Losers Weepers (Lost & Found 4)

Josie nudged me with her elbow and finished chewing. “Gee, I don’t know . . . maybe because they loved each other.” Another nudge. “It’s not like you and I are exactly alike, so you better be careful what you’re saying.”

I watched as we both cut into our steak from the same angle, at the same spot, and stabbed the chunk with the tips of our knives instead of our forks to bring it to our mouths. “Joze, you and I are more alike than both your mother and father pray every night we’re not.”

She finished chewing and then kissed my cheek. “Ah, that’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me. Nothing says romance like implying your woman’s the asshole equivalent of you with boobs.”

“I like to think of us as strong-willed.”

“You can consider us or yourself strong-willed all you want, but that doesn’t mean that’s the word people whisper behind your back.” Josie glanced up, something catching her attention.

When I followed her stare, I noticed two boys hesitantly making their way to our table. “More fans of yours?” I muttered at her.

She lifted her chin at them. “I’d say from the napkins and pens in their hands, it’s you they’re fans of.”

She was right. They were each clutching a cocktail napkin in one hand and a pen in the other. It seemed like so long since I’d been asked for an autograph, and so much had happened since that that felt like a whole other life.

“Excuse us, Mr. Black, we’re sorry about interrupting your dinner . . .” the older boy, who looked to be around twelve or so, started.

“But can we have your autograph please?” the younger of the two boys piped up, holding out his napkin and pen.

Josie set down her silverware, smiling between the boys and me. She scooted my plate a bit to the side to make room for me to sign the napkins.

“Of course you can have my autograph.” I took the pen and napkin from the young boy first. “It’s only a hundred dollars per signature. How many would you like?” When I looked up to find two faces shifting deeper into shock, followed by Josie’s elbow bumping mine, I grinned. “That’s a joke. No charge.”

The boys’ faces couldn’t have gotten any more relieved.

The older one slid his napkin in front of me. “I’m learning how to ride bulls too. My dad’s teaching me.”

I focused on signing my name. “Yeah, my dad taught me too.” I kept to myself all the other lessons he’d tried to teach me by example.

“He says if I keep practicing, I’ll be able to start competing next summer.” The boy stood a little taller, almost able to meet my eyes, unlike the little one who could only grin and bounce in place.

“It sounds like you’re working hard. Good for you.” I started signing my name on the second napkin. “Just don’t let anyone tell you spending a bunch of time working the weights or a balance ball or something else is worth your time. The only way you become a better bull rider is by actually riding bulls.”

A serious look fell over the boy’s face as he nodded, like he was carefully filing away every word. “Yes, sir.”

The younger one, not wanting to be left out, stuck out his chest and hitched his thumbs through the loops of his jeans. “I ride too.”

“Yeah? Well, good for you. I started when I was about your age too.”

The older boy rolled his eyes. “You ride sheep, Colby. Not bulls like I do.”

The little boy gave who I guessed was his brother a shove. “You don’t ride bulls either. You ride steers.”

Both of their cheeks reddened from being called out by the other, so I leaned forward. “You’ve got to start somewhere, right? What do you think would happen if you just hopped up on a monster-sized brahma the first time?”

“You’d probably hurt yourself real good,” the older one said.

“Or die,” the little one added.

“Start small. Practice hard. Ride big.” When I handed them their napkins, the older one pulled a phone from his back pocket.

“Could we, you know, get a picture with you?” He swallowed.

Josie was smiling beside me, obviously much more content with this brand of fan than the bra-flouting ones.

“That’ll be another hundred,” I said before motioning them closer. “Of course you can. Just make sure you return the favor when you two are famous bull riders.”

“We will, sir,” they said in unison.