We left the office and walked silently through the empty parking lots to where the truck stood.
"Nearly expelled," I said. "Goddamn it, Texas."
"You gonna whip me?" my little brother said, quietly.
"Hell, yes. And you're grounded until I stop being mad."
"So, forever then?"
"Dumb time to be making jokes, Tex," I said.
"Man, I'm just trying to get you in a better mood before you beat my butt."
"Hmmm," I grunted, and started the truck.
After awhile, I said, "You know, I got in a fight today. First fight since Junior High, I think."
"What? Why?" sputtered Tex.
"Jim Fraiser—"
"What an assho—"
"Texas!"
"What? Just calling a spade a spade."
"Anyway… Jim Fraiser said you deserved to be in juvie, where you and Pop could have a family reunion."
"Why would Pop be in juvie?" Tex asked seriously.
"Fraiser meant that you'd both be in jail, together."
"Oh. Oh! I didn't tell anybody, Mace! I promise."
"I know. I wasn't accusing you," I said. "His dad is sheriff. He knows stuff he shouldn't. I guess his dad told him not to repeat that, since he already would've if he could've. He is an asshole."
"So you kicked his butt?"
"Yeah, maybe broke his nose even."
"Man, I'm surprised you didn't get in trouble."
"I did. I got sent to the principal's office too."
"Whoa."
"Yeah, I had the choice between being suspended and taking a paddling."
"Man, what'd you choose?"
"Well, let's just say, you won't be the only one who'd rather stand up at suppertime tonight."
"Man, Mason got a paddling!" giggled Tex. "I can't believe Boy Wonder got in trouble!"
"Yeah," I said, pulling into our yard and parking by the barn. "And now it's your turn."
"Ugh. Let's get it over with."
"Kitchen then."
We walked up the path to kitchen door. Inside I went to my room to get a belt. When I came back, I said, "Drop your pants and underwear."
"Mason! No way!"
"We're not negotiating here, Texas. Hurry up, or you can cut a switch too."
Tex looked defeated and quickly unzipped his jeans, pushing his pants and boxers down to his knees. He grabbed the table and rested his head on it.
"Fifteen, Tex." The belt snapped down across his behind and he jumped. The next three were the same. Smalls sounds led to crying and then some begging.
"Sorry, Mace! Really!"
"Please, Mace, no more."
"I'll be good. I swear."
I said nothing. Just swung the belt down—swish—across his butt—smack—until I reached 15.
"Done, Tex," I said, somberly, and left to put the belt back. Since he was crying pretty hard, I wanted to give him a moment to calm down.
When I got back to the kitchen, he was zipping up his jeans and hiccupping. His face was tear stained and wet. I got him a towel and he wiped his face clean. Tex turned to me and I thought he was going to speak, but instead he walked over to me and put his head on my chest. After Mom died, Tex would put his head on my chest any time he wanted to be held or hugged. He hadn't done this since he was little, like preschool or something. But I put my arms around him and hugged him anyway.
"Don't ever get in that kind of trouble again. No nearly expelled and no trouble with the law either. Understood?" I said firmly.
"Yeah, I understand," he said, his voice cracking.
"Okay. Well, good." Tex didn't move. "Um, is there something else, little brother?"
"Why didn't Pop come?"
"Because he's an asshole, Texas. He doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself."
"And you. …But not me."
"If he gives so many damns about me, where's he been all this time? Don't be fooled. Maybe he used to do stuff for me, like show up when Mrs. Johnson called, because he didn't want to be bothered with being reported negligent. I don't know. I just know it doesn't mean he cares about me more. Now come on, you've got chores to do. Remember, you're grounded." I said and smiled, as Tex finally pulled back and looked at me.
He smiled a bit as he said, in mock astonishment, "Wow, you're a hard-hearted bas—"
"Hey, now, it's not smart to insult the Taskmaster! You start the dishes and I'll make your chore list."
"Man, you got in trouble at school today too! Maybe I should go get the belt…."
He smiled at me, then tried to look stern. I feigned nervousness. "Ok, go easy. I'll help you with the dishes." With that, Tex sprayed me with the sink hose and we started laughing.