Ride the Western Winds, Part I

When Robert was a small child he watched those brave cowboys riding across the TV screen, their exploits he enjoyed. The horses, guns, and shinny stars, the ever stylin’ hat… It all spoke to Bob way deep down, he wanted to try that. He wanted to be a cowboy, the thought just made him grin, Bob figured that when he was big he could ride the western winds. But when informed his parents they smiled so sadly, the wild west was now long gone, an impossible dream. Bob’s sister would just laugh at him, as she painted her nails, posted about her ‘redneck bro,’ how he was made of fail. Bob couldn’t help but feel something slowly dying within, it seemed that there would be no chance to ride the western winds. And when he grew he went and did the things folks expected. He went to school, got a degree, a job to keep him fed. But he still felt something missing, and more than once he thought of running out west to a ranch, that kind of job he sought. But before he could his girlfriend conceived a kid with him, they were married and settled down, no time for western winds. Bob made good money at his job, kept the numbers in check for big companies on the move, made sure the books were set. He wanted to vacation at a dude ranch way out west, but when he told his wife this thought she balked at his request. She wanted a tropical beach, a place to show some skin, she’d rather lay out in the sun then ride the western winds. It was the same tale every year, she cared not for his likes, and used him as an A.T.M,, he grew to hate his life. He suspected her of cheating, and she did not deny, divorced him after seven years, and the judge took her side. Bob grumbled, but saw the freedom he’d get form her great sin, at least now he would get the chance to go ride western winds. But then came the alimony, and lord it was a lot, add into that child support and Bob was left to rot. He barely got to see his kid, she wouldn’t keep the terms, and the court didn’t seem to care how this loss made him yearn. He had to pay for a child she taught to hate his kin, and had not money for such dreams as riding western winds... CONCLUDES IN PART II.