DISCLAIMER: WARNING!! This is a work of homoerotic fiction 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 ============================================================================ BOOGER RED & COWBOY By Waddie Greywolf
CHAPTER 22
I could tell Red's brother was upset we weren't staying longer. I made excuses for us. We had been touring with two cousins of mine from my family and they rode on to Mason. One of them's ill and we need to be there. We're worried about him. Red thanked me later for that.
I said my private goodbye's to Griz. I'd grown to care more for the big man the longer I was around him. I had several opportunities to talk quietly with him away from our Masters. He was reasonable but convinced that someday he would have me for his. I didn't encourage him because my life was all ready such a mess but something told me not to discourage him either. I knew what it was to have your hopes and dreams dashed. We were quiet for a moment then I began looking deep into his beautiful brown eyes and it hit me. An epiphany flashed across my mind accompanied by sirens, trumpets, gongs, bells and banjos. Could Griz be the giant hairy beast-man Buck, Uncle Bud, and the Old Man himself said would need me one day? Is he the one they were talking about? He certainly fits the description. I turned away from him like I'd been shot.
"What's a' matter, Little Cub?" he asked softly putting his big paw on my shoulder. I turned back to him, looked into his eyes and I swear by all that's holy, I don't know where the words came from that I told him next.
"Griz, listen carefully and remember this. Hold on to your dream. Don't ever give up hope. Sometimes hope is the only thing we have and if that's what you truly want,--God will give it to you. You only have to ask him. Never quit hoping, my beautiful, big Bear-Man, and never lose faith in your dream."
"I'll remember, Cowboy. I love you, Billy."
"God knows, I love you, too, Big Man. Remember one other thing. It's important. If you ever find yourself in a position you need help, you feel alone or frightened,---it doesn't matter where I am or who I'm with,---I'm the first one you contact. Got that?" he nodded his huge head, "I gave you my dad's address and phone number in Mason. He'll always know where I am and how to get in touch with me. Do you understand, Big Man?"
"I understand, Master Billy."
"Promise me, it's very important and some day I'll be able to tell you why; however, I can't right now. Promise me, Bear Man."
"I promise, Master Billy. I love you so much, I don't never want nobody else but you, `cep'n my Master." I raised his ring and kissed him goodbye. He held me in his big arms and didn't want to let me go. He started crying and I couldn't help myself, I sobbed right along with him. There was a huge lump in my throat when we finally parted as I waved my last goodbye. That lump remained in my throat all morning. I couldn't even talk to my Master later when we stopped for coffee.
"Griz,--Baby?" was all he asked me. He saw a tear roll down my cheek as I nodded affirmative and he let me be for a few minutes.
"Is Griz the friend of the Old Man's, Son?" I nodded affirmative again. I finally disolved the lump with some good hot coffee and a few bites of breakfast.
"I'm sorry, Master, but, yes, he's the one. I don't know why. It was right there in front of my face but it didn't hit me until we were saying goodbye just who Griz was and why he meant so much to me. That's why I'm having these Griz withdrawal pangs, I guess." I laughed a little and I was better.
"Nothing to be sorry about, Dear slave. I'm glad to see he won your heart since you will one day be responsible for him. I figured as much but knew you'd tell me when you wanted me to know. Griz is a lucky man, Sweet baby, a very lucky man indeed."
My Master meant only to lovingly complement his slave but it broke the damn inside. I had to cry into my napkin until I regain my composure. I felt better after I got it out and then we had a wonderful breakfast. Nothing more was said about Griz.
Red and I rode to Mason to join up with Boots and Sonny. We were going to visit for a while and go from there. Dad and his new son and grandson were thicker than fleas on a hound by the time we got there. The three of them could read each other's minds. Boots was in heaven with my dad. Dad became the dad he never had and he loved being around my dad. Dad became granddad to Sonny and the two of them fell in love. He was all ready teaching Boots and Sonny how to rope and ride. He couldn't keep his big hands off either one of them. He was constantly holding or petting one or the other. They ate it up.
Dad took Sonny to get a couple of shakes from the DQ and drove to the park so he could talk alone with him. Boots had cried in Dad's arms begging him to tell Sonny because he didn't think he could.
"Son," dad said to Sonny, "I brought you here under false pretenses, to get you away from the house. Your dad, Red and Cowboy want me to tell you something they don't have the heart to tell you."
"What could be so bad, Granddad?"
"Son, there's no easy way to tell you this. Red's dying. He has a brain tumor they can't operate on and seven months ago they gave him six to eight months to live. He's beginning to show signs. That's why he didn't want you going with him by his brothers. He stopped there to tell him about his condition and to say goodbye."
Dad watched as he saw a vibrant young man, his kin, become twisted with the pain of knowing his beloved Master he had grown to love so deeply the last seven months would be taken away from him. He left the table and wandered aimlessly across the deep grass of the park only to stumble and fall under a large shade tree. He was crying so uncontrollably he couldn't get up and conceded to lay there in a fetal position.
Dad was right behind him, sat down beside the young man and pulled him up into his arms. Sonny sobbed in Dad's arms like his heart would break. All the while my old man was trying to soothe and comfort him. Dad said he knew it was gonna' be rough but he didn't expect this. Sonny slowly got himself together. He couldn't cry any more. He was sore all over from heaving while he was sobbing.
"Why didn't anyone tell me sooner? My dad, Cowboy, even Master Red himself?"
"Red asked them not, too. He loves you Sonny and wanted you to have a good half year with him without the knowledge that his time was growing short and it eating you up. I agreed with them, Son. They did the right thing. Those three men gave you half a year of being able to love Red as your Master uncomplicated by his declining health. It's a statement of their love for you to want to protect you like that. Look what the news did to you today. Can you imagine how it might have affected you if they told you before you started on the trip with them. That's one of the reasons Red spent as much time with you as he could and not slight Cowboy. I heard Cowboy was generous to a fault with time you spent with Red and he knew he only had this amount of time left to love him.
"I didn't know, Dad. I've thanked Cowboy and thanked him for being so generous to share Master Red. He's neither been jealous nor felt threatened. If anything he's encouraged me. This makes me love him more. What a big heart he has. It's not like that though, Dad. I wasn't in competition with Cowboy. Red sees me as a slave son or a second slave. He's never held back from me but I know Cowboy's the apple of his eye. I don't begrudge either one their love. They worked hard for it. They deserve it.
It was more like family between the four of us. I know Cowboy loves to be with my dad and my dad thinks Cowboy sets the stars out at night. From that first night we met Red, he sort of adopted us as his little family. Three men he loved with the same name. What are the chances, Dad.
He took me under his wing that first night. I'd never been with a real Master before, Dad. Boy, was Master Red an eyeopener. After that first night with him I knew I had to be a slave to some man. Maybe not Master Red but if my dad didn't want to become my Master I knew I had to find that for myself. I knew I could never have Red like Cowboy but he offered to train me and I ate it up, Dad.
I served him as much as I could during our time together. I've felt some urgency in him sometimes but it only made him more patient with me. Master Red made me his second slave. I was so honored and thrilled that he asked me to be his second slave but if I had known this I would've gratefully declined. I love Cowboy too much."
"Can't you see. That's exactly why they didn't tell you. They wanted you to know the joy of being Red's slave."
"Cowboy's become a true slave, Dad. He would never think of questioning any decision Master Red made. There are no two people on this Earth that love each other more. I told him that if Master Red only wanted me to lay across their doorway and he and Cowboy used me as a door mat to clean their dirty boots on, I would be there in a minute."
"Red talked to me one evening while you were in South Carolina with the two cops. He called me on his phone card he carries and we talked about an hour. In that hour there were two topics he kept returning to, Cowboy and you. He wasn't being unfaithful to Cowboy when he told me how much he loved you Sonny. He doesn't love you the same way he loves Cowboy. That's not to say one is better than the other. We all love in different ways depending on the person. Red didn't want you for yourself alone.
He feels strongly that you and your dad should be Master and slave. He loves Boots as much as you and Cowboy. He told me he's never had a relationship with another man the way he does with your dad. He'd do anything in the world for the both of you. Red told me there was never a moments regret that you and your dad went along with them on this trip."
"Dad, we had a wonderful time. It's something I'll remember forever as one of the most relaxed, happy, joy filled times of my life.
When Red and I arrived from Houston, it was like homecoming. Cowboy was home again. Boots and Sonny couldn't believe how the town rallied to say hello and wish us well. The diner that next morning was packed with people waiting outside to see the four Gunns. Word got around town that two long lost Gunn's were visiting Big Gunn. They were all amazed at the family resemblance. They had to see Boots and Sonny's drivers license. They wouldn't believe it was two more Billy Gunns.
Louise and Suzy pulled together a couple of the largest tables and had them waiting for us when we got there. We called Phil and Wilma Jo and they joined us. Louise and Suzy flirted with Sonny and Boots. They hadn't figured things out yet. Wouldn't made a difference to them if they had. Boots and Sonny were with the cowboy and Big Gunn. They were family. I don't think Boots and Sonny ever had people be as friendly and want to know all about them as they did in that little diner that morning. We were there for several hours, eating, drinking coffee and relaxing. We had a great time.
Red wanted to relax and let us go. The trip from his brother's place to Mason was not that far but we didn't rush. We stopped several times for gas, lunch, and snacks but Red was tired when we arrived, I could see it in his face. So did Boots and Sonny who got me aside to talk. I couldn't tell them anything because Red was the one that would have to let me know if signs were beginning to show.
Red didn't want a fuss made over him. Let him be. He wanted me to go and be with my friends and relatives. He wanted to rest and have me with him in the evenings. I could tell he was slowing down. Things weren't working right for him anymore. He could still ride his bike but his sense of balance was making it difficult. His vision would sometime blur for hours and then come right back. Then, he'd be okay for a while.
I asked him several times to quit riding the bike. I invited him to ride with me. He wouldn't until one afternoon the four of us were riding around town and his vision cut out. He had enough sense to stop dead in the street and let Boots and I help him to the curb. He was getting scared. We took him home, dad drove me back to get his bike, I pulled it into dad's big barn of a garage and it never came out again.
Red decided that he wanted to die there in Mason. I wanted him to be near a larger city to be closer to the medical facilities. His reason was they couldn't do anything for him anyway, why bother. He just felt comfortable there in the big house with me, Lester, Dad and Uncle Joe. There was plenty room for his small family to be with him. He had come to love Boots and Sonny like they were his family as well as mine. They couldn't have loved Red more.
Red and I both felt Boots was on the verge of a great self discovery that would take him into the world of becoming a fine Master capable of providing his son what he needed. Red got certain things from Boots he couldn't get from me or Sonny. Boots became a project for Red to leave a small legacy behind. He grew to love Boots more and more and looked on him as if he were passing him the Master's torch. Red had a paternal, encouraging, teaching attitude toward Boots. He wanted to leave something of himself behind even if it was nothing more that to encourage Boots to be the Master Sonny needed and Red knew he could be.
Red's classroom efforts and my lab work with Boots was paying off. Red wanted to know every detail of our nights together. Didn't upset me. I knew what he was doing. He had that right as my Master to expect me to answer any question he put to me as truthfully as possible. Actually it became a big turn on for me to describe in detail before my Master what Boots had done to me. Red would never have questioned me if he wasn't so driven to get Boots where he wanted him. Usually, my descriptions were so graphic it would get him horny as hell and I'd get the snot fucked out of me again.
Boots became far more collected and sure of himself. Red put to me that he thought, for the first time in his life, Boots was making an effort to grow up and accept the responsibility of becoming an adult. I had to admit it made a lot of sense. Boots shared with me that he made up his mind, after Red passed he was taking Sonny to Master Jeb and Big Jim's in Los Angeles for slave training. Everyone agreed with him, it would be the best thing for Sonny to help him get over the pain of Red's death.
During our journey Boots shared with me several times that he never wanted to try to live without Sonny. Sonny's love for Red had been an eyeopener for Boots. He wasn't the least threatened by Sonny's love for Red or Red's for Sonny. Boots accepted Red as family. I was family; he had an open door to me; it balanced in his mind. It did in all our minds. It wasn't like Red was spending every evening with Sonny. Maybe one or two nights a week, rarely more.
Red was right when he warned Boots, sooner or later some scooter bum was going to come along and take Sonny away from him. Boots was convinced after talking to my family, Master Jeb, Big Jim, Big Beryl, my dad, Uncle Joe and even Master Ben, he wouldn't let that happen. The biggest influences were Ben Stafford, Red, my dad, Walker and Master Jeb. They all told him he had a treasure on his hands and why give it away to someone else when he could have it for himself. No one wanted to see them apart. Sonny cried in Red's arms many nights asking Red to talk his dad into becoming his Master.
Red broke down in my arms one night at Brants and Rayph's knowing how his death was going to affect Sonny. He felt Sonny was vulnerable because of his deep emotional attachment to Red. Boots and I agreed with him. It made me feel good that my Master experienced the love of two other men that had become family to both of us. Red was comforted by the fact that Boots had finally made up his mind that there was no other course he could take. He assured Red he didn't feel like he would've considered it if Red's didn't care as much as he did and acted as a mentor for Boots. You can bet that made old `iron sides' shed a few.
Boots hadn't met one of the family that didn't encourage him to become his son's Master. I told him to pray about it and ask for guidance. He told me he did and it was only after that his heart felt peaceful. He knew it was the thing to do. Everyone, to a man, told him it was important for Sonny to go through slave training and become bonded to him. No one foresaw any problems,---his son all ready worshiped his dad and wanted to become his slave. Unbeknownst to the three of us, Red had paid Master Jeb and Big Jim in advance for Sonny's training before we left Los Angeles months ago.
Master Ben flew out to be with us for a week and that lifted Red's spirits. He'd sit and talk with Ben for hours. Tim and Harry came with Ben and spent most of their time with me. I grew closer to Tim and he was a great comfort during Red's decline in health. Harry, of course, was Harry. He was wonderful. Anything I needed, Red needed, Master Ben or Tim, or any of my family, Harry saw to it, it was taken care of immediately. Harry had become a great friend to Red and I. We loved him. When they left, I thought it would break Harry in two when he had to say goodbye to Red for the last time. It wasn't easy for Ben or Tim either.
Cal and Steve were wonderful. They'd become so attached to us we felt like brothers. We had keys to their house in Vegas and felt comfortable dropping by at any time. They were always happy to see us. Cal had grown close to Red. He hid a lot of himself from people. He hid nothing from Booger. He looked on Booger as the father he never had and told him the secrets of his heart. Red would never betray a confidence, even to me. I didn't think Cal was going to be able to but he pulled himself up, went in to say goodbye to Red and didn't shed a tear,---until he got outside.
I thought sure Red would have wanted to spend his final days in Los Angeles or Glen Rose but he didn't. Dad, Uncle Joe and Lester had no problem with him dying in Mason. They loved having Boots and Sonny there. They spent a lot of time helping out at the shop. Dad said Boots was a pretty fair mechanic. That was high praise from my dad. They went about their lives and pretty much left us to ourselves. They were there if we needed them and we often did.
My three dads were a great support and comfort during this trying time. Dad shared with me that Red asked him if he minded that he stay there to die. My dad, God love him, assured Red it was fine. He was glad to have all of us there. Dad was in his element. He had a new son to love and a grandson he could spoil. He thought Sonny was the greatest thing since popcorn was invented.
We took over the newer bedroom my family originally fixed up for Ben and I. It was clean and comfortable. It was sunny most of the day and Red was comfortable. Boots and Sonny checked in with us twice a day but didn't stay long. They were giving me and Red the most or our last days to be together.
Sonny fell apart when my dad took him to the park and told him. It took him three days to recover enough before he could handle coming to Red's room to visit. Then he could only hold Red's hand. Red understood and talked like a father to Sonny for hours.
The fifth week Red's eyesight went all together. He could barely make out shapes. His balance was almost gone and he had to be near the bed to protect himself from falling. I couldn't carry him to the bath. I had to do everything that week for him. I didn't mind. He hated for me to have to feed him and clean him. I jokingly told him to shut up, I love you old man. After all, I'm cleaning myself up; not just you alone. You told me yourself I'm now a part of you. I'd pull his dick out, drive him crazy teasing him until he threatened me with my life then I'd suck him off. He always felt better after that.
Sonny pulled himself up by his boot straps and decided it was time for him to become a man for his Masters and his brother. He took turns with me cleaning and helping Red. He would've done it all himself if I'd let him, but it was important to me to do those things for Red, as well..
I wrote Dave and Barn a letter and told them that the end was near. I wrote a letter to the VA ward and told them our trip was done but Red was dying. I got phone calls from practically every one in Ten Sleep. The Bartletts were sad but supportive. Dave and Barn wanted to drive down. While I would've loved to see them I knew they couldn't do anything and they had a ranch to run. I got fifty-six letters of sympathy and encouragement from every man in the VA in Cheyenne. They named their television the Booger Red & Cowboy T.V. I shared most of them with Red during our quiet times together.
Red would get frightened, cry and want me to hold him. I never refused. We hired around the clock nurses to help with him. Sonny didn't want me to. He thought we could do it but everyone began to see the toll it was taking on Sonny as well as me. It showed in his face and his walk. In some ways we watched a part of Sonny die with his Master. Dad talked to him and Sonny saw it was for the best. My Dad had a calming effect on people when they were hurting their worst. Lord knows I experienced that from him it all my life.
The doctors told us that once the vision and balance went Red would slip into a coma and may be that way for a week or two. After that it was a matter of time before he passed. It was hard for me to watch the strong vibrant man I loved so much waste away in front of my eyes. I slept with him every night. I'd hold him all night and pray that Buck and Uncle Bud would come for him soon. Not because I wanted him go but because I knew the fear and confusion in his mind. I could feel it when I held him.
We had a steady stream of visitors. Our clan family from Los Angeles rode out to say goodbye. Master Earl, Wes, Big Beryl, Sam, Bull, Charlie, Zack, Big Jim and Jeb. Numbers of other family members came with them. Harry, Ben, Tim ,Cal, Steve, Master Walker, Xander and even Leon rode his bike to Mason to say goodbye to him. Harley Boone, a fine looking man, rode out to be with Red and I. At his side was his companion, Mutt. They were still leaning on each other from their earlier experiences with Spyder.
Red couldn't see nor sit up too well but he could talk and visit with folks. He knew who they were and was delighted that they came to tell him goodbye. I called his brother and Griz to come to Mason.
"How is he?" asked his brother.
"He's still sitting up with help but his vision's gone. He's lucid but he's just before going into a coma. I think you should come say your goodbyes, Master Red, before he lapses."
He and Griz were there the next day. They stayed two days, two nights, and the next day with us before leaving to go back to Houston. I think his brother was relieved that he didn't have to be there when Red passed. I don't think he could have handled it. He was satisfied Red was being taken care of by folks that loved him best. He knew we would see him through to the end.
I told Sonny about Griz before he and Bro. Red got there. Sonny wasn't prepared for how big Griz was. He stood there in an awestruck daze. I had to tell him to close his mouth. I checked to see if he was breathing, elbowed him, slapped my knee, then fell out laughing at him. Poor Sonny just blushed and gave me a frustrated look. He thought Griz was a large piece of heaven. I always liked that about Sonny, he confirmed my taste in men. Griz and Sonny took to each other right away. Sonny got me aside to talk to me.
"That big, ugly monster's a slave, Cowboy?" he said disappointed.
"Don't judge what's inside until you've unwrapped the package, little Brother. First of all, he ain't ugly to me. He's one of the finest men I've ever met. That's not to say the first time I saw him I didn't have the same reaction you did but I fell in love with that monster. Trust me you will, too. You'll be surprised how his appearance changes once he's got all fifteen inches up your butt.
"Naw, no way! You're shit'n me. No man has,---on the other hand,---he's awfully big and you're not the type to blow smoke up my ass, I've learned that. Holy jumpin' jehosaphats, and you took it all?"
"Hey! You keep forgetting, little Brother, I'm a cowboy. I can ride anything." I smiled wickedly at Sonny. "It's true, Griz is a slave. His Master, Red's brother, had that ring permanently welded in place the second week he owned him; however, don't let that ring bother you none, Griz wouldn't disappoint you. I guaran-damn-tee-ya.' Take it from your bother, he won't never tell you wrong. Griz has something very special about him that would rip you a new asshole, and it ain't his size nor his dick, Sweetheart. I won't go into it, I'll leave it for you to find out for yourself, but you will love him as much as I do.
About that time Griz walked up and I introduced him to Sonny. Sonny took Griz's big paw. He could barely speak but quietly blurted out to Griz,
"I could love you, Big Man." As shy as I knew Griz to be I was curious how he would answer such a blatant comment like that. He smiled at me, turned to Sonny and gave him the warmest smile.
"That would make me very happy, if you would, Mr. Sonny. Then I would love you, too." Sonny stood there stunned not expecting such a genuine, honest, disarming, childlike response from this imposing man.
"It's good to meet you, Griz." Sonny spoke quietly and sincerely.
"It feels good to meet you, too, Mr. Sonny." then Griz grabbed Sonny in his arms and hugged him. Sonny almost swooned. I caught Boots out of the corner of my eyes, laughing his ass off at Sonny. He knew only too well, Griz would trip Sonny's switch to the `on' position."
"Just call me Sonny, Griz. If we're to love each other I don't want you calling me `mister.'"
"Thank you, Sonny. I'm only Griz."
Griz let Sonny go and opened his arms to me. They were the arms of love. He held me as I cried. He petted and consoled me. Griz was a great comfort. Just to be held in the big man's arms was a spiritual experience. He had a way of petting me while making a strange but relaxing humming sound. It wasn't a tune nor a growl, it was a barely audible humming sound that vibrated at exactly the same frequency of my soul. For a few minutes the big man absorbed all the pain in my heart and gave me strength to carry on. If it hadn't been for that visit from Griz and Bro. Red I don't know if I could have made it. Damned, if once again I didn't smelled the sweet smell of roses about him.
"I been talking with God, Master Billy, like you told me to. I asked him what you told me to ask him and he said he'd think about it if I did the things he wanted me to."
Okay,---so a man tells you he talked with God. Yeah, right!' Then you think, You know the big man's slow, he just means he prayed. Give him a break. Yeah, but then he said God talked back to him....' Then this flush came over me while he was holding me. Thoughts were racing through my mind only to lead back to the only plausible explanation. He talked to God.
Why would you even question the big man? The Old Man talked to you. Told you himself he was a personal friend of the big man. You ain't so special. If'n he got pissed enough to talk to you, call you a twit' and straighten your sorry ass out, then how hard is it to believe he loves Griz and enjoys talking with him? You can't be a friend to someone unless you talk to him.' I thought to myself.
"Griz,---do the things he asks and no matter my obligations, he'll find a way for us to be together; if that's what you really want."
"I do, Master Billy, with all my heart."
"Can I ask a favor, Griz?"
"I'd do anything for you, Master Billy."
"Next time you talk to him, ask him if he ain't too busy, if'n he sees fit to give me his love for the strength I'm gonna' need to see my Master through this. I want to be strong for my Master like he was for me."
"I'll tell him, Master Billy, but I all ready talked to him some about you. I hope you don't mind. I ask him to come to you in your worst moment, put his arms around you and show you love like he does me. He promised he would. When he puts his big arms around me and holds me, Master Billy, he gives me such peace and love. He don't do it too often, he said he don't want to spoil me. He tells me that but then he does it almost every time we walk together. I think he needs it from me, too, Master Billy."
Son of a bitch, the big man ripped my heart out and I cried again at his sincerity. Somehow, I had no doubt, the Old Man would be there for me when I needed him.
"Thanks, Big Man, I love you for that." I said when I got myself together.
"I love you, too, Master Billy." I don't know why I never corrected Griz when he called me `Master.' A voice inside told me, "No, he needs to think of you as his Master. Give back to Griz some of what your Master gave to you."
I was holding up better than I thought I would. I was being strong for Red when I wanted to run and rage at everything holy and beat someone or anything up with my fist. Red and I lay together for hours at a time and talked.
"What do you think it will be like, Billy?" Red asked like a little boy, afraid of the dark.
"I know what it will be like, Master, I've been there, remember? You'll simply rise out of your body when the time comes. Buck, Uncle Bud and the cowboys, Ken and Rowley will come for you. They'll take your hand and lead you home."
"How can you be so sure?" He asked in fear.
"Buck told me months ago, he and my uncle would be there to help you pass over so you wouldn't have to make the journey by yourself. Lots a' folks have to find their own way and some get lost. That's how you get there is to have those that you loved and took your love back that come to lead you over. You have friends and loved ones that will guide you. Uncle Bud took your love with him and he'll be there to show you the way. He never stopped loving you, Red."
"Then why would Buck and his buddies come for me?"
"Because you'll be taking my love with you and their love becomes a part of that love and,---they'll explain it to you on the way. Member how many times you demanded I trust you as my Master? Well, I ain't demanding but I'm asking you to trust your slave about this. It ain't that big a deal, Master. It will be for me to lose my Master but when you rise up out of your body, your gonna' think, Why the hell, was I afraid of this? This is better'n being there.'"
"Well, you've never lied to me, Cowboy. Don't see any reason you'd start now. I know you well enough to know, you wouldn't make this shit up just to console a dying man."
Red made sure all his money and personal belonging were signed over to me. He had a little over half a million dollars in the bank. The only personal property he owned was his bike and a small cabin in the desert in Morongo Valley in California that he never told me about. He told me to do what I wanted with it. He asked how I felt about leaving his bike to Sonny. Red's Harley was a much newer and nicer bike. I told him I thought it was a wonderful idea. He couldn't leave it to anyone that would appreciate it more than Sonny. He told me he wouldn't say anything to Boots or Sonny. He wanted me to take care of it. I assured him I would.
My Master slipped into a coma the end of the sixth week we were in Mason and remained that way for almost two and a half weeks. He couldn't take in food or water so we put him on intravenous feeding. He would have gone quicker if we did what he wanted and withheld the IV. I knew he could hear me. I told him if the tumor was going to take him away from me; it's God's will; so be it. I would not sit here and watch my Master starve to death. I felt the slightest squeeze on my hand.
I still slept with him every night and held him through the long, dark nights. I sat with him all day and way into the night. Most times, I just held his hand. He knew I was there. I would talk to him by the hour. I would talk about the damnedest shit. Funny things; some good, wonderful sex we had; some funny, knock down, drag out, hard won sex scenes that we could laugh about now; some wonderful and beautiful things we saw and experienced together on our tour across the U.S.
I revealed to him the secrets of my heart that I'd hidden from him for so long; how I'd become hooked on the rough sex and didn't want things to go back the way they were because I was afraid he'd stop taking it away from me; how I had fallen so much more in love with him than before but wouldn't show it to him until he had me in the height of passion, then it would come spilling out of me uncontrollably. I told him underneath my stubbornness I loved him so damn much but I was afraid and my foolish pride wouldn't let me show him the love I wanted to.
How close he came to breaking me down to a gelatinous mass of quivering, sex crazed flesh. If he had refused me his rough sex for only a week. I would've crawled on my belly a mile across the desert in the noon day sun for the taste of his boots and would have called him my Master, my owner, my only need in life; begged him to use me, to take me, just give me another `Booger fix.' I would've admitted to him, he had won.
I could no longer deny that I was addicted to his using me for any purpose he wanted. He would've never had to force me to eat his ass out again. I admitted to him how much I loved to clean him out; how I would feign disgust to keep him from knowing how much I enjoyed it and I loved him for forcing me to do it. I would have insisted he never piss in a toilet again. On and on I'd babble about these things.
I knew Red heard me, he'd get a roaring hard-on; I'd have the nurse take a break or a long lunch. I'd lock the door to the bedroom, throw back the sheet, make the proper love to his shaft as my Master would require, run my tongue around under his foreskin to clean him. Then, I take him. I'd suck on him, sometime fucking my throat with his erect shaft, then I'd skin his foreskin back from his beautiful dick, take him down my throat several times and he'd shoot every time.
Afterwards, I'd clean him, tell him how good he tasted and thanked him for letting his slave have more of his wonderful come. His breathing would become more relaxed. He wouldn't seem so tense and would have this glow about his face with the faintest of smiles. I'd take his hand again and feel the slightest squeeze of my hand in thanks.
It became routine, I took him almost every day around noon. I'd suck him off while the nurse went to lunch. I usually gave her extra time so I'd have more time with him by myself. He had to know when it was near noon-maybe he heard the nurse getting ready to go to lunch-but after couple of days he'd get a roaring boner right at noon in anticipation. The sheet would look like a damn circus tent.
After the end of the first week, I relieved the nurse to go to lunch, told her she didn't have to be back for and hour and a half and let her go. She turned and asked me, "Have you noticed Mr. Granville gets erect every day around noon?" I looked over at Red and sure enough it looked like Ringling Brothers had come to town.
"No ma'am, never noticed before but I can see he does. Is that important?"
"I don't know, I'll ask the doctor." she said and left. I was holding Red's hand and started laughing.
"You dirty old man, I can't take you anywhere." I told Red laughing and very faintly felt him squeeze my hand.
"Okay Red, I felt that," I told him, "now calm down, you don't have to get so excited, you'll get your blow-job I've called in a guest slave to suck you off this afternoon while I hold your hand and talk dirty to you." I laughed my ass off and felt another slight squeeze. I shared with Sonny that I'd been sucking Red off every day for several days around noon. He didn't ask but I could see the need as tears gathered in his eyes. I knew Sonny so well by this time I knew he'd cut his arm off rather than intrude. Any time I needed him, he was right there, ready. I knew he wouldn't ask.
"Sonny, my Brother, I know what Red means to you and I wouldn't share this with you only to leave you out. Would you like to take him a couple of times." Sonny grabbed me, hugged and kissed me as he cried and cried. After the nurse left Sonny came in and I locked the door. He was amused at our Master's erection. I'd told him that it happens the same time everyday. I took Red's hand. Sonny took the sheet down and I acted as Master by proxy.
"Make love to your Master's dick, slave. Show your Master how much you want to taste his beautiful cock and have him honor you with his seed." Sonny was a great lover of cock and Red was right, he could really beg for some dick. I told him to beg his good Master and his other slave would tell him when his Master said he could have him. Sonny begged, pleaded, cleaned and kissed Red's big dick. Red couldn't have been harder. Finally, I felt a slight squeeze on my hand. I told Sonny, Red squeezed my hand. Our Master gave his slave permission to take him.
I hadn't seen Sonny in action for sometime. Our Master had taught him well. Sonny could fuck his throat quite deeply with Red's big dick and not just once or twice, but repeated heavy face fucking. He went on for sometime and I felt another slight squeeze from Red. I told Sonny to skin him back he wanted to come. Sonny did and took only two hits on Red's cock and got a big ole mouthful of Master come. He pointed to his mouth if I wanted to share it with him and I shook my head no. He had the ecstacy of swallowing our Master's hot load. Sonny sat on the floor with his head back on the bed and jacked himself off as he allowed a small bit at a time of his Master's come to trickle down his throat.
We had rubber sheets under the bed sheet because of accidents. Sonny or I would clean him up and change the sheets. It only happened a couple of times. Then because he wasn't taking in food there was nothing to come out. He was still taking in fluids through the IV. He would piss a couple of times a day. The nurse wanted to catheter him. I told her absolutely not and called my friend who was a nurse and ask his advice. He sent me a rubber type contraption called a Texas catheter that slipped over the head of Red's dick and had a tube running out the end to collect the urine. It worked well.
Afterward, we'd both crawl in bed with him put our arms around him and tell him how much we loved and appreciated him being our Master. We knew Red could hear us but nothing worked. It must have been horrible lying there, aware, conscious, not being able to move, speak, or open your eyes. If he was totally aware he must have had moments of terrible panic. Much like a dream where you want to turn over or move your body but you feel paralyzed and try as you may you can't move a thing,--then began to drift further and further into sleep with the horrible feeling if you don't move something you may never wake up.
Nurse Brunhilde, I called her, assured me that Mr. Grainger was completely out. That's what a coma was, he was unconscious, he can't hear you, his brain is turned off. I tried to tell her a couple of times and she said it was my imagination. I wanted to feel him squeeze my hand. I suppose Red becoming so sexually aroused, enough to reach climax was my imagination, too. Funny, it sure tasted like my Master's hot load when I was swallowing it. She never seemed to notice his erection was gone when she returned.
When I talked about something that really touched him I could feel him gently squeeze my hand to let me know he heard me. The light was dim but he was still in there. After that day, I redoubled my effort to stay by his side as much as possible or until I felt my chatter might be exhausting him. I would tell him I was going to shut up for a while to give him a rest but I wouldn't leave him. I'd be there. Once again I'd feel a slight squeeze of my hand in thanks.
It sounds strange but those quiet times, sitting there, holding his hand were powerfully spiritual for me, not from sorrow for his decline in health, but just being by my Master's side, there for his use. Maybe that's what I loved most about Red was he used me to my fullest. I wanted to be there for him to use`til his last breath. With Red I never felt unwanted; I never felt unneeded. There was still an unspoken communication between us as strong as the first night we kissed and he sent me the message, he was my Master, I was his slave, he loved me for asking him to make my choice for me, and he made that choice. He told me not to fear, to be comfortable with my decision. You will be my slave, you will serve me well, and you will love me.
Though out our time together touring, occasionally I would do something unexpected for him to try to please him. Every time, he would look at me with the greatest love and tell me,
"You did it again, Kid." He didn't have to say more, I understood. But, now, he was reversing the flow and I could feel it. He surrounded me with his demanding, yet unconditional love. Those were wonderful times he held my soul a willing prisoner within his heart. My captor would feed it, comforted it and breathe into it his strength. Then when he set me free I would never leave him.
I didn't want to be strong. I wanted to fall apart. He wouldn't let me. To his last breath he was going to be my Master and he damn well expected and demanded my best. It was his due as my Master. To Red my best was having the strength and courage to see him through to the end. I might stumble, fall, break apart, but I knew he'd put his big hand under my elbow to help me up. I could hear him whisper,
"Goddamn it, Cowboy, I didn't become your Master and make your decision to become my slave if I didn't believe and know you're stronger than that. Straighten up, Son. Remember, you're still my slave. Be proud. I trained you better than that. You're no ordinary slave, you're Booger Red's slave. I expect you to make it to the finish, Son, with your head held high." I wasn't going to let him down.
The town folk were wonderful. Suzie and Louise brought food for everyone from the restaurant. Someone was forever dropping off a pot of homemade soup, a pie, a beautiful cake. They knew we were suffering. They'd all been there and back. They just wanted to say they cared but didn't want to intrude. Aunt Laura came and sat with me several afternoons for a couple hours. I appreciated her being there, she was a great comfort.
Wednesday morning of the eighth week around eight thirty in the morning Red woke up. He sat up, looked around and he could see. I thought God had given us a miracle. I prayed for one. Maybe he had gone into spontaneous remission.
"Red, it's good to see you again, Master."
"You don't know how good it is to see your sweet face, Cowboy."
"Do you think you're getting better, Master, maybe going into remission?"
"No, Son, God's given me this morning to be with you to say goodbye. I had a long talk with your Uncle Bud last night. Damn, he's still a good looking man. Looks just like you, Son. It was hard not to think I was sitting there talking to you. I've always loved your uncle even after we came back from Korea. You were right, he still loves me.
You were right about Buck, and the cowboys. I met them last night. Your uncle introduced em to me. Great bunch of guys, no wonder you loved em so much. They all love you a lot. They're proud of you, Son. Dan Yates's boy, Buck,---Woooh! What a man. I know now what you went through to lose a prize like him. He's a good man, Son. Loves you beyond measure. Your buddy Rowley is a big, fine looking, big hearted man. He, too, is one hell of a man, Son. That Ken White is a funny little dude, had me laughing my ass off.
"Well, you met Ken, all right." I laughed, pause and got serious with him. "Red, my beloved Master, I don't think I can tell you goodbye." I started crying as he held me in his arms. "I don't want to tell you goodbye, Master. I don't want you to leave me."
"There, there, Sweet Baby, we won't have to say goodbye. Your uncle told me to tell you, "On down the road, Cowboy. On down the road." I cried again knowing that would be exactly what Uncle Bud and Buck would tell him to say.
"You're not afraid anymore, are you Master?"
"No Son, I'm not, you were right all along. I guess I never learned to trust you about those things but that was my fault. You never gave me reason to doubt you. It was just hard for me to believe. I want you to remember one important thing, Son."
"What's that, Master?"
"You were the one great love of my life, Cowboy, and I want to thank you for picking old ugly out of all those handsome men that night at the Johnson Ranch. You'll never know what that did for me. I loved you from that moment. You knew, same's I did, it just felt right between us, still does, always will. You have to promise me something."
"What's that, Master?"
"Once I'm gone, I want you to run to Dan Yates's arms, Son. Don't hesitate and don't think about grieving for me until you're with him. He loves you, needs you and you need him. He's waited for your love and you've been more than faithful to me long enough, so make me that promise. I won't rest thinking you're wasting precious time grieving for me when you could be in that man's arms loving him and doing what grieving for me you need to. He can help you though it when no one else can, Son.
I had a good long talk with Buck and if Dan Yates is half the man his son is, you'll have more lovin' man on your hands than you'll know what to do with. He'll be a wonderful Master for you that you can serve with pride and respect." He made me start crying again.
"I'll try, Master. It ain't gonna' be easy."
"I know you, Cowboy. You'll want to spend a year or more grieving for me before you go to him. Don't! Go to him immediately! I've already talked to your dad and told him the same thing, he agrees with me. I've entrusted your dad with your slave contract and a couple other legal documents he'll tell you about after I'm gone. I've been accused of being jealous of your love for Dan, but the God's honest truth is, you never gave me a minutes doubt of your love for me, so how could I have been jealous?
Now, I can't leave you knowing you're gonna' be hurt'n for that length of time missing me. Don't do that to me, Cowboy. You must obey me `cause that's my last order to you as your Master. It was hard enough to have you watch me die let alone the idea that you might spend your precious time in life being miserable grieving for me. You're Dad will talk to you about some things I made sure of would be done for you. I know you trust me. Your Master knows what's best for his slave.
Oh and by the way, I heard every word you said all those days you sat by my side and talked to me. I couldn't respond but I heard you and you'll never know how far that went to take the fear and panic from my heart. And what can I say about the times you got me hard talking that wonderful, dirty shit you'd talk about, your confessions to me, then you'n Sonny would take me in your hot little mouths. You and Sonny would lay there and sucked each other off next to me. I wanted to be holding both of you in my arms so badly and couldn't. Son, you'll never know what that meant to me. I couldn't respond but it was some of the best sex you or Sonny ever gave me, the most unselfish act of love I've ever experienced, and I love you for it. As long as I could hear your sweet voice and the wonderful shit you talked about I was calm and my heart was at peace.
I got down on my knees and begged God to let me come back for a while just to tell you that. I'm so grateful he understood and gave me this time with you. Your Uncle Bud wanted me to tell you something about him and me before we went to Korea. I'm gonna' ask you to ask Sam Jenkins or Walker about it, they'll know. When you hear the story hold what I told you in your heart and mind, Cowboy, you, my beautiful slave, were the one great love of my life. It was you, yourself I loved and no other."
I cried my heart out in his big arms knowing the end was near. He realized it too. I never understood before how much Red really loved me and what a big a heart he had. I didn't know if I was going to be able to obey his last order. I didn't want to disobey my Master but my head was so confused at that point, all I could think about was I had precious few moments left with the man I loved and cared for.
Red sat up, ate some toast and jam, drank a cup of coffee and chatted with our family. They'd come to say goodbye one last time. I alerted them to the fact that the end was near. The nurse was amazed he was lucid and could see. She had never seen this sort of thing before but confirmed the possibility the time was near. Red thanked Sonny and Boots for their love and told Sonny to become a good slave for his dad. Then Red told Sonny something that he talked to me about before.
"Sonny, my love, my son, my slave, Cowboy and I talked about it and if I could've stayed around longer I was going to put you through slave training, have your recognized by our family as my slave and have you sign my contract. I would have held on to you until your Master was ready for you, then transferred ownership to him. I realize now, I wouldn't have had to do that. You're ready, Son, for a good Master. Your Master is ready for his slave to serve him. You'll serve him well. I love you, Son." That broke Sonny's heart. He broke down again but pulled himself together.
"Oh God, Master Red, I love you so much. Take my love with you, Sir."
"I will, Son, I promise." Sonny kissed him goodbye and Boots took his hand.
"That's not gonna' get it, Son." he spoke to Boots. Boots leaned over and kissed him and Red hugged him one last time.
Everyone left to let Red and I be alone. He wanted to take a nap and I let the nurse take a long lunch break. I sat by his side on the bed holding him in my arms, not moving for fear of waking him. It was a still early spring afternoon. There was no breeze. I watched as the curtains moved softly, once, twice, three times.
"Well, hell, you just gonna' stand out there, White." I heard White's laugh and the curtain moved the final time. We were not alone in the room.
"Okay, Guys, I know you're here, I can feel you. You may as well let me see you." I saw Uncle Bud standing there, smiling at me. Then Buck, Ken and Rowley appeared. My celestial cowboys. I looked at them and notice Rowley gained some weight. Filled out to look like his dad. He was a handsome man.
"You've gained weight, Rowley."
"I told ya' he'd notice, Buck. Yeah, I have, Cowboy. Ken likes me a little heavier, says it all turns to cock at midnight." they had a good laugh. "We been rodeoing hard over here and I've been eatin' more."
"You rodeo over there?" I asked surprised.
"What da' ya' think? We sit around playing harps all damn day?" Rowley winked at me then laughed.
"Well, I just,-- never thought---. Oh, well, it's good to see ya'll again." I reached over and kissed Red on the forehead. It woke him and he saw them, too.
"Guys, I want you to thank the Big Guy for letting me have this morning to say goodbye. It meant a lot to me." he spoke weakly to them, barely able to get it out.
"Come with us, Red and you can thank him yourself, it's time, we've come to take you home." They smiled at Red. Uncle Bud spoke to me and somehow I knew Red couldn't hear him.
"You have to tell him he can go, Cowboy. You have to tell him it's all right, you'll be okay. He wants to hang on, `cause he's worried about you. He won't let go until he's satisfied you'll obey his last command and go to Dan Yates after he's gone."
"I can't do that, Uncle Bud, don't ask me, I can't. It isn't all right for him to go and leave me. It wasn't all right for you, Buck, Ken and Rowley to go and leave me. How the hell can I tell this man it's all right if I don't believe it in my own heart? `Sides, that, you taught me to tell the truth and I'd be telling him a bald faced lie. Furthermore, I don't know if I can love someone again right away and it would only confuse Dan. I can't do that to him."
"You have to, Son. Remember a long time ago, you and I had a conversation and I told you there comes a time when we must say goodbye to all things in life, even life itself? As far as Dan is concerned, you have to give him that option. Be brutally honest with him if you wish, but don't leave Dan out of the equation. You need him, he needs you and together you'll find the way. Trust me, trust Dan Yates but more importantly, trust yourself to be strong and do what must be done. Red needs to know you'll be all right. He needs to hear you say it. He won't come with us unless you do. You won't be telling him a lie if you mean it, let him go, Son."
"Oh God, Uncle Bud, I don't think I can."
"Be strong, Cowboy, hell, I know you can. I've seen you take on bigger than this and bulldog it to the ground." added Buck, "Set your Master free, we've come for him. Unless he goes with us, he'll wander by himself trying to see to your happiness and he won't be able to find his way the longer he hangs around." I kissed Red gently on the mouth and he returned it.
"Red, you know I love you but what I'm about to tell you may be the single, hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life. Listen carefully, Master, and believe the words I'm going to say. It's all right for you to go with them, I'll be all right." I broke down and started crying but I felt Buck put his hand on my shoulder and found the strength to finish, "Maybe not for a while but I'll be all right. I promise I'll do as you ordered and go to Buck's dad. I love you so much, Red, I promise to go to Dan but you must promise to go with Uncle Bud and the cowboys." I hugged him and cried.
"I love you, too, Cowboy, I always will. You've never lied to me so I know you'll do as I ordered. I promise, I'll go with them. God bless you, Son. I love you, Billy." He breathed deeply and was gone. Then he appeared with the cowboys, smiled at me, mouthed the words, `I loved you.', gave me an okay, thumbs up sign. Uncle Bud took one hand, Buck took the other and Red left with them out the door of the room.
A great calm came over me. I felt the arms of God, Himself, thrown `round me and He was, for a moment, absorbing all hurt, all pain. My heart was at peace. Buck said the Old Man might drop by to check on me and so had Griz. He remembered. He came to me. He was there holding me. It was one of the most serene moments of my life. It was like I'd been removed from the continuum of time, held in His arms, close to His big heart. He knew I'd be okay He was telling me.
"May take a while but loss isn't as hard to deal with now that you're older. Obey your Master's order, go to Dan Yates, he'll help. Red was right, Dan's a good man. One of my favorites. I picked him for you. He owns you now. You'll be his slave and he'll be your new Master. I really love his boy. I love you, too, Son. You did what I asked, and I'm proud of you. You will be rewarded. Your life with your new Master, Dan Yates, is part of your reward but I have a couple more for you here and a few more over there for you, too. You have one other person that will need you son and then I'll ask no more of you. You were right, Griz is the big giant man I want you to take care of. He'll come to you later when I take his Master. He's a close personal friend of mine, Son, and I couldn't think of two finer men than you and Dan Yates that would take better care of him and love him the way he deserves. I don't have to tell you to trust me anymore, do I?" I shook my head no.' "Good, You've learned your lesson. Thank goodness!" he exclaimed, "Cause I don't happen to have a two by four with me this afternoon." he made me laugh. "You and Dan will receive a great blessing and joy from loving Griz and I will be most grateful. He has special talents that I gave him. Some he won't develop until he comes to you and Dan. Be good to him, Son. He will amaze you and remember, I talk to him almost every day. I love him and enjoy his company. He is the purest of souls. The only time I ever miss talking with him is when all hell breaks loose and I can't get away but I always send a messenger to tell him and spend some time with him."
I thanked the Big Man for holding me in His arms and comforting me. I told Him it meant a lot to me. I assured Him I had no further doubts and would accept Griz into my life with open arms. Finally, I ask Him to receive my Master with all the love we shared and with all the love he shared with Boots and Sonny. He assured me He would and was, even now. "And, Master, please tell him for me, Sir: `I will obey you, my beloved Master.' He'll understand, Sir." The Old Man's voice cracked as He told me, "I promise, Son, I will."
The nurse came into the room and asked who those cowboys were that just left the room. She could have sworn one was Sheriff Cummings and one looked like Red. I smiled and told her the truth. She didn't believe me, thought I was crazy from grief, and took Red's pulse. I sat on the side of the bed and quietly told her he was gone, he left with the cowboys. I sat there holding Red's hand. She noted the time of death for the doctor to sign the death certificate. I let her go and asked her to send my dad up. Dad came into the room and held me as I finally let go and broke down in his big arms. He comforted and soothed me. He went downstairs and called the funeral home in our small town. They came and picked up Red's body and took it away. Dad, Boots, Sonny and I made all the arrangements that day.
Red wanted to be buried in Mason in our family plot and his brother didn't have any objections. His funeral was to be three days later. I was amazed. The entire town shut down and came to Red's funeral. Motorcycles started arriving early the afternoon the day before the funeral from all over the country. There were folks camping out all over the park , in front of the court house, all over the place. Ben, Harry, Tim, Keshan, Cal and Steve flew in from Reno. There was well over three hundred motorcycles parked in front of our small church. The entire clan family came from Los Angeles.
Master Jeb, Big Jim, Master Earl D., Wes, Master Zack, Big Beryl, Master Sam, Bull, Charlie and about two hundred other family members. Red's brother and Griz couldn't believe the turn out of people. There was standing room only and people standing on the walk and lawn in front of our church. My family from Glen Rose came. Leon, Master Walker and Xander plus their household help. Big Ben Stafford and his new slave, Ben Jr. flew in from Calgary. It was wonderful to have their support. Brant and Rayph had kept in touch and knew the end was near. They drove all the way from South Carolina hoping to arrive before Red passed but didn't. They stayed for the funeral then returned immediately. Brant and Rayph were devastated.
When everyone had gathered and just before the service was to begin a huge black limo pulled up out front. Ben's father and body guards got out and walked into the church. The crowd parted to allow him entry. He went to Red's casket and laid a single red rose on top. It was the kindest, most moving, gesture any man could have made. He came to me, hugged me to him and held me as I broke down in his big arms. He comforted me. I composed myself and spoke to him.
"Thank you for coming your Highness. Please, won't you join our family, your family as well."
In stilted English he replied, "I would be honored, my Son." He sat next to me and held my hand through out the service. I was so glad he came and he had no idea how much that simple gesture and his presence meant to me. Our town was agog over the Sultan of Bahrain coming to their town for Booger Red's funeral. Red's brother knew the Sultan personally and they renewed their acquaintance. Big Red and Booger had worked many times in Bahrain putting out oil rig fires. The Sultan remembered Griz and warmly shook his hand.
After we took Red to the cemetery and said our goodbyes. There was to be a reception and picnic in the town park. The women of the town had gone all out cooking and providing food. I had arranged food through the diner as well. I paid a couple thousand for food and tipped Louise and Suzie five hundred each to help. I wouldn't have had to, they would have done it because they loved me but it made me feel better. They could always use it. Waitresses in small towns don't make much.
The Sultan and his men joined us. Everyone displayed the proper respect and gave him his privacy. Tim was at his side translating and helping the Sultan with his English. He was getting a lot better with his English and was able to join in our conversations. You never saw such a mixed crowd of people in your life. The Sultan was amazed that I introduced Lester as one of my dads. Tim explained that Lester had been a family member for years, lived with my dad and Uncle Joe and helped raise me. He understood the concept immediately and he and Lester became good friends.
The Sultan fell in love with my dad and Uncle Joe. He thought they were two of the finest men he'd ever met. The Twisslemans came and met Ben's dad. Little Sister was all a' twitter but Mrs. Twissleman was the picture of dignity and grace. She would have been at home on the ranch or in a palace. She knew how to charm. Mr. Twissleman was equally charming, bragging about the Sultan's son, Ben, and how much his family thought of him. He could have been a diplomat. Little Sister fell in love with Boots and Sonny. She knew in a minute what they were all about. They couldn't help fall for her, too.
Everyone had almost finished eating when a newer pickup truck pulled up and Tim ran to it. In it was his mother and Dan Yates. I was right behind Tim. I ran to Dan's open arms and hugged both Mrs. Russell and him. "I didn't know whether to come or not," he said nervously. "but your dad and Mrs. Russell urged me to so we jumped in the truck and came. Hope it's all right."
"It's more than all right, Dad, it's wonderful to see you. You're more than welcome, it means more to me than you'll ever know." I kissed him on the cheek. Tim took his mother by the hand to meet the Sultan and I took Dan's hand to meet him as well.
The Sultan was having a great time. He was a people man and loved to meet all kinds of people but he always wanted to know who was related to whom and how these people were connected. He made a number of associations and connections himself. He knew that Dan was Buck's father and expressed his deepest sympathies for the loss of his son. Of course Master Ben came over and hugged Mrs. Russell and Dan. He had become big friends with Dan and went with Tim to visit the ranch regularly.
It was a wonderful, love filled day, one that Booger would have been proud of. I know he was watching. I was sad but I had so much love around me I couldn't stop long enough to be morose. Red wouldn't want me to be anyway. I got the feeling sometimes he was next to me, whispering in my ear,
"Enjoy yourself, accept the love, I'm with you."
Big Ben Stafford and his slave, Ben Jr. flew in from Calgary to be with me. Dad picked them up at the San Antonio airport. They'd been supportive during my Master's decline in health. Sam Jenkins renewed acquaintance with Big Ben and met his son. My dad was glad to meet Ben and Ben Jr. Walker and Xander were happy to see Ben Stafford and to meet his son. They were all sitting at a table when I walked up and heard Sam tell someone,
"Naaaw, I think you're both wrong. I think we should tell him---"
"Well, if you guys won't, I will. That kid means more to me, Leon and Xander than you can know."
"Tell me what, Master Sam, Master Walker?" Several of the men turned red and didn't know I just walked up.
"Did Booger ever tell you why he wanted to buried in your family plot?" Sam Jenkins asked me.
"No, Master Sam, there were a lot of things I didn't know about my Master that sort of dropped out here and there unexpected."
I told them the story of Brant and Rayph. How Brant told Booger in jest if he thought he could do better with a rope he'd loan him his horse and rope. Red got on the horse, let out Brant's rope, recoiled it the way he wanted, got into the stocks, told me to ride heeler and rope the hinders; he would ride header and rope the head. I swear to all that's holy, after we broke the timing barrier, Red had caught the steer, turned it, and was backing his horse almost immediately after the steer cleared the gate. Best time I ever logged with any partner. Red rode back over to the kid and told him to let that be a lesson,-never challenge an old man unless you know all about him." They all looked at each other and fell out laughing at my story.
"I was stunned. Here I'd been with this wonderful man almost three years and he was as good or better with a rope than I was. It made me realized there must be many things about my Master I didn't know. It didn't bother me, it only made me love him more. I thought Red would tell me if he wanted me to know. He never said a word. I never asked, he was my Master. I trusted him. The morning he crossed over he said he had talked to Uncle Bud and my cowboys. He said Uncle Bud wanted him to tell me something about them before Korea. He told me to ask you Master Sam or you Master Walker and you would tell me. He also told me to remember as I heard the story that it was me he loved and I was the one great love of his life." Big Ben Stafford looked at me with love in his eyes.
"I agree with Sam and Walker, I think it would only make Cowboy love his Master more. Cowboy brought Red by when they were touring the country, stayed a week with us and I got to know him pretty well. He told me the story and asked me to tell Cowboy if no one else would. Billy, Red, Boots and Sonny are responsible for me and my boy coming to know and love each other. I owe Cowboy that." said Ben Stafford.
"What's this all about, Gentlemen?" I asked.
"Tell him Sam." my dad spoke to Sam Jenkins
"Did you ever wonder why your Uncle Bud told you, you made the best possible choice of the men that were at the Johnson ranch; why he was so easy about you becoming attached to Red and encouraged it?"
"I thought he wanted to cushion the pain of him and I having to separate after being together for a year."
"That was the main reason, you're right, but did you notice that there were six other fine looking men there that night and me makes seven;-although, I wouldn't win no beauty contest, and then there was old ugly, as he called himself, Booger Red. Did you ever wonder about that, Cowboy?"
"No, Sir, my eyes stopped at Master Red and I didn't pay much attention to any of the others except you, Master Sam;-you asked me, why I picked Red?"
"Yes, and I remember your answer. Without thinking you gave me the best possible answer to that question. It was honest, correct and from the heart. You told us Booger Red just felt right to you. That's what happens when two men bond, it just feels right. Well, those good looking men were there because your uncle called Walker and set it up with him. He wanted some good looking available Masters there to tempt you into an affair with one of `em so's it would temper the pain of your parting. It would show you that you could love others and not break your heart over losing Bud. He loved you enough to do that for you. He specifically asked Walker to have Red there, but not for you, for him."
I knew my uncle spoke of Red in reverence when he spoke about him. I remembered they had shared something in Korea. I was beginning to feel uneasy like I wasn't really sure I wanted to hear this story, but my Master wanted me to. I had to trust him. Once I gave myself to him totally, he always made the right decisions for his slave.
"I know what you're thinking but the story doesn't end there, Son. There's more. Most of the men sitting here rode the rodeo circuit together. Ben and your uncle had been roping partners, and Master and slave for about, what Ben, five, six years?" asked Sam.
"Six." replied Big Ben Stafford. "I loved your uncle without measure, Billy. You have to know that. I was so in love with that man. He was the perfect partner for me; even tempered, concerned, giving and one hell of a roper; better'n I was. We won some but we never went to the finals. Bud could've picked any cowboy he wanted for a partner. Many were a lot better'n me `cause Bud was damn good. He rarely missed.
I wanted a family and to be a rancher. I knew I wasn't good enough to be a champion roper. Rodeo life can be exciting but it's for young men, Son. I was getting older when your uncle came along and he wanted to become my slave. I'd never been with a man before. Truth was, I'd never been with a woman at that time either. I wasn't saving myself, hell, we were too damn busy getting to the next rodeo. Bud and I were together 24/7. Well, you know how it is from your year with Bud. I don't know to this day how it happened but like you told Sam about Red, it just felt right." So, I extended my rodeo career another six years to be with the handsome cowboy I fell in love with.
My time was running out and I had nothing to show for it. I'd banked my half of the prize money your uncle and I won but in those days the prizes weren't as big as they are today. It broke my heart and Bud's but I left him to get married, settle down, and raise a family. For years I had regrets until I had my first son. Then I knew I'd done the right thing. I had a hole in my heart for years afterward for Bud that never went away. If I hadn't done what I did, I probably wouldn't have this handsome young cowboy sitting next to me for my slave." Ben put his arm around Ben Jr. and pulled him close and kissed him on the forehead.. Ben Jr. smiled and blushed. They were still very much in love.
"Bud nearly went crazy grieving for Ben, until this big, ugly cowpoke came along on the circuit out of know where and he was a wizard with a fucking rope. At that time, I'd say Bud was just about the best roper on the circuit. Any arguments, Gentlemen?" Sam asked the men at the table. They all nodded their heads and told him he was right. "Well this buckaroo may have been ugly as homemade soap but he was better'n Bud. Could out rope anybody, and I mean anybody, on the circuit. He was deadly accurate, never missed a throw; especially in competition. He never got nervous. He was cool, calm and collected when he was in the arena. Guess who that ugly cowpoke was, Son?" Master Sam asked somewhat rhetorically.
"My Master?" I managed to get out without breaking down.
"That's right." continued Sam,
"Booger Red. That's the name he went by even then. I think Bud was the only cowboy on the circuit that knew his real name. Red had seen your uncle rope with Ben, found out Bud didn't have a partner anymore and ask him to partner with him at several rodeos. Bud agreed and they won every time.
Red quickly got a reputation as a bad ass and nobody fucked with him. He was pretty mellow to a point, but a couple of times one of the cowboys pushed him past his flash point. They never did it the second time. After seeing a couple of the men after being in a fight with Red, nobody else was gonna' be stupid enough to cross him. He was a good man but there are assholes in this world that just have to see how far they can push a man.
Bud was the type, a man's looks weren't important to him. It was what's inside him he was drawn to. With Red, he didn't know him all that well to begin with. Bud knew his reputation, but he also knew a damn good roper when he saw one. Bud and Red began to burn up the rodeo circuit. The more they paired up the better they got. Didn't seem like anybody could beat `em.
Bud approached Red one day and ask him to throw in with him, be his roping partner. Red was thrilled. Not only was Bud the second best roper on the circuit he was the best looking cowboy. There were a lot of buckaroos that would've loved to had Bud for their partner. So, Red and Bud became roping partners; only roping partners. Red was straight; had never been with a man before he met Bud. Red was tolerant to men who went with other men; however, he let everyone know he was straight and didn't care to bunk it in with men.
Well, everyone on the circuit knew Bud was Ben's slave for six years and Bud wasn't the kind of man to bunk it in with a cowboy without being truthful with him. When he asked Red to throw in with him, Bud laid his cards on the table. Since they were gonna' be together a lot he wanted Red to know he wasn't interested in him that way. He knew Red was straight. As long as Red respected him, Bud would respect Red. He wouldn't bother Red if Red didn't bother him. They'd be sleeping in the same bunk in a camper over Bud's truck. Could Red handle it? Red thought it over for a second and agreed.
At first, Bud wasn't interested in Red sexually. He was homely, to be kind; however, dress Booger Red up in cowboy clothes, a big, wide brimmed hat, he was as authentic a looking buckaroo as any of us on the circuit. Granted, one of the meanest looking, ugly cowboys on the circuit. Well, they won everything, including the national finals that year. I know he never told you but he won three nationals with Red. They partnered four years. After the first year, Bud was smitten, head over heals in love with the big, ugly cowboy. Every cowboy on the circuit wanted a chance with Bud but he wouldn't go with anybody, even though he and Booger weren't having sex.
Red didn't have a clue, but he knew something was happening. He was feeling something for Bud because he and Bud were inseparable. We all saw what was happening, but didn't understand it. We jokingly called them beauty and the beast.
One night, one of the young cowboys, new to the circuit, thought Bud was about the finest looking man he'd ever seen. He casually asked Bud if he'd consider bunking it in with him sometime. We were all sitting around some picnic tables behind the rodeo grounds drinking beer. Red was there with Bud. The cowboy knew they were roping partners but everyone said Red was straight and they went their own way.
Before Bud could answer, Red jumped the guy and almost beat the poor man to death. Beat the living fuck out of him. Took five men to pull him off and another three to separate them. Took the kid to the hospital to put him back together. Had to have something like forty-two stitches in his face and upper body. It wasn't pretty.
The kid came back from the hospital all bandaged with his arm in a sling. The rodeo association wanted to throw Red out. The kid was a cowboy and believed in the cowboy code. He went before the association, told them it wasn't Red's fault, it was a misunderstanding, he didn't realize it at the time but he'd pushed Red to far. They were both at fault. If they threw Red out then by rights they should throw him out, too. They believed him and since he was truthful about it, so they thought, they forgave both of them.
End Chapter 22~ Booger Red & Cowboy Copyright 2003 Waddie Greywolf Mail to: waddiebear@yahoo.com