Elk Jerky (Part2) by Littlewing1957
“I think you had better go and join your friends!” Jack’s voice was icy, and left no room for interpretation. Darryl’s look was one of incredulous wonder as his gaze shifted from Jack’s face to the barrel of the rifle. Jack allowed his mind to wander to last summer when he was alone on the mountain to shepherd the sheep. The days were long, and the loneliness was so sublime that he began to make friendly with some of his charges. Jack held long, plaintive conversations with some of the sheep. It was during one of his exchanges with a ewe he named Mary, that he met Darryl. Or rather, Darryl insinuated himself into Jack’s space.
Darryl had a fondness for taking people unawares. He was making his rounds one day and noticed the leavings of an illegal fire. He saw a beautiful young Jack talking to a lamb, and something in Darryl’s chest shifted. Darryl knew he liked guys from an early age, but he wouldn’t classify himself as queer. He wanted a wife and kids, as well as a male lover. Darryl had the lover, but was still working on the wife and kids. He hid behind a tree and watched in awe as Jack shooed the lamb away with the other flock and climbed into his tent. Darryl had an idea.
Jack’s thoughts returned to the present, but not before he remembered Darryl’s attempt at blackmail. “Sleep with me or I’ll tell my bosses that you’ve violated the rules. Aguirre will be in a lot of trouble, and you’ll be out of a job!" But Jack was not intimidated. He threatened to tell everyone in Signal, hell, the entire fine State of Wyoming that Darryl was a blackmailing weasel who would look the other way if Jack offered him a “bribe.” That shut Darryl up. Sort of. Jack spent the rest of the summer trying his best to stay out of Darryl’s way.
“So where is that partner of yours?” Darryl asked with a leer. “You know, Twist, that one is kinda cute. And from what I’ve seen, he likes a little fun with the guys. You think he’ll come into my teepee if I asked real nice like? Jack’s eyes narrowed into murderous slits. His mouth was one grim line. He cocked the rifle and aimed the barrel at Darryl’s head.
“Mention him once more and I will shoot you! I swear to God, I will kill you and feed your carcass to the wolves. Darryl swallowed, but he wasn’t afraid. He bowed to Jack and backed away from him, and out of sight. Jack lowered the 30-30 and sat on a log…
To be Continued??