Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2016 20:19:18 +0000
From: TCHASE MCPHEE <survivalgame@outlook.com>
Subject: ?JoLLy RaNCHeRs? 07

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"JoLLy RaNCHeRs" 07

WriTten by T. Chase McPhee


^   0   ^


%


Alice peeled her 11-year old son away from pestering Rusty. Little Mauri
had covered the kaleidoscope of living on a ranch, everything from `what he
had to do to become a cowboy,' to the kid's highest priority, `how to ride
a horse,' in particular, Hoot!


It gave his mother a break, Mauri standing there, taking in everything
Rusty had to say.


Having caught wind of Kira, offering that celebratory drink to Rusty, Alice
involves herself, "Yeah, we should have that `girls-night-out' we've been
pushing off and take Rusty along with us!"


Just knowing, Kira, eyes beaming at Devyn, "And bring your friend along!"


Rather than Rusty, Devyn picks up on it, "Name a time and a place and we'll
be there!"


Picking up on some strange vibes, Kira asks him, "Oh? Are you into the
`ladies,' too?"


"Not at all," Devyn replies, smiling, because he knew what she was
thinking. He denied it, unsure about it.


"Oh well," Kira drops the subject. Taking Alice by the hand, she drags her
away from Rusty, "we've got plans to make!"


Alice says to the two, "we'll be in touch!"


She drags Mauri along with her.


The kid waves, "bye Rusty. Don't forget about Hoot and me?"


Rusty waves, "I won't. Promise."


Devyn turns to Rusty, "Those two...they have something going?"


In all honesty, perhaps due to his new awakening, Rusty replies, "Of course
not. Alice is a married woman!"


Keeping it under wraps, Devyn only thought it, `like, what does that have
to do with it?' For now, he was keeping it under wraps, his bisexuality,
not sure it it was really the case.


The two woman, finishing up their business, Maurice and his family split.


Left in the room, Ricky jokes to the other two, sole occupants, "Well boys,
anyone up for a threesome?"


Wise to Ricky's sense of humor, Devyn replies, "Sure. Lunch on you would be
cool, Ricky!"


Thinking it all wrong, Rusty says, "so, you weren't kidding, about having
sex with more than us, Devyn?"


"Uh," he had a questioning look on his face, scared that Rusty indeed might
have picked upon what he told Alice and Kira.


Ricky was all for Rusty's ignorance of the situation, "If it works for you
guys, it works for me!"


With no word from Rusty on the subject, it made Devyn relax.


However, not about to allow anyone else share, Devyn says, "I meant,
`lunch' lunch, like going out to a restaurant, sit down, eat `real' food
and since you're paying, order everything on the menu and, do take out?"


Still on the original premise, Ricky says, "Take out? Hmm, haven't gone
that route in a while!"


Knowing where Devyn stood, Rusty says, "You're a sick man, Ricky."


However, being a doctor, on his own time, duty does often get in the way,
Ricky's cell phone sounding like a traditional Ma Bell ringy-dingy, "Rats!"


Having had this happen on one other occasion, Rusty says, "There goes
lunch!"


True to knowledge, Ricky says, as he turns and walks towards the door,
"I'll have to take a raincheck on that lunch...and the `take out!'"


Whether Rusty caught it, Devyn saw the wink Ricky threw in their
direction. Much as he wanted to make a go at it, liking Rusty a lot, he
could not deny how hot it could be, getting down and jiggy with the `doc'!


Disturbing his thoughts, Rusty says, "Well, looks like we're on our own,"
he adds a stab of being cute, "Dusty?!"


He hadn't heard that name, since being back home, Devyn laying down the
law, "Okay, but only you can call me that. Anyone else and it's," he
punches his right fist into the left palm, making a slapping sound, "and
they're history!"


"Really?" Rusty questions, "I was even thinking that you could possibly do
harm to another person?"


Two years older, having `seen the world', perhaps Devyn was more
experienced in many things, "Of course not. Now wipe that dorky look off
your face...people might see."


Not which he hadn't thought about it before, not only being `gay', but
showing it off in public, Rusty unleashes his hand, "Right."


Devyn grabs it back, "You don't need to be shy. We are who we are. Right?"
he says with pride.


Not tugging his hand back, which he probably would not be able to do
without a struggle, Devyn holding on so tightly, Rusty found himself with
some new courage.


However, he did pull back, stop in his tracks, "How about we eat here?"


"The `greasy spoon'?"


Rusty reflects on, "After driving around with Kira all day yesterday and
then I met you, I..."


On an ever-changing merry-go-round, Rusty never felt better, than with
Devyn by his side. Hands still clutching, there was a sense of security.


On the same wavelength, feeling like at the end of a long journey, Devyn
says, "I know the feeling."


Though, rather than food, Devyn has always found consolation in lying in
bed next to a dude.


Standing there for the longest time, they didn't care if people walking by
stare or minded their own business, both tuned into each other.


Devyn finally breaks the iceberg, "Well, I guess `the greasy spoon', it
is!"


Rightfully, Rusty hadn't been in this eatery, since going off to boarding
school.


Matter of fact, it's what made him say, as he looked up at the sign, "they
changed the name!"


Like it was guessing game, Devyn responds, "Not, `The Open Door'?"


Knowing, Rusty jokes, "The Greasy Spoon?"


Devyn was astonished, "You're kidding?"


"Yeah. I am," Rusty says, but it didn't matter now, whatever it was called,
the new name bringing on a new interior.


"Nice place," Devyn says, looking about.


"I'll say," Rusty replies, thinking of the bright exterior matching the
gaily-painted outside.


Regardless, both were more enthralled by the greeting they got, "Table for
two?"


Confronted by the maitre'd, handing them each a one-page menu, the menus
are torn out of hands by a dude approaching them, "I'll take care of them,
Anders."


It's not like Rusty hadn't seen this dude in years, but surprised to find
him decked out in a chef's apron, "Luc? What are you doing here?"


Noticing Rusty giving him the once-up-and-down glance, Luc says, "The other
day, you gave me such confidence in my cooking, it landed me a job here in
town!"


While Rusty chit-chatted, Luc leading him away, Devyn hung near the podium
entry, "Hey, I'm Devyn."


Gulping down spit, Anders says, "Nice to meet you. Anders, short for
Anderson. If you're curious, don't ask. It's complicated."


Devyn liked his spunk, not literally, but dreamed of the possibilities,
"Complicated I like!"


Glancing away at Rusty and Luc talking it up, Anders asks, "You and Rusty
together?"


"Friends," Devyn left off the `boy' part. "Why? Interested kindling a
little friendship?"


Devyn was never this way, more the `church-mouse', but having cruised
cross-country, he found if you wanted something, like food, a place to
sleep, decent accommodations, sometimes you needed to barter with more than
dollar bills and loose change.


Again, looking over to the other two, Anders turns back, "What's on your
mind?"


What was on Devyn's mind was putting his cell number into Anders'
phone. His last trick, so spectacular was the ass-pumping, it earned him
his own cell phone, something he missed out on, not having an income to pay
the bill.


After each holding their cells on their palms, Devyn says, "Trade?"


Each punched in their vitals and returned cells to each other, Anders
saying, "I'll look forward to us doing...whatever!"


"Or more?" Devyn says in a devilish way.


So enchanted with Luc's story, of coming into The Open Door for a bite to
eat and not having the loot to pay, is how he met the owner, Nick Girard,
"Yeah, Nick's a sweetheart."


Rusty could tell Luc was smitten, which is why he felt he should even up
the score, looking over to Devyn. However, the scoreboard seemed out of
kilter, seeing what he saw, his so-called `boyfriend' shaking hands with
the restaurant helper. In addition to the clasp, the back of Devyn's hand
rubbed Anders a little south of the belt buckle!


What was to be gloating pride, told to anyone he met, Rusty amends his
wonderful news, "Uh, me and Devyn, we're friends."


However, Luc detects something different, "If you really want to get
serious, I might have a couple of names in my cell?"


Back at the ranch, when he first met Luc, Rusty had a feeling their paths
were going to cross again...and again, "You're a really good friend."


As if reading both of their minds, Luc says, "I know. I mean... any time
you need one, I'm here for you."


Not a sexual reaction, Rusty not having the urge to rub the back of his
hand against Luc's pubes, or anything else like it, he gives his friend a
hug, "Thanks."


What could have become melancholy mush, Luc replies, "Don't thank me
yet...you haven't met Neal yet!"


Sitting, Rusty has an eye on Devyn. However, dancing in his head was the
name, `Neal'. Though, he wasn't making any promises to himself, especially
whereas he thought something might develop between himself and Devyn, Rusty
wasn't giving up hope of ever, or never meeting Mr. Right.


Finally, Devyn approaches and sits down at the rectangular table, opposite
Rusty, saying, "Anders, he seems to be a nice guy."


Under his breath, though with no animosity, Rusty thinks, `yeah, very
nice!' Not wanting to burn bridges, leaving a grudge, "Seems very
friendly."


Then, to distract, move on, Rusty starts talking about Luc.


In the middle of praising him for being an all out, nice person, they are
interrupted, "Guys, I want you to meet the owner," Luc wanted to add, `and
the love of my life', introduces, "this is Nick."


Nick seemed a little standoffish, which anyone could mistake for just being
shy, lifts a hand for a little, "hello and welcome to The Open Door."


Rusty smiles, thinking, for a worked out guy like Luc, he had thought he
would choose a dude more like himself, physically fit, not a chunky guy,
"nice to meet you, Nick."


"Same here," Devyn says, shaking his hand.


For Devyn, that handshake was much more different from Anders. Besides,
even though he's lied about it along life's path, he wasn't really into the
`bear,' nor `cub' scenes. Though, when you're bargaining for a crust of
bread or a pillow to lay your head, beggars can't be choosy!'


Behind the scenes, Luc had done a little match-making, which Nick had
wanted in on it, "I'm right in the middle of making up my famous, family
recipe for apple pie. So if you stop in a little later, around 2 or 3,
they'll just be coming out of the oven!"


Later on, Luc would tell Nick he laid it on a little too heavy. However,
they both knew Neal's story and thought he deserved a break in life.


For Rusty and Devyn, their lunch went along as planned. Though, whereas
Devyn had thought about talking about `fathers', his vs. Marco, the
conversation was scant.


Not an idiot, Rusty knew Devyn was stealing glimpses of Anders, whenever he
got the opportunity. When Anders leaves the podium, heading to the back of
the luncheonette, Devyn suddenly has the urge, "Uh, I think I better pay a
visit to the little boy's room."


However, Rusty was never at any time left alone, Luc checking up on
him. With periodic lulls in the business, he would fill Rusty in on some
detail, of how he met Nick.


Then, quite the opposite, Nick found himself out there, talking with Rusty,
while Luc attended to something in the kitchen.


Slowly, changing off, Luc, then Nick, then Luc again, instead of their
relationship, the conversation was spun off to `Neal!'


Overall, Rusty, fed so much information over this, `Neal', he at least
promised he would be back to taste Nick's family recipe for apple pie. He
did pick up his phone, checking the time; time Devyn spent away from the
table!


"Expecting a call?" Luc asks, getting up, ready to do another table
exchange.


Not the case, Rusty chooses to hide the real reason, "uh, yeah," faking it,
"Ricky."


When Devyn did report back, right after Anders took up his station at the
podium entry way, fifteen minutes later, Rusty dropped the bomb, "Zipper
get stuck?"


"What do you mean?" Devyn acts like he's being interrogated.


"What do I mean?" Rusty giggles, showing he's not disturbed. Nodding his
head towards the entry way was enough of a hint.


Looking down, it was obvious Devyn felt guilty, "sorry `bout that.'"


Rusty would not let Devyn the courtesy to think he was stoopid, "yer fly's
still open!"


Though, it could have been innocently taking a leak, but as it stood, if
the case, it had to be at least a 40-gallon leak at that!


Further, it was comical, Devyn making up an excuse, while looking around to
see if anyone was watching him pull the tab up on his zipper.


In all, Rusty still liked Devyn, so decides to let him down easy, "By the
way, I was thinking...I'm not so sure I want to get involved with anyone
right now. In a relationship. I hope you'll forgive me?"


It could go two ways. Either Devyn stand up, or sit down. He sat down,
putting it back on Rusty, "Of course I understand. A relationship is a
serious thing to consider and if you're not ready, who am I to force it on
you?"


Rusty still takes the burden off Devyn, "I hope we can still be friends?"


"Sure we can."


When Luc personally served up their lunch items, he was glad to see the two
sitting across from each other, not `next to.' For the next hour, they
talked like friends, not boyfriends.


Time to pay the bill, Rusty for certain new he was paying, Devyn freshly
down on his luck.


Happy smile on his face, Luc says, "Oh, you thought you had to pay for all
that?"


Rusty asks, wallet half open, "are you out of your gourd?"


In those parts, that phrase meant a person was kook-a-rookie, Luc replying,
"You can tell?"


Taking Rusty's wallet right out of his hand, Luc folds it back into one
compact pouch and hands it back.


"You're not going to put it in my back pocket?" Rusty smiles.


Devyn, he wasn't paying attention, not to Rusty and Luc!


"Hmm," is all Luc says, before suddenly remembering, "Oh, by the way, it
got a little busy in here, so Nick told Neal to come in early."


Concerned with another guy showing up, while Devyn was still there, even
though he didn't think there would be any jealousy running through his
veins, Rusty dismissed the thought. If anything, Devyn would be relieved of
the guilt, if he had any? However, now out in the open, Devyn wanting
Anders and not him, "Sure. Maybe I'll have another iced tea, if you're not
going to run another bill?"


"Coming right up!"


Luc did notice too, Devyn's attention on someone else, his employee at the
door. Looking to Rusty for reaction, it didn't matter. For all intentions,
Luc thought it great that Devyn's attraction was on Anders, paving the way
for his and Nick's match-making!


In a matter of five minutes, a tall cowboy walks through the door, carrying
a satchel over one shoulder. Rusty makes no effort other than to `shop.' It
didn't cost him to look!


It didn't take Rusty too long to put 1 + 1 together. Tall, Texan for all he
knew, with that John Wayne swagger, walking behind the counter and into the
back, it had to be `him!' He prayed real hard, crossing fingers of both
hands, hoping no more cowboys would come through that door!


Before he got the gist of the situation, Anders was off duty and Devyn
scooting his chair under, making up some wild excuse that Anders had
problems with his car and he wanted to be a friend and go see if he could
get it started.


Rather than wish him well, Rusty made it clear, "We're friends. Not
boyfriends!"


Devyn knew Rusty was taking the blame, or rather the person backing out of
what seemed like a blossoming relationship, which is why he says, "I owe
you one."


Wiser now, Rusty says, "No. You both do!"


Smirking, Devyn wonders how wise it was to tell Rusty about `all' of the
whacky things that happened to him while hiking cross country. Though, as
he walked out of The Open Door, Devyn felt righteous, happy, he could share
things about his own father, his life with him and show his `friend' how
important it is to have a father in one's life.


Out of all the topics on the slate, Rusty was glad to hear things about
Devyn and his father. The clincher had been, Devyn and his dad were in the
middle of an important father-son activity, only to have his father suffer
a heart attack and die. His mom, she just couldn't handle it, coupled with
the fact, some of Devyn's peers, saw it a good time to `out the faggot!'


His last words, Devyn had wished his father were still around. He knew his
father loved him and if the gay thing were to come out, he would be more
accepting. Though, he did not get the same vibes from his mother!


The gist of Devyn's little `speech', was to enlighten Rusty on the
prospects of father-and-son-hood. Devyn told him he had another chance and
from his own opinion, didn't think Marco such a bad guy. His opinion
included `good looking' and what he was packin'!


Sitting there, Rusty didn't know what else to do, so backtracked and
self-analyzed his situation, based on Devyn's input. The way he put it,
Marco was not such bad guy and not being much different than Tim, sending
him off to boarding school, either `dad' could have a problem dealing with
own inadequacies.


Rusty figured he could give it a try.


It made Rusty smile, like Devyn was giving him an excuse for his
downtrodden behavior.


Then, out of immediate necessity, Rusty feels like he's having a heart
attack, thinking of Marco going away, leaving town.


Devyn's answer to that was, `don't let him go, that Marco might get freaked
out and not come back.'



At first he didn't know whether to call Marco himself, or Ricky. Thinking
either Ricky would screw it up, or `forget,' Rusty whips Marco's business
card out of his wallet, preps his cell, entering the number.


Devyn says, "Well, I gotta go. Be sure to tell me what happens."


Just as he answers the call, the waiter shows up at the table!


Man, like hell he wanted to skip the call, one dilemma weighing against the
other. Hoping it would work, Rusty says, "One-second, I gotta take this!"


The waiter didn't mind, standing there, a birds-eye view of the guy Luc and
Nick set him up with. They never said anything of the kind about their
match-making efforts, but he `knew,' by table number, he was in the right
place.


However, he wondered how Luc and Nick got their information, when he
overhears Rusty telling someone on his cell, `he hoped it wasn't too late,
to get back together again!'


It made him insecure about the bosses intentions.


Time to think up an alibi, the waiter springs it on Rusty, soon as he
disconnects, "Um, I can give you your privacy, if you want to talk more
with your boyfriend?"


"Boyfriend?" Rusty knew he was contorting his eyebrows!


Even though disappointed, he says, "The one you were just talking to?"


Rusty laughs so hard, his cowboy hat fell off behind him, barely catching
it. Now, feeling like a nerd, "Oh tha-a-at! That wasn't my boyfriend," and
for the first time `saying it', "that was my dad." Making it credible,
"We're making a connection, after not being together for the past 19
years!"


Strange saying it, it left a thirst for new adventure in his life, Rusty
taking a sip of ice tea. Only, there was `spit' in the bottom of the glass.


"More?"


Subtly, Rusty had wondered, did Luc suddenly become busy and change up the
waiter, or was this...


"Sure," Rusty studied the waiter.


Really, Rusty didn't know what to expect. `The waiter' wasn't what a guy
calls, `died and gone to heaven'-type, but he wasn't an ugly duckling.


"Hey waiter! Two more iced teas out here!"


Baffled, Rusty watches as Luc appears, saying, "Aye-aye, sir!"


Rusty figures this must be `him', "You wouldn't happen to be Neal?"


He sits. "That's me!"


Rusty smiles, saying, "I figured so. I love your hat." Right after, `Oh
man, was that lame!'


When he walked in, part of the display of manliness was the black cowboy
hat on his head, of which Neal says, "You like it? I picked it up last year
in Texas."


"You're from Texas?" Rusty asks, reconnecting with his original `John
Wayne' way of thinking.


"Uh, yeah," Neal says, hesitating, "it's complicated."


Knowing the implication, Rusty says, "Okay, so don't tell me!"


"I will," it was Neal's impression, like he had been sitting there,
chatting for the past 45 minutes or so.


Rusty hoped this would not wind up as another `Devyn' or `Evan', not which
he were dropping them as friends. Things didn't even need to go beyond
being good friends, thinking, like he was saying to Neal out loud, `don't
pick me up, then drop me!'


"So, tell me about your dad?"


When Rusty began to tell his tale, about Marco and himself, Neal's brain
started working on subtraction tables. Before he finished minis-ing-out
townspeople, by profession, he learned something astonishing.


Before he could mention something about his complicated life, Rusty asks,
"So, what's your story?"


Neal was busting to tell. Though, when opening up about the years following
up to his 28-year old history, he was careful when he hit the teen
years. Sometimes a brief sketch could be sufficient, until he got to know a
guy.


"Oh, the usual; life goes on, until the perfect son comes out as being gay
and then..."


"Right, I know that pretty damn well!" Rusty recalls.


>From becoming a gabber, Neal had learned, from his kind, considerate,
`gay' psychiatrist, one way to combat this, is to simply, `listen,' "Oh
really? How would that go?"


A simpler tale to tell, Rusty rambles, "not much to tell. I was mostly
raised by `Tim', my father who was not my father, but I didn't know that. I
didn't know, until after he had shipped me off to boarding school, out
east. It was a nice school, in Massachusetts. I made a few friends, but I
didn't really have anyone I call a `close friend.' Did I mention it was a
boy's school?"


Neal sat nervously, "No, you didn't." Part of his self-control, he forced
himself to sit and listen. This was not a chore, since the person talking
was really growing on him!


"Yeah, but the strangest thing, I thought, when I learned it was no big
deal being gay and out, I stayed mostly in the closet. There was this one
guy," Rusty talks on, "the librarian, who was like me. Not exactly like me,
but even though he could've been out, kept it to himself."


"How did you find out?"


"How did I find out?" Rusty repeated in a softer tone, thinking back to the
day, thinking of himself in a crafty way.


"If I'm not being too personal?"


Rusty smiles, when suddenly something disturbs his train of thought,
"Y'know, you have the most beautiful green eyes?"


Neal thought he was being snagged, just for checking Rusty's eyes out, "You
too!"


It didn't go unnoticed, Neal being nervous, the whole table with a little
earthquake-shimmy, caused by his leg, under the table, shaking.


Rusty reached across, corralling the salt & pepper, catsup bottle and sugar
packets in, taking Neal's fisted hands, "you don't have to be nervous
around me. I'm an easy-going guy?"


Looking down, Rusty's hands clasped around each wrist, his leg suddenly
stops shaking, Neal admitting, "Sorry. I generally have this problem,
talking to people."


Rusty had wanted to tell his tale about how he and the librarian at
boarding school found each other out. Right now, maybe what was with him,
was not as important, "There. I've told something about myself. Why don't
you tell me about you."


With Rusty, it's not like he didn't get anything out of the past 24
hours. Situations going bad, then turning to good, when they seem like they
are bad, good things can come out of them. Whereas he thought Devyn might
have been that `man for him,' perhaps he was sent by the forces of the
universe, not to work out as boyfriend material, but to pass on a
message. From knowing Devyn, it turned around his whole perspective on
Marco and how, from Devyn's experiences on the home front, would give Rusty
and Marco and new chance at a father-son relationship.


Bearings on that short-lived boyfriend-ship, Rusty was able to put much
behind and dwell on something else, even `someone else!'


"Me..." Neal exhales, sitting back, unclasping hands, sliding his wrists
out of Rusty's gripping, "I'm kind of a complicated guy."


Green eyes to green eyes, Rusty replies, "Just my type of guy!"


"Really?" Neal drops the uncomfortable, complicated part of his life from
his mind.


Knowing that look, the look of attraction, "but what about your family?
Your mom, dad, any siblings?"


"Nah, none. I had a sister. When we were young, she fell out of an apple
tree and never recovered. It was the beginning of my mom getting screwed
up."


Rusty was proud, sitting back, listening, arms crossing over his bread
basket, then more relaxed, twisting, turning in his seat, listening as Neal
unwound.


"Yeah, I don't think she even recovered from it. She blamed our dad,
saying, if he were around more, Amy might still be around. Her name was
Amy. Did I mention that?"


"You just did," Rusty says.


"Sometimes I leave facts out and then people don't know what the heck I'm
talking about!"


"Welcome to the club," Rusty says, guilty of the same thing.


They clicked ice tea glasses, sipped.


Then Neal continues, "Well, from that point on, our family was screwed
up. Dad did make himself more available, and he could, because he became
CEO of his own corporation. Did I mention he was in oil?"


"Nope!" Rusty says, like seconding it. `Damn is he cute!'


Neal continues, "Okay, well I just did. Mom, she was hardly around. When
she was, she was always fighting with my dad. I wouldn't swear to it, but I
thought he accused her of having another man. Slowly, I lost respect for
her, I think that's what you call it."


Neal took a breather, sipping ice tea.


"During the week, on the weekends, seems whenever I wanted to do stuff,
like fishing or help with a science project, he was there. Then, when I was
in high school, he became very busy. I didn't fault him for it though,
because we had a bunch of happy times being together."


Rusty intervenes, "I guess some of us are more lucky than others."


"Yeah, but around the time when my father had to work more, is about when I
got this feeling I liked boys more than girls. I'm probably reading into it
too much, that he didn't want to believe it, or thought less of me because
of it. That's why he introduced me to Alex."


"Oh? How old were you?"


"Fifteen. Alex was eighteen!"


Smiling at each other, sparks Rusty's interest, "Was Alex, `gay?'"


"Yeah," Neal's grin grows bigger!


"So there you have it."


"Have what?" Neal asks, his brain thrown in a different direction.


"Your father. He knew and probably, like I thought about my father...Tim,
he was really trying to be kind, not having me around to watch him," Rusty
curves a hand, diving down, "go downhill."


"Makes sense. Better than having your father drop dead right in front of
your eyes!"


Iy shocked Rusty, "What?!"


"Yeah. I don't know if you can relate, but for a long time after Alex
became a part of my life, when I was a senior in high school, we were out
camping, me and Alex. We were both shocked when my father suddenly wanted
to go with us."


In a silent funk, Rusty asks, "What is it, Neal?"


"It just came to me, not which I hadn't thought about it, but rather
something my psych and I had talked about. I knew, Alex being there, was a
substitute for how my dad couldn't deal with me being," Neal got choked up,
"gay. When I think about it, Alex was like a surrogate father.  That last
time we all were together, fishing, I think he knew it was going to be his
last."


`Dictionary,' it hit home for Rusty, thinking about Jordan-the-Librarian!


They each had more history to unload, thoughts which were very personal,
some they never shared with anything else.

>From then on, the two were more friends, than strangers, realizing they
had much in common.


%


Back at his office, whereas Marco had been bent on leaving town, he was
unpacking.


Helping himself to entering the office, Ricky says, "Not going somewhere?"


"No," Marco says.


For the first time in a week, perhaps a longer time, he couldn't remember
when, Ricky has viewed Marco in a happier-than-normal mood, "What brought
this on?"


Walking around his desk, Marco gives Ricky a massive hug, "I just got off
the phone with Rusty. He wants us to work at having a father and son
relationship!"


This was no ordinary hug, neither was it meant to tear into a full force
sexual event. Ricky detects something much more thrilling, "Really? He
called you?"


Backing off a little, Marco says, "He wants to go fishing and camping and
doing all the things fathers do with their sons!"


A dirty thought coming to him, Ricky says, "Well, I hope this isn't going
to interfere with our sex lives?"


"I oughta belt you for that one," Marco drops all connection.


"Save it for your kinky friends. So, what's on the slate for you two? Any
immediate plans?"


"I think he was about to tell me, but something of importance came up and
he had to go. Rusty said he'd call me later," Marco goes back to emptying a
box.


"Well," Ricky opens the door, to let himself out, "if you need anything to
relieve the tension, just pick up the phone!"


Too much into his own world, the change Rusty has brought to it, Marco only
half-heard, muttering something about needing fishing gear and, "Oh my god,
what do I wear?"


By now, he talked to the door!


On his way out, Ricky sees a biker hop off his motorcycle. Taking his
helmet off, long locks unravel.


A man, plagued by how a guy looks, with determination how a scene could
play out, this could be Ricky's dilemma. Like always, it starts with an
inactive crotch, building, until it's roaring like a magma chamber!


Soft, subtle, Ricky gasps, "Like, where have you been hiding all my life?"


Fastening the helmet to his ride, the biker bends over the whole works,
then makes sure everything is secure. Brushing hands together, he
approaches the only man on the street, "Hey, do you happen to know a man by
the name of Marco Veneziano? I was told a few blocks away," he casts a
thumb over his shoulder, "his office is in this area?"


Upon ending his questioning, the dude removes sunglasses.


Right off, those dark brown eyes hit Ricky like a big fat cock, "Wow,
you've got such vivid, brown eyes!"


Being hit with something so personal, which would be more likely to come
from a woman, than a man, it didn't have the effect of balling up a fist
and punching the dude's light out, but more a `queasy' feeling in the
stomach, "You too," he stutters, "have nice eyes, too."


Usually, when Ricky exited a building, into the full sunlight, he would put
his shades on the bridge of his nose, but he hadn't the chance, `something'
catching his eye.


"I do, do I?"


The two men stood there, face to face, gravitating to not more than 2 feet
apart.


Never expecting such a `hot' reception in town, before the fox got away,
"I'm Jordan, by the way?" The hand comes out, "Jordan Barre."


Crazy about facial hair on a man, Ricky had an illusion, the dark,
ginger-red goatee might run right down, under the clothing. But the lips,
they looked like they were begging to be kissed!


"Ricky West," he takes the hand, "I'm a physician over at the town
hospital."


With a slight smile, Jordan says, "Between the hot sun and that grip, I
might be needin' some medical attention real soon!"


Yeah, once Ricky had a grip on the situation, like a guy he was crazy
about, he had a tough time turning him out to pasture, "Oh, sorry `bout
that," he breaks off the hand hold.


Perhaps this wasn't a one-sided circumstance, Jordan asking, "By the way,
you wouldn't know where I can get one of those hats you're wearing?"


Out in these parts, if a dude wasn't decked out in a cowboy's hat, he
looked out of place.


Though, Ricky kind of liked the `redneck' and if he allowed the moment to
pass, it wouldn't return, "I was on my way to the shop at this very
minute."


`Dammit!' Jordan thought, wanting to get in touch with the attorney, whom
he was told to contact once he hit town. Though, he rationalized, he's not
going to be speeding out of town any time soon, "That'd be great."


Not realizing it, Jordan was parked, head on, right next to Ricky. When
Ricky goes to get in his car, he hadn't realized maybe they should ride
together.


He was surprised somewhat, Jordan saying, "Should I ride with you, or take
my bike?"


"And waste all that gas?"


Ricky was really thinking, wasting any precious moments of them getting to
know each other.


Hearing the lock pop, Jordan hops in, "thanks!"


Already, an unspoken connection had happened, Ricky answering, shifting
into gear, "Oh, you'll be thanking me later!"


Jordan knew what the wink was for, though he hoped his appreciation would
come as a result of feeling a tight pair of lips racing up and down his
hard shaft.


%


Neal never did find out about how Rusty and the boarding school librarian
got it on. Not yet, but was satisfied that one day it might make a good
campfire tale!


Like clockwork, even though Rusty wasn't watching the clock, there comes
Devyn, waltzing, whistling, like something had made his day.


Headed right to the table he and Neal were noshing at, Devyn asks, "This
seat taken?"


He didn't wait for an answer, sitting his butt down.


"What happened to Anders?" Rusty asks.


"Anders?" Neal is in the dark, looking to the empty podium.


Neal didn't get an answer, wondering what it was all about.


However, Rusty began to get more than an earful, Devyn, the way he reveals
it, not right out, he had made it to not only first base, but had scored a
touchdown!


"Baseball and football, what's next, tennis?" Rusty jokes.


Cocky, Devyn returns, "Maybe we'll be doing a little ping pong tonight!"


Certainly, with Neal sitting there, he got looks from Devyn. Rusty had
already figured out, Neal not cool enough to do any sailing in the sheets.


Then Rusty got hit with what he was telling himself minutes ago, "Uh, I
don't suppose you still have a job waiting for me, out at the ranch?"


Sure, Rusty could have been angry at Devyn, for making it seem like
something was developing in their lives, but he was also responsible for
helping patch things up between him and Marco. If he wasn't there to `make'
him call Marco, find out what exactly he was expecting, after laying it on
him he was his son. Sure enough, all of Devyn's coaxing paid off.


The way it looked, the only reason Devyn came back, was to be assured he
had a job, leaving them with, "I hope things work out for you and your
father...and," he left it unsaid, not knowing if Rusty and Neal were `an
item', yet!


Getting an impression, Neal says sarcastically, "Seems like a nice friend
to have?"


Knowing what Devyn did `for him,' rather then `to him,' Rusty does defend,
"Devyn has some good things going for him."


"Oh," Neal replies, acting like withdrawn.


Rather than dwelling on the immediate past, Rusty picks up the pace, "but
let's talk about us?"


It worked, Neal looking pepped-up, "What about us?"


What about either of them?


Before Marco heard from Rusty, he was packing it in, ready to skip town to
destinations unknown. He needed time to think, about rejection and where
his life was headed.


After speaking with Rusty, not having initiated the call, it set Marco on
pins and needles, a complete turnaround in his life. Though he knew, with
reconstitution of the father and son relationship, there was much to do,
regarding building it from the ground up.


Marco began taking things out of the box on the center of his desk, placing
items around the perimeter. Suddenly he pondered, holding the Mr. Chicago
Leather souvenir in his hand. Years ago it meant a lot to him, though like
the honor slipped through his fingers now, so did the thought, 19 years of
Rusty's life.


Thinking of running away, becoming an out of towner, this is where all his
friends, his life was. Then, it came to him, if Rusty was willing to
forgive and forget, maybe there was still hope he could pull himself
together. Tossing the empty box under his desk, the drain of self-pity was
replaced by excitement.


If he didn't want to mess it up this time, verbally expressing it, with
condescending tone, "Oh no, you don't!"


%


In the mean time, Neal had shared, reason why Nick bothered taking him in,
giving him a job, "Nick thought I was a nice guy."


Smiling, Rusty already finding this the case, "Are you a nice guy?"


Spelling out the superlatives, as he knows them, Neal says, "Well, I'm
certainly an honest person and can be counted on, if Nick needs me in a
pinch."


Rusty had indication, with a guy like Ricky, there could be more, but had
the feeling Neal didn't have on his resume, being good in bed, "That's good
to know."


It was no secret, either of the two getting sweet on each other, Neal
saying, "What about yourself?"


The conversation began getting old, until `excitement' walks in the door.


Rusty could certainly see the change in Marco, waltzing right over to their
table as if old college buddies, "Well, I'm here."


Frankly, neither of them knew what to do, including conversation, sitting
there and glancing from person to person.


Marco does finally lean to his right, "Hi. I'm Marco."


"Neal," he replies, returning Marco's handshake.


Even though wanting to make amends, Rusty was wordless. Sitting there, he
felt blessed with Neal and Marco getting to know each other. Without a real
plan, Rusty was trying to think of `what's next!'


"Did you hear that Rusty?"


"No," he snaps out of it, "what?"


Placing a hand on Marco's shoulder, likes he's `one of the boys', Neal
says, "Your dad's never been fishing!"


"You're joshin' me?"


Marco smiles at Rusty, saying, "No. Really. Um, if you're not afraid to put
a wiggly worm on the hook?"


Truthfully, yes, it was something for the two to start to get to know each
other, fishing being on neutral ground, even though on ranch property.


"Oh? You're an expert at it?" Rusty replies.


Neal giggles, "I bet when it comes times to baiting our hooks, you chicken
out, Marco!"


It earned Neal an under-the-table knee knock!


"Oh, got something for you," Marco pats his suit down, pulling a piece of
paper out of the jacket pocket. "This is from Mama Rosa."


Rusty taking it, anyone could tell it was a check.


If he thought about it, Rusty would know what it was for, but lack of
something to say, "What's this for?"


"I had Maurice bring a surveyor in and..."


"Eight hundred thousand dollars? Is this for real?" Rusty drops it, picking
it up, "I thought we were bankrupt? I mean, I was," he forgets he's become
sole heir.


Having glanced at Neal, Rusty was already thinking it would not only be
nice to have a friend, but a father-figure-dude to share his future with.


"Don't worry. If you think it's going to empty Mama Rosa's bank account,
there's plenty more where that came from."


Neal speculates, "I imagine, once you get the ranch to where you want it,
that 800-grand will be a worthy investment."


Rusty didn't forget, once thinking of Marco as a bad guy, but over time,
the past couple of days, he has reassessed his opinion.


"Oh, by the way, the family is gathering over at the ranch this evening for
a bonfire, a sort of memorial to your..." Marco almost used the paternal
word, "I mean, Tim. We thought it fitting to have it at the ranch. If you
know of anyone who would want to come, feel free to invite them. Kira will
be handling the refreshments."


It could have been a depressing thought, but as Rusty has not been attached
for years, he wasn't saddened. Yet, respectful, "Kira, huh? At least no one
will be feeling any pain!"


Knowing the score, Marco says, "Yeah, I passed by the liquor store and her
pickup was parked out front!"


Neal didn't know what they were talking about, except in a general sense,
so found it amusing. Not only that, he loved the way Rusty's face lit up
whenever he was happy. Though, either way, full of glee or sad, he still
was a picture of handsomeness!


"You know, dad," Rusty pauses, like he's embarrassed, "I mean, `Marco?'
`Dad?' I'm kind of having a hard time about that."


Smiling, Marco says, "Why don't we leave it on a first name basis? It'll be
easier for people, without going into complicated matters?"


"Okay, dad," Rusty giggles.


"Yeah, dad," Neal repeats.


"You," Marco points his finger at Neal, "don't get that privilege," he
turns to Rusty, "unless you two decide to get serious!"


With that, they heard the screeching of the chair legs on the wooden floor.


"Going already?"


"Well," Marco replies, "I know Kira has the refreshments handled and I need
to spring it on Alice, she's in charge of the food!"


When he leaves, Neal asks, "Who's Alice?"


"Maurice's wife. She was at Marco's office?"


"Oh. Right. Now I get it."


But what Rusty didn't get, holding the check between two hands, "We should
get some nice clothing for the memorial service tonight?"


"Well, if you have to know, I'm `wearing' my closet!"


"Let's go!"


So excited to leave, they forgot to pay the bill. Neal, he just assumed he
was being given the afternoon off!


Out front, Rusty realizes something, "Oh-h-h," like he's got a bellyache.


"What's wrong?"


"Retracing my steps. Like, how I got here?" Rusty smiles.


"Oh right," Neal giggles, "we walked?"


Both knew, Rusty was springing for more than cowboy hats, which would
accrue more than they could carry.


Saved by the beep, Kira happens by in her pickup.


Rusty waves them down.


Kira's sister, Missy, was in the seat next to her.


After explaining the situation, Rusty and Neal are offered the `back seat,'
hopping in the back of the 4x4.


"I never rode out in the open like this," Neal states, half-scared and
holding on for dear life.


"You better get used to it. We all ride the hay truck!"


Neal didn't like the sound of that, picturing sitting up on top of three
bales of hay and taking off up a bumpy ride, becoming road kill. Though, he
immensely liked the idea Rusty having him not only involved in ranch life,
but his own, "Okay."


At Dallo's Trading Post, a shop which sold everything leather and more,
Kira let them off, saying she was due for a new vest.


"And I suppose you want me to pay for it?" Rusty asks.


Kira responds, "Unless you want to walk back to the ranch?"


They had no idea, but Rusty finding out, when they walk through the door of
the shop, Missy was excited they would be receiving a discount, Manu
working there.


However, entering, the place is as dead as a morgue.


"Maybe he's takin' a shit," Kira offers.


Neal smiles at Rusty, seeing Kira isn't exactly up on a prim and proper
etiquette lifestyle of a proper lady!


"I think I hear something from the stockroom," Missy says.


The stockroom was very small, most of the inventory on the sales floor. Off
to the side was a small office. When they all entered, the `noise' was
coming from an open door, out back.


Suddenly, Kira and Rusty stop dead in their tracks, recognizing `that
sound!'


Kira is the first one swinging the door fully open and in her high-pitched
Spanish accent, is cursing...


"Oh my god!" Rusty says.


Neal pushes past, Missy right behind.


With one dude having Manu in a full nelson, the other one is bashing in his
gut!


"Fuck!" Kira says, rushing out the door, ready to take on the world.


The others were slow to react.


Kira pulls away the gut puncher and shows him how to really `throw' fist
and in a place which could put a dude out of commission for a long time, if
not forever!


Neal is ready to attack, when another dude hops clear over the fence and
falls on the restrainer.


Release, Manu shoots forward, Neal just in time to catch him. He drags him
over to the back stockroom, Rusty and Missy helping.


The Neal showed he wasn't messing around. After, bloodying the dude's nose
and then throwing him, face first, into the chain link fence, he waits to
see if the guy has had enough.


"Yeah, he's had enough," Neal watches the young guy slide down the fence,
fingers making no effort to cool the pace.


The long-haired guy had the other perpetrator nailed to the ground, face
ground into the tar pavement.


He yells over to the back of the building, "Call 911!"


Rusty walks over to Kira, asking, "Aren't you going to thank Neal for
helping you out?"


Kira, a natural at defending herself or anyone else, smiles, "Fuck you,
Rusty," she turns to Neal, "Where did you learn to fight like that?"


"Why," Neal asks, "you want a go at me in the ring?"


"Nah," she replies, even though she would have no problem taking the `nerd'
down, "you scare me!"


"I hardly doubt that."


For a minute there Rusty was confused, thinking Neal hitting on her. Then
he had a funny taste in his mouth, `ewe', like it was himself doing the
`hitting!'


After the cops came, things became unraveled. Truth be told, those two
working over Manu had been in his high school class. He never said, but
Manu was constantly bullied by the two, whom they learn are best buds,
Brett and Bart. They confessed they heard Manu was working at Dallo's and
decided to work him over for `old times sake!'


Manu added, what they were shopping for, they hadn't intended on paying
for, naming the flannel shirts, leather belts, boots and cowboy hats.


"Is that so?" the dude who jumped the fence says. "Then it would be only
fair to take it back?"


Walking over to Brett, he takes the front of the shirt and tears it open,
revealing a smooth chest!


The sheriff wasn't there, but his deputy, Jack Hachette was and Neal just
had to say to Rusty, "He looks like the type, you wanna stay out of his
way!"


"Yeah, but he's really a sweetheart," Rusty confides.


"Really?" Neal was getting an impression.


"Not like that, but yeah," Rusty replies, "he's gay."


They also found out, the dude who hopped the fence and put Bart out of
commission, was the owner's nephew, Chris Dallo, home from college.


Deputy Jack had reprimanded Chris, telling him to stop shredding the
evidence!


"Lucky you arrived home when you did, Chris," Deputy Hatchette tells him.


Their eyes lingered a little too long on each other. Before walking over to
where an EMT responder was checking out Manu, Chris says, "Yeah, I got your
back, Jack!"


It made Jack smile.


"I wonder what that was about?" Neal asks.


He didn't know the whole story, but Rusty had an inkling, "I heard Ned
Dallo had a nephew, who, on his way back to college, happened to see Jack
out on the highway, with his hands up."


"Really?" Neal was interested!


"I had never met Chris, but heard he was a good fighter and snuck up behind
the thugs, literally saving Jack's life."


He wanted to hear more, but Jack was collecting notes from everyone and it
was their turn!


%


Copyright 2016 T. Chase McPhee


"JoLLy RaNCHeRs" and developing segments of this story, may not be sold,
nor made part of any collection, without prior consent from the author, or
you will be forced to your knees.