Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2002 22:13:02 -0800 (PST)
From: Waddie Greywolf <waddiebear@yahoo.com>
Subject: "Cabbage Patch Cowboy Part 21"

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 21

The summer was almost over by the time Waddie got out of the hospital but
there were several nice days at the end of August that they were able to go
and do. Dr. Dyer issued a list of dos and don'ts for Waddie.  He couldn't
get on horseback for a month.  He couldn't go swimming for the rest of the
summer. Worst of all, no playing around.  Buck assured the doctor he would
make sure because Waddie wouldn't leave his sight for the next month.

Buck was good to his word.  When he had to work he'd take the boys with him
or leave them with Linda Sue or the Justins.  He wasn't trying to put
Waddie in jail, he loved him so much he wanted to make sure nothing else
happened to impede his healing.  Buck slept with him every night for a
month.

Waddie sure didn't complain about that but he would get so horny laying
next to his dad `the sex machine' he would go out of his mind.  He had to
sleep laying on a towel. He had nocturnal emissions every other night.
Several nights he got it all over his dad.  Buck would just laugh and kid
him mercilessly.  Linda Sue didn't say a word.  At the end of that month he
gave Waddie back to Gip with a kiss and a pat on the butt.  His wife was
glad to have her husband back but she couldn't fault his dedication to
their son.
 
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Waddie and Gip knew approximately how much they had in their rodeo account
but they didn't want to know the exact amount. Their dads would give them
money for anything they needed and at Christmas to buy presents for their
family and each other.

Waddie and Gip decided to give presents jointly because their parents and
grandparents did.  They felt like they were bonded mates; although, they
didn't announce it to the family, they felt they had the right to do the
same.  Besides, if they went together on a present they could get something
nicer for the person or persons.  They usually figured out a gift for both
Ma and Pa Claymore and the other family couples.  Sometimes they'd give
individual gifts.

After a couple of years they decided to stop giving each other Christmas
gifts.  If there was something one or the other really wanted they'd
discuss it, go out and buy it together, wrap it, put a card on it, put it
under the tree, and act so surprised Christmas eve that their brother was
so thoughtful to get them just what they wanted.  They weren't fooling
anyone.

After a while, the boys had everything they could possibly want.  They
didn't play with toys other than baseball and a football.  When the boys
would go to visit the Crenshaws in August of every year in the late
afternoons in a pasture they would have some hellacious flag football
games.  Billy Bob and Earl D. may have won in the Cotton Bowl the years
before but they couldn't gain ground against their younger brothers.  The
kids knew them so well they could practically read their minds.  So they
decided to always put them on separate teams.

Waddie and Gip began to be exclusive with each other by the time they
reached middle school.  They began to date and usually double date.  They
didn't do a lot of dating except to school dances.  Then Buck and Linda Sue
would drive Waddie and his date.  Usually it was Jannie Anderson.  Gip
dated another nice, pretty girl in their class named Bonnie Tyler.  There
wasn't much serious dating until high school and Gip and Waddie got their
drivers license. Besides all the kids in their class got to hanging out
either at Waddie's house or Gip's.  During sixth, seventh and eighth grades
Buck and Linda Sue or Dan and Jimmy Sue would hold an evening party get
together for the kids.  There was only twelve of them.  Even spread of six
girls and six boys.  Not one of the twelve were ever left out.
   
* * * * * * * * * *

On the anniversary of their meeting, Jannie Anderson made an announcement
to the family that Bubba and her mother were getting married. They were
married the end of that summer and the town had a hell of a blow out
celebration.  Of course the entire Crenshaw family was there as well as
Gus, Dora, and Brenda Lou.  Gus and Randy had a ball at Bubba's bachelor
party.  Gus was Bubba's best man and his groomsmen were Randy, Buck, Dan,
Earl D. and Billy Bob.  Oh, yes, and Red Dog.

The two families had Johnnie Mack Tamplin and a couple of relatives take
care of the livestock as all the boys wanted to come to the wedding.  Randy
drove Sara and her baby, C. W. Crenshaw.  Gus, Dora and Brenda Lou
followed.  Brenda Lou and Dora each had a baby to care for.  The older
boys, Billy Bob and Earl D.  loaded all the boys on a Greyhound bus.

They were met at the station by four sheriff patrol cars.  The Sheriff of
the county, Chief Deputy, and two other deputies. Their four brothers were
there waiting for them.  It was chaos but everyone managed to get squeezed
into a patrol car and all got to the Justin's where the boys took up
residency in the Justin's loft.  There was plenty of room for all. The
younger boys were so impressed they got to ride in the Sheriff's patrol
cars.  Little Shad was in heaven.  He was with his heroes Waddie and Gip.

Carol Anderson's maid of honor was Mrs. Mavis Rawlings and her brides maids
were Miss Brenda Lou Franz, Mrs. Linda Sue Claymore, Mrs. Mary Ellen Dyer,
and Mrs. Jimmy Sue Justin.  Jannie Anderson was flower girl and Shad
Crenshaw was ring bearer.  The four boys were ushers.

The whole damn town was there. It was an outdoor wedding at the Justin's
place.  Everyone came to wish them well.  It was obvious to all they were
very much in love.  They left that evening on a two week honeymoon and
Jannie stayed with Mavis and Lyle Rawlings.

A year later Carol gave birth to a beautiful little boy they named Donnie
Lyle Franz and a year later another boy they named Randy Buckley Franz.  A
year and a half after that, Carol had a little girl they named, Sarah
Elaine Franz.  The three couldn't have been born to two more loving
parents.

They never spared Jannie their love either.  She had her beloved Bubba for
a friend, buddy, and dad.  She could tell him anything and he would listen.
He never allowed Jannie to think he loved his natural born kids more than
her.  Jannie was old enough by that time that she was a big help to her
mother and grandmother taking care of the babies.

Carol Anderson wasn't about to give up her job at the sheriff station.
That was decided before they got married.  Buck told Bubba if she left the
whole damn department would go to hell in a hand basket. As the town and
county grew Buck had to hire several more deputies.  Bubba was tired of
driving and wanted more time home with his family.  Buck offered him a job
as a deputy sheriff and he jumped at the chance.

Buck also once again offered Morgan a job as a deputy because he wasn't
happy with the train company anymore.  They were requiring him to take
longer and longer runs.  He would be gone sometimes for a week and a half
at a time. He would pay Waddie, Gip and the boys to take care of his stock
along with Buck's ponies and gave the boys free run of the house.  He took
over the downstairs again and gave the upstairs to he boys if they wanted
to stay over or whatever.

He knew the train company was harassing him to get him to quit.  They were
still suspicious that maybe he had something to do with the box car break
in even though he was never charged and had witness' attesting to his
innocence.  The railroad made a huge error in judgement.  They put their
reasons in print.  What was not included was they wanted to terminate him
so they wouldn't have to pay him retirement benefits.

None of the other men, some with far less seniority than Morgan were
required to make these long trips. In those days the unions had the
railroads by the balls and there was little they could do about it.  Many
time out of frustration they made stupid decisions and had even more stupid
people implement these decisions.  It cost them a lot of money, too.

Morgan hired a fine young lawyer that started a private practice in town,
filed a lawsuit, and was terminated without notice or explanation, from the
railroad.  He won the law suit, a huge settlement, plus lost wages for
illegal termination.  The railroad had to pay him his retirement from that
point on.  They paid him a retirement for almost twenty-five years.

He never had to work another day in his life but he did.  His first love
was fixing cars and trucks.  He re-opened his granddad's garage with his
cousin.  They hired two other good mechanics.  After several years they
were doing quite well.  Morgan approached Ford Motor Company to become the
first dealership for Ford cars and trucks in the county.

He and his second cousin became fine business men and well thought of as
honest and fair men to do business with.  The next twenty years he made a
fortune.  The need for family he couldn't have was transferred to his
business.  The retirement benefits were jump change compared to what Morgan
was making annually.  He never stopped the retirement.  The railroad left a
bitter taste in his mouth and he was going to get every nickle he could
from them.

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

Waddie and Gip began to play around with condoms.  Jacking each other off
with them; doing what every boy has tried since they were invented.
They're sort of sexual balloons for teenage boys. They'd sometimes get away
to Morgan's place to water and feed the livestock and Buck's ponies. They'd
play with the rubbers, come in them and then throw them in the trash.

One afternoon Morgan came home earlier than usual and walked into the barn.
He caught Waddie and Gip just as they were finished playing.  Waddie had
just finished fucking his mate wearing a rubber.  For some reason at the
time it was new and a big turn on for the boys.  They didn't try to hide
what they were doing. Lord knows Gip and Waddie had seen Morgan and Buck
doing it enough.

Waddie was coming a lot but Gip was still only coming maybe once a day and
was shooting blanks after that.  Waddie removed the condom, tied it off and
threw it in the trash can.  They cleaned up and apologized to Morgan.  He
laughed and told them he was sorry he didn't get there sooner to watch.
They had a good laugh, then left.

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

Judy gave birth to her baby in February of the following year but Morgan
refused to have his name on the birth certificate. It was a little girl
born on Valentines day and her mother named her `Sissy.' She was a pretty
little thing but sickly and didn't respond like most normal babies. She
didn't seem to smile a lot nor find much joy in life.  She wasn't retarded
but she was noticeably slow.

No one could figure out who her father was until one night the subject was
brought up by Ma and Pa Lovejoy at dinner wishing they knew who her father
was.  Waddie asked them if they were sure they wanted to know because he
and Gip were probably the only people who knew.  They assured him they
wanted to know for Morgan's sake.

"Not for Morgan's sake, Ma and Pa, `cause when I tell you, I guarantee you
won't tell him." assured Waddie.

Waddie proceeded to tell the family who Sissy's father was.

"The summer after his junior year in high school Willie was living high.
He was a football, baseball hero all over town but something strange began
to happen.  Morgan would be off on one of his three or four day runs for
the railroad.  I'd hear Willie tip toe out of his room about an hour after
he'd see my light go out thinking I'd gone to sleep.

I didn't think too much about it except I never heard him come back until
early the next morning.  It would always happen a couple of nights when
Morgan was away.  One night I tip toed to the head of the stairs to see
where he was going.  To my surprise Willie was going in Judy and Morgan's
bedroom.  That was strange, I thought.  I had to know what was going on.

One full moon lit night I left my clothes on, turned out the light and
waited.  After I heard Willie leave his room I crawled down the front
trellis and circled around behind that side of the house. There's a knoll
higher than the house about fifty feet away with two big trees and a couple
small ones.  I could look right down into Judy and Morgan's bedroom from
there.

I had Morgan's binoculars.  I silently crawled up on my belly to the base
of the big tree as cover, took the binoculars, focused and damn near shit
my pants.  There was Willie and Judy naked, Willie on top of her, riding
her like a bronco buster."

There were audible gasps from the family.

"I watched and watched. I could hear her moans and groans encouraging him
to ride her harder.  On and on until something in me snapped, I crawled
back behind the tree and lay there and cried for several minutes. Not
because Willie was fucking Judy, I could care less, I didn't have love for
either of `em, but because I knew it would kill Morgan if he found out.  I
didn't think he'd believe me anyway.  If he wouldn't believe me about the
stuff Willie framed me for he sure as hell wouldn't believe me about this.
He'd probably say I was lying to get revenge or trying to get him to hate
them.  I've never told him to this day.

I didn't bother climbing back up the trellis.  I though I'd scare them to
death thinking it was Morgan coming home unannounced.  I clomped up the
front steps like it was a larger pair of boots what was coming in.  It
worked!  Willie jumped out their bedroom window and almost broke his damn
ankle.  He was running up the stairs naked with his drawers in his hand.
He saw me with my flashlight go into my room and knocked on my door.

`Waddie, was that you that just came in?'

`Yeah, why?'

`What are you doing out this time of night?'

`Didn't you hear me go out?  There was something out there after the
chickens and I went to see what it was.  There's been a coyote after them.
Didn't you hear them raising a ruckus?  I caught him trying to get in and
threw rocks at him to run him off.  Why, what's the problem?'

`Oh nothing.  Go to bed.'

`Yes Sir, Massa' Willie.'

They didn't suspect anything, I could tell.  Judy was her usual bitch self
the next morning.  She'd been ragging my ass for two days about everything
that was wrong with me.  I watched Willie hold her and right in front of me
kissed her on the mouth.  I wanted to vomit. Not because of the incestuous
nature or their coupling.  I got sick in my stomach because of the pain I
knew they were eventually going to cause.  How could they expect to get
away with something like that?  Then after that, every time Willie came
home from playing baseball he'd sleep with her. Sissy is Willie's kid.
There's no doubt in my mind."  Waddie finished his story.

The family sat there stunned.  Ma and Pa Lovejoy were stricken.  Waddie
didn't think it would effect them that strongly but then realized why it
might.  He apologized to them and told them he was sorry.  They assured him
it was all right they would have rather heard it from him than someone
else. They believed Waddie and what he witnessed and were just as convinced
as he was.  It made sense in an awful way.  Waddie still felt bad about it
for months but they only loved him all the more.

No one told Morgan until several years later when he asked Waddie point
blank if he knew who Sissy's father was.  Waddie asked him the same
question.  Was he sure he really wanted to know?  He promised he did.
Waddie also made it a point to tell Morgan that this was a situation that
if he even suggested Waddie was lying would terminate what they had worked
to build to that point.  Morgan assured Waddie he would believe anything he
told him as true.  Waddie told him the truth.  Morgan didn't have the
slightest doubt that Waddie was telling the truth.  It made sense.  He
thanked Waddie and that's all that was said about it.

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

The first week in March the boys got a phone call from Earl D. and Billy
Bob to let them know that both Sara's baby and Dora's twins were due any
day.  The boys begged their dads to take them back to Bandera to be there
for their little brother's birth.

Buck made arrangements and he and Dan drove the boys back to Bandera for
the birth of Sarah's last child.  They brought the baby to her, she looked
at him, kissed him, and handed him to Waddie.  Waddie was shocked but
gratefully accepted.  He open the tiny blankets and saw the most beautiful
little boy. He showed him to the rest of the family while Randy Crenshaw
had his arm around him.  Randy told him the baby's name would be: Cowboy
Waddie Crenshaw.  Waddie smiled real big and a tear ran down his cheek.  He
surprised everyone when he began to pray over the baby with tears running
down his face.

"Dearest Heavenly Father, bless this child I hold in my arms, Cowboy Waddie
Crenshaw.  Send him an angel to watch over him and shelter him from harms
way.  Let him grow tall as the pines and stronger than an ox.  Give him the
eyes of an eagle and the heart of a bear.  Help him, lead him in the path
of righteousness, guide him like you have me, Sir.  Let him walk with his
face always toward the light, in love, honesty, humility, and generosity of
spirit.  Grant him wisdom and teach him to seek truth in all things, we ask
in Jesus' name, Amen."

There wasn't a dry eye in the room and Waddie cried as he kissed his new
buckaroo brother on his forehead and returned him to his mother.  He leaned
over and kissed his mom.

"Thank you, Waddie." Ma Crenshaw whispered to him.

He threw his arms around Dad Crenshaw, hugged and kissed him as Randy
Crenshaw broke down in his son's arms.  There were congratulations all
around.  He was so proud of his new son and his son, Waddie.  Waddie was
proud of Dad Crenshaw, too.  Randy passed out cigars to everyone.  The boys
asked their dads if they could try one.  Buck winked at Dan and nodded.

"Sure men!  You men are growing up.  Might as well learn to smoke a good
cigar early on.  Nothing better than a good cigar, right Brother?"  Dan
deferred to Buck.  He smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Here,---let me light it for you."  offered Dad Dan.

Dan and Buck slapped each other on the backs and walked off with their arms
around each other talking and laughing.  Waddie and Gip got so sick from
trying to smoke that cigar they decided tobacco was not going to be one of
their vices.  That's exactly what Buck and Dan had planned and hoped would
happen.  They would laugh their ass's off for years to come every time they
told that story.  Gip and Waddie would sit there listening and turn green
remembering the feeling.  For years after that they couldn't stand to be
around anyone smoking a cigar or cigarette.

The next morning, Dora had her twins.  Two fine healthy boys; identical
twin cowboys.  They named them Randolph Kent Franz and Gustalf Brent Franz.
Gus was so proud and especially that all his boys could be there.  Bubba
was home and it was like a reunion.  Buck, Dan and the boys could only stay
a couple of days because the boys were taking off school to be there.
Fortunately there was a long weekend involved so they didn't miss much.
Oatie, Clyde and Jannie would bring them up to speed.

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

One month after Sissy was born Judy was pregnant again.  She was scared to
death because she hadn't had sex with anyone but Morgan a couple of times.
She was afraid Morgan would think she's had some man to his house and she
hadn't.  Morgan didn't seem to be too upset over it and told her not to
worry.  Miracles seemed to be happening all over the place, perhaps, he had
one, too.  Maybe there was still one fertile sperm that found it's way up
there.

Judy was miserable.  She didn't want another baby, especially Morgan's and
seriously considered aborting.  She probably knew Sissy was Willie's baby
but now Willie was in prison and Morgan was the only one she had sex with.
Morgan didn't tell her what to do.  He didn't care.  He did tell her if it
was a boy he'd let his name be on the birth certificate as `father' of the
child.

Judy went into deep depression and wasn't taking care of Sissy.  The baby
was hungry and dirty all the time.  Waddie and Gip couldn't understand.
They'd hear the baby screaming and crying for an hour or more when they
went to care for the livestock.  Sometimes they could hear the baby
screaming from the Justins.  She would scream and cry for a couple hours.

They couldn't stand it anymore and went to confront Judy.  Waddie wasn't
the least intimidated by her.  They found her drunk and passed out.  They
couldn't bring her around.  They looked for and finally found a clean
diaper.  The baby had been laying in it's on filth for a day or more and
had festering sores breaking out all over it's little rear.  It was
starving.  You could see her little ribs and the bones in her shoulder and
arms.  Waddie told Gip to call the Sheriff and then Dad Dan.

This was child neglect, abuse or endangerment as far as Waddie was
concerned.  Whatever they choose to call it, but he'd be damned by all the
angels in heaven if he'd let Judy do this to another child; if he had to
kidnap the baby and care for her himself.  His brother assured him he
wouldn't be alone.

Buck, Lyle, Quinton and Dan Justin were there in less than thirty minutes.
Waddie showed Buck what they'd found and he took Sissy into custody
immediately.  They took Waddie, Gip, Dan and the baby to Dr. Dyer who
examined her.  She was malnourished, on the boarder of starving to death
and had festering wens from laying in her own waste too long.  With his
recommendations a court order was issued for the child's protection until a
social services worker could assess the situation and add their
recommendations.
  
In the meantime Gip and Waddie enlisted their brother's help, found every
hiding place where Judy hid her booze and poured it out in the kitchen
sink.  They left the bottles on the counter to let her know they did it.
Waddie wasn't prone to vengeance but he had to admit pouring Judy's booze
out warmed his heart.

They gathered up everything they could find of the babies, which wasn't
much, and carried it back to the Justins.  Every diaper Sissy had was
filthy.  The boys took them, soaked them and poured off the filth.  They
rung them out, placed them in a big wash tub and built a fire under
it. They put in Fel's Naptha soap, bleach and boiled them.  They hung
thirty diapers on the clothesline to dry in the sunshine. When the boys got
through they were white as snow.  A cry for help went out to the community
and within hours they had to start turning folks away that wanted to give
them diapers.

The court order kept Sissy away from her mother until a social worker could
determine whether she was recovered enough to get her baby back.  Judy
never tried to recover.  Waddie and Gip offered to help her clean house or
cook something for her.  Judy would ordered them out of the house. She
would rant and rave that Waddie was the little bastard that should be in
prison not her beloved son Willie.  Waddie leveled both barrels at her.

"Your saintly son Willie damn near killed me, you whore.  The only reason
you're so pissed is because he isn't around to fuck you no more.  Yeah,
that's right Judy!  Didn't think I knew Willie's been fucking you for
several years.  You want me to tell the community the real truth about who
Sissy's father is?  She looks just like him.  Who you think they're gonna'
believe this time you lying bitch?"

They wanted to tell her to go get fucked but she'd obviously done that one
too many times.  Morgan didn't seem to care, if fact he praised the boys
for trying.  He told them to go into the house anytime they wanted.  If
they found her booze he didn't care what they did with it. It was money he
was giving her for food for the household.  He knew she wasn't spending it
for food.

She was carrying another baby for cries sake.  Waddie and Gip felt the baby
had a right to life and they were damn well going to see to it she didn't
kill the unborn child with alcohol.  They enlisted their brother's help.
Waddie, Gip, Oatie and Clyde knew all her hiding places.  They'd make
frequent searches, find it and pour it out.  She'd scream and call them all
sorts of names.

They didn't care; especially Waddie.  He had no feelings for her
whatsoever.  Just like she had for him as a baby.  He was enjoying seeing
Judy on the opposite end.  He had no sympathy for her.  He would yell back
at her that they were going to make sure she wouldn't destroy another
child's life like she'd done Waddie's and Dorothy's.  Let her taste someone
ignoring her wants and wishes for a change.  All the boys cared about was
the life inside her.  It deserved a chance.

The boys drove her nuts.  They knew the days she had groceries delivered
and would be there to intercept the booze and send it back to the store to
be credited to Morgans account.  She yelled and screamed at them then
ranted and raved at Morgan when he came home.  The boys were honest with
Morgan.  They told him everything they did.  Waddie did it to see if Morgan
would believe them over Judy.  He never questioned the boys.

"Judy!  You ain't spending the money for food.  You haven't cooked a meal
around here in weeks.  I eat at the diner in town, my parents, at the
Justins or Buck's when they're kind enough to invite me.  Them boys are
saving me a lot of money and trying to save your kid's life.  I'm gonna'
contact Gary Stiles and tell him not to include any alcohol in your orders
anymore."  Judy would yell, scream, call Morgan awful things, and go to her
room and cry.  She was trapped and couldn't have her way.  She painted
herself into a corner and couldn't get out.

Judy sunk further and further into depression, but the boys kept on
constantly working to do everything they could to see that baby made it
into the world.  They'd fix her food and insist they weren't going to leave
until she age it.  She would be so angry she'd throw it at them.  They'd
clean it up and make her something else.  Then they found out if they just
left the food she would eat it.

She actually developed an admiration for the boys persistence while hating
the sight of them.  She even went so far as to leave a note on one of the
trays they fixed for her.  All it said was, "Thanks."  That was it.  She
never ask them nor Morgan where Sissy was.  She didn't seem to care.

Sissy was staying with Ma and Pa Lovejoy.  They didn't mind because Waddie,
Gip and the boys had taken Sissy on as a cause.  The boys, Gip, Oatie,
Clyde and Waddie did most of physical work taking care of her.  Once a
week, usually on a Saturday they would spend the morning boiling and
washing her diapers.  The four boys working together took little time to
get the job done and Sissy had a weeks supply of fresh, clean diapers.
Waddie would go by every afternoon after school, empty and rinse out the
day's collection of dirty diapers.  He and Gip would rinse them out and
hang them across the fence to dry, ready for major washing on Saturday.  It
took them only a few minutes.

They didn't ask Ma Lovejoy to do anything but watch her, feed her, and
change her when they couldn't be around.  Ma Lovejoy was having a ball.
She got the best part of the job and the boys took care of the rest. They
bought Sissy toys out of their allowance.  The boys were the first humans
to hold her, show her love, feed her, clean her, bathe her, and play with
her.

No one wondered why Sissy bonded with the four boys.  She didn't know they
weren't her mothers.  She adored her four cowboy brothers.  They were good
to her and showed her love.  Morgan couldn't take care of her.  Waddie and
Gip pleaded with their grandparents, Ma and Pa Lovejoy, to help until
something could be resolved. The boys could talk them into anything.

The adults of the family were worried about the boys intervention and
getting too involved. Dr. Dyer came to the boy's defense.

"Think about it!  We've encouraged them in their efforts to take care of
sick, wild animals.  They've gotten damn good at it.  They've taught me a
trick or two.  I don't think caring for this baby is so far from what we've
been encouraging them to do all along.  Respect life of all kinds.  Look
what they did to train the barn owls to hunt for themselves. They saw a
human critter that needed help and they made a commitment.

They didn't do it lightly.  They talked to me for hours about it.  They
knew they had my help and commitment to help any way I could.  They see
another human critter on the way that's going to be born retarded,
deformed, or deficient someway, if Judy even carries the baby to term.
They came to me and asked me what the chances of the child being born
normal and I didn't lie to them.

Who else will accept the responsibility to save the unborn child?  Adults
can't get away with dictating to Judy whether she can or can't drink while
carrying her baby.  The boys can and they have the time and interest, we
don't.  Morgan has encouraged them.  He's cut her off from ordering liquor
from the market.

I don't think we should discourage them. I don't think we should overly
encourage them either but we should be supportive of their efforts and
listen to them if they need counsel or help.  They know I'm on call to them
24/7 if it's a human critter or a wild animal critter.  Their experience
with Sissy alone is teaching them volumes.

Is this so far removed from what Gip and Waddie chose to do for Oatie or
what Oatie chose to do for Clyde?  They're growing up and experiencing how
much care, time and responsibility it takes caring for a baby.  It will
make them damn sure they're ready and want kids before they bring a child
into the world.  I wish we had a course in school to teach all kids what
these boys are learning on their own.  What they're learning about caring
for a baby, or even an unborn child is something they could learn no where
else."

The adults in the family had to agree with the doctor.  They'd watched the
boys change before their eyes.  They were more responsible. The took
themselves and their responsibilities more seriously. They were leaving
childhood behind and learning what a person has to do in the real world to
care for his fellow man in the world. Waddie and Gip made a commitment to
help Oatie all those years ago.  Oatie never forgot what they did for him
and wanted to be as much a part of saving the baby as they were. Clyde
surprised everyone by becoming the most adamant spokesman for the four.

A week before Thanksgiving that year Judy went into labor.  Morgan rushed
her to the hospital and despite all Dr. Dyer could do, Judy died giving
birth to a baby boy.  Her system was so run down her body couldn't recover
from the shock.  It was all the doctor could do to keep the baby alive.
Dr. Dyer was a good doctor and kept up with all the latest advancements in
medicine.  However, in a small town a doctor doesn't have the luxury of
state of the art equipment.  Luckily, that year a wealthy patron of the
hospital had given a donation for a natal ward and enough for two new
incubators for premature babies.  The baby was about four weeks premature
and had to remain under hospital care for about a month.

He was a handsome boy.  Fair of complection, beautiful blue eyes, and blond
hair. The boys would visit him two or three times a week and wave at him
behind the glass.  Oatie took one look at the kid and giggled.  He knew
immediately who the baby's father was.  He shared it with his brothers.
They had to admit he might be right.

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

It was Morgan's plan to have another son.  He hadn't counted on Judy
dying. There was no way in hell the judge in the county was going to let
Morgan have the boy.  He tried to claim the boy was his and he should be
allowed to raise it.  The judge ordered him to have Dr. Dyer do a sperm
count.  He would make a decision based on the doctor's report.  Morgan
reluctantly submitted to the test with highest hopes.  The doctor could
find no motile sperm. Once again his plans to have a kid were foiled by
powers greater than himself.  Waddie told him once he wasn't meant to have
children and God was going to see to it he didn't.

Waddie and Gip got another visit from Mr. Urial.  This time Oatie and Clyde
were present.  They were wowed but not as afraid as some adults.  Children
accept angels easier than grown folks.  Some see them frequently; some talk
to them.  Mr. Urial told Waddie to have the Dyer's adopt the little girl,
Sissy.  Dr. Dyer would listen to Waddie and for Waddie to tell him the
truth about Sissy's parentage. If Dr. Dyer needed convincing Mr. Urial
would go to him.  He talked it over with Mrs. Dyer and they were thrilled
to adopt Sissy. Mr. Urial appeared to them anyway and told them he
appreciated their generosity and to allow Sissy to be a child of the
greater family.  Mr. Urial also confirmed Oatie's suspicions about the
father of the boy.

Waddie insisted on knowing whether these children had souls or were they
`meat machines.'  Mr. Urial laughed and complemented Waddie for paying
attention all those years ago. He assured Waddie that both children had
souls.  Sissy's soul was of the purest of innocence and the boy had a small
portion of his father's well developed soul.  The spark was there.

The boys wanted to know what should be done for the boy child.  Mr. Urial
told them, he and his Boss decided it was time for Waddie to start making
decisions on his own.  Since Waddie made the decision to help the baby into
the world they would leave it up to him to make sure the child had a good
life.  They were sure he'd make the right decision. They were proud of all
of the boys.

Linda Sue and Buck came forward to care for the baby until a home could be
found.  They talked between themselves about adopting the boy.  There was
something unusual about the child.  From their experiences with the boys
the unusual became common place for Dan, Buck, Lyle and Don.  They never
knew what to expect from the four of them.  Buck was use to the unusual by
now and had his own suspicions.  He didn't know how but he knew who would.
He was ready to bet Dan his new pony.  Dan didn't accept the bet.  He knew
the boys as well as Buck.  He wasn't surprised by anything they came up
with.

Buck and Linda Sue talked with Waddie and asked him what he thought about
having a little brother.  Waddie wouldn't talk to them about it until his
brother and his other dad and mom were there. Waddie secretly hoped Dad Dan
and Jimmy Sue might want to adopt the boy but if his dad and mom wanted him
that badly he would go along with their wishes.  He wouldn't mind having
his own little brother.

The family sat down to dinner.  After a while, conversation came around to
the baby.  Buck knew something was up because Waddie insisted they all be
there to discuss it.  Buck also knew it was of major importance to Gip and
Waddie because they valued Dan and Jimmy Sue's opinion.  Buck didn't feel
the least threatened, in fact, he was glad they included them.  Buck
started the conversation.
  
"Son, I know you so well by now, I know you wouldn't have all of us
together if you and Gip didn't have some larger interest in this baby other
than who raises him. I'm glad you wanted your other set of parents here
because it would seem to be of considerable importance to you both.  Am I
right?"

"Yes, Sir, Dad." said Waddie

"Yes, Sir, Uncle Buck." added Gip.

"Do you boys know something about this baby we don't?"

"Yes, Sir, Dad."  said Waddie again.  Gip didn't answer this time.
 
"Do you know who the father of the baby is?"

"Yes, Dad, we do."  Waddie said hanging his head and looking to Gip for
support.  Gip took Waddie's hand.  There was a long silence.  Finally,
Waddie nodded to Gip.

"He's Waddie's son, Uncle Buck."  Gip told them.  Buck wasn't prepared for
that.  Neither was the other three parents at the table.  They all gasped
in unison and there was a deadly silence around the table.

"What?  How?  Son, you didn't...?"  asked Buck amazed. He looked at Dan who
shook his head at Buck not to press.  Let them get it out.

"Waddie would never touch that woman, Uncle Buck, you should know that.
It's not what you might think.  Waddie had nothing to do with it.  He
couldn't have.  I haven't let him out of my sight for the last year."  Gip
giggled, he realized how it sounded, "Truth is, since he got out of the
hospital, we haven't been apart long enough for him to have done anything
like that without me know about it.  Besides, you know we wouldn't lie
about something like this.  It's too damn serious.  It ain't a giggle to
us, I'll tell you.

He and I were playing around with condoms in Morgan's barn one afternoon a
couple of weeks after Sissy was born.  Waddie filled one and I didn't.  He
threw it in Morgan's trash barrel.  We don't know the rest but Mr. Urial
confirmed the baby was Waddie's."  said Gip.

"Oh my God!  Dear sweet Lord!  My brother would try anything to have
another child.  He would have, too, if Judy hadn't died.  It's not like I
can chastize him for it.  I can't prove he did it.  Waddie and Gip have no
proof other than Mr. Urial's statement. While that's certainly good enough
for us it wouldn't hold up in a court of law.  I'd say the good Lord
blocked him in every way from having a kid.  I don't know that we have to
send a message to him.  If he doesn't get this message from God then
nothing we could say is going to get through.  What are we supposed to do
with the child, did Mr. Urial say?" Buck asked Gip.

"Yes, Sir.  He said he and his Boss agreed it was time Waddie started
making some decisions on his own.  They have faith he'll do the right thing
for the child, since the boy is his son and he was largely responsible for
the baby's birth.  Because the baby's soul is a spark from Waddie's soul,
he should be the one to make that decision and name him."  There was
another silence around the table you could cut with a knife.

"Dad, Mom, Dad Dan, Momma Sue, I want you to know I had no idea Morgan did
this and I'm as shocked as you are.  Gip and I are still kids.  I'm too
damn young to be a father.  I was careless with my,---but who would've
guessed Morgan would do a thing like that.  I didn't insist we try to give
this child a chance because I knew he was my son.  How was I to know?  I
did it because he was one of God's critters that needed help.  Maybe
Mr. Urial whispered to me and Gip to save the child.  It's not beyond the
realm of possibility.  Look at him, he looks just like dad and me. Weren't
you suspicious, Dad?"

"Yes, Son, but I had a damn good idea who would know the answers to my
questions.  Not because I think you and Gip are bad boys; on the contrary,
I think you both are blessed and like your aunt insists, touched by the
hand of God.  With that in mind, I've come to expect the unusual from you
two, but this one,---this one outdoes all the rest, right?"  Buck looked at
Momma Sue, Dan and Linda Sue.  Dan just shook his head in disbelief and the
two women nodded agreement.

"Nothing you four could come to me with will ever shock me again. I think
your mother's made up her mind,..."  Buck paused for a moment to look at
Linda Sue.  She smiled and nodded at him, "we'd like to raise him as our
own.  After all, Son, he's gonna' look like you and me, but your mom and I
will respect your decision."

"I asked Dad Dan and Momma Sue to be here to ask them if they'd given any
thought to raising him?"

"God bless you for thinking of us, Son, but under the circumstances I think
he should be kept in the Claymore family.  Momma?"  Dan turned to Jimmy
Sue.

"I agree, Waddie.  It's sweet of you to think of us but he is, after all, a
Claymore.  No one can deny that.  He would eventually be pulled to you and
Buck anyway.  Look how your dad was pulled to you when he didn't have a
clue you were his son."  Momma Sue said to Waddie.

"That's true, Momma Sue, but give me some credit.  Weren't no way in hell I
was gonna' let go of my old man once I got me hooks into him.  I actively
worked at carving my initials on his heart."  they all laughed and Buck
beamed at Waddie.

"You didn't have to do a whole hell of a lot.  You had me the minute I
walked into that hospital room." said Buck.

"All right then, it looks like Gip and I have another cowboy brother to
learn to rope'n ride.  The Crenshaws will go out of their minds.  He's the
fifth son Thane told us I would bring them.  Are you sure, Mom, you and dad
want this responsibility?  I'll expect you to show him the same love you've
shown me. I never want him lied to. If he's raised not knowing and not
asking then no one has to say anything.  If he does ask, I don't want him
lied to, `cause I ain't gonna' deny him if he does.  Until that day
arrives, if it does, he's Gip and my little brother and you're dad and mom.
Is that fair with everyone?"  he asked his family.  Buck got up from the
table and came around to take Waddie in his arms.  He held him for a
minute.

"Of course that's fair with everyone.  I wish every kid had advocates like
you, Gip and the boys to look after them, Son.  The world would be a much
better place."  Buck allowed.

Linda Sue took him in her arms and gently thanked him for his
understanding.  She hugged and kissed him. The family laughed as Gip
proceeded to call Waddie `dad' for the rest of the evening.  Poor Waddie
would respond by rolling his eyes toward heaven to everyone's laughter.  He
had to laugh about it, here he was a father at eleven years old.

"Once again, I'm proud of our boys and I have a feeling we're gonna' be
equally proud of this boy.  Have you decided a name for him, Waddie."  Dan
Justin asked.

"That's the easy part.  His name will be, `Daniel Thane Gipson Claymore.'"
Waddie smiled and winked at Dad Dan.  Dan Justin immediately pulled out his
bandana and started wiping his eyes.  There was a minutes pause for them to
absorb the meaning of the names Waddie would give the child.

"Damn!  Those are perfect names for him, Son."  said Buck.  They all
agreed.

"Will you be his Godparents, Dad Dan and Momma Sue?" Waddie asked.

"We'd be proud to, Waddie."  Dad Dan said without hesitation.

"Will you be my Godparents as well?"  there was another hush fell over the
family.  In all the excitement of the last year no one considered Waddie no
longer had Godparents.

Dan Justin got up and took him in his arms and looked into his eyes.

"How could we have forgotten something as important as that?  We were all
so taken with a miracle we forgot the day to day things.  You don't even
have to ask, Son.  You know Momma Sue and I will be proud and honored to be
your Godparents.  We'll accept both of you in the same ceremony.

Birth/adoption announcements were sent out to everyone.  In the
announcement sent to the Crenshaws, Waddie wrote a letter specifically for
Randy and Sarah Crenshaw and Gus and Dora Franz explaining what happened.
He left it up to them who they wanted to know about this.  He explained how
their fifth new son was his biological child.  They were flabbergasted.
They were happy for Buck and Linda Sue but didn't know what to think about
Waddie and Gip.  Gus came through for them.

"Granted the boy has seen some unusual things in his short life.  We know
he's watched and guided.  There's not a soul sitting here that doesn't know
that.  He certainly made the right decision for the baby.  To be raised by
the Sheriff and his wife with Waddie, Gip and their two brothers for a big
brothers, how could he help but not grow up to be a fine man?"  they all
agreed.  Dad and Ma Crenshaw were wowed by what Waddie named the boy.  They
were so touched he gave him Thane's name.  It meant a lot to them.  They
knew how much he loved and appreciated Thane.

The Justins, Dan and Jimmy Sue, were inducted in a service after church
Easter Sunday morning as Waddie Buckley Justin Claymore and Daniel Thane
Gipson Claymore's Godparents.  The baby was baptized and Waddie was
re-baptized with his new names.  The new names were added to his birth
certificate and recorded in the county.

The entire town was there except Morgan.  He didn't think he could handle
seeing another son that was almost his going to his brother.  He railed at
God and the powers that be but in the end he knew it was as Waddie told
him.  He was not meant to father children.  Waddie told him God would see
to that.  He finally asked a prayer of forgiveness and once again Morgan
Stanley Lovejoy began the long slow process of healing.

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

>From the time of Judy's death Morgan was alone.  His dreams of family had
faded.  He turned more and more to Buck's family group and was welcomed.
After Waddie healed there was no more threat from Willie and he had no
problems resuming his chores taking care of his dad's ponies and Morgan's
stock.  The final death knell for Morgan's dreams of family rang after the
boys turned Willie and his gang over to the feds for breaking into the box
car.  Morgan was devastated that his step-son was involved in the crime.
Willie never liked Morgan and Morgan never really liked Willie.  It was
sort of a mixed blessing to Morgan.

While he was happy Waddie stuck it to Willie and paid Willie back in spades
after framing Waddie all those year he still had pangs of his dedication to
the ideal of family. As stubborn and hardheaded as Morgan could be he
finally learned to stop defending them to the rest of the family.  It
certainly didn't go well for him with the Cotton Belt Railroad.  Even
though he wasn't involved with the crime there remained suspicion; possible
guilt by association..

Waddie told the feds he knew about the stash of illegal weapons for a
number of years but was afraid Willie would do to harm to him and that's
exactly what he did. Waddie was afraid Willie would physically hurt and
attempt to kill him if he found out Waddie knew.  He recounted the number
of times Willie threatened to kill him over little things like if he
snitched on Willie to Morgan.  They seemed to understand and asked if his
dad at the time, Morgan had any idea the boys broke into the box car.

Waddie assured them he didn't.  He was totally innocent of any knowledge.
Morgan was present along with Buck, Linda Sue, Dan, Jimmy Sue, Gip, Oatie,
Ed, Agatha, Clyde, and Judge Potter when the feds interviewed Waddie and
the boys in the hospital.

"Why didn't you tell your dad about finding the guns and ammunition hidden
in Willie's closet earlier, Waddie?"one of the federal agents ask him.

"I just told you, I was afraid of Willie.  Morgan wouldn't have believed me
and, I knew it would hurt him a lot find out.  Beside's my angel told me
he'd let me know when to turn Willie and his gang in."

"Your angel, Son?"  the man asked sneering at Waddie with a half smile on
his face.

"You don't want to go down that path, Sir," spoke the Sheriff, "too many
people have seen and talked with Waddie's angel."

"Yeah, how many?"  he challenged.  Slowly Oatie, Gip, then Clyde raised
their hands followed by Ed, Dan, and Agatha.  Finally Buck raised his hand
along with Dr. Dyer."  the federal agent looked stricken and shook his
head.  He probably though they were just protecting their own.

"Besides you have enough information.  The boys handed me and you the
guilty parties plus you regained the stolen goods.  They couldn't have
provided us with more solid evidence plus they went out of their way to
protect the railroad's property so's Willie and his gang couldn't dispose
of it.  They told three adults they could trust that was their plan and
they had no intentions of keeping it for themselves."

"That's right!" stated Judge Potter, "These boys weren't negligent if
that's what you're getting at.  They were five to ten years old during this
period.  They knew nothing of the responsibilities of reporting a crime.
They're children for God's sake.  You'd have to try them in my court and
you wouldn't get to first base let alone get a prosecutor in the state that
would touch it.  You think for one minute you'd get a jury in this town to
say these boys did anything wrong.  I believe in justice tempered with
mercy.  You got your justice now show a little mercy.  Call off your dogs
Mr. Grimes unless you want one hell of a lot of bad PR in the state of
Texas."

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

Nothing more was said but the representative of the Cotton Belt Railroad
told the boys there was a reward for information leading to the capture and
conviction of the guilty.  He took their names and parents address.  Sure
enough, several months after Willie was sent off to prison four checks
arrived.  One for each of the boys for a hundred dollars.  Waddie and Gip
put theirs in their rodeo account their dads were managing for them.

Waddie helped out considerably in taking care of his baby brother.  The
baby slept in his room and he would get up, change him, feed him and rock
him back to sleep.  He almost became Gip and Waddie's child.  No one tried
to stop them.  It was easier on Linda Sue and Buck.  They didn't have to
get up in the night and have their rest interrupted.  Once in a while the
boys would take a break and stay at the Justin's and then Linda Sue and
Buck would take care of Danny Thane.  They would call Buck and Linda Sue
every thirty minutes,

"Did he finish his bottle?  Did you burp him?  Does he feel hot to you?  Is
he getting sleepy?  Have you done this?  Have you done that?  Oh and don't
forget,"----on and on.  Buck finally told them the baby was fine; stop
calling.

As time went by Danny Thane became a child of the family.  Ma and Pa
Lovejoy were thrilled. They had another grandson to spoil.  Ma and Pa
Claymore fell in love with him.  The Tate's had to have him visit.  Like
all the other boys, Danny Thane fell in love with Quinton.  He loved going
to the Tate's to visit because he got to sleep with his handsome Uncle
Quinton.

Aunt Agatha couldn't wait until his was old enough to get on a bus and come
to Dallas.  She didn't have to wait too long.  By the time he was three he
made the trip with his four big brothers to their Auntie Boo's.  He was a
bit to young for initiation into the `Old Password Society;' however, his
big brother Waddie shared just a sip with him.  He sputtered and made a
face at the strong alcohol burn.  Waddie put his arm around him, hugged him
tight and stole a kiss.

They sent pictures of Danny Thane to the Crenshaws and Franz.  They had
them spread across their bulletin boards in their family room.  The Franzs
had their's on the fridge door.  They sent pictures back of Cowboy Waddie
and the twins, Kent and Brent.  Waddie and Gip had them in Buck and Linda
Sue's family room.

As Danny Thane got older he slept with Waddie and Gip.  Sometimes they
would get a break when the family would take him for a weekend, Dan and
Jimmy Sue would take him or Linda Sue and Buck but most times he was with
the boys.  No kid got more love and attention.

They didn't forget about Sissy either.  They visited her and the Dyers a
lot.  They went to her birthday parties.  The Dyers would bring her to
family functions, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Dyers were so much in
love with her.  She became a lovely little girl that had the innocents of a
saint.  She did a hundred and eighty degree turn around from the dour, sad
faced baby Gip and Waddie found that afternoon. She had no concept of
meanness.  Life was good to her so she thought it only natural to be good
and love those who were good to her.  She was accepted by all.

She especially loved her little brother, Danny Thane.  No one worried about
telling her he was her little brother because she was told Waddie, Gip,
Oatie and Clyde were her big brothers. Oatie and Clyde were as good to the
two kids as Waddie and Gip were.  Sissy worshiped them.

At first the Dyers were somewhat dismayed but they soon learned the
importance of sharing a child with a large family.  The Lovejoys would take
her for a weekend.  The Claymore loved to spoil her for a weekend.  The
Tate's gave her a room of her own and Quinton loved his little sister.  The
Justins would have her for a weekend and Linda Sue and Buck couldn't resist
her charms either.  She was growing up in a community of folks that loved
and cared for her.

Much like the way the boys were growing up.  Oatie and Clyde were gone from
their homes most of the summer.  Gip and Waddie were here and there.  No
one ever worried where any of the kids were.  They were always where they
said they'd be.

So it became with Danny Thane.  He became the center of attention for the
family.  He and Sissy certainly never had to worry about whether they were
going to have a birthday party or a gift under the Christmas tree from
Santa.  Fuck the sleigh, Santa arrived with a dump truck full of goodies
for the kids and backed it up to the front door of the Justin's home.

Santa subcontracted with the Moanback Brothers Heavy Duty Haulers, Inc*.,
for this unusual delivery.  Instead of hearing, "On dancer, on prancer...."
you heard, "Moan back!  Moan back!" Crash! "Hold it!  That's good!"

Christmas became a time for the children as it should be.  The joy of
Christmas was making it as memorable and happy for the kids as possible.
It was never dwelled on about their births nor parentage.  They became so
deeply ensconced within the family they became theirs.  They simply
belonged to the family.  Finally, the Dyers realized the greater joy of
sharing a child with family.  They ultimately reaped the greater rewards of
sharing Sissy.  Danny Thane became as much theirs as the rest of the
family.
	
After a while, Morgan began to see how the two children were developing and
knew it was God's will.  They were truly becoming loving members of a
wonderful, full family that accepted them as their own. He asked Waddie if
he knew who Danny Thanes father was?

"Yes, Morgan, I know."

"How did you find out?"

"My angel told me the night he was born.  He came to Gip and I and told me
since he was my son I had to decide a future for him."

"Do you plan to tell him?"

"Not unless he asks.  If that never happens then my dad will be his dad and
I will be his big brother.  You won't tell him either, Morgan."

"I probably won't but what makes you say that?"

"Surely you've learned enough by now to know what's right and what's wrong.
What you did with my seed without my permission was wrong.  Must I live the
rest of my life correcting your wrongs?"

Morgan hung his head and didn't answer.  He once again asked Waddie's
forgiveness.

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

By the time Danny Thane was five years old the family had to label all
pictures because you couldn't tell the difference between Danny Thane or
Waddie at that age.  Pictures would get mixed up and no one could tell.
Danny Thane inherited all the Claymore physical attributes.  He was going
to be as big as his granddad Buck but not as big as his dad, Waddie.  The
community called them Big Buck, Buck Junior and Baby Buck.

They had Sissy and Danny Thane on horse back buy the age of five and six.
Sissy developed a natural affinity for horses.  She loved them and they
loved her.  They had a sense that something was a little different with
Sissy and they went out of their way to treat her kindly.  She could talk
to a horse and get him to do anything she wanted.  Of course she was an
easy touch and they all had her number.

At six years of age Danny Thane discovered he was named after Dad Dan, one
of the Crenshaw boys that his big brother Waddie knew and loved, and his
big brother Gip.  Danny Thane announced at Thanksgiving dinner that year he
would no longer answer to the name Danny Thane he wanted to be called
`Gip.'  There was a silence around the table you could hear your heartbeat.
There were a couple of giggles.  Dan smiled and looked at Buck.  Buck
started to speak to him and Gip interrupted.

"Uncle Buck,---remember,---once I was called George and a handsome young
cowboy told me that weren't my name.  He was right."  Buck instantly
changed his demeanor and looked around the table.  He saw in every face,
the jury of his peers, their unanimous vote,... Gip was right!

"Well, then, I guess we'll have to get use to Big Gip and Little Gip."  he
said quietly as if the matter was closed.  Everyone laughed and applauded.
From that day on it was Big Gip and Little Gip.  Little Gip was drawn to
his big brother Gip like a magnet. He worshiped Big Gip.  It made Waddie
wonder if Little Gip didn't get that spark of his soul that loved his
brother so much.

The four boys were growing up fast.  They were freshmen in high school and
interested in everything. They were never more dangerous. They played some
awful pranks on a number of the town's people.  They were never
meanspirited but most times the didos were painfully funny. Poor Quinton
was the brunt of a lot their pranks.  They always did something special for
him to make up for some mischief. Folks laughed and talked for years about
some of the shit those boys did to Quinton.

They were all interested in sports and made the first string all four years
on the high school football team.  Of course, that wasn't too hard. If
anyone of them didn't play they didn't have enough for a team.  They
lettered in football all four years and the last three years were division
champs.  They also lettered in basketball and baseball.

Waddie, Gip, Oatie and Clyde would spend two weeks in the fall helping get
the hay in for all the ranchers.  They'd walk behind those huge flat bed
trucks and throw hundred fifty pound bails of hay onto the flatbed one arm
at a time.  They would do that day in and day out, sun up to sun down, for
two weeks.  At the end of that two weeks the four of them looked like Greek
Gods.  Their upper body development, their arms, their legs and thighs were
massive.

They ran all over most of their competition.  Gip became a pretty fair
quarterback and could bomb Waddie or Oatie anywhere on the field.  Clyde
grew into a huge man, bigger than his dad, and was a guard.  He didn't let
anyone get through.  They all were offered athletic scholarships to several
colleges but they didn't take them.  They were more interested in being
cowboys and rodeoing.  It's all they talked about.  Gip and Waddie couldn't
be beaten as at team.  Oatie and Clyde were pretty fair as team ropers but
couldn't compete with Waddie and Gip.

Oatie got interested in saddle bronc and bull riding.  Clyde turned out to
be bigger than Waddie and got into bulldogin' steers.  He got damn good at
it, too, and won top prize money at all the local rodeos. Dad Dan had a
barrel with a saddle on it held in the air by four ropes attached to
rafters in the barn.  Each rope was attached to a garage door spring at the
rafters and gave the barrel a lot of spring to pitch it to and fro.  The
cowboy sat in the saddle and one man would stand at either corner of the
ropes and try their damndest to buck him off.  It simulated a bull ride or
a saddle bronc pretty damn good.

Waddie, Gip and Clyde couldn't stay on it more that three to five seconds.
Certainly not the eight seconds it took to win.  But Oatie was like
somebody glued his ass to the saddle with Elmer's glue. The boys would talk
Lyle, Quinton, Buck and Dan into manning the ropes to try to buck Oatie off
and they couldn't.  He had some strange concentration that kept him in the
saddle.  He sometimes looked like he was performing a ballet of a bronc
riding cowboy.  It was a sight most folks don't get to see except from a
really talented rider. Oatie had all the classic moves down pat.

He worried Lyle, Buck, Dan and Quinton because he was fool hearty.  He was
a showoff and took a lot of needless chances; however, those are the
cowpokes that win the money.
 
Buck talked the town Chamber of Commerce into funding a rodeo arena and
park area to be paid for and maintained out of city funds.  They weren't
much for it.  They grumbled a lot but generally what Buck asked for he got.
He didn't ask for a lot but he thought it would improve the towns economy
to have an annual county fair and rodeo.  A huge area was set aside and
planted with trees and irrigated.  A nice sized rodeo arena was built with
stands on either side and an announcer's box.

It was built and planted when the boys were in the sixth grade.  It got the
entire county involved and was a huge success.  Each year they learned from
their mistakes from the year before until the city fathers were paid back
their initial investment ten time over after only five years.  Buck became
a local hero to the town merchants.  The rodeo was on the fourth of July
every year.

The boys were active in the rodeos and participated in almost every event.
Gip and Waddie would go up against mature men that were damn good ropers
and win.  They won a lot of prize money and their dads cleaned up on
private bets.  A lot of money changed hands during those rodeos.  Clyde
would ride bulls and bulldog steers.  Oatie would ride saddle broncs and
bareback.  His dad, Lyle, forbid Oatie to ride bulls.  Don Rayborn didn't
like Clyde riding bulls but old Clyde seemed to know what he was doing.  He
got off and out of their way quick enough.
   
It was the summer of the boys sophomore year in high school.  The next year
they would be juniors.  The fourth of July rodeo came around and they
entered all the events they were interested in.  That year the rodeo board
hired a stock contractor to bring in the rodeo stock. For the first few
years they'd used local stock from ranches around the area.  That year they
decided to do it up right and get some professional rodeo stock.

Word soon got around that there were some pretty mean critters that had
never been ridden before.  Lyle and Buck went to look over the stock the
boys would possibly be riding and picked out two saddle broncs and one bull
they decided their boys weren't gonna' tangle with.  They were mean ass
ornery critters that had never been ridden before.  Men got on them plenty
of times but were off long before the eight second buzzer.

Lyle, Buck and Don told Oatie and the boys if they drew any of the two
broncs they wouldn't allow, the boy had to forfeit.  Not to worry, their
dads would pay their fees and they wouldn't be out anything.  They told
Clyde and Oatie there was one bull that they were not to ride under any
circumstances.  His name was `Widow Maker' Well, every cowboy knows to win
you have to ride the roughest stock and stay on him for eight seconds.  A
lot of times a cowboy would draw a pony or a bull and swap with another
cowboy for some reason or another.  Many times it was because of
superstition.

The two broncs they weren't to try to ride were named `Whirlwind' and `Fat
Boy.'  Whirlwind, because the pony would spin and spin while bucking to get
the rider off.  Fat Boy, because he came out of the chute like an atom
bomb.  Of course, Oatie drew Fat Boy.  He told his buddies to be quiet and
by the time the announcer announced his name and the horse he was riding
he'd be out the gate and his dad couldn't say nothing.  He tipped the
announcer ten bucks not to announce his ride `til he gave him the signal.
Oatie's turn on old Fat Boy came around and the pony had fire in his eyes.
Didn't bother Oatie a bit.  He was cool as a cucumber.  He got squared away
in the saddle and waved to the announcer.

"Next, ladies and gentlemen, coming out of chute number two, we have a
local young man, Oatie Rawlings, son of Chief Deputy and Mrs. Lyle
Rawlings.  Oatie will be coming out on a horse that ain't never been ridden
before, Fat Boy."

>From across the arena came a booming bass-baritone voice.

"God---damn it, Oatie!  Your dad and I told you not to ride that damn
bronc!  If the son of a bitch don't kill you you're gonna' get the spanking
of your young life from the sheriff of this, here, county.  Now get down
off that damn pony, right now!"  yelled Buck to everyone's amusement and
laughter.

"He means it, Oatie!  I'm a' gonna' hold ya' while he does it, too,
Cowboy!" Lyle hollered.

The crowd roared with laughter.  All that could be heard was Oatie's giggle
above everything as he yelled, "Let `em buck, boys!  Open that damn chute!"

The gate was thrown open and Fat Boy shot out of the gate like a roman
candle, arched his back and gave three huge jumps, each one higher in the
air than the other.  Oatie was glued to the saddle.  He had one hand
holding the rope to keep him in the saddle and in his other hand his cowboy
hat waving it to and fro as Fat Boy pitched and bucked.  Every time the
damn pony hit the ground, Oatie would spur the son of a bitch harder and
send it into another round of bucks, spins and kicks.

The crowd rose to their feet at six seconds cheering for Oatie to go all
the way.  This kid was gonna' be the first to ride Fat Boy.  Oatie stuck to
him like velcro until the eight second buzzer sounded.  The crowd went
crazy cheering for Oatie, they were so happy for him.  Oatie didn't wait
for the pick up men.  He jumped down off the horse like it was all in a
days work for a good hand.  He took his cowboy hat and sailed it high into
the air. The crowd was cheering, whistling and applauding.  The announcer
was speechless.

"Oatie's score was ninety-eight point nine points for that great ride
folks.  Now that's the way a cowboy rides a bronc."

The crowd went crazy for Oatie as he swaggered over, picked up his hat and
bowed to the audience in a sweeping gesture with his hat.  It was Oatie's
moment in the spotlight and he was loving it.  It was short lived.  He
didn't see the sheriff of the county and his chief deputy jump into the
arena and was fast approaching from opposite sides.

The crowd must have thought it was part of the show and started laughing.
The announcer warned Oatie the strong arm of the law was about to catch up
with him; he'd better run.  Oatie saw the two big men coming faster that a
Texas tornado and started running for his life.  He once again tossed his
hat in the air. He was giggling at the top of his voice, hooting and
laughing, trying to get away from the men.  He almost did it, too.  All the
while yelling,

"Now, Uncle Buck,---Dad, you don't mean this! You don't really want to
spank me in front of all these folks.  Come'mon guys have a heart, I rode
the damn thing!  Didn' nigh?"

Buck caught him, held him as his dad undid his levis and pulled `em down to
his boot tops. All of Oatie was hanging out for the audience to see.  There
were audible gasps.  The announcer didn't know his mike was on,

"Som'bitch, would ja' look at the dick on `nat kid?" then he fell out
laughing.  The audience couldn't be contained they were laughing so hard.
Buck bent Oatie over his knee and gave him five good smacks on his bare
butt.  Oatie was still giggling and squealing with glee.  Finally, Buck and
Lyle were laughing so hard they couldn't spank Oatie any more.  Buck pulled
him up and yelled right in his face.

"If you ever do anything that damn stupid again I'll lock your ass up for a
month on bread and water.  Great ride, Son! Proud of ya'!  Now, gimme' a
kiss, you little shit!"  Oatie threw his arms around Buck with his pants
still down to his boot tops, his ass hanging out, perfectly framed by his
chaps, and kissed Buck right on the mouth as the crowd cheered and
applauded.  Flash bulbs were going off all over the place.  Folks couldn't
get enough pictures.  Lyle was next.  He grabbed Oatie grimaced, smiled
real big then hugged and kissed him, too.  Oatie made sure he turned toward
the audience before he pulled up his pants.  Flash bulbs went off on
hundreds of cameras including the local newspaper who ran the story but
blacked out Oatie's dick.  Oatie was crushed. There were wolf whistles and
cat calls but more than a little applause.  They did publish the picture
with the Deputy Sheriff kissing his son and you could see a large hand
print on Oatie's butt.

"Now, that,---ladies and gentlemen, is a cowpoke!"  said the announcer and
laughed his ass off again.  The crowd was going crazy as Oatie got his hat
and took one more bow before leaving the arena.  He got a standing ovation.
Everyone was on their feet.  Lyle and Buck never again tried to stop Oatie
or Clyde from riding any animal they wanted.  Oatie and Clyde won the top
prize money for riding that year. Waddie and Gip won the team roping.

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

Clyde grew taller and bigger than his Dad and all the boys.  He was just a
little bigger than Waddie.  Clyde and Waddie were devoted to each other.
However, Clyde's main man was Oatie.  He loved Oatie from that first day he
gave Clyde a busted lip and never stopped loving him.  He loved to fuck
Oatie.  As big a dick as Oatie had he loved to have Clyde fuck him.  Clyde
wasn't a small man either. He was every bit as big as Gip and Waddie.

Oatie claimed Clyde was better'n his old man, Lyle.  That was hard for
Waddie and Gip to believe but they never asked Clyde to prove it.  They
couldn't get the silly grin off Oatie's face for hours and he was always so
calm and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon.  Sometimes Oatie would be
on a tear, frenetic as hell, about to drive the other three boys crazy.
Clyde would nod to Waddie and Gip behind Oatie's back.

Waddie and Gip would grab him, pull his pants down and hold him while Clyde
lovingly fucked the snot out of him.  Oatie would scream and holler but
after Clyde gently worked his way up into Oatie's butt, Gip and Waddie knew
the exact moment to let go.  Oatie would raise up off the bail of hay and
push himself down on Clyde as far as he could.  He didn't want to waste a
bit of Clyde's sweet dick Clyde would lock his big arms around Oatie's
front, pull Oatie up to him, kiss Oatie behind his ear and then gently and
lovingly fuck his buddy.

Oatie would reach back and kiss Clyde over his shoulder and turn back
around to give his buddy the best ride he could.  Waddie and Gip would sit
on a hay bail and urge them on, talking dirty to them.  They'd pull out
their dicks and play with each other while watching Clyde fuck his little
buddy.  If Oatie had any inhibitions he would lose them and go bananas
while Clyde fucked him.  He would slam his ass back as hard as Clyde was
fucking him.

Clyde wouldn't take too long to shoot, then he'd sit on a bail of hay and
make Oatie continue sitting on him while he gently but forcibly fucked him.
Clyde wouldn't let him go until Oatie shot.  He'd continue fucking him as
Oatie played with himself.  When Oatie came he'd sometimes shoot six feet
across the barn.  For the rest of the afternoon the boys would have a
delightful, thoughtful, quiet companion that had a silly grin on his face
and blush every time he looked at his big handsome cowboy.

Once Buck and Dan asked Waddie and Gip how it was that sometimes Oatie
would be so frenetic and the boys would take him down to the critter barn
and he'd come back so calm and relaxed.  They couldn't get it out they were
laughing so hard when they related the story to Buck and Dan.  They laughed
and laughed and would giggle every time they saw that silly smile on
Oatie's face.  Buck laughed but told Oatie he understood `cause his dad,
Lyle, did the same for the Sheriff.

The years between the birth of Judy's two kids and the end of high school
was like living an idyllic dream.  Mr. Urial came to the boys one last time
shortly before they entered high school.  He praised them for their
accomplishments and told them to enjoy themselves in high school.  He told
them to be sure to remember others, and be kind to one another.  The angel
told them they wouldn't see him for a long while but he was convinced they
would lead their lives in goodness and peace.

Waddie and Gip grew in stature and love for their brothers and community.
The four boys were loved by everyone in return.  The town followed the
young men in every pursuit they made.  Every weekend the four boys were off
rodeoing with their dads and winning a lot of money.  Rarely a weekend went
by the boys and their dads didn't bring home prize money.  Oatie and Clyde
got better and better at riding bulls and broncs.  Oatie started riding
bulls as well or better than Clyde.  The only thing he couldn't do was
bulldog steers.  He was tall enough but Oatie never put on the weight Clyde
and Waddie did.  Gip remained pretty slender as well.  They were both as
well developed as Waddie and Clyde but were strong and quick rather than
bull their way through like Waddie and Clyde would do.

Since their class was so small in high school the twelve of them bonded and
spent wonderful times together.  They were all the time at one of them's
house for a party, a birthday, or just a Saturday night get together.
Sometimes they'd all go to the only movie in town.  No one had steady dates
but certain girls gravitated to certain boys.  Jannie Anderson couldn't
make up her mind who she liked better Waddie or Clyde.  She'd usually ended
up sitting between them holding both their hands.

It wasn't until the boys could drive that real dating took place.  Jannie
was always Waddie's first choice for a date.  She was Clyde's as well but
he knew that Jannie and Waddie were becoming an item.  They started going
steady and Gip began going steady with Bonnie Tyler.  Clyde and Oatie had
their favorites but never went steady.  Mr. and Mrs. Franz couldn't have
been happier that Jannie was going steady with the boy that had protected
and looked out for her all through school.

Waddie was more than just a date for Jannie.  He was family for cries sake.
He always had Jannie home at the exact time he said he would and Bubba
assured Carol she never had to worry about that boy taking advantage of
their daughter.  Better they should worry about their daughter not pushing
Waddie to far.

One time they were late getting home but they called Bubba for help.
Waddie had a flat and found the spare on the truck was flat as well.  Bubba
brought him a good spare.  They slapped it on and returned to the Franzs.
Waddie was all apologies to Carol and Bubba but there was nothing he could
do about it.  It only made Carol trust him more.

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

Boys will be boys and girls too.  That statement should be enough to paint
a picture of the conundrum that Waddie, Gip and the other two boys began to
go through as their hormones kicked in and started playing havoc with their
minds.  What they all had been so sure about before was now fading in the
past as part of one long summer when they were buddies.  Girls took on new
meaning and became the topic of conversation most of the time.  The more
time Waddie spent with Jannie the more he could feel Gip and him drifting
apart.

The summer of their junior year was a time of great closeness between the
boys and yet there were things they didn't talk about anymore.  It came to
a head that summer with Waddie.  The next year would be the best year of
their lives but the world was unsettled and none knew which way their paths
would take them.  For the month of June and through their birthdays Waddie
was withdrawn and didn't communicate well with anybody.  He wasn't mean nor
impatient.  He got along and went through the motions but didn't seem
interested in much of anything.  He still did his chores without question
and was faithful to his brothers and family.  His family noticed something
wasn't right and his dads talked to Gip.

"He's your mate, Gip.  He's Dan and my son but we can't get out of him
what's wrong.  He assures the two of us everything's fine.  Do you know
what's eating at him, Son?"


"Naw, Sir, Uncle Buck.  I know never to push my brother.  He'll let me know
when he's ready. I wish it would be soon because we should be having the
greatest time of our lives and he's so melancholy many nights he cries
himself to sleep in my arms.  We still make love and if anything he's
become a wild man.  Waddie's become everything and more than I dreamed a
mate could be.  I have no fear of our bond being broken.  He seems to need
me more now than he ever did.  I just can't get him to talk about what's
bothering him.  Waddie's not mean spirited.  He'll know when it's time to
talk with me.  You might sit him down Uncle Buck and tell him I love him
more today than ever and I want us to have a wonderful year together."

"I'll do that Gip.  I think it's time he and I go out to the lake for a
night of fishing by ourselves.  Everyone in the family is worried about
him.  The only one he'll talk to is his Aunt Agatha and you know her, Son.
She wouldn't relate a word one of you boys told her in confidence.  I know
he's called her three or four time these last few months `cause he
carefully makes note of the calls and pays his mother and I for the
charges.  I've told him he could call her anytime he wanted and we'd pay
for it but you know Waddie.

His mother called Agatha and as close as they are she couldn't get a thing
out of her.  I love that old lady for that, though.  I can't fault her for
being so faithful to you boys.  Every one of you have called her with some
problem or another and she's given freely of her time and counsel to you.
She did tell Linda Sue to be patient with him.  It's something he's having
to work through and we'll know soon enough."

There was one person that Waddie would talk to and met him secretly in his
barn several afternoons to pour his heart out to him; his big brother Ed.
Ed and Waddie had grown to respect and love each other as hero to hero.  Ed
had changed.  He was more happy with his lot in life and his role in the
community.  He went to church regularly and took his wife and kids.  He
became more devoted to his wife but still saw the Sheriff and his boy on
the side occasionally. Buck and Bubba became big friends and spent several
afternoons together in Ed's old barn. Waddie was proud of his older
brother.

They put each other up on a pedestal and valued any time they could share.
They still had sex occasionally but not often because Waddie and Gip were
almost always together.  Waddie didn't lie to Gip about needing to talk to
Ed.  Gip was only too happy for him to see Ed.  It wasn't like Waddie was
spending the night with him.  He'd come back to Gip and make great love to
him almost like he was thanking Gip for understanding.  Waddie would always
seem a little closer to making a breakthrough with whatever was bothering
him after he talked with Ed.

The family tried to keep Oatie and Bubba away from each other if they could
but that was damn near impossible because they were drawn to each other
like lint to felt.  Once they got together and started in nobody could get
anything done.  Everybody would be standing around laughing so hard at the
two of them they would ache.  Yet, they couldn't tear themselves away.
They would play off each other and come up with some of the most outrageous
shit.  Outrageous, but fall down funny.  They had their serious moments too
and between the two of them, they could figure out exactly what was
happening with anyone.  Their brother Waddie wasn't exempt from their
speculation.

Buck was sitting at the table when Oatie and Bubba were speculating about
what was bothering Waddie.

"Clear as day, to me."  said Oatie taking a sip of his Coke.

"Twix'n `twee?"  Bubba said winking at Oatie.  Oatie almost choked on his
soda and nodded.

"Exactly!" laughed Oatie.  "Hell, we're all there, Uncle Bubba.  He's just
afraid to talk about it because he loves deeper than most of us and he'd
die a'fore he hurt anyone he loved.  I know him that well.  One time he
thought he'd hurt my feelings, came to me and cried his heart out
apologizing begging my forgiveness when he really hadn't hurt my feelings
at all.  Most times when my brothers zing me I deserve it `cause I'm
gettin' a little to full of myself.  Hell, that's one of the things I love
most about `em; they can take as well as they give.  I've never had one of
them get angry with me that way."

"What the hell are you two talking about?"  Buck asked in frustration.
Oatie and Bubba roared with laughter and apologized to Buck.  They just
thought he was following the conversation.

"Waddie loves Gip deeply, Brother.  Don't need to tell you that, but he's
falling in love with Jannie as well and it's creating a great pull inside
of him.  Not to worry, he's talking to folks; his aunt and his big brother,
Ed.  He's coming around.  He'll figure it out. I've offered to talk to him
but I'm too near Jannie and he respects me as her dad.  He knows I'm there
for him if he needs me but I think this is a job for the Sheriff.  You
might want to talk to him, Brother.  I think he's to the point he'll
discuss it with you."  said Bubba talking seriously to Buck.

"Why, that good for nothing, Brother of mine,---he's more faithful to my
kid than he is to me!  I talked to him the other afternoon about this very
thing and he didn't even let on he'd talked with Waddie."  Buck roared with
laughter, "Tells ya' a lot about the respect some folks have for my kid,
don't it?"  Oatie and Bubba chuckled and agreed with Buck.

That following weekend there wasn't a rodeo to go to and Buck announced
that Waddie and he were going fishing on the lake and stay in the cabin
Buck's granddad left him.  He told Waddie not to make plans for the coming
weekend because he needed to get away from everybody and he wanted his son
to be with him.  Waddie never said `no' to a chance to be alone with his
old man.  Most of the time Buck was in such demand from the community and
was always involved in helping first one family or another, to spend some
quality time with his boy became a luxury.  When they did and told C.D. and
Carol Franz, no one knew where they were.  They didn't want them disturbed.
If some emergency came up they would contact Buck.

Little Gip was in the summer of his first year in school and wanted to go
with his dad and big bother in the worst way but decided to spend the
weekend sleeping in the arms of his big brother and namesake, Big Gip, was
a little bit of all right, too.  He was growing up fast and was going to be
as good a roper if not better than his big brother.  He and Bubba's first
boy Donny Lyle bonded and were a team.

Buck told C.D. and Linda Sue they'd probably be back Saturday evening.  If
not, then Sunday evening, he didn't know for sure.  Waddie helped his dad
load the truck and got last minute instructions from his mom.  He and his
dad left and arrived at the lake as the sun was going down in the west.  It
was a beautiful sunset.  The sky was ablaze with color.  The two men stood
and watched and silently thanked their Creator.

Waddie was in better spirits all ready just to get away with his dad, by
themselves.  It didn't happen too often when he had his old man's total
attention.  He never minded because he knew how important Buck was to the
community and Waddie was proud to be the son of the Sheriff.  However, Buck
could almost sense when the both of them needed to get away and remind each
other how much they loved one another.  Buck would actually find his heart
aching sometimes to be alone with Waddie and Waddie felt the same.

They carried their boxes of stuff into the cabin and put the perishables
away in the fridge.  Waddie checked and someone had just changed the sheets
on the old bed.  The only other people to use the cabin was C. D. and
Quinton every Thursday night.  They had their own blanket they'd throw over
the bed to protect it.  They never bothered to get under the sheets.  In
the winter they'd light the small heater and it would be plenty warm for
them without their clothes.  After C. D. fucked Quinton for and hour or
more it got a lot hotter in the cabin.

Buck got out the roast beef sandwiches Linda Sue packed for them for
dinner.  He got them a couple of Cokes and they sat down to eat.  They
talked about a lot of things but mostly what Buck brought up to talk about.
Waddie didn't seem to be interested in bringing up anything to talk about.
He wasn't distant from his dad.  He could never be that to the man he loved
above all others in his life. He was troubled and it was beginning to break
Buck's big heart to see his boy that way.  He hadn't felt that helpless
with him since he held him in his arms all those years ago and told him he
had to talk about it sometime.

They finished dinner, cleaned up the place a little and decided to get an
early start to bed for early fishing in the morning.  The two men got
undressed and got into bed.  It was a good size bed that allowed them
enough space to sleep without feeling cramped.  Buck's granddad had built
the bed years ago and his grandmother made the goose down mattress for it.
It was probably the most comfortable bed Waddie ever slept on and he loved
coming to the cabin with his dad.  Waddie had met his great ganddad and
great grandmother when he was in a coma.  He said a word of thanks to them
loud enough for his dad to hear.  Buck chuckled.

"Think they heard you, Son?"

"Do you have any doubts, Dad?"

"Good point, and I have to admit, `no', I don't have a doubt in my mind.  I
know how much you said you thought of our grandparents.  I know you met
them both because of the detailed description of each.  To say nothing of
the stories they told you.  I know I'd never told you and dad said he never
told you those stories.  I thank them too.  I agree with you.  It's one of
my favorite beds as well.  Come'mer, Son, let me hold my boy."

Waddie moved into his dad's big arms and giggled.  They both were stiff as
steel rods.

"I know," sighed Buck, "my boy does that to his old man and obviously his
old man does that to him, too.  I remember that first night you spent with
me you threw off your clothes to make a good impression about obeying my
`no clothes' rule.  You were so proud of yourself and all of a sudden you
got this look of horror on your face as you watched me undress your little
dick got roaring hard.  I saw it out of the corner of my eye but wasn't
going to embarrass you by bringing attention to it.  Didn't seem to bother
you none when I held my arms open to you and you damn near poked a hole in
my belly.  I laughed and you just asked me why your pee-pee did that?  Do
you think you understand why it does it today?"

"Yeah, sure.  My old man's one hot fuck'n cowboy.  He's been my idol of
what I hope one day to become ever since I laid eyes on him.  I couldn't
love a man more'n I love you, Dad."  Waddie cried a little in his dad's
arms and Buck knew his boy was close to letting his old man in.  Buck
didn't push but stole kiss after kiss and reminded Waddie how much he meant
to him as well.  They hadn't spent a night together like that in a long
time.  Waddie couldn't get close enough to Buck and Buck never let his boy
go all night long.  When they slept like that together it always seemed the
next morning they were refreshed and felt more alive than ever.  They were
alone, together and wallowing in their love for each other.

They were out on the lake fishing before the sun came up.  They were
fishing for croppie and wide mouth bass.  It was one of those few times
that every fisherman dreams of.  They could practically put an unbaited
hook in the water and catch something.  After they caught eight good size
bass or croppie they continued fishing for the fun of it but would throw
back what they caught.  They planned to eat a couple for dinner, clean and
freeze the rest for later.  Linda Sue got really good at cooking the fish
they caught.  She never minded because she never had to clean them.  They
were ready for cooking when she thawed them.

"We caught all the fish we're gonna' eat for the next six months, Son.  You
want to go back this evening or wait until tomorrow evening?"

"If you have to get back, Dad, I'll understand.  We can go back tonight if
you need to."

"Didn't say nothing about me need'n to get back, Son, I'm asking you if you
want to stay over."

"You know my answer to that, Dad.  A chance to have my old man to myself
for one more night,---it's almost like that night you spent with me on my
sixth birthday.  I'll never forget that night as long as I live.  God, how
I needed you that night and you were like an angel to understand and give
me what I needed."  Waddie told Buck.  Buck turned away choked up because
he remembered the significance of that night to them both.

"Well, this time, it ain't only my boy that needs his dad tonight; his dad
needs his boy just as much.  So, I guess we stay over.  Quinton's gonna'
stop by for a beer later so we'll have him call your mom when he gets home
to let her know.  She's probably out to the Justins with Little Gip.  Damn
she loves that kid, don't she?"

"She really does and it makes me feel good she does.  She's so good to him
and understanding.  I don't think he'll ever doubt you and mom are his
parents.  Hell, he looks so much like us it's frightening.  Like that time
you looked at me in your mirror with my cowboy hat on you couldn't believe
what you were seeing.  You didn't want to admit it to yourself we looked
that much alike.  I thought for sure you'd figure something out but you
didn't.  How could you have known?"

"I knew something was wrong.  I felt so damn guilty for loving you as much
as I did.  I knew Morgan didn't love you as much as I did and it hurt me
deeply to see him treat you the way he did. I'm just now beginning to
forgive him and love him again.  I know you've all ready made your peace
with him and I admire you for it but I still have some healing to do.
Hell, you boys have the run of his place.  He loves having you over there.
He's all the time bragging on something you boys helped him do."

Quinton dropped by with C. D. and Oatie.  They didn't stay long.  Waddie
was glad to see them and seemed in better spirits to them.  Quinton let
C. D. call and tell Linda Sue the guys were going to stay through tomorrow.

Waddie cooked for him and his dad.  He pan fried the fish and cooked some
frozen vegetables his mom packed for them.  It wasn't a fancy meal but it
sure tasted good to them.  Buck seemed to enjoy his supper and Waddie was
proud he could fix something his dad enjoyed.  They were in no hurry to
clear the table nor clean up.  They sat and talked about many things and
then Waddie became silent like he couldn't go on talking.  He just closed
up.  Buck knew this was it.

Buck got up and started clearing the table and throwing the paper plates in
the trash.  He started cleaning the skillet and pans that Waddie used to
cook dinner.  Waddie got up and got a dishtowel and dried everything and
put them away.  Nothing was said.  Buck wasn't going to push and it made it
all the more awkward for Waddie because he was counting on his dad to
do,---what?

`What are you counting on him doing, Waddie?'  he heard a voice in his
head, `I don't know.  I just know I have to talk to dad, he'll understand.'
Waddie finished up and cleaned up the sink and wiped the table.  Buck had
sat down on the edge of the bed and started to pull his boots off when
Waddie spoke.

"Here, Dad.  Let me help you with those."  Waddie moved to his dad's feet
and pulled his dad's big boot up between his legs facing away from his dad
and positioned his hands to pull them off.  Buck put his other boot on
Waddie's butt and pushed; off came the boot.  Waddie repeated the action
with Buck's other boot.

"Thanks, Son."  Buck told Waddie as he carefully placed his dad's boots
next to the bed.  Buck continued to get undressed and Waddie took his
clothes and boots off, too.  By the time he got into bed tears were running
down his face uncontrollably.  He wasn't crying he just couldn't control
the water works.  The tears were coming from deep inside him from his core.
Buck glanced at his boy and opened his arms to him.  Waddie went to his dad
and cried his heart out but still Buck didn't say anything.  He reached
over to his pants hanging on the kitchen chair and retrieved his little
silver hip flask He undid the top and handed it to his son.

"Here, Sweet baby!  I know you won't be eighteen until next summer but this
isn't just alcohol it's Southern Comfort, it's medicinal."  he chuckled at
his own bull shit.  He probably wasn't too far from truth at that point.
Anything to oil his kid's tongue when he seemed to be suffering so.  Waddie
took a pull off the flask and made a face.  It tasted sweet and good but
burned like the fires of hell when it went down.  He grimaced and
sputtered.

"Jesus!"  Waddie barely got out, "Fire water better be heap big medicine,
pale face Chief!"  Buck roared with laughter at Waddie's joke as he took a
big ole pull from the flask.  Buck waited and thought he wasn't gonna' wait
anymore.

"Well, of course, I went through the very tortures of the damned you're
going through myself when I was just about your age.  Thank you for asking,
Son."  He let it lay there for a minute and then Waddie started giggling
and they rolled on the bed in laughter.

"I'm an ass, Dad! I should've come to you with this a couple of weeks ago
and not put everyone through what I did; although, it did get me a weekend
alone with my dad so I ain't gonna' beat myself up too much.  Why wouldn't
I think you wouldn't understand?  You've been there and back.  Loving Uncle
Morgan the way you do you had to make a decision when you asked mom to
marry you."  Waddie allowed.

"You're right, but things were different then and my decision was a little
easier than your's is gonna' be.  Times were different.  We were facing a
world war.  Morgan and I talked about having families and he knew I was in
love with your mother when I left for Europe.  I got a letter a couple of
months later.  He had married and was expecting a son.  Then he sent me
your photo.  I thought you were the prettiest baby I'd ever seen and
carried your little picture in my wallet all through the war."  Buck choked
up a little.

"Then you figured out why I've been in such a funk?"

"Honestly?  No, it was Bubba and Oatie what put me on to it.  Then I
threatened that no good big brother of yours and told him I was gonna'
slowly choke him to death on Sheriff dick if'n he didn't help me a little a
nudge me in the right direction."  Buck and Waddie shared a laugh, "Wasn't
a new threat.  He swears every time he sucks me off I choke him to death
but he's always ready to try again.

He's gettin' a lot better too and you're right, Son.  Ain't no sweeter come
than flows out a' that man's penis.  Woah!  I can suck him off twice and be
hungry for more.  But, fuck,---he's devoted to you and only told me just
enough to confirm what Oatie and Bubba guessed.  He didn't betray any of
your confidences.  I wouldn't put him in that position.  I never considered
you needed an adult brother in the community to bounce things off of but
Ed's been the best big brother you could've hoped for."

"I love my Coach a lot, Dad."  They broke up laughing.

"Look, Son!  I'm gonna' tell you something.  Don't make me no never mind
whether you and Gip settle down together or you decide you want to marry
Jannie and have kids.  You all ready gave us a grand kid that we adore.
The damn kid's a carbon copy of me and you.  So your mom and I can't cry we
won't have no grand kids."

"I know that dad.  Mom even talked to me and told me the same damn thing. I
guess what I'm fogged about is I know in my heart that Gip isn't ever
gonna' marry.  I know he's real fond of Bonnie Tyler but he won't marry
her.  He wants me for his mate and you know what dad, it was me what asked
Gip to be my mate that summer I had to leave home.  I missed him so and
never wanted to be without him again.  We talked about what hormones might
do to us and decided we'd cross that bridge when we got there.  Well, we're
here!  Right now!  It's staring me in the face.  I'm falling in love with
Jannie and it ain't just puppy love, Dad.  I wanna' marry Jannie and have
kids with her."

"I see.  It's a little more of a pickle than I thought."  mused his dad,
"Knowing you, you'll keep your promise to Gip rather than renege on your
commitment to him.  Woah!  That's a tough one and I can see why you've been
under the weather.  You've been pulled both ways."  Buck was quiet for a
moment waiting for some feedback.

"You and Mr. Urial have always taught me to do the right thing, Dad.  I
will do the right thing but whatever I decided I have to be honest with the
other person.  I can't drag both of them along.  That would be dishonest
and cause worse feelings in the long run.  Either way I'm gonna' hurt
someone I love. I should've never started going steady with Jannie."

"Look, Cowboy, don't be so hard on yourself.  Damn, ain't never seen no kid
what could beat himself up as much as you do, Son.  You're gonna' do the
right thing.  I know what I'd do if I was in your position but I ain't you.
You have to make that decision for yourself.  That don't help very much
does it?"

"No, Dad,---you've helped more'n you figure.  I've known all along what I
have to do but I needed my dad to help show me the way.  I know what you'd
do and you're right."

Waddie relaxed, made a little love with his dad and felt like a weight had
been lifted from his body and soul.  That evening, supported by his
father's love, he limped across the threshold from adolescence into
manhood. It can be one of life's most difficult passages.  Many never make
it.

  
End of part 21~
12/20/02
Cabbage Patch Cowboy
Copyright 2002 Waddie Greywolf
Questions/comments: mail to <waddiebear@yahoo.com>

*A hilariously funny skit made famous by one of America's greatest
humorist, Garrison Keallor, on "The Prairie Home Companion."