Tex and I walked back toward the house. Before we reached it, I said, "Walk with me."
We moved through the yard, stepping over cans and cups as we went. The night was quiet and stars were bright. The air was crisp. The walking helped me think and relax. We passed the barn, and the fields where our horses once grazed. Around the back of the house, we walked through the small cherry and apple orchard. We reached the cottonwood tree that had a wooden swing hanging from it. I tested the swing and was shocked that it still held my weight.
"Tex," I said, as I sat on the swing. "I wish I could act like it's no big deal. Lord knows I went to plenty of parties like this. But I never had one. There's a difference. Can you see that?"
"You mean, if something had happened, it'd be our responsibility."
"Yeah. Imagine if one of those drunk idiots drove away and hurt themselves or someone else. Hell, just them being underage and drinking is enough to get you thrown into a boys' home or juvie. It's not a risk I am willing to take. Are you?"
"No," Tex said seriously. "It's not. …I'm really sorry, Mason. It won't happen again. I promise." He shifted his weight from foot to foot.
"Mace?" he said quietly.
"Yeah?"
"You gonna whip me?"
"You deserve a whipping?"
"I'd rather not say." I almost laughed.
"Go cut a switch," I said, handing him my pocketknife.
He took the knife, stood looking at it for a moment, then walked over to an apple tree. It's limbs were mostly bare as he selected a branch. He stripped the twig and then handed it back to me.
"To the kitchen," I said, and we trudged back.
The profound mess of the house seemed to take us both by surprise. I heard Tex sigh and could see him shaking his head. He walked over the kitchen table, and cleaned off the cups full of beer. Once it was cleared, Tex unbuttoned his jeans and pushed them and his underwear to his knees. He bent forward and took hold of the table.
I positioned myself next to him and brought the switch down across my brother's bare behind. He yelped, and I saw that I would have to be very careful. I kept all the blows to his backside. I continued until I reached 10. Tex was practically dancing. Tears streamed down his face, but this time he had not begged me to stop.
"You okay, Tex?" I said, concerned.
"Yeah, I'll live," as he pulled his clothes back on.
"No more parties?"
"No more," he assured me.
I hugged him and he hugged me back.
"You can clean this mess up tomorrow. I'm exhausted."
"Me too."
After we both were ready for bed, I walked back into Tex's room. "What?" he said, looking confused.
"I'm sleeping in here with you tonight. Shove over."
"Why? What's going on?"
"Johnny Collins threw up in my bed."
"How do you know it was Johnny?"
"Because he's still there."
With that, Tex laughed and I added, "Don't worry, apart from his hangover, he'll be fine."
"Except for when Cole finds him here, drunk."
"Well, let's get him sobered up and home before Cole finds out."
"That's really generous of you, Mason. Where was that generosity about twenty minutes ago?"
"Hey, Johnny's not my little brother."
"Yeah, but he helped plan this party."
"You want him to get into trouble?"
"Maybe. Maybe not. Misery loves company, you know."
"Sure, Cole can just go back to thinking you're a bad influence."
"Man…. Ok, I'll get him home by 5 AM. That gives me two hours to sleep."
"You're a noble friend. Oh, and I will whup your butt if you wake me in the morning."
"Geez! Good night, old man." A moment or so after we had settled in the bed, Tex whispered, "Congratulations on the game, Mace. We listened on the radio."
"Thanks, kid. It was the best."