As a extra credit activity for the junior college I was attending, I was engaged by the Ride and Board Stables as a helper for the summer, doing stable work and other jobs about the riding-school. At least that was what I thought I had been employed for. But it soon turned out that the Ride Master, Jason, had other plans for me.
The first day or two I helped with the horses as they came in, but on the third day things began to change. The first indication that I would have other things besides stable work to do, came when Jason, the Riding Master came into the barn shortly after I returned from my mid-morning coffee. "Come with me into Nightwing's stable, Bob.'"said Jason Nightwing had the last stall, and the one farthest from the bustle of the main yard. I followed the Jason into the stall, and then waited for instructions.
Jason was 6 foot tall about 185 pounds, slim, strong looking, with a mustache, he kind of looked like the actor Sam Elliot.
'"Yes sir. You want me to 'do' Nightwing?" I asked.
"No, that's John's task." said Jason, "Anyway, he's already been done today. No, I want you to do a little job for me."
'Yes, sir.", I said
"I brought you here because we can be quiet for a few moments, while I explain. One of the things that I require, is that you come to my cottage each evening and clean my boots. And then, you can help me with them — help me to get them off; and the next morning put them on."
"Yes, sir." I said. I thought it was rather a strange request, but not knowing much about the higher-achy of this type of ranch,,,, well, I couldn't really see why I shouldn't clean his boots. It might even be a normal part of stable routine. And keeping Jason pleased, would probably help me with my review for school.
Jason went on; "And, as we have a little time in hand, it wouldn't be a bad idea if we did a little practice."
"Practice? Ahh a, a, well yes sir, I guess so." I replied still trying to catch on to just what was happening.
"Yeah, just clean off my boots and pull them off here, now. Why not." Jason said.
He sat down on a wooden box in the stall. Jason put his boot up on a low stool and sat there waiting.
The only way to really get to his boot, was for me to go over and get down on my knees. I knelt down in front of him, and then wondered just how I was supposed to do the cleaning.
Jason was ready, he handed me a stiff brush and a cloth. "Take the brush and brush off any hard dirt and mud, then the cloth will shine up the boot. Tonight, when you come to my cabin, you can put some polish on them and get them looking good."
I did the bit with the brush and cloth, then he said, "OK now you can learn how to pull them off. Take the boot and turn around and pull it at the heel. I'll put my other foot on your ass and push to help you."
I did that and got the boot off OK. Jason said that was good and to never mind the other boot now, just put the boot back on.
I took the boot and with Jason directing and helping pulled his boot back on.
"Fine, fine, now you just finish up your chores And after dinner, about 8 tonight, you come over to my cabin and you'll help me with my boots; and other stuff. Your going to be a good boy for me this summer."
That kind of made me feel funny, 'being his BOY'?
After chow, and some clean up for me at the bunk house, I headed to Jason's cabin. At 8:00 I knocked on the door Jason called for me to come in, He was sitting in a chair against one wall to my right still in his daily cloths and boots. Again he put his boot up on a small stool. I approached and went to my knees again. I started working on his boot, it wasn't really in need of much cleaning, but I worked on it. Occasionally I looked up at Jason sitting there with his legs spread out.
He told me to get some boot polish, it was next to the chair. I took it, and a rag and worked polishing up his boot. I repeated this on the other boot, as he still sat there legs spread looking down at me, me down on my knees.
