cpc_21

Cabbage Patch Cowboy
Waddie Greywolf

Chapter 21

The summer was almost over by the time Waddie got out of the hospital, but there were several nice days at the end of August the boys were able to go and do. Dr. Dyer issued a list of dos and don'ts for Waddie. He couldn't get on horseback for a month. He couldn't go swimming for the rest of the summer. Worst of all, no playing around. Buck assured the doctor he would make sure, because Waddie wouldn't leave his sight for the next month. Buck was good to his word. When he went to work he took the boys with him, or he left them with Linda Sue or the Justins. He wasn't trying to put Waddie in jail, he loved him so much he wanted to make sure nothing else happened to impede his healing.

Buck slept with him every night for a month. Waddie sure didn't complain about that, but he would get so horny lying next to his dad, the giant cowboy sex machine, he would go out of his mind. He slept lying on a towel. He experienced nocturnal emissions every other night. Several nights he got it all over his dad. Waddie would be mortified. Buck would laugh and kid him mercilessly. Linda Sue never said a word. At the end of the month he gave Waddie back to Gip with a kiss and a pat on the butt. His wife was glad to have her husband back, but she couldn't fault his dedication to their son.

* * * * * * *
Waddie and Gip knew approximately how much they had in their rodeo account, but they didn't want to know the exact amount. Their dads would give them money for anything they needed at Christmas to buy presents for the family and each other. Waddie and Gip decided to give presents jointly because their parents and grandparents did. They felt like they were bonded mates. Although, they didn't announce it to the family, they felt they had the right to do the same. Besides, if they went together on a present they could get something nicer for the person or persons. They usually figured out a gift for both Ma and Pa Claymore and the other family couples. Sometimes they gave individual gifts. After a couple of years they decided to stop giving each other Christmas gifts. If there was something one or the other really wanted they discussed it, went out and bought it together, wrapped it, put a card on it, put it under the tree, and acted so surprised Christmas eve their brother was so thoughtful to get them just what they wanted. They didn't fool anyone.

After a while, the boys had everything they could possibly want. They didn't play with toys other than a baseball or a football. When the boys would go visit the Crenshaws in August of every year in the late afternoons in a pasture they would have some hellacious flag football games. Billy Bob and Earl D. may have won in the Cotton Bowl the years before, but they couldn't gain ground against their younger brothers. The kids knew them so well they could practically read their minds. They boys took a vote and decided to put them on separate teams.

Waddie and Gip began to be exclusive with each other by the time they reached middle school. They began to date and usually double dated. They didn't do a lot of dating except to school dances. Then Buck and Linda Sue would drive Waddie and his date. Usually it was Jannie Anderson. Gip dated another nice, pretty girl in their class named Bonnie Tyler. There wasn't much serious dating until high school and Gip and Waddie got their drivers license. Besides, all the kids in their class got to hanging out either at Waddie's house or Gip's. During sixth, seventh, and eighth grades Buck and Linda Sue or Dan and Jimmy Sue would hold an evening party get together for the kids. There was only twelve of them; an even spread of six girls and six boys. Not one of the twelve was ever left out.

* * * * * *
The first week in March the boys got a phone call from Earl D. and Billy Bob to let them know both Sara's baby and Dora's twins were due any day. The boys begged their dads to take them back to Bandera to be there for their little brothers' birth. Buck made arrangements and he and Dan drove the boys back to Bandera for the birth of Sarah's last child. They brought the baby to her, she looked at him, kissed him, and handed him to Waddie. Waddie was shocked but gratefully accepted. He open the tiny blankets and saw the most beautiful little boy. He showed him to the rest of the family while Randy Crenshaw had his arm around him. Randy told him the baby's name would be, Cowboy Waddie Crenshaw. Waddie smiled real big and a tear ran down his cheek.

He surprised everyone when he began to pray over the baby with tears running down his face. "Dearest Heavenly Father, bless this child I hold in my arms, Cowboy Waddie Crenshaw. Send him an angel to watch over him and shelter him from harms way. Let him grow tall as the pines and stronger than an ox. Give him the eyes of an eagle and the heart of a bear. Help him, lead him in the path of righteousness, guide him like you have me, sir. Let him walk with his face always toward the light, in love, honesty, humility, and generosity of spirit. Grant him wisdom and teach him to seek truth in all things, we ask in Jesus' name, Amen." There wasn't a dry eye in the room and Waddie cried as he kissed his new buckaroo brother on his forehead and returned him to his mother.

He leaned over and kissed his mom. "Thank you, Waddie," Ma Crenshaw whispered to him.

He threw his arms around Dad Crenshaw, hugged and kissed him as Randy Crenshaw broke down in his son's arms. There were congratulations all around. He was so proud of his new son and his son, Waddie. Waddie was proud of Dad Crenshaw, too. Randy passed out cigars to everyone. The boys asked their dads if they could try one. Buck winked at Dan and nodded. "Sure. You men are growing up. Might as well learn to smoke a good cigar early on. Nothing better than a good cigar, right Brother?" Dan deferred to Buck.

He smiled and nodded in agreement. "Here, let me light it for you," Dan offered.

Dan and Buck slapped each other on the back and walked off with their arms around one another talking and laughing. Waddie and Gip got so sick from trying to smoke that cigar they decided tobacco was not going to be one of their vices. That's exactly what Buck and Dan planned and hoped would happen. They laughed their butt's off for years to come every time they told that story. Gip and Waddie would listen and turn green remembering the feeling. For years after they couldn't stand to be around anyone smoking a cigar or cigarette.

The next morning, Dora had her twins. Two fine healthy boys, identical twin cowboys. They named them Randolph Kent and Gustalf Brent Franz. Gus was so proud and especially proud all his boys could be there. Bubba was home and it was like a reunion. Buck, Dan and the boys could only stay a couple of days because the boys were taking off school to be there. Fortunately there was a long weekend involved so they didn't miss much. Oatie, Clyde, and Jannie would bring them up to speed.

* * * * * * *
On the anniversary of their meeting, Jannie Anderson made an announcement to the family, Bubba and her mother were engaged and were getting married. They were married the end of that summer and the town had a hell of a blow out celebration. Of course the entire Crenshaw family was there as well as Gus, Dora, and Brenda Lou. Gus and Randy had a ball at Bubba's bachelor party. Gus was Bubba's best man and his groomsmen were Randy, Buck, Dan, Earl D., Billy Bob, and Red Dog. The two families asked Johnnie Mack Tamplin and a couple of relatives take care of the livestock as all the boys wanted to come to the wedding. Randy drove Sara and her baby, C. W. Crenshaw. Gus, Dora, and Brenda Lou followed.

Brenda Lou and Dora each had a baby to care for. The older boys, Billy Bob and Earl D. loaded all the boys on a Greyhound bus. They were met at the station by four sheriff patrol cars. The Sheriff of the county, Chief Deputy, and two other deputies. Their four brothers were there waiting for them. It was chaos, but everyone managed to get squeezed into a patrol car, and got to the Justin's where the boys took up residency in the Justin's loft. There was plenty of room for all. The younger boys were so impressed they got to ride in the sheriff's patrol cars. Little Shad was in heaven. He was with his heroes Waddie and Gip.

Carol Anderson's maid of honor was Mrs. Mavis Rawlings and her brides maids were Miss Brenda Lou Franz, Mrs. Linda Sue Claymore, Mrs. Mary Ellen Dyer, and Mrs. Jimmy Sue Justin. Jannie Anderson was flower girl and Shad Crenshaw was ring bearer. The four boys were ushers. The whole damn town was there. It was an outdoor wedding at the Justin's place. Everyone came to wish them well. It was obvious to all they were very much in love. They left that evening on a two week honeymoon and Jannie stayed with Mavis and Lyle Rawlings. A year later Carol gave birth to a beautiful little boy they named Donnie Lyle Franz and the year after another boy they named Randy Buckley Franz. A year and a half after that, Carol had a little girl they named, Sarah Elaine Franz. The three couldn't have been born to two more loving parents. They never spared Jannie their love either. She had her beloved Bubba for a friend, buddy, and dad. She could tell him anything, and he would listen. He never allowed Jannie to think he loved his natural born kids more than her. Jannie was old enough by that time she was a big help to her mother and grandmother taking care of the babies.

Carol Anderson wasn't about to give up her job at the Sheriff's Station. That was decided before they got married. Buck told Bubba if she left, the whole damn department would go to hell in a hand basket. As the town and county grew Buck had to hire several more deputies. Bubba was tired of driving and wanted more time home with his family. Buck offered him a job as a deputy sheriff and he jumped at the chance. Buck also, once again, offered Morgan a job as a deputy because he wasn't happy with the train company anymore. They were requiring him to take longer and longer runs. He would be gone sometimes for a week and a half at a time. He would pay Waddie, Gip, and the boys to take care of his stock along with Buck's ponies and gave the boys free run of the house. He took over the downstairs again and gave the upstairs to the boys if they wanted to stay over or whatever.

He knew the train company was harassing him to get him to quit. They were still suspicious maybe he had something to do with the box car break in even though he was never charged and witnesses attested to his innocence. The railroad made a huge error in judgement. They put their reasons in print. What was not included was they wanted to terminate him so they wouldn't have to pay him retirement benefits. None of the other men, some with far less seniority than Morgan were required to make these long trips. In those days the unions had the railroads by the balls and there was little they could do about it. Many times out of frustration they made stupid decisions and had even more stupid people implement those decisions. It cost them a lot of money, too. Morgan hired a fine young lawyer who started a private practice in town, filed a lawsuit, and Morgan was terminated without notice or explanation from the railroad.

He won the law suit. He was awarded a huge settlement plus lost wages for illegal termination. The railroad had to pay him his retirement from that point on. They paid him a retirement for almost thirty-five years. He never had to work another day in his life, but he did. His first love was fixing cars and trucks. He re-opened his granddad's garage with his cousin. They hired two other good mechanics. After several years they were doing quite well. Morgan approached Ford Motor Company to become the first dealership for Ford cars and trucks in the county. He and his second cousin became fine businessmen and well thought of as honest and fair men with which to do business. The next forty years he made a fortune. The need for family he never realized was transferred to his business. The retirement benefits from the railroad were jump change compared to what Morgan was making annually. He never stopped the retirement. The railroad left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he was going to get every nickle he could from them.

* * * * * *
Judy gave birth to her baby in February of the following year but Morgan refused to have his name on the birth certificate. It was a little girl born on Valentine's day and her mother named her 'Sissy.' She was a pretty little thing but sickly and didn't respond like most normal babies. She didn't seem to smile a lot or find much joy in life. She wasn't retarded, but she was noticeably slow. No one could figure out who her father was until one night the subject was brought up by Ma and Pa Lovejoy at dinner wishing they knew who her father was. Waddie asked them if they were sure they wanted to know because he and his brothers were probably the only people who knew. They assured him they wanted to know for Morgan's sake.

"Not for Morgan's sake, Ma and Pa, 'cause when I tell you, I guarantee you won't tell him," Waddie assured them. Waddie proceeded to tell the family who Sissy's father was. "The summer after his junior year in high school Willie was living high. He was a football, baseball hero all over town but something strange began to happen. Morgan would be off on one of his three or four day runs for the railroad. I'd hear Willie tip toe out of his room about an hour after he saw the lights go out in my room thinking I'd gone to sleep. I didn't think too much about it, except I never heard him come back until early the next morning. It would always happen a couple of nights when Morgan was away. One night I tip-toed to the head of the stairs to see where he was going. To my surprise Willie was going in Judy and Morgan's bedroom. That was strange, I thought. I had to know what was going on.

"One full moonlit night I left my clothes on, turned out the light, and waited. After I heard Willie leave his room, I crawled down the front trellis and circled around behind the side of the house. There's a knoll higher than the house about fifty feet away with two big trees and a couple small ones. I could look right down into Judy and Morgan's bedroom from there. I had Morgan's binoculars. I silently crawled up on my belly to the base of the big tree as cover, took the binoculars, focused, and damn near messed my pants. There was Willie and Judy naked, Willie on top of her, riding her like a bronco buster," Waddie said. There were audible gasps from the family.

"I watched and watched. I could hear her moans and groans encouraging him to ride her harder. On and on until something in me snapped. I crawled back behind the tree, lay there, and cried for several minutes. Not because Willie was fucking Judy, I could've cared less, I didn't have love for either of 'em, but because I knew it would kill Morgan if he found out. I didn't think he'd believe me anyway. If he wouldn't believe me about the stuff Willie framed me for, he sure as hell wouldn't believe me about this. He'd probably say I was lying to get revenge or trying to get him to hate them.

"I ain't never told him to this day. I didn't bother climbing back up the trellis. I though I'd scare them to death thinking it was Morgan coming home unannounced. I clomped up the front steps like it was a larger pair of boots what was coming in. It worked. Willie jumped out their bedroom window and almost broke his damn ankle. He was running up the stairs naked with his drawers in his hand. He saw me with my flashlight go into my room and knocked on my door."

"Waddie, was that you what just came in?" he asked.

"Yeah, why?" I asked in reply.

"What are you doing out this time of night?" Willie asked.

"Didn't you hear me go out? Something was after the chickens, and I went to see what it was. There's been a coyote after them. Didn't you hear them raising a ruckus? I caught him trying to get in and threw rocks at him to run him off. Why, what's the problem?" I asked.

"Oh nothing. Go to bed," he said and wave a hand at me in dismissal.

"Yes, sir, Massa' Willie," I replied. They didn't suspect anything, I could tell. Judy was her usual bitch-self the next morning. She'd been ragging my ass for two days about everything that was wrong with me. I watched Willie hold her and right in front of me kissed her on the mouth. I wanted to vomit. Not because of the incestuous nature of their coupling. I got sick in my stomach because of the pain I knew they were eventually going to cause. How could they expect to get away with something like that? Then after that, every time Willie came home from playing baseball he'd sleep with her. Sissy is Willie's kid. There ain't no doubt in my mind," Waddie finished his story.

The family was stunned. Ma and Pa Lovejoy were stricken. Waddie didn't think it would effect them so strongly, but then realized why it might. He apologized to them and told them he was sorry. They assured him it was all right they would have rather heard it from him than someone else. They believed Waddie and what he witnessed. They were just as convinced as he was. It made sense in an awful way. Waddie felt bad about it for months, but they only loved him all the more for being honest with them.

No one told Morgan until several years later when he asked Waddie point blank if he knew who Sissy's father was. Waddie asked him the same question he asked Morgan's parents. Was he sure he really wanted to know? He promised he did. Waddie also made it a point to tell Morgan this was a situation if he even suggested Waddie was lying would terminate what they worked to build to that point. Morgan assured Waddie he would believe anything he told him. Waddie told him the truth. Morgan didn't have the slightest doubt Waddie was telling the truth. It made sense. He thanked Waddie, and that's all that was said about it.

* * * * * *
Waddie and Gip began to play around with condoms. Jacking each other off with them, doing what every boy has tried since they were invented. They're sort of sexual balloons for teenage boys. Sometimes they would get away to Morgan's place to water and feed the livestock and Buck's ponies. They would play with the rubbers, ejaculate in them, and then throw them in the trash. One afternoon Morgan came home earlier than usual and walked into the barn. He caught Waddie and Gip just as they were finished playing. Waddie just finished making love to his mate while wearing a rubber. For some reason at the time it was new and a big turn on for the boys. They didn't try to hide what they were doing. Lord knows Gip and Waddie had seen Morgan and Buck doing it enough. Waddie was coming a lot but Gip was still only coming maybe once a day and was shooting blanks after that. Waddie removed the condom, tied it off and threw it into the trash can. They cleaned up and apologized to Morgan. He laughed and told them he was sorry he didn't get there sooner to watch. They shared a good laugh then left.

* * * * * *
One month after Sissy was born Judy was pregnant again. She was scared to death because she didn't have sex with anyone but Morgan a couple of times. She was afraid Morgan would think she had some man to his house, but she didn't. Morgan didn't seem to be upset over it, and told her not to worry. Miracles seemed to be happening all over the place, perhaps he had one, too. Maybe there was still one fertile sperm which found its way up there. Judy was miserable. She didn't want another child, especially Morgan's, and she seriously considered aborting the baby. She had to know Sissy was Willie's baby but Willie was in prison, and Morgan was the only one she had sex with. It had to be Morgan's child.

Morgan didn't tell her what to do. He didn't care. He did tell her if it was a boy he'd let his name be on the birth certificate as father of the child. Judy went into deep depression and wasn't taking care of Sissy. The baby was hungry and dirty all the time. Waddie and Gip couldn't understand. They would hear the baby screaming and crying for an hour or more when they went to care for the livestock. Sometimes they could hear the baby crying from the Justins. She would scream and cry for a couple hours. They couldn't stand it anymore and went to confront Judy. Waddie wasn't the least intimidated by her.

They found her drunk and passed out. They couldn't bring her around. They looked for and finally found a clean diaper. The baby was lying in its on filth for a day or more and had festering sores breaking out all over its little rear. It was starving. You could see her small ribs and the bones in her shoulder and arms. Waddie told Gip to call the sheriff and then Dad Dan. This was child neglect, abuse, and endangerment as far as Waddie was concerned. Whatever they chose to call it, but he'd be damned by all the angels in heaven if he'd let Judy do this to another child; if he had to kidnap the baby and care for her himself. His brothers assured him he wouldn't be alone.

Buck, Lyle, Quinton, and Dan Justin were there in less than thirty minutes. Waddie showed Buck what they found and he took Sissy into custody immediately. They took Waddie, Gip, Dan, and the baby to Dr. Dyer who examined her. She was malnourished, on the boarder of starving to death and had festering wens from lying in her own waste too long. With his recommendations a court order was issued for the child's protection until a social services worker could assess the situation and add their recommendations. In the meantime Gip and Waddie enlisted their brother's help, found every hiding place where Judy hid her booze and poured it out in the kitchen sink. They left the empty bottles on the counter to let her know they did it. Waddie wasn't prone to vengeance, but he had to admit pouring out Judy's booze warmed his heart.

They gathered everything they could find that belonged to the baby, which wasn't much, and carried it back to the Justins. Every diaper was filthy. The boys took them, soaked them, and poured off the filth. They rung them out, placed them in a big wash tub and built a fire under it. They put in Fel's Naptha soap, bleach, and boiled them. They hung thirty diapers on the clothesline to dry in the sunshine. When the boys got through they were white as snow. A cry for help went out to the community and within hours they started turning folks away who wanted to give them extra diapers. The court order kept Sissy away from her mother until a social worker could determine whether she was recovered enough to get her baby back. Judy never tried to recover. Waddie and Gip offered to help her clean house or cook something for her. Judy tried to order them out of the house, but Morgan gave the boys free run of his house when he was gone. She would rant and rave Waddie was the little bastard who should be in prison not her beloved son Willie.

Waddie leveled both barrels at her. "Your saintly son, Willie, damn near killed me, you whore. The only reason you're so pissed is because he ain't around to fuck you no more. Yeah, that's right, Judy. Didn't think I knew Willie's been fucking you for several years. You want me to tell the community the real truth about who Sissy's father is? She looks just like him. Who you think they're gonna' believe this time you lying bitch?" Waddie yelled at her.

They wanted to tell her to go get fucked, but she obviously did one too many times. Morgan didn't seem to care, in fact he praised the boys for trying. He told them to go into the house anytime they wanted. He knew it drove Judy crazy. If they found her booze he didn't care what they did with it. It was money he was giving her for the household. He knew she wasn't spending it for food. She was carrying another baby for Christ sake. Waddie and Gip felt the baby had a right to life, and they were damn well going to see to it she didn't kill the unborn child with alcohol. They enlisted their brother's help. Waddie, Gip, Oatie, and Clyde knew all her hiding places. They made frequent searches, found it and poured it out. She screamed and call them all sorts of names.

They didn't care, especially Waddie. He had no feelings for her whatsoever. Just like she had for him as a baby. He was enjoying seeing Judy on the opposite end. He had no sympathy for her. He would yell back at her they were going to make sure she wouldn't destroy another child's life like she did Waddie's and Dorothy's. Let her taste someone ignoring her wants and wishes for a change. All the boys cared about was the life inside her. It deserved a chance. The boys drove her crazy. They knew the days she had groceries delivered and would be there to intercept the booze and send it back to the store to be credited to Morgan's account. She yelled and screamed at them then ranted and raved at Morgan when he came home. The boys were honest with Morgan. They told him everything they did. Waddie did it to see if Morgan would believe them over Judy. He never questioned the boys.

"Judy, you ain't spending the money for food. You ain't cooked a meal around here in weeks. I eat at the diner in town, at my parents, at the Justins, or Buck's when they're kind enough to invite me. Them boys are saving me a lot of money and trying to save your kid's life. I'm gonna' contact Gary Stiles and tell him not to include any alcohol in your orders anymore," Morgan said. Judy would yell, scream, call Morgan awful things, and go to her room and cry. She was trapped and couldn't have her way. She painted herself into a corner and couldn't get out.

Judy sunk further and further into depression, but the boys kept on constantly working to do everything they could to see the baby made it into the world. They fixed her food and insisted they weren't going to leave until she ate it. She would be so angry she'd throw it at them. They cleaned it up and made her something else. Then they found out if they just left the food, she would eat it. She actually developed an admiration for the boys persistence while hating the sight of them. She even went so far as to leave a note on one of the trays they fixed for her. All it said was, "Thanks." That was it. She never ask them or Morgan where Sissy was. She didn't seem to care.

Sissy was staying with Ma and Pa Lovejoy. They didn't mind because Waddie, Gip, and the boys took Sissy on as a cause. The boys, Gip, Oatie, Clyde, and Waddie did most of the physical work taking care of her. Once a week, usually on a Saturday they would spend the morning boiling and washing her diapers. The four boys working together took little time to get the job done and Sissy had a week's supply of fresh, clean diapers. Waddie would go by every afternoon after school, empty and rinse out the day's collection of dirty diapers. He and Gip would rinse them out and hang them across the fence to dry, ready for major washing on Saturday. It took them only a few minutes.

They didn't ask Ma Lovejoy to do anything but watch her, feed her, and change her when they couldn't be around. Ma Lovejoy was having a ball. She got the best part of the job, and the boys took care of the rest. They bought Sissy toys out of their allowance. The boys were the first humans to hold her, show her love, feed her, clean her, bathe her, and play with her. No one wondered why Sissy bonded with the four boys. She didn't know they weren't her mothers. She adored her four cowboy brothers. They were good to her and showed her love. Morgan couldn't take care of her. Waddie and Gip pleaded with their grandparents, Ma and Pa Lovejoy, to help until something could be resolved. The boys could talk them into anything. The adults of the family were worried about the boys intervention and getting too involved.

Dr. Dyer came to the boy's defense. "Think about it. We've encouraged them in their efforts to take care of sick, wild animals. They've gotten damn good at it. They taught me a trick or two. I don't think caring for this baby is so far from what we've been encouraging them to do all along, to respect life of all kinds. Look what they did to train the barn owls to hunt for themselves. They saw a human critter who needed help, and they made a commitment. They didn't do it lightly. They talked to me for days about it. They knew they had my help and commitment to help any way I could. They see another human critter on the way that's going to be born retarded, deformed, or deficient if Judy even carries the baby to term. They came to me and asked me what the chances of the child being born normal, and I didn't lie to them.

"Who else will accept the responsibility to save the unborn child? Adults can't get away with dictating to Judy whether she can or can't drink while carrying her baby. The boys can, and they have the time and interest, we don't. Morgan has encouraged them. He's cut her off from ordering liquor from the market. I don't think we should discourage them. I don't think we should overly encourage them either, but we should be supportive of their efforts and listen to them if they need counsel or help. They know I'm on call for them 24/7 if it's a human critter or a wild animal critter. Their experience with Sissy alone is teaching them volumes. Is this so far removed from what Gip and Waddie chose to do for Oatie or what Oatie chose to do for Clyde? They're growing up and experiencing how much care, time, and responsibility it takes caring for a baby. It will make them damn sure they're ready and want kids before they bring a child into the world. I wish we had a course in school to teach all kids what these boys are learning on their own. What they're learning about caring for a baby, or even an unborn child is something they could learn nowhere else," Dr. Dyer said.

The adults in the family agreed with the doctor. They watched the boys change before their eyes. They were more responsible. They took themselves and their responsibilities more seriously. They were leaving childhood behind and learning what a person has to do in the real world to care for his fellow man. Waddie and Gip made a commitment to help Oatie all those years ago. Oatie never forgot what they did for him and wanted to be as much a part of saving the baby as they were. Clyde surprised everyone by becoming the most adamant spokesman for the four. A week before Thanksgiving that year Judy went into labor. Morgan rushed her to the hospital and despite Dr. Dyer best efforts, Judy died giving birth to a baby boy. Her system was so run down her body couldn't recover from the shock.

It was all the doctor could do to keep the baby alive. Dr. Dyer was a good doctor and kept up with all the latest advancements in medicine, but in a small town a doctor didn't have the luxury of state of the art equipment. Luckily, that year a wealthy patron of the hospital gave a large donation for a small natal ward and enough for two new incubators for premature babies. The baby was about four weeks premature and had to remain under hospital care for about a month. The baby was a handsome little boy. Fair of complection, beautiful blue eyes, and blond hair with a noticeable dimple in his little chin. The boys would visit him two or three times a week and wave at him behind the glass. Oatie took one look at the kid and giggled. He knew immediately who the baby's father was. He shared it with his brothers. They had to admit he might be right.

* * * * * * *
It was Morgan's plan to have another son. He didn't count on Judy dying. There was no way in hell the judge in the county was going to let Morgan have the boy. He tried to claim the boy was his, and he should be allowed to raise it. The judge ordered him to have Dr. Dyer do a sperm count. He would make a decision based on the doctor's report. Morgan reluctantly submitted to the test with highest hopes. The doctor could find no motile sperm. Furthermore, the baby's blood type was considerably different from Morgan's. Once again his plans to have a kid were foiled by powers greater than himself. Waddie told him once he wasn't meant to have children and God was going to see to it he didn't. Waddie and Gip got another visit from Mr. Uriel. This time Oatie and Clyde were present. They were wowed but not as afraid as some adults. Children accept angels easier than grown folks. Some see them frequently, some talk with them. Mr. Uriel told Waddie to have the Dyer's adopt the little girl, Sissy. Dr. Dyer would listen to Waddie and for Waddie to tell him the truth about Sissy's parentage. If Dr. Dyer needed convincing, Mr. Uriel would go to him.

Dr. Dyer talked it over with Mrs. Dyer and they were thrilled to adopt Sissy. Mr. Uriel appeared to them anyway and told them he appreciated their generosity and to allow Sissy to become a child of the greater family. Mr. Uriel also confirmed Oatie's suspicions about the father of the boy. Waddie insisted on knowing whether these children had souls or were they 'meat machines.' Mr. Uriel laughed and complimented Waddie for paying attention all those years ago. He assured Waddie both children had souls. Sissy's soul was of the purest of innocence and the boy had a small portion of his father's well developed soul. The spark was there. The boys wanted to know what should be done for the boy child. Mr. Uriel told them, he and his Boss decided it was time for Waddie to start making decisions on his own. Since Waddie made the decision to help the baby into the world they would leave it up to him to make sure the child had a good life. They were sure he'd make the right decision. They were proud of all of the boys.

Linda Sue and Buck came forward to care for the baby until a home could be found. They talked between themselves about adopting the boy. There was something unusual about the child. From their experiences with the boys the unusual became common place for Dan, Buck, Lyle, and Don. They never knew what to expect from the four of them. Buck was used to the unusual by now and had his own suspicions. He didn't know how the baby came about, but he knew who would. He was ready to bet Dan his new pony. Dan didn't accept the bet. He knew the boys as well as Buck. He wasn't surprised by anything they came up with. Buck and Linda Sue talked with Waddie and asked him what he thought about having a little brother. Waddie wouldn't talk to them about it until his brother and his other dad and mom were present. Waddie secretly hoped Dad Dan and Jimmy Sue might want to adopt the boy, but if his dad and mom wanted him so bad he would go along with their wishes. He wouldn't mind having his own little brother.

The family sat down to dinner. After a while, conversation came around to the baby. Buck knew something was up because Waddie insisted they all be together to discuss it. Buck also knew it was of major importance to Gip and Waddie because they valued Dan and Jimmy Sue's opinion. Buck didn't feel the least threatened, in fact, he was glad they included them. Buck started the conversation. "Son, I know you so well by now, I know you wouldn't have all of us together if you and Gip didn't have some larger interest in this baby other than who raises him. I'm glad you wanted your other set of parents here because it would seem to be of considerable importance to you both. Am I right?" Buck asked.

"Yes, sir, Dad," Waddie replied.

"Yes, sir, Uncle Buck," Gip agreed with his brother.

"Do you boys know something about this baby we don't?" Buck asked.

"Yes, sir, Dad," Waddie replied. Gip didn't answer this time.

"Do you know who the father of the baby is?" Buck asked cautiously.

"Yes, Dad, we do," Waddie said hanging his head and looking to Gip for support.

Gip took Waddie's hand. There was a long silence. Finally, Waddie nodded to Gip. "He's Waddie's son, Uncle Buck," Gip told them. Buck didn't see that one coming. He wasn't prepared for it. Neither was the other three parents. They gasped in unison followed by a deadly silence around the table.

"What? How? Son, you didn't -- you wouldn't -- ?" Buck groped for answers. He looked at Dan who shook his head at Buck not to press. Let them get it out.

"Waddie would never touch that woman, Uncle Buck, you should know that. It's not what you might think. Waddie had nothing to do with it. He couldn't have. I ain't let him out of my sight for the last year," Gip laughed, he realized how it sounded, "Truth is, since he got out of the hospital, we ain't been apart long enough for him to have done nothing like that without me knowing about it. Besides, you know we wouldn't lie about something like this. It's too damn serious. It ain't a giggle to us, neither, I'll tell you. Waddie and I were playing around with condoms in Morgan's barn one afternoon a couple of weeks after Sissy was born. Waddie filled one, but I didn't. He threw it in Morgan's trash barrel. We don't know the rest, but Mr. Uriel confirmed the baby is Waddie's," Gip said.

"Oh, my God. Dear sweet Lord. What better way to get himself another 'Waddie' than to use his sperm? My brother would try anything to have another child. He probably would have, too, if Judy hadn't died. It's not like I can chastise him for it. I can't prove he done it. Waddie and Gip have no proof other than Mr. Uriel's word. While that's certainly good enough for us, it wouldn't hold up in a court of law. I'd say the good Lord blocked him in every way from having a kid. I don't know we have to send a message to him. If he don't get this message, then nothing we could say is gonna' get through. What are we supposed to do with the child, did Mr. Uriel say?" Buck asked Gip.

"Yes, sir. He told us he and his Boss agreed it was time Waddie started making some decisions on his own. They have faith he'll do the right thing for the child, since the boy is his son, and he was largely responsible for the baby's birth. Because the baby's soul is a spark from Waddie's soul, he should be the one to make the decision and name him," Gip said. There was another silence around the table you could cut with a knife.

"Dad, Mom, Dad Dan, Momma Sue, I want you to know I had no idea Morgan did this, and I'm as shocked as you are. Gip and I are still kids. I'm too damn young to be a father. I was careless with my seed, but who would've guessed Morgan would do a thing like that? I didn't insist we try to give this child a chance, because I knew he was my son. How was I to know? I did it because he was one of God's critters who needed help. To us, he wasn't born yet, but he was in the same position of neglect as Sissy. Maybe Mr. Uriel whispered to me and Gip to save the child. It's not beyond the realm of possibility. Even before Mr. Uriel confirmed he was mine, our brother Oatie took one look at him and fell on the floor of the hospital laughing.

"The baby was only two days old, and with a couple of questions to me and Gip, Oatie done figured out what Morgan did. Gip and I didn't wanna' believe him, but the more we looked at the baby and talked about it among ourselves, the more we had to agree it might be a possibility. Remember, Mr. Uriel told the Crenshaws and all of us that afternoon in their barn, I would bring them their sixth son not born unto them. I guess I was like you, Dad, I didn't listen close enough to what Mr. Uriel told us. He looks too damn much like you'n me to be an accident. Well, ya'll look at him, he looks just like me'n dad. He's got the same cleft in his little chin. That ain't no coincidence. It's an inherited trait. It was the first thing Oatie noticed about him. Morgan ain't got no cleft chin. Weren't you suspicious, Dad?" Waddie asked.

"Yes, Son, but I didn't have all the pieces of the puzzle. I had a damn good idea who would know the answers to my questions. Not because I think you and Gip are bad boys; on the contrary, I think you're both blessed and like your aunt insists, touched by the hand of God. With that in mind, I've come to expect the unusual from you two, but this one? This one takes the cake. This one outdoes all the rest. Am I right, family?" Buck looked at Momma Sue, Dan, and Linda Sue. Dan just shook his head in disbelief and the two women nodded agreement. "Nothing you four could come to me with will ever shock me again. I think your mother's made up her mind," Buck said and paused for a moment to look at Linda Sue. She smiled and nodded at him, "we'd like to raise him as our own. After all, Son, he's gonna' look like you and me, but your mom and I will respect your decision."

"I asked Dad Dan and Momma Sue to be here to ask them if they gave any thought to raising him?" Waddie asked.

"God bless you for thinking of us, Son, but under the circumstances, I think he should be kept in the Claymore family. Momma?" Dan asked Jimmy Sue's opinion.

"I agree, Waddie. It's sweet of you to think of us, but he is, after all, a Claymore. No one can deny that. He would eventually be pulled to you and Buck anyway. Look how your dad was pulled to you when he didn't have a clue you were his son," Momma Sue said to Waddie.

"That's true, Momma Sue, but give me some credit. T'weren't no way in hell I was gonna' let go of that big ole cowboy once I got me hooks into him. He didn't stand a chance," Waddie said with conviction, winked at his dad, and laughed. "I actively worked at carving my initials on his heart," Waddie added. They laughed and Buck beamed at Waddie.

"You didn't have to do a whole hell of a lot. You had me the minute I walked into that hospital room," Buck said.

"All right then, it looks like Gip and I got us another cowboy brother to learn to rope'n ride. The Crenshaws will go out of their minds. He's the sixth son Thane told us I would bring them. Are you sure, Mom, you and dad want this responsibility? I'll expect you to show him the same love you've shown me. I never want him lied to. If he's raised not knowing and not asking then no one has to say anything. If he does ask, I don't want him lied to, 'cause I ain't gonna' deny him if he does. Until that day arrives, if it does, he's Gip and my little brother, and you're dad and mom. And Dan Dan is his Dan Dan and the same for Momma Sue, she's his other momma. Didn't do Gip and me no harm to have two sets of wonderful parents. Won't harm him none, neither. 'Sides, that way he gets four sets of grandparents. Is that fair with everyone?" he asked his family.

Buck got up from the table and came around to take Waddie in his arms. He held him for a minute. "Of course it's fair with everyone. I wish every kid had advocates like you, Gip, and the boys to look after them, Son. The world would be a much better place," Buck allowed.

Linda Sue took him in her arms and gently thanked him for his understanding. She hugged and kissed him. The family laughed as Gip proceeded to call Waddie 'dad' for the rest of the evening. Poor Waddie would respond by rolling his eyes toward heaven to everyone's laughter. He had to laugh about it, here he was a father at thirteen years old.

"Once again, I'm proud of our boys and I have a feeling we're gonna' be equally proud of this boy. Have you decided a name for him, Waddie?" Dan Justin asked.

"Oh, yeah, Dad, that was the easy part. I named him after three men in my life I love very much. His name will be, 'Daniel Thane Gipson Claymore,'" Waddie replied, smiled, and winked at Dad Dan. Dan Justin immediately pulled out his bandanna and started wiping his eyes. There was a moments pause for them to absorb the meaning of the names Waddie would give the child.

"Damn. Those are perfect names for him, Son," Buck said. They all agreed.

"Will you be his Godparents, Dad Dan and Momma Sue?" Waddie asked.

"We'd be proud to, Waddie," Dad Dan said without hesitation.

"Will you be my Godparents as well?" Waddie asked. There was another hush fell over the family. In all the excitement of the last year no one considered Waddie no longer had Godparents.

Dan Justin got up and took him in his arms and looked into his eyes. "How could we have forgotten something as important as that? We were all so taken with a miracle we forgot the day to day things. You don't even have to ask, Son. You know Momma Sue and I will be proud and honored to be your Godparents. We'll accept both of you in the same ceremony," Dan said with a tear in his eye.

Birth/adoption announcements were sent out to everyone. In the announcement sent to the Crenshaws, Waddie wrote a letter especially for Randy and Sarah Crenshaw and Gus and Dora Franz explaining what happened. He left it up to them who they wanted to know about the the member of their extended family. He explained how their sixth new son was his biological child. To say they were flabbergasted is an understatement. They were happy for Buck and Linda Sue, but they didn't know what to think about Waddie and Gip. Gus came through for them and put it all into perspective.

"We all sat there and listened to the angel, Mr. Uriel, tell us Waddie would bring Randy and Sarah their sixth son not born unto them. S'like his dad thought Waddie was the Godson he was suppose to live for. He didn't understand he had a real 'son' to live for. So it is with Waddie and this boy. He didn't have anymore idea than us the son he would bring you would, indeed, be his own. Seems to me it's another lesson in miracles and the sometimes mysterious ways the good Lord works. Granted the boy has seen some unusual things in his short life. We know he's watched and guided. Ain't a soul sit'n here what don't believe it.

"Nobody can say that baby ain't family, neither. The angel done told Waddie he has a strong spark from his soul. That's all I need to know to love the child and think of him as my own. I got me a feeling he's gonna' be as great a blessing to us as Waddie and the rest of his family has been. Waddie certainly made the right decision for the baby to be raised by the sheriff and his wife. With Waddie, Gip, and their two brothers for big brothers, how could he help grow up to be a fine man?" Gus asked. They all agreed. Dad and Ma Crenshaw were wowed by what Waddie named the boy. They were so touched he gave him Thane's name. It meant a lot to them. They knew how much he loved and appreciated Thane.

The Justins, Dan, and Jimmy Sue, were installed in a service after church Easter Sunday morning as Waddie Buckley Justin Claymore and Daniel Thane Gipson Claymore's Godparents. The baby was baptized and Waddie was re-baptized with his new names. The new names were added to Waddie's birth certificate and recorded with the county. Buck was so proud of his two boys he positively glowed. The entire town was there except Morgan. He didn't think he could handle seeing another son who was almost his going to his brother. He railed at God and the powers that be, but in the end, he knew it was as Waddie told him. He was not meant to father children. Waddie told him God would see to that. He finally asked a prayer of forgiveness and once again Morgan Stanley Lovejoy began the long, slow process of healing.

* * * * * * *
From the time of Judy's death Morgan was alone. His dreams of family faded. He turned more and more to Buck's family group and was welcomed. After Waddie healed there was no more threat from Willie and he had no problems resuming his chores taking care of his dad's ponies and Morgan's stock. The final death knell for Morgan's dreams of family rang after the boys turned Willie and his gang over to the feds for breaking into the box car. Morgan was devastated his step-son was involved in the crime. Willie never liked Morgan and Morgan never really liked Willie. It was sort of a mixed blessing to Morgan. While he was happy Waddie stuck it to Willie and paid Willie back in spades after framing Waddie all those year he still had pangs from his dedication to the ideal of family. As stubborn and hardheaded as Morgan could be, he finally learned to stop defending them to the rest of the family. It certainly didn't go well for him with the Cotton Belt Railroad. Even though he wasn't involved with the crime there remained suspicions of possible guilt by association.

Waddie told the feds he knew about the stash of illegal weapons for a number of years, but he was afraid Willie would do to harm to him, and that's exactly what he did. Waddie was afraid Willie would physically hurt and attempt to kill him if he found out Waddie knew. He recounted the number of times Willie threatened to kill him over little things if he snitched on Willie to Morgan. They seemed to understand, but they asked if Morgan, Waddie’s dad at the time, had any idea the boys broke into the box car. Waddie assured them he didn't. Morgan was totally innocent of any knowledge. Morgan was present along with Buck, Linda Sue, Dan, Jimmy Sue, Gip, Oatie, Ed, Agatha, Clyde, Bubba, and Judge Potter when the feds interviewed Waddie and the boys in the hospital.

"Why didn't you tell your dad about finding the guns and ammunition hidden in Willie's closet earlier, Waddie?" One of the federal agents ask him.

"I just told you, I was afraid of Willie. Morgan wouldn't have believed me, and I knew it would hurt him a lot to find out. Beside's my angel told me he'd let me know when to turn Willie and his gang in," Waddie said.

"Your angel, Son?" the man asked sneering at Waddie with a half smile on his face.

"You don't want to go down that path, sir," the Sheriff came to his son's defense, "Too many people have seen and talked with Waddie's angel," Buck declared.

"Yeah, how many?" he asked. Slowly, Oatie, Gip, then Clyde raised their hands followed by Bubba, Ed, Dan, and Agatha. Finally Buck raised his hand along with Dr. Dyer. The federal agent looked stricken and shook his head. He probably thought they were just protecting their own.

"Besides you got enough information," Buck said, "Them boys handed me and you the guilty parties plus you regained the stolen goods. They couldn't have provided us with more solid evidence plus they went out of their way to protect the railroad's property so's Willie and his gang couldn't dispose of it. They told three adults they could trust that was their plan, and they had no intentions of keeping it for themselves."

"That's right," Judge Potter confirmed, "These boys weren't negligent if that's what you're getting at. They were five to ten years old during that period. They knew nothing of the responsibilities of reporting a crime. They were children for God's sake. You'd have to try them in my court and you wouldn't get to first base let alone get a prosecutor in the state who would touch it. You think for one minute you'd get a jury in this town to say these boys did anything wrong? I believe in justice tempered with mercy. You got your justice now show a little mercy. Call off your dogs Mr. Grimes unless you want one hell of a lot of bad PR in the state of Texas," the judge warned them.

Nothing more was said but the representative of the Cotton Belt Railroad told the boys there was a reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of the guilty. He took their names and parents address. Sure enough, several months after Willie was sent off to prison four checks arrived. One for each of the boys for a hundred dollars. Waddie and Gip put theirs in their rodeo account their dads were managing for them.

* * * * * * *
Waddie helped out considerably taking care of his baby brother. The baby slept in his room. He would get up, change him, feed him and rock him back to sleep. He almost became Gip and Waddie's child. No one tried to stop them. It was easier on Linda Sue and Buck. They didn't have to get up in the night and have their rest disturbed. Once in a while the boys would take a break and stay at the Justin's, and Linda Sue and Buck would take care of Danny Thane. The boys would call Buck and Linda Sue every thirty minutes, "Did he finish his bottle? Did you burp him? Does he feel hot to you? Is he getting sleepy? Have you done this? Have you done that? Oh, and don't forget..." on and on. Buck finally told them the baby was fine, stop calling.

As time went by Danny Thane became a child of the family. Ma and Pa Lovejoy were thrilled. They had another grandson to spoil. Ma and Pa Claymore fell in love with him. The Tate's had to have him visit. Like all the other boys, Danny Thane fell in love with Quinton. He loved going to the Tate's to visit because he got to sleep with his handsome Uncle Quinton.

Aunt Agatha couldn't wait until he was old enough to get on a bus and come to Dallas. She didn't have to wait too long. By the time he was three he made the trip with his four big brothers to their Auntie Boo's. He was a bit too young for initiation into the Old Password Society, but his big brother, Waddie, shared just a sip with him. He sputtered and made a face at the strong alcohol burn. Waddie put his arm around him, hugged him tight, and stole a kiss. The boys sent pictures of Danny Thane to the Crenshaws and Franz. They spread them across their bulletin board in their family room. The Franzs kept theirs on the fridge door. They sent pictures back of Cowboy Waddie and the twins, Kent and Brent. Waddie and Gip posted them in Buck and Linda Sue's family room. As Danny Thane got older he slept with Waddie and Gip. Sometimes they would get a break when the family would take him for a weekend, Dan and Jimmy Sue would take him or Linda Sue and Buck, but most times he was with the boys. No kid ever got more love and attention.

They didn't forget about Sissy either. They visited her and the Dyers a lot. They went to her birthday parties. The Dyers would bring her to family functions, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Dyers were so much in love with her. She became a lovely little girl who had the innocents of a saint. She did a hundred and eighty degree turn around from the dour, sad faced baby Gip and Waddie found that afternoon. She had no concept of meanness. Life was good to her so she thought it only natural to be good and love those who were good to her. She was accepted by all. She especially loved her little brother, Danny Thane. No one worried about telling her he was her little brother because she was told Waddie, Gip, Oatie, and Clyde were her big brothers. Oatie and Clyde were as good to the two kids as Waddie and Gip were. Sissy worshiped them.

At first the Dyers were somewhat dismayed, but they soon learned the importance of sharing a child with a large family. The Lovejoys would take her for a weekend. The Claymore loved to spoil her for a weekend. The Tate's gave her a room of her own, and Quinton loved his little sister. The Justins would have her for a weekend and Linda Sue and Buck couldn't resist her charms either. She was growing up in a community of folks who loved and cared for her much like the way the boys were growing up. Oatie and Clyde were gone from their homes most of the summer. Gip and Waddie were here and there. No one ever worried where any of the kids were. They were always where they said they would be. So it became with Danny Thane. He became the center of attention for the family. He and Sissy certainly never had to worry about whether they were going to have a birthday party or a gift under the Christmas tree from Santa. Fuck the sleigh, Santa arrived with a dump truck full of goodies for the kids and backed it up to the front door of the Justin's home.

Santa subcontracted with the Moanback Brothers Heavy Duty Haulers, Inc., for this unusual delivery. Instead of hearing, "On dancer, on prancer," you heard, "Moan back! Moan back!" Crash! "Hold it! That's good!" *

Christmas became a time for the children as it should be. The joy of Christmas was making it as memorable and happy for the kids as possible. It was never dwelled on about their births or parentage. They became so deeply ensconced within the family they became theirs. They simply belonged to the family. Finally, the Dyers realized the greater joy of sharing a child with family. They ultimately reaped the greater rewards of sharing Sissy. Danny Thane became as much theirs as the rest of the family. After a while, Morgan began to see how the two children were developing and knew it was God's will. They were truly becoming loving members of a wonderful, full family who accepted them as their own. He asked Waddie if he knew who Danny Thane's father was?

"Yes, Morgan, I know," Waddie replied.

"How did you find out?" Morgan asked.

"My angel told me, but my brothers done figured it out shortly after he was born. We suspected before the angel told us. He only confirmed it for us. Oatie read about a new discovery in genetics which confirmed a dimple in a male child's chin is a dominant hereditary factor passed on from father to son. You ain't got no dimple in yore' chin, Morgan, but I do. Besides, he's got the same blood type as me and yours is different. Mr. Uriel come to Gip, me, Oatie, and Clyde and told us since he was my son they were leaving up to me to decide a future for him," Waddie replied.

"Do you plan to tell him who his real father is?" Morgan asked.

"Not unless he asks. If that never happens then my dad will be his dad, and I will be his big brother. You won't tell him either, Morgan," Waddie said without nuance.

"I probably won't, but what makes you say that?" Morgan asked.

"Surely you've learned enough by now to know what's right and what's wrong. What you did with my seed without my permission was wrong. Must I live the rest of my life being responsible for and correcting your wrongs?" Waddie asked.

Morgan hung his head and didn't answer. He once again asked Waddie's forgiveness.

* * * * * * *
By the time Danny Thane was five years old the family had to label all pictures because you couldn't tell the difference between Danny Thane or Waddie at that age. Pictures would get mixed up and no one could tell. Danny Thane inherited all the Claymore physical attributes. He was going to be as big as his granddad Buck but not as big as his dad, Waddie. The community called them the three Bees; Big Buck, Buck Junior, and Baby Buck. Buck Claymore couldn't have be more proud. He was raising two wonderful boys who carried his name and were of his flesh and blood.

They had Sissy and Danny Thane on horseback by the age of five and six. Sissy developed a natural affinity for horses. She loved them, and they loved her. The big animals could sense something was a little different about Sissy, and they went out of their way to treat her kindly. She could talk to a horse and get him to do anything she wanted. Of course she was an easy touch, and they all had her number.

Shortly before his sixth birthday, Danny Thane discovered he was named after Dad Dan, one of the Crenshaw boys his big brother Waddie knew and loved, and his big brother Gip. Danny Thane announced at Thanksgiving dinner that year he would no longer answer to the name 'Danny Thane' he wanted to be called 'Gip.' There was a silence around the table you could hear your heartbeat. There were a couple of chuckles. Dan smiled and looked at Buck. Buck started to speak to him but Gip interrupted. "Uncle Buck, remember -- once I was called George and a handsome young cowboy told me that weren't my name. He was right," Gip said with a grin. Buck instantly changed his demeanor and looked around the table. He saw in every face, the jury of his peers, and felt their unanimous tacit vote: Gip was right.

"Well, then, I guess we'll have to get used to Big Gip and Little Gip," he said quietly as if the matter was closed. Everyone laughed and applauded. From that day on it was Gip and Little Gip. Little Gip was drawn to his big brother Gip like a magnet. He worshiped Big Gip. It made everyone wonder if Little Gip didn't get the spark of Waddie's soul that loved his brother so much.

The four boys were growing up fast. They were freshmen in high school and interested in everything. They were never more dangerous. They played some awful pranks on a number of the town's people. They were never meanspirited but most times their didos were painfully funny. Poor Quinton was the brunt of a lot their pranks. They always did something special for him to make up for some mischief. Folks laughed and talked for years about some of the shit those boys did to poor Quinton. They were interested in sports and made the first string all four years on the high school football team. Of course, that wasn't too hard. If anyone of them didn't play they didn't have enough for a team. They lettered in football all four years and the last three years were division champs. They also lettered in basketball and baseball.

Waddie, Gip, Oatie, and Clyde would spend two weeks in the fall helping get the hay in for all the ranchers. They walked behind the huge, flat bed trucks and threw a hundred pound bale of hay onto the flatbed, one arm at a time. They would do it day in and day out, sun up to sun down, for two weeks. At the end of that two weeks the four of them looked like Greek Gods. Their upper body development, their arms, their legs, and thighs were massive. They ran over most of their competition. Gip became a pretty fair quarterback and could bomb Waddie or Oatie anywhere on the field. Clyde grew into a huge man, bigger than his dad, and was a guard. He didn't let anyone get through. They were offered athletic scholarships to several colleges, but they didn't take them. They were more interested in being cowboys and rodeoing. It's all they talked about. Gip and Waddie couldn't be beaten as at team. Oatie and Clyde were pretty fair as team ropers, but they couldn't compete with Waddie and Gip.

Otie got interested in saddle bronc and bull riding. Clyde turned out to be bigger than Waddie and got into bulldoging steers. He got damn good at it, too, and won top prize money at all the local rodeos. Dad Dan had a barrel with a saddle on it held in the air by four ropes attached to rafters in the barn. Each rope was attached to a garage door spring at the rafters and gave the barrel a lot of spring to pitch it to and fro. The cowboy set in the saddle and one man would stand at either corner of the ropes and try their damndest to buck him off. It simulated a bull ride or a saddle bronc pretty damn good. Waddie, Gip and Clyde couldn't stay on it more that three to five seconds; certainly not the eight seconds it took to win. But Oatie was like somebody glued his ass to the saddle with Elmer's glue. The boys would talk Lyle, Quinton, Buck, and Dan into manning the ropes to try to buck Oatie off and they couldn't. He had some strange concentration that kept him in the saddle. He sometimes looked like he was performing a ballet of a bronc riding cowboy. It was a sight most folks never get to see except from a really talented rider. Oatie had all the classic moves down pat.

He worried Lyle, Buck, Dan, and Quinton because he was foolhardy. He had a tendency to be a showoff and took a lot of needless chances, but those are the cowpokes who win the money. Buck talked the town Chamber of Commerce into funding a rodeo arena and park area to be paid for and maintained out of city funds. They weren't much for it. They grumbled a lot but generally what Buck asked for he got. He didn't ask for a lot, but he thought it would improve the towns economy to have an annual county fair and rodeo. A huge area was set aside and planted with trees and irrigated. A nice size rodeo arena was built with stands on either side and an announcer's box. It was built and planted when the boys were in the sixth grade. It got the entire county involved and was a huge success. Each year they learned from their mistakes from the previous year until the city fathers were paid back their initial investment ten times over after only five years. Buck became a local hero to the town merchants. The rodeo was on the fourth of July every year.

The boys were active in the rodeos and participated in almost every event. Gip and Waddie would go up against mature men who were damn good ropers and win. They won a lot of prize money and their dads cleaned up on private bets. A lot of money changed hands during those rodeos. Clyde would ride bulls and bulldog steers. Oatie would ride saddle broncs and bareback. His dad, Lyle, forbid Oatie to ride bulls. Don Rayborn didn't like Clyde riding bulls but Clyde seemed to know what he was doing. He got off and out of their way quick enough.

It was the summer of the boys sophomore year in high school. The next year they would be juniors. The fourth of July rodeo came around and they entered all the events they were interested in. That year the rodeo board hired a stock contractor to bring in the rodeo stock. For the first few years they used local stock from ranches around the area. That year they decided to do it up right and get some professional rodeo stock. Word soon got around there were some pretty mean critters among the stock. Lyle and Buck went to look over the stock the boys would possibly be riding and picked out two saddle broncs and one bull they decided they wouldn't allow the boys to tangle with. They were mean-ass ornery critters who had never been ridden before. Men got on them plenty of times, but were bucked off long before the eight second buzzer. Lyle, Buck, and Don told Oatie and the boys if they drew any of the two broncs they wouldn't allow, the boy had to forfeit. Not to worry, their dads would pay their fees, and they wouldn't be out anything. They told Clyde and Oatie there was one bull they were not to ride under any circumstances. His name was 'Widow Maker.'

Every cowboy knows, to win you have to ride the roughest stock and stay on him for eight seconds. Sometime a cowboy would draw a pony or a bull and swap with another cowboy for some reason or another. Many times it was because of superstition. The two broncs they were not to ride were named 'Whirlwind' and 'Fat Boy.' Whirlwind, because the pony would spin while bucking to get the rider off. Fat Boy, because he came out of the chute like an atom bomb. Of course, Oatie drew Fat Boy. He told his buddies to be quiet and by the time the announcer announced his name and the horse he was riding, he'd be out the gate and his dad couldn't say nothing. He tipped the announcer ten bucks not to announce his ride 'til he gave him the signal. Oatie's turn on Fat Boy came around and the pony had fire in his eyes. He didn't bother Oatie a bit. He was cool as a cucumber. He got squared away in the saddle and waved to the announcer.

"Next, Ladies and Gentlemen, coming out of chute number two, we have a local cowboy, Oatie Rawlings, son of Chief Deputy and Mrs. Lyle Rawlings. Oatie will be coming out on a horse that ain't never been ridden before, Fat Boy," he said.

From across the arena came a booming bass-baritone voice, "Goddamn it, Oatie! Yore’ daddy and me done told you not to ride 'dat damn bronc. If the sum’bitch don't kill you you're gonna' get the spanking of your young life from the sheriff of this, here, county. Now get down off that damn pony, right now!" yelled Buck to everyone's amusement and laughter.

"He means it, Oatie. I'm a' gonna' hold ya' while he does it, cowboy," Lyle hollered.

The crowd roared with laughter. All that could be heard was Oatie's laughter above everything as he yelled, "Let 'em buck, boys. Open that damn chute!"

The gate was thrown open and Fat Boy shot out of the gate like a roman candle, arched his back and gave three huge jumps, each one higher in the air than the other. Oatie was glued to the saddle. He had one hand holding the rope to keep him balanced in the saddle and in his other hand his cowboy hat waving it to and fro as Fat Boy pitched and bucked. Every time the damn pony hit the ground, Oatie would spur the son of a bitch harder and send it into another round of bucks, spins, and kicks. The crowd rose to their feet at six seconds cheering for Oatie to go all the way. This kid was gonna' be the first to ride Fat Boy. Oatie stuck to him like velcro until the eight second buzzer sounded. The crowd went nuts cheering for Oatie, they were so happy for him. Oatie didn't wait for the pick up men. He jumped down off the horse like it was all in a days work for a good hand. He took his cowboy hat and sailed it high into the air. The crowd was cheering, whistling, and applauding.

The announcer was speechless. "Oatie's score was ninety-eight point nine points for that great ride folks. Now that's the way a cowboy rides a bronc," he declared.

The crowd went crazy for Oatie as he swaggered over, picked up his hat and bowed to the audience in a sweeping gesture. He came a long way from a small frightened kid who was so scared he shit his pants everyday in second grade. It was Oatie's moment in the spotlight, and he was loving it. His moment was short lived. He didn't see the Sheriff of the county and his Chief Deputy jump into the arena and were fast approaching from opposite sides. The crowd must have thought it was part of the show and started laughing. The announcer warned Oatie the strong arm of the law was about to catch up with him, and he'd better run. Oatie saw the two big men coming faster that a Texas tornado and started running for his life. He once again tossed his hat in the air. He was giggling at the top of his voice, hooting, and laughing, trying to get away from the men. He almost did, too, all the while yelling at his two pursuers, "Now, Uncle Buck, Dad, you don't mean this. You don't really wanna’ spank me in front of all these folks. C'moan, guys, have a heart. I rode the damn thing, didn' nigh?" Oatie asked as he yelled above the laughter of the crowd.

Buck caught him, held him as his dad undid his Wranglers and pulled them down to his boot tops. All of Oatie was hanging out for the audience to see. There were audible gasps. The announcer didn't know his mike was on, "Sum'bitch, would ja' look at the dick on 'nat kid!" he exclaimed. He realized too late his mic was on and fell out laughing. The audience couldn't be contained they were laughing so hard. Buck bent Oatie over his knee and gave him five good smacks on his bare butt. You could see Buck's handprint left on Oatie's bare bottom. Oatie was giggling and squealing with glee. Finally, Buck and Lyle were laughing so hard they couldn't spank Oatie anymore.

Buck pulled him up and yelled right in his face. "If you ever do anything that damn stupid again I'll lock yore’ ass up for a month on bread and water! Great ride, Son. Proud of ya.' Now, gimme' a kiss, you little shit!" Buck demanded at the top of his voice. Oatie threw his arms around Buck with his pants still down to his boot tops, his ass hanging out, perfectly framed by his chaps, and kissed Buck right on the mouth as the crowd cheered and applauded. Flash bulbs were going off all over the place. Folks couldn't get enough pictures. Lyle was next. He grabbed Oatie, grimaced, smiled real big then hugged and kissed him. Oatie made sure he turned toward the audience before he pulled up his pants. Flash bulbs went off on hundreds of cameras including the local newspaper who ran the story but blacked out Oatie's dick. Oatie was crushed. There were wolf whistles and cat calls but more than a little applause. They did publish the picture with the Chief Deputy Sheriff kissing his son and you could see a large glowing red hand print left by the Sheriff on Oatie's butt.

"Now, that, ladies and gentlemen, is a cowpoke!" the announcer proclaimed and laughed his butt off again. The crowd was going crazy as Oatie got his hat and took one more bow before leaving the arena. He got a standing ovation. Everyone was on their feet. Lyle and Buck never again tried to stop Oatie or Clyde from riding any animal they wanted. Oatie and Clyde won the top prize money for riding that year. Waddie and Gip won the team roping.

* * * * * * *
Clyde grew taller and bigger than his Dad and all the boys. He was just a little bigger than Waddie. Clyde and Waddie were devoted to each other. However, Clyde's main man was Oatie. He loved Oatie from the first day he gave Clyde a busted lip and never stopped loving him. He loved to fuck Oatie. As big a dick as Oatie had, he loved to have Clyde fuck him. Clyde wasn't a small man either. He was every bit as big as Gip and Waddie. Oatie claimed Clyde was better'n his old man, Lyle. That was hard for Waddie and Gip to believe, but they never asked Clyde to prove it. They couldn't get the silly grin off Oatie's face for hours, and he was always so calm and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. Sometimes Oatie would be on a tear, frenetic as hell, about to drive the other three boys crazy. Clyde would nod to Waddie and Gip behind Oatie's back. Waddie and Gip would grab him, pull his pants down and hold him while Clyde lovingly fucked the snot out of him. Oatie would scream and holler but after Clyde gently worked his way into Oatie's butt, Gip and Waddie knew the exact moment to let go. Oatie would raise up off the bale of hay and push himself down on Clyde as far as he could. He didn't want to waste a bit of Clyde's sweet cock.

Clyde would lock his big arms around Oatie's front, pull Oatie up to him, kiss Oatie behind his ear and then gently and lovingly fuck his buddy. Oatie would reach back and kiss Clyde over his shoulder and turn back around to give his buddy the best ride he could. Waddie and Gip would sit on a hay bale and urge them on, talking dirty to them. They'd pull out their dicks and play with each other while watching Clyde fuck his buddy. If Oatie had any inhibitions he would lose them and go bananas while Clyde fucked him. He would slam his ass back as hard as Clyde was fucking him. Clyde wouldn't take too long to shoot, then he'd sit on a bale of hay and make Oatie continue sitting on him while he gently but forcibly fucked him. Clyde wouldn't let him go until Oatie shot. He'd continue fucking him as Oatie played with himself.

When Oatie ejaculated he'd sometimes shoot six feet across the barn. For the rest of the afternoon the boys would have a delightful, thoughtful, quiet companion who kept a silly grin on his face, and blushed every time he looked at his big handsome cowboy buddy. Once Buck and Dan asked Waddie and Gip how it was that sometimes Oatie would be so frenetic and the boys would take him down to the critter barn, and he'd come back so calm and relaxed. They couldn't get it out they were laughing so hard when they related the story to Buck and Dan. They laughed and laughed and would giggle every time they saw that silly smile on Oatie's face. Buck laughed but told Oatie he understood, 'cause his dad, Lyle, did the same for the sheriff.

The years between the birth of Judy's two kids and the end of high school was like living an idyllic dream. Mr. Uriel came to the boys one last time shortly before they entered high school. He praised them for their accomplishments and told them to enjoy themselves in high school. He told them to be sure to remember others, and be kind to one another. The angel told them they wouldn't see him for a while, but he was convinced they would live their lives in goodness and peace.

Waddie and Gip grew in stature and love for their brothers and community. The four boys were loved by everyone in return. The town followed the young men in every pursuit they made. Every weekend the four boys were off rodeoing with their dads and winning a lot of money. Rarely a weekend went by the boys and their dads didn't bring home top prize money. Oatie and Clyde continued to get better at riding bulls and broncs until they could compete with the professionals. Oatie started riding bulls as well or better than Clyde. The only thing he couldn't do was bulldog steers. He was tall enough but Oatie never put on the weight Clyde and Waddie did. Gip remained pretty slender as well. They were both as well developed as Waddie and Clyde, but they were strong and quick rather than bull their way through like Waddie and Clyde might do.

Since their class was so small in high school the twelve of them bonded and spent wonderful times together. Everyone gathered at one of their homes for a party, a birthday, or just a Saturday night get together. Sometimes they all went to the only movie in town together. No one had steady dates but certain girls gravitated to certain boys. Jannie Anderson couldn't make up her mind who she liked better Waddie or Clyde. She'd usually ended up sitting between them holding both their hands. It wasn't until the boys could drive when real dating took place. Jannie was always Waddie's first choice for a date. She was Clyde's as well, but he knew Jannie and Waddie were becoming an item. They started going steady and Gip began going steady with Bonnie Tyler. Clyde and Oatie had their favorites but never went steady. Mr. and Mrs. Franz couldn't have been happier Jannie was going steady with one of the boys who protected and looked out for her all through school. Waddie was more than just a date for Jannie. He was family. He always had Jannie home at the exact time he said he would and Bubba assured Carol she never had to worry about Waddie taking advantage of their daughter. Better they should worry about their daughter not pushing Waddie too far.

One time they were late getting home, but they called Bubba for help. Waddie had a flat and found the spare on the truck was flat as well. Bubba brought him a good spare. They slapped it on and returned to the Franz's. Waddie was all apologies to Carol and Bubba, but there was nothing he could do about it. It only made Carol trust him more.

* * * * * * *
Boys will be boys and girls, too. That statement should be enough to paint a picture of the conundrum Waddie, Gip and the other two boys began to go through as their hormones kicked in and started playing havoc with their minds. What they were so sure about before was now fading in the past as part of one long summer when they were buddies. Girls took on new meaning and became the topic of conversation most of the time. The more time Waddie spent with Jannie the more he could feel Gip and him drifting apart. The summer of their junior year was a time of great closeness between the boys and yet there were things they didn't talk about anymore. It came to a head that summer with Waddie. The next year would be the best year of their lives, but the world was unsettled. No one knew which way their paths would take them. For the month of June and through their birthday’s Waddie was withdrawn and didn't communicate well with anybody. He wasn't mean or impatient. He got along and went through the motions, but he just didn't seem interested in much of anything. He still did his chores without question and was faithful to his brothers and family. His family noticed something wasn't right and his dads talked to Gip.

"He's your mate, Gip. He's Dan and my son, but we can't get out of him what's wrong. He assures the two of us everything's fine. Do you know what's eating at him, Son?" Buck asked in despair.

"Naw, sir, Uncle Buck. I know never to push my brother. He'll let me know when he's ready. I wish it would be soon because we should be having the greatest time of our lives, and he's so melancholy many nights he cries himself to sleep in my arms. We still make love and if anything he becomes a wild man. Waddie's become everything and more than I ever dreamed a mate could be. I have no fear of our bond being broken. He seems to need me more now than he ever did. I just can't get him to talk about what's bothering him. Waddie's not meanspirited. He'll know when it's time to talk with me. You might sit him down, Uncle Buck, and tell him I love him more today than ever, and I want us to have a wonderful year together."

"I'll do that, Gip. I think it's time he and I go out to the lake for a night of fishing by ourselves. Everyone in the family is worried about him. The only one he'll talk to is his Aunt Agatha, and you know her, old Iron Sides," Buck chuckled, "she wouldn't relate a word one of you boys told her in confidence. I know he's called her three or four time these last few months 'cause he carefully makes note of the time and date and pays his mother and me for the charges. I told him time and again, he can call her anytime he wants and we'll pay for it, but you know Waddie," Buck said and shook his head, "His mother called Agatha and as close as they are she couldn't get a thing out of her. I love that old lady for that, though. I can't fault her for being faithful to you boys. Every one of you have called her with some problem or another, and she's given freely of her time and counsel to you. She did tell Linda Sue to be patient with him. It's something he has to work through, but we'll know soon. I suppose for now that's gotta' be good enough," Buck said.

There was one person whom Waddie would talk to and met him secretly in his barn several afternoons to pour his heart out to him, his big brother Ed. Ed and Waddie grew to respect and love each other as hero to hero. Ed changed. He was more happy with his lot in life and his role in the community. He went to church more often and took his wife and kids. He became more devoted to his wife, but still saw the Sheriff and his boy on the side occasionally. Buck and Bubba became big friends and spent several afternoons together in Ed's old barn. Waddie was proud of his older brother. They put each other on a pedestal and valued any time they could share. They still had sex occasionally but not often because Waddie and Gip were almost always together. Waddie didn't lie to Gip about needing to talk with Ed. Gip was only too happy for him to see Ed. It wasn't like Waddie was spending the night with him. He'd come back to Gip and make great love to him almost like he was thanking Gip for understanding. Waddie would always seem a little closer to making a breakthrough about whatever was bothering him after he talked with Ed.

The family tried to keep Oatie and Bubba away from each other if they could, but that was damn near impossible because they were drawn to each other like lint to felt. Once they got together and started in nobody could get anything done. Everybody would be standing around laughing so hard at the two of them they would ache. Yet, they couldn't tear themselves away. They would play off each other and come up with some of the most outrageous shit. Outrageous, but fall down funny. They had their serious moments too and between the two of them, they could figure out exactly what was happening with anyone. Their brother Waddie wasn't exempt from their speculation. Buck was sitting at the table when Oatie and Bubba were cogitating about what was bothering Waddie.

"Clear as day, to me," Oatie said taking a sip of his Coke.

"Twix'n 'tween?" Bubba said winking at Oatie. Oatie almost choked on his soda and nodded.

"Exactly!" Oatie exclaimed and laughed."Hell, we're all there right now, Uncle Bubba. He's just afraid to talk about it, because he loves deeper than most of us, and he'd rather die 'afore he hurt anyone he loves. I know him so well. One time he thought he hurt my feelings, came to me and cried his heart out apologizing, begging my forgiveness, when he really didn't hurt my feelings a 'tall. Most times when my brothers zing me I deserve it 'cause I'm gettin' a little too full of myself. Hell, that's one of the things I love most about 'em, they can take as well as they give. I ain’t never had one of 'em get angry with me that way."

"What the hell are you two talking about?" Buck asked in frustration. Oatie and Bubba laughed and apologized to Buck. They just thought he was following the conversation.

"Waddie loves Gip deeply, brother. Ain't no question about it. Don't need to tell you that, but he's falling in love with Jannie as well, and it's creating a great pull inside of him. Not to worry, he's talking to folks, his aunt and his big brother, Ed. He's coming around. He'll figure it out. I've offered to talk with him, but I'm too near Jannie. He respects me as her dad. He knows I'm here for him if he needs me, but I think this is a job for the sheriff. You might wanna’ talk to him, brother. I think he's to the point he'll discuss it with you," Bubba said talking seriously to Buck.

"Why, that good for nothing, brother of mine, he's more faithful to my kid than he is to me. I talked with Ed the other afternoon about this very thing, and he didn't even let on he talked with Waddie," Buck said and roared with laughter, "Tells ya' a lot about the respect some folks have for my kid, don't it?" Buck asked. Oatie and Bubba chuckled and agreed with Buck.

The following weekend there wasn't a rodeo to attend, and Buck announced Waddie and he were going fishing on the lake and stay in the cabin Buck's granddad left him. He told Waddie not to make plans for the coming weekend, because he wanted to get away from everybody, and he needed his son to be with him. Waddie never said 'no' for a chance to be alone with his old man. Most of the time Buck was in such demand from the community and was always involved in helping first one family or another. To spend some quality time with his boy became a luxury. When they did and told C.D. and Carol Franz, no one knew where they were. They didn't want them disturbed. If some emergency came up they couldn't handle, they would contact Buck; otherwise, the sheriff was not available.

Little Gip was in the summer of his first year in school and wanted to go with his dad and big bother in the worst way, but decided to spend the weekend sleeping in the arms of his big brother and namesake, Gip, was an acceptable alternative. He was growing up fast and was going to be as good a roper if not better than his big brother. He and Bubba's first boy Donny Lyle bonded and were a team. Buck told C.D. and Linda Sue they would probably be back Saturday evening; if not, Sunday sometime, he didn't know for sure. Waddie helped his dad load the truck and got last minute instructions from his mom.

He and his dad left and arrived at the lake as the sun was going down in the west. It was a beautiful sunset. The sky was ablaze with color. The two men stood and watched and silently thanked their Creator. Waddie was in better spirits already just to get away with his dad, by themselves. It didn't happen too often when he had his old man's total attention. He never minded because he knew how important Buck was to the community and Waddie was proud to be the son of the sheriff. However, Buck could almost sense when both of them needed to get away and remind each other how much they loved one another.

Buck would actually find his heart aching sometimes to be alone with Waddie, and he knew when Waddie felt the same. It was a look in their eyes, the way they looked at each other that said, 'I'm hungry to be alone with your soul for what only we can bring to each other.' Linda Sue knew it, too. She never felt rejected or left behind. It wasn't like they went off by themselves a lot. Maybe two or three weekends a year they would take off together, but Linda Sue would have everything ready for them. She knew when they needed to be alone.

They always came back refreshed and more in love with her than before. They carried their boxes of stuff into the cabin and put the perishables away in the fridge. Waddie checked and someone recently changed the sheets on the old bed. The only other people to use the cabin was C. D. and Quinton every Thursday night. They brought their own heavy blanket they threw over the bed to protect it. They never bothered to get under the sheets. In the winter they lit the small heater, and it would be plenty warm for them without their clothes. After C. D. fucked Quinton for a good hour or more it got a lot warmer in the cabin.

Buck got out the roast beef sandwiches Linda Sue packed for their dinner. He got them a couple of Cokes, and they sat down to eat. They talked about a lot of things but mostly what Buck brought up to talk about. Waddie didn't seem to be interested in bringing up anything to talk about. He wasn't distant from his dad. He could never be that to the man he loved above all others in his life. He was troubled. Waddie's heaviness was beginning to break Buck's big heart to see his boy that way. He hadn't felt that helpless with him since he held him in his arms all those years ago and told him he had to talk about it sometime.

They finished dinner, cleaned up the place a little and decided to get an early start to bed for early fishing in the morning. The two men got undressed and got into bed. It was a good size bed that allowed them enough space to sleep without feeling cramped. Buck's granddad built the bed years ago and his grandmother made the goose down mattress for it. It was probably the most comfortable bed Waddie ever slept on, and he loved coming to the cabin with his dad. Waddie met his great-granddad and great-grandmother when he was in a coma. He said a word of thanks to them loud enough for his dad to hear.

Buck chuckled. "Think they heard you, Son?" he asked.

"Do you have any doubts, Dad?" Waddie asked in reply.

"Good point, and I have to admit, I don't have a doubt in my mind. I know how much you said you thought of our grandparents. I know you met them because of the detailed descriptions of each, to say nothing of the stories they told you. I know I never told you, and dad said he never told you them stories. I thank them, too. I agree with you. It's one of my favorite beds. Com'mer, Son, let chore’ old man hold his boy for a spell." Waddie moved into his dad's big arms and laughed. They both were stiff as steel rods. "I know," sighed Buck, "my boy does that to his old man and obviously his old man does it to him. I remember that first night you spent with me you threw off your clothes to make a good impression about obeying my no clothes rule. You were so proud of yourself, but all of a sudden you got a look of horror on your face as you watched me undress. Yore’ little dick got roaring hard. I saw it out of the corner of my eye, but I wasn't going to embarrass you none by bringing attention to it. Didn't seem to bother you none when I held my arms open to you, and you damn near poked a hole in my belly. I laughed and you just asked me why your pee-pee did that? Do you think you understand why it does it today?" Buck asked with a tear in his eye.

"Yeah, sure. Of course. It's 'cause my old man's one hot, fuck'n cowboy. He's a walking sex machine. He's been my idol of what I hope one day to become ever since I laid eyes on him. 'Er ain't no man I could ever love more'n you, Dad," Waddie cried a little in his dad's arms, and Buck knew his boy was close to letting him in. Buck didn't push, but stole kiss after kiss, held his boy tight, and reminded Waddie how much he meant to him as well. They hadn't spent a night together like that in a long time. Waddie couldn't get close enough to Buck, and Buck never let his boy go all night. When they slept like that together, it always seemed the next morning they were refreshed and felt more alive than ever. They were alone, together, and wallowing in their love for each other.

They were out on the lake fishing long before the sun came up. They were fishing for croppie and wide mouth bass. It was one of those few times of which every fisherman dreams. They could practically put an unbaited hook in the water and catch something. After they caught eight good size bass and croppie they continued fishing for the fun of it, but would throw back what they caught. They planned to eat a couple for dinner, clean and freeze the rest for later. Linda Sue got really good at cooking the fish they caught. She never minded because she never had to clean them. They were ready for cooking when she thawed them.

"We caught all the fish we're gonna' eat for the next six months, Son. You wanna' go back this evening or wait until tomorrow evening?" Buck asked.

"If you have to get back, Dad, I'll understand. We can go back tonight if you need to," Waddie said a little sad.

"Didn't say nothing about me need'n to get back," Buck replied sternly, "I'm asking you if you wanna’ stay over?" he asked again.

"You know my answer to that, Dad. A chance to have my old man to myself for one more night? It's almost like that night you spent with me on my sixth birthday. I'll never forget that night as long as I live. God, how I needed you that night. You were like an angel to understand and give me what I needed." Waddie told Buck. Buck turned away. He choked up, because he remembered the significance of that night for both of them. It was on of those rare times in life when all the natural forces in the universe come together to make something so right it's reverently whispered about afterward for eons down the halls of eternity.

"Well, this time, it ain't only my boy what needs his dad tonight, his dad needs his boy just as much, but to be honest, I needed you that night as much or more than you probably needed me. So, I guess we stay over. Quinton's gonna' stop by for a beer later so we'll have him call yore’ mom when he gets home to let her know. She's probably out to the Justins with Little Gip. Damn she loves that kid, don't she?" Buck asked.

"She really does, and it makes me feel so damn good. She's so good to him and understanding. I don't think he'll ever doubt you and mom are his parents. Hell, he looks so much like us it's downright frightening. Like that time you looked at me in yore’ mirror with my cowboy hat on you couldn't believe what you were look'n at. You were funny. You didn't wanna' admit it to yourself we looked so much alike. I thought for sure you'd figure something out, but you didn't. How could you have known?" Waddie asked.

"I knew something weren’t quite right. I felt so damn guilty for loving you as much as I did. I knew Morgan didn't love you like I did, and it hurt me deeply to see him treat you the way he done. I'm just now beginning to forgive him and start'n to love him again. I know you already made yore’ peace with him. I admire you for it, but I still got me some healing to do. Hell, you boys got the run of his place. He loves having you over there. He's all the time bragging on something you men helped him do," Buck said.

Quinton dropped by with C. D. and Oatie. They didn't stay long. Waddie was glad to see them, and he seemed in better spirits. Quinton let C. D. call and tell Linda Sue the guys were going to stay through tomorrow. Waddie cooked for him and his dad. He pan fried the fish and cooked some frozen vegetables his mom packed for them. It wasn't a fancy meal, but it tasted good to them. Buck seemed to enjoy his supper and Waddie was proud he could fix something his dad liked. They were in no hurry to clear the table or clean up. They sat and talked about many things, and then Waddie went silent like he couldn't go on talking. He just closed up like a telescope. Buck knew this was it. The big cowboy sheriff got up and started clearing the table and threw the paper plates in the trash. He started cleaning the skillet and pans Waddie used to cook dinner. Waddie got up, got a dishtowel, dried everything and put them away. Nothing was said -- not a word. Buck wasn't going to push, but it made it all the more awkward for Waddie, because he was counting on his dad -- to do what? He didn't know.

'What are you waiting for him to do, Waddie?' He heard a voice in his head, 'I don't know. I just know I gotta' talk with my old man, he'll understand.' Waddie finished up, cleaned the sink, and wiped the table. Buck sat down on the edge of the bed and started to pull his boots off when Waddie spoke, "Here, Dad, lemme’ help you with them," Waddie said like it was his place and right to remove his old man's boots for him. Waddie moved to his dad's feet and pulled his dad's big boot up between his legs facing away from him and positioned his hands to pull them off. Buck put his other boot on Waddie's butt and pushed -- off came the boot. Waddie repeated the action with Buck's other boot.

"Thanks, Son," Buck said with a deep sigh as Waddie carefully placed his dad's boots next to the bed but not before taking a deep whiff from both of them. Buck laughed at him as he continued to get undressed. Waddie took his own clothes and boots off. By the time he got into bed tears were running down his face uncontrollably. He wasn't crying, he just couldn't control the water works. The tears were coming from deep inside him; from his core. Buck glanced at his boy and opened his arms to him. Waddie went to his dad and cried his heart out; still, Buck didn't say anything.

Buck reached over to his pants hanging on the kitchen chair and retrieved his little silver hip flask. He undid the top and handed it to his boy. "Here, cowboy. I know you won't be eighteen until next summer, but this ain't just alcohol, h’it's Southern Comfort -- h’it's medicinal," he chuckled at his own bullshit. He probably wasn't too far from truth at that point. Buck would try anything to oil his kid's tongue when he seemed to be suffering so. Waddie took a pull off the flask and made a face. It tasted sweet and good, but it burned like the fires of hell when it went down.

Waddie grimaced and sputtered. "Jesus Christ!" Waddie barely got out, "'Scuse me, Lord," he said over his shoulder, "Fire water better be heap big medicine, pale face Chief!" Waddie exclaimed. Buck roared with laughter at Waddie's joke as he took a big ole pull from the flask.

Buck waited and thought he wasn't gonna' wait anymore. Somebody had to break the ice. "Well, of course -- I went through the very tortures of the damned you're going through myself when I's about chore' age. Thanks for asking, Son," Buck declared. He let it lie there for a minute.

Waddie started laughing, and they rolled on the bed in laughter. "I'm an ass, Dad. I should've come to you with this a couple of weeks ago and not put everyone through what I done. Although, it did get me a weekend alone with my dad, so I ain't gonna' beat myself up too damn much. Why would I think you wouldn't understand? You been there and back; on several continents. Loving Uncle Morgan the way you do, you had to make a decision when you asked mom to marry you," Waddie allowed.

"You're right, but things were different then, and I think maybe my decision was a little easier than yours is gonna' be. Times were different. We were facing a world war. Morgan and I talked about having families, and he knew I was in love with yore’ momma when I left for Europe. I got a letter a couple of months later. He married and was expecting a son. Then he sent me your photo. I thought you was the prettiest damn baby I ever done seen, and I carried your little picture in my wallet all through the war. I knew the moment I saw your sweet little face, if the good Lord let me get back home, I wanted me a boy jes' like the one in that pitcher," Buck choked up a little, "Little did I know, at the time, that sweet baby buckaroo in the pitcher was ma' very own flesh and blood."

"Is that how you done figured out why I been in such a funk?" Waddie asked quietly.

"Honestly? How long you know'd me now, Son? You know your old man sometimes c'ain't see the damn forest for the trees. Big and dumb don't necessarily go together in all men, but it's shore' as hell does in my case, especially when it's got something to do with you. No, it was Bubba and Oatie what put me on to it. Then I threatened that no good sum'bitch'n big brother of yore’n, and told him I was gonna' slowly choke him to death on sheriff dick if'n he didn't help me out a little and nudge me in the right direction," Buck swore and they shared a laugh,"T'weren't a new threat to him. He swears every time he sucks me off I choke him to death, but he's always ready to try again. He's gettin' a lot better at it, too, and you're right, Son, ain't no sweeter come than flows out a' that man's penis. Woah! I can suck him off twice, and be hungry for more. But, fuck -- he's devoted to you and only told me just enough to confirm what Oatie and Bubba guessed. He didn't betray any of your confidences. I wouldn't put him in that position anyway. I never considered you needed an adult brother in the community to bounce things off, but Ed's been the best big brother you could hope for," Buck declared.

"I love my coach a lot, Dad," Waddie agreed and they broke up laughing.

"Look, Son, I'm gonna' tell you some'um. Don't make me no never mind whether you and Gip settle down together or you decide you wanna’ marry Jannie and have kids. You already done give us a grandkid we adore. God knows we couldn't love him more. That damn kid's a carbon copy of me and you. So yore’ mom and I c'ain't cry we won't have no grandkids."

"I know dad. Mom talked to me and told me the same thing. I guess what I'm fogged about is, I know in my heart Gip ain't never gonna' marry. I know he's real fond of Bonnie Tyler, but he won't marry her. He wants me for his mate, and you know what dad? It was me what asked Gip to be my mate that summer I had to leave home. I missed him so much, and I never wanted to be without him again. We talked about what hormones might do to us, and we decided we'd cross that bridge when we come to it. Well, we're there. Right now. It's staring me in the face. I'm falling in love with Jannie, and it ain't just puppy love, Dad. I wanna' marry Jannie and have kids with her," Waddie said.

"I see. It's a little more of a pickle than I thought," Buck mused, "Knowing you, you'll keep your promise to Gip rather than renege on your commitment to him. Woah. That's a tough one, Son, and I understand why you've been under the weather. You been pulled both ways," Buck said and was quiet for a moment waiting for some feedback.

"You and Mr. Uriel always taught me to do the right thing, Dad. I will do the right thing, but whatever I decide, I gotta' be honest with the other person. I can't drag both of them along. That would be dishonest and cause worse feelings in the long run. Either way I'm gonna' hurt somebody I love. I should've never started going steady with Jannie. I should've let her date Clyde or Oatie," Waddie lamented.

"Look, cowboy, don't be so hard on yore’self. Damn, I ain't never seen me no kid what could beat himself up as much as you, Waddie. You're gonna' do the right thing. I know what I'd do if I's in your position, but I ain't you. You gotta' make that decision for yourself, Son. That don't help very much does it?" Buck asked.

"No, Dad, you've helped more'n you figure. I know exactly what you'd do if’n you had a little brother like Gip. Morgan was different. I know'd all along what I gotta' do, but I needed my dad to help show me the way. I know what you'd do, and you're right," Waddie looked at Buck with all the love in his heart and smiled.

"Not a lot of folks would understand what you jes' said, cowboy, but I do and it make a lot of sense to me. I never doubted you'd do the right thing," Buck said quietly.

Waddie relaxed, made a little love with his dad and felt like a huge weight was lifted from his body and soul. That evening, supported by his father's love, he limped across the finish line from adolescence into manhood. It can be one of life's most difficult passages. Many never make it.

End of Chapter 21 ~ Cabbage Patch Cowboy
Copyright © 2004/2013 ~ Waddie Greywolf
Mail to: waddiebear@yahoo.com
Proofed: 01/02/2013
WC 19434

* Moanback Bros. Moving Company ~ A hilariously funny skit made famous by one of America's greatest living humorist, Garrison Keallor, on "The Prairie Home Companion."