Page 328 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Wyl stood beside Rod as they gazed at the precious piece of their family history. “That small symbol of our families makes our relationship seem much more valuable.” He looped his arm around Rod’s waist and pulled him closer, kissing his ear. “We don’t know when Felix’s grandmother Bonner died, and we don’t know if the necklace was passed down to her before she gave it to Felix.”
“It’s part of our history now, Wyl.” Rod leaned over for a quick kiss. “It’s too bad we don’t have children to pass it on to.”
“We’re each the only male offspring in our families. No more Sterlings and no more Bonners,” Rod said. “My sister will pass along the genes, but nobody can carry on the family name.”
Wyl chuckled. “We’re old enough to be grandpas.” He elbowed Rod and grinned. “Well…one of us is, anyway.”
Rod pulled back, then fisted Wyl’s shoulder. “Shut up. We’re only five years apart, and at our age, that's nothing.”
They strolled to their horses. “We should write our family histories, Rod.” Wyl stopped and snapped his fingers. “My Grandma Erdie wrote a small book about the Sterling family. I bet she mentions Felix and Joey in that book.”
“We need to read that book. I bet it doesn’t contain the details in Felix’s diary. We could take her book and expand on it, talking about our combined families and the way history repeated itself when we met.”
“I like that idea, Rod. Besides a great view of history, the story would make a helluva gay romance novel.”
Rod chuckled. “Since when do you read gay romance?”
“Hey, after reading Felix’s diary, I might start,” Wyl said. “Some of his passages were pretty steamy for 1898.”
“You’re right, though.” Rod chuckled. “This would make a good story.”
They mounted up. “And I bet the Joseph Sterling Foundation has a lot of history about Great Uncle Felix. And who knows, maybe he wrote about his life after Joey.”
They guided the horses down the steep path to the prairie below, chatting as they rode. “I’m excited about delving into our history, Wyl.”
“Me too, babe.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
They drove to Fort Worth two weeks later to visit the Joseph Sterling Foundation. The foundation is located in an imposing Art Deco-style building northwest of downtown near an area now known as the Stockyards. In addition to the annual stock show and rodeo, the Stockyards area was home to bull riding and other rodeo events during most of the year. It was an ideal place for the foundation to operate.
They walked into the reception area and spoke to the woman behind the counter. “Hi. I’m Wyl Sterling, and this is Dr. Rod Bonner Sterling, my husband. We discovered a diary written by Felix Bonner when he spent the summer on the Sterling Ranch back in 1898. The diary includes details about that summer and the relationship between Felix Bonner, Joseph, or Joey, and Sterling. Joseph was my great uncle, and Felix was Rod’s great uncle. We hoped to get a tour of the foundation.”
The receptionist hadn’t closed her mouth since Wyl gave their names. With her eyes still wide, she spoke. “Um…I’ll ask the director, Dr. Hoffstedder, to come out to meet you. He will be pleased to show you the facility and answer any questions.” She picked up the phone.
Rod and Wyl strolled around the lobby. The walls were covered with photographs of rodeo champions who benefited from the center's guidance and contribution.
“Look, Wyl. Several are early twentieth-century photographs.”
Rod looked over Wyl’s shoulder. “We’re lucky to have the photographs of Felix and Joey as young men. We should have those duplicated. I bet the foundation would enjoy having copies.”
A gentle cough interrupted their conversation. “Good afternoon, gentlemen. I’m Dr. Karl Hoffstedder, Director of the Joseph Sterling Foundation. The receptionist tells me you are relatives of Dr. Bonner and Joseph Sterling?”
Wyl offered his hand. “I’m Wyl Sterling. Joseph Sterling was my great uncle.” He motioned to Rod. “And this is Dr. Rod Bonner Sterling, my husband. Felix Bonner was his great uncle.”
Dr. Hoffstedder had the same open-mouthed reaction as the receptionist. He shook both their hands with great enthusiasm. “My goodness. I don’t recall that we’ve ever had family members visit the foundation. Welcome, gentlemen. May I show you around?” Dr. Hoffstedder led them toward a set of double doors leading to the interior of the operation. “The receptionist said something about a diary?”
“Yes. My great-great-grandfather, Cornelius Bonner, Felix Bonner’s father, built the Bonner historic family home in Blackfield. The Bonner family has occupied that home for well over a century. After our parents died, my sister and I shared the home until I married Wyl. She suffered from ill health and was forced to leave the home. Wyl and I are preparing it to be sold, and cleaning out the basement, we discovered an old trunk. Felix Bonner placed the trunk there in 1898. Included in the truck were several items of clothing belonging to Joseph Sterling and a diary of the time Dr. Bonner spent at the Sterling Ranch that summer.”
“Oh, my,” Dr. Hoffstedder said. “That must have been an exciting find.”
“Included in the trunk were late 1800s photographs of Felix Bonner and Joseph Sterling. If you want authentic copies of those photographs, we are happy to provide them.”
Dr. Hoffstedder smiled. “The foundation is most interested in the photographs, and I would enjoy an opportunity to read the diary.”
“I will scan the diary and convert it to an e-book format, Dr. Hoffstedder.” Rod smiled. “Although I must caution you, the diary contains frank evidence of the physical relationship that developed between Felix and Joey.”
Dr. Hoffstedder chuckled. “Gentlemen, I am familiar with such relationships. My own husband of many years recently retired. Dr. Bonner insisted that the foundation embrace diversity at a time when such things were not popular. We have always welcomed students regardless of race, color, sex, religious preference, sexual preference, or socioeconomic status. In fact, one might say we enjoy a larger-than-expected number of children who struggle with societal pressures if you catch my meaning.”
