[FM] My weekend as a Buckle Bunny. Pt. 2

Small towns. If idle hands are the devil’s playground, then a town with a significant number of latchkey kids who are home alone all summer and country kids who have a lot of free time between morning and afternoon chores must be his version of Disneyland. With decent internet speeds only in the town proper, and slow or no service in the countryside, kids keep themselves busy with activities ranging from wholesome to debaucherous. Many in the same day. Kids start exploring the town and each other early, at least in my hometown, both as a way to experience a thrill and relieve the boredom.

So, what I did with Keith the cowboy in the bathroom wasn’t necessarily out of character for me, but it was enough that I’d shocked myself. My best friend/co-worker/partner in crime Madi thought it was hilarious and agreed to tag along with me in hopes she could rope a cowboy of her own. The rest of our shift went quickly and as soon as the clock hit 7pm we were out of there.

The midway just outside the rodeo grounds is unlike anywhere else. At some point, you’ll run into just about everyone you’ve ever known. Friends (both current and ex), lovers (likewise) and family members you only see here and at Grandma’s house on Christmas Day. The smells of kettle corn, manure, and oil clash and compete for dominance. After a couple of rum and cokes, we meandered over to the Participant’s entryway. Of all the times I’ve been to and around the rodeo, I’d never been to this spot. It offered a straight shot into the arena where a rodeo clown was pantomiming a conversation with the announcer and the punchline to the joke they were setting up was Democrats. I’d heard this joke nearly every year since I was 5, and every year it brings a huge laugh from the crowd.

Along the wooden fence that acted as a backstop to the gate was a line of women all smoking, all waiting. They were the girlfriends and hopeful girlfriends of the cowboys inside. When a breeze would pick up, they’d all turn their backs to it – taking more care and effort in keeping the cherries on their cigarettes than they ever did keeping the one they were born with. I should know. If I’d stayed in that town, I’d be one of them every year.

After a few minutes, Keith came ambling out with two other men. He gave me a big smile and hug and told us to follow them.

“Is this that dirty girl you were talking about?” said one semi-quietly.

“Jesus Keith, did you card her first?” said the other.

Madi got a good laugh out of that. We followed behind them to a trailer that was an office for the rodeo officials. Madi chose to wait outside and I went in with the guys. One of them was an official that needed them to sign some paperwork for placing in their event. The other was Keith’s friend Danny. Danny signed his paperwork and left. Keith had gone behind the desk and emptied the remainder of a bottle of Advil.

“Just sign and initial where it’s highlighted, then lock up when you leave,” the official told Keith.

As the trailer door slammed shut, Keith had me in his arms going in for a kiss. “You shouldn’t have teased me like that, girl.” Now I’m 5 foot, and he was over 6 so even though I was on my tippy toes for the kiss, he still had to stoop down quite a bit. When he straightened up, my arms stayed around his neck and he lifted me up with him. My legs wrapped around his waist and our kissing turned more heated and passionate. He smelled like sweat and dirt and whiskey. I whipped off my shirt and bra and he laid me down on the rough makeshift plywood table, rubbing his hand across my chest.

“Goddamn, sweetie. Those are just mosquito bites!”

“Fuck off! You want them or not?”

Source: reddit.com/r/gonewildstories/comments/6shhwd/fm_my_weekend_as_a_buckle_bunny_pt_2