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 32
Providing Support 

Before Rusty and I left the next morning, Dad, Mom, Rusty, and I had a discussion over breakfast. I agreed to get counseling, but only if I had another nightmare. I'd talk more with Rusty about what Nate had told both of us. And Rusty would stay with me again for a couple of nights.

Rusty and I rode together on his four-wheeler. We met Jason, who had walked over from his home.

"The dads said to thank you for looking after me yesterday. They'll be here after a while, and I'll be goin' with them to look at the exhibits."

I put my arm around Jason. "Sometimes we do things without thinking them through. Yer body sort of takes over for yer brain. Cooter is hotter than hell. I'd have been tempted to have a go with him, too. Just be a little more careful from now on."

"Yeah, that's a good description of what happened. I'll be more careful."

"Jace, after ya left yesterday, the rest of us had a talk. We gotta look out for Nate. He's havin' a particularly hard time right now. We just gotta be available for him."

Jason looked at me with sadness in his eyes. "I know about hard times. Shago and the dads were there for me. I hope I can help Nate, too."

I gave Jason a hug. "Yer a big help to us all. So often you say things that make us all think about things the way we oughta."

We wandered into the large animal barn to check in with Nate and Aiden. They were both there, cleaning out the stall, adding more hay, providing more water, all the things that animal exhibitors have to do.

"Do you guys need a break?"

Aiden stopped and thought for a moment. "Could you guys stay here while we go have breakfast. We'll be back soon."

"No problem."

While they were gone, Mom and Dad showed up, and I walked off with them to look at the rest of the livestock. Dad was doing ranch planning. "I thought your mom and I should come by to learn more about cattle if we're going to raise them. I've been talking with several people here, getting ideas about what to buy. I spent a little time with Nate and Aiden. They seem to be getting along well."

I smiled at him. "I see it, too. I think it's good for both of them."

Dad gave me a sly grin. "You haven't been doing any matchmaking, have you?"

I grinned back. "I think yer company-sponsored group-therapy project is responsible for the matchmaking."

Dad smiled thoughtfully. "I suspect other influences. We'll see how it turns out in the long run, but I agree that its good for them."

Austin and Andy had arrived. Mom and Dad went off to look at the rest of the fair. The five of us stood talking until Nate and Aiden came back.

Nate needed a longer break. "I gotta hit the restroom before I do my showing. I'll be right back."

Jason was in the same condition. "I gotta do that, too. I'll go with you."

Still not wanting to let either of them out of our sight, the rest of the ranch boy club followed at a distance while Nate and Jason used two of the several portable outhouses nearby.

As Nate stepped out of the portable outhouse, Terry, the tuba player from the Fourth of July celebration, stepped out of the adjacent one. His attention focused immediately on Nate, and his expression was one of pure evil. He pushed Nate against the porta-potty door.

"Hey, faggot. I hear ya like it rough. Want me to give you a good fuckin'? We can..."

I'd never seen anyone move so fast.  Austin and Andy had Terry pinned to the next porta-potty wall before he knew what had happened.  Unable to move, Nate stood watching. Rusty and I grabbed him and pulled him aside.  I was waiting for the impending violence when Aiden appeared out of nowhere.  He gently but firmly pushed Austin and Andy to the side as Terry slumped to the ground.  I feared for Terry's life.

Kneeling down in front of Terry, Aiden asked, "Did he abuse you, too?" The anger and aggression. Aiden knew.

Coach and James were now standing beside me, waiting for the answer and to intervene if necessary.

Terry burst into tears and nodded up and down.

"Have you reported it?"

Terry's head moved side to side.

"Why not?"

Terry was sobbing. "Because my dad wouldn't let me. He doesn't want people to know I'm gay."

"Is it time to end the pain?"

Terry's head moved up and down again.

James was on his cell phone.

Coach moved up and put his hand on Aiden's shoulder. "James and I will take it from here, Aiden."

Aiden stood up and looked around for Nate. Their eyes met. I could see the love in Aiden's eyes, and I could physically feel the strength flowing into Nate.

Aiden put his arm around Nate's shoulder. "Come with me, buddy. We've got a heifer to show."

As Aiden and Nate walked away, Jason stepped out of a nearby porta-potty.

"What happened?"

Now kneeling beside Terry, Coach looked up at me. "Toby, will you take Jason with you, please? The police will be around later for your statements, but right now none of you need to be here."

I put my arm around Jason and led him away. The other three followed.

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

Five ranch boy club members watched as Nate showed his heifer. Aiden stood nearby with Nate's parents, arms crossed, looking as proud as they did. My parents were standing behind me, watching, too. When Nate was finished, we all applauded as he walked back into the barn with his animal.

Mom and Dad pulled the five of us aside. "We saw what happened from a distance. We couldn't be prouder of all of you, and Aiden, too. Where is he, by the way?"

Aiden was gone. We all knew where he was.

Nate's parents, Brian and Betty, were standing with my parents. Brian spoke for them. "We didn't see what happened, but Don filled us in. Thanks so much for looking after Nate, not only today but for the last several weeks. He's told us pretty much everything now. You're a fine group of young men."

We expressed our thanks, and the adults walked away. The five of us looked at each other.

Rusty said what we were all thinking. "We need to go sit down somewhere and chill for a while."

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

At one o'clock Saturday afternoon, the county fair animal auction took place inside an octagonal building near the animal barns. Wood bleachers around the outer walls accommodated the spectators. A fenced arena in the center held each animal as it was sold. There were entrances on two opposite sides. Each large-animal exhibitor brought their animal in on one side and led it around the arena while the auctioneer called for bids. After the final bid, the exhibitor led their animal out the other side and back to its stall in the barn.

The six of us, including Aiden, had settled on a strategy for support. Aiden would stay with Nate up to the entrance, and would sit on that side with Austin and Andy. The rest of us sat near the exit.

Several animals were auctioned before Nate finally came in with his heifer. He had a determined expression on his face as he led the heifer around the ring, its awards hanging on the audience side. This was the way things were done at the fair, and he'd do it, too.

The bids started at market price, and then increased. We watched as the auctioneer acknowledged higher and higher bids. I couldn't understand the auctioneer, but he spoke clearly when the bidding was finished.

"Sold, to number 56, Perkins, Hawthorne, Jackson and Collins, Attorneys at Law."

I looked at Rusty and Jason, then across the arena at the others. No one but me got it, and although I appreciated Dad's law firm supporting the community, I decided immediately to become a vegetarian at home.

As planned, Rusty, Jason and I stood outside the exit. Nate was now leaving the arena, to the applause of the crowd. He'd been courageous as long as he could. Tears were in his eyes as he came through the exit door.

Dad was following close behind him. "Nate, could I speak with you for a moment?"

Nate stopped and turned. "Sure, Mr. Collins."

"I wondered if I could negotiate with you to take care of your heifer until my barn is finished."

Nate looked confused. "I don't understand, Mr. Collins. Someone purchased my heifer for steaks and hamburgers." Tears streamed down his face.

Dad smiled at him. "I should be more clear. My law firm purchased your heifer. I decided to buy her to start my small cattle operation. She may be a market animal, but she'll make a good breeding animal, too, or so Pete tells me."

Nate looked stunned, but was still trying to be proper. "That sounds great, Mr. Collins. Thanks for buyin' my heifer, and I hope it works out for you. Yes, next year she'd make a good breeding animal."

Dad held out his hand. "It's my pleasure, Nate. Does your heifer have a name?"

Rusty opened his mouth, but promptly shut it when I elbowed him in the ribs.

Tears running down his cheeks, Nate confessed. "Her name is Oreo."

Then Nate gave up all pretense of composure. Dropping Oreo's halter, he wrapped his arms around Dad, who enveloped him in a bear hug. As Nate cried with happiness and relief, Dad gently rubbed his back.

By this time, Aiden, Austin and Andy had joined us and were trying to catch up with what was happening.

Dad smiled. "That's a nice name, Nate. We won't change it. So will you look after Oreo until I can give her a home in my pasture?"

Nate pulled himself together and stepped back, wiping away his tears.

"I'll be happy to do that, Mr. Collins. For as long as you need me to."

In spite of the dropped halter, Oreo hadn't moved from Nate's side, and now Nate once again grimaced as she treated him to a lick on the cheek with her rough tongue.

Dad had more to say. "I know the animals are supposed to stay here until Sunday morning, but I convinced the fair board to let Oreo go home now. Pete is waiting outside the barn with his cattle trailer. You and Pete can take Oreo home. The rest of you should go to Nate's parents' ranch where a celebration is planned. If any of you need a ride, Ellen and I have room in our car. Aiden, do you need a ride?"

I smiled to myself. Good job, Dad, making sure Aiden knew he was welcome.

"Thanks, Mr. Collins. I have my own truck here, and I'll meet you there."

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

The picnic at Nate's home rivaled the Fourth of July celebration for fun. The only thing missing was fireworks. All of the ranch boy club members and their parents were there, as well as Pete and his girlfriend Heather, and Aiden and his father Bob.

All of our parents had brought food for the potluck picnic. Folding tables and chairs had similarly been provided. Dad had arrived with several coolers filled with beverages.

Oreo was penned in a nearby corral. Pete was managing the charcoal grill, and in deference to the guest of honor, the offerings consisted of hot dogs, pork chops and vegetarian burgers.

As we gathered together, Nate's dad sent him to bring something from the house, and then spoke to the remaining six members of the younger generation.

"Before we get started, I want to thank all of you for your friendship with Nate. You're all very important to him, and that makes you important to Betty and me, too. Enjoy the picnic."

Coach took me aside and handed me a cardboard box. "These are the volleyball shorts you wanted. You'll find a few extra pairs for future expansion of your team. And they've been paid for by an anonymous donor."

I grinned happily. "Thanks a lot, Coach. And please thank the anonymous donor. I'll pass these out later."

I cornered Dad to satisfy my curiosity. "Dad, you set all of this up in advance. How did you know you'd be the successful bidder?"

Dad grinned. "Let's put it this way. Brian shared his concern about Nate's attachment to Oreo and how the loss could be devastating. I had a number of side conversations before the auction with other bidders. They knew what I wanted to do, and that I wanted the bid to be high enough to make a year of work on Nate's part worthwhile. That may not be exactly proper, but it's a win-win for everyone."

I gave him a big hug. "Thanks, Dad. I think yer much more to these guys than a lawyer."

During the afternoon, I talked with each ranch boy club member individually, and the decision was unanimous. We wanted Aiden to become a part of our group. Austin took a quick trip over to his parents' nearby ranch, and came back with what I needed.

A volleyball net had been set up, and after dinner there was some interest in making use of it. The seven of us younger guys were sitting together. I had planned to take Aiden aside and ask him about joining the group, but I decided on a different approach. Peer pressure can be useful.

"Aiden, the rest of us here are planning to field a team for the winter community volleyball league. We wondered if you'd like to join our team, and our informal support group, too."

Aiden smiled. "I'd like that very much, thank you."

I put the box on the table. "Coach delivered the volleyball shorts, so everyone pick one in yer size."

The shorts had a smaller version of the shirt logo on the front of the left leg. Aiden looked at the logo. "Does this include construction boys, too?"

I grinned at him. "Just as much as it includes city boys like me and teachers' kids like Jason." I handed him the shirt that Austin had brought from home. "Here's yer official team shirt."

Aiden checked out the shirt, front and back. "'Bringing Out the Best in Each Other'. I like your motto. Thanks for inviting me to join."

"We're glad to have you with us. I talked to Coach, and we're gonna get some team practice today by playing against our parents. He's organizing their team. The rest of us don't have our shirts with us today, but how about if we wear these awesome shorts that Coach got for us? By the way, he said an anonymous donor has paid for them."

We spent an hour or so playing several games. Our team won all of them. Youth has its advantages.

After the volleyball games, dessert was served - five apple pie variations, of course. Even James had made one, and Jason had the best observation.

"Apple pie is really great, but is it the only dessert people know how to make here?"

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

As the picnic was winding down, a car came into the ranch, raising dust as it rapidly drove up the quarter-mile driveway to the Gifford home, and stirring up even more dust as it skidded to a stop. The driver, the single occupant of the car, quickly got out, and it was clear he was angry. Although I'd never seen him before, the clerical collar suggested we were looking at Terry's father, the Reverend Amos Dabney.

I quickly glanced around to see where the rest of the guys were. Austin, Andy, and Rusty had their phones out, recording the scene.

The Reverend Dabney strode up to Brian Gifford. "How dare you file an assault complaint against my son? He's a good boy, and he wouldn't hurt anyone, even your faggot bastard. You have no right..."

"I didn't file a complaint, Amos. The police filed charges based on more than a dozen witness statements. Furthermore, we declined to press charges."

But Amos Dabney wasn't listening. "You have no right to persecute my boy for protecting himself against those queers, and that's all he was doing. There were a whole bunch of them over there, including those two faggot teachers, and they had him trapped in one of them outhouses..."

It was clear that history was being rewritten. By this time, Dad and Pete were standing behind Brian to provide backup if necessary. Aiden and I were standing beside Nate, our arms around him. Nate was perfectly calm.

"My wife and I have been praying for Terry for months, ever since he admitted that he has that faggot disease. He was supposed to leave tomorrow for conversion therapy, and now he can't go because they put him in a safe house in another town. And it's the fault of you and those sodomites standing over there. I tried to file assault complaints against three of them, but the authorities wouldn't listen to me. You all are deliberately persecuting my family..."

Brian had heard enough. "Amos, you need to leave immediately. This property is posted for no trespassing, including two signs at the entrance, and you have no right to be here."

"The clergy has the right to go anywhere. We are exempt from the trespassing law..."

Dad stepped forward. "Mr. Dabney, you are trespassing and you have been instructed to leave. It would be in your best interest to do so immediately."

"It's Reverend Dabney to you, whoever you are, and I'm not going anywhere. I have a right..."

Pete stepped forward, presenting his badge in his hand. "Amos Dabney, I am Deputy Sheriff Peter O'Neill. You are under arrest for trespass..."

Amos Dabney took a wild swing at Pete, striking a glancing blow to his chest. Within seconds, the Reverend was face down in the grass with his hands behind his back.

Pete was now in charge. "Don, will you call for backup, please. Rusty, will you please fetch my handcuffs from the pickup. Amos Dabney, you are under arrest for assault upon a law enforcement officer and for criminal trespass on private property. You have the right to remain silent..."

When Pete was finished, Dad addressed him. "The sheriff is on the way. He wants to handle this himself."

The Reverend Dabney was not remaining silent, and besides continuing to incriminate himself, the profanities he was now uttering were somewhat unbecoming of a minister.

Rusty arrived with the handcuffs, and Pete calmly put them on Amos Dabney's wrists. With Brian's guidance, Pete led him around the house, away from the rest of us, to await the arrival of the sheriff.

Although it put a chill on the end of the picnic, we at least knew that Terry was safe and being treated with the respect he hadn't received at home.

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

Sunday morning, we had a family breakfast for a change. In this case, family included Rusty, who had stayed overnight again. Dad had a few things to relate.

"Most of this will be publicly available soon, so I don't mind sharing a few developments with you. First of all, Cory's father has plead guilty to eight counts of sexual abuse of a child younger than age sixteen. Each charge carries a twenty-five year sentence, and the sentences will be served consecutively. That's two hundred years, so I don't think we'll be seeing him around any time soon."

"That development means that Toby will not have to testify and that the evidence he found will not be part of a court case. However, Toby, I'm sorry but you still need to be silent about what you found because of the possible impact on the victims themselves."

"Second, as you heard from the lips of Amos Dabney, Terry is in a safe house. Given what we all saw yesterday, it doesn't take a law degree to figure out that Terry will not return to his home. If he ends up back in this community, I know we all will treat him with the love and care he deserves."

"Third, Amos Dabney has been charged with the crimes that Pete outlined to him yesterday. Mr. Dabney has also been admitted to an unidentified psychiatric hospital in the Boise area."

Rusty looked thoughtful. "Terry has always been an outspoken gay-basher, and as a result, we haven't always been very kind to him either. It's sad when people can't be who they really are. I hope we all have an opportunity to get to know him as he really is."

Mom took Rusty's hand. "I'm glad you see this as an opportunity to learn. That's something I hope you and Toby can share with your friends. It may help all of you to look at others differently."

Rusty stood up. "I gotta go home now. I promised Pete I'd help him with some things today. Thanks a lot for breakfast."

Mom smiled at him. "You're always welcome here, Rusty."

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

It was late in the afternoon when a car bearing the State of Idaho Department of Health and Welfare insignia pulled up in the driveway, an event I observed from my bedroom window. Terry, wearing dark sunglasses, stepped out of the car along with two adults. Dad met them at the front door, and escorted them to his office. About a half-hour later, Mom knocked on my door.

"There's someone who would like to speak with you. Can I bring Terry down here?"

"Sure. That will be fine."

Mom brought Terry down, and pulled the door partially closed as she left.

Terry wanted privacy. "Do you mind if I close the door?"

"Go for it."

I offered Terry my computer chair and sat on the bed. The ball was in Terry's court, so I waited.

Terry cleared his throat. "The court appointed your dad as my guardian ad litem. I asked to see him today because there are some things I want to get started on right away. There is no way I can go home again. I'm seventeen, and I don't want to be put into the foster care system. So I've asked to be declared an emancipated minor. There are understanding relatives on my mother's side who will help me move forward."

There were tears in Terry's eyes now. "I wanted an opportunity to apologize for what I did to Nate last week. I won't get that opportunity in person right away, so would you please pass on to all of your friends that I'm very sorry about that day and the way I've been treating all of you. I hope I can make it up in the future."

Terry stood up, feeling that his mission had been accomplished. But I had things to say, too. I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a big hug. He hugged me back, and cried on my shoulder for a couple of minutes. When he'd settled down, I invited him to sit down again.

"Some of us haven't always treated you so well either, and there are apologies we need to make, too. I'll make them right now for the group, and report that when I share what you've told me. Will you end up back here in town?"

"I don't think so. I'll probably end up in Moscow. It will keep me out of the big cities, and will give me an opportunity to get into the Idaho Early College Program at the University of Idaho. I want to study music. That's one reason I wanted to see you today. It may be my last day in town."

We stood and I hugged him again. "I wish you the best, whatever you do. You deserve it."

I took Terry up to the living room where his escorts were waiting, and waved goodbye from the front porch as he left. I stood there thinking about how I'd really never met Terry before, but we were kindred spirits. He'd been brave to approach me, and I was glad that he'd done so.

Dad came out and put his hand on my shoulder. "Everything okay?"

I put my arm around him. "It's been one hell of a week. I'm tired of this character-building shit."

Dad chuckled. "I understand. I think this particular character-building experience is coming to an end. But there will be more, and you'll handle them as well as you have this one. Did you have a good conversation with Terry?"

"Yes, I did. And now I gotta have a conversation with my friends soon. I wish I could have the opportunity to get to know Terry better."

To be continued...

Posted: 12/25/2020