Waddie went with Bubba to get a room at the motel. The clerk was a nice
elderly lady. She asked Bubba if Waddie was his boy.
"No, Ma'am. Wish't he was, but he's my brother's boy. He came with me
as my running buddy to get away from a bully in town who was beat'n up
on him."
"Well, I'll swan,— looks like he popped you a good'un, Son. Good idea,
coming with your uncle."
Waddie just nodded and smiled sweetly to the lady. He really
wanted to tell her he always enjoyed 'coming' with
his big bear uncle. She gave Bubba the key. He and Waddie
walked back to the truck to get Bubba's gear. Waddie started
laughing on the way to the truck. Bubba took one look at him,
raise his eyebrow, and fell out laughing, too. He read his little
buddy's mind.
The room was nice, comfortable and clean. Waddie helped Bubba with his
stuff, took a leak, then returned to the room.
"I'm starve'n, Waddie. How 'bout chu,' cowboy?" Bubba rubbed his big
hands together.
"Yes, Sir. I sure could eat something." Waddie stood up, threw his arms
around his hero, and hugged him. He looked up just in time to find
Bubba's face and kiss him full on the mouth. Bubba kissed him gently
and let Waddie take the lead. Waddie didn't intend for it to be more
than a gentle kiss of thanks. Bubba read him immediately. Waddie drew
back and looked at the big man.
"Thanks for being there for me, Bubba. Thanks for today. Thanks for
being you. I hope you don't mind if I tell you I love you, 'cause I do.
Ain't never had no man be so damn good to me at first meeting except my
Uncle Buck. You have the same love in you he has for me, and I don't
feel alone."
"You ain't alone, Waddie. You can tell old Bubba, every hour on the
hour, you love him, and he'll never get tired of it. Ain't never fell
in love with any man, woman, boy or beast as fast as I fell for you,
sweet baby. We stopped and fed the truck back a' ways,— c’mon,—
let's go get us filled up." Bubba stole another kiss, and they left the
room for the truck stop diner.
On their way across the parking lot, in front of the monster trucks,
Waddie stopped and looked up into the night sky. He found Orion's belt
and looked for the star on the left of his belt. He looked straight up
to see three stars forming a large triangle. The brightest star on the
left represents Orion the hunter's left shoulder. It's a star called
Betelgeuse. Buck taught him how to find it.
"See that bright star, up and to the left of Orion's belt, Bubba?"
"You mean that bright star right there?"
"Yes, Sir. It's the twelfth brightest star in the night sky. That's my
Uncle Buck's and my star. It's called Betelgeuse." Bubba chuckled, he
thought Waddie was setting him up again.
"Beetle Juice?" Bubba asked cautiously.
"Yeah, I know. When Buck told me I laughed like you did waiting for the
punch line but it never came. I looked it up in a star map book my
great aunt gave me for Christmas one year, and that really is the name
of the star; but, it's spelled differently. He picked that one because
the name would be easy to remember. My dad, Buck, ain't no dummy. Every
night when I'm away from him, I know all I have to do it look up at
that star and he's looking at it, too. He's sending me his love, and I
send mine back to him."
"That's beautiful, Son. You wanna' call him after dinner? Let him know
you're safe, being loved, cared for, and will be in touch with him
regularly."
"You think it would be a good idea, Bubba?" Waddie needed Bubba's
approval.
"Sure do, baby. It 'ud go a long way to making your dad feel better and
not worry so much."
It was one of the first times anyone referred to Buck as Waddie's dad.
A pride welled up inside Waddie as he took Bubba's big hand. They
continued walking to the diner, but Waddie was walking just a little
taller. Bubba gently squeezed his little buddy's hand to let him know,
he wasn't alone. They walked into the diner, and a large group of
truckers started hollering and yelling, waving their arms for Bubba and
his buddy to join them. A short, plump, little waitress ran to Bubba
with her arms open.
"Bubba! Oh, Bubba, it's so good to see ya' again." Bubba hugged and
kissed her, "And I'll bet this here's your new running buddy, Waddie,
we been hear'n so much about." She grabbed Waddie and gave him a big
hug. "Welcome, Waddie, I'm Peggy Sue. Come on, honey!" she spoke to
Waddie taking him by the hand to lead him and Bubba to seats with about
fifteen or twenty other truckers. "Ya'll just sit your fannys down
right c'here and I'll get ya' som'um to drink.”
"Coffee for me, sweetheart. You want milk or ice tea tonight, cowboy?"
"Ice tea sounds real good, Bubba." replied Waddie. Peggy Sue heard him,
nodded her head, and was on her way. Bubba introduced Waddie around,
and he shook every driver's hand. Several were there from
breakfast he remembered. He remembered their name's and was mannerly by
referring to them as 'Mister.' There was one man who couldn't take his
eyes off Waddie and Waddie was hoping he wouldn't. His name was
Darrell, and he was a fine looking man.
"Would you order for me, Bubba? Y'ain't done bad so far. Whatever you
order for me, I'll eat. I ain't picky 'bout food. I'll eat almost
anything, 'cep'n hominy. I know grits are made from the same stuff. I
like grits but there's just something vile about hominy to me." Waddie
scrunched up his nose. Bubba and the other truckers laughed. A couple
agreed with him. Peggy Sue brought their drinks and Bubba ordered.
"Let's us have the cattle hauler's special, hon. Mine medium rare and
my buddy's a little past medium. Bring us both a big glass of moo, too,
hon. We'd appreciate it."
"You got it, darlin.'" Smiled Peggy Sue as off she went, refilling the
trucker's coffee mugs as she went.
"Gentlemen, you're looking at one of the best story tellers I've run
across in many a moon."
The truckers were looking at Waddie, smiling and talking back and forth.
"This little man can tell the most outrageously funny stories you ever
heard in your life. He had me laughing so hard, I had to pull off into
a rest stop to get control of myself. I made him stop 'til we got here
'cause I know how much you guys love a good story. These are true
stories of what Waddie and his buddies did to get back at his older
step-brother. His step-brother would do stuff and blame it on Waddie
so's his adopted dad would beat him. His step-brother would get his ma
and sister to lie so's they could get the kid beaten. His dad would try
to make Waddie admit he done it, but the boy wouldn't, because he
refused to lie to his dad." Bubba told them.
"That why your face is that way, Son?" the good looking trucker named
Darrell asked Waddie shaking his head.
"Yes, Sir."
"I'll admit it looks pretty bad," Bubba added, "but nothing like his
back and butt. Take it from me. It ain't pretty."
They all told Waddie they were sorry, and he thanked them for their
concern.
"Ever' time his step-brother would set Waddie up. He and his three
brothers,... buddies,.... would do the most awful things to him.
They're awful damn funny as well. I'll let him tell ya.' Cowboy, tell
'em about the disease your step-brother came down with." Bubba urged
Waddie laughing.
Peggy Sue brought small salads for Bubba and Waddie and sat them down
in front off them. She heard Bubba on the way and lingered to hear
Waddie start his story. It didn't take long before every trucker and
Peggy Sue was laughing their ass's off. Even Bubba was laughing again.
They stopped Waddie and wouldn't let him go on for a minute. Peggy Sue
looked at Waddie with tears in her eyes.
"Not another word, young man, until I get back. I don't want to miss a
word of this." That made the truckers laugh even harder. Peggy Sue went
off to get their orders and waited another table on her way. She told
the manager/owner about Waddie. He came over and sat down to listen.
The other three waitress came over to stand next to Bubba and Waddie to
listen. Peggy Sue brought out two arm loads of food for Bubba and
Waddie. Waddie's eyes got real big when he saw the size of the t-bone
steak Peggy Sue sat down in front of him. It had all the trimmings.
Bubba told him to eat as much as he could, then a little more and he'd
be proud of him. They started in, and Waddie started his story up
again. Five more truckers joined them, and one of the other waitress
went to get them coffee.
Waddie got to the place where Willie bought a new reed for his clarinet
and was able to speak several sentences after a week and a half. Waddie
stressed how proud Willie was he was able to speak even that much after
being silent for a month and a half. He told them about climbing
through Willie's window and painting the new reed. Willie was once
again struck 'dumb.' You could hear the laughter way out in the parking
lot. The truckers were hitting the table and slapping their legs. The
manager had to take his apron and wipe his eyes. Surprisingly, Waddie
was doing a good job of eating his steak. It was good! He was packing
it away. Bubba looked over a couple of times, nodded and smiled. He was
proud of his little buddy. Waddie came to the end of the story and told
the men his uncle, the sheriff, had to practically sit on the four boys
to get them to stop. Poor Willie remained silent for a little over six
months. When he finished the story and the men settled down, they all
stood and applauded Waddie for his story. The manager pulled his chair
closer.
"Okay! Okay! You thought that one was funny." said Bubba, "I haven't
even heard the good parts of this next story, because it's so funny
from the get-go, I told him to save it for later tonight. I was
laughing so hard I couldn't drive the damn truck. I knew you guys would
love it. It has to be the most outrageously funny pay back story I've
ever heard in my life. This is a story about Ms. Pearl."
"Waddie started from the very beginning remembering Oatie's telling and
delivery. He had the men jumping out of their chairs when he told them
what his Uncle Enid told his uncle, the Sheriff. He told the men about
Ms. Pearl and how tame she became but wouldn't let anybody near her
boys. The men couldn't believe it. A couple thought Waddie had to be
making up the story. Bubba assured the men he wasn't.
"It really happened the way he said it did. This kid don't lie. He's a
true Texan. He may enlarge or stretch a story, but that only adds
flavor." That only made the story funnier for the men. About five or
six more truckers came over to listen, and the couple who were at Peggy
Sue's other table couldn't help but come over and hear what the
truckers found so funny with this young boy's story. They, too, were
captivated and soon laughing as much as the truckers. When he finished
Ms. Pearl's story they all were laughing and crying, holding each
other. They laughed for five minutes. Then they all got up and
applauded Waddie. Even his buddy stood and applauded for him. He
thanked them all for listening.
They talked to all the truckers and listen to a couple of their stories
as they finished their meal. Waddie was keeping up with Bubba bite for
bite. Bubba couldn't believe what the boy was putting away. The manager
snapped his fingers at Peggy Sue, she walked over, he whispered
something to her, and she ran off to the kitchen. In a minute she came
back with two plates. Each had a huge slab of German chocolate cake and
a couple of scoops of ice cream for Waddie and Bubba. Waddie hadn't
saved room for dessert but he sure as Hell wasn't going waste his
favorite chocolate cake and ice cream.
Peggy Sue told him and Bubba it was on the manager, Ben, who was
sitting there. They thanked him, and Waddie ate every bit of his. After
a while Peggy Sue cleared the dishes away and Bubba asked her for the
check. She whispered something to Bubba and his eyes lit up. Not only
had the manager bought their dessert, he paid for their entire meals.
Bubba told Waddie. Waddie stood and shook Ben's hand and graciously
thanked him for the meal. It was the best food he'd eaten in a long
time. So did Bubba.
"Young man, you earned those meals for you and your running buddy.
Funniest damn stories I ever heard, and you told them well. You come
back to see us, Son." Ben was serious. Waddie told him he'd try. Bubba
left Peggy Sue a twenty dollar tip anyway. She ran those tiny, little
legs of hers off for them. Bubba and Waddie were tired and excused
themselves. Every man there came around for a hug or a hand shake. The
good looking trucker Darrell wanted a hug and so did Waddie. Waddie
found out why. He had a huge dick, and it was hard as a rock. He wanted
Waddie to feel it. Waddie smiled at him. He pulled the man's head down
to whisper to him.
"Feel the same way 'bout you, Mr. Darrell." Waddie stole a kiss and the
man roared with laugher. He wasn't coming on to the boy, he was
offering Waddie a compliment. He thought Waddie was good looking and
was captivated by his stories. He stayed hard the entire time Bubba and
Waddie were there. He knew Waddie was Bubba's running buddy and wasn't
trying to move in on Bubba's friend. He just wanted Waddie to know how
he felt and when Waddie returned the compliment he was overwhelmed with
joy and laughter.
"Sharp, young man, ya' got there for a running buddy, Bubba. Glad to
have met him and good to see you again, too, big man."
They said their goodbyes and started the long walk across the parking
lot back to their motel room. Waddie took Bubba's big hand again and
Bubba didn't hesitate to hold Waddie’s.
"S'damn proud of you, cowboy. Glad I stopped you from telling the rest
of that story. I would've wrecked the damn truck for sure." Bubba
laughed again, "I knew it was gonna' be good, but I had no idea how
funny it would be. I've rarely seen that group of men laugh so much at
any one story, let alone the two you told. Look what cha' did! You
bought us dinner. Thank's for dinner, buddy."
Bubba put his arm around Waddie and hugged him close as they walked.
They got back to the room, Waddie started to take his clothes off, but
Bubba told him to wait.
"I want you to call Buck, and let him know you're okay. We have plenty
of money for a couple of calls if you want. Just give the motel
operator the long distance number, and she'll call the long distance
operator. They'll put you through."
Waddie picked up the phone and gave the motel operator the number and
town. He heard Buck's phone ringing.
"Hello."
"Hello,— Aunt Linda? This is Waddie." he tried to sound up and happy
for her.
"Oh, Waddie, darling." she started crying, "Oh, my God, Waddie, I'm so
glad to hear from you. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, Aunt Linda. I'm with Bubba and he's taking real good care of
me. He's playing doctor and doing a fine job of heal'n me up. I hardly
hurt at all. I'm so sorry, Aunt Linda, I didn't mean to hurt you and
Uncle Buck by running away, but I was told to go." Waddie started
crying with his Aunt Linda, "Don't cry, Aunt Linda, I love you so much,
you mean the world to me, I'd never do anything to hurt you."
"I know, baby, I know. I'm just so relieved to hear from you. Your
uncle is pacing the floor. He's about ready to yank the phone out
of my hand, so I'll let you talk to him. I love you, sweetheart.
Here, hon." Linda Sue handed the phone to Buck.
"Son?" asked Buck.
"I'm here, Dad," Waddie broke down again when he heard his uncle, his
dad, begin to cry on the other end. "I'm so sorry I ran away, Uncle
Buck. It wasn't to hurt you, Aunt Linda, or any of my family. I was
told to run."
"We know, Son. We spoke to Mr. Urial the next day, and he told us. We
were so relieved, but Son, — we miss you so damn much. You don't know
how much me and your Aunt Linda loves you. Are you feeling better,
sweet baby? I can only imagine what Morgan did to you this time. I'm so
sorry, Waddie."
"It weren't your fault, Dad. Morgan wouldn't listen to a thing Mr.
Urial told him. Mr. Urial told me he wanted to speak through me, and I
let him. I didn't know what to say to him. He went crazy, Uncle Buck,
and beat me 'til he shot in his pants."
"Oh, God, Son, I'm glad you told me, but it's something I didn't wanna'
hear. I can tell from your voice you're relieved to be out of danger
and with someone who loves you. I know Bubba's taking good care of you.
Can I speak with him for a minute."
"Bubba,— my Uncle Buck would like to talk with you." Waddie handed
Bubba the phone.
"Howdy, Sheriff Claymore."
"No! No, Bubba, my name's Buck, understand, Son?"
"Thanks, Buck. I 'preciate that. You should'da seen the food your
Godson put away tonight. A huge t-bone steak, salad, with all the
trimmings. He told two of the funniest damn stories us truckers ever
heard. The owner of the place liked Waddie's stories so much he bought
and paid for our dinners. After all that food, the scamp ate a huge
piece of German chocolate cake and two scoops of ice cream."
"I can't thank you enough, Bubba, for being good to our boy. Mr. Urial
told us about you and assured us Waddie was in good hands."
"I'm only giving back a little of what others have done for me, Buck.
Took two rolls of color pictures of Waddie's rear, back, and face and
dropped them in the mail this morning. I included a letter with
my contact phone number, and I plan to stop by your office in about
five days on my way back through."
"Thank's for being thoughtful enough to do that. When you get ready to
come back through, let us know, plan on spending the evening 'cause
we'll take you out to my brother's ranch for dinner so's you can meet
Waddie's brothers and family. They all want to meet you and thank you."
"Sounds good, Buck. I promise, I will. I'll give you a call and let you
know my schedule. I'll give you back to Waddie. Looking forward to
meeting you and Waddie's family, Sir."
"Uncle Buck, you'll like Bubba. He's one of he finest men I've ever
met. He's got the same kind of love inside him you do, Uncle Buck. He
don't know the meaning of the word, 'halfway.' If Bubba loves you, it's
all the way. You're the same damn way, Dad. I don't know how to
describe it, but there's somethin' when I'm around him I could swear
I'm with you. By the way, on the way to the diner I found our star and
sent you my love."
"I got it, cowboy, I looked up about an hour ago and sent you mine.
God, I love you, Waddie. Let us hear from you, Son. I promise, I won't
ask where you are. We trust Mr. Urial and our Lord to do the right
thing. Just know we love you, cowboy, with all our hearts."
"I love ya'll, too, Uncle Buck. Don't be hard on my dad, Uncle Buck,
he's not a bad man. He's your brother, and I love him. Tell my brothers
I love them, Dad Dan and Momma Sue. Bubba said we had enough for a
couple of calls maybe I'll call Dad Dan, Gip and Momma Sue. I'll let
you go now, but I'm so sorry I ran away. It wasn't to hurt you or my
family."
"We know that, Son. Don't go blaming yourself. I won't be hard on your
dad, but you need to know your buddy and mine, Ed, confronted him
yesterday. Told him everything about Judy and Dorothy lying to get your
dad to whip you. Ed told him he even watched Willie cut his pony. He
admitted his affair with Judy to hammer home the truth to your dad.
Morgan was devastated and cried and cried. I know he loves you in
his heart, but we ain't a' gonna' let you go back to live with him. Mr.
Urial wants you to live with Dad Dan, Gip and Momma Sue when you come
home. You got nothing to fear when you decide to come home, Son.
I's kinda hope'n Mr. Urial would let me and your Aunt Linda take care
of you when you get back, but I've trusted in the Lord this long and
ain't a' gonna' stop now. You taught me that. I keep a'
pray'n like you done told me to, Son. I wanna' believe so much
that one day you'll be mine and I'll be yours. I love you so
much, Waddie." Buck barely got the words out before his voice broke and
he started crying.
"Don't cry, Uncle Buck. You just keep on pray'n and believing
like I told you, and I promise God will make it so. I love you, too,
Dad. Goodnight." Waddie gave the phone to Bubba and he hung it up.
* * * * * * *
"You call Buck, 'dad,' Waddie?"
"I have three dads, Bubba. Morgan Lovejoy, who raised me so far and
beats me, Uncle Buck who’s my Godfather, and my brother's dad, Dan
Justin. I call him Dad Dan. Dad Dan and Uncle Buck are brothers. Their
so close they consider themselves brothers. Dan Justin's a Hell
of a man, Bubba. He means as much to me as my real dad and Morgan.
You'll fall in love with him and my brothers, I guarantee ya'!
"Is he the one you'd like to call?"
"If you think it's all right."
"Sure, go ahead."
"Waddie dialed the operator and gave her the number he wanted and the
town. She gave the information to the long distance operator and the
Justin's phone began to ring. Gip answered.
"Hello."
"Hey, little brother. Wish't I was there to give you a big hug and a
kiss, but since I ain't, I'll just have to settle for telling you how
much I love you."
"Oh, Waddie! Oh, Waddie, I love you, too. Mom,— Dad! It's
Waddie! How are you, brother? Are you all right? I've been so worried.
I should be with my brother."
"Little brother, I'm fine. I'm being taken care of by one Hell of a
nice man whose heart is as big as the damn truck he drives. His name's
Bubba, and you're gonna' to love him. I swear to you, he has the same
love in him Buck does."
"Waddie, Mr. Urial came to me and dad and told me it was all right to
confirm his suspicions. Mom picked up on it right away when dad said
something at dinner last night about your birthmark. Aunt Linda told
mom about the birthmark on her baby she gave up for adoption. Dad
figured it out like a detective. We don't never wanna' play 'Clue' with
him. They're dying to talk to you, Clay, but I'll make 'em let me say
goodbye to you. I love you so much, Waddie."
Gip handed Momma Sue the phone.
"Oh, Waddie, darlin,' I'm still stunned from last night, sweetheart. We
haven't been able to talk about anything else. We won't never tell a
soul, you know that. You have to ask your dad, here, what happened when
he saw Mr. Urial." she laughed.
"Momma Sue, it's so good to hear your voice. You know how much I love
you, and I didn't run away to hurt you, dad, or my brother. I had to,
Momma Sue. I hope you understand."
"Not another word like that, young man. We know you didn't do it to
hurt us. We thanked God, last night and will again tonight for
providing you with protection. How are you, baby? Are you all right? Do
you hurt a lot? Are you getting enough to eat?"
"I'm being taken care of by a wonderful man, Momma Sue. He's bigger'n a
damn Grizzly bear, but has the temperament of a teddy bear. He's taking
care of my wounds, and he's doing a good job mending my heart, Momma
Sue. I can't come home for a while, but I'll call and let cha'll know
how I am."
"You call us collect if you want to. Just let us hear from you,
sweetheart. You're a big part of our family, and we feel a great loss
when you're not with us. I'll let you talk to your dad. He's pacing
back and forth 'bout to have a conniption. I love you, sweetheart.
Here's your dad."
"Waddie,— my Son,— my cowboy." Dan was going to be strong for his
son but broke down when he heard Waddie's voice. Waddie started crying,
too.
"Oh, God,— I love you so much, Dad. Don't cry, Dad. I'm all right. It’s
all over now. Remember, I promised you, this was the last one I
had to go through. I'm gonna' come home to you,— I promise. We'll
be together again. I wanna' come live with you, Momma Sue and my
brother when I come back, if'n ya'll'll have me."
"You don't even have ask, Son. You're our boy, Waddie, you belong,
here, with your family. I wish you'd of moved in with us instead of
going back to live with Morgan. I'm so sorry for what you had to go
through, Son."
"It weren't your fault, Dad. You've been wonderful to me. I wouldn't
have made it, Dad, if it weren't for you, my brother, and Momma Sue's
love. I just told Bubba of my three dads it would be damn hard to
choose between Uncle Buck and you. I'm fine, Dad. Bubba's taking real
good care of me, and my wounds are healing faster than they ever have.
Don't worry about me. I have an angel by my side and a huge Grizzly
bear of a man whose become my angel down here. Treat him nice when he
comes back through, Dad. I know you'll love him as much as I do."
"You know we will, Son. Waddie, promise me you'll call us at least once
a week. Call us collect. That'll be fine."
"I have money, Dad. Them trucker friend's of Bubba's took up a
collection for me of almost three hundred dollars. I told Ms. Pearl's
story to about twenty-five of 'em tonight and the owner of the diner
paid for Bubba and my dinners. He thought my story was the funniest
thing he'd ever heard. So I'm all right, but I'm keeping my family in
my heart. By the way, Momma Sue told me to ask you what happened when
you saw Mr. Urial?"
"Remember you and Gip telling me a couple of times he almost scared the
crap out of you?"
"Oh, Lord, Dad," Waddie was laughing, "please tell me you didn't."
Waddie was really laughing.
"You don't want me to lie to you, Son. Yes, I did. I ain't ashamed of
it. It happened so damn quick, I didn't figure out 'til afterwards what
happened. Gip was fine, even waved to 'em, but I had to run for the
house." They were sharing a good laugh. Waddie was relaxed and his dad
could feel it.
"It's so good to laugh with you again, Waddie. It's good to hear you
laugh. We can't talk about anything else but you, Son, and the miracle
you'll bring Buck and Linda Sue. Momma Sue and I won't say a word, you
know that, but we're so thrilled for you and them. We know the time is
near and Mr. Urial told Buck you'd come back to live with us, so count
on it. Have you called, Buck, Son?"
"I just got off the phone with them. I love them so much, Dad, but I
need to come live with you, Gip and Momma Sue for a while."
"Don't stay away too long, Son. You're on all our minds, in our hearts,
and in our prayers. Your brother can hardly wait. I'll let him say
goodbye to you, Son. Remember,— we love you, Waddie, and we need you.
Come home to us, Son. Here's Gip."
"It's so good to hear from you, brother. Mom and dad went in the other
room,— how's that big bear? Mr. Urial said he was huge."
"Big, warm, and furry. He's bigger'n Uncle Buck. Just like we like 'em,
sweet baby, with a big ole love pump." said Waddie giggling.
"Waddie, I love you so much. You make me laugh. I miss you, brother,
down to the bottom of my gut. There's an emptiness inside me that won't
go away until I see your face again. I'll let you go,— thanks so much
for calling. Call us again, real soon."
"Okay, cowboy, I promise, I will. You be good to our big bear man when
you meet him. He's a buddy. You know how to greet your buddy, right?"
"Right, big brother. I love you."
"Love you, too, little brother, Goodnight and God bless."
Waddie hung up the phone and crawled across the bed to Bubba's waiting
arms. He shed a few tears, but he was gaining emotional strength.
Hearing the voice's of his family reassured him, and their love gave
him strength. Bubba could tell immediately.
"You wanna' be sure you call home at least once a week, Waddie. Them
folks love you beyond measure. I could tell by the sound of Dad Dan's
voice he was more than a little concerned about you. As much as he
would be his own kid, I'm sure. It's wonderful to have folks like that
who love you."
"I wouldn't have wanted to live if the angel hadn't told me about them
and Uncle Buck was my real dad. He told me they wanted me to live for
them. They deserve my love, and I deserve theirs. I'm almost there,
Bubba, but I have one more bad thing to go through. I don't care what
it is. My angel will be by my side, and after I come through,
I'll have real parents. I don't mean to take away from my love for my
other dad, Morgan. I'll always love him, but our relationship has to
change. I'll love him because I want to, and not because he's my dad.
He'll learn to love and trust me, and I'll help him get away from those
awful people."
"You think you can forgive him, Waddie?"
"Of course, Bubba, he's my dad, I love him. He thought he was doing the
right thing, but he was so confused. Then the beatings became sexually
stimulating to him, and he'd beat me 'til he shot his load in his
pants."
"Oh, God, sweet baby, I've been there. My old man got to where he
preferred whipping me with his bull whip to get off than sleeping with
my ma. I was getting tied up and whipped sometime three times a week.
My ass never got a chance to heal. I felt like you, if he'd just let me
make love to him, suck his dick, get him off,— he wouldn't have even
had to tell me he loved me. Just let me give him my love. I even
yelled to him one time, 'For God's sake, Dad, if you're gonna' whip me
to get your rocks off at least yell to me you love me then make love to
me afterward.' He told me only perverts did that. Makes me laugh to
think about it today. He'd whip me 'til my ass looked like ground round
to get his rocks off, but to tell his son he loved him, would make him
a pervert."
"Then you understand why I asked Ed to teach me?"
"Sure I do, cowboy."
"That's only half the truth, though, Bubba."
"I done figured that,— " Bubba giggled.
"I really enjoy it. I like the taste." Waddie said almost
regretfully.
"Ain't nothing wrong with that. I'm pretty damn fond of it myself. You
ready to get cleaned up and hit the sack, little buddy?"
"Yeah, I am. You know what? I think laying there uncovered all
afternoon helped, Bubba. You sure know what you're doing. It feels a
lot better'n it did. I was able to sit there all through dinner, and it
never got too uncomfortable. Thank you, Bubba." Waddie said to Bubba
softly. He was serious.
"Come 'mer, cowboy." Bubba took Waddie in his big arms and stole a
kiss. "That's what a buddy's for, Waddie, but you know that. You'd a'
done the same for me."
"Damn right, I would, big man." Waddie said strongly.
"Let's get undressed and clean up, Son."
Waddie pulled his boots off and Bubba started getting undressed, too.
It didn't take them long to shuck their clothes off and were heading
for the shower. Bubba sat down on the toilet again.
"Lemme' see, cowboy." said Bubba. He turned Waddie's backside to him.
Waddie was right. His butt healed a lot from the time he last medicated
him. It was beginning to lose some of the redness. His face was still
bruised but even his black eye was changing from a dark purple to a
light yellowish purple.
"Looks a lot better, sweetheart! Are your jeans hurting you to wear?"
"No, Sir. Not a bit."
"Good. We'll have to get you another couple of pair, but I think I'll
leave that to the boys. They got more time to do that than I do. C’mon
lets do it."
Bubba adjusted the shower and the two men got in. Once again, Bubba
gently and tenderly bathed Waddie's butt, back and face. Then he wasn't
quite so gentle on the rest of him, but he got him clean. Waddie
insisted he do the same for Bubba. Bubba didn't know about that but
thought he'd humor the kid. He was surprised, Waddie did a damn good
job; even washed his old dick ever so gently.
"Who taught you how to do that, Waddie?"
"I've been showering with my dad, Buck, for about five years; ever’
chance I get, and I get to bathe him. I couldn't when I was smaller
'cause I couldn't reach everything. Still he'd sit down and let me wash
and rub his tired old back for him."
Bubba got a big old hard-on and Waddie's sprang up, too. They both
giggled.
"You gonna' let me have a big ole taste of that pretty thing tonight,
buddy?" Waddie winked at Bubba teasingly.
"Well, I don't know. Do you really want it? You ain't obligated,
Waddie. I'm taking care of you 'cause I love you."
"Yeah, I really want to and wouldn't I be doing the same,...'cause I
love you? I need to do something for you, Bubba,... and you don't need
to do nothing in return. You've all ready done enough for me."
"What if I want to?"
"I wouldn't mind but not tonight, okay! I just want to relieve you,
Bubba. You been driving that big old truck all damn day. Let your
running buddy relax you, and then, I'll rub your old back for ya.'"
Waddie looked into Bubba's eyes, "Please, Bubba?"
Bubba didn't say anything but started toweling Waddie gently. When he
finished, Waddie toweled him dry, and dried his big back for him.
Bubba medicated Waddie again, they went into the bedroom turned out the
lights, but left the light on in the bath with the door barely
cracked. A small amount of light came in the room. Bubba opened
his big arms, and Waddie crawled up into a bear hug and a kiss. This
time Waddie found Bubba's mouth, gently brushed his lips across his
buddy’s as a tease and an invitation. Bubba, gently kissed Waddie and
let Waddie take over.
Waddie could feel the huge, bear-man's beautiful dick getting more
erect, but Bubba was like Ed, he never got fully erect. He was hard
enough to do any job he wanted, but it had a nice give to it. Bubba's
foreskin wasn't as long as Ed's. When Bubba became erect it pulled back
to where the head was just peaking our from underneath. Waddie
moved down to Bubba's crotch, started licking and kissing Bubba's dick
and balls. He started slathering it up with his own saliva to help
lubricate his throat. Bubba's penis was going to present a challenge
but one Waddie felt he'd been trained for.
Bubba was beginning to writhe under Waddie's tongue bath. Waddie took
just the head in his mouth while he grabbed Bubba's cock around the
base. He plunged the entire length down his throat, removing his
hand on the way, and didn't stop until that sucker was all the way in
his mouth. His lips were pressed tight against Bubba's belly.
Bubba sucked in a volume of air at Waddie's rapid swallowing of his
cock. His eyes got real big, he started to pull back, afraid for the
boy; however, Waddie had his hands up under Bubba's butt and was
pulling him forward locking him into his throat.
Waddie felt Bubba erupting his good, hot bear come way back down his
throat. He hung on to Bubba until he erupted another shot then quickly
pulled back to take Bubba's final volley in his mouth. He tasted like a
big ole bear should, Waddie thought; strong but a little sweeter than
Ed's with a faint hint of clover. All bears love clover honey.
Waddie laughed to himself at how quickly Bubba shot. He wasn't ready
for Waddie's kamakazie attack with his throat. Well, he told him he'd
been trained good by coach Ed. Waddie was a little smug and proud of
himself. He knew he could take that big thing with no problem. He
passed the test. He was ready for the big leagues. Bubba pulled
him up to his face and kissed Waddie in a passionate kiss. This time
Bubba didn't let Waddie take the lead. He was in charge of this kiss.
He was thanking his little buddy for taking him.
"Oh, sweet baby, I hope I didn't disappoint you. I usually don't shoot
that fast, but I wasn't expecting that. Damn, you weren't kidding when
you told me your coach trained you well. Son of a bitch,— ain't never
had that happen to me before. Never had anybody take all of me,
especially on the first lunge."
"Don't be silly, bear-man, I did exactly what I set out to do; take
you, relax you, and then, rub your back for you. By the way, your come
tastes wonderful. Taste like a big bear should, strong, wild and sweet."
Bubba laughed at Waddie and just shook his head in amazement.
"Anytime you want another taste of bear honey, cowboy, it's yours for
the take'n. You've convinced me, but next time I get to return the
favor."
"Well, I can't come yet, Bubba. My balls are just beginning to descend,
my voice is changing, I got a few hairs around my dick and balls, but I
ain't far enough along to come yet. I'd rather you wait until I can
give you a little more than a dry heave. I love taking care of you, big
man. Now roll over, and let your running buddy rub your tired old back."
Bubba smiled, kissed Waddie again quickly, and rolled over on his
stomach. Waddie sat gently on Bubba's butt and began to rub his lower
back and spine. He heard Bubba let out a deep sigh. Waddie rubbed the
big man's back really good until he heard Bubba's breathing change and
knew he drifted off to sleep. He continued rubbing him for another five
minutes or so, and then, lay down beside the big man on his stomach. He
no sooner pulled the sheet over them when he felt a giant, hairy arm
fall around his shoulders pulling him tight. He felt a gentle kiss on
his cheek as he drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Waddie moved down to Bubba's crotch again and gently
took him into his mouth. Bubba immediately began to get hard. Waddie
didn't do his throat plunge. He cleaned under Bubba's foreskin real
good which began to get the big man's attention. Waddie felt a big hand
gently on the back of his head as Bubba petted him urging him on. Then
Waddie took several deep strokes on Bubba's cock and once again felt
the big man breathe deeply. Waddie held still with Bubba's penis shoved
almost all the way down his throat. He didn't want Bubba to come right
away. He was enjoying the taste of his buddy's dick and wanted to
pleasure him some more. He began to take small strokes on Bubba's penis
with his throat. Bubba was moaning and rubbing Waddie's head with both
hands. Waddie started his long sucking plunges on Bubba's dick, and
felt the vibrations as it swelled, getting ready to erupt.
"Can't hold it any longer, cowboy."
Waddie was greedy and wanted all the bear honey that morning. He got it
in three, stout shots into his mouth. He lay there on his side gently
sucking on Bubba's dick. Bubba didn't try to get him to pull off,
he just lay there breathing gently after his climax and allowed Waddie
to gently suck. Waddie rolled a little to his side still sucking Bubba
and started jacking off. The better it felt the more of Bubba's
semi-flaccid penis he worked down his throat. He was in heaven. He
didn't stop 'til once again his lips were pressed tightly against
Bubba's pubic hair on his belly.
Waddie was gently working it and felt Bubba swelling once again. He
wanted to time this perfectly. He stopped jacking off, and reached up
with his hand to pull the skin back on Bubba's dick to expose the head
in his throat. He could feel Bubba move with ecstacy when his
foreskin was pulled to the base of his dick and held there by Waddie's
lips. Waddie started jacking off again making slow movements on Bubba's
dick. About the third stroke he could feel Bubba erupt again way
down his throat. Waddie reached his own dry climax at the same time. He
was exhausted but lay there with Bubba's dick still down his throat.
Bubba had cradled his head in his huge hands and was letting Waddie
take as much as he wanted.
Finally, Waddie slowly withdrew and cleaned the last of Bubba's bear
honey out from under his foreskin. When he finished, Bubba pulled him
up to him and held him. He kissed him again in a passionate kiss that
made them hard again. He could taste his own fresh come in Waddie's
mouth.
"I sure wish Urial would let me take you on as my running buddy for a
while. Never had anyone do what you done last night and this morning
with so much love. I could feel you really wanted to please me, sweet
baby, and that made it all the more important to me. It's one thing to
get your rocks off, but to have someone love you and want you,— well,
that's about as good as it gets. You were right. I have to remember to
thank coach Ed if I meet him. Just kidding, cowboy, I'd never do that."
"I know, and you're right. I do love you, and I wanted you. You have
great tasting come, Bubba, and I like sucking it out of my big bear
buddy. Wish't I could be your running buddy for a while. Maybe after
this is over, I could run with you a week or two during the summer."
"Well, if it happens, I couldn't think of a better running buddy."
Bubba said as he stole another kiss. "Gotta go get rid of our piss
hards. I may need help again, cowboy, how 'bout you?"
"Oh, Hell, yes, Buddy! It's always better taking a piss if'n your buddy
holds it for you." Waddie giggled as they walked to the head and
decided to piss in the tub again. Once again Waddie closed his eyes and
enjoyed Bubba's huge hand around his dick, feeling the flow of piss
running through the big man's penis. They finished, Waddie shook
Bubba's, and he shook Waddie's. He was a little more within accepted
social norms this time. Waddie giggled to himself.
They got into the shower, and Bubba gently washed Waddie. This time he
just handed Waddie the wash cloth. Waddie didn't linger and take as
much time because he knew Bubba needed to get underway; however, he did
a good job. Bubba was happy. Bubba medicated Waddie again and
went to check out while he got dressed. Waddie was hardly sore. He got
his jeans on without wincing. They threw their stuff in the truck
and walked to the diner for breakfast. Many of the same truckers were
there including handsome Darrell. Waddie greeted them all by name being
sure to use 'Mister' before each one's name.
"How you feeling this morning, Waddie." Darrell asked concerned.
"A lot better, Mr. Darrell, thanks. Bubba put more of his ointment on
me and it does a good job of killing the pain. I seem to be healing
faster than other times."
"Good, Son. Glad to hear that. Your black eye don't look so bad this
morning either. Bubba's a fine man. He'll take good care of you."
Darrell said with conviction.
"He's been damn good to me, Mr. Darrell. They don't make 'em any
better'n my buddy."
Bubba leaned over and stole a kiss behind Waddie's ear. Waddie blushed,
and the truckers all went, "Aaaawww." That just made him blush more,
and then, he giggled.
They had a big breakfast and got on the road to Austin. Bubba said they
should be there around noon. Waddie wasn't looking forward to it. That
would mean he'd have to give up his buddy, and he knew that was going
to rip his heart out. Of course, Waddie hadn't yet seen Bubba's two
buddies he was instructed to take Waddie to. They were two juniors who
would be seniors in the fall at the University of Texas and were both
major players on the football team. They were having to make up a
couple of courses in summer school to continue playing in the fall.
They hadn't flunked. They made better than decent grades; however, a
lot of the players opted to take lighter loads in the fall, and make
them up in summer school so they'd have more time to devote to football
in the fall.
During the summer, most of the team lived off campus in various
room and board homes. Bubba's two buddies had a room in a big room and
board home owned by a widow named Mrs. York. She had a heart of gold
and loved her boys. She had six men that summer and provided three
meals a day for them except on Sunday. They had to provide for
themselves on Sundays; however, Sunday evenings she'd set
out cold cuts, sliced chicken, turkey, or ham for sandwiches.
She'd provide bread, lettuce, sliced tomatoes, potato chips, mustard,
mayonnaise, pickles, relish, and ice tea. It was a do it yourself meal,
and the men would always help clean up afterward. Since she used paper
plates, and cups there wasn't much to clean up, but the boys would take
out her trash.
Her usual compliment of men was from eight to fifteen men. Most of her
larger rooms were two men rooms, but she had four that were single man
rooms. Her rates were modest, the rooms clean and comfortable.
Mrs. York charged fifteen dollars a month per man for a two man room
and thirty for a single. The food was much better than eating in the
student union cafeteria. She charged forty dollars per month for board.
During the summer she wasn't so strict about insisting the men pay
board. Most did because it was cheaper than eating out, and the food
was considerably better.
During the regular semesters, if a man chose to live in one of her
rooms they were required to pay board. She always made enough for each
meal she could feed students who wanted to come for a single meal who
didn't live in her home or someone might have a guest. She charged a
flat rate of two dollars and fifty cents per meal.
Mrs. York was friendly, outgoing, caring and genuinely interested in
her boys. If one of them had a problem they could talk to Mrs. York,
and everything seemed to be a lot better. Her boys took care of
her. She didn't insist, nor was it her idea, but usually, one or
maybe two nights a week the men would bar her from the kitchen after a
good meal. They'd wash, dry, clean up and put everything away.
Many years later when Mrs. York passed away there were several hundred
fine looking successful men from all over Texas attended her funeral
with their families. Mrs. York's family was stunned by the letters,
flowers, condolences and people attending her funeral. They had no idea
she made that big of an impression on the men who stayed in her home
over the years.
* * * * * * *
The closer they got to Austin the quieter Waddie became. Bubba wasn't a
chatter box either. It was like a cloud of realization they soon would
be parted. It weighed heavily on both. They had come to love, trust and
care for each other in a short period of time. Bubba told Waddie a
little about the two men he would be leaving him with. They were
actually neighbors to the family who took him in when Bubba ran away
from his folks and gave him a home. Bubba grew up with the two
men. When Bubba ran away from his home he was hitchhiking through
the hill country of South Central Texas. He was wet, cold, hungry
without a penny to his name. He was picked up by a local rancher and
his wife who had no kids. They took him home, fed him, let him bathe
himself, gave him a comfortable bed to sleep in, and cleaned his
clothes. Their names were Gus and Dora Franz.
They told him he could stay with them for a while if he liked. Bubba
fell in love with them and worked his ass off for Gus Franz. Gus asked
Bubba why he'd run away from home, had he gotten into trouble?
Bubba turned away from Gus, dropped his jeans so Gus could see his ass.
Bubba never had to say another word to Gus. They offered him a home. He
could finish school as long as he helped Gus around the ranch. Bubba
found the home he'd always dreamed of. He loved Gus and Dora, and they
fell more in love with Bubba every year.
Bubba did well in school, and he was known by everyone in the small
community of Bandera, Texas as Hershel Franz or 'Bubba.' He got the
name Bubba from a little girl who lived on a ranch down the road from
the Franz's. The little girl was a toddler no more than four years old.
She had an older brother who was six years younger than Bubba. Their
names were Brenda Lou and Earl D. Dobbs. They were fine looking,
intelligent children, and their parents adored them.
The summer after Bubba's first year in school in Bandera, he was
awakened one night by a loud screech owl. The Franz gave Bubba his own
room, but ranch boys like to sleep in the loft of the barn during the
summers. They can let it all hang out, and the only person to come to
the barn would be their dads. In Bubba's case, it was Gus, and he was
so easy going nothing bothered him. He didn't care. Bubba was asleep in
the loft when the Owl awakened him. He sat up and looked out the door
of the barn loft. He could see all the way to the Dobbs place and saw
it on fire. Bubba pulled on his shirt, pants and boots, got one
of Gus's fastest studs, dropped on his back, hollered at Gus and Dora
there was a fire at the Dobb's place, he was going to help. Gus told
him to go.
Bubba got there, but there was no one standing around to help. He was
the first one there, and he was on his own. He knew where the boy's
room was, and climbed in through the window. Bubba could hear the
little girl crying in her room next door. He pulled the boy out the
window, and then, climbed into the little girl's room. She was crying
but saw him coming for her. She opened her little arms to him.
"Oh, Bubba! Oh, Bubba, I prayed for an angel! God sent me an
angel! He told me your name, Bubba. " she cried, "I'm so scared, Bubba.
Momma and Daddy...."
Bubba couldn't think but couldn't understand where she would get the
name, 'bubba.' Later when he ask her about it, she said the angel told
her, her new bubba was coming to get her. The angel told her, her new
'brother' was coming to get her but she couldn't say 'brother.'
It came out to be 'bubba.'
"Let me get you out of here, sweetheart, and I'll get your parents out,
I promise."
Bubba wrapped a blanket around the baby girl, he and carried her out
the window. He told her to stay with her brother, who was barely
breathing, but hadn't come around yet. She didn't want her Bubba, her
angel to leave her side. By that time Gus and Dora were there and took
over the kids. Gus told Bubba it was too late for the parents but Bubba
wouldn't listen to him. He ran around to the other side and found their
bedroom window. Bubba found both parents and handed them out to Gus.
Bubba barely hit the ground outside when the entire structure
collapsed. Five seconds later and Bubba would have been dead.
Bubba and Gus worked on the parents as Dora worked on the boy trying to
bring him around. They heard fire trucks in the distance from the
volunteer fire department, but there wasn't much they could do. They
didn't have the machines for saving people lives like they have
today; however, Bubba wouldn't give up on the boy when
everyone told him he was gone. The parents were dead from smoke
inhalation and burns. In the meantime the boy, Earl D., stopped
breathing. The firemen gave up on the boy. Bubba kept administering
mouth to mouth, but he couldn't get the boy to breathe. Suddenly, he
heard a voice in his ear,—
"Take the boy to the river, plunge his body completely into the water,
call upon my name, and he will live."
Bubba picked up the boy, and to everyone's amazement ran the fifty
yards or so to the shallows of the river. They heard Bubba say as he
ran,
"Gotta' get him to the water. Everyone,— pray for the boy,— now!"
Bubba got to the water, waded into it, fell to his knees and submerged
the boy. He threw back his head in agony and yelled to the heavens as
loud as he could in a mighty voice,
"Holy Father,— all angels who can hear my prayer. Please come to us and
save this boy,— this child,— my brother's life. I ask in the name of
Jesus Christ." Bubba thought he was a fool to be yelling this, but he
was told, clear as day, to do it. The other folks were going to think
him crazy or worse, a religious fanatic. All of a sudden the boy
jerked. His arms and legs were suddenly going in all directions at once
trying to get on his feet, to get his head to the surface of the water.
Bubba quickly raised him choking and sputtering. He held the boy, and
patted his back to get all the water out as he wretched and coughed.
The boy started crying and clung to his big brother like the baby girl
had done earlier. His Bubba saved his life with the help of a miracle.
Several folks rushed after Bubba to get him to give up or stop. They
had no idea what he was doing. They got there just in time to hear
Bubba yell at the top of his voice to God and his angels to save the
boy. They all witnessed a blueish glow form the opposite shore,
come floating across the water, surround Bubba and the boy underwater.
Ten men witnessed the boy begin to move in Bubba's arms. Several waded
out to Bubba to help him, but Bubba had the situation under control.
Gus was in the water by Bubba's side as he released the boy to two
firemen to take to him to the shore. Gus grabbed Bubba, hugged him
close, and called him 'Son.' Bubba broke down in Gus's arms, and cried
like a baby. Gus, who never showed much emotion, did that night. He was
strong for his boy, but he sure as Hell shed a few tears.
"Dad, I feel so bad. I couldn't save the Dobbs. Oh, Dad,---" he cried
and cried in Gus's arms as he comforted his boy. Five of the other men
who witnessed the miracle, waded out to Gus and Bubba, put their arms
around the boy for comfort and their approval of his heroic actions.
"Listen to me, Son,— if you hadn't been sleeping in the barn, saw the
fire, was quick thinking enough to take the stallion bareback, the kids
wouldn't be alive. You did the right thing, Son, and I'm damn proud of
you. You called on the Lord for a miracle, and ten men witnessed
it. There ain’t no doubt in any man's mind standing here what
they saw. If you didn't do what that voice told you to do, the boy
wouldn't be alive. I'm proud of you, boy,— proud to call you my son."
The other men confirmed what Gus said, and took turns hugging Bubba.
While it was a sad time, Bubba became a minor celebrity within the
small community. The children were well known in the community, and
nobody wanted to see them sent to an orphanage. From that day
forth, Brenda Lou followed her savior everywhere. She would toddle
after him, or he would carry her to where he was working. Bubba would
put down an old quilt, she'd sit in the shade, and watch her Bubba
work. She would color in her books or draw in a small tablet Dora found
for her. Sometimes she'd lay on the old quilt Dora gave her to
sit on and take a nap. She never ventured off the quilt as long as she
could see her Bubba. When Bubba got through working, he'd piggy
back her back to the house. She didn't want her Bubba out of her sight.
She never asked,— she just moved in with the Franz's. Bubba was hers,
he lived with the Franzs, so it seemed logical she had to as well. Her
parents left her and went to heaven. She didn't know about heaven, but
she knew her Bubba was here and now. She could see, touch, feel and
love him. All the safety, all her need for love and comfort from her
parents was immediately transferred to her Bubba. If anyone even
so much as suggested she might like to live somewhere else, Brenda Lou
would scream with fright and run for the protection of her Bubba's big
arms. Bubba was sent to her by an angel, and she damn well wasn't going
to let go of him. He was the angel God sent her.
The angels took her parents to heaven and gave her, her new Bubba in
return. He saved her life. He was her Bubba and no one else’s. He
became her only reason for living. Bubba would hold her by the hour,
soothe her, steal a kiss, and tell her everything was going to be all
right, not to worry, he loved her.
The community wanted to keep the kids together. Gus and Dora fell in
love with Brenda Lou and asked Bubba how he'd like a little sister?
Bubba didn't answer he just smiled real big. They didn't need a verbal
answer, they all ready knew how their boy would vote. He didn't want to
let go of his little angel either. She'd become a precious treasure to
him, Dora and Gus.
The neighbors, the Crenshaws, all ready had six boys and figured one
more wasn't gonna' be that much more to handle. Besides their oldest
boy was the same age as Earl D. and they were inseparable buddies. Earl
D. sat as family at the Crenshaw's table on many occasions and spent
the night in their home with his best buddy, Billy Bob, many times. He
loved and admired Mr. Crenshaw, and he thought Mrs. Crenshaw was a
saint. Since the two kids were right next door, they could see each
other anytime they wanted. It worked for everyone.
Brenda Lou now had eight brothers and fell deeply in love with her big
brother, Bubba. Her brother, Earl D. and her became closer than
they were before the tragedy. They spent a great deal of time
together. She slowly began to accept the entire Crenshaw family
as a greater extension of her own family. The poor boy who first
asked her for a date was scrutinized by two sets of parents and eight
brothers. God help the boy if he made the smallest mistake.
Brenda Lou was the first one to call Hershel Franz, 'Bubba,' the night
he came through her bedroom window. Bubba loved the name. He wasn't
sorry to give up the name Hershel. Within six months no one in town
knew who Hershel Franz was, but ask them for ‘Bubba' and they'd tell
you he was the Franz's boy. Bubba took his little sister to school her
first day. He made sure she wasn't afraid and checked on her at recess,
lunch, and took her by the hand after school to see her safely home.
Brenda Lou had a champion she could go to with any problem, and it
didn't seem so bad after Bubba listened to her. Bubba was never too
busy he couldn't stop what he was doing, let his little sister crawl
into his lap, and tell him her fears and troubles. Bubba had a way of
making her biggest problem seem small and manageable. At first
she missed her parents a lot, but Dora, Gus and her Bubba gave her lots
of love and understanding. Within two years she considered them her
family. With her brother's approval, Brenda Lou took Gus and Dora's
name and became Brenda Lou Franz. Gus and Dora were so proud. They had
two of the best kids in the county.
Brenda Lou's brother became Earl. D. Crenshaw. One of the Crenshaw
boys. The Crenshaws had one more child hoping against hope for a girl.
It turned out to be a boy as well. A couple more and they would've had
enough for their own football team. Between Bubba, another boy on a
ranch across the way, Billy Wayne Moffet, and the six bigger Crenshaw
boys, they had some wonderful football games between them. They played
and worked together all through school.
In the fall there were two weeks the boys were always out of school.
They were in the fields from sunup to sundown getting in the winter hay
for the ranchers. They'd go from ranch to ranch with their dad's until
every rancher in the grange got his hay in. The boys and their dads
would sleep in the lofts in the barns, and the women would take over
the house. The women would follow from ranch to ranch to provide three
meals a day for a hungry crew of men who were working hard all day
long. Ever hear the term, 'Eating like a hay hand in mowing season'?
Until you've witnessed it you have no idea its meaning.
The larger boys and men would walk along beside a big flat bed trailer
usually pulled by several large horses. The hay bailer would've gone
before, bailed and wire wrapped the bails. The men would wear gloves
and with one hand on one bail and one on another throw them up onto the
flat bed where the smaller boys would stack and arrange the load. They
would walk beside the large flatbed trailers from early morning, break
for lunch, then all afternoon. Their bodies grew unbelievably large in
two weeks. It was like two weeks at a weight lifting camp. Their upper
body development would double in size from what it was before. It
was just the kind of development every small town football coach loved
to see. Their upper bodies and arms were so hugely developed they could
practically walk over their competition. Unless, of course, they were
playing another small Texas town were the boys did the same thing. Then
they really had to play to win.
Gus let Bubba play all four years in high school and he lettered every
year. He was offered a scholarship to Texas A&M and SMU but he
didn't want to go to college. He wanted to stay home and help Gus
another couple of years to get the place in better shape. Then Bubba
could leave knowing Gus would have an easier go of it. Besides, he
wasn't ready to leave the folks he'd come to love and who loved him so
much; especially, his little sister, Brenda Lou, and the two older
Crenshaw boys, Earl D. and Billy Bob.
The year after Bubba graduated, the high school was looking for an
assistant coach and asked Bubba if he wanted the job. He talked it over
with Gus and Dora. They urged him to take it. He'd have plenty of time
to help Gus. He always worked more for Gus than he ever asked him to.
Bubba thought about learning to drive a big rig truck for a living. He
thought he might enjoy truck driving. It was just beginning to be a big
industry in the U.S. Bubba wanted to make money and save it to
buy himself a truck and hit the road. He worked as assistant coach in
the small town for six years. He was such close friends and companions
with the two Crenshaw boys, he wanted them to do their best to attract
scouts from the universities. They wanted to go to college but knew
their family didn't have the money to put them through. Bubba was going
to make damn sure they were offered scholarships. Bubba coached them,
drilled them, until they thought they would drop dead in their tracks,
but their team was state champions the last three years they
played. They attracted every scout from all the major
universities.
Texas University at Austin offered them the best deal, and they went
for it. They both wanted to become large animal veterinarians. Bubba
saved up enough money those five years to afford a down payment on his
own rig, but first, Bubba had to learn to drive a truck. They didn't
have trucking schools in those days. You found a man who was willing to
take you own as a running buddy who would teach you to drive. They
would agree to pay a small amount for living expenses, but it was
barely subsistence. Some drivers would pay more than others.
Bubba began to hang around truck stops, and met Red Dog. Red Dog liked
Bubba, offered to teach him to drive, and asked if he wanted to be his
running buddy? Bubba jumped at the chance. He drove with Red Dog for a
couple of years, then bought his own truck. Red Dog was good to Bubba,
and, after six months, gave Bubba a third of his profits on any hauls
they made. Red Dog was a good looking man but somewhat of a
loner. He told Bubba if he awoke in the night and Bubba caught him
jerking off to roll over and go back to sleep. He'd do the same for
Bubba. Men had to relieve themselves sometime. It was natural, and he
didn't expect Bubba not to if he did it. It happened several times, but
Bubba never seemed to jack off in front of Red Dog.
Bubba was attracted to Red Dog, but never did anything with a grown man
before other than Gus. He and his buddies at home use to suck each
other off all the time. Gus caught them one night and tried to talk to
Bubba. Bubba begged Gus to let him suck him off 'cause he loved his old
man. It would be his way of showing Gus how much he loved him. As easy
going as Gus was about everything, he ended up getting his dick sucked.
Got to where old Gus would ask his boy if he'd mind helping him out in
the barn for a while in an evening. Bubba would know what his dad
needed from of the smile on Gus's face. Bubba was more than willing to
help his old man out. He never said 'no' to Gus. He loved him and loved
playing catcher for his dad. At least Gus would hug Bubba, kiss him and
tell him how much he loved and appreciated his boy. That was enough for
Bubba.
Bubba and Red Dog talked a lot to pass the time. After they'd been
running buddies for about a year they were talking one evening, and the
conversation came around to jacking off.
"I don't never see you jacking off, Bubba. Do you jackoff?"
"Sure, Red Dog. I mostly do it in the shower. You've caught me several
times, you just didn't know it. I never let it bother me, I went ahead
and finished."
"Years ago, I used to have me a running buddy who took care of that for
me. I never had to jack off. Best running buddy I ever had, but he went
off with another trucker as his running buddy. Guess the grass was
greener or the dick was sweeter." Red Dog laughed. "Didn't have a
running buddy for a long time after that. Ain't telling you that,
Bubba, to give you no wrong ideas. I don't expect that of any running
buddy I take on. It just happened between him and me, and it was so
good. I couldn't say no." Red Dog laughed nervously like maybe he
shouldn't have been so honest with Bubba. Bubba was a third again
bigger than Red Dog and could've stomped his butt.
"Why the Hell didn't chu' tell me about that when I hired on to run
with you, Red Dog?" asked Bubba sort of disgusted. Red Dog thought
Bubba sounded pissed.
"It weren't no big deal, Bubba. It just happened,— probably won't never
happen again,— but I's just being honest and sharing something with you
I thought you could handle. Didn't mean no harm. It was more of a
compliment."
"No harm?! You mean to tell me I could've been sucking that big, fine
looking, dick of yours all this time, help'n my buddy out, and you
didn't let me know? I'd say that's pretty Goddamn selfish of you, Red
Dog." Bubba said angrily, then threw back his big head and roared with
laugher.
"You're joking me, right, Bubba? You're just yank'n my chain."
"Think you can drive with two broken arms, buddy?"
"I don't wanna’ try,— why?"
"I ever catch you playing with yourself again, while I'm your buddy,
I'll break both of 'em!"
Red Dog howled with laughter. "That wouldn't be fair, Bubba, I can't do
you back. I can't bring myself to do it."
"Who said anything about you doing me back? Fact is, if you don't know
what you're doing, I don't want you doing me. I do expect you to let me
jack off while I'm doing you, or after I take your load laying there
with your dick in my mouth, suck'n on it."
"Well, I sure as Hell don't want to have to learn to drive with two
broken arms, so I guess you got yourself a deal, cowboy." Red Dog
laughed, and offered Bubba his hand to shake.
"Let's make it official. There's a rest stop 'bout fifteen miles up the
road. Pull off, climb in the sleeper, pull your pants down, and let
your buddy have a big ole taste of the Red Dog. Might as well, you're
hard as a rock and pissing in your jeans as it is, just a' think'n
'bout it." Bubba howled in laughter at his buddy.
Red Dog smiled, but didn't say anything. He stomped the accelerator,
pedal to the metal, pulled off at the rest stop, away from the other
trucks and cars. He sat the air breaks and climbed into the sleeper as
fast as he could, undid his jeans and shoved them down to his boot
tops. Bubba climbed into the sleeper with his running buddy and sucked
him off three times; once for Red, once for him and one more for the
road.
They were the perfect pair of running buddies. Red Dog didn't expect
Bubba to relieve him every night. Bubba wouldn't have minded. It took a
load of his mind, too. Bubba got to where he could tell when his buddy
needed relief. Nothing seemed go right for Red Dog for a couple of
days. He'd get irritable, fussy, grumpy and find no humor in life
whatsoever. Finally, in desperation, Bubba would look at Red Dog, pull
the truck off at a truck stop or a rest area.
"Get chur’ Goddamn ass in the sleeper and them jean's of your'n better
be down around your boot tops ,or I'm a' gonna' rip those sucker off'n
you. You been moan'n and a' groan'n for three damn days. I know my
buddy well enough to know what the Hell he needs. Not a word! Hit the
sleeper, Son!"
Red Dog would smile sheepishly, tuck his tail between his legs, climb
into the sleeper, undo and shove his jeans down and be hard as a rock
by time Bubba climbed in after him. Bubba would usually get him off two
maybe three times to make sure the cure took.
Talk about attitude change in a man. Red Dog would be at peace with the
world. Nothing would get to him. He became thoughtful, caring, loving
and funny. Bubba would laugh his ass off at his friend. He would never
admit it but Red Dog fell hard for Bubba and still loves him.
Red Dog heard about a damn good deal on a truck for sale but almost
didn't tell Bubba about it, because he didn't want to give up his
running buddy. Red Dog came to love and care for his buddy more than he
was willing to admit, but he knew Bubba wanted his own rig. Red Dog
loved Bubba so much, if Bubba wanted his own truck, that's what Red Dog
wanted for him.
The guy was going to lose his truck. All Bubba had to do was pay the
man a couple thousand cash, take over the payments, and in a year the
truck would be his. Bubba didn't want to do that, he paid off the
truck, and it was his, free and clear. Red Dog never knew Bubba had any
money.
The last night they were together, Bubba sucked off his partner for the
last time as running buddies. Then Red Dog surprised the Hell out of
Bubba when his buddy insisted on doing him. He wasn't very good at it,
but he did his best and got Bubba off. He even gaged his come down, and
decided it didn't taste as bad as he thought it might. It was the first
night Red Dog ever made love to another man. Red Dog could've kicked
his own ass later for not having made love to the big, gentle, loving
man who slept by his side so many nights. He didn't understand the love
he had riding by his side all that time. After that, Bubba and Red Dog
would run into each other and share a room together. Red Dog got better
and better at taking his buddy and never failed to make love to
Bubba. He also never failed to tell Bubba, if he ever got tired of
running solo, come back, run with him and they'd be equal partners.
Bubba could keep the books.
* * * * * * *
The big eighteen-wheeler pulled up in front of Mrs. York's rooming
house, and two big cowboys came bounding down the front steps from the
house. They opened the truck door on Waddie's side and welcomed him.
Earl D. and Billy Bob Crenshaw were two of the finest looking cowboys
Waddie ever encountered.
"Howdy, Waddie,— come on,— get chur' purtie' little cowboy ass down out
'a that damn truck 'for that big ugly man sittin' next to you decides
to drive away and keep you all to hisself." Earl D. open his arms to
Waddie and laughed as he joked about Bubba. Waddie felt drawn to the
good looking cowboy and his brother Billy Bob. He knew these were the
men Mr. Urial picked to take care of him.
"Now, calm yourself, brother,— you don't get him all to yourself,
neither,— does he, Waddie? He's too damn good looking for the likes of
you anyway!" Waddie was awestruck. He hadn't even been introduced to
these two men and here they were fighting over him, joking like old
friends. Bubba came around the truck. Earl D. passed Waddie to Billy
Bob and grabbed Bubba in a big bear hug.
"Damn, Bubba! It's good to see you again! Gimme' a kiss!" Waddie
watched as the two men kissed in broad daylight right on the mouth.
"Little sister sends her love. Don't forget, she graduates next year,
and if you're not there the Earth will stop spinning on its axis, big
brother. That's a plea from all of us who love you and her. It would
not be pretty to miss her graduation. She talks about nothing else but
her Bubba. You spoil her rotten. If'n I didn't love you so much, I'd be
jealous."
Billy Bob put Waddie down and he was grabbed up again by Earl D.
"He don't know how to greet a brother, Bubba. Give me a huge hug and a
big ole kiss. Bubba was laughing like crazy at the two men's
foolishness, and he did as asked. Billy Bob laughed, too. "Damn, Bubba,
you get better at that ever' time we see you. Someone’s been teaching
you a few new tricks, eh?"
Bubba looked at Waddie and winked. Waddie blushed beet red. The two
cowboys looked at each other and both went, "Ahaaa. We know who's
been teaching our old bear. It be that handsome young cowpoke you be
holding there, brother. Think he could teach us old cowboys a thing or
two?" Earl D. kissed Waddie behind his ear. Waddie giggled like crazy.
"I'd be willing to bet that young'un could teach you two hicks more'n a
couple of things, wise guys. He sure as Hell taught me more'n a couple,
and I'm seriously thinking about keep'n him on as my running buddy.
He's a wonderful little man, a good buddy, and fine company. I won't be
shy with the two of you, old Bubba fell for him, big time. He grabbed a
holt' of my old heart, and won't give it back. Now, you two
better be damn good to 'em or you're gonna' have to answer to me, ya'
hear?"
"He's just in time. We'll get him set up here, but we're planing on
driving down to Bandera this evening to spend the weekend and come back
Sunday night."
Waddie looked at Bubba. Bubba knew what that look meant. He told Waddie
he was going to unload, come back and spend the night with him before
picking up another load tomorrow and heading back. Billy Bob saw the
exchange.
"Damn, Bro. You do have it bad for this handsome young man. You were
gonna' come back after you unloaded, and spend the night with him,
weren't you?"
Bubba and Waddie blushed in unison as Bubba winked at him.
"No problem. C'mon back, and have dinner with us. We'll get the
young'un set up, and come spend the night. You get up at the crack of
dawn anyway. We'll get up and head out tomorrow morning. Don't make us
no never mind. How's that sound to you, Waddie?"
"Great, Guys! I was a' praying I'd have one more night in my big
Grizzly's arms. It's tough to let him go. He weren't the only man in
that truck what fell in love. He's my hero, and I ain't ashamed to tell
nobody I love him." Waddie said with pride looking directly into
Bubba's eyes.
"Woah, Bubba,— this man be serious!” said Earl D., “We hear ya,'
Waddie. We understand. The reason I'm standing here today, holding you,
is because that man risked his life to pull me and my baby sister out
of a burning house. He went back for our parents, and damn near lost
his life getting them out. Even though he got 'em out, it was too late
for them. I was dead, but Bubba wouldn't give up on me, took me to the
river, baptized me, call on the name of the Lord for a miracle, and I
came to life. Of course, I was underwater when I came to and
thought he was trying to drown me. He raised me right up, held me as I
was choking and coughing, but I was breathing. You gotta' love a man
who would risk his life for you."
"Hell, he's done a lot for all of us. He's helped me and my brother,
here, through school. Sends us money when we most need it. We never
know how he figures out we're busted, but the next morning, they'll be
a note from Bubba with money in it. We kid him about spoiling our
little sister, but shit,— he's just as bad with us. He's our greatest
fan. We can hear him in stands over thousand of people.
"ALL RIGHT CRENSHAWS,— GET OFF YOUR DEAD ASS'S AND
SCORE!" We know better'n not to. We can take the fans
disappointment, but when we have to face him, neither Earl D. nor I can
do that. We don't like to disappoint our big bubba. If that weren't bad
enough, we got a sister, six younger bothers and two dads to rag our
ass's when we get home." The three big men fell out laughing at Billy
Bob's statement.
"Ah, you guys don't have to change your plans for me." Bubba said.
"Are you kidding, did you see the look in that young man's eyes when
you said that? If you promised him you'd be back tonight, you damn well
better be back, right, brother?"
"He's rarely right about anything, but he scored one for the home team
on that one, Bubba. Don't chu' worry, none, cowboy. He'll be back.
Think you can put up with us 'til then?"
"Two fine looking cowboys like you and your brother. I think I might be
able to handle it. If'n my running buddy loves you, I don't have no
choice but to love you."
"You guys come on in. Bubba, y'ain't never met Mrs. York, have
ya'?" Bubba shook his head and walked up the stairs with the two big
men. Waddie was in love again. Damn, they were two good looking men.
"Ms. York,— we got us some company. We got our biggest brother and our
littlest brother, here, to meet you, and our littlest is gonna' be
staying with us a while."
Ms. York came to the porch wiping her hands on her apron. She took one
look at Bubba and opened her arms. She gave him a big hug and a kiss on
the cheek.
"You guys didn't miss,— he looks like a bear." she declared. She turned
her attention to Waddie, saw his bruised face, and fading black eye. A
tear came to her eyes as she silently took him into her arms and held
him.
"The boys told me, but I want to see how bad it really is. You shy
about it, Son?"
"No, Ma'am,— just embarrassed my dad would do this to me." Waddie
turned around, undid his jeans, and dropped them for Ms. York and the
two men to see.
"Oh, my God!" said Ms. York as tears started running down her face.
Earl D. and Billy Bob were visibly shaken and shed a tear or two. She
once again took Waddie into her arms and held him.
"I fully understand your embarrassment, Waddie. These two yahoos will
take good care of you, trust me. They may act like a pair of idiots,
but they got good hearts. You can put your trust in 'em. Now, you
men get washed up, we're about to have lunch. Bubba, you and Waddie are
my guest for lunch. I'll ring the bell in about fifteen minutes." she
told the men, then walked back to the kitchen.
"Well,— that's it, Bubba," stated Earl D., "you gotta' stay for lunch.
You don't turn Ms. York down when she say's you're her guest. She means
it." The two men laughed with glee at their big brother. They had a
wonderful lunch with Ms. York. Only one other student was there. The
others had gone home for the weekend. He was a graduate student working
on his master's degree in English Lit. He was a nice looking man, but
was obviously taken with the three big men at the table and Waddie.
"You've all heard the story of Cinderella and her wicked step-sisters.
Well, Waddie had a wicked step-mother, step-sister and step-brother who
ganged up on him to frame him for things his step-brother would do. His
adopted dad would beat Waddie until he made the boy lie and say he
committed the offence. His dad would feel resolved of any guilt for
beating Waddie because he'd finally beat a confession out of him.
Shades of the inquisition." Bubba said as an aside to the English
Lit major. "Anyway, Waddie and his buds, his three brothers, would
devise devilishly clever and enormously funny pranks to get back at his
step-brother, step-sister, and step-mother as well. They're so funny,
he told two of them at the truck stop we stopped at last night to an
audience of thirty-five or forty people, and they laughed their ass's
off, then stood and applauded when he finished.
If that weren't enough, the owner of the diner picked up our checks and
paid for our meals. They were on the house. Now, how often do you
have a ten year old man for a running buddy who can tell such an
outrageously funny story he gets your steak dinner, complete with
dessert, paid for by the owner? Ben, the owner, shook Waddie's hand and
told him he earned the meals for both of us and to come back anytime.
Don't be embarrassed, Son, if your running buddy crows a little about
his buddy."
"I'd sure like to hear one of your stories, Waddie." said the graduated
student named Paul. His name was Paul Lester.
"Waddie's stories are epic in proportion, Mr. Lester." said Bubba, "I'm
sure he'd be happy to tell one some evening when you have everyone
around the table to listen. People's reaction is half the joy of
listening to his stories. I made him quit telling me one before he got
to the best part because I was laughing so hard I was afraid I'd wreck
the truck. I had to pull off at a rest area to pull myself together and
told him to tell the rest at the truck stop over dinner. I knew it
would be funny, but I've never seen truckers laugh that hard and long
at anyone's story. Everyone in the place was on the floor."
"Damn, brother,— you mean we got this talented little man for our
running buddy all weekend? From the looks of him, I'll just bet
he sits a pretty good horse, too."
"Better'n pretty good, Earl D. State junior rodeo champion roper
two years in a row now. In fact, he and his brother are so good, they
won't let them compete next year. They have to compete with the big
boys." said Bubba with pride.
Billy Bob whispered something to Earl D.
"Naw, I wouldn't think so,—.” Earl D. turned to Waddie, "Y'ain't W.C.
Lovejoy are ya,' Waddie?" Earl D. asked raising an eyebrow. Bubba
smiled real big.
"Yes, Sir,— that 'ud be me."
"Holy,— excuse me, Ms. York, I almost slipped at the table. We watched
you and your brother rope at the rodeo in Mason about a year ago. Beat
our little bothers’ pants off 'em. I don't think Billy Bob and I could
beat you and your brother,— Gip,— is that his name? Gip Justin, I
believe?"
"Yes, Sir. He'd be my brother." Waddie couldn't hold back one tear that
rolled down his cheek. Bubba saw it and wiped it away with his napkin.
He put his big arm around Waddie and hugged him close.
"He talked to his brother on the phone last night and he misses him.
They're as close or closer than you two."
"Well,— you're right, Bubba. He sits a darn good horse. Better'n me or
my brother. What other fine things will we find out about this
handsome, young cowpoke, Bubba."
"Enid Justin of Justin Boots is Waddie's,— "
"She's my Uncle Enid." Waddie said without flinching. Everyone at the
table laughed including Ms. York. She got that one.
"Really? She's becoming a wealthy woman. She ever give you any boots,
Waddie?"
"Only a dozen pair so far. Six for me, six for my brother. My other
brothers have at least four or five pair apiece from her. My Uncle Buck
has twelve or fifteen. Every deputy sheriff has at least six to eight
pair from her, and my other dad, Dan Justin, her second cousin, has a
closet full. Gip and I lost count at thirty-five. Every birthday,
Thanksgiving, Christmas, here she comes with a truck load with
everybody's size. She's a wonderful, generous and thoughtful lady. We
all love our Uncle Enid and don't allow nobody to talk bad about her."
"Good for you and your brothers, Waddie!" exclaimed Ms. York. "She may
be a little different, but so are we all. We have to love the things
within us that bind us together into a family, and sometime it goes
further than blood or differences. Sometime it can be as simple as two
hearts loving each other."
After lunch the men took Waddie and Bubba upstairs to their big room.
There was a good size vacant room across the way with a large bed in
it. Bubba wanted to know if he could rent the room for Waddie. It was
large enough, if he wanted to stop by to stay a night with his buddy he
could.
"Probably can. Be good for us to have him across the hall. We thought
he'd stay with us, but he can stay wherever he's the most comfortable.
I'm sure she gets thirty a month for that room, and she wants forty for
his board. Why don't you go down and talk with her while we get to know
our new little brother? She's easy to talk to."
Bubba went down to talk with Ms. York and pay for Waddie's room and
board. Ms. York was a generous and kind lady. She was going to let
Waddie stay with the boys in their room and put a single roll away bed
in there for him. When she found out Bubba might like to stay a night
or two with his charge, she understood why Bubba wanted Waddie to
have a room of his own. She wanted thirty for the room, but she
was willing to give him a break on Waddie's board. She'd only charge
half because the kid couldn't eat that much. Bubba laughed and assured
her, he'd seen the boy pack away some food. She might regret not
charging him the full amount. Bubba insisted on paying the full amount
in case he might want to take a meal or two with them.
Ms. York agreed that would be fine. She was glad to have Waddie and
Bubba. Bubba paid her, and she gave him a receipt for the room and
Waddie's board. She handed him a set of clean sheets, pillow cases, two
pillows, and a couple of light weight blankets. The bed all ready had a
chenille spread on it. Bubba took the bed clothes upstairs and helped
Waddie make the bed. Bubba sat down with his brothers and Waddie
to talk.
"Waddie you have almost three hundred dollars from the first truck
stop. Here's another two hundred from the truck stop last night.
Darrell took up a collection and gave it to me before we left." Bubba
said as he handed Waddie the money. Waddie got tears in his eyes.
"I hope you paid Ms. York out of this."
"No, Son. That's on me. You never know when you might need that money
in the next month or so. One thing you need is some clothes. Would you
guys mind taking him out this afternoon so's he can buy some jeans,
t-shirts, and a couple of nice shirts. I'd sure appreciate it."
"No problem, brother, we were just gonna' sit around here all afternoon
anyway. We'll take him to the Western store we go to called The
'Hitch'n Post.' The owner and your Uncle Enid are old friends, Waddie."
Bubba said goodbye to his little buddy, his two brothers, and promised
he'd be back before six in the evening. Waddie hugged, kissed Bubba,
thanked him for the room, and his new friends. Bubba left with a full
heart knowing he was going to have one more night with his little
running buddy.