Rafael and Chad
Chapter 4: Ranch of the Sky
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The Fall semester went by quickly. When Chad had told his parents that he and Rafael were going to the Serrano family ranch for Christmas they had insisted he and Rafael join them for Thanksgiving with Cheryl and Chip. It was about a week before Thanksgiving when he and Rafael were at home watching a football game. When his phone rang, he looked down and saw that it was Cheryl.
"Hey, sis, what's up?". "Well, I just wanted to give you a heads up that I'll be joining you guys for Thanksgiving by myself". "Oh, sorry to hear that, is Chip under the weather?". "I hope the son of a bitch does feel like shit for what he did". Uh-oh. Do you want to talk about it?". "Yeah, I could use a shoulder to cry on". "Well, cry away, sis". "We've split up, and he's moved out of our apartment". "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. What happened?". "I found out he was cheating on me". "What an idiot! He had such a wonderful wife. What the hell did he think he was possibly missing out on?". "Apparently some dick". "What the hell? You can't possibly mean the dumb son of a bitch went gay on you?". "That's exactly what I mean. He wasn't feeling well one night and went to bed early. Well, he left his phone out on the coffee table, and it kept buzzing, so I picked it up. There was some app called Grindr, do you know what that is?". Yeah, it's a gay dating app. Well, more accurately it's a gay hookup app". "Yeah. Well, this guy was trying to connect with him, so I tapped his profile. The guy was texting him, asking if he wanted to hook up again. So, I typed in Did you like what we did last time?'. And he answered back Yeah, you have a nice tight ass'".
"Holy crap! He bottomed for some guy?". "Yeah, and apparently not the first time. I confronted him about it the next morning and he admitted that he had been exploring what he called his gay side', I think that's what he called it. I was so damn mad I just remember yelling and screaming a lot. He said fine', that he would be moving out". "Exploring his gay side'? I didn't think he was bright enough to think outside the box and have a gay side'". "Yeah, I didn't think so either, being bright' is not his strong suit. But he was raised in a conservative, very religious family, and they probably brainwashed him into thinking he would burn in hell if he ever did anything sexual with a man. But his attitude did seem to change when I told him you were gay and had a boyfriend. What all did you guys talk about when we were at mom and dads for the barbeque and football game?". "Well, let me try to remember. Ok, yeah. He seemed confused that I had never given him what he called a 'gay vibe'. Oh yeah, he was more specific, he said that I never gave him the idea what he kept calling that I liked him that way'. And I told him, as nicely as I could, but firmly, that I didn't like him `that way'. First, he was my sister's husband. Secondly, I'm in a committed relationship with a man I'm very much in love with. And, even if #1 and #2 didn't exist, he didn't do it for me. Oh yeah, I remember now, he said he thought I was telling him that I didn't like him. So, I lied and told him I liked him well enough as your husband and my brother-in-law. To be honest sis, I never liked the dumb sonnabitch. I'm so sorry, sis. Do you think I gave him any ideas?".
"Well, to be honest, from what you just told me, I think he secretly had the hots for you. And I think that's sick as fuck, having the hots for your wife's brother". Chad considered whether he dared say it, and decided to go for it. "Well, you have to admit it, he has good taste". "Huh?". "Well, at least he had enough good taste to want to stick with an Amboy". What? Fuck you, asshole!". And then she burst out laughing. "Damn you, you got me to laugh like you always do. I feel better already". "Good. Hmmm, I wonder if there's a Grindr app for women? Straight women, or do you think you might go bi?". She laughed. "No, I'm straight, I like dick too much, just like my brother, the fag". "Well, I've only tried one dick, and I liked Rafael's so much I stopped there. So, how many dicks have you gone through?". "What the hell? That's rather personal". "Rather personal, huh? What happened to my honorary membership' in Girl Talk?". "Oh, shit!". "Yeah, oh shit. You made me spill my guts, now out with it: How many dicks have you gone through?". "Well, let me think. Well, Ben was the first, and then there was Ralph, and then Bill. And then . . .". "You're not forgetting about the entire high school football team, are you?". "Fuck you!" she laughed, "I only got one of em, and the poor guy had such a small wiener I couldn't stop laughing thinking about it afterward. He's probably a power bottom these days. Now, what was his name? Well anyway, five or six, I guess".
"Well, now you're free to hunt for some new, improved dick, an upgrade from Chip. So, do you have some single lady friends?". "Yeah". "Well, you should go out with them and have some fun with them. The horny cougar patrol is out on the hunt for some dick". She laughed. "Yeah, that sounds like fun, I'll give them a call. That bitch Cheryl is on the hunt again for dick! Oh, is Rafael there with you?". "Yeah". "Let me talk to him for a sec". Rafael took the phone and listened, and then started laughing. "Ok, Cheryl, will do. Here's Chad again". "Well, thanks so much, bro, for letting me unload on you, and for cheering me up". "Anytime, sis, I'm always here for you. Love you!". "Love you too, bro. Bye".
He turned to Rafael. "Well, I guess you heard what that was all about?". "Yeah. I feel bad for your sister, but I guess it's best for both, that they figured things out when they did before they started having kids and all." "Yeah, I guess. I just hope I don't run into Chip". "Oh yeah? Worried he might try to hit on you?". Chad scowled. "No, I'm worried that I'll punch him in the face. No one gets to hurt my sis, we're tight". "Well then, I hope you don't run into him, I don't want to have to bail you out of jail for assault and battery".
"Yeah", Chad laughed, "Oh, what did Cheryl say to you?". "Oh, she just told me to fuck you so hard that you start whining that you can't take it anymore". "Oh. Well, that doesn't sound like half bad an idea". Rafael smiled. "Yeah, I kind of like it too. Hell with this football game, let's find out!".
They enjoyed a pleasant Thanksgiving dinner with Bob, Martha and Cheryl. Cheryl was in good cheer; she had already started dating a guy she called a `definite upgrade' from Chip. And finally, Christmas break arrived. Rafael had insisted they drive his Toyota Tacoma pickup, explaining that the road out to the ranch could be rough in places. And when Rafael told him it would be a 7-to-8-hour drive Chad packed sandwiches, celery and carrot sticks, chips, and bottles of water, so they wouldn't have to stop at fast food burger joints. They loaded up the back of the truck with suitcases and boxes of gifts for Rafael's parents and headed out.
They drove over the freeway bridge over the Colorado River far below and admired the simple but powerful beauty of Hoover Dam rising above the river. The freeway led them east on Interstate 40, and then they turned onto Highway 93, a two-lane highway with passing lanes on steep inclines. "They've been talking about building a freeway between Phoenix and Vegas for years," Rafael said in an annoyed tone, as he waited for a passing lane to pass a slow-moving semi. As they got closer to Phoenix the terrain leveled out, and suddenly the urban sprawl of Phoenix lay before them. "The one good thing about Phoenix is they have a nice outer belt around it, so you don't have to drive through the city" Rafael pointed out. It took them 45 minutes to get to I-10, on the way to Tucson. "Jeez, this damn city just goes on forever". Chad sighed. "Yeah, I don't care Phoenix at all. And sixty percent of the population of the entire state lives here".
Chad noticed the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, and then they were quickly in Tucson. "Oh, Tucson looks like a much nicer city, it's not all spread out like Phoenix". Rafael nodded as they exited onto I-19, toward the Mexican border. They turned off the freeway near the town of Tubac and drove west on a narrow two-lane road. Rafael turned off the road at a wooden sign that read Rancho del Cielo'. "Is that your ranch?" Chad asked. "Yes, Ranch of the Sky, named for the clear beautiful blue sky that's almost always overhead". The narrow dirt road was rough and bumpy and went through several washes. "In a good monsoon, these washes fill up with water, and you can be stuck on either side for hours, or even a day" Rafael explained. "Why do they call it monsoon'" Chad questioned, "I thought `monsoon' meant a heavy tropical rain, like in India". "No, it actually means a change in wind direction. For most of the year here the wind comes from the north to northwest. But in the summer a high-pressure system sets up over the four corners, and the clockwise rotation draws moisture from Mexico and gives us our summer rains. It does the same in India. Normally the wind comes down from the Himalayas from the north. But in the summer, it reverses and brings rain from the Indian Ocean, from the south".
The sun was just beginning to set as they passed under a wooden gateway announcing Rancho del Cielo, and over a cattle guard, and an old adobe block house came into view, and then a large barn, some outbuildings, and what looked like a bunkhouse. "What a beautiful old adobe house!". Rafael tooted the horn lightly, to announce their arrival. "Yes, it was originally built in the 1800s, and remodeled and updated several times, to add things like running water and electricity".
He parked the truck next to the Serrano's pickup, as Jaime and Mrs. Serrano came out to greet and hug them. "Did you have a nice drive?" Mrs. Serrano asked. "Yes, just a very long drive". "Well, you both must be tired, I'll show you to your room. Would you like some dinner? We've already eaten, but I saved some plates for you". Rafael nodded enthusiastically. "Good. Well, get things settled in your room, and join us in the dining room".
Rafael led Chad to the large dining room with a large, heavy oak dining table in the center. Jaime sat at one of the chairs, with a bottle of tequila and shot glasses in front of him. "Tequila, boys?". "Sure!" Rafael agreed readily. Jaime poured them shots of tequila and handed it to them. "Salud!", he shouted, as they downed their shots. "Oh, this is really smooth tequila," Chad said admiringly. Jaime showed him the bottle. "It's Patron Anejo Tequila, aged tequila. Very smooth". Mrs. Serrano brought out plates of enchiladas and refried beans and rice, and Rafael and Chad dug in. "Oh, this is really good, did you make this, Mrs. Serrano??" Chad questioned. She shook her head. "No, we have a cook, Isabel. She made it, but she's already gone home for the evening. And it's past time you start calling me Adela".
"So, Rafael, what are your plans for tomorrow?". "Oh, I want to saddle up horses and take Chad out to see the water hole". She smiled and nodded. "Yes, I thought you would". "A water hole?" Chad repeated, "You mean like a hole in the ground, with water in it?". They laughed. "Well, that's what we call it, the water hole, but it's much more than that. You'll see tomorrow".
Rafael woke Chad up early the next morning as the sun was rising. "Put on a pair of jeans, and a heavy shirt, most plants in the desert have thorns, so you don't want to brush up against them. He put on a brown cowboy hat and handed one to Chad. "Cowboy up?" Chad questioned. "It keeps the sun out of your eyes". They had coffee and breakfast with the Serranos, and Rafael led him to the barn. He led a gray mare out of her stall and held her. "Now get that saddle and put it on top of the horse. Great, now cinch it up". "Huh?". "That strap hanging down, thread it through that buckle, and tighten it as much as you can. That's it, I think you can tighten one more notch. You want it as tight as you can get it, so the saddle doesn't slide down with you in it, under the horse; the one place you don't want to be with a horse is under it, by its hooves. Great. Now get one of those bridles and slip the bit into its mouth". "She won't bite?". "No, she's well used to it. Good, now slip the headband over the ears. Good, now fasten that strap hanging down, it's called a throat lash. Great! You're ready to mount up. Take both reins in your left hand and lift your left foot in the stirrup. Now climb on, you can grab the saddle horn to steady yourself if you need to. Great, now put your right foot in the other stirrup, and great, you're ready to go. I'll saddle up and we'll be off".
Rafael saddled up his horse, mounted up, and led them out of the barn.
"We're headed toward those mountains over there. Now, the way you steer a horse is to pull the reins in the direction you want to go. Try steering your horse to your right. Great, you're a natural! Now lead your horse back next to me. Good. Now, if you want the horse to go faster than a walk, you just kick them gently and urge them on. Let's get the horses going into a fast trot". Chad kicked his horse gently, urged her on, and got her in a fast trot, and Rafael got his horse to follow. "Ok now, let's get them to gallop". Rafael kicked his horse and snapped at the reins, and his horse broke into a gallop. Rafael looked back and saw Chap had got his horse into a gallop and was catching up. They raced to the top of a hill and started down when a pack of javelinas burst out from under a thicket of bushes, squealing loudly as they raced away. "Whoa!" Rafael shouted, "Pull back on your reins to stop your horse". They came to a stop. "What the hell are those?" Chad gasped, "Some kind of wild pigs?". "Javelinas" Rafael explained, "They're native to the southwest, and a different branch of mammals than pigs. The boars especially have big tusks, and are very defensive, especially when young ones are in the pack. If we chased them the boars might stand their ground and attack the horses. The way to think about javelinas is if you don't mess with them, they won't mess with you".
They rode on, climbing a series of hills and valleys, but steadily higher. The terrain was light-colored soil, interspersed with clumps of grass, and low-lying barrel cacti. Rafael looked around constantly, aware of his surroundings and any signs of activity. "It looks like we're following some kind of old trail" Chad observed. "Yeah, when the ranch was first settled, they used to come up here in a wagon loaded with barrels to get water". "They came all the way up here just to get water?". Rafael shrugged. "In the desert, you get water wherever you can. Oh, shush. Stop. A coyote is watching us". "Where?". "To the right, behind that ocotillo". "What?'. "That tall, thin cactus-like plant". "Oh, I see him now. I saw his eyes first, and now I can make him out, he blends in with the terrain so well. Are they a danger to people?". "Not at all, the other way around, people are a danger to them. The native people used to revere them for their cunning and wit, and they lived peacefully side by side. When white people came, they tried to kill them off. When they hunt in a pack, they can kill a lamb or calf. Hunting by themselves, they can kill chickens, cats, and small dogs. I think they're a part of the land and belong here".
They climbed one last hill and looked at the valley below. In the center was a small lake, a couple hundred feet wide, and a couple hundred feet long. Reed-like grasses grew along the edge, and the water looked clear and bright. "This is your waterhole?" Chad gasped, "It looks like an oasis, in the middle of the desert". "See those deer, drinking some water?". "Oh yeah". As they started down the deer scattered and ran away.
They led their horses down to the water's edge and dismounted. "Let the horses drink some water" Rafael suggested, "And cup your hand and try some yourself, it's the purest water you'll ever taste". "Ummm, it is delicious. How can there be this lake in the middle of the desert?". "Rainwater, from last summer. Rainwater can seep into the ground, and through soft rock. But see those rock outcrops? That's granite, the mountains are made of granite, and rainwater can't soak through, it just runs down into the lake. And there's a layer of granite under the lake, so the rainwater collects and stays here. It's just a miracle of mother nature, providing water and life for thousands of years to the wildlife".
"Walk over here, I want to show you something". He pointed to a large boulder. "Look carefully, the sun has faded it". He stepped closer and pointed to petroglyphs. "See, these are figures of humans. And see, they're holding spears. And see these four-legged figures over there, those are deer. Early people left a sign that this was a good place to hunt for food". Chad stepped closer to examine it, while Rafael stepped back.
"Um, Chad? There's something I've been wanting to ask you". "Yeah?". When Rafael didn't say anything more, he turned back to look at him. His eyes widened in shock as he saw Rafael kneeling on one knee, his arms outstretched, his hands holding a ring. "Chad, will you marry me?". Chad's eyes instantly flooded with tears that quickly ran down his cheeks. Seconds ticked past as he stood silently in shock. And then he slowly began to nod his head. "Yes, Rafael, of course, I will marry you". Rafael stood up and slipped the ring on Chad's finger. "It fits perfectly. This was my grandfather's wedding ring. I know he would be happy I gave it to the one I love so much. My husband. I like the sound of that so much better than boyfriend". "Husband?" Chad repeated, "Yeah, I like the sound of that, too". He looked at the ring admiringly. It was silver, with an intricate design, with a small turquoise gem in the center. "It's a very nice ring. Your grandfather's? The one who told you to not let anything get in your way of getting what you want?". Rafael nodded. "Yeah, that pissed you off so much when I told you that". "Well, your grandfather knew what he was talking about. I decided a while back that I wasn't going to let anything get in my way of getting you". Rafael put his arms around Chad and kissed him.
"So, how do you want to do this? A big June wedding?". "Hell no, those are for blushing brides. I was thinking we drive over to Nogales tomorrow and find a Justice of the Peace to marry us". "Tomorrow?". "Yeah, before you get a chance to change your mind". "Well, we could wait a lifetime, and I wouldn't change my mind. But, ok, if that's what you want". Rafael shrugged. Well, a same-sex wedding? There are not too many people or places around here that would welcome that. Well, we'd better start heading back. Mom told me Isabel was planning a nice dinner for us".
When they got back, they unsaddled the horses, fed them some grain, gave them water, and walked to the house. "Oh good" Adela greeted them, "Dinner is almost ready. Do you boys want to wash up?". "No, I think we're good. But we could do with some of Papi's tequila". "Oh? Celebrating something?". "Yes, we are". They took a seat at the table and Adela immediately noticed her father's ring on Chad's finger; she decided to wait for them to tell her. Isabel brought a tray with tequila and glasses. "So, Chad, how did you like our waterhole?". "Well, waterhole doesn't begin to do it justice, it's a beautiful oasis. And then Rafael showed me that boulder with the petroglyphs. Then he told me he'd been wanting to ask me something. When I turned around, he was on one knee, holding this ring, and asked me to marry him. And I said Yes". Adela leaped up from her seat, rushed over to Chad, hugged him and kissed him, and then did the same to Rafael. "That's wonderful news!". Jaime walked in and looked at them. "What's going on here?". Adela smiled "Rafael proposed to Chad up at the waterhole, and Chad said Yes".
Jaime walked over and hugged his son, and then Chad. "That's wonderful news! So, we have a big wedding to plan?". "No, Papi" Rafael began, "we thought we'd just drive over to Nogales tomorrow and find a Justice of the Peace to marry us". "The hell you will!" Jaime shouted. "Now Jaime, it's their wedding, they get to choose how they wish to marry" Adela scolded. "Rafael is a Serrano, and a Serrano gets married in style, surrounded by friends and family. I married you in this house, and my father married my mother in this house, and his father before he married in this house. And you, Rafael, will get married in this house. I want my friends and family to be here, celebrating the marriage of my only son".
"Papi?" Rafael began, "I'm marrying Chad, another man. Do you really think your friends will want to come to a same-sex marriage?" Jaime looked Rafael in the eye. "The way I see it, if my friends don't want to come to my son's wedding because of some stupid prejudice or ignorant religious dogma, they were never much of a friend to begin with".
Chad put his hand on Rafael's hand. "Rafael, if your father feels that strongly about this, maybe you should consider his wishes". Rafael sighed. "Do you really want to put yourself through all this?". "Through all this?" Chad repeated, "My marriage to you will be the happiest day of my life. I would run through hot coals in my bare feet to marry you".
"When do you fellas need to be back in Vegas for classes?" Jaime asked. "Classes begin Monday, January 6," Chad replied. Jaime walked over to a calendar on the wall. "Hmmm, how about Saturday the 4th? An afternoon wedding, say 2:00 pm? That will give us time to send out invitations. I want to invite some folks from Tucson, friends, and some political people. I haven't made it official yet, but I'm seriously considering running for office next year, as State Senator".
"And where will we put everyone, Jaime?" Adela questioned. "Well, we'll have the ceremony out back, in the courtyard. And I'll give the ranch hands the weekend off, and we can fix the bunk house up nice for folks who want to spend the night. Tucson is only an hour or so away, most Tucson folks will probably want to drive back. Oh, and Chad, you'll want to invite your family from Las Vegas?". Chad nodded. "Well, they're welcome to stay here, or there's nice hotels in Tubac, whatever works best for them". "Oh, I haven't even checked my phone, do you get a cell signal out here?". Jaime nodded. "Yes, I had a cell signal booster installed a couple years ago, we get both Verizon and T-Mobile, just not AT&T". "Oh great, I can't wait to call my mom and dad".
"And who will you get to officiate a same-sex marriage?". Rafael asked. "Padre Ricardo. He married your mother and me. He's retired now, so he doesn't have to worry about higher-ups rebuking him for officiating a same-sex wedding. And I know he'll do it for your mother and me".
Rafael squeezed Chad's hand. "You see what you got us into?". Chad squeezed his hand back "It's the right thing to do for your mother and father, and your Serrano heritage. And you know it". Rafael sighed and turned to his father. "Ok, Papi, you and Mami can plan our wedding as you wish". "Time for some tequila!" Jaime announced. "And what a way to start the New Year! My son and his husband, married here in the Serrano Rancho del Ciela! It will be a New Year, and a new Era, for everyone!".