It did not take long to remodel the old cabin into a comfortable two-bedroom apartment for Jared and John. When the day finally came for them to move in together, the two teen cowboys swallowed hard. They realized that they were making one of the most important symbolic transitions in their lives--from teenage boys to young men. Only the knowledge that both their families were close at hand in the event of any trouble kept John and Jared from calling off the idea, or at least postponing it.
Even so, the two young cowhands felt an undeniable sense of joy and exultation as they moved their clothes and personal items into the remodeled cabin. A dream they had both cherished was at last coming true in a way neither of them had ever expected.
When at last the task of moving in was completed, the two teens looked over their new quarters in pleased astonishment. Not only did they have all the comforts of home, they had a number of luxuries as well. In addition to internet connections for each of them, the two cowboys each had satellite TV in their respective bedrooms, as well as an additional home theater setup in the den. There was even a small stable and tack room for their horses, as well as a 2-car garage and the storm cellar Jared's father had mentioned when he had first told them about the place. "When you're not using it as a storm cellar," Jared's mother commented with a smile, "it'll make an excellent storage area for canned goods and vegetables." Jared and John both chuckled, knowing well that the kitchen and pantry were already stocked to the bursting point with food, drink, and cleaning supplies. (Both boys' parents had firmly impressed on them that they would be expected to keep the cabin clean and orderly if they wanted to keep it for themselves.)
John and Jared's parents took leave of their sons reluctantly, even though they knew this would have had to happen eventually anyway. The boys promised that they would come by their respective homes regularly for meals and for just plain family time. Even so, there were tears in everyone's eyes as the adults began to take their leave. Tom was the last one to depart. When at last he and the boys were alone, he told them, "I know you boys are going to do some kind of experiments with that buckle sooner or later. Obviously, I can't be around you 24/7--and it really wouldn't be fair to either of you if I were. All I'm gonna say at this point is: PLEASE, guys--BE CAREFUL!!"
The two youths, too choked with emotion to speak, nodded their agreement, then tearfully threw thier arms around Tom and held him, and each other, close for a long moment. Then, Tom kissed each of them, and headed back to the Killingsworth ranch house.
John and Jared watched as Tom drove away. When at last he was out of sight, the two cowboys hugged and kissed each other with delight. It was now late afternoon, and the coming evening promised to be a chilly one. Going inside, Jared shut the front door behind John with a strange feeling of finality. They would now have an opportunity to test the wishing buckle's powers and, hopefully, learn to use them responsibly. They little dreamed how much it would affect their lives in the days and weeks ahead.