Page 325 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“I could tell when I watched them at the Fourth of July rodeo.” Hattie gazed at her son. “Felix showed talents and abilities we didn’t know he had.”
“The two talented young men helped each other grow. It was amazing to watch. I’m sorry you missed it.”
“It was the best thing for Felix to separate from his father,” Hattie said. “Those two never had a connection.”
“Felix did have a connection with the Sterlings,” Grover said. “He became our third son.”
“That’s wonderful.” A sad smile crossed Hattie’s face.
“Mother, Pa Sterling is sending me to the university.”
“What?” Hattie’s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open.
“Yes…all his sons go to college. He was going to send me and Joey together, but now that Joey is gone, he made me promise to go. I’ll leave tomorrow for Austin.”
“Oh, I think that’s wonderful, Felix. I know you wanted to go.”
Grover smiled at Felix. “He’s a smart man, Hattie. He’ll do well.”
“It is very generous of you to send him, Grover.”
He looked back at Hattie. “Felix is very special to Mabel and me. Our Joey became a man this summer, too, and we want to see Felix help others. Education is the best way he can do that.”
“I always thought he was smarter than his father gave him credit for.” Hattie patted Felix on the shoulder.
“Well, I need to get back to the ranch.” Grover grabbed Felix in a big hug. “Felix, remember we love you.”
“I love you too, Pa. And thanks.” Felix clung to Grover, not wanting to let go.
Grover released his hug, then touched Felix’s face, giving him a light kiss on the forehead. “You write to Ma, Felix. We want to hear from you.”
“I will.” Felix’s voice trembled.
“Bye, ladies.” Grover stepped off the porch. “Bye, Felix.”
“Bye, Pa.” Felix wiped a tear from his face. He had trouble letting go, but he knew college was approaching and looked forward to the new adventure.
* * *
After settling Sparkle in a stall, Felix spent the afternoon telling stories about his summer adventures. Winston was fascinated by the tales of life on the ranch. Margaret was intrigued by the spring, thinking it would be wonderful to have a swimming hole. Helen didn’t find much about it that was fascinating, but she was becoming a proper young lady, accustomed to the finer things in life. To her, the thought of living in a house without a bathroom was simply horrid.
After supper, Felix pulled Helen aside. “Is that locking cabinet in the basement still empty?”
Helen looked at him. “You mean that old safe? Father had a few things in it, but it’s empty now.”
“Could you help me get this trunk down into the basement so I can store it in that cabinet?”
“It looks heavy, Felix.”
Felix shook his head. “It’s not heavy. It contains memories from my summer on the ranch.”
“Well, okay. Let’s wait until Mother retires for the night. Then we can move it downstairs without her knowing anything about it.”
That night, they moved the trunk into the basement and slid it into the locking cabinet in the dark corner.
Felix left on the three-day ride to Austin the following day, marking the beginning of his future outside Blackfield.
Chapter Thirty-One - 2011
