At first the drive home was silent. Then, out of the blue Tex said, "I thought you had a date with April tonight. Is she going to be mad that you stood her up?"
"I don't intend to stand her up. Just delayed a bit. I called her. She's waiting at home."
"I like her a lot, Mason," Katherine said quietly. "She's really nice and smart."
"Yeah," I smiled, a bit. "She is."
"Well?" demanded Tex.
"Well, what?" I looked over at him, surprised by his challenging tone.
"When are you gonna ask her to marry you, ya big dummy?" he stated, pulling an exasperated face.
"Tex…!" Kat exclaimed, playfully smacking his thigh.
"Ok, if you must know, I told her that I would propose in our junior year. But I didn't tell her any details. And don't even think about nosing into that," I declared.
Both Tex and Katherine looked disappointed.
"So what about your plans? …Texas, if you say rodeo…"
"Hey, how did you know? Either that or carny at the fair," Tex said, looking dead serious.
"Sorry, Katherine, gotta beat my brother again…" I murmured, as I started to pull off the road.
"Just kidding!" Tex exclaimed. "Geez, Mace. Where's your sense of humor?"
"I'd laugh if you'd ever say anything funny!" I countered, but smiled at his change in demeanor.
"Can't take y'all anywhere," Katherine sighed. Tex and I chuckled.
"Seriously," she continued, "I am going to study biology in a pre-veterinary program at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. It's about two-and-half-hours from home. But I'll only be an hour-and-a-half from Tex." She smiled and cuddled under his arm.
"That's great! But what do you mean you'll 'only be an hour-and-a-half from Tex'? Where is Tex going to be?" I asked her stupidly.
"Texas! You never told Mason where you're going to school next year?"
"Or that you even applied anywhere!" I nearly shouted. "Why would you keep that from me?"
"I don't know. Except I didn't want to tell anyone until I found out I got in… So, I meant to tell you that I got accepted, but then we all got busy and I guess it just slipped my mind," Tex answered, unconcerned.
"Well, tell me now, please, before I have a damn aneurysm!" I squawked.
"Oklahoma State University at Stillwater. They have an Animal Science major and I'd like to become an Equine Specialist. And it's only an hour away from home."
I swerved off the road and slammed on the brakes. Before any question could escape his lips, I was out of the cab and opening the passenger door. I pulled Tex out and hugged him, practically dancing as I did.
"Lord, Mason, I thought you were about to whup me again!" he said, laughing. "Who knew you'd be so excited?"
"Like everyone, Tex. Literally everyone," Katherine stated dryly. But she, too, was smiling. I pulled her out of the truck into the dancing hug and she giggled joyfully.
Once we arrived at Katherine's house, her parents met us on the porch. I still had a pretty stupid grin on my face. The McCreevys looked confused by my expression, so I explained everything.
"I know it must look odd me smiling under these circumstances, but some good has come from all this mess. But I'll get there in a moment. First, let me say, that I've already tanned Tex's hide and he has something he'd like to say to you both."
Tex nodded and looked appropriately chastised. "Mr. McCreevy, Mrs. McCreevy, I am sorry for everything. I know you put your trust in me and I've broken it. There's not much I can do now, except promise that I'll try to earn it back. And, sir, you can whup me, too, if that'd help."
Mr. McCreevy looked taken aback by the last statement. He watched Tex for a moment and responded, "No, Texas, I don't think that will be necessary. I can see by the way you're having trouble standing still that Mason's done his job well enough." He looked at me and nodded, then swung his eyes back to Tex. "You're right that it's gonna take time to trust y'all after all this."
"Mama, Daddy, I am so sorry too. I can't tell you how sad I am that I disappointed you. I—," Katherine couldn't continue. She sobbed into her hands.
"Katherine's been pretty inconsolable. Clearly, they both recognize the seriousness of their mistakes." I paused and let these words work on her parents. They both stared down at the kids and I could see their expressions becoming more compassionate.
"But, Mr. and Mrs. McCreevy, as I drove home, I listened to how focused these kids are on their futures. I was impressed. Tex'll be at Oklahoma State University at Stillwater becoming… a what?" I turned to Tex for answers.
"Equine Specialist," he said quietly.
Both the McCreevys smiled at each other.
"Very good," said Mrs. McCreevy. "And Kathy wanting to be a vet… They do have plans." Katherine ran to her mother, who hugged her close.
Mr. McCreevy seemed somewhat appeased. "Doesn't mean you're off the hook, though, young lady."
"Please, sir, let me take her punishment," Tex blurted out.
Again, Mr. McCreevy looked surprised. "Well, I wasn't gonna whup her, if that's what you was worried about. But, I'll oblige ya. You're both grounded for two weeks. You kids won't be seeing each other for the next 14 days, except at school. Understand?"
"Yessir," Tex and Katherine replied instantly.
Tex and Katherine hugged one another, and I shook hands with Mr. McCreevy and good-byed Mrs. McCreevy. Then I grabbed my brother's shoulders, steering him back to the truck. Once inside, I asked, "You still feeling guilty, Tex? You sure are begging for another licking."
"Not hardly! So don't get any ideas! I just can't stand to think of Katherine taking one."
"Ah…chivalry's not dead. Good to know."
We rode down the country road in silence. Finally I added, "And you are grounded, just to be clear."
Tex started giggling and then laughing rowdily. My little brother's laughter was contagious. I had joined him, even before he was able to ask gaspingly, "From what?"