Specky Magee by Felice Arena Read Free Book Online Page A

wonder about your real parents though? Would you ever look for them?
    CHRISkicks : Why? Do you want to search for your biological parents?
    Specky took in another deep breath. He couldn’t deny the fact that deep down, he had a burning desire to find out more about his other father. I wonder if he can kick booming torpedoes. I bet he can! he fantasised.
    CHRISkicks : Hello? Are you still there?
    FOOTYHEAD : Yeah, I’m here. Sorry.
    CHRISkicks : Don’t let this adoption thing freak you out too much. If you want to chat some more about it, I don’t mind.
    FOOTYHEAD : Thanks.
    CHRISkicks : That’s okay. So how are all your AFL teams going?
    FOOTYHEAD : I’m not sure. I haven’t paid much attention lately.
    CHRISkicks : Well, I’m going to the G this weekend to see the Geelong vs Collingwood match!
    FOOTYHEAD : Really? I’m going to be there this weekend too!
    Specky and Robbo had been invited to the match a few weeks ago by Danny and his family. Danny had been talking about it all week.
    FOOTYHEAD : But why are you going to see that game? I thought you barracked for the Blues?
    CHRISkicks : I do, but my dad will be working there this weekend, so I’m tagging along.
    FOOTYHEAD : Working at the footy? Doing what?
    FOOTYHEAD : Hello? You there?
    CHRISkicks : Sorry, Mum distracted me. She’s telling me to get off. Hey, do you want to meet up?
    FOOTYHEAD : Um, well, I’m not sure.
    CHRISkicks : That’s cool, it’s up to you. Only if you want.
    Specky paused for a second before typing an answer. He knew it was definitely a dumb thing to arrange to meet a total stranger from an online chat room. There was no way he would ever do that. But he thought it would be safe because he was going to be with friends, and in a public place.
    FOOTYHEAD : Okay, I’ll be in the Members Stand. Can you meet me there?
    CHRISkicks : Yeah, I can do that. Where exactly?
    FOOTYHEAD : I’ll meet you directly in front of the Barassi Bar at half-time. I think it’s between entrance 23 and 24, but I’m not 100 per cent sure. I’ll be wearing a baseball cap. It’s navyblue, like the one Tiger Woods wears. My mates Robbo and Danny will probably be with me.
    CHRISkicks : Cool, I’ll see you then. See ya!
    FOOTYHEAD : Wait! How will I recognise you? And you forgot to tell me what sort of work your dad will be doing at the game?
    FOOTYHEAD : Hello?
    CHRISkicks had already logged off. Specky was left to think about what he had just committed to.
    For the rest of the week, he went about his life as normally as possible. He hadn’t told anyone, not even Robbo or Danny, about his planned meeting with CHRISkicks. He felt it best not to say a word, not until they were at the game. He didn’t want it to somehow get back to his parents that he was going to meet a kid who could possibly help him search for his other father—his ‘footy father’.

12 SIMMO
    Finally Saturday arrived, and Specky was once again playing football for his school, this time against a team called Redleaf College Rovers. It was half-time and Booyong High were gathered around Coach Pappas.
    ‘Okay, boys, great first half. But just because we’re four goals in front doesn’t mean we can slacken off now. Speck, I reckon I’ll put you on the wing for the second half. Swap with Simmo.’
    Everyone’s jaws dropped in unison. They were gobsmacked—some of them almost choked on their quartered oranges and bottled water. What did the coach think he was doing? Their number one goal scorer on the wing? And Michael ‘Simmo’ Simpson at full-forward? It was pure craziness. For starters, the wholeteam, including Simmo, knew he wasn’t exactly a strong marking type. In fact, he wasn’t much of a kick, either. But that’s not to say he wasn’t liked by his fellow players—he was. He was a respected team player, and was passionate about his footy, but Coach Pappas’s decision to position him in the goal square in place of Specky was a strange one indeed.
    Specky, Robbo and Danny