Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2020 16:09:29 -0800
From: Backwoods Boy . <backwoodsnatureboy@gmail.com>
Subject: The Ranch Boy Next Door - Part 25

Apprentices

I could have stayed in bed much later, but Rusty the ranch boy was shaking
me awake at seven o'clock.

"Wake up, Toby.  The day's half over."

I turned onto my stomach and put the pillow over my head.  It was quiet for
a moment, and then Rusty was lying on my back.  I moved to accommodate him
better, and then grinned as he slid inside.

"What do ya think yer doin', you horny bastard?"

"Gotta prove once more I'm not a boy."

The proof came quickly this morning.  No long passionate love sessions.
There was work to be done.

We showered together, dressed, and raced each other upstairs.  Stopping at
the kitchen door, we put our arms around each other's shoulders and
grinned.

Mom and Dad were at the table having breakfast, and two plates of bacon,
eggs, and buttered toast were waiting for us.  Mom frowned at me for my two
mealtime clothing violations - wearing a cap and not wearing a shirt - but
I ignored her.  I knew she wouldn't push it because Rusty was dressed the
same way.

It was said in unison.  "Good morning Mom and Dad."

Mom smiled at us.  "You two are full of energy this morning.  Sit down and
have breakfast.  I hear Toby's going to have a truck driving lesson.  What
are you doing, Rusty?"

"Well, right after Toby's lesson, I'm gonna learn about runnin' the
combine.  From what Pete says, it's kind of complicated, especially the
part about fillin' the truck on the go.  Toby has to learn his part of
that, too."

Dad took a sip of coffee.  "I'm sure you both will be model students."

Breakfast finished, we raced to our four-wheelers, and I followed Rusty to
his parents' ranch.  I stopped by the barn and equipment sheds.  Rusty kept
on going.  He had other work to do.

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

Pete was in the large open area in front of the ranch buildings.  He had
positioned their combine on one side.  A dump truck partly filled with sand
was was sitting in the middle with the doors open.  A similar empty truck
was sitting nearby.

"Good morning, Toby.  Are you ready to become a wheat truck driver?"

My enthusiastic grin would have been enough, but I answered.  "Sure!  Where
do we start?"

"Get in the driver's seat."

I climbed in, and Pete climbed into the passenger side.

"You're going to find this much easier to drive than the pickup you learned
in.  You can see this one is an automatic.  There are some other levers,
but ignore them for now.  At some point, I'll take you along to the grain
elevator so you can see how those work for dumping the grain out."

"The difference between this and your other experience is that you'll have
about twenty tons of wheat pushing you around.  That's why there's sand in
the back of this.  Put your foot on the brake, start the engine, and put
the truck in drive... Yeah, that's good.  Now drive the truck out the ranch
road.  Start slow so you get the feel of it."

It was easier to drive, like Pete said, but it felt a whole lot different.
I drove out the ranch road, getting up to about fifteen miles an hour.  The
road began to climb slightly - not a lot, but enough that I could feel the
effect of the weight.  I pressed down a little more on the gas pedal, and
the engine shifted down automatically.

"Now, the fields are fairly flat, but I want you to get the feel of that
weight behind you coming down a slight incline.  So drive up to that T
intersection, turn left, back the truck up, and drive back down.  Remember
when you're turning not to cut the corner too close."

I maneuvered the truck like Pete had told me.  It would have been hard in a
small space, but here on the open road, there was no problem.

"Okay, going down, I want you to shift it down to second gear.  That's what
you'll be using mostly out in the field."

Now the weight was pushing me, and I had to add a little braking to keep
the speed down.  At the bottom of the slope, Pete had me shift back into
drive and park the truck.

"Okay, that was good.  Now we're going to practice positioning the truck
next to the combine."

We got into the empty truck, and I started the engine.

"Now drive to the end and come up beside the combine from the rear.  Try to
position the bed of the truck directly under the spout that's sticking out
on the side, and then stop."

I looked at him, a little apprehensively, and he grinned at me.  "Don't
worry.  It's far enough out you won't hit the combine."

After several passes, Pete was satisfied I had the idea, and we moved on.

"Now, I'm going to start the combine and bring it to the end of the
compound.  Drive around so you're about twenty feet behind on the left
side.  Put it in second gear.  As we both move across the compound at about
five miles an hour, pull up beside me so you're positioned under the
spout.  When I stop, it means you're full, so turn out left and go back to
the other end.  I'll come around and join you."

I had no trouble with the operation, other than staying right beside the
combine.  After the third time, I had it down.  When we returned to the
other end that time, Pete parked the combine and came over to talk with me.
 "Any questions?"

"Nope."

"Okay, we're going to do that one more time.  This time when I stop, turn
out and head up the ranch road.  Make right turns at each intersection to
drive around the quarter section, and you'll be back here."

I gave Pete a look of surprise.  "Yer turnin' me loose on my own?"

Pete grinned.  "That's what you'll be doing tomorrow.  Remember to turn
wide on the corners and you'll be fine."

It took me about ten minutes to make the loop.  When I got back, Pete was
leaning against the front of the other truck watching me.  I pulled up
behind the other truck, parked, and got out, a permanent grin etched on my
face.

Pete smiled at my enthusiasm.  "Okay, you passed your test.  By the time
you're done with about the third day of this, you won't be quite so
excited.  But I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."

"Thanks for givin' me this opportunity, Pete.  I really appreciate it."

Pete shook my hand.  "We're happy you're doing it.  Good help is hard to
find.  Now here's the plan.  If you can work from six until noon, it will
give Rusty the morning to drive the combine.  Rusty will take over your job
at noon."

"That will work well for me.  Maybe I can start workin' on our pasture
fence in the afternoons."

"Have you talked to Jason yet?"

"I will this afternoon.  I'm goin' into town to see him and his dads."

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

It was nearly noon when I pulled up behind our house.  Dad's pickup was in
the driveway.  I found him in his office.

He smiled at the grin on my face.  "I gather the lesson went well."

"Super!  It's gonna be a lot of fun!"

"I'm glad you're looking forward to it.  Now, I have some news for you.
I've lined up Mason construction here in town to clear the site and put up
the barn.  They're also taking care of permitting.  They expect to get
started late next week, after the barn kit arrives.  I'm already acquainted
with Bob Mason, the owner, and he was happy to do the job for us.  He's on
his way out to look the site over.  I presented our plan for you to help
out, and he was good with it.  You already have a reputation in town as a
good worker."

My grin grew even broader.  "Wow!  That will be so cool!  Thanks so much,
Dad."

"After a few days, you may not be quite so excited.  It will be hard work."

I laughed.  "Funny, Pete said something similar about drivin' the wheat
truck.  But I think I can be enthusiastic about both."

"I'm sure you can.  And have you given more thought to your fence project?"

"I'm goin' over to Jace's place this afternoon to talk with him and his
dads.  If he can help me, how do we go about hirin' him?"

Dad smiled.  "I'm glad you're thinking about that, but your mom and I will
take care of the administrative work.  Just make sure that he gets a letter
from his dads permitting him to work for us.  If the subject comes up, none
of the work will be dangerous.  Then work out your own schedule with him.
What do you need for supplies and equipment?"

"To begin with, just a roll of barbed wire, some galvanized fence staples,
a few wood fence posts, and some tools.  I've talked with Gramps, and I can
borrow the tools from him to start with.  When I know what I need, we can
buy some for ourselves.  When we get to the new section, we'll need a lot
more posts and wire.  We'll also need to drill a lot of fence post holes."

Dad took notes and thought a minute.  "We can get all of those tools and
supplies right here in town.  I'll set up an account with BW Ranch Supply.
You and I can get the initial supplies in my pickup.  When we need a lot
more, they'll deliver.  I'll let you think about how to do the holes.  We
can hire that done if you want to."

There was a knock on the front door.  Dad stood up.

"Let's go talk with our contractor."

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

"The site is almost level already.  There's just a little clearing to do.
Pete advised you well.  It's a good location."

Bob Mason was going over the building site with Dad and me.

"We'll plan to start the actual construction a week from Thursday.  We'll
drill the holes on Thursday and set the posts on Friday.  The concrete
holding the posts can cure over the weekend, and then we'll start on the
frame the following Monday.  I think it will take us about two weeks to
finish the basic building.  With the power coming off your current service,
electrical can be set up quickly as far as a new pole next to the barn, and
we can work off that for construction.  You should be fully functional four
weeks from now at the latest."

Dad was impressed.  "That's fantastic, Bob.  I really appreciate you doing
this so promptly."

Bob gave Dad a friendly smile.  "We had a cancellation, so we have the time
right now.  And with all you've done for this community recently, it's the
least we could do to help you out."

Bob continued.  "The one piece I didn't mention yet is the site clearing
and leveling.  That will include removal of about forty feet of existing
pasture fence adjacent the barn.  That will need to be done sometime before
we start construction.  If you want to take on the clearing yourselves, it
would be a good project for Toby.  Once the basic clearing is done, one of
us will come out with the Bobcat to dig up the roots and level the site.
If Toby could help with that by removing the root wads, it will further
reduce our time commitment and we can adjust your cost.  We can't hire Toby
directly, but we can compensate indirectly for his work."

Dad looked at me.  "What do you think, Toby?  That's a task you would be
adding to your fence project."

I thought for a few moments.  "I think I can do both.  I'll start on the
clearing tomorrow.  I can adjust the fence schedule if I need to.  What
exactly needs to be done, Mr. Mason?"

Bob smiled.  "You can call me Bob if you like.  Since we're going to be
working together, formalities aren't necessary.  To answer your question,
those small trees and the brush on the site and up to fifteen feet from the
edge of the building need to be removed.  After you remove the forty feet
of fence, you can pile them in the corner of the field.  We'll haul them
away later.  Leave room for material storage in that field directly
opposite the barn site.  We need that as close as possible."

It worked for me.  "Okay, I can do that.  And I have a question for you.
If I understand pole barns, you'll be usin' a large drill on a tractor to
put in the post holes.  Is that correct?"

"That's the way it works, yes."

"Since you have that equipment, could we arrange later on to have you drill
a row of holes in the pasture for a new fence?"

Bob addressed me as a client rather than a kid.  "Sure, we can do that if
you want us to.  Let us know when you're ready, and we can do it within a
day or two."

"Thanks, Bob.  We'll do that."

Dad shook Bob's hand.  "Thanks very much.  I'm looking forward to working
with you on this."

Bob smiled.  "I'm looking forward to working with both of you."

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

Later in the afternoon, I rode my four-wheeler into town to talk with Jason
and his dads.  Using the ranch roads like Rusty had taught me, I was able
to park only two blocks from their home.

The three of them lived in a comfortable three-bedroom house near the
school.  Coach guided me into the living room, decorated with Native
American artwork, and introduced me to James.

"Toby, this is my husband, James.  And we've decided that 'James' will do
until school starts.  Then it will be 'Mr. West'.  James, this is Toby, and
among his other good qualities, he's a great diver."

James held out his hand.  "I'm pleased to meet you, Toby.  Jason tells us a
lot about you, all good, of course."

"I'm glad to meet you too, James.  If it's all good, Jace is lyin'."

That produced some friendly laughter.

Coach directed me to an easy chair, and I sat down.  "I've described the
fence project in detail to Jace.  It's a two-part project, repair of
existing fence and then construction of some new fence.  It's not much of a
job, and it's only part-time, but I would be happy if Jace could help me
with the first part of the project.  Dad will have to tell us what his pay
will be, but I expect it will be about twelve dollars an hour.  That's what
Gramps started me at."

Coach looked at Jason.  "What do you think?"

Jason was doing his best to look mature and serious, a difficult task for
him.  "I would like to do it."

Coach turned to James.  "Are you okay with this?"

James smiled.  "I think it will be a good experience for him."

Coach looked back at me.  "Okay, it's fine with James and me.  We'll
produce a permission letter.  When will this start?"

"Probably about Wednesday."  Then I had a better idea.  "Actually, tomorrow
if Jace wants to help me clear the barn site, too.  Dad will have to
approve that part, but I'm sure he will.  That will involve removing a
short section of fence, and then using loppers and a bow saw to cut down
brush and small trees and then carry it all to a temporary pile in the
pasture.  I'm helpin' harvest wheat at Rusty's ranch in the mornings, so we
would start about one o'clock.  I can come pick up Jace if you like.  It's
not that far from Rusty's place, and that way Jace wouldn't have to wait
for me at home if the timing is off."

Coach looked at James, who nodded his approval.

Coach addressed Jason again.  "That works for us.  What do you think, Jace?"

Jason was beaming, having given up trying to be serious.  "I think it
sounds like a lot of fun.  I wanna do it."

I smiled to myself.  He sounded so much like I had when Pete had asked me
to help with the harvest.  And it also reminded me of when I started doing
irrigation with Logan.  Now I was doing the hiring and training.  "As Pete
said to me about workin' for them, about the third day ya might not be so
excited.  But I'll see ya tomorrow shortly after noon.  And Coach, may I
please have yer phone number in case I need to contact you for anything?"

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

Tuesday, I was up at five o'clock, ready for the truck driving experience.
Dressed comfortably in my old hiking boots, cargo shorts, and my John Deere
cap, I was at Rusty's place by five-thirty.  I wanted to be ready by six.
Rusty, Pete, and their dad Patrick were already getting the equipment ready
when I got there.  They put me to work putting gas in the trucks from the
above-ground storage tank.  There was no time for idle conversation.

Pete rode with me for the first truck load.  Loading the truck on the go
worked perfectly.  I couldn't actually see Rusty in the combine, but I knew
he was there and it made the activity all the more fun.

Then the relay began.  I usually had to wait about ten minutes for Pete to
return from the grain elevator and swap trucks.  I quickly lost track of
how many loads we had done, and before I knew it, noon had arrived.
Rusty's mom Gloria brought the noon meal of taco makings, fresh fruit, and
cookies to the field.  I was surprised how hungry I was.

As soon as I was finished, I rode the short distance to town, then back
home with Jason.  First, Jason and I removed the section of fence.  Then we
went to work cutting brush and trees.  The trees were small - nothing over
ten feet high.  We cut them in half to make them easier to move.  Then, in
an unusual stroke of brilliance, I remembered that we owned a trailer for
my four-wheeler.  I hooked it up, and then had another stroke of brilliance.

I texted Coach.  "Can I teach Jace how to drive the ATV?"

The response was almost immediate.  "Go for it."

I gave Jason a quick lesson on four-wheeler basics and let him haul the
unwanted material the short distance to where we were piling it.  He was in
seventh heaven, and I was smiling, too.  Lesson number one - make your
personnel happy, and they'll get more accomplished.  By the time Mom and
Dad got home at six o'clock, we were well over half done.

Dad was impressed.  "Good job, guys!  That's excellent progress.  And using
the trailer was a great idea.  I think that's the first time it's been
used."

I smiled.  "Thanks, Dad.  It was nice to put the ATV to use, too.  After
all, that's what we bought it for wasn't it?"

Dad chuckled.  "We bought it for you to use however you need to.  I'm glad
you thought to use it for this.  Jace, would you like to stay for dinner?"

Jason liked the idea.  "Sure!  Let me check with the dads."

The dads approved.  Jason stayed for dinner, and then got a ride home in
Dad's pickup.

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

Wednesday I was up at five o'clock again, sore from the afternoon before.
I was glad that the morning activity would not be physical labor.

The truck driving went as smoothly as the day before.  I was still having
fun, but it was becoming routine.  There was a danger of becoming
complacent and making a mistake.  I concentrated harder on what I was
doing.

After lunch, Jason and I continued with the site clearing.  We finished the
project by mid-afternoon.  I called Bob's office phone and left a message
that the clearing was finished and he could schedule the leveling whenever
he wanted to.  Then I had another idea.

"Wanna go skinny-dippin' in my swimmin' hole before I take ya home?"

"Sure!  Where is it?"

"Right across the road.  Let's get snacks and water first, and then I'll
show ya."

On the way out of the house I grabbed a couple towels, and then led Jason
to one of my favorite spots.  He hadn't seen the swimming hole.  I'd been
there many times with Logan, Rusty, Austin and Andy, but this was a first
for Jason.

After a quick dip, we stretched out in the sun, side by side.

Jason leaned over and gave me a kiss.  "Thanks so much for lettin' me work
with ya.  It's a lot of fun."

I kissed him back.  "Ya gotta realize, now that ya work for me, kissin'
could be considered sexual harassment."

"How about fuckin'?  Is that even worse?"

"Definitely.  But only if it's not wanted."

Jason grinned.  "It's wanted."

I reached over and pulled a single-use packet of lube from the pocket of my
cargo shorts.  Those packets had magically appeared on my dresser one day.
I was sure Mom had mistaken them for condoms.  The lube was much more
useful.

I knelt between Jason's legs and we grinned at each other as I tore open
the lube packet and applied it.  As we kissed passionately, I slowly slid
inside.  Having sex with a willing employee was a great way to end the work
day.


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