be over before I know it.

  ‘Okay, shoot!’

  ‘Well, um—’

  Suddenly Tiger Girl was interrupted by a Year 7 student barging in between them.

  ‘Are you Simon Magee?’ he asked, out of breath, looking up at Specky.

  Specky nodded.

  ‘Um, I just overheard Coach Pate talking on the phone with your mum in the staff room. And she said your dog just died. She's coming to tell you now.’

  ‘What?’ Specky asked, not believing what he had just heard.

  The boy repeated himself.

  Specky was lost for words. No way, he thought. This can't be happening to me! This is the worst week of my entire life.

  Specky looked up to see Coach Pate heading his way.

  ‘Are you sure?’ Specky stuttered, feeling his chest tighten.

  ‘Yeah, your dog's dead,’ blurted the Year 7 kid.

  Specky bolted off without bothering to wait for Coach Pate. He shouldered past Screamer who was standing at the other end of the corridor laughing about something with a few guys from the footy team.

  ‘Speck!’ yelled Tiger Girl after him.

  But there was no stopping Specky. He was already outside, sprinting home.

 
3. under pressure

  ‘Mum!’ shouted Specky, bursting through the front door.

  ‘Simon?’ called Mrs Magee from the kitchen. ‘What are you doing home?’

  Specky rushed into the kitchen, panting heavily. He had made it home faster than he ever had before.

  ‘What's wrong?’ she asked, lowering her cup of coffee onto the counter. ‘Are you hurt?’

  ‘Sammy's dead?’

  ‘What are you talking about? Sammy's in the backyard—he's…’

  Specky didn't wait for his mum to finish her sentence. He had already bolted out the back door. His mother was right. Sammy was alive and well, chewing on a bone.

  ‘Here, Sam! Here, boy!’

  Specky hugged the black cocker spaniel tightly—letting him lick his face all over.

  ‘What's going on?’ asked Mrs Magee, a few steps behind.

  A beeping sound came from Specky's pocket. It was a text message on his mobile. It read:

  It's a trick! Screamer made that kid tell u a lie.

  Your dog is not dead. TG

  Specky shook his head. He dropped his face into the palms of his hands.

  ‘Simon? Tell me what's going on,’ his mum said, quietly.

  ‘Nothing,’ he sighed, standing up to go back inside.

  ‘It doesn't look like nothing,’ Mrs Magee said.

  She stood directly in front of Specky and held onto his shoulders.

  ‘Now,’ she continued. ‘What's going on?’

  ‘Nothing,’ Specky repeated.

  ‘Simon, you may be a teenager, and you may think it's uncool to talk to your mother, but I don't want you to brush me off. Understood? It's clear that you're upset. Now what's going on?’

  Specky looked the other way and tried to shrug his mum off. But she wasn't letting go, and his arm bumped up against her pregnant belly. She took his chin and made him look directly at her.

  ‘It's all right. I know it's been an awful few days for you,’ she said, her voice softening again. ‘You'll get through it. It's all going to be okay.’

  What came next took Specky by surprise. His bottom lip began to quiver and in the depths of his gut everything he had been through that week—the loss of his scholarship, the adjustment to being back at Booyong, the silent treatment from his mates, even the newspaper article—finally caught up with him and shot to the surface like lava in a volcano.

  Specky's eyes welled with tears and before he knew it he was sobbing uncontrollably.

  You loser, you're fourteen years old—what the hell are you doing? he thought. You're tougher than this. But he couldn't stop. And for the next couple of minutes he wept in his mother's arms.

  ‘I'm sorry, Mum,’ he said, embarrassed. ‘I didn't mean to lose it.’ Specky sniffed, trying to regain some composure. ‘It's just that when I got back I couldn't believe Danny and Robbo were no longer my mates, and now they've totally zoned me out, and the guys on the team don't want me on the side. I figure there's no way I'm gonna play footy where I'm not wanted, but what am I gonna do if I don't play?’

  ‘Shhh…’ soothed his mother. ‘It's all right, darling, you don't need to apologise. Goodness me, I get so frustrated with this whole macho football mentality—as if it's somehow a sign of weakness to show your emotions. What about that lovely young man…um, the blond one who plays for…now what team is it? Anyway, Rick Newhart, or Reeholt or something like that.’

  ‘Nick Riewoldt, Mum. And he plays for St Kilda,’ said Specky, cracking a hint of a smile.

  ‘That's right, Nick Riewoldt. Well, he certainly wasn't afraid to show his emotions when those bullies hurt his shoulder. When they showed him on the telly, tears flowing down his cheeks, I wanted to give him a big hug and tell him everything was going to be all right. Just like now.’

  Specky recalled that controversial game when the St Kilda superstar had been badly hurt. Even with the pain of an injured shoulder, he played on. A couple of Brisbane Lions players deliberately targeted his weak shoulder, and the bumps they gave him were the talking point in football circles for weeks to come. Riewoldt did end up off the field and in tears—not due to the pain or the actions of the Lions players, but due to the frustrating possibility that he might miss a lot of the football season, especially since he was captain. It just got the better of him. Riewoldt was one of Specky's heroes and he certainly had not thought anything less of him after that night. It did ease the embarrassment of having broken down in front of his mum. Footballers are no different to anyone else, and emotion is a big part of everyday life. There was no shame in having shed a few tears.

  Once his tears had dried, Mrs Magee suggested that maybe he should just stay home from school for the afternoon. It was the end of the week anyway.

  ‘And, Simon, one more thing,’ she said. ‘Friendship—true lasting friendship—is always tested one way or another. Once things settle down I'm sure Danny and Robbo will come round and see that you still think the world of them both. So don't let their behaviour influence the one thing you're truly passionate about—the thing that makes you happy.’

  Beep Beep

  It was another text message from Tiger Girl.

  Get my message? It was a trick.

  U coming back?

  Specky texted Tiger Girl. He asked her to tell Johnny what had happened and that he was staying home.

  For the rest of the afternoon, Specky bummed around the house, watching TV, playing his PlayStation, and even attempting to do some homework.

  CHRISkicks: HEY! What r u doing home?

  Specky was online and in front of his computer when the Instant Message box popped up. It was from his girlfriend, Christina. Specky wrote right back.

  FOOTYHEAD: Um, long story. Will tell u 2morrow. What r u doing home?

  CHRISkicks: Curriculum day—no school. I told u that yesterday. Can't wait 2 see u!

  Christina had invited Specky to go to the movies with her and her friends on Saturday night.

  CHRISkicks: Is Johnny still coming with u?

  FOOTYHEAD: No, he can't make it.

  CHRISkicks: What about Danny and Robbo? R u all mates again and r u going 2 play footy 2morrow?

  Specky wished it were that simple.

  FOOTYHEAD: No.

  CHRISkicks: That's so weird. I thought they would all get over it and let u play. Even Screamer.

  FOOTYHEAD: Why'd u think that?

  CHRISkicks: Just thought they would, that's all. So, what r u gonna do?

  FOOTYHEAD: About what?

  CHRISkicks: About playing footy!!!!

  Specky felt a wave of pressure wash over him.

  CHRISkicks: Speck?

  Specky's fingers hovered over the keyboard. What should he type?

  Maybe Johnny's right, he thought. Maybe I should just rock up tomorrow morning and play, and not worry about what the others think.

  CHRISkicks: I gotta go. Cya 2morrow in front of the cinemas, at 6.30pm. xxx

  FOOTYHEAD: Cya then!

  Later that evening, Specky welcomed his family's banter around the dinner table. It was a good distraction from all his current worries. As usual, Alice was holding court.

  ‘So, I said to Rachel that she should ask David to partner her for the deb 'cause he's always had the hots for her, but she said he has two left feet and can't really dance and she'd rather look good on the dance floor.’

  Specky grinned as he watched his parents try to keep up with Alice. She spoke at a million miles an hour, hardly ever taking a breath.

  ‘Anyway, I said I'm so lucky to have a boyfriend like Dieter,’ she continued. ‘'Cause he didn't even blink when I asked him this afternoon to be my partner. We're going to be the best-looking couple out there. And we'll be the best dancers, too. It's a good thing Dieter is used to performing in front of crowds. I know I'm gonna be so nervous on the night, but he'll keep me calm, that's for sure!’

  ‘Yeah, right. I don't think so,’ laughed Specky.

  ‘What? What did you say?’ snapped Alice.
>
  ‘Nothing.’

  ‘Yes, you did. You said, yeah, right. I don't think so. What's that meant to mean?’

  Specky smirked. ‘Don't get your knickers in a knot.’

  ‘Simon…’ warned Mrs Magee.

  ‘Me? Get my knickers in a knot? Um, hello, I'm not the one who was expelled,’ said Alice, raising her voice.

  ‘There's no need to bring that up, Alice. You can apologise to your brother right now,’ said Mr Magee sharply.

  ‘Why's it always me who has to apologise to him? Simon always stirs and baits me! He gets away with everything.’

  Alice pouted and turned back to Specky.

  ‘Now, tell me why you said that.’

  ‘I don't have to tell you anything.’ Specky opened his mouth and showed off a gob full of mashed potatoes.

  ‘You're really pushing it, you know that? You might think you're smarter than me, but you're not.’

  ‘Ah, but I am,’ smirked Specky, infuriating his sister even more. ‘You have to get up early to catch me out.’

  The doorbell sounded.

  ‘Alice, that's enough!’ ordered Mr Magee, as he got up from his chair. ‘Both of you, stop acting like babies. We'll have one in the house before long, and you lot need to grow up. You're teenagers, for goodness sake! Start acting like it!’

  Mr Magee left the dining room to answer the door, while Specky and Alice silently glared at each other in between bites. A few moments later, Mr Magee returned to the kitchen with an unexpected visitor.

  ‘Coach Pate!’ Specky nearly choked on his dinner.

  ‘Sorry for disturbing you all at tea time,’ she said.

  ‘No, not at all. Please sit down. Have you eaten?’ Mrs Magee asked, standing up.

  ‘Thank you, Jane, I'm fine. I promise I won't take up much of your time. I just dropped by because I wanted to talk to you and to Simon about footy tomorrow.’

  Specky suddenly lost his appetite. Alice gave him one last evil look then excused herself and went upstairs.