Dwayne, Sidney
and I returned to school that next Monday as if nothing
happened. Little bit and I saw a new Dwayne emerging who was
strong, purposeful and didn’t fear the future. Now that he was
out from under the Colonel, school wasn’t anything he couldn’t
handle. When things were starting to get to him, he remembered
the love of his handsome giant, his wonderful cowboy dad, his brother’s
love, and the love of a strong group of men in the community; men who
were not selfish in letting him know they cared about him and were
standing strongly behind him. Sheriff Leland Bard was especially
good to Dwayne.
In a small town,
it’s almost impossible to keep anything secret. People gossip and
there’s nothing you can do about it. Dwayne knew that, but he
wasn’t going to let it get to him. He had me and little bit to
keep his spirits up, and we were like two guard dogs. We figured
nothing got out through the men who were there that night, but most of
it probably got started through the paramedics and hospital
staff. Almost all the kids who were part of the ‘in group’ in
school heard something about it even if all the facts weren’t right.
It was common
knowledge the Colonel was in jail on child molestation charges,
attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder, and several other
charges, but they only were concerned with the molestation part.
To them, that was the juicy part. Since Dwayne was an only child
it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who was involved.
It was a little more sketchy for them what the giant, black man’s part
in all of it was, but they weren’t about to ask. They knew he
wasn’t charged with anything and was rumored to have saved Dwayne’s
life.
Gary Peacock
asked if he could sit with us at lunch. We knew he’d heard. He
simply stuck out his hand to Dwayne to shake his hand, told him how
much he admired him, and he would be proud to think on him as his
brother. It brought tears to Dwayne’s eyes, but he didn’t break
down. Dwayne thanked him graciously, and pulled Gary to him and
gave him a hug. He told him he would be honored for Gary to think
of him as his brother, and he was pleased to think on Gary as his
brother as well. Nothing more was said, but Gary Peacock became
one of Dwayne’s greatest defenders. If he heard anyone gossiping
about Dwayne he’d embarrass the shit out of them. That stopped it
pretty damn quick. For the fourteen
days Lamar was in the hospital the three of us would walk over to the
hospital from school and visit for a while. We would have an hour
or so until my dad came to pick Dwayne and I up, and Mr. Wiggins came
for Sidney. Lamar seemed so happy to see us and always had
something funny to tell us about his day. He’d have us laughing
with him. Little bit and I would leave him alone with Dwayne for
a while and wait out in the lobby for our rides.
“Did you obey
your Captain, boy?” Lamar asked Dwayne gently.
“Yes, Sir, and
thank you, Sir. It was wonderful. My dad really is what I
needed right now. I’m so happy he’s here with me. He’ll be
here all week. He was more than I expected, Sir. I love him, but
he’s my dad, and I love you.”
“I’m glad for
that report, boy. I know’s you love me. That’s why I can
tell you to give yourself to your old man and let him heal you,
Son. I knew the minute I met him he was a good man. I have
a feeling he’s gonna’ be in both our lives for a long time to come.”
“I hope so,
Lamar. I think he will, too. I love him a lot but not in
the same way I love you.”
“You don’t have
to explain to me, baby boy. I know how much you loves me and it’s
separate from your love for your old man. That’s as it should be.
You should love and honor your dad. Let both loves grow inside
you, there’s room for both. You got a big heart, Dwayne. I
saw what your spirit was made of in that damn bathroom that night,
Son. You be a lot stronger than you think you are. I love
you, too, baby boy.”
Dwayne stole a
quick kiss, and said his goodbyes when I hollered at him. After
fourteen days we drove Lamar back to Pendleton. Sticker
volunteered to drive us in his Hummer. There was room for dad,
Dwayne, Logan, big Sidney, Lamar and me. We thought he might have
some trepidation about going back, but he didn’t. He was looking
forward to getting on with his life. He had new friends and new goals
for himself. He was happy, and he seemed content and
confident. Sicker’s shiny black Hummer turned a lot of heads and
all looked to see a huge black man being accompanied by six
cowboys. We took him to the admin building, and they directed him
to the infirmary. We said our goodbyes and made a big to-do about
shaking hands. Dwayne was a
little down, but we kept reminding him we’d see Lamar in a couple of
weeks for graduation. Rance had to leave after spending a
wonderful week with him. Sticker drove him back to the stock
company. Dad and I laughed at them. They weren’t too silent
in their love making and we could hear Dwayne telling his dad,
“Fuck me,
cowboy! Ride that damn thing!”
Dad and I would
hold each other laughing. We were happy for them, it’s exactly
what both of them needed and they were making up for lost time.
It was exactly what Dwayne needed, and my dad told me Rance confided in
him it was just what he needed, too. Dwayne gained a great deal
of courage and love from his dad that made him stronger than he had
ever been. I was proud of my brother.
Dad told me, the
same night Rance told Dwayne about us being cousins, and at first I
couldn’t believe it; but then, when I thought about Rance’s eyes being
like mine, I had to believe my dad. I know he wouldn’t lie to me,
but it was just so hard to believe. It was wonderful news.
It explained a lot of things about Dwayne and me we always took for
granted being close friends. To find out we were related shed new light
on our relationship. Dad was right to tell us about being
cousins. It only made things better.
Dwayne was
right, little bit had a fit. He knew for sure we were making the
story up and blowing smoke up his ass. He came over that day just
to hear it from the two horse’s mouths, my dad and Dwayne’s dad.
He was flabbergasted. Dwayne and I had to administer much
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation along with an ample dose of hide the
little green snake.
We skated
through the last three weeks of school and we were out for summer
vacation. Dwayne, Sidney and I spent a great deal of time
together, and we watched our big brother grow into a man that
summer. I think the experience matured the three of us. Mr.
Wainright and Sticker told our dads they never saw such a dramatic
change in Logan as there was since he bonded with us. They were
both more than a little pleased and proud of their boy and us.
They bonded in friendship stronger than ever with the other men of the
community. They all came to love and respect Sheriff Leland Bard
as a man who brought strength of convictions and humanity to his job.
Dad gave the
papers Sadie left him to Rance and Dwayne the same evening she brought
them by. Rance had a rodeo in a small town about thirty miles
south and drove to our place every night he was there. We were
having Rance, Dwayne and the Winchesters over for dinner. When
dad told them what Sadie did, there was a great silence around the
table. Rance was stunned, but after a while, when everything
calmed down, it began to sink in, the ranch really belonged to them
now. It took them a while to realize they had to make a decision
what were they going to do with it?
Dwayne knew his
daddy loved his job, and he wouldn’t quit it for the world.
Dwayne didn’t want him to. He saw how much his dad loved his
job. He not only loved the job, it was important to him for his
own self-esteem and self-worth. For the first time in many years
Rance Harding was proud of himself and who he was. He could walk
tall. Dwayne was proud of his dad. The way Rance came to his
boy’s side when Dwayne needed him gained him a great deal of love and
respect from the community.
Dwayne talked it
over with me and Sidney and we suggested they hold on to the ranch as a
backstop or fall back thing for their lives. We reminded him one
day his daddy was going to get too old to do that job. Sidney
pointed out traveling and being on the road as much as he was, begins
to get very old and tiring after a while no matter how much you love it
or how much it pays. You just get sick of living out of a
suitcase.
Dad urged Rance
to hold on to the ranch for much the same reasons. Rance thought
it might be too much for the boy to live there again because of the bad
memories, but Dwayne assured Rance only six months of his life was
taken away by the Colonel, and he wouldn’t have any problem living
there again. He was firm and honest with his dad when he told him
it would be a different story if they hadn’t brought Dunbar to
justice. If the Colonel got away with it to do the same to
others, then no, he didn’t think he could go back there ever again;
however, that wasn’t the case, and he saw no problems with it
whatsoever.
They asked
Sidney’s dad what he thought they should do. Rance wanted to
change the title to joint tenancy, but Sidney advise them not to.
If they put it in joint tenancy, if anything happened to Rance or
Dwayne the survivor would have to pay a lot of fees and taxes.
Sidney suggested they keep it in Rance’s name and Rance would make out
a living will, in the event of his death, it would automatically become
his heir’s property with only minor fees for title change and no taxes.
They decided to
keep the ranch and Dwayne would run it part time with help from others
until he could finished high school. He still wanted to live with
the Winchesters until he graduated and then make a decision whether he
wanted to move on his own or not. Then, too, they had Frank and
Curley who were a fount of knowledge on how to run a ranch. They
were eager to see the ranch survive under Rance and Dwayne.
Dwayne himself grew up on the ranch. He was no novice to ranch
life, and the amount of work it required. Rance agreed he’d try to make
it home as much as he could to help make the ranch a success.
Dwayne would work on it on weekends and everyone helped him at one time
or another. Hell, we even got Gary Peacock on a pony several
weekends.
The first week
in June was my seventeenth birthday. Dwayne’s was about six weeks
later in July, but we decided to celebrate both on my birthday.
Dwayne told his dad he didn’t want anything for his birthday, just
him. That was enough for Dwayne, and he truly meant it. We
both wanted the folks whom we loved to spend the day with us in
celebration of not only our birthdays, but as a thanksgiving of
successfully coming out of a terrible couple of weeks.
Dwayne was
having to get rides with us and the Winchesters out to the ranch to get
anything done. He was still trying to do his chores to help Frank
and Curley out. Dad just started loaning Dwayne his truck, and it
really helped out. Dwayne would pick me up every morning, and
we’d drive to school then out to the ranch to do the chores. Dad
phoned Sticker and told him what was going on. He thought Dwayne
needed some transportation of his own. He felt Dwayne was mature
enough to be responsible and certainly could use his own truck as a
much needed tool for the ranch. Sticker got in touch with Rance
and told him what Vince said. He told Rance he and big Sidney
talked it over and agreed with Vince.
“Howdy, Mr.
Wiggins, what can I do for you, Sir?”
“Rance,— Vince
called me today and told me Dwayne’s having problems with
transportation to and from the ranch to the Winchester’s or the
Longhorns’s place. He suggested you get Dwayne a set of wheels
for his and Casey’s birthday party next week. Sidney and I agree
with Vince, we think Dwayne is mature enough to have his own
truck. It would relieve a lot of tension for Dwayne and help
several people.”
“Damn, Mr.
Wiggins, I ain’t got time to go truck shopping for my boy before his
birthday. Hell, ‘at’s next week and you gimme’ that week off to
be with him. I was leaving Tucson on Friday night to get there
for Casey and his birthday celebration on Sunday. I don’t see how
I can. Maybe I can buy him one the week I’m there.”
“Remember that
crew cab Ford 3/4 ton truck I was driving before I got the Hummer?”
“Yes, Sir, that
was a real nice truck. It had a lot of extras on it.”
“Yeah, well I
didn’t trade it in on the Hummer. The Hummer was a birthday gift
from my boss man. The Ford’s been parked in one of Sidney’s
garages for over six months now. It’s only two years old and in
perfect condition. Hell, it’s still under warranty. If you
want it, it’s yours for Dwayne.”
“How much you
asking for it, Mr. Wiggins?”
“How ‘bout a
blow job, cowboy?” Sticker roared with laughter.
“Cheap at twice
the price, Sir!” shot back Rance. “Hell, I’d bend
over and whistle like a’ pig fer ya.’” Rance broke up
laughing. That only made Sticker laugh harder.
“Naw,— it’s
yours, if you want it for Dwayne. Just be damn sure, me’n Sidney
get to sign the birthday card to let him know it’s from all of us.”
“Can I give you
anything for it, Sir?”
“No, you’ve done
more’n enough to cover it, ramrod. As Vince would say, I
garan-damn-tee-ya’!” Sticker laughed again and got a laugh out of
Rance. “Tell ya’ what,— I’ll get it out tomorrow and take to a
shop I deal with. I’ll have ‘um detail it, wash and wax it.
It’ll look brand new when they git through with it. You git Vince
to drive you over here on his birthday, you drive it back and give him
the keys. We’ll follow you back over. We’re invited to the
party, too.”
“Damn,
Sir! How can I ever thank you?
“You already
have, pod’na,’ more’n you know.”
“I really
appreciate it, Sir, and I know Dwayne’s gonna’ be thrilled. Would
you do me a favor, Sir. Out of respect for Spencer Winchester
would ju’ mind calling him for me and ask his permission to git Dwayne
some transportation for his birthday. I’d really appreciate it,
Sir. I know Spence probably won’t have a problem with it, but I’d
jes’ like to show him that respect, Sir.”
“Damn good idea,
Rance! I hadn’t even thought about it. No problem!
You got it, cowboy. I’ll call him right away. See you
Sunday. Have a safe trip, ya’ hear?”
“Yes, Sir, and
thanks again, Sir.”
“You’re welcome.”
* * * * * * *
Mr. Winchester
did appreciate Sticker calling at Rance’s request and he thought it was
a wonderful idea. He certainly agreed, he felt Dwayne was mature
enough to have his own transportation, and it would solve a lot of
problems getting him out to the ranch and back. Spencer was
really touched the men took him into consideration and asked his
permission.
The day of me
and Dwayne’s birthday we were up early cooking breakfast for
everyone. Dwayne had another wonderful night with his dad and
from the sounds from their bedroom, it gave the term ‘rough riders’ new
dimensions. Lord a-mighty, them two weren’t real quite about their love
making. Dwayne had a silly-ass grin on his face all
morning. He was cutting up potatoes for cowboy fries. I was
watching him out of the corner of my eyes, and he would just grin to
himself from time to time.
“That good, huh,
cowboy?” I asked quietly. He turned to look at me, grinned
real big and just shook his head.
“Pert-damn good,
brother! I can’t gainsay that. Of course I don’t think of
what dad and I do as passionate, romantic love. I look’s on it
more like it’s medicinal. He’s jes’ give’n me another injection
of cowboy love’n to get me over the Colonel.” Dwayne giggled like
crazy.
“You are so full
of shit, brother,— you was over the Colonel the first night dad and I
heard you yell, ‘Yahoo, ride ‘em, cowboy! Spur ‘em hard in
the flank!’” I laughed at Dawyne.
“Ya’ll heard
that?” he laughed.
“Dad and I don’t
even bother to have sex anymore when yore’ dad’s here. We love
it. All we gotta’ do in lay there, make a little love, and listen
to you two. Hell, we come ever’ damn time.” I was laughing
my ass off at him.
“I don’t believe
you! I’m gonna’ ask yore’ daddy. He won’t lie to me.”
“Go ahead,
on! Knock yore’self out, brother!” I laughed at him.
“Oh, God, Case,—
I can’t help it! He done figured out that first night we were
together what he needed to gimme’ to git me over the Colonel.
You’re right, brother, that old cowboy got me over the Colonel the
first damn night, but for God’s sake don’t tell him! I got him
believe’n I need a shit load more of them fine cowboy fucks.”
Dwayne had me in stitches. “After each one, I tell him I think
I’m git’n jes’ a little bit better. Who knows, it might be years
before I fully recover.”
I couldn’t stand
anymore, I had to leave the room. Dad and Rance came down for
breakfast and wanted to know what the hell was going on. Dwayne
and I just shook our heads.
“Trust me!
You don’t wanna’ know!” I told them. Then Dwayne and I
laughed harder.
It was a
wonderful day. Dad barbecued and everyone came. There must
have been fifty people there, so Dwayne and I didn’t miss Sticker and
Rance when they took off to go get his truck. Sidney already knew
about it, but he didn’t say a word at first until I pulled him
aside. After a while, Dwayne started looking for his dad, and Mr.
Winchester told him he thought he and Sticker ran to the store for some
more ice. About that time we looked up and saw Sticker’s Hummer
being followed by the dark, navy-blue pickup we knew was his old
vehicle. Rance was driving it, but Dwayne had no idea.
Little bit couldn’t keep the secret from his big brother, so I knew
what was up. I was really happy for Dwayne. The truck was
polished to a high sheen and looked brand new. Rance walked over
as everyone gathered around. He handed Dwayne the keys.
“Happy birthday,
Son.”
Dwayne’s mouth
dropped open. He couldn’t believe the truck was for him.
“It’s from me,
Mr. Wiggins, Mr. Wianright, and yore’ little brother, Son.”
Rance handed him the card. Dwayne opened in and burst into tears
he was so touched. His dad took him in his arms and hugged
him. He recovered quickly to thank Mr. Wiggins, Mr. Wainright,
and to hug and kiss his little brother. Dwayne was
thrilled. It was a nice truck with lots of extras.
Not to be
outdone dad handed me the keys to our old pickup and told me I could
start driving it. He already taught me to drive, and I got my
license right after I turned sixteen. He still didn’t let me
drive much, but with Dwayne having his own transportation, he thought I
probably should, too. I gave him a hug and a kiss. He gave
me another birthday gift though. He gave me a beautiful new
pony. It was a little male pinto colt. It was so pretty I
was thrilled with it. I sincerely thanked him. I loved it.
“Can’t afford a
new truck for you, Son,— wish’t I could. I ain’t giving it to
ya,’ ‘cause we need it around the ranch, but you can use it.
Ever’ damn thing I have is yores anyway.”
“The old truck
suits me jes’ fine, Dad. You know I’ve always loved that old
truck. It has character. Hell, it ain’t that old. We
got it jes’ before mom past away about four years ago. Besides, I
love my new pony you gimme.’ I’m gonna’ make him into a fine
roping pony if’n I can. He’s so pretty. Thanks, Dad.” The highlight of
Dwayne’s day was Lamar called to wish him a happy birthday.
Dwayne was thrilled. The infirmary was going to release him at
the end of the following week, and he was returning to a regular
company which was going to graduate in one week. He gave Dwayne
the dates. Dwayne told Lamar about his new truck. Lamar was
happy for him. He couldn’t wait to see it when we pick him up
after graduation. He was going to stay with us one night and we
would take him to the airport the following day to fly home.
Lamar didn’t
know how it happened, but he got a letter and some official documents
that claimed his conviction for being an accessory in a car theft had
been rescinded and expunged from his record. He no longer had any
arrest record nor any conviction on his record, and the judge who
sentenced him was reprimanded. He was very happy and told Dwayne
to be sure and thank the sheriff for him. He told Dwayne to tell
him he would thank him personally when he came to visit on leave.
“I jes’ realized
you be seventeen this birthday. Lord, Lord, baby boy, you’s
gonna’ be a man this time come next year. You’s already a man to
me, boy. I kept think’n we’s got two more years before you turns
eighteen, but it ain’t, it’s next year. I’m gonna’ schedule my
leave for that two weeks for sure. I have leave coming right
around then. I loved being with you before ya’ll brought me back
to the base. I loved hold’n you in my arms, baby boy. I
can’t think of nothing else but you, Son. I love you, Dwayne, and
hope you have a great birthday today. I’m looking forward to
seeing you and your brothers weekend after next.”
“We’ll be
there. We may bring another few good men with us. I love
you, Lamar. I know you probably get tired of a kid telling you he
loves you, but I do. I think of you all the time.”
“Ole Lamar don’t
never git tired of hearing his baby boy tell him he loves him.
Now, don’t go saying that no more. I’s jes’ worried I might scare
you off by tell’n you too many times.”
“You don’t have
to worry either, Sir. You told me never to doubt chore’ love, and
I ain’t gonna’ start now.”
“Good boy!
Now that’s listen’n to your ole Captain. Gotta’ run, boy.
Say ‘hello’ to all them good folks, especially Sheriff Bard. He’s
a good man. Bye, baby boy, I love you.”
“Bye, Sir, I
love you, too.”
Dwayne went out
and shook Sheriff Bard’s hand and thanked him for having Lamar’s
conviction rescinded, and everything, including the arrest expunged
from his record. Dwayne told him the judge who wrongly convicted
Lamar was reprimanded.
“Son, that’s
wonderful news, but I didn’t have anything to do with it. I knew
about it. I knew it was in the works, but I’m really glad to hear
it got done. I had little doubt it wouldn’t get done,
considering— ”
“Considering
what, Sheriff?”
“The staff of
attorneys Mr. Wainright has on permanent retainer.”
“Mr. Wainright
did this for us?” Dwayne asked. The sheriff smiled at
Dwayne’s use of the word, ‘us.’
“Yes, Son, it
was him. The night the paramedics took you and Lamar to the
hospital I asked the men if there was anyone who might know someone who
could help Lamar. Sidney called me the next day and asked where
his attorney could get the particulars on Lamar’s conviction for auto
theft. I told him who to get in touch with, and I guess he took
care of it. Congratulations, I’m happy for you both, Son.”
“Thanks
sheriff,— well,— we owe you a great deal of thanks as well.
You been real good to us, Sir.”
“Jes’ do’n my
job, young man,— jes’ do’n my job.” he smiled. “Oh, and by
the way, happy birthday, Son. Only one more year to go before
yore’ grand opening.” he smiled wickedly. Dwayne laughed.
“My ‘grand
opening’?” Dwayne fell out laughing at the sheriff, “I’m
praying that’s exactly what it will be, Sir. We’ll be sure to
invite chu,’ Sheriff.”
“Wouldn’t miss
it for the world, Son. Jes’ remember to be a good boy and say
them prayers ever’ damn night. ” Sheriff Bard winked at him,
laughed and hugged Dwayne.
Dwayne went to
Mr. Wainright and duly thanked him for his actions in getting Lamar’s
conviction rescinded. Big Sidney hadn’t heard from his attorney
who handled it for him, so he was surprised and pleased it was done. It
was a great day. Rance stayed with us and Dwayne all that
week. Dwayne was in heaven. His cowboy dad was home
again. The Winchesters understood when Rance was here, Dwayne
would probably be staying over at our place. Still, Dwayne would
call everyday to check in with either Donna or Spencer to let them know
he was okay and having a good time. We all had dinner with Donna
and Spencer one night that week and they came over to our place for
dinner on Friday.
Rance and Dwayne
spent a great deal of time at the ranch. They had long talks with
Frank and Curley about what they thought they should do. Rance
and Dwayne went through the house talking about what to get rid of and
what to keep.
“You know, Dad,
I don’t wanna’ live here by myself right away. Would you consider
helping me to stay with the Winchester’s for a while after I graduate
highschool if they’ll let me. They really make me feel wanted and
like I’m family. It’s wonderful when you’re here, but I’ve come
to rely on them. To be honest, I think they’ve become a bit fond
of me, too.”
“I think it
would be a wonderful idea. You can’t have too much family, Son,
and they’re fine people. ‘Sides, I don’t like the idea of you
living alone way out here. Frank and Curley are great men to have
around. Hell,— they’re like family, but they have their
lives to live. They can’t provide much companionship for
you. Sure, I’d be willing to see you through a couple of years or
so. We could ask them to set a price for room and board for
you. You don’t eat there all the time anyway.” * * * * * * *
That summer was
perhaps the best summer of our lives. Little bit was with us
constantly. We didn’t care. We loved him, so did Rance and
my dad. He decided that summer he wanted to be called
Logan. He decided he liked the name better than Sidney. I
think it was because Mr. Wiggins gave him that name. Also, he was
growing up, he wanted to be distinguished for himself and not be
confused with big Sidney. It took everyone a while to get use to
it, but we did. By the end of the summer everyone in town was
calling him Logan.
Dwayne jokingly
named Logan’s ESP talents, his ‘psychotic’ abilities. He began to
develop his abilities, and he became better at getting into people’s
heads. As he grew, so did his talents. He no longer had to
go into a deep trance. He could do it pretty much anytime he
wanted. He didn’t do it a lot, because his daddy sat him down and
gave him a stern lecture on the right to people’s privacy.
Furthermore, big Sidney insisted as few people as possible know
about his talent. Can you imagine the paranoia and fear it would
strike in the hearts of every politician and military mogul if one man
had the ability to tell others whether they were telling the truth or
not? Boggles the mind.
Aside from big
Sidney’s lecture, his daddy always raised him to respect folks privacy,
but once in a while he just couldn’t resist. We could always tell
when he was doing it, he’d look like he was staring off into space deep
in thought. He wasn’t, he was in someone’s head listening.
The other kids
in school accepted him as our buddy, and he was included in
everything. Logan began to bloom socially, and he began to date
quite a bit. We would tease him unmercifully about some girl he
had a crush on. We were happy for him. He was a late
bloomer, but he decided he had to try everything at least once.
Big Sidney
decided for his senior year in school Logan needed his own
transportation and gave him permission to buy anything he wanted except
a Hummer, a sports car or an expensive status car. Logan decided
he wanted a pick up truck like his big brothers. His dad let him
pick the one he wanted. We went with him several times to look,
but he just couldn’t find the truck he wanted. “Look, little
bit, tell us what chu’ want and we’ll help you find it.” Dwayne
told him as we were driving from dealership to dealership in San
Diego. We spent a good deal of time helping him look.
“I’ll know it
when I see it.” was all he would tell us.
We were getting
pretty frustrated with him, when on the way home we were passing
through the many small towns and burgs we had to go through to get back
to our community when Logan yells,
“That’s
it! Right there! Turn around big brother and let’s go back.”
What he saw was
a late model Ford 3/4 ton pickup with crew cab and a long bed with lots
of extra goodies. It was for sale by a private owner and was
sitting in the front yard. We stopped to looked at it, and Logan
fell in love with it. It was exactly the color combination he was
looking for and had the big crew cab which had more room for people
than the average car. A woman came out who was young and in her
late twenties. The truck still had payments to make on it, but
she was asking minimal because it was part of a divorce settlement
which had to be liquidated quickly.
It was her
husband’s truck. Big Sidney had Sticker take it to his
auto-mechanics to thoroughly check it out, and they found it perfect
condition. It had never been wrecked. Sticker wrote the
woman a check and paid off the balance that afternoon. Sticker
took it to his dealer to be detailed for Logan. It was a handsome
truck, and Logan was thrilled with it. Sticker told big Sidney he
thought they got a really good price for the truck, and his mechanics
agreed.
The three of us
spent a great deal of time on the Harding ranch working to help Dwayne
and Rance. Logan surprised Dwayne and I, he was no shirker when
it came to hard work, and he was right there with us every day lending
a hand. That summer he shot up in height until he was almost as
tall as Dwayne and I. We told him it was all the cow shit he was
walking in that made him grow. It was good fertilizer. He
wondered if there might not be a grain of truth to it. He was no
longer our little brother; our little bit. Of course, that didn’t
stop us from calling him our little brother or little bit. He
loved both names. He told us he looked upon nicknames others give
you as a form of endearment. Dwayne told him, he was, indeed, a
‘dear.’
I never really
appreciated how much Frank and Curley did around the ranch. They
certainly earned their modest wages Rance was paying them. They
hadn’t been paid by Sadie or the Colonel in three months. Rance
paid them up what they were owed. When you don’t make a lot a
money you need what little you get as income. They’d lived on
their savings for three months. Now they could put it back. Rance
was hoping to pay them more as they made a profit from the ranch, but
that might not be for a while.
Dunbar had no
idea how to run a ranch and almost ran it into bankruptcy in the two
years he was married to Sadie. She let him take charge. She let
him do it. Dwayne figured, that last six months, his mother was
depending on the Colonel’s income to float the ranch. We wondered
if he let the ranch go almost into bankruptcy to make Sadie dependent
on him. That way, she was more likely to turn her head and ignore
what was going on. We thought that was why he was so bold and
arrogant about his sexual activities. He thought he had her where
he wanted her, and Dwayne wasn’t a threat.
Rance wondered
out loud, after the Colonel was thrown in jail and Sadie no longer had
his income to depend on, if she saw the handwriting on the wall, she
was going to lose the ranch anyway, so may as well give it to Rance and
Dwayne to see if they could make a go of it. With Rance’s income
they certainly could and did. It made a profit the second year
they owned it and a profit every year after that.
They did,
indeed, raise Frank and Curely’s salaries to where they were sharing in
the profits. It was the most money they made as cowboys in their
lives. Rance remembered what Sticker did for him and how he
treated him. He and Dwayne decided Frank and Curley should be
treated the same way. Rance and Dwayne wanted them to know their
hard work was appreciated. * * * * * * *
In our running
around the San Diego area Logan noticed a gay S & M leather shop
out near the Naval Station, and we thought it would be great fun to
check it out. It was late summer, I hadn’t bothered to shave in a
couple of days and had a pretty good stubble of beard and
mustache. I certainly looked older than my age. As big as
they were, so did Logan and Dwayne. We looked around for a while
when suddenly Dwayne saw an enormous rubber husband that was made from
a soft pliable material that look for all world like a duplicate of
Lamar’s generous endowment. Dwayne’s eyes lit up like a pinball
machine that just went ‘tilt’ and his mouth began to water.
Logan looked at
me and I looked at him. We smiled at each other and then broke up
laughing. We didn’t have to be mind readers to figure out what
our big brother had in mind. Dwayne was so shy he couldn’t bring
himself to buy it. I told him to give me the damn thing, I’d buy
it for him. Logan was laughing at the two of us. He had
tears running down his face. That didn’t make it any easier on
poor Dwayne. We’d never seen him so embarrassed. He was
bright red from blushing the whole time I was paying the man for the
sex toy. On the way to the truck Logan turned to me.
“Who’s he gonna’
git to use it on him, bubba?” Logan asked laughing.
“Hell, what’s a
brother for, little bit, if’n we can’t help out our big brother in his
time of need?” I chastised him laughing my ass off.
“You mean you
guys really would help me out?” Dwayne asked sheepishly.
“Are! You!
Kidding?! Try’n stop us!” I told him.
“Yeah, big
bother, but ya’ gotta’ give each of us an equal turn.” Logan
laughed.
“I was jes’a’
hope’n ya’ll might.” he said grinning real big.
And so it was,
every chance we got we were away to the Harding ranch to help out our
big brother. Of course we helped him with the ranch, too. Dwayne
kept his toy in a cabinet on the back porch where no one would find
it. He certainly wasn’t going to keep it at the
Winchester’s. We agreed with him it might be in poor taste, to
say nothing of scaring poor Donna Winchester to death if she
accidentally discovered it. It had sort of a pinkish flesh color
to it, and it wiggled a lot. Logan named it ‘Pink Floyd.’ I
wanted to name it ‘Baby Lamar.’ Dwayne thought we were awful to
have such fun at his expense. He was right, we were, but that’s
what brothers are for.
Then the fates
decided to be mischievous and have a little fun. That’s
when disaster struck. Rance was home for a long weekend,
and Dwayne and I went somewhere with little bit. Rance went
looking for a cleaning rag on the back porch. He found a
rag and pulled it out of the cabinet when suddenly ‘Pink Floyd’
rolled out in all its glory, dropped about four feet to the floor with
loud thud, bounced once and landed right across his cowboy boots. Rance
was stunned beyond belief to find a giant rubber cock laying at his
feet.
Then he started
laughing his ass off. He needed no explanation. He knew
immediately what we were up to, and what it was for. He sat on
the back porch steps and laughed until he cried. Frank and Curley
walked up to find out what was wrong with him. He couldn’t tell
them, but just pointed into the back porch for them to take a
look. They did, and they sat on the steps and laughed with him.
This was just
too damn good for Rance to keep the story from the men in our community
who loved Dwayne and would most appreciate it. The men thought
they were going to have to call the paramedics when he told Sheriff
Leland Bard about his incident with ‘Pink Floyd’ bouncing around on the
floor and onto his cowboy boots. Of course, being a cowboy, Rance
embellished his story until it was way out of proportion and painfully
funny.
I don’t think
Dwayne ever discovered his dad found ‘Pink Floyd’ before he told him
about it. However, there were many snickers and chuckles from the
men who loved him. The sheriff chastised Rance and told him he
should be ashamed of himself, he thought it was a damn good idea.
He was proud of Dwayne and told Rance he should be, too. All in
all, for all the fun, Rance was proud of his boy for thinking enough of
someone else to see to their happiness and volunteered many evenings to
give his boy a workout with it,— after Rance got thought fucking him,
of course.
We worked with
our brother all that year until he could take the damn thing with no
problem,— and I don’t mean just gently. He learned to relax and
take the whole thing the first go. We could fuck him with it for
an hour or more, but he’d snap right back, tight as ever. We told
him we thought we were being rougher on him than the Colonel ever
was. He agreed.
Our senior year
in high school was the happiest most wonderful year of our lives.
Dwayne and I led our football team to our second year as district
champions. We were on top of the world. Dwayne, Logan and I
became lionized in school. We had no problems getting dates with
any pretty girl we wanted. The editors of the year book did
something unprecedented that year. The first page of the year
book had a big, handsome picture of Dwayne and the year book was
dedicated to him. He had no idea they were going to do it, and it
touched him deeply.
I won most
popular student for the third year in a row and Logan was voted
smartest man in school. He was valedictorian of our class.
His grade point average for his four years in high school was a perfect
four-point-oh. No one ever graduated with a higher grade point
average. Because of having Logan for a brother, a lot of times
we’d do our homework together, and he’d teach us tricks how to learn
and memorize things. As a result Dwayne and my grade point
average rose considerably.
Of course our
little brother gave the valedictory speech at our graduation. He didn’t
tell anyone what he was going to say. We all thought we’d hear
the usual, ‘go forth young fertile minds and make the future yours’
speech. Not Logan. His speech was all about the potential
goodness of all mankind and the importance of reaching out and helping
your brothers. In a round about way it was great testament to our
friendship and everyone got the message. There wasn’t a dry eye
in audience when he finished, and they gave him a standing
ovation. We were right proud of our little
brother.
Lamar kept in
constant contact with Dwayne. He would tell him what he was doing
and Dwayne would tell him about what he was doing. Lamar was
thrilled to hear about Dwayne and his dad getting the ranch back from
Dwayne’s mother. He wanted to know all about it and what they
were doing. Lamar couldn’t tell him where he was because he was
half of a team of armed guards for the admiral of the seventh
fleet. He rose in rank quickly and was now Corporal
Bradley. He would accompany the admiral anywhere he went and was
regularly seen in Washington and the pentagon in the company of the
admiral. The admiral particularly like Lamar and was good to
him. The Marines sent him to a six week school to learn protocol
and how to be a guard for a dignitary.
He sent Dwayne
pictures of himself in his full dress uniform, and he really looked
handsome and sharp. Logan and I were so damn jealous we decided
after we cut our brother’s heart out, we’d tar and feather him, and
just for good measure we’d draw and quarter him; then, we laughed our
ass’s off at our silliness. Lamar sent one picture of him and his
partner, the other guard, and they were in full dress uniform.
The other man was a white man, but almost the same size as Lamar.
He, too, was huge. Dwayne had a picture of Lamar framed and
sitting on his desk at the Winchester’s. Lamar and Dwayne wrote
and exchanged e-mails several times a week, but they were very careful
not to write anything that might be misconstrued. The only terms
of endearment they exchanged was ‘dear brother.’ They could read
between the lines, though, and each knew the other was still very much
in love.
Just like he
planned, Lamar got his two weeks leave at the end of his first year as
a Marine and he flew to San Diego to be with his love for his
eighteenth birthday. He wrote to Dwayne he had no more family but
our community. He felt more at home with us than anywhere
else. Dwayne was thrilled Lamar was coming for his
birthday. Everyone was happy for him. Dwayne wanted us all
to go to the airport with him, but Rance told him ‘no.’ He should go
alone in his new truck to pick him up.
He finally
agreed with his dad and drove to the airport by himself. He was
standing watching all the people get off the plane until finally he saw
his love, proud, handsome and tall in his dress uniform. Lamar
looked spectacular. Lamar saw his young, handsome cowboy, in his
boots and big hat, standing there with the biggest smile on his face,
and his heart damn near skipped a beat. He forgot just how
imposing and fine looking his little buddy was and how much he love the
sight of him. They hugged but didn’t kiss more than on the
cheek. It was a brotherly welcome; totally acceptable in
public. However, when they got to Dwayne’s pickup with the
heavily tinted windows, it was a horse of a different color. They
kissed a kiss of welcome and passion that was at once as gentle as it
was moving for both of them. They finally broke it off and sat
there for a minute.
“Ready to go
home, my beautiful giant?”
“Them’s the best
words I’ve heard all week, Son.” Lamar answered.
“I love you,
Corporal Bradley.”
“I love you,
too, baby boy. Oh, shit, after tomorrow I ain’t gonna’ be able to
call you my ‘baby boy’ no more.”
“You can call me
anything you want to, big man, and I’ll come a’ running.” Dwayne
replied. Lamar laughed. “You look so damn handsome in your
uniform. I’m so proud of you. I’m glad you wore it.
Everyone’s there waiting for you. I wanted them all to come with
me to the airport, but my daddy told me ‘no,’ I should come by myself
in my new truck to pick you up. My dad is usually right about a
lot of things. I’m kinda glad I did. I don’t have to share
you with anyone for a little while.”
“I’m glad you
did, too, baby boy. I gets all nervous when a lot of people are
talk’n to me at the same time. Now, when we git to the ranch I
won’t have any problem. I knows all them good folks. I
loves them all.”
“They love you,
too, Corporal Bradley.” Dwayne winked at him. “I love
calling you that.” he smiled and winked at Lamar.
“Good boy, you
should show proper respect for even a noncommissioned officer.”
Lamar smiled, “This truck is a beauty, Son. When you said
pickup truck, I was thinking a beat up old cowboy truck. This
thing is really nice. It’s comfortable even for me. My head
don’t touch the roof like in all them cars we have to ride in with the
admiral.”
They talked
about a lot of things, and they were really relaxed by the time they
got to the Longhorn ranch. It was early afternoon and dad, Rance,
Logan, the Winchesters, big Sidney, Sticker, and me were all there
waiting for him to say ‘hello’ and ‘welcome.’ They all would be
there tomorrow as well for Dwayne’s birthday. We decided to
celebrate our birthdays separately that year. Somehow, it just
seemed right since this was a special birthday for the three of
us. Logan wouldn’t turn eighteen ‘til the second week in August
and, he was really jealous of Dwayne and me. I told him I’d get a
knife from the kitchen, and he could cut my heart out later. He
laughed.
Logan and I used
his printer and made a huge banner we hung across the post of the front
stairs up to the porch of the house that read: ‘Welcome Home Corporal
Bradley.’ Dwayne said Lamar got choked up for a minute when he
saw the banner. He turned to Dwayne.
“It’s so good to
see all their faces again. That Mr. Wiggins is a fine looking
man, ain’t he, boy?”
“Yeah, he is,
but not as handsome as my Marine Corporal.”
“Ain’t a one of
‘em prettier’n you, baby boy, and don’t chu’ forget it! I got me
a pur-tee little cowboy to love.” He smiled as they came to a
stop.
“Yes, you do,—
and I got me a handsome Marine Corporal to love.”
Everyone was at
Dwayne’s truck. Dad was the first to get to Lamar. He threw
his arms around him, gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Damn, Son, you
look so fine and handsome in yore’ uniform. Welcome home, Son.”
“Thank you, Mr.
Longhorn. I’s s’glad to be here. I appreciate you asking me
to stay with you, Sir.”
“You’re more’n
welcome, Son.”
Next was Mr.
Wiggings and Sidney Wainright. Lamar had a big hug and kiss for
each of them and shook their hands.
“I wanna’ thank
you men for all you done for me. I won’t never forget it, Mr.
Wiggins, and Mr. Wainright. I shore’ appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome,
Son. Welcome home.” Sidney said for both of them.
Little bit was
next and Lamar had a big ole hug and a special kiss for him.
Logan was giggling like a school boy, but we’d already graduated.
“Look at chu,’
boy! You ain’t no ‘little bit’ no more! You’re almost as
tall as them yahoos. You been a good boy, or is Corporal Lamar
gonna’ have to turn you over his knee?”
“Oh, Corporal
Bradley, I’ve been so bad, Sir. I deserve a good spanking,
Sir!” Logan said contritely.
Lamar laughed,
hugged and kissed Logan again and promised he’d take care of him
later. Little bit laughed.
The
Winchesters greeted him and welcomed him home. If a black
man could glow, I’m sure Lamar was at that moment. Last but not
least was Dwayne’s dad, Rance Harding.
“Mr.
Harding.” Lamar stuck out his hand and Rance took his bigger hand
and shook it.
“Ah, hell, Son,
that ain’t gonna’ get it, gimme’ a hug.”
“Yes, Sir, Mr.
Harding.” Lamar hugged and kissed Rance on the cheek.
“And for God’s
sake, call me Rance, Son.” he laughed.
“Yes, Sir. Thank
you, Sir. I appreciate that, Sir.” He smiled and Rance
laughed more at his politeness.
“You’re a fine
young man, Lamar,— you’re welcome here, Son.”
“I feel like I’m
home, Sir.”
“You are,
Son.” Rance assured him.
Dwayne and I
managed to break down the huge bed in my ‘junk room’ the three of us
played on from time to time and moved it across the hall to a room we
fixed up for him and Lamar. Logan helped us repaint the whole
room, clean and wax the floors. In a trunk in the attic we found
some beautiful Oriental rugs we cleaned and placed on the floor.
We added a chest of drawers from my junk room. I wanted to get
that stuff out of my junk room anyway to have more room. The room
was at the far end of the hall and was one of the four out of six
upstairs bedrooms with windows on two sides for cross
ventilation. It was a nice room when we finished. Dwayne
helped Lamar with his sea bag and they stored it in the big room.
Lamar took one look at the bed and got a big smile on his face.
“Now, that’s a
bed a man can sleep on.” he said.
“That ain’t all
you gonna’ be doing in that bed, big man.” Dwayne said under his
breath and then chuckled.
We all
laughed. We left the room to leave them alone for a while.
I closed the door behind us. Lamar took Dwayne into his arms and
looked down at him. Dwayne was a bigger man than either me or
little bit and this man towered over him. Many times when you see
an unusually tall man he will be skinny,— not Lamar. He was as
broad at the shoulders as he was imposing in height. It was as if
the huge bed was made with him in mind. He gently kissed Dwayne
on his forehead.
“You ready for
tomorrow night, sweet baby?”
“Sure am, big
man, I can’t wait. I been drive’n my brothers and dad’s crazy
talk’n ‘bout chu.’”
“You afraid?”
“Not a
bit. Should I be?”
“Well, you
know’s how big I am, Son.”
“Yeeees, I
certainly do remember.” Dwayne smiled real big, “I remember
ever’ inch of it. It’s burned into my memory like it was
yesterday, and if I need a reminder I can watch the video. You
don’t how many times your beautiful cock has already been made love to
in my dreams and you jes’ don’t know it.” Dwayne laughed and
Lamar laughed, too.
“Ya’ll saved a
copy of the video?”
“Yeah, little
bit made copies for each of us. I told him not to give me mine
until my birthday. I told him I wanted the unedited one where it
shows me sucking on your big dick and you stealing a kiss from me when
the Colonel weren’t look’n.”
“Can we watch it
together?”
“Sure, I’d love
to. Will it bother you to see yourself git shot?”
“We can turn it
off before then, can’t we?’
“Sure, no
problem.”
“What about the
bathroom video?”
“Logan made me a
copy of that, too.”
“That’s what I
wanna’ see.”
“Me, too!”
Dwayne agreed.
“It’s the one
what’s got the love in it.”
“Can’t gainsay
that, my handsome giant.”
“Lemme’ git out
a’ this uniform before I git some’um on it. Are those drawers for
us to use, baby boy?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“While I undress
would you mind unpacking my bag and putting things in those
drawers. I don’t care where, jes’ long’s I can find ever’
thing. What I wanna’ wear is way down at the bottom.”
“Yes, Sir,
Corporal Bradley, Sir.” Dwayne said with respect.
He started
unpacking and watched Lamar undress at the same time. He
carefully hung up his uniform and put it in the closet. He
removed every thing else and placed his mirror polished shoes in the
closet as well. He took off his shirt and was down to his GI
issue underwear. He didn’t hesitate, and took his wife-beater
undershirt off and threw it on the bed. He dropped his boxer
shorts to the floor. Lamar was even bigger than Dwayne remembered
him.
Dwayne could
clearly see the scar where the bullet entered his chest just below his
massive pectoral muscle. Dwayne hadn’t forgotten how large he was
below his waist. He couldn’t have picked a better rubber husband
to expand his horizons. Lamar was at least that big or maybe just
a little bigger. Dwayne reached down to the bottom of Lamar’s bag
and brought out a huge pair of Western boots, a pair of big Wrangler
jeans and a beautiful Western shirt. Lamar grinned real big at
Dwayne.
“I wanted to fit
in.” he said shyly.
“These are
handsome boots, just like their owner.”
Lamar quickly
dressed and stood before Dwayne. He made as handsome a cowboy as
he did a Marine Corporal.
“Lamar,— is it
my imagination, or are you bigger than you were a year ago?”
Dwayne asked him.
“I hope to hell
it ain’t chore’ imagination, Son. I worked my black ass off for
this extra mass. I’s glad ya’ noticed,— that’s really sweet of
you. I done it jes’ fer you, baby boy. I told myself you’d
notice.”
“How could I
help? You really are bigger; much bigger! I’ll be curious
to see if anyone else notices. In the meantime, kiss me, cowboy.”
They kissed a
kiss full of love and joy. It wasn’t a tongue battle or
swallowing contest. It was kiss of two men in love with each
other who knew more love is conveyed through a gentle and tender kiss.
The two men went
downstairs and several mouths dropped open. Lamar went up the
stairs a handsome, squared away, sharp looking Marine Corporal and came
down the stairs a big, handsome, black cowboy.
“Lord,
a-mighty,— would ya’ll look at what jes’ come down them steps.” said my
dad. He went to Larmar and patted him on the back. “You’re
looking fine, Son.”
“Thanks, Mr.
Longhorn.”
“If you call my
brother, Rance, by his first name, you think you kin call me, Vince,
Son?”
“Thank you, Sir,
I appreciate it. It’s so good to see ya’ll again. I told
Dwayne on the way, I feel more at home here with you folks than
anywhere.”
“Hell, that’s
the way we want you to feel, Son!” barked Sticker. “I’d
tell ya’ to relax and let chore’ hair down, but ya’ ain’t got
none.” Sticker laugher.
“Naw, Sir, I had
some kind of illness when I was a young boy and all my hair fell
out. It never grew back. I’ve been bald most of my life.”
“I’m sorry, Son,
I didn’t know.”
“Don’t be sorry,
Mr. Wiggins, I ain’t. It’s saved me a fortune in haircuts.”
Everyone
laughed. Dwayne knew Lamar was going to fit right in with these
folks,— and there was one other place he had in mind for his giant to
fit into. They had dinner together. Everyone brought
something. Sticker and Sidney volunteered to bring steaks if
Vince would cook them on the grill outside over mesquite. Donna
Winchester brought another wonderful dessert. We provided salad
and a vegetable. Dwayne and Rance cooked up the cowboy fried
potatoes.
Later in the
evening Lamar and Dwayne lay together on the big bed with Lamar holding
his love in his arms pressing his body close to his. They made
sweet love and whispered outrageous things to each other lovers have
done since the beginning of time. They were tempted to wait until
midnight and then,—
“No! Damn
it! We’ve come this far, baby boy. We can wait ‘til
tomorrow night.” Lamar said with authority.
Lamar held
Dwayne close to his big, warm body all night and would wake
occasionally to buss a kiss behind his love’s ear, sigh deeply and
return to a deep peaceful sleep. It seem like they’d come so far
together. They were separated; but yet, they made an effort to
keep in touch all year. Dwayne didn’t know why God brought him
this giant to love, but he wasn’t going to worry about it. He did
say a small prayer of thanks for bringing him and Lamar together.
If God is love He surely must have been in the room with them that
evening, smiling, satisfied with Himself and thinking,
‘I done real
good,— git’n them two together.’
End Chapter 20 ~
Texas Longhorns Copyright 2005 ~
Waddie Greywolf All rights
reserved ~ Mail to:
waddiebear@yahoo.com