"Please, Mason…. Don't kill me in front of Kim."
"Why would I do that, Texas? I don't want witnesses."
They stood there, holding hands. Then she spoke, boldly, "Am I supposed to leave in 15 minutes or stay? I'm confused."
"No, you wait until the others are gone. Both of you sit on the couch. I'll be right back."
I walked outside, checking to make sure that all the teenagers had gotten the message. Apparently word had traveled fast. The yard and barn were empty. There were beer cans and cups everywhere. Tex was going to be busy tomorrow.
The house was equally messy. To my astonishment, no one was on the couch. "What the he—" I murmured. But then I heard a commotion from the kitchen. Tex and Kim each had trash bags and were cleaning.
"There will be time enough for that later," I shouted. "Get your asses in here and sit down."
Tex jumped and headed for the couch. Kim looked at me like I had three heads, but slowly obeyed.
I watched her saunter, "Who the hell are you?" I yelled.
"Mason!" Tex shouted, jumping back off the couch.
"Boy," I said, warningly, "Sit down."
"Kim Arnold," she replied. Her blue eyes were big, and she was very pretty.
"Well, Kim Arnold, it's time to call your dad to pick you up."
"Mason, please, it's not her fault!" Tex interjected.
"I never said it was, Texas. Don't worry, I hold you solely responsible for this whole mess. Everything, that is, except for Miss Kim Arnold's attitude right now. That's on her."
"Ok. I'm sorry," Kim said, somewhat remorsefully. "I just can't believe you're making such a big deal about one party."
"Sure," I said sarcastically, "None of you can even buy alcohol for another two years, so what's the big deal? That's just what the cops will say while they're arresting you!"
Turning to my brother, I said, "You ever wonder what will happen to you if you start getting into trouble with the law?"
"No," Tex said quietly.
"CPS wouldn't let you stay with me, Texas. Dammit, I'm barely considered an adult! You'd go to a home!"
I stormed into the kitchen and got some water. Then from the doorway, I said, "I am serious, Texas. She calls her father. Now."
He started to plead, but stopped and led her to the phone. She dialed.
"Hi, Daddy, could you come pick me up? …No, I am fine. But my friends already left."
She listened, then spoke again, "I'm at the McCormicks' farm, just passed the Collins' place on Rt. 6. …Thank you. See you soon. Bye."
Kim hung the phone up. "Satisfied," she sneered.
"Sure, once we all talk to your dad." They both looked as if I had slapped them.
"You wouldn't," Tex said.
"Try me. Oh, and now you can start cleaning." I plopped down on the couch to supervise. Wherever Kim lived, it would not take her father longer than 15 minutes to arrive.
Kim grabbed her garbage bag and resumed cleaning the kitchen, looking disgusted. Tex picked up his bag and cautiously moved into the living room. After thoroughly cleaning the corner farthest from me, he moved a bit closer. He whispered, "What will I say to him, Mason? Mr. Arnold makes me nervous, and I really like Kim."
"That makes one of us, then." He looked at me, hurt. But I just shrugged. My first impression was not a good one.
"Please, Mason, what do I say?"
"Fine, tell him you are sorry. That you know you betrayed his trust, but things got a bit out of control. Neither one of you seems drunk, so that's good."
"We aren't. I haven't had anything alcoholic to drink all night. Neither has Kim, I don't think."
"Just tell him that it'll never happen again and that you wouldn't let anything happen to her."
"Sorry. Betrayed trust. Never happen again. Protected her. Ok. Thank you." He repeated the phrases as he cleaned. He looked up quickly, as he heard a car horn beeping. "Oh, that's him. I'm gonna throw up."