Cooked Goose by Littlewing 1957
Ennis rode into camp unusually chipper, whistling a happy tune. Jack was leaning down, tending the fire, making it ready to cook a can of beans. Ennis dismounted and walked up behind his lover, hiding something behind his back. Jack turned to face him, delighted to see Ennis in such a good mood.
“What’s got into you, Friend?” Jack asked as Ennis continued to whistle. Ennis pulled a small burlap bag from behind his back, and handed it to Jack.
“Well, you was always goin’ on about how you’re sick of beans. I got a surprise for you, Bud!” Jack opened the sack, and whistled himself!
“Why, Ennis, this here is a goose!” Where in the hell did you get a goose?" Jack asked, amused now.
“Outta the sky, dumbass! Where do you think I got em?” Ennis said as he made a gesture of firing a rifle into the heavens. Jack laughed and placed the goose next to the can of beans. They would eat good tonight.
Jack knew how to dress a goose from watching his ma. Mrs. Twist prepared goose only for special occasions. Jack never told anyone, but he liked the smell of the goose’s innards as his mom squeezed the entrails from the bird. Jack plucked, disemboweled, and seasoned the bird as best he could. When Ennis sat down to eat, he had a feast of stone biscuits, beans, and goose. After the meal was finished, both boys sat together, shoulder –to-shoulder in companionable silence. Jack held Ennis’ hand and coughed a bit.
“Hey, Bud, you ain’t comin’ down with a cold, are ya?” Ennis asked as Jack continued to cough.
“I don’t know, En, I hope not!” Jack answered between coughs. Ennis rose from the ground and fetched the pot that Jack used to cook the goose. He dug his fingers into the goose fat and turned toward his lover. Jack saw Ennis’ fingers covered with fat and backed away.
“What are you gonna do with that?” Jack asked, hands in front of him, warding Ennis off.
“Look, Bud, just trust me!" Ennis began as he unbuttoned Jack’s shirt. Jack relaxed and let Ennis have his way. He was never one to refuse his lover’s touch!
“The goose grease is good for fightin’ off colds. My ma used to rub us down with the stuff whenever we started coughin.” Jack was still as Ennis rubbed the fat onto his chest.
“There!” Ennis said once the goose grease was all absorbed. “I guarantee you’ll feel better come tomorrow. If not, I’ll put some more on you.” Jack wasn’t crazy about the smell of the goose fat, and he never heard of this particular home remedy, but he was willing to give it a try. It wouldn’t do to come down with a cold or the flu - too much work to be done.
Evening and Ennis was preparing to leave. Jack packed him a snack of stone biscuits, and what was left of the goose. Watching Ennis load up the horse made Jack very horny!
“Listen friend, can’t you stay for just an hour or so more?” Jack whispered in his lover’s ear. I have a bit more of that goose fat handy. I think I know what else we can use it for!” Jack winked at his lover, who smiled knowingly. Ennis followed Jack into the tent.