Chapter 3
When Caleb saw Luke in his current state; his face badly black and blue from the impact and from the stiches, his torso tightly wrapped from several broken ribs, and connected to machines, tubes and needles; Caleb remembered his own tragic accident and how hard his own recovery had been,
He was co-dependent on pain killers, turning to alcohol to bury the mental torture that wreaked havoc on his mind, causing depression, anger, denial, and enraged outbursts that lashed out at any and every one. He remembered how Tim had intervened with his own form of rough justice.
Looking up at Linda, he doubted she could help him on her own, and knowing full well that he would have to ask Jack's permission, he made this suggestion anyway;
"So, Linda … I have some friends back home. They have a pretty big piece of property, with some cabins. If you want, I can talk to them. You and Luke can stay there while he recovers. It's quiet and peaceful up there…." Raising her hand to stop him from continuing, she added
"Thank you Caleb. That is real kind of you, but I cannot make this decision without Luke's input. We have a lot to consider, and a lot of responsibilities. Leaving for any extended period of time will have to be planned out carefully, but I will keep that in mind. Getting a way would do us both some good."
Caleb nodded, and extended a hug to Linda before he read the, Bull Riders Prayer,
"While Luke lives the Cowboy Way, protection is what we pray… we don't know his fate outside the gate and with this ride he saw trouble please, send angels on the double… For in you Lord, let him rest… Let his life pass your test ... By pure grace he was saved, so Lord, ride with him another day. That's the Cowboy Way, and what the Bull Riders Pray!"…and he added, "Man I sure hate to see you like this, take care buddy."
Looking back at Linda one last time he tilted his hat and said goodbye.
Caleb was now beside his truck and could only somewhat grasp the emotions of all that had taken place. That's what his ride home would let him do. Let it go. Looking at the map he had two routes to choose from. The first would take him due north and slightly west to Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and then finally to Canada through Regina and that long trek to Hudson; or he could take the more westward north route through Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, and then to Canada for the last 20 to 30 miles to Hudson. He decided on the second route only because it looked like the most relaxing of the two which was 2,246 miles or 33hrs. Either way he'd have a day and a half to consider it all. Folding the map and tossing his hat to the passenger seat he climbed in and looked for the nearest motel because tonight he needed to rest before heading out fresh in the morning.
Rising early with the crack of dawn, Caleb showered and dressed and heard a rumbling coming from his tummy, "I should grab some food", he thought. Conveniently there was a restaurant next door. He figured it would be easier to check out now, so he could head straight out after eating.
Sitting at an empty table Caleb found his mind drifting to the day before as he looked out the window. He was real sorry for Luke, connected to all kinds of tubes, and … Luke was a fighter, who never gave up. If anything, this accident would make him a better rider, if his mother didn't stand in his way. Thinking about calling Jack, the waitress came by to take his order,
"Are you ready to order or do you need more time?"
Caleb sat up saying, "Yes Ma'am…, I'll have a stack of hot cakes, with eggs and bacon please."
With a smile the waitress replied, "Sure, and would you like anything to drink, coffee?"
"No thanks, just some water and orange juice please … "Looking up at her and noticing her name…, Ashley said, "You got it sir." Choking back the shock and trying to clear the annoyingly formed lump in his throat, he nodded and said "Thank you", with a smirk on his face he chided himself,
"Get a grip man. What's the matter with you, the world is full of Ashley's!"
She brought his food and politely asked if he needed anything else and he said he was fine for now. Nodding and grinning at him she walked off. Shaking his head and almost laughing, he watched as Ashley walked away, his ex-wife didn't grant him such an honor. Then diving into his hotcakes and eggs he thought "Why are you still a nervous idiot with the name, Ashley?" Answering his own thought he said, "Because …I loved her!" Thinking now about how his relationship with Ashley- his ex-wife- resembled his ride on Triton;
Oh … how he enjoyed the rush of temptation that Ashley gave him, as she pushed him forward, suddenly driving him nuts while twisting him-with surprise- this way, proclaiming "My future's in the garbage", then shockingly bucking him right out of his trailer, that way. He got that trailer back though, and then she left him for her"garbage future" in Vancouver as she trampled his heart with Andy!
This is why his ride on Triton meant so much more than just a big payoff, and some shiny belt buckle. Oh … how he loved the rush of excited adrenaline as the bull pushed him forward, twisting him this way and bucking him that way; trying with all its might to rid itself of this annoying – lump - on its back. Is this all he was to Ashley, an annoying lump on her back that she had to rid herself of? Drifting in his thoughts while he ate, he thought of 'That' day-
Unfortunately for Caleb whose tortured mind wreaked havoc on his bleeding, battered heart, it was a beautiful day in Hudson not a cloud in the sky with just a slight hint of a breeze. He was standing at the edge of the lake; two horses grazing together on the other side as he watched, wishing with an unfulfilled longing in his heart that that could have been them. The pain in his heart was deeply expressed on his face. Deep in agonizing pain his cowboy blue eyes were swelled, with a wet glaze, thinking that he'd have to let her go. As much as it pained his heart to set her free, since he gave Ashley his whole heart and in turn "She Threw it – the ring -At Him, AND, He Cramped Her Style!" Sure ain't no point in beating a dead horse … 'course, can't hurt none either; Thinking as he contemplated throwing her ring in the lake. Deciding against that, Caleb instead shoved that ring into his pocket, hoping to someday give it to someone else who would know what he is worth, and in turn adore him for it.
He shoved a pile of eggs, then cakes into his mouth almost choking before taking a drink of juice, and pushing the plate away, he was done with these stupid thoughts and with his food. For him to overcome and defeat, that beast, was a glorious victory for any cowboy, and he did it. Now he would fill the emptiness that Ashley left him with, with the knowledge that whatever life dealt him he could and would get beyond it to victory!
Ashley returned with the bill, and placing it on the table in front of him she gave him a wink and a smile, while tossing her light golden brown wavy hair, "There ya go … cowboy, can I fill your water?" Caleb, in a hurry to get on the road, said "Uhh ohh … no – clearing his throat – I'm good." Giving her a $20 dollar bill she would have to come back with his change. Leaving her a tip on the table he got up, tilted his hat in her direction, smiled, and was out the door, hearing the words play in his head,
"Glory Days, well they'll pass you by Glory Days, In the wink of a young girl's eye Glory Days, Glory Days….!"
Being home now for a couple of days, after that 33 hr. journey, he could relax a bit and enjoy the life he wanted to live; without Hot Ash and Hudson's very own 'Mother Theresa', - his mother-in-law - telling him how he should do that, but soon he would have to get back out there either to ride again or become a trainer/ coach. He would consider those options later, but right now, he just wanted to enjoy the great Canadian outdoor scenery of the day. He was relaxing in the wooden lawn chair, feet resting on the fire pit, a cool beer in one hand and roasting a wiener on a stick in the other. For the first time in a long time his EX- relationship didn't hurt him anymore. With that charming cowboy grin of his and those tragically beautiful blues, he gave a salute to Ashley, "Thank you Ash … here's to you!" Lifting that cool beer to his happy mouth he took a long hard swig and let it tingle and burn all the way to his gut, "Damn, that's good."
Noticing the cooler sitting next to him was empty. He had to go get more beer, because he was in such a good mood. He didn't want to get snockered, but just loved how refreshing it made him feel. Jumping into his truck he headed for town. Stopping at the liquor store near Maggie's, he walked in, found his beer, and placing it on the counter he paid for it. Holding it tight in his grip, as he walked outside, he saw her, Kelly. She was wearing a spaghetti strap, knee high dress that swayed with each step she took. Her curly dark hair bounced in the soft breeze. Looking up as she neared her car she saw him, Caleb. The cowboy she punched at Jack's birthday party saying," I don't date married men, so get it straight, Cowboy!" Smiling at the thought and knowing that he was 'NO' longer married, she thought, 'Maybe it's time I should give this cowboy a second chance'.
Waving for him to come over to her, he nearly tripped, and dropped his beer. Gathering himself with that adorable boyish smile creasing across his mouth, and laughing with embarrassment, he made his way to her. Thinking all the while,
"Riding on the range… I got my hat … on. I got my boots … dusty. I got my saddle … on my horse. He's called Trigger … of course. I wanna be your cowboy … and you can be my cowgirl. I wanna be your cowboy … and you can be my cowgirl… I WANNA BE YOUR COWBOY!"
