Kate

by Dwight W. Hunter

Chapter08 - Buck's Second Chance

  When the musicians completed assembling their equipment and wires hooked up; they were soon filling the room with music as the lights dimmed for dancing. Maintaining her surveillance of those finding their way into the semi-dark room, Nellie elbowed Julie's arm and pointed to a guy searching for a place to sit.

  "See that 'ol boy shufflin' around over there. He must have had too much sun along with his brains jarred from ridin' too many cowponies cause he's got a crazy idea in his head of bein' the absolute cure for menopause. Well, I can tell you for real, he's not much better than a cold shower. As an example to prove my point, his concept of foreplay amounts to little more than, 'in the pickup Bitch'."

  "We saw him signing in while waiting for you," nodded Julie. "Aside from his face looking like a dried orange peel, the rest of him isn't so bad; in fact, he hauls around a better looking physique than most. I would suspect he can move his butt up-and-down rather than teeter-tottering on a beer gut." Turning to Rita, Julie continued. "Hey Rita, remember the cowpoke who gave you the wink while we were waiting to sign in? That's him, sauntering around over there. Nellie just told me he believes to be the answer to a widow's prayer. Suppose we ought to invite him over? Three to one should keep him guessing for a little while. Besides, Nellie seems to have some inside information on him. Right, Nellie?"

  Nellie nodded with a crimped smile.

  "What the hell!" Mused Rita, looking across the room. "Go ahead; we're not going to have any fun wallflowering over here in the corner. If he can take on all three of us he must be a direct descendent of King Solomon and would have to pack a might big prayer.

  "Look's like it's up to you, Nellie." Julie said, turning to Nellie. "I get the impression you know him or something about him. Go ahead, invite him over."

  "OK, if you insist. This should prove interesting and most likely it will be disappointing," carped Nellie getting up to go corral their intended victim. In keeping with the old clich?, 'Buck, the hunter was about to become Buck the hunted'.

  Emulating an arrow trajectory, Nellie headed straight for Buck.

  "Hey Buck, you old fart, Better be careful in this light somebody may mistake you for a heifer in heat by the way you're lookin', lost and millin' around." Nellie challenged, placing her hand on Buck's upper left arm. He turned to get Nellie in focus and finally recognized her.

  "Well, I'll be damned! If it ain't Nellie Bunwarmer. Haven't seen you since the night we got snockered over at Rattlesnake Flats. Last thing I remember, you and I was heading for a cabin. We may as well dance since standing here is blockin' traffic." Buck put his arm around Nellie and guided her to the dance floor.

  "Do you remember what happened that night?" Buck asked.

  "First off, my name ain't Bunwarmer, its Bunmeyer. Second, it was you who was tanked, so don't include me in your problem of not knowin' when to quit, and lastly, you're damn right I remember," blustered Nellie. "The cabin door was hardly shut when your hand pawed inside my blouse playing with a boob and slobberin' on my neck. You were fumblin' around so bad I had to undress both of us.

  When we finally got on the bed you grabbed a hold of my left tit like you were sinkin' for the third time. The next thing I knew your hand fell off and there you was layin' on you back snoring' like a fat hog. I was all steamed up ready to go and there you was layin' on your back, passe, dressed and left."

  "Jeez' Nell, I'm sorry about all that. You're not goin' to cut me off cold for not rememberin' you last name, even if I was close and takin' on too much snakebite remedy, are you, Nell?" Buck pleaded. "Come on now, cut me a little mercy will ya? That was a long time ago and all I'm askin' is for you to give me a new start?"

  "Give you a new start," barked Nellie. "Boy, have you ever got the gall. There I was all ready for some tender lovin' and without so much as a goodnight you left me high and dry. I doubt if you even remembered about me till just now."

  "Ah, Nell," was all Buck could get out until Nellie cut him off.

  "Buck Thorn, your heart is as hard and empty as the knob you hang your hat on. Otherwise, where was the phone call to tell me you was sorry? Where was the roses? The candy? Ah, Hell! I may as well ask for the sand to give water."

  "Come on Nell," Buck said trying to get back into the conversation.

  "Shut up, Buck! I'm not done talkin' yet." Nellie ordered. "Buck, you have about as much romance as a stud goat. Well, I suppose its best to let bye-gones be bye-gones, neither one of us is getting' any younger and at our age we don't have enough time left to waste poutin' about missed opportunities. Ya, you old Shit. I'll give you another shot. Now what can I expect in return for my outpourin' of forgiveness and generosity?"

  "You drive a hard bargain, Nellie, dear. But bein' the gentleman that I am what would it take to wipe the slate clean of wrongs you fret and pine yourself so grievously about since our last rendezvous? Mind you these demands must be kept in the bounds of my simple means."

  "Simple means! In a pig's ass, you cheap old cow kisser! The only thing simple about you is you! With your condos fillin' up at Antelope Gardens, you can't bullshit me about bein' a man of simple means. I know about your land deal, so don't play me as the innocent little broad who fell off the turnip truck last Tuesday. But tell you what, I'll just call your bluff and raise you a notch. Let's pull out of here, stop by a liquor store for a jug of Jack Daniels, then head over to the Sand Motel, get a nice room and you can show me how good a man you claim to be. If you can make me say, 'I've had enough', I'll pay for the whole deal. Now how's that for a fair deal? But, being the hard-up woman that I am, if you don't take the deal I just offered by noon tomorrow the whole damn town of Cactus Junction will know Buck Thorn doesn't have a hair on his ass nor the balls to keep it company."

  "You wouldn't happen to be bluffin'? Would you Nel?"

  "Well, I remember pretty damn clear you braggin' about what a great tool you pack around and how good you are at usin' it. All I'm doin' is takin' you at your word. After all, if you cover the bet, then I pick up the tab. It was you beggin' for a fresh start, it's time for you to either fish or cut bait."

  OK! OK! You're on, Nell." Buck smiled. "I like a good game of poker and I don't care whether it's played on a table or in bed."

  "Wait a sec, Bucky Boy. I need to pick up my purse and tell my friends they're on their own. Be right back. Buck smiled at his quick success while watching Nellie cross the dance floor and talk to her friends. It was then he recognized Rita as being the woman he saw earlier with her body illuminated in the doorway.

  "Damn you've still got your smooth silver tongue there Bucky-ol'-boy. This may turn out better than I though. I've got a sure thing goin' with Nellie tonight and she can lead me to the cute one with the legs."

  Rita and Julie sat watching Nellie talking with Buck and were surprised when Nellie hurried back to their table.

  "Hate to tell you girls, but looks like you're on your own for the rest of the evenin'. Ol' Buck sort of redeemed himself and since he's sober I'm goin' to find out if he's as good as he claims to be. Call me tomorrow afternoon and I'll give you a full report on how it turns out." Grabbing up her purse, Nellie was gone before either of the two women could manage to get out a word.