Date: Sat, 12 Nov 2022 07:58:25 -0500 From: Wave Watcher Subject: Being Poor 5 ( final chapter) Being Poor 5 Thanks for taking your time to read what I create . It's humbling to find our folks enjoy the adventures. I do appreciate the feedback . Pardon the delay I took off on a road trip and didn't write for a good while. Please offer up a donation to Nifty.org Being Poor 5 Life for us had settled into a happy existence. John worked six days a week , twelve hour days. Heavy and the crew had all relocated to the cabins at the RV Park. Our quiet dinners became group events and I made sure the fellas ate well. My mornings began early making coffee and breakfast for John and fixing his lunch. I walked dogs and enjoyed the folks at the pound . Abby and Malcom were next and I went by often. I had cleaned up the place outside and planted flowers and kept the lawn up. They never shared with me what the Tuesday trips were about and I didn't ask. I was in the garage with Malcom and he coughed into his napkin and it was full of crimson red. He squeezed my shoulder and said don't tell Abby please. I loved those old folks and my heart was breaking. Malcom said they was out of money and the bills was piling up. He said that the medical bills were crushing them. We went inside and Abby was sitting by the window she looked calm and still. She had her Bible in her lap. Her lips were blue, I pretty much knew she was gone . Malcom was in the kitchen getting coffee warmed up. I called the emergency number and told them to come on out. I sat with Malcom and said I think your Abby has passed on. A tear ran across his cheek and he walked to the living room . It was hectic and emotional as the police and rescue folks came in. The funeral home folks came and picked her up. Malcom sat with his head down and looked beat. I had messaged John about the events. I rode Malcom to the funeral home and he picked out a casket and a vault. How much will this cost Malcom asked and the funeral home guy started to speak and I leaned in and said tell him it's free. I found Malcom in his chair a few days later with a note asking me to bury him with Abby. I got questioned by the police and questioned again. A few distant family members and a bunch of bills . John held me that night I cried and I told him late that night how I understood his feeling of loss about his Grandpa. The lawyer guy did the legal stuff , they had nothing but the house and a minivan. The listed heir didn't care a hoot about any of it. She offered to sell me the house and the contents for cheap. She said that since I'd paid for the funerals she wanted to give me a bargain on the property. It wasn't like I couldn't afford the place but the project was winding down . We would be moving on in a month or so. Robert and I had lunch at least once a week burgers fries and strawberry milkshakes. I didn't ask about Dewey and he didn't offer anything. He did tell me he had to stop making the recipe or go to jail. He said a cop came to visit and that it was a "courtesy visit". I spoke with the management folks that had the farm house about the other place and they said it would rent good. I spoke to the trust folks and they didn't hate the idea so I purchased the home . John was all, what happens when we move on ? I explained that it's just rental property and part of our income stream. We chilled out in bed and he said you have really gotten savvy about business. I smiled and snuggled and said I read a lot , it's not like I asked for all this I don't want to be more than me . Through his sleepy eyes he said I'm going to keep working like always . I replied of course I'd never get in the way of who you are that's what makes me admire you so much. Smiled at me and drifted off to sleep. I made sure he was tucked in and heated up a cup of coffee and sat outside wrapped in a blanket . I've always been a loner adept at hiding in plain sight. I've never had friends just acquaintances , experience taught me to always be cautious. I went from living hand to mouth to not really having wants. It's overwhelming but I'm super grounded ,I believe frugal is a way of life. John is a proud man and he makes me a better person. The coffee was steaming hot and bitter. I wasn't surprised it was from this morning. The campground was still and quiet . Quiet time begins at ten according to the rules . This place goes still at dark. Sometimes there's a fire going and mumbled small talk but the full timers like us are quiet. The travelers usually just overnight . I felt comfortable and safe with John. I'd pondered and researched the "open" relationship that seemed to be the rage. I had done stuff with others and slept fine. I hoped we were going to be solid for a long time. The idea of my own place to fix up and make ours stayed ever present on my mind. I was thinking that I'd maybe stay in Texas for a month or two and work on the house . John wants me to be home when he gets off from work. I schedule my days so that I make it happen. I heard the door at the bath house clank, it was late after eleven. I got curious so I got up and eased over to the bathroom. I heard sounds but no water was running. Carefully I opened the door and stepped in the space keeping it from banging behind me. I had a towel so I headed to the shower row. I surprised this taller slim guy with dreads. I smiled at him and he looked surprised . He covered his junk with his hand he was swole up for sure. Hey Bud , what's up, I asked him? Drove all day wired up can't sleep , he said . Are you in the VW Bus I asked . Yea , was his reply . I slipped off my sweats and shirt and he checked out my body . I reached in and turned on the hot water. Is it hard to deal with the dreadlocks I asked him. He held several of the blond knots of hair and said he was ready to cut them off. Takes forever to dry after a shower ,he added . You traveling he asked me. I said we are here for another two months , my boyfriend is working on a pipeline project. Oh he said , you don't look gay he added . I smiled and asked what does gay look like maybe I can work on that. He laughed and said ,it's cool I don't really care about who sleeps with who. Good attitude I offered. Do you have a travel partner I asked him. Nope, she went home three months ago so I've been solo since. He added I pick up odd jobs for money and usually flip a coin to pick a direction. He was skinny with a furry chest trail , his right fingers were stained yellow from nicotine I guessed. Want me to wash your back I asked him. I'm not gay he said plainly. That's cool I said I'm not asking you to have sex just to be clear. I stepped in the warm spray and began soaping up . I hadn't really pulled the curtain closed on purpose. He stepped inside the curtain and said just wash my back right ? Sure I said , he had this bottle of main and tail he sat on the shelf . He was trembling , nerves I was sure. I squeezed out a big glob of the shampoo and kneaded his scalp. I worked the knots of hair getting them soapy. Slowly he relaxed pressing his palms against the block wall. That feels amazing he said . I rinsed out his hair as best as possible. Then I took the bar of Irish spring we kept in the stall. Washed his back kneading his spine. I got to the top of his buttocks and washed each tiny dimpled mound. I worked a thigh and slid my fingers between his legs and he opened his stance slightly. My fingers grazed his balls and he sucked in air. Dude , he said. I just washed down the back of his leg to the ankle then up the other leg. I slipped a finger up thru his crack it was all soapy and slippery. I slid back to his balls and he groaned. I grasped his hips to turn him and he said dude , I'm all boned up , relax I said that's normal. He turned to face me and his cock was modest he was for sure a shower when soft and it just filled out to probably five inches. I stood and washed his face and he rinsed off the soap. Then I washed his chest and arms and his pits. He whispered in my ear , this is hot as hell bro'. He grasped my face and said if you're trying to seduce me it's working. He stood five or six inches taller than me and he is skinny . I slid my hand around his erection and slowly stroked him. He rolled his head back and pushed into my hand. He grasped my shoulders and trembled till he raised up on his stubby toes and began shooting out ropes of cum. He'd barely finished when he grabbed the shampoo and bolted . I soaped up and slid a finger in my butt and stroked my boners six inches to a tingling orgasm. I went to the camper and crawled into bed , John snuggled up close to me and I drifted off to sleep. I got him off to work and laid back down , sleeping till almost eleven. I sat outside with a steaming cup of coffee. I saw the guy outside his VW Bus and waved . He eased over and I offered up a cup of coffee. We sat and sipped the strong brew . He asked if they needed help at the campground? I said probably so I'd go ask them. We finished up our coffee and he headed to the office and I got dressed. I grabbed burgers and Strawberry Milkshakes and pulled up the drive at Robert's. There was a big pickup in the driveway and Robert came out as I waved the bag and tray of shakes. Robert looked concerned and stressed . What's wrong I asked and the door to the house opened and Dewey came out and he looked pissed. Want a burger and a shake I asked ? He stopped put his hands on his hips and lowered his head , why not he said. We all sat on the porch and ate quietly. Finally Dewey said you got me in hot water at work , you know that . I said firmly ,you did that on your own. I get how you see it that way, Dewey said. I didn't come here to cause trouble I came here trying to figure out my history. I get that there's some sort of relationship between you guys and quite possibly with my dad way back then. Dewey stared at me but kept quiet. I added , all I care about is making sure Roberts properly cared for and no one takes advantage of him. They offered me early retirement said Dewey. Isn't that a win I asked? Sorta he offered up and his body relaxed a tad. Robert said I can't make no more shine no more. I don't know what else I can do to keep busy. I asked if he liked dogs? Sure I does he said . I walk the dogs at the shelter a few days a week they need help walking and bathing them. He looked at Dewey and said I want to try that. Dewey said what you did for those old folks was super nice. I smiled and said they just wanted to have a friend. I hear you bought the house . I did , I said the family didn't want it and it's a nice place. You gonna buy the whole county he asked . Nope , we will be leaving before long. New pipeline project. Well don't you worry none about Robert , I promised your Dad I'd make sure Robert's taken care of . I know that , never felt the intentions weren't good , just some of the actions weren't . Dads bank is being audited he said . I'm sure it's normal to have that happen , I offered keeping all emotion out of my face. Dewey said flatly , I've always known the house of cards would fall one day. I used to be a good cop but well that's gone now and it is my own foolishness that got me. We finished off the milkshakes and Dewey said looking at Robert , move your trust to Rylands control and don't wait do it tomorrow If you can. He stood up hugged Robert and shook my hand. It seemed to me that it was a goodbye or farewell. He drove away and I noticed he didn't look back. Robert said to me, Dewey's in some bad trouble I believe. I thought carefully before speaking, I wish I understood better what happened to my Dad. Dewey gots real mad when your Daddy gots that girl knocked up. Them two were like peas in a pod always. They were always together neither one without the other. Do you want me to do the paperwork to move your trust, I asked Robert. Dewey said I should do that so I suppose I should. I said I would pick him up in the morning. We would do the things that needed to be done. He smiled at me and I hugged him when I left. I called uncle Jack and then the lawyer. The wheels were in motion for sure. I went home to get dinner going. I explained to John what had transpired and he said when we get the house finished in Texas why not get Robert to move with us, he asked . All we can do is to offer I said . I'd made a big pot of noodles and hamburger with some veggies John's buddies came to eat. The kid in the VW walked by and I asked if he was hungry. He walked over and John shook his hand and asked who cut his hair . He laughed and said the folks hired him on the condition he cut that shit on my head so I used a knife. John and the guys got a chuckle , we learned his names Andy and he's from Illinois. He ate three full bowls of my goulash. I dug out the clippers and a towel and fixed his hair. The guys got a fire going and drank beers and sipped whiskey. I smoked a bowl with Andy and he settled in with us that evening along with the work gang. About eight the guys headed off to their cabins . We picked up and cleaned up and put things away. Andy and John sat and talked by the fire I sat with them and asked Andy did it bother him having to cut his hair off. He looked at me and said , I'm broke the gas tanks empty and I can't pay to stay here. Hair grows I will be ok besides the owners are nice folks and they love you guys. You suggested I ask for work the old lady smiled and said I could work . Then she asked me if I minded a more clean cut look. She was so nice about it how could I say no. John said I need to turn in fellas my morning comes early. I said feel free to sit by the fire I said , I have to get his lunch together for tomorrow . You sure you don't mind Andy asked. John said make yourself to home bud. We went inside the camper and I packed up his lunch. John washed the smoke smell off and laid on the bed. I said get ready boy I need that inside me . He was just a grinning and his six and a half was super hard and shiny. I slipped outa my clothes and laid on him kissing him deeply. I rolled us over so I was under him and whispered in his ear "fuck me". He lubed me up and pressed inside . When he's been drinking he's a vicious and hungry lover. He pounded me spreading my legs and power fucked me. He gets in this zone where he rocks his head back and grinds inside me and the assault on my prostate makes me explode wildly and he usually cums when I'm clamping my ass on his dick during my orgasm. He pulled out flopped on a pillow and his eyes closed . I kissed his cheek and covered him up. I really liked it when he just took me that way. I slipped on my sweats and a hoodie and went outside with a steaming mug of coffee. Want some I asked Andy. Naw I'm gonna drink another beer then grab a shower. We sat as the fire dwindled away and he asked , so you guys are cool with messing with others. I said we are solid emotionally and well some side fun is ok , we don't hide it or lie about it . Yea that's cool my girl creeped and lied . That created stress and well she went home. You seem ok with her being gone , I offered . He smirked and said other than the sex , she's a freak , I'm not upset she left. Sounded sorta like you two get freaky too, he offered up his eyes twinkling. Yea sometimes it's wild and crazy as it should be . Andy said , I'd have never pegged you two as gay guys . I just smiled at him, then said that I needed to grab a shower. Well he offered I'm gonna call it a night myself. I watched him walk away now that the dreadlocks were gone he was visibly tall and super slender , all the hair made him appear bigger. I made sure the fire was mostly out then made sure the ash screen was snug. I went in the airstream and looked in on John he was sleeping soundly. I grabbed my bath stuff and walked to the shower house. I noticed the light in the VW was out , I wasn't surprised between the alcohol and pot . I walked in the door and eased it shut like I always do . There was still water on the floor but that's not new. I stripped and took a nice long hot shower getting everything washed up cleaned out and fresh. When I came out with my towel wrapped about my body Andy was there sitting on the wooden bench. He smiled at me and just sat there. I slipped on my sweats and headed out . Things settled as Andy worked at the campground he joined our family dinners nightly. Funny and relaxed in his lanky ways . John worked on the engine and brakes on the VW one Sunday with help from the crew of welders. I went to the office to get change for the laundry and the older lady owner asked when we were leaving . I said a few more weeks I think. She asked me what I thought about Andy and I thought a moment and said . He just needs some purpose I guess he seems to like working here it seems. She said they have a older camper in storage that if we could get it on a site I'd let him use it. Is there any way you men can help us get it up here? It's just too much for my Mister to do and we kinda want to surprise him. I got word that the Trust had been sorted out. John and I went to visit Robert and John asked him if he would give some thought to moving to Texas with us . Robert's eyes brightened and he asked you mean to visit or forever. John said as long as you want to stay Robert. There's a small cabin if you don't want to stay with us . The guys moved the camper and well Andy was tickled . It was busy for us . I had both places rented out and was helping Robert pack his meager things . We never saw Dewey again the bank regulators were auditing the savings and loan . That created gossip and folks leaving the bank. We tried to get Robert to rent his place but he wouldn't budge on it. The job wound up and we spent a few days packing up the camper and John left a day before me. We had a plan to get it done. We packed Robert's stuff in my car just before dusk he took me for a walk up the hill to a well hidden cellar. It was jammed full of glass jugs of his moonshine. He showed me the still site not far away in a different cellar hide spot. Who else knows this is here I asked? No one , not even Dewey. This is a family secret. We carefully masked the entrance and carried jugs to the cabin. As we motored along Robert was quietly looking about. I never been away from home he said to me , it's sorta scary and exciting. We got to John's family place late after midnight . He picked the small cabin the next day. We got him a gator to ride around the ranch. John's mom took to Robert fussing over him and John snickered saying she's got a purpose again. We have our bumps and squabbles like most folks do. But for the most part life rolled ahead for us . At first Robert hated Texas and then he loved it. The farms in hill country and I suppose the rolling hills soothed his angst. He worked hard at a garden and he built several cellars behind the cabin he lived in. He came to John and I and asked if we could go get his stuff from back home. John had been working on his Dads crew since we got back. It was nice to be able to work on the house. I cleaned it till it was spotless. Then I painted it inside and out. The nights were chilly and the days warm. The trip to Tennessee was a hoot. We rented a box truck. We emptied out the storage cellars of every jug of the moonshine and even packed up the still. Robert had us trek to a different spot and we found more gallon jugs. Robert said this was his Daddy's stash and the rest of the shine him and my Dad made. We ended up having to build some shelves in the rental box truck to hold the jugs . Then we put up a fake wall and put the rest of the furniture from the house against the fake wall. The return trip was uneventful , John and Robert rode in the truck and I followed in my sedan. We unloaded the stuff into the big equipment barn out behind the house where the Airstream lives. We ended up putting several conex boxes in place of a dirt cellar. Robert was back in business in his custom cellar. John got put on with the company his Dad works for on a different crew. That eased John's worries and he liked being able to have a semi normal life. I learned how to raise a garden from Robert. I taught myself how to put up vegetables and to make preserves. Drew and Robert hit it off great they were fun to watch. Robert is quite a handy guy. The guys worked on the old pickup till it looked brand new. Robert and I were having milkshakes in town one afternoon after walking pups at the pound. He was in a giddy mood. I said , how long have you been doing the act I asked him. He cut me a look his eyes narrowed then his face softened. Since the accident he said. I just laughed and let it go. Wally showed up from time to time to play. It was always a fun time. That guy knew how to throw it out . We found friends most of them started off as John's friends. I got welcomed to the fold. Sure folks whispered and gossiped but isn't that normal. Drew went to college and during football practice broke his leg. He stayed at school till Christmas then came home. Things were tense with his folks he told me one afternoon that sports was his dads dream. His love was to be a rancher. He went to work at his girls family farm and increasingly didn't come home. Some nights he'd crash at our place mostly to avoid his mothers lectures. We have settled into a comfortable routine. John works for the rig repair company and seems plenty happy. We go out to dance a couple times a month , not at a bar but a barn at a friends place . I've learned to do country swing and two step . Robert met a nice lady at church and they became the best of friends. She can bake like no one's business ! John's sister got pregnant and well the tension level around the ranch went nuts. John's mom was caught up in a multitude of emotions but the idea of being a grandma won out. We even got the original driveway fixed where the culvert washed out. It allows us to come and go without driving past John's parents front door. I gardened and volunteered to keep busy. Life for us was good! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. Please offer a donation to Nifty.org Cheers CJ