Two young men from very different backgrounds end up roommates at a state college in west Texas in the latter part of the turbulent sixties. Riki is the black sheep of a wealthy family, on his third and final chance to avoid the draft or disinheritance. His big dream is to be a hot guitarist with a rock band, and he has a weakness for recreational drugs that make him feel better about himself. Jerry is a true son of Bible Belt America, happy to be able to go to college and perhaps rise above the lower middle class level of his family. The two form an unlikely friendship that develops into a deeper bond as they experience drugs, sex, and rock n' roll in their heyday.

Midnight Cowboys

Jacko stood gaping. “Holy shit. That Riki has brass balls, don’t he? Can he really play? I mean, play good?”


With a shoulder twitch of a shrug, Jerry held his answer for a beat. “Pretty good, I’d say. Just before Sigma Mu went down, he met Julian Diamond at the house and played for him. Guess Diamond knew Tolbert and our former leader recommended Riki to him. Say, did anyone ever hear any more about what happened to Tolbert?”


Jacko shook his head. “I haven’t and neither has Merly, unless he never said…and he wouldn’t keep it from me, I don’t think. There were rumors he hung himself in his cell. I think that’s bullshit. He’s gone, though. Make like a tree and leave, ya know?”


Chapter 18