As we parked in front of the barn, Tex said, "Belt or switch?"
I felt sick and very tired. "Nothing now. I gotta take a nap. My ulcer is acting up."
Tex looked stricken. "What can I do?"
"Not burn anything down while I sleep."
"Mason! I'm serious."
"Me too. Just let me rest."
As we walked in, Tex stopped in the kitchen and I could feel him watch me walk to my room and then shut the door.
I loved my brother, but he was exhausting. I was asleep within seconds.
Once I woke, the room was filled with orangey-red light. I stumbled out of my room and walked to the kitchen. Everything was tidy. Dishes put away. Counters and table shiny. Even the floor looked mopped. I stupidly wondered how long I had slept.
I got a glass of water and walked through the house noticing how neat everything was. The shelves had been dusted. The bathroom was orderly and smelled of Clorox. Tex's room was sparse but clean. I looked out the front window and saw Tex hanging freshly washed clothes on the line. I walked outside.
"Wow," I said, "The house looks great. What's going on?"
"You do so much for us, for me. I can do more. I will do more. Sorry, I never cared before."
"Why? You trying to get on good side? Maybe I'll cut you some slack?"
"No," he said firmly, seriously. "A whupping's a whupping. You ain't that hard on me." When I made a face, he added quickly, "Not that I'm pushing you to be tougher or anything. They hurt plenty. ...No, I'm just worried about your ulcer. I hadn't heard you talk about it for a long time." Then quietly, he added, "I don't want to be the reason it comes back."
"You know," I said gently, "That's not really how ulcers work. Stress doesn't help, and certain foods make it worse. But you are not the cause. Ok?"
"Ok," Tex murmured, with his back still to me. He swiped his arm across his eyes. I took the shirt from his hand and pulled him to me for a hug. He hugged me back and relaxed. I smiled at him and hung up the damp shirt. We finished the rest of the laundry together. As we walked back to the house, I said, "Are you ever going to forge my signature on anything again?"
"Hell, no," he exclaimed.
"Good answer."