Tex began folding the chairs and then pulled up the stakes from the tent.
"Four minutes," I said calmly.
Katherine looked alarmed. "Tex. Please go! I can't handle watching you get punished."
"Seriously, Mason, just let me help her."
I looked at my watch. "Three minutes," I replied.
"Please, Tex. Go!" Katherine looked nearly hysterical.
"Fine," my brother said and stomped off.
I followed Tex deeper into the woods. The trees kept the trail shaded and cool. We walked in silence, while I kept a close eye on my watch.
"This way," I said, directing Tex toward a picnic table. It was clearly visible from the path, but the surrounding area was quiet.
Tex looked aghast. "This picnic table is practically on the path. It's public!"
"You chose our direction and now it's too late. Drop your pants," I stated, and unbuckled my belt, pulling it free from its loops. I looked up to find Tex still gawking at me.
"Get those pants down, Texas! I don't care if there's a goddamn parade here! They're gettin' a show!"
My brother turned and began undoing his jeans, looking pitiful. He pushed the pants and boxers down just below his behind and bent so his knees rested on the picnic bench as he leaned forward. Once his hands were on the tabletop, I spoke.
"You realize you'll be 18 in seven months, Texas?"
"Yeah? So?"
"SO? So, now, here we are again. I've gotta whip you for some foolishness. I'm tired of it!"
Tex's shoulder's sagged and he sighed. After a moment, he said, "Sorry, Mason. I knew it was wrong. I knew you would worry and would be angry if you found out. Sorry I disappointed you."
"You're about to be a whole lot sorrier, I swear it."
I brought the belt up over my right shoulder and swiftly down across my brother's bare behind. He gasped.
"This will be the worst whuppin' I've ever given you, dammit, and it better be the last." With that, the belt rose and fell repeatedly. Around the tenth lick, Tex started crying and even yelped some. Red streaks appeared on his behind. One or two stripes looked like they'd bruise, but I did not want to break the skin or cause him to bleed.
After 20 licks, I rethreaded the belt around my waist. We were both breathing hard and I waited for Tex to move. His sniffles and shaking shoulders told me that it would take time. I sat on a tree stump and waited.
Slowly, my brother pulled up his boxers and straightened. He hissed as he gently slid his jeans over his tender backside.
"Turn around," I said firmly. He turned but would not look up at me. "How come I whipped you?"
"Cause I lied. And you were worried. And you don't want me to me to go on camping trips with my girlfriend. …And you're mean." I stared at him, and he added, "Just kidding about that last one."
"It's simple: you lied and put yourself and your girlfriend in a compromising situation. Do you realize that if anything happened to either of you, no one would have been able to help you? If you intend to be treated like an adult when you turn 18, you better start acting like one," I stated. "Understand?"
"Yes, Mason. I know. I get it."
"Good. Now, let's go help Katherine," I said.
We walked back to the campsite to find everything dismantled and ready to be packed into Katherine's car. Tex looked embarrassed when she walked over and hugged him; however, she said nothing and he kissed her forehead reassuringly.