Thanks guys...I really appreciate your comments and encouragement, even if I can't always follow all of your suggestions. here's another chapter.
http://www.hotelsone.com/scripts/php/po ... 5_20_b.jpgThe Vagabond
After checking out of the Bates Hotel (no, not that one!), Jesse drove the 80 or so miles to Reno the following morning —the boy’s original destination. They decided to stop for lunch at a place called the Vagabond Restaurant. Duke had on a plaid cowboy shirt, brown wide belt, tight faded blue jeans, black cowboy boots and his cream colored cowboy hat. Jesse was wearing a dark blue cowboy snap button shirt, his tight blue jeans, brown boots, wide belt, a loose fitting red bandana around his neck and his black hat. They plopped down in a comfortable seat near the front entrance and ordered a big lunch, since they didn’t have much for breakfast.
“I’m starved!” Duke said, “I could eat a horse.” He smiled at Jesse, who had been left tied up most of the previous night, although Duke had loosened his hogtie so he could get some sleep.
“I don’t know, Duke, I’m a little stiff from last night, ya know what I mean.”
Duke had slept very well and hadn’t noticed Jesse complaining until the sunrise. “Sorry bud, my snoring was probably getting to you.” He smiled with a wicked grin.
“More like your tight knots, bro,” Jesse complained. “My whole body feels stiff, except, you know, that massage you gave me this morning…uummmm!”
Duke, ignored his buddy with a little smile on his face, and looked up at the community bulletin board above their table. “Hey, look at this,” he said, pulling down two of the 3 x 5 cards and reading them aloud to his partner. “’Reno Circus, Inc. seeks Escape Artist for main show. Good pay, travel options, call 555-1617, M-F between 9 & 5.’ “Looks like a job right up your alley Jess.”
Jesse grabbed the card and checked it out carefully. Meanwhile Duke read the second card, which was another job offer: “Reno Leather Bar—seeks maintenance man—apply at…” and he read a local address off in a murmur. “Sounds like something I could handle maybe. Why don’t we check these jobs out since we are kinda short on cash now?”
Jesse looked dubious. “I don’t know about escape artist stuff. You remember what happened last time with Buster…and last night when you tied me up and I couldn’t escape!”
Duke frowned and dismissed Jesse’s complaints. “Nah, you’d be perfect for that job, I’m certain. Why don’t you give them a call and check it out right now. Jesse grinned, seeing the twinkle in Duke’s eyes that melted his heart, so he picked up his phone and made the call. Duke did the same with his possible job opening.
Jesse beamed and said: “They want to interview me this afternoon. Whadaya know!” Duke smiled and reported that he was going for an interview too.
“Looks like we might have some money rolling in soon,” Duke said, not willing to tell him he had borrowed several thousand dollars from Buster just before Buster left for Europe. They decided to get a room for the night at the Vagabond Inn next to the restaurant. It was cheap and close to everywhere they would be headed.
After unpacking their stuff Duke offered to drive Jesse to the circus, a few miles west near Sparks, Nevada, to drop him off and then head out to the leather bar. They agreed to reunite later that afternoon.
“Maybe we shouldn’t have made these two interviews at almost the same time,” Jesse said, as he looked out the window at the large circus tent just off a dirt road and parking lot that was still under construction.
“No problem,” Duke offered. “Just call me when you’re done and I’ll come on back as soon as possible. Good luck,” he said as he leaned over and kissed Jesse and caressed his hair. “You’ll do great. Don’t worry. OK?” He plopped his cowboy hat back on his tousled hair.
“And good luck to you too…and watch out for those leather queens. I don’t want you messing with them!” Duke laughed at that, realizing it might be a real temptation in a leather gay bar. He dismissed the thought and told himself he wouldn’t do any such thing as long as Jesse was in his life—except maybe some interesting three-way. He watched Jesse walk into the circus office, waving to him, as he drove off in a pile of dust from the dried out Nevada road.