There was no mistaking the heated tone between Danger and my father. I wish they would get along or have some common ground, but the two men are as opposite as heaven and hell. But as we take a seat for dinner, the hostile air between them is a little less.
“When do you go back out for the rodeo?” Mama asks Danger, trying to lighten up the atmosphere. At least she has always liked him, even with his rodeo job and carnivorous ways.
“My parents need more help around the house this year, so I’ve been doing a lot of local events. But with the summer coming, I normally have to travel farther and leave town more frequently. I’m not sure what I’ll do about my parents’ place if I have to go for too long. I guess it’s a good thing I have Haven looking after my house while I’m gone.”
His last sentence shouldn’t bother me the way it does. Every year, he leaves town for longer periods at a time, but this time it feels like a rock sitting in my gut.
“Danger has ranked first and second in his last two events,” I add in.
“I think I saw that in the paper.” My dad nods for a second like he’s trying to remember correctly. “I believe you had a different girl by your side in each photo.”
It’s hard to forget that Danger is known for his flirtation with the ladies. Everywhere I go, it feels like Danger’s playboy ways are being thrown in my face. I take a bite out of my mediocre mushroom burger. There is nothing special about its taste. I sometimes feel like that too. I don’t wear a ton of makeup for the guys to notice me. I don’t wear skimpy clothing. I don’t like being the center of attention. Nothing about me stands out that would make people pause to give me a second look. I’m fine with that, but sometimes I wish I could grasp onto that feeling just for a second, so I’d know how it felt.
Danger clears his throat and shoves his mouth full of food. I’m sure he’s trying not to come back with some offhanded remark due to the respect he has for my mother.
“I think that’s mighty admirable, to give up what you love to help your family. Great family values.” I think my jaw drops, hearing my dad complimenting Danger. I honestly didn’t think this day would ever come. “Too bad you still feel the need to rope poor, innocent calves for fun.”
I should have known better. One compliment paid for by a cheeky comment afterward.
“For a moment, I thought you were going soft on me, Pastor.” Danger grins, and that thick air seems to vanish immediately. “If you ever want to come out and see what I really do for fun, it would be my pleasure. Then you would see I treat all my animals with great care.”
“Sunday school is coming to a close, and I’ve been trying to think of something fun to do for the kids this year,” I interject, moving the conversation along. Each year, I try to do something special to signal the break of Sunday school for the summer. A few of my students have mentioned they thought this was their last year with me. I keep telling them they can be twenty and still come; I don’t mind. Not that anyone has ever taken me up on this.
“I could set up a hog tying event,” Danger teases me, making my dad grumble under his breath. Danger is doing this on purpose, knowing my father will no doubt have a conversation about what type of friends I keep.
“You plan on being the hog?” I tease him.
He wiggles his eyebrows, making me roll my eyes.
Keeping the conversation away from any animals, I continue, “Think we can put on some type of special breakfast?” I ask my parents.
The rest of the night carries on as predictably as possible. My dad and Danger keep throwing offhanded comments at each other, while Mama and I try to direct the conversations to easier topics.
Six
Danger
“What on earth are you doing?” Crash’s voice catches me off guard.
It takes me a second to respond, not expecting anyone to be outside the church doors. “I’m surprising Haven with a petting zoo,” I say matter-of-factly. It looks pretty obvious to me. I stand admiring my handiwork before looking back at my cousin.
Like me, he rarely ever goes to church, always using the excuse he doesn’t have time with running his multiple businesses.
“Funny, you’ve never done this before now,” he comments, taking a look at the pen I have set up. “Where are the animals?” He looks around, not seeing any, and then rubs at his chin. “Does the preacher know you’re doing this?”
“Ma is bringing the animals down in her trailer to help me out.” I ignore his jab.
He starts laughing. “You’re going to get so much shit for this.”
I shrug, not giving a damn, and continue with my work. I don’t care what anyone thinks. Haven said she needed something special, and some fancy breakfast isn’t special.
“Just being involved in the community. Maybe one of these kids will be interested in the rodeo after. It’s as simple as that.”
“Whatever you have to tell yourself.” He walks away whistling, heading to who knows where. But I have no time to wonder, as I see my ma pull up with the calves.
My palms are sweaty as I wait for the church doors to open again. I’m nervous to see how Haven will react and excited to see the faces of all the kids when they realize this is a petting zoo. I fidget around the pen door, unsure if I should be standing here or if I should stand in front of it all. Maybe I should have a stool and be sitting. I’ve walked to every spot around the small circle I created, checking on the calves three times. There is nothing for me to do but wait. I wipe my hands down my jeans, wishing it wasn’t so hot out.
The door opens, and I twist the water bottle cap off, taking a drink and trying to look casual. Slowly, the town begins to descend the steps, volunteers carrying jugs of drinks to be set out on tables in the shade, and I see trays of what look like muffins and small cut sandwiches being placed out as well.
It takes a while before any of the kids come out of the building, and by then, the adults have blocked my view from the doors. I get a few nods, hellos, and “this looks fun” responses, but other than that, I’m left to myself.
My hand taps on the pen, the calves looking comfortable in their temporary location. Haven is nowhere in sight, but I can see her parents. Her dad has eyed me a few times but has kept in conversation with his members.
“Danger, what do we have here?” One of the summer ladies glides up to me. She has no personal boundaries as she steps right into me, her breast practically being pushed into my chest. Clearing my throat, I take a step back, looking at the main doors. No one has come in or out for the last two minutes.
“Thought I would set up a bit of a petting zoo for the kids, Mrs. Mayberry.”
“It’s Ms. now, Danger.” She smiles seductively at me. She married for money and has been coming here each summer with her friends. I’ve heard her tell her friends what charm this town has but how she could never live here.
“How about you come over tonight?” she asks me, biting down on her bottom lip. It doesn’t even look natural as she gives me her fuck-me eyes. For an older lady, she’s in shape and probably is as flexible as she’s flirtatious, but I’ve never been into cougars.