[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.

[FM] My weekend as a buckle bunny. Pt 1

I grew up in a small town where the claim to fame was a rodeo held each summer. For that one weekend, the population increases fourfold as cowboys, Native Americans, and families from all over the area bring their campers and RV’s to party and take in the spectacle.

One of my first jobs was at a restaurant located just outside the campground that surrounds the rodeo arena. It was easily our busiest weekend and during those moments where we had a lull, we had to clean and prep for the next wave of customers. It was at the tail end on a busy time when a couple of cowboys came up to my register. The first one was more interested in getting food than anything else and placed his order while staring at the menu. The second was only looking at me. He was a big, barrel-chested guy. Ruggedly handsome with a face that had been weathered by the sun and wind and making him look several years older than he probably was.

“I know this sounds corny, but you are the cutest girl I’ve ever seen.” A line as worn as his features, but he knew to deliver it with a smile and confidence to make it seem believable.