LGBT

Chapter 5: Approaching Thunder

Chapter 5: Approaching Thunder

“I see you found the pantry,” said Allen, unbuttoning his shirt.

“And the matches, yeah,” said Bill, lighting a lamp. One of the horses whinnied as thunder crashed even closer. “Does the roof leak?”

“Not since the last time I checked. I keep the place up,” said Allen pulling off his shirt and hanging it by the fire. “The cowboys use it sometimes, too.”

“I’m sure they appreciate it.”

The cabin was fairly small, mostly one room, though there was a small pace off to one side that was used these days for storage. The wood floor was still in decent shape and there were a couple of chairs in front of the fire. There was enough room to lay out a couple of bedrolls, but that was about it. Allen had often reflected that it was a miracle that man that lived here had, according to family history, four kids by the time he left. He had no idea where he could possibly have put them.

“The horses going to be okay out there?” asked Bill, stirring the pot.

“Yep. Not the first time they’ve stayed here.” One more peal of lightning crashed and then the rain started, slowly at first, but then hard against the roof. “Looks like you’ll have to look things over in the morning.”

“Looks like. It’s all right,” said Bill.

Allen rummaged in the storage area until he found another pair of pants, then stripped off the wet ones, wincing as they clung to him.

“I know, wet jeans are no fun,” said Bill, chuckling as he watched him.

“Next time I need to hold on better,” grumbled Allen. “I can’t even be mad at Gypsy. Snakes aren’t my favorite thing either.”

“I don’t like spiders,” offered Bill. “We had some big ones overseas. You had to keep an eye on your boots.”

Allen shivered. “No fun.”

Smiling, Bill served out the food.

Allen reached for the dry pants, only to quickly realize they were far too small. “Damnit. Must be Garcia’s. That man is tiny.” He put them back into storage and grabbed a blanket instead.

Bill took the jeans and hung them up to dry next to Allen’s shirt. “Well, it was a good effort,” said Bill, offering a bowl by way of commiseration.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s all right. I have the blanket. Just if someone needs to go check on the horses, you’re doing it.”

“Deal,” said Bill sitting in the other chair with his own food. The rain kept up its steady beat on the roof as the thunder and lightning crashed around them. Allen had always found the sound calming. He liked the feeling of being safe and snug in a house with nature raging around like a pissed off giant.

“What are you thinking?” asked Bill, interrupting his thoughts.

“Just like this kind of weather,” shrugged Allen. “I don’t mind thunderstorms.”

“I’d take a thunderstorm over a sandstorm, any day. You ever see pictures of that?”

Allen shook his head.

“The big ones, well, it’s a wall of sand and dirt. You know what a tornado looks like? It’s kinda like that, only wide and deep. All you can do when you see one coming is take cover. When it hits, it swallows up everything. It’s midnight at noon. They move pretty fast, so it’s over quickly, but they’re also kinda terrifying, especially if you’re not expecting it. I know the first one I saw scared the s**t out of me.” Bill looked into the fire, as if imagining it all over again.

“I bet,” said Allen. “I’ve seen a tornado or two, but we don’t get them here very often. Thunderstorms and fire and flash flood are our big worries. The cowboys have to keep a close eye on the cattle in weather like this, they like it even less than the horses do. Last thing you want is a stampede.”

“I’ve seen old cowboy movies,” said Bill, “I’m sure you don’t want that.”

Allen nodded, pulling the blanket up a little farther. “We’ve never had too much trouble around here. Drought’s no good, but we pulled through. Boss tries to not put all his money in one thing, so that’s why we’ve got some sheep and the horses as well as the cattle.”

“And now this little bit of timber.”

“Right. I know we won’t get much for it, but it’s better than just leaving it all down. We’ll plant some more trees after you take out what you need to.”

“Always a good idea. I tell that to anyone when we move timber. Unless you’re planning on using the land for something else, always replant. Keeps the earth healthy and happy.” Bill leaned back in his chair. “You are pretty smart at this stuff.”

“Like I said, I’ve been part of it in one way or another my whole life, and this ranch since I was thirteen. My folks do horses.”

Bill nodded. “Makes sense. I’m just glad to be home. I missed this land when I was gone.”

“I can imagine. I’ve hardly been away at all. Never even been out of the state. Thought about it, but why travel when I’ve got everything I need right here?”

Bill smiled at him and Allen blushed again, wondering what was going on in his head.

“You keep doing that, looking away when I smile at you. Got something in my teeth?” asked Bill.

“You’ve got a really pretty smile,” mumbled Allen.

Bill grinned wider. “You know, you aren’t exactly hard on the eyes either.”

Allen blushed deeper. “I’ve never...I mean I know I like guys, but I’ve never actually. I mean...I’m out here and it’s usually just me...Boss and them know what I like, but you can imagine that this place isn’t exactly bustling with...activity.”

“You mean it’s not a big gay Mardi Gras every day?” teased Bill. “It’s okay, Allen. Like I said, no pressure.” He reached over and squeezed his hand.

Allen let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Thanks. And if nothing else, I’m enjoying your company.”

“I’m enjoying yours too,” said Bill, letting go and finishing up his food.

The rain slowed above them, but Allen knew it was already getting dark. He yawned as Bill took his plate and took out the bedrolls. “We might as well get some sleep,” said Allen. “Had a long day today and it’ll be a long day tomorrow.”

“And no coffee pot,” said Bill. “Goodnight, Allen.”

“Goodnight, Bill.”