cpc_22

Cabbage Patch Cowboy
Waddie Greywolf

Chapter 22

Waddie was up before the sunrise the next morning packing the truck. He let his dad sleep in while he got things ready to head back to town. It wasn't a long drive. The lake was less than twenty miles south of town. The creek and river which ran through the area emptied into it. There was a huge dam which contained the lake with nothing more than a natural spillway to allow the overflow to continue South. The dam was not large enough to support hydroelectricity production.

"You's up awful early, Cowboy," Buck grumbled through his sheet. Waddie handed him a cup of coffee and smiled sheepishly at him.

"Hope you don't mind, Dad, I need to go to church this morning. I got me a number of things to talk over with the Old Man and Mr. Uriel, and several more things I wanna’ thank them for. I certainly wanna’ thank them again for my wonderful old man who has a way of making the biggest problems seem small. Want me to cook you some breakfast?" Waddie asked.

"Naw, let's stop by the diner on the way in. We can get breakfast there. I wouldn't mind going to church this morning either. Com'mer and give yore’ old man a kiss. Nothing better in the morning than a kiss from your boy; sets your heart for the whole day, and I jes' seem to walk a little taller in ma' boots," Buck declared.

Waddie sat on the side of the bed and gently kissed his dad, then hugged him. "Thanks, Dad. You always know the right words to say to make things clearer and put things in perspective. I love you, old man, more'n stars in the sky," Waddie said.

"Don't know what I said what was so Earth shakin', but I'll shore’ as hell take credit for it, if'n you say so," Buck said.

"I say so. You're the finest man a kid could ever hope to have for a dad. Me and Little Gip are two lucky men," Waddie said.

Buck got up, brushed his teeth, and gathered his stuff. They locked the cabin and were on the road back into town just as the sun was creeping over the horizon. It was a spectacular sight, an omen to Waddie he made the right decision. His heart felt lighter than it had in a month or more, and he needed to thank his Creator for letting him see things clearly. Buck called as soon as they got to the diner. Linda Sue just got up. Little Gip was still at the Justins and they were bringing him in for church. She was glad her men were home and going to church with her. "You want me to fix breakfast, Darlin'?" she asked.

"No, Hon. We're here at the diner. We're bringing you breakfast. Just put on a pot of coffee," Buck said.

Buck and Waddie ordered three breakfasts to go and jumped back into the truck to go home and have breakfast with Linda Sue. She was a little surprised they didn't eat at the diner. Waddie kissed his mom, told her they thought about it, but would rather eat with a pretty lady instead of them ugly ranchers. Linda Sue was in heaven. Talk was lively at breakfast and Linda Sue kept looking at her husband for some clue as to what went on. Buck would just smile. It told her he'd tell her everything when they were alone. Linda Sue was so thrilled Waddie seemed to be back to his normal self. He was loving and caring. He couldn't do enough for his mom. After breakfast, Waddie unloaded the truck, cleaned, wrapped, labeled it, and put the fish away in the freezer.

* * * * * * *
Waddie met Gip, Little Gip, and his brothers before church. They were joined by the rest of the families including Morgan. He now sat with the Claymore/Lovejoy families. Ma and Pa Lovejoy couldn't be happier. Their boy was finally turning around and becoming a major player in the community. He was becoming more respected everyday as an honest and fair businessman. His repair service prospered, he was in the third year of his Ford dealership and was doing better than anyone expected. Gip could tell immediately there was a change in his brother, and he was pleased. Even Little Gip could tell and hung on to his big brother like he hadn't in a while. He sat in Waddie's lap during church, but he promptly went to sleep during the sermon. Buck reached over and took him from Waddie and held him for the rest of the service. Waddie prayed and thanked God for the blessings he gave him and for showing him the way.

* * * * * * *
As it turned out the family decided to gather at the Justin's for Sunday dinner. Everyone brought something so the Justins never had to foot the total bill for entertaining such a crew. The family grew. Bubba and Carol Franz had three new mouths to feed. The Dyers had Sissy and the Claymore family had Little Gip. Then there was usually the preacher, his wife and two kids, and of course Morgan was a welcome regular. He brought as much or more than the rest of the family. Depending on what Jimmy Sue and Linda Sue were going to cook for Sunday dinner he'd order most of the meat for everyone and have it delivered to the Justins by Friday afternoon.

The rest of the family would bring side dishes of all kinds and specialty desserts the ladies liked to prepare for the kids. Needless to say, no one went away hungry and there was usually enough food left over for a light supper later in the evening. Most every one made a day of it. Jannie was there with Bubba and Carol. She and Waddie spent a great deal of time together. She knew something was bothering him, but today he seemed like the warmhearted, concerned boyfriend he always was. Bonnie Tyler was there and a couple of the other girls from school were with Oatie and Clyde.

Later they all decided to walk down to the creek and wade in the cool water. They invited anyone who wanted to come along. Of course the younger kids wanted to go with the bigger kids. They were family. The older kids had no problem with them tagging along. Waddie rode Sissy sitting on his shoulders holding her with his right hand and holding Jannie's hand with his other as they walked slowly behind the rest of the kids. It was a lovely, warm, summer afternoon. They got to the water and the older kids watched the younger ones so they didn't wade too deep or slip and fall. Everyone had a good time. They spread blankets in the shade and sat down with towels to dry their feet before putting their boots or shoes back on. Sissy and Little Gip crawled upon Big Gip and Bonnie's blanket and promptly went to sleep in the cool of the shade. Waddie and Jannie were away from the rest leaning against a big cottonwood tree.

"You finally worked out what's been bothering you, haven't you, Waddie?" Jannie asked him quietly, playing with the hair on his chest.

"Yeah, sweetheart, I have," Waddie replied but didn't elaborate.

"Did it have anything to do with me, Waddie?" she asked shyly like she didn't want to hear the answer.

"I was almost all about you, Jannie," Waddie replied wading into this talk with unsure footing. Jannie could sense it, she knew the young man sitting next to her so well.

"But I'm not the only one it was about, am I?" she asked quietly and looked down at her hands. Waddie shook his head 'no.'

"Momma's talked to me, and I asked Bubba for help. Bubba loves me, but he loves you and Gip so much it's hard for him to talk with me about it. I got enough from mom and him I think I know what's been worrying you. You're sitting here trying to figure a way to tell me you made a decision. Obviously it isn't in my favor or you would've already blurted it out," she said.

"I don't know so much about that. I tried to think about it from all angles, but to have a man who loves you as much as I do tell you it can't be between the two of you because of his prior commitment to his brother, just may be in your favor," Waddie said knowing his argument sounded hollow.

"How could that be in my favor, Waddie? I know what argument you're going to put forth about men loving each other with no place for a woman, but wouldn't it depend on the woman? Shouldn't she have some input to your decision, especially since it affects her future as wells as yours? We've gone steady now for almost two years, and you never told me you love me. Most girls my age would find that unsettling, but I don't. Why? Because your every action tells me you love me and how much. Ever since we were kids, when you and Gip stood up for me at your birthday party I've loved you and Gip. Over the years if there was the slightest hint someone was going to cause me harm you and Gip saw to it I was in no danger. Who walked me home everyday for a month, missed your ride on the bus, and walked the twelve miles out to your place just to make sure I was safe during that kidnapping scare? 'Course you got a lot of rides from deputies who just happened to be going out that way. Do you think that was by accident? I'd get home, call mom, and she'd dispatch a deputy to pick you and Gip up and take you home.

"Every time we go out together and we make out a little, I feel how much you love me. I know how hard it is for you not to go further, and it isn't because you don't want to either. I can feel you getting excited in your Wranglers. Then there's a healthy male scent which comes over you that drives me crazy. It trips every switch in my body, and you know when it happens. I've even climaxed a couple of times when we made love, and I know you have. It's been hard for me to be a good girl with you. If you weren't the way you are, I'd probably been pregnant a year ago. So that tells me how much you love me. Besides that, you have a greater love for my parents and your parents. You wouldn't do something that would bring shame to them or me. I'm not as strong as you are, Waddie. You could've taken me a long time ago, and you know it. Remember that night I brought a condom along and begged you? I had a devil of a time getting that condom," Jannie giggled but didn't elaborate, "You told me then, if we decided to get married you wanted our wedding night to be the first for both of us. I didn't think you were trying to put me off. I knew it was because of who you are and how much you love me. You still do," she said.

"You're right, I do. I love you that much. You been thinking about this for sometime, haven't you, hon?" Waddie asked.

"Of course, I've felt this coming for a good while. I know how close you and Gip have been all these years. You're off rodeoing and winning everything you enter. I don't get to see you or him all that much, but when I do no one shows me more love than you or Gip does. When I'm with you, Waddie, it's only me and you. I know Gip is part of your soul, but I also know you're capable of great love for others. I guess what I want to say is, no matter what you decide, don't shut me out. This last year of high school is important to me as much as it's gonna' be for you and Gip. I love you, Waddie, and want to share this last year with you and Gip. Don't get some noble idea to set me free will leave me available to date other guys. Lets face it, there's only two other boys besides you, Gip, Clyde, and Oatie. While they're our friends and they're always nice to me, I'm not interested in them.

I know you and Gip are planning on going off to college after we graduate. I'm not. Bubba and mom want me to. They have the money set aside. I just don't want to go to college. Maybe later but I want a couple of years to be around here, help momma and Bubba with the kids and then make up my mind. Talk to Gip. Don't stop going steady with me until we graduate, Waddie. I'll talk with Gip if you want me to. I don't care if we double every date with Gip and Bonnie. You better say something to your brother about Bonnie. She's in the same boat I'm in. She can't talk about nothing else but Gip. He's good to her. He makes love to her, but he doesn't try to take advantage. Lord knows we've shared some of our fantasies about you two with each other. Believe me, Bonnie is sharper than you might think. We've talked about the four of us,” Jannie finished.

"When we started to talk about this, I didn't know what I was going to say. I ain't said much of anything. You pretty well understand my dilemma and now I know how you feel. I ain't talked with my brother yet, but I will this evening. Dad made arrangements for Little Gip to stay with Quinton and the Tates this evening so's I can have some time alone with him. Gip ain't up tight about nothing. He knows my word to him is good, but maybe we can work something out until we graduate. Who knows? Maybe he'll have a change of heart by the end of school. If not, Jannie, I can't go off to college and ask you to still go steady with me. I wouldn't be dating any other girls; you know that. It would be a lie to you and a confusion to Gip. I won't do that to either of you," Waddie said.

"Okay, okay, I understand, but that's not what I'm asking. I know as soon as you and Gip graduate you're going off rodeoing that summer anyway. I'll understand that will be the end. It's like in another week the four of you will be off for a month to Bandera rodeoing, and I won't see you again until a week before school starts. You're good to write me letters, and I love you for that. I read each one a dozen times. Oh, and by the way, I've known since Judy died Little Gip is your son," Jannie said cutting her eyes up at Waddie with a smile. Waddie kind of did a double take. "I overheard mom and Bubba talking and confronted them. They wouldn't lie to me and swore me to secrecy. I'd never say anything. No one else in school knows, but your brothers and me. Besides, I think the two of you together are so cute.

"You treat him differently than a brother would. You treat him like he's your child. Everyone sees it but Little Gip. He doesn't know how a big brother's suppose to treat his little brother. Lord, you never argue with him. If he wants something of yours, you just give it to him. You're the first one he runs to when he's hurt, tired, or cranky. You listen to him like he's the most important person in the world, but then, you listen to me the same way. I guess that's part of what I see and love in you. I can see what a wonderful husband you'd be, but even better, what a great dad you'd be to our children. I want at least eight, but I'll settle for six," Jannie said with a wicked grin.

Waddie roared with laughter. "Lord, woman, you'd wear this old cowboy out," he replied. They laughed together.

* * * * * * *
Waddie and Gip talked that night and Waddie reaffirmed his plea to his brother to be his mate. Gip cried in his big brother's arms, and told Waddie he knew he'd never let him down. He would gladly be his mate through life. Waddie told Gip everything about his conversations with Buck and Jannie. Gip was honest with Waddie. He hadn't considered getting married and only wanted Waddie, but he would understand if Waddie wanted to marry Jannie. He would live alone, see Waddie when he could, and share his kids with him. After all, he felt Little Gip was as much his as Waddie's. Waddie couldn't argue that for a minute, because it was only through the sex act with his brother the seed for Little Gip was produced. They decided to leave well enough alone until after high school. Gip talked to Bonnie and told her they could stop going steady if she wanted. He didn't want to lead her on. She wouldn't hear of it, and was as firm as Jannie in her resolve to spend her last year of high school with Gip.

* * * * * * *
As time passed Gip and Waddie grew closer as mates, but they also grew closer to their dads. All four boys won enough prize money their high school years rodeoing to buy themselves a new pickup with nice, self contained, cab over campers. Of course having your Uncle Morgan as the local Ford dealer helped considerably. They got their trucks for delivery cost over the sticker price. They had big enough engines to pull a trailer with a couple of ponies. Every weekend during the summer they were off rodeoing with their dads. The month of August was spent with the Crenshaw family and Dan, Don, Lyle, and Buck would take a vacation to go rodeo and be with their boys and the Crenshaws. They had some great times together.

If they chose to stay in a motel at a rodeo, most times Dan and Buck would bunk it in together, and Gip and Waddie would be in another room. Clyde stayed sometimes with Oatie but Oatie loved his dad and took every opportunity to sleep in his dad's arms. Come to find out, Clyde was pretty taken with his old man as well. So it worked out all way around. Waddie knew the time was near for what Buck and he started so many years ago, but stopped, knowing the time wasn't right. Waddie discussed it with Gip. Gip agreed, and wanted it with his dad as much as Waddie wanted Buck.

Waddie and Gip turned eighteen in July of that summer. Buck and Dan suspected they messed around with Gus, Bubba, Earl D., Billy Bob, and probably Randy Crenshaw but they never questioned them. They knew the men well and thought the world of them. Buck and Dan knew they wouldn't do anything to harm their boys. Besides, they knew their boys well enough to know they weren't innocent young boys. They knew how to say no if they weren't comfortable with a situation. Buck and Dan laughed, knowing Waddie and Gip, the older men were probably the ones seduced.

Their two main dads felt the boys needed their privacy. They were tigers about giving Buck and Dan their privacy over the years. The men knew neither of their boys would ever say a word to anyone about their dads. Buck and Dan talked years earlier and Buck told Dan he had no intentions of doing anything with his boy until he was eighteen and mature enough to make that decision for himself. If it was something he and Waddie still wanted, then it would be considered. Dan felt the same. Buck and Dan were no dummies, and knew the way their boys were sneaking side glances at them, the way they'd get instantly hard if their old man touched them, they probably weren’t going to protest too much if it was offered.

It was the summer of their senior year in high school. They just graduated and would be going to college in the fall; only weeks away. Buck decided he and Waddie waited long enough and Dan felt the same about Gip. Buck never thought Dan would do anything with Gip, but he was wrong. So many years of being Buck, Lyle, Don and Quinton's buddy taught Dan the importance of close physical intimate contact with your kid. Lyle talked openly about him and Oatie. Don finally admitted he and Clyde slept together regularly.

They accompanied the Crenshaws to the Austin rodeo almost every year. That year was no different. They got two rooms for them and the boys, except Buck told Waddie he was bunk'n it in with him while in Austin. Dan told Gip the same thing. Gip winked at Waddie. They knew this was it. It was like a dream that God let Waddie see a glimpse of years ago, because it happened just the way he imagined. He and Buck got their stuff in the room, his dad went to the door, locked it and slowly walked back to Waddie. He looked into his son's eyes and smiled. Buck put his arms around his boy, and felt Waddie shiver with anticipation. The big cowboy spoke softly, "Now, where were we when we left off eight years ago, buckaroo?" he asked.

"Well, first of all we's covered in cowshit. I think we's about to kiss each other, and I was a' hoping and praying the sheriff of our county was gonna' fuck the b'jesus out a' his little buddy," Waddie replied. The men laughed together.

"Still a' hoping, Son?" Buck asked and bussed a kissed behind Waddie’s ear.

"More'n ever, Sheriff. Fuck the rodeo, Dad. Let's us have our own rodeo rye-cheer. I'll give you a ride you won't forget, cowboy," Waddie said.

"Hell, you ain't gonna' hold me to no eight seconds, are ya'?" Buck asked. They laughed with each other.

Buck held Waddie at arms length and looked at his beauty. His boy was almost as tall as he was, but considerably better built than his old man. Waddie was in top physical condition, and he had the body of a young God. Buck was no slouch, but he didn't take care of himself like he should. Waddie didn't give a shit. It was his old man. He knew it was meant to be between them all those years ago and so did Buck. Waddie never stopped dreaming of having this closeness with his dad. He got all he needed and more from his brother Gip. He was Gip's bonded mate, but the boys began to look at the need for their dads as more than animal lust, it became a rite of passage for them. They made a pact, their dads didn't count in the main scheme of their love. They were very much a part of their love, but when and if the time came, when their dads decided to welcome them into manhood with physical intimacy, they weren't going to say no. The problem was, they each wanted the others dad as well. They weren't going to push it. They were going to settle for what their dads felt comfortable providing. Waddie was about to cross the threshold with his old man, and he was as anxious as a school girl waiting for her first date to the prom.

It was almost the realization of a promise. Not between his dad and him but something higher. It was a promise to share the cravings of an animal, primal urge from an earlier time which was set aside, postponed, invested, and now they could reap the richer harvest of mature dividends.There was no hesitancy or stumbling into this moment. Waddie was an adult and could make the choice to participate or not. Buck had no doubt about his son's choice. Buck began to kiss Waddie gently on his mouth. They hadn't shared an intimate kiss in a long time. Waddie called them, his old man's willie-jump-up kisses. Every time Buck kissed him on the mouth his willie would jump up. It had the same effect on Buck. This time was no exception. "I want this to be good between us, Son," Buck said softly.

"Are you kidding? How could it not be good between us. I been wait'n all these years to give it up to my old man. I shore’ as hell ain't gonna' hold nothing back from him. I want my old man to take all he wants, all he needs, drink his fill, fill his boy's tank, walk away satisfied with a big-ass buckaroo grin on his face what just done won the rodeo, and later, when he smiles at me, I'll know it's 'cause I pleased him, and he remembers I give my bestest buddy one hell of a ride," Waddie poured on his best cowboy hyperbole.

"Am I still your best buddy, cowboy?" Buck asked.

"No contest, Dad. You always have been ever since you took a scared little five year old kid what didn't wanna’ live no more, because he didn't think life was worth it, cared for him, believed in him, treated him like he was your best buddy, never stopped loving him all these years, and you did all that before you even knew I was yore’ kid," Waddie said.

"You're grow'n up too damn fast, cowboy. What am I talk'n about? Look at 'chu. You already done grow'd up. I just don't wanna' admit it. Here you are graduated from high school, top of your class, you and Gip going off to college in the fall. I can't tell you enough how proud I am of you. I learned you were my son after much pain and suffering on our parts, I turned around twice, and you're leaving me. It was only yesterday you became my boy, Waddie. H'it don't seem right. Eight short years weren't enough, Son. I never told you this. I'd never tell your mom, but late at night, when I can't sleep, I lie awake in bed and grieve for those first ten years we missed being together as father and son and I cry. I know you were with me and Dan most of the time, and I should be grateful. I am. It's just I wanna' go back and do it all over again, but this time do it right with no beatings or abuse. You, me, and your mom, lovin' each other like we's meant to from the beginning. Do you think Mr. Uriel would give us a magic clock we could move the hands back eighteen years?" Buck asked.

"I don't think I want to ask him, Dad. I think of the miracle God gave us by finally bringing us together. I could've been adopted legally and you might never have found me. Here we are together, still loving each other as much or maybe even more than before. I'm so grateful and thankful to God and Mr. Uriel they gimme' these years with you and mom. I can't fault them by asking for more. I wouldn't have made it if'n it hadn't been for your love. I knew if I just hung in there, one day you'd be mine, and I'd be yours. For all I went through, Dad, I'd go through it again in a minute to be with you and mom. I love you that much.

"Besides, if’n we done it again, we might never had Sissy and Little Gip. God give you Little Gip to make up for all them years you didn't have me. I see the way you look at him and hold him. He's yore’ little buddy. Little Gip is precious to you. You relate to him like you used to with me. You never lie to him. You never talk 'at' him. You talk with him, treat him as an equal, and you listen to him, plus, you spoil him rotten. Don't look at me that way. You do. You know you do. You allow him to get away with things you'd never allow the rest of us boys to get away with," Waddie pointed his finger at his dad and grinned from ear to ear.

Buck threw back his head in laughter. "’At's a granddad's right, and don't chu' forget it, buckaroo," he whispered to Waddie, "Wait a minute. What the hell are you talking about? I spoil him? What about you? You don't treat him like a brother. You treat him like he was your son. You have since he was a baby. You and the boys took over his care. Your mom had to beg you to let her take care of him. At first she was hurt, but I got her to see the humor of it. The women in our family told her to relax, she didn't know how lucky she was. They told her they wished they had such help with their kids.

"The family laughs and giggles behind your and Gip's back at how loving and cute the three of you are together. When Gip and Bubba Waddie's home, forget old Buck. It's big brother Waddie or big brother Gip's lap he wants to be a' sittin' in. Don't get me wrong, he couldn't have no better big brothers or a dad for that matter. You even call him 'son' half the time. You men can't say no to him sleeping with you. It's gonna' rip his little heart out when you men go away to college the end of next month," Buck said.

"You can't fool me old man you love that boy every bit as much as you do me," Waddie said with a big grin.

"I'll admit it. But, not the same way, although sometimes it takes my breath away when I see him and Bubba's kid Donny dressed in them rodeo chaps you and Gip handed down to 'em. He looks for all the world like you did at his age. He has almost the same personality, but he does things his way. You did, too. I love him like a granddad, and I love you like no other. You're the only son I'll ever have, Waddie. You never fully understood what it's meant to me these years with you. You've accomplished so much. You're mom and I are s'damn proud of you, Son. You and Gip have won enough rodeo money to buy yourselves new pickups and money enough to go to any damn college you want. You got the grades, too.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is, I never loved anyone as much as I do you, Son. It's like I told you that day we's covered in cow shit. When the time is right, you're old enough to make the decision for yourself, and you still want to, then I'll be happy to take you. Hell, it ain't like it's something we ain't done before with others," Buck said with tears in his eyes. He reached to the back pocket of his levis and pulled out his hip flask. He opened it and handed it to his son. "You's eighteen, now, Son. You're a man. I know the law says you can't drink 'til you're twenty-one, but if'n you're old enough to die for your country, as far as this sheriff is concerned, you're old enough to drink. Just don't never let me catch you drinkin' in my county 'til you're twenty-one less'n it's with me, understand?" Buck asked.

"Yes, sir, Sheriff Claymore. Thanks, Dad," Waddie said. He took a pull off the small flask and his face turned bright red as the fiery amber liquid went down his throat. Buck took a pull and laughed at his son's reaction. "Damn. It's sweet, it tastes good, but it burns like a mother," Waddie said shaking his head from side to side. "It's still medicinal though, right, big white Chief?" Waddie asked.

Buck smiled and took Waddie into his big arms again. While Waddie's body was in top shape, Buck's body was massive, and he could still make Waddie feel like his little boy. "I thought a lot about what I'd say to you if this night ever came. It's finally here, and the words seem unimportant. You're a man now, Waddie, able to make your own decisions. In the eight years we been together, I ain't never had to scold or punish you. I always trusted you, but I want you to know one thing. No matter how big you get or how high you climb, you'll always be that five year old little buddy I used to carry up them stairs in my arms. You'll always be that trusting, vulnerable, loving little ten year old I laid down beside on that sandbar in the warm summer sun and fell asleep with you in my arms after stealing countless kisses from you.

"You'll always be the strapping, tall, cock-sure of himself, young cowpoke who, along with his brother, ran all over anyone with a rope. I'm sorry, Son, but I can't let those memories go. Those memories are my life, and I wouldn't exchange 'em with nobody's. The last couple of years watching you and Gip develop, I sometimes had a twinge of jealousy towards Gip for sleeping with you, holding you close like I used to when you was five, and for a while after we got you home from the hospital the last time. Dan and I would come back some evenings after being swimming in the creek with the four of you so horny we'd have to have sex with each other twice. It was all we could do to keep our hands off'n you two.

"The times we were working and you heard Dan and I laugh it was from the way one of us was looking at chore’ butts as you were gettin' on a pony or going up a ladder to the loft. We'd get so damn horny. And what can I say about the time you two made a love pig out of old Quinton in the barn? No man deserved it more'n Quinton did that day. Dan and I still laugh our asses off at Quinton today for that. Tell you one damn thing, though, ain't a man alive what loves you boys more'n old Quinton. I was a little surprised Dan wanted to be with his boy tonight. I told him why I needed to be alone with you. He told me he knew it was coming, and it's just as well, because it was his cue to ask his boy if’n he wanted a little more closeness with his dad.

"He's come a long way understanding about love. The love between a woman and a man is different than the love a man has for his buddy. That ain't as simple as it sounds. Some folks say sharing intimacy with another man is wrong. Don't chu' never believe ‘um. Them folks be the ones what’s misguided and can't see God's greater purpose for mankind. The love two men have for each other only complements the love they have for their wives. It makes a man appreciate how his woman might feel when he's having sex with her. Don't never forget that, Son. You can have both," Buck said and gently kissed Waddie on the mouth. It slowly turned into the kiss they started eight years ago. Waddie could recall the same excited deep gut-craving need to share something greater with his dad.

When they finished the kiss, Waddie laid his head on his dad's chest. "You've always been my best buddy, Dad. Don't never need no other buddy but you, Buck," Waddie said and smiled knowing his dad would remembered those words from eight years ago. Waddie continued, "Gip's my brother, my bonded mate, but you, Dad -- you's my buddy," Waddie assured the big cowboy.

"You wanna' get in there and clean yourself? Then come get me when you're through, and I'll shower with you?" Buck asked gently. Waddie nodded, grabbed his small bag, and headed for the shower. Years ago, just after Waddie got out of the hospital for being raped by Willie and his gang, Buck set down with Gip and Waddie and told them about sex and cleaning themselves for safety and hygiene. If they were going to have anal sex, make sure they cleaned themselves so they wouldn’t get hurt, and it's just more respectful to your partner. Dr. Dyer told Waddie he wanted him to clean himself with warm soapy water after using the bathroom to minimize the chance of infection. He had to do it for several weeks after they put him back together. Buck bought the boys their own clean out equipment and quietly gave it to them. Nothing more was said. He trusted his boys to do the right thing.

After a while the bathroom door opened and there stood Buck's magnificent son in the glory of his youth. He had the body of an athlete. He had the body of a cowboy. Buck thought about the significance of Waddie’s birthmark. His brothers were right. Waddie looked like a cowboy even without his clothes. Buck removed his clothes while Waddie was in the shower. He lay on his back across the bed. Buck raised his left arm in a gesture for Waddie to join him. Waddie dried himself pretty well, so he wouldn’t dampen the floor. He crawled on the bed into his dad's waiting arms, and Buck turned to him on his side to hold him. He reached down and grabbed himself a big ole handful of cowboy butt and pulled his boy closer to him. Their dicks were roaring hard and fighting each other for space between their bellies.

"We never could stay soft around each other, Dad," Waddie said.

"Don't I know it. Hell, it's hard enough to keep from getting a boner when I'm rodeoing with you, when you got your chaps on, and I'm a' think'n, 'Damn, my boy is one of the hottest rodeo cowboys I ever did see.' Gip does the same thing to me. You can't know the number of times you and I roped together, and I got a hard-on looking over at you," Buck said.

"You too?" Waddie asked like he was surprised. They broke up laughing. "C'moan, Dad, get in the shower with me, although you really don't have to. You know how much I love the honest smell of my old man's body. When I was a kid lying next to you some afternoons when we’s take’n a nap, you smelled so good I could a’ et you with a spoon,” Waddie recalled and laughed.

"You’re so full of it, but I know the feeling. My old man still does it to me. Anyway, I'll leave it up to you. Tonight is for my boy," Buck said, stole a kiss and Waddie stole it back.

"Hell, you already know the answer to that question. I'll pamper my old man afterwards," Waddie promised, reached down, and grabbed himself a handful of sheriff dick, "I'll be honest with you, old man, you don't know how many times I've jacked off, my eyes closed, dream'n I was looking up at you and having you take me. I'll be lucky if’n I don't shoot afore you git all the way in," Waddie said moving his face into Buck arm pit and took a deep breath.

"Now I'm gonna' do something I've been ashamed to ask you for, but you told me a buddy don't never need to be shy with his buddy," Waddie said. He didn't wait for Buck to answer and started cleaning his pits with his tongue. Buck got a large pleased-with-his-boy smile on his face. Waddie worked on it until he couldn't get another bit of flavor. He moved over to his dad's right arm and did the same. When he was finished he stole another kiss from his dad and ran his tongue around Buck's tits. He sucked on them enjoying the strong masculine flavors from each. He moved his tongue down to Buck's stomach where his shaft was lying solid as a rock. Waddie licked all around his dad's cock and finally began to lick and clean it. He got in good under the foreskin of his dad’s huge shaft and tasted the rich, full goodness Buck’s big body had to offer.

The head of Buck's dick barely stuck out from its sheath. Waddie continued to run his tongue around under Buck's foreskin making sure he got everything. His dad was squirming like a worm in hot ashes. Waddie withdrew his tongue and began to take as much of Buck's big cock down his throat as he could. He sucked on his dad's dick for a while until Buck reached down and pulled Waddie back up into his arms. Waddie excused himself and sprinted for the head. He released the rest of the water trapped inside him. He took a wash cloth and cleaned himself well. When he returned to the room his dad was on his knees in the bed with a tube of lubricant working his big cowboy cock, getting ready.

Buck smiled at his handsome boy. "It's about time your old man took over. Now lay yourself down, here, and show me that pretty, little cowboy butt. Waddie lay down with a big smile of anticipation on his face. He raised his legs and held them so his dad could have best access to his ass. As anxious as he was, Buck leaned over and kissed Waddie's tight little hole. Buck took the lubricant and began to lube and relax his son's ass. He knew this was an important part of getting a man comfortable enough to take his large cock. He especially wanted it to be as good for Waddie as it was for him.

The surgeon, Dr. Baker, who worked on Waddie was a genius. He put Waddie back together like he was brand new. After a month of being careful and cleaning himself he never had any trouble. Buck began to insert lubricant into Waddie's hole. Waddie was lying back enjoying the attention of being touched and intimately probed by the huge man he loved and treasured so dearly. Buck was gentle and thorough. He kept stretching and applying more lubricant until he was satisfied his boy was ready for insertion of his penis.

Buck looked into Waddie's eyes. "I know you were raped by Willie and his crew, and you told me Mr. Uriel gave you back your virginity. How'd he do that?" Buck asked.

"Don't know, Dad. Maybe it was by providing me with the best surgeon in the state at the time. I never had a problem after that," Waddie replied.

"Who got your cherry?" Buck asked like he was confused.

"You know who got it. My big brother. I promised him. I weren't about to give it to nobody else. ‘At sum’bitch made me wait 'til the end of my sophomore year, but Mr. Uriel told him it would be all right," Waddie replied.

"You never told me that? And he never done said a damn word about it," Buck said and grinned.

"You never asked me to save it for you, Dad," Waddie said in defense of his big brother, Ed.

"Well, you couldn't a' given it up to a better man. He's the only big brother you'll ever have. You know him and me, we...?" Buck started.

"Old Bloomers and me... we ain't got us no secrets from each other, Dad. I'm happy for both of you. Ed worships you," Waddie finished for him.

"Pretty fond of him myself," Buck allowed.

Waddie moaned and smiled at his dad as he felt Buck move from one finger to two and then three. It felt like he had his four digits inside him, and he was beginning to insert his thumb. Waddie knew better than to say anything to his dad. He trusted him completely. If his dad wanted to feel his fist in his ass Waddie would have it. He would make room and welcome it. It was important to please and love his old man anyway he needed. A little loving sex was a far cry from the beatings he suffered under Morgan. The best part was, he got to make love to his old man, and it wouldn't take a month to recover. However, he hoped his old man planned to fuck him so silly it would take a couple of weeks to get the grin off his face. Buck would hold his hand inside Waddie and stretch his ass muscle as far as he could, then let off to massage and relax the muscle more. He repeated the action until Waddie was about to climb the wall behind the bed. "You do that one more time, Dad, and the party's over. I promise you, I'm about to shoot my load," Waddie said.

"Well, we can't have that. I don't want chu’ coming until your old man tells you he's coming...then let 'er rip, cowboy. If not, yore' old man's gonna' fuck you 'til you do, even if I hav' ta' ride 'ju down hard. We'll let you put your legs down for a minute to relax, then I'll see if I can tame me a right nice young wild bronc. Once I get in the saddle, you gonna' try'n buck me off?" Buck asked with a grin.

"Oh, hell, no. You'll be damn lucky if'n you git chore’ dick back," Waddie replied. They laughed together.

"I think you're ready for your old man, cowboy. Hie them legs up. Reach for the sky, hombre, and let chore’ old man do us some good," Buck growled at Waddie. Waddie loved it when his dad used his rough voice with him. He would make Buck growl at him when they were in private. He told Buck if they ever had sex, it was the voice he wanted to hear from the sheriff. Waddie's cock got even harder, if that was possible, as Buck moved forward to place the head of his cock at his son's rosebud. Waddie couldn't have been more ready to take his dad. Buck leaned forward and allowed the weight of his big body to slowly but surely penetrate Waddie's anal opening. Waddie was so relaxed and his dad was great at knowing how to get his big sheriff's cock inside a man without hurting him. He had lots of practice over the years. He worked Waddie's ass a little more, then leaned forward over him.

"Well, that's about it, cowboy," Buck whispered.

"You all the way in, Dad?" Waddie asked.

"Naw there's about another inch and a half, maybe, but don't chu’ worry, boy, I ain't a’ gonna' cheat ya’ none. This is about the time poor old Quinton gets nervous and starts his, 'don't cheat me none, Sheriff,' routine. Ain't never cheated that good looking cowboy out a' none of my dick. Don't intend to cheat my boy out a' none neither. When yore’ ass relaxes, you'll dilate, and the weight of my body with sink it the rest of the way. When yore’ ass is ready to take all of me, it will. In the meantime, if it feels good to ya,' how's 'bout a kiss for yore’ old man?" Buck asked as he stole a kiss from Waddie.

"Feel good? Woah, dogies. Just about the best feeling I ever done had. Gimme' a kiss, Dad," Waddie said.

Waddie kissed and explored his dad's mouth as he did many time in intimate moments with his old man. This time it was different, he had his old man on top of him, inside of him, in no hurry to go anywhere. Buck felt himself falling into his boy as he had on many occasions, except this time, he wouldn't walk away with his dick dripping. It was where it should be for making love to his sweet cowboy son. Waddie was gently moving under Buck's big body and felt what his dad was talking about. His ass dilated and he felt the rest of his dad's huge cock slowly sink to the depths of his ass.

"Ooofff!" Waddie exclaimed quietly, "Don't tell me, I felt it. Damn, you be fill'n me up old man. You feel great."

"So do you, cowboy. I love you, Son," Buck replied and his voice broke as he stole another kiss.

"I love you, too, Dad. Now show me how much you love me," Waddie said. He didn't have to ask twice. Buck couldn't remember when he felt anything or anyone who felt better in his life. This was like a dream come true for Buck and Waddie. This was the dividend the angels rewarded them for their decision to wait until Waddie was older. This was the final joining of their love and their need to feel close to each other. At that moment, they couldn't get much closer. Buck fucked Waddie like he did the several men he fucked. He would fuck slow and deep for a while, until his partner was moving under him trying to get as much of the sheriff into them as fast as they could get it. Buck led him along until he was fucking Waddie at a pretty steady pace.

He stopped for a minute. "Am I tiring you out, honcho?" he asked.

"Lord no, I'm just getting warmed up. Take all you need, Dad, but take me along for the ride," Waddie replied.

"Won't never forget my buckaroo," Buck replied and stole another kiss as he picked up some speed.

Buck was a man who loved to fuck. He could fuck for hours and never seem to tire. Waddie and Gip used their stop watch when Linda Sue and he were getting it on in their bedroom. The longest fuck on record was one Friday night, Buck fucked Waddie's mom for an hour and forty-five minutes. When the two of them got their climax you could swear his dad stabbed his mom through the heart with an ice pick. Buck was huffing and puffing. He sounded like a steam locomotive, the little engine what could, trying to make it up a steep grade. The boys laughed and giggled for days. Waddie would look at Gip, wink then say, “I think I can. I think I can.” They would fall together laughing in each other's arms.

Waddie wasn't in a hurry to get anywhere and was enjoying giving it up to the greatest love of his life. It became more than animal rutting they thought they yearned for. It became the final joining of their love like the period at the end of a long sentence. It would invariably come and so would they. Waddie was putting it up for his dad meeting his every thrust and was enjoying each one. Buck was supporting himself above Waddie but relaxed and lowered his full weight onto his son. He reached down and pulled Waddie's foreskin back on his penis and left if uncovered as it was trapped between their bellies. He smiled at his son and stole a couple of kisses. "You ready for me to ride my pony to the barn, buckaroo?" Buck asked his boy.

"I''m a' ready, cowboy," Waddie replied. Buck started kissing Waddie deeply as he began a strong but steady fucking of his boy's butt. He was building up and Waddie could feel his old man was getting close. The movement of his dad's belly rubbing against the unprotected head of his cock was about to send him into orbit. There was no way he could get out from under his dad's massive body or stop the train at this point. He knew his dad was riding him to the barn. Waddie yelled to Buck. "Oh, God, Dad. That's so damn good. You're driving me crazy. I can't hold it much longer," he groaned.

"Get it , cowboy, then yore’ old man will get his when he feels you trying to bite his prick off with your little butt," Buck said and kept up his relentless strong, steady fucking until he felt Waddie's cock start to pump out stream after stream of his hot buckaroo come between their bellies. Buck kissed Waddie again, then roared like a lion as he unloaded into his son. Waddie could feel his dad filling him full of the life fluid which provided the seed to give birth to him. The very thought wouldn't let Waddie's dick get soft. He finally had his old man's love inside of him. He dreamed of this moment for years. Was it what he expected? It was more, much more. He knew it wouldn't be a regular thing between him and Buck, but it would be great when it happened. They lay hooked together for thirty minutes or more talking softly, making sweet love to each other. Buck would take another couple of long deep strokes into his boy's ass from time to time. Waddie would grab him around his neck and push down with his butt to get maximum penetration from his dad. He had to admit to his old man, he was a sex machine.

Everything Buck did was calculated to tease or extract more pleasure from the experience for them both. Waddie begged him to fuck him the second time, but Buck though that was enough for the evening. He told his boy to always leave your sex partner wanting more. Never completely satisfy them. hat way, they're always looking forward to the next time with you. It was the moment of closeness they both yearned for all these years and neither wanted to call an end to it. The moment was too perfect. They knew they were all the more in love with each other, but it was good. They understood the ramifications of their actions and these feelings. They expected them, anticipated their effect, and bathed in them like two pigs in a wallow. They were done, but the love they were looking for came upon them. It was the final validation that said I am your son and you're my father. We have given and taken physical pleasure from each other as consenting, loving, male adults. We've joined our bodies as well as our souls to create a greater love between us, no man can set asunder.

They cleaned up. Waddie led his dad to the shower and spent an hour pampering and cleaning his old man. Then Buck cleaned his boy and marveled at his hard, massive muscles and stole kiss after kiss. Waddie stole his share, too. It was an afterglow that was like a haze over them. Neither wanted to disturb it by speaking. It was an unspoken love between them that needed no commentary. For no reason, they would hold each other and burst into tears. Almost like they were relieved they made it. They made it this far and still loved each other as much -- no -- even more than before. At that moment and for the rest of their lives they shared, perhaps, the greatest love a father and son ever held for each other. There was never room for doubt from anyone who ever knew them. They were devoted to each other.

They were exhausted physically and emotionally as they crawled into bed. Buck pulled Waddie up close to him and didn't let him go all night. Their bodies and dreams intertwined with each other in love, play, joy, and comfort. They dreamed together as one in a long languid dream of undefinable bliss. Their passions and their souls came to rest within each other's sphere. They were at peace. Waddie managed to get his ass lubed the next morning before his dad awoke and worked himself down on his old man's shaft.

Buck woke and kissed him behind the ear. "Ju’ do that to keep your old man's cock warm, cowboy?"

"Yes, sir. That was the only reason. I was just thinking of you, Dad." Waddie said innocently.

"You shore,’ honcho?" Buck pressed suspiciously.

"You believe me don't you, Sheriff?" Waddie played him.

"Not this time, Buckaroo. I feel that little ass trying to eat more of my dick. It woke up hungry and needs a good feeding," Buck allowed.

"Well, if'n you say so, Sheriff. I'm sure it wouldn't mind being fed some fine sheriff cock for a morning eyeopener," Waddie said and laughed.

He didn't fool Buck for a minute. They lay there and fucked for over an hour until they heard the maid coming around to make up the rooms. Buck got busy and took care of his boy and himself at the same time. They ended up in the shower again, but this time it was business, except for the last few minutes they stood under the hot running water and swapped spit. "Thanks, Sheriff Claymore," Waddie said softly. Ain't never been made love to any better. Glad I got me a buddy what likes to take care of his buddy now and then."

"Thank you, cowboy. Ain't never had me nobody what give to me as beautifully as you done. You need a buddy to straighten out yore' kinks, just ask the sheriff right nice like, maybe beg him a little, and tell him how bad you need yore’ old saddle buddy to take care of you. I'm sure he will," Buck replied and grinned as he gently kissed Waddie again.

The rest of the day was unbelievable. Waddie would catch his old man looking at him and wink. Buck would damn near fall off his pony laughing. He knew what was going on in his boy's mind. Waddie would laugh until he was almost in tears at Buck's hysterics. They found something hilariously funny about everything. They loved to love together and laugh together. What more could anyone need in a companion, a loving dad, or son. Dan and Gip won the team roping that day and Buck and Waddie took it the next. The third day, Gip and Waddie won with the best time for the rodeo. They won the whole bag of beans.

Dan and Buck just shook their heads. The last night the boys other dream came true and Waddie had a chance to please his beloved Dad Dan. Dan was all Waddie hoped for and more. Gip knew Buck was a big man, and was a little intimidated by his size; however, after he and Buck lay together for a while making sweet, tender love Gip was ready do take care of the big man any way he needed. He couldn't get over how gentle and caring his Uncle Buck was for such a big man. Gip began to understand why his dad formed such a deep love for their sheriff. They were perfectly suited for each other... just like Waddie and Gip.

The boys grew strong in their relationship and didn't intrude on their dad's too much. They rodeoed together every summer they were in college and maybe once a summer they'd talk their dads into playing 'ride the buckaroo.' Or as Oatie so indelicately put it 'polka da' cowpoke.'" The boys finally swapped dads all round. Waddie and Gip got to sample Don Rayborn and Lyle Rawlings. Waddie, Gip, and Clyde were ready to burn Oatie at the stake for latching onto Lyle Rawlings for a dad. The boys decided, Chief Deputy Rawlings was the best fucker of the four men, hands down. When you were fucked by C. D. Rawlings you rode the Cadillac of cowboy fuckers. The sheriff agreed with them.

* * * * * * *
Their final year in high school was the greatest year of the boys life and the girls, too. The boys rodeoed all summer with each other and their dads. It was a time of great rejoicing, camaraderie, love, and personal appreciation for each other. The Bandera families and Buck's families were so bonded you couldn't drive a railroad wedge between them. Toller Crenshaw took his older brother's advice and slowly brought on his younger brother Shad until they were almost invincible as a team. Shad made good his word to his big brothers, Waddie and Gip, one day he would be as good as they were with a rope. Tollar and Shad became Waddie and Gip's major competitors. There was never a word of anger or discouragement between them. If the younger men won, their older brothers were all over them with praise, congratulations, and hugs for them. They had to go some to beat Waddie and Gip so when they did, they damn well deserved the accolades.

C.W. Crenshaw grew to look like a miniature Randy Crenshaw. He and the Franz twins were idolized by both families. C.W. may have looked like his dad, but he copied his namesake's walk and speech patterns to the nines. You could see the two of them coming across the lot and until they got closer you couldn't tell which was which. When C.W. and Waddie got together you'd think you were talking to the same cowboy.

Randy and Gus gave up trying to teach the boys about roping. It was up to their four other boys, Oatie, Clyde, Waddie, and Gip. The boys would get five to six letters a month from one or the other of the brothers. They answered every one and loved it. Shad still has every letter he got from his big brothers all those years. So does C. W. Crenshaw who is now a federal judge in the Texas judicial system. He still rodeos every weekend with his four sons and two daughters. His oldest boy C. W. Crenshaw Jr. was pretty big on the rodeo circuit during the nineties.

The Dyers had to give up more of Sissy. Dora and Brenda Lou Franz and Sara Crenshaw adored her and insisted she come with the boys in August. Once again the Dyers became a part of a larger family they dearly loved and cherished. They, too, made the pilgrimage to Bandera at least once a year. They saw the changes and growth come in their daughter and couldn't say no. Of course she became a favorite of the Dyer's special friend Agatha and her daughters. Agatha became 'Auntie Boo' to little Sissy. Agatha felt blessed she had so many new nieces and nephews.

The boys earned the money to go to any college or university they wanted, but they chose Texas University in Austin. Guess where they stayed the four years they were in school? You guessed it. Waddie and Gip got the same room at Mrs. York's with a new bunch of animals who learned to love their cowboy brothers. J.R. Crenshaw graduated high school the same year as Waddie and Gip and attended Texas U. with them. He lived with Mrs. York as well. He was a big footballer. They were joined the next year by Cassidy who shared a room with his brother. Together, two more Crenshaw boys led their team to Southwest conference champs three years in a row. Every weekend Waddie and Gip would load up their camper and were on the road to Bandera. J.R. and Cassidy would be in the camper in the back studying or sacking out. The four were going home to their little brothers, big brothers, two dads and moms and especially their baby brothers. They left their ponies and their trailer at the Crenshaws. Many weekends they'd be joined by their moms and dads.

Talk about a happy preacher. When the pastor heard the Claymores and Justins were visiting the Crenshaws and Franzs he pulled out his finest sermons on family and love of neighbors and dusted them off. He considered Waddie and Gip his sons and he idolized C.W. Crenshaw, the Franz twins, and Little Gip. He was a good man. He never remarried, but his son made him very proud and became the sheriff of the county for several years and gave him five grand children.

* * * * * * *
Oatie and Clyde didn't want to go to college. They made good money from rodeo winnings and other investments but Clyde was a home boy and Oatie wasn't about to leave his love. They had a little more open and loose relationship than Waddie and Gip. They both wanted to marry and have each other on the side. There was no doubt in anyone's minds it was exactly what they planned. Oatie and Clyde were still inseparable after high school. Oatie took a lot of his money and together with money from Clyde, Don, and Lyle formed a corporation to raise beef cattle. They bought the best stock, with champion bulls, and began making money hand over fist. Clyde and Oatie became the head wranglers and hired eight men to help with the ranch. Don and Clyde bought a huge ranch on the other side of Lyle's. They ran the cattle on their ranches, Buck’s, and part of Dan’s. The two families never wanted for the best beef. They couldn't eat all the beef the boys provided them for the use of their land. Finally, Morgan wasn't using his land and Ed was making too much money plumbing to run much stock on his land so they allowed the cattle to run on their property and reaped the same benefits. Morgan gave most of his beef to his mom and dad and the rest to the family for cook outs and picnics.

Ed and his family were absorbed into the greater Claymore/ Justin families and ended up giving half of their beef to the family every year for the same purpose. The boys sent a side of beef to the Crenshaw and Franz family every spring. They were truly grateful, but they had their own cattle as well. While the boys were home for Christmas their sophomore year of college the families gathered at the Justins as usual. There were nearly a hundred people there; family and family associates; neighbors, Mrs. Jessup, Bubba, Carol, Jannie, their two boys and their little girl, Sarah. Ed, his wife and two kids and the deputies with their wives and kids; plus the Dyers, Sissy, Buck, Linda Sue, and Little Gip. It was a wonderful day. The ladies cooked six turkeys, four hams, and buckets of vegetables and goodies. There was enough food to feed the National Guard.

It became a tradition, if the deputies knew of a family or families who weren't going to have Christmas they would drop by and tell the family to be ready Christmas morning, the school bus would be by to pick them up and take them to have Christmas dinner with the sheriff and his family. There was usually three to four families, black, white or Hispanic. They all boarded the bus and were driven to the Justins. The sheriff and his family were there to welcome them. There were toys and games for the kids and food for all. The folks were given food to carry home with them and the kids took their toys with them. The women kept their kids older but good clothes and put them in boxes for the mothers to go through for their kids or themselves. They could take as many or a few as they wanted. Most times they had several boxes filled with nice clothes for their kids.

It was one of the most wonderful Christmas' the boys could remember. Oatie and Clyde were enthused at their financial prospects and their dads were very proud of them. Now their brothers were going to become veterinarians to come back to work with them and share a part of the financial windfall they were experiencing. Earlier that fall, at the end of October, Waddie got a letter from Jannie. It was the sweetest, most loving letter anyone ever sent him, but she wrote to him as Dearest Beloved Brother. Waddie knew before he even got to the body of the letter what he would find. Clyde asked Jannie to marry him, but she couldn't unless she had Waddie's blessing. Clyde asked Waddie when he went off to college if he would be upset if he dated Jannie. Waddie told Clyde and Oatie he set Jannie free because he was unsure what his and Gip's future might be. Oatie knew how tight Waddie and Gip were and Clyde guessed, but he wasn't too troubled about asking Jannie to marry him. Waddie's first reaction was he felt crushed. He knew it was a possibility because he always knew how much Clyde adored and loved Jannie when she had no eyes for anyone but Waddie. Waddie made his decision to be a mate to his brother Gip because he knew his brother wouldn't marry. Waddie wouldn't leave his brother alone in life. After all it was mostly because of Gip's love for him and his for Gip he survived childhood. He not only loved his brother, he owed him his life. After a week talking to Gip and crying his heart out unreasonably and a weekend with his two dads in Bandera, he sat down and wrote a letter.

My Dearest Darling Sister and my Beloved Brother,

This letter has to be to the two of you, because it would be unfair to divide my love for you at this point in our lives together. What can I say to you, my wonderful, loving sister who has given me so much love and asked for so little in return. What can I say to you my beloved, bonded brother, my strong right arm in all things, my champion, my hero, and my staunchest ally; that you should seek my blessing for your union in marriage has to be the single greatest honor I've ever been given in life. Of course you have my unqualified blessing and unconditional love in your joining together. The light from your two loves coming together can only be compared to the light that shown over a manger two thousand years ago to light the way for the Magoi. So let it be the light that leads me home to join your celebration to share my joy and love for you at the most holy time of your lives. There are no words in our language or any language in the world I could use to tell you how thrilled and happy I am for you. There is no one who could wish you greater joy, happiness, and love than I can with greater love in their heart for you both. Your loving brother,

Waddie

That Christmas when Clyde arrived with Jannie in his truck. Waddie slowly walked toward them. He kissed them, threw his arms around both of them and started crying his heart out. Gip joined him and soon Oatie was there with them surrounding them and crying. Bubba, Carol, and Don walked up and put their arms around the boys. They were soon joined by Buck, Linda Sue, Dan, Jimmy Sue, the Dyers and everyone else in the family until they were all standing together with tears running down their faces. Clyde and Jannie were overwhelmed their love meant so much to their families. Clyde took Waddie into his arms, hugged, kissed his brother, and asked Waddie to be his best man.

Waddie accepted immediately without reserve. A cheer went up you could of heard all the way to town. The highlight of the summer was the June wedding of Jannie and Clyde. Waddie was Clyde's best man and Oatie, Gip, and Don Rayborn, C. D. Rawlings, and Buck were groomsmen. Bonnie Tyler was Jannie's maid of honor and the four other girls of their class were bridesmaids. It was one of the biggest blowout weddings the town withnessed since Bubba and Carol were married. It was one of the most emotional weddings in the community as well. Jannie and Clyde represented the first marriage of their generation, the baby boomers.

There were other kids who were promising, but the class who graduated in fifty-nine were truly the hope for tomorrow. They struggled and fought to get to where they were and there wasn't a rotten egg among them. They were damn good kids and everyone of them loved by the community. Waddie couldn't be satisfied to be the first to kiss the bride, hell, he had to be the first to kiss the groom, too. There were many tears shed and many good wishes for the young couple. It was one full day of celebration and they left late that afternoon on a two week honeymoon. Everyone was there at the Justins throwing rice and sending them off. They left and the day settled down into evening. There came a great pall over the three boys who were left. They slept with their brother Oatie in the loft with him in between Waddie and Gip. They held him all night and reminded him, that one day soon, they would be in the same loft holding Clyde when they sent Oatie off on his honeymoon.

When Clyde and Jannie got back from their honeymoon, Oatie and Clyde received draft notices. They had one week to report to the induction center in Dallas. They reported for duty but Oatie wasn't taken. He had a congenital heart problem Dr. Dyer knew about and sent Oatie's medical records. Clyde was heathy as a plow horse. He went to basic training at Ft. Hood, came home for two weeks and was shipped to Nam. Jannie was pregnant when he left. The family gathered for Thanksgiving that year and Jannie was radiant in her pregnancy. Waddie listened and felt the baby kick. He took odds with anyone who wanted to bet, it was another cowboy brother the family would have to love. Thanksgiving day amid all the festivities and love a military staff car pulled into the Justins' driveway slowly led by a sheriff's patrol car. Two army officers and their driver came to give the family the news that Clyde had been killed in combat. His body would be delivered to the local mortuary within forty-eight hours.

Waddie was the first person Jannie turned to and collapsed in his arms. He picked her up and carried her into the Justin's guest bedroom and laid her on the bed. Waddie was in no shape to offer her comfort and asked his mom and Momma Sue to see to her. Waddie ran out of the house as fast as he could to the deep meadow behind the far critter barn, tripped and fell, tumbled head over heels down an embankment, and lay there in agony with a mouth full of dirt and bluebonnets. He heaved once, then twice, and stomach bile mixed with vomited snacks came from his gut. He tried to crawl a bit to get away from the smell of horror his own body effused.

He didn't make it very far until he was racked with another gut wrenching contraction and he heaved again. This time it was pure green bile. Somewhere from deep within him came a long, slow growl, a moan that increased in decibels until it was the sound of a wounded animal caught in a death trap and had no escape but to chew its own leg off. Waddie couldn't get his breath. He was sure he was dying himself, but he had no control over his body as he felt his bowels go and then his bladder empty. The last thing he remembered as his head hit the ground was a sea of bluebonnets he was surely drowning in.

Little Gip was the first to find him and ran for his dad, Buck. Dan heard enough from what Little Gip told Buck he grabbed several towels and told Big Gip to get one of his bathrobes and bring it to the creek. Buck, Bubba, and Dan arrived and told everyone but Oatie and Big Gip to go back to the house. They undressed Waddie as Buck, Bubba, and Oatie threw off their clothes in the pasture. They carried Waddie to the creek and lowered him into the cool water. At that moment he came to. He looked around and saw his dad, Bubba, and Oatie with tears in their eyes lowering him into the water to clean him. He was embarrassed, humiliated, and still hurting beyond belief.

Waddie threw his arms around his dad and cried out, "Why, Dad, why?" Then the bottom dropped out of his soul. No one had an answer for him. No one could tell him why his brother had to die, not even an angel. His dad and Oatie cleaned him and made him rinse his mouth out with clean water. Waddie grabbed Oatie and they cried together. He grabbed Gip last and wouldn't let go until Dad Dan waded into the pool to help him and Gip get out of the water. They covered him with the bathrobe, and he asked them to take him to the barn. He couldn't see anyone else, just his brothers and dads. The three young men lay together and cried themselves to sleep in each other's arms.

In the early evening Waddie was awakened by someone, a child, whimpering close to him. He looked up and Little Gip was on his knees next to his big brother crying his little heart out. Waddie whispered to him to take his clothes off. He did in a flash. Waddie raised the blanket he and the other boys were under. Waddie took Little Gip into his arms and cried with him. He almost had no more tears to cry and found himself comforting and loving Little Gip, his son. A peace came over him. Through all the pain and suffering of life, no matter what it brings, there are others you have to consider for whom you must go on living. He talked to Little Gip quietly for an hour or more telling him not to cry. Bubba Waddie was going to be all right and so would he.

That Thanksgiving was remembered as the worst holiday anyone could remember. The only bit of joy was the entire contingency from Bandera packed up and came to be with the rest of their family in their time of sorrow. Clyde etched his love on the whole Bandera family as much as Oatie, Waddie, Gip, and Little Gip. They stayed through Clyde's funeral and left the next day. Waddie, Gip, and Oatie hated to say goodbye and told them they would see them shortly after Christmas. They let C.W. stay with Little Gip and his three big brothers. They promised to bring him home when they picked up J.R. and Cassidy to return to college.

* * * * * * *
Waddie and Gip graduated college and were to go on to veterinarian school. That summer they went pro-rodeoing together with their dads. Because of a snafu in the draft regulations, even though they were accepted into medical school in the fall they should have continued their education on into the summer semester to avoid the draft. Beyond undergraduate school there could be no gap in schooling to exempt them from the draft. They didn't know, and even though every politician in the state of Texas was asked, no one would help. Waddie and Gip were sent to Nam as field corpsmen/medics. They had one month left to go to be home free, riding the high country together, sharing their love with their family and little brothers. J.R. and Cassidy Crenshaw were both drafted and killed within a year of each other.

Gip was shot while caring for a wounded man. He was kneeling next to his brother, his life mate, so close they were rubbing elbows when he took an exploding cartridge through his heart. He collapsed into Waddie's arms, asked him to kiss him goodbye, and to tell his dad and mom he loved them. Waddie kissed his beloved brother goodbye, felt his soul leave his body, closed his eyes, set aside his empty shell, finished tending the wounded man he was caring for, then picked up his brother and carried him back to the chopper.

Waddie didn't want to live after that and signed up for another four years. He figured he was too much of a coward to off himself so he'd let the VC do it for him. He was shot so many times he threw away the last three hearts they awarded him. After he lost a kidney and almost lost his left arm he had a visit from a very pissed off angel. Waddie was angry at the universe. He became embittered. He was angry at God, and he wasn't having any of Mr. Uriel's crap. He told him so. There was no sense or plan to this insanity, and he didn't want to be a part of this world anymore. Go away, leave him alone, and don't ever come to him again.

"Now you listen to me, you ungrateful little git. I've loved you too long and too much to have you dismiss me like that. It wasn't me or your Father who brought about this horror. Instead of crying over your loss and wanting to end it all, get up off your dead ass and change what's happening. Don't allow another one of your brothers or your son to come over here and become gun fodder for the fat cats in your society. Your brothers are your tomorrow. So you lost your mate, your bonded brother. He's safe. He's with us. You know damn well you'll be with him again. Your souls were conjoined before birth and one can't go on throughout the ages without the other.

"He's guided your every step since his death to keep you from harm's way. You have others to live for, cowboy. If you don't go home you'll lose another four or five of your brothers and maybe your own son. Do you want that? You've done more than your share here and there are thousands of souls you held in your arms who didn't make it. You knew they weren't going to make it, yet you heard their crys for help, felt their pain and fear, forgave them of their trespasses and told them to walk into the light of forgiveness and love.

"They are a powerful force behind you. They love you without measure. They petition the Old Man daily on your behalf. They are a resounding voice... a force who will not be denied. They're speaking to the Father for your safety and are yelling at you in unison; a strong chorus of great strength and power with the unity of one voice. Wake up. Go home. Make a difference. Make their deaths count for something. Tell the naive, the incurious, the week minded sheep, the 'my country right or wrong' droids, their country is wrong. Wake up, Brothers, before it's too late. Your country is not infallible. Change it or lose it."

And so Waddie returned home after almost six years in Nam. He was sent to Hawaii for recovery and was still in a wheel chair when his plane arrived in Austin. He was the last to leave the plane and expected to be met by military transportation. At the bottom of the ramp, was his entire family including the Crenshaws, Franzs, Bubba, Carol, Oatie, Dad Dan, and Momma Sue, the Dyers with Sissy, Jannie, with Clyde Jr., Lyle, Mavis, Mavis Lyle, Aunt Agatha and her daughters, his beloved Quinton, but most importantly his mom and dad and Little Gip.

There is more to Waddie's story. It may never be fully told. He never fully adjusted back into society. He saved his brother's lives by not allowing them to be shipped off to be slaughtered by the VC. He saved his own son's life. He paid a great price, but because he did as his angel told him and reconciled himself with his God, he was sent a second savior. Waddie bought himself a Harley and hit the road. He spent many years as a scooter bum. He met many Nam vets out there who were running from the rain. He met a young man who was lost in a world he was having difficulty fitting into and coping with. He asked the hardened, lonely, broken cowboy to become his master. He only asked to see to his master's needs. He only asked to be loved in return. He was the most handsome, beautiful, young man Waddie ever met after his brother.

He needed a man to serve, love, and take care of. He found a home in Waddie's heart. He was a perfectly formed, masculine man who was born an intersexual. He had both fully developed sexual organs at birth but his family decided, with the stupid, incompetent and arrogant suggestions of a quack doctor, who was supposed to be the recognized authority in his field of gender identification, to have him assigned sexually as a female. The young man's name was Zane and he brought to his big cowboy the best of all possible worlds. Waddie's mom passed away while she and Buck were watching the war wind down in Nam in seventy-three. Buck lived with Little Gip, until Waddie and Zane came to live with him a year later. Waddie and Zane took care of Morgan during his last years. He passed away peacefully in his sleep between the two men he had come to love and respect above all others.

The End

End Chapter 22 ~ Cabbage Patch Cowboy
Copyright © 2004/2013 Waddie Greywolf
Mail to: waddiebear@yahoo.com
Proofed: 01/02/2013
WC 14420