During one camping trip a year later, after placing their tent, the two boys started a fire. They grilled some fish that they had caught earlier in the day. Afterward, Stanley and Roy sat around the campfire dreaming about their futures.
"What are you going to do when you get older," asked Stanley. He looked up to Roy as if he were an older brother.
"Me? I don't know Stanley. Probably the same things I'm doing now, except that goat of ours is going to be lion food one day."
Both boys burst into laughter.
"Really, you're not going to do anything different?" Stanley asked.
"I don't quite know. It's kind of hard to think about it, 'cause we're only fourteen. I guess I'll be doing the same thing then as I am now, only we'll be older. To tell you the truth, I never gave it much thought. What's your big plan for the future?"
"Papa says I'm going to veterinary school one day. He says I'm going to live with my Aunt and Uncle in Missouri and make the family proud."
"A veterinary doctor, eh? You do like animals, plus that stupid goat of ours even likes you. I guess that makes sense." Roy's voice trailed off. The idea of not having his best friend around bothered Roy. "Would you come back to Arizona afterward?"
"Sure," but Stanley didn't sound too confident of his statement.
Roy studied his friend. "Your papa said you'd go to veterinary school?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Is this what you want to do, or something your papa wants for you?"
This time, Stanley went quiet and stared into the fire. Then quickly looking up he reassured Roy concerning his intentions. "It's okay Roy. You and I will always be friends. Right?"
"That's right Stanley; friends forever."
Roy did not like to think about the future that much. He only needed to gaze at the family cemetery as a reminder of how dismal the future had been for his kinfolk. Too many deaths stained Roy's family history. In fact, this moment, right now, was all that mattered to Roy. He was camping with his best friend, fishing, exploring, and being independent. I can't change the future; Roy thought.
Reflecting on his family's history, Roy couldn't see a bright future. He had heard his father talk about the struggles between him and Grandfather William, and Thaddeus was always sad whenever he talked about the past. Roy wanted no part in extending the family pain, but he also didn't have a crystal ball to see into the future. Letting his mind wander this way frustrated Roy so he blocked his thoughts and focused on the here and now.