HARLEY & MUTT
By
Waddie Greywolf
Chapter
7
Dan, Waddie, and
Zane returned to the Broken Arrow, and the rest of the families split
up to go their own way. Mutt knew Waddie was going to be
honeymooning with his new found love. He couldn’t have been
happier for his brother, but he didn’t want to feel like a third wheel
again either. He decided to ride with the Hot Dawgs since Rondo
and Banger invited him. Spider told him he’d like for Mutt to
ride with them. Mutt was a little unsure because Harley and
Janice were still riding with the Hot Dawgs, but after a long talk with
Harley, Mutt thought it might be all right. Harley missed his
buddy and also asked him to ride with them. He promised Mutt he
wouldn’t ask anything of him; he told Mutt he understood how he felt,
but he really didn't.
Harley felt
strange acquiescing to Mutt's need for emotional self-protection while
having to rein-in his own sexual urges. It was frustrating for a
man of Harley's ego. He wasn't used to anyone denying him
anything. While he wasn't a user, he was an alpha-male who
was used to getting what he wanted from his charm, his perfect body,
large cock, and good looks. He occasionally enjoyed a side-order
of sex with other young male bikers who found him irresistible.
Why couldn't his buddy go along with the program? Why did he feel
rejected? Was he developing deeper feelings for his buddy he
didn't want to admit? The situation created a conundrum for him.
Waddie and his
new slave-to-be returned with Dan to the ranch. Dan invited them
to stay with him at least through the Tucson rodeo which followed the
Prescott rodeo by two weeks. Waddie was in no hurry to go
anywhere. The less travel time the more time he had in the sack
with Zane; except, on the ranch they worked from sunup to
sundown, but with several extra hands it seemed easier and the work
went faster. Dan, Beryl, Big Gunn, and Joe laughed at
them. The harder they worked the hornier they seemed to be.
They couldn’t keep their hands off each other in private. When
among their brothers they didn’t have a hell of a lot to say. It
was the way they looked at each other and smiled that warmed everyone’s
heart. It was the way Waddie would slowly walk along beside his
little slave and put his arm around him, his big hand casually draped
down Zane’s front. It was the way they roped together that was
magic to watch. Zane finally realized the love and joy in roping,
and he never again threw a catch he didn’t have a smile on his face.
The family
required a waiting period of three months after a master made a claim
for a slave until the slave would be transferred from the family to his
new owner. Sometimes it varied depending on the whims of the
family leaders and how well they knew the master and slave.
Waddie was not an officially recognized master within the McInnis
family; however, rules and customs in the biker world were made to be
flexible and many times on a case by case situation. Waddie and
Zane
were well known and the family had no problem taking them to their
hearts. Waddie was invited and accepted their invitation to
become a member of the clan McInnis and agreed to learn to become a
master. He already got a lot of training from Big Beryl, Big Jim,
Master Jeb, Dan Yates, and especially, Booger Red.
Booger Red
talked with Waddie every time they could get together about the
necessity of master/slave relationships in a nomadic biker
lifestyle. After Waddie stayed and worked for a week at Cal and
Steve’s ranch he was going to take off but they insisted he stay.
They told Waddie another cowboy and his master would be there any day
and they wanted them to meet. Waddie had no idea the cowboy would
be Billy Gunn the third. He immediately fell in love with Billy,
but he equally fell in love with Booger Red. Waddie, above all
others, could recognize the soul of an old cowboy just by watching a
man for a period of time. He knew immediately Booger Red was an
old buckaroo and called him on it. Cowboy was in the arena with
Cal and Steve teaching them to rope. “How many years
did you ride the circuit, Red?” Waddie asked sitting next to him on the
fence watching the other cowboys rope. Red didn’t answer right
away.
“What makes you
think I rode the circuit, Son?” Booger Red asked.
“I can tell an
old cowpoke the way he acts, talks, walks, and carries himself.
Furthermore, one of my dads, a man by the name of Randy Crenshaw, used
to tell me and my brothers about a rope’n man what was flawless and
couldn't be beat.
Said his name was Booger Red and him and his partner won three National
Championships in a row. But, that had to be many years ago; way
before Billy Gunn come along,” Waddie replied.
“Oh my,
God! Be sure your sins will find you out. You call Randy
Crenshaw ‘dad'? Well then, I know for damn sure you’re a fine
man,
Waddie. Don’t make ‘em no finer than that man. Spent many a
night around a campfire with Randy Crenshaw. I hope this’ll be
between us. Cowboy don’t know I ever rode the circuit, and I’ll
tell you why,” Booger Red said.
“Sure,
Red. Won’t say nothing to Cowboy,” Waddie agreed.
“My partner was
Cowboy’s uncle, Bud Cummings. We had to quit the circuit when we
went to Korea. Cowboy’s dad, Big Gunn, Bud, me, and several other
men were sent to Korea together. Bud came home before me.
He decided he wanted to settle down and have kids, but as it turned out
he
married a woman who couldn’t have no kids. Being Bud, he stayed
with her until he died. His cousin, Big Gunn, had Cowboy and lost
his wife right after. Bud raised that boy as if he were his
own. It broke my heart when I returned from Korea think’n Bud and
I would get back together, and I found out he was married. I was
so broken up I hung
up my spurs. Ain't been on a horse since.
"I never roped
another day in my life after that. I did like you, bought me a
bike and hit the road. Thought I could run from the
disappointment and pain. Years later I run into Bud and Cowboy at
an old friend’s place, Walker Johnson’s ranch in Glen Rose,
Texas. I was struck by how much Cowboy looked like his uncle when
we were together all them years ago. Cowboy fell in love with me
like there was no other for him. Naturally, I fell in love with
Cowboy and asked him to be my slave. Funny thing was, the night
before Cowboy left for Nam his dad, Big Gunn, told him Cowboy weren’t
his biological son. His real dad was Bud Cummings.” Red stopped
for a moment to see Waddie’s reaction.
“Yeah, I got a
kid what's only eleven years younger than me. Have to be careful
what you do with used condoms,” Waddie said. Red almost fell off
the fence laughing at Waddie’s seriousness. Waddie smiled at Red
knowing from his reaction he was right on.
“You nailed it,
Son. That’s exactly what happened; so, the two major loves of my
life have been a father and his son. I couldn’t have wished for
two better men in my life.”
“Wow, that’s
powerful, Red. Won’t say a word, but I can’t help admiring the
two of you. I couldn’t imagine two men more suited for one
another than you and Cowboy.”
“Thanks,
Son. Not a lot of people understand about us,” Booger said
quietly.
Waddie spent
long hours discussing master/slave philosophy with Booger Red and
sometimes Cowboy for his point of view about being Red's slave.
Waddie talked with Dan and Beryl. He was new to the concept and
found out Dan was, too. Dan was convinced it was the only way for
two men to have a long lasting relationship, and he wanted it
desperately. Waddie became consumed with the idea and
soaked it up like a sponge. Even his slave helped him, and it
might be argued helped shaped his master into the master he wanted and
needed. It was fine with Waddie. For once in his life he
had a loving relationship he always dreamed of without the pressures of
the outside world to interfere or threaten to take it away from
him. He wondered how his family in Chapel Creek would accept
Zane. Waddie muttered to himself, “Acceptance should be the least
of my worries with my family. My biggest worry should be getting
Zane back from the clutches of my old man, Dad Dan, and Bubba.
Once them three get their hooks in him they ain’t never gonna’ wanna’
let go. My poor Zane, he ain't got no idea what he’s gotten
himself into,"' he said, shook his head, and laughed.
Waddie’s
membership probation period into the clan McInnis began the same time
his claim for Zane did and the family was looking forward to another
blowout party in three months to initiate another new master and slave
into their ranks. Dan invited Waddie and Zane to stay for the
three months period and work at the ranch. That way, the family
could gather and have the party there. Waddie and Zane could
invite anyone they wanted. Zane had no family but a doctor who
took him in as a young boy. Zane ran away from home when his
family insisted he take female hormone shots to complete his sexual
transition to a female. The doctor took him in as his own son,
saw to it he finished high school and administered the male hormone
injections himself. He never once tried to molest or encourage
Zane to have sexual relations with him. He was just a kind and
loving man who loved Zane unconditionally. He was distraught at
Zane’s loss of Bart, but he was delighted to hear Zane found a new
master. He promised faithfully to be at the ranch in Tucson for
the celebration.
Waddie wrote his
dad a letter.
My
dear old man,
I
use that title not out of disrespect but with the greatest love,
admiration, and pride to have an honored and respected man like you for
my dad. A man I can truly call ‘my old man’ and mean it with all
the love in my heart. I thank God every day for giving me you as
my ‘old man’ and dad. It ain’t too often I get mushy with you,
because we don’t have to; our love seems to flow naturally between
us. It always has, it always will, but damn it, it seems we love
each other so much it’s hard not to put it into words sometimes to let
you know how much I do care about you, what you mean to me, and how
proud and honored I am to have you call me your son. Don’t get
much better’n that, Dad. I have the greatest news, but somehow it
seemed right I tell you how much I love and care about you, before I
share my good news.
Since
I’ve been back from Nam, I know I’ve been a big disappointment to my
family, but I think I’m coming around Dad with the help of some
wonderful men like your old friend Beryl McInnis. I have the
greatest love and admiration for him, and he speaks about you in
reverent tones. I’ve been asked to join his biker family, the
family clan McInnis. I have accepted and there will be a three
month trial period before I’m fully accepted as family. It’s a
wonderful honor. I’m pleased to be considered, but that ain't the
main reason I’m writing.
I
met someone, Dad. A wonderful young man with whom I want to spend
the rest
of my life. He’s the second great love Mr. Urial said the
Old Man would send me. There’s no doubt in my mind or any of my
friends. I don’t think you’ll have a doubt either. I hope
you won’t be too disappointed you may not have grand kids other than my
little brother and what he might bring us; however, knowing you and the
way you’re loved by every kid in the county you’ll have all the damn
grand kids you can handle. That’s the way it should be.
You’re damn good with kids and love them too much not to have a passel
of them around you all the time.
Our
relationship will be a little different than most male
relationships. My new mate, Zane, will become my slave, and I
will be his master. That may sound terrible upon first hearing,
but you’ve always trusted me to do the right thing. This is the
right thing for me and him. You’ll understand more about it as
time goes on and will come to love Zane like one of your own. If
I love him, I know you will, and I know mom will, too. She’s
never met a friend of mine she didn’t take a liking to. Zane’s
previous master and I were best buds. He was killed in a bike
accident a little over a year ago, and I watched in frustration as he
died in Zane’s arms. For all my medic training there was nothing
I could do for him. Zane was injured as well, and it took him a
year to recover. I've always been fond of Zane and after an year
of grief and recovery he asked me if I would become his master.
After one night together, I made a claim for him through his
biker family. They have a three month trial period until the
family
clan I’ve joined will release him to me. I have a probationary
period, after which, I’ll be inducted into the family as a new member
and master.
There
will be an induction ceremony at Dan Yates’ ranch outside of Tucson
around Halloween of this year and at that time Zane will be transferred
to me and become by property. I know it may sound radical, but
it’s a deep and meaningful thing for Zane and me. Naturally, it
will be a men only ceremony similar to what you and Dad Dan experienced
with the Masons. I would like for you to be here, Dad and bring
Dad Dan and Bubba if you can talk them into it. It would mean a
lot to me. Since little Gip has graduated high school, and is
past the legal age, I would love for you to bring him as well. I
think it’s time, there should be no secrets among us men in this
respect. As far as I’m concerned you’re still dad and I’m
perfectly comfortable and happy to be big bubba. He’s old enough
now he should know most all his big brother’s secrets, that is if the
little fart ain’t already figured it out for himself. Tell him
it’s because I love him so much I want him to know and share in my
joy. After seeing him, Donny Lyle Franz, and C. W. Crenshaw
together I doubt seriously he’ll have much problem with it. I
plan to send the Crenshaw and Franz men invitations as well.
Dan
Yates has plenty of room so plan to stay a couple of days, a week if
you can. Just come and enjoy yourself. Cass will be here to
share in our joy. By the way, Zane and I won first place at the
Prescott rodeo and we are entering the Tucson rodeo in two weeks.
Zane and I are going to work here on Dan’s ranch, The Broken Arrow,
until the ceremony. We’re going to make a trip back during that
time so you can meet Zane and get to know him. Thanks for the
birthday card. It’s hard to believe I’m another year older.
Your
loving and respectful son, Waddie.
Waddie sent the
letter to Buck’s office address in care of his secretary Mrs. Carol
Franz. He marked on the letter in red: Personal &
Confidential. Waddie knew it would never be opened until his dad
read it.
* * * * * * *
Mrs. Russell
asked Waddie and Zane to build her a small cabinet to hang on the wall
with about twenty slots in it. She had them install it on a wall
on the back porch to the kitchen of the main house. They built it to
her specifications and she carefully labeled it with the names of
several bikers who regularly got mail from their families at Dan’s
ranch. It was always there for them when they dropped by.
Sometimes it was the only way a man’s family back home could get in
touch with him was through Dan and Mrs. Russell. They pretty much
knew where the families were at any given time and could get an
emergency message through to them even when they were on the road.
* * * * * * *
Once again Mutt
was riding on his own. He was riding with the Hot Dawgs,
but he wasn’t with Harley. He and Harley rode side by side with
Janice on the back of Harley’s bike, but when it came to camping Mutt
always made sure he was well away from Harley and Janice. He
didn’t want to intrude and made himself scarce. Janice was aware
Harley and Mutt grew closer in her absence, but she had no idea how
close. By that time, she knew better than to ask Harley anything
about his personal life. She was back in with Harley, and she
wasn’t going to jeopardize her position. She made the mistake
twice of pushing him too far, and she wasn’t soon going to forget her
mistake.
Spider was
including Mutt more and more in his group. He invited Mutt to
travel into a small town they were camping near and have dinner with
him and his crew. Spider was more impressed with Mutt and his
abilities as a cowboy and saw the money Mutt was making as a result of
winning. He also watched Mutt be generous with several folks who
didn’t have the money he did. He helped out several people who
were in a jam and needed an emergency handout. Mutt never bugged
them for payback but ninety-five percent of the time he was paid back
and then some. Spider could say much since it was Mutt's money to
do with as he pleased but he grumble a lot and told Mutt he was a fool
for lending them his money.
He made friends
in all the three major family biker groups. Friends who would go
to the wall for him because he had gone out of his way for them.
Spider watched Mutt win two years in a row at the Prescott rodeo and
heard the family talk about the other rodeos he and his brother Waddie
won. On several occasions Spider tried to get Mutt alone so they
could talk privately, but for that year Mutt was either with Beryl, Dan
Yates, or his brother. Somehow Spider knew these men were out of
his league. They were subtle but made it clear they didn't care
for him. Spicer remained on the fringes of
Mutt’s family and friends. Dan Yates would be polite to Spider
but would never invite him to the ranch.
None of the
bikers would consider bringing a new person to Dan's ranch without
first asking his approval. Dan heard too many tales and bad
stories about Spider and his men to make the mistake of inviting them
to his home. Of all men, Dan respected and listened to Beryl’s
opinions. Beryl rarely spoke badly about any man, but when he did
it was time to listen and take heed. Beryl would speak to Spider
from time to time but never would get involved with him. Waddie
wouldn’t give him the time of day but would be polite to him if spoken
to. If he ran into Spider and his crew accidentally he would be
polite but hid behind his stoic cowboy persona and didn't have a lot to
say.
Spider
apologized to Mutt several times for having been mean and cruel to him
the first time they met. He did everything in his power to make
up for his ignorance. After his buddies left for their own tents
that evening Spider sat and talked with Mutt for sometime. Mutt
couldn’t explain it, but he was helplessly attracted to Spider.
There was a raw animal magnetism about the big biker that was as
unsettling as it was attractive to Mutt. He wanted Spider in the
worst way. He long since forgot how
bad Spider treated him and forgot all the warnings members of his biker
family gave him about Spider. Spider was talking low and being
intimate with the battle scarred young man. “I know you still
want me, Mutt. I can feel you looking at me sometimes like you’d
like to taste my old cock,” he said smugly. A grin slowly spread
across his face
as Spider threw a pebble into the fire. Mutt looked away and
didn’t say anything. There was a long pause between them.
“Share my tent with me tonight, slave boy?” Spider asked quietly.
“If’n you know I
still want you,” spoke Mutt softly, still not looking at Spider, “you
already know the answer to your question, don’t you, sir?” Mutt picked
up a pebble and tossed it into the fire as an afterthought.
“Yes, Son, I
do,” Spider was quiet for a while then added, “so grab your bedroll and
bring it on over to my tent. I’ll be waiting for you.”
Mutt dismissed
himself as Spider got up and headed for his own tent. Mutt
gathered up his bedroll, tucked it under his arm, and walked back to
Spider’s tent.
“C’moan, Son,”
Spider invited Mutt, “unroll your bedroll next to mine,” he indicated
with a sweep of his hand. Mutt did as he was told and situated
his bedroll next to Spider's. Mutt finished and waited for
Spider’s next order. “You may undress
me, boy,” Spider said with a soft gentle tone to his voice. It
was as
if Spider knew Mutt accepted his position with him as a sub and would
respond accordingly. Mutt knew and understood the contract
between them when he agreed to join Spider in his tent. He paid
the proper homage to Spider’s boots and when he was pleased enough with
Mutt’s attentions Spider allowed him to remove them. Only then
did Mutt proceed to undress him. It was the first time Mutt saw
Spider completely nude. Spider had a big, barrel chest with good
upper body development. He didn’t work out but he was a man who
was blessed with a natural development from years of hard manual labor,
a stint in the Marine Corps and a couple of year in the pen. He
was proud of his body and
often paraded around like a peacock with his shirt off. Mutt was
impressed with Spider’s penis and thought, at least that part of
Spider’s bragging wasn’t overstated.
“Go ahead, get
chore’self undressed,” Spider said quietly.
Mutt obeyed and
began to take off his clothes. When Mutt took off his shirt he
saw a pleased look come across Spider’s face, but when he shucked off
his Wranglers, he heard Spider take in a sharp breath of air.
Spider didn’t count on his companion for the evening having a
considerably larger cock than his. It didn’t take him long to
recover. He chuckled to himself. “Hell, Son! I guess
I named ju’ wrong. I should a' named you ‘Donkey Boy,’” he said.
Mutt took his
statement in good humor knowing it was Spider’s further attempt to
apologize for naming him Mutt. “S’all the same to you, sir, think
I’ll stick with ‘Mutt,’” he replied.
“S’fine with me,
boy, s’long as you suck my dick like it’s the sweetest piece of meat
you ever tasted,” Spider said, grabbed Mutt into his arms and
hugged him. “Let’s see what you can do for old Spider. Get down
there and let me see you make a little love to my fine cock.”
Mutt moved to
Spider’s crotch and took a deep breath of the big man’s essence.
He wasn’t disappointed. Spider may have been a mean-spirited man
but he kept himself clean and smelled of all the strong male odors of a
hot biker. Mutt started kissing and cleaning every inch of
Spider’s cock. He was surprised to find Spider circumcised.
Spider had a full eight and a half to nine inch cock and the more love
Mutt made to it the more erect it became. Finally he heard
Spider give him permission to take him. Mutt dived into sucking
Spider like it was a feast set before him by the gods. He
attacked Spider’s dick like it was his personal mission to bring the
big man to a state of nirvana. Spider was more than a little
surprised this talented, albeit ugly, young man might be such an
outstanding cocksucker. He found himself encouraging the young
cowboy resting his hands gently on the back of his head urging him to
take more of him; taunting him to ingest as much of his thick cock down
his
throat as he could. Mutt didn’t stop until he was deep
fucking his own throat with Spider’s pride. Suddenly, Spider
realized his moment of climax was near, but it arrived too quickly for
him to notify Mutt. He only had time to let out a low guttural
growl, pull Mutt as far on his cock as possible and shoot deep down his
throat. It caught Mutt off guard. He started to choke, but
he quickly recovered and managed to take volley after volley of
Spider’s thick ropy biker cream and swallow every drop. Mutt
faithfully cleaned Spider afterward and lay down beside him.
Spider threw his
arm around his younger companion and spoke softly. “Pretty damn
decent blow-job for a mutt, Son. You suck dick like you throw a
rope. You put your all into it. I know'd it ain’t a
master’s place to be complimentin’ you a lot, but I gotta' say that was
pretty damn good. You wanna’ jack-off while old Spider holds
you?” he asked.
“Naw, sir,
suck’n you off was enough for me tonight. I’ll take care of me
later,” Mutt replied.
“Suit
yourself. Goodnight, then,” Spider said.
Mutt told Spider
goodnight then drifted of into a fitful uneasy sleep. While he
enjoyed the sex with Spider, he made up his mind he wasn’t going to get
involved with him. He was attracted to Spider big time, but he
neither liked Spider’s actions nor what he stood for.
* * * * * * *
Time
passed and
Spider invited Mutt to spend more time with him and his crew.
Spider came to look upon Mutt's disfigurement as a plus for his gang
rather than a distraction for him sexually. Mutt's appearance
gave his crew a decidedly rough, mean look Spider rather enjoyed.
Anything to set him apart from the other bikers was a boon for
him. Mutt was concerned if he rode with Spider and his men, he
would eventually be farmed out to them. He didn’t care to be the
four men’s sex slut. He got along fairly well with them.
One was a tall, well built quiet man they called ‘Buster’ and a short,
stocky man
they called ‘Howdy’ or ‘Fireplug.’ Howdy was sort of between
the other two in size but had a better body than either of them.
He ran off at the mouth a lot and most times didn’t have too much worth
saying. He wasn’t dumb or stupid, he was just young, uneducated,
inexperienced, naive and didn’t know when to keep his mouth shut.
He always had an opinion about everything, but most of the time he was
wrong. The older of the three was a decent looking man with a
full white beard and mustache. He always wore an old felt hat
held on by a chin strap. From years of wearing it while riding on
his bike the front of it was turned straight up making him look like
and old time cowboy or prospector. Spider gave him the name,
‘Gabby.’ The name fit him perfectly. He was an older man
and looked like ‘Gabby Hays’ Roy Rogers' sidekick from old Republic
Studios Western movies.
They were three
misfits and couldn’t fit in or get along with the other members of the
clubs except when they were with Spider. He seemed to control
them and kept them halfway civil to the other riders, but it didn't
work
both ways. They had little or no control over Spider when he got
drunk and decided to reek havoc on someone in the club. Spider
would have cross words or get it in for some rider in the family, then
try to make his life a living hell of rude comments and nasty sexual
innuendos. Finally they would either have to stand up to Spider
and his three or leave the group to ride with another family.
Spider and his men ran away many good men who just wouldn't put up with
their bullshit, but they weren't cowards. Most were war heroes,
but they were beaten down by the world and memories of the war they
wanted as little hassle as
possible. Spider was warned many time not to take out his wrath
or personal vendetta by intimidating any rider, especially if they were
a member of the club, but he did. Rather than say anything the
rider would simply leave. The powers that be wouldn’t learn about
it sometimes until months later. However, there were a couple of
men Spider tried it with, and it blew up in his face. One was Big
Beryl, another was Booger Red, the third was Harley Boone, but the very
worst for Spider was a tall quiet cowboy everyone called Job.
Beryl was simply
too big and well liked by everyone to be ganged up on by Spider and his
posse. Word got around on a certain night, Spider and his men
were going to run Beryl out of camp. They planned to tell him he
wasn't welcome to ride with any group where he found Spider and his men
riding. When the hour arrived everyman in camp surrounded Beryl
and stood up for him. The two leaders of the group, Rondo and
Banger, were there to defend him as well. They weren’t just there
with their presence. The were there with tire irons, chains,
chunks of two by four and huge crescent wrenches. Spider and his
men were told they could ride with them as long as they acted properly
and respected everyman in their family, or they could go find another
family to ride with. The Hot Dawgs weren't putting up with their
shit anymore. There was much posturing and words
exchanged, but after things settled down everyone went to bed, nothing
more was said about it.
A week or so
later Beryl and Spider were having a drink together and Spider half-ass
apologized to Beryl. Beryl didn’t dwell on the situation and
poured Spider another two fingers. They never seemed to have a
problem after that, but Spider would listen to something Beryl told
him. Beryl would never give Spider advice unless he asked for it,
but Spider quickly learned Beryl's advice was usually not what Spider
wanted to hear.
Spider ran
several other men out of camp, but he developed a particular hatred for
Booger Red. He wanted Cowboy in the worst way, and like most men
who didn’t know them, wondered why such a stunningly handsome talented
young cowboy would choose to be the slave of such an ugly, old biker
like Booger Red. Red had to be every bit of thirty years older
than Cowboy, he thought. Spider did everything in his power to
get Cowboy to notice him. He tried every trick in his short book
to get his attention so he could talk him into coming to his
tent. Spider even became so bold as to start the word around camp
he planned to take Cowboy for his own slave whether Cowboy or Red liked
it or not. He made the mistake of openly ordering Cowboy to his
tent.
“You, slave boy!
Yes, you! I'm speaking to you! I’m a master, and I have
need of you for a while in my tent. Get chore' ass in my tent,
take your clothes off, and make yourself ready for me. I’m going
to show you how a real master takes care of his slave. After I
fuck you, you won't never be satisfied no more by that ugly old fart
you ride with,” Spider said.
Cowboy outright
laughed at him. “Thank you, Master Spider, for your generous
offer, but I already done got me a wonderful Master. He's a real
master, and mean'n no disrespect, I seriously doubt you could
come close to knowing how to handle his slave. He alone owns
me.
I’m his property, and I plan to remain his property for as long as he
needs me for his slave. You may ask my master for the loan or use
of his property, and if he should choose to lend me to you for an
evening, I would have no choice in the matter but to serve you as well
as I do him. However, I'm duty bound as a slave to my master, and
I wouldn't consider going with you without his permission,” Cowboy said
with a smile.
“How dare you
speak to me that way, slave! Fuck you and your master! I
take what I want, when I want it, understand!” Spider barked.
With that Spider
grabbed for Cowboy, but before he could lay a hand on him Booger Red
decked him and held him to the ground with a little red pen knife to
his throat. Spider’s men gathered, but one of the other bikers
threw Cowboy a tire iron. He was at his master’s back when
they approached. Cowboy took out the first man’s knees with the
tire iron while he put the heel of his big boot squarely in the second
one’s nuts. When he fell, Cowboy came down hard to the base of
his skull and everyone heard a slight crack. The man on his knees
was rolling around in pain as Cowboy put his lights out with a whack to
the base of his skull. The tall one everyone called ‘Buster’
started backing up. He saw what Cowboy could do with a tire iron
and didn’t want anything to do with him. Cowboy started after him
when he heard his master’s voice. “Let him go, Son. Watch
my back,” Booger said.
Cowboy was
behind his master in an instant warding off any other would be
attackers. There was none. No one in the camp wanted to
come to Spider’s aid. Red continued to hold Spider at bay with
his pen knife. He spoke loud enough for the entire camp to
hear. “You so much as speak to my slave without my permission,
and you’re a dead man. Got that you piece of dog shit?” Booger
Red asked in a tightly controlled voice. Spider was embarrassed
to the max but didn’t answer fast enough to suit Red so he cut him
enough to make the blood run.
“All right,
Red! All right! You and the kid made your point. Now,
lemme’ up,” Spider demanded. Red moved away and let Spider up.
“You better watch your ass, Red. I’ll get you when you ain’t
look’n. Then, I'll have pretty boy all to myself. I'll
teach him how a slave should serve a real master," Spider boasted.
With that, Red
was like an enraged Tasmanian devil. He grabbed hold of Spider
jacket and with one fluid motion threw him to the ground with all his
might. He was on top of him in an instant pounding his face with
one solid fist after another and didn’t stop until Spider was
out. The other men made no effort to pull Red off Spider, and
Cowboy knew better than to try. Both men were leaning over Spider
when someone threw a cold beer in his face to bring him around.
He was sputtering trying to get up and he met Red’s fist again.
“I’ll tell you when you can get up asshole! Now, do we have an
understanding or what? I refuse to live in fear of some fuck’n
moron of a psychopath coming around like a coward and doing me in some
dark
night. I’d just as soon kill your ass right now if you think
you’re gonna’ harbor any thoughts of revenge against me or my
slave. Got that? If you can get away with killing three
innocent men and yore' slave, I shore' as hell can get away with
killing you in self-defense," Booger Red growled at him.
“I ain’t gonna’
do nothing like that, Red, I promise,” Spider said. Red finally
let Spider up again, but it wasn’t until he heard Spider say a number
of times he wouldn’t try for revenge. He never did. After
he heard what Cowboy did to his men he was just as afraid of him as he
was of Red. Spider hated Red because he couldn't intimidate him,
and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. Spider
thrived on creating fear in other riders. If he was political he
would have made a good Republican. If he couldn’t gain their
respect one way, he was going to do it through fear and
intimidation. It really stuck in his craw Red and Cowboy didn’t
fear him in the least. Red and Cowboy were too well liked and had
too many close friends to worry much about a vendetta from Spider.
The third man
Spider tried to run out of camp was Harley Boone. Big mistake on
Spider’s part. Harley damn near put all four of them in the
hospital and only had a set of very bruised knuckles himself.
Harley didn’t even demand they be eighty-sixed from riding with the
family. He was, after all, a GDI himself and recognized anyone’s
right to ride with any group they wanted. Sure enough Spider and
his men came back to ride with the Hot Dawgs again but came around
Harley Boone with their hat’s in their hands.
The last man
Spider went up against was a mature cowboy everyone called Job.
No one knew anything about him other than he lost his two sons in
Vietnam, went off the deep end and like so many other bikers was
running from the rain. He was trying to find himself somewhere on
the road. Spider didn't like his looks and was mouthing off how
he was going to run him off. He stomped over to where Job had his
campsite and before he could get a word out the man picked up a two by
four and laid the big biker out cold. He hit him right between
the eyes and broke Spider's nose in the process. Spider's
buddies didn't want anything to do with the big cowboy and stood their
ground. When Spider came around and set up to get his bearings
the cowboy laid him out again. He did it three times until the
last time Spider came to he grabbed him up by the collar and ran him
about a hundred feet head on into the campgrounds restroom wall and
Spider was down for the count. The cowboy walked away dusting his
hands and cleaning his Wranglers as he returned to his campsite.
Spider's cronies brought him around and carried him back to their
site. Spider never bothered Job again.
* * * * * * *
Once again the
weather began to get nasty and the snow birds dropped out of the
families in droves. The family groups would be so decimated two
or even three family groups would join up to ride together. It
made it pretty tight for any one man to try to dictate to any other who
could ride with the group and who couldn’t, but it didn't stop Spider
from trying. He was constantly in someone’s face going at it with
them. Job quietly found himself a place with Big Beryl, Booger
Red, Cowboy, Harley, and Waddie Claymore.
* * * * * * *
It was time for
Mutt to head back to Tucson to attend his big brother Waddie’s bonding
ceremony with his new slave. His brother was receiving his new
slave from the McInnis family and becoming inducted as a new master
into the family. Mutt was seeing Spider quite a bit by that time
and thought about inviting him to Dan Yates’ to be with him. He
talked with Beryl one evening about it.
“If you feel you
have to invite him, Son, better you consider not going yourself than to
take a chance on ruining your brother’s good time. You ain't
dealing with no normal human being with Spider. I know he’s been
nice and good to you so far, but he’s like a ticking time bomb just
wait'n to go off. Do you really wanna’ take responsibility for
that happening at Dan Yates’? You’re certainly welcome, but how
can you be sure Spider and his three won’t go back to Dan’s sometime
without you? They could rob, kill everyone there, and no one
would know. I certainly wouldn’t want that on my
conscience. Dan's been to damn good to you. You owe him
that
consideration no matter how you feel about Spider. If I find out
you plan to take him and his merry band of dim-wits along, by loyalty
I'll have to warn Harry and Master Ben. I wouldn't want them
exposed to that kind of trash. Ben's been good to you, but he's
also a friend of Waddie and Zanes. I'd shore' as hell reconsider
it if'n I was you. If you got problems, tell him you have to ride
somewhere with us, we invited you to join our family and you need time
to be alone. He might be miffed, but what’s he gonna’ do?
You ain’t his bonded slave. You ain’t signed no contract with
him. We got enough men to back you up. He ain’t gonna’ do
nothing,” Beryl said.
Mutt thought
long and hard about Big Beryl’s words and agreed. As much as he
imagined he came to see another side of Spider he could also see the
evil, mean spirited side come out far too often. He was the brunt
of Spider’s wrath more than a few time. Mutt watched the three
around Spider and they basically were scared to death of him.
Alone, each one would be nothing special within a regular family group
but with Spider they told themselves they were cut above the
herd. Mutt laughed to himself, he thought of them as little more
than pond scum. Mutt decided not to tell Spider anything.
He didn’t make any commitment to Spider. Spider didn’t asked him
to. Mutt was always around. He knew where he could find
Mutt when he needed him and the rest of the time he stuck pretty much
to his own three men. None of them dared kid Spider about his new
found attraction to Mutt. They watched and joined in his original
rebuke and chastisement of the young man like a pack of dogs.
They knew Spider too well and knew it wouldn’t be wise to say anything
to him. Spider and his men were usually late risers. The
whole camp could be up and alive but Spider and his three would sleep
half the morning; however, the morning Mutt decided to take off with
the family Spider was up having coffee. He watched Mutt fold his
tent and pack his bike. He walked over with his coffee cup in his
hand. “Going somewhere, Mutt?” he asked.
“Yes, sir, I
been invited to ride with the McInnins clan for a spell so I’m taking
off with them,” Mutt said.
“Without saying
a word to me?” Spider asked.
“I’m sorry, sir,
I didn’t know I’s suppose to. I didn’t think you’d care,” Mutt
replied respectfully.
Spider stood for
a moment looking at him with a strange vacant look on his face, then
threw the last of his coffee to the ground. “Good point.
You’re right, I don’t care. Have a good time.” Spider didn’t say
anymore, slowly turned, and walked away. It was at that
moment, Spider realized Mutt meant more to him than just being his come
bag, but he would never admit it. The motive for his actions was
not missed by Mutt. For the first time, Mutt saw what he thought
might be real hurt in Spider’s eyes, but he didn't fool himself into
thinking it might lead to a greater psychological understanding between
them or prompt a greater contribution of compassion from Spider.
He only felt guilty for not discussing his motives with Spider, but
Mutt knew he couldn't be open and honest with him without jeopardizing
those he loved who trusted him. The brief time they were riding
together Mutt observed Spider's unpredictable mood swings. Mutt
likened him to a loaded time bomb waiting to explode. Mutt took
some comfort in Big Beryl's words. Spider was just to
unpredictable to bring around his friends and family. He also
realized to have any kind of relationship with Spider would mean he
must divorce himself from those he loved. Mutt wasn't ready to do
that.
* * * * * * *
It was blustery,
chilly Wyoming day when Mutt took off with Beryl, Big Jim, Sam Jenkins,
Harley, and Janice. There were about eight others in the family
who rode with them. They were going to ride down through Prescott
to drop Janice off with her family. It was to be a men only
thing, and while Harley wasn’t yet a family member, he respected their
rules and customs. He would come back and pick up Janice after
his visit with the McInnis family. Janice became petulant,
moaned, groaned, and sighed deeply a lot, but she knew better than to
say a word. She and Harley hadn't been back together long enough
for her to feel she laid down enough track to mount a strong
protest. They stayed an evening with Janice’s gay brother, Wayne,
who always had room for Harley’s biker family. He went out of his
way to be a good host for the men, and being an attractive ruggedly
masculine young man, usually got invited to one of their beds for the
evening. He shared his bed with Sam Jenkins that night and got
the b’jesus fucked out of him. He was all smiles the next
morning. Janice and Harley said their goodbyes and the family
moved on after a big breakfast fixed by Janice and her brother Wayne.
The men
out-skirted Phoenix and stopped for gas and a snack. Those who
never visited the Broken Arrow were warned not to fill up on junk food
because there would be a feast like they never experienced. They
were never wrong to advise their companions, because Mrs. Russell, with
Waddie, Zane, Little Gip, and Cowboy Waddie Crenshaw's help had
everything ready for a wonderful
meal when they arrived. Much to Mutt’s surprise he saw two of his
uncle’s sheriff cars sitting alongside several other vehicles and out
of the house came Buck, Dad Dan, Quinton, Bubba, Little Gip, his two
big brothers, Earl D.and Billy Bob, his younger brother C. W., and
lastly his beloved dad, Randy
Crenshaw. Little Gip, C.W., and Oatie bounded down the few steps
and
were the first to him to hug and kiss him. Cass' baby brother,
Cowboy Waddie Crenshaw got to him first and hugged and kissed his older
brother as Cass spun him around several times in a giant bear hug
followed by many kisses and tears.
Little
Gip was next. “Damn, big
brother. It’s so good to see ya’ again. You know its almost
been a year?" Little Gip asked with unbridled enthusiasm.
“Y’ain’t changed
a bit, little brother. Damn, you’re almost as good look’n as that
big man you call dad,” Mutt replied.
Buck pried Gip
away and took his boy, Cass, into his arms, hugged and kissed
him. “That kid don’t never lie, Cass, it’s damn good to see ya’
again. We missed you, Son.” Buck turned Cass over to Oatie
who showered him with love and greetings. Then it was Earl D. and
Billy
Bob’s turn. Randy Crenshaw stood, admired the love his son was
receiving from all the men, and patiently waited his turn. After
many tears
and greetings Randy took his beautiful son into his arms and held him
close without saying a word. He couldn’t help shedding a tear or
two, but it seemed like the two of them were in a world of their own
clinging to each other.
“Dad, I’ve
missed you so much,” Mutt said.
“Oh God,
Son. If you only knew how much we miss you. You’re in our
prayers and our thoughts every day. Forgive your brothers, Cass,
they just had to come; they love you so much. I guess I’m getting
old, cowboy, I couldn’t find a stick big enough to beat them away from
your uncle’s car. Then them rascals jes' took the one I found
away from me,” Randy joked. Cass and his dad laughed together.
“Hey, little
brother,” Waddie spoke as he held his arms open for Mutt, “so glad you
decided to come. It means a lot to me and Zane to have you
here,” Waddie said, hugged, and kissed Mutt followed by Zane.
“You been
treat’n my big brother right, cowboy?” Mutt asked Zane.
Zane laughed, “I
certainly hope so. If’n I weren’t, you don’t think he’d be going
through with this, do you?” They laughed together.
Mrs.
Russell rang the triangle for the men to get cleaned up for
dinner. Dan set up huge picnic tables spread with all kinds of
food. Fried chicken, ham, and roast beef. Whatever anyone
wanted. Everyone had a ball. Mutt felt more at home than he
had in years among these men he knew and loved. For awhile he
could forget his horribly disfigured face. His little brother,
Gip,
wedged his ass between him and his big brother Waddie to sit as
close to Mutt as he could. Mutt thought it would be wonderful to
spend the night again in his little brother’s arms or perhaps his old
man’s. He introduced Harley to his family as his friend. He
didn't use the work 'buddy.' Mutt could tell they were impressed
with the handsome man. Harley was one fine looking hombre.
Waddie’s dream
came true. His family came through for him big time. He
didn't count on Dad Crenshaw, his little brother C.W. who was named
after him, or his two wonderful older brothers Earl
D. and Billy Bob coming, but it made sense, and he couldn’t have been
more pleased. Dan Yates was in his element. He loved all
the men in the family clan McInnis but to meet Waddie and Mutt’s
family was a wonderful treat. Even the doctor who took Zane in as
a young man was there: Dr. Tyler Cranston. He fitted right in
with the male camaraderie. The only pair missing was Red and
Cowboy. It pained Waddie because he knew from his love for both
of them how much Dan must have loved Cowboy. He heard the story
from both sides and neither tried to hide their love or admiration for
each other. It was just too clumsy and awkward a situation for
them to attend. Dan actually invited them through Beryl.
They sent a card of thanks, declining; however, they wished Waddie and
Zane the best and thanked Dan for his gracious invitation. Some
things you just can’t push.
That night Randy
Crenshaw wasn’t going to let anyone take his place along side his son
in the barn. Although, both young Gip and C.W. were disappointed
but they were consoled
by getting to sleep between their big brothers. Cowboy Waddie
slept between Billy Bob and Earl D. and Gip slept between Waddie and
his new friend Zane. His
big brother pulled him aside and told him about his new partner, Zane,
so he wouldn’t be surprised by his anatomy. “Gip, I got something
to tell you about my new partner and you can share with your brother
C.W. if you want to,” Waddie said.
“Ya’ don’t need
to explain, bubba. Dad already done told me he was gonna’ be your
slave and you’re gonna’ be his master. I thought that was kind of
strange for a while until I got here and watched the two of you.
You know, it ain’t real hard to pick out the other men here who
consider their mates as slaves. Cal and Steve and Master
Ben and Tim. Now I think about it, 'at’s the way it was between
you and my big brother Gip, weren’t it?" Little Gip asked.
“Well, it was,
but it wasn’t with Gip and me. I don't mean my answer to sound
like no puzzle, little bro. We's more like brothers of the
soul. We fit together like we was meant to be, like your foot
might
fit a comfortable old boot. I was the alpha-male and Gip chose to
be subordinate
to me. It was just that way with us from the moment we met.
We never had no words for it; it was never discussed; we just
knew. Zane and I are that way, too, but it’s a little different
with Zane. Don’t get me wrong, I ain't betraying my love for
Gip. He'll always be first in my heart. He was and
still is a part of me. I wouldn’t be alive today if’n it hadn’t
a’ been for my brother. He was one in a million, but Zane ain’t
no replacement for him. Zane is another love, and all loves are
different,” Waddie tried to explain.
“Well, what’s so
different about Zane?" Little Gip asked, "He’s a cowboy, no
doubt. Maybe he can’t rope as well as our brother Gip, but damn
near, and with you to work with he’ll be there in no time.”
“Zane wasn’t
born like you and me,” Waddie said.
“What? Was
he hatched?” Gip asked and giggled.
“No, no, you
silly! Why I ought a’. . . " Waddie threatened, raising his
big hand in a Three Stooges mock punishment, but he was laughing so
hard he didn’t fool little Gip.
“I’ll tell!” Gip
raised an eyebrow and motioned to their dad in the corral.
Waddie hooted
with laughter and hugged his little brother. “You little shit,
you would, too!” he exclaimed and grinned at Gip, “What I wanna’ tell
you is, Zane ain't got no external plumbing like you and me. He’s
plumbed like a woman,” Waddie explained.
“A man like
him? With a body like his? No fuck’n way! You be
shit’n me, bubba,” Gip declared.
“No, little
brother, I ain’t! I ain't never been more serious in my
life. I’m a' tell’n you the God’s gospel truth,” Waddie said
seriously.
“Well, this I
gotta’ see for myself. That raises all sorts of questions in my
mind,” Little Gip said.
“Oh God!” Waddie
laughed, “Somehow, I just knew it would. That’s why I wanted you
to know before this evening when everybody gets in the spas. I
didn’t want you to feel embarrassed or left out ‘cause no one told
you. Most everybody else knows, but I asked dad to let me tell
you. . . and you can tell C.W. so's you won't be the last to
know. I love you so much I thought coming from me it might not be
such a shock,” Waddie said.
“Shock?
What shock? I can’t wait to see him in the raw. Look at
me,” Little Gip said pointing down to his crotch.
Waddie laughed
to see him hard as a rock. ‘Like father, like son,’ he thought to
himself.
“Som'bitch, big
brother, sounds to me like you got the best of both worlds in one
package. How could you go wrong? Would it be bad or
embarrass him to talk to him about it?” Gip asked with enthusiasm.
“No, Son, we
want you to stay the night with us and you can asked him anything you
want. Zane’s already fallen in love with you. He thinks of
you as a younger version of dad and me,” Waddie said.
“Okay, since
we’re being real honest, here, with each other, there’s another
question I gotta' ask you, big brother," Little Gip said.
“What’s zat,
cowboy?” Waddie asked.
“Are you my dad,
Waddie?” Gip asked quietly looking down at his boots and then back up
to squarely look Waddie in his eyes.
Waddie didn’t
see that one coming. He was like a deer caught in the headlights
of an oncoming truck. He broke his gaze into Little Gip's eyes
and hung his head. He was quiet for moment. He reached out
and took the young man's hand in his and gently squeezed it. “I
swore I’d never lie to you if’n you asked. Dad and mom would
never lie to you either if you asked them point blank. Yes, Son,
I'm your dad. Who told you?" Waddie asked.
“Nobody. I
didn’t figure it out until we we's on our way here, but I been think’n
for a long time about something I overheard Granddad Claymore tell
Grandma Claymore," Little Gip said.
“What’d he say,
Son?” Waddie asked.
T'weren’t much,
‘cept, I heard him tell Grandma Claymore he thought you’d been as good
a dad to me as Buck. I got to think’n about it and thought if’n
it was so, then things, feelings I’ve had all my life began to make
more sense to me; like, why you, me, and Big Gip were so close to each
other all them years? Why Oatie and Clyde treated me like their
little brother and why dad and mom, hell, everybody in the damn family
treated me so special. Hell fire, I got me more dads than I can
shake a stick at; what with Dad Dan, Dad Randy, and Dad Gus. Then
I never could figure out how Sissy could be my little sister even
though all you men called her your little sister as well.
However, somehow, I always know'd Sissy was my sister. They’s
something that binds us together we ain’t never been able to figure
out, even though we’ve talked about it. Sissy and I feel like we
weren’t just raised by our parents, we were raised by a whole lot of
folks who love us. I got me a feeling there’s some shit Sissy and
I don’t know about, right?” Gip asked.
“Could be.
Yes, I ain’t gonna’ lie to you none, Gip. Dad done told me
he thinks you're coming to the age you can handle some of the things
that you ain't known about. Anything you want to know, I promise,
I’ll tell you the truth. We wondered if the day would come when
you began to put things together. It was agreed upon from the
very beginning, when mom and dad wanted you for their own, if you ever
asked them, me, or anyone in the family about the past, you were not to
be lied to. You were to be told the truth,” Waddie said strongly.
“Well, I’m glad
to know the truth, but let’s don’t tell dad I know, okay? I know
that sounds crazy, but you always been my big brother and dad’s always
been my dad. I think it would break my heart for him to find out
I didn’t think he was my dad no more. Can you understand,
Waddie?” Gip asked.
“You love our
old man that much, Gip?” Waddie said quietly.
“More’n there
are stars in the sky, big brother. If'n the Big Man His-self done
come down from the sky and told us he had to take one of us, me or dad,
I'd be the first to take his hand,” Little Gip replied.
“Funny, I feel
the same damn way about him. Don’t see no reason to change the
way we love or the way you love him,” Waddie said.
“I’m glad I
asked you. I got to think’n on the way here, how much I love
you. I love you more’n any brother. You always treated me
like I's an adult, your equal, and never lied to me. Well, hell,
dad treats me the same way. He ain’t never lied to me. I
was gonna’ ask him, but somehow, it’s like now that I’m almost grown
the boot’s on the other foot. After all these years, it probably
would break his old heart for me to know, not because of the lie, but
because of me think’n he weren’t really ma' dad and all,” Little Gip
said.
“Gees, Son, does
it make that much difference? Do you think you could’ve picked
better parents for yourself? If you want to know all the details,
I can tell you,” Waddie volunteered.
“I don’t need to
know nothing more, Waddie. I’m just so proud to have seven men in
my life who love me and care about me as much as you, dad, Dad Dan,
Bubba, Quinton, Dad Franz, and Dad Crenshaw. Let’s don’t tell dad
I know. I don’t know what it would do to him, but I don’t wanna’
take the chance. I love that old man more’n you’ll ever know,”
Little Gip replied.
“I think I got
me a pretty good idea, Son,” Waddie said softly looking off into the
distance.
“Yeah, I guess
you would with all the shit you done went through and him being right
there by your side the whole time,” Gip said.
“Then again, you
ain't got no idea how much they love you and how much you mean to
them. Their world revolves around you, Gip. Why do you
think the old man won’t let you get a social security card or a drivers
license? Why do you think he makes you rodeo under an alias?"
Waddie asked.
“He told me,
Waddie. He wants to hide me from the draft just like they done
with Tollar and the rest of them boys. He told me he might even
let me buy a bike and ride with you and Zane,” Little Gip replied and
smiled.
“Our old man
told ju’ that?” Waddie asked with surprise.
“Cowboy’s don’t
never lie, bubba, you know that," Gip declared.
“Well, I’ll be
damned! He is serious about hiding you. You tell him--- no
better’n 'nat--- I’ll tell him I’d be proud to have my little bubba
ride with me and look out for him,” Waddie said.
“That ud’ be
great, bubba, but promise me you won’t tell dad what we done talked
about. I’m almost ashamed of myself for asking, put'n you on the
spot like 'at, because I knew damn well you wouldn’t lie to me. I
thought I wanted to know, and I’m glad I do ‘cause I love you so much I
damn near died inside when you wouldn’t come home to me after our
brother Gip died. I knew I could never take Gip’s place, but damn
it, Waddie, I was your flesh and blood brother. I wanted you to
love me enough to want to come home to me,” Little Gip got a tear in
his eye.
“No, no, Son,
don’t never think that way,” Waddie said, grabbed Little Gip to him and
held him.
“I’m a little
older now and understand more about love so it don’t hurt me none no
more. I tried to tell you in my letters how much I loved and
needed you, Waddie.” Gip broke up in his brother’s arms and started
crying. Waddie held him tight and kissed him gently to comfort
him.
“Listen to me,
cowboy,” Waddie tried to talk between his tears, “If’n it hadn’t a’
been for your letters and your love, I would a' never made it
back. I still got everyone of them letters and will keep them
until the day I die. They’s the most precious things I own.
You don’t know how many times I wanted to write you about what you and
our brother Gip meant to me, but I couldn’t. It hurt too damn
much at the time, so I just wrote you the standard GI letter about what
I was doing and told you to be a good boy and rodeo hard. As far
as dad is concerned, I won’t never say a word about our conversation,
but I won’t lie to our old man, neither. If he asks me point
blank, which he won’t, I will tell him the truth. He ain't never
lied to me and I ain’t a’ gonna’ start lying to him now. He won’t
ask you or me. He needs to be our old man too much, and we need
to let him be, right?” Waddie asked.
“Right, big
brother. Somehow I knew that’s the way you and I would agree
about it, but once in a while, when we’re alone together, and dad ain’t
around. . ."
“You wanna’ call
me, ‘dad?’ Waddie asked.
“Aww, hell,
no! I's gonna’ ask if I could have a go with Zane?” Little Gip
burst out laughing at the look on his big brother's face.
“You little
monster! You done set me up. Good one, too. My
brother the piggy,” Waddie mocked him.
Gip was
guffawing with laughter. “Yes, yes, of course, that’s what I
wanted. It would mean a lot to me to call you my dad once in a
while, Waddie. After all these years of you call’n me ‘son,’" Gip
replied seriously.
“I think it
would be fine. I can remember a time I asked our old man the same
damn thing. I remember how much it meant to me at the time.
I think I can understand,” Waddie said.
“I know, dad
told me the story,” Gip said, "he cried ever' damn time he told
me. Said it broke his heart the night you asked him."
“I tell that old
man of ours how sharp you are and very little gets past you. I
ain't real sure he believes me,” Waddie said and grinned.
“H'it don’t
matter none, but if’n I can help it, I don’t never want him knowing I
know he ain’t my dad,” Little Gip replied.
"Well, he is
yore' granddad, you know?" Waddie looked him in the eye.
"Yeah, but it
ain't the same. It's is, but it ain't. Ah, hell, Waddie,
you know what I mean," Gip said like he was grappling for answers.
“Yeah, I
do. Well, let this be a lesson to you, Son. Don’t never ask
a man a question you ain’t sure you wanna' know the answer to. It
may turn out different from what you expect,” Waddie advised.
“Amen to that,
bubba!” Little Gip exclaimed.
“Now, are you
confused about you and me?” Waddie asked.
“Naw.
Don't think so. Instead of having myself a big brother and a
dad. I got myself a big brother, two dads, and a granddad.”
“. . .and a
partridge in a pear tree," Waddie sang and and laughed with his
boy.
It wasn’t until
many years later after their parents were both gone did Little Gip ask
his dad about his real mother. Waddie patiently told his son the
story of how he and his sister Sissy came to be. Gip was in awe
of the love that went into seeing he had a normal, healthy, and loving
childhood. Little Gip lived a complete and happy childhood,
marred only by the loss of several brothers in Nam, but it was only
after his talk with Waddie did he begin to realize how much he meant to
his family, his great-grandparents, his grandparents, and his dad; his
extended family, the Franz, the Crenshaws; and, his community.
Before, he always took their love for granted. It was so easy for
him he never considered his love for them. Both were just a
'given' in the equation of his life and they balanced him; however,
Waddie's bonding with a new family member and Little Gip's big brother
insisting on including him, open the young cowboy's eyes to his greater
love for them. It was that evening, sitting in the spa on Dan
Yate's ranch, listening to his granddad, Buck Claymore, tell an
outrageously funny story, Little Gip became 'Gip.' He left his
childhood behind and became the man, Gip Claymore. Gip made a
decision for himself, he would pay back those who loved him as a child
and a young man by following in his granddad's footsteps and one day
become sheriff of their county.
* * * * * * *
That evening in
the spa, the men treated Zane as another member of the family.
Young Gip was a complete gentleman and insisted on sitting next to his
brother’s new slave. He was enchanted by Zane. He couldn’t
do enough for him and catered to him like he was a prince. Even
Master Ben laughed and asked Gip if he’d considered becoming a slave to
some good man. “Not until I met Zane, Master Ben,” Gip
replied. It was a response none of the men expected, and they
almost drowned laughing at little Gip’s quick comeback.
Zane laughed at
how much Buck, Waddie, and Little Gip looked like carbon copies of each
other down to their equipment. Although, Zane gleefully noted, he
got the pick of the litter. Waddie was a little larger than his
two closest male relations. It was a fact not lost on Buck or
Gip. The week went by and a wonderful time was had by all.
Master Ben helped with the food and drinks for everyone and slipped
Mrs. Russell extra money for her work. He didn’t have to.
Mrs. Russell loved the men and did it because she genuinely cared about
them. Besides she had a lot of help. There was always four
or five men, sometimes more, helping her in the kitchen and they helped
cleaned up afterwards. The men rodeoed from sun up to sun down
and word spread quickly around the Tucson area there was a rodeo going
on at the Broken Arrow Ranch. At one time there were over fifty
pickups with horse trailers around the ranch. They came to rodeo
and have a good time. It turned out to be one the best times at
the Broken Arrow Ranch anyone could remember before Booger Red passed
away and willed his beloved slave to Dan Yates.
End Chapter 7~
Harley & Mutt
Copyright ©
2003 ~ 2011 ~ Waddie Greywolf
All rights
reserved
Mail to:
waddiebear@yahoo.com
Proofed:
04/10/2011
WC11756