cpc_11

Cabbage Patch Cowboy
By Waddie Greywolf

Chapter 11

Madame Pearl Le Pue (Ms. Pearl)

Waddie, Gip, Oatie, and Clyde were forever finding sick animals. Sometimes the animals would come to them. It seemed to the boys like there was an unspoken knowledge with which the animal world communicated there were those among the two legs who were compassionate and empathetic with thier plight; their pain and suffering, and would make an attempt to help them without compromising their freedom. They sought the boys out to give them sanctuary, food, water, shelter; a warm, dry place to rest, and recuperate from a wound or exhaustion. Some would be starving, and the boys would feed them until they could take off on their own. They never tried to make pets of the wild animals. They knew they belonged in the wild and must return. Their turn over of patients became so great they didn't have time to become attached to any one critter. Of course, there were a couple of notable exceptions, critters they loved and remembered more than others.

Two were barn owls whose mother got shot or poisoned but never came back to feed her babies. The boys didn't bother to take them out of their nest. The nest was in the beams at the far end of the barn. They gently moved the nest over next to the loft, so they could get to the babies and feed them. They fed the two baby owls until they were grown, but they didn't have a mother to take them out to teach them how to hunt for themselves. They grew up dependent on the boys for food. The boys didn't mind and took care of them for a couple of years. They named one, Merlin, and the other, Boo. The birds were very tame and docile. They were great fun at Halloween parties. The boys would dress up as magicians and have one of the owls on their shoulders.

Finally, they thought of a plan to teach them to hunt. They constructed a large area on the barn floor of metal flashing they found in an old house they played in on Ed Bloomquist's property across the creek. They asked Ed if they could have it, and he told them to take it. The owl's favorite food were live mice the boys would catch in traps. They turned a couple of mice loose every night in the large walled pen they built. The mice would scurry about trying to find a place to get out but couldn't. The boys started reducing the food intake for the owls, and after about two weeks of barely feeding them, they came into the barn one morning and the mice were gone. They put four in the next night, and the next morning they were gone. The boys had to see for themselves. They told Dan, Buck, Don, Lyle, and Quinton what they planned to do, and the five large kids weren't about to let the four smaller kids have all the fun. They decided they wanted to see what the boys accomplished. Dr. Dyer asked if he could bring his sleeping bag and join them.

They were all in the loft spending the night waiting and watching to see if the owls really were eating the mice. They put six mice in that night. Sure enough, a little after midnight, Boo flew down, grabbed one of the mice and took it to another beam to eat it. Five minutes later Merlin joined her with his own mouse. They kept it up until all six mice were gone. The men were ecstatic. They were congratulating the boys and were quite proud of them. Dr. Dyer was so thrilled and impressed he gave a talk to a ladies group in town. They expected him to talk about medicine, but he told them he had something far more miraculous to talk about. He kept the women spellbound with his recounting of being a first hand witness to what the four boys accomplished. He was amazed at their ingenuity and patience to get the wild creatures to learn to fend for themselves.

The boys kept it up and would skip a night leaving mice. Then they'd skip two nights. Finally the owls were going out at night to find their own mice, but they always returned to the barn. They would still let the boys pet them and play with them until... Boo met Mr. Boo and Merlin met Mrs. Merlin. The boys fixed wonderful boxes with straw in them on opposite ends of the barn. They built a landing pad and a small side entrance to the main nest. It was like the owls knew immediately the nesting boxes were for them. There were four owls in the barn in two nests. They raised four young that year and did for several years afterward.

The other critter the boys became quite fond of was a female skunk they found almost dead and nursed back to health. They named her Ms. Pearl because that was the name of the beer Dad Dan, Uncle Buck, Don Rayborn, and Lyle Rawlings liked to drink on hot summer afternoons. The men would sometimes take several bottles with them when they took the boys swimming and set them in one of several springs that fed the creek into the limestone quarry. The water coming up from the ground was ice cold and chilled their beer down quickly with the clear, cold water running over the bottles. They never got drunk, but they would get awfully close to each other. By that time, the boys didn't pay them much attention. It was just what their four dads did in private, and they knew the boys wouldn't be upset to see them with their arms around each other's shoulders lying in the cool water. The four men loved each other, and the boys took great comfort four of the major males in their lives weren't afraid to show each other a little affection. The boys knew they could always join them, and get a big arm thrown around them and a kiss stolen.

The feed bill for the critter infirmary began to exceed the boy's allowances. They ask if they could put jars for change for 'Sick Critter's Food' at certain businesses, the sheriff's office, and even Doc Dyer agreed to set one on the check in counter of the small hospital. By the end of the first month they had a surplus they carried over to the next month and then had another gift from the community. It seemed like God, himself, was providing for their efforts. Dr. Dyer wrote Agatha several letters detailing the boy's progress. She was thrilled and sent them twenty dollars in a letter. Oatie was elected secretary and treasurer for their enterprise and published accurate records of donations, expenses and balances carried over to the next month. The boys ran it strictly as a non-profit, charity organization. Doctor Dyer wrote a brief account of the good the boys were doing to help injured, sick animals and return them to the wild. It was published in the small town newspaper. He recounted their success ratio was twenty percent better than most hospitals.

The boys published an accounting monthly for anyone to review. It was tacked to the bulletin board in the sheriff's station. People and kids all over the community began to find and bring the boys animals in need of care. The nearest veterinarian was in a larger town forty-five miles away. On one of his trips to the area he stopped to visit the boy's critter hospital. He was as impressed as Dr. Dyer and gave them lots of helpful advice. He sent them a list of easy to understand books and government pamphlets on the care of injured wild animals. He couldn't believe the boys taught tame owls to hunt for themselves. Dr. Dyer was proud to tell him he was an eye witness.

One afternoon the boys were devastated to walk into the barn and find every critter they were caring of dead. Willie shot every critter in their infirmary with his twenty-two caliber rifle, except the owls and one other critter he didn't know about. The owls were asleep in their boxes well hidden from plain view. The boys saw him running away with his gun in his hand as they came to the barn. After they buried their critters and shed tears in each other's arms, they talked it over. They decided not to tell Dad Dan for fear of what he might do. In the mean time, Gip called Lyle Rawlings and asked him to tell the sheriff and Don Rayborn. They weren't interested in getting Willie into trouble so much as they needed advice and help from the sheriff's office because, they knew they were going to have to eventually tell Dan. They asked Lyle if he and the sheriff would come out as soon as they could so they could tell him.

They knew Dad Dan would want to go over and pop Willie's head off with a church key.* The boys were unsure whether they would have the influence to stop him from doing something out of blind rage they would all regret. Not only was it a dastardly thing to do, but Willie trespassed on the Justin's property to do his foul deed. When they told Dan, he was ready to go over to Morgan's place with his twelve gage shot gun loaded with rock salt for scaring crows away and shoot Willie's ass off. It wouldn't kill him, but it sure as hell would make him wish he was dead. The boys stood their ground in front of their beloved Dad Dan and tried to make him listen to reason. Fortunately, Buck, Lyle, Don, and Quinton drove up just in time and talked sense to Dan. The boys weren't going to let him get into trouble because of his anger. They loved him too much for that. The sheriff and his three deputies arrived at the ranch as quickly as possible to act as backup for the boys. They weren't there as lawmen; they were there as Dan and the boy's friends. The boys assured Dan, Willie would get his, leave it to them... trust them. When Willie got his, if Dan wasn't satisfied it was pay back enough, the boys swore in front of the sheriff and his men, all four boys would drop their pants, and Dan could take his belt to each one. Dan wanted to know what the boys planned to do.

They looked at each other and laughed. "Don't ask us, Dad Dan, 'cause you don't wanna' know," Oatie said laughing with Clyde shaking his head in agreement.

"The most important thing to remember is Willie will get his," Gip assured his dad, "There comes a time when you gotta' trust yore’ kids. We done heard you say it a hun'nert times or more, ain't we guys?" The boys nodded in agreement with their brother. The sheriff and his men backed them up, "You just gotta' trust us on this one, Dad. Don't ask, because you know we won't lie, and that wouldn't be fair to us. Tell him, Uncle Buck, Mr. Rawlings."

"Them boys got a strong point, brother. You can't deny we've all heard you say it. I trust ‘em. I think they know what they're doing, Dan. How many times you and I just shook our heads and laughed our asses off at the things they done to Willie. Each one seems to be worse and more unique than the last. I, for one, can't wait to see what they plan to do to top Willie's silent disease from several years ago," Buck said. The men laughed again.

"All I can think to tell you, Dan," Lyle Rawlings added, "instead of going over there and shoot'n Willie's ass off, we better drop to our knees and say sentence prayers for poor Willie." The men roared with laughter and even Dan chuckled. He finally gave up the idea of performing a buttectomy on Willie with his shotgun. He decided to leave it to his boys.

"You see, Dad," Waddie said with a wicked grin on his face, "Willie didn't shoot all the critters."

The boys didn't elaborate, but somehow, at that moment, as angry as he was, Dan Justin suddenly had a twinge of sympathy for Willie. Chills ran up Dan's spine, and he got the feeling maybe Lyle's suggestion wasn't such a bad idea. Dan knew whatever the boys were planning to do to Willie, it would be God awful. The men could count on pay-backs times ten. He and Buck learned a long time ago their boys didn't do anything half-assed.

The boys befriended Ms. Pearl. They didn't tell anyone about her because they were worried Dad Dan wouldn't like them helping a stinky cat, Madame Pearl Le Peu. The boys quickly got used to her pungent smell, and it went away in time. A dog or coyote got after her, and even though she tried to spray it, she got her back broken and a chunk bitten out of her left hind leg. She was in bad shape. She was near death and stunk because she tried to spray the coyote. Waddie had a way of humming to animals that seemed to hypnotize them, and they wouldn't bite even if they were in severe pain. He taught the other boys, and they got just as good at it, especially Gip. Being farm/ranch boys, Waddie and Gip were warned constantly about rabid animals, and to be very careful about handling wild animals which could possibly be carrying the disease. The boys didn't take any chances with Ms. Pearl. They eased a long handled, flat shovel under her to gently lift her and put her into a warm box. She seemed to know the boys were trying to help her and didn't make any effort to resist. She especially liked Oatie and Gip for some reason, but she came to trust all four boys equally.

They carried her to the old barn where they kept their sick critters. They decided to keep her in the loft. Their reasoning was, if she was up high, in her condition, she wouldn't try to get away until she was fully healed. They fed her, provided water for her and Waddie managed to get some flowers of sulfur power and sulfathisole to help heal her wounds. Ms. Pearl lay there, accepted food and water from the boys for several weeks, and seemed to enjoy their visits. They cleaned up her poop and took a warm damp rag to gently clean her from time to time. She never made a move to bite or spray them. Ms. Pearl got better quickly. Her back completely healed, except she kinda favored her left leg and her back-end looked like a loose caboose when she walked. The flesh and hair grew back over her open wounds.

Since she was nocturnal by nature, the boys created a box with a lid that opened and a made a tunnel out of straw she could crawl through to sleep undisturbed during the day. When Willie shot all the other critters, Ms. Pearl was still asleep in her artificial borough in the loft. The boys were thrilled when Ms. Pearl waddled out in the evening for her food and water. She allowed the boys to clean her and her bedding. She was so use to it, she'd back her little butt up to the boy cleaning her. They'd put fresh straw in her box, pet her gently and talk to her. They encouraged her by telling her how much better she looked, and she was doing great. She wouldn't stay out long, but returned to her box to rest and recuperate. Sometimes she'd carry an extra chunk of cooked meat or dog biscuit back to her nest for a late night snack.

As she got better, Ms. Pearl would follow the boys everywhere. They had her so well trained, they could whistle, and she knew it meant to hide herself. She learned her name, and would come to the boy who was calling her. They weren't going to let Willie hurt her. Let anyone else come around her or her boys, she'd turn, raise her tail, start thumping her little back feet, and you damn well better not come closer to her boys than a good fifteen feet. If you stayed your distance she calmed down and would let you talk to the boys, but the minute you made a move closer, her little butt was turned towards you, and those tiny little feet were thumping out a warning. The boys loved her and could do anything with her. They could pick her up, pet her, and give her treats. You couldn't see her interrelate with the four without knowing she dearly loved her boys, and was protective of them. The boys never felt so safe as when Ms. Pearl was with them. They saved her life, and she was grateful.

One day the boys decided it was time to share their new best friend with the folks they loved. It was a fourth of July party at the Justin's. All the deputies, their wives, and kids were there. The usual family folks of the Dyers, Davenports, Claymores, Ma and Pa Lovejoy, and Tates were there. Even Uncle Enid drove down to celebrate the fourth with 'her boys.' Morgan was away from home and of course, as usual, Judy and her kids didn't show. The boys were laughing and giggling about something all morning. They had their heads together talking among themselves, away from the adults, laughing, giggling and carrying on. Dan and Buck knew they were up to something, and it was like waiting for the other boot to drop. Finally, Oatie stood on a picnic table to make an announcement. Buck and Dan knew they were about to find out what the fearsome foursome were up to.

"Folks! If I could have your attention for a moment. It's important everyone listen. Me and my brothers, Waddie, Gip, and Clyde have invited our new best friend to meet cha'll but you can't get too close. Parents, please hang on to your kids, and don't let them run up to us because it could be disastrous. Our guest is a wild critter we've nursed back to health, and she won't stand for anyone but her four doctors coming within fifteen feet of her."

Yonder came Clyde, Waddie, and Gip being followed by their new best friend Madame Pearl Le Pue. The crowd was stunned. No one dared breathe. hey didn't know whether to shit or run. No one could believe the boys new best friend was a skunk, and a loaded one at that. Uncle Enid slapped Buck on the back, and they broke up into gales of laughter. "Buck, ya' ought a’ lock them boys up and throw away the key. They're gonna' be dangerous when they grow up." Uncle Enid laughed. That only caused Buck and the deputies to break up laughing. Then everybody started laughing. Everyone was dumbfounded. They couldn't believe what they were seeing. Nobody makes a girlfriend of a loaded skunk. It's just not done in polite society. It's not like you can take her home and introduce her to your family. However, the upside is, you don't have to spend much on her for perfume.

Ms. Pearl would let the boys hold her, play with her, pet her, climb all over them, and they'd give her treats. She'd jump in their laps and let them do anything they wanted to her. She loved to have her tummy tickled. Her idea of heaven was lying on her back in one of the boy's lap, crunching away on a dog biscuit held between her two little front paws while one of the boys tickled her tummy. The deputies, Buck, Dan, Doc Dyer ,and Uncle Enid were laughing their asses off. Buck told them, "You know exactly what them boys plan to do with that skunk, don’cha'? Someway, somehow, they're gonna' figure out a way to get Ms. Pearl to spray Willie. I'd be willing to bet a month's pay. Just as sure as God made little green apples you can count on them boys getting back at Willie with that damn skunk."

Finally, the boys called for Ms. Pearl to follow them, and they took her back to the loft. They trained her to get into a little wooden carrying basket and lie down so they could tie a rope around the handle and lift her comfortably to her loft. They called it the 'pearl-a-vator.' They came back to the party to much congratulations and good wishes for their critter hospital. Once again, Dr. Dyer was impressed by the boys and their talent. The boys asked the folks not to talk too much about what they saw that afternoon, and they didn't. They understood why. They weren't about to jeopardize the boy's plans.

* * * * * * *
Willie had a habit of bringing his four cronies home with him every Friday evening, going into his room and locking his door. They'd have a bullshit session and talk about girls. Out of habit he hung the key on a nail next to the door. Willie started keeping his window closed but never locked. One Friday evening the boys smuggled Ms. Pearl up to Waddie's room in her basket and let her run around. Then they took her, put her in Willie's room, and closed the window. Ms. Pearl investigated, then decided to crawl under Willie's bed and take a nap. Willie came home with his cronies, went into his room, and locked the door behind them. He hooked the key onto the nail by the door, and the boys made themselves comfortable. Ms. Pearl comes waltzing out from under the bed, sees it's not her four boys, and goes into her little foot stomp'n totentanze.* Two of the boys yelled and headed for the door, but of course, it was locked. All they could do was frantically twist and pull on the knob to no avail. One pushed the other out of the way thinking he could get the damn thing open.

Willie went for the key the same time another boy lunged for it, but the key went flying through the air onto the bed. Willie ran for the key, and that's all it took for Ms. Pearl to release her version of 'Evening in Paris.' She got Willie smack dab in the face. Willie dropped the key, and in his confusion kicked it under the bed. One of the other boys lunged for it, but Ms. Pearl took deadly aim and got him, too, right in the kisser. It smelled so bad the other two were yelling and crying. One of the other boys finally managed to locate the key, but it was on the other side of Ms. Pearl near the window. She was between them and the key, still just a' doing her ‘rump thump'n rumba.' The boy lunged across the bed, and managed to toss the key to the other boy nearest the door. Ms. Pearl was not amused and got both of them in a crossfire that would have made a western gun slinger green with envy, if not from the smell. Not only was she accurate, she was deadly accurate. The boys fogged out of the room and ran downstairs, screaming, hollering and yelling at the top of their lungs.

"Oh, God! Oh, God! I'm blind! Oh, God, I'm blind," Willie cried. The other boys joined in on the chorus of this geek tragedy. As they exited the room Willie didn't worry about locking it. They left the door wide open. Ms. Pearl Texas two-stepped out into the hallway. Waddie opened his door so the boys could get a peek at Willie and his four cronies in their hasty exit. Ms. Pearl saw her boys, strolled over to them, walked into Waddie's room and crawled into her carry basket. Waddie gave her a chunk of meat, patted her on her head, told her what a wonderful lady she was, but admonished her she was going to get a bad reputation because she had a tendency to wear too much perfume. Ms. Pearl promptly curled up into a ball and went to sleep. Her job was done. She was exhausted. She needed a nap. The boys agreed. They felt she damn well deserved it.

Judy made Willie and his crew take off their clothes and throw them in the incinerator. She threw them each a bar of lie soap and a couple of scrub brushes. She wouldn't let them back into the house or into the bathrooms until they washed off some of the stink. They had to rinse each other with ice cold water from the hose. She made them repeat the procedure four of five times until their skin was almost raw and blue from the cold water. She gave them four towels to dry themselves and throw in the incinerator. She finally let them into the house, but they had to use the two bathrooms upstairs. Waddie kept his locked, so they had to use Willie's. Willie told his mother to go fuck herself, two of them were going to use Dorothy's bathroom. Dorothy quickly evacuated her room to go stay with a friend. The entire house reeked of skunk. It was, to put it mildly, a God awful stench. Willie and his boys got into the bathrooms to try to bathe more of the smell off each other. Judy gave them all the tomato juice she had to rub on each other and then wash off. The house reeked of skunk for months. The fearsome foursome didn't care. They took care of Ms. Pearl long enough they were used to it.

Under the cover of nightfall, Waddie, Gip, Oatie, and Clyde left by way of the window and down the vine covered trellis. They gently lowered Ms. Pearl, still in her basket, down to one of the other boys. They slowly made their way back to the Justin's ranch and returned Ms. Pearl to her temporary borough. Waddie gave her a nice chunk of meat to take with her. When she got to the opening of her little tunnel Ms. Pearl stopped, turned, and every boy swore they saw her wink. Then she turned and disappeared into her nest. For a lady of breeding and quality, she was exhausted from her busy afternoon of social obligations.

Dan tried to get the boys to tell him what happened, but they couldn't stop laughing long enough. They laughed their butts off every time anyone mentioned it. Momma Sue and Dan knew the boys did the deed, because they heard the screams and yelling all the way to their place, to say nothing of Ms. Pearl signature fragrance wafting on the evening breeze. Dan remembered what Buck said, 'the boy's revenge on Willie would be God awful.' Dan called the sheriff's station. Buck and Lyle hadn't left for the evening. Dan told Buck to tell Lyle they should have gotten on their knees and said the sentence prayers for poor Willie. The boys got their revenge today.

Buck, Lyle, Quinton, Don drove by to pick up Linda Sue in the front of Buck's place and made it out to the Justin’s as fast as they could. The boys were in the shower bathing each other because they reeked to high heaven, but not nearly as bad as Willie and his crew. It only took them a couple of rinses with a bar of Ivory. When the boys walked out in clean clothes and saw their family they all four broke up laughing again. Oatie was nominated to tell the story, and tell it he did. Filtered through Oatie's fertile mind the story became a comic folk-epic to contend with Beowolf. Oatie had an innate gift of bullshit mixed with brilliant word play and attention to detail left no one standing.

They had to sit down they were laughing so hard as Oatie told the story. The story got all over the damn county. When Oatie told all the deputies at the sheriff's station including Mrs. Anderson, he had to stop several times the men were so sore from laughing at his enlarged version of the tale. Mrs. Anderson was in tears. She'd never heard anything so funny in her life. Oatie must have told the story a hundred times and each time he improved on it 'til it couldn't have been more funny. As many times as they heard Oatie tell the story even the boys would drop on the floor laughing at Oatie's recounting of "Ms. Pearl's Shoot Out at the Lovejoy Corral."

Dr. Dyer and his wife never laughed so hard in their lives. Buck and Linda Sue laughed every time they heard Oatie tell the story. They laughed so much they hurt. When Uncle Enid heard Oate's retelling of the story she had to stop him three or four times before he could go on. "Didn't I tell you, Buck?" she slapped her leg and burst out laughing, "Them boys are dangerous. They're libel to kill this dirty old lady from laughing so much."

The only people who didn't hear about it was Willie, his three cronies, Morgan, Judy, and Dorothy. Of all the people who knew, not a soul ever said a word to them. The community was tight lipped when it came to protecting their boys.

Then one day Ms. Pearl disappeared, and the boys were heartsick. They thought for sure Willie killed her. The next spring yonder come Ms. Pearl with five kits trailing along behind her. She brought her family to show her boys. She was so proud of them, and it seemed like she wanted the boy's approval. After all, they were part of her family. She just came by to say, "hello" and "thanks." She spent all afternoon with the boys. Buck got film of the boys petting and playing with her kits. She let the boys play with them and pet them. The boys gave her treats and some for the kids.

At the end of the day Ms. Pearl gathered her children, counted them, was satisfied they were all there, went to each boy in turn to get her head patted, told how wonderful and beautiful her family was, and they were so proud and happy she shared them. Ms. Pearl turned and they waddled off. They never saw her again. However, for years, the boys always remembered Ms. Pearl in their prayers at Thanksgiving to much giggling and hooting at what some folks thought should've been a solemn occasion. Buck declared the Old Man was probably sitting at the table, slapping his knee, and laughing his ass off with the rest off them. Buck was right. When Mr. Uriel told the Old Man about Ms. Pearl the heavens rumbled for three days.

"You know, I don't know if'n we should've ever gotten them boys together," Buck said one afternoon, "Separately they's the sweetest boys you'd ever wanna’ meet, but together, no one in the damn county’s safe. I've overheard them talking when they didn't know they were being listened to, and they throw ideas back and forth to each other like rice at a wedding. Them kids is fearless. I have a fear, one of these days, they're gonna' get bored tormenting Willie and he's gonna' disappear. I guarantee you one damn thing, they'll have a water tight alibi, and no one will ever find poor Willie."

Willie couldn't prove it, but he had a gut feeling that little bastard Waddie and his three slimy little friends had something to do with that damn skunk in his room. He thought it was strange they never found a trace of it afterward. Willie was determined to get Waddie back big time and arranged an elaborate plan to once again frame Waddie for something that would really piss Morgan off.

* * * * * * *
Whither thou goest ~

Oatie was spending several days with Lyle and his wife Mavis on their ranch a little further down the road from Morgan and the Justin's. It was a hot early summer day. Lyle and Oatie were out riding fences all morning to repair anything that needed fixing. They stopped for lunch beside the creek that ran through most of the men's properties. They watered their horses and left them to graze in a shaded area. Lyle took out their lunch Mavis fixed them and a thermos of kool-aid. The men took a break and ate lunch. Lyle decided it was too damn hot to ride the fence the rest of the afternoon, so he and Oatie decided to cool off in the creek. It wasn't as deep in Lyle's area as the quarry, but you could still swim and certain parts were over Oatie's head.

Lyle was playing around with Oatie, and Oatie was giggling like he usually did. They settled down, and lay together in the cool water on a sand bar. It was a beautiful afternoon. The katydids were calling to each other from tree to tree. Lyle and Oatie didn't have a chance to spend much quality time with each other in a while. Oatie was lying in Lyle's arms. They had no qualms about touching each other from all the naked poker parties at Buck's parent's house. A couple of times Oatie asked Lyle to stay the night with him in Gip and Waddie's room. He did, and they slept in each other's arms all night. Lyle couldn't get Oatie any closer. He fell in love with Oatie. He wanted Oatie to be his son.

"C. D.?" Oatie asked shyly. Out of respect for Mr. Rawlings' position the boys shortened 'Chief Deputy' to 'C. D.' His deputies picked it up from the boys, and soon, the entire town was referring to Lyle Rawlings as C. D. Rawlings.

"Yes, Oatie?" Lyle asked in reply.

"Aww, nothing, sir," Oatie said.

Lyle rolled over on his side facing Oatie whose head was lying on his big arm. He reached over and bussed a kiss behind Oatie's ear. "Why don't chu’ go ahead and hear yourself say it, cowboy. We both know what you wanna' say. 'Sides, you gotta' know I feel the same damn way 'bout chu,'" Lyle urged the boy.

"Well, C.D., you know I love Uncle Buck, Dad Dan, Quinton, Mr. Rayborn, and all the other deputies. I couldn't think of a better group of men to idolize and look up to as role models. I love 'em a lot, but I love 'em equally. They's ‘zall been so damn good to me and my brothers. I love my three brothers more'n life itself, but Mr. Rawlings, sir..." A couple of tears started rolling down Oatie's cheek, and Lyle kissed each one away. "I love you special, Mr. Rawlings," Oatie said.

"Oatie, you don't love me one 'eye-yota' more'n I love you. We's partners, you and me. We's buddies. But we be more'n 'nat, we's a team, Oatie. I'm convinced God meant for us to be together. Ain't never shared this closeness with any man or boy in my life, not even my own dad. Ain't no one what can ever take it away from us, Oatie. Why, I can look at you and know what's going through that bright little mind of yours. I know why you're crying and what else you wanna' tell me," Lyle said.

"You do?" Oatie asked.

"Sure I do, but I can't make a wish come true less'n I hear it from the other person. You tell me what's in yore’ heart, and I promise we'll work together to see it come true," Lyle replied.

"Well, C.D, sir, Waddie has three dads. Gip has three dads. Clyde has three dads, well four counting you, and they're my dad's, too, but..." Oatie trailed off.

"I can't help you with this step, Oatie. You gotta' take this one by yourself, Son. As much as I'd like to take you by the hand and lead you, it has to come from you, from yore’ mouth, from yore’ heart, and 'only' yore’ heart. I can't say them words for you, Otie," Lyle said.

"Ah, hell, I'm jes' gonna' say what's in my heart. Goddamn it C. D., I love you so much I wish't you was my dad," Oatie blurted out. He got a look of horror on his face mixed with relief he got it out. Lyle grabbed Oatie to him, held him close for a good while, then kissed the boy gently on his mouth.

"Damn, Son. Didn't think you's were ever gonna' get that out. What a relief. What if I told you your aunts agreed to let Mavis and I adopt you, but only if you asked us?" Lyle asked.

Oatie was stunned. "Really, Mr. Rawlings? Really?" Oatie's face lit up, "Well, sir, I'm ask'n. No, C. D.," Oatie got on his knees in the water and clasp his hands in front of him, "I'm a' beggin' you, sir. Please, Chief Deputy Rawlings, sir, would you, please, consider being my dad? It would be so great to know I had my own dad," Oatie begged.

"In our hearts we know I already done become your dad, Oatie. You and I know'd for sometime we want that for each other. We just had to wait until you were ready to ask. There has to be a year’s trial period, Mavis and I agreed to, and at the end of that period, if'n you still want to, we can officially adopt you. You'll become Oatie Rawlings, our son. Might as well make it official, Oatie. Hell, everybody in town's beginning to think on you as my boy, anyway," Lyle grinned.

"That's wonderful, Mr. Rawlings, but do you think my name could be Oatie Justin Claymore Rawlings?" he asked.

"Of course, Oatie. That's perfect. I know two of your dads will be thrilled. It would be polite to ask the sheriff and the Claymore seniors if you may take their name. The same with Dan Justin," Lyle said.

"Good idea, sir. I plan to, but when do I get to start calling you 'dad,' C. D. and Mrs. Rawlings 'Ma Rawlins'?'" Oatie asked.

"Oh, I don't know," Lyle threw back his head scratching his chin like he was musing the question, "How's about soon's we seal this deal with a kiss, cowboy?" he asked and grinned.

Oatie threw his arms around Lyle's neck and kissed Lyle Rawlings right on the mouth so hard and passionately Lyle got roaring hard, so did Oatie. "See, Dad. I done told ju’ we love each other," Oatie said.

Lyle threw back his head and roared with laughter. "I can't gainsay that, Son. Just look how much I love you," Lyle held up his big cock in full salute. Oatie and Lyle hugged and laughed. Oatie grabbed himself a big ol' handful of C. D.'s dick. Lyle had ample for Oatie to grab.

"I'd say that was enough love to last a life time, Dad," Oatie giggled.

Lyle grabbed Oatie's considerable amount of love potential, and it was almost rock hard. It was so big it rarely got fully hard. "How 'bout loaning me 'bout six inches of yore' love handle, Son. You'd never miss it. Shit. You got enough love there to last two life times, but chu’ know what? I can't deny, 'ere's just some'um about having a son what's got the biggest dick in school," Lyle said. They broke up laughing, hugged, and kissed again.

"Sounds right to have you call me ‘dad,’ Son. I shore’ like to call you ‘son,’ Oatie. I'm s'damn proud of you. I couldn't a had me no better boy, Oatie. You just made this old cowboy a very happy man. Did you know you could've had your choice of ten men in this community who would gladly be your dad; however, you picked me, old C. D. to be your dad. That means a lot, Oatie, more'n you'll ever know. Most times a man don't get to choose the kid God gives him. He has to do the best he can with what he gits. God let me choose. I chose you, Oatie, to be my son. He give you a choice of dads. You chose me. We chose each other. I love you, Son," Lyle said to the boy.

"What da' ya' mean, Dad, I didn't have no choice. If'n I didn't pick you, you'd lose yore' ass at poker," Oatie giggled as Lyle tickled him for his impertinence. That's one of the things Lyle loved most about Oatie. When anyone was taking themselves a little too seriously, Oatie had a giant 'hat pin wit' which would burst their bubble and snap them back to reality pretty damn quick. But Oatie had his serious side, too.

"Dad?"

"Yes, Son?"

"I love you more'n they's stars in the sky," Oatie declared his love for Lyle. That got Oatie a big hug and a kiss stolen from him. Lyle stole so damn many kisses that afternoon, Oatie had to restock.

A year later the papers were filed in the county records that the child, Othal Godfrey Trent, known as, 'Oatie' Trent, was adopted as the son of Chief Deputy and Mrs. Lyle T. Rawlings, and his new name from that day forth would be, Oatie Justin Claymore Rawlings. The Justins were there. All the Claymores were there. In fact, all the members of Oatie's family including his aunts were there. Even Uncle Enid came for the weekend. She wouldn't have missed it for the world. She and Buck spent the weekend laughing together and having a wonderful time. The following Sunday after church the Sheriff and Mrs. Buck Claymore were installed as Godparents to Oatie, Mavis Lyle Rawlings, Clyde Rayborn, and Gip Justin. Lyle, Oatie, Clyde, Don, Gip, and Dan were all baptized at the same ceremony. The whole damn town including Morgan was there. Morgan's family wasn't. Afterward they had the greatest picnic in the park anyone could remember. It was a joyous day. Sheriff Buck Claymore set a new world record for stolen kisses from the kids.

The first day of fifth grade. One of the brightest, well liked kids in school took his little sister Mavis Lyle by the hand and saw to it she was comfortable in the first grade. Lyle and Mavis marveled at their closeness and communication. Mavis Lyle trusted Oatie more than she did her own parents. She didn't want them to take her to school. She wanted her big brother Oatie to take her. Mavis and Lyle looked at each other and smiled. They knew they did the right thing for their kids.

* * * * * * *
Oh, brother, wherefor art thou?

Morgan's life was coming apart at the seams. His boy was being embraced and loved by a community of people who didn't understand what Morgan was trying to do for him. He knew on the surface Waddie was a lovable child, but he would do insidious things his family witnessed. The kid had the temerity to lie to Morgan with a straight face insisting the other three of his family were framing him and lied to protect Willie. If that wasn't bad enough, the kid developed the mental and physical ability to defy his punishment and refused to admit the truth he was lying. Ever since Waddie lived that year with Morgan’s brother Buck, he hadn't been a bad kid, but the things he would do spoke volumes to Morgan of his disgust for him and his family. Morgan loved his brother, but he knew Buck was taken in by Waddie like the rest of the community.

Sure, the kid seemed to love Morgan, he knew all the words to say, but Morgan was the only one who really knew underneath, Waddie carefully planned all his misdeeds to punish Morgan for what Waddie thought in his childish mind was Morgan's abandoning him in favor of his family. Why couldn't others see it as clearly as Morgan? It was obvious Waddie was jealous of his love for Judy, Willie, and Dorothy. Waddie simply wanted Morgan for himself. He wasn't willing to share Morgan or try to become a part of Morgan's family. The boy succeeded in alienating an entire community against him and his family. One thing Morgan couldn't figure out. How was it, he could whip the child until he bled or passed out without him so much as flinching at some of his most powerful blows?

To control Waddie he had to break him and teach him the right way. Waddie wouldn't come around him for days after one of his whippings, but Morgan knew why. Waddie was punishing him by avoiding him. He refused to cave into Waddie's game, go find him, and beg him to come home. That would be admitting weakness on Morgan's part as a good father. Waddie would even talk his buddies into to feeding and watering Morgan’s livestock and Buck’s ponies for sometimes a week to ten days. Morgan knew, he just knew, Waddie got his buddies to do his chores just to avoid Morgan. Then, Waddie would come back, hug and kiss him, and tell Morgan he forgave him for punishing him unjustly. In Morgan's convoluted mind, he saw it as Waddie's way of apologizing to him for lying. Waddie would tell Morgan he forgave him, still loved him, but soon he would not. Then Morgan wouldn't have a son anymore, and he would never call him 'dad' again.

He tried to spook Morgan by telling him he was visited by an angel and God would take Waddie away from him. Morgan laughed off the boy's attempts to scare him with religious mumbo-jumbo. Morgan knew Waddie didn't know what he was talking about, he would be Morgan's son forever, and Morgan would have Waddie show him the respect he was due by calling him 'dad.' Morgan so passionately wanted family he was willing to sell the devil the only soul in his house who truly loved him. If, anyone who reads this has any doubts a man's mind can become so focused on one goal, one great passion, to the exclusion of the rest of his world, they are woefully mistaken. Try explaining evolution to a fundamentalist. There is no man so blind as he who will not see nor one so deaf as he who will not hear. Morgan could do neither.

Willie succeeded in getting his mother and Dorothy to back him one more time, but this time it had to do with the stock Waddie was taking care of for Morgan. Once again Morgan wouldn't listen to Waddie and allowed Judy to be the final vote in his punishment. Morgan could understand Waddie doing something bad to him to try and punish Morgan into seeing things his way, but he never thought the boy would stoop so low as to injure an animal in his charge. Waddie saw what was happening, and expected another beating, but he refused to let Morgan drag him out to the barn. He heard a voice inside him. 'I am with you, my Son. Let me take over. Your words won't be your own. Don't panic. It must come to pass, but you'll feel nothing. I will not desert you.'

In a burst of energy and anger Waddie wrestled himself from Morgan's grip. "Get your fucking hands off me. I'll walk to the barn like a man. I refuse to be dragged out there like a Goddamn animal. I ain't like the filthy animal what comes in his Wranglers when he beat me unjustly," Waddie said and looked at Morgan with all the fierceness in him he could muster. Morgan hauled off and back-handed Waddie across the face as hard as he could. Waddie's head didn't even move. Blood was coming from two places on his mouth and nose, but he felt nothing. He didn't even turn his head away from Morgan.

"Don't you ever speak to me that disrespectfully again, you understand?" Morgan demanded in a threatening tone.

"You hit me once before like that when I was only five years old. I almost died because of it. That won’t never happen again. If you ever hit me like that again, you'll be a dead man before the sun sets. Do you understand?" Waddie didn’t yell at Morgan. He spoke his words slowly in a voice so calm, determined, and assured it shook Morgan to his core. The way the boy said it, their was no doubt in Morgan’s mind Waddie meant what he said. A chill ran up Morgan’s spine because he realized he stepped across the boundaries of what the boy would tolerate. He knew Waddie would kill him if he ever hit him again like that. Morgan tried to stare him down, but even though the blood was flowing down Waddie’s face he refused to take his fierce, mean gaze away from Morgan's.

"Do you understand?" Morgan yelled again.

"If you wish to continue living, it's more important you understand what I just told you?" Waddie replied quietly with equal force.

Waddie didn't move, but didn't avert his mean gaze away for a minute. He was challenging Morgan, but Morgan choked and averted his gaze. He was afraid to pursue it further. Morgan settled for giving Waddie a shove toward the barn; however, he no longer tried to humiliate Waddie by dragging him like an animal. Waddie walked at his own pace with his head held high in defiance of Morgan like he was a resigned, proud warrior being marched to his execution. Waddie didn't try to wipe the blood from his face. It was getting all over him, but inside, he was as calm and peaceful as a placid morning lake without a ripple. He refused to say another word to Morgan. They marched to the barn, and Morgan began his tirade. "If you're willing to admit you done it, I'll go light on you, boy. Don't make me have to break you, Waddie," Morgan said.

"We already know there ain't no chance in hell of you break'n me. Why bother with a whippin,' Dad. Why don't you just kill me. Go in the house, get your Goddamn gun, come back out here and shoot me. Kill me. You almost killed me when I's five years old, but you were relieved you didn't. Least you didn't have to go to jail for murder. I was dead, Dad, but I chose to come back for you, because I loved you. What difference does it make if you kill me with your gun or with your insistence that I'm a bad boy what's got a devil in him, and you're the fucking Pope. That's what you're doing anyway. I'd rather get it over with than have you kill me bit by bit," Waddie said with disgust and spit blood from his mouth.

"You still riding that dead horse? Trying to scare me or threaten me with your God and angel story. If you’re so close to God, if you got chu’ an angel with a direct line to the Old Man, if you ain’t lying, why don’t he step in and do something about it?" Morgan challenged.

"He does. He’s here with me right now, only you can’t see him. He puts his hand on me, and I never feel one of your hits from your old belt. Why the hell do you think I never give into you or admit I’m lying? Also, I'm older and stronger now, Dad, and I ain't never gonna' admit to you or no son of a bitch I done something I didn't just so's you can see me cry, and that asshole step-brother of mine can laugh at me behind my back for taking a licking for something he done. I ain’t never been guilty any of those times in the past, and I ain’t guilty now. Willie ain't only laughing at me, Dad, he's laughing at you. So's Judy and Dorothy, laughing at what a fool you are to believe them. The make fun of you behind your back. I'd never do to an animal what they said I done to that pony. You're taking three sick people's word over your son, who you taught the cowboy way. Thanks a lot, you stupid, hardheaded son of bitch. You'd rather kill the only love you have in your life so's you can hear him say he done something he didn't. You're not only stupid, you've become as sick, as meanspirited, and as soulless as they are," Waddie said with all the pent up anger he could muster. I guess insanity is catching," Waddie said.

Morgan raised his hand to hit Waddie, but there came the same challenging look in Waddie's eyes he saw before that told Morgan if he hit Waddie again, he would be a dead man before sunset. Morgan’s blood ran cold. He knew Waddie well enough to know he didn't make empty threats. Morgan knew, without a doubt, the boy would kill him. Morgan dropped his hand in disgust.

"Go on, you cowardly bastard. Go get chore’ gun, Dad. I ain't afraid to die, but you are. You kill me, then you'll be rid of me for good, and you won't have to worry none about me being a bad boy no more. You won't have to be frustrated when I walk away from here without playing your silly game. I won't lie to you no more to get you to stop beating me. Y'ain't got me to lie to you for nigh on to five years have ya'? Frustrates the living shit out a' ya', don't it? I know you ain't gonna' listen to me. I know you're probably horny. You ain't fucked Judy in months. 'At's what this is really all about, and you know it. It's so's you can get your rocks off beating me. Why don't you just let me suck you off, and we'll call it even. Either way you ain't never gonna' get me to admit I done something I didn't," Waddie argued with Morgan.

"I've heard enough of your garbage. Drop your pants, boy, bend over that bale and get ready," Morgan commanded.

Waddie didn’t hesitate. He complied with Morgan’s demand. Morgan didn't start in easy and build up. The first couple of blows were as hard as he could make them. Waddie didn't flinch. Morgan just couldn't understand it. A grown man would be writhing on the ground in pain. Waddie didn't even cry out. "Come on, Dad, you mean-ass, heartless bastard, you can whip me harder than that. Ain't chu' man enough to make your kid cry when you whip him? Hit me harder if you think you can. You ain't gonna' win. I'll die 'afore you'll make me lie again just to get you to stop beating me," Waddie mocked him.

"Shut up, Waddie," Morgan yelled. He whipped the boy even harder. Waddie got up on his elbows and looked back at his Dad who stopped momentarily.

"You're gettin' off on this ain'cha, old man? Don't think I don't know you get a hard-on and come in your Wranglers. That's the real draw ain't it? You don't give a rat's ass about who's telling the truth no more. You won't admit it, but you know in your heart I'm telling the truth. You bring me out here to whip me so's you can get your jollies, don't cha'? The demented homo inside of you is really enjoying this, ain'nee?" Waddie turned around and looked at Morgan's crotch.

"Yeah, I thought so, you got chore'self a big ol' hard-on and you's pissing your pants, huh Dad? C'moan, Dad, just lemme' give you a good blow job. You don't have to beat my ass to get chore’ rocks off. This is really why you wanted a son, ain't it? A kid to take out your frustrations on 'cause the rest of your life is going to shit. I tell you what, old man, why don't you save us both some heartache? Come tell me when you need to get your rocks off by beating my ass? It 'ud be a hell of a lot easier on me and more honest for you. I don't mind helping out a buddy. You can beat my ass 'til you come.

"You know what? I got to be the stupidest damn kid on Earth, Dad. You know why? You know why, Dad? 'Cause I can't stop loving you, you bastard, you sick son of a bitch. I love you so Goddamn much if this is what my dad needs to get his pleasure, I'll damn sure put my ass up there for him to beat until he shoots his load. There's only one catch, Dad. Only one small concession for me. When you come you gotta' yell out how much you love me. If that's the only way I can get chore’ love, I'm willing to give it to you, no questions asked. If you were a man at all you'd at least offer to let your kid catch for you.

"Oh, fuck it, what's the use? You don't never listen to me no ways. Ya’ never did. Get on with yore’ child beating. What would it take to convince you those three Goddamn meat machines you got living in yore’ house is bat-shit crazy, Dad? You believed them over me all this time. You don't deserve to have no son. You ain’t nothing but a perverted child beater. You keep doing it 'cause it's sexually exciting to you. It has nothing to do with punishment anymore, does it, Dad? You just love to come home and find Willie and them two bitches has framed me again, so's you can come out here and beat your kid to get chore’ rocks off."

Waddie shut up waiting for the next blows. He hoped his words were like the ram's horns that were blown that day at Jericho when the walls came tumbling down. There wasn't a chink out of place in Morgan's wall. "Shut up, Waddie. Shut, the fuck, up. Shut up before you make me s'damn mad I really do hurt you," Morgan growled at him.

Waddie started laughing and laughed at what Morgan said through the next four or five hits. His ass was beginning to bleed pretty bad. "I should of left with that angel when I was dying. I prayed you'd come around and learn to love and trust me, but you know what, Morgan? You can't even trust yourself," Waddie said.

"What did you call me?" Morgan asked.

"'Morgan, I called you 'Morgan.' 'At's chore’ name, ain't it?" Waddie asked in reply.

"You'll show me proper respect, young man. You call me 'dad,'" Morgan demanded.

"Like hell I will. I done told you the day would come when I won't call you dad no more, and I wouldn't forgive you neither. Well, today's the day, Morgan. It's here. You ain't my dad no more, Morgan, and I don't forgive you anymore, Morgan. A real dad would never do this to his son, Morgan. If'n y'ain't smart enough to tell when yore’ kid's telling the truth, you don't deserve to have him call you 'dad,' Morgan. I certainly don't intend to live with or call any son of a bitch my 'dad' when he won't believe me. I never lied to you Morgan until you whipped me to make me lie. I’m convinced you ain’t never gonna’ come around to believing in me. I’ll always be an outsider in yore’ world. As far as calling you ‘dad’ is concerned, you show me respect, and I'll show you respect. Until then, Morgan, you can whip me 'til your fuck'n arm falls off or you kill me first. You better get in a good beat'n this time, Morgan, 'cause it's the last Goddamn time you'll ever raise a hand to me in anger.

"I ain't gonna' call you dad no more, I ain't gonna' cry, and I sure as hell ain't gonna' admit to something I ain't never done. I'd rather die than have that son of a bitch’n step-brother of mine get away with this. Brother? Hell, that lying, conniving bastard lives in your house, eats your food, and continues living there no matter what he's doing to yore’ son, and you don't give a good Goddamn. You whipped me so many fuck'n times I lost count. You beat me for things Willie done because that slut you married, him, and his dimwit sister gang up on me. Boy, you really picked one when you picked Judy to play the role of my ma. I hope the whore dies, goes to hell, and burns in a lake of fire forever," Waddie yelled at Morgan.

"Don't say that, Waddie, that's your ma you're talking about," Morgan yelled at him.

Waddie turned, looked Morgan dead in the eye, and wouldn't release his gaze. "You're a Goddamn liar, Morgan. Am I gonna' get to beat chore’ ass 'til it bleeds, or at least 'til I shoot my load, for that bold faced lie, Morgen? Admit it, Morgan. It's a lie. You know Goddamn well it's a lie, Morgan. You know I know’d she ain't my ma. She done told me so. The angel told me, and you know what else he told me, Morgan -- you wanna’ know, Morgan -- you listening, Morgan? You ain't my father. You ain’t my dad a' tall. You c'ain't have no kids, Morgan. You’s as sterile as a Goddamn mule. 'At's why you married that whore 'cause you wanted a family, and she already done had one. Then you talked her into putting her name on my birth certificate," Waddie heard his words but they weren't coming from him.

"That's jes' crazy talk, Waddie. You made up all that shit. You don't know what the hell you're talking about. That's just another one of your fantasies to drive us further apart. Kids get crazy notions like that when they ain't happy with their parents. They make up stories about being adopted, and after a while, they start to believe it. Of course I'm your dad, and Judy's yore’ mother. Suck it up, kid, you might as well get use to it," Morgan said without empathy.

"You hypocritical son of a bitch. You stand there, lie to me to my face, and you think you can beat the truth out of me? Why don't you go beat the truth out of Willie? I'll tell you what, Morgan, at least be fair about this. Tell Willie, from now on, no matter whose fault it is, the man whose time it is to get whipped gets the punishment; alternate back and forth. You'll see a stop to all this nonsense pretty damn quick. You know why? 'Cause Willie's a Goddamned, yellow-bellied son of a bitch. He's jes' like you, Morgan, Willie's a coward. He'll think twice before he tries to set me up again, especially if it's his turn next."

It was too late. Morgan tuned Waddie out. His rage made him refuse to hear or consider any of the words coming from the boy. Morgan started really wailing on Waddie's butt. He felt if he didn't make the boy cry out or scream, he didn't have control over him. Truth was, Morgan lost control of his son several years before. He kept his onslaught of whipping until Waddie's ass was bleeding more than pretty bad. It began to look like shredded beef. Waddie was aware of Morgan's belt hitting his bare ass really hard, but there was no pain. He could feel the rush of cool air on his raw skin as the belt approach, but he never felt it hit. Nevertheless, his body was reacting to the onslaught. Waddie passed out and collapsed. Morgan wasn't expecting it to happen. Subsequently, as Waddie fell from the haybale, one of Morgan’s last and hardest blows hit Waddie across the back at an angle and started to bleed profusely.

"Where am I?" Waddie tried to focus his eyes. Standing in front of him with tears in his eyes was Mr. Uriel with his arms open to him. Waddie went to his arms and cried his heart out.

The big, handsome angel held him tight. "It's so good to see you again, child, but it breaks my heart I have to come to you under these circumstances. I've come to love you so much, Waddie. I know. I know. The first damn thing we learn in angel boot camp is not to fall in love with the people we help. But, damn it, I can't help it. You try to be so damn good, love him even though you know he ain't your dad, and that man is blind to you. He's going to wake you up in a few minutes, you'll have to go through a little more, but the second time you wake up, get up and walk. You'll be invisible to everyone, but those I choose to see you. Don't be afraid, Son, I’ll be with you. People you know will pass by you, but they won’t see you. I'll direct you. Walk out to the black top, catch a ride to the main highway, and hitch from there. A truck driver will pick you up and help you. He's one of our boys. It's important you don't stay another night under Morgan's roof, you must get away, Son. It's time for you to go," the angel told him.

"Thanks for being with me, Mr. Uriel. I couldn't have made it without you, sir. I love you, too, Mr. Uriel. God don't mind if you slip up once in a while. He done told me so. It's all right for you to love me 'cause I love you, too, Mr. Uriel. So does my brother, Gip. He said to tell you 'hi' and come visit him if'n I’s ever to see you again. He said tell you he won't be so scared next time. I'll do like you told me, sir, but 'scuse me, I gotta' go right now, my dad's waking me up..."

Waddie woke up with Morgan wiping his face with a wet rag. He was still angry. "Soon's I rest a minute, we'll start again," Morgan said.

Waddie lay there disgusted. He could feel the cut across his back beginning to hurt, but he made no moan. Morgan kept looking at Waddie expecting him to speak but he didn't. Waddie knew as soon as Morgan started in again Mr. Uriel would take over and try to talk to Morgan. Morgan jerked Waddie up and around to put him over the hay bale again. He saw Waddie's ass and back was bleeding pretty damn bad. It didn't deter him. He was going to conquer his son this time. He was going to break him for the kid's on good. He started in as hard as ever.

Waddie didn't even flinch. "Whip me harder, old man. Come on, Morgan. You’re wippin' me good now, Morgan. I can hear you breathing heavy, Morgan. You're git’n there. You're gettin' there. You's just about to come, ain't cha, old man. Bring it on, Morgan. Whip your boy. Beat that meanness out of him. You're his Grand Inquisitor. Beat the love out of the crazy son of a bitch what loves you." Waddie heard Morgan gasping for breath, and knew he was shooting his load in his pants. "Feel better, Morgan. That load just cost you the last bit of love I had for you. Hope it was worth it -- a treasure for a short lived pleasure. Taking yore’ frustration and meanness out on the only one in your Goddamned, fucked up life who loves you. Here, let me put my ass up there where you can get a really good swing at it, maybe you can come again.

"Go on, Morgan, kill me. I don't wanna' live no more no how. I don't wanna’ live without a dad, and I sure as hell ain't got no ma. I done told you years ago, Morgan, you wouldn't know the truth if it bit you on the butt. You lied so much to yore’self, you're becoming like Dorothy. You're starting to believe the lies you tell. You're the one what's lying Morgan, not me. You're lying to yourself. You believe your own lies, Morgan, but don't expect me, too. You don't have a son no more, Morgan. God just took him away from you. You made a liar out of me, in the sight of God, when you made me lie all them times I was suppose to have done wrong but I didn't. You ain't gonna' make a liar out of me no more, Morgan. I got an angel standing by my side, protecting me from your perverted insanity. I ain’t felt chore’ belt once since you started," Waddie said.

"Yeah? Then why’d ju’ pass out a while ago?" Morgan challenged.

"The flesh is week, Morgan, but my soul is strong. You won't never touch my soul with your God forsaken hatred. It’s stronger than your meanness or them Godless meat-machines you call family. God's gonna' punish you, Morgan. He's gonna' take your son away from you today, because you don't know how to be a dad and protect the one’s you love. You deserve to lose me, Morgan. You were never meant to be a father. God saw to that. He made damn sure you couldn't have no children, and this is why, Morgan. A mule was never meant to have offspring, neither were you. Let's face it, Morgan, you just ain't man enough to have a son," Waddie said with disgust. Waddie couldn't feel anything, but he began to hear Morgan weeping softly as once again he passed out. The boy was getting weak from loss of blood. When Waddie woke up someone pulled his pants up, laid him on a bale of hay near the door of the barn, and put a wet cloth on his forehead. Waddie set up. He felt weak and a little dizzy. The voice inside his head told him, 'Go, Son. Now!'

Waddie looked around, called for his dad, but he wasn't there. He sat for a minute, watched his dad walk down the front steps of the house, look up at Waddie, then he stopped dead in his tracks and turned white as a sheet. Morgan started running to the barn. Waddie couldn't take anymore of Morgan’s insanity and thought he'd run for protection to the Justin's. Morgan ran right past him. Waddie could've reached out and touched him. The boy almost panicked, but Morgan didn't even look at him. Waddie remembered what Mr. Uriel told him. He was invisible to his dad. He couldn't see the boy. Waddie started walking toward the road. He kept on walking until he came to the gravel road in front of the house. He walked up the gravel road to the black top.

He wasn't on the black top more than a couple of minutes when Dan Justin and Gip in Dan's pickup truck drove passed him, but they didn't wave to him. He knew they couldn’t see him. Gip had a strange feeling as his dad and he drove slowly by the Lovejoy place. There was an old lady coming toward them in an older yellow and white Ford pickup with groceries in the back. Gip looked out the rear window of his dad's truck and saw the old lady honk her horn and pull over. She looked like she was talking to someone outside her truck, but there was no one there. Suddenly, the passenger door opened by itself, then closed by itself. The old lady drove on. She got about fifteen yards down the black top, and Gip watched the truck disappear.

"Aaaeee! Dad, that yellow truck what just passed us disappeared into thin air. Look in your mirror, Dad. Do you see it?" Gip asked.

"No, Son, I don't. She couldn't have gone by our place yet, it's two miles up the hill. You say you saw it disappear?" Dan asked.

"I saw that old lady, who just drove by in the yellow and white Ford, honk her horn, pull over, and it looked like she was talking to somebody by the side of the road. She never took her hands off the wheel, and I watched the passenger door open by itself and close by itself. She never took her hands from the steering wheel, Dad. I saw it. Then she drove off, and the damn truck disappeared. It just winked out. I didn't blink, Dad, I know what I saw," Gip said. He was adamant.

"Maybe the door was ajar, and she stopped to close it tight, Son, but we should still be able to see her. Think she ran off the road?" Dan asked.

"No, Dad. Please, believe me. She never took her hands off the wheel. The door opened all the way, slammed shut, she drove away several yards, and disappeared. I swear to God, Dad. You know I wouldn't lie to you," Gip pleaded. Dan saw Gip suddenly freeze, and all the color left his face. He was ghostly white. Tears started running down his face. Then he spoke to no one Dan could see. "Oh, God, sir. Let me and my dad go to him. He's my brother and I love him. He needs me and my dad, sir," Gip said. Dan was stunned, and pull the truck over. He listened. Gip continued, "Please. Please, take care of him, sir. We love him so much."

"Mr. Uriel, Son?" Dan asked softly. Gip nodded his head, 'yes,' as tears streamed down his face. "Do you want me to go after them and investigate, Gip?"

"Naw, sir, I know who she picked up, and I gotta' let him go. We have to let him go, Dad," Gip replied. The boy broke down into heavy sobs so bad he started curling up in a ball next to his dad. Dan pulled Gip into his arms, and tried to console his son. Gip couldn't stop wailing and sobbing. Dan couldn't get him to stop, Gip was almost hysterical, but more than that, Dan couldn’t remember ever having heard a person cry with such heartfelt grief as he heard in his boy's sobs. It shook Dan Justin to the bottom of his soul. It was at that moment he fully realized how much his boy truly loved his brother and how deep their attachment was for each other. Waddie’s pain became Gip’s pain. "Mr. Uriel told me to let him go. He’s with him. He'll talk good care of him. He’ll protect him," Gip said.

"Who, Son? Waddie?" Dan asked.

Gip nodded his head. "Morgan almost beat him to death, Dad. Waddie's lost a lot of blood. Mr. Uriel made him invisible to everyone but the lady what picked him up. Said her name was Mrs. Jessup. Morgan beat him really bad, Dad, way beyond his other beatings. He tried to break my brother, but he couldn't. Take me home, Dad, please. I can't go into town with you, I'm so sorry. You know I love you, Dad, but that was my brother, and he's been forced to run away because of Morgan's cruel insanity. Oh, God. If I could only be with him, not to run away, but to be with him, to help him, Dad. I know you understand."

"Sure, Son, I understand. We can go to town tomorrow. I'll take you home. We need to call Buck immediately, anyway. Can we go after them?" Dan asked.

"Naw, sir. He told us not to. Wouldn't do us no good no ways. We wouldn't find them. He made the truck invisible so's we wouldn't follow. Waddie has to be by himself for a while, he said, and for me and you to be strong and pray for him," Gip related.

"Did he tell you anything else, Son?" Dan asked.

"I won't lie to you, Dad, yes, he did, but I can't tell you. Don't ask me to, Dad." Gip broke into sobs again.

This time, Dan lost it, but knew he had to be strong for his boy. "Shuuu, Son. It's gonna' be all right. God knows what he's doing. He'll protect Waddie. He loves him as much as we do. We have to trust him, Son," Dan consoled his boy.

That was it. Dan had all he could take it of Morgan's unwarranted cruelty. He was ready to go shoot Morgan. If Buck didn't have all his guns he would have. He drove Gip home, and Gip ran to the loft in the new barn to be alone to cry. Dan let him go. Gip needed to be by himself for a while, and then he would go to him. Dan needed to tell Jimmy Sue and call Buck.

* * * * * * *
The Kindness of Strangers and The Good Samaritan

Waddie knew they couldn't see him. It was an empty feeling. Two people he most loved in his life didn't even notice him. He walked on a bit more and heard a horn honk behind him. It was a little old lady in a yellow and white pickup truck loaded with groceries. She was headed for her place on the other side of the interstate, and could she give him a lift? Waddie got in and sat on his butt for the first time since his beating. His ass was wet from the blood oozing through his Wranglers. He hesitated sitting on her seat. "Don't chu' worry none, Son. H’it's an old truck. Them seats is just cheap vinyl. Wash right off. You're dad beat chu' pretty bad this time, didn't 'nee?" she asked like she knew about it.

"Yes, ma'am," Waddie replied quietly. He wasn't going to cry, but the tears came anyway. They were tears of relief of being out of a bad situation and feeling safe in the seat of the kind old lady's puckup truck. It was only then he realized how close he came to death's door.

"I'm so sorry, Son, but we'll get you to the interstate, and you can get a ride into Austin. Yore’ ride will be along about five minutes after I let you out. Don't be afraid. Mr. Uriel done told me to pick you up and take you to the interstate. I know'd him for sometime. He watches over me, you, and your loved ones including your uncle, our fine new sheriff. You know he's your dad, don't you?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am," Waddie replied politely.

The lady didn't say much, but she did tell Waddie her name was Mrs. Jessup. She told him she didn't have any family left. She had two boys killed in the war, and her daughter was murdered by her drunken husband. He was in prison. Mrs. Jessup's husband passed away almost twenty years ago, but she was happy. She was living, and getting by. They came to the interstate, and Mrs. Jessup pulled over to let Waddie out. "God bless you, child. I know He has and He will continue. He ain’t deserted you. He won’t leave you. You’ll be okay. Mr. Uriel is right beside you. He'll protect you. Mr. Franz will be along in about five minutes," she said.

"Thank you, Mrs. Jessup. I'm sorry 'bout yore’ kids. I feel bad you’s all alone. When I get back, I'd be proud to be yore’ grandson if'n you'll have me," Waddie replied.

Mrs. Jessup got tears in her eyes. "I'd like that, Waddie. I'd be downright proud to think on you as my grandson. Take care and go with my love," she added.

"Thanks, Mrs. Jessup," Waddie replied and tried to smile but his heart wasn't in it.

Mrs. Jessup drove off with a tear in her eye and a prayer in her heart. Waddie was getting weak, and Mr. Uriel told him to sit down. Waddie did, but he no sooner sat down than he passed out and fell over on his side. When he came to, he was riding in a big, eighteen-wheeler truck. A huge bear of a man was driving. Waddie found a comfortable quilt thrown over him, and his head was on a soft, downy pillow. "Feeling better, little buddy?" the huge man asked. Waddie nodded and tried to sit up but couldn't. He felt a big strong hand pat him gently to console him. "Take it easy, boy. Rest. When you feel a little better, we'll stop and get some’um to eat. I'm Mr. Franz -- Herschel Franz. Just call me 'Bubba.' S'what all them other truckers call me." Bubba kept his big hand on Waddie except when he had to shift. His hand was like his uncle's arms, it was medicinal. Waddie went to sleep and woke up with his head in Bubba's lap. He'd crawled up in his sleep and put his head in Bubba's lap.

Bubba had a big smile on his face. "Think you could eat some’um, Waddie?" he asked in a concerned voice. How did this man know his name? He never told him. Mr. Uriel must've told him.

"Yes, sir, but I ain't got me no money, Bubba," Waddie replied.

Bubba laughed. "Don't chu' worry none about 'tat. You let old Bubba worry 'bout it. I just wanna' see you pack it away, Son. You need food to replenish your system and the blood you lost. Still feel pretty weak don't cha'? Yeah, well, you'll feel better after you eat, and old Bubba's gonna' get us a motel to stay in for the night."

They stopped, but Waddie couldn't get down out of the truck. The blood dried and stuck to his pants. Every time he moved it would tear the scabs away, his wounds would start bleeding again, and it was painful. Bubba hoisted Waddie into his arms and carried him into a truck stop diner. A waitress saw Bubba walk in carrying Waddie and motioned Bubba to a back area off the main dinning room. Bubba set Waddie in the vinyl seat and sat on the opposite side from him. Waddie drank two glasses of water and was starting on his third when Bubba stopped him. "Woah, boy. Easy with the water. Let's get some food in ya.' What do ya' wanna' eat?" the big trucker asked.

Waddie just shrugged his shoulder. He couldn't think about food. He couldn't think about anything but what he lost. He lost the only dad he knew until he was five years old. His gut ached more for the loss of Morgan's love that it did for his own ass.

"Bring him the trucker's special with the eggs scrambled, and a big slab a' ham, Louise. I'll have the same. Thanks, hon. Oh, and bring us both a big orange juice, big glass a' moo for my buddy, and coffee for me." Bubba looked over at Waddie with the kindest eyes. Waddie saw one tear roll down the big man's face. Bubba wasn't a good looking man unless you thought Grizzly bears were handsome, but there was something about him that made Waddie trust him. All Waddie could think about was sleeping in the big man's arms. He imagined Bubba as his very own giant teddy bear.

"Thank you for picking me up, Bubba. You're a good man. I love you for being my good Samaritan, Bubba," Waddie said quietly almost on the verge of tears.

"Now, let's not get all blubbery, here. You already done know'd I love you, kiddo. The Old Man sent me to take care of you and get you into Austin. I'll take you to some other men I know what'll get you room and board at the place they're staying. So, you're a friend of Uriel's, too?" he asked.

Waddie shook his head. Louise returned with coffee, orange juice, and milk for Waddie. "Your orders'll be up in a sec, sugar," Louise told Bubba and winked at Waddie.

"She's a good ol' gal, Son. She knows Mr. Uriel, too. Helped her out of some pretty bad spots. Hell, he's helped us all. Helped chore’ dad. Save his life on Iwo Jima," Bubba said. How could Bubba know all this unless Mr. Uriel told him? Of course, that had to be it. To hear Bubba refer to Buck as Waddie's dad lit a fire in Waddie's heart, and he was suddenly very hungry. Good thing, because yonder come Louise with a mountain of food. The trucker's special consisted of chicken fried steak smothered in a tasty white gravy, three scrambled eggs, a big piece of ham, hash brown potatoes and three small pancakes, with biscuits, butter, and honey. Waddie never saw so much food on one table for two people in his life. He attempted a smile.

"There, ‘at's what I wanna' see, buddy. A smile on that handsome face of yorn. I know’d it's hard, Son, but it's over now, and it won't be too long before your Aunt Linda discovers you're her kid. In the meantime, you gotta’ heal both your body and your spirit. They's plenty of loving people who are gonna' help you do that, including me. Now, eat up. I don't expect you to eat ever’ bite, but do yore’ best. Eat 'til you can't eat no more, then eat just a little bit more," Bubba encouraged him.

"Waddie dug in and ate like he hadn't eaten in a week. Suddenly, the food smelled and tasted wonderful. The steak melted in his mouth, and the gravy was unbelievably good. Louise, the waitress came back around and stood next to Bubba with her hand lightly resting on his shoulder. "How's he doing, sug? Looks to me like he's doing pretty good. More coffee, sug?" Lousie poured without waiting for an answer.

Bubba smiled at her. "Don't know what his adopted dad had on his mind to do what he done to that boy. Think, Sid, over to the motel's got any rooms left?" Bubba asked Lousie.

"I'll get on the horn and give him a holler. Single or double, sug?" she asked.

"Don't matter none. My little buddy's probably gonna' bunk it in with me anyway. I can tell a buddy what needs some love’n when I see's me one," Bubba replied and winked at Waddie. Waddie smiled and just nodded his agreement.

Another huge trucker walked over to the booth. "Fine looking running buddy ya' got t'ere, Bubba," the big trucker said, winked and grinned at Waddie. Waddie smiled at him.

"Ain't he though? Prettier'n a' stacked out Jimmy with sidewalls. Howdy, Red Dog, good to see ya' again. Staying out of trouble, Son?" Bubba asked.

"Oh, hell, no. You know me, Bubba, living life for the moment. Didn't mean to interrupt you men, but the boys and me took up a little collection for yore’ running buddy here," Red Dog said and handed Bubba a wad of rolled up bills.

Bubba stuffed it in his shirt pocket, and shook Red Dog's hand. "Right nice of you guys, Red Dog. Do me the favor of thanking all of 'um for us. Soon's we finish, I gotta' get him over to the motel, get him cleaned up, take some pictures of his butt and backside to send to his uncle, the sheriff, and git him to bed. We both need a good long nap. I picked him up on a run straight out of Phoenix. He's lying on the side of the road passed out look'n like a piece of road-kill. I been on the road too long to go anymore. I know you know his uncle, Buck Claymore," Bubba said.

"Oh, hell, yes. One of the finest men I ever did know. Shore’ glad he done got elected sheriff of that county. Don't have to pay out the ass to that other County Mountie som'bitch what used ta' pinch us in the butt ever' damn time we'd go through there," Red Dog said with disgust.

"What you don't know is you're looking at Buck's son sitting ‘nair, his only kid," Bubba said.

"Son of a bitch if'n he don't look a lot like Buck. Son, you got chore’self a real fine, one hell of a dad, in that man. He didn't do that to you," Red Dog said like he knew Buck wouldn't do anything like that to a child, especially his own. Waddie shook his head as he finished the steak, eggs, ham, and started in on the hot cakes. He finished the orange juice and was halfway through a huge glass of milk.

"Naw, brother. It was his adopted dad. It's a long story. Buck don't know Waddie's his son yet, but he will 'afore the summer’s out. That's why I gotta' get some pictures while his wounds are fresh so's I can get 'um back to Buck. After Waddie heals a while and decides to go home, the sheriff will have the pictures as evidence of child abuse. The kid needs protection. He could a' died from a beating like that if’n Uriel weren't with him taking care of him."

"Shit. I'll say he's gotta' be Buck's boy. Look how much he's eat'n. Good for you, Son." Red Dog winked and said his goodbyes. Waddie shook his hand and thanked him for his and the other drivers' kindness. He'd never forget them.

"Here ya' go, sugar. A single was all Sid had left but it's got a big king size bed. Good thing I called him. Brought me the key just a minute ago," Louise said as she handed Bubba the key.

"Thank ya,' darlin.' You take good care of us trucker bums. We love ya', sweetheart."

"Hell, Bubba, if'n it weren't for you guys, I wouldn't have me no family. Ya'll been damn good to me, too, sugar. More coffee, hon?"

"Just a little, sweetie. We gotta' get Waddie cleaned up and hit the sack."

"Bring his clothes back over, and I'll have 'um ready for you tomorrow morning, sugar. If I ain't here, they'll be in a sack behind the counter with yore’ name on it. I'll leave a note for Daisy."

"Mighty kind of you, Louise. He don't need to get an infection. Got some ointment with me what'll keep him from gettin' infected, and I'll warsh him real good tonight." The men finished, and Bubba paid the bill. He left Louise a ten dollar tip. Waddie tried to get up, but it hurt too damn much. It hurt him so bad tears started running down his face. He was trying hard to be brave. Bubba got a pained expression on his face like he felt the same pain Waddie was feeling. "Here, little buddy, let old Bubba carry ya.' It won't be so bad tomorrow, I promise." Bubba gently carried Waddie over to the motel and took him into the room. He laid him on his stomach on the bed. He got a huge towel from the bathroom and put it under Waddie. "Lie there a minute, Son, and I'll be right back. Gotta' go get my gear out of the truck," Bubba said.

Waddie was sound a sleep when Bubba returned. He was tempted to let the boy lie there all night, but he was afraid of infection if he didn't take care of Waddie's wounds. He gently reached under Waddie and undid his Wranglers. He pulled his boots off and his socks. Bubba gently pulled his pants off of him. Waddie never woke up. Good. The kid didn't need anymore pain today. It was gonna' be bad enough getting him cleaned up. Bubba managed to get his shirt off then covered him with the old quilt he brought from the truck. Bubba shook his head from disbelief at the child's butt and back. Bubba put Waddie's clothes in a brown paper grocery bag and walked them over to Louise. She promised she'd have them back early in the morning. She knew Bubba got up early and hit the road. Said she might have to pull a double shift if the new girl didn't show up.

Bubba tried to hand her another ten dollars. "This one's on me, Bubba. Lemme’ do some’um for the poor kid. You and the guys have done a lot for me and him. I'll have ‘um here in the morning for ya', sugar."

"Thanks, sweetheart. You're one in a million," Bubba meant what he said.

"Aww, go on with ya'. Love you, too, sugar." Lousie took the bag to the back and put it with her things. She asked the owner Al if he'd mind if she washed the kid's clothes that was with Bubba. He was beaten pretty bad by his dad and there was a lot of blood and dirt. He told her, by all means, go ahead. She took Waddie's clothes to the large commercial washer and dryer in the back and put them in. They were done by the time Louise finished her shift. She put them in a clean bag with Bubba’s name on it and set it under the counter. Then she went home. She was dog tired, but a good tired. Her heart was at peace. She did her good deed for the day. Maybe one more star for her crown. 'Hell,' she thought, 'to hell with the star, I'm just happy I could do it for the boy.’ Mr. Uriel took care of it. She got five big stars. Louise had a heart bigger than her pocket book, but she had more stars in her crown than you could count. Stars that shown like diamonds, and there wasn't enough money in the world to buy even one of them.

* * * * * * *
Bubba returned to the motel room and quietly opened the door. Waddie was still asleep. He got out his flash Kodak and took eight color pictures of Waddie's back and butt. He saved four exposures for pictures of the hand print, black eye and busted lips on Waddie's face. It was even worse than about and hour ago, but Bubba knew he had to get him up and in the shower. He threw the blanket back over him and undressed. He decided to let the boy sleep for another hour then get him up. He lay there beside Waddie looking at him wondering how any man who loved his child could do such a cruel thing.

'He must be one insane mother fucker. Wonder what Buck Claymore's gonna' do to this guy when he finds out the truth, that the boy's his son? I wouldn't want to be him.' Bubba thought. Then he prayed. His prayer was simple. He thanked the Lord for his goodness to him. Protect and guide him as he always has, and give him strength and courage to help this boy. An hour passed and Waddie tried to roll over, but it hurt so bad he couldn't. He saw Bubba's big hulking frame buck ass naked standing next to him looking down at him. "Damn, Bubba, from the neck down you're one hell of a good looking man," Waddie said as he winked at Bubba.

Bubba threw back his head and roared with laughter. "Feel'n better, little buddy?" Bubba asked.

"In my heart, I feel just fine, Bubba, but my ass hurts like a mother fucker," Waddie tried humor to lighten the mood.

Bubba didn't want to, but he laughed again. "Sorry, little buddy, but it was funny the way you said it."

"I meant for it to be, Bubba. You been s'damn good to me." Waddie started crying.

Bubba sat on the edge of the bed and held Waddie as best he could. He knew the kid ached everywhere. "I know you feel like you been run over by a Mack truck, but the Old Man and Uriel says I gotta’ get chu’ into the shower to clean you real good. I got some ointment what will help take away some of the pain. Think you can get up, sweetheart? I'll help you or carry you, whichever you think best," Bubba said quietly.

"I think I can walk, Bubba. Just lemme' lean on you," Waddie said. Waddie held onto Bubba and walked with him into the bathroom.

"Stand still for a minute, Waddie. I gotta' take four pictures of your fucked-up, pretty little face for yore’ uncle. Try’n look as dejected and hurt as possible," Bubba said.

"Won't take much acting, Bubba," Waddie replied.

Bubba took his pictures then started the shower. He got the water good and warm. He lifted Waddie up and stood him in the shower away from the spray. He wanted to let the boy ease his way into it. Waddie did and winced a couple of times but the warm water felt good. It was like the hurt and pain was being washed away, not only from his body but his soul as well. Bubba got in behind him and pulled the curtain. Waddie threw his arms around Bubba's waist and hugged him close so they both were in the water. Bubba gently enfolded his little buddy in his huge arms and held him close. Waddie reached up and found Bubba's mouth and kissed him gently. Bubba kissed him back just as gently. "Thanks, Bubba, I needed that."

"I know you did, cowboy, and it weren't too bad for me neither. Look at me," Bubba said looking down at his own crotch. Waddie giggled. Bubba had a big ol' hard-on. "Don't let it scare you none, sweet buckaroo, I'm here to take care of you, not to take advantage of you. That just means I find you attractive and from the looks of your ol' flag pole, I'd say old Bubba ain't too shabby in yore' eyes neither."

"Damn straight, Bubba. You be a fine looking hombre. One I'd be proud to bunk it in with," Waddie said.

"No more talk like that. We got work to do. Now, I got a special soap the druggist told me to buy what fights infection. So you let me take care of you first, and then, I'll get me cleaned up."

Bubba was like an angel touching Waddie. He didn't worry about washing him good from the front. He got everything including washing Waddie's dick for him. Waddie got hard and told Bubba that meant he love him. Bubba laughed. He turned Waddie around and most of the scabs washed off his backside; however, the raw bleeding skin and bruises were fully evident. Bubba was supremely gentle, but he made damn sure he got Waddie clean. Waddie had to grit his teeth a couple of times, but knew Bubba wouldn't hurt him for the world. They finished and Bubba dried Waddie first and then himself. He put another role of film in his camera and took twelve more exposures in the bathroom with Waddie's flesh and blood showing on his butt. He took pictures of Waddie's darkened, bruised face, black eye, and bleeding lips.

"I'm gonna' send these back to Buck so's he can have evidence of child abuse to get you out of your dad's hands. I ain't gonna' tell him where you are. That'll be up to you to let them know when you feel ready to go home. I'll take you into Austin to some good ol' boys what'll help you. You can stay with them for a while. Bubba laid Waddie across the bed on a clean dry towel and applied the ointment he had in his bag. It did take some of the hurt and sting away. Bubba didn't worry about getting the sheets soiled with Waddie's blood. He'd take it up with Sid in the morning and pay for new sheets if they couldn't be cleaned.

Bubba wanted to hold Waddie in the worst way. Waddie wanted him to. "I can't put my backside to you like I'd like to, Bubba, but would you mind holding me for a minute before we go to sleep," Waddie asked.

"I'll hold you all night long, if'n you need it, little buddy." Bubba gently pulled Waddie to his big massive chest and held him tight. That's all it took to let the hurt and pain come flooding out. This was the time Bubba needed the Old Man to give him strength. The boy was heaving in gut wrenching sobs. He wasn't yelling or crying loud. It was just like he got his soul wet and was wringing it out to hang on a line to dry. Bubba was praying silently for Uriel and the Old Man to keep his huge backbone from turning to Jello from the pain coming from this beautiful child. He wanted to scream at the top of his powerful voice at any and all demons that were within shouting distance. 'This child is under Bubba's protection tonight, you will not touch him or you will have a demon nastier that you ever dreamed of at your throat. Be strong Bubba. Get mad, so's you don't lose it. Be strong for the boy,' he thought, and he was strong for Waddie.

"Get it all out, buckaroo. It's over now. You're safe in Bubba's arms tonight. This old face is guaranteed to scare the meanest of bad things away from my little buddy. Nothings gonna' hurt you no more while you're in Bubba's charge. Just let it all out. You can't start to heal 'til you get the bad stuff out." Waddie took the big, wonderful man's advice and used him as a sounding board. Waddie couldn't cry anymore and was physically exhausted. Bubba lovingly turned the boy on his stomach and gently pulled the covers over him. Waddie drifted off to sleep. 'Forgive me, Father,' Bubba prayed as he leaned over and kissed Waddie on his cheek before turning out the light. The Old Man more that forgave the big man, He told Uriel to make a note: Bubba has saint potential. “Watch that man, Uriel. Lemme’ know," He commanded his angel.

Waddie's dreams were fitful, but he slept comfortably, considering. He woke up several times and felt himself in Bubba's big furry arms. 'He's like sleeping with a big old bear,' thought Waddie, 'one hell of a fine Grizzly. Damn, he be warm.' Waddie drifted off to sleep again. Waddie dreamed of running through a field of Bluebonnets as far as the eye could see, on a clear, warm spring day, laughing and giggling as Buck chased him. They were naked as the day they were born. Buck finally caught up with Waddie grabbed him up into his arms, spun around with him several times, and looked deep into Waddie's blue eyes, the color of fine lapis lazuli. Waddie saw his own dark pools reflected from his dad's eyes. They were the kindest, most loving eyes he ever looked into. "You're safe now, Son," the big cowboy whispered quietly with all the love in his heart.

"I love you, Dad," The boy said quietly to his father before he gently kissed him. Buck Claymore lay down with his son, Waddie Claymore, enfolded in his huge arms and rocked him gently to sleep in the warmth of the afternoon sun lying among the Bluebonnets and Indian Paint Brushes, stealing kisses from his beloved sleeping man-child, one by one.

End Of Chapter 11 ~ Cabbage Patch Cowboy
Copyright © 2004/2013 ~ Waddie Greywolf
All rights reserved ~
Mail to: waddiegreywolf@yahoo.com
Proofed: 12/30/2012
WC 17342

Footnotes:

* A church key = an irreverent name given to a nasty looking, sharp, pointed tool used to open beer cans before 'pop tops' were invented. They usually, but not always, had a bottle opener on the other end for opening bottles before 'twist offs' were invented. ("Am I that old?" the author asks rhetorically.)

*totentanz = German for 'dance of death' or 'deadly dance.'