By the time Friday rolled around, I was ready for Tex to be gone. My brother was so excited about the upcoming camping trip that he had been nearly unbearable during the week. He nattered incessantly about it. So much so that on Thursday evening I promised to ground him if he did not shut his mouth for 30 minutes. The boy took my threat seriously and stretched out on the couch reading 1984.

Finally, after 45 minutes, I started feeling guilty. "So are you packed yet?"

"Yep, everything's ready."

"Do you need any money?" I asked.

"No, thanks though. I've got a good amount saved."

"Excellent. …Are y'all planning on fishing most of the weekend?"

"Yeah, that and being lazy. I think there are some stables nearby, so we might do some riding."

"Really? Johnny rides?"

"Yeah, Johnny rides. ...Of course. He used to ride Negrito all the time," Tex stated, sounding defensive.

"Alright. I ain't starting something. I just didn't remember that."

"Yeah, well, he does," Tex repeated, but softer.

"Okay. What are y'all eating?"

"What we catch. And, if we need to, we'll get burgers. Johnny says there are places around."

"Sounds fun. I'm kinda jealous," I smiled.

He smiled too, looking dreamily into the middle distance. "It's gonna be the best."

I was happy that Tex could have this freedom and adventure. That is, until I bumped into Johnny Collins at the A&P late Friday afternoon.

"I thought you and Tex were leaving right after school. Where is he?" I asked, glancing around for my brother.

Johnny looked panicky. "Well... I couldn't go. He went with some other guys."

We both froze, staring at each other.

"Okay," I said slowly. "Now, try the truth. Where is Texas, Johnny?"

"He still went camping, I promise."

"With whom?" I stepped from behind my cart and moved towards the boy. He was beginning to sweat and so was I, but for very different reasons.

"You've got about 30 seconds before I do something you'll regret. Now, spill, dammit!" I growled. But Johnny just shook his head, looking apologetic.

"Time's up," I declared and grabbed his arm, pulling him out of the store. We walked the next block and a half in silence.

However, when I opened the door of Cole Collins's office building, Johnny exclaimed, "Mason, please! What are you doing?"

"What I have to," I said and yanked him inside.

We were barely through the door when Johnny resisted, saying, "Okay, Mace, I'll tel—"

But, as soon as we stopped to talk, we heard, "John? Mason McCormick? What is going on here?"

Johnny paled. Even I felt nervous.

I turned to greet Cole, who was standing in an office doorway, looking confused.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Collins. Tex asked me permission to go camping this weekend…with Johnny. But I just ran into your son at the A&P and he won't tell me where Tex is or who he is with. I thought you might be able to help me."

"Certainly," said Cole. "Step into my office."

Once the door closed, Cole turned to his youngest son. He watched Johnny, apparently waiting for him to answer voluntarily. However, the boy remained silent, not making eye contact with either of us.

"Fine," Cole glowered, "Let's try this." He unbuckled his belt, pulled it off, folded it in half and set it on the desk. Johnny looked defeated.

Shaking his head, the boy said exasperatedly, "Ok! You win. Tex is going camping with Katherine."

"Did they really go to Keystone?" I asked.

When his son didn't answer instantly, Cole picked up the belt. Johnny looked from Cole to me, and said, "Yeah, he did. Tell him I'm sorry, Mace." I nodded curtly.

"You're about to be," replied Cole.

I thanked Cole for his help. He wished me luck in finding Tex and then turned back to Johnny. As I hurried away, I heard three rapid-fire smacks of Cole's belt and a plaintive yelp from Johnny.