TEXAS LONGHORNS
By
Waddie Greywolf
Chapter
30
I slept the
peaceful dreams of a man in love. I was in love with the big,
mature, biker/cowboy who shared my bed and in love with all the folks I
met recently. I woke to the click of the automated coffee maker in the
kitchen. It was July the Fourth; rodeo day. Today would be the
day I finally got to meet my grandfather. I wondered about him
for years, and now, today, I would get my chance to find out for myself
what the man was all about. I heard so many conflicting
things about him I had to know. I had no doubt this new day was going
to bring great and exciting things.
Master Waddie
snapped his cod piece back on to sleep; however, he gave me permission
to remove it if I wanted to surprise him with an early morning blow
job. I gently undid the snaps, removed it and set it aside. I
took him into my mouth and his full masculine flavors filled my senses
as I ran my tongue gently around and under his foreskin. I felt
him stretch and place his hands behind my head in encouragement.
He was beginning to grow strong in my throat. I was going to suck
him off, but he had other ideas. He reached down, pulled me up to
his chest and kissed me ‘good morning.’ He rolled me over, popped
out my plug. He replaced it swiftly and surely with his big
biker/cowboy dick.
He was back in
my saddle again; right where a cowboy needs a friend. I couldn’t think
of a nicer way to start my day than with Master Waddie’s love deposited
as far up my ass as he could get it. He fucked me twice before we went
to sleep that evening and I sucked him off once during the night;
however, I could feel from the pace he started, this was going to be a
good, gentle, long, slow, soul searching fuck; and, indeed, it
was. By the time I felt him building toward climax I was throwing
my ass back down on his stiff cock so hard to meet his steady but
relentlessly plowing strokes, I wondered if my bed would hold up.
Fortunately my
bed held up quite nicely and we climaxed together in a controlled
orgasm one might expect from two in sync rodeo cowboys. We
performed as well in bed, together, as we did in the rodeo arena.
Now,— today,— when I ride Rocky to the stocks to get ready for our
first run,--- I can squeeze my asshole tightly,--- feel just a bit of
muscle soreness from my partner’s good fucking, smile to myself and
know I’m a cowboy empowered to win.
* * * * * * *
The next morning
Bubba and his boys were all over me and Master Waddie. They tried
to be as subtle as possible, but just couldn’t curb their surprise,
enthusiasm and encouragement. After all, the three of them had
come to know, what seemed like a different man than the man my dad told
me about. I had no doubt what dad told me and everyone else
corroborated, my granddad must have been a real rigid bastard at
one time. Master Waddie came to my rescue with my conundrum.
“Son, it jes’
ain’t so that men don’t change. Men do change; unfortunately,
sometimes for the worse as well as for the better. Some men live
their lives in quiet desperation, loaded with guilt, fear, hatred, and
self loathing. They never try to change; they’re miserable and
it’s all they’ve come to know; therefore, their misery becomes their
happiness; and so, they never attempt change; however, some men
have their mistakes and past deeds brought home to them so
dramatically, they do a hundred and eighty degree turn around. That was
the message within Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol.” Old Scrooge was
made to see the error of his ways, and the direct result of his actions
or inactions not only caused great harm and misery to others, but
indirectly to himself as well. Remember, misery begets misery; or
worse yet,— misery is as misery does.
I knew your
granddaddy years ago and knew him to be a concerned and caring
man. No doubt he was a miserable man at the time, but he was
looking for an answer for his misery. Any man who is still
searching for an answer will never die miserable. Your granddad’s
misery was so simple, he was looking for much more complicated
answers. Many times, that’s the way with loss, sorrow,
disappointment and misery. The misery itself is far more
complicated than the answer or the solution. In most cases the
only answer is to ask God for forgiveness, forgive yourself and take
one small step at a time toward learning to love without
conditions. Unconditional love is like anything else in life,— a
man has to learn it,— it isn’t given to him naturally.
When a man
learns to love unconditionally without hate or judgment for others,—
it’s then, and only then a man is truly reborn to life. Forget
what you hear them rabid, bible thump’n freaks say about them being
born again. They’ll tell you, you have to believe like them to
find salvation. Lord, I hope not. Most of ‘em have the
intellect of a radish, and they couldn’t reason their way out of a wet
paper bag. They have no concept of the real meaning of being
‘born again.’ In their zeal and rush for their own personal spiritual
comfort or whatever they think on as their salvation they, in effect,
simply accept the standards set down by some pervert of a preacher who
ain’t the least bit interested in their salvation, but his own
self-aggrandizement, greed and sick need for power. The more he can
control his flock, the more likely he is to gain wealth and power for
himself. His God is mammon.
They’ll insist
you have to believe like they do or you ain’t a’ gonna’ make it
to the same place they hope their going. Who’d want to? You
have to love and hate the way they do or they’ll tell you, you
ain’t worthy to share equally in their society here. Why would
anyone with a sane mind wanna’ share an eternity with them folks
anyway. I sure as hell wouldn’t. That truly would be hell,
living among them self-righteous son’s a’ bitches.
It’s only when a
man like your granddaddy begins to doubt does he realizes he’s been
horribly misled by false men and their false ideas. A healthy
skepticism or doubt will more likely save a man than blind faith.
Never be afraid to question authority, but more importantly, always
question anyone’s motives who asks you to accept anything on
faith. Blind faith, in and of itself, is fertile ground for evil
to sow its seeds. The very demon them folks think they’s arming
themselves against is living within them. They’re gear'n up to
fight a battle they’ve all ready lost.
Yore’ granddad
would listen to me by the hour when nobody else would. It was his
silent, but strong way, of showing me his empathy and his unconditional
love. I’ll be honest with you,— I love yore' granddaddy to this
day and owe him a debt of gratitude. He never tried to preach to
me, but I could feel he was or had been a man of deep faith. He
never spoke of it with me unless I asked him. He claimed he lost
it; however, I insisted he would one day find it again,--- but it would
be different. It wouldn't be the way he saw things before, but
the peace and beauty of his resolution would make him whole
again. We cried in each other’s arms that night and he thanked
me. Maybe, like you and me,— him and me,— it could be we helped
each other a little bit. He certainly helped me see things in a
different light.
He truly loved
my little brother Cass whose face was a mess from a mine explosion in
Nam. Half of his face was blown off. Half of Cass’s face
looked like his skin was stretched tight over a skeleton’s skull. Half
his mouth had his teeth sardonically exposed. He was frightening
to look upon when you first met him; however, he was such a
genuinely good and loving man,— after a while, you hardly noticed his
looks unless you were really thinking about it.
My advice to
you, not only as someone who loves you, but as your Master; meet your
granddad with all the joy and hope in your heart for the possibility of
sharing something wonderful. Take it slow,— you don’t have to
rush into anything. You’ll be surrounded by a large group of
loving men who will project their strength and comfort to you.
You won’t be alone. You don’t have to tell him nothing right
away. I’d advise you to go to work for him if he asks you.
Take my boy’s offer and leave your stuff here.
Most of these
men know what yore’ granddaddy’s situation is and what yours is.
They be cowboys, Son,— ever’ damn one of ‘em. They live by the
cowboy code. They’d never tell another man your business you
shared with ‘em unless you give ‘em permission. They won’t betray your
trust. Gip, his boys, Bubba, and his boys will never tell yore’
granddad nothing. They certainly won’t tell him who you are if
you don’t want ‘em to; however, I think it’s within all their hearts to
see you two happy together.
Don’t think with
your head, cowboy,— feel and listen with your heart,— you’ll never go
wrong. God don’t talk to us through our heads no ways,— his
angels, do but he don’t; no,— he talks to us through our
hearts. The love I have for you, as your Master, will tell you to
listen to the voice that speaks to you within your heart. That voice
will come to you in the wee small hours of the night and fill you with
its truth. You’ll know what to do, and you’ll know when to do it.
Don’t worry none about what chore’ daddy might think. God will
take care of that. He will heal his heart as he has his dad’s.”
I sat there next
to my Master and cried like a baby in his arms. He was the only
man other than Spencer Winchester who gave me such sound advice from
the depths of his soul. I didn’t need Gip, Bubba or anyone to
tell me to listen to my cowboy Master. I knew his words were
true.
* * * * * * *
I had breakfast
with everyone without my contacts and Bubba’s boys couldn’t keep their
eyes off of me. Vince told me it was like looking at a younger
version of his Uncle Curtis, he called my granddad.
“My God, Casey!”
exclaimed Seth, “Yore’ eyes are the same damn color as Uncle
Curtis’s. You gonna’ put chur’ contacts in before we go to the
rodeo?”
“I think it
would be a good idea,— don’t chu,' men?” I asked Seth and Vince.
“Oh, yeah,
Casey,— we think you should. If’n we’d a’ seen the color of yore’
eyes yesterday we’d a’ been asking a few question. Dad would a’
know’d fer sure.” They laughed. “By the way, cowboy,--- welcome
to the family.”
“Thanks, men,—
I’m awful proud ya’ll think on me as yore’ brother.”
* * * * * * *
The sun was
coming up as we got the final ponies loaded onto the horse
trailers. Gip took the pony Waddie was going to ride in his six
horse trailer and he had room for Rocky; however, Bubba insisted
taking Rocky along with his and his boy’s three ponies in his four
horse trailer. Master Waddie and I rode with Bubba and his
boys. We were quite a caravan of trucks, horse trailers and
motorcycles.
I was really
proud of my roping partner. He was decked out in his finest cowboy,
rodeo gear and I was wearing my favorite lucky rodeo clothes. I
wondered how Waddie could carry a Western hat and clothes on his
motorcycle. He didn’t. He explained many in his family were
so use to going to The Broken Arrow outside of Tucson and to Waddie’s
hometown they bought and left their Western clothes in each
place. Gip had a closet in one of his guest bedrooms filled with
frequent quest’s cowboy clothes. Everyone commented on what a hot pair
we made,— even Mr. Titus.
* * * * * * *
We arrived at
the rodeo grounds shortly after sunup. The rodeo wasn’t due to start
until ten A.M.; however, Sheriff Claymore was one of the city fathers
and had to be there early to meet with all the other men coordinating
and running the rodeo. Of course, we all pitched in to help make
Gip’s job as easy as possible and by the time the other contestants
began to arrive everything was in pretty good shape.
I was working
with Master Waddie, Titus, Bubba and his boys at the far end of the
arena helping unload the rough stock that was to be used in the
rodeo. Since it was such a small town rodeo they didn’t contract
with a major stock provider and had local ranchers bring their
orneriest critters. I was surprised there was some fine looking
stock brought and released into the holding pens.
We broke for
coffee and donuts around eight and were all standing around when Bubba
looked over my shoulder and smiled. He looked at me, winked and
nodded for me to turn around to look. Pulling into the rodeo
grounds was a huge, crew-cab, pickup truck pulling a six horse
trailer. The truck had a sign in large letters painted on the
side: “Lazy 8 Ranch.” I didn’t expect it to happen but my heart
leaped to my throat and I couldn’t speak. Bubba watched me
closely and saw the blood drain from my face. He walked up beside
me, put his big arm around me and pulled me close to him.
“Don’t chu’
worry none, cowboy. He don’t have no idea who you is. Ain’t
a man here what’s gonna’ give you away neither. Just be your
sweet, charming cowboy-self and you’ll have that old man eating out a’
yore’ hand.”
“Thanks,
Bubba.” I managed to choke out.
We all watched
as the four cowboys got out of the truck. I knew immediately
which one was my granddad. He was the tallest, the biggest, the
most handsome of the four men. He was, no doubt, my father’s dad
and my granddad. He looked more like my dad than I did.
Then again, everyone always has told me I look more like my Uncle
Seth. Bubba’s boys looked at their dad for his direction.
He gave them a slight nod for them to go to their Uncle Curtis to greet
him and they were away.
Master Waddie
and Titus walked up and was standing with Bubba and I. The
sheriff and his boys joined us, too. Bubba excused himself to go
say ‘hello’ to Curtis Langtry and rescue him from his boys. I
could tell the way Vince and Seth were hugging and talking with my
granddad they were genuinely glad to see him. He seemed just as
glad to see them. Then as they moved on to shake the hands of the
other cowboys from the Lazy 8 Bubba took my granddad’s hand and pulled
him into a big hug and gave him a kiss on the cheek. My granddad
responded in kind.
I couldn’t get
over how hot looking my granddad was. He had on one of the best
looking Western hats and a handsome pair of boots that were obviously
handmade for him. He looked mature and weathered like a ranch foreman
was suppose to look; but to me, he was the most handsome man I think I
ever laid eyes on.
“Oh,— and did I
mention,— you granddaddy is one hell of a fine look’n buckaroo?”
Master Waddie said loud enough so only our group could hear.
“I can’t gainsay
that.” allowed Titus.
“Me
neither.” agreed the sheriff.
“Well,— what ‘da
ya’ think, cowboy?” Little Gip asked me.
“Wow!” Was
all I could manage to get out in a quiet voice. “He looks jes’
like an older version of my dad.”
The men slowly
walked over to our group. I could feel my granddad’s eyes on me
as the men were walking towards us.
“Mr. Langtry,— ”
Gip stuck out his hand first in greeting, “It’s good to see you again,
Sir. Glad you and your men could join us this year.”
My granddad took
the sheriff’s hand and shook it warmly.
“Good to be
here, Sheriff Claymore. It’s always a pleasure to see you and
your boys again, Sir. Gip,” he shook little Gip’s hand,
“and Buck.” He shook Buck’s hand. “I see you have some
other cowboy’s I ain’t met before and one or two faces I recall from a
long time ago. Let me see, I know this big man must be your
brother, Waddie Claymore.” Curtis stuck out his hand to
Master Waddie. Master Waddie took his hand and pulled him into a
hug. There were tears in both men’s eyes as they parted.
“It’s a pleasure
and an honor to meet you again, Sir.” Master Waddie spoke softly
to him.
“I feel the same
way, cowboy.” My granddad told him. “I believe this fine
looking man behind you is named Titus.” He shook Titus’s hand and
Titus told him it was good to meet him again.
“You still
riding with Sarge, Titus?” Curtis asked him.
“Naw, Sir,— I’m
sorry to say he passed away about fifteen years ago.”
“Has it been
that long? I guess it has. I’m real sorry to hear that,
Son. He was a fine man. I appreciated his honesty and his refusal
to put up with bullshit from anyone. He certainly taught me a few
things and for that I’m grateful to him.” Curtis commented
sincerely.
Gip put his arm
around me and pulled me close to him. I’m glad he did. I
couldn’t take my eyes off my granddad’s eyes. Vince and Seth Quee
were right. Their Uncle Curtis’s eyes were exactly the same color
as mine. I was also glad Gip was holding on to me because I was
sure, at any minute, my knees were going to give way and I would
collapse from nervousness. I even snaked my arm around the
sheriff’s waste for better support.
Curtis Langtry
made the rounds shaking hands, meeting and greeting all of Master
Waddie’s and Titus’s family. He knew them all by name and had
something he remembered about each of them. He introduced his
roping partner and two hands to everyone as he went. He finally
returned to Gip and I.
“Mr. Langtry,—
I’d like you to meet a fine young man who came highly recommended to me
as a fine young cowboy and I have to say, he is that. Mr.
Langtry, this here cowboy is Mr. Casey Longhorn. Casey, this man
is Mr. Curtis Langtry, the foreman of the Lazy 8 ranch.”
I took my
granddad’s hand and looked into his eyes. Could he tell?
Did he know? Could he feel the electricity coming from my
hand? I couldn’t take my eyes away from his. I saw within
his eyes the knowledge and pain of many years lived alone, but beneath
the pain and loneliness I saw a man of strength and understanding; a
man of goodness and forgiveness; a man who had come to learn the cowboy
way the hard way.
“It’s good to
meet you, young man.” He spoke softly.
“It’s good to
meet you, too, Mr. Lantry.” I didn’t volunteer any more.
“Are you a team
roper, Son?”
“Yes, Sir,
Mr. Waddie Claymore and me come from the same ranching community in
California, and he done taught me a lot about roping. I also
learned calf rope’n on my own. He asked me to partner with him at
the Tucson rodeo and come here with him to compete.”
“Good!
Waddie Claymore’s a fine roper. I’ve watched him rope for
years. J’all do any good in Tucson, Son?”
“They won both
events, Mr. Langtry,” interjected the sheriff, “team roping and Casey
came in second in calf roping. I’ve asked him to stay on for a
while at my ranch after my dad takes off with his family to Key
West. I could use a good hand for a couple of weeks right now.”
“Sounds like a
good idea to me. I’ll look forward to seeing you rope, young man.”
He introduced me
to his second man, Mr. Thurston Sewell and the two other hands with
them. They were both younger men, but they were several
years older than me. One was a fine looking, powerfully built men
named Brett Hall and the other was smaller but a good looking cowboy
named Curt Moss. They both looked like they knew how to toss a
rope.
* * * * * * *
The rodeo
finally got underway. I calmed down and began to focus on my
roping. Master Waddie and the sheriff were chosen to ride the two
flags into and around the arena. Sheriff Claymore carried the
American Flag and Master Waddie carried the state flag of Texas.
They rode all out into the arena, urging their ponies as fast and hard
as they could go, down and around, passing each other and back to
where they started. Everyone stood and they played a recording of
the national anthem. Then they repeated their rides in the
opposite direction and out of the arena. They were a perfectly matched
pair of cowboys to carry the flags.
After that came
the grand entry. All the participants of the rodeo were on
horseback and rode into the arena to ride around in drill
formation. It’s the same in any rodeo you every attended so it’s
not hard to go from rodeo to rodeo and participate. Once in a
while there’s a slight change but it’s usually minor and a good
horseman can easily adjust. We were riding in a giant figure
eight where one rider crosses in front of another in a fast trot.
I noticed each time a came to the crossing of the ‘eight’ my granddad
crossed right behind me. I wondered if that was an omen. I
wasn’t the only one.
Then we got down
to some serious rodeoing. Gip was right. While my
granddad was accurate and pretty fast his partner was slower than
molasses on a winter’s day. The other two men from the Lazy 8,
Brett and Curt, were pretty good but they weren’t a focused team.
The real competition came from Sheriff Claymore and his son little
Gip. They were pretty damn good; however, they couldn’t beat two
cowboys in love and Master Waddie and I walked away with the best times
of the day. I also won the calf roping event by an eight second
better time than all the other cowboys.
I was proud of
myself and so was the other men from the Claymore ranch. They
were happy for me showing my granddad what I could do. I know he
was impressed. I could see him watching me the entire time we
were rodeoing. It felt good, but I kept wondering what was going
through his mind.
* * * * * *
After the rodeo
was over almost everyone in the small town drove out to Sheriff
Claymore’s ranch. There were pickup truck and horse trailers
everywhere. Many had come to spend the night and rodeo some
more. It was a fantastic afternoon and a good time was had by
all. My family, as I’d come to think of Master Waddie and his
family, including Bubba and his boys, were constantly around me for
support and encouragement. They were all thrilled for Master
Waddie and I for having won the rodeo earlier in the day.
We were all
sitting at several big picnic tables eating a wonderful Fourth of July
feast. Comments were going all around the table. Bubba and
his boys were sitting across from me and Master Waddie, Gip and his
boys.
“Think old man
Langtry’s got a clue about who Casey is, Bubba?” Gip asked him.
“Ain’t real
sure. He sure did watch Casey a lot today. Couldn’t take
his eyes off’n him when he and Waddie was rope’n. When Casey got
the best time in the calf roping event he got a huge smile on his
face. I walked over to him and asked him what he thought of
Waddie’s partner. He told me he’d seen very few men who were born to be
cowboys but he’d wager Casey was one. So, I know fer’ damn sure he was
impressed.”
“You think he’s
look’n to hire on some new cowboys this year?”
“I know he
is. He done told me he’s losing almost half his crew. He’s
losing his right hand man, Mr. Sewell. He’s got to go back
to Montana. His family needs him on their ranch. He’s
leaving a week the end of July.”
“That’s gonna’
make it pretty tough on Curtis, ain’t it? I don’t know but I jes’
always suspected there was something going on between him and Thurston.”
“Naw,— I think
Thurston would like for there to be. I think that’s part of the
reason he’s leaving. He’s in love with Curtis but Curtis don’t
feel the same way. At least that’s what some of the other
cowboy’s allow. Brett and Curt’s been together for a number of
years. They mind their own business but they told me it’s been
hard on ole Thurston the last couple of years. They say Mr.
Lantry’s got this idea he shouldn’t git involved with any of his
hands. Guess he thinks it might undermine his authority.”
“Yeah,— well,—
Curtis has had some strange ideas about a lot of things over the
years.” Commented Master Waddie as a statement of fact with
no condemnation.
“How many men is
he losing this year, Bubba” Gip asked.
“They usually
try to run a crew of sixteen to eighteen men. Eighteen is their
ideal; however, in today’s world you jes’ cain’t git that many men to
cowboy. Even though they pay the best of any outfit in the
country the work is jes’ too damn hard for most men. So they
usually run around twelve to sixteen. That’s why they always
welcome extra men for spring and fall roundup. They pay pretty damn
good, too. Me and my boys wouldn’t miss it. The money sure
makes it easier for us during the rest of the year and provides the
boys with some nice things we jes’ couldn’t otherwise afford.
Curtis told me
with Thurston leaving he’ll be down to eleven hands and he’s looking to
hire on at least five, maybe more. Every damn year he offers my
boys a job again. They’ve even gone and helped him some until he
could git another couple of men. He pays them handsomely.
Sometimes he has
to hire on some men he’d rather not because they don’t come with very
good recommendations. Some are wet backs who wanna’ ride around on
their ponies all day but don't wanna' do the work their getting paid
for. He usually has a turn over of two to four per month of that
kind. He don’t take too many of them on because they tend to keep
to themselves and plot against him and the other cowboys. They’ll
do as little work as they can git by with and let the rest of the men
do the majority of the work. The other men take it for so long and then
if Curtis don’t step in a do something he’s got a war on his
hands. That ain’t to say all of ‘em’s z’at bad. He’s got a
couple who’ve been with him for years and they work as hard as any of
the rest of the hands. They pull their weight and are jest’ as
glad to see the slackers go as the rest of the cowboys.”
“Think he might
offer our cowboy, here, a job?” Asked Gip.
“I’d say it’s a
pretty sure bet.” Bubba said as he winked at me. “He did
tell me he thought you had the prettiest dark blue eyes he ever did
see, Casey.”
Everyone at the
table laughed. Some of Master Waddie’s family were finished
eating and got up to leave. My granddad and his men were just
finished going through the food line. The sheriff stood and waved
them over to our table. They eagerly accepted his invitation and
came to join us. My granddad sat down directly opposite me and
his second man, Thurston, sat to his left. Bubba was on his
right. I felt Master Waddie’s hand grip my left leg and at the
same time I felt the sheriff’s big hand grip my right leg in a gesture
of support. I had to fight hard to keep a tear from running down
my cheek.
“Ya’ done good
today at the rodeo, Son.” Curtis Langtry looked into my eyes and
spoke.
“Thank ya,’
Sir. Coming from you,— that’s quite a compliment.” I
replied and he looked satisfied I recognized his position.
We sat and
talked about various things. I excused myself to go get me and
Master Waddie some dessert; homemade ice cream.
“You know’d this
boy long, Waddie?” Curtis asked Master Waddie.
“All his
life. I’ve watched him grow into a fine young man and one hell of
a cowboy. He comes from a fine family and they have a big ranch
about ten miles from the ranch my aunt owns. He’s a good man.”
“Is ‘Longhorn’
really his name?”
“Yep,— ‘at’s his
real name, all right.” Sheriff Claymore answered. “I know the
sheriff from my dad’s community pretty well. He’s been out here
to rodeo with us a couple of times. Don’t know’s you ever met
him, but I called back and talked to him a while. He swears
that’s the family’s name and it’s an old family around the area.
The boy’s got roots. He didn’t have nothing but good things to
say about the young man. Said if Casey needed anything or got
into any trouble to let him know immediately and he’d try’n help him
anyway he could. He says they all love the kid.”
“Humm,—” mused
Curtis Langtry, “I could tell his comes from good stock. You
don’t learn to become a cowboy like him that young without having the
best teaching. I’m sure you had something to do with that,—
right, Waddie?”
“I give the boy
a few pointers, Sir.” Waddie replied smiling.
Master Waddie
wasn’t lying because he’d given me lots of pointers since we’d been
roping together. About that time I returned with ice cream for
Master Waddie and me.
“Can I get
anyone else some ice cream or watermelon?” I asked around the
table. They all thanked me but declined.
“Thoughtful and
polite,— two good traits any cowboy should have.” My granddad
allowed.
“Indeed, it
is.” Agreed Master Waddie.
* * * * * * *
Needless to say,
there was more rodeo went on all afternoon. Mostly team roping
and calf roping. Gip didn’t have the stock for bull riding or
bronc riding. That didn’t seem to bother anyone. A couple
of the cowboys bulldogged a steer but most of the time was spent on
roping.
My granddad was
another like Sheriff Claymore. He believed in rodeoing in his
full outfit. Boots, hat, chaps and spurs. He was a
cowboy. He was proud of it and he wanted to look like the cowboy
he was. I followed Gip’s lead and was rodeoing in my chaps as
well. Every time Gip looked at me he’d roll his eyes in his head
and lick his lips. He almost made me fall off my pony from
laughing at him a couple of times. He’d just grin real big.
He leaned over to me on my pony once and whispered.
“Soon’s my old
man pulls out,— I’m arrest’n yore’ cowboy ass so’s you don’t git away
from me too fast.” He winked and grinned real big.
“I told my
Master I thought you had to be one of the most arresting lawmen I’d
ever met, Sheriff.” I smiled at him. We shared a laugh.
* * * * * * *
After several
hours of roping, I’d been asked to rope with about everyone there
including Brett and his mate Curt from the Lazy 8. I was glad to
say I helped improve both their times and the next run they made
together was better than any of their other runs. The only men
who hadn’t ask me to rope was my granddad and his partner, Thurston
Sewell. I wasn’t going to be pushy, but I did want to rope
with my granddad. I just knew I couldn’t ask him.
I was standing
talking with Bubba and his boys and about ready to rope again with
Bubba when I saw, out of the corner of my eye, my granddad excuse
himself from his partner and walk toward us. I kept my attention
on talking with Bubba, but I could see every move my granddad made as
he walked. He had the rolling swagger of a seasoned cowboy which
I found sexy as hell. He made my dick get hard. Bubba
noticed it and smiled. He knew what I was looking at.
“‘Scuse, me,
young man. You’ve roped with about everyone here. Would you
do me the honor of partnering with me for a toss.” My granddad
asked with considerable charm.
“It would be an
honor and a privilege, Sir.” I smiled at him. I excused
myself from Bubba and asked if we might postpone our toss for the next
one. He smiled and graciously agreed.
“Which would you
prefer to throw, Mr. Langtry,— header or heeler, Sir?”
“Can you throw
either one, Son?”
“Yes, Sir,—
equally well.”
“Humm,— good
man. I’ll throw header,— you be my heeler.”
“Yes, Sir.
That’ll be fine, Sir.”
We got into
position and the steer was released, the barrier rope dropped and I
watched out the corner of my eye as my granddad spurred his pony hard
in the flank. I only had to gently nudge Rocky and he knew what to
do. His horse shot forth like a rocket and my granddad threw his
rope, dallied and was turning the steer as I made my toss. I
could hear everyone in the arena and sitting on the coral fence take a
breath in anticipation. We were
through. We had the best time of the afternoon and bettered me
and Master Waddie’s time at the rodeo. Everyone was off the
fence, surrounding and congratulating us,— except Mr. Sewell. He
didn’t seem like he was too impressed. He acted like he wasn’t
too happy about it all. I didn’t know what to think, but the grin
on my granddad’s face said all I needed to know. He was more than
a little wowed and impressed; just as I had hoped he might be.
“I think you got
a fan?” Master Waddie whispered in my ear as he patted me on the
back.
“I think I jes’
made an enemy, too, Sir.” I replied.
“Yeah,— I saw
Thurston’s reaction, too. I wouldn’t worry about it none.
He jes’ knows he ain’t the cowboy you are, but that don’t mean ole
Thurston ain’t a fine ranch buckaroo. From what I hear,— he’s a
damn fine cowboy and a good man. I’m sorry to hear your
granddad’s losing him.”
* * * * * * *
The day was
wonderful. By the time we had a light supper of left overs from
the picnic, I could barely hold my head up. Gip called a halt to
the rodeo activities a couple of hours after everyone ate. A
number of the rodeo contestants including the four men from the Lazy 8
were bunking it in Gip’s barn. It wasn’t packed but there was a
full complement of men. Bubba’s boys were thrilled their Uncle
Curtis decided to stay the evening with them. They rarely got a
chance to be with him other than when they were working on the ranch
and then it wasn’t a very social setting. They had a chance to
relax and enjoy each other’s company.
I was looking
forward to taking care of my Master cowboy whom I had come to love even
more over the past couple of days. His charm, his talents and his
comfortable support were strengths that only came from a man of wisdom
and age. I fought off my thoughts of losing him in a short while
to think of the treasure my friend Titus was going to have. I was
happy for him and felt they both deserved the love and companionship
they could bring to each other. I knew in my heart I would never
lose either of them,— when they were together,— I would only have more
to love;— a lot more to love.
* * * * * * *
The next day was
almost an exact repeat of the Fourth. Master Waddie and I won
again and I won first place in the calf roping event. The rodeo
was over and we’d walked away with top prizes and the money. We
were on top of the world. I can’t remember winning any rodeo that
meant as much to me as winning that small rodeo in Master Waddie’s
hometown. It was more than just winning or the prize money.
I didn’t really need either. It was because winning before my
granddad made me feel proud whether he knew I was his grandson or
not. I couldn’t be really sure, but I thought, a couple of times,
I caught a glimpse of pride for me in his eyes. Bubba later
confirmed it for me. He told me he caught the old man wiping away
a tear after I won the calf roping competition. Bubba said he
thought he knew why, but he had to know for sure.
“You all right,
Curtis?” Bubba put his hand on my granddad’s shoulder.
“Yeah,— sorry,
Son. I jes’ kinda lost it there for a minute watching that young
cowboy,— think’n on how he might a’ been my boy or grandson out there
winning.”
“He said that,
Bubba?” I asked him surprised.
“I may be the
world’s biggest bullshit artist, Son, but I wouldn’t never lie about
some’um’s serious as that.”
“Sorry,
Bubba. I didn’t mean to imply you’d lie. I’s jes’
surprised.”
“I know you
were. No more’n I was, Casey. I felt so bad for the old man
I had to hold him for a minute. I could only think,— if you only
knew, old man. You gonna’ think about work’n for him if’n he
offers?”
“Mr. Claymore
and the sheriff have urged me to, but he ain’t offered yet, Bubba.”
“He will.
Trust me. He asked me what I thought about it, and I told him
he’d be a damn fool not to ask you;— whether you accepted or not,— he
still should ask you.”
“Thanks, Bubba.”
“No problem,
Son. Jes’ get all this straightened out so’s I can see yore’
daddy, my brother, again and tell him face to face how much I love him.”
* * * * * * *
The rodeo was a
wonderful experience. Besides Master Waddie and my wins, big Gip
and little Gip won second in the teamed roping event. Bubba’s boy
Vince won second in the calf roping event and to everyone’s surprise
and joy, young Buck, Gip’s youngest boy won third. Third place in
team roping went to Brett and Curt from the Lazy 8. My granddad
was really proud of them and I think he was just a little amazed by me.
That afternoon
Gip invited the men from the Lazy 8 to return to his ranch to stay for
the rest of the weekend. The next day was Sunday and the men
didn’t have to be back to the Lazy 8 until Sunday evening. They
were grateful the sheriff invited them. If he hadn’t they
would’ve had to return to the ranch that afternoon in consideration of
their ponies. They were glad to have more time away from the
ranch. Even dour ole Thurston seemed to perk up a bit.
It was
considerably later when we returned home from the rodeo grounds than
the day before. There was a lot of clean up and last minute
details that Gip had to be responsible for. To make it easier on
him and his men everyone pitched in to help and we were through in no
time. We left the place in pristine condition. It was a
little after four in the afternoon by the time we all arrived back at
Gip’s ranch and unloaded the ponies. No one seemed to be
interested in rodeoing right after we got back. Most were
interested in getting something to eat and resting for a while.
It had been an intense two days of rodeoing.
Part of Master
Waddie’s family had been dispatched earlier than the rest of us to get
things set up and help getting a late dinner/ early supper ready for
everyone. Cindy, her two daughters and several neighbor ladies
were in charge and they had plenty of willing extra hands with Master
Waddie’s crew. By the time we got there everything was ready. All
we had to do was wash up and get in line. The food was pretty
much a repeat of lunch the day before but you had a choice of several
things. I had barbequed beef for the Fourth so I decided on a
hamburger and a hot dog for dinner. They were good, too.
Once again my
granddad was sitting at a table with me and my friends. By this
time I included among my friends Bubba and his boys, Gip and his boys,
Master Waddie, Titus, Big Jim, Beau, Blaine and Chief. Thurston
was at another table with Brett and Curt. Talk was mostly about
the rodeo and Master Waddie’s family taking off on Monday.
“Are you riding
with them, Casey?” My granddad asked me.
“Naw, Sir, this
is my last stop with ‘em. I hate to see ‘em go. I’ll miss
‘em but I know they’ll have a great time and I wish ‘em well.”
“What are your
plans, Son?”
“Sheriff
Claymore’s asked me to stay around here; said he could use an extra
hand for a while. I ain’t really got no plans. I thought
when I wore out my welcome here I’d mosey on off down the road and try
my hand at more rodeoing; however, without a toss’n partner I won’t be
doing much team rope’n, I suppose. Maybe I’ll git lucky and hook
up with a partner.”
“J’ever think
about working on a ranch?” My granddad looked me right in
the eye.
“I have before,
Mr. Langtry. I worked for a couple of months a couple of years in
a row for a huge ranch in Montana.”
“The Diamond
Back ranch?”
“Yes, Sir.
Ya’ hear’d of it?”
“That’s the
ranch my second man’s going to work for. It’s his family’s ranch
and he’s needed to take over management. They raise a lot of
rodeo stock and sell ‘em to several contractors.”
“Yes, Sir.
That’s how I got the job. My brother knows the man who manages
one of the stock companies and he got us the jobs.”
“You got a
brother, Son?”
“Well,— he ain’t
really my blood brother, Mr. Langtry. He’s my cousin but we was
raised on ranches right next to each other. We grew’d up
together, played sports together through high school, and rodeoed
together. We think on one another as brothers, though.”
“That’s
understandable. I’ve made close friends with a number of men I
consider my brothers,— several are sitting at this table.”
“Here,
here!” agreed and echoed everyone at the table.
“Well,— I can’t
say you didn’t impress the shit out of me with your rodeoing abilities,
and if’n I’m any judge of men or horseflesh, I have a feeling you’d be
about as fine a cowboy as you proved to be a rodeo competitor.”
“Thank you, Mr.
Langtry. I appreciate that, Sir. I guess you’ve seen the
best and the worst cowboys.”
“I have indeed,
young man, and a good cowboy’s worth his weight in gold; however, a
cowboy ain’t never gonna’ git paid what he’s really worth.
Fortunately, the company I work for is owned by a couple of old cowboys
and one of ‘em manages it. Recently a large agro company bought into
the ranch as a third partner. As I understand it, they
chose to be a silent partner and allow the other two owners complete
say in the operations and management. Anyway, them old cowboys
know what a good cowboy’s worth and they’re willing to pay top dollar
for good ones. If you think you might like to consider working
for a big ranch I’d like to offer you a job as a hand, cowboy’n for the
Lazy 8.”
“Wow! How
‘bout that, Casey?” Winked Gip from across the table. He
was sitting next to my granddad. Master Waddie put his arm around
me on one side and Bubba’s went around the other as they congratulated
me on my granddad’s offer. Titus reached around Master Waddie to
pat me on the back and both Gip and Bubba’s boys were congratulating
me. I felt like I’d just hit the jackpot in Vegas.
“Gees,— that’s
awful nice of you, Mr. Langtry. I sure would consider it,
Sir. How long would you give me to decide, Sir. I have a
few things I’d have to take care of first. I promised Sheriff
Claymore I’d give him a hand for a while.”
“Ya’ got two
weeks to decide if you wanna’ accept my offer, Son. If you accept
then we can work around the time you start. As long as we know we
can count on you we’ll hold a place open. You have any idea how
long you’ll need him, Sheriff?”
“About three,
maybe four weeks, Mr. Langtry. Me’n the boys got a couple of
projects we got to get done and we need another hand. He should
be through here by the first week of August or the first of September
at the very latest.”
“That’s fine
with me. Why don’t we just say the first of September, Son; but,
chu’ still have to let me know within two weeks from today if you
accept my offer.”
I stuck out my
hand to him. “I accept your offer, Sir. It would be an honor and
a privilege to work for you, Mr. Langtry. I’ll look forward to
it.” He took my hand an held it for a moment. There was a
hush fell over the table you could’ve cut with a dull knife. No
one dared breath. They all told me later they thought they were
going to lose it and didn’t want to tip my hand to my granddad.
Finally, my granddad looked deeply into my eyes and firmly shook my
hand.
“Ain’t cha’
gonna’ ask me what the job pays, Son?”
“Naw, Sir.
>From what you done told me about the company, you’ll pay me a fair wage
for a good day’s work.”
“Spoken like a
true cowboy, Son. Welcome to the Lazy 8.” He shook my hand
once again.
Everyone at our
table went nuts applauding and congratulating both my granddad and me.
I think my granddad was a little taken aback by all the hoop-la from
the men at our table. He looked a little bemused by their
enthusiasm and congratulatory outburst as if it was something they were
all hoping would happen. He looked confused but delighted I’d
accepted his offer so readily. I think he thought he would have
to do some powerful selling to convince me to go to work for the Lazy
8. The poor man had no idea he’d just hired his grandson on as a ranch
hand, a cowboy for his outfit. That made the moment all the more
poignant and sentimental for the men who loved me.
Later Brett and
Curt were all over me congratulating me and welcoming me to the Lazy 8
work crew. Even dour old Thurston Sewell shook my hand a mumbled
welcome, but added, he’d probably be gone by the time I reported for
work. He really seemed to have a thing against me and I couldn’t
figure out why. Several of my friends made conjectures but no one
knew for sure.
* * * * * * *
That evening
there was an “after the rodeo” dance at the Grange Hall free for all
the cowboys who participated in the rodeo and any of the town folks who
could produce their rodeo tickets. I would’ve been happy
just to stay home and cuddle up with my Master, but Gip was involved in
everything in the community and he had to be there. Naturally, he
wanted us to all be there so he wouldn’t be bored out of his
skull. We were also a great deal of help to him and added more
cowboys to the scenery. Besides, it gave Master Waddie and I a
chance to wear our new, huge, turkey platter, team roping champions
rodeo belt buckles.
Surprisingly
there were enough women to go around to dance with all the cowboys;
although, truth be known, about a third of the cowboys would’ve rather
been dancing with their partner. I know Brett and Curt kept
looking longingly at each other from the arms of some pretty girls they
were Texas two-stepping with. I have to say I couldn’t take my
eyes of Master Waddie as he danced several dances with his old high
school sweetheart. Titus and I stood as wallflowers and made
astute observations about which parts of Master Waddie’s anatomy we
found most appealing. We would end up holding each other in
laughter; however, we were both soon whisked way from our sluttish
revelries by Gip’s two daughters who took pity on us for a “Cotton-eyed
Joe.”
I noticed my
granddad was even dancing a couple of times with fine looking older
ladies including Cindy, Gip’s wife, when she asked him to dance.
He looked quite handsome on the dance floor and I wondered if he ever
gave any thought to ever marrying again. Old Thurston would stand back
in the crowd and glare at the women who held my granddad in their arms
while they danced. After observing that and talking it over with Master
Waddie and Titus, they agreed with me, he was uncomfortable with anyone
Curtis showed any attention to. I didn’t feel quite so singled
out by Mr. Sewell’s negative projections after that.
All in all, the
dance was a good time. No one got really drunk and there were no
fights. Everyone conducted themselves like gentlemen and
respected the ladies. Most of Gip’s deputies were there in
uniform anyway. Gip wasn’t. He was in mufti,— dressed like
the fine looking cowboy he was. I have to add, little Gip and
Waddie Buck were fine looking cowboys as well. Bubba and his
boys,— well, they were the center of attention anywhere they went and
the rodeo dance was no exception. I don’t think one of them
missed a dance. Their tongues were hanging out by the time it was
over.
We were all
pretty tired buckaroos by the time we got back to the ranch.
There were limited good nights, handshakes, hugs and kisses and
everyone parted to go to their bunks for the night. I noticed my
granddad watched me leave with Master Waddie for my trailer with his
big cowboy arm lightly draped over my shoulder.
“Is Casey bunk’n
it in with Waddie Claymore?” Curtis asked Bubba on their
way to the barn.
“Yes, Sir,— they
be old friends and rope’n buddies.”
“There’s
something about that boy,— it’s like he’s too good to be real;— you
know,— too good to be true.” Curtis allowed.
“He’s a fine
cowboy, Mr. Langtry and a polite young man. Me’n and my boys have
taken him into our hearts. We’ve fallen in love with him. I
plan on ask’n ‘em to stay a weekend with us before he had to report to
you.”
“Tell me,
Bubba,— does he look to you a little like,— ?” Curtis didn’t
finish his sentence.
“Does he look
like, who,— Mr. Langtry?” Bubba asked quietly, holding his breath.
“Naw,—
nevermind,— s’probably my imagination anyway. Jes’ wishful
think’n on my part, s’all.” Curtis ended the
conversation.
* * * * * * *
“You and Titus
have become pretty good friends, I’ve noticed.” Master Waddie
smiled at me. He’d seen us watching him and his high school
sweetheart dance and knew we were talking about him.
“I’ve become
quite fond of Mr. Titus, and I hope he has with me, too.”
“Don’t think you
have to worry none about that. He talks about chu’ like you was
his little brother.”
“That’s quite
flattering, Sir. I’m honored and pleased he thinks that way. I
certainly feel the same about him. I’ve tried to cultivate his
trust and friendship for a couple of reasons,— the main one being, I
genuinely like and care for Mr. Titus. He’s a find man and
cowboy. A man worthy of any good man’s love and trust. The
other reason is,— I jes’ wanna’ make damn sure I’m welcome in your home
after you two come together, Master Waddie. I don’t never wanna’
lose what we’ve come to mean to each other, and in turn, what we mean
to Mr. Titus. I jes’ wanna’ know if’n I call or jes’ show up on
yore’ doorstep, unannounced, they’ll be two open arms to welcome me.”
“Don’t think I
could a’ put it better myself, my handsome, cowboy, slave-boy, and I
guaran-damn-tee-ya’ there will be two pair of cowboy/biker arms to
welcome you anytime you need to come a’ running in our direction.
Now! Come,— give yore’ old Master a good kiss, let’s us git
cleaned up and ready for bed. Don’t even think about it tonight;—
no dirty, sweaty Master or cowboy. We’re both git’n cleaned up and
bunk’n it in normal-like tonight; or, as normal for us as we can
git.” he chuckled at his little aside, “Your Master has needs,
too, and I have a need to feel your raw cowboy flesh against mine
tonight. I got’s tonight and tomorrow night with my cowboy slave,
and I ain’t a’ gonna’ waste a minute I can’t be spending in that little
ass a’ yores.”
“Sounds good to
your cowboy slave, Master. I couldn’t imagine a better ending to
a perfect few days than to lie with my cowboy Master’s big dick up my
ass relaxing both of us. Fuck all them other prizes we won the
last couple of days,— I’d trade ‘em all for one night in your arms,
Sir.”
“I was awful
damn proud a’ you today, honcho!” He exclaimed.
“You know, Sir,—
that’s my dad’s favorite name for me?”
“I know,— I’ve
heard him call you that over the years and I remembered.”
“Thank’s for
that, Master Waddie,—” I started shedding a couple of tears.
He grabbed
me in his big arms and held me close.
“Shuu,— I’ll
have none of that, cowboy!” He scolded with tenderness in his
voice. “I done called ju’ that to let you know yore’ daddy would
a’ been damn proud of you today, too,— and one day, I’m gonna’ tell him
what a good and wonderful son he produced. He may not agree with
what you’re doing right now, but he don’t have all the facts,— he jes’
cain’t know what’s going on here right now is right. It’s meant
to be. I’m proud a’ the way you’ve handled your granddaddy.
I don’t think he has a clue who you is and I don’t think none a’ them
cowboys has told him a damn thing. Bubba would cut his own throat
before he gave you away. Beside,— the way his mouth waters
ever’ damn time he gits a good look at chur’ ass,— I know he wouldn’t
jeopardize his chance to git into it.” We both shared a
laugh. “You know,— he asked me how it was;— yore ass, that
is.” We laughed again.
“What’d ju’ tell
‘em, Sir?” I ask with a smile.
“I told him it
was the closest to heaven he was ever gonna’ git!” We
rolled around on my bed laughing at Master Waddie’s comment.
The love we made
that evening was the best part of the day. There was an unspoken
easiness between us that translated into some very hot sex.
Afterward,— we were so exhausted we fell into a deep peaceful sleep.
* * * * * * *
Sunday morning
was a revelation. Everyone was up just as early as usual and
Master Waddie and I were on kitchen duty for the day. We
hurriedly got dresses, had a cup of coffee in the double ‘R’ before we
left and headed for the main house before the sun was up. Gip was
in the kitchen with his boys, his daughters and Cindy. Several of
Master Waddie’s other family were there including Titus to help.
Cindy was like a
petit drill sergeant who giggled a lot. She knew how to run a
county kitchen. The food and coffee was ready on time.
Everything was hot and tasty. All the rest of the men staying at
the ranch stumbled in for breakfast just as the sun was beginning to
rise. Gip said a small prayer of thanks and everyone took their
food and coffee to one of the picnic tables to eat. Gip announced
to anyone interested they would be leaving for church about ten thirty.
There was chores
and stuff to get done around the ranch before everyone could stop and
go to church. Lunch had to be started almost immediately after
breakfast so Cindy and her girls didn’t have to have the burden of
fixing Sunday dinner for so many men by themselves. Since we were
on kitchen duty we cleaned everything including the kitchen and then
immediately set about to prepare food. Titus and I once again
found ourselves on the service porch seated on stools pealing and
cleaning potatoes. Everything was ready by the time Sergeant
Cindy called a halt to work and told everyone to knock off until after
church. We knew well enough to report back immediately after
returning to the ranch.
Most of the
cowboys didn’t have church-going clothes per se. They just went
like they were; cowboys. They were all clean and scrubbed.
Their boots buffed a little if not polished with their hats in their
hands. All the town folks knew and understood. Besides,—
God don’t care what you wear as long as your heart’s in the right place.
Master Waddie,
Titus and I discussed going and decided it would be a nice gesture
since Gip had been so generous with us. Waddie told us he almost
had to go out of respect for his boy’s position in the community.
I think that was all Mr. Titus and I needed. I was curious as to
how many others would go with us. Surprisingly, everyone went,—
including, my granddad. I watched as Curtis Langtry, my granddad,
quietly greeted the pastor and shook his hand. He didn’t have a
lot to say to him, but he was polite. It was obvious they knew
each other. I wondered how many times he’d been to the church in
Chapel Creek. It wasn’t a fundamentalist church at all. It
was an Episcopal Church who, most of the time, are pretty liberal
in their attitudes.
Master Waddie,
Titus and I decided to sit together. I sat on Master Waddie’s
left and Titus sat on his right. I looked up to see my granddad
slipping into the pew next to me. It was a small church and it
was packed, so he sat pretty close to me. Our legs were touching
and he didn’t seem to be the least self-conscious about it. He
did, however, received a scowl from his second. He was wearing a
faint aftershave that was really a clean smell. With him sitting
so close to me I immediately got a hard-on and I know he saw it.
He looked at me and smiled the sweetest smile,— like it was okay,— he
understood. It was moving moment for me to be sitting between two
powerful men whom I knew would be great influences in my life.
The Rector or
minister greeted the congregation. He was a closet cowboy and
rodeo fan himself and made great to-do over the champions of the rodeo
the couple of days before. He was also a supreme politician as
well as pastor of his flock. He made it a point to know who was
who, their names and how everyone interrelated with each other.
He had Master Waddie and I stand and all the other winners of the
rodeo. He welcomed Mr. Curtis Langtry and his men from the Lazy
8, stating it was always a pleasure to have them share worship with the
congregation.
He gave one of
the most intelligent and poignant sermons I think I ever heard any
preacher give. Since he had an audience composed of over sixty
percent ranchers and cowboys he decided not to give the sermon he
planned. He sat his notes aside and opened his bible to the
back. There, he had all kinds of notes for other sermons.
His sermon was
about the cowboy way and how closely it paralleled the teachings of
Jesus and the true meaning of Christianity. It was pure, simple
and the pastor stressed the main principle it taught was the ‘Golden
Rule;’ do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and to learn
to live and love unconditionally without judgement of others. His words
were full of meaning and considerable love.
He also stated
that as stoic and solitary figures as cowboys might sometime seem to
be, there was always love in their hearts; love, respect and awe for
the greatness of God’s beauty in nature; love for their work and
respect for the critters they work with and care for; and, love
of good friends, neighbors and loved ones they care about. Those
things, exclusive of hate, greed, ignorance, jealousy and bigotry was,
after all, what Christianity was really all about.
* * * * * * *
After the
service we returned to the sheriff’s ranch and headed for the kitchen
in the main house. Cindy had Gip buy and install two ‘Wolf’
ranges side by side for just such occasions. They were
always entertaining large groups of people and she needed the extra
cooking space. There was six gas burners on the top of each stove
and four ovens in each as well. I was put on one of the stoves to
fry chicken. There were four of us riding the ranges, as it
were. Mr. Titus was right next to me and Cindy’s two daughters
were on the other side of him.
Between the four
of us we had several enormous metal pans filled with hot fried chicken
that was whisked away and set on the serving table. The men were all
ready going through the line for their food. They were told they
could come back for seconds as many times as they liked. When
Cindy was satisfied we’d cooked enough chicken she gave us each a hug
and joined us in line so we could eat, too. My granddad got up
and silenced everyone.
“Gentlemen,—
let’s give a round of applause for Mrs. Clamore, her two fine daughters
and the men who volunteered for kitchen duty today for such a wonderful
meal.”
They all stood
and clapped for us. We were just arriving with our food. It was a
nice gesture and well appreciated. Gip asked everyone to join
hands. He gave a brief blessing for the company and for the
wonderful food. Everyone said ‘a-men’ and sat down to a
wonderful, fried chicken, Sunday dinner with all the fixings.
After dinner,
everything was cleaned up and put away, the men changed from their
better cowboy clothes to their working clothes. Everyone was in a
rodeo mood and Gip yelled, “ Let’s rodeo!” That’s all it took to
have everyone down to the arena. It was a relaxed time. No
one was in a hurry. Even Cindy and her daughters were able to
come down and enjoy the men rodeoing. Several neighbors dropped
by and there was quite a crowd. There was no balls out
competition. Everyone was just enjoying themselves.
I roped with my
granddad several times. We got better and better each run we made
until it was becoming obvious to everyone,— there was some closeness
developing between old Curtis and the new, young cowboy. It was
certainly not missed by Thurston Sewell. He seemed to get more
sullen and withdrawn as the day progressed. I would see my
granddad try to talk with him. I tried to talk with him. I even
asked him to toss a rope with me, but he graciously refused.
At
one point I decided I had to take a leak and headed out down to the
outhouse behind the older barn. About the same time Mr. Sewell
decided he needed to visit the facilities. I saw him and
didn’t know whether to be friendly or just ignore him, but that just
ain’t my way.
“Howdy, Mr.
Sewell. You headed down to the latrine, Sir.”
“Yeah, Son, —
nature calls.”
We walked along
in silence for a while, and I thought I’d confront him.
“You don’t like
me very much,— do you, Mr. Sewell?”
“I like you
fine, Casey. I don’t mean to give you that impression. I know I
ain’t been the best company and a cowboy should put his best foot
forward to be friendly; but, I have a hard time doing that
sometimes. Folks take it the wrong way and think I don’t like
‘em; or, they think I’m sullen or stuck up. My problem is,—
I fell in love with the wrong cowboy.”
“Mr. Langtry,
Sir?”
“Yeah,—”
Was all he offered for a minute, “I’ve been in love with him for
several years, but he don’t love me the same way I love him. We’ve
shared love a couple of times, but he’s always told me he cain’t get
involved with anyone who’s an employee. It would compromise his
position and authority. Hell, I’m his second. I’m the one what
tells the men what to do and make sure it’s done,— not him. Now,—
here I am leaving at the end of the month,— we come for the rodeo, and
I watch him falling in love with you. He’d never admit it, but I
know that’s what’s happening. How do you think that makes me
feel?”
“I think I
understand, Mr. Sewell. Mr. Langtry’s a fine looking cowboy, but you’re
a good looking man, too, Mr. Sewell.”
“Well, thank
you, Casey. I think you’re a fine looking young cowboy,
too. That’s part of the problem,— you look like a younger version
of Curtis. I ain’t said nothing to him about it. I don’t
think he’s even noticed,— but I did, the minute I met you. You’re
so much alike,— I can feel you’re drawn to each other like two pole
magnets.”
“Yeah, but it
ain’t for the reason you’re think’n in yore’ head, Mr. Sewell.”
“What da’ ya’
mean, Casey? I ain’t blind,— I kin see what’s going on.”
“Maybe you are
blind,— in a way,— and jes’ don’t realize it, Mr. Sewell.”
He snorted at me
like what I was saying was nothing short of nonsense. We reached
the outhouse and stood in front of the trough. He whipped out his
good size dick and I whipped out mine. Like Seth Quee had done
the day before,— he did a double take that almost put a crick in his
neck.
“Damnation,—
if’n you don’t have a dick jes’ like his, too. Looks jes’ like
Curtis,— same size and ever’thing.”
I laughed and
shook my dick before returning it to my Wranglers.
“Are you a real
cowboy, Mr. Sewell?”
“About as close
as you’re ever gonna’ meet, Son.”
“Then you can
keep something to yourself if another cowboy shares a confidence with
you?”
“I’d take it to
my grave, cowboy!”
I reached up and
slowly removed one of the contact lense from my right eye. He
took one look at my purple eye and his face went white. I thought
I was going to have to grab him for a minute.
“Ho-lee mother
of God!” He exclaimed quietly, “Forgive me, Casey. I have
been a blind man, Son,— then,— Curtis Langtry is,— ”
“He’s my
granddaddy, Mr. Sewell,— but he don’t know it. He don’t even know
he has a grandson that I know of.”
“He don’t, Son.
I guarantee ya,’ he don’t. I done heard all the things he done to
his boys,— awful things they was, too,— but I never understood it;
however, I fully understand you not wanting him to know right
away. You didn’t know what kind of man you’re granddad was or
whether you’d even wanna’ know him,— right?”
“Yes, Sir,—
that’s about it, Mr. Sewell.”
“I never
understood it ‘cause I got to know a different man than what he told me
about. He’s one of the best men I ever did have the pleasure of
know’n, Son; however,— you’re a smart young man for wear’n them
contacts and all. I never would a’ put it together, but now it
all makes sense;— you looking like him;— you being one of the most
natural cowboys I ever met. Hell,— you walk like him,— you even
talk like him sometimes. Of course, it’s a natural thing for you
to be drawn to each other. You were so right, Casey,— I couldn’t
see the damned forest for the trees. God help me, I was blind to
what was happening. I guess you and God did help me see after
all, Son.
I tell you what,
young man,— you’ve made my heart a lot lighter by sharing that with me,
and you kin bet them fine pair a’ boots you’re a’ wear’n he’ll never
learn it from me. I may laugh behind his back for the rest of the
month, but he’ll never find out from me. Thanks, Casey.
Thanks for sharing that with me, Son. It took a big man with a
loving heart and all them qualities that preacher spoke about this
morning in church. Somebody,— yore’ daddy perhaps,— has
taught you the cowboy way, and they taught you well, buckaroo.”
I opened my arms
to him and he didn’t hesitate. We held each other, he stole a
kiss and shed a tear or two.
“Now, will you,—
please,— rope with me, Mr. Sewell.”
“Bet chur’ sweet
ass I’ll rope with you,— and since we be friends,— call me Thurston,
Son.”
“Thanks, Sir,—
it’ud be an honor.”
Thurston Sewell
and I did rope together that afternoon,— a number of times.
Everyone commented about the change in him. It was like night and
day. For awhile, I was afraid he was going to give me away, but
he didn’t. He never betrayed my trust. I even helped him
improve his speed in roping and by the end of the afternoon we captured
some pretty fair times tossing a rope together. What I revealed
to him took a load off his mind, and he saw his boss in a totally
different light. He knew eventually Curtis would be told about our
relationship. Even though Thurston would be leaving the Lazy 8 at
the end of the month, he was happy and pleased for the man he admired
and loved so much.
End of Chapter
30 ~ Texas Longhorns
Copyright 2005 ~
Waddie Greywolf
All rights
reserved ~
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