Twisted (45 page)

The closer I got to the kitchen, the louder the racket became.

“You sure you know what you’re doin’, Jason? It’s nice of you to fix breakfast and all, but I ain’t never seen such a mess.”

“Relax, Smitty. We need to give Jason the chance. If he does know what he is doing, he can fix us breakfast every day.” I recognized José’s voice and then Renee’s laugh as she spoke up.

“What do you two think, that Jason’s your own personal servant? Jason, if you need help, Josh and I will pitch in.”

“I got it covered, Renee, Josh, thanks!”

“We’ll help you clean up then. Right, Josh?”

“Yeah, right!”

“She’s sure got you trained, bare-balls.” Smitty snickered.

I heard Jeanette speak up. “Bare balls, what in the hell do you mean by that?”

Renee answered. I was beginning to enjoy listening to the banter. “I mentioned to Josh, I think it’s hot when men shave below the belt, so he did it for me.”

“You and Jason are like that Brad Paisley song, ‘all of these men linin’ up to get neutered’.” Smitty snickered again.

Jason shot right back at him. “Bro, you might have a little more luck with the women if you paid attention to what they like and want.”

Smitty sputtered a bit and managed to choke out a response. “Sandy’s a real lady, and we’re waitin’.”

Jeanette laughed. “Smitty, you probably don’t have balls big enough to shave.” Everyone laughed at that. Smitty and José teamed up on Jason quite often, so it was nice to see Jeanette, Renee, and Josh sticking up for him.

Jason spoke up, and when I heard what he said, I thought it was time to put in an appearance. “Jeff shaves Mike’s balls. You aren’t gonna call either one of them neutered, are ya?”

I stepped around the corner. “Mornin’, everyone. Smitty, it sounds like Jason asked you a question.”

“No, of course not, Jeff. What you guys do is your business.” Smitty found his feet real interesting all of a sudden, and José stopped laughing.

Jason snickered, and I stared at him. “Jason, I reckon when Mike told you that little detail, you two were havin’ a personal talk. You’ve told us some stuff in confidence, and we ain’t blabbed it all around. When Mike tells you somethin’ personal, it’s because he trusts you and considers you a friend. You might wanna think on that a bit.” Jason looked real sheepish.

“So, boss, what did Jason tell you? If he is telling your and Mike’s secrets, turnabout is fair play.”

Jason gave me a panicked look.

I answered, “José, if Jason wants to tell you, he will. Now, what ya makin’ for breakfast, Jason?”

“French toast and fried ham.”

“Sounds great. I wanted to thank all of you for keepin’ an eye on us for a bit. I really appreciate it.” There was a chorus of no problem and glad to help.

“Boss, we have two new calves this morning. First ones this year.”

“Any problems with ’em, José?”

“No, they came real easy.”

Jeanette looked at me. “First calvin’ season, then cuttin’ time.” Renee and Jason looked around at that one. It was obvious the hands were happy about cuttin’ time. Jeanette looked at Renee. “It’s when we neuter the yearlin’ calves. The old-time cowboys were always happy to have fresh meat, rather than bacon or salt pork, and it was a time of plenty for ’em. Tradition still holds. We all look forward to mountain oysters.”

Renee looked at Josh.

“Just try ’em, honey. They’re real good. If you don’t like ’em, you don’t have to eat ’em.”

Renee got a twinkle in her eye. “I suppose I can try them. After all, you shave your balls for me.”

Everyone laughed at that one. Just then I heard Mike trampin’ down the stairs.

“Mornin’, everybody. Mornin’, Jeffy.” He sidled up for a kiss. There were a few hoots and catcalls.

“Are you feeling all itchy this morning, Mike?” Mike looked at José with a real puzzled stare.

“Huh? I dunno what you mean.”

“Jason let us know Jeff shaved you below the belt. I thought it might be all itchy.”

“That’s the difference between you and me, José. If I decided I didn’t like the shaved look and feel, I’d let it grow back and suffer through any inconvenience like a real man. If I liked it, I’d keep it shaved and avoid any itch. Besides, you oughta try it. It makes your package look bigger. You need all the help you can get.” Everyone laughed, including José.

I decided it was time to jump in. “I’m really happy that my and Mike’s personal lives and groomin’ habits are of such high interest to you, but the subject is closed.”

Mike looked around quizzically. “José, you need any help with the cows and calves today?”

“I don’t think so, Mike, amigo. Thank you for asking.”

“I reckon then I’m gonna work on my belts and hatbands.”

“That’s a good idea, Mike. I can work on my sculptures.”

“Do you mind if I take a look when you two are working on your art? Josh has been telling me all about it, and I’ve seen what you guys do in the artists’ co-op in town, but it would be interesting to see you two actually working on your art.”

“No problem by me, Renee. You all right with that, Mike?”

“Sure, if anyone else wants to see what we do and how we do it, you’re welcome.” There were a chorus of yeah, and that would be nice, and thank you. Mike finally noticed that Jason was fixing breakfast.

“Can I give you a hand, Jason?”

“I got it, thanks, Mike.” Just then there was a knock at the door. It opened, and in came Sandy and Maria.

“Mornin’, everyone!” We all responded. I looked around and had to smile. I was lucky to have such good friends. Just then the phone rang. Mike walked over and picked it up.

“Lucky Jeff Ranch, Mike speakin’, how can I help you?” He listened a minute.

“Howdy there, Bryan. This weekend coming? Sure, we have vacancies. Should I get a room ready for you and David?” He got a concerned look on his face and listened for a bit.

“Sure. I’m really sad to hear that. I’m certain it’ll all work itself out, and everythin’ will be as right as rain in just a bit. We’re happy to be here for ya and to listen.” Mike was quiet a bit.

“It’s a plan then. If he calls, tell him how much he means to you. I know, yep, see you Friday evenin’.” He turned to us. “It was Bryan from Seattle. He and David had a big argument at the rodeo. They decided they needed some time, and David stayed in Phoenix a couple of days and now is drivin’ back to Seattle. Bryan wants to come here and just relax and ponder on things.”

Jason announced that breakfast was ready. We loaded up our plates from the platters of French toast, ham, and fried eggs he’d put out on the sideboard and headed into the dining room.

“This is really good, Jason, thanks!”

“You’re welcome, Mike.” A chorus of compliments followed Mike’s. Jeanette was real quiet and had kind of a concerned look on her face.

“What’s up, Jeanette? Jason’s food isn’t making you sick, is it?”

“No, Smitty, the food’s really good. I just can’t help but thinkin’ on some stuff that happened at the rodeo.”

“Is the thought of our boss in drag making you sick, Jeanette?” José laughed.

“No. I just keep thinkin’ on Lonnie and David.” That really got my attention.

“Lonnie and David? Lonnie seemed all jazzed up on AJ. How does David fit in?”

“Remember how he kept starin’ at Lonnie?” I nodded, and Mike’s eyes went wide.

“When we ran into him in Everett, he had somethin’ wrong with his leg. He said it was broken….” I knew Mike was referring to how I’d stabbed the Cutter with my ski pole.

“You’re sayin’ you think David might be the Cutter?” I looked from Mike to Jeanette.

“Think on it, Jeffy. David was up here when we found the body when we was out skiin’. David was in San José when the policeman was killed. David travels for work, up and down the West Coast. He was in Phoenix when Lonnie was murdered. Remember how he was starin’ at Lonnie? Bryan even nudged him.”

Jeanette nodded. “I reckon it don’t mean anything by itself, but David isn’t really normal when it comes to social relations.”

“Guys, it kind of bothers me, just because David’s a little different or needs some work on his social skills, that you’re ready to accuse him. Not fittin’ in doesn’t make him a murderer.”

“No, Jeffy, it don’t, but it sure seems to my mind there’s a lot of coincidences.”

“Wait just a minute!” I held up my hand in a halting motion. “Mike, you were upset when Holder questioned your father, right? There were coincidences there too. I reckon all the officers from the different agencies workin’ on this case will get it solved right soon.”

Sandy nodded. “Jeff, you know Dad’s fair. If David is innocent, he’ll find out, and if he’s guilty, he’ll take care of it.”

Mike gave me a pleading look. “Jeffy, I love you, and I don’t want anythin’ to happen to you. We gotta tell the sheriff.”

“Yeah, but accusing the man for pretty much no reason can really do some harm. I know you guys are worried about me, but I don’t want to go throwin’ accusations around. I don’t think you realize just how much harm you could do to David. It really gritted me when Holder said I seem to attract murders. I don’t want to make David feel like that.”

José broke in. “Jeff. We have been friends since we were both teenagers. Mike is not the only one who cares about you. I do, Maria and Sandy do, and we all do. We are going to protect you. We have to tell the sheriff what we think.”

“I just don’t like the thought of accusin’ an innocent man.”

“I don’t like the thought of you dead, either.” With that Sandy pulled out her cell phone and called her Dad.

S
HERIFF
J
OHNSTON
didn’t waste any time in getting to the ranch. I’d offered to head into town to meet him at his office, but he told me to stay put. He was at the ranch in about a half an hour. He talked first to Jeanette and Mike about the things they’d mentioned seeing at the rodeo. He then talked to me. Finally he talked to Sandy and Smitty about seeing Bryan and David in Everett and how David had his leg in a cast. He spoke with each one of us individually. He was pretty thorough. After he’d spoken with us all, he spoke with us again individually, asking lots of questions, having us go over things again and again and drilling down to the littlest detail. I was sitting in the living room, thinking about the discussion with the sheriff, when Mike came up and sat down beside me.

“You feel a little guilty about us mentionin’ David’s name to the sheriff, don’t ya?”

“Yeah, I do. If he is the Cutter, he needs to be stopped. I reckon it just goes against my beliefs to accuse someone with no proof.”

“Anybody that’s got proof either way is dead. Look at it this way, they have DNA evidence and fingerprint evidence on the Cutter. It just isn’t in any record. A quick DNA test and fingerprint comparison are either gonna confirm or deny any role David might have. Same with the medical records on his leg, his doctor can confirm it’s broken with just a phone call.”

“I reckon so. It just seems like, if he is innocent, it’s quite a bit to put him through. Besides, like I mentioned before, you weren’t so laidback about it when your father was called in for questionin’. What in the hell has made you feel so differently about throwin’ around accusations now?”

Mike took a deep breath and then let it out in a long sigh. He spoke to me slowly, as if he were speaking with a child. “Ya know, Jeffy, one of the many things I love about you is your optimism. You’re already crusadin’ for David’s rights when they’re just gonna ask him some questions. I hope we’re all wrong, I really do. I’m just so worried about you I can’t see straight.”

It struck me that Mike had grown quite a bit since we’d gotten together. At first he’d been insecure and unsure of himself. With his coming out, facing his father, and getting his GED, he radiated a new maturity and confidence. He wasn’t any more like the little hurt puppy who’d been kicked so many times that it would lash out in anticipation of hurt. He was more like the questing young wolf, a quiet competence in his actions. I looked at him and I had to smile. To my eyes, Mike is the handsomest man on the planet. His tawny-gold eyes, blond hair, and red facial hair never failed to make me stop and look again. His lean, muscular and rangy body got me going to no end, especially thinking about the blond and red-gold fur covering it.

“What are you lookin’ at?” He smiled at me.

“You. I know I told you quite a few times, but you have to be the most handsome guy on earth.”

“Thanks, Jeffy. You know I think the same thing about you, don’t ya?”

“Yep, I do. I reckon it’s a good thing we found each other.”

He gave me a real serious look. “My Dad said kind of the same thing to me before he left.”

“Really?”

“Really. He told me it’s obvious how happy we are and how good of friends we are, as well as really bein’ into one another. He said that if any sane person is anti-gay, all they should have to do is look at us and know they’re wrong.” He leaned against me and I put my arm around his shoulders.

“That’s nice, Mike. You know I really like your dad.”

“Funny thing, Jeffy, I like the man he’s become too. I guess I’m beginnin’ to see that if he and I hadn’t went through what we went through, neither of us’d be the people we are today.”

“That’s a good way to look at it, buddy. You seem to be dealin’ with the whole thing with your dad pretty well.”

“Remember when you told me that I’d never forget what happened, but that eventually I would be able to get past it?” I nodded. “I reckon I’m getting past it. Hell, if you and everyone can forgive me for bein’ the ornery cuss I was for so long and believe in me that I could change, I need to give that same belief to him. I reckon that, more than anything, your confidence in me was the thing that got me to look at things differently. From the beginnin’, you believed in me, you asked me what I thought of stuff and really listened to me. It was real nice when you called me the handsomest guy on earth a few minutes ago, but I know you value me for me, too. Other than your dad, you were the first person to ever really listen to me and treat me like an equal, to take time and be my friend.”