brcb_24

Booger Red & Cowboy
Waddie Greywolf

Chapter 24

Four years after Dan and I were together we got a phone call from Big Beryl and Blaine. Wes was killed in a plane crash. Dan and I were devastated. Master Earl and Wes were guest at the ranch many times. Of our family, they were two men Dan came to really love, and he cherished the time we spent with them. They were so much in love everyone who was around them felt better having them around. Master Earl realized the treasure he had in Wes and fell in love with him. Once they came together and bonded, there was no other for them. Wes began to gain a new, healthy self image as a valuable human being, and he became a fine slave for his master.

Master Earl was never jealous of my love for Wes. He understood Wes and I loved each other as brothers. He encouraged our friendship and was proud Wes had me for a close friend. Wes and I grew closer over the years. He could tell me anything, and he became my confidant. Wes was a unique man, he possessed one of the finest, strongest, devoted, loving hearts I ever had the honor and privilege to know. As his cowboy, I never deserted him, and he always had room in his heart for me.

Master Earl was exactly the master I thought he might be. He trained Wes so well he didn't have to give him many orders. Wes knew his place and worshiped Master Earl. He continued to develop his body until he was massive. Master Earl never allowed slaves to wear clothes in his house; most masters didn't, especially in the desert. Hell, if you didn't know and a slave wasn't wearing a collar, you couldn't tell a master from a slave. Everyone was naked. I didn't mind a bit. I got to look at that gorgeous little body of Wes.'

I'd leave snail trails of pre-come all through the house. My master became so fond of Wes, he and Master Earl would swap slaves every now and then. It was all right with Wes and me. Wes loved my master and Master Earl was the most handsome man I've ever been with. He has the most beautiful violet eyes. They're startling to look at when you first meet him. He's the only man I ever knew with violet eyes until many years latter I ran into another cowboy, a fine roper who had violet eyes.

Master Earl was a vegetable after Wes was killed. We drove to Los Angeles to be with him for Wes' funeral. We stayed with him several days. We had him out to the ranch for his vacation to make sure he wasn't alone. We made several trips into Los Angeles to stay with him a week or two at a time. Our family made sure he was never alone for months after Wes' death and shared spending time with him. Master Earl seemed to appreciate it. He slowly got better and continued to ride to Tucson with his brothers over the years.

Then, by chance (some say it wasn't chance, the spirit of Wes had a hand in it) he stopped some young man speeding to Master Jeb and Jim's to enter slave training and ultimately bought him. He was the same man who rescued Blaine and Wes from a temporary VC POW holding camp. His name is Beau James, a right handsome man. We look enough alike folks think we're brothers. When he gets dressed up in his Western duds folks have a hard time telling us apart. I'm a little older than Beau. He's a little bigger than me, but we've become fast friends and remain so to this day.

* * * * * * *
Dan and I settled into a wonderful life together. We found we were very much alike in our moods, temperament, and humor, but when it came to the bedroom we fit together like a hand in a glove. I was the perfect yin to his yang. Dan amazed me. He listened, learned, and gained knowledge in the care and training of a male slave from some of our more enduring family members. They also happened to be family members who possessed the knowledge to impart. By the time I came to live with him Dan Yates was ready for a slave.

The idea, concept and strength of purpose created in him a new and a wonderful man. He became my master almost overnight and had the papers to prove he owned me. Booger, Buck, and my Uncle Bud were right. He helped me grieve for Booger. He never tried to keep me from grieving, he just wouldn't let me wallow in my grief and sink into depression. For one thing, on a ranch, you're too damn busy. It took me some time to give up the freedom of the road to a work day of fourteen to sixteen hours, but I quickly became used to it. I found myself thinking about and only grieving for Booger when I had time. Booger has never left my heart. I hope he never does, but I know he's in a better place and happy. I know he wants me to be happy. So I remember the good times and hold on to those memories. I've shared a few with my master, but my life is with him now, and I am quickly becoming an extension of him.

Dan and I started rodeoing again and won everything we entered. The national standings came out, and we were surprised to find ourselves rated number four team in the nation. We were pleased. We decided to get some help around the ranch and go on the circuit. I bought a huge GMC motor coach and a four horse trailer. The coach was so large and luxurious compared to the small cab over camper on my uncle's truck. We always had room for a handful of other cowboys needing a ride to the next rodeo. We had great times those years and made many life long friends we still get visits from today.

* * * * * * *
Dan and I toured the rodeo circuit four years and won the national finals three years in a row. We lost the fourth year but were still number two in the nation. Who did we lose to? Them two old farts from Mason, Billy Gunn Jr. and Joe Potter. I didn't dare show my face in Mason for a year. My dad and Uncle Joe followed their dream of one day going on the rodeo circuit and damned if they didn't win the whole pie. I was so proud of them I could have popped a button. I told my dad it didn't make me no never mind who won that day, I won either way. Dan and I retired from rodeoing for about three years. Then we got an itch and made one more circuit and won the National Finals again. That was the last year I roped with Madison. He was getting old and so was Dolly. Dad and Uncle Joe hung up their spurs by that time. They still did the local rodeos but didn't venture far from home. Of course, they'd come out to Tucson to rodeo with us.

I gave Dolly to Ben on the way to Tucson. You'd have thought I bought the Taj Mahal and gave it to him. He loved Dolly, and she love him. One time, she got sick and wasn't doing well. We feared the worst. Ben canceled every meeting and he and Tim flew directly to Tucson in his private jet to be with her. She was so glad to see Ben she rallied and lived another five years. Dolly knew when Ben was coming to visit. She was clairvoyant. She would run up to the fence and stamp her feet in frustration, 'Why isn't he here, I know he's coming.' Ben could never surprise us. We'd pick up the phone and ask him when he'd be here. Ben would laugh and ask how we knew he was coming.

"Dolly told us, she's out there having a fit. She knows you're on your way." I don't think he believed us. Mrs. Russell backed us up.

"It's true, Ben, for the longest time we couldn't figure out why, all of a sudden, she'd get a burr under her blanket, but it was always before you were suppose to arrive. We put two and two together, and it happens every time." Ben just shook his head as he fed her a second apple or carrot.

* * * * * * *
Dan and I were together about six years when Booger's brother became quite ill and was getting worst. Griz was beside himself with worry. The big man was exhausted from trying to take care of Bro Red by himself. His master told him to call my dad and Uncle Joe. They became great friends with Bro Red and Griz over the years. "Master, may I call Master Billy first. He made me promise I'd call him first if I needed help and I do."

"I remember, Son. Cowboy told me about it. Of course, call him first. Then call Big Gunn and Joe."

"Thank you, Master," Griz said and left to make the call. Our phone rang and Master Dan answered.

"Hi, Griz. Good to hear from you, Son. How are you?" he asked. My Master listened for a minute, looked at me sadly and shook his head. "I'm real sorry to hear that, Griz. Of course he is, just a minute." Dan whispered to me Bro Red was in a bad way.

"Hey, Big Man, it's good to hear your voice. You remembered."

"Master Billy, you told me to call you first if I was in trouble," Griz said on the verge of tears. His voice was trembling.

"Sure did, Big Man, and I meant it. I'm glad you did. How can we help?" I asked.

"Master Billy, I'm so frightened. I'm afraid 'cause my master's powerful sick, and I don't know what to do. I'm trying to take care of him, but I'm afraid I'm bothering him more than helping. He wants me to call your dad and uncle after I talk with you. Master Billy, could you and Master Dan come to Houston. I'm so afraid," Griz said and started crying. I tried my best to console him.

"Hold on a minute, Griz," I said. I talked softly to my master, "He's scared to death, Dan. Sounds like his master's pretty bad. He's asking if we can come to Houston," I said to my master.

"Of course we can. We can leave tonight, take Boots and Sonny with us, and take turns driving. We could be there tomorrow afternoon late. Tell him we'll be there and we're bringing Boots and Sonny," Dad said. Boots and Sonny were at the ranch, staying in their trailer at the time.

"Griz, calm down, Big Bear, I'm here. My Master said to tell you we'll be there tomorrow afternoon. We're bringing Boots and Sonny with us so we can drive straight through. They'll be happy to help."

"I love you, Master Billy," he said softly trying not to cry.

"I know you do, Big Bear, and I love you, too. Looking forward to holding you in my arms again, Griz. See you tomorrow."

Griz had no one, and he was so frightened for his master. Master Dan, Master Boots, Sonny and I piled into the GMC motor coach. For an elephant it could travel pretty fast on straight flat roads. It weren't too great climbing hills but between El Paso and Houston it's mostly flat country for miles. Master Boots and Sonny went to bed in the back so they could get up later and relieve us. My dad called before we left and he and Uncle Joe were going to drive their new truck. They said they'd be there about the same time; maybe early afternoon.

We saw Red and Griz only a handful of times in the last six years since Booger's funeral. He and Griz came and stayed a couple of times for a week or more at the ranch. Every year we rodeoed in Houston we stayed several days with them. Red looked bad. He was dying. None of his kids were there. They parted ways years ago, and they didn't seem to give a shit about their dad anymore. Red amassed a fair amount of money. If there's money involved relatives who haven't sent you a Christmas card in thirty years suddenly come from nowhere demanding their share. We were surprised. None did. Red's eldest son came to the funeral. I pegged him right away as a cold hearted bastard. He was that. He made it a point to ignore Griz altogether. The story Griz told me later was Red's kids couldn't accept the fact he jumped the fence. He was alone with only Griz to care for him.

Boots, Sonny, and I gave Griz a hand and relieved him to get some much needed rest. Hell, we all pitched in to help. That’s what families do, and by any definition we were family. Giz was so glad to see us, especially my dad and Uncle Joe. He became big friends with them. Dad thought Griz was a wonderful oddity. He admired the big man and also was drawn to him like a protective father. Griz was thrilled my dad came. Other than his master, my dad became the dad he never had, and Griz loved him dearly. He cried and cried in my dad's arms. My dad, God love him, did his best to comfort the big man. Red asked if he could speak with me alone. Everyone left and I sat in a chair next to his bed holding his hand.

"How is it, Master Red, we seem to share too many bad times with each other? Granted we've shared a few good ones, but it seems like we share a lot of sorrow together. I don't like to see you like this, Master," I said trying to be strong.

He smiled at me. "Seems that way, don't it, Boy? I need your help, Son. I need you and Dan to do something for me."

"Anything, Master, you know that," I said. I had an idea what was coming next.

"I'm leaving you everything I own, Cowboy. No! Hush, let me explain. I've taken care of everything all these years and Griz has no idea how to handle money or even buy for himself. He's so good hearted he’ll give it all away. I'd like to leave Griz as a slave to you and Dan. Before you bolt for the door, listen to me. Consider, he'll work his ass off for you. You just have to feed him and appreciate him. Much like you would a good pet or a prized piece of livestock. Besides, he truly loves only one person on this Earth, other than me, and that's 'his cowboy.' That’s what he calls you, ‘his cowboy.’ Your dad runs a close second, but I think a lot of that is because he's your dad. Don't get me wrong we both think the world of your dad and Uncle Joe. That's why I had Griz call them.

"Cowboy, he can't talk about anyone but you. He fell in love with you that time you and Booger stayed here, and he's never given up hope of being with you. Over the years he's jumped at the chance to see you and Dan. It's all he can talk about for weeks. He's so sure he'll be owned by you and Dan he's convinced me. I worried for months who I might leave him with who would appreciate him, take care of him, and not mistreat him. I got to thinking, Hell, if'n he's that sure, it can't do no harm to ask you and Dan. Hand me that scrap book right there by yore' elbow, Son." I handed Red a book of clippings about four or five inches thick. He opened it and each newspaper, PRCA clipping, rodeo news clippings, were neatly dated and pasted in the huge book. They were all of me and Dan and our rodeo winnings over the four years we rode the circuit. I couldn't believe it. Griz did this? There was another one of smaller size of dad and Uncle Joe's wins from their year on the circuit.

"He knows he can't be your master so he's more than willing to become you and Dan's slave. I'm leaving you over a million and a half in cash and properties. That should feed him for sometime. If you can wean him from you two, and he wants to go out on his own then I know you'll be fair with him and give him money to go on. Please do this for me, Cowboy. Talk it over with Dan and get back to me, but he can't be out there by himself. He don't know how to live alone. He might get confused, angry, and kill a man with one blow and end up spending the rest of his life in prison.

“I can't die and rest thinking he'll be out there without control. You and Dan will give him the control he needs, and I know you'll be good to him. He'll obey you and Dan. He loves and respects you both. He loves that dad of yours so much, one word from him will have Griz shaped up in no time. He worships the ground your dad walks on as gold. Can't say's I blame him none, I'm pretty damn fond of your old man and Uncle Joe myself. They've been damn good friends to me an Griz these past several years."

"Do you remember a conversation we had in my dad's kitchen at your brother's wake about Griz's friend?" I asked Master Red.

"Yes, I remember it well. You told me someday you could tell me how you knew Griz was telling the truth. I trusted you and Griz from then on. Life got a lot easier for me after that. I want to thank you for shooting straight with me and telling me the truth," Bro Red said.

I proceeded to tell Bro Red what transpired between Booger, myself, Vietnam, about my uncle and Buck telling me who I had to live for, God kicking my butt and calling me 'twit' for holding out on Booger, all the way to the Old Man coming to me after Booger passed and confirming Griz was, indeed, the giant man he wanted me to live for.

"That's what I couldn't tell you then, Master Red, 'cause it might have influenced your freedom of choice. That's how I knew Griz was telling the truth. I think you knew all along Dan and I would take Griz. My master and I talked about it many times. He knows we've been chosen by the Old Man to love and care for his buddy. Ain't many people get asked to do a personal favor for the Big Guy. Dan knows we have to take care of Griz, so he's accepted the idea, but Dan Yates is my master, sir, he owns me. I'm as much his personal property as one of his cows. Hopefully with a little higher status; nevertheless, within the confines of our family, I belong to him. Your brother left me to him in his will. He makes all decisions for our lives. In fact, he should be here, right now, hearing this. I can't make that decision for us. If I get him will you ask him pretending it's the first time you asked either of us."

"I see where you're coming from, Son, and you're perfectly correct. I should have considered him first. It's just I felt so close to you I wasn't thinking right. He's your master, of course, and should be treated with consideration, dignity, and the respect he deserves. You and me, well, we talked about other things and now it's time to call him in and ask the two of you to accept Griz. Yes certainly, will you get him, Son?" I went to the door and called Dan into the room.

Red was skillful in his approach to the subject to give Dan the idea this was the first time either of us heard about it. Dan saw it coming, and I knew from our discussions he would accept Griz into our family as his second slave. He made the decision but he knew it had been planned by a higher power long before he and I got together. He witnessed too many things happen to consider going against His wishes. Besides, Dan grew fond of Griz. Griz always seemed at home and to enjoy the ranch when he and his master visited.

"Shit, Red, we've always been fond of Griz, but I can understand your frustration. He does seem a bit childlike from time to time. We'd be happy to accept Griz into our family. If he wants to go out on his own later, we have plenty to share with him to get him set up some place, especially with the money you leave Cowboy. We can always use an extra hand around the ranch. I've seen him eat but we have Mrs. Russell who will adopt him as a second son. Besides, Red, he has friends in high places who picked us to take care of him a long time ago," my master said.

"Cowboy told me. I placated Griz all this time not knowing whether he was sincere or not. I trust Griz, I never doubted he was telling me the truth. I just didn't know if Griz realized what the truth was. All this time, he really was talking to God. I hope I've been good enough to his Friend."

"I know you have, Red," I said, "he told me so. He's proud of you for loving Griz all these years, even when your family deserted you, 'cause they wouldn't try to understand, you stayed by his side," I said.

Red cried and hugged each of us in thanks. Once Red was satisfied Griz would have a good home and stable people who would love and take care of him he allowed himself to slip away. Our family were there in the room when my beloved master came for his brother. He hugged me and kissed me, then hugged Griz and kissed him, too. Everyone could see Booger, and I introduced him to Dan. Booger grabbed him and hugged him. Dan broke down, shed a few tears, and thanked Booger for his gift. Booger thanked him for taking me and becoming my master. My dad couldn't believe what he was seeing. He and Uncle Joe came and stood directly behind me. Dan was next to me on my right and Sonny and Boots on my left. Sonny was afraid but his joy at seeing our master over came any fear. Leave it to my old man to say the damnedest thing. "Shit, Booger, you left us looking like that. The least the Old Man could've done was purttied you up a bit." Everyone broke up laughing.

"Believe it or not, Old Friend, they gimme' a choice, but I done lived with this ugly old face all them years. Didn't harm me none. On this side of the fence, this ugly old face won me two of the prettiest slaves a master could ever hope to own. 'Sides, if I gave up this ugly old kisser I wouldn't be a magnificent beast no more. My beloved slave gimme' that title, and I wear it with pride."

Dad had a come back but thank the Lord he bit his tongue because about that time the most wonderful thing happened. Booger turned to my master, smiled real big and gave a big 'c'mon' motion to the far wall. "Got a surprise for you, Dan. Okay, Son, come on. The Old Man said it'ud be okay," Booger barked in his deep gravelly master's voice at no one. Buck appeared out of nowhere with a biggest damn smile on his face. He walked slowly to his Dad, took him into his arms, hugged and kissed him passionately. Dan fell apart. I was right behind him. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.

"They only let two of us come for Booger's brother, Dad. Booger was kind enough to ask me to come along. If'n we'd brought more we couldn't appear in material form; just spirit form. Booger was a fuck'n bulldog. He badgered the Old Man into letting me come to you this way. I had to hold you in my arms. It feels so good to hold you again, Dad."

Dan Yates couldn't talk to his son, he was so shocked and filled with emotions. He choked back his tears but managed to get out, "Buck, my beautiful son, my wonderful boy, I love you so much. It's so good to feel you in my arms again. I'm sorry I wasn't a better dad, Buck. I didn't understand what you were going through. I was so dumb and naive.' I was a big fool to miss out on so much of your love. Can you ever forgive me, Son?" Dan asked.

"Shhuu..." Buck quieted and comforted his dad. He spoke to him slowly making each word important.

"You were the best dad any son could have. I know so and so does the Big Man, 'cause I told him so. He allowed me to come to you to tell you, you were the best of dads. The Old Man loves you, Dad. He loves you, and he's proud of you. I love you, too, Dad. Look what the Old Man and Booger give you." Buck motioned with his hand to me, "Cowboy ain't no consolation prize, Dad. You didn't have to settle for second place this time. You won first prize. You got the pick of the litter; prime, grade-A, cowboy beef on the hoof. The Old Man's proud of this handsome cowboy by your side. He knows you'll both be good to Griz. He wouldn't a' picked just anyone to take care of his beloved friend and companion," Buck said to his dad.

"You did right, Son, when you picked this one to love," Dan motioned to me.

Buck grabbed, hugged, and kissed me. "Thanks for taking care of my old man, Darlin.' Makes me love you all the more. Take good care of Griz. The Old Man thinks Griz is about as good as he's ever made. If'n we can't find the Old Man, we check to see if he's taking his afternoon walk with Griz. You done good, Buckaroo. The Old Man glows the colors of love when your name is mentioned."

Booger was talking with Sonny, Boots, and my dad. He hugged and kissed Uncle Joe. Sonny was beside himself thanking Booger for everything including his strict, demanding, jack-boot disciplinarian master, he couldn't be happier with Boots. Sonny remembered to thank him for leaving him the pen knife and his bike. "You already done thanked me, Son. The day you and yore' master rode by the cemetery in Mason. I heard you, and I was touched. I figured you may not believe Cowboy, but you were gonna' cover the bases to make sure. See, the kid knows what he's talking about. I can see you and he are thicker'n thieves. I predicted this. It's good to see. Look, we been here long enough." Booger came back over to me, kissed, and hugged me again.

"You'll always be number one in my heart, Cowboy. Ain't never loved a man the way I done you, Son. You made it all worthwhile. Thank you for your love. He never made a better one than you, Cowboy. Serve this good and honorable cowman well, Son. Give him your all. He deserves it. He's well thought of on our side, too, Son. I didn't mean to make you cry that day at the cemetery in Tucson. I just wanted to tell you to lean on your new master, he's a good man. Love you, Son," Booger said.

"I'll always keep your love in my heart, Master, and I love you, too," I said.

"Hell, we love all ya’ll but we gotta' run. Come on, Brother," Master Red commanded his brother Bro Red. Get up out of that tired old worn out body of yorn. We got a brand new model a' waiting for you. It ain't a' gonna' hurt you none. Don't be afraid. We come to get you. That's it, you can do it, Bro. See, weren't that easy? Come on, take my hand. That's right. We're gonna' take you home. Leave these good people be, they'll be fine. They're gonna' take care of your slave for you. Dan and Cowboy will love him and take good care of him. Take my hand, Brother. You remember Buck Yates, Dan Yates' boy. Take his hand we gotta' go."

Griz watched his Master leave his body and go with Booger Red and Buck. They waved, turned, and were gone. We stood in silence for a moment. Dan turned into my arms and started weeping. Sonny held his dad in his arms. This time it was Boots who broke down and had to have his son be strong for him. I could see Sonny was proud to have his master turn to him for support.

I didn't know but Bro Red wanted to be buried close to his brother. With Dad's help some years ago he bought a plot in our cemetery. We had the funeral in Houston in one of the largest churches in town. It was packed to the rafters. Bro Red knew everyone from kings, sheiks, sultans, heads of state, congressmen, senators, and a host of dignitaries. Everyone came through a line and shook Griz's hand. They knew the score. They knew Griz was Bro Red's personal body guard and companion for many years. It made them no difference. They were gracious and consoling to the big man and only had words of comfort and deepest sympathy for him.

Ben and his dad attended and sat with us during the funeral. Ben's dad told Griz if he needed anything to let my dad know, he would notify Ben immediately, and it would be done. He hugged and kissed Gris. Many of our family made the trip to Houston to support Griz. I knew it was all a blur to him, and I thought he missed his walks with his Friend. He didn't tell me he was angry with his Friend for taking his master and wasn't talking to him. Griz refused to walk with him since his master died.

Dad, Uncle Joe, Dan, Boots and Sonny left the next day to go to Mason to be there when Master Red was interred next to his baby brother. Griz didn't want to see his master put into the ground so we stayed behind in Houston. Griz almost went crazy with grief. Someone had to be with him around the clock. He went into a deep depression. He finally admitted to me he wasn't walking with his Friend anymore. Griz confided in me he begged Him not to take his master. Griz begged Him to let him have one more year with Red. In his near child like mind Griz reasoned his Friend didn't love him anymore to take his master away. Red Grainger not only became Griz's master, he became the father Griz never had. I assured Griz, God still loved him and for Griz to forgive him in his heart, or he might never heal. I told him how angry I was at the Old Man for taking my buddies from me in Nam.

The Old Man came to me several times concerned about Griz. I told him to back off and let me handle it. I would take care of it. He wanted me to trust him, now it was his turn to trust me. (You never want to hear God laugh) I began to nurse Griz back to health by not letting him sit home and feel sorry for himself. I got him up and out of the house. I didn't care where we went, but we went. We went to movies. We went to wrestling matches. We went to the circus. We went to baseball games. We went to rodeos. We went to Orchid show. We went to football games. We went to monster truck rallies. We went to dreadful ice shows. We went to high school musicals. More stuff than Griz ever attended in his life. Everywhere we went people would stare at the giant hairy man with the ring through his nose who was with a cowboy. I invented things for us to go and do just to keep his mind busy and away from thinking about his dead master and grieving his big heart out.

All the while I was slowly getting Red's affairs in order, but I never left Griz alone. I took him with me everywhere I went. We were in each others company twenty-four/seven. I told him he could go voluntary or I would hook his nose leash back and make him go. He knew I meant it. He was like any large animal in pain. He knew when someone was trying to help him. He was angry, but he also loved me for doing it. It finally made sense to him what I was doing and he gave in, willingly. Our master, Boots and Sonny returned to the ranch in Tucson. I stayed with Griz to wrap things up. We put all four properties on the market and listed with a realtor. I told them to sell them fast at the best price they could get, just move them. I offered an extra five thousand dollars to the salesperson who was the first to actually close the deal on any of the properties. I had to remain in Houston with Griz for well over a month.

Dan flew into Houston from Tucson a couple of weekends to be with us. When he saw what I was up against with property and Griz, he went back knowing all was well. He trusted his cowboy slave to do the right thing. I was handling it, and we would come to Tucson as soon as I got things settled. Red's attorney was slick and had Red make a living trust before he passed. All I had to do was sign my name on bank accounts and properties and they were essentially mine. Well, mine and Griz's. Every account I put in both names, either/or. I wasn't going to take from the man what was rightfully his, whether his master left it directly to him or not. If something happened to me, the money was there in Griz's name. All he had to do was write a check.

The little lady at the bank wouldn't believe his name was really Grizzly Gunn. Since Bro Red took his name away, I asked dad if we could give Griz our last name. Dad laughed and hooted, he thought it was a wonderful idea. He always had room in his big heart for another son, especially one he loved as much as Griz. He went to his buddy in Mason he grew up with, a notary, and swore Grizzly Gunn was his son. Griz was moved and thrilled we gave him our last name. That made my dad his dad and Sonny, Boots, Master Ben and I became his brothers. He could handle that and did with a big pleased smile on his ugly face. We called a moving company and took what personal property Griz wanted, a couple of things I wanted and shipped it to Tucson.

We spent the last night in the pueblo style home in Houston. Griz wanted to know if he could pleasure me. It was the first time since his master died he even expressed the slightest interest. I saw it as a good sign. I can remember when I first gave myself to my tall cowboy in Glen Rose and he gave my heart a jump-start. One mean looking, loving, understanding cowboy gave me back my life. I would try to do the same for Griz.

"Griz, I'll be honest with you, I ain't been with another man since I been with Master Dan. Well, maybe once in a while when he swaps slaves with another master, but since you're his slave as well as mine now, and he's our master, I don't think it would be inappropriate if we called and ask his permission. If he says no, then I can't, and neither can you. We might jack off together, but we can't be together. Do you understand?" I asked him.

"Yes, Cowboy, will you call him?" he asked.

"Sure, Griz." I dialed our number at the ranch and Dan picked up immediately. It was good to hear his voice; just his voice alone could made me old dick hard. "Good evening, Master Dan, this is your number one slave calling from Houston," I said like a news reporter. We both laughed. I rarely called Dan 'master' but he knew when I did call him my master, I meant it and he was thrilled when I did. It was our signal, now was a time I needed him to be my master.

"And, how is my number one slave?" he asked. I could hear the grin in his voice.

"Your two slaves are fine and leaving tomorrow for Tucson to be with you. We've wrapped everything up here. Sent most of the personal and household items on. We left one bed for us tonight and anyone who wants it. The rest is on the truck. What we don't want we can sell or give away. Anyway, we're leaving early in the morning and should be in Tucson by day after tomorrow sometime. We kept Red's motor home to drive. It may be a bit slower than a truck, but if we're gonna' be late we'll call. We also might get talked into staying a night in Mason. Either way, we'll call so's you won't worry," I said.

"I'd appreciate that, Son, but why do I get the feeling that ain't the only reason you called?" Dan asked and chuckled on the other end.

"Yes, sir, you're right, but for that, your other slave would like to talk with you," I said.

"No, you ask him, Billy," whispered Griz.

"No, Griz, you have to learn how to ask our master for what you want," I said as I handed him the phone.

"Uh, Master Dan, sir?" the giant man asked hesitantly.

"Yes, Griz? What you got on your mind, Son?" Dan asked.

"Would it be all right, Master, if your second slave pleasures your first slave," Griz said. I heard Dan Yates' laughter on the phone from three feet away.

"Will you promise to pleasure him well, Slave?" he asked. I heard a big smile in Dan's voice.

"Oh, yes, sir. I love Cowboy, sir. I'll be real good to him, Master Dan," Griz promised.

"You promise not to hurt him?" Dan asked, still chuckling having a good time with Griz's naivete.'

"Oh, no, sir, Master Dan, I wouldn't never hurt my bear-cub, Master. I love him too much for that. I just wanna’ give him some love, Master Dan, and to be honest, sir, I think I need a little, too," he said. I was about to crack up and I heard Dan roar with laughter. I think he was pleased and somewhat relieved Griz was coming around from the depths of a terrible depression.

"Then it's all right with me, Big Bear, if it's all right with him, but only if it's all right with Cowboy, understand?" Dan asked.

"Oh, yes, sir. I understand, sir. Thank you. Thank you, Master Dan. Here's Cowboy," Griz said and handed the phone back to me.

Dan was still laughing his ass off. "You know it would have been all right with me, but I appreciate you calling for my permission. Makes me feel like a real master, and it's thoughtful to consider my feelings, makes me feel needed."

"You are a real master, Dad, and you know it. How many men have two devoted slaves? If'n anyone deserves to be called master, it's you. As far as needing someone, these two slaves need you more than flowers need rain. Us lost boys need direction in our lives and you's just the master what can provide it," I said.

"Well, we're gonna' have to see to his needs, and I guess that's one of 'em. Poor thing probably ain't had much lovin' since Red got sick. Hell, even a pet needs some lovin' every now and then. Is it all right with you, Son?" my master asked.

"Yeah, Dad, Griz treats me fine. He's always been good to me. I love him, too, Master. We're looking forward to seeing you in a couple of days. We love you, Dad. "

"Love you, too, Son," he signed off. I hung up the phone, smiled at Griz and winked. He was a happy camper.

"Now, my good and faithful Giant Beastie, there's one other thing what has to be settled between us before I'll agree to let you pleasure me," I said.

"What's that, Master Billy?" he asked slowly.

"If'n I agree to let you pleasure me tonight you have to make me a promise you'll go for a walk tomorrow afternoon with your Friend and apologize to him for cutting him off like you done. You must ask his forgiveness for being angry with him. You can be honest with him. Tell him how much it hurt you, and it was hard for you to understand. Tell him you love him, and you’ll never do that to him again. Don't tell him I made you do it. You know you wanna’ do it anyway. You miss him. You ain't felt right in month of Sundays Griz. He could a' been helping you get through this, and you shut him out and cut him off. I felt really bad when you told me. He come to me four or five times wanting to know how you are."

"He did? You saw him?" Griz asked.

"No, Griz. He only talks with me. I can hear him, I can't see him, but he did come to me. You know cowboy don't lie. I certainly wouldn't lie about something as serious as that. Ask him yourself tomorrow afternoon if'n you don't believe me. We'll be in Mason tomorrow, and I know just the pasture where you can take a walk. I know he misses you, Griz. He's been a good Friend. What you did to him, cut him off like that... would you do that to me?" I asked.

"Oh, no, Master Billy, but then, you wouldn't never take my master away from me, neither," my giant brother reasoned.

"That's not the point, Big Man, He was only doing His job and you know it," I slammed him. I shut up and let him think about it. He looked at me frustrated. He sighed real deep.

"I never really thought about it as him having a job to do, but I guess he does. It is his job. All of us gotta' cross that bridge one day. Oh, Master Billy, what have I done? I been mean to the best friend I ever done had other’n you and Master Red. I really miss him, Master Billy," Griz said holding back the tears. I kept silent, while he continued,"He only did what he had to do and maybe I can't see the whole picture. Maybe he needs my master to put out oil rig fires over there. It couldn't be easy for Him to take my master when he knew how much it was gonna' hurt his friend. I guess I been pretty mean to him," Griz lamented.

The big man broke down and let it all out. Griz sobbed his heart out. I was soaking wet by the time I got him calmed down. "I promise, Master Billy, I'll go for a walk with him tomorrow afternoon, but it won't be because you made me promise. I ain't never lied to him, and I ain't a' gonna' start now. You helped me see I shouldn't hold it against him,'cause he didn't do what I ask him to. Hell, my master rarely done what I asked him to, but I never cut him off. I don't know what I's thinking. I've been a big fool," Griz allowed.

"No, no, Big Man, don't go there. If you feel that way, tell him. He'll understand," I said.

"I love you, Master Billy," he said.

"God knows how much I love you, Griz. I love you more'n all them stars over Texas. You's my number one giant, but I's kinda hope'n you might see fit to become something more for me than just my giant slave," I said.

"I love you so much, Master Billy, I be anything you want me to be. Did you have something in mind?" he asked.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I did, but we can talk about it later and you can ask you Friend about it; he'll know," I said, "In the meantime take my hand and come with me, let chore' bear-cub take care of his Master Bear."

I became the monster's slave that night. Another magnificent beast took me to his heart. A powerful beast who had the innocence of a child, a very loving and trusting child, but when he made the transformation to master mode, he became a formidable master in the truest sense. There was no doubt in my mind or his I was his slave-cub. Sounds weird, I know, but it worked for us. I loved it and so did he. I remembered that first night we spent together, and the love he gave me knowing I was hurting because of my master's impending demise. I was determined his slave was going to give back to him that evening as much love as he shared with me before. He deserved it.

Griz came to a realization on his own he needed his Friend, and he would once again walk and talk with him. That evening he opened up and let me in. I never had such sweet love made to me by any man or beast before or since. It doubled the intensity of our love for each other, and Griz began to see I was offering to be his rock. I came full circle in my forgiving God for what I perceived as the unfairness of life. I was groomed, primed and ready for the position of being Griz's rock. Griz let the flood waters of his life flow into me. What Leon did for me so many years ago, I was giving back to Griz. He started wanting to live again for me and Dan. He wanted to become a good slave for for his two new masters.

While I was there I became Griz's master and he never questioned an order from me no matter how much his big heart was aching. I made a pact with Griz. When we played by ourselves, and I gave him permission, he could be my master. When I snapped my fingers and pointed to my boots, he must understand, I was once again his master. He would pay homage to me and my boots, no questions asked. We've never had a problem, but sometimes when he's down or worried about something or when someone says something cruel about his size and him being a slave, I'll lean over and whisper in his ear, "We know who the real master is, don't we, Big Man?"

He'll turn to me with a big warm smile. The same smile I used to give my old man as a kid. We'd be driving in his old pickemup truck and he'd turn to me, "Wanna' climb up in daddy's lap and drive for a while?" I'd let that big monster of a man sit in my lap and drive my damn truck anytime he wants.

"I love you, Master Billy," he said.

"Not no more'n I love you, Big Man," I replied.

* * * * * * *
We pulled out of Houston early the next morning and made it to Mason around noon. Dad, Uncle Joe, and Lester were so glad to see us. They wouldn't hear of us leaving right away. Dad called our master and ask his permission to detain us for an evening. He didn't have to, he just wanted an excuse to talk with Dan. He loved his master-in-law. Of course, Dan agreed. Dan told dad to keep us a couple of nights if he wanted. Just call him when we got under way so he'd know approximately when to expect us. Dad agreed he would.

"Dad, would you, Uncle Joe, and Lester drive me and Griz out to Phil and Wilma Jo's? Phil has a big pasture behind his place. Griz needs to take a walk and be alone for a while."

"Sure, Son, give 'em a call and asked 'em if we can come visit for a spell."

I called and got Phil. "Hey, Phil. It's your roping partner, Cowboy. How ya'll doing, Brother?" I asked.

"Well, I'll be damned. Wilma Jo, Honey, it's the cowboy. You just get into town?" he asked.

"Yeah, we just drove in about an hour ago. Reason I'm calling, we wanted to know if we can come out to your place and visit for a spell."

"Come on, you're always welcome. Hell, Cowboy, you're family. You don't never have to call. Ya'll come on out and plan on having dinner with us. Who all's coming?" Phil asked.

"Me, dad, Uncle Joe, Lester, and Griz," I replied.

"Ah, Hell, yes! Griz's been out here with Booger's brother and your family many times. Sorry to hear about his partner. We attended his funeral here. Sure, bring him on out. He's all my kids can talk about. They think he's better'n a six flags ride."

"Okay, Phil. See ya'll in about an hour or so."

"Good, love to see ya'll."

We climbed in Dad's brand new top of the line Ford SUV. I wasn't going to ask, but my buddy, Lester, came through for me. "Like this, here, buggy, Child?" Lester asked with a wink.

"Shore' do! This is nice! Glad to see my old man's getting some class."

"Well, you would, too, if'n you had a Sultan for a son," Lester fell out laughing.

"Yeah, it was a gift from Ben for my burf-day. I thought I told you about it," Dad said.

"Must a' slipped your rememberer, Dad," Lester winked at me again and even Griz laughed.

"All right, let's be fair, Lester, tell our boy what Ben got you for you're birthday," Dad insisted.

"Lause, child, that beautiful man done went out and bought old Lester a brand new Ford Ranger Pickemup truck. Now I's don't have to call's the Potter-Gunn Taxi service no more to get's me a ride into town. He sho’ 'nuff been good to old Lester. Makes me feel like he's as much my boy as he is them two yahoos." Everyone laughed. It was good to hear Griz laugh again.

We got to Phil and Wilma Jo's and Phil's kids went bananas when they saw Griz. With outstretched arms waving about, they ran to him as fast as their stubby little legs would carry them, yelling his name over and over. I thought they might scare him. Not Griz. One jumped in one arm, one jumped in the other and they were all over him hugging and kissing him like he was a long lost playmate. He carried them into the house. We socialized for a while and I asked Phil if he had any livestock in the field behind the house. He said no, he'd been boarding a couple of horses for a guy, but he picked 'em up this morning.

"Would you mind if Griz takes a walk back there. He's been all cooped up and ain't got enough exercise lately. He's used to walking a while in the late afternoon."

"Sure, Griz, go on. You're welcome to walk in the pasture. Just be careful where you step," Phil warned him. Everyone laughed, "You going with him, Cowboy?"

"Naw, he needs to walk by his-self; calms his nerves. He'll be a different bear-man when he returns, you'll see. C'moan, Griz, I'll see you through the gate."

Wilma Jo shook her head as she watched Griz stoop almost a foot and turn sideways to get out the door. They had an old farm house with ten foot ceilings and Griz loved visiting. He could stand up straight. I took Griz to the gate to Phil's back pasture and let Griz through. I stayed on the other side.

"Come with me, Master Billy. Hold my hand, please," Griz pleaded with me.

"You know I can't, Big Man. You have to do your apologizing like the big man you are. He ain't a’ gonna' be mean to you, Darlin.' Hell, he loves you, Griz. You're his buddy, his number one best friend. Ain't a whole Hell of a lot of men in this world can claim the Almighty on their A-list of best friends. Now, get chore’ big furry ass out there and tell him how much you missed him and how sorry you are. Beg his forgiveness and tell him how much you love him."

"I love you, Master Billy," he said.

"I wouldn't be doing this if'n I didn't love you, Griz. Do me a favor, Bear-Man?" I asked.

"Anything, Master Billy."

"Tell him I love him. Thank him for letting Booger Red and Buck visit me’n Buck's dad when they come to get your master. Tell him I'm sorry I was such a smart ass with him. Ask him if he still trusts me?"

"I will, Master Billy, and thanks, Cowboy."

"Aww, go on with ya.' Walk out there, he'll be along in a minute. You'll do fine. I have faith in you," I said.

Griz lumbered out into the pasture. It was a warm mid-summer's evening in Texas, and the stars were just beginning to show as the sun was setting. I looked up and spoke, "Lord, I done my part. He's a' hurt'n real bad, and he's ashamed of his-self. Come to him, sir. He needs his Friend right now, more’n ever, Lord. Forgive him, Father, it took him a while to understand. Help my friend, Griz, like you done me, sir," I said out loud.

It was the most beautiful sunset I can ever remember seeing. I even called to the house for them to come out and see. Wilma Jo saw a couple of tears on my cheek and put her arm around me. No one could remember a prettier sunset. The sky was a blaze of reds, oranges, yellows, blue, white, and purple. It was better than a fourth of July fireworks display. Even the kids were silent and watched in awe. It was a spiritual experience for all of us. Wilma Jo looked at me and looked at Griz way out in the pasture as Griz knelt in the field and bowed his head.

Everyone watched as a giant ball of purest light came out of the sky from nowhere and surrounded Griz as he was kneeling. It was all around him pouring into and out of his body. It was lighting up a third of the lower pasture. I knew his Friend came to him. I knew his Friend was with him, loving him, and forgiving him. We watched as Griz looked up and placed his hand up and forward like an invisible person took his hand. You could see it pulling Griz towards the very heart of the intense light. It was an indescribably beautiful light which filled your heart with joy, gladness, and love just to look upon it. It pulled Griz up off his knees and enfolded him with the light until you almost couldn't see Griz's huge form through it. It grew in size and surrounded every inch of Griz's body.

Griz was aglow with the light surrounding his big body like St. Elmo's fire except it was a brilliant white to yellowish-orange. Drops and sparkles of light would drop from his body and flow through the air as he slowly moved. The volume of light increased until fountains of light were pouring from Griz's body everywhere. It was like the light was embracing Griz. Gris raised his big arms upward toward heaven, and then, he looked like he was enclosing some huge creature of light in his arms. It looked like his head was lying against the heart of the light and the light modulated from orange-white to deep azures, reds, yellows, and purples. Everyone watched stunned as we heard the big man crying his heart out leaning against the light. It was caressing him like it was offering him comfort.

We all gasp as we watched Griz slowly rise from the ground as if some huge man picked him up him his arms. It looked like a father gently picking up his beloved child to cradle and hold him in his arms. Griz's legs were draped where an arm should be and his massive body was being supported by the other. Griz turned his face into the light, and we could see his big body heaving in sobs. The light sang to him and modulated in all colors at the same time.

There was no doubt in anyone's mind, you could tell, you just knew, the light was kissing and caressing his beloved child, his son, his friend. We watched as a halo of light surrounded Griz's head. It was of the purest white and seemed to radiate outward from his body. He could move his hand slowly and the light would fly from his fingers. The light finally set him down on his feet. Griz and the light began to walk as one.

"Uh, Billy," Wilma Jo managed to speak softly, "you and me, we grew up together, we been friends all our lives; close friends. Always thought of you as my brother, Cowboy. We could tell each other anything; the secrets of our heart. I ain't never seen nothing like that in my life. You wanna' tell me what that light is around Griz, and who he's talking to out there?"

"Wilma Jo, Darlin,' you wouldn't believe me if'n I told ya'" I said quietly without emotion. Phil sent the kids in the house to watch television. They weren't about to mind their dad, they were as awestruck as we were. Phil told them they could stay if they sat quietly on the back porch steps. The porch wasn't far from where we were standing, and they begrudgingly lumbered over and sat down. Phil moved closer to us to hear the conversation.

"Well, you might as well tell 'em, Cowboy, whether they believe you or not," said my dad, "Phil, Wilma Jo, my boy don't lie. You both know that. What he's gonna' tell you is the gospel truth. Go ahead, Cowboy, tell 'em."

"Who do you think he's talking to, Wilma Jo?" I asked her gently.

"You ain't a' gonna' tell me he's talking to...?" I smiled and gently nodded my head 'yes' to Wilma Jo and Phil.

"Lord a' mercy. Look at him, Phil. J'ever see anything like that before?" she asked her big cowboy husband.

"It's a first for me, Honey. Is he really talking to God, Cowboy?"

"I know it sounds unbelievable, and it took us some gettin' use to, believe me, but yes, he's talking to the Almighty. Griz is a good friend of the Old Man's. Sometimes Griz talks with him several times a day. He takes long walks with him every evening about this time. If you look closely you can see someone or something is walking along side him with their arm around his shoulder pulling him up close to them. See how he's scrunched together in the shoulders."

"Well, I'll be damned. I see it, Billy. See it, Honey?" Phil said to his wife.

Wilma Jo had a tear in her eye. "Yes, Sweetheart, I do. That light around him is unbelievable. It's pure...”

"Love, Darlin!' It's pure love," I finished for her.

The next thing we knew the kids went through the other gate lickity-split. They were yelling and running as fast as they could towards Griz. Phil yelled for them to come back, but they paid their dad no never mind. They were laughing, giggling, and frustrated because they couldn't get their short little bodies to move any faster. They were drawn toward the light and their friend, Griz, like a magnet.

Griz squatted down and held his big arms out to them. Once again they ran to him, jumped into his arms almost knocking him over. The light around him didn't go away. It merely surrounded the kids as well. Griz picked them up in his arms, stood, and started slowly back towards us. The kids were squealing, laughing, and giggling at the light, talking to it and playing with it. They were hugging and kissing Griz.

The light only glowed brighter in colors of the most beautiful ambers, deep purples, blues, and violets; all to be followed by the purest white imaginable. The kids could make the light fly from their finger tips. They loved it, hugged it, kissed it, and the colors modulated again from deep azures to purple-violet. Gris wore a huge, relieved smile on his wonderful ugly, tear stained face. He truly radiated joy and happiness from every pore in his huge body. It only made the light grow larger.

The light was dripping from his arms and body. I knew our master forgave him and He was happy to have his friend back. The glow of the light didn't stop the closer they got, and now, there were halos around each of the kids' heads. Wilma Jo was leaning against Phil who enfolded her from behind in his big arms and watched over her shoulder. Tears were running down her face, and her husband, the big cowboy, was moved beyond words. My dad knew about Griz but never witnessed anything like this. I looked around for Lester. He held his hat in his hands and was on his knees. Uncle Joe joined him. Griz got about twenty feet in front of us, part of the light flew off Griz and the kids and drifted over to surround me.

"You did it, Son. You told me you would, and you did. You'll be rewarded big time for this, Billy-three, and yes, I trust you. You got more mettle than I gave you credit for, Son, but chu' know who you got that from don't chu'? That big cowboy standing there with his hat in his hand, your dad. He's done right by you, Cowboy, and you're doing right by him. I'm proud of you both. I'll trust you from now on, Son. Don't chu’ go let'n me down, now, ya' hear?" he said.

"I won't, sir. I promise."

"Tell them all standing there I love each one of them. Every one of 'em are good, decent folks. Tell Wilma Jo she's pregnant as of two nights ago. They'll name the boy William Gunn Roamer. He'll be a special child with special abilities and talents I'm giving him. You, Dan, Griz, your dad, uncle, and your black dad are to be his God parents. He'll accomplish great things. I'll walk with him like I do Griz. Tell them I talked with their kids, and they're raising them right. They're doing fine."

"You sure about the name, sir?" I asked.

"Cowboy?"

"Yes, sir, I'm sorry, sir. I will, you're right. I apologize. Please, don't smite me with your terrible swift sword," I added and chuckled.

"Good one, Cowboy, you little wiseacre. I can't remember the last time I heard that line. Take care of yourself, Son. I love you more'n ever. I owe you one, Son. Keep in touch. Talk to me, Cowboy. I hear you."

"I promise, sir." The light rose from me and dived toward Phil and went right through him, then Wilma Jo, Dad, Uncle Joe, and finally Lester. It stopped over Lester for a minute.

"Thank you, sir. I loves him, too. Yes, sir, he sure do love me. You know's I got to love 'em, to take that boy fishin' s'many times I done. You know's how many times I done told you how I hate's fishin,' sir," Lester said. We heard the Almighty laugh.

The light flew back to join the rest of the light. It paid attention to the kids, surrounded them, and they giggled, laughed, and played with the light. Then each rose in the air one at a time and looked like they were hugging and kissing a big man we couldn't see. They were hugging someone and saying goodbye. Each was returned gently to Griz's arms. They waved as the light flew up and out of sight. I looked over at Phil and Wilma Jo and had to smile. My roping partner had big tears streaming down his face. Funny thing was, the big cowboy didn't appear to be crying. He had the warmest smile on his face. The tears were just there. Wilma Jo, too. The adults were speechless for a while watching the last of the beautiful sunset. Suddenly there were five or six meteors streaked across the sky. They were all colors. It looked like fireworks. We all went, "Aaaww..." We knew it was Him saying goodbye.

"Did you feel him when he went through you, Honey? I never had such a feeling of complete love in my life. It was..."

"Unconditional love, Sweetheart, I felt it, too," Wilma finished Phil's sentence for him. Dad and Uncle Joe agreed. Lester had a hard time talking.

"He done told me he loves me, s'proud of me, told me you love's me a powerful lot, Billy, and he loves me for loving you so much." I went and hugged the old black man as he started to cry in my arms. I told him to be happy not to cry. He just experienced something few people ever get to. The kids ran up to their parents.

"Who were you talking to in Griz's arms, Kids?" Phil, asked them.

"God," they both replied at once. "We didn't mean to disobey you, Dad. Please forgive us, but God was calling to us by name to come and join him and Gris. Griz told us not to be afraid he wanted us to meet a Friend of his, and he introduced us. Griz didn't tell us, but we knew who he was. He's funny, Dad. Had us laughing all the way back. He loves you and mom, Dad. He said if we apologized to you and ask you kindly to forgive us, he thought just this once you might."

Big Phil broke into laughter at his kids you could've heard a mile away. He scooped each one up and gave them a big hug and a kiss. "He's right. Your daddy forgives you, but just this once, okay?" he asked and smiled at them.

"Okay, Dad, and thanks," said the little girl.

Griz grabbed me and held me for a few minutes. "Thank you, Master Billy," he said. Then he broke down in my arms.

"You're welcome, Big Man. Glad to help," I tried to comfort him as best I could.

Phil and Wilma Jo put their arms around the giant man as well. He couldn't cry too long the kids were clamoring for him to pick them up. He scooped one up in each arm, and they told him not to cry. Griz turned and walked slowly with a kid in each arm toward the other gate to close it.

"By the way, Wilma Jo, he had a message for you. Told me he loves you and Phil, and he's proud of you. You're raising the kids just fine, but he also told me some'um else."

"Oh, Lord, I'm afraid to ask," said Wilma Jo.

"You're pregnant as of two nights ago. It'll be a boy. He's gonna' be a special child. He'll have special talents and abilities. He'll accomplish great things. He said He'd walk by his side and talk with him like Griz. Oh yes, and Griz, me, Dan Yates, dad, Uncle Joe and my other dad, Lester, are to be his God parents."

"How could the kid lose with a collection of good men like that to be his Godfathers. You're Godfather to our other two anyway, may as well be to this one, too," said Phil proudly.

"He told you what to name him, didn't he, Cowboy?" Wilma Jo asked me.

"What would you name him?" I asked her.

"We already done talked about it when we, well, you know..." blushed Phil.

"When he was conceived, Dear?" Wilma Jo helped her husband. We all laughed.

"Yeah, well, whatever you call it. Tell him what we talked about, Honey," said Phil trying to get off the subject as quickly as possible.

"We decided if I got pregnant, if it was a boy, we were gonna' name him Billy Gunn Roamer." Chills ran up my back. Of course, he heard them talking about what they were going to name the kid. He wasn't ordering me to tell them to name him that.

"That's the name he told me. Honest. His exact words were: he will be named, William Gunn Roamer. He wasn't ordering me to tell you to name him that, he was letting me know that's what you would name him."

That evening turned out to be one of the best, most loving, happy evenings I ever spent in my life. Later, poor Phil gave up trying to tell folks what we experienced. Nobody believed him. The kids didn't care. They knew their dad was telling the truth. Wilma Jo and I fixed dinner. Well, she fixed it. I just diced and chopped and washed pots. She claimed it was a big help. As we left, I saw her slip a couple of fresh baked brownies into Griz's jacket pocket. She put her finger to her lips for him not to say anything, and he smiled like a kid at her. Wilma Jo was in love with Griz and he with her. The big man got to everyone. The kids cried when we left and begged us to leave Griz with them. He hugged them and told them they'd see him again, soon, he promised. I don't know how he did it, but they were laughing when we pulled away.

I lay back against the giant man, and he folded his arms around in front of me. I winked at Lester, and he knew something god-awful was about to come out of my mouth. "How'd ju' like to fuck a horny buckaroo tonight, Bear-Man?" I asked Griz. Lester slapped his knee and roared. Dad damn near wrecked his new SUV. Uncle Joe giggled.

"I have to," answered Griz resolutely.

"You have to?" I asked.

"Yeah, He told me to fuck you hard tonight and make you hurt a little for being such a smart-aleck with him," he said. I laughed 'til I hurt and so did every one else in the SUV.

"Well, you know what, Bear-Man, he's right, I deserve it. Ain't much of a punishment though. Sort of a win-win thing for me. I'll take it like a man, Big Bear."

"I'm glad, Master Billy, I wouldn't want you to think I's a' hurtin' you to be mean."

"You're too damn honest to do that, Griz. I love a master who knows how to make a bear-cub hurt really good," I said. Gris took my hand and put it on his rock hard cock. I thought it was going to rip his pants.

"Okay, Gentlemen, that's enough of that talk. Poor Joe ain't gonna' have no asshole come morning if you keep talking that a'way. Already got me the biggest boner I had in months. Ain't about to waist it none, neither." Dad turned to Uncle Joe, "Want me to wear me boots tonight, Sweetheart?" Dad asked wickedly. Poor Uncle Joe. He was loosening up though.

"Only if you wear them new spurs I bought chu,’" he replied.

"That's do-able. That's a can do, Darlin!'" laughed my dad. I thought Lester was going to have a stroke he was laughing so hard.

Nine months later Dan, Griz, and I traveled back to Mason for the birth of our Godchild, William Gunn Roamer. My dad was so proud of that kid you'd a' thunk Uncle Joe gave birth to it. Dad and Uncle Joe became close friends with Phil and Wilma Jo 'cause every time Ben came home he wanted to go visit Phil, Wilma Jo and the kids. He always had some gift for Wilma Jo and the kids. Once in a while he'd bring old Phil something and surprise the shit out of him. Ben, Tim and Dr. Keshan flew in just for the birth of this special child. They were staying with my dad and Uncle Joe.

The baby was healthy and Wilma Jo was radiant. She was thrilled we traveled all the way back for her and the baby. She gave our giant a kiss on the cheek. She unfolded the small blanket to show him. Everyone was amazed by the look on Griz's face. He was radiant. A soft light appeared around Griz's head. One nurse had to leave the room. I think she pissed her panties.

"Would you like to hold him, Griz?" Wilma Jo asked softly.

"Oh, no, Ms. Wilma, ain't never held a young'un afore, I wouldn't know how," he said humbly. Wilma Jo smiled at him and sat up in the bed.

"Make a cradle of your arm like I'm holding him," Wilma said. The big man did as she told him, and she placed the precious bundle in his arms. The baby woke and started crying, but rather than give him back to Wilma Jo, Griz started rocking him tenderly and we heard a low frequency vibration coming from way down inside Griz like a soft hum or buzzing sound. The baby looked up at Griz trying to focus and quit crying. He started laughing, giggling, and having a ball with Griz. Griz was giggling, too, like they were sharing a secret joke between them. Griz offered the baby his little finger. The baby grabbed it with both hands and wouldn't let go. He was having a good time with Griz. He was laughing, cooing, and blurbbling. You'd swear the kid was talking with Griz.

Wilma Joe and Phil were shaken to the bottom of their souls. The baby reached up, put his little hand to Griz's big face, looked the big man right in his amber eyes, and a soft light surrounded his tiny head as well. I don't think there was a dry eye in the room. Once again, we were all amazed. Griz gently handed him back to Wilma Jo and thanked her several times. He told her the baby, Master Billy four, was disoriented but Griz told him everything was okay, 'cause I'm a friend of your momma and daddy. He told me he was glad to meet me and glad to be here. He can feel the love coming from everyone, especially you Dad Gunn, Mr. Joe, and Mr. Lester. He done told me to ask Mr. Lester, kindly, if'n he'd take him fishing, too." Lester rolled his eyes towards heaven and everyone giggled, "He told me he was hungry, Ms. Wilma." Wilma and Phil thought Griz was kidding, they looked at us and to a man we all nodded our heads, 'yes' he can hear and talk to your baby. Believe what he says.

"Griz?" Wilma Jo took Griz's big hand in hers and looked Griz in the eyes. "When he gets a little older and you guys come back for Christmas or whenever, would you do me a favor?" she asked.

"Anything, Ms. Wilma, you know that."

"Would you take him to show your Friend and thank him for us? Tell him how much we appreciate him."

A tear ran down the giant's cheek. "I'd be mighty proud to, Ms. Wilma, He loves kids."

Well, the kid's last name wasn't Gunn, but my dad didn't give a shit. Billy Gunn Roamer was his grandson, by God. And by God, he was right. Griz confirmed it. None of us cared. He was a special child and was raised much like I was, by a community of folks who loved him. Dad became his granddad. That kid didn't stand a chance with all the love he had poured on him from everyone. From the first he was a gifted child. He could read by the age of three.

Griz would be with him on the back steps and the boy would sit next to him as close as he could get. They'd have an arm around each other and every now and then one would make a gesture with his arm or hand like they were pointing out something to one another. They'd look up together then down like they were watching a movie and they were sitting on the front row. They'd start laughing at the same time and the kid would throw both arms around Griz and hang on. Neither would say a word for a hour or more. Wilma Jo would get worried, walk over, and ask if everything was okay. The kid would look up at her and smile sweetly. "We's just talking, Mom. Griz was showing me the mama grizzly what took care of him one winter. She's almost as big as Griz," he allowed. Wilma Jo came back over to us shaking her head.

"They're sitting there carrying on a conversation, but neither one is saying a word," she said in awe. We laughed with her. We never have fully gotten used to Griz's abilities. Wilma Jo and Phil are constantly on the phone to Billy-four’s granddad or Tucson, "Do you know what he did today?" They'll ask, then fall out laughing. His brother and sister were never jealous. They didn't have to be, he took them along with him. He taught them what he knew, and they became almost as adept as him. Their grades skyrocketed in school until they both graduated top of their high school class.

Did he become a cowboy? With all the cowboys he grew up around and his dad and granddad a cowboy, the boy was in the saddle before he could walk. He was better than any of us at roping by the time he was twelve. His granddad gave him the name Cowboy Jr. Funny thing was he looked a Hell of a lot like me and Uncle Bud. The name stuck, but being Texas folk everybody shortened it to Junior Roamer. That's all he's been know as most of his life by close friends is Junior Roamer. Phil and Wilma Jo couldn't have been more proud of him.

* * * * * * *
During our touring the circuit we always made time for stopping by Ten Sleep and stayed with the Bartletts and Dave and Barn Jarvis. Talk about killing the fatted calf. Woah! It was rodeo time at the Bartlett's. The entire community of Ten Sleep closed down for two or three days to camp out at the Bartletts. Word quickly got around the pro-rodeo crowd there was a huge private rodeo in Ten Sleep, Wyoming. All the top cowboys were there to let their hair down and relax among their own kind and country folk. Not a lot of outsiders knew about the annual to-do at the Bartlett's. Wade and Thelma Bartlett couldn't have been more pleased. They took our gift and ran it into a highly profitable venture. They put all five of the kids through college and always had a newer car and truck. Several times Wade and Thelma insisted I take money from them, but I declined. I told them they more than repaid me over the years. I'd come there and they put me and my family up.

"Save it for a rainy day. Help your neighbor, if he's in trouble. The good Lord gave me more money'n I know what to do with."

They knew I was foreman, top waddie, on Dan Yates's ranch in Tucson which is one of the largest most profitable ranches in the Southwest.

"What does a cowboy need with a lot of money? How many horses can I ride at once?" They laughed, and I laughed with them. I told the same to Bill Langtree and Les Wilson. Come to find out the feed account was the shot in the arm they both needed to make their operations build from small time ranchers into the big leagues. They wouldn't have anything but Dan and my family spend an afternoon and evening while visiting to be entertained at their ranches. They were fine men. They didn't overdo, but we always had a good time. They took my words to heart and were the first ones there if any of their neighbors needed help. So was Jim Petrie and Tad Evans. They witnessed what a small amount of sharing and caring could do for folks in a community.

The Bartletts, Dave and Barn, loved Dan Yates. To my surprise they knew him and Buck separately from me and my Uncle Bud. They dropped by many times to stay a day or two on their tour of the circuit. Dan and I would always give exhibitions in roping. My dad and Uncle Joe came to Ten Sleep several years and got to know the folks well. Wade Bartlett thought my dad was a fine man and all around great cowboy. Of course it was a great thrill for Barn Jarvis to be reunited with my dad. They were close friends and buddies in Korea.

My gracious master gave me up to Dave many evenings we were there and usually Sonny was along with his master who knew the almost mystic relationship Sonny and Barn Jarvis developed. Boots told me as time passed he came to understood Booger more and more, how Booger could give me up to Dave in Cheyenne. There are just some bonds you can't deny. Barn Jarvis and Sonny was one of those bonds. The two of them were inseparable the whole time we visited. Dave couldn't believe his dad's love and admiration for Sonny. He encouraged it. It wasn't hard for me to believe. Barn was very much like my dad was to Sonny. He was a big kid inside but outwardly he was a dad to Sonny. They both reveled in their roles. Dave began to look upon Sonny as his little brother as well as me.

As time went on the Bartlett's oldest son, Ken, during his last couple of years of high school earned extra money from Dave and Barn by helping Dave with his physical therapy for his legs so they wouldn't atrophy. As a result he got a medical degree and became a doctor in physical therapy and sports related medicine. He specialized in rodeo injuries. He returned to Ten Sleep and continued to help Dave. He was convinced Dave could walk again if he tried. Being a doctor, he obtained Dave's medical file from VA. To his surprise there wasn't anything physically wrong with Dave's legs. He had a condition known as hysterical conversion paralysis. He couldn't let go of the grief and guilt of watching his buddy be blown apart in front of him and convinced himself he'd never walk again.

It was true his legs were damaged pretty bad. The right leg healed properly, and he could lift and move it; however, even though the operation to save his left leg was successful, he refused to go through therapy to get him up and walking. He simply convinced himself he'd never walk again. Thus, mainly from lack of use, his legs became partially paralyzed, but not totally. He could raise his legs by himself. He could move his feet and wiggle his toes. He had feeling in all parts of his legs. Ken Bartlett wouldn't take no for an answer from Dave and insisted he could walk again. All he had to do was want to get up off his butt and work at it. Dave was convinced otherwise. Ken continued to work with Dave, but Dave had to want to walk and fought Ken's help every step of the way.

Unbeknown to everyone, themselves included, Ken and Dave were falling very much in love with each other. They neither shared sex nor discussed it with each other. The first to recognize it was Wade Bartlett. One evening, his son came in for dinner after being with Dave and trying to help him. He wouldn't talk about what happened, but he was so angry at Dave he almost couldn't eat his dinner. His dad saw the symptoms and knew the trouble. He talked it over with his wife, Thelma, doctor-mom, and her diagnosis was the same. Their boy, their son, was very much in love with his patient, Bulldogger Dave Jarvis.

They were loving country folks who took it in stride. They wondered why their boy didn't start a huge lucrative sports medical practice in a larger town. Sports medicine was all the rage at the time. He could have cleaned up. Instead he came home to help his dad on the ranch and did a local M.D. practice out of the front two rooms of the Bartlett home. His dad and mom converted the rooms for his practice. Funny thing was he got a reputation around the rodeo circuit as being the Doc to go to if you had a rodeo injury. If a cowboy got injured, the man to see was Doc. Bartlett.

He could do miracles with rodeo sports injuries. Many times a cowboy would be down on his luck and couldn't pay Ken for his services. No cowboy was ever turned away. Once a year the rodeo cowboys got together and gave a special rodeo where the proceeds and cowboy winnings went to a cowboy health care fund administered by Thelma Bartlett or Ma Bartlett as she was better known to the cowboys. It was a fund to reimburse her for their keep and her son for his charges and medical expenses caring for their brothers in need.

The Bartletts had two or three pickups with campers sitting around as hospital rooms for recovering cowboys. They'd get someone to drive their truck to Ten Sleep, stay and let Doc. Bartlett take care of them, and then be on their way. Ma Bartlett would feed them and the Doc would take care of them. It was better in some ways because they'd be with other cowboys and pass the time together. Some of the top riders and ropers could afford to pay their own way and many did. Doc Bartlett began to make better money but still only charged the locals minimal rates. He was a full fledged doctor, but he was raised a cowboy. He believed, like his dad and mom, home folks should get a break. No one bothered to make an appointment. They called to make sure the doc was home and came on by. He treated everyone in the community for minimum charges.

Now, it was beginning to make sense to his mom and dad. It became clear. He developed a crush on big Dave while he was still in high school and it blossomed into a full blown love as he matured. Dave wouldn't even admit it to himself, but if a day went by he didn't see Ken or he thought Ken was pissed at him, he damn near drove his old man crazy. "Ju' see Ken today, Dad?" Big Dave would ask as a toss off question.

"Yeah, Son, I helped him with some cattle over to the ranch."

"He say anything? He coming over later? Ju' invite him for dinner? S'ee gonna' gimme' me a call later?"

"No, Son. Didn't say a thing. Don't know if he's coming by. He didn't say. Why don't chu' call him; find out what he's doing."

"He's probably busy. Don't wanna' bother him or nothing."

The whole time Ken was away at school he and Dave wrote two or three letters a week to each other. He could only come home for vacation and holidays because the school was so far away. When he did come home, he spent most of his time at the Jarvis ranch "treating" big Dave. Most of the Bartlett kids were gone by that time and Wade and Thelma invited Barn and Dave for dinner one evening. They came and had a wonderful time together. Ken wanted to show Dave a new pony which was born the day before, and they went out to see before they lost the light. Barn was having dessert, a wonderful piece of apple pie Thelma made, and coffee.

"What're we gonna' do about our boys, Barn?" Wade asked quietly after the boys left the house. Old Barn wasn't dumb. He knew exactly what Wade was getting at.

"Don't know, but if'n we don't get 'em into a bed together real soon, I'm gonna' kill mine and tell God he died," Big Barn said with considerable disgust. It wasn't what Wade and Thelma was expecting, and they fell into each other's arms laughing. Barn went on, "He calls me a hard-headed and stubborn old son of a bitch. I guess maybe I am, but Wade, Thelma..." Barn said as he chuckled, "how damn dumb can any man be not to see the love your boy has for him. I ain't said a word to him, but I watched the two of them together. They's so afraid each is gonna' find out about the other's love and feared it'll blow up in their faces. Are you two worried about it?"

"'We're 'bout the same as you, old Friend. We're 'bout ready to set Ken down and tell him the parts about the birds and bees he missed. There ain't nothing wrong with that part, I just think maybe he was sick that day or just skipped over it, somehow," Wade said. They had another good laugh.

"You thought about sitting down and talking with Dave?" Thelma asked Barn.

"We're close, but that's a closed subject. I think Dave's still so much in love with the cowboy he won't let himself think about lovin' anybody else. I'm sure he don't think about his love for Ken, but his body sure does." Wade and Thelma knew exactly what he was talking about and roared. Barn continued, "I'd venture to say he and Ken have been terminally in love with each other for nigh onto six years. I notice Ken is missing ever' time Dan Yates and Cowboy come to visit. Can't say's I blame him none. 'Course I wouldn't want 'em to stop coming to visit. They always bring Sonny with ‘em, and I ain't gonna' sit here and lie to you folks, I've loved that young man for a while now and cherish any time I get to spend with him. I think of Sonny as a second son, and the Cowboy, well, ya'll know I'd nominate that kid for sainthood if'n I could."

"Yeah, me and Thelma feel the same about him. He sure saved our butts. Hell, let's face it, he saved a few butts in this community. So you think we oughta' talk to 'em or leave well enough alone? If'n we talk to 'em should it be together or separate?" Wade asked, then continued, "I just want 'em to know they have our blessing. I don't want ‘em sneak'n 'round hide'n nothing and feelin' like we're gonna' disown them or not love them as much. Thelma and me, well, we decided, if'n our boy's got a hitch in his get-along and has a hanker'n to rodeo with cowboys, we'd rather see him with a good man like Dave than someone we don't know."

"I feel the same 'bout chore'' boy. They don't make 'em no finer'n 'nat boy of yorn, but I don't think we should talk to 'um separately. They'll think we's conspiring behind their backs. Let 'em come back in and ya'll follow my lead. Back me up, now!" Barn said firmly and grinned. Wade and Thelma agreed.

Dave and Ken returned with Ken pushing Dave in his wheelchair. They were arguing about something but not angrily, more in good natured competitiveness. They seated themselves at their places at the table and Thelma went to get them dessert and coffee. She brought it back and set it down in front of them.

"Thanks, Mrs. Bartlett. Looks and smells great," said Dave, "That was a great supper, ma'am. Sure do appreciate it," he added.

"Yeah. Thanks, Mom. It was a fine meal and this dessert sure looks good," said Ken.

Big Barn spoke to the two men, "Sons, both a' you, yore' parents wanna' tell you something we think you should hear from us. We love you very much, but we come to a unanimous conclusion. We think it's time to tell you it saddens us to see two good men what love each other as much as you two, and y'ain't doing nothing about it." Dave and Ken were speechless. They couldn't move. Barn's little speech certainly gave the term 'coming-out' new dimensions.

"Yeah," spoke up Wade Bartlett, "you two been in love with each other for years now and too damn afraid to tell the other how you feel. You're losing precious time you could be lovin' one another."

"Don't look at mom for an explanation," Thelma Bartlett, giggled, "I'm a hundred percent behind your dad's on this one. Why don't you two sit down and talk this out. Ain't nothing wrong with you lovin' one another. God knows, we wouldn't be talking to you about it this openly if'n we had any problem with it. Like your dads say, we love you both and just wanna' see you happy," she finished.

Ken took his napkin and started sobbing into it. Dave shot a look at his old man like he wanted to cut off his oxygen supply, but then mellowed as he heard his younger cowboy brother weeping softly beside him. He put his big arm around Ken and pulled him to him.

"That was one Hell of a shocker, wudden it, Little Brother? For a minute there, I didn't know whether to rant and rave or roll for the door. No matter, I couldn't leave my baby brother here to face this alone. God love 'em, I'm convinced their hearts are in the right place. Our loving parents just nailed us to the barn door, Little Brother. At least they did me. Don't cry, Sweet Buckaroo. Truth is, I should a’ told ju’ a long time ago how I feel about you, how much I love, respect, and admire you. I love you more'n words I got to tell," Bulldogger Dave told his buddy.

"You couldn't love me like I love you," Ken wailed.

"Uh, coffee in the living room, old Friend?" Wade Bartlett barked a question at Barn as he and Thelma got up to head out of the room.

"Why, I'd love some coffee in the living room, Wade, Ms. Thelma. Got any more of that delicious pie left, there, Darlin'? You done got a damn good scald on 'nat pie, Hon." Barn complimented Thelma Bartlett on her cooking.

"I think we can rustle ya' up another piece, Neighbor," she replied and giggled as they faded into the living room to leave their boys alone.

"What'da ya' mean I couldn't love you the way you love me? You mean like one cowboy loves another cowboy? If'n so, you better rethink that one, Buckaroo. I've wanted to get into your nickers and rodeo with you ever since I saw you on a horse when you was only a teenager. You got such a pretty behinder on you I'd bite my knuckles to keep from dropping my load in my Wranglers jes' think'n on how far I could shove my tongue up there. I didn't think you knew I was alive. I never thought you'd even look at me. I's a bit older'n you. Are they right, my handsome Buckaroo? You been in love with old Bulldogger Dave for a while?"

"Longer’n a while, Cowboy. Since I was a junior in high school."

"I's a' call'n you out, Hombre. This is cowboy show-down time. Prove it, Buckaroo! Put chore' money where yore' mouth is! Give old Dave a kiss like you mean it, Darling." Ken leaned into Dave, they gently touched lips, and the dam broke. That's all it took. It was all they could do to keep from throwing clothes in all directions.

"My place! Now, Cowboy!" Dave barked an order to Ken.

"Lemme' grab a change of... oh fuck it, let's go," Ken said with obvious anxiety.

"Ken got Dave into his van and Dave drove them to the Jarvis place as fast as he could. Dave almost took out a fence post on a turn into the property. Barn stayed late talking and laughing with the Bartlets. Wade and Thelma drove him home. They congratulated each other for having brought their two wonderful sons together. They felt good about it. They felt right about it. So did Ken and Dave as they lay in each other's arms enjoying the afterglow of their love making.

"Ya' know ya' lassoed ma' heart, Cowboy? Won't never be happy with nobody but my cowboy by my side," Dave told his new love.

"What about THE Cowboy?" Ken asked.

"I'll admit I love the cowboy, but he always has been just a brother I had a good hot time with. He has his world, but there ain't no place for me in it. I done realized that years ago, but he's always been good to me and my dad. Look what he done for us and yore' family. Shit, Darlin', you know the cowboy code as well as I do. You take goodness and pleasure where and when you can, but you don't never count on it. When Cowboy and Dan Yates come to visit, his master is generous, Cowboy's willing, and I won't deny, he's been a comfort to me. I'll always love him, Ken, but I love you now. Cowboy and my days of rodeoing together are over. A cowboy in my bed, what takes care of his buckaroo, is worth far more than the occasional visitor. You think for a minute I'd push you aside for him after what we done shared? Do you?" Dave pressed.

"I ain't sure. I don't know about these things, Dave. You're the first person I ever done bunked it in with. They's lots of things I don't know about. What does it mean, 'Master'? Is cowboy Dan Yates' slave?" he asked.

"Yes, Darlin,' he is."

"Is that what you want from me, Dave, to be your slave?"

"Baby, it's up to you. We can be anything to each other you want, and I ain't fussy. Jes' having you ride by my side and share my bunk would be heaven on Earth for me, Cowboy."

"I love you so damn much, Dave, I'd be anything you wanted. I'd be yore' slave if'n you want me to be. I don't know what a slave does, but sometimes, I think I already am. I can't think of nobody else but you, Dave. I'm already a slave to your heart, Cowboy."

"Well, we'll talk about it. We got plenty of time. I'll tell you what I know about it. We can ask my dad. He knows a little more than I do because Sonny becomes his slave when he's here and dad loves it. Of course, his real dad, Master Boots, owns Sonny and is generous enough to share him with my dad. My dad loves his slave-son. I think on Sonny as a little brother, and now, I'm gonna' think of cowboy that way. When you learn more about masters and slaves, if'n you think it's some'um you want for us and we agree, then we'll look into it. Okay, Sweet Buckaroo?"

"How did these men learn to be slaves for their masters?" he asked.

"Believe it or not, Cowboy's family runs a slave training school. Training lasts three months, and I've heard, after a man goes through it, he's ready to become a slave to another man for the rest of his life. Cowboy was a salve to his dad, then to Booger Red, and now Dan Yates. They've been master and slave for a number of years now."

"Would I get to call you my master, Bulldogger?" Ken asked.

"If'n you became my slave, Darlin', you wouldn't have no choice."

"Do you want to be my master, Bulldogger?"

"Darlin,' I want you anyway I can git chu.' If'n it would make you happy for me to be your, foreman, straw boss, top waddie, ramrod, husband, or master... whatever man you want me to be.... I'll do my damnedest to fill them boots for you. If you decided right this minute you wanted to be the Bulldogger's slave, I'd pack yore' sweet buckaroo butt off to slave training school tomorrow morning."

"Would that bond us together for life?" he asked.

"Bet chore' sweet buckaroo butt it would. Tighter'n two ticks on a hound-dog, Darlin.'"

"I don't wanna' wait, Dave. I wanna’ be your slave."

"Don't you wanna’ think about it for a while, Sweetbaby?"

"No. If I think about it, I might not do it. I used to wonder why Dan Yates and Master Boots didn't feel jealousy when they let Cowboy go with you and Sonny go with your dad. Now, I think I see and understand. They weren't the least worried or concerned. Dan Yates owns Cowboy and Master Boots owns Sonny. They can afford to be generous. In a way, it's like loaning your truck to a buddy 'cause you know you own it, and ya' got a spare set of keys."

"Well, yes and no," Dave said laughing at Ken's oversimplified analogy. They's a bit more to it than that. Lets wait. Let's talk about it, and if you still feel the same way after talking with some knowing folks and your dad we'll look into it together. Don't look at me that a' way. Yes, you must talk it over with your dad. I insist on it. I don't want us doing something like 'at without being upfront with them. God knows the three of 'um laid our lives in our lap for us this evening, we owe them that courtesy. I wouldn't even think about becoming yore' master without first asking your parents permission and my dad's blessing. 'Sides, I might need me some training, too. I don't know that much about being a master, and if it's some'um we agree on, I wanna' be the best damn master for you I can be."

Ken decided to take his beloved cowboy's advice and find out as much as he could. That summer Dan Yates, Cowboy, and two of the leaders of the family came to the two ranches for a couple of weeks. Big Beryl McInnis and Master Jim sat down with Ken and Dave and answered all their questions, but didn't try to influence them one way or another. They did impress upon them it must be their decision. After a full year of investigating and trying to play the roles as best they understood them, Ken was sure he wanted to become Dave's slave. It was his wish. Dave didn't voice an opinion 'til he was sure it's what his mate wanted. They asked their parents blessing. Dave had Big Beryl and Big Jim answer any of their question. They agreed and big Barn beamed with pride at his boy and Ken Bartlett.

The second year, Ken returned with Beryl and Master Jim and entered training. Dave went a month later to stay with Master Beryl and Blaine in the desert so he could spend weekends with his slave to be. Ken became Dave's slave and again the family gathered and initiated the two of them into the family clan. They were thrilled and pleased. Everyone partied for almost a week. Then Bulldogger Dave and his new slave returned to Ten Sleep to resume their lives. A year later, after a visit from Dan Yates, Cowboy, and a big bear man named Griz, Dave Jarvis slowly began to learn to walk again. Within six months he was walking without crutches. Within a year and a half, he was bulldoggin' steers again. His doctor and the miracle of meeting Griz's Friend changed Dave's mind about walking. The love he received from his new slave was the key to getting him up to try. Dave wouldn't give up his love for his own slave to sleep with his brother, Cowboy, anymore. The cowboy was happy for his brother and at Dave and Ken's bonding ceremony, Cowboy gave Dave's new slave the cross he wore around his neck for so many years.

* * * * * * *
Dan and I sort of adopted Griz as a big son. Hell, our whole family did. After he lived with us a while, he came out of his shell and was loved by everyone, kids especially. Griz is like a big, hard working, intelligent pet whose only purpose in life is to please those who love and take care of him. He's also eager to pleasure us. I sometimes spend an evening with him. Most times Dan and I both spend an evening. Those are the times Griz loves best when he's sandwiched between his two masters. He's become an integral part of our immediate family, and we take him with us everywhere we go. We took Griz with us the last year Dan and I rodeoed. We had a few problems with Griz's size, but we overcame that. We had the Motor Coach remodeled with more space for a bed for him. He enjoyed being with us, but he missed the ranch. He made it through the entire year, but he was really glad to get back to his den. Dan and I laughed and agreed we never felt safer than when Griz is with us. You can't help love the big man. There certainly is enough for Dan and I to love. He bonded with us, and we couldn't beat him off with a stick. Griz is just a part of us.

When Bro Red told me he would work for us, he wasn't kidding. Griz came to love ranch work, the animals, and being out doors in the fresh air. Within six months at the ranch, Griz was a changed man. He took on the glow of a man with an even tempered love of life. Everyone swore he grew a foot taller. I think he just began to walk proud and stopped stooping like big people often do to make themselves less noticeable. Griz can do the work of three men, but he can also eat the food of three men.

As Dan predicted, Mrs. Russell fell in love with him and loves cooking for the big man. She won't let anybody joke about the amount of food he puts away. He's big and he needs it, end of conversation. He's never gained an ounce of excess weight, but then, he works his ass off. When Mrs. Russell cooks for Thanksgiving or Christmas she has to prepare four turkeys, three hams, and triple the proportions of all the food. We had to buy a new professional cook stove for her so she would have enough ovens. Of course we always have a butt-load of friends and visitors in for the holidays. You never know who's going to come.

Griz recreated his den in a loft room in Dan's big barn. He didn't have enough room in the upstairs room that was Tim's room. There's two enormous upstairs storage rooms in the barn with a full bath and shower. It was to be an apartment for a farm hand or stable master originally but Dan and Buck never used it. It has operable sky lights and is really a nice large space that was being wasted. I'd only been in there once before Griz discovered it. It had bits and pieces of old furniture and junk stored in it. We got rid of the junk and Griz picked and chose from the furniture we brought from his home with Red. It was comforting to him to have the stuff around him and helped ease his grief. He fixed it up to be his new den and it's a trip to spend time in there with him. You'd swear a real bear lived there, and so he does.

* * * * * * *
After Griz was with us a couple of years, he asked if I would ask Dan if he could have his nose ring removed. I told him absolutely not, forget about asking our master. I wouldn't allow it. He was as much my slave as Dan's and as long as he was, he would keep the ring. He just smiled his boyish smile. I talked with Dan, and we did agree to have a smaller ring, same gauge, replace the large one. When it was done, it actually looked sexier. It's also permanently welded into place. He can't remove it. That's the way his masters demand it to be. Dan surprised me. He was as firm in his resolve as I was.

"Our slave will always wear a ring in his nose." Dan told Griz in his best and most firm master's voice, "The day that ring comes out of your nose, is the day you stop being my slave, Bear-Man," Dan said with conviction. Griz didn't want that. I never heard Dan be that strong in his opinion about anything. My master told me later in private, Griz's ring through his nose was one of the things he loves most about the giant man. It sets him apart and makes him the person he is. Dan loves him that way and in a way, it's a loving endorsement of Griz. He lives to please his masters. If they love him the way he is, then he needn't worry how the rest of the world sees him. He never asked again.

We found out there were parts of Griz, of which, we had no concept. Dan and I have neither had to punish him nor withhold anything from him. He trys so hard to please we can't fault him for anything. We've tried to see he gets as much loving as we can. We loan him out to someone if Griz really likes them, and they're interested in Griz. Guess who became one of his favorites? Sonny, of course. Damn! Those two fell in love and when Boots and Sonny are at the ranch, if you want Sonny just look for Griz. They developed a mystical relationship that transcends anything any of us have ever seen. Sonny is fiercely protective of Griz and Sonny is Griz's little buddy, his little brother. Well, Hell, they have the same last name. There's four Gunns on the property.

Griz was never around horses very much, but he was fascinated by them. They were fascinated by him as well. He would walk into a pasture full of unbroken ponies, and they would stampede towards him. The first time it happened Dan and I watched in horror. We just knew he'd be trampled to death. They came running, full force right up to him. They stop abruptly in front of him, surrounded him and would take turns, coming to him to be petted. We couldn't believe what we were seeing. Wild ponies allowing a giant man to pet them. Maybe one or two but twelve or fifteen, it just doesn't happen.

I taught him to 'whisper' to horses to win their trust. He got better than me at it and has developed a natural affinity for them. He loves horses. He's too big to ride any we have so Ben bought him a Shophshire for his birthday and surprised him with it. (Sometime better known as a Shire.) It's a relative of the Clydesdales or draft horses. It was a mare. A bay with white socks. A beautiful horse of the finest breeding. She's huge and he rides bare back everywhere on that big horse. He loves her, and she loves him. When the horse delivery truck arrived at the ranch it backed into the corral. Griz was with us, but he had no idea there was a present inside from Ben for his birthday. When the man brought her down the ramp she caught sight of Griz, broke free from the wrangler, and ran as fast as she could right up to Griz. He didn't back off or move an inch. She looked him right in the eye, then put her head to his chest. Griz started crying as he petted her.

"Oh, Master Ben, how can I thank you? Wilma's the most wonderful birthday present I ever got. She say's to thank you, too. She's so happy to be here, she knows she's gonna' love it here, and something you don't know, she’s... Aww, Wilma, I don't wanna' tell 'em that. Okay, I will." Griz motioned for me to come to him. I did and petted Wilma. He already named her after Wilma Jo. The big man whispered in my ear.

"She's gonna' have a baby horse, Master Billy. It's gonna' be a girl."

"She tell you that, Big Bear?"

"Yes, sir, Master Billy."

"Have you been able to hear the other horses on the ranch, Griz?"

"Yes, sir. I talk with ever' one of 'em. I know all their names. You taught me how. When you's teaching me to 'whisper' to them, I thought, 'Gee, this would be a lot easier’n faster if'n I could just talk with 'em.' One of them said they wondered when I was gonna' start, 'cause they'd been listening to me since I came to the ranch. They figured if'n they could hear me I ought a' be able to hear them. I been talking with 'em ever since."

I was floored. No wonder Griz could get a pony to do anything he wanted, the wild ones even. They would follow him all over the pasture. He'd stop and one would come up to him to be petted and talked to. He's been talking to them all along, and we didn't know. He made friends of all of them. I just shook my head and walked back to the corral fence and leaned over it as we watched Griz lead Wilma to the water trough. Master Ben thought Dan and I divulged his secret.

"Ben, you know us better'n 'nat." I told him, "She told him you bought her for him."

"She told him?" asked Ben.

"What?" asked Dan, "Is he serious?"

"Know how we've been wondering how he can get any damn pony on the ranch to do what he wants. We can pick out a wild one we need to check. He'll walk out to the pasture, stand for a minute, the pony will come to him and follow him docilely to the barn and let us check it out. J'ever wonder how he knows when one of 'em's sick and just what to do for it? He's been talking to them all this time. He knows them all by name. They talk with him daily. Wilma just told him she's pregnant. Did you know that, Ben?"

"Absolutely not. I had no idea. The owners didn't know, I'm sure. I wonder if it will be full-blood."

"Wanna' bet I can find out real fast?"

"That's one bet I won't cover, Cowboy," laughed Master Ben.

"Griz, ask her if her filly will be full-blood Shire?"

Griz laughed. "Calm down, Wilma, Honey. He didn't mean nothing by it. She thought you were implying she'd let any stud mount her. She wants me to ask you if you would?" I fell out laughing.

"Tell Ms. Wilma, yes, I probably would, but I'm the ignorant tramp here, not her. She's a lady of breeding and quality, anyone with half a brain can see that."

Wilma turned to me, snorted, then put her big head down for me to pet her. I swear she grinned and winked at me. Griz told me she laughed at what I said and thinks if you have a sense of humor you're a good man. Wilma and I bonded.

Griz will ride Wilma, and if you watch carefully, she'll step so's not to throw him off balance on her back. She loves Griz and doesn't want him falling off and hurting himself. They've become inseparable. She follows him all over the ranch with her big head hanging over his shoulder everywhere he goes. Of course he spoils her. Then again, we all do. Griz named her 'Wilma' 'cause he loves Phil and Wilma Jo so much. Wilma Jo always has a brownie or a fist full of cookies to sneak him behind our backs. The least bit of attention won the big ugly man's heart. Wilma Jo, Phil and the kids come often to visit at the ranch. Griz taught the three kids to talk to the animals. He takes them into the pasture of wild horses. It scares Wilma Jo to death to see fifteen to twenty good size ponies running full out towards the kids, then stop abruptly. Each can't wait to get loved and petted by the kids.

Wilma Jo was thrilled Griz named his horse after her. He didn't give the big horse that name until he got the horse's approval. He flashed a picture of Wilma Jo to her. She saw Wilma Jo loving her kids and being a good mother. Yes, that was fine with her. Hope she gets to meet her. When Phil, Wilma Jo and the kids first visited the ranch, Wilma ran right up to Wilma Jo and wouldn't leave her. She knew exactly who she was from the picture Griz flashed her.

"Well, I can understand why he would name her Wilma, she's the prettiest horse on the ranch," she said and giggled as she petted Wilma. Griz said Wilma thought Wilma Jo was pretty, too.

Of course, Junior Roamer became Griz's devoted pal; still is to this day. He calls Griz two or three times a month to talk with him for an hour or more. He schedules visits to the ranch for him and his family. From the time he could barely toddle he accompanied Griz on his walks. Phil and Wilma Jo would watch in awe. Griz would kneel down and JR would toddle away from him laughing and waving his arms about. He'd giggle and carry on making the light surrounding him go spinning from his hands like fountains. Then he'd shake them and make the light go crazy in all directions. He'd go several steps away from Griz and the light would separate but part of it would stay around JR. Wilma would get worried, and I'd tell her to calm down. You could see Junior's hand holding on to something in the air.

"Just think whose babysitting for Griz right now. You think he'd let anything happen to that baby?" I asked. She smiled at me. Then we'd all watch in awe as the baby would rise into the air six to eight feet, laughing like crazy, and gently float over into Griz's big arms, and he'd hug and kiss JR.

"What'd I tell ya'?" I nudged Phil. He just shook his head. Junior and his kids take walks with Griz today. Junior's introduced his five to the Old Man and JR thanked him for everyone.

JR learned to talk to the animals as well as Griz. He learned at an earlier age than his brother and sister. We finally figured out how he was beating us at roping when he was only twelve. We didn't figure it out, Griz told us. He'd talk to the steer and promise it treats if it would cooperate. They always did. We thought he was taking those treats to the steers he roped because he was so kind hearted. His granddad took him aside and gave him a lecture on honesty. Told JR that wasn't fair for him to use his abilities that way. He listened to his granddad. He stopped, but he still beat us. Sometimes Phil couldn't get him to do something, and he'd call his granddad. Dad, Joe and Lester would drive out and his granddad would take him off and talk with him. He'd always come around and tell his dad he was sorry. He'd mind him and do as he asked. They never had to punish the kid, they'd just call his granddad. That kid worships my Dad. He was either at Dad and Uncle Joe's or Dad and Uncle Joe and Lester were out at their place. Dad took the other two under his wing as well. They loved and respected him as much as JR. Would you believe, Lester learned to love fishing?

Ben loved Phil and Wilma Jo and would fly them all over the world. He gave them a tour of Europe one Christmas. They always left the kids with us. Most times we had Little Sister's kids for the summer, too.

If there ever was a model for the ancient Greek mythological creature 'the Minotaur' it was Griz. He's so big he looks mean and threatening, but he has the sweetest disposition of any man Dan and I ever met. He took over the stables. All creatures, great and small, come to Griz when they're hurting. Wild animals that are sick or hurt find their way to Griz, and he heals them. Tortoises, birds, wild horses, coyotes, coatimundi, cougars (yes, a female cougar lived at the ranch with Griz for a couple of months until he healed her. She thanked him by licking his big hand and then she took off. She returned every spring for several years afterward to show us her kits.) Griz was the only one she'd let pick them up and play with them. Didn't hurt Dan and my feelings a bit. We still have video tape we show folks, and they can't believe it. He developed a sixth sense about all animals needs and care. He can nurse the sickest animal back to health even when the vets have done their best.

"Griz, how do you know what they need and how to take care of 'em?" Dan asked one night over dinner.

"My Friend tells me. He taught me how to pour my life energy into them. They lean on my life-force while their body heals," he said as a matter of fact. Dan believes him. So do I. Griz will stay by their side, talk to them and hum in a low comforting voice to soothe and relax them. He even sleeps beside them all night, night after night, until he thinks they can make it though the night alone. We've watched him perform healing miracles on sick animals. He quickly got a reputation and folks from all over bring Griz their beloved pets or animals for Griz to heal. We have six to ten sick animals in the barn at any given time. Still do today. Griz's power to heal sick animals is nothing short of phenomenal.

He won't accept money for his healing anyone's animal. He said his Friend told him not to, or he'd have to take his gift away from him. His Friend told him it was all right to accept food for the other sick animals if people felt like donating. Lord, we had to build a separate food storage building for animal feed and specialty foods for sick animals. We had donations pouring in from all over the Southwest from school kids, neighbors, state politicians and social groups of all kinds. The police and sheriff's departments keep a jar on their counters for the Grizzly Gunn Help The Animals Fund. Mrs. Russell took over accounting for the fund. Griz was thrilled folks cared that much. It's run as a non-profit organization. His Friend also told him to care for the sick and injured wild ones that come to him. Griz need not fear, none will ever harm him. Not one animal in all these years has ever growled at, scratched, stepped on, or bitten Griz.

End Chapter 24 ~ Booger Red & Cowboy
Copyright ~ © ~ 2004 ~ 2016 ~ Waddie Greywolf
All rights reserved
Mail to: waddiebear@yahoo.com
WC = 21064
12/23/2015