Cabbage
Patch
Cowboy
By
Waddie Greywolf
Chapter
13
Waddie went with
Bubba to get a room at the motel. The clerk was a nice elderly
lady. She asked Bubba if Waddie was his boy. "No, Ma'am. Wish't he was,
but he's my brother's boy. He came
with me as my running buddy to get away from a bully in town what was
beat'n up on him," Bubba said and used my story.
"Well, I'll
swan, looks like he popped you a good'un, Son. Good idea, coming
with your uncle," she said.
Waddie just
nodded and smiled sweetly to the lady. He really wanted to tell
her he always enjoyed 'coming' with his big bear uncle. She gave
Bubba the key. He and Waddie walked back to the truck to get
Bubba's gear. Waddie started laughing on the way to the
truck. Bubba took one look at him, raise an eyebrow, and
laughed, too. He read his little buddy's mind. The room was
nice, comfortable, and clean. Waddie helped Bubba with his stuff,
took a leak, then returned to the room. "I'm starve'n,
Waddie. How 'bout chu,' cowboy?" Bubba asked rubbing his big
hands together.
"Yes, sir, I
shore’ 'nuff could eat some'um," Waddie replied, stood up, threw his
arms around his hero, and hugged him. He looked up just in time
to find Bubba's face and kissed him full on the mouth. Bubba
kissed him gently and let Waddie take the lead. Waddie didn't
intend for it to be more than a gentle kiss of thanks. Bubba read
him immediately. Waddie drew back and looked at the big
man. "Thanks for being there for me, Bubba. Thanks for
today. Thanks for being you. I hope you don't mind if I
tell you I love you, 'cause I do. Ain't never had no man be so
damn good to me at first meeting except my Uncle Buck. You got
the same love in you he has for me, and I don't feel alone," Waddie
said quietly.
"Y'ain't alone,
Waddie. You can tell old Bubba every hour on the hour you love
him, and he won't never get tired a hear’n it. Ain't never fell
in love with any man, woman, boy, or beast as fast as I fell for you,
cowboy. We stopped and fed the truck back a' ways, c’moan, let's
us go put on the feed bag," Bubba said stealing another kiss, and they
left the room for the truck stop diner. On their way across the
parking lot, in front of the monster trucks, Waddie stopped and looked
up into the night sky. He found the constellation of Orion and looked
for the star in the middle of the three forming the great hunter's
belt. He looked straight up from the middle star to see a bright
reddish-orange star. The bright star represented Orion's left
shoulder. It's a star called Betelgeuse. Buck taught him
how to find it.
"See that bright
red star, up and to the left of Orion's belt, Bubba?" Waddie asked and
pointed to the star.
"You mean that
bright star right there?" Bubba asked pointing his finger at the same
star.
"Yes, sir. It's
the ninth brightest star in the night sky. That's my Uncle
Buck's and my star. It's called Betelgeuse," Waddie said with
confidence. Bubba chuckled, he thought Waddie was setting him up
again.
"Beetle Juice?"
Bubba asked cautiously.
"Yeah, I
know. When Buck told me I laughed like you did waiting for the
punch line, but it never came. I looked it up in a star map book
my great aunt gimme’ for Christmas one year, and it really is the name
of the star, but it's spelled differently. He picked that one
because the name would be easy to remember. My dad Buck, he ain't
no dummy. Ever’ night when I'm away from him, all I gotta' do it
look up at that star, and I know he's looking at it, too. He's
sending me his love, and I send mine back to him. Just think, my
love travels faster'n the speed of light all the way to that star and
bounces back to my dad," Waddie said sincerely. He knew better
but it was nice thought.
"That's
beautiful, Son. You wanna' call him after supper? Let him
know you're safe, being loved, cared for, and will be in touch with him
regularly," Bubba asked.
"You think it
would be a good idea, Bubba?" Waddie asked like he needed Bubba's
approval.
"Sure do,
cowboy. It 'ud go a long way to making yore’ dad feel better and
not worry so much," Bubba assured him.
It was one of
the first times anyone referred to Buck as Waddie's dad. A pride
welled up inside Waddie as he took Bubba's big hand and suddenly his
discomfort from Morgan's beating didn't hurt him quite so much. They
continued walking to the diner, but Waddie was walking just a little
taller, proud he was the son of a good man. Bubba gently squeezed
his little buddy's hand to let him know, he wasn't alone. They
walked into the diner, and a large group of truckers started hollering
and yelling, waving their arms for Bubba and his buddy to join them.
A short, plump,
little waitress ran to Bubba with her arms open. "Bubba! Oh, Bubba,
h’it's so good to see ya' again," she cried. Bubba
hugged and kissed her, "And I'll bet this here's your new running
buddy, Waddie, we been hear'n so much about," she said as she grabbed
Waddie and gave him a big hug. "Welcome, Waddie, I'm Peggy Sue. Come
on, honey," she said to Waddie taking him by the hand to lead him
and Bubba to seats with about fifteen or twenty other truckers. "Ya'll
just sit chore’ fannys down rye-cheer, and I'll get ya'll some'um to
drink,” she gushed.
"Iced tea for
me, sweetheart. You want milk or iced tea tonight, cowboy?" Bubba
asked.
"Iced tea sounds
real good, Bubba," Waddie replied in his best West Texas cowboy
drawl. Peggy Sue heard him, nodded her head, and was on her
way. Bubba introduced Waddie around, and he shook every driver's
hand. Several were there from breakfast he remembered. He
remembered their name's and was mannerly by referring to them as
'Mister.' There was one man who couldn't take his eyes off Waddie
and Waddie was hoping he wouldn't. His name was Darrell, and he
was a fine looking man.
"What duya'
wanna' eat, young'un?" Bubba asked Waddie.
"Would you order
for me, Bubba? Y'ain't done bad so far. Whatever you order
for me, I'll eat. I ain't picky 'bout food. I'll eat most
anything, 'cep'n hominy. I know grits is made from the same
stuff. I like grits but there's just something vile about hominy
to me," Waddie said and scrunched up his nose. Bubba and the
other truckers laughed. A couple agreed with him. Peggy Sue
brought their drinks, and she took Bubba's ordered for them.
"Let's us have
the cattle hauler's special, hon. Mine medium rare and my buddy's
a little past medium. Bring us both a big glass of moo, too,
hon. We'd appreciate it," Bubba said.
"You got it,
darlin,'" Peggy Sue replied as off she went, refilling the trucker's
coffee mugs along the way.
"Gentlemen,
you're looking at one of the best story tellers I run across in many a
moon," Bubba announced to his buddies. The truckers were looking
at Waddie, smiling and talking back and forth. "This little man
can tell the most outrageously funny stories you ever done heard in
your life. He had me laughing my ass off. I was laughing so
hard, I had to pull off into a rest stop to get control of
myself. I made him stop 'til we got here 'cause I know’d how much
you guys love a good story. These are true stories of what Waddie
and his buddies did to get back at his older step-brother. His
step-brother would do stuff and blame it on Waddie so's his adopted dad
would beat him. His step-brother would get his ma and sister to
lie so's they could get the kid in trouble with his dad. His dad
would beat the kid senseless trying to make Waddie admit he done it,
but the boy wouldn't, because he refused to lie to his dad," Bubba told
them.
“‘At why yore’
face is that way, Son?" the good looking trucker named Darrell asked
Waddie shaking his head.
"Yes, sir,"
Waddie replied quietly.
"I'll admit it
looks pretty bad," Bubba added, "but nothing like his back and
butt. His little ass looks like ground round. Take it from
me, h’it ain't pretty," Bubba said with a frown. The truckers
told Waddie they were sorry, and he thanked them for their
concern. Bubba continued, "Ever' time his step-brother would set
Waddie up. Waddie and his three buddies he looks on as his
brothers, would do the most awful things to his step-brother. They're
awful damn funny as well. I'll let him tell ya.'
Cowboy, tell 'em about the mysterious disease your step-brother came
down with," Bubba urged Waddie.
Peggy Sue
brought small salads for Bubba and Waddie and set them down in front
off them. She heard Bubba on the way and lingered to hear Waddie
start his story. It didn't take long before every trucker and
Peggy Sue were laughing their asses off. Even Bubba was laughing
again. They stopped Waddie and wouldn't let him go on for a
minute. Peggy Sue looked at Waddie with tears in her eyes.
"Not another word, young man, until I get back. I don't wanna’
miss a word of this," she said. That made the truckers laugh even
harder. Peggy Sue went off to get their orders and waited another
table on her way. She told the manager/owner about Waddie. He came over
and sat down to listen.
The other three
waitress came over to stand next to Bubba and Waddie to listen. Peggy
Sue brought out two arm loads of food for Bubba and Waddie. Waddie's
eyes got real big when he saw the size of the t-bone steak
Peggy Sue set in front of him. It had all the trimmings. Bubba told him
to eat as much as he could, then a little more, and he'd
be proud of him. They started in, and Waddie started his story up
again. Five more truckers joined them, and one of the other
waitress went to get them coffee. Waddie got to the place where
Willie bought a new reed for his clarinet and was able to speak several
sentences after a week and a half. Waddie stressed how proud
Willie was he was able to speak even that much after being silent for a
month and a half.
He told about
climbing through Willie's window and painting the new reed. Willie was
once again struck 'dumb.' You could hear the laughter
way out in the parking lot. The truckers were hitting the table
and slapping their legs. The manager had to take his apron and
wipe his eyes. Surprisingly, Waddie was doing a good job of
eating his steak. It was damn good. He was packing it
away. Bubba looked over a couple of times, nodded and
smiled. He was proud of his little buddy. Waddie came to
the end of the story and told the men his uncle, the sheriff, had to
practically sit on the four boys to get them to stop. Poor Willie
remained silent for a little over six months. When he finished
the story and the men settled down, the truckers stood and applauded
Waddie for his story. The manager pulled his chair closer.
"Okay. Okay. You
thought that one was funny? That was just a
warmup," Bubba said, "I ain't even heard the best parts of this next
story, because it's so damn funny from the get-go, I told him to save
it for later tonight. I was laughing so hard I couldn't drive the
damn truck. I knew you guys would love it. It has to be the
most outrageously funny pay back story I ever heard in my life.
This is a story about Ms. Pearl," Bubba announced.
Waddie started
from the very beginning remembering Oatie's telling and delivery. He
had the men jumping out of their chairs when he told them what his
Uncle Enid told his uncle, the sheriff. He told the men about Ms.
Pearl and how tame she became, but she wouldn't let anybody near her
boys. The men couldn't believe it. A couple thought Waddie
had to be making up the story. Bubba assured the men he
wasn't. "It really happened the way he said it did. This
kid don't lie. He's a true Texan. He may enlarge or stretch
a story, but that only adds flavor," Bubba said. That only made
the story funnier for the men
About five or
six more truckers came over to listen, and the couple who were at Peggy
Sue's other table couldn't help but come over and hear what the
truckers found so funny with this young man's story. They, too,
were captivated and soon laughing as much as the truckers. When
he finished Ms. Pearl's story, they were laughing and crying, holding
each other. They laughed for five minutes. Then they stood up and
applauded Waddie. Even his buddy stood and applauded
for him. He thanked them for listening. They talked to
the truckers and listen to a couple of their stories as they finished
their meal. Waddie was keeping up with Bubba bite for bite.
Bubba couldn't believe what the boy was putting away. The manager
snapped his fingers at Peggy Sue, she walked over, he whispered
something to her, and she ran off to the kitchen. In a minute she
came back with two plates. Each had a huge slab of German
chocolate cake and a couple of scoops of ice cream for Waddie and
Bubba. Waddie didn't save room for dessert, but he sure as hell
wasn't going waste his favorite chocolate cake and ice cream.
Peggy Sue told
him and Bubba it was on the manager, Ben, who was sitting there. They
thanked him, and Waddie ate every bit of his. After a while
Peggy Sue cleared the dishes away and Bubba asked her for the
check. She whispered something to Bubba and his eyes lit
up. Not only did the manager buy their dessert, he paid for their
entire meals. Bubba told Waddie. Waddie stood, shook Ben's
hand and graciously thanked him for the meal. It was the best
food he'd eaten in a long time. So did Bubba.
"Young man, you
earned those meals for you and your running buddy. Funniest damn
stories I ever heard, and you told them well. You come back to
see us, Son," Ben said and he was serious. Waddie told him he'd
try. Bubba left Peggy Sue a twenty dollar tip anyway. She
ran those tiny little legs of hers off for them. Bubba and
Waddie were tired and excused themselves. Every man there came
around for a hug or a handshake. The good looking trucker Darrell
wanted a hug and so did Waddie. Waddie found out why. He
had a huge cock, and it was hard as a rock. He wanted Waddie to
feel it. Waddie smiled at him.
He pulled the
man's head down to whisper to him. "I feel the same way 'bout
you, Mr. Darrell." Waddie stole a kiss and the man roared with
laugher. He wasn't coming on to the boy, he was offering Waddie a
compliment. He thought Waddie was good looking and was captivated
by his stories. He stayed hard the entire time Bubba and Waddie
were there. He knew Waddie was Bubba's running buddy and wasn't
trying to move in on Bubba's friend. He just wanted Waddie to
know how he felt and when Waddie returned the compliment he was
overwhelmed with joy and laughter.
"Sharp, young
man, ya' got there for a running buddy, Bubba. Glad to have met
him and good to see you again, too, big man," Darrell said.
They said their
goodbyes and started the long walk across the parking lot back to their
motel room. Waddie took Bubba's big hand, and Bubba didn't
hesitate to hold Waddie’s. "S'damn proud of you, cowboy. Glad I stopped
you from telling the rest of that story. I
would've wrecked the damn truck for sure." Bubba laughed again, "I knew
it was gonna' be good, but I had no idea how funny it would be. I
rarely seen that group of men laugh so much at any story, let alone the
two you told. Look what chu' done? You bought us
dinner. Thank's for dinner, buddy," Bubba said as he put his arm
around Waddie and hugged him close as they walked.
They got back to
the room, Waddie started to take his clothes off, but Bubba told him to
wait. "I want you to call Buck, and let him know you're
okay. We got plenty of money for a couple of calls if you
want. Just give the motel operator the long distance number, and
she'll call the long distance operator. They'll put you through,"
Bubba said. Waddie picked up the phone and gave the motel
operator the number and town. He heard Buck's phone ringing.
"Hello," Linda
Sue answered.
"Hello, Aunt
Linda? This is Waddie," he said trying to sound up and happy for
her.
"Oh, Waddie,
darling!" she exclaimed and started crying, "Oh, my God, Waddie, I'm so
glad to hear from you. Are you all right, sweetheart?" she asked.
"I'm fine, Aunt
Linda. I'm with a big bear of a trucker named Bubba, and he's
taking real good care of me. He's playing doctor and doing a fine
job of heal'n me up. I hardly hurt at all. I'm sorry, Aunt
Linda, I didn't mean to hurt you and Uncle Buck by running away, but I
was told to go," Waddie said started crying with his Aunt Linda, "Don't
cry, Aunt Linda, I love you so much, you mean the world to me, I'd
never do anything to hurt you," Waddie said with his voice quivering on
the brink of breaking into tears.
"I know, baby, I
know. I'm just so relieved to hear from you. Your uncle is
pacing the floor. He's about ready to yank the phone out of my
hand, so I'll let you talk to him. I love you, sweetheart.
Here, hon, it's Waddie," Linda Sue said and handed the phone to
Buck.
"Son?" Buck
asked.
"I'm here, Dad,"
Waddie broke down when he heard his uncle, his dad, begin to cry on the
other end, "I'm so sorry I ran away, Uncle Buck. It weren't to
hurt you, Aunt Linda, or any of my family. I was told to run,"
Waddie explained.
"We know,
Son. We spoke with Mr. Uriel the next day, and he done told
us. It's just -- I'm so happy to hear yore' sweet voice and so
relieved you's okay, but Waddie, we miss you so damn much. You
don't know how much me and your Aunt Linda loves you. Are you
feeling better, cowboy? I can only imagine what Morgan did to you
this time. I'm so sorry, Waddie," Buck's voice broke and Waddie
heard him blow his nose.
"It weren't your
fault, Dad. Morgan wouldn't listen to a thing Mr. Uriel told
him. Mr. Uriel told me he wanted to speak through me, and I let
him, but Morgan just hardened his heart against me. I didn't know
what to say to him. He went crazy, Uncle Buck, and beat me 'til
he come in his pants," Waddie said.
"Oh, God, Son,
I'm glad you told me, but it's something I didn't wanna' hear. I
can tell from your voice you're relieved to be out of danger and with
someone who loves you. I know Bubba's taking good care of
you. Can I speak with him for a minute?" Buck asked.
"Bubba, my Uncle
Buck would like to talk with you." Waddie handed Bubba the phone.
"Howdy, Sheriff
Claymore," Bubba said.
"No. No,
Bubba, my name's Buck, understand, Son?" he asked.
"Thanks,
Buck. I 'preciate that. You should'da seen the food your
Godson put away tonight. A salad and a huge t-bone steak
with all the trimmings. He told two of the funniest damn stories
us truckers ever heard. The owner of the place liked Waddie's
stories so much he bought and paid for our suppers. After all
that food, the scamp ate a huge piece of German chocolate cake with two
scoops of ice cream," Bubba said and laughed.
"I can't thank
you enough, Bubba, for being good to our boy. Mr. Uriel told us
about you and assured us Waddie was in good hands," Buck said.
"I'm only giving
back a little of what others have done for me, Buck. Took two
rolls of color pictures of Waddie's rear, back, and face and dropped
them in the mail this morning. I included a letter with my
contact phone number, and I plan to stop by your office in about five
days on my way back through."
"Thank's for
being thoughtful enough to do that. When you get ready to come
back through, let us know, plan on spending the evening, 'cause we'll
take you out to my brother's ranch for supper so's you can meet
Waddie's brothers and family. They all wanna’ meet you and thank
you."
"Sounds good,
Buck. I promise, I will. I'll give you a call and let you
know my schedule. I'll give you back to Waddie. Looking
forward to meeting you and Waddie's family, sir," Bubba said and handed
the phone back to Waddie.
"Uncle Buck,
you'll like Bubba. He's one of the finest men I ever met. He's got the
same kind of love inside him you do, Uncle Buck. He
don't know the meaning of the word, 'halfway.' If Bubba loves
you, it's all the way. You're the same damn way, Dad. I
don't know how to describe it, but there's some’um when I'm around him
I could swear I'm with you. By the way, on the way to the diner I
found our star and sent you my love," Waddie said.
"I got it,
cowboy. I saw it coming, and I reached up and grabbed it. I
looked up about an hour ago and sent you mine. God, I love you,
Waddie. Let us hear from you, Son. I promise, I won't ask
where you are. We trust Mr. Uriel and our Lord to do the right
thing. Just know we love you, cowboy, with all our hearts."
"I love ya'll,
too, Uncle Buck. Don't be hard on my dad, Uncle Buck, he ain't a
bad man. He's your brother, and I love him. Tell my
brothers I love them, Dad Dan and Momma Sue. Bubba said we had
enough money for a couple of calls; maybe I'll call Dad Dan, Gip, and
Momma Sue. I'll let you go now, but I'm so sorry I ran
away. It wasn't to hurt you or my family," Waddie said.
"We know,
Son. Don't go blaming yore’self. I won't be hard on your
dad, but you need to know your buddy and mine, Ed, confronted him
yesterday. Told him everything about Judy and Dorothy lying to
get your dad to whip you. Ed told him he even watched Willie cut
his pony. He admitted his affair with Judy to hammer home the
truth to your dad. Morgan was devastated and cried. I know
he loves you in his heart, but we ain't a' gonna' let you go back to
live with him no more. Mr. Uriel wants you to live with Dad Dan,
Gip, and Momma Sue when you come home. You got nothing to fear
when you decide to come home, Son. I's kinda hope'n Mr. Uriel
would let me and your Aunt Linda take care of you when you get back,
but I've trusted in the Lord this long and ain't a' gonna' stop
now. You taught me that. I keep a' pray'n like you done
told me to, Son. I wanna' believe so much that one day you'll be
mine, and I'll be yours. I love you so much, Waddie," Buck barely
got the words out before his voice broke and he started crying.
"Don't cry,
Uncle Buck. You just keep on pray'n and believing like I done
told you, and I promise, God will make it so. I love you, too,
Dad. Goodnight." Waddie gave the phone to Bubba and he hung it up.
* * * * * * *
"You call Buck,
'dad,' Waddie?"
"I got me three
dads, Bubba... Morgan Lovejoy, who raised me so far and beats me....
Uncle Buck who’s my Godfather, and my brother's dad, Dan
Justin. I call him Dad Dan. Dad Dan and Uncle Buck are
brothers. They's so close they consider themselves
brothers. Dan Justin's a hell of a man, Bubba. He means as
much to me as my real dad and Morgan. You'll fall in love with
him and my brothers, I guarantee ya'," Waddie said.
"Is he the one
you'd like to call?" Bubba asked.
"If you think
it's all right," Waddie said.
"Sure, go ahead."
"Waddie dialed
the operator and gave her the number he wanted and the town. She
gave the information to the long distance operator and the Justin's
phone began to ring.
Gip
answered. "Hello."
"Hey, little
brother. Wish't I was there to give you a big hug and a kiss, but
since I ain't, I'll just have to settle for telling you how much I love
you," Waddie said.
"Waddie! Oh,
Waddie, I love you, too. Mom, Dad, it's Waddie. How are
you, brother? Are you all right? I been so worried. I
should be with my brother," Gip said.
"I'm fine,
little brother. I'm being taken care of by one hell of a nice man
whose heart is as big as the damn truck he drives. His name's
Bubba, and you're gonna' love him. I swear to you, he has the
same love in him Buck does," Waddie said.
"Waddie, Mr.
Uriel come to me and dad and told me it was all right to confirm his
suspicions. Mom picked up on it right away when dad said
something at supper last night about yore’ birthmark. Aunt Linda
told mom about the birthmark on her baby she gave up for
adoption. Dad done figured it out like a detective. We
don't never wanna' play 'Clue' with him. They're dying to talk to
you, Waddie, but I'll make 'em let me say goodbye to you. I love
you so much, cowboy," Gip said.
Gip handed Momma
Sue the phone. "Oh, Waddie, darlin,' I'm still stunned from last
night, sweetheart. We haven't been able to talk about nothing
else. We won't never tell a soul, you know that. You have
to ask your dad, here, what happened when he saw Mr. Uriel," she said
and laughed.
"Momma Sue, it's
so good to hear your voice. You know how much I love you, and I
didn't run away to hurt you, Dad, or my brother. I had to, Momma
Sue. I hope you understand," Waddie said.
"Not another
word like that, young man. We know you didn't do it to hurt
us. We thanked God last night and will again tonight for
providing you with protection. How are you, baby? Are you
all right? Do you hurt a lot? Are you getting enough to
eat?" she asked.
"I'm being taken
care of by a wonderful man, Momma Sue. He's bigger'n a damn
Grizzly bear, but has the temperament of a teddy bear. He's
taking care of my wounds, and he's doing a good job mending my heart,
Momma Sue. I c'ain't come home for a while, but I'll call and let
cha'll know how I am."
"You call us
collect if you want to. Just let us hear from you,
sweetheart. You're a big part of our family, and we feel a great
loss when you're not with us. I'll let you talk to your
dad. He's pacing back and forth 'bout to have a conniption. I love you,
sweetheart. Here's your dad."
"Waddie, my son,
my cowboy," Dan said. He was going to be strong for his boy but
broke down when he heard Waddie's voice. Waddie started crying,
too.
"Oh, God, I love
you so much, Dad. Don't cry, I'm all right. It’s all over
now. Remember, I promised you, I done told you this was the last
one I had to go through. I'm gonna' come home to you, I
promise. We'll be together again. I wanna' come live with
you, Momma Sue, and my brother when I come back, if'n ya'll'll have me."
"You don't even
have ask, Son. You're our boy, Waddie, you belong, here, with
your family. I wish you'd a' moved in with us instead of going
back to live with Morgan. I'm so sorry for what you had to go
through, Son," Dan said through his tears.
"It weren't your
fault, Dad. You been wonderful to me. I wouldn't a' made
it, Dad, if it weren't for you, my brother, and Momma Sue's love. I
just told Bubba of my three dads it would be damn hard to choose
between Uncle Buck and you. I'm fine, Dad. Bubba's taking
real good care of me, and my wounds are healing faster than they ever
have. Don't worry about me. I got an angel by my side and a
huge Grizzly bear of a man who's become my angel down here. Treat
him nice when he comes back through, Dad. I know you'll love him
as much as I do."
"You know we
will, Son. Waddie, promise me you'll call us at least once a
week. Call us collect. That'll be fine," Dan said.
"I got money,
Dad. Them trucker friend's of Bubba's took up a collection for me
of almost three hundred dollars. I told Ms. Pearl's story to
about twenty-five of 'em tonight and the owner of the diner paid for
Bubba and my suppers. He thought my story was the funniest thing
he ever heard. So I'm all right, but I'm keeping my family in my
heart. By the way, Momma Sue told me to ask you what happened
when you saw Mr. Uriel?" Waddie asked.
"Remember you
and Gip telling me a couple of times he almost scared the crap out of
you?" Dan asked.
"Oh, Lord, Dad,"
Waddie was laughing, "please tell me you didn't," Waddie was really
laughing.
"You don't want
me to lie to you, Son. Yes, I did. I ain't ashamed of it
neither. It happened so damn quick, I didn't figure out 'til
afterwards what happened. Gip was fine, even waved to 'em, but I
had to run for the house," Dad Dan said in his best cowboy voice. They
shared a good laugh. Waddie was relaxed and his dad could feel
it. "It's so good to laugh with you again, Waddie. It's
good to hear you laugh. We can't talk about nothing else but you,
cowboy, and the miracle you'll bring Buck and Linda Sue. Momma
Sue and I won't say a word, but we're so thrilled for you and
them. We know the time is near and Mr. Uriel told Buck you'd come
back to live with us, so count on it. Have you called, Buck?" Dan
asked.
"I just got off
the phone with them. I love them so much, Dad, but I need to come
live with you, Gip, and Momma Sue for a while," Waddie said.
"Don't stay away
too long, Son. You're on all our minds, in our hearts, and in our
prayers. Yore’ brother can hardly wait. I'll let him say
goodbye to you, Son. Remember, we love you, Waddie, and we need
you. Come home to us, cowboy. Here's Gip," Dan said.
"It's so good to
hear from you, brother. Mom and dad went in the other room. How's that
big bear? Mr. Uriel said he was huge," Gip said.
"Big, warm, and
furry. He's bigger'n Uncle Buck. Just like we like 'em,
buckaroo, with a big ol' love pump," Waddie said and laughed. Bubba
grinned at him.
"Waddie, I love
you so much. You make me laugh. I miss you, Clay, down to
the bottom of my gut. There's an emptiness inside me what won't
go away until I see your face again. I'll let you go, but thanks
so much for calling. Call us again, real soon," Gip said.
"Okay, cowboy, I
promise, I will. You be good to our big bear man when you meet
him. He's a buddy. You know how to greet your buddy,
right?" Waddie asked.
"Right, big
brother. I love you."
"Love you, too,
Three G, Goodnight and God bless."
Waddie hung up
the phone and crawled across the bed to Bubba's waiting arms. He
shed a few tears, but he was gaining emotional strength. Hearing
the voice's of his family reassured him, and their love gave him
strength. Bubba could tell immediately. "You wanna' be sure
you call home at least once a week, Waddie. Them folks love you
beyond measure. I could tell by the sound of Dad Dan's voice he
was more than a little concerned about you... as much as he would be
his own kid, I'm sure. It's wonderful to have folks like that who
love you," Bubba said.
"I wouldn't have
wanted to live if the angel didn't tell me about them and Uncle Buck
was my real dad. He told me they wanted me to live for
them. They deserve my love, and I deserve theirs. I'm
almost there, Bubba, but I got one more bad thing to go through. I
don't care what it is. My angel will be by my side, and after I
come through, I'll have real parents. I don't mean to take away
from my love for my other dad Morgan. I'll always love him, but
our relationship has to change. I'll love him because I want to,
and not because he's my dad. He'll learn to love and trust me,
and I'll help him get away from them awful people."
"You think you
can forgive him, Waddie?" Bubba asked.
"Of course,
Bubba, he's my dad, I love him. He thought he was doing the right
thing, but he was so confused. Then the beatings became sexually
stimulating to him, and he beat me 'til he shot his load in his pants,"
Waddie said.
"Oh, God, sweet
baby, I been there. My old man got to where he preferred whipping
me with his bull whip to get off than sleeping with my ma. I was
getting tied up and whipped sometime three times a week. My ass
never got a chance to heal. I felt like you, if he'd just let me
make love to him, suck his dick, get him off, he wouldn't have to tell
me he loved me. Just let me give him my love. I even yelled
to him one time, 'For God's sake, Dad, if you're gonna' whip me to get
your rocks off at least yell to me you love me then make love to me
afterward.' He told me only perverts did that. Makes me
laugh to think about it today. He'd whip me 'til my ass looked
like ground round to get his rocks off, but to tell his son he loved
him would make him a pervert," Bubba sounded like a deeply hurt man.
"Then you
understand why I asked Ed to teach me how to suck a man's dick?" Waddie
asked quietly.
"Shore’ I do,
cowboy," Bubba replied.
"That's only
half the truth, though, Bubba," Waddie said with a grin.
"I done figured
that," Bubba said and giggled.
"I really enjoy
it. I like the taste, and I fell in love with Coach Ed," Waddie said.
"Ain't nothing
wrong with that. I'm pretty damn fond of it myself. You
ready to get cleaned up and hit the sack, little buddy?" Bubba asked.
"Yeah, I
am. You know what? I think lying uncovered this afternoon
helped, Bubba. You shore’ know what you’s doing. It feels a
lot better'n ‘nit did. I was able to sit there all through
supper, and it never got too uncomfortable. Thank you, Bubba,"
Waddie said to Bubba softly. He was serious.
"Com'mer,
cowboy," Bubba said, took Waddie in his big arms, and stole a kiss.
"That's what a buddy's for, Waddie, but you know that. You'd a'
done the same for me," Bubba said.
"Damn right, I
would, big man," Waddie said strongly, "Me and Gip done it for all the
smaller kids in our school what was being picked on or made fun of by
bigger kids."
"Let's get
undressed and clean up, cowboy," Bubba said.
Waddie pulled
his boots off and Bubba started getting undressed, too. It didn't
take them long to shuck their clothes and head for the shower. Bubba
set down on the toilet again. "Lemme' see, cowboy," Bubba
said. He turned Waddie's backside to him. Waddie was
right. His butt healed a lot from the time he last medicated
him. It was beginning to lose some of the redness. His face
was still bruised but even his black eye was changing from a dark
purple to a light yellowish purple.
"Looks a lot
better, cowboy. Are your jeans hurting you to wear?" Bubba asked.
"No, sir. Not a
bit," Waddie replied.
"Good.
We'll have to get you another couple of pair, but I think I'll leave
that to the boys. They got more time to do that than I do.
C’moan lets do it," Bubba said.
Bubba adjusted
the shower, and the men got in. Once again, Bubba gently and
tenderly bathed Waddie's butt, back, and face. He wasn't quite so
gentle on the rest of him, but he got him clean. Waddie insisted
he do the same for Bubba. Bubba didn't know about that, but he
thought he'd humor the kid. He was surprised, Waddie did a damn
good job, even washed his old cock ever so gently.
"Who taught you
how to do that, Waddie?" Bubba asked.
"I've been
showering with my dad Buck for about five years, ever’ chance I git,
and I get to bathe him. I couldn't when I was smaller 'cause I
couldn't reach everything. Still, he'd sit down and let me wash
and rub his tired old back for him."
Bubba got an
erection and Waddie's sprang up, too. They both giggled.
"You gonna' let
me have a big ol' taste of that pretty thing tonight, buddy?" Waddie
winked at Bubba teasingly.
"Well, I don't
know. Do you really want it? You ain't obligated,
Waddie. I'm taking care of you 'cause I love you," Bubba said.
"Yeah, I really
want to and wouldn't I be doing the same, 'cause I love you? I
need to do something for you, Bubba, and you don't need to do nothing
in return. You already done enough for me," Waddie said.
"What if I want
to?" Bubba asked.
"I wouldn't mind
but not tonight, okay? I just wanna’ offer you a bit of comfort
and relieve you, Bubba. You been driving that big old truck all
damn day. Let chore’ running buddy relax you, and then, I'll rub
your old back for ya,'" Waddie said looked into Bubba's eyes, "Please,
Bubba? Besides, I want me a big ol' taste of bear honey," Waddie added
and chuckled.
Bubba didn't say
anything but started toweling Waddie gently. When he finished,
Waddie toweled him dry, and dried his big back for him. Bubba
medicated Waddie again, they went into the bedroom turned out the
lights, but left the light on in the bath with the door barely
cracked. A small amount of light came into the room. Bubba
opened his big arms, and Waddie crawled up into a bear hug and a
kiss. This time Waddie found Bubba's mouth, gently brushed his
lips across his buddy’s as a tease and an invitation. Bubba,
gently kissed Waddie and let Waddie take over. Waddie could feel
the huge, bear-man's beautiful penis getting more erect, but Bubba was
like Ed, he never got fully erect. He was hard enough to do any
job he required of it, but it had a nice give to it. Bubba's
foreskin wasn't as long as Ed's. When Bubba became erect it
pulled back to where the head was just peaking our from underneath.
Waddie moved
down to Bubba's crotch, started licking and kissing Bubba's cock and
balls. He started slathering it up with his own saliva to help
lubricate his throat. Bubba's penis was going to present a
challenge but one for which Waddie felt he was well trained. Waddie's
B.J. coach took his job seriously and trained his buddy to
become a first class cocksucker. Bubba was beginning to writhe
under Waddie's tongue bath. Waddie took just the head into his
mouth while he grabbed Bubba's cock around the base. He plunged
the entire length down his throat, removing his hand on the way, and
didn't stop until that big sucker was all the way in his mouth.
His lips were pressed tight against Bubba's belly. Bubba sucked
in a volume of air at Waddie's rapid swallowing of his cock. His
eyes got real big, he started to pull back, afraid for the boy, but
Waddie had his hands up under Bubba's butt and was pulling him forward
locking him into his throat.
"Oh,
Waddie. Damn, cowboy. Ain't never— aaayeee— damn," Bubba called out.
Waddie felt
Bubba erupting his good hot bear honey way back down his throat.
He hung on to Bubba until he erupted another shot then quickly pulled
back to take Bubba's final volley into his mouth. He tasted like
a big old bear should, Waddie thought, strong but a little sweeter than
Ed's with a faint hint of clover. All bears love clover
honey. Waddie laughed to himself at how quickly Bubba shot. He wasn't
ready for Waddie's kamakazie attack with his
throat. He told Bubba he'd been trained good by coach
Ed. Waddie was a little smug and proud of himself. He knew
he could take that big thing with no problem. He passed the
test. He felt like he was ready for the big leagues. Bubba
pulled him up to his face and kissed Waddie in a passionate kiss.
This time Bubba didn't let Waddie take the lead. He was in charge
of this kiss. He was thanking his little buddy for taking him.
"Oh, sweet baby,
I hope I didn't disappoint you. I usually don't shoot that fast,
but I wasn't expecting that. Damn, you weren't kidding when you
told me yore’ coach trained you well. Son of a bitch, ain't never
had that happen to me before. Never had anybody take all of me,
especially on the first plunge."
"Don't be silly,
bear-man, I did exactly what I set out to do, take you, give you some
comfort, relax you, and then, rub your back for you. By the way,
your come tastes wonderful. Taste like a big bear should, strong,
wild, and sweet," Waddie declared. Bubba laughed at Waddie and
just shook his head in amazement.
"Anytime you
want another taste of bear honey, cowboy, it's yours for the
take'n. You convinced me, but next time I get to return the
favor," Bubba said.
"I can't come
yet, Bubba. My balls are just beginning to descend, my voice is
changing, I got a few hairs coming in around my dick and balls and
under me arms, but I ain't far enough along to shoot yet. I'd
rather you wait until I can give you a little more than a dry
heave. I love taking care of you, big man. Now roll over,
and let your running buddy rub your tired old back."
Bubba smiled,
kissed Waddie again quickly, and rolled over on his stomach. Waddie sat
gently on Bubba's butt and began to rub his lower back and
spine. He heard Bubba let out a deep sigh. Waddie rubbed
the big man's back really good until he heard Bubba's breathing change
and knew he drifted off to sleep. He continued rubbing him for
another five minutes or so, then lay down beside the big man on his
stomach. He no sooner pulled the sheet over them when he felt a
giant, hairy arm fall around his shoulders pulling him tight. He
felt a gentle kiss on his cheek as he drifted off to sleep.
The next
morning, Waddie moved down to Bubba's crotch and gently took him into
his mouth. Bubba immediately began to get hard. Waddie
didn't do his throat plunge. He cleaned under Bubba's foreskin
real good which began to get the big man's attention. Waddie felt
a big hand gently on the back of his head as Bubba petted him urging
him on. Then Waddie took several deep strokes on Bubba's cock and
once again felt the big man breathe deeply. Waddie held still
with Bubba's penis shoved almost all the way down his throat. He
didn't want Bubba to come right away. He was enjoying the taste
of his buddy's cock and wanted to pleasure him some more. He
began to take small strokes on Bubba's engorged penis with his
throat. Bubba was moaning and rubbing Waddie's head with both
hands. Waddie started his long sucking plunges on Bubba's dick,
and felt the vibrations as it swelled, getting ready to erupt.
"C'ain't hold it
no longer, cowboy," Bubba said quietly.
Waddie was
greedy and wanted all his running buddy's bear honey that
morning. He got it in three stout shots into his mouth. He
lay on his side gently sucking on Bubba's dick. Bubba didn't try
to get him to pull off. He was totally relaxed, breathing easy
after his climax and allowed Waddie to gently suck. Waddie rolled
a little to his side still sucking Bubba and started jacking off.
The better it felt the more of Bubba's semi-flaccid penis he worked
down his throat. He was in heaven. He didn't stop until
once again his lips were pressed tightly against Bubba's pubic hair on
his belly. Waddie was gently working it and felt Bubba swelling
once again. He wanted to time it perfectly. He stopped
jacking off, and reached up with his hand to pull the skin back on
Bubba's dick to expose the head in his throat.
He could feel
Bubba move with ecstasy when his foreskin was pulled to the base of his
dick and held there by Waddie's lips. Waddie started jacking off
again making slow movements on Bubba's dick. About the third
stroke he could feel Bubba erupt again way down his throat. Waddie
reached his own dry climax at the same time. He was
exhausted but lay there with Bubba's cock still down his throat. Bubba
cradled his head in his huge hands and was letting Waddie take as
much as he needed. Waddie slowly withdrew and cleaned the last of
Bubba's bear honey out from under his foreskin. When he finished,
Bubba pulled him up to him and held him. He kissed him again in a
passionate kiss that made them hard again. He could taste his own
fresh come in Waddie's mouth.
"I sure wish
Uriel would let me take you on as my running buddy for a while. Never
had anyone do what you done last night and this morning with so
much love. I could feel you really wanted to please me, cowboy,
and that made it all the more important to me. It's one thing to
get your rocks off, but to have someone love you and want you, well,
that's about as good as it gets. You were right. I have to
remember to thank coach Ed if I meet him. Just kidding, cowboy,
I'd never do that," Bubba said and grinned.
"I know, and
you're right. I do love you, and I wanted you. You have
great tasting come, Bubba, and I like harvesting it from my big bear
buddy. Wish't I could be your running buddy for a while. Maybe after
this is over, I could run with you a week or two during the
summer."
"Well, if it
happens, I couldn't think of a better running buddy," Bubba said as he
stole another kiss. "Gotta go get rid of our piss hards. I may
need help again, cowboy, how 'bout you?" Bubba asked.
"Oh, hell, yes,
buddy. It's always better taking a piss if'n your buddy holds it
for you," Waddie allowed and giggled as they walked to the head. They
decided to piss in the tub again. Once again Waddie closed
his eyes and enjoyed Bubba's huge hand around his cock, feeling the
flow of piss running through the big man's penis. They finished,
Waddie shook Bubba's, and he shook Waddie's. Bubba was a little
more within accepted social norms this time. Waddie laughed to
himself. They got into the shower, and Bubba gently washed
Waddie. This time he just handed Waddie the wash cloth. Waddie didn't
linger and take as much time, because he knew Bubba
needed to get underway, but he did a good job. Bubba was
happy. Bubba medicated Waddie again and went to check out while
he got dressed. Waddie was hardly sore. He got his
Wranglers on without whinging. They threw their stuff in the
truck and walked to the diner for breakfast. Many of the same
truckers were there including handsome Darrell. Waddie greeted
them all by name being sure to use 'mister' before each one's name.
"How you feeling
this morning, Waddie?" Darrell asked concerned.
"A lot better,
Mr. Darrell, thanks. Bubba put more of his ointment on me, and it
does a good job of killing the pain. I seem to be healing faster
than the other times my dad beat me," Waddie said.
"Good,
Son. Glad to hear it. Your black eye don't look so bad this
morning either. Bubba's a fine man. He'll take good care of
you," Darrell said with conviction.
"He's been damn
good to me, Mr. Darrell. They don't make 'em no better'n my
buddy," Waddie said.
Bubba leaned
over and stole a kiss behind Waddie's ear. Waddie blushed, and
the truckers went, "Aaawww." That just made him blush more, and then he
laughed. The men ate a big breakfast and got on the road to
Austin. Bubba said they should be there around noon. Waddie
wasn't looking forward to it. It would mean he'd have to give up his
buddy, and he knew it was going to rip his heart out. Of
course, Waddie hadn't yet seen Bubba's two buddies to whom he was
instructed to
take Waddie. They were two juniors who would be seniors in the
fall at the University of Texas and were both major players on the
football team. They were having to make up a couple of courses in
summer school to continue playing in the fall. They didn't
flunk. They made better than decent grades, but a lot of the
players opted to take lighter loads in the fall, and make them up in
summer school so they'd have more time to devote to football in the
fall.
During the
summer, most of the team lived off campus in various room-and-board
homes. Bubba's two buddies shared a room in a big room-and-board home
owned by a widow named Mrs. York. She had a heart of
gold and loved her boys. She had several men that summer and
provided three meals a day for them except on Sunday evenings. They had
to
provide for themselves, but she set out cold
cuts, sliced chicken, turkey, or ham for sandwiches. She provide
bread, lettuce, sliced tomatoes, potato chips, mustard, mayonnaise,
pickles, relish, and ice tea. It was a do-it-yourself meal, and
the men always cleaned up after themselves. Since she used paper
plates, and cups there wasn't much to clean up, but the boys would take
out her trash.
Her usual
complement of men was from eight to fifteen men. Most of her
larger rooms were two men rooms, but she had four which were single man
rooms. Her rates were modest, the rooms clean, and
comfortable. Mrs. York charged fifteen dollars a month per man
for a two man room and thirty for a single. The food was much
better than eating in the student union cafeteria. She charged
forty dollars per month for board. During the summer she wasn't
so strict about insisting the men pay board. Most did because it
was cheaper than eating out, and the food was considerably
better. During the regular semesters, if a man chose to live in
one of her rooms they were required to pay board. She always made
enough for each meal she could feed students who wanted to come for a
single meal who didn't live in her home or someone might have a
guest. She charged a flat rate of two dollars and fifty cents per
meal.
Mrs. York was
friendly, outgoing, caring, and genuinely interested in her boys. If
one of them had a problem they could talk to Mrs. York, and
everything seemed better afterward. Her boys took care of
her. She didn't insist, nor was it her idea, but usually, one or
maybe two nights a week the men would bar her from the kitchen after a
good meal. They'd wash, dry, clean up, and put everything
away. Many years later when Mrs. York passed away there were
several hundred fine looking successful men from all over Texas attend
her funeral with their families. Mrs. York's family was stunned
by the letters, flowers, condolences, and the number of people
attending her funeral. They had no idea she made such a big
impression on the men who stayed in her home over the years.
* * * * *
* *
The closer they
got to Austin the quieter Waddie became. Bubba wasn't a chatter
box either. It was like a cloud of realization hung over them
knowing they soon would be parted. It weighed heavy on
both. They learned to love, trust, and care for each other in a
short period of time. Bubba told Waddie a little about the two
men with whom he would be leaving him. They were actually
neighbors to the family who took him in when Bubba ran away from his
folks and gave him a home. Bubba grew up with the two men. When Bubba
ran away from home he was hitchhiking through the hill
country of South Central Texas. He was wet, cold, and hungry
without a penny to his name. He was picked up by a local rancher
and his wife who had no kids. They took him home, fed him, let
him bathe himself, gave him a comfortable bed to sleep in, and cleaned
his clothes. Their names were Gus and Dora Franz. They told
him he could stay with them for a while if he liked. Bubba fell
in love with them and worked his ass off for Gus Franz.
Gus asked Bubba
why he ran away from home, did he get into trouble? Bubba turned
away from Gus, dropped his Wranglers so Gus could see his ass. Bubba
never had to say another word to Gus. They offered him a
home. He could finish school as long as he helped Gus around the
ranch. Bubba found the home he always dreamed about. He
loved Gus and Dora without measure, and they fell more in love with
Bubba every year. Bubba did well in school, and he was known by
everyone in the small community of Bandera, Texas as Hershel Franz or
'Bubba.' He got the name Bubba from a little girl who lived on a
ranch down the road from the Franz's. The little girl was a toddler no
more than four years old. She had an older brother who was six
years younger than Bubba. Their names were Brenda Lou and Earl D.
Dobbs. They were fine looking, intelligent children, and their
parents adored them.
The summer after
Bubba's first year in school in Bandera, he was awakened one night by a
loud screech owl. The Franz gave Bubba his own room, but ranch
boys like to sleep in the loft of the barn during the summer.
They can let it all hang out, and the only person to come to the barn
would be their dads. In Bubba's case, it was Gus, and he was so
easy going nothing bothered him. He didn't care. Bubba was
asleep in the loft when an owl awakened him. He set up and looked
out the door of the barn loft. He could see all the way to the
Dobbs place and saw it on fire.
Bubba pulled on
his shirt, pants, and boots, got one of Gus' fastest studs, dropped on
his back, hollered at Gus and Dora there was a fire at the Dobb's
place, he was going to help. Gus told him to go. Bubba got
there, but there was no one standing around to help. He was the
first one there, and he was on his own. He knew where the boy's
room was, and climbed in through the window. Bubba could hear the
little girl crying in her room next door. He pulled the boy out
the window, and then, climbed into the little girl's room. She
was crying but saw him coming for her.
She opened her
little arms to him. "Bubba. Oh, Bubba, I prayed for an
angel. God sent me an angel. He told me your name, Bubba."
she cried, "I'm so scared, Bubba. Momma and daddy...” Bubba didn't stop
long enough to think. He only reacted to get
the little girl to safety, but he couldn't understand where she got the
name 'Bubba.' Later when he ask her about it, she said the angel
told her, her new bubba was coming to get her. The angel told
her, her new 'brother' was coming to get her, but she couldn't say
'brother.' It came out 'bubba.'
"Let me get you
out of here, sweetheart, and I'll get your parents out, I
promise." Bubba wrapped a blanket around the baby girl, and he
carried her out the window. He told her to stay with her
brother. Earl D. was barely breathing, he hadn't come around
yet. She didn't want her Bubba, her angel to leave her
side. By that time Gus and Dora were there and took over the
kids. Gus told Bubba it was too late for the parents, but Bubba
wouldn't listen to him. He ran around to the other side and found
their bedroom window. Bubba found both parents and handed them
out to Gus. Bubba barely hit the ground outside when the entire
structure collapsed.
Five seconds
later and Bubba would have been dead. Bubba and Gus worked on the
parents as Dora worked on the boy trying to bring him around.
They heard fire trucks in the distance from the volunteer fire
department, but there wasn't much they could do. They didn't have
the machines for saving people's lives like they have today, but Bubba
wouldn't give up on the boy when everyone told him he was gone. The
parents were dead from smoke inhalation and burns. In the
meantime the boy, Earl D., stopped breathing. The firemen gave up
on the boy. Bubba kept administering mouth to mouth, but he
couldn't get the boy to breathe. Suddenly, he heard a voice in
his ear. 'Take the boy to the river, plunge his body completely
into the water, call upon my name, and he will live.'
Bubba picked up
the boy, and to everyone's amazement ran the fifty yards or so to the
shallows of the river. They heard Bubba say as he ran, "Gotta' get him
to the water. Everybody! Pray for the boy...now!" Bubba yelled. He got
to the water, waded into it,
fell to his knees and submerged the boy. He threw back his head
in agony and yelled to the heavens as loud as he could in a mighty
voice, "Holy Father, and all angels who can hear my prayer,
please come to us and save this boy, this child, my brother's
life. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ," he yelled at the top of
his voice.
Bubba thought he
was a fool to be yelling this, but he was told, clear as day, to do
it. The other folks were going to think him crazy or worse, a
religious fanatic. All of a sudden the boy jerked. His arms
and legs were suddenly going in all directions at once trying to get on
his feet, to get his head to the surface of the water. Bubba
quickly raised him choking and sputtering. He held the boy, and
patted his back to get the water out as he wretched and coughed. The
boy started crying and clung to his big brother like his baby
sister did earlier. His bubba saved his life with the help of a
miracle.
Several folks
rushed after Bubba to get him to give up or stop. They had no
idea what he was doing. They got there just in time to hear Bubba
yell at the top of his voice to God and his angels to save the
boy. They all witnessed a blueish glow form on the opposite
shore, come floating across the water, surround Bubba and the boy
underwater. Ten men witnessed the boy begin to move in Bubba's
arms. Several waded out to Bubba to help him, but Bubba had the
situation under control. Gus was in the water by Bubba's side as
he released the boy to two firemen to take to him to the shore. Gus
grabbed Bubba, hugged him close, and called him 'son.' Bubba
broke down in Gus' arms, and cried like a baby. Gus, who never
showed much emotion, did that night. He was strong for his boy,
but he sure as hell shed a few tears.
"Dad, I feel so
bad. I couldn't save the Dobbs. Oh, Dad..." he cried in
Gus' arms as the older cowboy comforted his boy. Five of the
other men who witnessed the miracle, waded out to Gus and Bubba, put
their arms around the boy for comfort and approval of his heroic
actions.
"Listen to me,
boy, if'n you hadn't been sleeping in the barn, saw the fire, was quick
thinking enough to take the stallion bareback, the kids wouldn't be
alive. You done the right thing, Son, and I'm damn proud of
you. You called on the Lord for a miracle, and ten men witnessed
it. There ain’t no doubt in any man's mind standing here what
they saw. If you didn't do what the voice told you to do, the boy
wouldn't be alive. I'm proud of you, Bubba, proud to call you my
son."
The other men
confirmed what Gus said, and took turns hugging Bubba. While it
was a sad time, Bubba became a minor celebrity within the small
community. The children were well known in the small town, and
nobody wanted to see them sent to an orphanage. From that day
forth, Brenda Lou followed her savior everywhere. She would
toddle after him, or he would carry her to where he was working. Bubba
would put down an old quilt, she'd sit in the shade, and watch
her Bubba work. She would color in her books or draw in a small
tablet Dora found for her. Sometimes she'd lie on the old quilt
Dora gave her to sit on and take a nap. She never ventured off
the quilt as long as she could see her Bubba. When Bubba got
through working, he'd piggy back her back to the house. She
didn't want her Bubba out of her sight.
She never asked,
she just moved in with the Franz's. Bubba was hers, he lived with
the Franzs, so it seemed logical she should as well. Her parents
left her and went to heaven. She didn't know about heaven, but
she knew her Bubba was here and now. She could see, touch, feel,
and love him. All the safety, all her need for love and comfort
from her parents was immediately transferred to her Bubba. If
anyone even so much as suggested she might like to live somewhere else,
Brenda Lou would scream with fright and run for the protection of her
Bubba's big arms. Bubba was sent to her by an angel, and she damn
well wasn't going to let go of him. He was the angel God sent
her. The angels took her parents to heaven and gave her Bubba in
return. He saved her life. He was her Bubba and no one
else’s. He became her only reason for living. Bubba would
hold her by the hour, soothe her, steal a kiss, and tell her everything
was going to be all right, not to worry, he loved her.
The community
wanted to keep the kids together. Gus and Dora fell in love with
Brenda Lou and asked Bubba how he'd like a little sister? Bubba
didn't answer he just smiled real big. They didn't need a verbal
answer, they already knew how their boy would vote. He didn't
want to let go of his little angel either. She became a precious
treasure to him, Dora, and Gus and seemed to bond the three of them
even more closely. The neighbors, the Crenshaws, already had six
boys and figured one more wasn't gonna' be that much more to
handle. Besides their oldest boy was the same age as Earl D. and
they were inseparable buddies. Earl D. sat as family at the
Crenshaw's table on many occasions and spent the night in their home
with his best buddy Billy Bob many times. He loved and admired
Mr. Crenshaw, and he thought Mrs. Crenshaw was a saint. Since the
two kids were right next door, they could see each other anytime they
wanted. It worked for everyone.
Brenda Lou now
had eight brothers and fell deeply in love with her big brother,
Bubba. Her brother, Earl D. and her became closer than they were
before the tragedy. They spent a great deal of time
together. She slowly began to accept the entire Crenshaw family
as a greater extension of her own family. The poor boy who first
asked her for a date was scrutinized by two sets of parents and eight
brothers. God help the boy if he made the smallest mistake. Brenda Lou was
the first one to call Hershel Franz, 'Bubba,' the night he came through
her bedroom window. Bubba loved the name. He wasn't sorry
to give up the name Hershel. Within six months, no one in town
knew who Hershel Franz was, but ask them for ‘Bubba' and they'd tell
you he was the Franz's boy. Bubba took his little sister to
school her first day. He made sure she wasn't afraid and checked
on her at recess, lunch, and took her by the hand after school to see
her safely home.
Brenda Lou had a
champion she could go to with any problem, and it didn't seem so bad
after Bubba listened to her. Bubba was never too busy he couldn't
stop what he was doing, let his little sister crawl into his lap, and
tell him her fears and troubles. Bubba had a way of making her
biggest problem seem small and manageable. At first she missed
her parents a lot, but Dora, Gus and her Bubba gave her lots of love
and understanding. Within two years she considered them her
family. With her brother's approval, Brenda Lou took Gus and
Dora's name and became Brenda Lou Franz. Gus and Dora were so
proud. They had two of the best kids in the county. Brenda
Lou's brother became Earl. D. Crenshaw. One of the Crenshaw
boys. The Crenshaws had one more child hoping against hope for a
girl. It turned out to be a boy as well. A couple more and
they would've had enough for their own football team. Between
Bubba, another boy on a ranch across the way, Billy Wayne Moffet, and
the six bigger Crenshaw boys, they had some wonderful football games
between them. They played and worked together all through school.
In the fall
there were two weeks the boys were always out of school. They
were in the fields from sunup to sundown getting in the winter hay for
the ranchers. They'd go from ranch to ranch with their dad's
until every rancher in the grange got his hay in. The boys and
their dads would sleep in the lofts in the barns, and the women would
take over the house. The women would follow from ranch to ranch
to provide three meals a day for a hungry crew of men who were working
hard all day long. Ever hear the term, 'Eating like a hay hand in
mowing season'? Until you've witnessed it you have no idea its
meaning.
The larger boys
and men would walk along beside a big flat bed trailer usually pulled
by several large horses or a tractor. The hay baler would've gone
before, baled, and wire wrapped the bales. The men would wear
gloves and with one hand on one bale and one on another throw them up
onto the flat bed where the smaller boys would stack and arrange the
load. They would walk beside the large flatbed trailers from
early morning, break for lunch, then all afternoon.
Their bodies
grew unbelievably large in two weeks. It was like two weeks at a
weight lifting camp. Their upper body development would double in
size from what it was before. It was just the kind of development
every small town football coach loved to see. Their upper bodies
and arms were so hugely developed they could practically walk over
their competition. Unless, of course, they were playing another
small Texas town were the boys did the same thing. Then they
really had to play to win. Gus let Bubba play all four years in
high school, and he lettered every year. He was offered a
scholarship to Texas A&M and SMU, but he didn't want to go to
college. He wanted to stay home and help Gus another couple of
years to get the place in better shape. Then Bubba could leave
knowing Gus would have an easier go of it. Besides, he wasn't
ready to leave the folks he'd come to love and who loved him so much,
especially his little sister, Brenda Lou, and the two oldest Crenshaw
boys, Earl D., and Billy Bob.
The year after
Bubba graduated, the high school was looking for an assistant coach and
asked Bubba if he wanted the job. He talked it over with Gus and
Dora. They urged him to take it. He'd have plenty of time
to help Gus. He always worked more for Gus than he ever asked of him.
He took the job and gave Gus and Dora half of every paycheck
for his and his little sister’s upkeep. Brenda Lou was getting
older, and she needed nice things. It was a lot cheaper for a boy
in the community to live. They wore mostly Wranglers, boots, and
Western shirts. It was more expensive for little girls.
Bubba thought
about learning to drive a big rig truck for a living. He thought
he might enjoy truck driving. It was just beginning to be a big
industry in the U.S. Bubba wanted to make money and save it to
buy himself a truck and hit the road. He worked as assistant
coach in the small town for six years. He was such close friends
and companions with the two Crenshaw boys, he wanted them to do their
best to attract scouts from the universities. They wanted to go to
college, but they knew their family didn't have the money to put them
through. Bubba was going to make damn sure they were offered
scholarships. Bubba coached them, drilled them, until they
thought they would drop dead in their tracks, but their team was state
champions the last three years they played. They attracted every
scout from all the major universities.
Texas University
at Austin offered them the best deal, and they went for it. They
both wanted to become large animal veterinarians. Bubba saved up
enough money those six years to afford a down payment on his own rig,
but first, Bubba had to learn to drive a truck. They didn't have
trucking schools in those days. You found a man who was willing
to take you own as a running buddy who would teach you to drive. They
would agree to pay a small amount for living expenses, but it was
barely subsistence. Some drivers would pay more than
others. Bubba began to hang around truck stops, and met Red
Dog. Red Dog liked Bubba, offered to teach him to drive, and
asked if he wanted to be his running buddy? Bubba jumped at the
chance. He drove with Red Dog for a couple of years, then bought
his own truck. Red Dog was good to Bubba, and after six months,
gave Bubba a third of his profits on any hauls they made.
Red Dog was a
good looking man but somewhat of a loner. He told Bubba if he
awoke in the night and Bubba caught him jerking off to roll over and go
back to sleep, he'd do the same for Bubba. Men had to relieve
themselves sometime. It was natural, and he didn't expect Bubba
not to if he did it. It happened several times, but Bubba never
seemed to jack off in front of Red Dog. Bubba was attracted to
Red Dog, but never did anything with a grown man before other than
Gus. He and his buddies at home used to suck each other off all
the time. Gus caught them one night and tried to talk to
Bubba. Bubba begged Gus to let him suck him off because he loved
his old man. It would be his way of showing Gus how much he loved
him. As easy going as Gus was about everything, he ended up
getting his dick sucked. Got to where old Gus would ask his boy
if he'd mind helping him out in the barn for a while in an
evening. Bubba would know what his dad needed from of the smile
on Gus' face. Bubba was more than willing to help out his old man. He
never said 'no' to Gus. He loved him and loved
playing catcher for his dad. At least Gus would hug Bubba, kiss
him, and tell him how much he loved and appreciated his boy. That
was enough for Bubba.
Bubba and Red
Dog talked a lot to pass the time. After they'd been running
buddies for about six months they were talking one evening, and the
conversation came around to jacking off. "I don't never see you
jacking off, Bubba. Do you jackoff?" Red Dog asked.
"Shore,’ Red
Dog, I mostly do it in the shower. You caught me several times,
you just didn't know it. I never let it bother me, I went ahead
and finished."
"Years ago, I
used to have me a running buddy who took care of that for me. I
never had to jack off. Best running buddy I ever had, but he went
off with another trucker as his running buddy. Guess the grass
was greener or the dick was sweeter," Red Dog laughed. "Didn't
have me a running buddy for a long time after that. Ain't telling
you that, Bubba, to give you no wrong ideas. I don't expect that
of any running buddy I take on. It just happened between him and
me, and it was so good, I couldn't say no." Red Dog laughed nervously
like maybe he shouldn't have been so honest with Bubba. Bubba was
a third again bigger than Red Dog and could've stomped his butt.
"Why the hell
didn't chu' tell me about it when I hired on to run with you, Red
Dog?" Bubba asked sort of disgusted. Red Dog thought Bubba
sounded pissed.
"It weren't no
big deal, Bubba. It just happened, probably won't never happen
again, but I's just being honest and sharing something with you I
thought you could handle. Didn't mean no harm. It was more
of a compliment," Red Dog said.
"No harm? You
mean to tell me I could've been sucking that big fine looking
trucker-cock of yours all this time, help'n my buddy out, and you
didn't let me know? I'd say that's pretty Goddamn selfish of you,
Red Dog," Bubba said angrily, then threw back his big head and laughed
at the look on his buddy's face.
"You're joking
me, right, Bubba? You's jes' yank'n my chain?" Red Dog asked.
"Think you can
drive with two broken arms, buddy?" Bubba growled at him.
"I don't wanna’
try, why?" Red Dog asked.
"I ever catch
you playing with yourself again, while I'm your buddy, I'll break both
of 'em," Bubba said and winked at him.
Red Dog howled
with laughter. "That wouldn't be fair, Bubba, I can't do you
back. I can't bring myself to do it," he said.
"Who said
anything about you doing me back? Fact is, if’n you don't know
what chore’ doing, I don't want you doing me no ways. I do expect
you to let me jack off while I'm doing you, or after I take your load
lying there with your dick in my mouth suck'n on it," Bubba said.
"Well, I sure as
hell don't wanna’ have to learn to drive with two broken arms, so I
guess you got chore’self a deal, cowboy," Red Dog said, laughed, and
offered Bubba his hand to shake.
"Let's make it
official. There's a rest stop 'bout fifteen miles up the
road. Pull off, climb in the sleeper, pull your pants down, and
let your buddy have a big ol' taste of the Red Dog. Might as
well, you're hard as a rock and pissing in your Wranglers as it is,
jest a' think'n 'bout it," Bubba declared and howled in laughter at his
buddy. Red Dog smiled, but didn't say anything. He stomped
the accelerator, pedal to the metal, pulled off at the rest stop, away
from the other trucks and cars. He set the air breaks and climbed
into the sleeper as fast as he could, undid his Wranglers and shoved
them down to his boot tops.
Bubba climbed
into the sleeper with his running buddy and sucked him off three times,
once for Red Dog, once for him, and one more for the road. They
were the perfect pair of running buddies. Red Dog didn't expect
Bubba to relieve him every night. Bubba wouldn't have
minded. It took a load of his mind, too. Bubba got to where
he could tell when his buddy needed relief. Nothing seemed to go
right for Red Dog for a couple of days. He'd get irritable,
fussy, grumpy and find no humor in life whatsoever. Finally, in
desperation, Bubba would look at Red Dog, pull the truck off at a truck
stop or a rest area.
"Get chore’
Goddamn ass in the sleeper and them pants a’ yorn' better be down
around your boot tops, or I'm a' gonna' rip them sucker off'n
you. You been moan'n and a' groan'n for three damn days. I
know my buddy well enough to know what the hell he needs. Not
another word. Hit the sleeper, Son," Bubba growled. Red Dog would
smile
sheepishly, tuck his tail between his legs, climb into the sleeper,
undo and shove his Wranglers down and be hard as a rock by time Bubba
climbed in after him. Bubba would usually get him off two, maybe
three times to make sure the cure took. Talk about attitude
change in a man. Red Dog would be at peace with the world.
Nothing would get to him. He became thoughtful, caring, loving,
and funny. Bubba would laugh his ass off at his friend. He
would never admit it but Red Dog fell hard for Bubba and still loved
him.
Red Dog heard
about a damn good deal on a truck for sale, but he almost didn't tell
Bubba about it because, he didn't want to give up his running buddy.
Red Dog came to love and care for his buddy more than he was willing to
admit, but he knew Bubba wanted his own rig. Red Dog loved Bubba
so much, if Bubba wanted his own truck, that's what Red Dog wanted for
him. The guy was going to lose his truck. All Bubba had to
do was pay the man a couple thousand cash, take over the payments, and
in a year the truck would be his. Bubba didn't want to do that,
he paid off the truck, and it was his, free and clear. Red Dog
never knew Bubba had any money.
The last night
they were together, Bubba sucked off his partner for the last time as
running buddies. Then Red Dog surprised the hell out of Bubba
when his buddy insisted on doing him. He wasn't very good at it,
but he did his best and got Bubba off. He even gaged his come
down, and decided it didn't taste as bad as he thought it might. It was
the first night Red Dog ever made love to another man. Red
Dog could've kicked his own ass later for not having made love to the
big, gentle, loving man who slept by his side so many nights. He
didn't understand the love he had riding by his side all that
time. After that, Bubba and Red Dog would run into each other and
share a room together. Red Dog got better at taking his buddy and
never failed to make love to Bubba. He also never failed to tell
Bubba, if he ever got tired of running solo, come back, run with him
and they'd be equal partners. Bubba could keep the books.
* * * * * * *
The big
eighteen-wheeler pulled up in front of Mrs. York's rooming house, and
two big cowboys came bounding down the front steps from the house. They
opened the truck door on Waddie's side and welcomed him. Earl D.
and Billy Bob Crenshaw were two of the finest looking cowboys Waddie
ever encountered. "Howdy, Waddie, come on, get chore’ purtie'
little cowboy butt down out 'a that damn truck 'afore that big ugly man
sittin' next to you decides to drive away and keep you all to
his'self."
Earl D. open his arms to Waddie and laughed as he joked about
Bubba. Waddie felt drawn to the good looking cowboy and his
brother Billy Bob. He knew these were the men Mr. Uriel picked to
take care of him.
"Now, calm
yore’self, brother, you don't get him all to yourself, neither, does
he, Waddie? He's too damn good looking for the likes of you
anyway," Billy Bob said. Waddie was awestruck. He hadn't
even been introduced to these two men and here they were fighting over
him, joking like old friends. Bubba came around the truck.
Earl D. passed Waddie to Billy Bob and grabbed Bubba in a big bear
hug. "Damn, Bubba. It's good to see you again. Gimme'
a kiss." Waddie watched as the two men kissed in broad daylight right
on the mouth. "Little sister sends her love. Don't forget, she
graduates next year, and if you ain’t there the Earth will stop
spinning on its axis, big brother. That's a plea from all of us
who love you and her. It would not be pretty to miss her
graduation. She talks about nothing else but her Bubba. You
spoil her rotten. If'n I didn't love you so much, I'd be
jealous," said Earl D.
Billy Bob put
Waddie down, but he was grabbed up again by Earl D. "He don't
know how to greet a brother, Bubba. Give me a huge hug and a big
ol' kiss. Bubba was laughing like crazy at the two men's
foolishness, and he did as asked. Billy Bob laughed, too. "Damn,
Bubba, you get better at that ever' time we see you. Somebody’s
been teaching you a few new tricks, eh?" Billy Bob asked. Bubba
looked at Waddie and winked. Waddie blushed beet red. The
two cowboys looked at each other and both went, "A-ha. We know
who's been teaching our old bear. It be that handsome young
cowpoke you be holding there, brother. Think he could teach us
old cowboys a thing or two?" Earl D. kissed Waddie behind his
ear. Waddie giggled like crazy.
"I'd be willing
to bet that young'un could teach you two hick shit-kickers more'n a
couple of things, wise guys. He sure as hell done taught me
more'n a couple, and I'm seriously thinking about keep'n him on as my
running buddy. He's a wonderful little man, a good buddy, and
fine company. I won't be shy with the two of you, old Bubba fell
for him, big time. He grabbed a holt' of my old heart, and won't
give it back. Now, you two better be damn good to 'em or you're
gonna' have to answer to me, ya' hear?" Bubba tried to sound menacing
but it was difficult while grinning from ear to ear.
"He's just in
time. We'll get him set up here, but we're planing on driving
down to Bandera this evening to spend the weekend and come back Sunday
night."
Waddie looked at
Bubba. Bubba knew what that look meant. He told Waddie he
was going to unload, come back, and spend the night with him before
picking up another load tomorrow and heading back. Billy Bob saw
the exchange. "Damn, Bro. You do have it bad for this
handsome young cowboy. You were gonna' come back after you
unload, and spend the night with him, weren't you?" Bubba and
Waddie blushed in unison as Bubba winked at him. "No
problem. C'moan back, and have supper with us. We'll get
the young'un set up, and spend the night with him. You get up at
the crack of dawn anyway. We'll get up and head out tomorrow
morning. Don't make us no never mind. How's that sound to
you, Waddie?" Billy Bob asked.
"Great,
Guys. I was a' praying I'd have me one more night in my big
Grizzly's arms. It's tough to let him go. He weren't the
only man in that truck what fell in love. He's my hero, and I
ain't ashamed to tell nobody I love him," Waddie said with pride
looking directly into Bubba's eyes.
"Woah, Bubba,
this man be serious,” Earl D. said, “We hear ya,' Waddie. We
understand. The reason I'm standing here today, holding you, is
because that man risked his life to pull me and my baby sister out of a
burning house. He went back for our parents, and damn near lost
his life getting them out. Even though he got 'em out, it was too
late for them. I was dead, but Bubba wouldn't give up on me, took
me to the river, baptized me, call on the name of the Lord for a
miracle, and I come to life. Of course, I was underwater when I
come to and thought he was trying to drown me. He raised me right
up, held me as I was choking and coughing, but I was breathing. You
gotta' love a man who would risk his life for you," Earl D. said.
"Hell, he's done
a lot for all of us. He's helped me and my brother, here, through
school. Sends us money when we most need it. We never know
how he figures out we're busted, but the next morning, they'll be a
note from Bubba with money in it. We kid him about spoiling our
little sister, but shit, he's just as bad with us. He's our
biggest fan and size ain't the only thing. We can hear him in
stands over thousand of people. ALL RIGHT CRENSHAWS, GET
OFF YOUR DEAD ASSES AND SCORE!" We know better'n not to. We
can take the fans disappointment, but when we have to face him, neither
Earl D. nor I can do that. We don't like to disappoint our big
bubba. If that weren't bad enough, we got a sister, six younger
bothers and two dads to rag our asses when we get home." The
three big men fell out laughing at Billy Bob's comment.
"Ah, you guys
don't have to change yore’ plans for me," Bubba said.
"Like hell we
don't. Are you kidding, did you see the look in that young cowboy's
eyes when you said that? If you promised him you'd be back
tonight, you damn well better be back, right, brother?" Earl D. asked.
"He's rarely
right about anything, but he scored one for the home team on that one,
Bubba. Don't chu' worry, none, cowboy. He'll be back.
Think you can put up with us 'til then?" Billy Bob asked.
"Two fine
looking cowboys like you and yore’ brother? I think I might be
able to handle it. If'n my running buddy loves you, I aint got me
no choice but to love you," Waddie said in his best cowboy lingo.
"You guys come
on in. Bubba, y'ain't never met Mrs. York, have ya'?" Earl D.
asked. Bubba shook his head and walked up the stairs with the two
big men. Waddie was in love again. Damn, they were good
looking men.
"Ms. York, we
got us some company. We got our biggest brother and our littlest
brother here, to meet you, and our littlest is gonna' be staying with
us a while," Billy Bob said.
Ms. York came to
the porch wiping her hands on her apron. She took one look at
Bubba and opened her arms. She gave him a big hug and a kiss on
the cheek. "You guys didn't miss, he looks like a bear," she
declared. She turned her attention to Waddie, saw his bruised
face, and fading black eye. A tear came to her eyes as she
silently took him into her arms and held him. "The boys told me,
but I want to see how bad it really is. You shy about it, Son?"
she asked.
"No, Ma'am, just
embarrassed my dad would do what he done to me," Waddie said, turned
around, undid his jeans, and dropped them for Ms. York and the two men
to see.
"Oh, my God!"
exclaimed Ms. York as tears started running down her face. Earl
D. and Billy Bob were visibly shaken and shed a tear or two. She
once again took Waddie into her arms and held him. "I fully
understand your embarrassment, Waddie. These two yahoos will take
good care of you, trust me. They may act like a pair of loons
sometime, but they got good hearts. You can put your trust in
'em. Now, you men get washed up, we're about to have lunch. Bubba, you
and Waddie are my guest for lunch. I'll ring the bell
in about fifteen minutes," she said to the men, then walked back to the
kitchen.
"Well, that's
it, Bubba," Earl D. said, "you gotta' stay for lunch. You don't
turn Ms. York down when she says you're her guest. She means it."
The two men laughed with glee at their big brother.
They had a
wonderful lunch with Ms. York. Only one other student was
there. The others went home for the weekend. He was a
graduate student working on his master's degree in English Lit. He was
a nice looking man, but was obviously taken with the three big
men at the table and Waddie.
"You've all
heard the story of Cinderella and her wicked step-sisters. Well,
Waddie had a wicked step-mother, step-sister, and step-brother who
ganged up on him to frame him for things his step-brother would
do. His adopted dad would beat Waddie until he made the boy lie
and say he committed the offence. His dad would feel resolved of
any guilt for beating Waddie because he'd finally beat a confession out
of him. Shades of the inquisition," Bubba said as an aside to the
English Lit major, "Anyway, Waddie and his buds, his three brothers,
would devise devilishly clever and enormously funny pranks to get back
at his step-brother, step-sister, and step-mother as well. They're so
funny, he told two of his stories at the truck stop we stopped at last
night to an audience of thirty-five or forty people, and they laughed
their asses off, then stood and applauded when he finished. If
that weren't enough, the owner of the diner picked up our checks and
paid for our meals. They were on the house. Now, how often
do you have an eleven year old man for a running buddy who can tell
such an outrageously funny story he gets your steak dinner, complete
with dessert, paid for by the owner? Ben, the owner, shook
Waddie's hand and told him he earned the meals for both of us and to
come back anytime. Don't be embarrassed, Son, if your running
buddy crows a little about his buddy," Bubba said to Waddie.
"I'd sure like
to hear one of your stories, Waddie," the graduated student said.
"Waddie's
stories are epic in proportion, Mr. Lester," Bubba said, "I'm sure he'd
be happy to tell one some evening when you have everyone around the
table to listen. People's reaction is half the joy of listening
to his stories. I made him quit telling me one before he got to
the best part because I was laughing so hard I was afraid I'd wreck the
truck. I had to pull off at a rest area to pull myself together
and told him to tell the rest at the truck stop over dinner. I
knew it would be funny, but I've never seen truckers laugh that hard
and long at anyone's story. Everyone in the place was on the
floor," Bubba bragged about his running buddy.
"Damn, brother,
you mean we got this talented little man for our running buddy all
weekend? From the looks of him, I'll just bet he sits a pretty
good horse, too," Earl D. allowed.
"Better'n pretty
good, Earl D. State junior rodeo champion team roper two
years in a row now. In fact, he and his brother are so good, they
won't let ‘em compete next year with the young’uns. They gotta'
compete with the big boys," Bubba bragged with pride.
Billy Bob
whispered something to Earl D. "Naw, I wouldn't think so. I
very much doubt it,” Earl D. said to his brother, turned to Waddie,
"Y'ain't W.C. Lovejoy are ya,' Waddie?" Earl D. asked raising an
eyebrow. Bubba smiled real big.
"Yes, sir, that
'ud be me," Waddie replied.
"Holy... hat
rack!" Earl D. exclaimed, "Excuse me, Ms. York, I almost slipped at the
table. We watched you and yore’ brother rope at the rodeo in
Kerrville about a year ago. Beat our little bothers’ pants off
'em. I don't think Billy Bob and I could beat you and yore’
brother, Gip, is that his name? Gip Justin, I believe?"
"Yes, sir. He be
my brother," Waddie said and couldn't hold back one tear that
rolled down his cheek. Bubba saw it and wiped it away with his
napkin.
He put his big
arm around Waddie and hugged him close. "He talked to his brother
on the phone last night, and he misses him. They's as close or closer
than you two," Bubba said.
"Well, you're
right, Bubba. He sits a darn good horse. Better'n me or my
brother. What other fine things will we find out about this
handsome, young cowpoke, Bubba?" Billy Bob asked.
"Enid Justin of
Justin Boots is Waddie's...?" Bubba didn't finish.
"She's my Uncle
Enid," Waddie said without flinching. Everyone at the table
laughed including Ms. York. She got that one.
"Really? She's
becoming a wealthy woman. She ever give you any boots,
Waddie?" Billy Bob asked.
"Only a dozen
pair so far. Six for me, and six for my brother. My other
brothers got four or five pair apiece from her. My Uncle Buck has
twelve or fifteen. Every deputy sheriff has at least six to eight
pair from her, and my other dad, Dan Justin, her second cousin, he's
got a closet full. Gip and I lost count at thirty-five. Ever’ birthday,
Thanksgiving, Christmas, here she comes with a truck
load with everybody's size. She's a wonderful, generous, and
thoughtful lady. We all love our Uncle Enid and don't allow
nobody to talk bad about her," Waddie said.
"Good for you
and your brothers, Waddie!" exclaimed Ms. York, "She may be a little
different, but so are we all. We have to love the things within
us that bind us together into a family, and sometime it goes further
than blood or differences. Sometime it can be as simple as two
hearts loving each other."
After lunch the
men took Waddie and Bubba upstairs to their big room. There was a
good size vacant room across the way with a large bed in it. Bubba
wanted to know if he could rent the room for Waddie. It was
large enough, if he wanted to stop by to stay a night with his buddy he
could.
"Probably
can. Be good for us to have him across the hall. We thought
he'd stay with us, but he can stay wherever he's the most
comfortable. I'm sure she gets thirty a month for that room, and
she wants forty for his board. Why don't you go down and talk
with her while we get to know our new little brother? She's easy
to talk to," Earl D. said.
Bubba went down
to talk with Ms. York and pay for Waddie's room and board. Ms.
York was a generous and kind lady. She was going to let Waddie
stay with the boys in their room and put a single roll away bed in
there for him. When she found out Bubba might like to stay a
night or two with his charge, she understood why Bubba wanted Waddie to
have a room of his own. She wanted thirty for the room, but she
was willing to give him a break on Waddie's board. She'd only
charge half because the kid couldn't eat that much. Bubba laughed
and assured her he'd seen the boy pack away some food. She might regret
not charging him the full amount. Bubba insisted on paying the
full amount in case he might want to take a meal or two with
them. Ms. York agreed that would be fine. She was glad to
have Waddie and Bubba. Bubba paid her, and she gave him a receipt
for the room and Waddie's board. She handed him a set of clean
sheets, pillow cases, two pillows, and a couple of light weight
blankets. The bed already had a chenille spread on it. Bubba took the
bed clothes upstairs and helped Waddie make the
bed. Bubba set down with his brothers and Waddie to talk.
"Waddie you have
almost three hundred dollars from the first truck stop. Here's
another two hundred from the truck stop last night. Darrell took
up a collection and gave it to me before we left," Bubba said as he
handed Waddie the money. Waddie got tears in his eyes.
"I hope you paid
Ms. York out of this," Waddie said.
"No, Son, it's
on me. You never know when you might need that money in the
next month or so. One thing you need is some clothes. Would
you guys mind taking him out this afternoon so's he can buy some
Wranglers, t-shirts, and a couple of nice shirts? I'd shore’ 'nuff
appreciate it," Bubba said.
"No problem,
brother, we were just gonna' sit around here all afternoon
anyway. We'll take him to the Western store we go to called The
'Hitch'n Post.' The owner and your Uncle Enid are old friends,
Waddie," Billy Bob said.
Bubba said
goodbye to his little buddy, his two brothers, and promised he'd be
back before six in the evening. Waddie hugged, kissed Bubba,
thanked him for the room, and his new friends. Bubba left with a
full heart knowing he was going to have one more night with his little
running buddy.
End of Chapter
13 ~ Cabbage Patch Cowboy
Copyright ©
2004/2013 ~ Waddie Greywolf
All rights
reserved ~
Mail to:
waddiebear@yahoo.com
Proofed:
12/31/2012
WC 16650