Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 00:05:11 -0700 (PDT)
From: Waddie Greywolf <waddiebear@yahoo.com>
Subject: "Cabbage Patch Cowboy Part 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 M/b M/t Gay Incest Anal
Oral True)

Comments/questions:  waddiebear@yahoo.com
Copyright 2002 Waddie Greywolf

===============================================================================
This part is lovingly dedicated to my beloved friend,  Ret. Deputy Quinton
F. Tate who was eighty-two years young August 11.  I apologize,  Buckaroo,
for the shit us boys put you through all those years, but it was so Goddamn
funny at the time.  Happy belated birthday, Quinton.  I love you, Cowboy.
===============================================================================
CABBAGE PATCH COWBOY PART 11


Madame Pearl Le Pue
(Ms. Pearl)


Waddie, Gip, Oatie and Clyde were all the time finding sick animals. It
seemed like they sought the boys out to give them sanctuary, food, water,
and a warm, dry place to rest and recuperate from a wound or exhaustion.
Some would be starving and the boys would feed them until they could take
off on their own.  They never tried to make pets of the wild animals.  They
knew they belonged in the wild and must return there.  Their turn over of
patients became so great they didn't have time to become that attached to
any one critter.

There were a couple of exceptions.  Critters they loved and remembered more
than the others.  Two were barn owls who's mother got shot or poisoned but
never came back to feed her babies.  The boys didn't even bother to take
them out of their nest.  It was in their barn and they gently moved the
nest over next to the loft so they could get to them to feed them.  They
fed those two owl babies until they were grown but they didn't have a
mother to take them out to teach them how to hunt for themselves.

They were dependant on the boys for food.  They didn't mind and took care
of them for a couple of years.  They named one Merlin and the other Boo.
They were great fun at Halloween parties.  The boys would dress up as
magicians and have one of the owls on their shoulders.

Finally, they thought of a plan to teach them to hunt.  They constructed a
large area on the barn floor of metal flashing they found in an old house
they played in on Ed Bloomquist's property across the creek.  They asked Ed
if they could have it and he told them to take it.  The owls favorite food
were live mice the boys would catch in traps.

They'd turn a couple of mice loose every night in the large walled pen they
built.  The mice would scurry about trying to find a place to get out but
couldn't.  The boys started reducing the food intake of the two owls and
after about two weeks of barely feeding them they came into the barn one
morning and the mice were gone.

They put four in the next night and the next morning they were gone.  The
boys had to see for themselves.  They told Dan, Buck, Don, Lyle and Quinton
what they planned to do and the five large kids weren't about to let the
four smaller kids have all the fun.  They decided they wanted to see what
the boys accomplished.  Dr. Dyer even asked if he could bring his sleeping
bag and join them.

So here they were all in the loft spending the night watching to see if the
owls really were eating the mice.  They put six mice in that night.  Sure
enough a little after midnight Boo flies down and grabs one of the mice and
takes it to another beam to eat it.  Five minutes later Merlin joins him
with his own mouse.  They kept that up until all six mice were gone.  The
men were ecstatic. They were congratulating the boys and were quite proud
of them.

Dr. Dyer was so thrilled he gave a talk at a ladies group in town.  They
expected him to talk about medicine but he told them he had something far
more miraculous to talk about.  He kept the women spellbound with his
recounting of being a first hand witness of what the four boys had
accomplished.  He was amazed at their ingenuity and patience to get these
creatures to learn to fend for themselves.

The boys kept that up and would skip a night leaving mice.  Then they'd
skip two nights.  Finally the owls were going out at night to find their
own mice but they always returned to the barn. They would still let the
boys pet them and play with them until, . . .  Boo met Mr. Boo and Merlin
met Mrs. Merlin.

The boys fixed them wonderful boxes with straw in them on opposite ends of
the barn.  They built a landing pad and a small side entrance to the main
nest.  It was like the owls knew immediately the nest boxes were for them.
There were four owls in the barn in two nests.  They raised four young that
year and did for several years afterward.

The other critter the boys became quite fond of was a female skunk they
found almost dead and nursed back to health.  They named her Ms. Pearl
because that was the beer that Dad Dan, Uncle Buck, Don Rayborn and Lyle
Rawlings liked to drink on hot summer afternoons.

They'd sometimes take several bottles apiece with them when they took the
boys swimming and set them in one of several springs that fed the creek
into the limestone quarry.  The water coming up from the ground would be
ice cold and chill their beer down quickly with the cold clear water
running over the bottles.

They never got drunk but they would get awfully close to each other.  By
that time the boys didn't pay them much attention.  That was just what
their four dads did in private and they knew the boys wouldn't be upset to
see them with their arms around each other's shoulders laying in the cool
water.

They loved each other.  The boys took great comfort that four of the major
males in their lives weren't afraid to show each other a little affection.
The boys knew they could always join them and get a big arm thrown around
them and a kiss stolen.

The feed bills for the critter infirmary were exceeding the boys
allowances.  They ask if they could put jars for change for `Sick Critter's
Food' at certain business, the sheriff's office, and Doc Dyer sat one on
the check in counter of the small hospital.

By the end of the first month they had a surplus that they carried over the
next month and then had another gift from the community.  It seemed like
God himself was providing for their efforts.  Dr. Dyer wrote Agatha several
letters detailing the boys progress.  She was thrilled and sent them twenty
dollars in a letter to the four of them.

Oatie was elected treasurer for their enterprise and published accurate
records of donations, expenses and balances carried over to the next month.
The boys ran it strictly as a non-profit charity organization.  Doctor Dyer
himself wrote a brief account of the good the boys were doing to help
injured and sick animals and return them to the wild.

It was published in the small town newspaper.  He recounted their success
ratio was twenty percent better than most hospitals.  The boys published an
accounting monthly for anyone to review. It was tacked to the bulletin
board in the sheriff's station.

People and kids all over the community began to find and bring the boys
animals in need of care.  The nearest veterinarian was in a larger town
forty-five miles away.  On one of his trips to the area he had to stop and
visit the boy's `critter hospital.'

He was as impressed as Dr. Dyer and gave them lots of helpful advice.  He
sent them a list of easy to understand books and government pamphlets on
the care of injured wild animals.  He couldn't believe the boys taught tame
owls to hunt for themselves.  Dr. Dyer told him he was an eye witness.

One afternoon the boys were devastated to walk into the barn and find every
critter they were caring for dead.  Willie took his .22 rifle and shot
every critter in their infirmary, except the owls and one other critter he
didn't know about. The owls were asleep in their boxes well hidden from
plain view.  The boys saw him running away with his gun in his hand as they
came to the barn.  After they buried their critters and shed tears in each
other's arms, they talked it over.

They decided not to tell Dad Dan for fear of what he might do.  In the mean
time Gip called Lyle Rawlings and asked him to tell the Sheriff and Don
Rayborn.  They weren't interested in getting Willie into trouble so much as
they needed advice and help from the Sheriff's Office because they knew
they were going to have to tell Dad Dan eventually.  They asked Lyle if he
and the Sheriff would come out as soon as they could so they could tell
Dan.

They knew he'd want to go over and pop Willie's head off with a church
key.* The boys were unsure whether they'd have the influence to stop him
from doing something out of blind rage they would all regret.  Not only was
it a dastardly thing to do, but Willie trespassed on the Justin's property
to do the foul deed.

When they told Dan, he was ready to go over to Morgan's place with his
twelve gage shot gun loaded with rock salt for scaring crows away and shoot
Willie's ass off. It wouldn't kill him but it sure as hell would make him
wish he was dead.

The boys stood their ground in front of their beloved Dad Dan and tried to
make him listen to reason.  Fortunately, Buck , Lyle, Don and Quinton drove
up just in time and talked sense to Dan.  The boys weren't gonna' let him
get into trouble because of his anger.  They loved him too much for that.

The Sheriff and his three deputies were there in nothing flat and backed
the boys up.  They weren't there as lawmen, they were there as Dan and the
boy's friends.  The boys assured Dan that Willie would get his, leave it to
them.  Trust them.

When Willie got his, if Dan wasn't satisfied that it was pay back enough,
the boys swore in front of the Sheriff and his men, all four would drop
their pants and he could take his belt to each one of them.  Dan wanted to
know what the boys planned to do.  They look at each other and giggled.

"Don't ask us, Dad Dan, `cause you don't wanna' know."  giggled Oatie with
Clyde shaking his head in agreement.

"Just trust us, Dad," Gip begged his dad, "There comes a time when you
gotta' trust your kids. We've heard you say it a hunnert times.  Ain't we
guys?"  the boys nodded in agreement with their brother and the Sheriff and
his men backed them up, "You just gotta' trust us on this one, Dad.  Don't
ask, because you know we won't lie and that wouldn't be fair to us.  Tell
him, Uncle Buck, Mr. Rawlings."

"Them boys got a strong point, Brother.  We've all heard you say that.  I
trust `em, I think they know what their doing, Dan.  How many times you and
I just shook our heads and laughed our ass's off at the things they've done
to Willie.  Each one seems to be worse and more unique than the last.  I,
for one, can't wait to see what they plan to do to top Willie's silent
disease from a year ago."  All the men fell out laughing again.

"All I can think to tell you, Dan," added Lyle Rawlings, "instead of going
over there and shoot'n Willie's ass off, we better drop to our damn knees
and say sentence prayers for poor Willie."  The men roared with laughter
and even Dan chuckled.  He finally gave up the idea of performing a
buttectomy on Willie with his shotgun.  He decided to leave it to his boys.

"You see, Dad, ..." spoke Waddie with a smile on his face, "Willie didn't
shoot quite all the critters."

The boys didn't elaborate beyond that and somehow at that moment, Dan
Justin, as angry as he was, suddenly had a twinge of sympathy for Willie.
Chills ran up Dan's spine and he got the feeling maybe Lyle's suggestion
wasn't such a bad idea.  Dan knew whatever the boys were planning to do to
Willie would be God awful.  The men could count on pay-backs times ten. He
and Buck learned a long time ago that their boys didn't do anything
half-ass'ed.

The boys befriended Ms. Pearl.  They hadn't told anyone about her because
they were worried that Dad Dan wouldn't like them helping a stinky cat.
Madame Pearl Le Peu. The boys quickly got use to her pungent smell and it
went away in time.

A dog or coyote got after her and even though she tried to spray it she got
her back broken and a chunk bitten out of her left hind leg.  She was in
bad shape. She was near death and stunk because she had recently sprayed
the coyote.

Waddie had a way of humming to animals that seemed to hypnotize them and
they wouldn't bite even if they were in severe pain.  He taught the other
boys how to do it and they got just as good at it; Gip especially.

Being farm/ranch boys Waddie and Gip were warned constantly about rabid
animals and to be very careful about handling wild animals that could
possibly be carrying rabies.  The boys didn't take any chances with
Ms. Pearl.

They eased a long flat shovel under her to gently lift her and put her into
a warm box.  She seemed to know that the boys were trying to help her and
didn't make any effort to resist.  She especially liked Oatie and Gip for
some reason but she came to trust all four boys equally.

They carried her to the old barn where they kept their sick critters except
they decided to keep her in the loft. Their reasoning being, if she was up
high, in her condition, she wouldn't try to get away until she was healed.
They fed her, provided water for her and Waddie managed to get some sulfur
power and sulfathisole to help heal her wounds.

Ms. Pearl lay there and accepted food and water from the boys for several
weeks and seemed to enjoy their visits. They cleaned up her poop and took a
warm damp rag to gently clean her from time to time.  She never made a move
to bite nor spray them.

Ms. Pearl got better and better.  Her back completely healed, except she
kinda favored her left leg and her back end looked like a loose caboose
when she walked.  The flesh and hair grew back over the flesh wound.

Since she was nocturnal by nature the boys had created a box with a lid
that opened and a tunnel out of straw that she could crawl through and
sleep undisturbed during the day.  When Willie shot all the other critters
Ms. Pearl was still asleep in her artificial borough in the loft.  The boys
were thrilled when Ms. Pearl waddled out in the evening for her food and
water.  She allowed the boys to clean her and her bedding.

She was so use to it, she'd just back her little butt up to the boy
cleaning her.  They'd put fresh straw in her box, pet her gently and talk
to her.  They'd encourage her telling her how much better she looked and
she was doing great.  She wouldn't stay out too long but returned to her
box to rest and recuperate.  Sometimes she'd carry an extra chunk of red
meat or dog biscuit back to her nest with her for a late night snack.

As she got better, Ms. Pearl would follow those four boys everywhere.  They
had her so well trained, they could whistle and she knew it meant to hide
herself.  She learned her name and would come to the boy that was calling
her.

They weren't going to let Willie hurt her.  Let anyone else come around her
or her boys and she'd turn, raise her tail and start thumping her little
back feet.  And you damn well better not come closer to her boys than a
good fifteen feet.

If you stayed your distance she'd calm down and let you talk to the boys
but the minute you made a move closer, her little butt was turned towards
you and those tiny little feet were just a' thumping out a warning.  The
boys loved her and could do anything with her.

They could pick her up, pet her, and give her treats.  You couldn't see her
without knowing she dearly loved her boys and was protective of them. They
saved her life and she was grateful. The boys never felt so safe as when
Ms. Pearl was with them.

One day the boys decided it was time to share their new best friend with
the folks they loved.  It was a fourth of July party at the Justin's.  All
the deputies, their wives and kids were there.  The usual family folks of
the Dyers, Davenports, Claymores, Ma and Pa Lovejoy, and Tates were there.
Even Uncle Enid drove down to celebrate the fourth with `her boys.'  Morgan
was away from home and of course, as usual, Judy and her three didn't show.

The boys giggled all morning. They had their heads together just a' talking
amongst themselves, away from the adults, laughing, giggling and carrying
on.  Dan and Buck knew they were up to something. Finally, Oatie stood on a
picnic table and made an announcement.

"Folks!  If I could have your attention for a moment!  It's important
everyone listen to me.  Me and my brothers, Waddie, Gip and Clyde have
invited our new best friend to meet ya'll but you can't get too close.
Parents!  Please hang on to your kids and don't let them run up to us
because it could be disastrous.  Our guest is a wild critter we've nursed
back to health and she won't stand for anyone but her four boys coming
within fifteen feet of her."

Yonder came Clyde, Waddie and Gip being followed by their new best friend
Madame Pearl Le Pue.  The crowd was stunned.  No one dared to breathe. They
didn't know whether to shit or run. No one could believe the boys new best
friend was a skunk, and a loaded one at that.  Uncle Enid slapped Buck on
the back and they broke up into gales of laughter.

"Buck, ya'oughta lock them Goddamn boys up and throw away the key! They're
gonna' be dangerous when they grow up!" laughed Uncle Enid.

That only caused Buck and the deputies to break up laughing.  Then
everybody started laughing. Everyone was dumbfounded. They couldn't believe
what they were seeing.  Nobody makes a girlfriend of a loaded skunk.  It's
just not done in polite society.  It's not like you can take her home and
introduce her to your family.  However, the upside is you wouldn't have to
spend much on her for perfume.

Ms. Pearl would let the boys hold her, play with her, pet her, climb all
over them and they'd give her treats.  She'd jump in their laps and let
them do anything they wanted to her.  She loved to have her tummy
tickled. Her idea of heaven was laying on her back, in one of the boy's
lap, crunching away on a dog biscuit held between her two little front paws
while one of the boys tickled her tummy.  The deputies, Buck, Dan, Doc Dyer
and Uncle Enid were laughing their ass's off.  Buck told them,

"You know exactly what them boys plan to do with that skunk, don't cha'?
Someway, somehow their gonna' figure out a way to get Ms. Pearl to spray
Willie.  I'd be willing to bet a month's pay.  Just as sure as God made
little green apples you can count on them boys getting back at Willie with
that damn skunk."

Finally, the boys called for Ms. Pearl to follow them and they took her
back to the loft.  They trained her to get into a little wooden carrying
basket and lay down so they could tie a rope around the handle and lift her
comfortably to her loft.  They called it the `pearl-a-vator.'

They came back to the party to much congratulations and good wishes for
their critter hospital.  Once again Dr. Dyer was really impressed by the
boys and their talent.  The boys asked the folks not to talk too much about
what they'd seen that day and they didn't.  They all knew why!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Willie had the habit of bringing his four cronies home with him every
Friday evening, going in his room and locking his door as usual.  They'd
have a bull shit session and talk about girls. Out of habit he hung the key
on a nail next to the door.

Willie had started keeping his window closed but never locked.  One Friday
evening the boys smuggled Ms. Pearl up to Waddie's room in her basket and
let her run around.  Then they took her and put her in Willie's room and
closed the window.  Ms. Pearl investigated then decided to crawl under
Willie's bed and take a nap.

Willie came home with his cronies, went into his room and locked the door
behind them.  He hooked the key onto the nail by the door and the boys made
themselves comfortable.  Ms. Pearl comes waltzing out from under the bed
and sees it's not her four boys and goes into her little foot stomp'n toten
tanze.*

Two of the boys yelled and headed for the door but of course it was locked.
All they could do was twist and pull on the knob frantically.  One pushed
the other out of the way thinking he could get the damn thing open.

Willie goes for the key the same time another boy lunges for it and the key
goes flying through the air onto the bed.  Willie runs for the key and
that's all it took for Ms. Pearl to release her version of `Evening in
Paris' and got Willie right, smack dab in the face.  Willie dropped the key
and in his confusion kicked it under the bed.

One of the other boys lunged for it but Ms. Pearl took deadly aim and got
him, too, right in the kisser.  It smelled so bad the other two were
yelling and crying.  One of the other boys finally manage to locate the key
but it was on the other side of Ms. Pearl near the window and she was still
just a' doing her `rump thump'n rumba.'

He lunged across the bed and managed to toss the key to the other boy
nearer the door.  Ms. Pearl was not amused and got both of them in a cross
fire that would have made a western gun slinger green with envy if not from
the smell.  Not only was she accurate she was deadly accurate.  Those boys
fogged out of that room and ran downstairs, screaming, hollering and
yelling at the top of their lungs.

"Oh God!  Oh God!  I'm blind!  Oh God, I'm blind!"  Willie cried.  The
other boys joined in on the chorus of this geek tragedy. (pun intended)

As they exited the room Willie didn't worry about locking it.  They left
the door wide open.  Ms. Pearl Texas Two-stepped out into the hallway.
Waddie had opened his door so the boys could get a good peek at Willie and
his four cronies in their hasty exit.

Ms.  Pearl saw her boys, strolled over to them, walked into Waddie's room
and crawled into her carry basket.  Waddie gave her a chunk of red meat,
patted her on her little head, told her what a wonderful lady she was but
she had a tendency to wear too much perfume.  Ms. Pearl promptly curled up
into a ball and went to sleep.  Her job, here, was done.  She was
exhausted.  She needed a nap.  The boys felt she damn well deserved it.

Judy made Willie and his crew take off their clothes and throw them in the
incinerator.  She threw them each a bar of lie soap and a couple of scrub
brushes.  She wouldn't let them back in the house or into the bathrooms
until they washed off some of the stink.  They had to rinse each other with
ice cold water from the hose.  She made them repeat the procedure four of
five times until their skin was almost raw and blue from the cold water.
She gave them four towels to dry themselves and throw in the incinerator.

She finally let them into the house but they had to use the two bathrooms
upstairs.  Waddie kept his locked so they had to use Willie's.  Willie told
his mother to go fuck herself, two of them were going to use Dorothy's
bathroom.  Dorothy quickly evacuated her room to go stay with a friend.
The entire house reeked of skunk.  It was, to put it mildly, a God awful
stench.

Willie and his boys got into the bathrooms to try to bathe more the smell
off each other.  Judy gave them all the tomato juice she had for them rub
on each other and then wash off.  The house reeked of skunk for months.
The boys didn't care.  They'd taken care of Ms. Pearl for so long they got
use to it.

Under the cover of nightfall, Waddie, Gip, Oatie and Clyde left by way of
the window and down the vine covered trellis.  They gently lowered
Ms. Pearl, still in her basket, down to one of the other boys.  They slowly
make their way back to the Justin's ranch and returned Ms. Pearl to her
temporary borough.

Waddie gave her a nice chunk of red meat to take with her.  When she got to
the opening of her little tunnel Ms. Pearl stopped, turned and every boy
swore they saw her wink.  Then she turned and disappeared into her nest.
She'd had a busy afternoon

Dan tried to get the boys to tell him what happened but they couldn't stop
laughing long enough. They'd laugh their ass's off every time anyone
mentioned it.  Momma Sue and Dan knew they had done the deed because they
heard the screams and yelling all the way to their place to say nothing of
Ms. Pearl signature fragrance wafting on the evening breeze.  Dan
remembered what Buck had said, that their revenge on Willie would be God
awful.

Dan called the sheriff's station.  Buck and Lyle hadn't left for the
evening.  Dan told Buck to tell Lyle they should have gotten on their knees
and said the sentence prayers for Willie.  The boys got their revenge
today.

Buck, Lyle, Quinton, Don drove by to pick up Linda Sue at the front of
Buck's place and made it out to the Justin's as fast as they could.  The
boys were in the shower bathing each other because they reeked to high
heaven but not nearly as bad as Willie and his crew.  It only took them a
couple of rinses with a bar of `Ivory.'

When the boys walked out in clean clothes and saw their family they all
four broke up laughing again.  Oatie was nominated to tell the story, and
did he tell it?!  It became a comic epic to contend with Beowolf.  Oatie
had an innate gift of bull shit mixed with brilliant word play and
attention to detail that no one was left standing.  They all had to sit
down they were laughing so hard as Oatie told the story.

The story got all over the damn county. When Oatie told all the deputies at
the sheriff's station including Mrs. Anderson he had to stop several times
the men were so sore from laughing at his enlarged version of the tale.
Mrs. Anderson was in tears.  She'd never heard anything so funny in her
life.

Oatie must have told that story a hundred times and each time he improved
on it `til it couldn't have been more funny.  As many times as they heard
Oatie tell the story even the boys would drop on the floor laughing at
Oatie's recounting of "Ms. Pearl's Shoot Out at the Lovejoy Corral."

Dr.  Dyer and his wife never laughed so hard in their lives.  Buck and
Linda Sue laughed every time they heard Oatie tell the story.  They laughed
so much they hurt.  When Uncle Enid heard Oates's retelling of the story
she had to stop him three or four times before he could go on.

"Didn't I tell you, Buck!!"  she'd slap her leg and break out laughing,
"Them boys are dangerous!  They're libel to kill this dirty old lady from
laughing so much."

The only people that didn't hear about it were the four boys, Morgan, Judy
and Dorothy.  Of all the people that knew, not a soul ever said a word to
them.  That community was tight lipped when it came to protecting their
boys.

Then one day Ms. Pearl disappeared and the boys were heartsick.  They
thought for sure Willie killed her.  The next spring yonder come Ms. Pearl
with five kits tailing along behind her.  She brought her family to show
her boys.  She was so proud of them and it seemed like she wanted the boy's
approval.  After all, they were part of her family.  She just came by to
say, `hello' and `thanks.'

She spent all afternoon with the boys.  Buck got film of the boys petting
and playing with her kits.  She let the boys play with them, pet them and
they gave her treats and some for the kids. At the end of the day Ms. Pearl
gathered her children, counted them, was satisfied they were all there,
went to each boy in turn to get her head patted, told how wonderful and
beautiful her family was and they were so proud and happy she shared them.

Ms. Pearl turned and they waddled off.  They never saw her again.  However,
for years, the boys always remembered Ms. Pearl in their prayers at
Thanksgiving to much giggling and hooting at what some folks thought
should've been a solemn occasion.  Buck declared that the Old Man was
probably sitting at the table, slapping his knee and laughing his ass off
with the rest off them. Buck was right.  When Mr. Urial told the Old Man
about Ms. Pearl the heavens rumbled for three days.

"You know, I don't know if'n we should've ever gotten those boys together."
mused Buck one afternoon, "Separately they're the sweetest boys you'd ever
want to meet, but together . . . no one in the damn county's safe. I've
overheard them talking when they didn't know they were being listened to
and they throw ideas back and forth to each other like rice at a wedding.
Those kids are fearless.  I have a fear that one of these days they're
gonna' get bored with tormenting Willie and he's gonna' disappear.  I
guarantee you one damn thing, they'll have a water tight alibi and no one
will ever find poor Willie."

Willie couldn't prove it but he had a gut feeling that little bastard
Waddie and his three slimy little friends had something to do with that
damn skunk in his room.  He thought it was strange they never found a trace
of it afterward.  Willie was determined to get Waddie back big time and
arranged an elaborate plan to once again frame Waddie for something that
would really piss Morgan off.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Whither thou goest...

Oatie was spending several days with Lyle and his wife Mavis on their ranch
a little further down the road from Morgan and the Justin's.  It was a hot
early summer day.  Lyle and Oatie were out riding fences all morning to
repair anything that needed fixing.  They stopped for lunch beside the
creek that ran through most all the men's properties. They watered their
horses and left them to graze in a shaded area.  Lyle took out their lunch
Mavis fixed them and a thermos of cool aid.

The men had lunch and Lyle decided it was too damn hot to ride the fence
the rest of the afternoon so he and Oatie decided to cool off in the creek.
It wasn't as deep in Lyle's area as the quarry but you could still swim and
certain parts were over Oatie's head.  Lyle was playing around with Oatie
and Oatie was giggling like he usually does.  They settled down and lay
together in the cool water on a sand bar.

Oatie was laying in Lyle's arms.  They had no qualms about touching each
other from all the naked poker parties at Buck's parents house.  A couple
of times Oatie asked Lyle to stay the night with him in Gip and Waddie's
room.  He did and they slept in each other's arms all night.  Lyle couldn't
get Oatie any closer.  He fell in love with Oatie.  He wanted Oatie to be
his son.

"C. D. ?"  Oatie asked shyly.  Out of respect for Mr. Rawlings' position
the boys shortened `Chief Deputy' to `C. D.' His deputies picked it up from
the boys and slowly the entire town was referring to Lyle Rawlings as
C. D. Rawlings.

"Yes, Oatie?"

"Awww, nothing, Sir."

Lyle rolled over on his side facing Oatie who's head was laying on his big
arm.  He reached over and bussed a kiss behind Oatie's ear.

"Why don't you go ahead and hear yourself say it, Sweet baby.  We both know
what you wanna' say.  'Sides you gotta' know I feel the same damn way `bout
chu.'"

"I love Uncle Buck, Dad Dan, Quinton, Mr. Rayborn, all the other deputies a
lot. I really, really do love them with all my heart.  They've all been so
damn good to me and my brothers.  I love my three brothers more'n life
itself but Mr. Rawlings, Sir..."  Oatie had tears rolling down his little
cheeks and Lyle was kissing each one away.  "But,...but,... I love you
special, Mr. Rawlings."

"Son, you don't love me one 'eye-yota' more'n I love you. We're partners,
Son, you and me. We're a team.  I'm convinced God meant for us to be
together.  Ain't never had this closeness with any other man nor boy in my
life; not even my own dad.  Ain't no one can ever take that away from us,
Oatie.  Why, I can look at you and know what's going through that bright
little mind of your's.  I know why you're crying and what else you wanna'
to tell me."

"You do?"

"Sure I do!  But I can't make a wish come true unless I hear it from the
other person.  You tell me what's in your heart and I promise we'll work
together to see it come true."

"Well,... Waddie has three dads, ... Gip has three dads, ... Clyde has
three dads; ... well, .... four counting you... and ....well, they're my
dad's, too, but..."

"I can't help you with this step, Oatie.  You have to take this one by
yourself, Son.  As much as I'd like to take you by the hand and lead you,
it has to come from your mouth, your heart, and `only' your heart.  I can't
say the words for you, Son."

"Goddamn it, Mr. Rawlings,----- I love you so much I wish you were my dad."

Lyle grabbed Oatie to him, held him close for a good while, then he kissed
Oatie gently on his mouth.

"Damn, Son!  Didn't think you were ever gonna' get that out! What if I told
you your aunts agreed to let Mavis and I adopt you but only if you asked us
to."

"Really, Mr. Rawlings?  Really?"  Oatie's face lit up.  "Well, Sir, I'm a'
ask'n!  No, C. D.!"  Oatie got on his knees in the water and clasp his
hands in front of him, "I'm a' beggin' you, Sir!  Please, Mr. Rawlings
would you consider being my dad?  It would be so great to know I had my own
dad."

"In our hearts we know I've all ready become your dad, Oatie.  You and I've
known for sometime we want that for each other. We just had to wait until
you were ready to ask.  There has to be a years trial period; Mavis and I
agreed to and at the end of that period, if'n you still want to, we can
officially adopt you and you'll become Oatie Rawlings, our son.  Might as
well make it official, Oatie.  Hell, everybody in town's beginning to think
you're my son, now, anyway."

"That's wonderful, Mr. Rawlings but do you think my name could be Oatie
Justin Claymore Rawlings."

"Of course, Oatie! That's perfect! I know two of your dads will be
thrilled.  It would be polite to ask the Sheriff and the Claymore seniors
if you may use their name.  The same with Dan Justin."

"Good idea, Sir.  I plan to but when do I get to start calling you `Dad,'
C. D. and Mrs. Rawlings `Mom?'"

"Oh, I don't know," Lyle threw back his head scratching his chin like he
was musing the question, "How's about soon's we seal this deal with a kiss,
Cowboy?"

Oatie threw his arms around Lyle's neck and kissed Lyle Rawlings right on
the mouth so hard and passionately Lyle got roaring hard; so did Oatie.

"See, Dad!  I done told you we love each other."  Lyle threw back his head
and roared with laughter.

"I can't gain say that, Son!  Just look how much I love you!"  Oatie and
Lyle hugged and laughed. Oatie grabbed himself a big ole handful of
C. D. dick.  Lyle had ample for Oatie to grab.

"I'd say that was enough love to last a life time, Dad."  Oatie giggled.
Lyle grabbed Oatie's considerable amount of love potential that was almost
rock hard.  It was so big it rarely got fully hard.

"How `bout loaning me six inches of that love, Son.  You'd never miss it!
Shit!  You got enough love there to last two life times!  And I can't deny,
there's just something about having a son that's got the biggest dick in
school."  They both broke up laughing, hugged and kissed again.

"Sounds right to have you call me dad, Son.  I sure like to call you son,
Oatie.  I'm s'damn proud of you.  I couldn't a had a better son, Oatie.
You just made this old cowboy a very happy man.  Did you know you could've
had your choice of ten men in this community that would gladly be your dad;
however, you picked me. Old C. D. to be your dad.  That means a lot, Oatie.
More'n you'll ever know.

Most times a man don't get to choose the kid God gives him.  He has to do
the best he can with what he gets.  God let me choose.  I chose you, Oatie,
to be my son.  He gave you a choice of dads.  You chose me.  We chose each
other.  I love you, Son."

"I didn't have no choice, Dad.  If'n I didn't pick you, you'd lose your ass
at poker."  Oatie giggled as Lyle tickled him for his impertinence.  That's
one of the things Lyle loved most about Oatie.  When anyone was taking
themselves just a little too seriously, Oatie had a giant `hat pin wit'
that would burst their bubble and snap them back to reality pretty damn
quick.  But Oatie had his serious side, too.

"Dad?"

"Yes, Son?"

"I love you, too, more'n stars in the sky."  That got Oatie a big hug and a
kiss stolen from him.  Lyle had stolen so damn many kisses from him that
afternoon, Oatie had to restock.

A year later the papers were filed in the county records that the child
Othal Godfrey Trent known as `Oatie' Trent was adopted as the son of Chief
Deputy and Mrs. Lyle T. Rawlings and his new name from that day forth would
be `Oatie Justin Claymore Rawlings.'

The Justins were there.  All the Claymores were there.  In fact all the
members of Oaties family including his aunts were there.  Even Uncle Enid
came for the weekend.  She wouldn't have missed it for the world.  She and
Buck spent the weekend laughing together and having a wonderful time.

The following Sunday after church the Sheriff and Mrs. Buck Claymore were
installed as God parents to Oatie and Mavis Lyle Rawlings, Clyde Rayborn
and Gip Justin.  Lyle, Oatie, Clyde, Don, Gip and Dan were all baptized at
the same ceremony.  The whole damn town including Morgan was
there. Morgan's family wasn't.  Afterward they had the greatest picnic in
the park anyone could remember.  It was a joyous day.  Sheriff Buck
Claymore set a new world record for stolen kisses.

The first day of forth grade.  One of the brightest, well liked kids in
school took his little sister Mavis Lyle by the hand and saw to it she was
comfortable in the first grade.  Lyle and Mavis marveled at their closeness
and communication.  Mavis Lyle trusted Oatie more that she did her own
parents.  She didn't want them to take her to school.  She wanted her big
brother Oatie to take her.  Mavis and Lyle looked at each other and smiled.
They knew they'd done the right thing for both their kids.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Oh Brother, wherefor art thou?


Morgan's life was coming apart at the seams.  His boy was being embraced
and loved by a community of people who didn't understand what Morgan was
trying to do for him.  He knew on the surface Waddie was a lovable child
but he would do insidious things that his family had witnessed.  The kid
had the temerity to lie to Morgan with a straight face insisting the other
three of his family were framing him and lied to protect Willie.

If that wasn't bad enough, the kid developed the mental ability to defy his
punishment and refused to admit the truth that he was lying.  Ever since
Waddie lived that year with his brother, Buck, he hadn't been a bad kid but
the things that he would do spoke volumes to Morgan of his disgust for him.

He loved his brother but he knew Buck was taken in by Waddie just like the
rest of the community.  Sure, the kid seemed to love Morgan and knew all
the words to say but Morgan was the only one who really knew that
underneath, Waddie carefully planned all his misdeeds to punish Morgan for
what Waddie thought in his childish mind was Morgan's abandoning him in
favor of his family.

Why couldn't others see it as clearly as he could?  It was obvious that
Waddie was jealous of his love for Judy, Willie, and Dorothy.  Waddie
simply wanted Morgan for himself.  He wasn't willing to share Morgan nor
try to be a part of Morgan's family and had succeeded in alienating an
entire community against him and his family.  One thing Morgan couldn't
figure out.  How was it, he could whip the child until he bled or passed
out without him so much as flinching to some of his most powerful blows?

To control Waddie he had to break him and teach him the right way.  Waddie
wouldn't come around him for days after one of his whippings.  Morgan knew
why.  Waddie was punishing him by avoiding him.  He refused to cave into
his game, go find him, and beg him to come home.  That would be admitting
weakness on Morgan's part as a good father.

Waddie would even talk his buddies into coming to feed and do his chores
for sometimes a week to ten days.  Then he would come back, hug and kiss
Morgan.  Morgan saw it as Waddie's way of apologizing to him for lying.
Waddie would tell Morgan he forgave him, still loved him but soon he would
not.  Then Morgan wouldn't have a son anymore and he would never call him
`dad' again.


He tried to spook Morgan by telling him he'd been visited by an angel and
that God would take him away from him.  Morgan laughed off the boy's
attempts to scare him with religious mumbo-jumbo. Morgan knew Waddie didn't
know what he was talking about, he would be Morgan's son forever, and
Morgan would have Waddie show him the respect he was due by calling him
`Dad.'

Morgan so passionately wanted family he was willing to sell the devil the
only soul in his house that truly loved him.  If, anyone who reads this,
has any doubts, that a man's mind can be so focused on one goal, one great
passion, to the exclusion of the rest of his world, he's quite wrong.
There is no man so blind as he who will not see nor one so deaf as he who
will not hear.  Morgan could do neither.

Willie succeeded in getting his mother and Dorothy to back him one more
time but this time it had to do with the stock Waddie was taking care of
for Morgan. Once again Morgan wouldn't listen to Waddie and allowed Judy to
be the final vote in his punishment.

Morgan could understand Waddie doing something bad to him to try an punish
Morgan into seeing things his way but he never thought the boy would stoop
so low as to injure an animal in his charge. Waddie saw what was happening
and expected another beating; however, he refused to let Morgan drag him
out to the barn. He heard a voice inside him.

"I'm with you, my Son.  Let me take over.  Your words won't be your own.
Don't panic.  It must come to pass but you'll feel nothing.  I'll not
desert you."

"Get your fucking hands off me!  I'll walk to the barn like a man.  I
refuse to be dragged out there like a Goddamn animal."

Waddie looked at Morgan with all the fierceness in him.  Morgan hauled off
and slapped Waddie across the face as hard as he could.  Waddie's head
didn't even move.  Blood was coming from two places on his mouth and nose
but he felt nothing.  He didn't even turn his head away from Morgan.

"Don't you ever speak to me that disrespectfully again, you understand?"

"You ever hit me again like that, you'll be a dead man!"

That shook Morgan to his core.  The way the boy said it, he knew he meant
it.  Waddie would kill him if he ever hit him again like that.  Morgan
tried to stare Waddie down but even though the blood was flowing down his
face he refused to take his fierce mean gaze away from Morgan's.

"Do you understand?"  yelled Morgan.

"Do `you' understand?"  replied Waddie quietly and forcefully.

Waddie didn't move and didn't avert his mean gaze away for a minute.
Morgan finally broke and gave Waddie a shove toward the barn.  Waddie
didn't try to wipe the blood from his face.  It was getting all over him
but inside he was as calm and peaceful as a lake without a ripple.  He
refused to say another word to Morgan.

They marched to the barn and Morgan began his tirade.

"If you're willing to admit you done it, I'll go light on you, Son.  Don't
make me have to break you Waddie."

"Why bother with the whippin,' Dad.  Why don't you just kill me. Go in the
house, get your Goddamn gun and come back out here and shoot me.  Kill me!
You almost killed me when I was five years old. But, your were relieved you
didn't. Least you didn't have to go to jail for murder.

I was dead, Dad, and I chose to come back for you; because I loved
you. What difference does it make if you kill me with your gun or with your
insistence that I'm a bad boy what's got a devil in him and you're the
fucking Pope.  That's what you're doing anyway.  I'd rather get it over
with than have you kill me bit by bit."

"You still riding that dead horse!  Trying to scare me or threaten me with
your God and angel story!"

"I'm older and stronger now, Dad, and I ain't never gonna' admit to you or
no son of a bitch I done something I didn't just so's you can see me cry
and that ass hole brother of mine can laugh at me behind my back for taking
a licking for something he done.  I was never guilty any one of those times
in the past and I'm not guilty now.  He ain't only laughing at me, Dad,
he's laughing at you.  So's Judy and Dorothy!  Laughing at what a fool you
are to believe them.

I'd never do to an animal what they said I done to that pony.  You're
taking three sick people's word over you son's.  Thanks a lot you stupid
hardheaded son of bitch!  You'd rather kill the only love you have in your
life so's you can hear him say he did something he didn't. You're not only
stupid, you're as sick as they are!"

Morgan raised his hand to hit Waddie again but there came a challenging
look in Waddie's eyes that told Morgan if he hit Waddie he would be a dead
man before the sun set.  He knew Waddie well enough to know he didn't make
empty threats.  Morgan knew the boy would kill him.  Morgan dropped his
hand in disgust.

"Go get your gun, Dad.  I ain't afraid to die, but you are!  You kill me,
then you'll be rid of me for good and you won't have to worry about me
being a bad boy no more.  You won't have to be frustrated when I walk away
from here without playing your silly game.  I won't lie to you no more to
get you to stop beating me.

I know you ain't gonna' listen to me.  I know you're probably horny. You
ain't fucked Judy in months.  That's what this is all about and you know
it.  It's so's you can get your rocks off beating me. Why don't you just
let me suck you off and we'll call it even.  Either way you ain't never
gonna' get me to admit I done something I didn't."

"I've heard enough of your garbage.  Drop your pants, bend over that bail
and get ready."

Morgan didn't start in easy and build up.  The first couple of blows were
as hard as he could make them.  Waddie didn't flinch.  Morgan couldn't
understand it. A grown man would be writhing on the floor in pain.

"Come on, Dad!  You mean-ass, heartless bastard! You can whip me harder
than that! Aren't you man enough to make your kid cry when you whip him.
Hit me harder if you think you can.  You ain't gonna' win!  I'll die before
you'll make me lie again just to get you to stop beating me.

"Shut up, Waddie!"  He whipped Waddie harder.  Waddie got up on his elbows
and looked back at his dad who stopped momentarily.

"You're gettin' off on this ain'cha, old man? Don't think I don't know you
get a hard-on and come in your jeans.  That's the real draw ain't it
Morgan?  You don't give a rat's ass about who's telling the truth anymore
. . . you won't admit it but you know in your heart I'm telling the truth.
You bring me out here to whip me so's you can get your jollies, don't cha'?
The homo inside of you is really enjoying this."

Waddie turned around and looked at Morgan's crotch.

"Yeah, I thought so!  You got a hard-on and your pissing in your pants, huh
Dad?  Come'mon, Dad, just let me give you a blow job.  You don't have to
beat my ass to get your rocks off.  This is really why you wanted a son,
ain't it?  A kid to take out your frustrations on `cause the rest of your
life is going to shit.  I tell you what, old man.  Why don't you save us
both some heartache and just come tell me when you need to get your rocks
off by beating my ass.  It'd be a hell of a lot easier on me.  I don't mind
helping a buddy out.  You can beat my ass `til you come.

I've got to be the stupidest kid on Earth, Dad.  You know why, Dad?  You
know why?  `Cause I can't stop loving you, you bastard, you sick son of a
bitch.  I love you so Goddamn much if that's what my dad needs to get his
pleasure, I'll damn sure put it up there for him to beat until he comes.

There's only one catch, Dad!  When you come you have to yell out how much
you love me.  If that's the only way I can get your love, I'm willing to
give it to you, no questions asked.  And if you were a man at all you'd at
least offer to let your kid catch for you.  Oh fuck it, what's the use?
You don't never listen to me anyway . . . get on with your child beating.

What does it take to convince you those three Goddamn people you got living
in your house are crazy people, Dad?  You believe them over me all this
damn time.  You don't deserve to have a son.  You're nothing but a
perverted child beater.

You keep doing it `cause it's sexually exciting to you.  It has nothing to
do with punishment anymore, does it, Dad?  You just love to come home and
find Willie, and them two bitches has framed me again so's you can come out
here and beat your kid and get your rocks off."

Waddie shut up waiting for the next blows.  He'd hoped his words were like
the ram's horns that were blown that day at Jericho and the walls came
tumbling down.  There wasn't a chink out of place in Morgan's wall.

"Shut up, Waddie!  Shut the fuck up!  Shut up before you make me so damn
mad I really do hurt you."

Waddie started laughing and laughed at what Morgan said through the next
four or five hits.  His ass was beginning to bleed pretty bad.

"I should of left with that angel when I was dying.  I prayed you'd come
around and learn to love and trust me, but you know what, Morgan?  You
can't even trust yourself."

"What did you call me?"

"`Morgan!' `At's your name, ain't it?"

"You'll show me proper respect, young man.  You call me dad."

"I told you the day would come when I won't call you dad no more and I
wouldn't forgive you either.  Well, today's the day.  You ain't my dad no
more, Morgan, and I don't forgive you anymore!  A dad would never do this
to his son!  If you ain't smart enough to tell when your kid's telling the
truth, you don't deserve to have him call you `Dad.'

I certainly don't intend to live with nor call any son of a bitch my `dad'
when he won't believe me.  I've never lied to you Morgan until you've
whipped me to make me lie. You show me respect and I'll show you respect.
Until then, Morgan, you can whip me `til your Goddamn arm falls off or you
kill me first.  I ain't gonna' call you dad no more, ain't gonna' cry and I
sure as hell ain't gonna' admit to something I never done.

I'd rather die than have that son of a bitch brother of mine get away with
this.  Brother?  Hell, that bastard that lives in your house continues
living there no matter what he's doing to your son and you don't give a
good Goddamn!  You've whipped me so many fuck'n times I lost count!

You beat me for things Willie done because that bitch, him, and his dimwit
sister gang up on me.  Boy, you really picked one when you picked Judy to
play the role of my ma. I hope the whore dies, goes to hell and burns in a
lake of fire forever."

"Don't say that, Waddie!  That's your ma your talking about."  Waddie
turned, looked Morgan dead in the eye and wouldn't release his gaze.

"Am I gonna' get to beat your ass `til it bleeds for that bold faced lie,
Morgen? Admit it, Morgan!  It's a lie!  You know Goddamn well it's a lie,
Morgan!  You know I know she ain't my damn ma.  She's told me so!

The angel told me, too, and you know what else he told me, Morgan,
. . . you want to know, Morgan, . . .  you listening Morgan?  You ain't my
Goddamn dad!  You can't have no kids, Morgan!  That's why you married that
slut `cause you wanted a family and she all ready had one.  Then you talked
her into putting her name on my birth certificate."

"That's crazy talk, Waddie.  You made up all that shit!  You don't know
what the hell you're talking about.  That's just another one of your
fantasies to separate us further.  Of course I'm your dad and Judy's your
mother.  You might as well get use to it!  Kids get crazy notions like that
when they ain't happy with their parents.  They make up stories about being
adopted and after a while they start to believe it."

"You hypocritical son of a bitch.  You stand there and lie to me to my face
and you think you can beat the truth out of me?  Why don't you go beat the
truth out of Willie.  I'll tell you what, Morgan.  At least be fair about
this.  Tell Willie from now on, no matter who's fault it is, the man who's
time it is to get whipped gets the punishment.  Alternate back and forth.
You'll see a stop to all this nonsense pretty damn quick.  You know why?
`Cause Willie's a Goddamn yellow bellied son of a bitch. He'll think twice
before he tries to set me up again. Especially if it's his turn next

Morgan started really wailing on Waddie's butt.  Morgan felt if he didn't
make the boy cry and scream he didn't have control over him. Truth was,
Morgan lost control of his son several years before.  He kept his onslaught
of whipping until Waddie's ass was bleeding more then pretty badly.

It began to look like shredded beef.  Waddie was aware of Morgan's belt
hitting his bare ass really hard, ... but there was no pain.  Waddie passed
out and collapsed.  Morgan didn't expect that to happen and one of his last
and hardest blows hit Waddie across the back at an angle and started to
bleed.

"Where am I?"  Waddie began to focus his eyes. Standing in front of him
with tears in his eyes was Mr. Urial with his arms open to him.  Waddie
went into his arms and cried his heart out.  The big handsome angel held
him tight.

"It's so good to see you again, Child, but it breaks my heart I have to
come to you under these circumstances.  I've come to love you so much,
Waddie.  I know! I know!  The first damn thing we learn in angel training
school is not to fall in love with the people we help.  But damn it!  I
can't help it.  You try to be so damn good, love him even though you know
he ain't your dad, and that man is blind to you.

He's going to wake you up in a few minutes and you'll have to go through a
little more but the second time you wake up, get up and walk.  You'll be
invisible to everyone but those I choose to see you.  Don't be afraid, Son.
People you know will pass by you and not see you.  I'll be with you.

I'll direct you.  Walk out to the black top, catch a ride to the main
highway and hitch from there.  A truck driver will pick you up and help
you.  He's one of our boys.  It's important you don't stay another night
under Morgan's roof...you must get away, Son.  It's time for you to go."

"Thanks for being with me, Mr. Urial.  I couldn't have made it without you,
Sir.  I love you, too, Mr. Urial.  God don't mind if you slip up once in a
while.  He told me so.  It's all right for you to love me `cause I love
you, too, Mr. Urial.  So does my brother, Gip. He said to tell you `hi'
if'n I ever saw you again and come visit.  He won't be so scared next time.
I'll do like you told me, Sir, but `scuse me, I gotta' go right now, my
dad's waking me up..."

Waddie woke up with Morgan wiping his face with a wet rag.  He was still
angry.

"Soon's I rest a minute, we'll start again."

Waddie lay there disgusted.  He could feel the cut across his back
beginning to hurt but made no moan.  Morgan kept looking at Waddie
expecting him to speak but he didn't.  Waddie knew as soon as Morgan
started in again Mr. Urial would take over again and try to talk to Morgan.

Morgan jerked Waddie up and around to put him over the hay bail again.  He
saw Waddie's ass was bleeding pretty damn bad.  It didn't stop him.  He was
going to conquer his son this time.  He was going to break him for the
kid's on good.  He started in as hard as ever.  Waddie didn't even flinch.

"Whip me harder old man.  Come on Morgan!  Your wippin' me good now,
Morgan! I can hear you breathing heavy, Morgan!  You're gettin' there!
You're gettin' there! You're just about to come, ain't cha, old man.  Bring
it on, Morgan!  Whip your son!  Beat that meanness out of him! You're his
Grand Inquisitor!  Beat the love out of the crazy son of a bitch that loves
you."

Waddie heard Morgan gasping for breath and knew he shot his load in his
pants.

"Feel better, Morgan?  That load just cost you the last bit of love I had
for you.  Hope it was worth it; a treasure for a short live
pleasure. Taking your meanness out on the only one in your Goddamn fucked
up life who loves you!  Here,...  let me put my ass up there where you can
get a really good swing at it.  Go on, Morgan, kill me!  I don't want to
live anymore nohow.  I don't want to live without a dad and I sure as hell
ain't got no ma.

I told you years ago Morgan, you wouldn't know the truth if it bit you on
the butt.  You've lied so much you're becoming like Dorothy.  You're
starting to believe the lies you tell. You're the one that's lying Morgan,
not me. You're lying to yourself.  You believe your own lies, Morgan.
Don't expect me too.  You don't have a son no more, Morgan.  God just took
him away from you.

You made a liar out of me, in the sight of God, when you made me lie all
those times I was suppose to have done wrong .  You ain't gonna' make me a
liar out of me no more, Morgan.  I got an angel standing by my side,
protecting me from your perverted insanity.  I haven't felt your belt once
since you started."

"Yeah?  Then why did you pass out a while ago?"

"The flesh is week, Morgan, but you won't touch my soul with your hatred.
God's gonna' punish you Morgan.  He's gonna' take your son away from you
because you don't know how to be a dad and protect the ones you love.  You
deserve to lose me, Morgan.  You were never meant to be a father. God saw
to that.  He made damn sure you couldn't have children.  And, this is why,
Morgan."

Waddie couldn't feel anything but began to hear Morgan weeping softly as
once again he passed out.  The boy was getting weak from loss of blood.
When Waddie woke up someone had pulled his pants up, laid him on a bail of
hay near the door of the barn, and put a wet cloth on his forehead.  He sat
up and felt a little dizzy.  The voice inside his head told him,

"Go, Son! Now!"  Waddie sat up and called for his dad but he wasn't around.
Waddie sat there for a minute and watched his dad walk down the front steps
of the house, look up at Waddie, then stopped dead in his tracks and turned
white as a sheet.

He started running to the barn.  Waddie couldn't take anymore and thought
he'd run for protection to the Justin's.  His dad ran right past him. He
could've reached out and touched him.  Waddie almost panicked but Morgan
didn't even look at him.  He remembered what Mr. Urial told him.

He was invisible to his dad. He couldn't see Waddie.  Waddie kept on
walking `til he came to the gravel road in front of the house.  He walked
up the gravel road to the black top.  He wasn't on the black top more than
a couple of minutes when Dan Justin and Gip in Dan's pickup truck passed
him and didn't see him.

Gip had a strange feeling as his dad and he drove slowly by the Lovejoy
place.  There was an old lady coming towards them in and older yellow and
white Ford pick up with groceries in the back.  Gip looked out the rear
window of his dad's truck and saw the old lady honk her horn and pull over.

She looked like she was talking to someone outside the truck but there was
no one there.  Suddenly the passenger door opened by it's self, then closed
by it's self.  The old lady drove on.  She got about fifteen yards down the
black top and Gip watched the truck disappear.

"Aaaahhh!  Dad, that yellow truck disappeared into thin air.  Look in your
mirror, Dad!  Do you see it!"

"No Son, I don't.  She couldn't have gone by our place yet and it's two
miles up that hill.  You saw it disappear?"

"I saw that old lady that just drove by in the yellow and white Ford, honk
her horn, pull over and it looked like she was talking to somebody.  She
never took her hands off the wheel and I watched the passenger door open by
it's self and close by it's self.  She never took her hands from the
steering wheel, Dad.  I saw it!  Then she drove off and the damn truck
disappeared.  It just winked out.  I didn't blink, Dad! I know what I saw!"

"Maybe the door was agar and she stopped to close it tight, Son, but we
should still be able to see her.  Think she ran off the road?"

"No Dad!  Please believe me.  She never took her hands off the wheel.  The
door opened all the way, slammed shut, she drove away several yards and
disappeared.  I swear to God, Dad, you know I wouldn't lie to you."

Dan saw Gip suddenly freeze and all the color left his face.  He was
ghostly white.  Then tears started running down his face.  Then he spoke to
no one Dan could see.

"Oh God, Sir.  Let me go to him.  He's my brother, Sir.  I love him.  He
needs me and my dad."

Dan was stunned and pull the truck over.  He listened.

"Please!  Please, take care of him, Sir.  We love him so much!"

"Mr. Urial, Son?" Dan asked quietly. Gip nodded his head, `yes,' as tears
streamed down his face.

"Do you want me to go after them and investigate, Son?"

"No, Sir, I know who she picked up and I have to let him go.  We have to
let him go, Dad."  Gip broke down into heavy sobs.  So bad he started
curling up in a ball next to his dad.  Dan pulled Gip into his arms and
tried to console his boy.  Gip couldn't stop wailing and sobbing.  Dan
couldn't get him to stop he was almost hysterical.

"Mr. Urial told me to let him go.  He was with him."

"Who Son?  Waddie?"

"Mr. Urial made him invisible to everyone but that lady.  Said her name was
Mrs. Jessup.  Morgan beat him really, really bad, Dad.  Take me home,
Dad. Please!  I can't go into town with you. I'm so sorry, Dad.  I love you
dad but that was my brother and he's run away.  Oh God!  If I could only be
with him, Dad.  Not to run away but to help him, Dad."

"Sure Son. We can go into town tomorrow. I'll take you home.  Can we go
after them?"

"No, Sir.  He told us not to.  Wouldn't do no good.  We wouldn't find them
anyway.  He made the truck invisible so's we wouldn't follow.  Waddie has
to be by himself for a while, he said, and for me and you to be strong and
pray for him."

"Did he tell you anything else, Son?"

"I won't lie to you, Dad.  Yes, he did, but I can't tell you.  Don't ask me
to, Dad."

Gip broke into sobs again and Dan lost it, too, but knew he had to be
strong for his son.

"Shuuuu, Son. It's gonna' be all right.  God knows what he's doing.  He'll
protect Waddie.  He loves him as much as we do.  We have to trust Him,
Son."

That was it!  Dan had had it!  He was ready to go shoot Morgan.  If Buck
didn't have all his guns he would have. He drove Gip home and Gip ran to
the loft to be alone to cry.  Dan let him go.  He needed to be by himself
right now and then he would go to him.  He had to tell Jimmy Sue and call
Buck.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


The Kindness of Strangers~

Waddie knew they couldn't see him.  It was an empty feeling.  Two people he
most loved in his life couldn't even see him.  He walked on a bit more and
heard a horn honk behind him.  It was a little old lady in a yellow and
white pick up truck loaded with groceries.  She was headed for her place on
the other side of the interstate and could she give him a lift.  Waddie got
in and sat on his butt for the first time since his beating.  He ass was
wet from the blood and he hesitated sitting on her seat.

"Not to worry, Son.  It's an old truck. The seats are cheap vinyl. Wash
right off.  You're dad beat cha' pretty bad this time didn't he."

"Yes Ma'am."  Was all Waddie could get out.  He wasn't going to cry but the
tears came without him crying.  They came from relief of being out of the
situation and in safety.

"I'm so sorry, Son, but we'll get you to the interstate and you can get a
ride into Austin.  Your ride will be along in about five minutes after I
let you out.  Don't be afraid.  Mr. Urial told me to pick you up and take
you to the interstate.  I've known him for sometime.  He watches over me,
you and your loved ones including your uncle, our fine new Sheriff.  You
know he's your dad, don't you?"

"Yes Ma'am."

The lady didn't say much but she did tell Waddie her name was Mrs. Jessup
and she had no family left.  She had two boys killed in the war and her
daughter had been killed by her drunken husband.  Her husband had passed
away almost twenty years ago but she was happy.  She was living and getting
by. They came to the interstate and Mrs. Jessup pulled over to let Waddie
out.

"God bless you, Child.  He has and he will.  Mr. Franz will be along in
about five minutes.  Mr. Urial is right beside you.  He'll protect you."

"Thank you, Mrs. Jessup.  I'm sorry `bout your kids.  When I get back, I'd
be proud to be your grand son if'n you'd have me."  Mrs. Jessup got tears
in her eyes.

"I'd like that, Waddie.  Take care and go with my love."

"Thanks, Mrs. Jessup."  Mrs. Jessup drove off with a tear in her eye and a
prayer in her heart.

Waddie was getting weak and Mr. Urial told him to sit down.  Waddie did but
he no sooner sat down that he passed out.  When he came to he was riding in
a big eighteen wheeler truck.  A huge man was driving.  Waddie found a
comfortable quilt thrown over him and his head was on a soft downy pillow.

"Felling better, Little Buddy?"  Waddie nodded and tried to sit up but
couldn't.  He felt a big strong hand pat him gently and console him.

"Take it easy, Son.  Rest.  When you feel a little better we'll stop and
get something to eat.  I'm Mr. Franz.  Herschel Franz.  Just call me
`Bubba.'  S'what all the other truckers call me."  Bubba kept his big hand
on Waddie except when he had to shift.  His hand was like his uncle's arms,
it was medicinal.  Waddie went to sleep and woke up with his head in
Bubba's lap.  He'd crawled up and put his head in Bubba's lap to sleep.
Bubba had a big smile on his face.

"Think you could eat something, Waddie?"  How did this man know his name?
He never told him.  Mr. Urial must've told him.

"Yes Sir.  But I ain't got no money, Bubba."  Bubba laughed.

"Don't you worry `bout that none.  You let old Bubba worry `bout that. I
just want to see you pack it away, Son. You need food to replenish your
system and the blood you lost.  Still feel pretty weak don't cha'?  Yeah,
well, you'll feel better after you eat and old Bubba's gonna' get us a
motel to stay in for the night."

They stopped and Waddie couldn't get down out of the truck. The blood had
dried and stuck to his pants.  Every time he moved it would tear the scabs
away and was painful.  Then it would start bleeding again.  Bubba hoisted
Waddie into his arms and carried him into a truck stop diner.  A waitress
saw Bubba walk in carrying Waddie and motioned Bubba to a back area off the
main dinning room. Bubba sat Waddie in the vinyl seat and sat on the
opposite side from Waddie.

Waddie drank two glasses of water and was starting on his third when Bubba
stopped him.

"Woah, Son.  Easy with the water.  Let's get some food in ya.'  What do ya'
wanna' eat?"

Waddie just shrugged his shoulder.  He couldn't think about food. He
couldn't think about anything but what he'd lost.  He'd lost the only dad
he knew until he was five years old.  He gut ached more for the loss of
Morgan's love that it did for his own ass.

"Bring him the trucker's special with the eggs scrambled, bacon, Louise.
I'll have the same.  Thanks, Hon.  Oh, and bring us both a big orange
juice, big milk for my buddy and coffee for me."

Bubba looked over at Waddie with the kindest of eyes.  Waddie saw one tear
roll down the big man's face.  Bubba wasn't at all a good looking man but
there was something about him that made Waddie trust him and all he could
think of was sleeping in the big man's arms.

"Thank you for picking me up, Bubba.  You're a good man.  I love you,
Bubba."  Waddie said quietly.

"Now, let's not get all blubbery here.  You all ready know I love you,
Kiddo.  The Old Man sent me to take care of you and get you into Austin.
I'll take you to another man I know that'll get you room and board at the
place he's staying.  So you're a friend of Urial's, too?"

Waddie shook his head.  Louise returned with coffee, orange juice and milk
for Waddie.

"Your orders'll be up in just a sec, Sugar."  Louise told Bubba and winked
at Waddie.

"She's a good ole gal, Son.  She knows Mr. Urial too.  Helped her out of
some pretty bad spots.  Hell, he's helped us all.  Helped your dad.  Save
his life on Iwo Jima."  How could Bubba know all this unless Mr. Urial told
him.  Of course.  To hear Bubba refer to Buck as Waddie's dad lit a fire in
Waddie's heart and he was suddenly very hungry.

Good thing, `cause yonder came Louise with a mountain of food.  The
trucker's special consisted of chicken fried steak smothered in a tasty
white gravy, three scrambled eggs, bacon, hash brown potatoes and thee
small pancakes, with biscuits, butter and honey.  Damn.  Waddie had never
seen so much food on one table for two people in his life.  He smiled.

"That's what I wanna' see, Buddy!  A smile on that handsome face of yours.
I know it's hard, Son, but it's over now and won't be too long before your
Aunt Linda discovers you're her kid. In the meantime you got to heal both
your body and your spirit.  There's plenty of loving people who're gonna'
help you do that.  Now, eat up.  Don't expect you to eat every bite but do
your best.  Eat `til you can't eat no more then eat just a little bit
more."

"Waddie dug in a ate like he hadn't eaten in a week.  Suddenly all the food
smelled and tasted wonderful.  That damn steak melted him his mouth and the
gravy was unbelievably good.  Louise, the waitress came back around and
stood next to Bubba with her hand lightly resting on his shoulder..

"How's he doing, Sug?  Looks to me like he's doing pretty good.  More
coffee, Sug?"  Lousie poured without waiting for an answer.  Bubba smiled
at her.

"Don't know what his dad had on his mind to do what he done to that boy.
Think Sid, over to the motel's, got any rooms vacant?"

"I'll get on the horn and give him a holler.  Single or double, Sug?"

"Don't matter none.  My little buddy's probably gonna' bunk it in with me
anyway. I can tell a little buddy what needs some loving when I see's one."
Bubba winked at Waddie.  Waddie smiled and just nodded his agreement.
Another huge trucker walked over to the booth.

"Fine looking running buddy you got t'ere, Bubba."

"Ain't he though?  Prettier'n a' stacked out Jimmy with sidewalls.  Howdy,
Red Dog, good to see ya' again.  Staying out of trouble, Son?"

"Oh, hell no!  You know me, Bubba, living life for the moment.  Didn't mean
to interrupt you men but the boys and me took up a little collection for
your running buddy here."  Red Dog handed Bubba a wad of rolled up bills.
Bubba stuffed it in his shirt pocket and shook Red Dog's hand.

"Right nice of you guys, Red Dog.  Do me the favor of thanking all of `em
for us.  Soon's we finish I'm getting him over to the motel, get him
cleaned up, take some pictures of his butt to send back to his uncle, the
Sheriff, and get him to bed.  We both need a good long nap.  I picked him
up on a run straight out of Phoenix.  I been on the road too long to go any
more.  I know you know his uncle, Buck Claymore."

"Oh, hell yes.  One of the finest men I ever did know.  Sure glad he got
elected sheriff of that county.  Don't have to pay out the ass to that
other county mountie son of a bitch that use to pinch us ever damn time
we'd go through there."

"What you don't know is you're looking at Buck's son sitting there.  His
only kid."  said Bubba.

"Son of a bitch if'n he don't look a lot like Buck.  Son, you got yourself
a real fine, one hell of a dad in that man.  He didn't do that to you."
Red Dog said like he knew Buck wouldn't do anything like that to a child
especially his own.

Waddie shook his head as he finished the steak, eggs, bacon, and started in
on the hot cakes.  He finished the orange juice and was half way through a
huge glass of milk.

"Naw, Brother.  It was his adopted dad.  It's a long story.  Buck don't
know Waddie's his son yet but he will `for the years out.  That's why I
have to get some pictures while his wounds are fresh so's I can get `em
back to Buck.  After Waddie heals a while and decides to go home, the
Sheriff will have the pictures as evidence of child abuse.  The kid needs
protection.  He could a' died from a beating like that if Urial weren't
with him taking care of him."

"Shit! I'll say he's gotta be Buck's boy.  Look how much he's eat'n.  Good
for you, Son!"  Red Dog winked and said his goodbyes.  Waddie shook his
hand and thanked him for his and the other driver's kindness.  He'd never
forget them.

"Here ya' go, Sugar. A single was all he had left but it's got a big king
size bed.  Good thing I called him.  Brought me the key just a minute ago."
Louise handed Bubba the key.

"Thanks ya,' Darlin.'  You take good care of us trucker bums.  We love ya',
Sweet heart."

"Hell, Bubba, if'n it weren't for you guys.  I wouldn't have no
family. Ya'll been damn good to me, too, Sugar.  More coffee, Hon."

"Just a little, Sweetie.  We got to get Waddie cleaned up and hit the
sack."

"Bring his clothes back over and I'll have `em ready for you tomorrow
morning, Sugar.  If I ain't here they'll be in a sack behind the counter
with your name on it.  I'll leave a note for Daisy."

"Mighty kind of you, Louise.  He don't need to get an infection.  Got some
ointment with me that'll keep him from gettin' infected and I'll wash him
real good tonight."

The men finished and Bubba paid the bill.  He left Louise a ten dollar
tip. Waddie tried to get up but it hurt too damn much.  It hurt him so bad
tears started running down his face.  He was trying so hard to be brave.
Bubba got a pained expression on his face like he felt the same pain Waddie
was feeling.

"Here, Little Buddy. Let old Bubba carry ya.' It won't be so bad tomorrow,
I promise."

Bubba gently carried Waddie over to the motel and took him into the room.
He laid him on his stomach on the bed.  He got a huge towel from the
bathroom and put it under Waddie.

"Lay there a minute, Son, I'll be right back.  Gotta' go get my gear out of
the truck."

Waddie was sound a sleep when Bubba got back. He was tempted to let the boy
lay there all night but he was afraid of infection if his wounds weren't
taken care of.  He gently reached under Waddie and undid his levis.  He
pulled his boots off and his socks.  Bubba gently pulled his pants off him.

Waddie never woke up.  Good!  The kid didn't need any more pain today.  It
was gonna' be bad enough getting him cleaned up.  Bubba managed to get his
shirt off then covered him with the old quilt he brought from the truck.
Bubba shook his head from disbelief at the child's butt and back.

Bubba put Waddie's clothes in a brown paper grocery bag and walked them
over to Louise.  She promised she'd have them back early in the morning.
She knew Bubba got up early and hit the road.  Said she might have to pull
a double shift if'n the new girl didn't show up.  Bubba tried to hand her
another ten dollars.

"This one's on me Bubba.  Let me do something for the poor kid.  You and
the guys have done a lot for me and him.  I'll have `em here in the morning
for ya', Sugar."

"Thanks, Sweet heart.  You're one in a million."  Bubba meant what he said.

"Aww, go on with ya'.  Love you, too, Sugar."  Lousie took the bag to the
back and put it with her things.  She asked the owner Al if he'd mind if
she washed a kid's clothes that was with Bubba.  He'd been beaten pretty
bad by his dad and there was a lot of blood and dirt.  He told her by all
means, go ahead.

She took Waddie's clothes to the large commercial washer in the back and
put them in.  They were done by the time Louise finished her shift.  She
put them in a clean bag and sat them under the counter with Bubba's name on
it.  Then she went home.  She was dog tired, but a good tired.  Her heart
was at peace. She'd done her good deed for the day.

Maybe one more star for her crown.  `Hell,' she thought, `to hell with the
star, I'm just happy I could do it for the boy.'  Mr. Urial took care of
it.  She got five big stars. Louise had a heart bigger'n her pocket book
but she had more stars in her crown than you could count.  Stars that shown
like diamonds and there wasn't enough money in the world to buy them.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bubba returned to the motel room and quietly opened the door.  Waddie was
still asleep.  He got out his flash kodak and took eight color pictures of
Waddie's back and butt.  He saved four exposures for pictures of the hand
print, black eye and busted lips on Waddie's face.  It was even worse than
about and hour ago but Bubba knew he had to get him up and in the shower.
He threw the blanket back over him and undressed.  He decided to let the
boy sleep for another hour then get him up.  He lay there beside Waddie
looking at him wondering how any man that loved his child could do that to
a kid.

'He must be one insane mother fucker.  Wonder what Buck Claymore's gonna'
do to this guy when he finds out the truth, that the boy's his son? I
wouldn't want to be him.' Bubba thought.  Then he prayed.  His prayer was
simple.

He thanked the lord for his goodness to him.  Protect and guide him as he
always has and give him strength and courage to help this boy.  An hour
passed and Waddie tried to roll over and hurt so bad he couldn't.  He saw
Bubba's big hulking frame buck ass naked standing next to him looking down
at him.

"Damn Bubba!  From the neck down your one hell of a good looking man!"
said Waddie as he winked at Bubba.  Bubba threw back his head and roared
with laughter.

"Feel'n better, Little Buddy?"

"In my heart, I feel just fine, Bubba, but my ass hurts like a mother
fucker."  Bubba didn't want to but he laughed again.

"Sorry, Little Buddy, but it was funny the way you said it."

"I meant for it to be, Bubba.  You been so damn good to me..."  Waddie
started crying.  Bubba sat on the edge of the bed and held Waddie as best
he could.  He knew the kid ached everywhere.

"I know you feel like you been run over by a Mack truck, but the Old Man
and Urial says I have to get you into the shower to clean you real good.  I
got some ointment that will help and take away some of the pain.  Think you
can get up, Sweetheart?  I'll help you or carry you...which ever you think
best."

"I think I can walk, Bubba.  Just let me lean on you."

Waddie held onto Bubba and walked with him into the bathroom.

"Stand there for a minute for me, Waddie. I gotta' take four pictures of
your fucked-up pretty little face for your uncle.  Try to look as dejected
and hurt as possible."

"Won't take much acting, Bubba."

Bubba took his pictures then started the shower and got the water good and
warm.  He lifted Waddie up and stood him in the shower away from the spray.
He wanted to let the boy ease his way into it.  Waddie did and winced a
couple of times but the warm water felt good.  It was like the hurt and
pain was being washed away, not only from his body but his soul as well.
Bubba got in behind him and pulled the curtain.

Waddie threw his arms around Bubba's waist and hugged him close so they
both were in the water.  Bubba gently enfolded his little buddy in his huge
arms and held him close.  Waddie reached up and found Bubba's mouth and
kissed him gently.  Bubba kissed him back just as gently.

"Thanks Bubba.  I needed that."

"I know you did, Little Buddy, and it weren't to bad for me neither.  Look
at me!"  Bubba looked down at his own crotch.  Waddie giggled.  Bubba had a
big ole hard-on.

"Don't let that scare you none, Sweet baby, I'm here to take care of you,
not to take advantage of you.  That just means I find you attractive and
from the looks of your ole flag pole I'd say old Bubba weren't to shabby in
your eyes neither."

"Damn straight, Bubba.  You be a fine looking hombre. One I'd be proud to
bunk it in with."

"No more talk like that.  We got work to do.  Now, I got a special soap the
druggist told me to buy that fights infection.  So you let me take care of
you first and then I'll get me cleaned up."

Bubba was like an angel touching Waddie.  He didn't worry about washing him
good from the front.  He got every thing including washing Waddie's dick
for him.  Waddie got hard and told Bubba that meant he love him.  Bubba
laughed.  He turned Waddie around and most of the scabs had washed off and
the raw bleeding skin and bruises were fully evident.

Bubba was supremely gentle but he made damn sure he got Waddie clean.
Waddie had to grit his teeth a couple of times but knew Bubba wouldn't hurt
him for the world.  They finished and Bubba dried Waddie first and then
himself.  He put another role of film in his camera and took twelve more
exposures in the bath room with Waddie's flesh and blood showing on his
butt. He took pictures of Waddie's darkened, bruised face, black eye and
bleeding lips.

I'm gonna' send these back to Buck so's he can have evidence of child abuse
to get you out of your dad's hands.  I'm not gonna' tell him where you are.
That'll be up to you to let them know when you feel ready to go home.  I'll
take you into Austin and take you to some good old boys that'll help you
and you can stay with them for a while.

Bubba laid Waddie across the bed on a clean dry towel and applied the
ointment he had in his bag.  It did take some of the hurt and sting away.
Bubba didn't worry about getting the sheets soiled with Waddie's blood.
He'd take it up with Sid in the morning and pay for new sheets if they
couldn't be cleaned.  He wanted to hold Waddie in the worst way.  Waddie
wanted him to.

"I can't put my backside to you like I'd like to, Bubba, but would you mind
holding me for a minute before you go to sleep."

"I'll hold you all night long, if'n you need it, Little Buddy."  Bubba
gently pulled Waddie to his big massive chest and held him tight.  That's
all it took to let the hurt and pain come flooding out.  This was the time
Bubba needed the Old Man to give him strength.  The boy was heaving in gut
wrenching sobs.

He wasn't yelling nor crying loud.  It was just like he got his soul wet
and was wringing it out to hang on a line to dry.  Bubba was praying
silently for Urial and the Old Man to keep his huge backbone from turning
to Jello from the pain coming from this beautiful child.  He wanted to
scream at the top of his powerful voice at any and all demons that were
within shouting distance.

`This child is under Bubba's protection tonight, you will not touch him or
you will have a demon nastier that you ever dreamed of at your throat.  Be
strong Bubba!  Get mad, so's you don't lose it! Be strong for the boy!'  he
thought.  And he was strong for Waddie.

"Get it all out, Sweet baby.  It's over now.  You're safe in big Bubba's
arms tonight.  This old face is guaranteed to scare the meanest of bad
things away from my little buddy.  Nothings gonna' hurt you no more while
you're in Bubba's charge.

Just let it all out.  You can't start to heal `til you get the bad stuff
out."  Waddie took the big, wonderful man's advice and used him as a
sounding board.  Waddie couldn't cry anymore and was physically exhausted.
Bubba lovingly laid the boy on his stomach and gently pulled the covers
over him.  Waddie drifted off to sleep.

`Forgive me, Father..."  Bubba prayed as he leaned over and kissed Waddie
on his cheek before turning out the light.

The Old Man more that forgave the big man he told Urial to make a note;
Bubba had saint potential.  Watch that man, Urial.  Let me know.

Waddie's dreams were fitful but he slept comfortably considering.  He woke
up several times and felt himself in Bubba's big furry arms.  `He's like
sleeping with a big ole bear,' thought Waddie, `One hell of a fine Grizzly.
Damn, he be warm...'  Waddie drifted off to sleep again.

Waddie dreamed of running through a field of Bluebonnets as far as the eye
could see, laughing and giggling as Buck chased him.  They were naked as
the day they were born.  Buck finally caught up with Waddie grabbed him up
into his arms, spun around with him several times, and looked deeply into
Waddie's blue eyes; the color of fine lapis lazuli.  Waddie saw his own
dark pools reflected from his dad's eyes.  They were the kindest, most
loving eyes he'd ever look into.

"You're safe now, Son."  the big man said quietly with all the love in his
heart.

"I love you, Dad."  the boy said quietly to his father before he gently
kissed him.  Buck Claymore lay down with his son, Waddie Claymore, enfolded
in his huge arms and rocked him gently to sleep in the warmth of the
afternoon sun laying there among the Bluebonnets; stealing kisses from his
beloved, sleeping man-child, one by one.


End part 11~
Cabbage Patch Cowboy
Copyright 2002 Waddie Greywolf
Questions/comments: waddiebear@yahoo.com

* A church key = an irreverent name given to a nasty looking, sharp,
pointed tool used to open beer cans before `pop tops' were invented. They
usually, but not always, had a bottle opener on the other end for opening
bottles before `twist offs' were invented.  ("Am I that old?" the author
asked rhetorically.)

*toten tanz = probably not spelled correctly but close enough. German for
`dance of death' or `deadly dance.'