Date: Thu, 10 Oct 2002 12:17:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: Waddie Greywolf <waddiebear@yahoo.com>
Subject: "Cabbage Patch Cowboy Part 8"

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 8


1946-1947

August flew by all too quickly.  The complete month was magical for Waddie
and Gip.  Waddie was happy living with Buck and Linda Sue.  Gip and Waddie
got to where they swapped nights between their two homes.  Dad Dan loved
having the boys around because they kept him company and they were a great
help to him.  When they were there he never had to go out to put the stock
away nor feed.  He'd find the barn clean and swept and all tack carefully
put away.  He never had to correct the boys or ask them to do something
better.  They learned the way he liked things done and were going to see to
it they were done that way.  Most times he'd go out with them to help
because he loved the boy's company.  Waddie and Gip didn't try to exclude
him or Buck from their closeness.  In fact, the boys encouraged the two men
to share as much time with them as they could.

Waddie adored Dad Dan and was sexually turned on by him, big time.  He
laughed and told his brother when they were working with Dan it was all
Waddie could do to keep from reaching over and biting Dad Dan's butt.  He
laughed telling Gip he wondered what it would taste like. Gip had to admit
his dad had a nice set of buns and he'd caught Uncle Buck admiring them
more than once.  Waddie agreed. Not too long after their conversation the
four of them were working together, Dad Dan was bent over doing something
and the boys caught Buck looking at Dan's ass.  To make the boys laugh,
he'd get a pained expression on his face and bite his knuckles.  Gip and
Waddie would be doubled up with laughter and poor Dan wouldn't have a clue.

Gip proceeded to tell Waddie that he'd had some pretty nasty dreams about
Uncle Buck.  Once again Waddie laughed and told him they probably weren't
as nasty as his.  Then Waddie told Gip about sleeping with Buck's boot over
his head.  Gip laughed empathetically for a week or more.  He remembered
how much he missed Buck that first night after the wedding.  Other times he
spent with Waddie it was hard on Gip as well. He could only imagine what it
must have been like for his brother.

Waddie had inventive ideas Gip never thought of but found fascinating.
Once Waddie introduced him to a new idea it would take him a little while
but usually he was eager to try it.  The next time the boys went to the
Claymore's for Sunday dinner, Gip couldn't wait to get upstairs to Buck's
room and pull his big boot over his head.  He thought it was wonderful.  He
made Waddie jack him off while he wore it over his head.  Then the two of
them would look at each other and breakup knowing what the other was
thinking.  Dad Dan and Buck didn't have a clue.

Dan caught the boys one afternoon in his closet and wanted to know what the
were doing in there.  They told him they were admiring his boots.  Dan told
Buck who couldn't stop laughing.  He told Dan the boys had paid him a great
compliment.

"Paid me a compliment? I don't understand."

"First of all they didn't lie to you. They were, indeed, admiring your
boots.  What they didn't tell you was they were sniffing each one to enjoy
your smell.  Every man has his on smell. It's not bad but each man has his
own signature odor.  They love you deeply and they find you a sexual turn
on.  Your smell is sexually exciting to them and they get erections from
it. It's part of a kid wanting to be like his dad.  Waddie crawls up in my
lap every now and then and takes a deep breath and I know what he's doing.

He smelling me.  He loves me and he ain't shy about it.  He'll tell me,
`Damn, you smell good today Uncle Buck, I hope I smell that good someday.'
Sometimes he'll get his nose as close to my arm pit as he can to smell me
and loves it. His little dick gets hard every time.  He's not even
embarrassed anymore.  I'll look down at his boner and ask him, `I smell
that good to you today?'  He'll tell me, `Pretty damn good Uncle Buck look
how hard that damn thing is.'  Then we'll both laugh.

Before I married Linda Sue, the little shit would beg me not to shower in a
evening so's he could breath in my smells all night.  His little dick would
stay hard all night.  I use to do the same damn thing with my old man.  You
know what?  The old man's smell can still make me pop a boner today.

Dan laughed but he couldn't understand because he never had a closeness
with his dad.  His dad would never let Dan sleep in the same bed with him.
He certainly never held the boy enough for him to ever get a smell of his
man scent.  He kept Dan at arms length all his life.  He could never
remember ever hugging his dad.  He never remembered his dad kissing him.
He never remembered sitting in his dad's lap.  He still had dreams today of
a bigger man holding him in his arms.  He longed to feel Buck's arms around
him.  Not necessarily for homosexual reasons but he couldn't deny it had
crossed his mind.

One afternoon in the barn the two men had their boots off for some reason
and Buck just handed Dan one of his.  Dan looked at him knowing why he gave
it to him.  Buck picked up one of Dan's and stuck it in his face, smiled at
Dan and breathed deeply, held it, then let it out with a sigh."

"Them boys knew what they were doing.  That's definitely your smell."  Buck
showed Dan his hard dick in his work pants.  Dan was fascinated.  He had to
try it.  He held Buck's big boot away from his face about a foot, then
found himself putting it closer and closer to his face until his head was
half way in.  He pulled away, looked at Buck sheepishly, and smiled funny.
He looked down at his jeans and he was roaring hard. Buck laughed his ass
off.  Dan understood.  He never questioned the boys again when he caught
them in his closet.  He'd just smile and shake his head.  His boys were
enjoying themselves sniffing his boots.  There was something sweet and
bonding about that, he thought.  Buck was right, it was a big compliment.

Dad Dan surprised the shit out of the boys one afternoon when the boys had
been working their butts off mucking out stalls. Momma Sue brought them out
a big jar of lemonade and three mason jars.  The men took a break and
Waddie knew something had been on Dad Dan's mind.  He looked at the boys
sitting as close together as they could so they could touch each other.
Waddie always had his arm draped over his little brother's shoulder and
Gip's arm was always around Waddie waist.

"Don't want to frighten you boys but I want to ask you a question.  I know
you'll tell me the truth but I want you to know if the answer's `yes,' I'll
understand.  Don't be afraid to tell me the truth `cause nothings gonna'
happen.  You boys been playing around with each other?

Gip almost panicked and looked to his big brother for a lead.  Without
breathing Waddie answered Dad Dan.

"Yes Sir. Dad Dan.  I love Gip.  He's my buddy and my little brother and I
love to make him feel good when I can and he does me to."  Gip jumped in
but not with an apology.  He was standing up with his brother.

"What Waddie says is true, Dad.  I was afraid to tell you but I'm glad my
brother did."

"Don't never be afraid to tell me anything, Son.  Waddie and you were right
to tell me the truth.  That's fine there's no problem.  It's natural for
two young boys that care as much about each other as you do to experiment
with sex with each other.  That's the way you learn about sex.  As you get
older you'll probably grow out of it or you may not. Some men hold on to
both. Either way I ain't gonna' love either one of you any less than I do
right this minute.  Understand?"

"Yes, Sir, Dad Dan, we understand and to be honest we're kinda glad you
asked.  It makes us feel better you knowing. At least with you knowing we
don't have to feel like we're keeping something from you.  `Cause if you
walked in on us and we were,...well, you know, .... you wouldn't get upset
and yell at us.  That would really be embarrassing.  Gip and I talked about
it and it would hurt us real bad if we ever embarrassed you or Uncle Buck."
Waddie said with relief.  He could feel Gip melting next to him and putting
his arm tighter around him.

"That's a good point, Son, and I'm glad to hear that.  I thought it might
make you two feel a little more comfortable if I let you know you ain't
gonna' get punished or yelled at.  That's one reason I asked.  The other
reason is if you come around a corner and find your Uncle Buck and me in an
embrace, we expect you to give us the same courtesy we allow you men.

I know Buck has set up certain courtesy rules about your privacy in your
bedroom, Waddie.  Those rules make a lot of sense to me.  So, Gip, when you
and Waddie are here, together, no one will come into your room until we've
knocked and waited for you to tell us it's okay to enter.

Now,...if you catch Buck and me kissing or hugging it's `cause we love each
other.  Don't mean we love our wives less; it's just another form of love.
Love is love, men.  The problem with the world is some little people want
to try to tell you the only acceptable way you can express love is the way
they tell you.  God never told those folks that!  He don't care what form
love takes as long as it's beneficial to both and don't hurt no one else.
It ain't gonna' hurt nobody as long as you men keep it to yourselves."

"No problem for Gip and me, Dad Dan. You ain't telling us something we
don't know all ready and have for sometime. We know you and Uncle Buck love
each other.  We all ready been keeping your secret."

"What'd ya' mean, Waddie?"  Dan knew the minute he asked the question, he
should've thought about it first.  You don't want to ask a kid a loaded
question unless you're ready for the answer.

"We caught cha'll all ready. We were in the hayloft taking a nap the
afternoon you and Uncle Buck decided to give each other a blow job in the
old barn."

Dan dropped his head in his hand and just shook it while laughing silently.
Gip and Waddie were rolling in the hay, laughing, holding their bellies and
pointing at the look on Dad Dan's face.  It was a look of surprise and
chagrin. He was red as a beet but amused and somewhat pleased at the boys
for getting such a giggle from it, but not being negative nor judgmental.

Dan was a big enough man to know when to admit defeat. He knew he deserved
it, because, damn it, he and Buck should've been more careful,...but in a
moment of passion....when you have an, enormous, six foot six, good looking
cowboy, with very possibly the biggest dick in the county, holding you in
his arms, looking deeply into your eyes, kisses you gently, lays his soul
bear to you, whispers lovingly he wants you and offers himself in return,
what's a buckaroo to do?  Dan started laughing at himself and at the boys
laughing.

"And you never would've said a word to me or Buck?"  Dan said somewhat
astounded.

"Never, Dad!  It was your's and Uncle Buck's business it weren't none of
ours. We'd never embarrass you or Uncle Buck, but since you brought it up,
I poked Waddie in the ribs to tell you.  It made us so hot we lay in the
hay loft and jacked each other off three times."  Then the boys started
laughing again. Dan was laughing.

"God, I love you boys.  You never cease to amaze me.  Wait `til I tell
Buck, he'll shit his pants."

"Maybe you shouldn't tell him Dad Dan.  Gip and I don't wanna' have to muck
out another stall."  Waddie winked at Dad Dan and smiled.  It took him a
minute to get the joke then he and Gip held each other laughing.

"Good point, Son!  Okay then, I don't need to say another word to you
men. If we walk in and catch you guys just keep on doing what chu're doing.
Course since you men watched us,...the least you can do is let us watch
you."  Then Dad Dan fell out laughing again.  He grabbed the boys and
hugged them.

"Come'mon, let's get this done and get cleaned up.  Your aunt and uncle are
coming for dinner."

Buck and Linda Sue no sooner arrived and said `hello' to everyone than Dad
Dan had something in the barn he wanted to show Buck.  The boys waited and
then they heard an explosion of laughter from Buck and Dan.  Waddie and Gip
started laughing, too, they knew exactly why they were laughing.  Dan came
to the door of the barn and motioned for the boys to join them.  They ran
into the barn to their Uncle Buck's big arms and he kissed both of them.

"I know Dad Dan tells you he loves you but he don't love you a whit more'n
I do, you understand?"

"Yes Sir, Uncle Buck.  We love you, too."  Gip replied for both of them.

"So, you guy's had a ring side seat, huh?"  Buck asked boldly but knowing
better.

"Yes Sir, Uncle Buck.  We thought Dad Dan gave you a much better blow job
than you gave him.  We figure you owe him one."  Waddie stated officially.
The two men hadn't expected that and started laughing.

"Oh God, something told me not to ask."  Buck moaned.

"Well, you heard your nephew, Buck."  said Dan.

"I can't argue with that, Dan! Seems like you get a re-ride, Cowboy!  The
judge's decision is final!"  Then they all laughed.

"After dinner?" Dan asked Buck.

"Sounds good to me, Cowboy."  replied Buck. There were gales of laughter
from the barn.

Over the years, the same situation happened several times and Buck and Dan
would hear.

"Dad, Uncle Buck, we're up here. Let us get out of here if you want
privacy."

Buck would look at Dan.  Dan would nod to Buck.

"Awww, we don't care. Nothing you ain't never seen before."

The boys would come down and get themselves a hail bail close to the door
so they could keep watch that nobody was heading for the barn. The boys
saved Buck and Dan's ass's a couple of times.  Buck took special care to
make damn sure he gave as good as he got.  That only made the four of them
closer.

The boys had their secrets neither man could pry from them.  They would
never try.  They respected that the boys had certain areas that they
couldn't go into.  Waddie told Gip it was all right for him to share with
his parents and especially Linda Sue and Buck about the visit from Waddie's
angel, Mr. Urial.  Gip didn't do it until a while after Waddie had moved in
with his aunt and uncle. They both forgot about it.  They were all at the
dinner table at the Justin's.  Linda Sue and Momma Sue had fixed a
wonderful dinner and they were eating outside under a big oak tree in the
Justin's back area.  There was a barbeque pit and several picnic tables.
They were sitting around one table.

"Did j'ever tell your parents about meeting Mr. Urial, Gip?"  Buck asked
Gip.  Dan and Jimmy Sue shot a look at Buck because Gip hadn't said a word
to them about any experience with Waddie's angel.

"No Sir, Uncle Buck.  I didn't want to alarm them or have them think Waddie
and I were crazy."  Gip held his hand up to his parents to indicate letting
him finish, "When Waddie told me about his angel I believed him but always
thought that maybe he just imagined or thought he spoke with an angel.  I
know people will tell you they believe you but always wonder.  I'll never
doubt my brother's word again.  Even the angel told me Waddie would never
lie to me nor betray my trust.  I believe the angel and I believe my
brother."

"I wouldn't wonder whether you imagined it, Son." replied Buck, "That angel
saved my life and I know for a fact he was riding shotgun in my truck going
home the first day we came out here to meet you.  I think your parents
would have no problem believing you either.  Dad Dan knows you boys
wouldn't lie to any of us."

"In Gip's defense," Waddie spoke up, "we wanted to tell all of you at the
same time but to be honest we forgot about it.  Gip always had the
intentions to tell you but he wanted to wait until all four of you were
together."

"I'm sorry Dad and Mom, Aunt Linda.  Waddie's right.  I was going to tell
you but until Uncle Buck brought it up we just plumb forgot.  I apologized
and hope you'll forgive us."

"Of course we'll believe you, Son.  No harm done.  There's really nothing
to forgive. We forget stuff all the time and you boys have had a non-stop
schedule since your birthdays."  said Dad Dan.

Gip told the story exactly as it happened and asked Waddie to interrupt him
if he made a mistake or left anything out.  He didn't tell some of the
things about Aunt Agatha knowing anything.  He and Waddie had discussed
that before and decided that could cause more questions than they or Aunt
Agatha was prepared to deal with. Waddie hadn't even told Buck the whole
story of Gip and his encounter with the angel.  Gip finished and went on
eating his dinner.  The adults were quiet.  No one spoke.  They were all
waiting for Dan to speak.

"Son, we believe you and your brother.  We're thrilled that the angel
allowed Waddie to share with you.  Whatever the secrets it'll help him
knowing that his brother shares that knowledge.  That can mean a lot to a
man.  Why, old Buck and I have a few and I wouldn't be at all surprised to
find out that your mom and your Aunt Linda Sue share a couple of secrets
they keep to themselves.  Friends do that.  Brothers especially.  It just
impresses the hell out of me that God found you worthy and believed in you
enough to share Waddie's secret. That's the most important thing to me.
It's almost like God saying you're a good boy that can be trusted by
anyone.  That makes your mom and me feel very happy and proud.

"It sure does, Sweet heart."  Added Momma Sue.

"I agree with Dan, no matter what secrets you share it's what the angel
told you about each other that most impresses me.  You Honey?"  Buck looked
at Linda Sue.

"Absolutely, Gip.  You too, Dear."  Linda Sue spoke to the two boys.

"I can tell you boys one damn thing!  Watch Dan from now on, I doubt you'll
see his feet touch the ground when he walks."  Laughed Buck.  "Funnier yet,
I'll probably be floating right along behind him!  You might have to take
us by our shirt tails and pull us back down to the ground."  The boys
laughed.

"He's probably right, guys.  You two make me so damn proud I don't know
what to do sometimes."

Dan stood up and spoke two words to them, "Come'mer!"  The boys got up and
both hugged Dad Dan together.  Dan couldn't hold back the tears and didn't
try.  He felt so much love for them he couldn't hold it back.  Buck was
next.  He wanted his fair share and he, too, deserved it.

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

Morgan had been visiting more and more with Waddie and they'd been doing
things together and with Buck.  Waddie asked Gip to join them sometimes but
not every time he saw Morgan.  Gip knew why.  Waddie was trying to protect
him against the folks in Morgan's house and while he wanted to be there for
his brother he appreciated his position.  Waddie had to admit to Buck his
love for Morgan had grown again and he felt a little more secure; however,
as time neared for Waddie to go back to Morgan's house, Morgan began to
ignore Waddie's request to change some things.  Waddie could see he was
lapsing back into the old dad he couldn't talk to.  It was going to be
Morgan's way. Waddie thought of a test for Morgan to see if he was really
trying to change.

"Before I come back I want a good lock installed on my bedroom door.  I
don't care if you and Uncle Buck have a key but if they threw all my things
away I want to know my stuff is still gonna' be there if I spend several
days away.  Willie use to barge into my room, take anything he wanted and
threaten to kill me if I told on him about anything.  I don't want that to
happen again.  I won't take no shit off him."  Morgan looked at Buck and
Linda Sue.

"He threatened to kill you, Waddie?"

"He certainly did; more'n once!"  Waddie looked Morgan directly in the eye
daring him to suggest he was lying.  Morgan knew if he did Waddie wouldn't
come home with him at the end of August.

"Well, he's locked you out of his room all these years. I don't think a
lock on your door's an unreasonable request.  Especially if Willie
threatened you with murder."

"Not, "if" Morgan, "since"!  Waddie don't lie.  He would never lie to me
and I don't believe he's ever lied to you either."  Buck got pissed and
stomped out the back door.  He could see where this was headed and didn't
like it.  He just wished Waddie would refused to go back with Morgan.  He
knew he could get custody of Waddie with Dr. Dyer's help and Morgan and
Judy's track record.  The entire town would support Buck.

This whole circumstance made Buck think more than ever about running for
sheriff.  How many other kids or adults out there were in similar
circumstances and afraid for their lives.  He could no longer idly sit by
and let an incompetent, money grubbing, almost senile, incompetent
nincompoop be sheriff of the county and town he loved.  He may not know
much about being a sheriff but he knew the folks would give him time to
learn.

It would also put him in a position of unquestioned power that would make
that little cocksucker Willie think twice before messing with Waddie.  Buck
liked Waddie's request to have a good lock installed on his bed room door.
In fact, Buck would buy it and install it for him.  He feared the worst for
the boy he had come to love so much.

"Dad, I will answer only to you in that house.  I will not obey nor even
give Judy the time of day.  I refuse to be her little slave and do her
chores when Willie sits on his ass sneering at me `cause I have to do `em
and he don't.  I don't expect to get anything from her anyway. I never
have, why would this time be different."

"Now, Waddie, she's your ma.  And you'll have to obey her...."

"You're lying to me, Dad, you know you're sitting there telling me a
Goddamn bald face lie.  She ain't my mother and you know it!  You'd take me
to the barn and beat me until you shot in your pants if I told you a lie
like that.  A mother wouldn't throw out her kid's clothes the first day he
went to a hospital.  I may be six years old, Dad, but I ain't no fool.
I'll tell you how it's gonna' be!  I ain't coming back to that house and
have to answer to her about anything.  I won't tell her where I'm going and
I don't want her asking me any questions. If I leave the house it's none of
their business where I go or what I do.  You're the only family I have
living there.  They ain't my family."

"You know, I could just make you come home on my terms."

Waddie looked stunned at Morgan that he'd take that tact with him after
what he went through.  Waddie laughed at him.

"I don't think so, Dad.  In fact, you're bluffing.  Don't embarrass
yourself by making me call your bluff.  You know you wouldn't win.  You
know damn well I could walk out that door, walk to Dr. Dyer's house and
tell him I'm afraid for my life at your place, which is no lie, and ask for
placement.  I'd either be placed with Buck and Aunt Linda or Ma and Pa
Lovejoy, or even Ma and Pa Claymore.  That would be better'n having to do
anything Judy told me to do.

I'm not the same kid that wanted to die rather than not have you believe in
him or have those bastards for family. And you, Dad, are the one who damn
near let me die.  You're asking a hell of a lot for me to even trust you
anymore.  You tell me you love me but that's a lie, too.  You couldn't of
cared very much to let me lay there, alone, at the bottom of a dark closet
dying while you held to your stupid beliefs that I'd come around to your
way of thinking.  Well, Dad, I didn't and I damn near died.  I won't let
you or anyone put me in that position again.

If you don't love me enough to protect me from those people then I damn
sure will and I have people that will back me up.  I got people who love me
now, Dad.  I know what it is to be loved and it isn't the hell you want to
take me back into. Bottom line, Dad, if you're really trying to change
you'll give up the idea that they are a part of you and me.  They ain't,
Dad, and you know it!  You keep pretending and look what it's cost you.  If
you don't love me enough to provide me with protection then I ain't coming
home.  It's that simple, Dad!"

"Well, we'll see..."

"Yeah!  We'll see, all right.  I'll see it in writing with your signature
witnessed by three other adults that you agree to my wishes or you don't
have a son anymore."

"You've gotten pretty spoiled since you've been with Buck.  He lets you get
away with anything."

"That's a lie, Dad.  If by spoiling you mean somebody's shown me love; yes,
you're right, they spoil me every day.  As far as Buck letting me get away
with anything, I make damn sure I don't do anything to make him need to
correct me.  Haven't since the first day we been together.  Funny, I ain't
gotten one beating from Buck.  I must be doing something right.  I never
did one of those things you beat me for all those times.  That ain't gonna'
happen again either, Dad!"

"You talk awful big for a six year old kid."

"They ain't my words, Dad.  There from my angel coming through me.  I hear
words coming out my mouth I ain't never heard before!  I don't even know
what some of `em mean, but you seem to.  I'm too young to argue with you
and make sense.  My angel isn't.  He knows more words than you do and uses
`em better."

"You still hanging on to that crap?  You talking to an angel?"

"It's not important whether you believe me, Dad, what's important is my
safety and comfort if I agree to come home with you.  If you want me, then
you have to make some concession you were never willing to make before. If
you don't make them now, you won't have a son.  You'll be left with your
make believe family who just uses you and gives you nothing in return but a
fantasy."

"Waddie, I'm your dad and you will do what I tell you."

"You haven't changed a bit, Dad.  You ain't interested in what I have to
say or how I feel. I ain't ending up at the bottom of that closet again for
you and especially for them son's of bitches.  I `ve tried to believe that
you just weren't thinking right to let me almost die.  Now I don't think so
anymore, Dad.  I don't think you really gave a damn whether I lived or
died."

"That's not true, Waddie, I do love you."

"Is loving some one telling them you were "relieved" that they lived and
didn't die.  Is loving me wanting to put me back under the same conditions
that put me in the hospital in the first place.  You didn't kill me last
time, Dad.  What do you want another chance?  Is that why you want me back?
You want to give them another chance to kill me?  Seems like it to me.  You
tell me where the love is in that?

I'm not gonna' argue with you anymore, Dad!  There is no argument!  You
either agree to these things in writing or I won't come back!  It's that
simple, Dad!  Now please leave!  I won't discuss it anymore.  You've got
some thinking to do. If I were to go back with you under your make believe
family rules I'd be dead in a month.  I have people I love that I plan to
live for. If you don't want me anymore, they do.  I'd rather live with Ma
and Pa Lovejoy than you and them son's of bitches.  I won't give you or
them another chance to kill me, Dad."

If you come back with the same attitude and crap your trying to scare me
with, I won't talk to you.  I'll have Buck take me to Doc Dyer's
immediately and I'll never call you dad again."

"Are you threatening me?'

"Yes, dad, I am!  I don't want to die.  You're not going to kill me.
They're not going to kill me. I'm not going to let you, let them kill me.
Do you want to hear me say it again, Dad?  Yes, it is a threat! It
definitely is a threat! I am threatening you,...and I have the guns to back
it up!"

Waddie got up and left the room and headed out the back door to be with
Buck.  He was so upset he was tempted to spill his guts to Buck but he knew
he couldn't. He didn't know where those words came from.  He used words
he'd never heard before.  He didn't even know what they meant but obviously
his dad did. Waddie knew where they came from. He was right, they came
through him from his friend and protector.

He stood up to his dad in way he never would have considered before he
almost died on that closet floor.  He wasn't particularly proud of himself
but he knew the words didn't come from him.  Why?  All of a sudden,
Waddie's knew why.  They have an investment in him.  They couldn't let
anything happen to him or it would disturb the way the universe is
unfolding. If he'd chosen not to come back it would've unfolded another way
but since he did agree to come back it has to unfold the way they showed
him it would.  The moment his Aunt Linda realizes he's her child will put
everything back into normal position for unfolding for him and everyone
around him.  Buck held him as he cried and cried.  Morgan was still sitting
in the kitchen when Buck came back in and sat down.

"He won't listen to a thing I say no more, Buck."

"You're so wrong, Brother.  He listens to everything you say.  He's waiting
to hear you say you love him enough to listen to what he has to say. Seems
to me like you're going to have to go along with his requests. If you
don't, Brother, I don't blame him for not wanting to go back with you. The
only reason he wants to is because he still loves you deeply. No matter the
words that come out of him, I know that boy.  He doesn't take love lightly
but I can guaran-damn-tee-ya' you're gonna' have to show some pretty
convincing changing to get him back.

Lemme' tell you something, Brother.  I love that little shit like I ain't
never loved anybody in my life; forgive me brother but that includes you,
and if I have to, I'll fight for him. That's not a threat, Morgan, it's a
promise. It's a promise I made to him that night you called me to the
hospital to be with him.

I overheard most of the conversation from out there in the yard. If I was a
judge, judging debates, I'd say the kid wiped the floor with your ass. As
far as me spoiling him, he told you the truth. He gets loved in this home
and from Dan, Gip and Jimmy Sue.

They'd take him in a minute. So would the Davenports! My parents adore
him. Your parents would love to have him! The Tates have thrown their hat
into the ring, they've told Quinton he may soon become son number two if
Waddie wanted to live with them. Quinton would love to have Waddie for a
little brother. He's constantly working with the boys teaching them roping.

Dr. Dyer and his wife would take him in a minute! And of course there's
Linda Sue and I.  We'd love to have him stay with us and to be honest we've
done everything but get on our knees and begged him to stay with us. He
insists he has to go back to live with you because he loves you and he's
convinced you need him. The only way you'll get him back is to meet his
needs to feel safe. That ain't a whole lot to ask, Morgan.

>From what I've heard, his terms really aren't that unreasonable.  How
could you expect that child to except anything your wife tells him. Just
`cause you say he has to?  That's bullshit and you know it.  Stick your
head in a furnace, Morgan, `cause I say you have to.  Would you, Brother?"

"No, but I'd expect a little more from my brother than that."

"Yeah, well, Waddie has the right to expect a little more from you after
what he's been through. For cries sake, Morgan, the kid never had a
birthday party until this year." Morgan didn't refute that. "What do you
expect of me, Morgan? Your brother is performing the duty you asked him to
perform almost a year ago. I'm that child's God father because you made me
that. One of the roles of a God parent is to step in if they see a child is
in danger or being mistreated. You better read the material the church gave
you. I sure as hell did and talked with the pastor.

I'm going to look out for what I think is Waddie's best interest and if you
don't try to protect him from those people then I damn sure will,
Morgan. If I have to install a Goddamn lock on his bedroom door myself. I'd
sleep a hell of a lot better at night knowing he's locked away safely in
his room. If you think that's turning against you then you should've
considered that before you made me his God father.

You knew I'd take the job seriously; I have and I will. If you think about
it, Brother, I'm doing it for you as well. That's the task you set before
me when you asked me to be Waddie's God father. What did you expect? A
token figure? You know me better'n that, Morgan. When I make a pledge to
someone I don't break it. I've never broken my pledge to you in all these
years, and I don't intend to break this one either.

If I don't fulfill the duty you set for me to do, then I'd be breaking that
pledge I made to you and Waddie to be his God father and protect him should
he need it. If you feel you've created a monster, it's of your own making.
I'd think you'd be grateful to me for wanting to see to Waddie's best
interest. I've never known you to be a selfish man, Morgan, but I'm
beginning to think you've changed so much I don't know who you are
anymore. The boy and man I loved so deeply all these years doesn't seem to
be a part of you today.

Oh, and by the way, you're the first to hear this; not even Linda Sue
knows. I've decided as of this very moment to run for sheriff against
Harold Johnson. You know why, Morgan?  To impress on that kid of your's,
Willie, that Waddie's God father and uncle is the law in this county and
should he look cross eyed at that boy, I'll throw his Goddamn ass in jail."

Morgan left feeling defeated. He didn't want to admit to himself that Buck
and Waddie were right but it was the only option he had if he wanted to get
Waddie back under his control. That was his first mistake in thinking that
he had to `control' Waddie. Waddie operated just find with limited
controls. He loved and respected the folks that had been responsible for
him the last eleven months. They respected him and simply expected him to
do the right thing. He never betrayed anyone's trust.


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


"Waddie! Linda Sue! Get in here! Around the table!" They all sat down.

"No! This ain't right! Darlin' could you and the cowboy fix up something
for dinner for the Justin's as well? Call and invite them over to dinner?
They need to be here, too."

"Sure Darlin.' we have plenty. My helper and me can always make a little
more, right Sweetheart?"  Waddie smiled and nodded. "I'll call Jimmy Sue
and see if they can come."  She went off to phone and Waddie sat there with
a grin on his face looking down at his lap.  Buck was turned away from him
not even looking at him.

"Wipe-that-damn-grin-off'n your face, buckaroo or I'm a' gonna' tickle you
until you holler `calf rope!'

"You-! wouldn't-! dare-!"  Waddie used his best Ming the Merciless voice.
Buck was up out of his seat, grabbed Waddie and started tickling him
non-stop.  Waddie was screaming, laughing and hollering `calf rope.'

"Calf rope, Uncle Buck!"  They fell on the sofa together laughing and Linda
Sue could barely hear over the phone.  Jimmy Sue was laughing so hard at
Buck and Waddie.

They sat back down at the table. Waddie had his hand covering his mouth and
they both broke up again.

"Come'mer, ya' little shit!"  Waddie ran to his uncle crawled up into his
lap for a hug and a kiss, "You're the one what gimme' the idea, you know?"
Buck talked softly and stole another kiss.

"Yes Sir. And I'm so glad you decided on your own to run. I didn't want to
have to play my ace in the hole."

"All right, Junior!  Spill it!  What do you know, I don't?  What aren't you
telling me?"

"If I couldn't convince you I was to tell you that Mr. Urial said you had
to run for sheriff.  No if's, and's or but's about it!  His Boss wants you
to be sheriff of this county and you will be, Uncle Buck!"

"Damn, he has that much faith in me, Waddie?"

"A lot, Uncle Buck"

"Do you have faith in me, Cowboy?"

"I couldn't love you as much as I do if I didn't have faith in you and I'm
sure He must feel the same way."

"Then I better become one hell of a sheriff, right, pardner?"

"You will, Uncle Buck. You'll be the best damn sheriff this county ever
had."

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

The Justins arrived about seven.  Linda Sue and Waddie almost had dinner
ready.  Waddie set the table with his brother's help.  Gip knew something
was up but Waddie told him to let Uncle Buck tell him. Then he winked at
Gip and nodded. That told Gip all he needed to know. It meant Uncle Buck is
going to announce he's running for sheriff. He was thrilled.

They sat down to eat and had a good time talking about whether Waddie was
going back to Morgan's or not. It was up in the air as far as Buck was
concerned.

"Morgan didn't want to listen to what Waddie wants.  He wanted Waddie to go
back under the same stupid rules having to be under Judy and her spawn.
Waddie's refused to do that and I don't blame him.  No telling what those
people would do to him.  I won't let him go back unless Morgan agrees to
his wishes.  Time those bastards gave in a little bit.  He tried it their
way and they damn near killed him.  I ain't gonna' let that happen again."

They finished their meal and were having coffee and desert and Buck asked
for everyone's attention.

"I wanted to announce this first to my family. Everyone at this table is my
immediate family. I want you to know I have made a decision to run for
sheriff of our county against Harold Johnson in the November elections."

They were silent for only a moment and Dan slammed his fist down on the
table and yelled,

"Hot Damn!  Didn't I tell you, Gip?  Didn't I tell you, Darlin?'  That's
what he was gettin' us over here for?"  Dan stood up and walked around to
Buck and hugged him.

"We'll work our butts off to see you get elected, Brother, you know that!"
Jimmy Sue was next.

"Oh Buck, we were so hoping you would.  We'd almost given up hope.  It's so
late but I think you can do it!  We'll get started immediately."  She
hugged and kissed him.

"Oh, Darling, I'm so proud of you.  I hoped you would, too.  Jimmy Sue's
right we'll get started right away."

Gip grabbed his Uncle Buck and hugged him.

"My Uncle Buck, sheriff of our county.  That means Waddie and I have to be
really good boys, huh?"  They all laughed.

"You boys are all ready good boys." allowed Aunt Linda.

"Okay, fair's fair!"  Buck picked Waddie up, stood him on a kitchen chair,
put his arm around him and pulled him close.  "I got my buddy, here, to
thank for giving me the idea.  When I was speaking in Beaumont I took the
cowboy with me for company.  We were laying there in the hotel room about
to go to sleep and out of the blue he comes up with this outrageous idea. I
laughed at the time but the more I thought about it. It made a hell of a
lot of sense.  It may take me a while to learn to be sheriff but Quinton
all ready works there an he'll help me.  I want to officially thank you,
Son, for giving me the idea and, with God's help, I think we're gonna' pull
this thing off."

"I appreciate that Uncle Buck, but it weren't my idea."

"Well you were the one that told me and they don't know the rest."

"You gonna' tell `em the rest, Uncle Buck?"

"You tell `em, Cowboy."

"He don't have a choice in the matter folks.  He came to the decision on
his own and I love him for that but Mr. Urial's Boss wants him to be
sheriff of this county."

They all laughed and slapped Buck on the back.  They sat down and started
making strategy plans.  Buck was going down to file the next day and they'd
have their first rally at the Justin's Saturday afternoon.

Saturday afternoon came and only five or six folks showed up and then the
boys hollered for them to come see.  As far as the eye could see the road
was packed, bumper to bumper, with cars and trucks of all kinds. Dan had to
open one of his fields across the way for more parking.  There was over a
thousand town and county folk had gotten the word and came out to let Buck
Claymore know they wanted him to be their sheriff.

Dan, Jimmy Sue, Linda Sue had tears running down their face they were so
happy for Buck.  The good folks brought food, watermelons, ice cream, any
and everything you could think of and they kept coming into the evening.

It was time for Buck to get up and speak.  Waddie told Dan, Gip, Jimmy Sue
and his Aunt Linda.

"You think you know Uncle Buck.  Wait `til you hear him speak.  He becomes
a different man; a wonderful man that everyone wants to take to their
heart."

It wasn't a long, drawn out, speech.  He hit all the important topics and
spoke with a clear, full voice that inspired confidence in him from every
man, woman and child that heard him.  When he finished there wasn't a dry
eye to be found.

Buck presented his war record. He gave a brief summery of the campaigns he
fought in and the generals he was under.  He told of his love for his buddy
Audey Murphy and how he helped rescue him.  He spoke about what his town,
county and country meant to him.  He wanted to make sure it was safe for
everyone, young and old.  He wanted no one mistreated nor abused in his
county while he was sheriff. His administration would not tolerate graft
nor kickbacks.  He didn't talk bad about the other sheriff but only told
what he would and would not do as sheriff.  He ended his speech by telling
the folks that he'd lived his entire life in this community.  He had
started his adult life in this county to live, raise his children, and
invest his life in them and the community.  He knew how much the community
loved him.  They had gone out of their way to prove it over and over to him
and his family.

"You don't have folks show you love like you good people have shown me, my
wife and especially my God son and ever consider letting them down.  If you
good folks will help me, when all the votes have been counted, you will
have a new sheriff. With your help and the will of our father, Buck
Claymore will be your new sheriff! Thank you for coming and God bless
everyone of you!"

There went up a roar you could've heard in the next county. Everyone was
going nuts screaming and yelling his name,

"Buck!  Buck!  Buck!"  Over and over.  By the end of the evening there had
to be over two thousand people at the Justin's having a ball.  They were
all convinced Buck was going to be their new sheriff.  He was an answer to
a lot of folks prayers.

The old sheriff wasn't the least worried.  He didn't bother to hold a rally
nor make a speech.  The people wouldn't dare vote him out.  He'd been
sheriff for almost twenty years.  This upstart ain't gonna' win.  Besides
he should've been campaigning months ago for all the good it would've done
him.

Buck, Linda Sue and Waddie went to every town, ville, and burg in their
county and had meetings with the town folk.  Buck spoke and never put down
the current sheriff but presented his war record and what changes he'd make
if he was elected.

Hundreds came out to hear him everywhere they went. It was an exhausting
time for all three but when the final votes were counted Buck Claymore had
won by a three quarter majority.  There was no need for a run off.  Buck
won by a landslide.

The old sheriff was so pissed and upset he tried to call for a recount of
the votes and the officials laughed him out of their office. He was so
convinced it had been fixed he said he wouldn't vacate the office.  When
the town and county officials paid him a visit to convince him he would or
would be forcibly removed he stomped out and refused to serve the rest of
his tenure.  The officials pleaded with Buck to take office early.  Buck
was glad to.  He needed something to do and he was sworn in as sheriff of
the county December first of that year.

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

Morgan finally agreed to all of Waddie's conditions.  His Aunt Linda typed
it up in triplicate and Dr. Dyer, Dan Justin and Buck witnessed Morgan sign
that he would agree to the conditions and would live up to them, if not,
the contract became void and Waddie would be placed somewhere else to live.
Dr. Dyer read over the conditions and told Morgan he didn't see that they
were that demanding. He should be pleased to agree to those conditions to
protect his son.

Waddie drove home with Morgan the first of September but Waddie wouldn't
take any of his toys nor good clothes.  He left those at his uncle's and
aunt's.  He talked it over with his aunt and decided to take enough clothes
for school and maybe church on Sunday.  He knew he had to do this but he
wasn't as afraid as he had been almost a year ago.

No one came out to greet him.  They were all sitting in the kitchen
finishing dinner.  He walked in and stood in the doorway looking at them.
They turned, looked at him, turn back to table and ignored him like he
wasn't there.  He didn't say a word to them and headed for the stairs to go
up to his room.  His Dad hollered at him.

"Waddie say `hello' to your family."

"They didn't bother to say `hello' to me, dad.  Don't know why I should say
`hello' to them.  I'd be lying if I told `em I was happy to see them. I'm
not.  Besides, they ain't my family!  If you want `em for your family,
fine, I can't do anything about that but they never have been and never
will be my family."

Waddie went on up to his room, used his key to his new double dead bolt
lock, closed the door and locked it. Morgan came up the stairs and knocked
on Waddie's door.  Waddie opened it for his dad and Morgan brought in his
small suit case.

"Now let's get something straight, young man...."

Waddie walked right past Morgan with him hollering at him to come back and
listen to him.  Waddie walked down the stairs, out the front door and up
the road to the main road.  He got to the blacktop road and headed back
into town.  He was determined he wasn't going to be talked `at' ever again.
As far as Waddie was concerned Morgan didn't mean anything he said nor what
he agreed to. The contract was null and void.  He would seek placement.

Morgan sat on Waddie's bed for a minute and though, `Are those three down
there really worth what I'm requiring of my kid?'  Then he remembered Judy
sticking up for Willie all those years and pushing Waddie further and
further away.  She never had a birthday party for him, nor made him a
cake. Any presents Morgan bought for him for Christmas or his birthday
disappeared within a month.  Morgan began to see the hand writing on the
wall.  Waddie didn't have to listen to him.  He wasn't a bad boy. Why can't
you give him his rein and let him go with it?  Try it for a while and see
what happens.

Morgan went down and got into his truck and headed out to look for
Waddie. He was no where to be found. He was about to panic. He got home and
Judy told him the Justin's called and wanted him to call them.

"Hi Morgan. We were coming back from town and stopped to pick up Waddie. He
was really upset. Is it all right with you if he stays the night with Gip
and I'll bring him home in the morning.

"Yeah, Dan. I'd appreciate that. Tell him he was right to do what he
did. I'm not angry and I'm not gonna' tell him what he has to do
anymore. Just come home and I promise I'll listen from now on. Tell him I
love him."

"I sure will, Morgan. You have a good evening."

"Thank's Dan. You and Jimmy Sue,...you're good neighbors."

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

Waddie and Gip started school. It was a breeze for both of them. They were
at the head of their class. They both could read far ahead of the other
kids. The teacher wanted to bump them and Jannie Anderson up to second
grade.  Waddie and Gip talked about it and refused.  They decided to stay
with their class and help those that needed help. Jannie decided she didn't
want to be in a class with older boys and girls. Besides she had fallen in
love with Gip and Waddie anyway. The teacher was puzzled but thrilled by
the boys and Jannie's decision to stay and help the slower kids.

They did help the teacher and kids considerably and by mid-semester every
kid in the first grade were reading at a second grade level. Through the
end of November Waddie was busy going to meeting in small towns with Buck
and Linda Sue. He stayed a lot with them and he stayed a lot with the
Justins. He came and went as he pleased. He never ate a meal that Judy
cooked. Once she even invited him to eat with them when Morgan was on one
of his runs. Waddie told her,

"No thanks." Rather than leave the kid alone Judy decided to push it.

"What's a' matter? Too good to eat with us?!" Judy asked snidely.

"No Ma'am, not at all. I just remember Snow White and the poisoned apple
the witch gave her."

"Well, you sure as hell ain't Snow White, you smart mouthed little bastard,
and I ain't no witch!

"Yeah, well, we'll see! I got a bucket of water with you're name on it!"
Much to Judy's chagrin, Waddie's two wicked step-siblings giggled at his
comeback.  Waddie slammed the screen door as hard as he could `cause he
knew she hated it.


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

By the time Waddie agreed to return to Morgan's he had grown considerably
in height, weight and muscle.  His working with Dan and Buck almost
everyday during the summer really built up his body.  Gip was beginning to
grow, too.  Waddie had grown sturdy as a bull and strong as one.  He was no
longer willing to have sand kicked in his face.  His wrestling with his
brother and uncle taught him swiftness and how to use his body in a
defensive way.  When he entered school with the first graders, he was the
biggest kid in the first three grades.

There were two bathrooms upstairs.  One right next to Waddie's room and
another at the head of the stairs.  Willie was using the bathroom next to
Waddie's room because it was a little nicer.  Waddie got a cardboard box
and put all Willie's shit in it and sat it in front of the door to his
room.  He came home that afternoon and wanted to know what the fuck Waddie
thought he was doing.

"That's my bathroom, runt! You use the one at the end of the hall!"

"This ain't your house, Bubba. It's mine. I'll someday inherit it because
I'm Morgan's son. You're not. It's my Goddamn bathroom from now on.  If I
have too, I'll get my uncle, the sheriff, to put a lock on it."

"Why you little piece of shit!  You can't talk to me that way."  Willie
headed to punch Waddie out but Waddie had anticipated it.  He was hoping he
would.  He took his baseball bat from behind him and before Willie knew
what he was doing Waddie slammed the large end of the bat into Willie's
nuts as hard as he could.  Willie grabbed himself, turned, and started dry
heaving like he was going to puke.  Waddie put his boot in Willie's butt as
he fell forward, shoved with all his might and Willie went sliding across
the wooden floor of the hallway. Then Waddie stood over him.

"If you ever come near me again. So help me God, I'll kill you,
Willie. I've taken all the shit off'n you I'm going to."  Willie had set
the box of his stuff back in Waddie's bathroom.  Waddie grabbed it and
threw it as hard as he could at the other bathroom, breaking bottles of
hair tonic and other stuff.

"Now, I told you that was my bathroom, Goddamn it!  You even so much as
walk in it I'll beat you within an inch of your fucking life you weaseled
face cocksucker."

Judy came running up the stairs yelling, "Waddie!  Waddie!  Are you nuts!
What are you doing!  Don't hit him again.  I'll take care of you!  I ain't
afraid of you!"

"Get back, bitch, or I put him out like a light."  Waddie swung back with
his bat.  Judy backed off.

"Now!  I want to hear you say it, you mother fucker!  The bathroom by
Waddie's room is his!"  Willie wouldn't say anything. He thought his ma
would come to his rescue.

"You got to the count of three, butt breath, then your lights go out.  One!
Two!...."

"Tell him Willie!  He means it!"

"Okay! It's your bathroom, you little bastard!"  Waddie swung his bat again
and hit Willie hard right in the back.

"Iyeeeee! Oh God!  He hit me again, ma!  It hurts!"

"Apologize, Willie, for calling me a bastard! Now! Willie!"

"Do it Willie!  He's gonna' hit you again!"

"Okay, I apologize, I apologize!"

"You don't never call me `runt', `a bastard' nor any other bad name. You
speak to me you address me as Waddie.  Got that, pea brain?"  Willie just
shook his head. "I didn't hear you, ass hole!"

"Okay! Okay, you win this one. I won't call you that no more!"

"You just wait `til your dad gets home, you little bastard.  You think
you're real big with that baseball bat. I'll see to it you get the licking
of your life!"  Judy shook her finger at him.

Waddie hauled off and hit Willie across his kneecaps and he screamed in
pain.

"Apologize for that you smelly bitch, or I'll hit him again.  This time his
lights go out!"

"No, don't do that, Waddie, I apologize.  I'm sorry!  Don't hit him again."

"Let's us get something straight!  Willie's quite a bit bigger'n me.  He
was coming at me to hit me and he ain't gonna' do that no more.
Understand?  He's beat up on me since I was a baby.  My uncle, the sheriff,
remember him, Judy, told me to use an equalizer? The sheriff told me that
in front of my dad, Judy. I did just that and I'll do it again if I have
to.  If he has thoughts of getting back at me, I'll wait `til a dark night,
when he ain't looking and cave his damn skull in.  If you son's of bitches
want an all out war in this house, you got it.  But, I'll tell you this.  I
got bigger guns than you do and this is my announcement to you, I'm here to
stay!

I don't think either one of you are gonna' tell my dad, you stupid bitch!
You do and I tell him you been fucking Mr. Bloomquist, the plumber.  Didn't
think I knew about that, did you Judy?  Go ahead!  Tell him Judy! You'll be
looking for another place to live and I'll have this place to myself. Oh,
and I got witness's too in case you think it's your word against mine.

You better have a long talk with this pin head of yours and tell him he'd
better come around me with his Goddamn hat in his hand from now on. Next
time, I won't be this forgiving, I'll kill him in self defense!"  Waddie
turned and walked slowly back to his room, stopped and turned around.

"Oh buy the way, you scum of the Earth parasites, thanks for teaching me
the way you soulless meat machines operate.  Nothing like fighting fire
with fire."  He turned, walked into his room and slammed the door so hard
the entire upper floor shook.  Then he locked it.

Judy did indeed talk with her spawn of meat machines.  Waddie had a trump
card and Judy knew he'd use it.  She decided that they better just let him
be.  Willie was gonna' have to swallow his pride and use the bathroom at
the head of the stairs.  Judy knew Willie had threatened Waddie before and
she told him she would kick him out herself if he ever threatened Waddie
again.  As long as they left the kid alone she felt they'd be all right.

>From then on, the three of them pretty much left him alone and didn't
question where he was going, what he was doing, or what time he'd be back.
Morgan couldn't believe the change in Waddie when he got home.  He was all
over him.  Loving his dad like the little boy he loved so much before.
Maybe he'd done the right thing by easing up on Waddie.  If he was as good
a kid as Buck and Dan seemed to think maybe he could trust him. He found it
remarkable that Judy nor Willie had a gripe about Waddie when he came home
and he was astounded that Waddie had the bathroom next to his room for
himself.  He knew it had been Willie's.

"How did you talk Willie into taking the bathroom at the end of the hall?"

"We had a little talk and I reminded him that this was my house, like you
told me, and I preferred this bathroom.  He didn't have any problem with
it.  Willie can be reasoned with."  Waddie wasn't about to tell his dad how
he reasoned with Willie but he had the feeling if he had he would've been
proud of him.


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

Even though Willie locked Waddie out of his room, almost as a symbol of
locking Waddie out of his life, if a kid wants to get into your stuff he'll
find away.  Waddie was no different.  The older he got the more clever he
got until by the third grade he was considerably brighter than Willie.

Willie was a jock and his brain was only another muscle.  One he never
bothered to develop.  Waddie would simply crawl out his bedroom window walk
around the roof to Willie's widow and go into his room. The dummy left his
window open most of the time and never locked it.

Waddie would very carefully go through his stuff to see why he went to such
lengths to keep him out. Naturally, the first thing that would raise a red
flag of suspicion to your kid brother would be to lock your door against
him?  Meat machines are cruel and mean spirited but their elevator shoes
need a lift kit.

Waddie was far from being a meddlesome kid. Anyone's home he was in could
have a hundred dollar bill laying out and it would never cross Waddie's
mind to take it.  He'd had so much taken from him in life he wouldn't dare
take anything away from anyone.

Waddie wouldn't have gone though his stuff if Willie made an effort to bury
the hatchet, make amends, and just be pleasant to Waddie.  He didn't have
to fawn over Waddie or go out of his way for him. All he had to do was be
nice.  Instead he glared at Waddie every time he passed and Waddie glared
back at him imitating him.  Then Waddie would break up with laughter after
he was past him like his glaring was the funniest damn thing Waddie'd ever
seen.  It really began to get to Willie, too.  He never forgot the bathroom
episode.  He did, however, gain a new respect for his step-brother.

Waddie, rightfully thought, if Willie was living in his house he wasn't
going to shut Waddie out If Willie was so protective of his shit, Waddie
had the right to find out why.  Waddie memorized Willie's schedule and had
lots of time to peruse. He didn't find anything of any consequence until
one day at the very far back corner of Willie's closet Waddie spied a board
ajar.

Jack pot!  Waddie found fifteen or twenty old gay muscle/art magazines;
Grecian Guild, Physique Pictorial, Tomorrow's Man, and several others.
Some had the pages stuck together. Waddie wondered why?  He giggled to
himself.  He knew!  This was beyond Waddie's wildest dreams.  He also found
twenty or thirty boxes of shotgun shells.  Ten or fifteen each of big
caliber rifle boxes.  Five boxes of twenty-two longs and others.

At the end of WWII you couldn't get any kind of fire arm equipment.  It all
went into the war effort. Not only that but it was a federal offence if you
were caught selling or stealing firearms or ammunition.  You couldn't even
buy a gun nor ammunition for several years after the war.  The federal laws
stayed on the books for about ten years.

If that wasn't enough Waddie found four brand new rifles and two shotguns;
twelve and sixteen gage. The rifles were two 30/30's, a 30/0/6, and a .22
calabar.  Waddie later found out through rumor and listening to his
brother's conversations with several of his buddies in his bedroom, that
Willie and three of his buddies broke into a box car on a railroad siding,
outside of town, and stole the guns and cartridges.  Poor Willie. To make
matters worse and the shear stupidity of it, wouldn't you know it was a
Cotton Belt boxcar.  The very train company Morgan Lovejoy worked for.

Waddie felt bad for his dad.  He knew that his dad worked for the Cotton
Belt and Morgan would have come unglued at the hinges if he knew Willie had
been involved with that break in.  Waddie had a bigger payload than the
Enola Gay delivered!  He didn't tell a soul.  There was a little voice
inside Waddie's head that said,

"No, Waddie,...hang on to this.  He ain't gonna' move those for sometime
`cause their hotter than a freshly fucked fox in a forest fire.  He'll
leave them where he thinks they're safe and then move them, but that won't
be for a some time."

Waddie decided to hold on to his secret as a nuclear deterrent; an ace in
the hole; or perhaps, more accurately, an ace to shove up Willie's hole.
Waddie would check from time to time to see if his protection against an
all out assault was still at the ready.  Willie never touched that stuff
for several years.

Waddie did eventually share it with his brother and told him where the
stuff was so if anything happened to him, Gip could go directly to Buck.
Waddie made Gip swear he would leave the telling to him until he felt God
and Mr. Urial wanted him to crush Willie.

The Justins and the Sheriff, his wife and Waddie were at Ma and Pa
Claymore's for Sunday dinner. (dinner in Texas is the noon meal, supper is
the evening meal; but, that doesn't hold true in all area's of Texas.)

The grown ups were talking about the break in of the boxcar.  Waddie and
Gip wouldn't look at each other for fear of giving something away.
Finally, Waddie asked his uncle a question.

"When you catch `em, Uncle Buck, what will happen to `em."

"Guaranteed six to ten years in a federal prison. I just hope we catch
`em."

"You will, Uncle Buck."

"Think so, Cowboy?"

"I have faith in you, Uncle Buck."

"So do I, Uncle Buck, you'll catch `em." said Gip.

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

The Justins gave Waddie a ride back to Morgan's that afternoon and Buck and
Linda Sue drove home.  They were in Buck's Ford.

"You've been awfully quiet, Hon. Something bothering you?" Linda Sue asked.

"Those boys know something about the break in of that boxcar."

"What makes you think so, Dear?  I didn't notice them saying anything about
it."

"I've come to know those boys so well I can almost read their minds. Did
you notice Waddie asked, `when you catch them' not `if you catch them.'
The boys know I'm going to catch `em.  They both told me they had faith in
me that I would catch the person or people involved.  It was their way of
saying, `We know something and we'll deliver whoever it is to you but the
time ain't right.  Trust us and don't ask us a `yes' or `no' question
`cause you know we can't lie to you."

"You got all of that out of them telling you they had faith in you?"  Linda
Sue shook her head.

"Yes, and I'll tell you why.  Of all the people I've asked about the break
in, it never occurred to me to asked the boys if they knew anything.  If I
ask them they wouldn't lie to me but they don't want me asking.  They
weren't involved in any way but they know who did it. They're afraid I
might ask and it was their way of saying, `Please don't ask, `cause we
can't tell you right now.' I trust those boys. They have a damn good reason
for not telling me but they will in their own time. I won't ask them and
I'd rather you not `cause they won't lie to you either.  I've got to call
Dan after we get home.  He and Jimmy Sue mustn't ask them either."

"Well, I won't say a word to them and in a strange way, I think you may be
right, Dear.  You're going to make a fine sheriff, Buck.  I love you."

"Love you too, Darlin.'"

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

"Dan this is Buck"

"Damned if we weren't talking about you.  Waddie asked if he could stay the
night with Gip since Morgan's on a run `til Tuesday and he and Gip went
down to take care of the stock. They'll be back after while.  Jimmy Sue and
I've been talking Buck... "

"The boys know something, right?"

"Did you get that, too?"

"Sure as hell did.  Their worried we'll ask `em. They weren't involved in
any way but they know who did it and they have a damn good reason for not
telling us right now.  I called to ask you and Jimmy Sue not to ask them.
They won't lie to us if we ask, but Dan, even though I'm Sheriff right now,
I trust those boys and they'll deliver whoever did it to my hands."

"Jimmy Sue won't believe me Buck but maybe she will now and I agree. I
don't think you have anything to fear.  I trust them, too, and we won't ask
`em.  You got my word and Jimmy Sue just shook her head, she won't either.
I think she believes me now.  Glad you called, we had a great time at
dinner and look forward to seeing you soon.  Ya'll take care now."

"Thanks Dan."

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

"Willie tried to frame Waddie again.  Willie swore and be'damned that
Morgan's `little lamb' did it.  He watched him do it.  Morgan went to Judy,
but Judy didn't back Willie this time.  She'd warned him not to pull any
shit and this time he was on his own.  Morgan went over to the Justin's and
asked Waddie about it. Waddie said he didn't do it.  He hadn't been
home. He stopped at the Justin's after school and he'd been there all
afternoon. Waddie had an ironclad alibi.  He was with Dad Dan and Gip the
entire afternoon when something of Morgan's got broken. Dan stood up for
Waddie.

"Morgan, I mean no disrespect as a neighbor, and I don't presume to tell
you how to raise your boy; but, I've been around that kid of your's for
over a year and a half.  I've never caught him in a lie. Sometime you have
to be careful what you ask him because you will get the hard truth.  If he
did something, he'll admit it. Anytime he's done anything he thinks I might
not like he'll come to me, apologize and tell me he did it.  Every time it
was because of an accident and not because he did it on purpose. That kid
don't have a mean bone in his body.  He's taught my boy how to be a man and
I'll have to admit I've learned a few things from him.  I would trust your
boy with my life, Mr. Lovejoy.  If Waddie told you he didn't do it.  I
guarantee you he didn't do it!"

Morgan couldn't get upset at Dan.  He'd paid him the highest complement a
dad could wish to hear from someone else, that his boy was a good and
trustworthy kid. Morgan went back and grabbed up Willie and took him to the
barn with Willie protesting the whole time.  Morgan made him admit he'd
done it to frame Waddie.  Willie couldn't sit down for a week and Waddie
would smile real sweetly every time he went by Willie.  Willie hated Waddie
more than ever. The lines had been drawn.

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

The Justins had an old hound drift onto the property. It was starving,
mangey and flea ridden.  Jimmy Sue fed it and it got to hanging around the
ranch and became a pretty protective and fair watchdog.  It got to trust
and love Waddie and Gip `cause they were all the time slipping it treats.
They managed to cure the mange and bathed the old hound in sheep dip to rid
it of the fleas. While helping the dog and getting it ready to be dipped
Waddie and Gip were amazed at how many huge fleas the dog had all over it's
body.

Gip started laughing and looked at Waddie and their brains locked into the
same gear. Neither had to say a word.  They knew what each other was
thinking as Gip ran to get an empty mayonnaise jar.  Those boys must have
picked a couple hundred or more fleas off that hound and put them into the
mayonnaise jar.  They punched small holes in the top for air and let the
fleas sit for two days.  The boys wanted them to be especially hungry.

They snuck into Willie's room, pulled back the covers and sheets on his
bed, dumped the hungry fleas in the middle and quickly pulled the top sheet
and covers back.  They neatly made the bed up and returned to Waddie's
room.  Gip got permission to stay over with Waddie.  They couldn't wait for
Willie to go to bed.  They were very quiet and entered Waddie's room by
climbing up the trellis on the side, walking across the roof to a window
and letting themselves in. What they hadn't counted on was one of Willie's
cronies had come home to stay the night with him.  That made it all the
sweeter for the boys.  Willie and his buddy crawled in under the sheets.
There was a few minutes of silence then Waddie and Gip heard,

"Son of a bitch, something's eating me.  Something's biting me the holy
shit out a' me. Damn, it's in the bed.  Goddamn, it's fleas! All over me!
Aaaaaaarrrrrrgggggg!  Get `em off me!  What kind a whore house you live in
Willie.  Damnation!  I'm going home you fucking low life mother fucker!
Don't you ever come near me again you bastard, I don't want fleas on me."
With that his friend had his clothes on and stomped out.  Waddie and Gip
almost lost it laughing.  Then they heard Willie knocking on Waddie's door.
Waddie kept his door locked and remembered the nights he knocked on
Willie's door scared out his wits from the thunderstorm.  Waddie ignored
his pounding as Willie had ignored his pleas.

"I know you're in there you little bastard.  Open this door this minute.
I'm gonna' kill you, you little son of a bitch."

Waddie and Gip kept their clothes on in case they needed to make an
emergency bail out.  They figured the time had come. They left via the roof
to the trellis and high tailed it over to the Justin ranch to spend the
night.  Morgan was on a train run and he and Buck had the only other keys.
Willie couldn't get in but found out later the boys had spent the night at
the Justin ranch.  He was stumped, he couldn't figure it out.

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

The boys were so good at not getting caught that Willie really had no proof
they did it.  He was too dumb to figure out the boys came in through the
window.  Waddie was worried about his two windows and Willie having access
to them.  Quinton, Buck and Dan took the measurements from Waddie and Gip
and made two by three frames for the windows and put hinges on them.  They
dadoed the center of the two by three to accept a recessed chain link fence
piece. Buck helped the two boys install them.  They would open into the
room and were kept closed by a hasp secured with a spring loaded slip-clip.
If there was a fire all Waddie had to do was take off the slip-clip and the
guard swung into the room and he could crawl out through the window.  Judy
didn't say anything to Buck installing them.  She knew better.  She ranted
and raved at Morgan, she wanted them removed immediately.

Morgan asked her why. He didn't see anything wrong with them.  She told him
they looked awful and wanted them down immediately.  Morgan talked to
Waddie and he told him why he did it. He thought Willie might be coming in
his room when he was gone and wanted it stopped.  Morgan ignored Judy.


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

Waddie told Buck all about the fight for the bathrooms and asked if he'd
put a lock on that door for him too.  Buck agreed.  Waddie told Buck about
the fleas and thought Buck was gonna' rip his pants laughing.  Waddie
described every word Willie's friend said and couldn't help laughing
himself as he told it.  It was only fuel for the fire for Buck.  He
couldn't stop laughing.

"Have you guys told Dan, yet?"

"No Sir, we wanted to tell you first."

Buck wouldn't say it but Waddie knew he couldn't wait to get to the phone
to call Dan.

Waddie told Buck about Mr. Bloomquist.  Buck just shook his head for his
brother's sake.

"You need that leverage, Son.  Don't tell nobody about Mr. Bloomquist and I
won't either.  You don't want to lose that.  It don't matter whether he
fucks her a little or a lot, we both know it ain't right. What my brother
don't know right now, won't hurt him."

"I won't Uncle Buck. You're the only one I've told.  I ain't even gonna'
tell Dad Dan and Gip.  I'll leave it up to you if'n you want to tell Dad
Dan.  I know he won't tell a soul but I'd rather you tell him than me.  I'm
just a little embarrassed.  Not for me but for my dad.  If you tell him.
Tell him to tell Gip for me."

"Despite all of his shit, you really do love him don't you, Son?"

"Yeah, can't lie to you Uncle Buck.  I do.  I love him a lot.  He ain't
been all bad to me.  There's been some times with dad that I really felt we
were family and I hope for that again soon's I can wean him away from those
`meat machines.'  Buck didn't ask.  He knew from previous discussions that
was the angels term for Judy, Willie, and Dorothy. He wondered if there
really was such a thing as soulless people.

"I guess I shouldn't tell you this, Uncle Buck..."

"You can tell my anything, Cowboy, and you know it."

"I'm kinda jealous of Judy."

"Whatever for, Sweetbaby?"

"I think Mr. Bloomquist is hot!"

Buck damn near shit his pants laughing.  He held Waddie and they laughed
together.

"God help me, I never know what's gonna' come out of that mouth!  Well,
I'll have to agree with you, Cowboy.  Old Bloomers ain't a bad looking man
by no stretch.  He was my tight end on the football team and was he tight?"
Buck bellowed with laughter.

"How tight was he, Uncle Buck?"  Waddie giggled.

"He was so tight, he'd scream every time he passed a watermelon seed."
Waddie giggled and laughed. That was one of Buck's awful jokes, but even
his bad ones were funny the way Buck told them.

"Tell ya'one thing, old Bloomers loved to get his dick sucked.  He'd rather
do that than fuck."  Buck looked at Waddie and saw a smile cross his face.

"I know what's going through that little head of your's.  I regretted
having said it the minute it came out.  Don't you get no ideas, understand?
Although I know Bloomers well enough to know he wouldn't hurt you."

"I understand perfectly, Uncle Buck." Waddie smiled like a little saint,
"You're the greatest uncle a kid could have."  Then Waddie giggled and Buck
tickled him until he hollered `calf rope.'

"Tell me something!  Are you getting enough to eat, Waddie?  You look like
you've lost weight."

"I don't eat anything at Morgan's. I'm afraid Judy or Willie will try to
poison me. Morgan don't make me eat with them even when he's there.  The
one time I did, it was so uncomfortable for everyone he didn't make me do
it again.  I was so upset I couldn't eat nothing.  Morgan made me eat and I
threw up in my plate.  He's never asked me again.

I don't ask but if Momma Sue ask me to eat with them, I do.  I try not to
be a pest.  Most times I leave and go home before they get ready for dinner
so's they won't have to ask me.  I don't have anything to eat some nights
but it's okay, I make do."

"You ain't no pest.  Dan and Jimmy Sue would have a conniption if they knew
you weren't eating especially if they thought you were going to bed hungry.
You're all the time working helping Dan or Gip do something over to their
place.  Did you ever consider that?"

"No Sir.  I just do that `cause I love 'em and I want to be around `em, not
`cause I expect anything in return."

"You let me talk to `em. I'll give `em extra money to see you get breakfast
and dinner.  Is Morgan giving you lunch money?"

"Yes Sir but Momma Sue usually has a lunch fixed for me every day and I
like what she makes Gip and me.  I love her meatloaf sandwiches.  Uncle
Buck, I'd be embarrassed to have them know I'm afraid to eat at Morgan's."

"Listen to me.  I happen to know how much they love you and they would turn
me and you both over their knees if they knew we were keeping this from
them.  Now, let me handle this and trust me, it'll be fine."

Buck dropped by the Justin's that evening and talked to Dan and Jimmy Sue.
Dan was deeply hurt and Jimmy Sue was in tears that Waddie wouldn't come to
them and let them know.  They would've included him in every meal and
certainly would from then on.

"Take money from you for that kid?  Not on your life! Not only have you
helped us far beyond anything we'd ever be able to repay you but that kid
works his butt off over here with Gip and me.  Hell, he earns anything we'd
feed him. `Sides that, one more mouth to feed ain't that damn expensive.  I
was serious when I told Waddie I think of him as Gip's brother, Goddamn it,
and I meant it!  I'm gonna' have a serious talk with that young man.  Time
he understands and believes who loves him around here."

Dan went to the phone and dialed Morgan's number.  Judy answered.

"Mrs. Lovejoy this is Dan Justin next door.  Is Waddie there?  May I speak
with him?"

"Sure, Mr. Justin.  He's in his room.  I'll holler at him."  He heard Judy
hollering at Waddie.  Waddie came to the phone.

"Hello."

"Hey Son, this is Dad Dan.  How soon can you get over here?"

"Right now, Dad Dan.  See you in a few minutes."

"Good. See you then, Son."

Waddie got there and saw his uncle's pickup in the back and knew he
probably told the Justins.  He was kinda shy going in because he didn't
know what to expect.  Dad Dan opened his arms to him.

"Come'mer, Son."  Waddie went to him and Dad Dan tried to choke back his
tears. "Time you learned, young'un, what it means when people tell you they
love you.  Waddie you can come to me, Momma Sue, your Uncle Buck or Aunt
Linda with anything.  Look at you!  You've lost weight.  Didn't I tell you
honey, last week, I thought he was losing weight?"

"Yeah, he did, Waddie, and I agreed with him but we didn't know why."

"Look, you do enough work around here to pay for any meals you take with
us.  Your uncle even offered to pay us to feed you and we refused.  We
can't repay you any other way so you might as well start thinking of
yourself as Gip's real brother and our real son as well.  Seems like you
got a lot of folks want to consider being your parents.  I know one big man
that was just elected sheriff that sure as hell does."

"I didn't mean to cause any problems Dad Dan and I didn't want Momma Sue to
have to go to extra trouble for me.  She fixes me a lunch almost every day
and I really appreciate it when she does.  I like what she fixes Gip and me
better than that stuff in the cafeteria. I was embarrassed because I didn't
want you folks to know I was afraid to eat over there."

"Well your staying for dinner tonight.  Buck's gonna' go get Linda Sue and
bring her back for dinner."

"Thanks Dad Dan, Momma Sue, I love you both."  Jimmy Sue hugged him and was
in tears.

"Your dad's right, Waddie. You help us around here more'n you realize."

"You and Gip wanna' ride with me into town to pick up your Aunt Linda."
Buck asked.

"I think I'd rather stay here, Uncle Buck, and earn my dinner."  They all
laughed.

"Well, let's get out there then.  We got some work to do before they get
back."  said Dad Dan.

Buck waved goodbye as Dan walked toward the barns with an arm around both
boys.  Buck had a tear in his eye as he hit the blacktop back into town.
He felt he needed to talk with the Old Man and spoke the words out loud.
As he started he felt he wasn't alone and looked to see the seat indented
on the other side.  He knew Mr. Urial was riding shotgun again.

"The only miracle I want, Father, and Mr. Urial, is for that boy to become
mine.  Forgive me for coveting another man's son, Father, I know it's
wrong, but if he ain't raising him right and you think I might do a better
job, please Lord, he has a home to come to."  Buck could swear he felt a
hand on his shoulder and then he watched the dents in the seat go away by
themselves.  He knew his prayer had been heard.

The six of them had a joyful meal that evening. First time in a long time,
Buck asked if Dan and Jimmy Sue minded if he said `grace' over their meal.
They all joined hands around the table and Buck prayed.

"Father bless this food and each one in this family around this table.  We
thank you for providing us with what we need and giving us the love of
friends and family.  Forgive us our sins, father, and let us learn to love
each other more each day.  Amen." Everyone else followed with `Amen' as
well.  That began a tradition in the Justin/Claymore household that someone
said thanks to the Father for his goodness to them before each meal.  In
all the years after that evening, Waddie couldn't remember a time that
`thanks' wasn't said at every meal.

It was a wonderful evening and Gip and Waddie felt closer as brothers every
day.  Buck had been right.  The six around that table were about as close
to family as you could get. The love in that house, in that room, couldn't
be measured.  They all knew it and shared it's goodness with each other.

Urial called out to his Boss to come see. The Old Man stopped what he was
doing and came to feel the love in the Justin home.  The Old Man himself
sat down with them for a spell and was pleased to call them his children It
was only one more reason, but a strong one, that he knew he had made the
right decision by allowing man to become more than himself, a little higher
than the angels in the scheme of things. His love conjoined with the
family's love and he saw that it was good.


End Part 8
Cabbage Patch Cowboy
Copyright 2002 Waddie Greywolf
Questions/comments: waddiebear@yahoo.com