Two Sides of the Same Coin (8 page)

“Okay, Jeff, my turn to help you out like you helped me when I was drunk last night.” He pulled my arm over his shoulders and put his arm around my waist.

“Ya know, Mike.” I was slurring my words pretty heavily by this time. “You got a really cute ass. If I was single, I’d be all over it like white on rice. Oh-oh….” Robert had come back for me and was glaring at me. He grabbed my other arm and began almost carrying me to the house.

“Well, buddy, ya ain’t single.” Mike was now glaring at Robert.

“Don’t he got a cute ass, Robert? Oh, I forgot, you just take it, you don’t give. Sorry!” They carried me up to my room. Mike tugged my boots off, and Robert unbuttoned my shirt. About that time I passed out, so I had no idea just who took off my pants.

Chapter Four

M
Y
HEADACHE
woke me up the next morning. My mouth was dry as hell, and it seemed my tongue was glued in place. My teeth felt like they were coated with pond scum. Robert was making a huge racket, and it only made my head throb more. I dragged myself to the bathroom and had several glasses of water.

“For God’s sake, Jeffrey, put some clothes on. The way you run around in your underwear, you’d think you were some type of an exhibitionist or something.”

“Mornin’ to you too,” I said thickly. That much water so fast was making me a bit queasy. I looked in the mirror above the sink. I looked like hell—circles under my eyes, and a hang dog expression on my face.

“Do you remember last night?”

“Bits and pieces, why?”

“I suppose you don’t remember telling that blond cowboy that he has a cute ass.”

I reddened a bit. I didn’t remember, but I ain’t exactly shy, and Mike has an adorable little ass, so I probably did. “Well, he does. You even said it yourself. No harm done, I don’t think. If he’s pissed, I’ll apologize.”

“Don’t bother apologizing to that little cock teasing bastard! About the tenth time I ran to the john last night, I realized they must have spiked my food with something! That’s why they were being so friendly.”

“Remember when I told you not to eat it if it was too hot for you? I saw a bottle of super hot sauce on the counter and figured they might’a put some in your posole. That’s why I also told you they were funnin’ with you. Worse thing you can do with ’em is tryin’ to BS your way through. They’ll respect you if you do say it’s too hot.” Robert glared at me, as I reached into the cabinet in my bathroom and got some aspirin.

“They were all in on it, weren’t they? Even the women! And they were making fun of me all night. You told me, and I finally realized that when I thought about some of their comments, ‘the ladies are drinking lemonade do you want some? We cut the spice down for the ladies. Is that okay with you?’ Bastards! How can you deal with trash like that? Oh, yes, I forgot, you like garbage. You like it enough to lust after that blond cretin’s ass.”

“Robert, I’m sorry if I caused ya any upset. I’m not in the mood to argue right now.”

“That fucking blond guy couldn’t keep his eyes off you when we had to carry you to bed and undress you last night. All he is, is a tease. I told him he was welcome to stay with me, and he told me ‘Nope, you’re in a relationship with a guy I respect’.”

“You came on to Mike last night?”

“You haven’t been sleeping with me.”

“Well, Robert, with the constant put downs you throw my way, and that holier than thou attitude, you sure as hell ain’t been very attractive lately.” I could feel my temper rising, and I didn’t care. “You say you want me to come back to San Francisco with you, but all you do is put me, my life, my friends, and what I like to do down. I am fucking sick and tired of it.”

“As I have repeatedly said, Jeffrey, I am trying to change you for your own good.”

“No, you’re not! You’re tryin’ to change me since you realized that your cowboy fantasy is great when you want a roll in the hay. To have a real cowboy park his boots under your bed is a threat to you. You told me about when you were just a little guy bein’ teased about bein’ a sissy. Well, I got teased too. And I beat the crap out of the motherfucker that did it. That threatens you. Any display of masculinity that’s not fake scares you. And Robert, I am sick and fucking tired of your shit. If you really loved me, if you ever loved me, you would accept me for who I am. All I was to you was a cowboy fantasy. You need to get the hell outta here and get back to San Francisco. ’Cause I sure as hell don’t want you anymore. This is where I belong, and this is where I’m stayin’.”

“I can’t believe you’d stay here in the middle of nowhere with all these hicks rather than be with me!”

“Robert, I’m a hick too. Just like them. And I’m damn proud of it. Now git! Pack your stuff and leave.”

“What about your things?”

“I don’t reckon I’ve got a whole hell of a lot of stuff there. Just box it all up, and I’ll send you some money to send it to me.”

“So this is it? You’re not even going to try to make our relationship work?”

“You think that I haven’t tried to make it work between us?”

He looked down. “I don’t know, maybe.”

“Believe me, Robert, I have tried. For us to work out, we’d have to meet in the middle. You don’t seem to be willin’ to do that, and to be really frank, I’m not sure if I want to. Can’t you see that unless both of us change significantly, we ain’t ever gonna be happy together? Look how angry and upset you’ve been since you got here. You’re not happy here. I understand that. Robert, don’t you know I’m not happy in San Francisco? I thought it would be great, bein’ a gay man there and bein’ with you, but I belong here. Yep, this is the end. Just be careful what you wish for next time ’cause when you get it, you just might find out it’s not what you really wanted.”

“Spare me the cowboy philosophy poetry.”

“Goodbye, Robert.”

He looked back at me. “You know, Jeff, I guess you’re right. We just aren’t right for each other. Maybe someday we can be in touch without hurting one another. Goodbye, Jeffrey.”

“Goodbye Robert; please take good care.”

“You too, Jeffrey; I’m sorry we both want different things.”

“Me too, Robert.”

I turned and walked into my room and closed the door. I listened for a few minutes as he got his stuff together and headed out. I could hear the car door slam, and then the engine start, rev, and get quieter as the distance increased. When I couldn’t hear the car anymore, I became aware of clapping from downstairs. I grabbed a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, and put on a pair of socks, and headed down. Sandy and Maria were at the kitchen table. A pot of coffee was on the stove, and Mike, José, Josh, and Wayne all stood there grinnin’ at me. Sandy and Maria both looked happy as hell. I couldn’t help but smilin’ a bit myself.

“I reckon y’all heard that?” A chorus of yeses answered me.

“Jeff, I am so glad you got rid of him.” Sandy jumped up and gave me a big hug.

“Yeah boss, you deserve lots better. He was always nagging on you. He is an idiot.” José clapped me on the shoulder.

“Thanks. Just remember, he’s hurtin’, too, okay? Right now I really need some coffee.” Maria jumped up and grabbed a mug and poured a cup.

“Cream or sugar?”

“Just black, thanks, Maria, I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. I think both of you will be happier now.”

“You happy, Jeff?” Wayne was lookin’ at me all serious-like now.

“I reckon I will be when I feel a bit better. I had way too much to drink last night.”

“Well, as long as you’re happy.” He gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder. “It’s time we got a move on. Josh, why don’t you take the ladies home? Mike and me are gonna ride up to where the cattle was rustled. If there are any cattle around that area, we’ll herd them away from there. José, you want to make sure the cattle pens are in good shape? It’ll be roundup time in a few weeks.”

“What ya got for me to do, Wayne?”

“You just get over your hangover and work on your art. Your dad told me how good you were, and I aim to see. So you get out there and make somethin’ pretty.”

“Sure thing, Wayne, and thanks; I do gotta go into town in a bit. I saw Mike on Saturday and need to tell Sheriff Johnston.” Wayne stared at me, and then clapped Mike on the back.

“Lucky break for you boy, that’s great!”

“After you talk to Dad, if he doesn’t throw you in jail, come by and I’ll have a burger and a beer for ya at One Eyed Jack’s.”

“That makes me remember when we were kids. You always used to say, ‘my dad is Sheriff Johnston, and he’s gonna throw you in jail if you don’t stop it’. Are you workin’ tonight?”

“Nope, Maria and I are celebratin’ with you that you’re single, and Mike’s free.”

“That’s right, Jeff. And Mike, I am happy you are in the clear; I knew you wouldn’t hurt Pedro.” Maria gave Mike a hug, and he turned beet red. She and Sandy filed out, followed by José, Josh, and Wayne. As Mike turned toward the door, I said, “Mike, buddy, a word?”

“Sure, Jeff, what’s up?”

“If I was outta line last night, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get ya upset or anything.”

“You mean when you told me I have a cute ass?” Mike grinned at me.

“Yeah, that’s what I mean.”

“Well, buddy, the way you run around in your underwear, I kinda noticed your ass is cute, too, so I guess we’re even.”

“I hope Robert didn’t do anything to get ya mad either.”

“Jeff, he’s a sorry piece of shit. He came on to me after we got ya off to bed. Said he loves to get fucked by cowboys, and since you were out for the count, he asked me to fuck him.”

“I’m sorry, Mike.”

“Ain’t your fault. I told him I wouldn’t fuck him with a pole from ten feet away. Told him you deserved better. He said that you came on to me, and I answered I reckon there’s a difference between admirin’ someone’s ass versus askin’ for it. He called me a fuckin’ cock tease and stomped out. I know what the two of ya went through this mornin’ was difficult, so that’s the last thing I’m gonna say about him.” I didn’t really know what to say, so I didn’t answer. We stood there lookin’ at one another. Suddenly the air seemed thick, and I couldn’t think of a word to say. We started movin’ toward one another.

“Come on, Mike, I want to get a move on.” Wayne was calling from the porch.

“You take good care out there, buddy.”

“Thanks, Jeff. I gotta go.” He gave me a longing stare and then turned and walked out the door.

After taking a shower and having some more coffee, I got in my truck and headed into town. The aspirin from earlier had kicked in, and I was starting to feel more or less better. I knew it would be a day or so until I felt completely back to normal. I drove into Winslett and found a parking place right in front of the sheriff’s office. I walked across the wooden sidewalk and up the stairs to the door. It was warm inside, and I could smell coffee. The bright florescent lights made me remember my headache. Sheriff Johnston heard the door and stuck his head outta the back office.

“Howdy, Jeff, no news yet on your missing cattle.”

“Actually, I got some news that might help you.”

“In that case, grab a cup of coffee and come on back.” I went over to the counter behind the desk where the coffee maker stood. There were several mugs; I grabbed one and filled it up and went back to the sheriff’s office.

“Sandy tells me you got rid of your outta town guest.”

“Yep, I don’t reckon he’ll be back either.”

“She’s pretty happy about that. I can’t say what I heard about your friend was too good.”

“That’s water under the bridge now, sir.”

“Sandy’s not getting in your hair hangin’ around the ranch is she?”

“No, sir. She’s a good friend and welcome anytime. So are you and Mrs. Johnston.”

“Thanks, Jeff, now what ya got for me.”

“Well, when we were comin’ back from town the night that Pedro was shot, we had to stop by the rest area west of here. Robert needed to go. I saw Mike and his truck at the rest area. He said he was out drivin’ around and stopped.”

“You sure it was Mike and his truck?”

“Yes, sir. I noticed that the driver door was primer only, no paint. And when we pulled out, I saw his ‘Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy’ bumper sticker.”

“Thanks son, I’m glad to hear it. I didn’t want to see him brought up on charges. Both Sandy and Maria would’ve had me by the balls for that.” He chuckled and then got serious.

“Jeff, son, how old are you now?”

“I’m twenty-eight now, sir.”

“That’s right, you were in school with Sandy, how could I forget? You know your dad and I were best friends don’t you, son?”

“Yes, sir. I remember goin’ huntin’ and fishin’ with you two when I was just a little guy.”

“Well then, since your dad ain’t around no more, I just wanted to tell you be careful about living in the city. It’s like a cage there. You can cage a wolf, but it eventually dies from missing the wilderness. You belong here, son; people looked up to your dad, and they’ll look up to you too.”

“Even given who, what I am?”

“I can’t pretend to understand it, but both your dad and Sandy gave me enough reading material on it that I know it’s the way you are, not a choice. And hell, son, it don’t matter to me. You’ve always been like a brother to Sandy. You know, Jeff, you got a lot of friends around here.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Don’t mention it. I appreciate your coming in to town to tell me about Mike. Son, this is your home. You’ll miss it if you leave again.”

“I’m here for good, sir. I missed it already when I was gone. I guess I had to come back, though, to realize how much.”

“I’ll tell you what, why don’t you come over next Sunday for dinner. Sally makes a great roast, and we’d all love to see you and catch up.”

“Sure thing, Sheriff, sounds great!”

“Why don’t you bring your friend Mike too? Sandy says he’s a good guy and gets left behind when the guys go into Wenatchee for weekends.”

“I’ll ask him, sir.”

“Great! We’ll see you about noon then. Now get over to the saloon before the girls think I jailed you.”

“Thanks, sir, I really appreciate you listening and talking to me.”