26. Verge
Verge
As soon as we pull into Cross’ house, a pack of dogs comes running.
Yesterday, when Shi and I came over, the bull pasture was not up near the house.
It was more so right when you came in the long driveway, so we never made our way to the house.
Five big dogs waddle up with their tails wagging.
There are two chocolate labs, one red heeler, and two Australian shepherds.
I look down, smiling, petting all of them who greet us as soon as we step out of the truck.
“Told you we have too many,” Cross laughs, petting each one.
“Where is this pup you are trying to give me? All these dogs look full grown.” I laugh as one of the labs jumps to my side, licking my hand.
“She's probably in the back with mom. If mom had her way, she’d keep her, but dad says we have too many and I can’t say he’s wrong.” He laughs as I follow him up the driveway.
“What kind of dog is she?” I ask as we walk. I look up to the house and it’s an old country farmhouse, white with black shutters, cedar columns, and a black front door. In the back is a small arena with chutes, and Tuff looks like he has two bulls pulled up ready to go for me.
“She’s an Aussie like these two knuckleheads,” he replies, petting the two merle aussie’s on his heels.
I nod and look over to the arena and say, “Maybe I should go practice first. I don’t want to keep your dad waiting on me.” I suddenly feel anxious and could really use a smoke, but I try and tamper the craving down.
“Okay, go see dad and I’ll wrangle up this pup. I'm sure mom has her inside. I’ll bring her with me when I’m done packing,” he says, pushing my shoulder as he walks in the screened-in porch.
I walk down the arena where Tuff is riding a horse, herding the bulls into the chutes.
“Need any help?” I ask.
“Nah, I think I just about got em’. These two are the best. I figured you’d want a challenge if you wanted to practice.” He smiles as the bulls below and walk into the chutes.
“Yes, sir,” I reply, and I see him look up, waving. I follow his line of sight to see Jerry getting out of his truck, walking down the hill toward us.
I look at him, feeling bad that he asked a rodeo clown to come out here for me.
I’ve never had people treat me so kindly.
When I tell you my mom was all I had growing up, I meant it.
We never went to family gatherings, the only people we kept in touch with were Aunt Kate and Uncle Clark, and we didn’t see them often.
Mom’s parents passed when she and Aunt Kate were in their early twenties, so no grandparents either.
I’m not at all complaining about it just being me and my mother.
She was the best, but it’s just crazy how the people that fell into my life have welcomed me with open arms without even really knowing me.
“Jerry, good to see you,” Tuff says as Jerry comes walking up beside me, clapping me on the back.
“Jerry, you saved my ass last weekend. Why would you volunteer to come do it again?” I laugh before I ask, “What was the verdict?”
“Ah, just got the wind knocked out of me is all, no broken bones, no bleeding, just a little sore, but I’m good. I could use the practice too, so when Tuff asked if I wanted to come bull fight while you practiced, I told him absolutely."
“I appreciate it,” I reply, holding my hand out to him for him to shake.
“Well, I think these guys are ready if you are, Verge,” Tuff says.
“Yes, sir.”
Jerry makes his way into the arena with Tuff and his horse.
I grab my rope and head to the chutes. I rosined up my rope on the way over, so it was ready to go.
I zip up my vest and stand above the grey and white speckled bull.
Tuff gets off his horse, walking over the chute, and I hand him the rope and he asks, “I don’t reckon you know where that son of mine is, do you?
I thought maybe he’d come help too.” He laughs, but the way he says son of mine has a sense of pride in it and a sparkle in his eye.
I then wonder what it is like to have a dad who gives a shit, but I bat it away quickly before I answer.
“He went inside to pack before we leave tomorrow and is insisting I take a puppy off y’all’s hands. I’m curious to know if he realizes when I will have to take said puppy with us, though, if I take her.” I laugh.
“Well, I can’t be mad about that,” he laughs, securing my rope for me before he continues, “That pup, though, she’s probably the best dog we have. She’s smart and sweet. Lucy will be sad to see her go, but I got too many damn dogs, so he’s right. If you want her, please take her.”
I then get fired up about meeting this pup that Cross has been going on and on about all morning, considering Tuff is talking highly of her too.
When Blue died, I was crushed. He was my best friend.
I should have just taken him with me that day to the bank, but I didn’t have the time and didn’t want to leave him in the truck while I went in the bank.
I didn’t know how long I would be. He was the last thing I had from my past, and losing him too, well, it fucking sucked. I’ll leave it at that.
“Alright, this here is Silver’s Blade. He's ranked pretty high in the bulls, so hold tight.” He smiles, and I sit on his back adjusting my rope and wrapping my hand.
I take a deep breath, realizing now I’ve never seen this bull at any shows, given I am new to the area and Tuff really only brings his bulls to big shows like the Pbr or NFR at the end of the season. Guess I’ll just have to wing it.
“Let's go,” I say, and the chute opens.
Silver busts out right, bucking two times up and down before spinning left. He then dips low, bucking left, then right again. His pace is quick, but I’ve gotten a feel for him, and I hold steady. My spurs are soft at his sides and my free hand steady.
Tuff blows a whistle, and I free the hand on my rope, jumping left as Silver bucks right.
“Holy shit, Verge,” Tuff says with wide eyes, smiling from ear to ear before he continues, “You were being modest the other day, you are talented, boy. I haven’t seen anyone ride like that since Boone himself.”
I can’t help the smile that beams across my face and the pride I feel expanding in my chest at the words he just spoke to me.
Smiling, I pick up my rope and say, “That means a lot. I appreciate that more than you know.”
Jerry chimes in, “I told you, Tuff, he’s the best in the circuit.”
Just as Tuff is about to speak again, I hear Cross behind me, “Told you, dad.”
I turn, and he has a grey, black, and white merle Aussie in his hands.
He places her on the ground, and to my surprise she dips under the arena gate, running right at me.
She hops up on my leg begging for a pet, and I smile, leaning down to pet her.
She has one ice blue eye and one brown eye.
I decide right then and there I can’t leave this place without this dog.
Damn, I’m a fucking sucker for a puppy.
I pick her up, petting her, smiling, and Tuff says, “Looks like she likes you too.”
“I think so,” I reply, petting her.
“Cross, take the pup for a while longer, let Verge practice some more before you head out,” Tuff says.
“Okay, okay.” Cross laughs. I walk over handing him the puppy, and he smirks his signature shit-eating grin before he says, “Told you, you would want this puppy.”
“You were right.” I laugh, handing the dog to him as he sits down in the grass like a kid, and I laugh at him as I make my way back to the chute for another ride.
After we practice for an hour or so longer, I’m beat. I rode well, not falling off before the 8, but damn, I’m tired, that’s for sure. My ankle is still a bit sore, but not too bad.
I thanked Tuff, Jerry, and Cross, and we headed out to my truck with his bags and the puppy in hand.
Mrs. Lucy was nice enough to also give me the remainder of the puppy food and some bowls for her.
She has a pink collar around her neck too, and I haven’t quite decided on what I will name her.
Honestly, I’m scared to even ask what Cross has been calling her, because knowing him, it will be something stupid.
I ask anyway as I make my way into the driver's side, putting the dog in the middle, and to my shock, she sits and doesn’t try and roam around.
“Told you she was smart.” Cross laughs.
“What have you all been calling her?” I ask, nervous about his answer.
“We haven’t really been calling her anything but pup because we knew as much as we all liked her we wouldn’t be keeping her.” He replies, and I let out the breath I was holding, and he laughs, asking, “What?”
“Nothing, I was just worried you named her something stupid like Martha.” I laugh.
He doubles over laughing before he says, “I mean that’s not a terrible idea.”
“Don’t even think about calling my girl Martha.” I chuckle back as we make our way down the driveway.
“So, what are you going to name her?” he asks, petting her head.
“Hmm. I don’t know. I may ask Shi what she thinks.”
“Oh, come on, a man has to name his own dog, you can’t ask your girl to name her, you big sap.” He chastises.
“Okay, okay.” I roll my eyes, thinking. I look down at the puppy.
She’s probably about four months old. She is the runt for sure, though.
She’s not nearly as big as you’d think she would be.
She lays down, putting her head in my lap as I drive, and a warmness takes over me.
Call me whatever you want, but I do love a good dog.
“Hmm, I think we’ll call you Love,” I say, thinking of my hometown in Colorado where I grew up.
“Love?” Cross asks, with one eyebrow cocked.
“Yeah, Loveland, Colorado, is where I grew up. Why not?” I ask.
“I guess that suits her, she is super sweet,” he says, petting her hind end as she falls asleep with her head still in my lap.
“So,” he says, looking at me, wiggling his eyebrows.