Page 8 of The Only Seconds that Matter
Victor had no clue people actually saidover yonder, but once he got over that, he was still speechless.Almost a year living here had taught him that he had very little in common with many of the locals, especially the men.He was a country boy, sure, but he wasn’tthatcountry, and the ultra-religious conservative streak that ran through most of the men wasn’t one he cared to subject himself to.Add that to his natural introversion and Johnny’s offer seemed even less attractive.
Still, it was very nice of Johnny to ask, and Victor felt obligated to acquiesce just to show his appreciation.
“Would I just be watching?”Victor asked.
Johnny laughed.“You think we’re gonna put you on a bull?”
“If you do, make sure it’s a very small one.Preferably one I can ride with my feet still on the ground.”
“Sure, we’ll put you on a sheep like the little boys,” Johnny chuckled.“Nah, we’d just be watchin’.”
“Okay, sure.I’ll go.”
Johnny clapped him once between the shoulders with a flat hand, nearly knocking Victor over.“Good to hear it!I’ll come pick you up.I’ll text you the time.”
“Can’t wait.”
“Don’t sound so excited,” Johnny replied with a fleeting wink before stalking off.He threw open the truck door, gave Victor one last wave, then folded his long legs into the truck.Through his open window, Victor heard him say something to Taylor, and Taylor climbed over his lap to wave, flashing Victor a giant grin before Johnny shoved her back into her seat and drove off.
CHAPTER 3
Johnny’s truck rolled up about twenty minutes late, but Victor had spent that time talking to a boarder about her horse’s stifle issue, so he didn’t even notice Johnny’s tardiness.After saying good-bye, Victor headed out to Johnny’s idling truck.It was a Ford-150 from the early aughts, and there was significant rust along the back bumper and fenders, a vehicle that Victor found perfectly fitting for someone a bit rugged around the edges like Johnny.
Johnny leaned out the window upon Victor’s approach.“Well, howdy there.”
“Howdy,” Victor said, though he didn’t have the accent to give it the same flavor.
“Hop on in and let’s get goin’.‘Less you got somebody else who wants to come with?We could fit ‘em in the middle if they don’t mind having the gearshift in their crotch.”
“No, it’s just me.”
“A bachelor then, huh?Join the fuckin’ club.”Johnny jerked a thumb toward the passenger side.“Let’s ride.”
Victor climbed up into the truck.There were some crinkled up receipts and fast food wrappers on the floor, and the dashboard was covered in a thin layer of dust, so clearly Johnny didn’t consider Victor’s company worthy of a basic cleaning.That, Victor had learned, was the nature of how men treated one another.
“I got some six packs of beer in the back if you want some before we go.”
“Uh, I think I’m good.”
“If you say so.”Johnny jammed the truck into reverse, performed a quick turn, and then slammed it back into gear.It was a wonder the truck was still alive.The local country station was on the radio, playing something modern that Victor didn’t recognize because he grew up mostly on 90’s country his mother liked and the música norteña that his dad always listened to.
“So you came all the out here to bumfuck Oklahoma with nobody, huh?”Johnny asked.
“I wanted to run my own place for once.In California all I could do was rent.”
“How you likin’ it?”
“Well.It’s… different.”I’m terrified all the time of being found out, Victor wanted to say but didn’t for the very reason he was terrified.“I love having my own barn.Not paying rent or having to deal with landlords is amazing.”
“I’d love to have my own place, but…” Johnny shrugged.“All the money I made riding broncs got spent fixing my face after one of ‘em nearly killed me.”
“What happened, exactly?”
Johnny removed his cowboy hat and used a hand to part his hair near his temple, where Victor could see a clear scar.“Damn horse kicked my head open.That ain’t the first horse to get me in the face though.Got a scar here on my jaw, and on my forehead on the other side.”
“That’s terrible.I’m sorry.”
Johnny laughed.“Ain’t nothin’ anybody’s got to apologize for, least of all you.Or the horse.Horses just do what they do.I chose to ride.Can’t blame nobody ‘cept myself.At least that last one got onto TV, though I ain’t ever watched it.Some people say it’s on YouTube.Don’t need to watch it when I lived it.Spent six months learning how to fucking walk again, if you can believe it.They told me I shouldn’t ride but you know how that went over.The only advice I listened to was to stop riding the rodeos.I figured it was time to quit.I ain’t much of a religious man myself but you know, when fate tells you something for the third time, you best listen.”
