Breaking Dad’s tag

By Charley Gayfer

I put on my black and white leggings, my black and white scarf, and my beanie, my black and white ribbons and my Collingwood Jersey; the black and white stripes will never get old. My jersey still didn’t have a number. It was probably the tenth time Dad had asked me who I wanted on my jersey, but once again I couldn’t make up my mind, at this stage I had been think about Bucks, but I knew he wouldn’t be playing for much longer. I ran to the bathroom rushing to get all my black and white striped face paint on my face, just so we could be early to the game for once. Dad always got stopped by the crazy Collingwood fans, talking for as long as they could, once I would finally pull him away, there would always be someone waiting.

Dad and I finally got out that front door and got into his silver Mini Cooper. I never understood why Dad bought a Mini Cooper since he is 6 foot 2, driving pretty much the smallest car you could find. It is the most annoying car. It only has two doors and you would have to literally sit on your legs if you wanted more than two people in the car. Dad pumped up the Collingwood song as he does before every Collingwood game, just so he can get in the zone and get into his good old Collingwood spirit. When we hit the traffic I started to get worried that we wouldn’t get into the gates in time because I knew there would be someone wanting to talk to Dad like every other time. Dad rolled down the windows, opened the sun roof and hung his scarf out, then he turned the music up even louder, and started singing. It was all fine until the singing part.

The car park was packed. I wasn’t surprised, and as we drove along each aisle of cars I saw a little space about 2.5 metres long, “Yep, that’s the one Dad, quick!” As I almost drove into the park myself, Dad quickly parked and, we rushed to try and get to the gate. I was dragging Dad along , speed walking, almost jogging to get there, as we went around the corner, I saw a familiar face, and at this moment I knew we wouldn’t get in on time. It was Joffa,  in his Big Gold, shiny Jacket, White Hair and rounded belly. He had the biggest smile on his face and just before he could reach us Dad gave me a slight smile of “I’m sorry, this won’t be long”, but I knew that someone else would be waiting after. I watched them talk away, waiting there for them to finally say, okay well I better go don’t want to miss the first quarter, but at this stage I was sure we would miss the first quarter. I was so annoyed at this stage so I decided to step in and tell Dad that I really needed to go to the toilet, insisting that he should stop talking. Thankfully he said his goodbyes and we made our way up the stairs. We heard the siren and I had my fingers crossed, hoping that it was the siren to the first quarter. Thankfully I caught my eye on the TV on the way up and saw that there was no score I was so happy and I smiled to Dad, hoping he had forgotten that I needed to go to the toilet. We got to the first floor and some of Dad’s old footy mates came towards us. In a demanding tone I whispered into Dad’s ear that it had better not take long. All he did was laugh, because this time he whispered back: “Do you need to go to the toilet again”.

Comments

  1. Hi Charley, a very funny ending. I’ll know if I ever see your dad at a Pies-Cats match before the first bounce to nod my head in acknowledgement and not get him talking, just for you. I hate missing the first bounce too!

  2. Madi Pane says

    I really liked it Charley

  3. Molivanna de laver paul says

    WOW you are so good im in awe keeping writing sister you are just so goood OMG

  4. Rach Collins says

    HAHAHAHA! What a great ending! Good Bloke Mick! I must say i really like his daughter too even more after reading this! Great story look forward to part to. :)

  5. Charley – I hear you. I hate being late. Really hate it. And there is no excuse. All people have to do is leave the house on time!

    Great story.

  6. Andrew Fithall says

    Great story well told Charley.

    It must be good to go to the footy with your very own blanket (sorry – couldn’t resist).

    I look forward to reading more of your stories in the future.

    AF

  7. Peter Flynn says

    Dips,

    From experience, ‘one more’ can cause lateness.

  8. John Harms says

    Charley, Thanks for being such a good sport today, along with all of your classmates. And thanks for posting your piece. It’s a fun yarn. Let me know if you want me to change the title.

  9. Charley Gayfer says

    Thanks for everyones comments. Thankyou very much for today John, everyone enjoyed you class, it was great that we could share all of our ideas and then write about them, and you can change the title, thanks again.

  10. Jeff Dowsing says

    Great effort Charley.

    Your Dad gets stopped to chat everywhere not only because he is a Flagpie, but because his dedication to Collingwood & to be the absolute best he could be was on a par with Bucks.

    I reckon with those hard working genes to start with you could be a pro writer one day Charley, if that’s what you love doing.

  11. Lord Bogan says

    Outstanding debut Charley. Yes, your dad was known as a tagger, but I also remember the numerous times he used to set up play for the likes of Morwood, Millane, Crosisca and Kerrison. Sometimes it was a well-measured short pass, a handball out of the pack or a precisely placed spoil. He was supremely fit too and could be tough without being aggressive.

    Keep up the great writing Charley and hope to see many more stories flow from your pen.

    AKA Phil Dimitriadis

  12. Love it Charley!

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