BabbelOn

Saturday morning.  Kelly gets a mention in the sports pages, described as a ”talented youngster” by the Herald. 

I go for a run, once around the G.  My knee is a bit twingey.  Unexplained pain according to my surgeon.  Two reconstructions will do that. 

A strange thing happens after I get back.  A courier arrives with a parcel.  Inside is Kelly’s phone.  There is no note or sender’s address.  The envelope is post-marked Carlton. 

Could Billy the goose have had a change of heart?  A pang of conscience?  Is the Pope Jewish? 

More likely someone paid him off.  I can’t picture Jason Kelly buying someone a drink, let alone paying $1,000 for his own phone. 

I call Luke Craig’s number.  He answers and puts Kelly on.  He sounds like he just woke up. 

I have your phone. 

Good.  Can you bring it over?

His gratitude is overwhelming. 

How about you come and pick it up? 

Can you put it in a cab for me? 

I’ll bring it over.  I want to talk to Kelly face to face. 

I take a cab to Docklands.  Kelly lives in one of the new blocks that have sprung up around the water.  Highrise in search of a lifestyle.   

He buzzes me in and opens the door in a pair of shorts and ugg boots. 

Luke Craig is sitting on the couch on the Xbox.  He calls out.  Jase come on, I’m getting killed here.  

Kelly puts his hand out for the phone. 

I don’t give it to him.  Can we have a talk?

He frowns.  Yeah, sure.  Come in.  To Craig.  Pause the game, I’ll be there in a minute.  A groan in response. 

We walk to the kitchen area and sit at the bench.  The Herald is strewn on the bench open to the sports pages.  Coffee cups.  Cereal packets.   

Clothes piled on the floor.  A bike leans against the wall.  The glass top coffee table has a crack in it. 

Kelly flicks through his phone, checking it. 

Where was it?

A guy found it at Zone. 

What did you want to talk about? 

I’m wondering why the guy would return it.  I met him, he wanted a reward, $1,000. 

Kelly whistles.  Greedy prick.  Did you pay it? 

No.

So why did he give it to you?

I don’t know.  I thought you might. 

Richmond supporter was he?  He grins stupidly. 

No.

Kelly’s had enough.  OK.  I’m a bit busy.  Anything else? 

Just a couple of things.  I put on my coach’s voice.  Eyeball him.

Delete those photos.  And you need to be more careful.  Don’t let yourself get into situations like that.  People will try to give you stuff.  Sell you stuff.  If you’ve had a couple of drinks, you’re more likely to take it.  You get caught, your career is over. 

What happened to three strikes?  I think he is trying to be funny.

Oh, and call Kirsten.  Have a coffee with her. 

He couldn’t look less interested. 

Great, thanks for bringing the phone.  He walks me to the door. 

Craig glowers from the couch.  He’s also only wearing shorts.  They’re like two teenagers on a sleep-over.  Which come to think of it, they are. 

Professional teenagers on a perpetual sleep-over.  Until one day they are injured or cut and have to wake up and leave the cocoon. 

It happens to all of us.  It’s only a question of when.