We left the school, and drove towards home. Tex looked at me questioningly when I passed our turn. Instead I drove to the farm on the other side of ours. Mr. Kenny Saunders owned the place and had recently rented our fields too.

"What are we doing at Mr. Saunders' place?"

"Never you mind. Just wait here."

I got out and walked to towards the house. It was past lunchtime, but I figured Mr. Saunders's wife could tell me where to find him.

"Hey, Mason," she called when I knocked on the door. "Come on in. Kenny and I were just got back from a doctor's visit."

Then I saw that she was about 10 months pregnant. "Oh wow, I didn't know y'all were expecting! Congratulations!"

I shook Mr. Saunders's hand and gave Mrs. Saunders a quick peck on the cheek.

"Yep, we're having a boy, according to the doctors. But who knows. As long as it's healthy," said Mr. Saunders, smiling.

"As long as he hurries up!" Mrs. Saunders said, patting her belly. "I may burst. Mason, have a seat. Please."

"Thanks, but I can't stay long. Tex is in the truck."

"Invite him in, silly," Mrs. Saunders said, looking surprise.

"No, no. I wanted to ask y'all something about Tex. And, this may be a really bad time, so please just tell me if so."

"Mason," Mr. Saunders said seriously, "Is everything okay? You can ask us anything, any time."

"Tex needs a job. Not even something that pays, but something that he cares about and that keeps him busy. He worked for Mr. Kencaide the past two summers and did a great job. But I don't have a way to get him there anymore. It worked fine when we were both in town. But now that I'm at school, transportation is a problem…. Do you think that you could use some help around here before or after school and on weekends?"

The Saunders looked at each other and burst out laughing. I waited a moment, uneasy.

"Mason! This is perfect. We've just been talking about getting help. With the baby coming, we're gonna need so much help!" Mr. Saunders said, slapping his leg.

"Oh wow! What luck!" I breathed a sigh of relief.

"But why didn't Tex ask himself?" Mrs. Saunders wondered.

"To be truthful, he doesn't have a choice. Even though he gets good grades, he's been getting into some trouble at school. Nothing serious, just mischievous." The Saunders looked uncertainly at one another.

"But," I continued quickly, "He always takes animals seriously. Please call Mr. Kencaide for a reference. The kind of trouble Tex gets into is stuff like trying to make everyone laugh, being a clown. He doesn't know when to play and when to be serious, except when he's working with animals. Just ask Mr. Kencaide."

Mr. Saunders nodded. "I was never much of a student myself. School was too boring. So that I can understand. I just don't want someone who is gonna get himself hurt doing something foolish. But I've seen Tex work with our horses and even the bulls. I've never seen him act stupidly."

Mrs. Saunders looked relieved. "Great. This sounds like a perfect fit."

"Hold on now," Mr. Saunders said, seriously. "Can he be relied on to keep the schedule? I'd need help early mornings and for evening chores. Would he be able to do that?"

"Being late has never been one of Tex's problems. But you let me know the first time he's late, and I'll promise you there won't be a second time."

"Oh yeah? You can make guarantees like that?"

"I've never had to whup him for the same mistake twice. So, I hope so."

Mr. Saunders chuckled and stuck out his hand, "Sure. When can Tex start?"

"Tomorrow? Tonight's gonna be a bad night for him. But he's been suspended for three days, so he can work for you every day he's out of school. And it would be for free."

Mr. Saunders thought it over and nodded. "The boy needs to work hard during those three days. Make sure he's here by 6 AM."

"Thank you so much. I really appreciate your help," I replied.

Mr. and Mrs. Saunders made some more small talk with me. When I started to excuse myself, Mr. Saunders said, "I'll walk you out."

Tex was looking like he might not survive another 5 minutes in the truck's cab.

Mr. Saunders stuck out his hand to Tex, who shook it. "Look forward to having you come on board. See you tomorrow at 6 AM." The man smiled and winked at Tex, who tried to hide his confusion.

"Ok," said Tex, slowly.

"…Oh, and good luck tonight," Mr. Saunders called knowingly as he walked back to the house.

"What was all that about, Mason?" Tex asked.

"I'll explain later, but I guess Mr. Saunders thinks you're in for a helluva whupping tonight. And he ain't wrong."

Tex sighed deeply and looked at his feet. "Where to now?"

"Home," I replied.

"Great," Tex replied despondently.