Toby Jensen’s birth was difficult. He was without oxygen for some time. The medical staff was concerned that he may have had brain damage. As it turned out in the following years Toby had learning difficulties, but in all other ways appeared to be a normal healthy boy. Now twelve years old Toby still struggles to keep up with his peers at school. As an only child, losing his mother and upheaval in his family situation was an additional burden. His habit in social situations was to stay on the fringes and avoid the interactions. He was, however, interested in observing people acting and reacting with each other – their voices - their expressions – movements. Toby and those who knew him were unaware that he was developing a remarkable talent.
“We have to find a way to take advantage of this situation,” Dan said with a determined look. He felt it was his responsibility as the older one to take the lead. Dan and his sister sat at the kitchen table. The breakfast dishes and cutlery were still scattered around together with the milk, butter and jam. The black and tan toast crusts on the plates and table were the remnants of a casual breakfast.
“Look Mil, now that Mum’s shacked up with Harry, we might finally get some money. If he didn’t have that Toby kid we would do a lot better. We know Mum will give us what we want but Harry won’t - not while the kid’s around here. He’s so special,” he said in a squeaky voice as he pulled a face and wobbled his head from side to side.
“Yeah, I know,” Millie replied.
“Look, we both want to move out on our own. We need money. You’re eighteen now, and we’re missing out on a good time,” Dan said.
“Ok, let’s buy him a plane ticket and send him to Siberia,” Millie said with a cheeky grin.
“This is serious,” Dan growled.
He hesitated, put his elbows on the table and clasped his hands together under his chin. “Maybe little Toby can help us,” he said with a sly grin.
It had only been a month since Harry and Joan had combined the two families and they had all moved in together. Harry thought his son Toby needed a mother figure but was worried about how Toby would get on with Joan’s children. He had hoped Dan and Millie would not live with them for long. Apart from having to rent a bigger house, they were much older than Toby, and Harry was concerned they would be a bad influence on the boy. Both had previous run-ins with the law, Dan with drugs and Millie with shoplifting. Dan said he was looking for work. Millie had sporadic part-time work at the local fruit shop.
“I’m worried about this. You’ll get in trouble for sure,” Millie said with her forehead tensing.
“It’s ok. I’m just going to discuss finances with him. I know that he’s got money,” Dan hesitated and looked at Millie. “I happened to be passing through his bedroom the other day, while he was at school, and guess what I saw on his desk... a credit card. I just want to know how much he’s got and find out if he’s willing to part with it. He’s not real bright. C’mon you won’t have to do anything. He’ll be here in a minute.”
Millie sat with a look of resignation.
Toby was lucky the school bus stop was close. It only took a couple of minutes to walk home. He opened the front door with his key, walked in and called out. “Hello, anyone home,” he slipped his arm through the strap on his backpack and dropped the bag on the lounge room floor.
“Toby, in here,” Dan called from the kitchen.
Toby walked through to see Dan and Millie sitting at the kitchen table “What’re you doing?”
“We were talking about how difficult things are for me and Mil. You know Toby...we’ve both been a bit unwell lately. Mum’s finding it hard to pay for the special medicine that we need,” Dan lowered his head in a submissive pose. “Would you have any money you could lend us?” he lookup up at Toby with a pained expression.
“Yeah, I’ve got some,” Toby said.
“How much?” Dan snapped.
“$864” Toby replied.
“Well...that’s not a huge amount. But it would help. Can you lend it to us?” Dan asked.
Millie sat silently, knowing that every time Dan said ‘lend’ he meant ‘give’.
“Um, okay,” Toby replied. “I’ll get Dad to get it for you.”
“No, you get it. Don’t want to worry your Dad about it,” Dan said.
“I can’t, Dad has to do it,” It was obvious to Toby, that Dan was up to no good. Even Millie, who had not said a word, had a demeanour about her that oozed deceit.
“You’ve got a credit card, Toby, use that,” Dan snapped.
“It does deposits only – but I can ask Dad,” Toby said, wondering how Dan knew about his card.
“No, no - look it’s okay – I’ve changed my mind. We won’t need your money. We’ll work it out - thanks anyway,” Dan stood abruptly and walked away with a stony face.
Millie, looking surprised at Dan’s quick exit, also stood. “Yeah, thanks anyway,” she said walking away.
When Toby had gone to his room to do homework, Millie went to Dan’s room. The door was ajar and she pushed it forcefully. Dan was lying on his bed looking at his mobile phone. “I told you that it was a bad idea, you dumb arse. You reckon the kid’s not bright. He’ll tell his old man all about what you tried to pull,” she said in a hushed, aggravated tone.
“Okay, settle down, I’ve thought about it a bit more. I think we should probably do something that’s not so – you know.
“What – stupid?” Millie said, raising her voice.
“No – obvious,” Dan said looking hurt.” I think we just need to talk to Mum.”
“Well good, talk to Mum... about what, exactly?” Millie said as she sat at the end of the bed.
Dan sat up with a sneaky grin. “Okay...we know that Harry has quite a lot of money, from property and investments and stuff. Mum has sweet F. A. The kid gets anything he wants because Harry pulls all the strings. Now – you listening?”
Dan looked up at Millie who nodded. “Mum has to convince Harry that she desperately needs financial help. She will then, of course, relay these finances on to her beloved deserving children. Now...you may be thinking, how will Mum convince Harry to give her cash? This is the clever bit,” he paused for dramatic effect. “Mum will tell Harry that we, you and me, have a bipolar mental disorder. We’ve already told the kid we’re not well, so it all fits. This disorder was inherited from our father, who is in the loony bin. Now...you still listening?” Dan asked. Millie nodded vigorously.
“Mum will convince Harry that we, you and me, need to move out to be close to some medical place and also, more importantly, for the sake of poor little Toby, because we might hurt or upset the little shit. Mum will need the money to set us up in our own place for the family’s benefit. Harry will not even hesitate - anything for the golden child. What do you think?” Dan asked with a confident smile.
“Yeah, not bad...but Dad’s not in the loony bin...he’s in jail,” Millie said.
“We know that but Harry doesn’t. Mum never told him,” Dan replied. “We should have thought of this before. We both know Mum will look after us," he said with a supercilious smile.
“Right, okay, tonight then, talk with Mum,” she said, as she stood and walked out.
Harry and Joan arrived home at about six p.m. Harry had a company car and he and Joan both worked for the same multi-national. They drove home together. They had met at work and struck up a relationship after Harry’s wife had unexpectedly died from a heart attack. It had been a difficult time for Harry and Toby. Joan had been divorced for two years and was eager for a new companion and she thought she was fortunate to connect with Harry, having two grown children living with her.
The nighttime activities had quickly become a routine with Harry, Joan and Toby eating dinner at the kitchen table and Dan and Millie in front of the TV. After eating, Dan and Millie would normally go to their respective rooms to leave the cleaning up to those more inclined. Tonight was different.
“Hey Mum,” Millie said as she walked into the kitchen with her plate and almost finished meal, held out in front of her. “I’ll give you a hand to stack the dishwasher,” Joan, Harry and Toby all looked up at her with raised eyebrows. “Then can I have a talk with you in my room, you know, girl stuff,” she added.
“Sure, Mil,” Joan smiled at her, wondering what trouble she was in.
With everyone now finished dinner and clean up complete, Millie beckoned Joan towards her room. Millie entered with Joan close behind. Joan was surprised to find Dan was waiting inside. The discussion between the three went for about fifteen minutes and the wheels of the conspiracy were successfully put into motion.
Toby and Harry were sitting together on the lounge room couch watching ‘A Current Affair’ when Joan stepped into the room. Toby could see immediately how awkward she appeared like she didn’t know whether to fold her arms, scratch her nose or put her hands in her pockets.
“Toby, can you go to your room for a few minutes? I just want to talk to your Dad.”
Toby stood and went towards his room without comment. Joan sat down beside Harry on the sofa, grabbed the remote and hit mute. She looked directly at him, her face racked with concern. “We have a problem with the kids,”
Joan gave Harry the whole story precisely as she had agreed with Millie and Dan – the bipolar – Dad in the Asylum – need her kids to move out - best for Toby. It was a very convincing performance and Harry was visibly affected.
“Joan, of course I’ll help. Wish you had told me earlier about this. We could have worked something out.” Harry had the fleeting thought that if he’d known earlier he probably wouldn’t have been here in the first place. “Don’t worry - tomorrow we will work it out. Find a nice place for them – poor kids. I’ll look after it,” he put his arm around Joan’s shoulders.
“That’s wonderful, the kids will be so grateful,” she said standing and walking towards Millie’s room to report the success of the operation.
“Dad, Dad,” Toby was standing just inside the open kitchen doorway calling his father.
Harry stood up from the sofa and walked over to him. “What are you doing?” Harry asked in a hushed tone.
“Dad, come to my room,” he said grabbing his father by the hand dragging him into his room and closing the door.
“Dad, it’s all lies,” he said with urgency, looking up at his father.
“What?”
“I was watching Joan talking with you – and none of what she said is true,” Toby said.
“Now how would you know that?” Harry said with a condescending tone.
“Because I can tell when people are lying. I thought that I just guessed that people lied. But I know now that I get it right every time. I can see it in their face, their eyes - their skin – every time. I didn’t say anything when I wasn’t sure, but now I am sure,” he said excitedly.
“What you’re saying doesn’t really seem possible, Toby. I know some people are good at reading others. It’s called emotional intelligence, but to know consistently, when someone is lying is unlikely,” Harry said.
“I can prove it,” Toby snapped. “Tell me some things and I’ll tell you if they’re true or not.”
“Okay Mr lie detector, I’ll tell you different things I’ve done today and you tell me if I’m lying,” Harry said.
Harry reeled off a number of actions to Toby, like - “had a ham sandwich for lunch” – “met a man named Peter” – “saw a fire engine on the way home”. Toby watched his father as he spoke. He identified each statement as true or a lie – absolutely correctly. Harry was stunned and excited. Toby did indeed have a remarkable ability. It would be a wonderful asset in his future life. Harry looked at his son with love and pride and made an important decision.
“Dad, can you pass me the sunscreen,” Toby asked as he lay on the pool sun lounger. The mid-morning sum began to tingle his skin. Toby had never been to a resort with such a massive pool. “Do you think they were angry when we left Dad,” he asked.
“Oh yeah...they were angry, especially when I said we weren’t coming back” Harry replied as he handed Toby the sunscreen bottle.