Through the cage bars he could just make it out. Snorting, groaning, and just plain mad. The massive creature bucked and kicked, struggling to free itself.
“Damn” he thought, “I cant believe I’m dumb enough to actually ride these things.”
Suddenly, the angry eye of the bull met his through the cage, and he could feel the anger and strength in its body. But he didn’t have more than a few seconds to contemplate it. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and Bill’s gruff voice broke through the commotion.
“You ready son?” he asked
Dustin hesitated a moment. This was no time to turn back.
“Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess” he gasped
Bill could read his fear, but he did not acknowledge it. He knew all to well what Dustin was feeling; he had been in this same place thirty years ago.
“Just remember to keep your heard on and hold tight. As soon as they open that gate this thing’s gonna throw you around like a Barbie, and thats no time to lose your wits.” He stopped to yell orders to the handlers.
“And whatever you do, don’t goddamn fall off! It’s only eight seconds!”
With that the pep talk was over and it was time to get to business.
The crowd was going wild as the announcer started his introduction
“Ladies and Gentlemen, our net rider is Dustin Thomas of College Station, Texas. This is his first year here in Ellensburg, so lets make him feel welcome!”
The crowd cheered, but he could not hear them over the sound of his own heart.
“Now I tell you Frank, this guy is about as tough as they come,” the announced exclaimed.
“Thats right Joe, he’s been riding these things since before he could probably walk! Wonder whats going through his head right now as he’s gettin himself strapped in?”
Nothing. Absolutely nothing, except the monster he was strapping himself to. By now, he was already settling on it’s back, trying to stay upright as the others helped him on. For the first time he could feel the full force of its strength as it heaved beneath him.
“Starlight,” he whispered, “Hell of a nice name for such a pissed off bull.” He tossed his head back with a nervous laugh.
“Hey, you’d be pretty pissed off too if we pulled a strap around your balls kid,” Tom said, attempting to ease his nervousness.
Adjusting the straps around his hands tightly, he looked out at the stands.
“She’s out there, somewhere,” he thought
The announcer’s voice boomed.
“Dustin is going to be riding a bull named Starlight, and I tell ya’ thats gotta be the meanest damn animal I have ever seen. I hate that thing Frank, I really do.”
With that, Dustin threw a glance to Tom. After a nervous thumbs up, he offered a nod, to which Dustin replied with a tip of his hat. With a metallic clink, the gate was flung open.
Suddenly, the full fury of the animal was upon him as he felt it erupt beneath him. The arena became a massive, jolting blur, as he held for dear life. Buck after buck, time seemed to slow. Feeling himself sliding to the right, he grasped his straps and pulled with all his strength to attempt to right himself. Sensing Dustin shifting on his back, the massive animal kicked with a renewed fury. Suddenly, the bull was nearly on its hind legs, kicking and writhing with every fiber of its being. Dustin felt his grip loosen and his thighs lose their grasp around the animal’s sides. Before he could realize it, the Bull gave out one last kick, and he felt his feet leave the fleshy flanks. The world briefly inverted then went black with a dirty opacity. The soft stadium dirt cushioned him, but he was instantly aware of a shooting pain in his leg. He could hear the collective sigh of relief from the audience as he rolled himself painfully to his back. Through the haze, he could hear the announced screaming.
“That bull just jumped the fence and made out towards the parking lot! I cant believe this! Ladies and Gentlemen, please, stay seated! Our ropers are some of the finest, they’ll nab him!”
Dustin couldn't help but grin weakly. By now he could see Tom and the medics looking down at him.
“You’ll be all right son,” Tom reassured him. “Starlight just took you for one hell of a ride.”
“My leg.” Dustin moaned.
“We got you, just don’t move,” the medic said.
As he lay there wincing, he remembered- the clock. In all the commotion, he had completely forgotten to watch for his time. He slowly raised himself up on his elbows and squinted at the timer over the bullpen. A painful smile formed at the corners of his mouth
“Eight seconds,” he whispered.
Copyright Chris Pattillo September 2011
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