Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2002 02:50:57 -0800 (PST)
From: Waddie Greywolf <waddiebear@yahoo.com>
Subject: "Cabbage Patch Cowboy Part 15"

DISCLAIMER: WARNING!!  This is a work of homoerotic fictions written by an
adult for the purpose of entertainment for other adults.  If you are not
eighteen year of age or you have any problem with this type of literature
then this is a warning to read no further.  The author will not be held
responsible for any reason if you do.  (Codes: M/M M/b M/t Gay Incest Anal
Oral True)

Comments/questions:  waddiebear@yahoo.com
Copyright 2002 Waddie Greywolf

============================================================================
CABBAGE PATCH COWBOY PART 15

Ranch folks are up before the sun to get an early start on the day.  Most
folks who live on a ranch have put in a full eight hour day by the time the
average man starts to work.  The Crenshaw ranch was no exception.  Besides
the family wanted to see their big football hero brothers and their new
junior rodeo champ brother off.

Conversation at breakfast was about when Earl D. and Billy Bob were coming
home again and would they bring Waddie with them?  Dad Crenshaw asked why
he didn't stay for a week with him, Ma Crenshaw and the boys; they'd love
to have him?  Waddie told him he'd love to but his angel was pretty
definite about him sticking with Earl D. and Billy Bob.  Dad Crenshaw
understood.

Waddie had two weekends before he was obligated to visit Aunt Agatha in
Dallas for a week and be with his brother Gip.  He might just talk Dad Dan
and Momma Sue into letting Gip stay with him a week and bring him to the
Crenshaw's one weekend.  Dad Crenshaw loved that idea, so did the boys.

Waddie told them it was only speculation.  He didn't know if he could pull
it off.  He'd keep in touch. Waddie had the next two weekends free.  Earl
D. and Billy Bob usually came home every other weekend but sometimes made
exceptions.  All the brothers were begging them to bring Waddie back next
weekend,....please.  Dad Crenshaw didn't say anything to his boys.  He
didn't have to, they could read him like a book.  They laughed and kidded
Waddie all the way back that if they didn't bring him back the next two
weekends they would be pariahs to the men in their family to say nothing of
their mom and little sister.

The boys got all their stuff put into the back of the truck and the tarp
thrown over.  All the brothers shook hands, hugged, kissed and cried with
Waddie.  The youngest and prettiest, Shad, captured Waddie's heart. He'd
been up in Waddie's lap every chance he got and Waddie never turned him
away. The rest of the Crenshaws were amused and touched by their bond.
Waddie exhibited great patience and maturity in dealing with his younger
brother. He became Shad's hero.  He didn't want to let Waddie go.  Neither
did the oldest Crenshaw man, Waddie's new addition to his list of dads.

Waddie hugged and kissed Ma Crenshaw goodbye and she cried too.  Dad
Crenshaw was last and it was apparent to all he didn't want to say goodbye
to his new son.

"I don't cuss to often, Son, but,--- Damn it, we love you, Waddie, and want
you to know you're welcome here anytime.  Come back when you can, Son,
there'll always be a chair at the table for you and a pony in the barn for
you to ride.  Heal quickly, Son.  In body and spirit and let the love of
the folks that care about you heal your heart.  Come back home, Son, we
love you."

Dad Crenshaw hugged and kissed Waddie.  Waddie shed a few tears and let go.

"If my care takers can make it back I'll try to come the next two weekends.
I'd love to.  How is it possible, I could fall in love with you folks in
one weekend and feel so at home here?  Trust me Dad, Ma Crenshaw,...your
son will come home again."

They waved goodbye as the boys drove down the gravel road.  Waddie had
tears running down his face and Earl D. held him tight.  They passed by the
Franz's place and saw lights on, Waddie nodded to Earl D., he nodded to
Billy Bob who was driving and turned the truck tp drive down their gravel
road.

The three Franz's came out and the men said their thank you's and goodbyes
to the Franz's.  Bubba called yesterday afternoon to speak with his parents
but mostly his little sister.  He found out how Waddie was doing and how
did the family like him?  Brenda Lou told Bubba, Dad Crenshaw was thinking
about trading all the boys in on Waddie.  She said Bubba laughed for three
minutes. The Franz were so grateful the boys stopped by to say goodbye.
Brenda Lou gave Waddie a special big hug and kiss to pass on to her Bubba
the next time Waddie saw him.

The boys were back on the road and burning up some black top.  They set
their stop watch leaving the Franz's place.  They stopped for a break but
decided to stop the watch.  They weren't going to include stops anymore,
just actual time on the road.  They knew they needed to let Waddie's rear
take a break from sitting.

Earl D. went to the restroom with him and put more ointment on several bad
spots.  Waddie thanked him; it made a difference.  They got a drink of
water and were on the road again.  They made it to the curb in front of
Mrs. York's boarding house in an hour and forty nine minutes.  The boys
speculated why they made better time coming back than going home.

"Simple." said Waddie.

"Okay, Little Brother, why?'

"It's downhill."  They all laughed but there was a vague question in the
back of Earl D. and Billy Bob's mind if there might be a shred of truth to
that.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bubba told Gus to tell Waddie that he was way ahead of schedule and if
everything went as planned he'd roll into Waddie's town around noon on
Wednesday.  After he returned with another load he was thinking about
taking a small vacation and going home for a couple of days.  Waddie
counted on hearing from everyone Wednesday.

Mrs. York had lunch ready when they got there.  The six other students were
there. All but the grad student were athletes on the football team with
Earl D. and Billy Bob.  They were huge men and ate with a vengeance.
Mrs. York made up a plate for Waddie so he wouldn't have to compete with
the giants and their well developed `boarding house reach.'  It was giggled
about but there was always enough food for everyone.

Earl D. and Billy Bob had some catching up to do with their buddies and
Waddie left them alone.  He went in and started helping Mrs. York clean up
after lunch.  With Waddie's help she was finished an hour earlier than
usual. She took a brief nap before she started dinner. Mrs. York couldn't
thank Waddie enough but told him he didn't have to help.

"Please, Mrs. York.  It gives me something to do, keeps me out of Earl
D. and Billy Bob's hair for a while and they get a break from the kid."

"That's mature thinking on your part, Waddie.  Most kids would insist on
being around the big boys all the time and drive them nuts.  It's a good
idea to give them a break,... and Darlin' I can use all the help I can
get."  she threw back her head and laughed.  Waddie laughed with her and
got busy scrubbing pots in the metal sink on the back porch.  Then he wash
and dried the dishes for her.  He did a good job and Mrs. York was pleased.

Waddie asked Mrs. York if he might make a local call to the bus station for
leaving and arrival times for a bus to Dallas. He wanted to take a trip for
a week to visit his Aunt Agatha.  Mrs. York told him all local calls were
free.  She showed him a clipboard attached to the phone stand on a long
thin chain. There was a pencil stuck under the clip.

"If you want to make a long distance call, put the number you're calling
here and the charges.  Ask the local operator to instruct the long distance
operator to give you time and charges.  Then write it down in these two
spaces."  Seemed simple enough to Waddie.

"You'd be surprised.  You'd think kids that were bright enough to get to
college could do this simple task but I always have one or two calls
someone doesn't remember.  I know all their home phone numbers and nine
times out of ten it will be the number called.  They forgot to log it.
They still pay."  Waddie shook his head and laughed.  He promised that he
would log every call.  Mrs. York had no worries about Waddie.  Somehow she
knew he would.

He decided to travel to Dallas starting in the early afternoon from
Austin. If he went to Bandera with the boys and they got back before noon
on Monday then they'd be able to take him to the bus station after lunch.
He'd try to get a bus out somewhere between one-thirty and two.  He'd
arrive in Dallas approximately four hours later.  Earl D. gave him a note
pad and a pencil.  He cleared it with he boys if it sounded like a good
plan.  He'd find out the time and his aunt would meet him at the station.

They though it was a good plan.  He called the station and told the lady
that answered the phone the time period he need to leave.  She explained
the busses normally had to stop to load and unload passengers and the time
to Dallas would be five and half hours.  However for two dollars more she
had an express Continental Trailway to Dallas with only one rest stop in
Waco leaving Austin at one forty-five P.M. and arriving Dallas at six
thirty-five P.M.  For an express bus he should get his ticket at least
three days in advance.  Of course, they could sell him a ticket any time
before that.

Waddie noted the ticket price for a child under twelve and was surprised at
how reasonable it was.  Six dollars and ninety-five cents.  He had the
money.  Go express.  He thanked the lady and hung up. He was set and had
something to tell Aunt Agatha the next time she called.

The boys spent the afternoon studying for their class the next day.  They
had homework to do for the three classes they were taking.  They needed
time to themselves.  They had classes Tuesday morning, Wednesday morning
and afternoon and two classes on Thursday.  They had more time to study and
less activity in their lives so they devoted more time to study.  The
better grades they made in summer school the better their grade point
average.  They weren't doing too bad.  Earl D. was on the deans list every
semester and Billy Bob had made it several times.

Waddie understood and made himself busy.  He walked to a big drug store
emporium just off campus and bought several magazines and a couple of books
to read. He was hooked on Zane Grey Western novels.  They always had a
widow woman with two boys, maybe a little girl, a young boy and an older
stout young man trying to take his dad's place.  His dad had been murdered
by a ruthless land baron that was going to get their spread if it was the
last thing he did. (usually was, too.)

Then one day when things looked the bleakest for the small family a
ruggedly handsome, quiet spoken drifter with a mysterious past rides to
their front door.  He asks only for water for his horse and to sleep in the
barn for a night.  He'll be on his way in the morning, but he'd chop the
rest of the cord of firewood for her.  Well, she feeds him, he stays,
fights, kills the bad guy, marries the widow woman and becomes and
outstanding dad to her boys. (Waddie always wanted him to become the lover
of her oldest son, too.  That never happened; however, he was sure the son
wanted it to.)

Waddie bought some envelopes, stamps and a smaller lined writing pad in
case he wanted to write some letters.  The afternoon went by slowly and he
got bored.  He went to the kitchen and Mrs. York was like a whirlwind. He
asked if he could do anything for her, he was bored.  He didn't have to
beg.  Next thing he knew he had a bowl in front of him, she handed him a
vegetable scraper and a sack of potatoes.  Told him not to stop until she
hollered or he got tired.

Waddie sat pealing potatoes for over and hour when she hollered stop.  She
gave him a slicing knife and showed him how she wanted them cut.  He cut
them up and put them in a large pot she sat on the counter in front of him.
When he finished, she covered them with water and sat them on the stove to
cook.  She ask him if he wanted anything else to do or was he tired.  He
told her to bring it on.  She kept him busy all afternoon and had dinner
ready almost an hour early.  She hugged and thanked Waddie for his help.
Mrs. York told him to tell the guys she was going to ring the dinner bell
thirty minutes early and to be ready.

Waddie told all the men and washed up himself.  He put on a clean Western
shirt and his new boots for dinner. After Mrs. York rang the bell the men
came to the dining room and stood behind their appointed chairs.  No one
sat down until Mrs. York sat down.  She brought in the last item and told
them to sit.  She assigned Waddie a seat next to hers.  She asked Earl
D. to say grace.  Earl D. said grace and everyone started in.

"You gentlemen are having dinner a little early this evening thanks to some
unexpected but greatly appreciated help.  Our youngest guest was kind
enough to offer a hand and he was a big help.  Thank you, Waddie.  I
appreciate your help."  The guys all said, "Yeah, great.  Thanks Waddie and
of course you too, Mrs. York.  We don't tell you enough we appreciate your
efforts to keep us fed and we love your cooking."

`And well they should,' Waddie thought to himself.  He hadn't had a bad
meal since he'd been there.  Mrs. York wasn't a fancy cook but it all
tasted good and there was lots of it.  Waddie couldn't believe the amount
of food some of the larger football players could put away.  And he thought
Buck was a big eater.  He found out the school paid Mrs. York extra for the
athletes board because they ate so much.  They wanted them big.

They were except Earl D. and Billy Bob.  Earl D. was a quarterback and
Billy Bob was a receiver.  The brothers played football all their lives and
they found the perfect combination for them was Earl D. as quarterback and
Billy Bob his receiver.  Earl D. knew where Billy Bob would be at any given
time and Billy Bob had a sixth sense as to where to be after Earl D. threw
the ball.  They rarely missed.

Waddie was keeping an accounting of his money.  He didn't want to spend it
without planning.  He decided to set aside a certain amount for phone calls
and that would be his limit. It had been several days since he talked with
Buck and Linda Sue.  He decided to call them and another friend.  He called
person to person.  The rates were a little higher but the operator would
ask for a specific person and he could make sure Buck was there.  He was
home when he called.

"Waddie, is `zat you?"

"It's me, Dad."

"Thanks for calling, Sweet baby, I been thinking about you all day and
hoped you might call this evening.  How you doing, Cowboy?"

"A lot better, Uncle Buck.  Damn, I miss you so much."

"I miss you too, Waddie, more'n you can know.  I told Dan last night, life
just don't seem to have the same happiness without our boy.  He agreed.  He
misses you as much as I do.  So does your brothers.  What chu' been up to,
Cowboy?"

"I had a great weekend, Dad.  I went home with Crenshaw boys and met their
family. The have six younger brothers and a wonderful mom and dad."

"Not the Texas Longhorn Crenshaw brothers---?"

"Ugh,--- it be them, Uncle Buck; Earl D. and Billy Bob."

"My God, you're with the Crenshaw boys?  Holy shit!  Wait'll the guys hear
about this.  Dan will shit.  We're big fans of theirs.  Did you have a good
time, Son?"

"Yeah, Uncle Buck, a real good time.  Their dad is a top notch roper.  He
and I had a great time.  I got me two more dads."  Waddie laughed, "I just
sort of collect `em. Dad Crenshaw and Dad Franz are two of the finest men
I've ever met, Uncle Buck.

I love Bubba's dad and ma, his little sister Brenda Lou but, Uncle Buck,
the man I fell in love with over the weekend is Dad Crenshaw.  He thinks
I'm okay, too.  Want's me to call him dad and I do with pride, Uncle Buck.

You'd love Dad Crenshaw.  He's another Dad Dan.  Very similar.  I roped
with him and he's damn good but after a while they had to lift me off my
pony my rear started hurting so bad.  It's getting better.  The boys are
taking good care of me.  Earl D. or Billy Bob puts Bubba's ointment on me
after every shower."  Buck heard Waddie talking to some one. "Earl D. wants
to say hi, Uncle Buck."

"Sheriff Claymore, this is Earl D. Crenshaw."

"Well, I'll be,--- good to talk to you, Son.  I's just telling my boy we're
all big fans of you and your brother.  Waddie tells me you men are treating
him fine.  I want you to know how much we appreciate that."

"We took him home with us and our six brothers and mom fell in love with
him but we almost didn't get him away from my dad.  He thinks the world of
Waddie and made us promise to bring him home as often as we can.  He told
Waddie to call him dad and told him our home was his.  Never seen my old
man take to anyone like he done Waddie."

"That's wonderful Earl D.  I hope I get to shake your dad's hand one day
soon, you and your brother's too."

"Love for you to meet him, Sir.  I know he'd enjoy meeting you, Sir.  We
heard about you at church when dad introduced Waddie at Sunday services.
It's a small world, I guess.  A member of our church was in France with
you. He put your first name with Waddie's middle name and asked Waddie if
his uncle's name might be Buck Claymore?"  He said an awful lot of good
things about you, Sheriff Claymore."

"What's his name, Son?"

"Waddie?  What's the man's name that was in France with your Uncle Buck?
Okay,--- Johnnie Mack Tamplin, Sheriff."

"Oh, thank God in heaven, Johnnie Mack made it home safely. That's
wonderful news.  I was with him when he was hit and helped carry him behind
the lines to safety.  I hoped he got sent home.  He's a good man.  I went
on to Iwo Jima and he was shipped home.  I lost touch with him but now I
remember his folks were from Bandera.  Could you get his address and phone
number, Son.  I'd sure appreciate it."

"Waddie gave him your's and told him how to contact you. He said he'd be
calling you soon, but I'll be happy to get the information for you, Sir.

Our little brother, here, can't talk about anything else but his brother's
Gip, Oatie, Clyde, his Uncle Buck and Dad Dan.  Billy Bob and I are looking
forward to meeting you, Sir.  Bubba talked to his dad and said he may be
rolling in there before noon on Wednesday."

"Yeah, Son.  He called and told us. We can't wait to meet him. Waddie has a
large family of folks that love him.  They want to thank Bubba for being so
good to our boy. We're killing the fatted calf for `em."  They both
laughed.

"Good!  It's great to talk to you, Sheriff, here's Waddie again."

"Damn, Son.  You be keep'n some fine company with them boys.  They're the
best.  Look, Sweet baby, I ain't gonna' pressure you to come home.  Sounds
to me like you're learning to be on your own in the world and doing pretty
damn well for yourself.  Don't worry about me or Dan trying to come after
you.  Mr. Urial will let me know when he's ready for you to come home.  We
trust him, Son.  He seems to be doing right by you.  Just be sure and let
us hear from you often, Son."

"Give that big Grizzly bear a hug and a big kiss for me, Uncle Buck.
You're gonna' like Bubba, I promise.  He gave me some money to buy a few
clothes and the boys took me to their favorite Western store.  Damned if'n
the owner was the man that made Gip and my rodeo chaps Uncle Enid gave us.
He called her, she bought all my clothes and a new pair of boots.  She told
him to give the Crenshaw boys any pair of her boots they wanted and had me
pick a pair for Bubba.  I didn't ask her to, Uncle Buck. She just
instructed the man to do it.  I talked to her a while and she might stop
over and visit this week.  She said she'd call you."

"Waddie that's almost unbelievable.  Mr. Urial knew the place and time to
get you what you needed.  I'm really gonna' have to thank Enid and
Mr. Urial.  That was mighty nice of her."

"I'm writing her a thank you note tonight and I'll get it in the mail
tomorrow."

"Good, Son.  That's the right thing to do.  God, I love you Waddie and I
miss you. By the way, your dad has been asking everyone, every day, if
we've received any word from you?  Do we know where you are?  No one will
tell him a thing.  I've put the word out that any information that gets to
him will come from me and only me.  The last thing we want is him trying to
come after you.  I didn't have to beg people to keep your whereabouts on a
need to know basis.  No body wants to talk to him very much anyway.  I
think he needs to feel left out right now.  What he did was wrong and he
needs to be accountable to himself for his actions.

Your Aunt Linda Sue just walked in from the store I'll let you say hello,
call again soon, Son.  Good to hear from you."  "Honey, it's Waddie."  Buck
handed Linda Sue the phone.

"Waddie, I just walked in.  Wish you were here, Sweetheart, I'd make your
favorite tonight."

"Hi, Aunt Linda.  Gee, that's really sweet.  I just finished dinner and
`yes' I'm getting more than enough to eat.  I think I've gained weight.  My
rear is healing up nicely and I had a great weekend with my two buddies.  I
went home with them and met their wonderful family.  Went to church with
them yesterday.  Had a good time."

"That's great, Darlin,' we miss you so much.  I always knew you meant a lot
to me, Waddie, but I never realized `til you're gone how much I depend on
you and your love, Sweetheart.  We're doing okay but we sit around at night
talking about you.  I don't want to pressure you, Dear, I just want you to
know how much we love you, Waddie, I couldn't love you more if you were my
own son.  I mean that, Sweetheart."

"Ahww, Aunt Linda you know you've always been a mom to me.  I love you,
too.  I'll be home sooner than you think.  Mr. Urial will send Uncle Buck
for me one of these days and he'll come get me.  In the meantime, I want
you to know I'm well, eating great, being looked after by half the Texas
Longhorn football team and having a good time.  I think this is what I need
right now,-----not to think about my problems at home,----at least for a
while.  I told Uncle Buck about the guys I'm with, he'll tell you.  I
better run right now, can I say goodbye to Uncle Buck.  I love you, Aunt
Linda."

"Sure, Sweetheart, here he is.... I love you, too, Angel."

"Well, Son, I can't get over who's taking care of you.  They sound like
really fine men."

"Not only them, Dad, half the damn team."

"Really?  Wow, that's great.  Thank the Crenshaws for me and let `em know
how much we appreciate them taking care of you.  Remember, Son.  I love
you, and so does your Aunt Linda."

"Love you, too, Dad.  Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Son."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Waddie got the time and charges from the operator and logged them.  It
seemed like a good system to him.  He could keep track of how much he was
spending on phone calls.  Waddie dialed one more number. A man answered the
phone.

"Bloomquist plumbing."

"How's my coach this evening?"

"Oh, God, Son....Oh Waddie,..."  Waddie could hear the big man crying
softly on the phone. "I'm sorry, Son, I've wanted to talk to you so bad,---
to hear your voice... well, ...you know."

"I certainly do, Coach.  I feel the same way.  I knew you'd be worried. I
love you too much not to call to let you know I'm all right.  I miss you,
though.  Aside from coaching me, I miss my buddy."

"Oh, Baby, I miss you so much.  It damn near ripped my heart out when I
heard you'd run away `cause your dad hurt you.  I went over there and told
him the truth, Son. I didn't care anymore.  He needed to hear the truth."

"I appreciate that, Coach.  You're a good buddy."

"Are you being taken care of?  Are you on the streets?  Can I come to you?
Can I do anything to help? Can I send you money,--- anything, Waddie,---
name it."

"No, no, Ed.  I'm all right.  My guardians are the Crenshaw brothers and
half the Texas U. football team."

"You're joking with me, Waddie.  I know you don't lie but you're setting me
up aren't you."

"Honest to Pete.  I went home with `em this weekend and met their family.
Six brothers and a dad I fell in love with.  A bigger version of Dad Dan.
I can tell you, I know you won't say anything.  I think Uncle Buck can
guess where I am but I know he won't come after me until it's time.  I'm in
a room and board house just off campus of U. T.  I have my own room and
seven enormous brothers.  Never felt safer in my life, Coach."

"Do you need anything?"

"Only you, Coach.  I miss you a lot."

"Don't say that, Baby, you know what that does to me.  Do you want me to
come to you, Son.  Do you need me."

"Only if you want to, Coach. Come stay a couple of nights with me,
Mrs. York won't mind, you're my Uncle Ed.  But, it's such a long drive and
you don't need to lose money taking off work.  We'll be together soon.  I
don't imagine I'll be here more'n three more weeks.  We can wait that long.
I ain't gonna be here on the weekends anyway.  I'm going home every weekend
with Earl D. and Billy Bob Crenshaw.  I think the world of their family.
Hang in there, Coach!  I wanted to call so's you wouldn't think I didn't
love you no more.  You know I do."

"Oh shit, Waddie.  You know how much I love you, too, Sweet baby.  All
right, we'll wait.  If you need me I'll come in a minute,--- poor choice of
words but you know what I mean."  They both laughed.

"That's what I love best about you, Coach, your coming in a minute.  I
don't have to work too hard nor wait too long for my prize.  It's sort a'
like I get dessert before the main meal."  Waddie really laughed and Ed did
too.

"Damn!  I haven't laughed like that since you been gone, Hon. Got something
hilarious to tell you when you get back about me'n old Buck.  You'll howl."

"Okay, Coach.  I better go, an eight hundred pound Gorilla wants to use the
phone and you don't argue with no damn eight hundred pound Gorilla.  He
also happens to be a very good looking Gorilla. I wouldn't mind it if'n he
pealed my banana.  Love you, Coach."

"Love you too, Sweet baby, and call again soon."

"I promise, Goodnight, Coach."

"Goodnight, Darlin.'"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Waddie went into his room to read while the guys studied some more.  It
began to get late and most of the upstairs men had showered.  There came a
quiet knock on Waddie's door.  He told them to come in.  The door opened
and it was Earl D. and Billy Bob in the buff.

"Ready to shower, Little Brother?  We waited `til the rush was over so's we
could take our time.  Need us to help you undress."

"Naw, I think I can do it but thanks for asking."  Waddie took his boots
off, shucked his jeans and shirt off and he was ready.  He followed the two
big men to the shower.  They cleaned him good and took their time drying
him.  Then they bathed and dried themselves.  They took him back to his
room and he lay across the bed.

"Is it still real bad, Waddie?"  Earl D. ask with concern.

"No Sir.  It hardly hurts at all, now.  I must have just over done the
other day.  Does it look like it's healing."

Earl D. was all ready putting ointment on Waddie's butt.

"It's not so inflamed and it looks to me like the scabs are getting
smaller.  What do you think, Brother?"  Earl D. asked Billy Bob.

"I think it looks a lot better, Waddie."  said Billy Bob.

"I really appreciate you guys being so good to me.  It means a lot.  You
make me feel like I'm your little brother all the time.  I think you guys
caring for me and Bubba's love has done more to heal me than anything."

"Well, you're good to us, too.  You knew we had to study and we didn't have
to ask you to let us be for a while.  You occupied yourself and that's
giving if you think about it.  We got in some solid studying."  said Earl
D.  "As far as making you feel like our little brother, we have a dad back
home that decreed you were his son and we were your brothers.  He did the
same thing with Billy Bob and I when I came to live with them.  From that
day on, I was his son and I had six brothers.  I couldn't have been happier
unless it was the day they gave me the honor of taking their name for
mine."

The men finished and tucked Waddie into bed.

"Are you gonna' be all right in here by yourself, Little Brother?  It's
been a while since you've slept alone.  We could leave the doors open.
We're right across the hall."

"No, I'll be fine, guys. Thanks for being my brothers."

"We took a vote.  D. and I decided we love you pretty damn much, Waddie."
said Billy Bob.

"Love you, too."

Earl D. and Billy Bob left and went to their room.  Waddie lay there in the
dark for a while.  It really wasn't dark.  There were lights from the
campus, street lights and ambient lights from people's homes.  He could see
everything in the room.

He lay there and began to think of lying in Buck's big arms and how much he
missed him.  How he was growing more and more to depend on his little
brother for support.  Mr. Urial was right, Gip was getting stronger.
Sometimes stronger than he was but that was good.  He wanted to know he
could lean on his little brother if he needed to.

Then he thought of another person that opened the pit of loneliness in his
gut.  He thought of his beloved Dad Dan and the unconditional love he had
showered on Waddie since the first day he met him.  He never gave Waddie a
moments doubt.  He always had time for him.  No problem was too small nor
too large that Dad Dan wouldn't stop to listen to his boy.

He'd lay in the loft holding his boy after one of Morgan's beatings.  He'd
hold Waddie for hours, not letting go.  He tried his damnedest to be strong
for his boy but he couldn't help let out his frustration, his sympathy, his
pain for his son that lay hurting in his arms.  He would weep silently for
hours holding Waddie until he had no more tears.  Then he'd pass into an
uneasy sleep and hold Waddie tighter than he ever had.  Waddie never
complained.  It was exactly what he needed.  To have this wonderful man
hold him so tightly he made him feel like he would never let him go.

"I'm coming home to you, Dad, I promise.  Of all the people in my world,
it's your strength and love I couldn't live without."  he said softly to no
one.

He understood at that moment that he wasn't betraying his love for Buck by
loving Dan.  He loved his dad not just because he was his flesh and blood
but because he had bonded so tightly with Buck that year they were so
close.  Buck was more than just Waddie's dad; Buck was his all.  He was
right about Buck and Bubba having the same kind of love.  It was all
encompassing, unquestioning, unconditional, and flowed as rightly as the
rain falling from heaven.

Waddie realized he and Dan had formed an equally solid bond that would see
him though his darkest times.  Waddie broke down and started crying softly.
He covered his head with his pillow so no one could hear him.  He was
embarrassed but he wasn't crying because of fear.  He was angry; angry at
himself for being such a baby; such a weakling.  `Cowboy's don't cry,' he
admonished himself.

He realized it was too soon, he was not ready to be left alone.  He still
needed a physical presence; someone to reach out and touch in the night to
validate his belonging in this world; to let him know he was not abandoned.
He had someone close to him ever since Morgan's last beating and had no
idea being left alone would hit him this hard.

Dear God, Mr. Urial, he didn't want to feel this way.  Give him strength to
forgive and let go.  He remembered the long nights he cried himself to
sleep after Buck and Linda Sue came back from their honeymoon.  He didn't
want to be lonely for Buck's sake but he was only a five year old kid.
Right at that very minute he didn't feel a day over five years old.  He
talked to himself but he couldn't stop weeping.  He kept the pillow over
his head.

He heard a light scratching sound outside his door. He stopped crying and
raised up in bed to listen better. There it was again.  It sounded like a
small animal was trying to get in.  Then he heard it again but this time a
little high pitch whimper like a puppy would make. Did a puppy get in the
house by mistake and found it's way to his door.  Had the boys gotten him a
puppy?  Now there were two distinct scratches and another sort of whining,
whimpering sound.  Waddie got up and walked to the door and quietly opened
it.

There, in front of him, on hands and knees, buck ass naked, were Earl
D. and Billy Bob looking up at him with, big wide eyes, their heads
slightly tiled, and their tongues hanging out like they were panting.

"We're lonely, Little Brother, would you mind if we came in and got in bed
with you for a while.  It'ud really mean a lot to us if'n you would."
Waddie's knees buckled and he sat down hard on the floor and it hurt.  He
lost it at their compassion and understanding.  That's why Mr. Urial sent
him to them.  Billy Bob pulled Waddie into his arms to hold him.  Earl
D. comforted him.

"It's all right, Little Brother, you just ain't ready to fly solo, yet.
You been through a lot and don't need to be left alone right now.  We
apologize.  We didn't think.  We're sorry.  Come'mon, let's go to bed."

Billy Bob picked Waddie up an laid him on the bed toward the middle.  They
lay down on either side of him.  Earl D. took him in his arms and held him
as Waddie let the rest out.

"I'm sorry.  I didn't want you to hear me crying."

"We didn't.  We talked and Billy Bob made me realize after my parents died
in the fire, I couldn't sleep alone for almost five years. I couldn't be
left alone anywhere.  I would be horrified to find myself alone.  It was
the scariest thing in the world to me.  At night I couldn't be left alone.
I don't mean just being in the same room, I had to have someone laying next
to me. You want to know something else?  I still don't like to be left
alone, especially at night.

You went through something pretty damn traumatic, Waddie.  In a sense you
lost the dad you tried to love and desperately wanted to love you.  To
finally admit to yourself he's dead to you as a dad is a painful
thing. That's a door that has to be closed in your life for now.  It's just
to dangerous not to.  Perhaps, in time, it can be reopened but meanwhile,
where does that leave you?  Same's me and my little sister, out in a world
we had no concept of,---alone.  We had no one.  Neither did you, after your
dad got through.

Me, of all people should have realized. We suppress memories that are
painful to us and I blocked that memory. Fortunately, for us, we have a
loving brother who gently reminded me of that time.  I love him all the
more for reminding me because he was right.

I was just like you.  Frightened, alone, embarrassed, angry with myself for
not being stronger, not only for myself but for my little sister as well.
Our brother reminded me of some words a wise and wonderful man said to me
as he was holding me tightly in his arms and comforting me.

`Don't feel embarrassed nor angry with yourself to lean on your brother,
Son.  That's what he's for.  That's why your dad is holding you, right now,
and won't let you go. That's what your family is for; they'll never let you
go.  You belong to us, now.  We belong to you. We not only love you, Son,
we need you. We can no longer live without you.  We need you to balance our
lives.  Lean on your brother, he understands. Someday, he may need you to
lean on and you'll be there for him.'"  Earl D. said quietly as if the
words were a prayer.

"I did lean on my brother.  He became my rock as well as our dad.  He's
never gotten angry with me for clinging to him.  He's never made fun of me
for needing him so much.  He's never stopped loving me.  He will never let
me go even if we, one day, go our separate ways.  He'll always belong to me
and I'll always belong to him.

That's why we're here, Little Brother, you need to lean on your big
brothers, and we promise, we won't let go again. Our dad has proclaimed you
our brother, we can no longer live without you. You've brought a balance to
our lives."

Waddie cried again in Earl D.'s arms but they weren't tears of loneliness,
emptiness, anger nor embarrassment, they were tears of joy, relief, love,
kindness, and understanding he felt coming from these two beautiful men.
He drank them in like a weary sponge until he could drink no more then
drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

They next morning Waddie was awakened early by his brothers shamelessly,
blatantly, unapologetically stealing kiss after kiss from him.

"Come'mon, Little Brother, we need to get you and us into the shower.  We
need to get you medicated, have breakfast and we have to be off to class.
We'll be gone all morning but we'll be back for lunch.  If you want to
leave please tell Mrs. York where you're going."  Billy Bob said to him.

They were through in no time and downstairs eating breakfast.  All of them
said goodbye and left for their classes.  Waddie helped Mrs. York clear the
table and asked if she minded if he helped her with clean up.  Mrs.  York
enjoyed Waddie's company and was glad to have his help.

He worked his ass of for her but they were though in record time for her.
She immediately began preparing lunch for the hungry herd.  Once again
Waddie accepted, pealing, cutting, chopping, and dicing duties and they
were finished almost a half hour ahead of schedule.

Mrs. York was wondering when Waddie was going to get tired of helping her.
He seemed to enjoy her company as well.  He was quick, thorough,
systematic, and cleaned as he went.  He never left a dirty place where he
was working.  She hadn't taught him any of these things.  By the time she
rang the lunch bell he had all the heavy pots and pans cleaned, dried, and
put away.  Mrs. York was impressed.

The Crenshaw boys were really proud of there little brother for helping
Mrs. York.  They told the rest of the household how good Waddie was with a
rope.  The big boys were impressed.  They were all farm or ranch boys and
knew what they were talking about.  Billy Bob told Mrs. York about their
dad falling in love with Waddie.

Waddie helped Mrs. York clean up from lunch and was going to help her with
dinner.  She told him, no way!  He needed to do something's for himself.
There was a small theater across the campus.  She wanted him to walk over
there and see the movie.  It was a Disney film and she thought he might
enjoy it.  She gave him directions how to get there.  Just be back before
six.

Waddie went upstairs and put on some nicer clothes.  He went to see the
film.  It was `Sleeping Beauty.'  Waddie liked the mice.  He enjoyed
himself and stopped in the drug store again and had a soda.  He walked back
and everyone was back from classes but it was quiet around the place.  They
were all studying.  He waved to Billy Bob and Earl D.  They smiled and
waved back and went back to their studies.  They broke about an hour before
dinner and came in his room to ask about his day.  The boys spent as much
time with him as they could.  He got to know all the other team members as
well.  He liked them all.

The boys received a phone call. It was their dad.  He didn't ask about
them, he ask about Waddie.  They thought that was funny and put Waddie on
the phone.

"Hey, Dad, how is everyone?"

"We're all just fine, Son.  How are you?"

"Better, Dad.  My brothers are taking good care of me."

"Good, Son.  Glad to hear them boys is good for something."  he joked, "You
gonna' come with `em if they come home this weekend?"

"I'd love to, Dad.  If they can get away, I promise, I'll be there with
`em.  I really had a good time last weekend.  Thanks, Dad."

"We enjoyed having you down, Son.  I'll talk to you again soon.  Let me say
goodbye to Earl D., Son."

"Love you, Dad."

"Love you, too, Son."

Waddie handed the phone to Earl D.  and he finished the conversation with
his dad.  He hung up.

"We've only been gone two days and he's calling wanting to know if we're
coming for the weekend.  When was the last time he ever called us, D. ?"
Billy Bob asked his brother laughing.

"To be honest, I can't remember."  said Earl D.  They all laughed.  They
knew their dad wanted to rope again with Waddie.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It was eleven twenty-five A. M. the accurate clock in Bubba's truck
registered.

`Doing pretty damn good.' thought Bubba to himself, `I'm here almost
exactly the time I said I'd be.'  He pulled the huge truck to the curb
across the street in front of the Sheriff's Station.  He set the air brakes
and giggled to himself.  Four handsome looking lawmen came pouring out of
the station headed for his truck.

The biggest one looked like a big Waddie.  Bubba's heart clutched.  He was
looking at his little buddy in twenty years, no doubt.  Bubba couldn't
decide which was the best looking but there was one that was drop dead good
looking.  That had to be Waddie's big brother, Quinton.

Waddie wasn't lying about him being gorgeous.  Damn!  The men got to the
truck just about the time Bubba opened the door and climbed down.  Before
he knew what was happening he was in Buck's arms being hugged and kissed on
the cheek.  There were tears in his eyes.  Buck turned to his deputies.

"If this man ain't Bubba, I'm in deep shit!"  All of them broke up
laughing.  Bubba roared and stuck out his hand.

"Sheriff Claymore,--- Buck... I've heard a hell of a lot about you and your
men.  Buck shook his hand and Bubba offered his hand to Quinton.

"This has to be Deputy Tate, Waddie's big brother.  I'm Bubba Franz, Deputy
Tate."  Quinton smiled real big and shook Bubba's hand.

"Oh hell, Bubba,--- just call me Quinton."

"Thanks, Quinton."  Bubba replied.  Buck took over from there.

"Bubba this is my Chief Deputy, Lyle Rawlings."  Bubba shook Lyle's hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Rawlings."

"Lyle, Bubba,--- please, Son."

"Thanks, Sir."

"And this fine looking gentleman is Deputy Don Rayborn."  The men shook
hands.

"Great to meet you, Deputy Rayborn."

"I'm Don, Bubba.  No need for last names here."

"Thanks, Sir, that makes me feel welcome."

"Oh, hell, you are welcome, Son.  More'n you know.  Come on in there's a
pretty, little lady inside piss'n her pants to meet Waddie's hero."  Buck
had his arm around Bubba's shoulder and Bubba laughed with him.  They went
inside and Carol Anderson stood up.

"Mrs. Anderson, this is our friend we told you about, Mr. Bubba Franz."
Bubba had taken his hat off and nodded toward Carol Anderson.  She came out
from behind her desk and threw her arms around Bubba's neck a planted a big
one on his cheek.

"Thanks Bubba.  Call me Carol." Bubba was turning beet red.

"Pleasure to meet you Ma'am but I didn't do nothing special.  It just
turned out to be a very special, little person I did it for."  Carol
Anderson smiled and patted his big arm.

Buck introduced Bubba to the other deputies as an old friend of his.  He'll
be leaving his truck across the street probably all night.  Watch it!
Don't let nobody near it!

"Come'mon into my office, Bubba."  Bubba followed Buck into his office.
The other deputies stayed behind and Buck closed the door.  Buck reached
for his hip flask and held it out to Bubba.

"Little pull of Southern Comfort, Bubba?"

"Just a taste, Buck.  Thanks."  Bubba took the top off and took a small
swig.  He grimaced.  He wasn't a drinker.  Buck laughed and patted him on
the back and took a pull himself.

"Sit down, Bubba!  Sit down.  Got a call from our boy last night and Earl
D. wanted to talk to me.  What a nice young man.  I know Waddie don't lie
but when he told me he went home with the Crenshaw boys so matter of
factly, I almost shit my pants.  Lyle, Don, Quinton, and Dan Justin still
can't believe it.  That big hug and a kiss was from your little running
buddy, Bubba.  He made me promise I'd give you that.  He don't have to know
his uncle enjoyed it."

Bubba didn't know whether to laugh or cry but a tear rolled down his cheek.

"Damn, Son."  Buck said, "You're as bad as the rest of us when it comes to
that kid."

"Buck, ain't never fell in love with anyone faster'n I did with Waddie.
The kid ripped my heart out and won't give it back.  I can't think of
nothing else but him and my brothers, Earl D. and Billy Bob."

"You're close to `em?"

"Lived on the ranch next door to theirs.  Grew up with `em.  Coached `em
all through highschool.  Made damn sure they got scholarships to the school
they wanted.  They done all right for themselves so far."

"I'll say.  Damn Bubba, you're an amazing man.  Are you on a tight
schedule?  Can you stay the night?  We were gonna' take you to the diner
for lunch and drive out to my brother, Dan Justin's ranch for the afternoon
and dinner.  Waddie's brothers are out there and Dan and Jimmy Sue are
killing the fatted calf." Buck roared with laughter.  He was infectious and
Bubba had to laugh.  Damn, he was like a grown up Waddie.  He couldn't help
but feel close and love the man.

"I'm way ahead of schedule, Buck.  I wanted to meet the people in Waddie's
world that he loves so much.  And let me tell ya,' that kid loves ya'll
like you wouldn't believe."

"We know, Bubba and we feel the same.  We wanted to step in and do
something before now but he wouldn't let us and according to Mr. Urial he
had to go through these things.  You're the only person other than Ed
Bloomquist, Waddie's coach,..."  Buck just howled with laughter, at the
expression on Bubba's face.  He knew Waddie told Bubba about his coach.

"Yeah, I know about Ed and him.  Ed loves him and he loves Ed.  Ed'll be
there, too.  He just had to meet you and thank you, too.  Anyway, Ed and
you are the only people he's ever let see his ass other than his brothers.
They played doctor and nurse to him.  He wouldn't even let our doctor, Doc
Dyer, take a look at him.

He'd swear his brothers to secrecy.  We could've tied those boys to a rack
and they'd never tell us how bad his ass was.  We'd question them but if we
pushed too hard, all we'd get was tears. We had no idea how bad it really
was until Doc developed your film in his darkroom.  When we saw those
pictures come up in the solution,----I don't remember who grabbed whom but
we just stood there and bawled.  We couldn't believe it."

"Will the photos help get him away from his dad?'

"Oh, Bubba,--- it's all ready done, thanks to you!  I served notice to my
brother yesterday.  He's not doing too well `cause no one will tell him
nothing.  I have a gag order out to the community.  He finds out nothing
unless it's through me.  He has no idea we've heard a word from Waddie.
His place is right next to the Justin's ranch but he doesn't have a clue
who you are or what we're doing.  He talks to me every day to see if we've
heard anything.  I just tell him we have some leads and we're looking into
them.  That ain't lying to my brother.

Morgan Lovejoy and I were raised together, Bubba.  We were inseparable.  I
can't remember a handful of times we spent a night apart from each
other. We lived together in either home all through school.  We were
brothers.  I loved him more'n anybody in my life and I still do, Bubba.  No
matter what he's done, I can't stop loving my brother.  I can try'n help
him find the way but I can't stop loving him."

"You're like me and the Crenshaw boys.  We grew up together and then I was
so close to them because of being one of their coaches.  They're my
brothers, Buck."

"Come'mon Bubba we can talk over lunch.  C.D.,--- the boys gave Lyle that
handle out of respect for his position as Chief Deputy;--- anyway, C.D.,
Don, Quinton went over to the diner to get us a table.  Let's take my
patrol car and we'll take you to lunch."

"Ahw, Buck, you guys don't have to do that."

"Hesh up, Bubba.  Ain't wise to tell the sheriff he can't take his buddy to
lunch."  Buck just roared with laughter as he led Bubba to the door.  The
two men walked out laughing.  Carol Anderson spoke to Bubba.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Franz.  I'll look forward to seeing you this
evening."  Bubba looked puzzled.  Buck interrupted.

"You and Jannie got a ride out there, Mrs. Anderson?"

"Yes, thanks, Sheriff.  C.D. and his wife are picking us up."

"Okay then, we'll see you there.  Keep them boys busy for the rest of the
afternoon." he joked with Carol.

"I guess I'll be seeing you this evening, then, Ma'am.  I'll be looking
forward to it, too."  Bubba sort of bowed toward Carol as she smiled
sweetly at him.

The men left and got in Buck's patrol car.  Buck turned to Bubba.

"Was it me or did I just witness something...?"  Bubba looked at Buck kinda
puzzled, smiled and then blushed deep red.

"Oh hell, s'probably my imagination."  Bucked tossed off.

They got to the diner and the men pulled a couple of tables together.  The
waitress came around and took their orders.  There was a lot of small talk
but Bubba was interested in these men and how they interrelated.  He hadn't
been around them for more than an hour and he felt like one of them.

"Well, Lyle, the person I'm really looking forward to meeting is your son,
Oatie."  They all laughed, looked at each other shaking their heads.

"Just clear your mind before you meet Oatie, Bubba.  Expect anything!" Lyle
laughed, "None of us sitting at this table can predict from moment to
moment what that kid's gonna' do or say.  That's what makes him a treasure.
I couldn't have had a better kid if'n he were my own.  I love that young
man with a passion.  I beat out ten other men in this community that wanted
Oatie to be their son.  I've never regretted for a minute asking Oatie to
become my boy.  I'm proud he carries my name."

"Good thing, too!" allowed Buck, "C.D. would've lost his ass at poker.
Oatie and him are a team at our monthly, naked poker parties.  We've lost a
lot of money to Oatie and him."  Laughed Buck.

"Waddie told me about the naked poker parties and I laughed my ass off.
Sounded like fun.  He even told me how good the two of you were at poker,
Lyle."  Bubba turned his attention to Don Rayborn,

"Waddie's awfully fond of your boy, too, Don.  He can't say enough good
things about his brother, Clyde.  He started telling me the story about
Ms. Pearl while I was driving and I had to pull the truck into a rest area
and make him stop.  I was laughing so hard I was afraid I was gonna' wreck
the damn thing.  Later that evening I talked him into telling it again in
front of about thirty-five or forty truckers and various folks.

I've never seen a group of men laughing harder in their lives.  The owner
of the diner bought and paid for Waddie's and my steak dinners complete
with dessert.  We were stuffed.  I'd only known Waddie for about
forty-eight hours, he didn't have a cent on him and the second night he was
buying my dinner.  Now that's a running buddy!"  The men all laughed with
Bubba.

"Everyman at this table witnessed what them boys could do with that damn
skunk, Bubba." Don Rayborn spoke up, "It was incredible.  We laughed our
ass's off when they brought her out for the first time.  They introduced
her as their new `girlfriend.'  We didn't know whether to shit or run.  You
never know what to expect from those damn kids.

You ever been to the circus and seen all them clowns get out of that tiny
little car.  They set everything on fire and put it out with seltzer water.
That's just about like them.  When you see they've got their heads together
and talking ninety to nothing, us grown ups do what Lyle suggested.

We drop to our knees and start saying sentence prayers `cause we know
something God awful is gonna' happen. It usually turns out God awful funny.
It's been almost a year and you can still smell Ms. Pearl's perfume when
you get near that house."  the men were really laughing and Bubba was
having a ball.

They went on to talk about many things.  The men were wowed that Bubba had
coached the Crenshaw boys.  They all thought Buck was pulling their leg
when he told them Waddie was in the care of the Earl D. and Billy Bob
Crenshaw.

"Yeah, they're two of eight boys in the Crenshaw home.  Well, two of nine
now.  Last I heard their dad Randy Crenshaw announced to them Waddie was
their new brother.  He's fallen in love with him."  Bubba told the men.
They wanted to know if Earl D. and Billy Bob were twins.

"No, they're the same age and born within a week of each other but Earl
D. was adopted."  Bubba went on to explain about the fire, Brenda Lou
calling him Bubba for the first time.  Bubba hearing a voice and rushing
Earl D. to the river and the miracle that happened.  The men were almost in
tears.  They had no idea the closeness Bubba must have to those two men.

"And your sister is Earl D.'s natural sister?"  Quinton asked.

"Yes, Sir.  I know it sounds crazy but that little girl just moved in with
my ma and pa.  I was her Bubba.  She was so shattered and confused that God
took her parents, she insisted she prayed and an angel sent me to her, her
Bubba, in exchange.  She wouldn't let me out of her sight for almost two
years.  She slept in the same room with me but I'd wake up and there she'd
be in bed with me.  I couldn't push her away.  She had to have that
closeness for fear I'd be taken away from her.

I'd moved in on Gus and Dora a couple of years before.  They didn't have no
kids but I was older and helped Gus a lot so they asked me to stay.  The
certainly weren't ready for a four year old toddler.

I'd run away from home for the same reason Waddie did, `cept'n my old man
used an eighteen foot, black snake, bull whip on my ass.  He'd rather beat
my ass than sleep with my ma.  I shouldn't talk bad about my dad, I'm
sorry."

"Hey Bubba.  We've lived it and we know what you went through.  I'll tell
you one damn thing," The good Lord couldn't of picked a better man than you
to take care of our boy.  We're so grateful."  said Buck. and confirmed by
the other men.

"We're gonna' drive on out to the Justin ranch.  When you guys coming out?
We got plenty of men at the station and Lyle if you want to pick up Carol
early, that's fine.  Tell her she can take the rest of the afternoon
off. We'll spend the afternoon out there and Bubba can get a good dose of
our family.  Don, you and Quinton gonna' follow us on out?  You're through
for the day.  You, too, C.D.  We're slow now.  We need a break and I need
to help Dan with some stuff for dinner tonight.  Any questions? No? Then
we'll see you out there."

Buck and Bubba left the diner and headed out the farm road to the Justin's.
Don and Quinton were following not far behind.  The boys had spent the
night in the loft at the ranch so they were all ready there.  The women
folk were there since morning, helping Jimmy Sue and preparing food.  They
arrived and drove around in back.  Over toward the far barn there were
three small figures that were a blur of running feet and waving arms.  Buck
leaned over to Bubba and spoke quietly.

"Brace yourself, friend!" Bubba laughed.  They no sooner got out of the car
than the boys were upon them.  Oatie was yelling,

"Bubba!  Bubba!  Bubba!"  he was first to Bubba and Bubba picked him
up. Oatie had his arms around his neck and wouldn't let go.  He kissed
Bubba on the cheek three or four times thanking him for being good to his
brother.  Clyde was next.  Oatie introduced his brother, Clyde Rayborn.
Clyde wouldn't settle for a handshake either.  He wanted the full package
and got it.  Bubba could see another handsome kid out the corner of his eye
hugging Buck.  That had to be Gip and Waddie wasn't exaggerating, he was
one handsome, young cowboy.  Waddie had damn good taste in brothers.

Bubba squatted down and opened his arms to Gip.  Gip looked deeply into
Bubba's eyes and Bubba could see the tears forming.  Gip threw his arms
around the big man and cried his heart out. He thanked Bubba for being so
good to his brother.  Bubba could see another man walking slowly toward
them and he knew it had to be Dan Justin.  Waddie was right again.  He was
almost a smaller version of Randy Crenshaw.  They could've passed for
brothers.  They even had the same slow, rolling gate to their walk.

"My brother was right, Bubba."  Gip told Bubba.

"How's that, Son?"

"He said I'd love you,--- and I do."

"Well, I know how much he loves you.  I can't help love you from all the
good things he's told me about you. It's so nice to finally meet the three
of you."

Bubba stood up and Dan Justin was standing there smiling.  Gip took Bubba's
hand.

"Dad I'd like you to meet Mr. Bubba Franz our new buddy.  Bubba, I'd like
you to meet our dad, Mr. Dan Justin."

Bubba stuck out his hand and Dan just looked at it.

"Fuck the handshake, Bubba, gimme' a hug and a kiss."  Bubba laughed then
shook his head.

"You got it, Mr. Justin."  He hugged and kissed Dan back.

"It's Dan, Bubba.  Anyone's good to my boy as you were don't call me by my
last name."

"Thank you, Sir, it's an honor.  Thank you for having me out today.  You
have a beautiful place.  You've put a lot of work into it."

"Let's introduce you to the ladies and we'll take you on a tour."

"Does Waddie need us to send him any money, Bubba.  I mean, send it with
you."  Buck asked him.

"His room and board is paid for and he has five hundred dollars in his
pocket from two collections the truckers took up for him.  Far's I know,
he's still got every penny of it.  I shouldn't think he'd need any right
now.  He didn't spend a penny for clothes including these boots, Dan."
Bubba raised his pants leg to show Dan and Buck his new boots, "Your cousin
Enid, told him to pick a pair out for me and take `em to me.  He picked the
exact pair I almost bought a month ago.  She paid for everything.  She gave
the Crenshaw boys each a pair of boots.  I use to know her years ago."

"Yeah, she use to drive a truck with an old lady called Mother
Trucker...she went by the name Moon shine."

"I never knew her real name.  I almost flipped out when Waddie told me.
I've tossed back a few with her.  She's quite a gal, Dan."

"It took the love of my boys here, Waddie, and Buck, too,--- to make me
appreciate her for who she is.  She's family, we include her in everything.
When Oatie was formally adopted by Lyle and Mavis she drove all the way to
spend that weekend with us.  She had a ball and Buck and her are really
tight.  She loves the sheriff and her boys, she calls `em."

The more Bubba talked to Dan Justin the more he fell in love with the man.
He all ready was in love with Buck.  Buck overwhelmed him with his genuine
love and affection.  Like father like son, Bubba laughed to himself.
Waddie had the same quality.  If he wanted you to love him, ain't no way in
hell you'd keep from loving him.

Dan Justin was a man among men and Bubba could sense it.  He was almost
jealous of Gip, Waddie, Oatie and Clyde calling this man dad.  He almost
wished he could.  He'd love to show this man the respect of calling him
dad.  He had to talk to Buck, too. It made Bubba's dick hard just to call
him `Sheriff.'  He could see immediately why Waddie had such adoration for
Dan and Buck.

`I'd wanna' come back and live with that man for a while, too.' thought
Bubba.  Waddie knows he's gonna' have Buck the rest of his life but even to
have a small period of time living under the same roof and calling Dan
Justin `dad,'--- well, it was like he learned from his little buddy, I
shouldn't be a' thinking of doing such dirty things to a man I'd like to
call my dad.

Ah, but then he remembered how sweet it was between him and Gus.  It was an
unspoken bond of love and trust that bound Gus and Bubba into the dad/son
relationship they both cherished.  He had to get home soon, his mouth
started watering thinking about the wonderful taste of his old man's dick.

It was a wonderful day for all.  There was a holiday feel about the whole
day.  The boys missed their brother but they had the next best thing.  They
had a huge, giant, kid-friendly bear, that saved their brother's life and
they couldn't get enough of him.  They climbed all over the big man.  At
any given time he had one in his lap and one in each arm.

Then there were the two little girls, Jannie Anderson and Mavis Lyle
Rawlings.  They didn't know what to think of this big furry, monster of a
man but they saw the boys crawling all over him like a jungle gym and
having such a great time they thought they might give him a chance. Were
they surprised.  He spoke kid!  He didn't talk down to them and he didn't
give less to them than he did the boys.  He respected them and listened to
them.  He told them about his baby sister whom he loved so much.  They were
hooked.

Any adult that sat down to talk with Bubba had to talk in between his
relating to the kids.  He wasn't about to dismiss them just to talk to an
adult.  He was having to much fun.  A couple of the ladies sat down to talk
to him, Ma Claymore and Carol Anderson.  Jannie was all over Bubba and so
was Mavis Lyle.  He seemed to have a natural rapport with them.

They'd whisper secrets to him and he'd promise not to tell, then laugh with
them.  Pretty soon every woman at the ranch was sitting around a picnic
table talking with Bubba.  The guys were amused that the big man had such
natural charm, love and grace in him they all were captivated by him.

Bubba especially enjoyed talking with Carol Anderson.  Bubba found her
charming, intelligent and concerned.  Carol Anderson found Bubba a bit more
than just okay.  The big man stirred something within her no man had since
her husband.

Dan and Buck had indeed killed the fatted calf.  Except it wasn't a calf it
was a complete cow they had butchered that spring.  They gave a lot away
but still had a lot of beef left in a rented space in a frozen food locker
in town.  They each had their own deep freezes as well.

They picked out the most prime steaks they had and made sure there was
enough for everyone.  There were a number of folks there.  The usual
compliment of family with the Dyers, Claymores, Davenports, the Tates and
even the elder Lovejoys.  Ma and Pa Lovejoy consider Buck and his family
more their family than Morgan's.

After Waddie ran away they made it clear to him they loved him but they
didn't want him or his wife coming around.  His dad actually told him, he
and his mother were ashamed of him.  They loved him and will always love
him but they were ashamed.  If he one day found himself alone they would
reconsider but until that time they didn't want him coming around.

Both had pleaded and tried to reason with Morgan to no avail.  They were
vindicated when Morgan finally found out the truth but by that time they
were too much involved with Buck's family they didn't care whether Morgan
came around or not. They could see their grandson any time they wanted.
They saw Waddie regularly; Birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and
anything Buck's family did during the year.  They were always invited.
Buck and Linda Sue would have them over for dinner every other week or so
and have the boys there, too.

Waddie would sometimes announce to his dad that he was going to spend the
weekend with Ma and Pa Lovejoy.  If he wanted him he'd be over there.  They
were devoted to Waddie, Gip and his brothers.  They love them as well.
They'd have all four over many times to stay the weekend and sleep in their
barn.  They never were so happy as when the kids were spending the weekend
with them.  They weren't about to jeopardize their standing with Buck's
family and betray his confidence.  They were too happy to be included and
Buck never stopped being loving with them just because Morgan was being an
unreasonable ass hole.

They still loved their son but he cut them out for ten years when Buck
opened his arms wide to them.  They knew everything the family knew.  Buck
never held a thing back from them.  In fact Waddie called them twice while
he was away to tell them he loved them and missed them.  They were thrilled
and called Buck immediately.  They never said a word to Morgan about
hearing from Waddie.

Buck knew they would never tell Morgan a thing, especially after the way he
treated them by going along with Judy's hatred of them.  They were too
grateful to Buck and the Claymore's for including them in everything the
family did. It wasn't their fault.  They were, after all, Waddie's
grandparents and Buck never allowed them to stop being Waddie's
grandparents.

Buck and Dan started up the grill in the late afternoon and the boys talked
Bubba into visiting their animal infirmary.  The girls wanted to go too.
Bubba asked Carol Anderson if Jannie might accompany him and the boys.  He
asked Mavis Rawlings if Mavis Lyle might go, too.  Of course they said
`yes.'  Bubba took each by the hand and the boys led them to the old barn.
Bubba was impressed by the boys inventiveness and ingenuity in the way they
went about caring for their wild animals.

The owls had come back to nest again in the barn.  Bubba was thrilled by
them and the boys story of teaching them to hunt for themselves.  He told
them he only wished he could've met Ms. Pearl.

"We saw her, Bubba."said Mavis Lyle.  "Me and Jannie were here that day.
We weren't concerned but out parents nearly went crazy.  Waddie, Gip, Oatie
and Clyde have always looked after us and protected us.  We knew they
wouldn't bring something around that would hurt us.  They finally settled
down and began to see the humor in all of if.  They could do anything they
wanted with her.  She loved them, you could tell."

They walked back as the sun was setting and the folks just about had dinner
ready.  Bubba was glad, the smoke from the mesquite fire and steak cooking
made his stomach growl.  They served their guest of honor first and he
waited `til all were served.  They all joined hands and said thanks.  Bubba
never tasted better steak.  It was prime beef and you could cut it with
your fork.  Dan insisted Bubba have another and he couldn't say no. Buck
didn't want Bubba to feel alone so he had another, too.

They finished dinner and were sitting out under the stars of the Texas sky.
Bubba looked up and found Beetle Juice and called it to Buck's attention.

"Yep.  He was just looking at it Buck.  He'll call in the next five
minutes."  Buck laughed but wouldn't have bet Bubba.  He felt how much the
big man cared for his little buddy and he was proud."

"Jimmy Sue came running out the back door and hollered."

"It's Waddie!  He's on the phone."

They all had to talk to him.  A couple of the guys wanted to say hello to
the Crenshaw boys and tell them what great fans the were.  They said hello
to Dan, Don, Lyle, Quinton and Buck again.  They had a great time talking
with them. Ed had arrived by that time and talked to them too.

That phone bill cost Waddie thirty dollars.  It was worth it. He got to say
hello to all his family.  He got to talk to Dr. Dyer again and his wife.
They were thrilled to hear from him.

He told Buck he was going back to the Crenshaw's ranch over the weekend and
to make sure Gip goes to visit Aunt Agatha the last weekend in June.  He'd
all ready bought his ticket and will be with her that week.  Then he asked
if that was all right with him.  Buck almost broke down that Waddie would
think of him that much to ask at this time.

"Of course, Sweetheart.  You've gone to visit her for the last four
summers.  You and Gip.  I'll talk him into it.  Surprise, right?"

"Thanks, Uncle Buck.  You're special."

He finally said goodbye to his beloved brother last and told him about Dad
Crenshaw and how much he'd love him.

"Well, Big Brother, you weren't wrong about Bubba.  I've fallen in love
with the man. So has every man woman and child here tonight.  We're all
convinced he could walk on water if he wanted to."  The boys laughed.

They said their goodbyes and hung up.  Everyone couldn't talk about
anything else but Waddie and his adventures.  Bubba was so proud of him.
So was Buck and Dan.  The evening wore on and Bubba had Jannie on one knee,
Mavis Lyle on the other.  His arm around Oatie and his other around Clyde.
They had been swapping stories and the kids let the adults talk.  They knew
it was their time of evening to talk.  Unless one of them was asked to
participate.

"Oatie," said Bubba, "Your Brother tells me there ain't another body on the
planet tells a story the way you do.  Is that true?"

"Not at all, Bubba.  My brother just loves me a lot and is exaggerating."
All the adults laughed like who are you kidding.

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that.  I was really count'n on hear'n one of your
stories."  Oatie didn't take too much begging from the crowd.  When Clyde
asked him, he decided he would."

Oatie told this elaborate story none of the other adults had heard.  All of
them were hearing it for the first time.  It was another Willie payback
story and it was funny.  Of course Oatie blew it all out of proportion and
his brothers swore every word was God's gospel truth just the way Oatie was
telling it.

He told about all the planning and work they put into the prank.  The
engineering and labor that went into it.  It was grand in scale.  They
wanted to make Willie think there was a `haint' living in his room.  They
discovered a hole in the wall of Waddie's closet they could run a wire all
the way down the wall and under the house.

They crawled under the house, took flash lights and discovered there were
gaps in the walls running all the way from the attic to under the house.
They could run stiff wire all the way down. They learned they could run one
all the way from the attic to under the house.  They engineered this rather
complex mechanical operation.

They found two old roller skates someone had thrown away, clean them up,
oiled them and they worked fine.  They were the old flat metal kind that
you strapped and clamped to your shoes.  There was a key to tighten a clamp
on the front of the skate.

It would tighten against the sole of your shoe.  Then there were two other
straps that ran around the heel and one over the instep.  They were perfect
for the boy's purposes. They attached them to hundred pound test fishing
line and ran the lines down through the walls to underneath the house.

At first it was just going to be a one time prank but as it went on and
they gained more knowledge of mechanics it grew and grew.  It also got more
awful for Willie and more funny for the folks listening to his torment by
the boys.

First, they put one of the skates under the floorboards in Willie's room
and tied a pretty large dead fish to it so they could move it about and he
would smell it, but never in the same place.  They'd move it all around the
room.

By this time Oatie had everyone laughing.  They were laughing from the
shear inventiveness of the prank and the awfulness as well.  The way Oatie
told the story was funny too.  He had a way of unfolding a story, get to
certain point and pull the rug out from under everyone. Then he'd have to
stop until they calmed down enough for him to continue.

The boys would pull the skate one way or the other depending where they
wanted it in the room.  Most times they let it stop right under Willie's
bed. They'd be under the house all this time pulling on the fishing line to
operate the skate.  They did it when Willie wasn't home.  Then the next
night they'd move it to another position.

Everyone was howling with laughter by this time.  Bubba was about to roll
on the ground.  Buck couldn't sit down.  Lyle could only look at his kid
with tears running down his face from laughter.  His wife Mavis was holding
on to Lyle laughing on his arm. This was a story they'd never heard either.

Oatie continued.  The boys were experiencing difficulty in pulling the line
down through the walls of the house. It was getting hung up where it had to
make a ninety degree turn and became practically impossible to tug, pull or
get unstuck.  They'd have to manually climb in the attic when no one was
home to reset the line.  One day they discovered some old drapery rods in
someone's trash that had the neatest little pulleys in them. They'd hacksaw
off the portion with the pulleys and trashed the rest.  Now they had a
means to keep the lines from getting all caught up.  They simply nailed
these pulleys were they wanted them looped the line over twice and they
never had another problem.

They found out that with the smoothness of the pulley's they could
transport heavier loads across the ceiling and under Willie's floorboards.
They decided to attach and couple of feet of heavy duty chain they found to
one of the roller skates in the ceiling and one to the one under the
floorboards.  When it was pulled across it made a terrible racket but they
weren't satisfied.  They decided they needed a wailing, moaning or groaning
sound.

They went through trash cans for months until they found a couple of old
dolls that had been thrown away but their crying box worked.  One had an
ominous laughing box.  They took them out of the dolls and glued them into
the bottoms of small coffee cans to amplify the sound.  They mounted them
on a board.  The board they mounted on a pivot so when the roller skate hit
the bottom of the board it would turn the can upside down and you would
hear either an awful crying sound or an ominous, evil, laughing sound.

Next they had to have it work automatically because they didn't want to be
around when it happened.  Willie couldn't point a finger at them.

They poured one of the larger size coffee cans with some cement Ed gave
them and inserted eye bolts in the cement before it dried.  Now they had
weights to pull the skates.  When tripped, the cans of solid cement would
automatically pull the skate with the chain across the ceiling or under the
floor board. It would make a horrible racket.

Oatie had messed around trying to fix Lyle and Mavis's door bell chimes.
He figured out how they worked and how the selenoid worked that would slam
into the bell. He figured they only needed a small amount of support and
part of that support would be one of the plungers of the bell ringer.  As
long as there was no power supplied to the selenoid it would remain solid
but once they hit it with a six volt battery charge it would retract and
the heavy can would drop and start to pull the skate across the ceiling or
underneath the floor.

They found two old wind up clocks in various barns or work shops that folks
gave them.  They figured a way to hook one line to one hand of the clock
and the other lead to a flat piece of copper.  When the clock hit the set
time it would make contact with the six volt battery, the selenoid would
retract, the can of cement would drop, their `haint' would once more rattle
the chains across the ceiling, and hit the board turning it up side down so
the `haint's' voice would be heard.  They set the one under his bed to go
off several hours later.

The adults and little girls were laughing so hard they had to stop Oatie
again.  They wouldn't set them to go off every night.  Maybe once or twice
a month.

Everyone started laughing again and Bubba had tears rolling down his face
he was laughing so hard.

The boys set them one night and snuck into Waddies bedroom to hear what
would happen.  When the clock tripped the first one it sounded like someone
was stomping across the ceiling dragging a chain behind them and then the
sound of the horrible crying.  Oatie told of hearing Willie's feet hit the
floor, unlock his door and run yelling and screaming down the stairs to his
mother.  Oatie claimed Willie's feet only hit the stairs twice going down.

He was yelling and screaming to his ma, the `haint' had appeared in his
room again.  He saw it.  It was awful and dragging a big chain.  His mother
would laugh at him and call him a big baby.  There weren't no such things
as `haints.'  Willie wasn't too sure about that.

The deputies were laughing their ass's off.  Everyone wanted to laugh but
hardly had anything left.

Oatie went on.  Sometimes the boys would get tired of resetting it and
they'd let it sit for three to five months and then reset the damn thing
and scare the B'jesus out of Willie again.  He never found anything.  He
never looked as far as they knew.  He was to dumb to consider his creepy
little step-bother and his friends had intelligence enough to rig something
like that.  He figured you'd have to be at least as smart as he was.

Bubba hugged and thanked Oatie for telling the story.  Waddie was right,
the kid was a natural entertainer.  Bubba had a great day.  Buck pulled him
aside and asked when he needed to be on the road again.

"Any time before noon tomorrow, Sheriff."

"Bubba..."  Buck said raising an eyebrow.

"Humor me, Buck."  Bubba grinned and winked at Buck.  Buck got the message,
grinned and shook his head.  He saw the bulge in Bubba's jeans.

"Okay, Brother.  I understand.  You have an invitation to stay the night in
my home, the Justins, C.D.'s, the Tates, at my Ma and Pa's in my old room.
Where ever you'll be most comfortable and we'll make sure you have a good
breakfast before you leave."

"Is there room in the loft with the boys?"  Bubba smiled.  Buck laughed.

"Oh hell, yes!  Mind if Dan and I join you?"

"I was a' hoping you might."  Bubba smiled.

Buck called Dan and the boys over.  Everyone heard a yell go up from the
boys when they found out Bubba wanted to stay the night in the loft with
them.  Dan was all for it but spoke to the men.

"Now, I hope you men realize that we have three other kids that aren't
gonna' let us get away with us doing this without inviting them.  The boys
smiled knowing what Dan was talking about.  Buck threw back his head and
roared. He slapped Bubba on the back and smiled.

"The three other kids are C.D., Don and Quinton and possibly Doc. Dyer.
Hope you don't mind but they're family.  They may not want to but we have
to invite them."

"Oh hell, Buck, no problem with me.  Those men went out of their way to
make me feel welcome. I fully expected you to."

They didn't have to ask them twice.  In fact Don, Quinton, Lyle and
Doc. had thrown their sleeping bags in the trunk of their cars and brought
three extra.  It was a huge loft.  Linda Sue, Mavis, Jimmy Sue, Carol and
the two girls stayed in the house.  Mavis Lyle wanted to stay in the barn
with her dad and big brother and Jannie wanted to stay with Bubba.  She
fell in love with him.  Both Mothers put the kabosh on that idea.  There
are some things men do by themselves and the ladies do by themselves.

The men retired to the loft.  Dan and Buck enlarged the loft of the new
barn to cover half of the barn area and even built a stairs up.  They put
in a complete bathroom with a huge shower for the boys. It was about half
full of fresh hay.  The boys had worked several days stacking the hay and
made themselves a nest.

The men got comfortable. Of course Oatie was the first one off with his
clothes.  That kid could get out of his clothes in the blink of an eye.  He
had no shame about his body around all these men.  All three boys had seen
everyone of them naked many times and thought nothing of crawling up in any
one of their laps while nude.

Buck was still undressing, winked at Bubba to turn around someone was
standing behind him.  He turned and looked at Oatie and fell out laughting.
He couldn't get his clothes off he was laughing so much and Oatie was right
on top of him. He was laughing too.  All men knew why Bubba was laughing.

"Oatie, your brother warned me, but I swear to all that's holy I forgot.
Son, I didn't mean to laugh at you but the love that Waddie has for you and
the way he told me about you came flooding back into my mind and there you
were...right in front of me, naked as a jay bird, as you brother put it."

Oatie help Bubba off with his boots and every one got comfortable.  Buck
passed around his hip flash for a little night cap for the men.  Oatie,
Clyde and Gip were as close to Bubba as they could get and Bubba loved it.
The big man had a glow about him when the kids were around that had to be
pure love.

The men told a few stories but no one asked Oatie to tell another.  They
would've never gotten to sleep.  Bubba asked them all if they'd mind
joining hands in a circle and asking Mr. Urial if he would carry their love
to their missing family member, heal his heart and bring him home safely.

They all joined hands and any man that wanted to could say something as
they went around the circle.  Every man and boy there said a prayer for
their missing buddy, brother, and son.  But when it came Dan's turn, when
he finished there wasn't a dry eye among them.

Bubba finished and thanked the Lord for bringing the people that loved
Waddie together to share this wonderful time.  He asked Mr. Urial to take
their prayers to the Father and their love to Waddie.  It was the perfect
end to a wonderful day.  The men went to sleep with their hearts even more
convinced that their treasure was being kept and guarded by God's chosen
elite, and Bubba had no doubt, this was where Waddie belonged.

The next morning all the men had to laugh.  Here was this mountain of a man
with three young boys draped all over him like Christmas ornaments.  Gip
sound asleep in one big arm, Oatie in the other with Clyde using Bubba's
big furry chest as a pillow. Bubba's simple act of taking responsibility
for a boy in need was paying off.

He thought nothing off what he did for his little buddy because that was
the man he was.  Bubba could do no other. He never expected anything in
return. His greatest joy was being able to help a little man that held a
wealth of love inside him.  His selflessness and small investment was being
repaid to him a thousand fold.  Bubba had found another home where he was
welcome anytime.


End of Part 15
Cabbage Patch Cowboy
Copyright 2002 Waddie Greywolf
Questions/comments: <waddiebear@yahoo.com>