Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2003 13:44:40 -0800 (PST)
From: Waddie Greywolf <waddiebear@yahoo.com>
Subject: "Booger Red & Cowboy Chapter 11"

DISCLAIMER: WARNING!!  This is a work of homoerotic fictions written by an
adult for the purpose of entertainment for other adults.  If you are not
eighteen year of age or you have any problem with this type of literature
then this is a warning to read no further.  The author will not be held
responsible for any reason if you do.  (Codes: M/M BD/SM Gay Incest Anal
Oral)

Copyright 2003 Waddie Greywolf
Mail to: <waddiebear@yahoo.com> <mailto:waddiebear@yahoo.com>

==================================================================
BOOGER RED & COWBOY
By Waddie Greywolf


CHAPTER 11


I left Ft. Stockton and headed east.  I had to go home.  I needed my dad.
Of all the decisions I ever made in my life that was the one I knew was the
right one at the moment.  There was no pain in this world those big arms
couldn't make a little bit easier to handle. I figured Red would guess me
to head west to Los Angeles or Vegas or maybe even Tucson. I wouldn't put
Dan in the middle of this thing between Booger and me.  I loved him too
much for that.  I knew Red understood Dan Yates was out of bounds for him
to contact.  He knew if he ever wanted to smooth things over with me Dan
Yates was not to be bothered with our petty squabble.  Red wasn't a stupid
man.

I didn't worry about Red following me.  I knew in my gut he headed west to
look for me, if he even did.  He may have decided that T-bo's hole was
better than none at all.  Fine with me.  I'd wait until the wind blew down
then head back to Tucson where I was wanted.

No!  Damn it!  That's a lie.  I did care.  I loved the old son of a bitch.
I couldn't understand why he'd do that to me.  I'd given him everything he
wanted including calling him `Master.'  I became his. I never witnessed or
heard of a Master in our family doing that sort of thing to their
slave. The title `Master' shouldn't infer the right to break someone's
heart nor do harm to another.

I arrived in Mason, my home town, early one morning the second week in
December.  I pulled around in back of our house.  Lester's rooms were in
the back and I saw his big, black face smiling like a ray of sunshine
through the curtains as I parked my bike. I sat there smiling back and
raised my hand in a small wave.  He raised his window.

"Laus' child, get your butt in this house.  It's freezing cold out
there. Old Lester's gettin' up, gonna' fix you some coffee.  Um-hum.  Meets
you at that back door to lets you in.  You's one damn fine sight for these
old sore eyes, Son, I tells you."  He met me at the back door with his
tattered, old robe and the warmest hug. I followed him into the kitchen as
he padded along in his worn over house slippers I'd given him for Christmas
two decades ago. He cut off the backs and the slippers were held on in
front by his two big feet.  He had to shuffle as he walked to keep them on.
I bought him ten new pair over the years but those were his favorites. The
rest he kept buried in the back of his closet. "For special occasions,"
he'd tell me. Wasn't long before the kitchen door burst open in a flurry
and in marched dad with Uncle Joe close behind.

"Who the hell's making all the racket in my kitchen at this ungodly hour of
the morning?"  my dad barked as an enormous smile came across his face and
his arms opened wide. Never, was I so happy to see three familiar faces in
my life.  Uncle Joe wouldn't let me go.  He hugged me, kissed me, then
hugged me again. You'd of thought they hadn't seen me in years.  Well, it
had been almost a year.  I'd been a lot of places and done a lot of things
since I'd seen them last. I laughed at my thoughts about Uncle Joe.  He
took on a new importance after Dad told me the story of how I came to be.
Hell, if it hadn't have been for Uncle Joe's hot mouth sucking Uncle Bud
off all those years ago I wouldn't be here.  He gave the term `mid-wife'
new dimensions.

It was a Friday morning. A work day for Dad, Uncle Joe, and Lester. I never
knew them to miss a day's work.

"Fuck it!" Dad threw up his hands and turned to Uncle Joe and Lester, "We
ain't a' gonna' open the shop today.  Our boy's home.  All we got to get
out is Dexter Barnes's old IH tractor and he don't need that damn thing
`til spring no ways.  Anybody has an emergency they know where they can
find us. Everybody get dressed, we're going to the diner for breakfast."

"I'll stay here, Mista' Gunn." said Lester, retiringly.

"Like hell you will!  You've been part of this damn family for years.  Time
you started acting like it."

"Dad, ain't never right about too much Lester, but he sure called that
one."  I said to Lester as we all started laughing. "I ain't going less'n
you go.  So get your ass in gear and lets go do it. Fuck this tight ass
little town."  Lester smiled and shook his head slowly, muttering to
himself as he shuffled off toward his room to get dressed.  At that moment,
I think I was more proud of my old man than I'd ever been in my life.  I
hugged him again.

"You know, I always have loved you, you old fart, but sometime you do the
right thing and it makes proud to be your son.  You gotta' stop doing that.
It's hard on `me' heart." Uncle Joe and I laughed and then dad started
chuckling.

"Sheee-iit!" Was all he said as he turned and walked away to go get
dressed. Uncle Joe was the first one dressed and came back in the kitchen
where I was having my second cup of coffee.

"Gotta tell ya'," he said in a low voice, "Lester ain't been the same since
you sent him that money.  Goes around muttering to himself,

"That boy Billy send me all that money.  I can't believe it. Why that boy
send me that money?"  Uncle Joe laughed at his own imitation of Lester. He
had him down pat. Your Dad looks at him in frustration and tells him,

"Oh, for God sakes, Lester, get over it.  The boy loves you, all right? Let
it be."  "Yes Sa,' Mista' Gunn.  I supposin' he does at that." Then he'll
giggle to himself and walk away shaking his head.

Dad was next to walk back into the kitchen to get another cup of coffee.  I
couldn't believe my fucking eyes.  His damn boots were shined and polished.
I got a big grin across my face and he started grinning, too, knowing I'd
seen them.

"Well,--what th'fuck?" dad shrugged, "He makes me wear `em to bed to fuck
him anymore, they gotta' be clean."  I laughed my ass off as poor Uncle Joe
blushed.

"Well, Billy, Goddamn it!  Your old man looks hot in his boots and he
always gives and gets a better fuck when he wears `em, so why not? The son
of a bitch almost tore me a new asshole the other night and he talks about
gettin' old.  I hope to God he does soon before I have to have a retread
done on my ass.  If'n I do I'm gonna' ask `em for a steel belted radial."
I never remember Uncle Joe being that open and funny with me before. He and
I were beginning to develop a new mutual respect for each other and he felt
more comfortable around me.  I remembered what a good fuck my old man was
and knew why Uncle Joe stayed with him all these years.

We marched into the diner and nobody said a word about Lester being with
us.  They accepted him as `us' and to hell with Lester anyway, Cowboy was
home.  Billy Gunn III, the local town hero that saved a prince's life.  Son
of a bitch, I hadn't been hugged and kissed by so many of my town folks in
a long time. They all wanted to hear about the Arab Prince whose life I'd
saved and am I really his brother now; a member of a royal family?

When I pulled the emerald ring out of my jacket pocket and put it on my
finger to show them you should've heard the `ooohs' and `awwhs.'  Master
Ben told me I didn't have to have it appraised.  He knew exactly what it
was worth.  One and a quarter million dollars. I didn't tell the town folks
how much it was worth.  I told Dad, Uncle Joe and Lester.  They couldn't
believe it.  The town jeweler was there, took one look at it through his
portable eye loop and whistled.

"Cowboy, I know what this stone is worth and there ain't enough money in
this entire community to pay for it.  I would guess conservatively in the
area of a million."

"You know your stones, Carl."  I told him.

They wanted to know what the Prince was like.  I told them the story of
meeting him and him recognizing me, having dinner with him and later saving
his life.  I put most of the heroism on little Steve.  He was the one that
took the bullet but my town folk were just as impressed that I threw myself
and the Prince to the floor to shield him.

We spent half the morning having a leisurely breakfast and as word got
around town that Cowboy was home, cars and trucks came from miles around to
the diner.  Louise and Suzie, the two waitresses, were working their butts
off.  I gave `em each a hundred dollar tip and wished `em a Merry
Christmas.  They hugged and kissed me to welcome me home.

"You gonna' be home for Christmas, Cowboy?" everyone wanted to know.

"Most likely, less'n they run me out."  I laughed. "I have friends in Glen
Rose, and Bandera I might stop in to say Merry Christmas to during the
holidays but I'll probably be here most of the time."

"Do some rodeoing?"  one of the men hollered at me.

"Maybe, if'n these two old geesers think they can best me and Phil Roamer."

"Oooouuuu...." from the crowd.

"Well, you know what that means, Joe?" my Dad exclaimed disgustedly.

"Yeah, one handed roping when competin' against the kids." Uncle Joe
responded with equal disgust, to gales of laughter in the diner. I remember
that morning as one of the best moments of my life.  It was exactly what I
needed to get my heart a million light years away from my problems and
hurts.  I couldn't hurt with all this love around me and I hadn't even
talked to my dad yet.  He knew something was wrong `cause I was trying too
hard to be up and well met with everyone. Can't hide much from my old man
especially since we broke down all the father/son barriers.

We were invited to rodeo and picnic after church on Sunday at the rodeo
grounds on the other side of the park. We accepted and finally got out of
the diner.  Lester was all aglow as I walked to dad's truck with my arm
around him.

"Billy, I wants to thank you for sending me all that money.  I couldn't
believe it when that little bank lady tells me it weren't no thousand
dollars, it was TEN thousand dollars.  I had to get home real quick to go
to the bathroom. Laus,' Child, you should a' seen me, I was doin' the green
apple quickstep, double time. I thought I was gonna' mess in my good
pants."  he threw back his old head a laughed hearty. I laughed as hard
with the old man.

"Well, I had to do something nice for my fishing partner.  All them years I
dragged your ass fishing and you's hating it so.  But you went `cause you
loved me more'n you hated fishing."

"Damn, Billy, you's can carve to the bone sometime." the old man said as he
wiped away a tear.  "You don't know how much that meant to me, Son.  My
sister and her kids need lots of stuff and thanks to you I was able to get
her some of the things she needs. They's gonna' have a fine Christmas this
year thanks to you."

"Did you save or spend some for you, Lester?" I asked sternly.

"I's still got lots left, Child, but old Lester don't need much. I got's
you and your old man and uncle to look after. Hell, they's a handful." we
both laughed. "Thank God, they's slowing down as they gets older.  Ain't
seen no black eye on your uncle in nigh onto five years.  When he walks
around the shop limping like a saddle sore cowboy and favorin' his butt
when he sits down I knows they's be gettin' `long jist fine."  We both
roared with laughter as my old man and uncle looked puzzled as to what we
were laughing about.  I loved that old man. He was worth ten times the ring
in my pocket. We hadn't been home more'n an hour or so when the phone
rang. Dad answered.

"Yeah, he's here, Phil. Wanna' talk to him?" he handed me the phone.

"Hey, Brother, what's up?"

"Down here to the rodeo grounds with two roping ponies. Get your ass down
here. We gotta' practice if'n we're gonna' take on your old man and
uncle. They got their act together in the last two years and been winning
everything they entered."

"You're shittin' me?"

"Am not! Ask anybody. You don't get down here and rope with me they're
gonna' wax our ass's."

"Be there in an hour, Hoss."

This big smile grew across my dad's face as he winked at Uncle Joe. He knew
Phil Roamer let the cat out of the bag. Those two old snakes weren't gonna'
say a word and then laugh their ass's off when they won. I still had some
of my old western clothes and a favorite old pair of boots in my
closet. Even had my old Hoss Cartwright hat on the shelf in a big box. It
smelled like moth balls but what the hell, my balls probably smelled just
as bad. Got down to the rodeo arena and met up with Phil Roamer.

Phil was a solidly built deputy sheriff who worked under Uncle Bud and
roped with me and my uncle for years.  He was better than damn good with a
rope.  He and I were good together.  He was married to the prettiest little
girl and had two of the sweetest kids you'd ever want to meet.  A little
cowgirl about five and a strapping little cowboy about nine; although, he
lied and told everybody he was ten. Phil's wife, Wilma Jo and I were best
buddies all through school and everybody thought Billy and Wilma Jo were
going to be family.

We knew better. Wilma Joe and I were buddies, we knew each others secrets,
and we were comfortable with each other.  She never said a word and we
dated all through high school. Towards the last year she started dating
Phil who was older than us by about six years.  As soon as she graduated
she and Phil announced their engagement.  I couldn't have been happier for
them and I was Phil's best man at their wedding. Hell, I'm Godfather to
their kids.

Wilma Jo ran up to me when I rode up on the bike in my cowboy duds.  She
threw her arms around me, hugged and kissed me.  Damn, it was good to see
her and the kids again.  They were all over me and the bike wanting a ride.

"Well, maybe later kids, if'n your parents say its all right."

"Take a number, kids, momma's first." said Wilma Joe.

"Daddie's second!" yelled Phil as he swaggered up with his big ham of a
hand out. I took his hand and he pulled me to him for a big hug.  Shit, he
was a huge bear of a man.

"Damn, it's good to see you, Cowboy."  I couldn't believe it, old Phil had
a tear in his eye.

"Goddamn, you look so much like Bud Cummings when you rode up on that bike
I thought my heart was gonna' stop." he said. "I never missed a man so much
in my life, Billy, as I miss him.  He was like a second dad to me and Wilma
Jo. We owe him a lot.  When he told Wilma Jo and me the story of how you
came to be and he was your real father, he cried like a baby.  Damn, he had
Wilma Jo and me crying, too.  We couldn't have been happier for the two of
you.  It really meant a lot to him.  I know how close you were to him over
the years.  That man worshiped you, Billy.  We've been out to clean his
grave a couple of times this year."

"`Preciate that, Phil.  Ain't no way to measure how much I loved my Uncle
Bud.  I'm like you and Wilma Jo, I owe him so much.  I never got to tell
him how much he meant to me.  It's because of him I'm alive today.  He
saved my life in Nam."  I proceeded to tell Phil and Wilma Jo the story
about me dying and Uncle Bud coming to me.  Jim Redfeather calling out my
name, over and over, until I was able to raise my boot. Phil and Wilma Jo
never heard the story and were amazed.

"You know what, Cowboy?  That sounds right to me."  said Big Phil "Sounds
like something Bud Cummings would do for his boy.  He'd get up there, plant
that big cowboy boot of his down and tell God he had to let him save your
life.  He wouldn't have taken no for an answer neither.  Well, we loved him
and we still do."

I really appreciate you good folks looking after his grave, Phil, and I
know he would. Now, let's rodeo!"

"Come on, help me get the ponies out of the trailer." We walked over behind
the snack barn and there was Uncle Bud's trailer and old truck that I'd
left in Glen Rose.

"Don't tell me,--?"  I looked at Phil in amazement.

"Yeah, your dad and Uncle Joe drove up there two weekends ago and got `em.
We're board'n `em for your dad but they're on their way to Dan Yates's
ranch in Tucson.  Your dad and he have become big friends and Dan told him
to bring `em on out."

"Hell, didn't your dad tell ya'?  Dan was here about a month ago and stayed
damn near two weeks with your dad and Uncle Joe.  They rodeoed all weekend
for two weekends. Dan would rope with your Uncle Joe and then with your old
man.  Wilma Jo and I sat and watched `em get better'n better with every
throw. Dan's a good teacher.  He taught your Dad and Uncle Joe some good
shit about roping and they've gotten damn good."

"Those two old snakes in the grass." I laughed to Phil and Wilma Jo. "They
want nothing better than to beat my ass at roping.  They didn't say nary a
word.  We gonna' let `em get away with that Phil?" I asked him with a big
grin.

"Not on my watch, Cowboy." He stuck out his hand again and we shook like
two determined men.  Wilma Jo laughed at us.

"They're good, Billy.  I've watched `em beat almost every team in the
county." She added.

"You know, Cowboy, I roped quite a bit with Dan while he was here.  He
shared some good stuff with me.  Helped me a lot.  I really like him, he's
one hell of a man, Billy.  He reminds me a lot of your Uncle Bud.  He sure
thinks you hung the moon.  Can't say enough good things about you."

I've never seen two happier horses in my life than Dolly and Madison when I
walked up to the trailer and whistled.  I thought Madison was going to kick
his way out to get to me with Dolly right behind him.  We got them settled
down and out of the trailer.  They followed me everywhere, like two puppies
following their mother. They weren't going let me out of their sight.

Cars, Trucks, Horse trailers were arriving from everywhere.  Everyone got
the word.  Cowboy's home, let's rodeo!  Friends and neighbors would laugh
as they came up to hug me between two big horses that wouldn't go two steps
away from me.  If somebody hugged me too long they got a gentle nudge from
either Dolly or Madison. The only one they allowed me to spend any time
with was Aunt Laura.  They knew her.  She was okay.

We got Dolly and Madison saddled up and Phil and I started practicing.  By
late afternoon we were getting our timing and starting down pretty good.
Phil wanted to rodeo late into the evening but I'd been up the entire night
before and needed some rest.  I said my goodbyes and promised I'd see them
first thing after church tomorrow.

Dad, Uncle Joe and Lester came down to the rodeo grounds to watch Phil and
I and several other teams practice. I noticed that Dad and Uncle Joe didn't
have beer cans in their hands, only Coke or 7Up. I wondered what was going
on.  Lester waved and winked at me as he made a drinking motion behind
them, shook his head and then fell over on the bench laughing. Lester was
my secret agent man. God, I loved that man. He could make me laugh if the
world was coming to an end.

Dad and Lester followed me home in dad's truck. Uncle Joe wanted to stay on
at the rodeo grounds and was going to get a ride home with Phil. We got
home and I was exhausted.  All I wanted to do was shower and hit the sack.
I assumed Dad and Uncle Joe would be together and went to my room to
undress and headed for the shower. Dad came into my room.  I didn't have a
stitch on.  He put his huge arms around me and held me. This was my old
man's way of asking without asking.  He knew I understood. Red wasn't with
me and he knew something was wrong.  I didn't try to hide my feelings in
front of my dad and almost shed a tear. I grabbed him and held him tight
with my head pressed tight against his chest.

"There, there, Sweet baby, you're home now.  You got your old man to lean
on. Joe's staying at his place tonight.  His idea. I didn't tell him to.
His place is in my bed and he knows it but he knows we need to be alone
this evening.  So get in the shower, clean yourself good.  You need some
cowboy lovin' that only your old man can give you."

"I love you Dad, and thanks, you're right as usual. I need my old man's
lovin' tonight.  Promise you'll wear them big fucking boots?" We laughed.

"I'd wear anything you want, Son, you know that."  We kissed, not a father
and son kiss but one of a strong protective Master and his cowboy. That old
man was my dad, my lover, my Master, my champion and the meanest damn rodeo
rival I'd come up against.  Here I was about to sleep with the enemy.  Fuck
it!  The battle was his.  Let my old man win. I'd win so much more by
losing.

"Can I come get you when I'm though in the shower, Dad?"

"I'd like that."  We began our own private rodeo. He even wore his big
boots when he fucked me. Woah!  Was Uncle Joe right!  He gave and got a
better fuck wearing them damn boots.  I couldn't have been more near heaven
after we cleaned up and I was laying there in his big arms; him whispering
in my ear that everything was gonna' be all right, I'd see.  He wasn't
gonna' let anything bad happen to his boy. I believed him.

I don't care how old and jaded you may be every human soul needs to hear
those words from someone in their life.  Everyone still has a little boy or
girl inside them that needs a mommy or daddy figure to tell them that
things aren't as dark as they seem. That night Buck came to me again and
was thrilled that I was in my dad's arms.

"That old man really loves you, Cowboy.  I'm jealous I never got to sleep
in my old man's arms.  God knows, `cause I've told him so.  I would've
loved to spent one night in my old man's arms. The old man promised me when
my dad crosses over, I'd get to spend the first night in his arms.  I love
you `cause you got the balls to do what your heart tells you.  Of course, I
love you `cause you're mine.  You always will be and we'll be together
again, you'll see, but the old man sent me to tell ya' after the holidays
you gotta' get back on the road and find Red.

You gotta' swallow your pride,--well, some of it anyway. You gotta' ride
with him, Cowboy, be with him. It's important. How you choose to do that's
up to you but the Almighty wants you to be with him right now. There are
reasons you or I don't know about.  I can't tell you `cause I don't know
either.  They don't tell us some things." I looked into his beautiful, blue
eyes and felt tears start. I wasn't gonna' break down. "Don't look at me
that way, Darlin'," he said softly as he took me in his big arms, "you know
I love you. I'll always be with you.  You can't get away from me, Booger
maybe, me, never."  We kissed and he started fading.

"Oh God, please let him stay a few more minutes, God, please!  Buck!  Buck!
Damn!"

"There, there, Cowboy, Dad's got ya.'  Hold on to me Tiger, I got ya.'
Buck come to you?"  He asked quietly.  I nodded my head through my
tears. "I heard you calling his name.  What did he tell you this time?"

"Same thing, Dad.  I've gotta' be with Red.  God wants it that way and who
am I to go against what God wants?  Besides, Buck will always be my love
and guiding spirit so I have to do what he tells me." Then I told my dad
the story of Red and T-bo.  How much it hurt when I was just learning to
trust again.  I was putting more and more trust in Red and he wiped it out
over night.

"Never would have thought old Red would be that kind of man. They say a
stiff dick has no conscience.  Mine does, if'n it gets stiff and I don't
fuck something I feel guilty."  he laughed at his joke. "I know you're
hurtin' but maybe old Red has realized what he's lost. I'll bet he's crazy
to find you and have you forgive him.  Sometimes, life isn't all about
loving and getting, Son.  Sometimes it's about forgiving others for shit
they've done to us.

The real trick is to love them anyway.  Now, I ain't sayin' it's easy,
hell, it's probably one of the hardest things you'll ever try to do and
don't look to me as a poster boy.  I'm the world's worst at holding grudges
but your Uncle Bud never was. You got his blood and his genes. I know you
have a bigger heart than I do. I've seen you swallow your pride a few times
over the years to mend a friendship.  See if you can't find it in your
heart to forgive the old bastard if that's what you feel God wants you to
do."  "Well, I know I could forgive you, Dad." I said, trying to lighten
the mood.

"For what?"

"For making me suck you off one more time."  he laughed and hugged me.

"Hell, as much pleasure as you get out a doing it I ought a' charge
you. If'n I `be' doling out my cowboy dick for free just make damn sure
it's a good blow job or I'll be asking your forgiveness for the spanking
you'll get." I eased down on my old man's all ready stiff cock and sucked
him off good.  My dad has a strong flavor that's distinctively his.  A
good, masculine flavor that stays with you for hours afterward.  I loved
the taste of my old man's come.

We were up early.  The four of us went to the diner again for breakfast. It
was packed.  Suzie and Louise had a table waiting for us in the back.  We
waded through the assembled crowd shaking hands and hugging folks.  They
all knew B. G.-two and B. G.-three were going be in for breakfast.  They
wanted to be there to see us. Wasn't enough that they were going to see us
at the rodeo and picnic. I again tipped Louise and Suzie a hundred bucks.
They, in turn, bought our breakfasts.  They're sweet ladies and I love them
both.

We were early for church and the Reverend Mc Cree met us at the front steps
to welcome us. He heard I was in town and made sure we knew he and his wife
would be at the rodeo and picnic. I handed him an envelope with a donation
for the church organ fund.  We needed a new organ bad.  The old electronic
organ was on it's last leg.

 Shirley Grimes, the organist, had to kick it during the service sometimes
to get it going again.  Shirley was a dedicated musician and took pride in
playing for the church.  It drove her nuts having to stop every ten minutes
and kick that damn organ.  She would shake her head, grimace, tighten her
lips and give that fucking organ a kick that would make a place kicker on
any football team envious.  It would make the stained glass windows rattle
on each side of the church.  John the Baptist head almost fell out one
Sunday but a sharp usher saw it loose and grabbed it before it fell to the
floor.

Finally, Shirley solved the problem by having one of the kids of the church
stand by the organ with a baseball bat and when it started to go she'd nod
at him and he'd whack the shit out of it.  That organ didn't dare cut
out. I think it actually became afraid of Shirley and decided it better not
give her too much grief, it didn't know what she might do next.

She was a determined lady and I admired her. We'd be singing a hymn,
Shirley would nod, the kid would do his thing and all the old ladies would
drop there fox furs off their shoulder and anyone trying to sleep through
church suddenly woke up to the power of the word. They'd forget where they
were, stand up and yell at the top of their voice, `Hallelujah!' Couple of
folks lost their upper partials. They'd go flying through the air and land
on some old ladies big cabbage rose hat.  Then she'd wear it along with the
other flora and fauna.  Dad allowed it improved several.

I'll tell you one damn thing, Shirley Grimes put the fear of God in that
organ.  I hated to see her have to continue playing it but a little
disappointed that we wouldn't have the surprise wacks any more.  It made
church a lot more fun.

The Reverend thanked me and put the envelope in his breast pocket as we
went inside to sit down; Me, Lester, Dad, Uncle Joe and Aunt Laura, all on
the front row.  Everyone came in and there was more hugs and kisses from
remote family.  The service started but there was no preacher. No one knew
where the Reverend was.  Someone went to look for him and found him passed
out in his office.  They brought him to the front of the church. He was
pale white and more than a little shaken.  He didn't go to the pulpit but
walked to the front of the audience.

"Today my sermon was to be on giving and receiving.  I've tried, as your
minister, to learn to give and sometimes I've been successful.  To learn to
receive is all together different.  One must allow the giver their sense of
contributing and feeling of personal joy in the act of giving.  It's one
thing to show appreciation, another to be gracious.  Today, your minister
failed flatter'n a cow patty on a flat rock to show proper appreciation or
be gracious enough for a gift to our church. A fine young man, one of the
finest our community has every produced, handed me an envelope this morning
as a donation to the church organ fund. I did my usual nod of appreciation
and thanked him, slipped his donation in my coat pocket and didn't open the
envelope until I got to my office.

God sometimes works in mysterious ways to teach us a lesson.  I passed out
cold when I read the amount of the cashier's check for twenty-five thousand
dollars."  There was a mummer went through the crowd and then applause.
Shirley Grimes almost fainted.

"I want to apologize to you, Billy, before God and our church for not
taking the time to thank you more personally and to be gracious enough to
bring you joy for your unselfish act.  So, listen up, Folks!  This is the
lesson for today.  Don't look a gift horse in the mouth but be damn sure
you properly thank the man that gives him to you."  The Pastor walk over to
me with his arms opened and hugged me.  Then he took my hand, thanked me
and raised both our hands locked together above our heads to salute the
congregation. "Now, let's rodeo!" he yelled at the top of his voice.

A cheer went up in that church like I've never heard before.  Everyone was
all over our family, Aunt Laura, me, dad, Lester, Uncle Joe and the
pastor. Shirley Grimes came over, hugged me real big and kissed me.

"Cowboy, you don't know what this means to me." then she started crying.
"See Billy," she found the strength to continue, "God does answer prayers.
I asked him to send me an organ or an angel.  He sent me both.  You're my
angel."  Then she hugged and kissed me again, this time giggling like
crazy.

Church was over early.  According to the Reverend, everyone had learned a
lesson, no sense driving it home with a sledge hammer. It was a beautiful
Indian summer day in Mason and everyone had rodeo fever.  We drove home and
my immediate family was real quiet. There was a silence you could've cut
with a knife.

"What's with you guys, why's everybody so damn quiet?"

"Well, I don't know about your dad and Lester but, Son, I'm s'damn proud of
you I don't know what to say."  That was the first time in my life Uncle
Joe called me `son.'

"I like that Uncle Joe, you should call me `Son' more often.  In a way,
you're as much my dad as the other three.  Hell, if it weren't for your hot
mouth I probably wouldn't be here today."  Lester started laughing and my
dad laughed at Lester until we were all holding each other.  We were
laughing about how white the preacher was and how short the sermon.

"Why didn't you let us know you were going to do that, Son?" Dad asked.

"Awh, hell, Dad, it was an extra check I carried with me in case Red and I
got into trouble; if we needed some extra money.  I heard at breakfast how
bad the church needed a new organ and I've seen poor Shirley kick that old
organ since before I went to Nam. Her foot's gotta' hurt."  The three of
them went nuts laughing.

"I just wrote the church's name on it and stuck it in an envelope. I didn't
think it would be that big a deal."

"Well, I can't speak for Lester but I'm damn proud of you, too, Son. I was
sitting there being broody like a mother hen that was proud of her chick. "
he laughed.

"Billy," Lester said putting his hands on my shoulder, "I'm proud to call
you my `son' as much as them two yahoo's."  I gave him a hug.

"Thanks guys, now can we please get to the damn rodeo. Phil and me's got us
some major cowboy butt to kick today." I said looking at my dad's ass.
Lester started laughing again.

"Go get `em Cowboy, the major money's on you and Phil."

"You better hedge that bet, old man." my dad barked at Lester in fun. We
all climbed in Dad's old pickup truck and I helped load Tucker and Max, Dad
and Uncle Joe's two roping ponies into the trailer. Dad was in his rodeo
mood and I was wondering when the drinking was going to start. It didn't,
the old man and Uncle Joe only had Coke or 7Up in their hands.  I even
offered my dad a beer and he declined.  I was amazed; pleased but amazed.

It turned out to be one of the best Rodeo's anyone could remember.
Everyone went balls out in their particular event to win.  There was no
holding back. There was to be elimination in the team roping and by lunch
there were only three teams left. Me and Phil, Dad and Uncle Joe, and a
young couple of men that were really good.  Tom Pasley and Jim Poteet.

We had one hell of a picnic. The women brought more food than five times
the people could eat.  All kinds of food.  I ate too much. Should have
never had that last piece of pie but damn it was good.  Everyone had a
great time and Phil and I sat talking quietly as all the other young rodeo
fans sat and watched us worshipfully.  We were just expected to win, and so
far, we were doing pretty damn good.

A good nights sleep in my dad's arms had taken my mind off my troubles, and
I was focused.  To say nothing of the fuck that old man threw into my
ass. I know we need to go to church for soul food but last night my old man
gave me a glimpse of heaven. Straightened me right out.  Screwed my head on
tight. I could still taste his strong masculine flavor on the back of my
tongue.  I was on.  Phil and I were hot.  Nothing, this side of a major
catastrophe, was gonna' pull me down.

I thought sure Uncle Joe and Dad would be wasted by now.  They
weren't. They were sober and focused.  My dad had a glint in his eye like a
man on a mission.  I realized that my own sweet dad was out to stomp his
smart ass kid's butt.  I just smiled back at him like, `Take your best shot
old man, Phil and I are gonna' take you and Uncle Joe down.'

After lunch they had some `bull doggin' and a couple of barrel racers. Then
Phil and I went up against Tom and Jim.  Phil and I were slower than usual
but we made our catch.  At the last minute Jim's hinder rope slipped off
and they lost.  We were up against Dad and Uncle Joe next.  They went first
and they were good.  Dad roped the forward and Uncle Joe got the hinders
quicker'n greased owl shit.  Not a flaw. I wasn't worried, Phil and I'd
been getting better and better.

They released the steer and we broke the timer barrier after it.  Phil had
his rope around it in no time but the damn steer sun fished and fell. It
wasn't that much of a problem so I threw my rope and landed it on his
hinders but as he up-righted himself it kicked my rope off.  The
unthinkable had happened.  My dad, my old man and his significant other, my
uncle had succeeded in doing what they had set out to do, stomp our butts.

I whooped and started laughing. I damn near fell off Madison.  Phil knew
why I was laughing and started laughing too.  Dad had the biggest damn
smug, self satisfied smile on his face. He deserved it.  Uncle Joe couldn't
even look at me, he didn't know whether to shit or go blind.  He was
between a rock and a hard place. I rode over to my old man and took a bill
out of my western shirt pocket and stuffed it in his. I had planned it just
in case.

"What's this for?" Dad pulled out a thousand dollar bill and laughed.

"Well, I know I ain't been too good a son, Dad, so I though I'd try'n buy
your love."

"Hell, Son, you could have had that for a hundred bucks."  he laughed. I
rolled my eyes back in my head and couldn't stop laughing.

"A HUNDRED BUCKS, you old bandit, I was gonna' sell you mine for FIVE." I
could barely get it out I was laughing so hard.

"Inflation!" shot back my old man.  I got off Madison and pulled him off
his pony and hugged him laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my
face.

"I'm proud of you, old man, proud to call you my dad.  You and Uncle Joe
whomped our butts fair and square.  I'd give you that ring in my pocket for
your love."  The crowd was cheering the both of us as I held up Uncle Joe
and dad's hands as the recognized winners.  Phil rode over and shook their
hands.  We were still laughing. All I could say over and over again was,

"A hundred bucks, that old fart planned this, I just know.  A hundred
bucks!"  Then I'd laugh again.  I told Phil and he told Wilma Jo.  We had
everybody laughing.

Did we party that night?  Oh my God!  However, dad and Uncle Joe stayed
sober the entire time.  I had a couple of beers with Phil and some friends
but didn't get wasted.  I was relaxed and comfortable.  I was among the
people I loved most in the world.  I had my arms around a kid on either
side of me and one in my lap.  I was one of them and yet I wasn't one of
them.  At that moment it didn't matter, I belonged, I was loved, I was
appreciated, I was home.

The next day was Monday and my dad, Uncle Joe and Lester left the rodeo
grounds early to get the horses unloaded and get an early start to bed.  I
didn't want to stay as it was getting cooler and it seemed like a front was
moving in.  It looked like we were going to have cold weather for
Christmas.  I said my goodbyes and hugged Phil.

"We'll take `em next time, Phil." he agreed.  We both had a good time
whether we won or not.  In a way I was kind of glad my old man won.  It had
been fair and square. We didn't give it to him. Phil and I hadn't planned
it.  I would have taken the win but there was just something about my dad
winning that put him a little higher on my importance ladder.

He and Uncle Joe had indeed gotten their shit together and would be a
commanding force in competition from now on. It drew them closer.  It was
no longer my fault or your fault it was our fault.  I could see they were
more intimate with each other and dad would occasionally hug and kiss Uncle
Joe in front of me.  I would play like I was retching and they would laugh
at me.  That night Uncle Joe retired to his house to let us be alone.

"Dad, why don't you call Uncle Joe back over?  You guys won, fair and
square; Phil and I didn't give it to you.  The two of you accomplished a
goal you set out to do and worked hard for it. He needs to share in that
with you this evening.  I'm not here to come between the two of you.  I
want one more night with you before I leave but he should be by your side
tonight, he's earned that right."

"I told him you'd feel that way. I told him so.  I told him, `I know my
boy, Joe.'  But, Son, you'll have to go get him. He won't come if I call
him." I went to Uncle Joe's house and knocked on the door.  He graciously
had me come in.

"Uncle Joe, get you ass back over there where you belong and spend the
night with my dad.  He needs you and you need him tonight.  You both worked
your ass's off to win that rodeo today and you deserve to be together to
share in that. I only want one more evening alone with dad before I take
off and I'll let you know. Otherwise, I ain't coming home much any more if
you're gonna' act this way. Your place is beside my old man. After all,
he's your old man, too."  He looked at me funny and laughed when he got the
double meaning.

"Can you imagine the fuck that old man's gonna' throw into your ass
tonight? I shudder to think."  Uncle Joe started laughing, I started
laughing, and then we hugged each other.

"Okay, Son, let me turn the lights off.  I'll walk back over with you, and
by the way, Billy, thanks." We walked back arm in arm it was so damn cold
we held each other to conserve heat.  We came inside, laughing and
giggling, and dad had hot coco waiting for us.

"You're gonna' soak your feet in hot water before you jump in my bed, Joe."
Dad barked at Uncle Joe.  I laughed at my dad thinking how cold Uncle Joe's
feet probably were. "I'll sit and soak mine with you, though." he smiled
sweetly at Uncle Joe. We never had any more problems.  Uncle Joe would
always give me the first and last night at home alone with my dad.  That's
all I needed.  That's all dad needed.

The three of us grew to love each other more and more over the years. My
Uncle Joe lived his life in my dad's shadow. As I came to know him closer
over the years, I learned he was a man of many talents and
capabilities. Some he used, others he suppressed so he wouldn't draw
attention to himself and outshine my dad.  He devoted his entire life to my
dad and my dad somewhat took him for granted, until,--they sobered up. My
dad suddenly woke up to the treasure he had all those years, right under
his nose.  Then Joe began to reap the harvest of his years of devotion.
Dad began to show the love to Joe that my uncle had longed for all those
years and when the harvest had been gathered my uncle found himself a
wealthy man.  Rich beyond his wildest dreams with the love from a man that
cherished him like no other.

* * * * * * * * * *

Early the next morning everyone was up, getting ready for work.  I got up
and cooked breakfast. We were eating and the phone rang.

"Yes Sir, he's here. Yes Sir,--certainly Sir, just a minute."  Dad held his
hand over the phone mouthpiece.

"It's your friend, the Prince, Son." dad whispered handing me the phone.

"Master Ben, are you all right?"

"I'm calling to find out if you're all right, Cowboy.  Booger contacted
Harry and was upset about the two of you splitting up.  He's in Las Vegas
right now but Harry and I are in Reno. He knows your not with me. Knowing
you like I do, I had a feeling the first place you'd run to was your dad.
I knew you wouldn't involve Dan Yates.  You could have come to me, Little
Brother, my door is always open to you for shelter."

"You're such a kind and generous man, Master Ben.  I wish you were here
with me right now, to be with me and my family. I'd like to introduce my
dad to his other son to say nothing of trying to please you again."

"Try?  You always please me, Cowboy.  I could get a flight out of Reno for
San Antonio today. I have nothing on my calender for the next week. May I
join you?"

"I would be honored and thrilled, Master Ben.  Let me know the flight
arrival time and I'll be there to pick you up.  It may be in my dad's old
pickemup truck so dress casual, Sir, and Master Ben, thanks so much for
being a friend and caring."

"You know my affection for you runs deep, Cowboy."

"I love you, too, Master Ben." I hung up the phone and told dad and Uncle
Joe to close their mouths.

"He's coming to spend a few days with us.  Not a word to the town
folk. He's just my friend from Los Angeles. He'll be dressed in western
clothes.  You won't be able to tell Ben from a local.  He'll blend right
in."

"You're gonna' pick him up in my old truck?  At least borrow your Aunt's
car or take my Bronco to go get him."

"No, I want Ben to get a real flavor of the west and your old truck will do
just that, Dad.  The heater works, don't it?"

"Yeah! Everything works.  It just ain't real comfortable."

"It'll be fine, Dad, trust me."  The phone rang again and dad answered
again.

"No Booger, we ain't heard from him."

"No.  No.  I will.  Yes.  Yes.  I'll tell him if we hear from him. You two
have a fight?  Okay,--all right Booger, you have a Merry Christmas.  I
know, but try anyway.  Yes.  Yes.  I will if he calls."  Dad hung up the
phone and grimaced. I hate lying to the man but I think right now you need
to be apart for a while.  Maybe, It'll make him appreciate you more.  I
hope so.  He said to tell you he's miserable without you and so sorry for
what happened. He loves you more'n he ever realized.  Please forgive him."

"Well, I will. God says I have to, but not tonight or this week.  Let him
miss me for a while.  Christmas is coming and I'm going to enjoy it;
although, I do feel sorry for Red and don't want him to spend Christmas
alone."

The phone rang again and it was Master Ben.  He could get a flight out at
noon and be in San Antonio by four forty-five.  He gave me the flight
number and I told him I'd be there.  I wanted to leave Mason this morning
to make sure I got there in plenty of time. I arrived at the airport and
hour and a half early. I didn't have lunch so I sat and snacked on some
crackers and a Coke as I watched Master Ben's plane arrive.

Ben came down the ramp carrying a bag in one hand, some hang up clothes
thrown across his shoulder and had on the biggest, black, western hat you
ever saw.  He looked like someone out of a western story book.  God, he was
a handsome man.  He dropped his bag and carry on; we hugged.  Damn, he felt
good, he was a sight for my sore eyes.

"Damn, Master Ben, it's so good to see you.  I can't thank you enough for
coming."

"Try and stop me, Cowboy; however, from this moment on, I'm just `Ben,'
Okay?  Unless of course, we're alone in your bedroom."  he laughed.

"Ben it is, Sir." I replied laughing too.  We drove back the long way
through the hill country of San Antonio and stopped in Bandera at the small
store where Little Sister worked.  She saw me come through the door and
went bananas.

"Oh my God, the love of my life just walked through the door, my big
brother Billy.  Come in, come in!  What are you doing here?"

"Little Sister, I want you to meet a good friend of my from Los Angeles,
Ben Faisel.  Ben this is my little sister, Betty Bob Twissleman."

"Pleasure, Ma'am."  Ben said with a decided drawl that made me giggle.

"You going up to the ranch to see momma and daddy?  They'd love to see you.
We read all about you in the paper saving that Prince fellow's life and we
were so proud of you."  Little sister stopped for a minute looked at Ben
and then looked at me sideways grinning like a possum eatin' shit and I
nodded my head,

"Yes."

"Won't say a word, Billy,--Ben, go on up to the house.  Say hello to daddy
and momma.  They'd be thrilled to see you again.  I'll be up there in a
minute, I just gotta tell Mr. Warren and he'll let me go.  Don't you dare
leave `for I get up there, though."

"I promise, Little Sister."  We laughed. Ben and I walked back to the truck
and climbed in.

"Sorry Ben, I just wanted to say `Hi' and you to meet Betty Bob.  Now it
looks like you'll get to meet the whole damn family."

"You don't know what a treat this is for me, Cowboy, getting to meet real
rodeo people here in Texas.  It's a dream come true.  You've made a lot of
my dreams come true, Billy, you just don't realize it."  We drove to the
Twissleman's ranch and forded the low water damn across the Guadalupe
River.  Ben was impressed with the beauty of the surrounding country side.
We drove up to the ranch and they were there waiting for us. Mr. and
Mrs. Twissleman and their three big sons. I introduced Ben and they
accepted him immediately.

"Can you stay the night?" Mr. Twissleman asked.

"We hadn't planned on it Mr. Twissleman. I just picked up Ben at the San
Antonio Airport.  He came out to spend Christmas with my family.  We were
passing through on our way back to Mason, stopped in the store to say
`Howdy' to Little Sister and she threatened us with our lives if'n we
didn't get our butt's up here to say `Hello' to you and Mrs. Twissleman."

"She's a good girl, taught her well, Son." he said laughing.  "So glad you
did.  Stay, have dinner with us."

I looked at Ben and he nodded.  "All right, Sir, we'd love to, you got
reservations for two in the barn?"  I laughed.

"Oh, hell no, too damn cold out there this time of year.  We got a nice
guest room for you and Ben."

"I'll need to call my dad and let him know we won't be home `til sometime
tomorrow if I can use your phone."

"Sure, Son, over here."

I called dad and told him where we were.  He asked if Ben was all right and
I assured him he was.  He sort of giggled and told us to have a good time
he'd see us tomorrow sometime.  Come by the shop on the way in. I promised
we would. Ben and I stayed the night with the Twisslemans and true to her
word, Betty Bob didn't say a word to her family that Ben was the Prince.
She wasn't the least intimidated by him either and flirted with him
shamelessly.  Ben knew she was kidding him and had a delightful time.

Once again, the food Mrs. Twissleman brought out was unbelievable.  She
cooked a prime rib roast that melted in your mouth.  Ben ate like a hay
hand in mowing season. He hadn't experience good home cooking and couldn't
get enough. He was so use to restaurant food that this was a real treat for
him.  What really got him was the iced tea in the mason jars.  He thought
that was wonderful.  It was a nice touch of Americana that he wouldn't
otherwise had a chance to experience.

The Twisslemans wanted to know all about me saving the Prince's life. I
told them it was no big deal that I wasn't the real hero.  It was little
Steve that took the bullet.  I just reacted and threw the Prince and myself
to the floor to get him out of harms way. I showed them the ring that Ben's
dad gave me to induct me into the Royal family.  They passed it around and
were amazed.

"So you're a member of a Royal family now, Son?"

"An associate member, by chance, Mr. Twissleman, only by chance but I'm
honored and proud to be a member of such a fine family.  They're fine
people, Sir.  Ben's Father, the Sultan, is a wonderful man." There was a
silence you could hear your heart beat.

"Well, Son," Mr. Twissleman touched Ben on the arm speaking to him, "you're
lucky to have such a fine young man as Billy for a brother.  Just don't
tell him no secrets, Ben."  They laughed and laughed at my faux pas. Betty
Bob came over and messed my hair up.

"I didn't say a word and here you spilled the beans, Big Brother."

"I'm sorry, Ben, it just slipped out."  I said laughing with them.

"No harm done. These folks are fine people.  They'll treat me like one of
them."

"We sure will, Ben." Mrs. Twissleman interjected, "You're welcome here."

"Thank you, Mrs. Twissleman, I appreciate that.  I really appreciated that
meal. I can't remember when I've had such fine food."  Mrs. Twissleman just
beamed.

We were up early the next morning and on our way after a hearty ranch
breakfast.  Ben was a glow from the visit with the Twisslemans. It was all
he could talk about.  He felt so comfortable with those people and accepted
for who he was and not an Arab Prince.  Even Betty Bob treated him like a
family member.

Ben seemed to enjoy the ride in Dad's old pickemup truck back to Mason.  We
got there right around noon.  I drove directly to the shop and surprisingly
Dad, Uncle Joe and Lester were closing the place down. During Christmas
there wasn't much work to be done on cars or trucks.

"We'll, wait `til after the holidays," everyone thought.  They'd run out of
work and didn't see any use hanging around for the rest of the afternoon.
If anyone needed their car or truck fixed they knew who to call. I
introduced Ben to Dad, Uncle Joe and Lester.  They took to him immediately.

"Dad, I want you to meet my brother and your new son, Ben Faisel.  Ben I
want you to meet my dad and your new dad, Billy Gunn Jr." Ben stuck out his
hand. Dad took his hand then pulled Ben to him and hugged him.

"You don't shake your son's hand, Ben, you give him a hug."

"Thanks, Mr. Gunn, I appreciate that."  Ben was getting a little misty.

"J'eet lunch yet, Guys?" Dad asked us

"No Sir."  We replied.

"Well, let's go over to the diner and I'll buy us lunch."

"You're on dad." I answered. "He don't offer to buy too often Ben so I take
advantage of it when he does."  Lester and Uncle Joe roared.

Phil Roamer, Wilma Joe and the kids were in the restaurant and we sat with
them.  I introduced Phil to Ben as my ropin' partner for the last rodeo we
had here Sunday.

"Tell Ben who won, Cowboy," Dad goaded me, "go on, Son, tell him."
Everyone in the diner was waiting for my answer.

"Well, Ben, Dad and my Uncle Joe kicked our butts.  They won, fair and
square.  First time I ever lost and wouldn't ya' know it would be to my old
man and uncle?  I couldn't have been prouder of him and Uncle Joe.  They
worked their ass's off, got their act together and beat Phil and I." Dad
put his big arm around me and pulled me close.  Ben smiled.

"We're glad you could come out and be with us, Ben.  Means a lot to the
cowboy here.  You're welcome here."  Dad patted Ben gently on the back.

"Thank you, Mr. Gunn. Cowboy's told me so much about you and your family.
I feel like I know you all ready.  He said you were a friendly bunch of
folks and he wasn't kidding.  I see where he gets his charm, humor and
manners."

"Awh, he's a good boy. Can't rope worth a shit but he's a good boy." The
entire restaurant started laughing at my dad. He deserved to crow.

Louise the older waitress kept giving Ben the fish eye as she was serving
us. She pulled me aside.

"B.G.three, I've know'd you all my life. You and me, we grew'd up
together. Now, just who th'hell you think you're kidding?  That good
looking man sittin' at that table is the Prince, ain't he?"

"All right, Lousie, you're right.  Please, please, keep it to yourself."

"Oh, hell, Billy, you been too damn good to me for me to say anything.
Suzie don't know.  She ain't put it together yet, but I did."

"Thanks, Sweetheart, I owe you big time.  I won't forget."

"You don't owe me nothin,' Sugar. I just wanted to know for myself. Glad
you were honest with me."

We had a great time at lunch and Ben really seemed to enjoy himself. We all
got invited for another Picnic and rodeo the next Saturday.  It was gonna'
be a private affair, Phil said.  We all laughed at him and he laughed, too,
knowing that once the word got around that Phil and Cowboy were at the
rodeo grounds, come on down.  Let's rodeo!

We took Ben on a small walking tour of downtown Mason.  You walk around the
square and you'd done the town. We showed him the park and the rodeo
grounds and took him back to our place. He was impressed by our big two
story house. Dad had kept it in pretty good shape all these years.
Together he and Uncle Joe worked and repaired both houses.  They kept them
painted and the yards cared for. It was a lot of work but they didn't mind
when they did it together. We got home and Dad took me aside.

"Go up to the big bedroom across from yours, and take a look, see what you
think."  I padded up the stairs and opened the door.  I couldn't believe
it, brand new bedroom furniture, a beautiful rug on the floor, beautiful
table lamps, dresser and chest of drawers.  They'd gone out, bought all
this stuff, had it delivered and set up for me and Ben.  It looked like a
room at the damn Hilton. I came back down stairs. Lester, Uncle Joe and Dad
had these smug, self satisfied smiles on their faces.

"Thank you, what more can I say?" I hugged each one and poor Ben was
mystified. "Come with me, you have to see what these men did for us."  I
grabbed his luggage, hanging stuff and started up the stairs.

 "You'll have to get the door for me, Ben. If'n you don't mind, Sir." He
opened the door and even he was wowed.

"They did all this today, for us?" Ben said sitting on the bed and bouncing
a couple of times as if testing it.

"That's my family, Ben.  I know you would have been happy bunking in my old
room but they had different ideas as to your comfort.  God love them for
it, can you believe it?"  Ben got a bit misty.

"I'm really honored and pleased to think that I'm a small part of your
family, Billy. A gesture like this is every bit as important as the ring my
father gave you, Steve and Tim.  It means the same thing no matter the
price. In some ways this gesture is of much greater worth, to me,
anyway. You truly have become my brother, Cowboy.  I know you've had it
rough lately with Red, I'm sorry for that but I hope there's room in your
heart for a brother like me."

"God, Master Ben, I'll always be your brother and your slave."  We hugged
and kissed laying across the comfortable new bed.  We strolled back down
stairs, Ben then hugged each of my family and thanked them individually.

"Well, I didn't want my two sons sleeping on some ratty old bed we've had
around here for years.  Time we upgraded our furniture anyway.  `Sides that
, Ben, if'n you decide to tear off a piece of the cowboy's ass tonight, we
won't be kept awake half the night by the rusty bedsprings on Cowboy's old
bed."  Ben doubled over with laughter.  I did too.  My old man could say
some of the most off the wall shit I've ever heard.  He could be painfully
funny at times.

>From then on dad, Uncle Joe and even Lester referred to Ben as just `Ben'
or `Son.'  He ate it up, especially when my dad talked to him he would just
brighten at the sound of the word. Later he told me that his own father
rarely called him `Son.'

We spent a wonderful week together.  I pleasured that man any and every way
I could think of and invented a few of my own.  He really got off on me
cleaning his dusty boots when we came back from walking around the town. We
bonded as brothers.  We bonded as Master and slave but Ben was a wise man.
He knew I had purposes in life that I must take care of as he had.

We were grateful for the time we could call `King's X', drop out and love
each other. I never had a better time with any man than that week with
Master Ben.  Years later he recalled that week and Christmas as one of the
happiest times of his life. I shared my feelings with Master Ben about my
situation with Red.  He listened and was sympathetic but only had one
statement which made me think.

"You did accept him as your Master, Cowboy."  He didn't have to say any
more.  I knew exactly what Ben meant.  Was I going to live up to my
commitment to Red to be his slave or was I running when the going got
tough?  Was I his slave or was I just playing at it? You can't have it both
ways.  You either are, or you ain't.

I guess he was trying to say that even Masters make mistakes and a good
slave would swallow his pride and forgive his Master. He didn't want to
influence me but he made me see another side of the question I hadn't
considered. Well, I had stepped aside for T-Bo. I was trying to be a good
slave.  If Red preferred another slave to me, he could have him.  I wasn't
ready to go back to being Red's slave. He offered me an ultimatum once to
be his slave or else.

I gave him everything he wanted. I paid his price.  Now the boot was on the
other foot.  He was gonna' find himself on the other end of an ultimatum.
If he didn't want to accept it, fine.  I'd wait a spell and go on with my
life.  He had no problem demanding what he wanted from me, why should I eat
shit to take him back?

I couldn't have been more wrong in my evaluation of the situation.  If I
was the slave that I am today, it would never cross my mind to play a game
like that with my Master.  To fight Red for control was a no win situation.
Even if he went along with me, I'd be giving up that which I needed most
from him, his control.

The weekend came and we were up early.  Dad hadn't opened the shop all week
and he and Uncle Joe had been practicing their roping. They were out for
blood. Dad had the taste of `best' and he wanted more. Our good natured
rivalry had become legend in our town and everyone wanted to be there to
see who was going come out on top.

I ate some pretty big crow that week. I didn't mind, it actually brought my
dad and I closer. I knew dad was enjoying it. He'd finally done something
in his life that he worked hard for and helped someone else along the
way. I wasn't about to make it easy for him.  If he wanted to be the best
he had to beat the best. He probably wouldn't admit it but I think he
wanted to be good for me, too.  He needed me to be proud of him.  I won
either way.

I spent all week teaching Ben to ride western. He had a lot of experience
on Arabians.  He was brought up learning to ride but they have different
saddles.  I also taught him to `whisper' to horses.  Dolly was his first
subject and she fell madly in love with him. She followed him around
everywhere and when he saddled her up and started riding her it was like
she was reading his mind.  She'd actually follow him around after he got
down.  He became quite fond of the old girl. He spoiled her rotten.  He
always managed to get an apple or lump of sugar to hide in his pocket.  She
knew it, too, and would pester the shit out of him until he gave it to her.

When Ben was in the saddle he looked like any typical American cowboy. I
took lots of pictures with my small cheap camera and he took a lot with his
expensive Japanese camera.  He was a naturally photogenic man.  I couldn't
take a bad picture of him if I tried.  I later made up a picture board of
him and I in our western outfits, on horseback, separate and together. I
included pictures of my family and the community, the town square, the
County Court House, the park, and the rodeo grounds.  Ben loved it and with
his permission I forwarded it to his dad.  He sent me the nicest letter
through Tim and invited my family to visit Bahrain.  He said he was glad
that his son had a brother like me.

Saturday came and Ben couldn't wait to get to the rodeo grounds. He wanted
to see what a local impromptu rodeo was like.  He met damn near everyone in
the county during the week. I thought maybe Louise shared her secret with
Suzie at the restaurant. She hadn't; however, both women flirted with Ben
with abandon.  He thought they were wonderful.

Ben and I loaded Dad and Uncle Joe's two ponies, Tucker and Max. Hooked the
trailer up to the back of Dad's truck, jumped in the back and we all headed
for the rodeo grounds.  Phil Roamer and his family had just arrived before
us and the kids ran to Ben and I.  Ben grabbed up Sally and I wrestled with
Phil Jr.

Phil brought Dolly and Madison as he was boarding them on his ranch for Dad
and Uncle Joe until they could plan a trip to Tucson.  I gave Wilma Jo an
envelope with a thousand dollars in it for their board and care.

"Billy this is too much money for their care." she said to me.

"Well, if there's some left over buy Phil Jr. a new pair of boots and Sally
a pretty new dress.  Buy yourself something too, Little Sister."  She
hugged and kissed me.

"You always were so good to me, Billy. That husband of mine worships the
ground you walk on and your Uncle Bud.  Oh, Lord!  Don't even get him
started on Bud.  He loved your uncle more than his own father.  His one
statement about you he says over and over, `They don't come no better'n
Billy Gunn.'  I have to agree with him, hon, after all he is my old man."
We laughed together.

Dolly couldn't wait to get out of the trailer to see Ben.  The Hussy!  We
finally got Madison and her out. She followed Ben everywhere.  Phil said
she gets depressed when they go home.  Of course Ben had a nice granny
smith for her. He made me make a special trip to the market just so he
could get her treats.  She wasn't about to share it with Madison
either. Phil had Wilma Jo pulled his horse trailer behind his truck.  He
brought his ropin' pony, Midnight, that he felt more comfortable on than
Dolly.  We were going all out to recapture our crown.  The enemy was
equally intent on keeping it.

Dad and Uncle Joe had their heads together talking strategy all morning.  I
laughed at them.

"How much fuck'n strategy do you need to throw a rope around a damn cow's
neck?" I asked Phil and we laughed.

It was a warm day and the sweat band on dad's old hat was soaked. Laying
off the beer had shaped him up a little bit and Uncle Joe, too. They no
longer had their beer guts.  For the first time, in a long time, my dad sat
a good horse.  He looked damn good on old Dan Tucker.  Uncle Joe wasn't too
shabby on old Max either.  He still could make the teen age girls giggle
and blush when he rode by.

We started with warm ups and Phil and I hit, right on.  His horse was use
to riding lead and securing the head.  While Madison was use to me roping
the hinders.  We were doing great.  So was Dad and Uncle Joe.  They were
on.  Ben was helping out with the timing and the starting ropes.  He would
jump in and do anything to help.  He was loving every minute of it. I
checked with him regularly to see if he was okay.

"You know, Cowboy, it's one thing to sit in the stands and watch and it's
another world to be down here where the action is.  Am I all right?  Am I
all right??  I'm in heaven, this is the most fun I've had in years."

We were just getting ready to make our first run when two pickup trucks
pulled up with horse trailers.  We stopped to see who it was.  I saw a big
man get down from his truck and I let out a whoop you could've heard in the
next county.  It was the Twisslemans come to rodeo.  I got down off of
Madison and handed his reigns to Phil.  Ben went with me to welcome
them. We ran over and hugged them.  Mrs. Twissleman and Betty Bob came too.
We shut down the goings on for the minute to introduce them to everybody.

"Damn, Mr. Twissleman, it's great to see you folks again. How'd ja'll know
we were rodeoing this weekend?"

"Called your house to invite you and Ben down and your dad invited us up
for the weekend.  Loaded everybody in the trucks and here we are."

"So good to see you again, Mr. Twissleman. Ben stuck out his hand.  Big Ed
Twissleman shook Ben's hand then pulled him in for a hug.  Ben was use to
that by now and hugged him back.  The three boys Brank, Toller, and Morgan
came and shook hands with us. My dad, Uncle Joe and Lester came over to
meet them.

"Dad, Uncle Joe, Lester meet Mr. Ed Twissleman."  I said. "Mr. Twissleman
this is my dad, Billy Gunn Junior, my Uncle Joe Potter and my other dad,
Lester Thornton."  Mr. Twissleman didn't bat an eye. He knew that Lester
was part of our family and that's all country folks need to know to accept
you.

"Damn good to meet you, Sir." said my dad to Ed Twissleman. "Heard a lot
about you, your family and your ranch. Hope to come visit sometime and see
for myself." dad said, shaking Ed Twisselman's hand.

"You're all welcome any time, Mr Gunn."  he replied.

"Just call me Billy, Mr. Twissleman."

"Then what do we call young, Billy, here."

"What everyone calls him, `Cowboy.'"  The two of them had a good laugh.

"Ed,--Joe, Lester, and me--well, we're so damn sorry for your loss.  Your
boy stayed with us that last week before returning to boot camp with
Cowboy, Buck and Ken. Wasn't a finer boy walked this Earth, Ed.  Hell, the
whole damn town fell in love with him.  If it wasn't for your boy, mine
wouldn't have come home to me and for that I'll be eternally grateful to
your family and your son.  We loved him a lot, Ed."

Big Ed Twissleman broke down. My dad grabbed him, held him and cried with
him.  My old man could be a good hearted man sometimes and I was proud of
him.  Ed thanked him and told him they were so glad that Cowboy made it
back and dad was just gonna' have to share me, `cause they all ready
consider me part of their family.  Ed was better and they both had a laugh.

Mr. Twissleman walked over and put his arm around Ben.

"You enjoying yourself, young man?"

"More than I can express, Sir.  These folks have taken me in as one of
their own and it's a world I'd never have a chance to experience if it
weren't for Cowboy and his wonderful family.  They've sort of adopted me as
a second son and I'm loving it."

"They got you on a horse yet, Son?"  he joked with Ben.

"Yes, Sir, that Palomino Morgan mare over there, Dolly.  I think she's in
love with me."

"Be careful, Son, Mrs. Twissleman and Little Sister are, too."  he let out
a hearty laugh.  Ben laughed with him. We helped his boys get their horses
from their trailers. Someone yelled, "Let's rodeo!"

We Rodeoed hard until noon and all the ladies again brought food from
everywhere.  Aunt Laura even brought several dishes and pies. They closed
down the diner.  Louise and Suzie brought food.  Ben couldn't believe his
eyes at the four picnic tables loaded with good food.  I thought he was
gonna' eat himself sick.  He was a big man though and could pack it away.
We had worked up an apatite. He had fallen in love with iced tea.  He had
never drank it before and developed a taste for it.

Ben was having a world of new experiences among good folk that accepted him
as our friend.  They didn't need to know more. He was particularly moved by
Mr. Twissleman's ease around him and treating him like a respected friend.
Calling him "Son" and putting his arm around him. Things we just take for
granted were wonderful new experiences for him.

We got to rodeoing and the trials began.  Ed Twissleman and his son Toller
were no slouches when it came to team roping.  I watched them and whispered
to Ben and Phil that we may have more to worry about than Dad and Uncle
Joe.  They didn't miss a throw in practice and their times were first rate.

Came time for Phil and I to rope and we were right on. Phil had his rope
around that steer almost right out of the chute.  He cinched his rope
around his saddle horn and his horse, Midnight, pulled back to tighten
it. I hit the hinders right after and we were timed. We pulled the best
time for the first round eliminations.  The Twisslemans were second and Dad
and Uncle Joe were third. We all had to rope two more times for elimination
to the best team.  We went first as the top timers usually do.  We had a
good run but our time wasn't as good as the first time.

Ed and Toller Twissleman grabbed the best time the next round and Dad and
Uncle Joe beat our time.  We were out.  A cheer went up for those two old
cowboys you could hear for miles. Phil and I rode over to Dad and Uncle Joe
and shook hands.

"This is starting to be painful, Dad." I laughed as I joked with him.

"It's not over yet, Son.  I think we got us some first class ropers here
today."

"Looks that way, Mr. Gunn." Phil allowed.

The Twisselmans went first and bettered their time.  They were dead on! Dad
and Uncle Joe were next.  Dad got the rope on the steer right out of the
chute but Tucker pulled too hard and started dragging the critter across
the arena.  There was no way Uncle Joe could get his rope under the hinders
and the Twisslemans had won. We rode over and shook hands as the crowd went
nuts.

"Hell, Ed, we didn't invite you down here to show us up.  Congratulations,
that was some damn fine rope'n."  Dad told him as he laughed and shook Ed
Twissleman's hand.  .  "You done good, Son.  Some fine rope'n." Dad spoke
to Toller as he shook the young man's hand.

"You two are damn good, Mr. Twissleman, Toller. Congratulations! You went
up against the best and won.  Now, that weren't me'n Phil.  My dad and
Uncle Joe are the best.  They stomped our butts last weekend."  I laughed.
Dad was disappointed but mellowed as the day wore on and nightfall came.
We took the Twissleman's horses to Phil and Wilma Jo's ranch south of town,
helped unload `em, wipe `em down and fed them.  They were gonna' leave them
there and come stay with us.

We turned Uncle Joe's big house over to the Twisslemans.  There was a
bedroom for all.  Uncle Joe kept his house in tip top condition at all
times and had a house cleaning lady come in once a week. Everything was
spotless and all the beds were made.  He showed Mrs. Twissleman and Betty
Bob where everything was and bid them good night after we had a small
dinner of left overs.

We had breakfast the next morning, went to church, and set out for the
rodeo grounds. We rodeoed some but people started leaving in the early
afternoon.  The Twisslemans had to get back. The next day was Christmas eve
and everyone wanted to be home for the holiday. I cried when I hugged
Little Sister goodbye and wished her a Merry Christmas.

"I love you, Little Sister."

"You know I love you, Big Brother." then she whispered, "Your Prince loves
you, too." Then she giggled like a school girl.

"What did Little Sister say to you?"  Ben asked later when we were alone in
bed.  "She told me you loved me."  I said laughing.

"She's a wise young woman, she's also right."  He pulled me closer to him
and kissed me gently.  We were from two different worlds but our hearts
spoke one language, the language of friendship, the language of two
brothers, but more importantly, the language of love.



End of Chapter 11~
Booger Red & Cowboy
Copyright 2003 Waddie Greywolf
Mail to: <waddiebear@yahoo.com>