It was the weekend that the Mason family drove Charlie to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
Della and Kassi were up early the day they left as they talked gently,
"Are you nervous, Kassi?"
Della asked as Kassi nodded,
"Have been all summer."
Della nodded in agreement,
"I'm proud of your brother and I know he'll be fine."
Kassi looked to Della,
"Are you going to be fine?"
Della smiled and patted Kassi's hand with a nod, although her eyes betrayed her affirmation.
The car ride up to Colorado Springs was a quiet one, even though Kassi tried to start conversations, she ended up being quiet knowing that she was adding insult to injury.
Once they got Charlie fully moved in,
"Alright, make us proud baby brother."
Kassi said as she gave Charlie a big hug as Charlie kissed her forehead,
"Love you lots, Kassandra."
Perry hugged Charlie tightly,
"Do well in your classes. We love you."
Charlie was majoring in psychology and minoring in math.
Della smiled as she hugged her son tightly,
"I'm proud of you. Don't hesitate to write or call if you need anything or if you just want to talk."
Charlie placed a kiss on Della's forehead,
"Love you to the moon and back, Mama."
Della nodded as she felt the tears coming as they left his dorm.
Once the trio got into the car and Perry began to drive away, Della lost it as Kassi placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I know, Mama. I know he's going to do just fine. Heck, perhaps even outshine his classmates. He is a Mason after all, and us Mason kids have always outshined our classmates."
Kassi offered with a smile after Della had cried the majority of her tears as Della chuckled softly,
"I'm not denying it. I thought since he's the second kid that I've sent to college that it would be easier."
Kassi nodded as Della began to cry again, as Della held tightly onto Kassi's hand.
"I'll miss him but I know that he's going to excel."
Perry said as he continued to drive as Kassi smiled,
"I know, Daddy."