Cabbage Patch Cowboy
By Waddie Greywolf

Chapter 9

A couple of months passed and the holidays were upon them with Thanksgiving/Christmas break for the kids from school. Waddie and Gip settled down into a routine. They'd get off the bus every afternoon, go into the house, give Momma Sue a hug and a kiss and Dad Dan if he was inside. They'd have something to drink and a couple of cookies or a brownie Momma Sue made. They did their homework around the kitchen table. They always waited for the other if one wasn't through.  They'd put their books away, run to the barns to find out what Dad Dan was doing, and if they could help. Usually he had something for them to do, and they worked until Momma Sue called them for supper. Waddie gained back the weight he lost and then some. He was growing up and filling out fast. That year he shot up almost a third bigger than Gip. Gip was to get his growth later, but Waddie was the largest kid in grades one though five. All the little kids loved and adored Waddie and Gip because they protected them, included them in everything, and wouldn't let anyone put them down. They encouraged them, and when it was Waddie or Gip's turn at bat they went nuts screaming and yelling for their heroes to put it away.

When Morgan was home Waddie stayed at his place to be with him in the evenings. Morgan bought some stock because Waddie agreed to take care of them and help him. Waddie was good to his word. He and Morgan grew closer because of common interest. Morgan couldn't get Willie to even take a look at the livestock.   Willie told Morgan, “I ain't no damn cowboy.”

Waddie stayed with the Justins when Morgan was on his train runs and sometime he and Gip stayed a Friday or Saturday night in town with the new sheriff and his lovely wife. Gip couldn't understand how Waddie could know Buck and Linda Sue were his dad and mom and not go to pieces. Gip's strength began to shine through, and he lent his quiet love and support to his brother. It wasn't as easy on Waddie as it appeared on the surface. He was being eaten up inside wanting to love Buck and Linda Sue as his mom and dad. They were proud of every accomplishment of both boys, but it just wasn't the same. There's always that fine line of belonging, and the conundrum for Waddie was, he still deeply loved Morgan.

* * * * * * *
"Waddie do you know why your Aunt Linda is going to see Dr. Dyer?" Gip asked in private.

"Yes, Gip, I do. I didn't tell you a couple of things, 'cause I didn't know how you'd take them. She's going 'cause she can't understand why she can't get pregnant.  Lord knows, Uncle Buck is filling her full enough wiff' his baby batter," Waddie said rolling his eyes. Gip giggled. The boys heard them going at it hot and heavy many nights and got so turned on they jacked each other off. Their Uncle Buck was not a quiet lover, and their Aunt Linda was almost as bad as he was. Gip and Waddie would giggle at them carrying on, but they never said a word to Buck or Linda Sue. They wouldn't if their lives depended on it. It was something that just wasn't talked or joked about.

"She ain’t gonna' be able to have no more kids, is she, Waddie?" Gip asked out of the blue.

"You know, Three G, I ain't just saying this 'cause you're my brother and I love you, but you're one of the sharpest damn kids I ever did meet. Nobody in our school picks up on things faster'n you do. Yes, you done figured it out," Waddie confirmed with remorse.

"I'm glad you didn't tell me, Waddie. It makes me sad, 'cause I love Aunt Linda, and I ain’t as good at hiding my feelings as you are. My dad can take one look at me, and he knows what I'm thinking," Gip said.

"To me, it just means you're close -- like you and me -- yore’ dad feels like you feel. Better that, brother, than having a cold, distant dad, who don't know who you are and ain't particularly interested in finding out," Waddie allowed.

* * * * * * *
"You've had a child before, Mrs. Claymore," Dr. Dyer told Linda Sue. Buck was not present.

"Yes, Doctor Dyer, but I did a terrible thing. I gave him up for adoption. My husband and I had intercourse before he went to war. He didn't want me to get pregnant because he didn't want me to have to raise his child by myself if he didn't come back. He used a condom," Linda Sue tried to explain.

Dr. Dyer held up his hand as if to interrupt her story, "And you took some of his sperm and impregnated yourself. Then you decided to give the child up because if Mr. Claymore came back and was angry he might not want to marry you. Is that right?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," Linda Sue replied and burst into tears.

"You don't know how many times I've heard that story. If it's any consolation, you're not alone, Mrs. Claymore. You're not the first woman to ever do it. Is there anyway you can find the child? Do you know who adopted it?" he asked.

"No, sir. Why, Doctor? What do you have to tell me?" Linda Sue asked frightened.

"I don't think you're going to be able to have anymore children, Mrs. Claymore," Doctor Dyer said quietly.

Linda Sue broke into tears and the Doctor comforted her. "Are you sure, Doctor?" she asked.

"As sure as any doctor can be, but to be absolutely sure, I suggest you have your husband take you to Temple, Texas to a couple of young doctors who specialize in obstetrics. Their names are Dr. Scott and Dr. White. I recommend you get their opinion," Doctor Dyer urged her.

"Oh, my Lord.  God's punishing me for disobeying my husband," Linda Sue wailed.

"We aren't living in biblical times, Mrs. Claymore. I seriously doubt a God of love would do that to you for making a mistake. Tell me, did you get to see the child before they took it away?" Linda Sue nodded. "Was it a boy or a girl?" he asked.

"He was a beautiful boy, Doctor," she lamented.

"Did you notice any distinguishing features?" he asked.

"Yes, sir. He had mole on his left big toe in the very center just above his toenail, but the most outstanding feature was, he had a reddish, wine colored birthmark on his right leg near his groin in the form of a perfect cowboy boot," Linda Sue replied.

Dr. Dryer dropped his clip board on the floor and stared off into space. Bells and sirens went off in his head, as he desperately tried to think which child had...? 'Oh, my God!' he thought to himself. It suddenly came to him, but a small voice told him not to say anything until he knew more -- until he investigated further. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Claymore. I became befuddled when I dropped my clip board. I been having trouble with my grip lately and drop a lot of things," he said as a cover for his action. Linda Sue nodded her head she understood. “Do you plan to tell your husband?" he asked.

"I don't know yet. I’ll have to think about it," Linda Sue replied.

"I'll be discrete. If he asks, I'll tell him I referred you to Dr. Scott and Dr. White in Temple because I'm unable to made a firm diagnosis, which is true. There's a margin of error in any doctor's diagnosis. To be honest, I hope it was a day I was sick in medical school, and didn't learn enough to diagnosis you properly. I know how you must feel. My wife can't have anymore children. I've known your husband since grade school. He's one of the finest men I've ever known. I'm so thrilled he got elected sheriff, and I was so honored to be included in his bachelor party. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. It was one of the best times I ever had in my life. My point is, I have faith in Buck Claymore. He won't turn away from you if you're honest with him, even now. He's a man of great commitment and integrity. We're lucky to have him as our sheriff," Doctor Dyer said.

"Thank you, Doctor, for your kind words. I hope you're right," Linda Sue said with remorse.

"Don't give up hope. Knowing Buck like I do, he'll find your boy."

"Good to see you again, Doctor," Linda Sue said and she turned to walk away.

"Oh, by the way, Mrs. Claymore, is the Lovejoy boy still living with you and Mr. Claymore?" he asked.

"No, sir, I wish he was, we love him like he's our own. He's back with his father, but he spends as much time with us and the Justins as he does at Mr. Lovejoy's house. We worry about him, but he has people who love him who look out for him most of the time," Linda Sue replied.

"I need to do a follow up on him at no charge to anyone,” the doctor explained, “It's required by state law because there was some suspicion of child abuse. Could you bring him in the next time he's over. It won't take very long," Dr. Dyer said.

"He's in the car with my husband. Is now okay?" Linda Sue asked.

"Sure. That would be fine. If you and Sheriff Claymore have the time to wait for him. I promise I won't be more than fifteen or twenty minutes. I'll wait here for him. Just send him in," Doctor Dyer replied.

Linda Sue went to the car and told Waddie, Gip, and Buck the doctor wanted to do a yearly followup on Waddie at no charge and it would only take about fifteen minutes.  "Waddie, he's waiting for you inside. Is it all right with you, dear?" she asked Buck.

"No problem. Go on buddy, but watch out for them finger waves, honcho," Buck warned and grinned.

Waddie laughed as he walked toward the hospital doors. He saw Dr. Dyer inside and ran to his open arms. The doctor picked him up and responded,"Ooofff! You've grown, young man. Another month and I won't be able to do that," he said marveling at Waddie's over all grown in the last years. He put Waddie down and took him by the hand to an examination room.

"This visit ain't for no check up, is it, Doctor?" Waddie asked with a mischievous grin.  

Dr. Dyer let out a laugh you could've heard all over the hospital. "Why don't you tell me. Somehow, I know you can. I have that much faith in you,” the doctor said sincerely. Waddie smiled but didn’t answer. “Your angel told you who you had to live for, didn't he, Waddie?" Waddie was caught off guard and nodded as a couple of tears ran down his cheeks. Dr. Dyer took him into his arms. "Shuuu, don't worry, I didn't say anything. I wanted to talk with you first. I think your angel whispered in my ear. I definitely heard a voice tell me to investigate before I told your mother anything. You've known since you were here in the hospital, haven't you? That's how you knew Morgan Lovejoy's wife wasn't your mom. Remember telling me that?" Doctor Dyer asked. Waddie nodded. "In fact, I remember you telling me the angel told you who you had to live for, but you wouldn't say," he added. Waddie nodded. "Son, you're an amazing young man, but why haven't you told anyone?" he asked.

"I can't, Doctor Dyer, and you can't either. Would you get my brother, Gip, he can help me explain?" Waddie asked. He seemed uneasy.

"That's George Gipson Gentry Justin, right? See, I remembered," the doctor said and smiled. Waddie nodded. "Alice would you please ask the Justin boy to join us?  He's with the Claymores outside. Thank you."

The nurse walked to the car and brought Gip back with her. "I'm going to check you both for mumps," the doctor said to the boys. The nurse left. He set Gip upon the table next to Waddie.

Waddie spoke first. "The angel came to Gip and me and told us I could share with him what I know. He said having my brother know would help me through. Gip's my buddy, Doctor, but he's more'n ‘nat, he's my little brother. The angel done told us God his-self done said we was brothers. I love Gip, Doctor Dyer," Waddie said like his greatest dream came true and he was living it.

The doctor choked back tears, put his arms around the boys and hugged them. "Why can't we tell anybody?" he asked plaintively.

"Because God gave Mr. Uriel permission to tell me who I had to live for. Before that, I didn't know I had other parents. I thought I was stuck in that horrible place with no help and no hope. It was my choice to go with the angel or come back, but they knew I wouldn't come back less'n they told me these things. If you remember, my brother Gip is one of the people I come back for," Waddie said slipping his arm around his brother and pulling him closer.

"I remember well, young man," Doctor Dyer said and turned to Gip, "Gip, Waddie told me all about you before he met you. He knew your full name and the name he would call you. That was 'Gip.' All right, I believe you, but you still haven't told me why," Dr. Dyer said.

Gip spoke up, "Mr. Uriel done told us it would upset the balance of the future if they were to find out before something happens."

"When is this 'something' suppose to happen?" the doctor asked.

"He didn't say, but both of us feel it's gonna' happen when Waddie's ten or eleven," Gip replied.

"My Lord. That's three to four more years. It's been almost two years since you were in here, Waddie. So you two have known that long?" he asked.

"Naw, sir, the angel told Waddie and me the night of our aunt and uncle's wedding Waddie could share his secret with me. Waddie's great aunt in Dallas put two and two together when I told her about Waddie's birthmark. I didn't know what Waddie's birthmark meant until later that night after the angel come to us. Waddie told me.  His great aunt was sent by the angel to help him. She knows almost everything," Gip replied.

"May I call her and speak with her, Waddie?" Waddie looked to Gip for his input.

"I don't see what it would hurt, Waddie, since they both know. Did he find out about your Aunt Linda?" Gip asked.

"You know about her? What do you know?" the doctor asked.

"She can't have no more children," Waddie said without emotion. Dr. Dyer stood in awe of the boys and just shook his head. He was stunned.

"You boys have no idea how much you amaze me sometimes. Okay, you convinced me. You told me something no one could have known about my daughter, Waddie, and I believed you. I believe both of you now. I won't say a word, but I would like to talk with your aunt to let her know she has someone she can contact who cares about the two of you. She could probably give me some advice," the doctor said.

"She's a good and wise lady, Doctor, and we both love her. Here's her name, address, and phone number. Waddie wrote on a pad the doctor gave him. Aunt Agatha won't know for sure you talked with me. Tell her Waddie said she would believe you if you told her his special name for her is 'Auntie Boo' and our secret passwords are 'cherry cordial'" Waddie handed him the small square of paper. Dr. Dyer quickly copied the information down on his clip board including the secret name and two passwords.

"I'll walk you out to the car, but first I get a hug from both of you," Dr. Dyer demanded. The boys gladly gave him a hug and thanked him again for their saddles. He walked them out to the car. Buck got out and shook his hand. "Good to see you again, Sheriff Claymore, as always. I just wanted to check the both of 'em for signs of mumps. It's going around. If there's any swelling under their jaws or in their groin area don't wait one minute, get them in here immediately. Don't wait overnight to see if it goes away. If I'm not on duty you have them call me. If they won't, here's my card, and one for the Justins. Please tell 'em I checked Gip out and he shows no signs. Tell them the same thing I'm telling you. You call me, day or night. They checked out okay. I thought since you had his brother here I'd check him, too. Another thing, Buck. If either of these boys gets hurt in anyway, if you have to get them to the hospital in a hurry call to make sure I'm on duty or call my home. If I'm not home my wife will know where I am and get in touch with me immediately. I'll be here when you get here."

"Thank you, Doctor, but you know they ain’t real brothers, don't you?" Buck asked.

"I don't agree. Trust me, Buck, they're brothers. I don't care they had different parents. They are brothers. Just like you and Morgan all those years. He's still your brother, Buck. Do your best to help him. He's a good man, but he's lost, and he needs to be separated from those people," Doctor Dyer said quietly.

"I try, Doctor, and I'll keep on trying," Buck assured him.

"Haven't seen you since you won the election, Sheriff. My deepest congratulations, and I know our community will be better for it. I'll have my wife give your wife a call, we'd love to have you and the Justins over for dinner some evening. Be sure and bring the boys," Doctor Dyer insisted.

"Great, Dr. Dyer, we'll look forward to it, and thanks for checking out our cowboys," Buck said.

"My pleasure," he replied.

* * * * * * *
Thanksgiving proved to be rather unusual. Dan invited a cousin to share Thanksgiving dinner with him and his family.  According to Dan she was ostracized by the rest of the Justin family because of her sexual preferences, and because, she looked more like a man than a woman. Her name was Enid and she arrived in a pickup truck with a cattle rack on the back loaded with small boxes. She brought Western boots for the boys and the whole damn family. She broke away from the main family of boot makers and formed her own company. She met a man who showed her how he could make a pair of boots by splitting one hide thereby doubling the productivity with less material cost. She believed in him and invested heavily the money with which her family bought her out.

She was on her way to being a wealthy woman, although you really couldn't tell by looking at her whether she was wealthy or a woman. She wore her hair shorter than most men. She wore men's cowboy boots, smoked cigars, and cussed like a truck driver. She loved to laugh and tell outrageous stories. Who should she most enjoy, and who would most enjoy her? You guessed it: the newly elected sheriff, Buck Claymore. They got along famously. Buck treated her like one of the guys, a buddy. Buck was quick to offer her a pull off his hip flask of Southern Comfort he carried with him everywhere, and she saw that as fine gesture of comradeship and being accepted. (Buck told everybody Southern Comfort was medicinal. He got laughed at a lot, too.)

Buck had her eating out of his hand... not purposely, but rather unwittingly. Buck was Buck. He was the same to all people. She needed that feeling of belonging.  She loved Buck for providing it, and he did with gentility and sincerity. It made her feel welcome and included. She pulled out the best in Morgan, and Dan Justin was her baby. She was so thrilled, of all her family, Dan thought enough of her to invite her for Thanksgiving. She was thrilled Buck was the new sheriff. She heard Buck was elected sheriff and was all congratulations. She met Buck on several occasions and heard him speak about the war. Like everyone else who was exposed to Buck Claymore, he won her heart. For years, when she came to visit 'her boys' her first stop would be the sheriff's office. All business would stop, and she'd have new boots for all the men. She knew everybody's boot size. Quinton always got a couple pair. He loved her, too. Buck always got three or four pair... well, after all, he was the sheriff.

The rest of the families, the Claymores, the Davenports, the Tates, Ma and Pa Lovejoy, and Dr. and Mrs. Dyer were good country folk who accepted her as readily as anyone else because she was a Justin and part of Dan's family. They could see underneath her need for masculine bravado beat a good and generous heart. All she wanted was to be loved and accepted for who she was. The men of the county, Buck, Dan, Quinton, Morgan made her feel welcome, and she loved them in return.  She and Buck would sit for hours in his office, smoke cigars, swap pulls from his hip flask, and have a grand time. She charmed Waddie and Gip. To them she was a female Uncle Buck. They started calling her Uncle Enid and she loved it. She outfitted them with four beautiful pairs of boots each. Waddie and Gip were agog and couldn't thank her enough. She told them she'd make damn sure her cowboys wore the finest Justin boots available, and they were, indeed, fine boots. They also were under her label of Nacona Boots.

One afternoon she found Gip and Waddie away from the others. "You men been knocking boots?" she asked casually.

The boys looked at each other. Waddie finally figured out what she meant and started laughing. He leaned over to Gip, whispered in his ear, and Gip started laughing. They never heard the term before and thought it was a riot. "Yes, Uncle Enid, Gip and I been knocking boots. Ever’ chance we get. It ain't the same as grown men, but it sure as hell feels good to us. We ain't never had it, so we don't know what we're missing, but thanks to you, we got more boots to be knock'n in."  Waddie put his arm around Gip, pulled him close, and kissed him on the cheek. They were still laughing.

Uncle Enid thought Waddie's gesture to his brother was wonderful. They weren't a bit embarrassed around her. She roared with laughter and hugged them. She loved the boys, and they had the best looking boots of any kids in school all the way through high school. Hell, they gave away almost as many pair as they got.  Some kid would admire a pair of boots they were wearing, and if they wore the same size they'd take them off right there and give them to him. They walked around barefoot the rest of the day. Everyone knew, Gip or Waddie gave away another pair of their boots.

The boys couldn't wait to tell Dan and Buck about knocking boots. They laughed with the boys until they cried. They never heard that term before either. Dan didn't know about inviting her anymore, but the boys were ready to threaten boycotting Thanksgiving if he didn't. They thought she was wonderful. Buck agreed. He had three, new, handsome expensive pairs of Justin/Nacona boots. She gave Dan five pair. Buck told him he was crazy not to invite her. Everybody liked her. She became a regular guest at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the fourth of July.

She seemed to have a hard shell, but she had a soft heart. She always said she wanted to be buried face down so the rest of the world could kiss her ass. Many years later, she met a lady she fell in love with who mellowed her somewhat, but she was still a pistol with Waddie and Gip. Enid Justin was a very giving and big hearted woman. She was especially generous with the boys, with the lawmen of the county, and her cousin, Dan, and they loved her in return. The boys would not allow anyone to say a discouraging word about their Uncle Enid.

* * * * * * *
Waddie got a call from Aunt Agatha on Thanksgiving. She called to the Justins because she knew that's where the family would gather for Thanksgiving dinner. She called under the guise of speaking to her niece, but she didn't fool anyone. The person she most wanted to talk with was Waddie. He was so glad to hear her voice he broke down and cried on the phone. Agatha was so touched she asked if he would like it if she and the girls drove down for a day or two at Christmas. Waddie made her promise she would. "Oh, by the way, young man, it was terribly clever of you to give your doctor our secret passwords. I knew I could trust him after that and our secret is still a secret," she allowed, giggled like a school girl, and Waddie laughed with her. “He seems like a fine young doctor. He gave me his address and phone numbers at the hospital and his personal number. He said to call him if we needed anything or there was anything he could do. Not including myself, I'm far too modest, but you have some wonderful people looking out for you, young man," she said.

"I put you at the top of the list, Aunt Agatha. I can't wait for Christmas. I need to see my Aunt Agatha again. Things are going better than I expected, Auntie Boo. Aunt Linda went outside so I can speak freely. I love you, Auntie Boo. I'm sorry I ain't called lately, but I feel funny about calling collect. I promise if I'm in trouble, you'll be the first I call, but it's so wonderful hearing your voice. Gip's here and sends his love." Agatha could barely speak she was so taken with Waddie's genuine sincerity for her. She told him she would make arrangements to stay with her niece and his uncle at Christmas and looked forward to seeing him again.

"What do you want for Christmas, young man?" she asked in a business like manner.

"You, Auntie Boo, only you. That'll be Christmas enough for me," Waddie replied.

After goodbyes were said, Agatha hung up the phone. She was shaken... shattered to her core. 'How could any child have that much love in them?' she thought. Her heart was full of love for him. No wonder God placed his hand on the boy. He was, indeed, special. She did something she never allowed herself to do in years. She set down, poured a second glass of cordial, and had herself a good cry... not tears of regret, but tears of love, joy, thankfulness, and forgiveness. Agatha felt her cup truly runneth over.

* * * * * * *
Aunt Agatha came for Christmas with her two daughters. Linda Sue and Buck had plenty of room for them. Waddie spent a great deal of time with his great aunt at Christmas. Most times they included Gip. Agatha fell in love with him as well as Waddie and marveled at the love that passed between the boys. She even gave Gip the honor of calling her ‘Auntie Boo’ in private. Gip was thrilled. Christmas that year was a little different for Waddie. He knew more of what to expect. He told his uncle he didn't want anymore toys. He didn't have time to play with the ones he had. They were carefully put away when he went back to Morgan's, and he hadn't played with them since. He told Buck he would appreciate a couple of good books to read. Waddie got his books and more than he could imagine. He didn't spend much time at Morgan's because he had no intention of spending Christmas around Judy and her kids. Morgan didn't really have much to say about it, because, the truth was, he didn't want to be there either. Besides that, Waddie became an integral part of a larger family who Morgan turned his back on because of Judy and her two.

Morgan walked over to the Justin's where everyone of both families were invited to spend Christmas day. Waddie spent the night with Gip and they were up early Christmas morning helping Momma Sue, Aunt Linda, Aunt Agatha, her two daughters, Ma Claymore, and Ma Lovejoy in the kitchen. The boys took on clean up duty.  Anytime a bowl was left empty and not in use, it was whisked away and washed. There were more folks in the kitchen than any other place. It was the first Christmas Waddie got to participate, and he began to appreciate the joy of the season with family and friends. Buck and Linda Sue got a huge Christmas tree. Waddie, Gip, Dad Dan, Momma Sue, Buck, and Linda Sue and a host of other guests decorated it. A couple of nights later they were invited to the Claymores and helped decorate their tree. They went to the Davenport's, Ma and Pa Lovejoy's, and the Tate's. Quinton was thrilled to have them all, and especially the boys. Waddie didn't know such joy and love was possible between people. It was a new world for him, and he was participating as a valued member of his new extended family.

He and Gip couldn't have been happier. Lastly, Buck, Linda Sue, and Waddie helped the Justin's decorate their tree. Waddie and Gip allowed it was the prettiest of all. Morgan was invited but was on another train run. He spent as much time as he could with Waddie and the other folks. Judy and her kids were always invited.  Jimmy Sue would call and make a special effort to invite them, but they never came. Morgan never had to apologize. They knew, but were glad he could spend time with them. Uncle Enid returned for Christmas and brought more boots and gifts for everyone. She bought the boys a pair of fancy, matched 'bat wing' rodeo chaps.  They were very handsome. They were black with red and white trim. Each boy's initials in big white letters were sewn onto the bottom of each chap. For some strange reason Waddie's initials were W. C. on his chaps.

Uncle Enid apologized. "Cowboy, I'm sorry. It's my own damn fault. ‘At’s what I told the man what made ‘um to put on there. I thought you was Buck's boy. Shit. You look just like him. I didn't know yore’ last name, but I remembered Buck's. Got it written down. So I thought your last name was the same as Buck's. I'll take 'em back and have it changed for you," she said.

"No, no. ‘At ain’t necessary, Uncle Enid. My middle name's the same as Uncle Buck's. It's Claymore, same's his. So it's fine with me. It'll bring me luck. Don't wanna' start messing around with luck," Waddie said like a true buckaroo.

"’At's fer damn shore,’" Enid replied and smiled.

Waddie hugged and thanked her again. "If'n anybody asks me what W.C. stands for, I'll tell 'em 'wild cowboy!'” You could've heard Enid laugh for a mile. She thought that was priceless.

"Well, that shoots the hell out of our gift," Buck said and bellowed with laughter. He and Linda Sue got the boys a beautiful pair of hand tooled, latigo leather working chaps. They were every bit as handsome as the pair Uncle Enid gave them. The boys went nuts. Aunt Agatha gave the boys five books each and some beautiful Western shirts. Every book was different so they could trade. Aunt Agatha got along splendidly with Uncle Enid, and Enid was enchanted with Aunt Agatha. They had several long talks together and would laugh in joy with each other. Waddie didn't know what to expect before Christmas a year ago, but now, he was celebrating the holiday as a part of the most remarkable family anyone could hope for. He impressed on Aunt Agatha her coming for Christmas was the highlight of his holiday. He expressed his love and appreciation to Clara and Zelma for coming with her. He was not stingy expressing his affection for them. They thought Waddie was wonderful. They kept asking him when he planned to come visit them again.

Aunt Agatha met Dr. Dyer and Waddie soon noticed them having a nice long chat in some lawn chairs under one of the huge oak trees on the property. Agatha was pleased and thrilled to have another adult confidant with which to discuss Waddie's secret. The holidays ended with lots of tears, hugs, promises to visit and keep in touch. It was a wonderful time, but the boys were looking forward to getting back to school.

* * * * * * *
Buck was already installed as sheriff. The old sheriff wasn’t due to vacate his office until January first, but he was so angry he lost the election, he refused to serve out his term. The town came to Buck, begged him to take over early, and he did. The first thing Buck did was fire four of the five deputies who worked for the old sheriff. The only man Buck kept was Quinton. Buck hired four of his local buddies whom he knew he could trust who really needed the jobs. He offered Morgan a job.  He was the first man Buck contacted and asked if he wanted to come work for him. Morgan graciously declined as he was making good money with the railroad, and it would mean a small cut in salary.

One man Buck hired, Lyle Rawlings, was an older man whom Buck admired and appreciated his horse sense. He made him his Chief Deputy. Buck hired Rawlings for several reasons. The last being he always looked up to the big man and was one of the only men in town he ever fantasized about letting fuck him. Lyle Rawlings was damn near Buck's size or a little bigger depending on the boots he wore and commanded respect from all quarters. The Chief Deputy was a good looking man.  He was neither handsome nor pretty like Quinton, but he had some animal quality about him that made Buck's bung-hole drip. He was one of those men who was born with a five o'clock shadow. He had a perpetual one due to his black facial hair. By the sixth grade he was shaving twice a day.

All the men, except Quinton, were learning to be lawmen by the seat of their pants. They were pretty lenient on folks for the first six months of Buck's administration.  Buck was taking some classes at the nearby college. It was sort of a crash course for newly elected lawmen. His other men were taking it with him including his Chief Deputy. They went different afternoons and evenings so there would always be someone on duty. Quinton came into Buck’s office one afternoon with his hat in one hand and a resignation in his other hand. He figured since Buck fired the men who worked for the other sheriff, he'd save them both the embarrassment and just resign. Quinton walked in and handed his resignation to Buck. Buck took a look at it, then looked at Quinton with a look of surprise. "What the fuck is this? You resigning?" he asked like he was disgusted with his deputy.

"Well, Sheriff Claymore, I done figured since you fired them other deputies you probably wanna' start with a clean slate. Since we're friends I didn't want you to have to fire me. I thought I'd save you the trouble and me the embarrassment and just resign," Quinton said with regret.

Buck took Quinton's resignation, held it in front of his face, slowly tore it down the middle and threw it back at him. "That's what I think of your damn resignation. You think too Goddamn much, Quinton, that's why you lose at poker. Besides, who the hell done told ju’ we was friends?" Buck growled, then flashed a big grin and howled with laugher. The big man came around the desk and put his arm around Quinton. He offered Quinton a pull of his hip flask. Quinton gratefully accepted.  Buck had himself a little snort. "How the hell you think I'm gonna' run this fuck’n place without you, darlin?' ‘Sides, I gotta' keep you around. I like looking at that tight little butt of yorn. Always did. If'n it don't keep my cock hard all day, it damn sure will my tongue. Damn, Quinton. I been want'n to git into that thing since we been in high school," Buck joked with Quinton shaking his head.

"You got any idea how many times I jacked off dreaming 'bout you fucking me, Buck?" Quinton asked like he was calling the sheriff's bluff.

Buck looked at Quinton, stunned. He thought Quinton was kidding. Buck grinned from ear to ear. "You're shit'n me. Now, don't chu' be doing that to the new sheriff, Son," Buck challenged him pointing his finger at him, "I'll throw yore' sweet ass in jail and won't let chu' out 'til you come across," Buck chuckled. Quinton smiled at Buck, walked over to his desk, undid his pants, dropped them to the floor, and bent over Buck's big desk.

"Think I'm kidding? I'm calling yore’ bluff, Sheriff. You want it? Take it. It's yours. Use it 'til yore' house is haunted or the chicken's come home to roost whichever comes first," Quinton challenged him.

"Quinton -- now, Goddamn it, I’m serious. I ain’t joke’n no more. Don't chu’ be fool'n with me like ‘at. You already done got me horny enough just walking around here in ‘nat tight uniform stick’n ‘nem damn buns a yorn in my face. If'n you don't get up off’n that desk you're gonna' get chore’ ass fucked -- and fucked mean and hard,"  Buck growled, grabbed his dick in his pants to show Quinton it was hard as a rock. Qinton smiled, turned his butt towards Buck, reached back with both hands and spread his ass cheeks as a further invitation for Buck to take him. Quinton shaved his butt completely. His ass was cleaner than a new-born baby's butt. Buck rolled his eyes toward heaven and sucked in air though his teeth. It made a whistling sound. "Hoe-leey mother of God. Sweet Jesus. Forgive me, Lord. I'm a weak man.  Ain't never seen me no purddier sight than that. 'At's gotta’ be the purddiest fuck’n hole I done seen in years. I just know'd it 'ud be that purdy. Purdy man, purdy hole.  Son-of-a-fuck’n-bitch!" Buck exclaimed.

Buck headed for the door, stuck his head out and told the men they could take off early if they wanted. It was near Christmas, and he knew the men wanted to spend time with their families. Only two needed to be around for the evening shift, and it was going to be Buck and his chief deputy Mr. Rawlings. The other three deputies headed for the door. Buck told Mr. Rawlings he'd be interviewing Deputy Tate for about half an hour. If Mr. Rawlings wanted to get a bite to eat he was welcome to or if he wanted to wait the sheriff would join him. Mr. Rawlings thanked him, and said he just might wait. Buck locked the big oak door, took one look at Quinton's ass and damn near pissed his pants.

Buck didn't have too much on his desk and moved the phone and everything else onto the floor. Buck told Quinton to remove his clothes, but keep his boots on.  Quinton quickly shucked off his uniform as the sheriff ordered. Then he bent over Buck's desk and raised his ass in the air for Buck's benefit. Buck dropped his khaki pants, and they slipped easily over his boots. He almost tore the rest of his clothes off. He was so ready to get a piece of Quinton's ass. Buck stood there bouncing his hard cock in his hand enjoying the view of his deputy's submission and getting all the more excited as Quinton watched him.

"Last chance, cowboy. Quinton, you know our friendship goes beyond buddies. You know I love you like a brother. Y'ain't gotta' to do this for the job. You done already got the job, buckaroo. You sure you wanna' do this?"

"It'll be like a wet dream come true, Buck. Of course I want it. Are you crazy? I want it bad. I wanted to feel you fill me up for so long. I even keep my ass clean in case something lie-kiss might happen. I promise you, you won't get nothing on yore’ dick, and I don't want you cheat’n me none neither like you do at poker," Quinton said.

Buck was indignant. "I never cheated you at poker, and I ain't got no intention of cheating you now, cowboy. ‘At's one ass what's been crying out for old Buck's cock for a good while. You're gonna' feel old Buck's belly slapping against them tight little buns. I’s gonna' sink that sucker so far up yore’ ol' bung-hole it's gonna' tickle yore’ tonsils. But first there's something I been dying to do ever since I laid eyes on you, cowboy. I'm gonna' eat me a big ol' help'n of buckaroo butt."

Buck knelt down behind Quinton and grabbed his balls hanging down. Buck noticed Quinton even shaved his balls. Quinton stiffened. "Easy there, cowboy. I ain't gonna' squeeze ‘em. I's just gonna' hang on to ‘em to pull you back on my tongue when you start squirming away." Buck took a deep breath. Quinton's butt smelled fresh and clean but still had his unique male odor. It really turned Buck on. Buck started between Quinton's ass and his balls. He licked and kissed every inch. He move down to Quinton's balls, held them up with his hand to suck each orb into his mouth, and roll it around with his tongue. He deputy was starting to moan and writhe.

Buck knew what he was doing, and Quinton let him know. "Damn, Sheriff, yore’ tongue on my balls is unbelievably good. Oh, fuck. Damnation. Ooooh!" Buck moved back up and gently kissed Quinton's rose bud. Then Buck pulled back gently on Quinton's balls and started licking and kissing all around Quinton's hole. He started sucking on it while kissing it, then he started ramming his tongue deep into Quinton, fucking him with it. "Damn, Sheriff. Where'd ju' learn to eat ass like that. Fuck.  Oh! Oh! God! Ain’t never had nobody eat my ass like that, Buck. Damn."

"Put both hands back here, cowboy, and spread it wide for yore’ boss-man. Yeah, 'at's it. Pull that little hole open so's I can get my tongue inside of you real deep.  'At's it. 'At's it. Yeah." Buck dived back into Quinton's hole like a Olympic champ. He was getting in some good, deep fucking with his tongue. 'Lot a' good eat'n in an ass that purdy.' Buck thought to himself. Quinton started trying to squirm away, but Buck held his balls a little tighter to let him know he wasn't going anywhere until he finished his feast.

"Oh, Buck! God, Sheriff Claymore. ‘At's too good. Shit, I can't take much more a’ that... I'm about to shoot my wad, Buck," Quinton complained.

Buck backed off. He had his fill anyway. "Just hold your ass up there like that, Son," Buck barked like the man in charge.

Quinton arched his back and stuck his ass as high in the air as he could in anticipation of what Buck might do next. Buck went around back of his desk and got a tube of lubricant. He returned to Quinton's hole. He reached into a side drawer and retrieved something from it. Quinton didn't look. Buck applied lubricant and finger fucked Quinton to his moans and groans. "Don't get too loud, darlin,' nobody's here right now, but we don't want nobody to hear us. Is that start'n to loosen you up a little? Damn, you're tight, Quinton. You're gonna' be a good fuck, cowboy. I can tell the way you're eating my fingers. Got three of 'em in there so far." Buck fucked him a good while with his three fingers and then four. Finally he was moving half his hand into Quinton's hole. Quinton was right. He was clean as a whistle. Buck took his hand out and slowly inserted a hard, rubber cow utter stall. They fit over a cow's utter what's suffered an injury or sometimes to wean a calf quicker. Quinton felt it and groaned deeply. "At feel good to you, darlin'?"

"Oh, fuck yes, Buck. Lemme’ put it up there for you," Quinton replied as he arched his back and put his ass up even higher for Buck to work it with the rubber stall.  He worked and worked on Quinton until Buck thought he was ready. All the time Buck talked to him soothingly, telling him to open his sweet little hole so's he can give his sheriff a good ride. Finally, Buck was satisfied. He removed the hard red rubber stall and put it on a towel in the drawer. He lubed up his roaring, hard shaft, positioned it at Quinton's back door then lay himself over on top of Quinton. He put his big arms under Quinton's chest and held him tight in a bear hug. Quinton was so worked up he was going crazy, moving his ass around trying to get Buck into him.

"Easy there, stud. You let the sheriff do the fucking. Yore’ job is to just keep it up there for him. You ready, cowboy? There ain't no backing out from this point on," Buck growled his dominance.

"Take me, Sheriff. Take me hard. I ain't back'n out. I've waited too damn long for this. Go for it, Buck. Cowboy up!" Quinton exclaimed.

Buck's dick was torpedo shaped. It didn't have a huge head but it was perfect for making entries easier for his partner with minimum discomfort. He pressed forward, and the head easily popped in. He let Quinton get used to the size and fucked him gently a few strokes to help stretch the muscle. Quinton took a little more. Before Buck realized what was happening, Quinton pushed up and back hard, sinking Buck's big dick almost to the base. It took Buck's breath away. Buck pulled Quinton to a standing position and kissed him behind his ear. "Damn cowboy, now that's the way to mount a man's horse. Got that sucker almost all the way in there. How's it feel, buckaroo?" Buck asked stealing a kiss.

"Oh, fuck, Buck! Better’n I dreamed. Damn, you're one big, fucking cowboy, Sheriff. You sure as hell fill my tank, boss," Quinton said and moaned.

"You've still got chore'self another inch and a half to swallow, cowboy. You want it now or you want me to work it in as I fuck you?" Buck asked.

"I done told ju’ not to cheat me none, Sheriff. I want it all, right now," Quinton pushed back and Buck responded by giving him the rest. Now Quinton couldn't say the sheriff was cheating him. He had all ten and a half inches of cowboy sheriff cock up his butt.

"Okay, now lie back down on the desk and let's get some good, slow gentle fucking in until we get you good'n loose. Then we'll do us some good hard riding. Damn, you sure feel good, cowboy." Quinton lay down across Buck desk, but Buck still held him in a bear lock with his arms. He started gently fucking Quinton, taking ever increasingly long deep strokes until he was riding Quinton's ass with no problem. Quinton was putting it up for him to receive every thrust of the big man's cock.

"Damn, Sheriff, when you slide that big thing in me it's like I got a telephone pole up my butt. Shit. That feels so damn good, Buck. Oh, yeah. Fuck me with that big thing. Make me feel it, Buck. Feel good to you, Sheriff?" Quinton asked.

"Oh, sweet buckaroo, you gotta' know it's feeling good to this old cowpoke. We're gonna' ride off into the sunset together whistling 'Happy Trails. I'm gonna' pull out, and I want you on yore’ back," Buck commanded.

"Yes, sir, Sheriff Claymore," Quinton loved calling Buck 'sheriff' and the extra added fantasy of getting fucked by an authority symbol, a lawman, the most powerful man in the county. At twenty-seven years of age, Buck Claymore became the ultimate daddy figure to every man in the community. All the children loved him. None were afraid to run to him any time they saw him. They knew he would stop anything he was doing for a hug and a kiss.

"Hold them legs up, cowboy. Reach for the sky. ‘At's right. You want it slow and gentle, hoss, or you want it all at once?" Buck asked.

"Don't wanna' wait none, Sheriff, it feels too damn good in there. Give it all to me. Oooofff! Damn, that's good, Sheriff," Quinton sighed with his ass filled with cowboy sheriff cock.

Buck leaned over and stole himself a big ol' kiss from his handsome, cowboy deputy whose boots were high in the air reaching for the sky. "Feel's like it fits in there, cowboy -- jes' like it was made for my old hoss to ride. Rest yore’ legs on my shoulders, buckaroo. There, ‘at's a little better. You ready for some good fuck'n from yore' boss-man, pod’na’?" Buck asked.

"Oh, hell yes, Sheriff. Take all you want, then tear off another big ol' piece to take home with you. Unload that big boss-man cock in me. Ride me, cowboy. Oh yeah.  Harder, sheriff. Don't spare them spurs, cowboy. Fuck me. Oh, damn, Buck, fuck my ass. It's all yours," Quinton was in another world rolling his head from side to side with his eyes closed.

"That ass is so sweet, h’it ain't gonna' take old Buck long to fill it. Gimme' another kiss, Deputy Tate," Buck growled and fucked Quinton every which way for about half an hour and then decided it was time to ride his pony to the barn.

"Ride me, Sheriff. Oh, God, fuck me, Buck!  Fuck me.  Fuck me!  Fuuuuuck meeee!  Oh God.  I don't know how much longer I can hold it, Buck. You're hitting something in there that -- that -- oh! Oh! Goawd Daaaamnn, Buck. Aaarrrggg!" Quinton shot three time. The first landed on the desk blotter over his head, the next in his face and the last on his treasure trail.

"'At's it! 'At's it! Bite old Buck's dick off with your tight little ass, cowboy. The cowboy's filling you up, oh, oh... damnation!  Oh. Feel that, cowboy, old Buck's filling yore’ sweet buckaroo butt with his come. Damn, I shot again.  Hold it up there for me, I got another one for you, cowboy. Oh. Aaaww. Shit!" Buck exclaimed, and collapsed on top of Quinton breathing heavily. "Shore’ as hell glad you weren't wearing spurs, cowboy," Buck told Quinton.

Quinton started laughing. "Damn, that was a good fuck’n. Thanks, Buck, I needed that. Best damn fuck'n I got in a long time," Quinton claimed.

"Listen, cowboy, you didn't need it any more'n I did. Gimme' another kiss, my handsome buckaroo." Buck was still way up inside Quinton, and they kissed passionately.

Buck broke it off with a gentle kiss, and kissed Quinton around his face. "It feels so good up there, I hate for you to take it out, Sheriff." Quinton lamented.

"No more'n I do, cowboy, but I gotta' get out there on patrol with my Chief Deputy. You run in there, clean yore’self real good, then you bring a warm damp towel back in here and clean youre' boss-man," Buck ordered.  He withdrew from Quinton slowly with Quinton whimpering like he was going to miss feeling Buck's big penis inside him. He set up, stood up, and again Buck grabbed him and kissed him passionately. "Thanks for giving that beautiful little ass up to me, Quinton. I love you for that," Buck said.

"What's a good deputy for if you can't fuck him now and then?" Quinton asked. They laughed, Quinton cleaned himself, retuned with a damp towel as ordered and cleaned his boss-man. He got dressed, and waited for Buck. Buck offered Quinton another pull off his hip flask, and Quinton took a swig. So did Buck.

"Oh, by the way, Deputy Tate, you report to work tomorrow same’s usual, but I'm afraid we're gonna' have to interview you regularly until you get it right. That okay with you, Son?" Buck asked.

"Thank you, Sheriff Claymore, I'll look forward to working with you, sir. I'll damn shore’ look forward to our next interview," Quinton said. Buck winked at him, and the two men shook hands. They walked out into the main office, and Mr. Rawlings was waiting in his cubical. Buck told Quinton goodnight, and walked him to the door.

"See you tomorrow, Deputy, and Merry Christmas," Buck said and patted Quinton on his back as he turned to walk out the door.

"Thanks, Sheriff, I appreciate you keeping me on," Quinton replied.

Buck turned and walked over to Lyle Rawlings cubicle. "J'eet yet, Mr. Rawlings?" he asked.

"No, I thought I'd wait and see if you wanted to go down to the diner for a bite," Lyle replied.

"Fine with me, Chief Deputy, let's go," Buck said.

Buck wrote ‘Diner’ on the blackboard sign they always left in the front window. The two men drove to the diner and had a good meal. Lyle was more relaxed than Buck ever found him to be, and for once Buck didn't seem nervous or intimidated by the good looking, older man. He wasn't that much older than Buck. There was six years difference in their age. Buck was surprised because Lyle Rawlings was letting Buck see parts of his personality he usually always hid behind a quiet, stoic facade. He was really getting to like Lyle Rawlings. Buck felt he hired the right man for the job. Buck did, in fact, hire the right man. The town grew to love and respect Lyle Rawlings as much as they loved Buck. He was fair minded, tried to help when he could, but wouldn't put up with shit from any man. The two men made a perfect complement to each other in their respective jobs. Lyle Rawlings stayed with him as his Chief Deputy Sheriff right along with Buck and retired about five years before Buck. Buck's leaving office was reminiscent of Oedipus at Colonus. The town folk wept bitter tears when he stepped down.

Lyle asked Buck to call him Lyle in private. Buck told him to be informal and call him Buck when they were in private. Lyle insisted he and the deputies under him refer to Buck as Sheriff Claymore in respect for the office and his position. Buck, in turn, insisted on calling all his deputies by ‘deputy’ and their last name when in public. Buck would call Lyle, Chief Deputy Rawlings when they were in public. If there was no one else in the office Buck never cared if the men were informal with each other or him. Lyle looked the part of Chief Deputy. He looked like he should be a lawman. Buck thought the uniform and gun belt was made for Lyle Rawlings to wear. Buck thought Lyle looked so fucking hot in his uniform and knew others had to think so. He later got the boy’s and Dan's seal of approval of his choice of Lyle Rawlings not only as a good man but one of the sexiest deputies they had in years... other than Quinton, of course. If they had to be arrested, please send Lyle Rawlings to do the job.

It was a quite night on patrol and since they had no dispatcher in those days, they cruised around town until around midnight; later in the summer than winter. It was a cold night in December, and the men kept the heater going in the old Ford patrol car. If the town seemed quiet the men knocked off around midnight and went home.  They covered the town twice. On the outskirts of town was a small roadside park where the kids would pull up, park overlooking the lights of the town and make out like kid's have done since the beginning of time. There was no one there because it was a bitterly cold winter night. During the summer they chased the kids out after midnight. Buck pulled the patrol car up and stopped. "Thought we'd stop for a minute and look at the lights. With all the Christmas lights our little town sparkles like a jewel, don't it, Lyle?" Buck asked.

"Sure does, Sheriff. I'm proud of our little town and the whole county for that matter, rallying behind you to vote you in as sheriff. Everyone knew you were an answer to a lot of folk's prayers to get rid of Johnson. You started late, but I ain’t never seen folks gather around a candidate like they done you. I'm proud to be working with you and for you, Buck. I'll try to do the best job I can, and I promise, I'll never let you down," Lyle said.

"Damn, Lyle. That's a nice thing to say. I feel the same way about you. I've always admired you, and you were the first man who came to mind for chief deputy," Buck replied.

"I appreciate that, Buck, but there's one thing I'd really like to know?" he asked with a grin.

"What's 'zat, Lyle?" Buck asked.

"Why didn't I get the same interview you gave Deputy Tate?" Lyle asked.

"I don't follow, Lyle," Buck said.

"Your intercom was on the whole time you were 'interviewing' Deputy Tate," Lyle said and broke up laughing.

"Ooooh, God!" Buck groaned and started laughing, “And what did you do, Lyle?” Buck asked with a big grin.

"Turned the lights off, shut the door to my cubical, and jacked off," Lyle said and laughed.

Someone on other side of town nearly five miles away could've sworn they heard Sheriff Claymore and Chief Deputy Rawlings’ laugher from high above the town.  The two men laughed until they couldn't laugh anymore.

Buck started the car and spoke to Lyle, "Hell, Chief Deputy Rawlings, it's a quiet night. Let's us go back and go home to our families," Buck declared.

"Sounds good to me, Sheriff Claymore," Deputy Rawlings replied.

Nothing further was ever said, but about six months later Lyle Rawlings started having coffee every Thursday evening with Quinton Tate after they got off duty. Then they'd disappear to Buck's cabin on the lake. Buck gave Quinton a set of keys to use the cabin when he wanted. Lyle and Buck would sometimes knock off early and play hide the little green snake. Lyle could always tell when the sheriff needed a little relaxing with Lyle's big cock up his butt. It was usually after a nerve frazzling week when all hell broke loose. After the day was over the sheriff would offer Lyle a pull from his hip flask. That always let Lyle know the sheriff needed his help. He was asking for Lyle's, personal, one on one, in depth therapy. Because of his status and power in the community Buck had a certain reputation to uphold. There was only three men in town he could relax with and get his itch scratched, Morgan, Dan, and Lyle Rawlings. They could tell when their buddy, the sheriff, needed their help, and he always got it. Lyle Rawlings was the sheriff's relief valve. Buck thought Lyle Rawlings gave him the best fuckings he ever had. Buck claimed they were like his Southern Comfort, sweet, strong, and medicinal.

Lyle would fuck the big man slow and deep for an hour or more. Lyle was a man who loved to fuck. He never thought about fucking a man until that evening listening to Buck and Quinton. Their enthusiasm and the sounds of their sexual rutting got him hotter than hell, and he masturbated. He thought if that made him so hot, he wondered what that sweet looking ass of Quinton's would feel like wrapped around his big cowboy fuck pole. He found out. Lyle and Buck fucked Quinton regularly for almost forty years. Even after Quinton got married and had six kids. After fucking Quinton for six months, Lyle was more than willing to help out the sheriff. It didn't happen too often between Buck and Lyle Rawlings. Maybe once every three or four months the Sheriff would start looking at him a certain way, and Lyle knew it wouldn't be long. Lyle never said no to the sheriff. After Lyle fucked Buck for an hour or more he'd unload in Buck's ass, and he could feel the sheriff trying to bite his cock off as he shot his pent-up load. That always sent Lyle Rawlings over the hill. He would shoot and shoot into Buck's ass. For the next month or so Buck would be a mellow, easy going, and a happy man.

Buck was good to Lyle Rawlings and treated him with respect. He backed him up with any decision he made concerning his deputies. Lyle Rawlings didn't make a snap decision without weighing it heavily, but when he did, it was God's holy word as far as Sheriff Claymore was concerned. Most times he talked it over with Buck.  Nine times out of ten Buck would tell him to make the decision, and he would back him. Buck never let Lyle down, and Lyle was always there for his sheriff. Buck was, indeed, Lyle's sheriff. Buck jokingly told Lyle one night he was going to have to re-write his job description, 'Chief Deputy in charge of taking care of the sheriff to make sure he don't go crazy.' He didn't have to, but every year at Christmas, Buck remembered Lyle Rawlings handsomely just to say, 'thanks.'

Buck ripped out the intercom altogether, and left his door open most of the time. If it was shut, his secretary had a secret knock if it was really important. Otherwise, if his door was shut and locked, he was not to be disturbed. To get to the sheriff when his door was closed you had to go through each deputy, the Chief Deputy, and his secretary. The deputies were pushovers. Lyle Rawlings was a bit more difficult to get around, but Buck’s secretary was like Cerberus, the three headed dog, guarding the gates of Hades. The same secretary worked for the office for years. She was little Jannie Anderson's mother, Carol Anderson. Mrs. Anderson was raising Jannie by herself. Her husband, didn't come back from the war. Rather than gifts, the men always took up a collection for her at Christmas and Buck gave her a Christmas bonus as well. They were good to her. They looked out for her and Jannie, and wouldn't let any man talk foul or suggestive in front of her. When the deputies were at work they were expected to be gentlemen, and if they weren't they didn't last long. Lyle got rid of them.

Buck didn't find out until later she was also first cousin to Lyle Rawlings. Her name was Rawlings before she married her husband. Buck would've hired her anyway.  She was the most qualified and needed the job more than any other woman who applied. She was always on time unless Jannie was sick, and even then, she would have her mother stay with Jannie. She would make it in to work. Buck could tell when she was worried, and if it was slow he sent her home with no dock in pay. She became fiercely loyal to the lawmen. She guarded Buck's privacy. She knew everything that went on in the office, but loved and respected all the men, especially Quinton, Lyle, and Buck. She never would say a word to anyone if her life depended on it about the men's extracurricular activities. She was so grateful she had Buck's Godson and Dan Justin's boy looking out for her little girl. Jannie would come home and tell her mom about some guy who was picking on her, and if Gip or Waddie saw him he never did it again. If he did and she had to go to them as a last resort, God help the boy. Carol Anderson thanked God every night for her greater family. The men considered her as family, too.

* * * * * * *
Oatie Trent

Waddie and Gip were breezing through school. The beginning of their second year there were three top students in their class. Jannie Anderson, Waddie, and Gip.  There was a new boy who came to school. A small boy named Othel Trent. He moved to their town from another small town where he went through the first grade, but he seemed unprepared for his second year. The kid got picked on all the time, not only because he was small and effeminate, but also, because of his real name, Othel Godfrey Trent. It was an unusual name and cause for much childish derision. He was afraid to go to the bathroom because the times he tried some kid would make fun of him or worse hit him. So, he just didn't go, and for the first two weeks he messed in his pants almost everyday. The teachers would have to send him home. That only gave the other kids more fuel for cruelty. He was withdrawn, and didn't have a clue how to interrelate with other kids. He was so shy he wouldn't even play with the girls. He would come to school with cuts and bruises, his clothes torn, and in a general mess. Some kid would beat him up on the way to school.  He was almost flunking in every subject because he was so traumatized he couldn't learn or think.

Many days he would be so horrified he had to face the same trauma everyday, he'd race out of the classroom and run home. No one would see him for the rest of the day. Gip didn't like that a bit. He and Waddie tried their best to befriend him and help the kid. They told him to come to them if he was being picked on or needed help, and they would try to help him. He did several times, but so many were picking on him Gip and Waddie spent all their time trying to see Othel had, at least, part of a good day. It was beginning to take its toll on the boys.

Dan and Buck could sense something was wrong because Waddie and Gip talked among themselves a lot more than usual and seemed concerned about something. Finally, they told Dad Dan what was happening and asked his advice. What could they do for the kid? He was a small, good looking kid, but he was helpless and inept. He seemed incapable of understanding how or why he found himself in an environment for which he was totally unprepared. For all of that, there was something about him they both felt drawn to. Was God telling them to help this kid?

"Well, it would seem to me you offered to help him, but it weren't enough. He obviously needs more. Have you men considered what you might have to invest to get this boy on the road to some kind of normal life. H'it ain’t chore’ fault he's in the shape he's in. It's someone else's. Chances are they don't know the situation they put him in, nor are they capable of helping him. Perhaps, they just don't care. Have you considered what a commitment it might take to get him on the road to self help?  However, and this is a big 'however,' have you considered the possible rewards a commitment like that might bring you? Now, I ain’t talking money or personal gain.

"I'm talking in yore’ heart and soul how much you might gain. I don't wanna’ influence you in anyway, but you men have some talking to do to agree how far you wanna’ go and how much of yore’selves you wanna’ invest. There comes a time in every man's life when he has to reach out and go the limit for his fellow man.  That's exactly what yore’ Uncle Buck did by going off to war. He was insuring the future for you boys so you might continue to live in a free country. He put his life on the line for what he believed. That's what takes a man out of the realm of the animal world and raises him to what God intended man to become, a little lower than his angels.


"Those are mighty pretty words, but I didn't say them first. I read them somewhere. I just happen to agree with them. My dad never did a damn thing in his life I know of for another man unless he was assured of getting something in return. He died an embittered, resentful, selfish, hateful old man. He died by himself, because he never invested anything in another human being, and he burned all his bridges behind him. Now, before you take on this project, find out something about him. Visit his home. Go knock on his door, and tell whoever answers you're Othel's friends from school, may we come in and visit him? Another thing, I want you to talk with my brother, the sheriff of our county. For all his joking and sense of fun there is a serious, sensitive, intelligent, loving man underneath.

"I don't think I really need to tell the two of you that. You know you can tell the big man anything, and he'll never love you less. Ask him if he knows anything or can find out anything about the boy's family, and how you might go about helping the kid. If you decide you wanna’ help him, I think you might be surprised the other kids might follow your lead and try to help him, too. I know your family will, and by that, you know I mean all of us. If you decide not to, no one’s gonna' think less of you.  Don't fool yourselves none, it's a big job. You might decide it's just too much for you, because you will, in effect, become responsible for another person's life. Are you ready to do that? On the other hand, somewhere, someday, every man has to draw a line in the sand, step across, and say, 'I care about my brother, and I will not let this happen to him.'"

The boys talked long and serious. They got a legal pad and made notes as to what they thought they might have to do, how much from their lives it would take, and were they ready to make the commitment? Dan and Jimmy Sue were proud of their boys. They didn't make a snap decision and weighed all the factors. They talked to the sheriff, and he was very serious with them.  Buck told them Dad Dan's words were gold. He backed him up a hundred percent. Buck was able to supply a little information. Buck called the sheriff in the small town in central Texas from which they moved. Othel’s mom and dad were killed in a plane crash when he was two years old, and there was no one in the family who would take a child that young. Two old maid aunts took him and raised him as a girl for the first five years of his life.

Why? Well, the old ladies weren't mean spirited. They meant well, but they were old maids and didn't know anything about children let alone how to raise a boy. They had no idea what he needed. They were women. They knew about women, so they raised him as a girl. Othel never wore a pair of pants until he went to school. He never had a haircut until he started school. He never knew he wasn't a girl until a year ago. They dressed him in dresses, kept his hair long and gave him lots of dolls to play with. He barely passed first grade in the school he was in. He just couldn't fit in. All this time he thought he was a girl and then he woke up one morning and his aunts told him, 'Now you have to go to school and be a boy.'

Waddie's heart went out to the kid. He knew the language of confusion, he spoke rejection fluently, and he also knew the pain of needing someone, anyone to love him enough to get him off the floor of that damn closet. Waddie's mind was made up after hearing the sheriff's report, but he wanted Gip to make up his own mind.  Waddie didn't react at all to Buck's news. He waited for Gip's reaction. Gip was quiet. Was he waiting for Waddie to take the lead? Waddie wasn't going to this time.  If he was to agree and commit to this boy, he had to have Gip's full support, or he couldn't do it with the rest of his world in chaos.

"There's one other person I want us to talk to, brother," Gip said to Waddie.

"Dr. Dyer?" Waddie asked.

Gip smiled at his brother. "Yeah, Dr. Dyer. Damned if ya' ain't reading my mind again, bro,” Gip said and laughed.

"T'ain't hard when you love someone as much as I do you, Gip," Waddie assured his brother.

"Guess that's why I finish your sentences for ya,'" Gip paused, "but there's a confused, frightened little man out there who will never have the chance to find love like you and I have unless someone cares enough to show him the way. I want Dr. Dyer's advice more than influencing the way I vote. My mind's already done made up," Gip declared.

Tears came to Waddie's eyes. "I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for your love, Gip. Knowing I was gonna' have you and your strength beside me was one of the main reasons I came back. That kid is on the bottom of my closet without anyone to love him enough to get him out. I don't have no choice, Gip, I gotta' commit to helping him," Waddie told his brother.

"I do, too, Waddie. I was lost and seriously considered killing myself. I prayed for God to send me a special person, a buddy to love, and the next day a handsome, young cowboy took me in his arms and told me he loved me. You don't know how much I needed to hear someone say that other than my parents. You not only wanted me for your buddy you loved me enough to gimme’ my name, a name I'll be proud to answer to the rest of my life. I don't have a choice either, brother, but I do want advice from Dr. Dyer. We need all the help we can get," Gip said. Buck and Linda Sue were listening to this exchange between the boys with their mouths open, took one look at each other, and split in opposite directions to find tissues to blow their noses.

Buck came back and was visibly shaken. Linda Sue was still crying. "You boys never cease to amaze the four adults in your family. I think you made the right decision, not only for the boy, but for you as well. We'll all probably gain as much as he will. Just go slow, take your time, and don't frighten him," Buck advised.

Dr. Dyer was only too happy to talk with the boys, and he was familiar with Othel. He agreed with the boys, it was an awful name. He was helpful and encouraged them. He offered free counseling to the boys any time they wanted to come by. He'd squeeze them in somehow. He wanted them to know he thought their resolve to help the boy was heroic, and they could count on his help. That made them feel a lot better. The boys planned how they were going to do it, and their plan made a lot of sense. They went by to visit Othel and he was happy to see them, because they were nice to him and tried to help him. He was so afraid and shy. Waddie and Gip could tell his aunts had no clue what their nephew was going through. Waddie wanted to get him away from his aunts to talk with him. He called Buck and asked if he could bring their buddy O.T. to supper. Buck picked them up and met Oatie's aunts. They were impressed their nephew was having supper with the sheriff of the county, his wife, and two nephews. They were agog. Linda Sue was thrilled to have the boy's new buddy over.

At first, Buck's size scared the boy, but when he found out underneath the mountain of a man dwelt a big kid who liked to play kissing bandit, he wouldn't get three feet away from him. Waddie knew how he felt. He found love in the biggest mountain of a man he could imagine, and Buck made him feel safe. O.T. crawled all over Buck that evening, and Buck had the kid giggling and squealing for joy. Buck fell in love with him. He was a cute little boy. Linda Sue was captivated. He was pleasant, well mannered, and thoughtful. He never questioned Gip or Waddie calling him O.T. He knew it was his initials, but he liked the sound of the name so much, he spelled it Oatie. And from that night on, he went by that name, and later in life had his name officially changed to ‘Oatie.’

"Waddie and Gip started having Oatie hang around with them to protect him. Nobody bothered him then. They'd even go to the boy’s room with him when he needed so he wouldn’t get beaten up by some bigger boy who demanded Oatie flush the toilet with his head in it. After a while the teachers could see what Waddie and Gip were trying to do for the boy and never called him by his real name again. He was on their records as Oatie Trent. Gip and Waddie kept him close and watched out for him. His grades skyrocketed. He wouldn't try any sport because he never had anyone to teach him those things.  He was tiny compared to the rest of the boys. He refused to take part in any kind of sports. It was too rough for him. Waddie and Gip weren't going to have that.  Waddie remembered Buck’s promise to him to sit with him in his closet for as long as it took for Waddie to not feel afraid or alone anymore. They told Oatie he was their buddy, and if he wasn't going to participate then they weren't either. Gip and Waddie were the best team players at everything, and the kids went crazy trying to get them to play.

"No. We c'ain't. If'n our buddy, Oatie, ain't gonna' play. We ain't either," They would say. That lasted all of two days and Oatie caved. The kids were begging him to play so his buddy’s would play.

"Come on, Oatie. We'll teach you. Ain't nothing to it. Nobody's gonna' hurt you. We'll watch out for you."

The kids were good to their word. Oatie got better until he was always within the first four or five kids picked for a team. He improved by the month. Gip and Waddie discovered a small but natural athlete with God given talent no one suspected. Waddie and Gip talked him into getting rid of the dresses and dolls. When his aunts were gone the boys quickly carried the stuff out to the incinerator, doused it good with kerosene, and touched it off. Surprisingly, Oatie didn't shed a tear. From then on he wouldn't wear anything his aunts tried to buy him that was feminine. When they were gone he'd immediately take it to the incinerator and burn it. It was almost like he was burning the fears of his past. He ran around a lot with Waddie and Gip.

He loved to come to the Justin's and spend a weekend. Dan Justin's heart went out to him and so did Buck's. They had another son to love. Oatie would talk to Dan or Buck for hours asking them all sorts of questions his aunts wouldn't answer. The two men were never so busy they couldn't find time for Oatie. Oatie trusted Dan and knew he and the sheriff would never lie to him. He could tell them anything, and did. He loved Sheriff Claymore and was so impressed to have Sunday dinner with the Claymores, the Justins, Waddie, and Gip. He would cry tears of joy and happiness when the sheriff would come in wearing his gun and uniform, pick Oatie up, hug him, kiss him, and ask how his boy was doing today. Buck would hold him until he got it all out.

Oatie would apologize and Buck would gently chide him, "I thought we’s buddies, Oatie."

"We are, Sheriff Claymore, honest, we are," Oatie insisted.

"Then buddies don't apologize for shedding a few tears on their buddy's shoulders, now, do they?" Buck asked.

"You're right, Sheriff," Oatie replied, then whispered, "I love you, Sheriff."

"No, no. You proud you love me, Oatie?" Buck asked the boy.

"Oh, yes, Sheriff, you know I am," Oatie replied.

"Listen up everybody," Buck would call everyone's attention, Dan, Momma Sue, Aunt Linda, and the boys, "This, here's, my buddy, Oatie. We's buddies and I love him. Your turn, Son," Buck would whisper.

"Sheriff Claymore's my buddy, and I love him, too," Oatie would announce. Everyone would applaud and Oatie would beam with love and joy. He never experienced male love before in his life, and he was drinking it in faster every day. Waddie knew how he felt. Gip and Waddie were proud to share their dads with Oatie.  According to Gip and Waddie, Buck's big arms were medicinal. Buck would steal another kiss and Oatie would giggle. Oatie's aunts began to realize what the boys, the sheriff, the Justins, and eventually a lot more people were trying to do for their nephew. They didn't stand in their way and allowed Oatie to become a boy and a man. Like Waddie and Gip, Oatie became a child of the community. Everyone knew who he was and loved him. There wasn't a door in town that wasn't open to the three of them. During the summer Oatie spent almost every day with the boys. They came to love him, found out he had the quickest wit of any kid in school, and kept everyone laughing. He could take the simplest story and turn it into an outrageous tale. The more he ran with Gip and Waddie the more outrageous tales Oatie had to tell. He was no longer shy and retiring. He'd have fifteen kids mesmerized listening to one of his stories.

One day in early summer, the three boys, Dan and Buck were working all morning in the heat, and they were exhausted. They knocked off work about eleven to clean up for lunch. It was so hot Dan and Buck were afraid for the boys to continue in the heat. Dad Dan declared the rest of the afternoon a holiday. It was just too damn hot. There was a portion of an old creek that ran through a small section of Dan's property. It was the old limestone quarry where they cut the huge limestone blocks for the courthouse. It had the clearest water. You could see all the way to the bottom, and you could watch the fish swimming around. The five drove down in Bertie May, but still had all their clothes on. Momma Sue gave them some old towels. Buck parked under the shade of a huge cottonwood tree. Oatie was shy and didn't want to take off his clothes. Buck told Dan and the boys to go on he wanted to talk with Oatie. Dan, Waddie, and Gip shucked their clothes off faster that you could say ‘strip’ and headed for the water.

"Oatie, darlin', we love you. We want you to feel comfortable. I can understand you not want'n to take your clothes off. Do you have underwear on?" Buck asked.

"Yes, sir," Oatie replied.

"What if you strip down to that? Would that be all right?" Buck asked.

"I don't know, Sheriff. Ain't never done nothing like that before," Oatie replied.

"Nobody can see much when you're in the water anyway. What if we strip down, and I hold you up against me until we get in the water. That way, nobody can see you," Buck offered.

"Would you do that for me?" Oatie asked looking into the big cowboy's eyes.

"Of course, Oatie, I'm yore’ buddy, ain't I?" Buck asked.

"Yes, sir," Oatie replied quietly.

Buck was wearing an old raggedy pair of Wranglers, and a old western shirt with the sleeves cut out. "Will you help me undress, Oatie?" Buck asked. He thought if he could get Oatie to help him undress, maybe Oatie wouldn't be so afraid for Buck to undress him.

"Sure, Sheriff," Oatie replied.

Buck stood him upon the tailgate. Buck told him to unbutton his shirt. Oatie did, helped Buck off with it, and neatly laid it aside. Buck ask him to unbutton his Wranglers. Oatie did. Buck ask him to pull them down. Oatie did, but he wasn't prepared for Buck's big cock to flop out in his face. He thought the sheriff, of all people, would be wearing underwear. Rather than be upset Oatie giggled. Buck set on the tail gate and ask Oatie to help him with his boots. The boy did. Buck raised his feet and asked Oatie to pull his jeans off, and he did.

Buck stood and watched as Oatie drank in the sheriff who was standing not more than three feet in front of him buck ass naked. Oatie's mouth fell open as he looked Buck up and down. He finally stopped at Buck's big penis, was aware he was staring, but he couldn't take his eyes away. He froze like a frightened animal about to be eaten by his prey. He couldn't move and was so frustrated he just started crying. Buck picked him up to quiet him and held him. Of course Buck stole several kisses. "Did I scare you, sweet baby?" Buck asked softly.

"Oh, no, Sheriff.  It's... just.... well, I ain't never seen another man or boy naked before. I didn't look at Gip, Waddie, or Dad Dan. I didn't wanna’ embarrass them. I was embarrassed because I wanted to run up and put my hands on you, and I didn't know whether it was right or not. Nobody's ever told me what I should do and not do.  I wanted to touch you so bad, but I was frozen, so the best I could do was cry. I won't apologize," Oatie remembered and added.

"Good. No apologies necessary between buddies, you know that. What's wrong with wanting to run up and touch me? I wouldn't care if you wanted to touch me, but the rules are... any place you touch me gives me the right to touch you in the same place. If we's buddies we can do that without embarrassment or shame. Do you wanna' touch me, Oatie?" Buck asked.

"Sure do, Sheriff," Oatie said and grinned.

"Ah, but you can't until you got chore' clothes off, can you? Cause anything you wanna' touch on me, I get to touch on you. The boys and Dan are the same way. If you wanna'  touch them asked them politely... they'll let you. Then if you touch them they got the right to touch you, too. You want me to help you undress?" Buck asked.

"Yes, sir,"  Oatie agreed. Buck stood Oatie on the tail gate and slowly took off his clothes. He got to his underwear. Buck asked Oatie if he could remove them, or did he want to leave them on?

"I wouldn't get to touch you if you can't touch me... right, Sheriff?" Oatie asked.

"Them's the rules, cowboy,"  Buck replied.

"Do it, Sheriff, I wanna' touch you," Oatie said like he couldn't wait.

Buck pulled Oatie to him in a hug and kissed him behind the ear. Oatie giggled. "You do it, Son, you're a man now," Buck encouraged the boy. Oatie didn't waste any time. When the boy dropped his underwear Buck's legs almost went out from under him, and he damn near fell to his knees in front of the boy. He tried not to, but he couldn't help giggle when he saw the size of Oatie's penis. It had to be the biggest damn cock on a kid he ever saw in his life. Buck thought the boy was shy because he might not have as much as his peers. Oatie was the only man or boy who ever made Buck feel inadequate.

"It's all right, Sheriff, you can go ahead and laugh. That's why I didn't wanna’ undress. I'm a freak. My aunts done told me so. That's why they raised me as a girl until I went to school. They were ashamed of me." (His aunts actually took him to a doctor to see if they could have the size of his penis reduced.) Buck almost lost it. He felt the boy's confusion and pain. He didn't understand. How could they do that? They did!

"You...ain't...no...freak...Oatie. Look down at me, Son," Buck commanded. Oatie complied.

"You're bigger'n me, Sheriff. Much bigger. Can I feel it?" Oatie asked with excitement.

"Help yore'self, young'un. Grab yore’self a big ol' handful, Oatie," Buck said and grinned. Oatie grabbed Buck's penis, and it started to get erect. Buck grabbed Oatie’s and he began to get hard.

"Why does our pee-pee's do that, Sheriff?" Oatie asked.

"Because you love me, and I love you. H’it's normal, Oatie. You're normal. Ain't a damn thing wrong with you," Buck assured him and stole another kiss.

Oatie put his arms around Buck's neck and hugged him. "Carry me into the water like this, Sheriff?" Oatie asked.

"Be proud to, Son. Hang on tight," Buck said, picked up Oatie, grabbed their towels, and slowly walked down to the water and into it. Buck sat down with Oatie and eased him under the water next to him. The boys came over with Dan, and they sat around Buck and Oatie. They were telling him how happy they were he decided to join them.

Waddie reached over and grabbed his uncle's dick. “Watch this, Oatie," Waddie said and grinned real big. Buck knew what Waddie was up to and grabbed a mouthful of water. Waddie took Buck's dick in both hands and pumped it up and down like it was a pump handle. Buck threw back his head and expelled the water like Waddie was pumping it out of him. Oatie squealed with delight. He thought that was the funniest and best damn thing he ever saw. Oatie wanted to try. In his excitement, Oatie forgot about being naked and stood up in front of Dan and the boys. The three of them audibly gasped and almost drowned when they caught sight of Oatie's penis. Buck laughed his ass off at their reaction.

"Holy mother of God. Where was I when the cocks were passed out?" Dan cried. The boys were laughing at Dan, and Buck almost choked to death. Poor Oatie didn't know what to do. Dan held his arms out to Oatie. "Com'mer Oatie," Dan almost made it a command but a loving one. Oatie went to Dad Dan and Dan held him close.  "We ain’t laughing at you, Son. We're laughing at us because we wish we had the equipment between our legs what you got between yours. God gave you a gift, Oatie, a gift all men wish they could be blessed with. Someday you'll be very proud of yore’ tackle. If people laugh it's because it's unusual to see a boy your age with a penis that large. But, never fear, you'll grow into it. When you grow up it will be well proportioned to the rest of your body. Did you ever hear the story of the ugly duckling who grew up to be a beautiful swan?" Dan asked.

"Yes, sir," Oatie replied.

"You're not ugly by any stretch, but my point is, one day, what you're shy about now is gonna’ be a beautiful part of you. If you ask the boys, I'm sure they'll be happy to show you how to use it." Dan looked at Buck and winked. Buck laughed again.

"You mean it's not just for pee-peeing? There's other things you can do with it?" Oatie asked with innocent surprise.
 
"Oooh, yes, Oatie. Be patient and some evening the boys will show you what else you can do with it... right, guys?" Dan asked with confidence.

"Shore,’ Dad Dan, Oatie's our brother. Brother's do that for one another, right, Gip?" Waddie replied.

"They shore’ ‘nuff do. You'll be surprised what you can do with it, Oatie. Why, I'll bet you could put out a five alarm fire by yore’self with that damn thing," Gip declared. Dan and Buck laughed with the boys. Oatie still wanted to pump Buck's dick. Buck grabbed a mouthful of water and let Oatie pump it out of him. Oatie squealed with glee. He thought that was wonderful.

Dan looked at Buck and grinned, "I wouldn't mind a little of that action myself, cowboy," Dan said. Buck splashed water in Dan's face. They broke up laughing. For two grown men, Buck and Dan spent more time laughing together than anything else. They really enjoyed each other.

Gip and Waddie were having too much fun for Oatie to be shy. Something in him snapped, and he just didn't give a shit anymore. He came out of his shell that summer in a big way. The boys complimented him on his penis. He let them feel it, and he felt theirs. He even ask Dad Dan if he could feel his balls. Dan told him sure, just be gentle because they were easily hurt. Oatie was very gentle and thanked Dad Dan. After that day Oatie never had a problem running around buck ass naked with the boys or the men. It got so bad, at the mere mention of going swimming, Oatie's clothes were flying everywhere and Gip or Waddie would have to tackle him on his way out the barn door naked as a jay bird.

Once in a while the men would have a rooster poker party. It was an all night affair, usually in Buck's old room at the Claymores.  Buck's bed in the house was enormous and would sleep Dan, Buck, and the three boys comfortably. Buck would have one of his naked poker parties, and the boys would run around naked and have a ball. Dan held on to one of Quinton's arms and Buck took the other the first time he saw Oatie's penis. Quinton damn near fainted, and he couldn't take his eyes off Oatie's member. Of course Deputy Tate shows up with gun, badge, and in uniform. Gip and Waddie were both so taken with Quinton the first time they saw him, they were nervous to be around him naked. Not so with Oatie. Oatie ran right up to Quinton, jumped in his arms and kissed him dead on the lips. Quinton jokingly ask Oatie if he would marry him in fifteen years. Oatie's cock was a wonder to behold. Buck named it the eighth wonder of the civilized world, and damn near the fourth in the animal kingdom. At that party they had a new man to break in, Lyle Rawlings. The boys forgot about Quinton immediately when Chief Deputy Rawlings walked in.

Waddie spoke to Gip and Oatie quietly. "Now, there, gentlemen, stands a man," he declared.

Oatie's mouth fell open. He never saw such good looking men in his life, and to have them all hug and kiss him while naked was a form of male bonding he would never get anywhere else. Lyle Rawlings was warned and wasn't exempt from Oatie's exuberant displays of affection. Lyle saw this little blur running towards him, but got his arms open just in time to receive Oatie. Oatie had his arms around Lyle's neck, hugging, and kissing him. Lyle got the biggest damn smile on his face. You couldn't meet Oatie and not love him. Lyle Rawlings fell in love with all three boys, but especially Oatie. He thought Oatie was the cutest kid God put on the face of the Earth. Oatie didn't think Lyle Rawlings was too damn shabby either. Lyle had less problem and felt more comfortable without his clothes than any of them. He didn't put Oatie down but two or three times all evening. He set him on his lap to play poker.

Oatie was sitting in Lyle's lap, but it was pinching Lyle's cock and balls someway. Oatie could feel his discomfort, reached his little hand down, brought Lyle's big dick up between his legs and closed them gently around it so it would hold Lyle's manhood up and keep it from being pinched. Lyle scooted forward just a bit, so they were both comfortable. Then Lyle's cock started getting hard, and Oatie could feel it. Because of what Buck told him, Oatie innocently leaned back and told Lyle, "I'm so glad you love me, Chief Deputy." Lyle didn't know what he meant and turned beet red.

Leave it to Buck to say the damndest thing at the wrong time. "When you two men git though playing hide the little green snake, let us know, and we'll play poker?" Oatie thought that was the funniest thing he ever heard and got the giggles.

"Never you mind," Lyle replied, "You're big and bossy, but with no uniform, y'ain't sheriff here. Oatie and me, well, we're doing just fine, and 'yes,' Oatie, I do love you," Lyle said and he stole a kiss from Oatie. Oatie was in heaven.

No one told Oatie the rules of the game. He sat quietly watching intently for about an hour. He never asked a question. Lyle went to play a card, and Oatie shook his head. Oatie just pointed to two cards, and the others he waved away.

"I'll have three cards," Lyle said to Quinton the dealer.

"Three it is," Quinton replied and dealt the cards. Lyle picked up the cards, spread them and had a straight flush. He kissed Oatie behind his ear. Oatie giggled. He and Oatie wiped them out. They weren't even fun to play with anymore. Funny thing was Oatie was so subtle with his recommendations to Lyle, none of the other men picked up on it. They formed a team. Waddie and Gip knew and giggled with Oatie after Lyle left. Buck, Dan, and Quinton were going on and on about how great a poker player Lyle Rawlings was.

"He must've thought Oatie brought him good luck," Dan said.

"He did, I saw him slip Oatie a five dollar bill," Quinton said. The boys just giggled.

"You men got the giggles tonight? You been giggling all evening. What's gotten into you guys? Wait a minute. You know some’um we don't," Buck said. The boys were rolling on the bed laughing holding each other. "All right. There's three men here, Quinton, Dad Dan, and me. If somebody don't talk soon three little boys are gonna' be submitted to tickle torture. What's it gonna' be, gentleman, talk or torture?" the sheriff growled at them.

They weren't going to tell. Buck went for Oatie. Dan went for Waddie, Quinton grabbed Gip and there was an explosion of giggling boys until all three were hollering 'calf rope.' "It weren't Lyle Rawlings what beat chu’ at poker," Gip blurted out. The three men looked at Oatie, and Oatie got a look of horror on his face like he was caught robbing a bank.

Dan and Buck knew better than to doubt the boys, but Quinton was still learning. "I don't believe it," Quinton said.

"Oh, ye of little faith," Dan said resolutely to Quinton.

Buck howled with laughter. "Get the cards, Waddie," Buck said. Waddie got the cards, and he and Gip played the fourth hand. Oatie set in Quinton's lap and proceeded to wipe everyone out again. Even though Oatie was sitting in Quinton's lap and subtly telling him every card to play, Quinton still couldn't believe it. Dan and Buck laughed until they were sore. Oatie was a phenomenon at games. He could grasp the mathematical probability of any game of chance and beat it.

The guys were going on about how comfortable Lyle seemed without his clothes. "That's because most animals ain't accustom to wearing clothes," Oatie allowed as an adroit toss off. Waddie and Gip almost fell on the floor laughing, but it took the men a couple of minutes to realize what Oatie said, and they joined the boys laughing at Oatie. He hit the nail on the head. It said what they were all thinking. Lyle Rawlings was, indeed, an animal, but a very fine looking one.

The boys taught Oatie to ride their ponies, and any free time they had they were roping or playing ball. He would help and work as hard as the boys on any project Dan or Buck were working on around the place. They even helped Morgan repair his barn. Oatie started growing, and by the end of second grade he wasn't the smallest boy in the class anymore. He had confidence, brains, and learned from the boys the value of friendship. No one picked on Oatie anymore unless they wanted a fat lip.

* * * * * * *
In the third grade Morgan's beatings of Waddie started again. He began to listen to and believe the other three over Waddie. Waddie wasn't home enough to break anything, but Morgan was too blind to put two and two together. Whatever Wille did to frame Waddie, happened when Morgan was on a run, but never when he was home.  After he returned, Morgan would carry Waddie to the barn and beat him almost senseless to get him to admit he did it. Waddie refused, and found the most miraculous thing happened. He never felt one of Morgan's blows to his ass. It would get red, sometimes bleed, Waddie would pass out, but he never let out a cry, moan, or move his ass when he was struck. Morgan couldn't believe the boy would put his ass up higher taunting him to take his best shot. When Morgan was so tired he couldn't swing his arms anymore or after Waddie passed out, he would tell Waddie that was enough. Usually it was after Morgan ejaculated in his pants.  

Waddie would walk up to his dad without a tear in his eye, kiss him passionately on the lips, and speak. "I love you, Dad. I forgive you for beating me unjustly, but I refuse to lie to you anymore. I done told ju’ I didn't do it and God as my witness, I didn't. You didn't get me to admit I done it because I didn't. You lost, Dad, but chu’ know, I do owe you an apology about something. You weren't lying when you said this hurt you more'n it does me. This hurts you a hell of a lot more than it does me.  You're losing your son, Dad. Is it worth the price to believe them monsters over me?" Morgan was defeated. He was no longer in control. Somehow, his son gained the strength to take control away from him without raising his voice in anger.  addie could hear Morgan crying gut wrenching sobs as he left.

Morgan would call after him, "Waddie, don't go. Don't leave me, Son. I had to do it because I love you. I had to punish you to correct you, to keep you from lying.  Come back. Please, Waddie, I need you," Morgan would plead. Waddie wouldn’t return. Waddie would turn, walk to the Justin’s and cry his heart out in Dan Justin's arms. He would never let Dan or Buck see his ass until it healed, although they could see the blood soaked stains through his levis. Gip and Oatie became his medics. He made Buck and Dan promise they wouldn't do or say anything to Morgan about it. Buck called Dr. Dyer and told him what was going on. Dr. Dyer would drive to the Justin's to examine Waddie, but Waddie wouldn't let him.

The men tried to get Gip and Oatie to tell them, but they wouldn't. Neither boy would lie, they just couldn't get anything out of them. If the men persisted, the boys would break into tears and put their head in their hands. Waddie never stopped doing his chores for Morgan, although he would be hurting so bad sometimes Gip and Oatie would have to help him. They didn't mind, they were there for their brother. He never stopped doing his chores for Buck. Buck would watch him grab his ass every now and then and walk like a ninety year old cowboy. The big man would go in the house, cry in his wife's arms, and she in his.

The boys always devised some devilish scheme to get back at Willie. They sent off for some itching powder, and lightly dusted all of Willie's clothes with it, including his prized band uniform. They even lightly dusted his bed sheets and pillows. Poor Willie itched for two months. There were three beatings during the third year of school. Never one during the summer because Waddie was away from the house or was with Gip and Oatie. He had too good an alibi for Willie to frame him. The fourth year there were four beatings, and that year saw one of ‘Waddie the Merciless’ greatest triumphs.

* * * * * * *
One evening while Waddie was having supper with the Justins, Momma Sue began to tell about her new houseplant she bought from a nursery in Austin.
"It's a foliage plant, and it's called a 'Dieffenbachia.' You guys think it looks nice in that corner?" The three men knew when to agree with Momma Sue and complimented her on her choice of corners. They thought it was a lovely plant. She had good taste. "You know, it's the strangest thing. It's also called the 'dumb cane.' You boys be careful you don't accidentally swallow any of it or get any of its juices in your mouth. It'll temporarily paralyze your vocal cords. They used to call mute people "dumb." It was a horrible thing to call a deaf person who couldn't speak 'deaf and dumb.' Many can't hear or speak but they're far from being dumb. In fact, most are extremely bright," Momma Sue said.

Waddie immediately took an interest in Momma Sue's horticultural pursuits. He raved about how beautiful the plant was and how proud of it she must be. Several weeks later she divided it and asked Waddie if he'd like to try his hand at growing one for his room. Would he? He was thrilled. Momma Sue potted him up a goodly chunk of the plant and sent it home with him. He watered it, fed it, and it flourished. He remembered to thank Momma Sue every time he thought about it as it was a nice addition to his stark room. Months went by, and everyone forgot about it.

Aside from striving to be an asshole, Willie was also a budding musician. Unfortunately, he never bloomed. He played clarinet in the marching band in high school.  He would practice in his room almost every afternoon and drive Waddie crazy. That's when Waddie would go out to the barn to do his chores and take care of the ponies. Waddie, Gip, and Oatie always had an assortment of critters they were trying to nurse back to health. Sick or injured animals would somehow find their way to the boys, and they did their best to give them a place to rest, recuperate, and heal. The boys 'infirmary' was in a corner of Dan Justin's old barn about two hundred yards from Morgan's newer barn.

The boy's got Dan's permission to keep their sick critters there. Waddie would take care of them in the evenings. Sometimes they had as many as fifteen to twenty critters they were taking care of. They were highly successful and Oatie kept accurate records of successes and failures. They named all the critters and showed the date they found them, where they found them, and what they thought might be wrong with them. Dan casually mentioned the boy’s critter hospital in the old barn when Dr. Dyer and his wife came for supper one evening. Dr. Dyer wanted to see their operation and walked down to the barn with the boys. He was astounded when he reviewed their records.

The boys had a twenty percent better success ratio than the hospital. He couldn't believe it. He would come out and check the boys progress regularly. He was amazed. He followed the progress of several animals and couldn't believe the swift recovery some of them made. He called Agatha, told her what he found and was astounded. She shared his enthusiasm. His question for her was, did she think it possible there was a higher power involved in the healing ratio of these animals?  Agatha didn't stop to think. Her answer was an unqualified 'yes!' "Both boys and their friend have been touched by God's hand, and he's sending those sick critters to them. Of course you'll tell them to be careful of wounded animals and rabies?" Agatha asked. Dr. Dyer assured her he would. They didn't talk long, but she was thrilled he called and shared his findings with her. She knew what books to get for presents for the boy's birthday.

* * * * * * *
Waddie took a nice healthy piece of his Dieffenbachia plant and chopped it up real fine. When no one was home, he put it in an old pot, ran some water over it, and boiled it down to a thick white goo. He climbed in through the window to Willie's room, carefully opened his clarinet case and took out all of his reeds. He took them back to his room and carefully painted each reed with the goo from his roux. He dried them in his window in the late afternoon sun and carefully returned them to Willie's clarinet case. Willie didn't practice that night, but he took his clarinet to school with him for band practice the next day. That afternoon all hell broke loose when a high school student, Willie Devers, suddenly came down with some unknown throat infection which left him unable to speak for several days. The doctor's were baffled. Word quickly spread all over town. Everyone felt so bad for poor Willie. No one could figure out what was wrong with him.

It was a Monday and Jimmy Sue's day to water and feed her houseplants. She got her beautiful Dieffenbachia, took it to the sink to water and feed it. As she was soaking it in the feed solution she wondered how Waddie's Dieffenbachia was doing. Suddenly, the lights came on in Jimmy Sue's head. It was at that moment she realized what the boys did to Willie. She started laughing uncontrollably. She was laughing so hard she was crying. Dan came in from the barn, thought she was upset about something, and took her into his arms to comfort her. All she could manage was to shake her head, point to the plant in the sink, and get a few words out. "Dumb cane. Willie. Waddie." Dan made the connection and knew instantly why she was laughing. He didn't know how, but he knew the boys figured out a way to get the dumb cane into Willie. That was enough for him. They held each other and roared with laughter. They laughed together until they couldn't laugh anymore.  They called Buck and couldn't tell him because every time Dan started they both would fall out laughing.

"Come out for dinner, and we'll tell you. We can't tell you on the phone. H’it's just too damn funny." Buck and Linda Sue drove out, but had an idea it must be something the boys did. What could be so funny? When the Justins finally got it out, Buck and Linda Sue could be heard all the way to town laughing. Buck was proud of the boys. He couldn't stop laughing. It got all over the damn county, but it never got back to, Morgan, Willie, or his ma. Waddie, Gip, and Oatie decided if it was a disease, as the doctor's thought it might be, then the boys should make sure it was contagious. They dipped Judy and Dorothy's toothbrushes in the goo, and they couldn't speak for two weeks. Waddie would find food in the fridge he knew they'd eat before Morgan got home, and laced it with a little 'dummy-goo.'  'Dummy-goo' is what Oatie named it.

Poor Willie kept playing in the band, but his condition didn't seem to be getting any better. He was going on six weeks not being able to utter a sound, which was strange because Judy and Dorothy slowly got better. Waddie, Gip, and Oatie were beside themselves, but they managed to keep a straight face around Morgan and Willie. After two months of silence from Willie, one doctor suggested Willie might be reinfecting himself from the reeds in his clarinet. Willie got a new reed, and within a week and a half he was able to utter several sentences. He was so proud of himself. He was thrilled. Waddie waited about a week and painted the new reed. Poor Willie couldn't talk for another month. He was really distraught. He thought he was going to be speechless the rest of his life. Waddie didn't think it was such a bad idea. If he had anything to say about it, Willie would remain speechless the rest of his life. Waddie kept asking Judy if Willie was still 'dumb.'

He explained that's what they call a person who can't speak, 'dumb.'  "Ain't cha’ never hear'd of 'deef and dumb’?" Waddie knew the word was ‘deaf’ he just enjoyed the vernacular.

Willie got the bright idea of washing his reeds to sterilize them. It washed most of the dumb-roux off, but there was still enough he had to talk like a whiskey tenor for months. Then, just for sport, Waddie would repaint all of Willie's reeds, and he wouldn’t be unable to speak for another month. From then on, when Willie got a little too big for his britches, Waddie would doctor something else he put in his mouth. He put some on his toothbrush, put a little in his mouthwash, and dipped the ends of all his pencils and pens in it. Waddie even found some hard candy Willie stole and lightly painted each piece. Poor Willie just couldn't understand why this rare disease wouldn't go away. Willie remained silent for a little better than six months.

Dr. Dyer heard about the story one evening at supper with the Justins and the Claymores. Buck could barely get the story out he was laughing so hard as he told it.  Dr. Dyer and his wife thought it was the funniest thing they ever heard. He examined Willie first and was stumped. He never suspected a paralyzing agent. It was so simple, almost elegant, and doctors would naturally look for something more difficult. He made sure after that he was far too busy to see Willie and let the new intern at the hospital take care of him. The young doctor had no idea what was wrong with Willie. Dr. Dyer knew his job was to heal the sick, but Willie wasn't sick. He knew Willie would miraculously recover when Waddie, Gip, and Oatie decided to let him. He giggled every time he thought about it.

Buck finally had to metaphorically sit on top of Waddie, Gip, and Oatie to get them to stop before they were discovered. Buck tried to talk like a mature adult to the two boys as Lyle Rawlings and Dan Justin stood listening with their hands over their mouths unable to control themselves. Buck turned to them and gave them a look that would put the fear of God in most any other men but only succeeded in breaking them up more. Buck couldn't hold it any longer either. He slapped his leg, and the three grown men were holding each other laughing their butt’s off with tears rolling down their faces at the antics of the boys. Buck laughed so hard at the three boys exploits tormenting poor Willie, they thought he was going to have a stroke. The other deputies in the station knew what was going on, and they didn't help matters any. They had tears running down their faces from laughing so hard. Even Mrs. Anderson thought it was hilarious.

Then Buck told Dan Justin to go home and he'd bring Gip, Waddie, and Oatie to their place after having supper with him and Linda Sue. He then managed to seriously counsel the boys and told them the trick of doing something like that and having it remain a mystery was to know when to quit. They took the hint from Buck, and no one ever knew. At least it never got back to any of the Lovejoy household. Even Ma and Pa Lovejoy heard the story and almost suffered heart attacks from laughing so hard. They never let on to Morgan they had a clue. Hell, the whole damn county knew about it, and Waddie, Gip, and Oatie became legends in their own time. The three boys would walk around the square. People on all sides of the square would wave to them and break up laughing. The boys knew they heard about it. The town placed bets on the next trauma Willie had to suffer at the hands of the boys. He hadn't seen the last of Waddie's terrible troika. (soon to be a fearsome foursome) Willie Lump-Lump was about to go down in flames, and he didn't have a parachute.


End of Chapter 9 ~ Cabbage Patch Cowboy
Copyright © 2004/2013 ~ Waddie Greywolf
All Rights Reserved ~
Mail to: waddiebear@yahoo.com
Proofed: 12/29/2012
WC 19232