I continued down the hall, with Tex at my heels, and turned to into the gym. I walked to the side where I could see that Coach Taylor was in his office. I knocked on the door and he looked up.

"There's my favorite player!" he called, springing up from his seat. "What brings you back, college boy?"

"Hey, Coach," I said, greeting him with a quick, back-slapping hug. "You know my brother, Tex, right?"

"Oh, yes. I have this young man in my 5th period class. He's quite a character."

"Yeah, well, he's gotten into some trouble. I saw that you had to write him up this year."

"He's lucky I didn't get the paddle. His problem is that everything is a joke. My daddy used to say, 'Never underestimate the power of a good spanking.'"

Tex made a snorting sound. Coach stepped forward and said gruffly, "You got something to say, son?"

"No, sir. It's just.… Nobody's gotta convince Mason about the good a whipping can do."

Coach looked at me surprised, but impressed.

"And, if you're not careful, Texas, I'll prove it right here." My brother nodded and stared at the ground.

I shook my head and confided, "Sometimes I think it's the only thing he understands. I just don't get it."

Coach smiled, "Tex, you ever been thrown from a horse?"

"Yeah…. I mean, yessir."

"How many times?"

"Only once."

"There you go," Coach said. "The boy learns a thing or two through pain, so don't be so surprised. So, what else is going on? I'm sure parenting advice wasn't your only reason to visit."

"No," I smiled. "But I do want to ask you a favor. Could we step in your office? I mean you and me. Tex, go clean something."

"What?"

"You can fold those clean towels in that bin," Coach answered, as he invited me inside his cramped office.

"What's up?" he asked.

"Could you put Tex on Track and Field? He's fast and he would be an asset to the team. But mostly he needs discipline and a rigid schedule."

Coach leaned back and thought. We sat in silence for several minutes.

"Look, your brother is fast and would do well, but I ain't gonna lie, he's a tough cookie. He's got an answer for everything. Always a joker."

"He needs to learn from someone in the real world when that's a strength and when he needs to shut his mouth," I said. "You'd be great at that. I can only do so much for him."

"And what about when he pushes the envelope?"

"I remember you had no problem having me touch my toes for a few good licks. That helped me learn to hold my tongue," I replied. "I give you permission to bust Tex's butt as many times as it takes."

Coach thought some more. "Practice is Monday-Thursday from 3:00-4:30, and meets are on Saturday mornings. We're usually done by 11 am. Could he make that commitment?"

"Absolutely. He has no choice," I said. "Can he start Monday?"

"Alright. Trial run. I'll give it a month. Ok?"

"Thanks, Coach. I really appreciate it."

"Mason," Coach sounded serious as he shook my hand. "You're doing a good job with that boy. I'm really proud of you."

For a second, I couldn't breath. I nodded vigorously and looked away. Coach must have realized, because he pulled me into an unexpected bear hug. That really shook me.

"Thanks," I gasped. "I'm tryin'." And with that I practically ran out of Coach's office.

"Texas! Let's go!"

"Just finished the towels," he called. When he caught up with me at the gym door, he looked at me strangely. "You okay? You look pale or something."

"I'm fine. Let's go. We've got one more stop and I am starving."

"Ok, where to? The church for confession? Or the orphanage maybe?"

"Don't give me ideas, smartass."