Page 280 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Felix shrugged. He did it a lot, but he didn’t have many answers. “On the ride back from the Bowden’s, he said something about finding a little filly and settling down to raise a family.”
Ma Sterling’s face showed a flicker of hope, then confusion. “I don’t think Joey is ready to settle down yet, Felix. He never mentioned wanting a girlfriend. Besides, school is out for the summer, so he's not around the other students. Only you.”
A tiny flicker of hope ignited in Felix. He messed up, and only he can fix it. “I need to go ride fences.” He stood to leave.
“I think I’ll head into town to ask if anyone ran into Joey,” Grover stood, too. “Felix, if you find any sign of Joey, come and tell Mabel.”
Felix nodded and headed out to ride fences.
* * *
Nobody in town remembered seeing Joey for weeks. Midafternoon, Grover sat at the kitchen table sipping a sweet berry drink Mabel made from the last berry crop. “Wherever Joey is, I hope he's okay.”
Mabel sat. “I think those two got closer than we thought."
“Oh? How so?” Grover raised an eyebrow. “Did Joey say something to you to explain his disappearance?”
“Joey came to me a few days ago and asked about love.” She folded cloth napkins as they talked.
“Love? Why did Joey want to know about love?”
“After Felix stopped talking to him, he worried about the cause. He said he loves Felix like a brother and wants to understand his feelings.”
Grover sighed. “Do you think the two are closer than either realizes?”
“What makes you ask?” Mabel huffed. “I made it clear to Joey that men loving other men is unacceptable.”
“We have two young men down in the dumps. Neither of them will talk to the other about their feelings, and now Joey is missing. I bet those events are connected.” Grover blew out a breath. “Do you think Joey ran off because of something you said?”
Mabel shook her head. “He didn’t act upset.”
“I caught your reaction when Felix mentioned thelittle fillyconversation.” Grover paused. “I assume the reaction somehow ties to your conversation with Joey?”
Mabel nodded. “Yes.”
“What did you tell him about love?”
Mabel sighed. “I said friendship can sometimes seem like love, but two unrelated men should not fall in love.”
“Do you think it happened?”
Mabel shook her head. “I don’t know.” Her eyes widened. “You think Joey loves Felix in a way he doesn't understand?”
“He asked you the question, Mabel. What do you think?”
Mabel crossed her arms and glared. “I think Joey better not love Felix like that."
“That kind of relationship goes against everything and society's thinking in general,” Grover said. “Some say it's a crime against humanity, but would you rather he live his life lonely and unloved?”
Mabel huffed and shook her head. “Lonely and unloved is not an option, either. I want him to, as Felix said, find a little filly and give me grandchildren.”
“Honey, what if he’s not thelittle filly and grandchildrentype? He came to talk to you for a reason.”
Mabel frowned. “Do you think he might have deeper feelings for Felix than he let on?”
“It's obvious both are upset about something. And based on how fast Felix and Joey became close friends, I’m betting they encountered feelings neither admitted.”
Mabel pondered her conversation with Joey. “I don’t think telling Joey he shouldn’t love another man is wrong. I only want to spare him the trouble from others. Men like that are breaking the law if they expose their relationship. And they are breaking God’s law. I don’t want Joey to be a fugitive. I don’t want him to burn in hell, either.”
