A Second Chance, Part II -- Life Goes On
By: Tickie
(© 2007 by the author)
Editor: Radio Rancher
Co-Editor: HetepHamaMeret

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...


Prologue

I have been thinking back on my life since I lost Charlie, my first true love. The last 10 years have been good to me, now that Michael Earl Hendricks [Mike] my life partner has been part of my life, for ten years, he has been the co-owner of the ranch. The Lazy L is raising Prime Black Angus cattle, and some of the finest blue ribbon quarter horses in Wyoming. There have been many twists and turns in our lives, we have a couple of new additions and some new ideas for things to come. I just hope I can tell our story as well as Charlie told his.

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Chapter 1 

I had just come home from a business trip to Munich, Germany, Larry Jenkins (my new chauffeur/bodyguard age 30 (Carl had retired) dropped me off in front of the ranch house, it was about 6:30 P.M. when Mike came running up, grabbed me in a huge bear hug, and kissed me. I of course returned the kiss, and then I said, "Hello love, did you miss me?"

"You bet I did!" he then planted another warm, loving, kiss on my lips.

"Well I missed you too!” I said, smiling broadly, "I hate having to go on these business trips alone.” No matter how many times I have to go, Mike always seems to be there waiting for me to return. God I do miss him.

“Well, now that I have hired Ben, I will be able to travel with you a lot more, love.”

“That’s the best news I have heard in, oh, too many years.” 

We entered the house, through the kitchen; I needed some coffee, and a long chat. We talked about all that had happened while I was away, on my three-day trip to Germany. Then I excused myself to freshen up for dinner. 

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Let me fill you in on some changes in our lives, since I last said anything to you. Both Mike and I, had been talking about wanting some children to raise, and God knows, we had plenty of money, love, and a huge ranch, to share with someone other than just us. There were some other changes around the ranch as well. Our man, Clyde, had passed on, a few years back and God, do we miss him! He was the glue, that held me together, when Charlie died. Christ, I have to stop talking about Charlie, even now, just talking about him; I have tears in my eyes. We hired a sweet women; named Julie Summers; the grandma type; gray hair, warm loving smile, a hug to just die for, and she is every bit as good a cook as Clyde was, but, sadly, not the companion that he was, of course. I'm not complaining, though. Greg and Carrie, also retired, upon their recommendations, I hired William (Bill) and Janet Combs, a younger couple. They took on their duties with gusto, and did they ever. There were other changes in the staff and legal teams. We still have the 737s,"Cowboy" and “Buckaroo" and pretty much the same flight crews. I might have to replace Richard soon; he has been talking about retirement, but I just keep giving him raises, hoping that will stop the inevitable. 

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Julie had prepared an exquisite meal of prime rib, baked potato, and all the fixin's. Mike had everything on the table before I entered the dinning room, returning from the bathroom. I sat down and began to devour the great meal, telling Mike, “Julie is a great cook, we are lucky we found her."

"She sure is." he spoke between bites. "She beats the hell out of my cookin' any day. At least she don't burn the water!"

"Don't be so hard on yourself, hon." God! I love him, and his sense of humor.

We continued to chow down until we were gorged with the delicious meal. Not even room for my favorite, apple pie. Guess that will have to wait until later tonight, with our late coffee. We both cleared the table and put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, before retiring to the living room.

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Meanwhile, in downtown Casper, near the railroad tracks, was a small group of buildings. And between a couple of the most dilapidated ones, was a small figure lying on the ground, sobbing softly. Then, from behind the nearest building, out of the dark, came a young man, who reached down and tenderly picked up, what seemed to be, a battered, young boy, who looked to be about 10 years old, his clothes were torn and tattered, he had no socks on, but was wearing sneakers, that looked ragged and worn out. His face was bruised and bleeding, and his back and legs showed the imprints of what looked like; he had been whipped with some kind of belt or whip. Blood was dried on the wounds, and he continued to whimper and cry softly. 

The boy spoke with a whimper, “Who are you?”

“I am going to help you son.” the young man said, softly, as he gently kissed the boy on his forehead, "My god! Who beat you like this?”

The boy just whimpered, not really speaking. The young man carried the boy out of the buildings, and started walking with him, for what seemed like hours. The boy never spoke; he allowed the young man to talk to him. He just lay contentedly, in the young man's arms, seemingly soaking up enormous amounts of love, from the handsome young man, as they walked, or should I say moved, like the wind.

The young man spoke to the child, “It’s not too far now, I am getting you some help, son.”

The boy just looked closely, at the young man, carrying him. He could see the love pouring into him from his deep blue eyes. Then he finally spoke, “Thank... thank you sir… Thank you!” You are the first person, that has ever cared about me.

The boy looked around, and saw what seemed to be a buck and poll fence, on the right side of the road they were moving on. Then the boy asked, “Sir, where are you taking me, not back to my Dad! Please!" he screamed,”

“No, my child, don’t worry, I would never do that.”

“Where are you taking me? Please, tell me?” the boy whimpered.

“I am taking you to a place, where you will be safe, and wanted, and I am certain, you will be loved,” was his reply.

The young man climbed up on to a porch, lay the boy, ever so gently, and lovingly, down on the soft, cushioned old fashioned porch swing, and told him, quietly,” You just lie here, for a few minutes. I am sure; someone will come, out here soon, to help you. I will make sure of that, in fact. I promise, things will be better for you, from now on. I love you, and the people here will love you too, and, from now on, no one will hurt you ever again.”

The boy spoke, “Sir, thank you, but what’s your name, sir? Mine is Running Colt.”

“My name is not important son; maybe, someday you will know, but right now, I just want you to find, happiness, in a good and loving home. You just lie here, Colt, and someone kind gentle and loving, will come get you, very soon now, I promise.” 

Then Colt closed his eyes, for what seemed like just a second. Then a banging sound from the triangle on the porch sounded in the dark. Colt looked up, but there was no one there.

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Mike and I were just sitting down again, after getting our apple pie and the second or third cup of coffee, when there was the sound of the dinner bell, well the damn old triangle on the porch, that Clyde christened, the dinner bell. The damned thing always startled the heck out of me, every time Clyde hit it. I jumped to my feet, wondering what or who, would be messing with that now, I yelped, “Who the hell is doing that?”

Mike jumped to his feet and said, “I’ll go check it out, hon.”

Mike quickly went to the front door and turned on the porch light, then he opened the door, looked around, but he didn’t see anything, right away. He stepped out on the porch; then he spotted the boy, laying on the swing. Mike yelled, “Come here out here now, JC! My God, come here, love!”

I jumped off the couch, fearing something terrible had happened, and ran through the front door, almost ripping the door off the hinges. Once outside, on the porch, I spoke, “What is it Mike?”

“Come here love, you're not going to believe this!” He said, with disbelief in his voice.

I just stood behind Mike, looking at the boy, lying on the swing. Mike was brushing the dirty hair out of the boy’s eyes as he spoke to him. He spoke very softly, trying not to alarm the boy. “How did you get here, son?”

“A man brought me here.” The boy spoke in a whisper, half-crying.

Mike replied saying, “Don’t cry son, no one will ever hurt you, here at our home.”

I spoke, “What’s your name son, no one will hurt you again, EVER!” Then I told Mike, “Love, let’s get him inside and cleaned up.”

Mike picked the boy up and carried him inside. I followed him, closing the front door and turning off the porch lights. Then Mike carried the boy into the kitchen and sat the boy down on the edge of the table. Asking him, “Do you have a name little guy?” 

“Ye... yes I do” the scared boy said.

“May I ask what it is?” Mike asked softly, with a huge smile on his face.

“It... its Colt.” 

I asked, “Can I help you get cleaned up some, Colt?” I was still shocked at what my eyes were seeing. There sat a young boy, with clothes in shreds, dried blood over most of his body, his hair was matted with what looked like dirt, and blood mixed. I went to my office, got a digital camera, and took several photos of this poor little guy, so we had a record of his condition, when we found him, on our front porch. I just knew that we needed them, why, I was not sure , but I wanted to have them, just in case we needed them, oddly, I was sure we would need them, but I just couldn't say why, not yet, anyway.

Colt replied, “If….if it’s alright with you, could I take a shower please?” He was still half-talking and still whimpering in parts of what he said.

I looked up at Mike, and smiled at him. I don't think I had seen that look on his face, before, a look of concern and love, and, yet, a look of pure joy. I asked,” Hon, can you see what you can find for him in the way of clothes?”

“Sure thing love.” Mike left and headed off into the back bedrooms looking for something for the boy to wear.

I asked, “Do you want help in the shower, or will you be alright in there alone?” 

Colt just looked at me with tears in his eyes saying, “I’ll be ok, please, I am old enough to take a shower alone.”

“That’s no problem, son, I understand, I was only thinking, you might want some help, taking care of your wounds. Let me show you the way, to the bathroom, and get you some clean towels and a washcloth. You need to be careful of those wounds. When you are finished, just let us know, OK?”

Colt followed me into the guest bathroom, and I started the shower, then reached in to the old-fashioned cedar cabinet where we kept the towels and washcloths, and pulled out a clean towel and washcloth, for him, putting them on the counter. Just before I closed the door, I told colt, “When you are finished, you just yell and let us know, OK?”

“Ye…yes Sir” was his reply. He still looked so scared.

“Colt, please remember, you don’t need to say sir to either of us, just call me JC and Mike, Mike for now, OK!”

“Y…yes sir, sorry JC!” 

“Please don’t worry, son, I guarantee that no one, and I mean, NO ONE will ever hurt you again, I promise you!” I had to turn away, before he saw the tears welling up in my eyes.

I met Mike in the hall, and we both went into my office. I was still using James’ old office, and Mike had taken Charlie’s. Nothing had ever been changed in either office, the paintings of James and Charlie were still hanging on the walls, and as long as I lived, they would always hang there. It's how both Mike and I felt about the ranch. I looked at Mike, sitting in the overstuffed chair, and said, “What should we do now?” I was thinking that maybe we could keep him, but that’s probably not going to be possible, with Mike and I being life partners, but who knows, stranger things have happened.

“I think we have to call and report this to someone, love.” Mike said, with a look that I had only seen on his face, once before. It was almost the same look he had given me, the day I asked him to become my life partner. Could it be that he wanted the same thing I did?

“I think I am going to call Harvey, he should be able to help us!” Harvey Jackson was the new corporate attorney, who was on permanent retainer for us.

“That’s a great idea hon, if anyone can help us, he sure as hell can!” 

It was 11:15 p.m. but, what the hell he is my attorney, and he certainly is well paid, so I picked up the phone and dialed his home number. The phone began to ring, first one ring, then the second, and then a third, I was getting a little scared, that he might not be there, or simply wouldn't answer, and it would go to an answering service or voice mail, but, finally there was an answer. It was a woman's voice, and she didn't sound happy. I suspect she was in fact rather pissed at getting a call this late at night. I could feel the anger, right through the phone.

“Hello,” I said nervously, "this is JC, is Harvey there, please.” His wife had answered the phone. the chill in her voice told me she was still upset, but since she knew that our corporate account brought in a substantial percentage of their yearly income, I am sure her anger was somewhat dialed down in its intensity.

“We just got to bed," she said, her voice still showing that she had not completely given up being pissed, "is it important, JC?” I couldn't believe she would ask me that, considering the time of night, that it was. For heaven's sake, how often had I ever called him after business hours, let alone this time of night. I took a deep breath, so I could answer her without tearing her a whole new, well you know what I mean,

“Yes it is Jane," I told her, between clenching my fists and clenching my teeth, "please; I might even say it is urgent, not just important. I really need to speak with him, now!”

“Ok, one second.” I heard her say something to him, but she had put her hand over the mouthpiece so it was too muffled for me to hear clearly. 

“Hello JC, this is Harvey, what’s the problem?”

“Harvey, you are not going to believe me, but Mike and I...” I told him the story of what had happened, up to this point in time.

“What do you and Mike want to do with the boy?” Harvey asked, without any hint of being upset with me for making the call, more of a, what can I do to help, tone.

“Well Harvey, Mike, and I have always wanted to help, under privileged kids, and maybe this is somehow a gift, to help us start, and to help a boy that really needs us.” I looked at Mike when I said that, and he nodded his head, in an affirmative gesture. I just looked back at him and smiled. And mouthed, “I love you.”

“Well do you realize, that back when James and Charlie were thinking of adopting, they started a special fund, that has been, and is still, going to the State Child Protective Services?”

“No, I didn’t know that.”

“Well it has, and I just found out about it today. I was going to call you about it, but I got waylaid by other business.” 

Now, how strange is that? I thought to myself, then I came back to the present, saying, “Well what should we do?”

“You said you took pictures of the boy, right?”

“Yes”

“Ok, you just keep him safe and if you think he needs to see a Doctor, you take him to Chuck. I will call him and fill him in.”

Chuck is the company’s semi-private doctor, and, has been, for many years. 

“That’s who I would have taken him to anyway. But what about others to call?”

“You don’t call anyone, yet. Let me make a few calls, and I will either come out to the ranch, or call you as soon as I find out what I need to know.”

“Ok, what do you want me to ask Colt?”

“Try to find out as much as you can about what happened, but be careful not to upset him, any more than he is now.”

“You know me, better than that, Harvey. I would never hurt him; he looks, like someone beat the hell out of him, with a belt, or something.”

“That’s why you did the right thing, when you took all those pictures of him. I must say, I'm very proud of you for thinking like that.” he said.
I stood there thinking, I wonder what made me think to take those pictures?

“Ok I think I hear him coming out of the shower now. Please hurry and let me know what you find, Harvey, Mike, and I really want to help him.”

“Ok, JC, just as soon as I find out anything important, I will get back with you.”

“Ok Harvey, thanks again.” Then I hung up the phone.

I looked at Mike and started to tell him what Harvey had told me. When Colt sheepishly walked into the office, wrapped in the towel, and said, “Do you want me to put on my old clothes?”

“My god, no, son!” Is all I could say, and without crying…

Mike asked, “Colt this is important son, do you hurt anywhere other than where your cuts are, like deep inside you.”

“No, my cuts hurt a little is all.” He whimpered

Mike got up walked over to Colt and kissed him on the forehead, then he asked him, “Do you mind if I look at your cuts, and doctor them for you?” Mike had already gotten the bandages and antiseptic, from the medicine cabinet, so he could play doctor if Colt needed it. 

Colt just nodded his head, and said, “Ok Mike, just don’t hurt me, any more than you absolutely have to, please?”

“I will be as careful as I can, son; I don’t want to hurt you, at all if I can possibly avoid it, OK?” Then Mike turned him around, looking closely at the wounds. I even took more pictures of him, only close ups of the wounds, I knew better than take any pictures of a naked little boy. So all the photos were only of his wounded parts. Mike only needed a few band-aids for some of the cuts on his back, and legs, he did have a rather large cut on his upper left leg where it looked like maybe a belt buckle had hit him hard, it was still oozing blood, but not bleeding. That one, Mike put a heavy bandage on. Saying, “I think that one needs to have Chuck take a close look at, in the morning.”

“Ok, that’s going to be our first stop in the morning.” I replied to Mike.

Mike said, “Colt, do you mind dropping your towel so I can check that part of you?”

Colt just let the towel drop to the floor and turned around facing Mike. His privates looked ok, but there were several horrible deep cuts, on his butt, and one about two inches below his navel, any lower and he would have hit the boy’s penis. What an asshole father, that could do this to his own kid. It brought back some old memories of David, that sob, God, even after all these years, thoughts of David made my blood pressure rise, and that just got my blood boiling. If his father were here right now, I would kill that son of a bitch. I had to fight back the hate that was building in me. However, I had to ask Colt one more question. “Son were you naked when your dad beat you.”

“No sir…, I had all my clothes on.” I knew then we needed to save his clothes, and not trash them. I am sure some judge would love to see them.

Mike finished playing doctor and handed Colt some clothes that were too big for him, but at least they were clean clothes; and with a little help from some safety pins, Mike was able to get him dressed.

Then I spoke to him, “Those old clothes of yours are going to be put in a plastic bag right now. We will need those later on, to show people just what kind of terrible things were done to you. As soon as the stores open tomorrow, we are going to get you some really nice clothes. How does that sound?”

“Oh… Okay sir!” The poor kid was almost in tears, and so were Mike and I.

Mike picked him up and just hugged him. I looked at the both of them and my heart melted. I grabbed the camera and took another picture.

Colt looked at Mike, then at me and said, “Thank you both for helping me.”

There were not only tears now, but there was a flood hitting the floor, from both Mike and me. Mike let Colt down and he came over to me, and hugged me too. I said, “How about us going into the kitchen and getting some food in you. How does that sound?”

Mike said, “I want some hot chocolate too.”

As we, all left the office and headed into the kitchen, Colt said, “Who was that man in the office? He was the man that helped me get here tonight.”

To be continued…