A couple of
months passed and the holidays were upon them with
Thanksgiving/Christmas break for the kids from school. Waddie and Gip
settled down into a routine. They'd get off the bus every afternoon, go
into the house, give Momma Sue a hug and a kiss and Dad Dan if he was
inside. They'd have something to drink and a couple of cookies or a
brownie Momma Sue made. They'd do their homework around the kitchen
table. They always waited for the other if one wasn't through. They'd
put their books away, run to the barns to find out what Dad Dan was
doing, and if they could help. Usually he had something for them to do,
and they'd work their butts off 'til Momma Sue called them for dinner.
Waddie gained back the weight he lost and then some. He was growing up
fast. That year he shot up almost a third bigger than Gip.
Gip was to get
his growth later, but Waddie was the largest kid in grades one though
four. All the little kids loved and adored Waddie and Gip because they
protected them, included them in everything and wouldn't let anyone put
them down. They encouraged them, and when it was Waddie or Gip's turn
at bat they all went nuts screaming and yelling for their heroes to put
it away.
When Morgan was
home Waddie stayed at his place to be with him in the evenings. Morgan
got some stock because Waddie agreed to take care of them for him and
help him. Waddie was good to his word. He and Morgan grew closer
because of a common interest. Morgan couldn't get Willie to even take a
look at them. Willie told Morgan, “He weren't no damn farmer.” Waddie
stayed with the Justins and sometime he and Gip stayed a Friday or
Saturday night in town with the new sheriff and his lovely wife.
Gip couldn't
believe how Waddie could know Buck and Linda Sue were his dad and mom
and not go to pieces. Gip's strength began to come through. It wasn't
as easy on Waddie as it appeared on the surface. He was being eaten up
inside wanting to love Buck and Linda Sue as his mom and dad. They were
proud of every accomplishment of both boys but it just wasn't the same.
There's always that fine line of belonging and the conundrum for Waddie
was he still deeply loved Morgan.
* * * * * * *
"Waddie do you
know why your Aunt Linda is going to see Dr. Dyer?" Gip asked in
private.
"Yes, Gip, I do.
I didn't tell you a couple of things 'cause I didn't know how you'd
take them. She's going 'cause she can't understand why she can't get
pregnant. Lord knows Uncle Buck is filling her full enough."
Gip giggled. The
boys heard them going at it hot and heavy many nights and got so turned
on they had to jack each other off. Their Uncle Buck was not a quiet
lover and their Aunt Linda was just as bad as he was. Gip and Waddie
would giggle at them carrying on. They never said a word to Buck or
Linda Sue. They wouldn't if their lives depended on it. It was
something that just wasn't talked or joked about.
"She's not
gonna' be able to have any more kids, is she, Waddie?"
"You know,
Three-G, I ain't just saying this 'cause you're my brother and I
love you, but you're one of the sharpest damn kids I ever met. Nobody
in our school picks up on things faster than you do. Yes,— you figured
it out."
"I'm glad you
didn't tell me. It makes me sad, 'cause I love Aunt Linda and I'm not
as good at hiding my feelings as you are. My dad can take one look at
me and know what I'm thinking."
"To me, it just
means you're close, like you and me, and your dad feels like you feel.
Better that, brother, than having a cold, distant dad, who doesn't know
who you are and isn't particularly interested in finding out."
* * * * * * *
"You've had a
child before, Mrs. Claymore." Dr. Dyer told Linda Sue. Buck was not
present.
"Yes, Doctor
Dyer, but I gave him up for adoption. I did a terrible thing. My
husband and I had intercourse before he went to war. He didn't want me
to get pregnant because he didn't want me to have to raise his child by
myself if he didn't come back. He used a condom..." Dr. Dyer held up
his hand as if to interrupt her story.
"....and, you
took some of his sperm and impregnated yourself. Then you decided to
give the child up because if he came back and was angry he might not
want to marry you. Is that right?"
"Yes, Sir."
"You don't know
how many times I've heard that story, Mrs. Claymore. You're
not alone, Mrs. Claymore, you're not the only woman to ever do
that. Well, is there anyway you can find the child? Do you know
who adopted it?"
"No, Sir. Why,
Doctor? What do you have to tell me?"
"I don't think
you're going to be able to have anymore children, Mrs. Claymore." Linda
Sue broke into tears and the Doctor comforted her.
"Are you sure,
Doctor?"
"As sure as any
doctor can be; however, I suggest you have your husband take you to
Temple, Texas to a couple of young doctors there that specialize in
obstetrics. There names are Dr. Scott and Dr. White. I would recommend
you get their opinion."
"Oh my Lord!
God's punishing me for disobeying my husband." Linda Sue wailed.
"We aren't
living in biblical times, Mrs. Claymore. I seriously doubt God would do
that to you for making a mistake. Tell me, did you get to see the child
before they took it away?" Linda Sue nodded. "Was it a boy or a girl?"
"He was a
beautiful boy."
"Did you notice
any distinguishing features?"
"Yes, Sir. He
had mole on his left big toe in the very center just above the toenail
and he had a reddish, wine colored birthmark on his right leg near his
groin that was in the form of a perfect cowboy boot.
Dr. Dryer
dropped his clip board on the floor and stared off into space. Bells
went off in his head, sirens, flags as he desperately tried to think
which child had,— ? Oh, my God! It came to him but a small voice told
him not to say anything until he investigated.
"I'm sorry, Mrs.
Claymore. I became befuddled when I dropped my clip board. I've been
having trouble with my grip lately and drop a lot of things." Linda Sue
nodded her head she understood. "Do you plan to tell your husband, Mrs.
Claymore?"
"I don't know
yet. I’ll have to think about it."
"I'll be
discrete. If he asks, I'll tell him I referred you to Dr. Scott and Dr.
White in Temple because I'm unable to made a firm diagnosis, which is
true. There's a margin of error in any doctor's diagnosis. To be
honest, I hope that was a day I was sick in medical school and didn't
learn enough to diagnosis you properly. I know how you must feel. My
wife can't have anymore children either. I've known your husband
since grade school. He's one of the finest men I've ever known. I'm so
thrilled he got elected sheriff, and I was so honored to be included in
his bachelor party. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. It was one
of the best times I've ever had in my life. My point is, I have faith
in Buck Claymore. He will not turn away from you if you're honest with
him, even now. He's a man of great commitment and we're lucky to have
him as sheriff."
"Thank you,
Doctor, for those kind words and I think you're right."
"Don't give up
hope; knowing Buck like I do, he'll find your boy."
"Good to see you
again, Doctor." Linda Sue turned to walk away.
"Oh,— by the
way, Mrs. Claymore,— is the Lovejoy boy still living with you and Mr.
Claymore?"
"No, Sir. I wish
he were, we love him like he was our own. He's back with his father,
but he's spends as much time with us and the Justins as he does Mr.
Lovejoy's house. We worry about him, but he has people who love him who
look out for him constantly."
"I need to do a
follow up on him at no charge to anyone. It's required by state law
because there was some suspicion of child abuse. Could you bring him in
the next time he's over, it won't take very long?"
"He's in the car
with my husband. Is now okay?"
"Sure! That
would be fine. If you and Mr. Claymore have the time to wait for him. I
promise I won't be more than fifteen or twenty minutes. I'll wait for
him here, just send him in." Linda Sue went to the car and told Waddie,
Gip, and Buck the doctor wanted to do a yearly followup on Waddie at no
charge that would take about fifteen minutes.
"Waddie, he's
waiting for you inside. Is that all right with you, dear?"
"Oh, sure!
There's no problem. Don't let 'em give you a finger wave, honcho."
Waddie laughed
as he walk toward the hospital doors. He saw Dr. Dyer inside and ran to
his open arms. The doctor picked him up and went,
"Oooofff! You
have grown, young man! Another month and I won't be able to do that."
He put Waddie down and took him by the hand to an examination room.
"This isn't a
check up, is it, Doctor?" Dr. Dyer let out a laugh you could've
heard all over the hospital.
"Why don't you
tell me, then; somehow, I know you can. I have that much faith in
you. Your angel told you who you had to live for, didn't he, Waddie?"
Waddie nodded as a couple of tears rans down his cheeks. Dr. Dyer took
him into his arms.
"Shuuu, don't
worry I didn't say anything. I wanted to talk to you first. I think
your angel whispered in my ear. I definitely heard a voice tell me to
investigate before I told your mother anything. You've known since you
were here in the hospital, haven't you? That's how you knew Morgan
Lovejoy's wife wasn't your mom. Remember telling me that?" Waddie
nodded. "In fact I remember you telling me the angel told you who you
had to live for, but you wouldn't say." Waddie nodded. "Son, you're an
amazing child, but why haven't you told anyone?"
"I can't, Dr.
Dyer, and you can't either. Would you get my brother, Gip, he can help
me explain."
"That's George
Gipson Gentry Justin, right?" the doctor smiled wickedly at Waddie. He
nodded.
"Alice would you
ask the Justin boy to join us, please? He's with the Claymore's
outside." The nurse walked to the car and brought Gip back with her.
"I'm going to
check you both for mumps." The nurse left. He sat Gip upon the table
next to Waddie.
"The angel came
to Gip and me and told us I could share with him what I knew. He said
having my brother know would help me through. Gip's my buddy, Doctor,
but he's more'n that, he's my little brother. The angel told us
so. I love him, Dr. Dyer." the doctor choked back tears, put his
arms around the boys and hugged them both.
"Why can't we
tell anybody?" He asked plaintively.
"Because God
gave Mr. Urial permission to tell me who I had to live for. Before that
I didn't know I had other parents. I thought I was stuck in that
horrible place with no help. It was my choice to go with the angel or
come back, but they knew I wouldn't come back unless they told me these
things. If you remember, my brother, Gip, is one of the people I
returned for."
"I remember
well, young man." Doctor Dyer turned to Gip, "Gip,—
he told me all about you before he met you. He knew your full name and
the name he would call you. That was 'Gip.' All right,— I
believe you,— but you still haven't told me why." said Dr. Dyer.
Gip spoke up.
"Mr. Urial told
us it would upset the balance of the future if they were to find out
before something happens."
"When is this
'something' suppose to happen?"
"He didn't say
but both of us feel it's going to happen when Waddie's ten or eleven."
"My Lord! That's
three to four more years. It's been almost two years since you were in
here, Waddie. So you two have known that long?"
"No, Sir, the
angel told Waddie and I the night of our aunt and uncle's wedding
Waddie could share it with me. Waddie's great aunt in Dallas put two
and two together when I told her about Waddie's birthmark. I didn't
know what Waddie's birthmark meant until later that night after the
angel came to us. Then Waddie told me. His great aunt was sent to him
to help him. She knows almost everything."
"May I call her
and speak with her, Waddie?" Waddie looked to Gip for guidance.
"I don't see
what it would hurt, Waddie, they both know. Did he find out about your
Aunt Linda?"
"You know about
her? What do you know?" asked the doctor.
"She can't have
any more children." Dr. Dyer stood there and just shook his head;
amazed by the two boys.
"You boys have
no idea how much you amaze me sometimes. Okay! You've convinced
me. You told me something no one could have known about my daughter,
Waddie, and I believed you then. I believe both of you now. I won't say
a word, but I would like to talk with your aunt to let her know she has
someone she can contact who cares about the two of you. She could
probably give me some advice."
"She's a wise
and good lady, Doctor, and we both love her. Here's her name, address
and phone number. Aunt Agatha won't know for sure you talked with me.
Tell her Waddie said she would believe you if you told her his special
name for her is 'Auntie Boo' and our secret pass words are 'cherry
cordial'" Waddie handed him a small square of paper. Dr. Dyer
quickly copied it down on his clip board. He wrote the secret name and
the two passwords.
"I'll walk you
out to the car, but first I get a hug from both of you." The boys
gladly gave him a hug and thanked him again for their saddles. He
walked them out to the car. Buck got out and shook his hand.
"Good to see
you, Buck, as always. I just wanted to check the both of 'em for signs
of mumps. It's going around. If there's any swelling under their jaws
or in their groin area don't wait a minute,— get them in here
immediately. Don't wait over night to see if it goes away. If I'm not
on duty you have them call me. If they won't here's my card and one for
the Justins. Please tell 'em I checked Gip out and he shows no signs.
Tell them the same thing I'm telling you. You call me, day or night!
They checked out okay. I thought since you had his brother here I'd
check him, too. Another thing, Buck. If either of these boys gets hurt
in anyway, if you have to get them to the hospital in a hurry call to
make sure I'm on duty or call my home. If I'm not home my wife will
know where I am and get in touch with me. I'll be here when you get
here."
"Thank you,
Doctor, but you know they're not real brothers don't you."
"I don't agree.
Trust me Buck, they're brothers. I don't care they had separate
parents. They are brothers. Just like you and Morgan all those years.
He's still your brother, Buck. Do your best to help him. He's a good
man, but he's lost, and he needs to be separated from those people."
"I try, Doctor,
and I'll keep on trying."
"Haven't seen
you since you won the election, Sheriff. My deepest congratulations and
our community will be better for it. I'll have my wife give your wife a
call; we'd love to have you and the Justins over for dinner some
evening; be sure and bring the boys."
"Great, Dr.
Dyer, we'll look forward to it, and thanks for checking out the boys."
"My pleasure."
* * * * * * *
Thanksgiving
proved to be rather unusual. Dan invited a cousin to Thanksgiving
dinner with him and his family. According to Dan she'd been ostracized
by the rest of the Justin family because of her sexual preferences and
because she looked more like a man than a woman. Her name was Enid and
she arrived in a pickup truck with a cattle rack on the back loaded
with small boxes. She brought western boots for the boys and the whole
damn family. She broke away from the main family of boot makers and
formed her own company. She met a man who showed her he could make a
pair of boots out of splitting one hide thereby doubling the
productivity with less material cost. She believed in him and invested
heavily the money her family bought her out with.
She was on her
way to being a wealthy woman; although, you really couldn't tell,
whether she was wealthy or a woman. She wore her hair shorter than most
men. She wore men's cowboy boots, smoked cigars, and cussed like a
truck driver. She loved to laugh and tell outrageous stories to the men.
Who should she
most enjoy and who would most enjoy her? You guessed it; newly elected,
Sheriff, Buck Claymore! They got along famously. Buck treated her just
like one of the guys; a buddy. Buck was quick to offer her a pull off
his hip flask of Southern Comfort he carried with him everywhere and
she saw that as fine gesture of comradery; of being accepted. (Buck
told everybody Southern Comfort was medicinal. He got laughed at a lot,
too.)
Buck had her
eating out of his hand. Not purposely but rather unwittingly. Buck was
Buck. He was the same to all people. She needed that feeling of
belonging. She loved Buck for providing it, and he did with gentility
and sincerity. It made her feel welcome and included. She pulled out
the best in Morgan, and Dan was her baby. She was so thrilled that of
all the family, he thought enough of her to invite her for
Thanksgiving. She was thrilled Buck was the new sheriff. She heard Buck
had become sheriff and was all congratulations. She'd met Buck on
several occasions and heard him speak about the war. Like everyone else
who was exposed to Buck Claymore, he won her heart. For years after
when she came to visit 'her boys' her first stop would be the Sheriff's
office. All business would stop, and she'd have new boots for all the
men. She knew everybody's boot size. Quinton always got a couple pair.
He loved her, too. Buck always got three or four pair. Well,— after
all,— he was the sheriff.
The rest of the
families, the Claymores, the Davenports, the Tates, Ma and Pa Lovejoy,
and Dr. and Mrs. Dyer were good country folk who accepted her as
readily as anyone else because she was a Justin and part of Dan's
family. They could see underneath her need for masculine bravado beat a
good and generous heart. All she wanted was to be loved and accepted
for who she was. The men of the county, Buck, Dan, Quinton, Morgan made
her feel welcome, and she loved them in return. She and Buck would sit
for hours in his office, smoke cigars, swap pulls off his hip flask,
and have a grand time.
She charmed
Waddie and Gip. To them she was a female Uncle Buck. They started
calling her Uncle Enid and she loved it. She outfitted them with four
beautiful pair of boots each. Waddie and Gip were agog and couldn't
thank her enough. She told them she'd make damn sure her cowboys wore
the finest Justin boots available, and they were, indeed, fine boots.
They also were under her lable of Nacona Boots. She got Gip and
Waddie off by themselves.
"You men been
knocking boots?" she asked.
The boys looked
at each other and Waddie finally figured out what she meant and started
laughing. He leaned over to Gip, whispered in his ear and Gip started
laughing, too. They'd never heard that term before and thought it was a
riot.
"Yes, Uncle
Enid, Gip and I been knocking boots. Ever’ chance we get. It ain't the
same as grown men, but it sure as Hell feels good to us. We ain't never
had it, so we don't know what we're missing, but thanks to you, we'll
have more boots to be knock'n in." Waddie put his arm around Gip,
pulled him close and kissed him on the cheek. They were both still
laughing, and Uncle Enid thought Waddie's gesture to his brother was
wonderful. They weren't embarrassed around her a bit.
She roared with
laughter and hugged both of them. She loved the boys, and they had the
best looking boots of any kids in school all the way through high
school. Hell, they gave away almost as many pair as they got. Some kid
would admire a pair of boots they were wearing, and if they wore the
same size they'd take them off right there and give them to him. They'd
walk around in their bare feet the rest of the day. Everyone knew, Gip
or Waddie had given away another pair of their boots.
The boys
couldn't wait to tell Dan and Buck about knocking boots. They laughed
with the boys until they cried. They'd never heard that term before
either. Dan didn't know about inviting her anymore; however, the boys
were ready to threaten boycotting Thanksgiving if he didn't. They
thought she was wonderful. Buck did, too. He had three, new, handsome,
expensive, pairs of Justin/Nacona boots. She gave Dan five pair. Buck
told him he was crazy not to invite her. Everybody liked her. She
became a regular Thanksgiving, Christmas and Fourth of July guest.
She'd taken on a hard shell, but she had a soft heart. She always said
she wanted to be buried face down so the rest of the world could kiss
her ass.
She met a lady
she fell in love with who mellowed her somewhat, but she was still a
pistol with Waddie and Gip. Enid Justin was a very giving and big
hearted woman. She was especially generous with the boys, with the
lawmen of the county and her cousin, Dan, and they loved her in return.
The boys would not allow anyone to say a discouraging word about their
Uncle Enid.
* * * * * * *
Waddie got a
call from Aunt Agatha on Thanksgiving. She called to the Justins
because that's where all the family gathered for Thanksgiving dinner.
She called under the guise of speaking to her niece, but she didn't
fool anyone. The person she wanted to talk to was Waddie. He was so
glad to hear her voice he broke down and cried on the phone. Agatha was
so touched she asked if he would like it if she and the girls drove
down for a day or two at Christmas. Waddie made her promise she would.
"Oh, by the way,
young man, that was terribly clever of you to give your doctor our
secret pass words. I knew I could trust him after that and our secret
is still a secret." She giggled like a school girl and Waddie laughed
with her. “He seems like a fine young doctor, gave me his address and
phone numbers, at the hospital and his personal number. He said to call
him if we needed anything or there was anything he could do. Not
including myself, I'm far too modest, you have some wonderful people
looking out for you."
"I put you at
the top of the list, Aunt Agatha. I can't wait for Christmas, I
need to see my Aunt Agatha again. Things are going better than I
expected, Auntie Boo. Aunt Linda went outside so I can speak freely. I
love you, Auntie Boo. I'm sorry I haven't called but I feel funny about
calling collect. I promise if I'm in trouble you'll be the first I call
but it's so wonderful hearing your voice. Gip's here and sends his
love, too." Agatha could barely speak she was so taken with Waddie's
genuine sincerity for her. She told him she would make arrangements to
stay with her niece and his uncle at Christmas and looked forward to
seeing him again.
"What do you
want for Christmas, young man?"
"You, Auntie
Boo, only you. That'll be Christmas enough for me."
After goodbyes
were said, Agatha hung up the phone and she was shattered;
shattered to her core. 'How could any child have that much love in
them?' she thought. Her heart was full of love. No wonder God placed
his hand on the boy. He was, indeed, special. She did something she
hadn't allowed herself to do in years. She sat there, poured a second
glass of cordial, and had herself a good cry; not tears of regret but
tears of love, joy, thankfulness and forgiveness. Agatha felt her
cup, truly runneth over.
* * * * * * *
Aunt Agatha came
for Christmas with her two daughters. Linda Sue and Buck had plenty of
room for them. Waddie spent a great deal of time with his great aunt at
Christmas. Most times they included Gip. Agatha fell in love with him
as well as Waddie and marveled at the love that passed between the two
boys. She even gave Gip the honor of calling her Auntie Boo in private.
Gip was thrilled.
Christmas that
year was a little different for Waddie. He knew more of what to expect.
He did tell his uncle he didn't want anymore toys. He didn't have time
to play with the ones he had. They were carefully put away when he went
back to Morgan's and he hadn't played with them since. He told Buck he
would appreciate a couple of good books to read.
Well, he got his
books and more than he could imagine. He didn't spend much time at
Morgan's because he had no intention of spending Christmas around Judy
and her kids. Morgan didn't really have much to say about it because he
didn't want to be there either. Besides that, Waddie became such an
integral part of a larger family who Morgan turned his back on because
of Judy and her two.
He walked over
to the Justin's where everyone of both families were invited to come
spend Christmas day. Waddie spent the night with Gip and they were up
early Christmas morning helping Momma Sue, Aunt Linda Sue, Aunt Agatha,
her two daughters, and Ma Claymore in the kitchen. The boys took on
clean up duty. Anytime a bowl was left empty and not in use, it
was whisked away and washed.
There was more
folks in the kitchen than any other place. It was the first Christmas
Waddie got to participate and began to appreciate the joy of the season
with family and friends. Buck and Linda Sue got a huge Christmas tree.
Waddie and Gip, Dad Dan, Momma Sue, Buck and Linda Sue decorated it. A
couple of nights later they were invited to the Claymores and helped
decorate their tree. They went to the Davenport's, Ma and Pa Lovejoy's,
and the Tate's. Quinton was thrilled to have them all and especially
the boys. Waddie didn't know such joy and love was possible between
people. It was a new world for him and he was participating as a valued
member of his new extended family. He and Gip couldn't have been
happier.
Lastly, Buck,
Linda Sue, and Waddie helped the Justin's decorate their tree. Waddie
and Gip allowed it was the prettiest of all. Morgan was invited but was
on another run. He spent as much time as he could with Waddie and the
other folks. Judy and her kids were always invited. Jimmy Sue would
call and make a special effort to invite them, but they never came.
Morgan never had to apologize. They knew but were glad he could spend
time with them.
Uncle Enid came
for Christmas and brought more boots and gifts for everyone. She bought
the boys a pair of matched 'bat wing' rodeo chaps. They were beautiful.
They were black with red and white trim. Each boy's initials in big
white letters were sewn onto the bottom of each chap. For some strange
reason Waddie's initials were W. C. on his chaps. Uncle Enid apologized
to him.
"Cowboy, I'm
sorry. It's my damn fault. I thought you were Buck's boy. Shit! You
look just like him! I didn't know your last name, but I remembered
Buck's. Got it written down. So I thought your last name was same as
Buck's. I'll take 'em back and have it changed for you."
"No, no! Not
necessary, Uncle Enid. My middle name's the same as Uncle Buck's. It's
Claymore; same's his. So that's fine with me. It'll bring me luck.
Don't wanna' start messing around with luck."
"That's for damn
sure!" replied Uncle Enid. Waddie hugged and thanked her again.
"If'n anybody
asks me what W.C. stands for, I'll tell 'em 'wild cowboy!'”
You could
could've heard Uncle Enid hoot for a mile. She thought that was
priceless.
"Well, that
shoots the hell out of our gift!" said Buck and bellowed with laughter.
He and Linda Sue
got the boys a beautiful pair of, hand tooled, latigo leather working
chaps. They were every bit as handsome as the pair Uncle Enid gave
them. The boys went nuts. Aunt Agatha gave the boys five books each and
some wonderful western shirts. Every book was different so they could
trade. Aunt Agatha got along splendidly with Uncle Enid, and she was
enchanted with Aunt Agatha. They had several long talks together and
would laugh in joy with each other.
Waddie didn't
know what to expect before Christmas a year ago, and now, here he was a
part of the most remarkable family anyone could hope for. He impressed
on Aunt Agatha that her coming for Christmas was the highlight of his
holiday. He even loved and appreciated Clara and Zelma for coming with
her. He was not stingy with his love for them. They thought Waddie was
wonderful. Aunt Agatha met Dr. Dyer and Waddie soon noticed them having
a nice long chat under one of the huge oak trees on the property in
some lawn chairs. Agatha was pleased and thrilled to have another adult
confidant about Waddie's secret. The holidays ended with lots of tears,
hugging, promises to visit and keep in touch. It was a wonderful time
but the boys were looking forward to getting back to school.
* * * * * * *
Buck had all
ready been installed as sheriff. The old sheriff was due to serve out
his term until January first but he was so angry he lost, he refused to
serve out his term. The town came to Buck, begged him to take over
early and he did. The first thing Buck did was fire four of the five
deputies who worked for the old sheriff. Buck hired four of his
local buddies who really wanted the job and he knew he could trust. He
offered Morgan a job. He was the first man Buck contacted and asked if
he wanted to come work for him. Morgan graciously declined as he was
making good money with the railroad, and it would mean a small cut in
salary.
One man Buck
hired, Lyle Rawlings, was an older man Buck admired and appreciated his
horse sense. He made him his Chief Deputy. They all were learning
to be lawmen by the seat of their pants. They were pretty lenient on
folks for the first six months of Buck's administration. Buck was
taking some classes at the nearby college. It was sort of a crash
course for newly elected lawmen. His other men were taking it with him
including his Chief Deputy. They went different afternoons and evenings
so there would always be someone on duty.
Quinton came in
one afternoon with his hat in his hand with his resignation. He figured
with the others being fired he'd just resign. Quinton walked in and
handed his resignation to Buck. Buck took a look at it and looked at
Quinton with a look of disgust and surprise.
"What the fuck
is this? You resigning?"
"Well, Sheriff
Claymore, I figured if you fired them other deputies you probably
wanted to start with a clean slate. Since we're friends I didn't want
you to have to fire me, I thought I'd just resign."
Buck took
Quinton's resignation and tore it down the middle and threw it back at
him.
"That's what I
think of your damn resignation. You think too Goddamn much, Quinton,
that's why you lose at poker. Besides, who the Hell told you we were
friends?" Buck howled with laugher, came around the desk and put his
arm around Quinton. He offered Quinton a pull of his hip flask and
Quinton gladly accepted. Buck had a little snort as well.
"How the fuck
you think I'm gonna' run this place without you, darlin?' Besides, I
gotta' keep you around. I like looking at that tight little butt of
yours. Damn, Quinton! I been want'n to get into that thing since we
been in high school." Buck joked with Quinton.
"Do you know how
many times I've jacked off dreaming of you fucking me, Buck?"
Buck looked at
Quinton, stunned. He thought Quinton was kidding him.
"You're shit'n
me! Now,— don't chu' be doing that to the new sheriff,
Son!" Buck chuckled. Quinton smiled at Buck, walked over to
his desk, undid his pants, dropped them to the floor, and bent over
Buck's big desk.
"Think I'm
kidding ya'? I'm calling your bluff, Sheriff. You want it? Take it!
It's yours!"
"Quinton! Now,
Goddamn it! Don't be fool'n with me like that! You all ready got me
horny enough just walking around here in that tight uniform with your
buns sticking in my face. If'n you don't get up from that desk you're
gonna' get your ass fucked!" Buck grabbed his dick in his pants to show
Quinton it was hard as a rock.
Quinton smiled,
turned his butt towards Buck, reached back with both hands and spread
his ass cheeks as a further invitation for Buck to take him. Buck
rolled his eyes toward heaven and sucked in air.
"Sweet Jesus!
Forgive me! I'm weak, Lord! That's got to be the prettiest hole I've
seen in years. I just knew it'ud be that pretty. Pretty man, pretty
hole. Son of a bitch!!"
Buck headed for
the door, stuck his head out and told the men they could take off early
if they wanted. It was getting near Christmas, and he knew the men
wanted to spend time with their families. Only two had to be around
tonight, and it was going to be Buck and the chief deputy, Mr.
Rawlings. Buck hired Rawlings for several reasons. The last being he'd
always looked up to the big man and was one of the only men in town
he'd ever fantasized about letting fuck him. Lyle Rawlings was
damn near Buck's size and commanded respect from all quarters.
The Chief Deputy was a good looking man. He was neither handsome nor
pretty like Quinton, but he had some animal quality about him that made
Buck's bung hole drip. He was one of those men who was born with a five
o'clock shadow. He had a perpetual one due to his black facial hair. By
the sixth grade he was shaving twice a day.
The other three
deputies headed for the door. Buck told Mr. Rawlings he'd be
interviewing Deputy Tate for about half an hour. If Mr. Rawlings wanted
to get a bite to eat he was welcome to. Mr. Rawlings thanked him
and said he might. Buck locked the big oak door, took one look at
Quinton's ass and damn near pissed his pants. Buck didn't have too much
on his desk and moved the phone and everything else to the floor.
Buck told
Quinton to remove his clothes but keep his boots on. Quinton quickly
shucked off his uniform as the sheriff ordered. Then he leaned back
over Buck's desk and raised his ass in the air for Buck's benefit. Buck
dropped his khaki pants, and they slipped easily over his boots. He
almost tore the rest of his clothes off. He was so ready to get a piece
of Quinton's ass. Buck stood there bouncing his hard cock in his
hand enjoying the view of his Deputy's submission and getting all
the more excited as Quinton watched him.
"Last chance,
sweet baby! Quinton,— you know our friendship goes beyond buddies. You
know I love you like a brother. You don't have to do this for the job.
You got the job, darlin.' You sure you wanna' do this?"
"It'll be like a
wet dream come true, Buck. Of course I want it! Are you crazy?! I want
it bad! I've wanted to feel you fill me up for so long. I even
keep my ass clean in case something like this might happen. I promise
you, you won't get nothing on your dick, and I don't want you to cheat
me none neither like you do at cards." Quinton giggled. Buck was
indignant.
"I've never
cheated you, and I have no intention of cheating you now, cowboy.
That's one ass that's been crying out for old Buck's dick for a good
while. You're gonna' feel old Buck's belly slapping against those tight
little buns. We gonna' sink that sucker so far in you it's gonna'
tickle your tonsils. But first there's something I been dying to do
ever since I laid eyes on you, cowboy. I'm gonna' eat me a big ole
help'n of buckaroo butt." Buck knelt down behind Quinton and grabbed
his balls hanging down. Quinton stiffened.
"Easy there,
cowboy. I ain't gonna' squeeze 'em. Just gonna' hang on to them to pull
you back to on my tongue when you start squirming away." Buck took a
deep breath. Quinton's butt smell fresh and clean but still had his
unique odor. Buck started between Quinton's ass and his balls. He
licked and kissed very inch. He move down to Quinton's balls, held them
up with his hand to suck each orb into his mouth, and roll it around
with his tongue. Quinton was starting to moan and writhe. Buck knew
what he was doing, and Quinton let him know it.
"Oh damn,
Sheriff, your tongue on my balls is unbelievably good. Oh, fuck! Oh!
Ooooooh!"
Buck moved back
up and gently kissed Quinton's rose bud. Then Buck pulled back gently
on Quinton's balls and started licking and kissing all around Quinton's
hole. He started sucking on it while kissing it then he started ramming
his tongue deep into Quinton.
"Damn, Sheriff!
Where'd ju' learn the eat ass like that! Fuck! Oh! Oh! God! I've never
had anyone eat my ass out like that, Buck! Damn."
"Put both hands
back here, Sweet baby, and spread it wide for the sheriff. Yeah! Pull
that little hole open so's I can get my tongue in side of you real
deep. 'At's it! 'At's it! Yeah!"
Buck dived back
into Quinton's hole like a champ. He was getting some of the good deep
fucking with his tongue. 'Lot a' good eat'n in an ass that pretty.'
Buck thought to himself. Quinton started trying to squirm away, but
Buck held his balls a little tighter to let him know he wasn't going
anywhere until he finished his feast.
"Oh,— Buck! God,
Sheriff Claymore! That's too good! Shit, I can't take much more of
that,— I'm about to shoot my wad, Buck!"
Buck backed off.
He'd had his fill anyway.
"Just hold your
ass up there like that, Son." Quinton arched his back and
stuck his ass as high in the air as he could get it in anticipation of
what Buck might do next. Buck went around back of his desk and
got a tube of lubricant. He returned to Quinton's hole. He reached into
a side drawer and got something out of it. Quinton didn't look. Buck
applied lubricant and finger fucked Quinton to his moans and groans.
"Don't get too
loud, darlin,' nobody's here right now but we don't want nobody to hear
us. Is that start'n to loosen you up a little? Damn, you're tight!
You're gonna' be a good fuck, sweet baby, I can tell the way you're
eating my fingers. Got three of 'em in there so far."
Buck fucked him
a good while with his three fingers and then four. Finally he was
moving half his hand into Quinton's hole. Quinton was right! He was
clean as a whistle. Buck took his hand out and slowly inserted a hard,
rubber cow utter stall. They fit over a cow's utter that's had an
injury or sometimes to wean a calf quicker. Quinton felt it and groaned
deeply.
"At feel good to
you, darlin'?"
"Oh fuck, yes,
Buck. Let me put it up there for you."
Quinton arched
his back and put his ass up higher for Buck to work it with the rubber
stall. He worked and worked on Quinton until Buck thought he was ready.
All the time Buck talked to him soothingly, telling him to open his
sweet little hole so's he can give the sheriff a good ride. Finally,
Buck was satisfied. He removed the hard red rubber stall and put it on
a towel in the drawer.
He lubed up his
roaring, hard dick, positioned it at Quinton's back door then lay
himself over on top of Quinton. He put his big arms under Quinton's
chest and held him tight in a bear hug. Quinton was so worked up
he was going crazy, moving his ass around trying to get Buck into him.
"Easy there,
Stud! You let the sheriff do the fucking. Your job is just keep it up
there for him. You ready, cowboy? There ain't no backing out from this
point on."
"Take me,
Sheriff! I ain't back'n out. I've waited too damn long for this! Go for
it, Buck!"
Buck's dick was
torpedo shaped. It didn't have a huge head but it was perfect for
making entries easier for his partner with minimum discomfort. He
pressed forward, and the head easily popped in. He let Quinton get use
to the size and fucked him gently a few strokes to help stretch the
muscle. Quinton took a little more. Before Buck realized what was
happening, Quinton push up and back, hard, sinking Buck's big dick
almost to the base. It took Buck's breath away. Buck pulled
Quinton to a standing position and kissed him behind his ear.
"Damn cowboy,—
now that's the way to mount a man's horse. Got that sucker almost all
the way in there. How's it feel, baby?"
"Oh, fuck, Buck!
Better’n I dreamed. Damn, you're one big, fucking cowboy, Sheriff. You
sure as hell fill my tank."
"You've still
got another inch and a half to take, cowboy. You want it now or you
want me to work it in?"
"I told ju’ not
to cheat me none, Sheriff. I want it all, right now!" Quinton pushed
back and Buck responed by giving him the rest. Now Quinton couldn't say
the sheriff was cheating him. He had all ten and a half inches of
cowboy sheriff dick up his butt.
"Okay, now lay
back down on the desk and let's get some good, slow gentle fucking in
until we get you good'n loose. Then we'll do us some good hard riding.
You sure feel good, cowboy."
Quinton lay back
down but Buck still held him in a bear lock with his arms. He started
gently fucking Quinton taking ever increasingly long deep strokes until
he was really riding Quinton's ass with no problem. Quinton was putting
it up for him to receive every thrust of the man's big cock.
"Damn, Sheriff!
When you slide that big thing in me it's like I got a telephone pole up
my butt. Shit! That feels so damn good, Buck. Oh, yeah! Fuck me with
that big thing! Feel good to you, Sheriff?"
"Oh, sweet baby,
you gotta' know it's feeling good to this old cowpoke. We're gonna'
ride off into the sunset together. I'm gonna' pull out, and I want you
on your back."
"Yes, Sir,
Sheriff Claymore!" Quinton loved calling Buck sheriff and the extra
added fantasy of getting fucked by an authority symbol, a lawman, the
most powerful man in the county. At twenty-eight years of age, Buck
Claymore became the ultimate 'daddy' figure to all the men in that
community. All the children loved him, too. None were afraid to
run to him any time they saw him. They knew he would stop
anything he was doing for a hug and a kiss.
"Hold your legs
up there, cowboy. ‘At's right! You want it slow and gentle, sweet baby,
or you want it all at once."
"Don't wanna'
wait, Sheriff! It’s feeling too damn good in there! Give it all
to me! Ooooofff! Damn, that's good, Sheriff!"
Buck leaned over
and stole him a big ole kiss from his handsome, cowboy deputy with his
boots in the air.
"Feel's like it
fits in there, cowboy. Rest you're legs on my shoulders. There! ‘At's a
little better. You ready for some good fuck'n, pardner?"
"Oh, hell yes,
Sheriff! Take all you want. Unload that big cowboy dick in me. Ride me,
cowboy! Oh yeah! Oh, damn, Buck, fuck that ass! It's all yours!"
"That ass is so
sweet, ain't gonna' take old Buck too long to fill it. Gimme' another
kiss, sweet baby."
Buck fucked
Quinton every which way for about half and hour and then decided it was
time to ride his pony to the barn.
"Ride me,
Sheriff! Oh God, fuck me, Buck! Fuck me! Fuck me! Fuuuuuck meeee! Oh
God! I don't know how much longer I can hold it, Buck! You're hitting
something in there that,...that,.... oh,... oh.... Goawd Daaaamnn,
Buck! Aaaarrrrrggggg!
"'At's it! 'At's
it! Try’n bite old Buck's dick off with your tight little ass, cowboy,
old Buck's filling you up...oh,.... oh,.... damn! Oh! Feel that,
cowboy, old Buck's filling your sweet ass with his come. Damn, I shot
again. Hold it up there for me, I got another one for you, sweet baby.
Oh! Aaaaawwwww! Shit!" Buck collapsed on top of Quinton breathing
heavily.
"Sure as hell
glad you weren't wearing spurs, cowboy." Buck told Quinton. Quinton
started laughing.
"Damn, that was
good,— thanks, Buck! I needed that."
"Listen, cowboy,
you didn't need it any more'n I did. Gimme' another kiss!" Buck was
still way up in side Quinton, and they kissed passionately. Then Buck
broke it off with a gentle kiss, and kissed Quinton around his face.
"I hate for you
to take it out, Sheriff."
"No more'n I do,
sweet baby, but I gotta' get on patrol out there. You run in there,
clean yourself and then I will."
He withdrew from
Quinton slowly with Quinton whimpering like he was gonna' miss feeling
that big thing in him. He sat up, stood up, again Buck grabbed him and
kissed him passionately.
"Thanks for
giving that beautiful little ass up to me, Quinton. I love you for
that."
"What's a buddy
for if you can't fuck him now and then?"
They laughed,
Quinton cleaned himself, got dressed and waited for Buck. Buck offered
Quinton another pull off his hip flask, and Quinton took a swig. So did
Buck.
"Oh, by the way,
Deputy Tate, you can report to work, same’s usual, tomorrow, but I'm
afraid we're gonna' have to interview you regularly until you get it
right. That okay with you, Son?"
"Thank you,
Sheriff Claymore, I'll look forward to working with you. I'll damn sure
look forward to our interviews."
Buck winked at
him, and the two men shook hands. They walked out into the main office,
and Mr. Rawlings was waiting in his cubical. Buck told Quinton
goodnight, and walked him to the door.
"See you
tomorrow, Deputy."
"Thanks,
Sheriff, I appreciate you keeping me on."
Buck returned
and walked over to Lyle Rawlings cubicle.
"J'eet yet, Mr.
Rawlings?"
"No, I thought
I'd wait and see if you wanted to go down to the diner for a bite."
"Fine with me,
Chief Deputy, let's go."
Buck wrote on
the blackboard sign they always left in the front window. ‘Diner’ The
two men drove to the diner and had a good meal. Buck was surprised
because Lyle Rawlings was letting Buck see parts of his personality
he'd always hidden behind a quiet, stoic, facade. Buck felt he had
indeed hired the right man for the job. Buck did, in fact, hire the
right man. Lyle Rawlings stayed with him as his Chief Deputy Sheriff
right along with Buck and retired about five years before Buck. Buck's
leaving office was reminiscent of Oedipus at Colonus. The town folk
wept bitter tears when he stepped down.
It was a quite
night on patrol and since they had no dispatcher in those days, they'd
cruised around town until around midnight; later in the summer than
winter. It was a cold night in December, and the men kept the heater
going in the old Ford patrol car. If the town seemed quiet the men
knocked off around midnight and went home. They'd covered the town
twice. Buck was really getting to like Lyle Rawlings.
Mr. Rawlings
asked Buck to call him Lyle in private. Buck told him to be informal
and call him Buck when they were in private. Lyle Rawlings insisted he
and the deputies under him refer to Buck as Sheriff Claymore in respect
for the office and his position. Buck in turn insisted on calling all
his deputies by Deputy and their last name when in public. Buck would
call Lyle, Deputy Rawlings when they were in public. If there was no
one else in the office Buck never cared if the men were informal with
each other or him. Lyle was more relaxed than Buck ever found him to
be, and for once Buck didn't seem nervous or intimidated by the good
looking, older man. He wasn't that much older than Buck. He was about
six years older. Buck thought the uniform and gun belt was made for
Lyle Rawlings to wear. Buck thought he looked so fucking hot in it and
knew other's had to think so. He later got the boys and Dan's seal of
approval of his choice of Lyle Rawlings not only as a good man but one
of the sexiest deputies they'd had in years; other than Quinton, of
course. If they had to be arrested please send Lyle Rawlings to do the
job. Lyle Rawlings looked like he should be a lawman. The town grew to
love and respect Mr. Rawlings as much as Buck. He was fair, tried to
help when he could, but wouldn't put up with shit from any man.
On the outskirts
of town was a small road side park where the kids would pull up, park
overlooking the lights of the town and make out like kid's have done
since the beginning of time. There was no one there because it was a
bitterly cold winter night. During the summer they'd have to chase the
kids out after midnight. Buck pulled the patrol car up and stopped.
"Thought we'd
stop for a minute and look at the lights. With all the Christmas lights
our little town sparkles like a jewel, don't it, Lyle?"
"Sure does,
Sheriff! I'm proud of our little town and the whole county for that
matter, rallying behind you to vote you in as sheriff. Everyone knew
you were an answer to a lot of folk's prayers to get rid of Johnson.
You started late but I never saw people gather around a candidate like
they did you. I'm proud to be working with you Buck and for you. I'll
try to do the best job I can and never let you down."
"Damn, Lyle!
That's a nice thing to say. I feel the same way about you. I've always
admired you, and you were the first man who came to mind for Chief
Deputy."
"I appreciate
that, Buck, but there's one thing I'd like to know?"
"What's 'at,
Lyle?"
"Why didn't I
get the same interview you gave Deputy Tate?"
"I don't follow,
Lyle."
"Your intercom
was on the whole time you were 'interviewing' Deputy Tate."
"Oh, God!" Buck
started laughing, "And what did you do, Lyle?"
"Turned the
lights off, shut the door to my cubical and jacked off."
Someone on other
side of town nearly five miles away could've sworn they heard Sheriff
Claymore's and Chief Deputy Rawlings laugher from high above the town.
The two men laughed 'til they couldn't laugh anymore. Buck started the
car and spoke to Lyle.
"Hell, Chief
Deputy Rawlings, it's a quiet night. Let's go back and go home to our
families."
"Sounds good to
me, Sheriff Claymore."
Nothing further
was ever said, but about six months later Lyle Rawlings started having
coffee every Thursday night with Quinton Tate after they were off duty.
Then they'd disappear to Buck's cabin on the lake Quinton had keys to.
Lyle and Buck would sometimes knock off early and play hide the little
green snake.
Lyle could
always tell when the Sheriff needed a little relaxing with Lyle's big
dick up his butt. It was usually after a nerve frazzling week where all
Hell broke loose. After the day was over the Sheriff would offer Lyle a
pull from his hip flask. That always let Lyle know the Sheriff needed
his help. He was asking for Lyle's, personal, one on one, in depth
therapy. Because of his status and power in the community Buck
had a certain reputation to uphold. There was only three men in town he
could relax with and get his itch scratched; Morgan; Dan; and Lyle
Rawlings. They could tell when their buddy, the Sheriff, needed their
help and he always got it. Lyle Rawlings was the sheriff's relief
valve. Buck thought Lyle Rawlings gave him the best fuckings he'd ever
had. Buck claimed they were like his Southern Comfort; sweet, strong
and medicinal.
Lyle would fuck
the big man slow and deep for an hour or more. He was a man who loved
to fuck. He'd never thought about fucking a man until that evening
listening to Buck and Quinton. Their enthusiasm and the sounds of their
sexual rutting got him hotter than Hell, and he had to jack off. He
thought if that made him so hot he wondered what that sweet looking ass
of Quinton's would feel like wrapped around his fuck pole. He found
out. Lyle and Buck fucked Quinton regularly for almost forty years.
Even after Quinton got married and had six kids. After fucking Quinton
for six months Lyle was more than willing to help the sheriff out.
It didn't happen
too often between Buck and Lyle Rawlings. Maybe once every three or
four months. The Sheriff would start looking at him a certain way and
Lyle knew it wouldn't be long. Lyle never said 'no' to the Sheriff.
After Lyle fucked Buck for hour or more he'd unload in Buck's ass, and
he could feel the sheriff trying to bite his cock off as he shot his
pent-up load. That always sent Lyle Rawlings over the hill. He would
shoot and shoot into Buck's ass. For the next months or so Buck would
be a mellow, easy going and happy man.
Buck was good to
Lyle Rawlings and treated him with respect. He backed him up with any
decision he made concerning his deputies. Lyle Rawlings didn't make a
snap decision without weighing it heavily, but when he did it was God's
holy word as far as Sheriff Claymore was concerned. Most times he'd
talk it over with Buck. Nine times out of ten Buck would tell him to
make the decision and he would back him. Buck never let Lyle down, and
Lyle was always there for his Sheriff. Buck was, indeed, Lyle's
sheriff. Buck jokingly told Lyle one night he was going to have to
re-write his job description, 'Chief Deputy in charge of taking care of
the sheriff to make sure he doesn't go crazy.' He didn't have to, but
every year at Christmas Buck remembered Lyle Rawlings handsomely just
to say, 'thanks.'
Buck ripped out
the damn intercom altogether and left his door open most of the time.
If it was shut his secretary had a secret knock if it was really,
really important. Otherwise, if his door was shut and locked, he was
not to be disturbed. To get to the Sheriff when his door was closed you
had to go through each deputy, the Chief Deputy, and his secretary.
The secretary
worked for the office for years. She was little Jannie Anderson's
mother, Carol Anderson. Mrs. Anderson was raising Jannie by herself.
Her husband, didn't come back from the war. Rather than gifts the men
always took up a collection for her at Christmas and Buck gave her a
Christmas bonus as well. They were good to her. They looked out for her
and Jannie and wouldn't let any man talk foul or suggestive in front of
her. When the deputies were at work they were expected to be gentlemen
and if they weren't they didn't last long. Lyle got rid of them.
Buck didn't find
out until later she was also first cousin to Lyle Rawlings. Her name
had been Rawlings before she married her husband. Buck would've hired
her anyway. She was the most qualified and needed the job more than any
other woman who applied. She was always on time unless Jannie was sick,
and, even then, she would have her mother stay with Jannie. She would
make it in to work. Buck could tell when she was worried, and if it was
slow he'd sent her home with no dock in pay. She became fiercely loyal
to the lawmen.
She guarded
Buck's privacy like Cerberus, the seven headed dog at the gates of
Hell. She knew everything that went on in the office, but loved and
respected all the men, especially Quinton, Lyle and Buck. She never
would say a word to anyone if her life depended on it about the men's
extracurricular activities. She was so grateful she had Buck's Godson
and Dan Justin's boy looking out for her little girl. Jannie would come
home and tell her mom about some guy who was picking on her, and if Gip
or Waddie saw him he never did it again. If he did and she had to go to
them as a last resort, God help the boy. Carol Anderson thanked God
every night for her greater family. The men considered her as family,
too.
* * * * * * *
Oatie Trent
(pronounced: Oat'-E)
Waddie and Gip
were breezing through school. The beginning of their second year there
were three top students in their class. Jannie Anderson, Waddie, and
Gip. There was a new boy who came to school. A small boy
named Oatie Trent. He moved to their town from another small town where
he went through the first grade, but he seemed unprepared for his
second year. The kid got picked on all the time, not only because he
was small and effeminate, but also, because of his real name; Othel
Godfrey Trent. It was unusual and cause for much childish derision.
He was afraid to
go to the bathroom because the times he tried some kid would make fun
of him or worse hit him. So, he just didn't go, and for the first two
weeks he messed in his pants almost everyday. The teachers would
have to send him home. That only gave the other kids more fuel for
cruelty. He was withdrawn, and didn't have a clue how to interrelate
with other kids. He was so shy he wouldn't even play with the girls. He
would come to school with cuts and bruises, his clothes torn and in a
general mess. Some kid would've beaten him up on the way to school. He
was almost flunking in every subject because he was so traumatized he
couldn't learn or think.
Many days he
would be so horrified he had to face this trauma everyday he'd run out
of the class room and run home. No one would see him for the rest of
the day. Gip didn't like that a bit. He and Waddie tried their
damnedest to help the kid. They told him to come to them if he was
being picked on or needed help, and they would try to help him. He did
several times, but so many were picking on him Gip and Waddie spent all
their time trying to see Othel had at least part of a good day. It was
beginning to take its toll on the boys. Dan and Buck could sense
something was wrong because Waddie and Gip talked among themselves a
lot more than usual and seemed concerned about something.
Finally, they told Dad Dan what was happening and asked his advice.
What could they do for the kid? He was a small, good looking kid but
was helpless and inept. He seemed incapable of understanding how or why
he found himself in an environment he was totally unprepared for. For
all of that, there was something about him they both felt drawn to. Was
God telling them to help this kid?
"Well, it would
seem to me you offered to help him but it wasn't enough. He obviously
needs more. Have you men considered what you might have to invest to
get this boy on the road to some kind of normal life. It isn't your
fault he's in the shape he's in. It's someone else's. Chances are they
don't know the situation they've put him into nor are they capable of
helping him. Perhaps, they just don't care. Have you considered what a
commitment it might take to get him on the road to self help? However,
and this is a big 'however' have you considered the possible rewards a
commitment like that might bring you?
Now, I'm not
talking money or personal gain. I'm talking in your heart and soul how
much you might gain. I don't want to influence you in anyway, but you
men have some talking to do to agree how far you want to go and how
much of yourselves you want to invest. There comes a time in every
man's life when he has to reach out and go the limit for his fellow
man. That's exactly what your Uncle Buck did by going off to war. He
was insuring the future for you boys that you might continue to live in
a free country. He put his life on the line for what he believed in.
That's what takes man out of the realm of the animal world and raises
him to what God intended man to become, a little higher than his angels.
Those are mighty
pretty words but I didn't say them first. I read them somewhere. I just
happen to agree with them. My dad never did a damn thing in his life I
know of for another man unless he was assured of getting something in
return. He died an embittered, resentful, selfish, hateful old man. He
died by himself because he never invested anything in another human
being, and he burned all his bridges behind him. Now, before you take
on this project, find out something about him. Visit his home. Go knock
on the door, and tell whoever answers you're Othel's friends from
school, may we come in and visit him.
Another thing, I
want you to talk with my brother, the sheriff of our county. For all
his joking and sense of fun there is a very serious, sensitive,
intelligent, loving man underneath. I don't think I really need to tell
the two of you that. You know you can tell that big man anything, and
he'll never love you less. Ask him if he knows anything or can find out
anything about the boy's family and how you might go about helping the
kid. If you decide you want to help him, I think you might be
surprised the other kids might follow your lead and try to help him,
too. I know your family will, and by that, you know I meant all of
us. If you decide not to, no one’s gonna' think less of you.
Don't fool yourselves, it's a big job. You might decide it's just too
much for you; because, you will, in effect, become responsible for
another person's life. Are you ready to do that? On the other hand,
somewhere, someday, every man has to draw a line in the sand, step
across, and say, 'I care about my brother. I will not let this happen
to him.'"
The boys talked
long and serious. They got a legal pad and made notes as to what they
thought they might have to do, how much from their lives it would take,
and were they ready to make that commitment? Dan and Jimmy Sue
were proud of their boys. They didn't make a snap decision and weighed
all the factors. They talked to the Sheriff, and he was very serious
with them. Buck told them Dad Dan's words were gold. He backed
him up a hundred percent. Buck was able to supply a little information.
Buck called the sheriff in the small town in central Texas they moved
from. His mom and dad were killed in a plane crash when he was two
years old and there was no one in the family who would take a child
that young. Two old maid aunts took him and raised him as a girl for
the first five years of his life.
Why? Well, the
old ladies weren't mean spirited. They meant well, but they were old
maids and didn't know anything about children let alone how to raise a
boy. They had no idea what he needed. They were women, they knew about
women, so they raised him as a girl. Othal never wore a pair of
pants until he went to school. He never had a haircut until he started
school. He never knew he wasn't a girl until a year ago. They dressed
him in dresses, kept his hair long and gave him lots of dolls to play
with. He barely passed first grade in the school he was in. He just
couldn't fit in. All this time he thought he was a girl and then he
woke up one morning and his aunt's told him, 'Now you have to go to
school and be a boy.'
Waddie's heart
went out to the boy. He knew the language of confusion, he spoke
rejection fluently, and he also knew the pain of needing someone,
anyone to love him enough to get him off the floor of that damn closet.
Waddie's mind was made up after hearing the sheriff's report but he
wanted Gip to make up his own mind. Waddie didn't react at all to
Buck's news. He waited for Gip's reaction. Gip was quiet. Was he
waiting for Waddie to take the lead? Waddie wasn't going to this time.
If he was to agree and commit to this boy, he had to have Gip's full
support, or he couldn't do it with the rest of his world in chaos.
"There's one
other person I want us to talk to, brother." Gip announced to Waddie.
"Dr. Dyer?"
asked Waddie. Gip smiled at his brother.
"Yeah, Dr. Dyer.
Damned if ya' ain't reading my mind again, bro." Gip laughed.
"Ain't hard when
you love someone as much as I do you, Gip."
"Guess that's
why I finish your sentences for ya,'" Gip paused, "but there's a
confused, frightened little man out there who will never have the
chance to find love like you and I have unless someone cares enough to
show him the way. I want Dr. Dyer's advice more than influencing the
way I vote. My mind's all ready made up." Tears came to Waddie's eyes.
"I wouldn't be
here today if it wasn't for your love, Gip. Knowing I was gonna' have
you and your strength beside me was one of the main reasons I came
back. That kid is on the bottom of my closet without anyone to love him
enough to get him out. I don't have a choice, Gip, I have to commit to
helping him."
"I do, too,
Waddie. I was lost and seriously considered killing myself. I prayed
for God to send me a special person, a buddy, to love, and the next day
a handsome, young cowboy took me in his arms and told me he loved me.
You don't know how much I needed to hear someone say that other than my
parents. You not only wanted me for your buddy you loved me enough to
give me my name. A name I'll be proud to answer to the rest of my life.
I don't have a choice either, brother, but I do want advice from Dr.
Dyer. We need all the help we can get."
Buck and Linda
Sue were listening to this exchange between the boys with there mouths
open, took one look at each other, and split in opposite directions to
find tissues to blow their noses. Buck came back and was visibly
shaken. Linda Sue was still crying.
"You boys never
cease to amaze the four adults in your family. I think you made the
right decision, not only for the boy, but for you as well. We'll all
probably gain as much as he will. Just go slow, take your time,
and don't frighten him."
Dr. Dyer was
only too happy to talk with the boys, and he was familiar with Othel.
He agreed with the boys, it was an awful name. He was helpful and
encouraged them. He offered counseling, free of charge, to the boys any
time they wanted to come by. He'd squeeze them in somewhere. He wanted
them to know he thought their resolve to help the boy was heroic, and
they could count on his help. That made them feel a lot better.
The boys planned
how they were going to do it, and their plan made a lot of sense. They
went by to visit Othel and he was happy to see them because they were
nice to him and tried to help him. He was so afraid and shy. Waddie and
Gip could tell, his aunts had no clue what their nephew was going
through. Waddie wanted to get him away from his aunts to talk to him.
He called Buck and asked if he could bring their buddy O.T. to dinner.
Buck picked them up and met Oatie's aunts. They were impressed their
nephew was having dinner with the sheriff of the county, his wife and
two nephews. They were all agog. Linda Sue was thrilled to have the
boy's new buddy over.
At first, Buck's
size scared the boy, but when he found out underneath this mountain of
a man was a big kid who liked to play kissing bandit, he wouldn't
get three feet away from him. Waddie knew how he felt. He found love in
the biggest mountain of a man he could imagine, and Buck made him feel
safe. O.T. crawled all over Buck that evening, and Buck had the
kid giggling and squealing for joy. Buck fell in love with him, he was
a cute little boy. Linda Sue was captivated. He was pleasant, well
mannered and thoughtful. He never questioned Gip or Waddie calling him
O.T. He knew it was his initials, but he liked the sound of the
name so much, he spelled it Oatie. And from that night on he went by
that name, and later in life had his name officially changed to ‘Oatie.’
Waddie and Gip
started having Oatie hang around with them to protect him. Nobody
bothered him then. They'd even go to the boy’s room with him when he
needed so's he wouldn’t get beaten up or some bigger boy demanded Oatie
flush the toilet with his head in it. After a while the teachers could
see what Waddie and Gip were trying to do for the boy and never called
him by his real name again. He was on their records as Oatie Trent.
Gip and Waddie
kept him close and watched out for him. His grades skyrocketed. He
wouldn't try any sport because he never had anyone to teach him those
things. He was tiny compared to the rest of the boys. He refused to
take part in any kind of sports. It was too rough for him. Waddie and
Gip weren't gonna' have that. Waddie remembered Buck’s promise to him
to sit with him in his closet for as long as it took for Waddie
to not feel afraid anymore. They told Oatie he was their buddy,
and if he wasn't going to participate then they weren't either. Gip and
Waddie were the best team players at everything, and the kids went
crazy trying to get them to play.
"No! If'n our
buddy, Oatie, don't play. We don't play." That lasted all of two days
and Oatie caved. All the kids were begging him to play so his buddy’s
would play.
"Come on, Oatie!
We'll teach you. No one's gonna' hurt you. We'll watch out for you."
The kids were
good to their word. Oatie got better and better until he was always
within the first four or five kids picked for a team. He improved by
the month. Gip and Waddie discovered a small but natural athlete with
God given talent no one suspected. Waddie and Gip talked him into
getting rid of the dresses and dolls. When his aunts were gone the boys
quickly carried the stuff out to the incinerator, doused it good with
kerosene, and touched it off. Surprisingly, Oatie didn't shed a tear.
From then on he wouldn't wear anything his aunts tried to buy him that
was feminine. When they were gone he'd immediately take it to the
incinerator and burn it. It was almost like he was burning the fears of
his past.
He ran around a
lot with Waddie and Gip. He loved to come to the Justin's and spend a
weekend. Dan Justin's heart went out to him and so did Buck's. They had
another son to love. Oatie would talk to Dan or Buck for hours asking
them all sorts of questions his aunts wouldn't answer. The two men were
never so busy they couldn't find time for Oatie. Oatie trusted Dan and
knew he and the sheriff would never lie to him. He could tell them
anything, and did. He loved Sheriff Claymore and was so impressed to
have Sunday dinner with the Claymore's, the Justin's, Waddie and
Gip. He would cry tears of joy and happiness when the sheriff would
come in wearing his gun and uniform, pick Oatie up, hug him, kiss him
and ask how his boy was doing today. Buck would hold him until he got
it all out. He'd apologize and Buck would gently chide him.
"I thought we
was buddies, Oatie!"
"We are, Sheriff
Claymore, honest,— we are!"
"Then buddies
don't apologize for shedding a few tears on their buddy's shoulders;—
now,— do they?"
"You're right,
Sheriff!" then he'd whisper, "I love you, Sheriff."
"No, no! You
proud you love me, Oatie?"
"Oh, yes,
Sheriff, you know I am!"
"Listen up
everybody!" Buck would call everyone's attention, Dan, Momma Sue, Aunt
Linda, and the boys, "This, here's, my buddy Oatie. We're buddies and I
love him! Your turn, Son."
"Sheriff
Claymore's my buddy, and I love him, too."
Everyone would
applaud and Oatie would beam with love and joy. He never experienced
male love before in his life, and he was drinking it in faster every
day. Waddie knew how he felt. Gip and Waddie were proud to share their
dads with Oatie. According to Gip and Waddie, Buck's big arms were
medicinal. Buck would steal another kiss and Oatie would giggle.
Oatie's aunts began to realize what the boys, the sheriff, the Justins
and eventually a lot more people were trying to do for their nephew.
They didn't stand in their way and allowed Oatie to become a boy and a
man. Like Waddie and Gip, Oatie became a child of the community.
Everyone knew who he was and loved him. There wasn't a door in
town that wasn't open to the three of them.
During the
summer Oatie spent almost every day with the boys. They came to love
him, found out he had the quickest wit of any kid in school, and kept
everyone laughing. He could take the simplest of stories and turn it
into an outrageous tale. The more he ran with Gip and Waddie the more
outrageous tales Oatie had to tell. He was no longer shy and retiring.
He'd have fifteen kids mesmerized listening to his story.
One day in early
summer, the three boys, Dan and Buck were working all morning in the
heat and were exhausted. They knocked off work about eleven to clean up
for lunch. It was so hot Dan and Buck were afraid for the boys to
continue in the heat. Dad Dan declared the rest of the afternoon a
holiday. It was just too damn hot. There was a portion of an old creek
that ran through a small section of Dan's property. It was the old
limestone quarry where they cut the huge limestone blocks for the court
house. It had the clearest water and you could see all the way to the
bottom. You could see fish swimming around. The five drove down in
Bertie May and still had all their clothes on. Momma Sue gave them old
towels. Buck parked under the shade of a huge cottonwood tree.
Oatie was shy
and didn't want to take his clothes off. Buck told the rest of 'em to
go on he wanted to talk to Oatie. Dan and the boys shucked their
clothes off faster that you could say strip.
"Oatie, darlin',
we love you. We want you to feel comfortable. I can understand you not
want'n to take your clothes off. Do you have underwear on?"
"Yes, Sir."
"What if you
strip down to that? Would that be all right?"
"I don't know,
Sheriff. Ain't never done nothing like that before."
"Nobody can see
much when you're in the water anyway. What if we strip down, and I hold
you up against me until we get in. That way, nobody can see you."
"Would you do
that for me?"
"Of course,
Oatie. I'm your buddy, ain't I?"
"Yes, Sir." Buck
was in levis and a old western shirt with the sleeves cut out.
"Will you help
me undress, Oatie?" asked Buck. He thought if he could get Oatie to
help him undress, maybe Oatie wouldn't be so afraid for Buck to undress
him.
"Sure, Sheriff."
Buck stood him
up on the tailgate. Buck told him to unbutton his shirt. Oatie did,
helped Buck off with it, and neatly laid it aside. Buck ask him to
unbutton his jeans. Oatie did. Buck ask him to pull them down. Oatie
did but wasn't prepared for Buck's big dick to flop out in his face. He
thought the sheriff of all people would be wearing underwear. Rather
than be upset Oatie giggled.
Buck sat on the
tail gate and ask Oatie to help him with his boots. The boy did. Buck
raised his feet and asked Oatie to pull his jeans off and he did. Buck
stood up and watched as Oatie drank in the sheriff who was standing not
more than three feet in front of him buck ass naked. Oatie's mouth fell
open as he looked Buck up and down. He finally stopped at Buck's dick,
was aware he was staring but couldn't take his eyes away. He froze like
a frightened animal about to be eaten by his prey. He couldn't move and
was so frustrated he just started crying. Buck picked him up to quiet
him and held him. Of course Buck stole several kisses.
"Did I scare
you, sweet baby?"
"Oh, no,
Sheriff. It's,— just, — well, I ain't never seen another man or boy
naked before. I didn't look at Gip, Waddie, or Dad Dan. I didn't want
to embarrass them. I was embarrassed because I wanted to run up and put
my hands on you, and I didn't know whether it was right or not. I
wanted to so badly but I was frozen so the best I could do was cry. I
won't apologize."
"Good! No
apologies necessary between buddies, you know that. What's wrong with
wanting to run up and touch me? I wouldn't care if you wanted to run up
and touch me, but the rules are,— any place you touch me gives me the
right to touch you in the same place. If we're buddies we can do that
without embarrassment or shame. Do you wanna' touch me, Oatie?"
"Sure do,
Sheriff!"
"Ah, but you
can't until you have your clothes off, can you? Cause anything you
wanna' touch on me I get to touch on you. The boys and Dan are the same
way. If you wanna' touch them asked them,— they'll let you. Then
they have that right, too. You want me to help you undress?"
"Yes, Sir."
Buck stood Oatie
on the tail gate and slowly took off his clothes. He got to his
underwear. Buck asked Oatie if he could remove them, or did he
want to leave them on?
"I wouldn't get
to touch you if you can't touch me, right, Sheriff?"
"Them's the
rules, cowboy."
"Do it, Sheriff!
I wanna' touch you."
Buck pulled
Oatie to him in a hug and kissed him behind the ear. Oatie giggled.
"You do it, Son.
You're a man now."
Oatie didn't
waste any time. When he dropped his underwear Buck's legs almost went
out from under him, and he damn near fell to his knees in front of the
boy. He tried not to, but he couldn't help but giggle when he saw the
size of Oatie's dick. It had to be the biggest, damn dick on a kid he'd
ever seen in his life. Buck thought the kid was shy because he might
not have as much as his peers. Oatie was the only man or boy who ever
made Buck feel inadequate.
"That's all
right, Sheriff, you can go ahead and laugh. That's why I didn't want to
undress. I'm a freak. My aunts told me so. That's why they raised me as
a girl until I went to school. They were ashamed of me." (His aunts
actually took him to a doctor to see if they could have the size of his
penis reduced!) Buck almost lost it. He felt the boy's confusion
and pain. He didn't understand. How could they do that? They did!
"You! ain't! no!
freak! Oatie! Look down at me!" Oatie did.
"You're bigger'n
me, Sheriff! Much bigger! Can I feel it?"
"Grab yourself a
big ole handful, Oatie!" Buck smiled.
Oatie grabbed
Buck's dick, and he started to get hard. Buck grabbed Oatie's and it
started to get hard.
"Why does our
pee-pee's do that, Sheriff?"
"Because you
love me and I love you. It's normal, Oatie! You're normal."
Oatie put his
arms around Buck's neck and hugged him.
"Carry me into
the water like this, Sheriff?" Oatie asked.
"Be proud to,
Son! Hang on tight!"
Buck picked up
Oatie, grabbed their towels and slowly walked down to the water and
into it. Buck sat down with Oatie and eased him under the water next to
him. The boys came over with Dan, and they sat around Buck and Oatie.
They were telling him how happy they were he decided to join them.
Waddie reached over and grabbed his uncle's dick.
"Watch this,
Oatie!"
Buck knew what
Waddie was up to and grabbed a mouthful of water. Waddie took Buck's
dick in both hands and pumped it up and down. Buck threw back his head
and expelled the water like Waddie was pumping it out of him. Oatie
squealed with delight. He thought that was the funniest and best damn
thing he'd ever seen. Oatie had to try it. In his excitement, Oatie
forgot about being naked and stood up in front of the boys and Dan. The
three of them audibly gasped and almost drowned when they caught sight
of Oatie's dick. Buck was laughing his ass off at their reaction.
"Holy mother of
God! Where was I when the dicks were passed out?" Dan cried.
The boys were
laughing at Dan, and Buck almost choked to death. Poor Oatie didn't
know what to do. Dan held his arms out to Oatie.
"Come'mer
Oatie." Dan almost made it a demand but a loving one. Oatie went to Dad
Dan and Dan held him close.
"We're not
laughing at you, Son. We're laughing at us because we wish we had the
equipment between our legs you have between yours. God gave you a gift,
Oatie. A gift all men wish they could be blessed with. Someday you'll
be very proud of your dick. If people laugh it's because it's unusual
to see a boy your age with that large a dick. Did you ever hear the
story of the ugly duckling who grew up to be a beautiful swan?"
"Yes, Sir."
"You're not ugly
by any stretch, but my point is, one day, what you're shy about now, is
going to be a beautiful part of you. If you ask the boys, I'm sure
they'll be happy to show you how to use it." Dan looked at Buck
and winked. Buck fell out laughing again.
"You mean it's
not just for pee-peeing? There's other things you can do with it?"
"Oooooh, yes,
Oatie! Be patient and some evening the boys will show you what else you
can do with it, right, guys?"
"Sure. Oatie's
our brother. Brother's do that for each other, right, Gip?"
"They sure do.
You'd be surprised what you can do with it, Oatie. Why, I'll bet you
could put out a five alarm fire by yourself with that damn thing."
Dan and Buck
laughed with the boys. Oatie still wanted to pump Buck's dick. Buck
grabbed a mouthful and let Oatie pump it out of him. Oatie squealed
with glee again. He thought that was wonderful. Dan looked at Buck.
"I wouldn't mind
some of that action myself, cowboy."
Buck splashed
water in Dan's face. They both broke up laughing. For two grown men,
Buck and Dan spent more time laughing together than anything else. They
really enjoyed each other.
Gip and Waddie
were having too much fun for Oatie to be shy. Something in him snapped,
and he just didn't give a shit anymore. He came out of his shell in a
big way. The boys complimented him on his dick, he let them feel it and
he felt theirs. He even ask Dad Dan if he could feel his balls. Dan
told him sure, just be gentle because they were easily hurt. Oatie was
very gentle and thanked Dad Dan. After that day Oatie never had a
problem running around buck ass naked with the boys or the men. It got
so bad at the mere mention of going swimming, Oatie's clothes were
flying everywhere and Gip or Waddie would have to tackle him on his way
out the barn door naked as a jay bird.
Once in a while
the men would have a 'rooster party.' It was an all night affair,
usually in Buck's old room at the Claymores. Buck's bed in the house
was enormous and would sleep Dan, Buck and the three boys comfortably.
Buck would have one of his naked poker parties, and the boys would run
around naked and have a ball. Dan held on to one of Quinton's arms and
Buck took the other the first time he saw Oatie's dick. Quinton damn
near fainted, and he couldn't take his eyes off Oatie's dick. Of course
Deputy Tate shows up with gun, badge and uniform. Gip and Waddie were
both so taken with Quinton the first time they saw him, they were
nervous to be around him naked. Not so with Oatie! Oatie ran up to
Quinton, jumped in his arms and kissed him dead on the lips. Quinton
jokingly ask Oatie if he would marry him in fifteen years. Oatie's dick
was a wonder to behold. Buck named it the eighth wonder of the
civilized world, and damn near the fourth in the animal kingdom.
At that party
they had a new man to break in; Lyle Rawlings. The boys forgot about
Quinton immediately when Chief Deputy Rawlings walked in. Waddie spoke
to Gip and Oatie quietly.
"There,
gentlemen, is a man."
Oatie's mouth
fell open. He'd never seen such good looking men in his life, and to
have them all hug and kiss him while naked was a form of male bonding
he would get nowhere else. Lyle Rawlings was warned and wasn't exempt
from Oatie's exuberant displays of affection. Lyle saw this little blur
running towards him, but got his arms open just in time to receive
Oatie. Oatie had his arms around Lyle's neck, hugging and kissing him.
Lyle got the biggest damn smile on his face. You couldn't meet Oatie
and not love him.
Lyle Rawlings
fell in love with all three boys, but especially Oatie. He thought
Oatie was the cutest kid God put on the face of the Earth. Oatie didn't
think Lyle Rawlings was too damn shabby either. Lyle had less problem
and felt more comfortable without his clothes than any of them. He
didn't put Oatie down but two or three times all evening. He sat him on
his lap to play poker. Oatie was sitting in Lyle's lap, but it was
pinching Lyle's dick and balls someway. Oatie could feel his
discomfort, reached his little hand down, brought Lyle's big dick up
between his legs and closed them gently so it would hold Lyle's dick up
and keep it from being pinched. Lyle scooted forward just a bit, and
they were both very comfortable. Then Lyle's dick started getting hard,
and Oatie could feel it. Because of what Buck told him, Oatie
innocently leaned back and told Lyle,
"I'm so glad you
love me, Chief Deputy." Lyle didn't know what he meant and turned beet
red. Leave it to Buck to say the damndest thing at the wrong time.
"When you two
men are though playing hide the little green snake, let us know, and
we'll play poker?" Oatie thought that was the funniest thing he'd ever
heard and got the giggles.
"Never you
mind!" said Lyle, "You're big but with no uniform, y'ain't sheriff
here. Oatie and me,— well,— we're doing just fine, and 'yes,' Oatie, I
do love you." He stole a kiss from Oatie. Oatie was in heaven.
No one told
Oatie the rules of the game. He sat quietly watching intently for about
an hour. He never asked a question. Lyle went to play a card and Oatie
shook his head. Oatie just pointed to two cards, and the others he
waved away.
"I'll have three
cards." Lyle said to Quinton the dealer.
"Three it is."
said Quinton. Lyle picked up the cards, spread them and had a straight
flush. He kissed Oatie behind the ear. Oatie giggled. He and Oatie
wiped them out. They weren't even fun to play with anymore. Funny thing
was Oatie was so subtle in his recommendations to Lyle, none of the men
picked up on it. They were a team. Waddie and Gip did and giggled with
Oatie after Lyle had gone. Buck, Dan and Quinton were going on and on
about how great a poker player Lyle Rawlings was.
"He must've
thought Oatie brought him good luck." said Dan.
"He did, I saw
him slip Oatie a five dollar bill." said Quinton. The boys just giggled.
"You men got the
giggles tonight? You been giggling all evening. What's gotten into you
guys? Wait a minute. You know something we don't." said Buck. The boys
were rolling on the bed laughing.
"All right!
There's three men here, Quinton, Dad Dan and me. If somebody don't talk
soon three little boys are gonna' be submitted to tickle torture.
What's it gonna' be, gentleman, talk or torture?"
They weren't
going to tell. Buck went for Oatie. Dan went for Waddie, Quinton
grabbed Gip and there was an explosion of giggling boys until all three
were hollering 'calf rope.'
"It weren't Lyle
Rawlings who beat you at poker." blurted out Gip.
The three men
looked at Oatie, and Oatie got a look of horror on his face like he'd
just been caught robbing a bank. Dan and Buck knew better than to doubt
the boys, but Quinton was still learning.
"I don't believe
it." said Quinton.
"Oh ye of little
faith." said Dan resolutely to Quinton. Buck howled.
"Get the cards,
Waddie." Buck said to Waddie. Waddie got the cards, and he and Gip
played the fourth hand. Oatie sat in Quinton's lap and proceeded to
wipe everyone out again. Even though Oatie was sitting in Quinton's lap
and subtly telling him every card to play, Quinton still couldn't
believe it. Dan and Buck laughed 'til they were sore. Oatie was a
phenomenon at games. He could grasp the mathematical probability of any
game of chance and beat it.
The guys were
going on about how comfortable Lyle seemed without his clothes.
"That's because
most animals aren't accustom to wearing clothes." allowed Oatie as an
adroit toss off.
Waddie and Gip
fell out laughing, but it took the men a couple of minutes to realize
what Oatie said, and they fell on the floor laughing at Oatie. He'd hit
the nail on the head. It said what they were all thinking. Lyle
Rawlings was, indeed, an animal but a very fine looking one.
The boys taught
Oatie to ride their ponies, and any free time they had they were roping
or playing ball. He would help and work as hard as the boys on any
project Dan or Buck had going around the place. They even helped Morgan
repair his barn. Oatie started growing, and by the end of second grade
he wasn't the smallest boy in the class anymore. He had confidence,
brains and learned from the boys the value of friendship. No one picked
on Oatie anymore unless they wanted a fat lip.
* * * * * * *
In the third
grade Morgan's beatings of Waddie started in again. He began to believe
the other three over Waddie. Waddie wasn't home enough to break
anything, but Morgan was too blind to put two and two together.
Whatever happened, happened when Morgan was on a run; never when he was
home. Then Morgan would carry Waddie to the barn, and beat him almost
senseless to get him to admit he did it. Waddie refused, and found the
most miraculous thing happened. He never felt one of Morgan's blows to
his ass. It would get red, sometimes bleed, and Waddie would pass out
but he never let out a cry, moan, or moved his ass when he was struck.
Morgan couldn't believe the boy would put his ass up higher taunting
him to take his best shot. When Morgan was so tired he couldn't swing
his arms anymore or after Waddie passed out, he would tell Waddie that
was enough. Morgan would've come in his pants. Waddie would walk up to
his dad without a tear in his eye, kiss him passionately on the lips,
and speak.
"I love you,
Dad. I forgive you for beating me unjustly, but I refuse to lie for you
anymore. I told you I didn't do it and God as my witness, I didn't. You
didn't get me to admit I done it because I didn't. You lost, Dad. But
you know, Dad, I do owe you an apology about something. You weren't
lying when you said this hurt you more than it did me. This hurts you a
Hell of a lot more than it does me. You're losing your son, Dad. Is it
worth the price? " Morgan was defeated. He was no longer in control.
His son had the strength to take control away from him without raising
a hand in anger. Waddie could hear Morgan sobbing, gut wrenching sobs
as he left. Morgan would call after him, but Waddie wouldn't return.
"Waddie, don't
go! Don't leave me, Son. I had to do it because I love you. I had to
punish you to correct you; to keep you from lying. Come back! Please,
Waddie, I need you!"
Waddie would
turn, walk to the Justin’s and cry his heart out in Dan Justin's arms.
He would never let Dan or Buck see his ass until it healed; although,
they could see the blood soak through his levis. Gip and Oatie became
his medics. He made Buck and Dan promise they wouldn't do or say
anything to Morgan about it. Buck called Dr. Dyer and told him what was
going on. Dr. Dyer would drive to the Justin's to examine Waddie, but
Waddie wouldn't let him. They tried to get Gip and Oatie to tell them,
but they wouldn't. Neither boy would lie, they just couldn't get
anything out of them. If they persisted all the boys would do was break
into tears and put their head in their hands.
Waddie never
stopped doing his chores for Morgan; although, he would be hurting so
bad sometimes, Gip and Oatie would have to help him get through. They
didn't mind, they were there for their brother. He never stopped doing
his chores for Buck. Buck would watch him grab his ass every now and
then and walk like a ninety year old cowboy. The big man would go in
the house, cry in his wife's arms, and she in his.
The boys always
devised some devilish scheme to get back at Willie. They sent off for
some itching powder, and lightly dusted all of Willie's clothes with
it, including his prized band uniform. They even lightly dusted his bed
sheets and pillows. Poor Willie itched for two months.
There were three
beatings during the third year of school. Never one during the summer
because Waddie was away from the house or was with Gip and Oatie. He
had too good an alibi for Willie to frame him. The fourth year there
were four beatings, and that year saw one of Waddie the Merciless's
greatest triumphs.
* * * * * * *
One evening
while Waddie was having supper with the Justins, Momma Sue began to
tell about her new houseplant she bought from a nursery in Austin.
"It's a foliage
plant, and it's called a 'Dieffenbachia.' You guys think it looks nice
in that corner?"
The three men
knew when to agree with Momma Sue and complemented her on her choice of
corners. They all thought it was a lovely plant. She had good taste.
"You know, it's
the strangest thing. It's also called the 'dumb cane.' You boys be
careful you don't accidently swallow any of it or get any of it's
juices in your mouth. It'll temporarily paralyze your vocal cords. They
used to call mute people "dumb." It was a horrible thing to call a deaf
person who couldn't speak 'deaf and dumb.' Many can't speak but they're
far from being dumb. In fact, most are extremely bright."
Waddie
immediately took an interest in Momma Sue's horticultural pursuits.
Waddie raved over how beautiful the plant was and how proud of it she
must be. Several weeks later she divided it and asked Waddie if he'd
like to try his hand at growing one for his room. Would he? He'd be
thrilled. Momma Sue potted him up a goodly chunk of the plant and sent
it home with him. He watered it, fed it, and it flourished. He
remembered to thank Momma Sue every time he thought of it as it was a
nice addition to his stark room. Months went by, and everyone forgot
about it.
Aside from
striving to be an asshole Willie was also a budding musician. He played
clarinet in the marching band in high school. He would practice in his
room almost every afternoon and drive Waddie crazy. That's when Waddie
would go out to the barn to do his chores and take care of the ponies.
Waddie, Gip and Oatie always had an assortment of critters they were
trying to heal. Sick or injured animals would somehow find their way to
Waddie, Gip, or Oatie and they'd do their best to give them a place to
rest, recuperate and heal. The boys 'infirmary' was in a corner of Dan
Justin's old barn about a hundred yards from Morgan's newer barn.
The boy's got
Dan's permission to keep their sick critters there. Waddie would take
care of them in the evenings. Sometimes they had as many as fifteen or
twenty critters they were taking care of. They were highly successful
and Oatie kept accurate records of successes and failures. They named
all the critters and showed the date they found them, where they found
them, and what they thought might be wrong with them. Dan casually
mentioned the boys critter hospital in the old barn when Dr. Dyer and
his wife came for dinner one evening.
Dr. Dyer wanted
to see their operation and walked down to the barn with the boys. He
was astounded when he reviewed their records. The boys had a twenty
percent greater success ratio than the hospital. He couldn't believe
it. He would come out and check the boys progress regularly. He was
amazed. He followed the progress of several animals and couldn't
believe the swift recovery some of them made. He called Agatha, told
her what he found and was astounded. She was, too. His question for her
was, did she think it possible there was a higher power involved in the
healing ratio of these animals? Agatha didn't stop to think. Her answer
was an unqualified 'yes!'
"Both boys and
their friend have been touched by God's hand, and he's sending those
sick critters to them. Of course you'll tell them to be careful of
wounded animals and rabies?" Dr. Dyer assured her he would. They didn't
talk long, but she was thrilled he called and shared that with her. She
knew what books to get next time.
* * * * * * *
Waddie took a
nice healthy piece of his Dieffenbachia plant, chopped it up real fine,
when no one was home he put it in an old pot, ran some water over it,
and boiled it down to a thick white goo. He climbed in through the
window to Willie's room, carefully opened his clarinet case and took
all of his reeds out. He took them back to his room and carefully
painted each reed with the goo from his rue. He dried them in his
window in the late afternoon sun and carefully returned them to
Willie's clarinet case. Willie didn't practice that night but took his
clarinet to school with him for band practice the next day.
That afternoon
all Hell broke loose when a high school student, Willie Devers,
suddenly came down with some unknown throat infection that left him
unable to speak for several days. The doctor's were baffled. Everyone
felt so bad for Willie. No one could figure out what was wrong with him.
It was a Monday
and Jimmy Sue's day to water and feed her houseplants. She got her
beautiful Dieffenbachia, took it to the sink to water and feed it. As
she was soaking it in the feed solution she wondered how Waddie's
Dieffenbachia was. The lights came on in Jimmy Sue's head, and it was
at that moment she realized what Waddie had done to Willie. She was
laughing uncontrollably. She was laughing so hard she was actually
crying. Dan came in from the barn, thought she was crying, and took her
in his arms to comfort her. All she could manage was to shake her head
point to the plant in the sink and get a few words out.
"Dumb cane,—
Willie,— Waddie,— !"
Dan made the
connection and knew instantly why she was laughing. He didn't know how,
but he knew the boys figured out a way to get the dumb cane into
Willie. That was enough for him. The two of them held each other
and roared. They laughed together until they couldn't laugh anymore.
They called Buck and couldn't tell him because every time Dan started
they both would fall out laughing.
"Come out for
dinner, and we'll tell you. We can't tell you on the phone. It's just
too damn funny."
Buck and Linda
Sue drove out, but had an idea it must be something the boys did. What
could be so funny? When the Justins finally got it out, Buck and Linda
Sue could have been heard all the way to town laughing. Buck was proud
of the boys. He couldn't stop laughing. It got all over the damn
county, but it never got back to, Morgan, Willie or his ma.
Waddie, Gip, and
Oatie decided if it was a disease, as the doctor's thought, then the
boys should make sure it was contagious. They dipped Judy's and
Dorothy's toothbrushes in the goo, and they, too, couldn't speak for
two weeks. Waddie would find food in the fridge he knew they'd eat
before Morgan got home, and laced it with a little 'dummy-goo.'
'Dummy-goo' is what Oatie named it.
Poor Willie kept
playing in the band, but his condition didn't seem to be getting any
better. He was going on six weeks not being able to utter a sound;
which was strange because Judy and Dorothy slowly got better. Waddie,
Gip and Oatie were beside themselves, but they managed to keep a
straight face around Morgan and Willie. After two months of silence
from Willie, one doctor suggested Willie might be reinfecting himself
from the reeds in his clarinet. Willie got a new reed, and within a
week and a half he was able to utter several sentences. He was so proud
of himself. He was thrilled. Waddie waited about a week and
painted the new reed. Poor Willie couldn't talk for another month. He
was really distraught. He thought he was going to be speechless the
rest of his life. Waddie didn't think that was such a bad idea at all.
If he had anything to say about it Willie would remain speechless the
rest of his life.
Waddie kept
asking Judy if Willie was still 'dumb.' He explained that's what they
call a person who can't speak, 'dumb.'
"Ain't cha’
never heard of 'deef and dumb’?" Waddie knew the word was ‘deaf’
he just enjoyed the vernacular.
Willie got the
bright idea of washing his reeds to sterilize them. It washed most of
the dumb rue off, but there was still enough he had to talk like a
whiskey tenor for months. Then, just for sport, Waddie would repaint
all of Willies' reeds and he'd be unable to speak for another
month. From then on, when Willie got a little too big for his
britches, Waddie would doctor something else he put in his mouth. His
toothbrush. Put a little in his mouthwash. Dipped the ends of all his
pencils and pens in it. Waddie even found some hard candy Willie stole
and lightly painted each piece. Poor Willie just couldn't understand
why this rare disease wouldn't go away. Willie remained silent for a
little better than six months.
Dr. Dyer heard
about the story one evening at dinner with the Justins and the
Claymores. Buck could barely get the story out he was laughing so hard
as he told it. Dr. Dyer and his wife thought it was the funniest thing
they'd ever heard. He examined Willie first and was stumped. He never
would've suspected a paralyzing agent. It's so simple, almost elegant,
and doctors would naturally look for something more difficult. He made
sure after that he was far too busy to see Willie and let the new
intern at the hospital take care of him. The young doctor had no idea
what was wrong with Willie. Dr. Dyer knew his job was to heal the sick,
but Willie wasn't sick. He knew Willie would miraculously recover when
Waddie, Gip and Oatie decided to let him. He giggled every time he
thought about it.
Buck finally had
to metaphorically sit on top of Waddie, Gip and Oatie to get them to
stop before they were discovered. Buck tried to talk like a mature
adult to the two boys as Lyle Rawlings and Dan Justin stood listening
with their hands over their mouths unable to control themselves. Buck
turned to them and gave them a look that would've put the fear of God
in most any other men but only succeeded in breaking them up more. Buck
couldn't hold it any longer either. He slapped his leg, and the three
grown men were holding each other laughing their ass's off with tears
rolling down their faces at the antics of the boys. Buck laughed so
hard at the three boys exploits tormenting poor Willie, they thought he
was going to have a stroke. All the other deputies in the other room
knew what was going on, and they didn't help any. They all had tears
running down their faces from laughing so hard. Even Mrs. Anderson
thought it was hilarious.
Then Buck told
Dan Justin to 'go, the fuck, home' and he'd bring Gip, Waddie and Oatie
to their place after having dinner with him and Linda Sue. He then
managed to seriously council the boys and told them the trick of doing
something like that and having it remain a mystery was to know when to
quit. They took the hint from Buck, and no one ever knew. At least it
never got back to any of the Lovejoy household. Even Ma and Pa Lovejoy
heard the story and almost suffered heart attacks from laughing so
hard. They never let on to Morgan they had a clue. Hell, the whole damn
county knew about it, and Waddie, Gip and Oatie became legends in their
own time. The three boys would walk around the square. People on all
sides of the square would wave to them and break up laughing. The boys
knew they'd heard about it. The town placed bets on the next trauma
Willie had to suffer at the hands of the boys. He hadn't seen the last
of Waddie's terrible troika. (soon to be a fierce-some foursome) Willie
Lump-Lump was about to go down in flames and he didn't have a parachute.