Ranch Boy Next Door
 
By: Backwoods Boy
(© 2020 by the author)
Edited by: Brayon

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

Chapter 15
Helping Out 

I woke up to the ringing of my phone. It was Gramps. I checked the time. It was two o'clock. I'd been asleep for an hour.

"Toby, do you have some free time this afternoon?"

"Sure, Gramps. I'm sittin' by the creek on yer ranch right now. What do ya need?"

"We've got some cattle out again. I need your help herding them back into the pasture. Then we'll have to do a little fence repair."

"Want me to bring my four-wheeler?"

"Let me pick you up by the field. You can use one of our machines. I've got the fence repair tools loaded on them already."

"Sounds good, see ya in a few minutes."

The task took the rest of the afternoon. We got the cattle back where they belonged, and then I fixed the fence while Gramps handled some phone calls. I was realizing more and more how much Logan had taught me in only a couple of weeks. "ranch-hand Toby" was very real, and I had Logan to thank for it.

I stayed for dinner with Gramps and Grams. It gave them a certain comfort to have me there; it made both of them feel less alone and isolated. It was a strangely quiet time for the three of us, like being in the eye of a hurricane and cherishing the time we had together.

We served ourselves in the kitchen and sat down at the table. The simple menu was prefabricated lasagna, canned beans and canned fruit, an indication that Grams was too stressed and busy to do her normal cooking.

Grams sat down and put her napkin in her lap. "Thanks for helping us out for the rest of the week, Toby. I appreciate it as much as Robert does."

Now Gramps had a name, too. "I'm glad to help as much as I can. In a way, I feel like I moved out here and messed yer lives up completely."

Grams objected. "No, that's not true. You were only the catalyst that triggered something that needed to happen, and the sooner the better. Logan called me while you were fixing fence this afternoon. He saw a counselor today and sounded more like himself than he has for a long time. It will all work out."

Grams was silent for a moment. "Toby, there's one thing I would like to know, if I could. I understand the significance of your question about Cory's father last night, but I wish you'd warned me that the law was about to descend on me."

I put my fork down and reflected for a moment. "This goes along with somethin' Gramps said earlier today when he first talked with me. There are things in the evidence that forced both Logan and me to do what we did. That's all I can say. I felt really bad splittin' and leavin' ya holdin' the bag, especially because Gramps wasn't here, but there was only one person who could deal with what I'd found and that was my dad. Both Logan and I knew that."

Gramps nodded his head. "It would be like him, and you too, to protect us. We may not need protection, but we still appreciate that both of you are concerned about us."

After I helped Grams clear the table, I walked home. Gramps offered to take me, but I needed a little time to clear my brain after a very intense day.

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

I was home by six thirty. Mom and Dad were having dinner. I sat down to join them for dessert. After Mom brought me a piece of apple pie, Dad filled us in on a few things.

"As a result of the governor's interest in the case, I've been appointed guardian ad litem for two of the victims. That also means I have access to more information, some of which I can share because it will become public soon, and I know neither of you will discuss it with anyone until it does. The sheriff sent a deputy to interview Logan this afternoon. He identified more of the victims and gave a complete account of his involvement. Additional victims have been identified from evidence found at the former deputy sheriff's home. Shortly after that, Cory plead guilty to four charges of sexual abuse with an agreement to be a witness against his father in return for a reduced sentence and avoiding being tried as an adult."

"Thanks for the information, Dad. I haven't had a chance to tell either of you yet, but Rusty, Austin and Andy are comin' over at seven. We'll hang out in my room, if that's okay. We all gotta talk about what's goin' on, and I think Austin and Andy are gonna need some extra support from their friends."

We were in a strange situation at home. Dad and I both knew exactly what I was talking about. Mom knew less because if it had anything to do with the evidence in the case, neither of us could discuss it with her.

Mom spoke up. "Toby, whatever you need to do, do it, and whenever we can help, tell us. Like your father, I'm very pleased with how you're handling this. Having lived with this lawyer for about sixteen years now, I know there are things I can't be told. It's the first time there are things involving my son that I can't be told, but I know your father will deal with it correctly. Having said that, I'm here to help you as much as I can."

It all hit me at once. Twenty-four hours of this crap was suddenly too much. I was completely overwhelmed with what was going on. I put my head down on my arms and cried my eyes out. Mom got up and stood behind me, rubbing my back. It took about five minutes before I settled down.

Mom spoke. "Toby, some experiences in our lives build confidence and others build character. I can already see this is building your character. Your dad shared with me how concerned you are about the others involved, and how you want him to help. He'll do that, but you're going to be the one to help your friends the most. As new as you are in this community, you've already built some strong relationships. Help these guys as much as you can, and we'll be here to help you do it. Okay?"

This was a different "Mom" than I'd ever seen. I wiped my eyes. "Thanks, Mom. I'll do what I can."

Dad had a comment, too. "Toby, your room is yours. You don't need our permission to bring friends there, but we do appreciate you keeping us informed when you can. Now, I'm going to make a suggestion. You may want to take them to your favorite place by the creek. You all may need the peace and relaxation that you've found there yourself. Grab some snacks to take along if you want to. Like your mom said, do what you need to do, and we'll be here to help."

I actually smiled. "Thanks, Dad. That's brilliant! I'll do it."

Dad continued. "And one more thing. Here are several of my business cards. Give them to anyone who's a victim or is innocently involved. Have them call me. If I can't help, I can refer them to someone who will."

There were hugs all around, and I went to my room for some quiet time before my friends came over. This was going to be like talking to Gramps. I needed to be kind and understanding - and keep my mouth shut a lot.

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

Rusty arrived first, through the woods as always. He ate a piece of apple pie and entertained my parents as only Rusty could while we waited for Austin and Andy.

Austin and Andy arrived shortly in their pickup. They hadn't met my parents. They were polite, but more quiet and reserved than normal. There was also an element of paranoia in their demeanor, like they suddenly couldn't trust anyone. We went to my room. Rusty sat down in my computer chair. Austin and Andy looked around like they expected to see a spy camera in a corner somewhere. Their eyes quickly settled on the life-size image of Tom Daley, wearing his Olympics Speedo and nothing else.

Still fidgeting, Austin looked at the poster. "Hey, that's a great poster, Toby. Especially since yer a diver." Andy joined him in the inspection.

Rusty tried to break the tension. "No, there's no cum on it. Sit down, you guys. Yer as nervous as a couple of whores in church." The twins sat down obediently on the edge of the bed, looking at the floor.

I didn't even ask them. I went upstairs, stuffed some chips, dip, cookies, pop, and water in my day pack, and returned to my room.

My instructions were brief. "Follow me."

Puzzled, they followed me across the road to the creek where we all dropped down on the grass. I opened my pack and passed refreshments around. I waited for the babble of the creek and the calls of the evening birds to work their magic before speaking.

"Okay, now let's get to the subject that's on all of our minds."

Austin opened up first. "It's like everyone is suspicious of us 'cause we were friends with Logan and Cory. We're not victims in the same sense as others, but we're victims because of associations."

Andy pitched in. "I feel like everyone is starin' at us wherever we go, and I'm freaked out about possibly runnin' into Cory. We went to the store with Mom this mornin', but since then we've only worked around the ranch. I don't wanna go anywhere right now."

Rusty had some information. "Well, yer not gonna run into Cory. Pete told me that Cory's been charged with four counts of sexual assault and plead guilty..."

Andy interrupted. "What the fuck did you say?"

Rusty continued. "Ya heard me correctly.  Cory did a plea bargain to avoid bein' charged as an adult. More charges will follow. He's in juvenile detention and he's gonna be there for a long time."

Austin came out of his trance. "I thought it was his father doin' the abuse."

Rusty made things clearer. "That too. Apparently both of them were at it. His dad has been charged with eight counts of child abuse, with more to follow. He's been denied bail. I don't think ya gotta be worried about either of them for a long, long time. Cory's dad is gonna spend the rest of his life, which may be short, as the shot caller's bitch."

Austin had more to say. "Dad says we gotta retain a lawyer, but we haven't done that yet. I suppose we'll be interviewed by the sheriff's office soon, but we haven't heard anything yet. So, Toby, you've been quiet. Everyone knows who the 'fifteen-year-old friend of the family' is. Tell us what ya found in the bunkhouse. Are ya gonna get a lawyer?"

I paused to think about what I should say. "I can't tell ya anything. It's evidence in the case, and I've been instructed not to say anything. I'm also scared. I'm scared I'll open my mouth and say the wrong thing. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is. However, to answer yer other question. I do have a lawyer. That would be my dad. He's told me he'll help you two and the victims all he can. Before ya hire a lawyer, have yer dad call him. If he can't help ya himself, he'll refer ya to someone who can." I handed Andy a card. "This is his business card. Here, Rusty, you take one too, even though yer not involved. Ya may know someone who is."

None of them were aware of Dad's profession, or his association with the Governor of Idaho. They looked at the cards and then back at me, eyes wide with surprise.

Austin said it for all of them. "Holy shit, Toby! Speakin' of friends in high places. Why didn't ya tell us about this before?"

"Because I didn't have a reason to. I don't like to bring the subject up 'cause it sounds like I'm braggin', and it's really only an accident of birth."

Andy changed the subject. "Austin and I wonder how the poker club is gonna play into all this."

I knew the answer, but I couldn't share it. This was where I was going to have to be silent a lot.

Rusty was learning new things. "What's the poker club?"

My personal experience with that wasn't evidence, so I explained it to him. When I was finished, Austin had an observation.

"Ya oughta be glad ya didn't know about it, Rusty. From what I know about the names of the victims, a couple of them were players."

Yes, my mouth needed to stay very, very shut. It would be easy to spill the beans about how close Rusty came to being a victim. The three of them were looking at me oddly, and I realized I'd manually crushed my pop can so completely it looked like it had spent the day on the freeway.

"Sorry, guys. It's been a long day."

We spent an hour talking. By the time we were done, Austin and Andy had settled down a lot. It was good for them to have the opportunity to verbalize what they were feeling.

Austin and Andy left for home, and Rusty and I went back to my room. Rusty was unusually quiet. He sat on a chair and looked out the window, deep in thought.

"What's on yer mind, bro?"

Rusty looked at me, his expression serious. "You haven't said much, but what ya can't tell us is bothering you. I know. Do ya want me to spend the night with ya?"

There was nothing sexual about his offer. It was a friend offering to help a friend.

"I think that's a good idea. Do ya wanna call yer parents and check with them?"

"No, that's not necessary. They already know I'm gonna spend the night here. Do ya wanna check with yer parents?"

It was right about then that I figured it out for sure. Rusty and I were soul mates who were meant for each other for all time. It wasn't something to talk about then. That would come later.

I grinned at him. "This is one of those times when it's better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission."

My phone told me I had a text message. I checked the sender. It was Logan. The message was short: "Thanks".

My response was twice as long: "You're welcome".

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

I was running down a strange dirt road, a ranch road I didn't recognize, wearing my black leather thong. Someone on a four-wheeler was chasing me. I knew I couldn't get away, so I quickly jumped into the swimming hole, which suddenly appeared right in front of me. The ATV driver climbed onto the diving rock, and now he was wearing my thong and I was naked.

"Ya gotta give that back to me."

The four wheeler driver leered at me. "Ya ain't gonna need it no more."

He dove into the water, replaced immediately by a faceless man in a uniform. As I stared at the man, trying to recognize him, the ATV driver surfaced right in my face. I screamed as Cory shoved me under the water and held me down...

"Toby! It's okay! Wake up! It's only a dream." Rusty was trying to hold me still as I screamed and flailed around on the bed. He maneuvered me to a sitting position at the edge of the bed and knelt in front of me. "Toby! It's me, Rusty! Look at me!"

Rusty moved to sit beside me on the edge of the bed and held me as I cried uncontrollably. The door burst open and my parents rushed in.

"What is it, Toby? What's wrong?" Mom was frantic.

Dad had a better approach. "Rusty, tell us what happened."

"Toby had a nightmare. That's all I know."

As I became more aware of my surroundings, my crying subsided. Mom was sitting on the other side of me, rubbing my back.

"I dreamed that Cory was drownin' me in the swimmin' hole while his dad watched."

Dad and Mom exchanged one of those knowing looks.

"It's okay, Toby. No one is going to hurt you. Would you like me to go fix you some hot cocoa?"

"Yes, that would be a good idea. Please fix one for Rusty, too. I probably scared the shit out of him."

"Okay, if you can joke, you're feeling better. Your dad and I will be upstairs. Come up when you're ready."

Mom and Dad left the room. It was then that Rusty and I realized at the same time that we were both stark naked.

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

Wrapped in bathrobes, Rusty and I sat at the table sipping our hot drinks. We were both silent and embarrassed. I hadn't checked with my parents about Rusty staying, and while Dad had told me I could have friends in my room, I doubted that meant overnight without permission. Mom and Dad had amused looks on their faces. I couldn't see what was funny.

Mom checked in with us. "Are you feeling better now, Toby? How about you, Rusty?" We both nodded our heads up and down.

Dad spoke up. "This isn't surprising, Toby. It's been a rough couple of days for you, and it's bound to come out one way or another. Tomorrow, we'll talk about things we might do to help you avoid more incidents like this. In the meantime, I suggest we all go back to bed."

I agreed. "That's probably a good idea. I think I'm okay now." I'd probably hear about my unapproved guest in the morning.

Mom had been looking thoughtful. "Rusty, I'm glad you were here to help Toby. Would you mind spending a few nights with him this week? I think it would be a comfort for him to have you here."

That was my mom speaking? She'd caught us naked in my bed and she was inviting him to continue the practice? Holy, fucking, shit!

Rusty didn't miss a beat. He gave Mom one of his classic grins. "Sure, I'll be glad to do that!"

To be continued...

Posted: 10/30/2020