LMPYITP: The Random Passages

[He] Should've Been a Cowboy

            "What d'yer know about the Beef Expo?" Noel asked one day.

"Where at?" I replied.

"Columbus."

"It sounds like a pretty big event from what I've heard. I ain't never been there but it sounds cool."

"It does, yeah." He nodded. "Which is why we're goin'. Well, it's not the only reason we're goin' but-"

"What's the other reason?" I inquired.

He sighed. "Y'know we have to get rid of everybody." He returned. "With the divorce...Sara wants...I've no choice..."

"No. I don't suppose you do."

Sara wouldn't let the boys miss school for it. Lennon, Anais, and Molly weren't interested in it. So, the only one left to take with us was Gene. Not that he minded.

We didn't take the whole herd. Just some of the young heifers, cow/calf pairs, and of course, Beef. Some of the heifers would be entered in the sale with half the money being sent straight to Sara.

I was nervous to let Liam go too but he insisted on going. He could get around okay but not quick enough he got in one of the cow's way. I also wasn't sure how he'd handle the mid-March in Ohio weather either.

"I'll be fine, Blue. Don't worry." He assured me. "I wanna go."

And I suppose deep down I wanted him to go too. If Noel wanted this to be a family affair (or at least enough family to help him get whatever he wanted) then c'mon, you wanker! Let's have it!

Shipping cattle across the pond was the same as shipping giraffes across it. Just as time consuming and nerve wracking. And how we did it was beyond me.

But we did and arrived on time and had a truck and trailer waiting for us when we got there. Gene drove it because there was no one else I trusted better to do it.

When we got to the Expo Center, we found our stall assignments. We got everyone settled in amongst the hundreds of other head in the barns.

Various breeds of beef cattle filled the dairy cattle and horse barns. People from all over the State of Ohio (and maybe others) had some of their best stock on display.

We were a spectacle not because our herd was owned by Noel Gallagher but because it contained British Herefords which were quite different than their American counterparts. Gene was interviewed by some show news agency because of it and even fielded inquiries about doing A.I. with Beef.

The barns were packed with people preparing for the shows and hanging out. People played corn hole and blasted all kinds of music. If anybody was rock 'n' roll stars, it was cattle showing people.

We worked to get the cows ready...until we noticed someone walking towards us down the aisleway.

"Courtney?" Gene's eyes widened at the sight of her.

"May I borrow the truck tonight please?" Gene asked after we all were back at the hotel later that day.

"For what?" Noel inquired.

Gene frowned at him. "I didn't ask you! I asked Jules!" He looked at me. "So, can I borrow it?"

"For what?" I replied.

"For the Social Event at the Polaris. Ya said I could go plus I need to go anyway to make a representation."

"They're not even your cows!" Noel reminded him.