Chapter 10~The White Wolf continues...
"Hi Dad, Grandad." John greeted as he rode onto the Ponderosa with 2 other hired hands.
"Son." Adam responded with a nod. "Roger did you all find the cattle?"
"Yes, Sir, Mr. Cartwright. They were down in the ravine. I believe drawn to the water and not taken. Hank and the boys should bring em round by noon tomorrow. 'bout 50 head.
"Good, worth the trip then." Ben added. Ben held onto John's horse as he dismounted. "Well, what did you think of the trip son. Glad to have gone?" Ben pat John on the back and smiled proudly.
"Yes, Sir Grandad! Held my own too Dad, just ask Rog."
Roger praised the young teenager. All the hired hands became quiet fond of John and encouraged Adam to give the boy more responsibility and independence on the ranch. Even though John wasn't born and raised on the Ranch, his past year on the Ponderosa was proving John to be a seasoned cowboy. He was a natural.
"He is a mighty fine Rider Sir. Showed those steer whose Boss. Wears the Cartwright name proud~he does."
John humbly nodded at his mentor and friend for the compliment.
"Glad to hear it Roger. John I'm proud of you son." Adam held his gaze on his eldest son with a small grin, as he was indeed proud of John.
John couldn't help but notice Adams sullen mood. He began to question wether his father was unhappy with him in some way.
Adam walked on with Roger as the discussed business. John walked his horse towards the barn. Ben followed.
"Grandad, is my Pa upset with me?"
"No son, not at all. Just the opposite I would say. He had a little trouble with your lil brother Jack. Everything's fine, no need to be concerned."
John nodded. He hated to hear that Jack had upset Adam. Being the eldest brother, John often felt responsible for his siblings and didn't appreciate Jack's constant mischief. He planned to keep a closer eye on him and catch him before Adam needed too.
"So Grandad, Where's Mrs. Drake and the girls? Gone to town?" John asked to change the subject.
"No son, Mrs. Drake needed to visit her sister for a few days and took the girls with her. They left yesterday and will be back on Friday." Ben replied.
'Make sense that Jack had more time to mischief with less eyes around to watch him. Just like lil' brother to take advantage of the opportunity', John thought. He definately would stay on close watch now.
Michael returned to the dining room to check out his twins spill. Got it all cleaned up, so where was he?
"Jack, Jack where are ya?" Michael called out.
Peering into the kitchen, he found his twin. "Hey Jack, whatcha doin sittin on the stool. Did pops put you there?"
"No!" Jack answer gruffly.
"Well come on, Let's go out. John and the ranchers are back."
"I don't wanna. I'm gonna go lie down for a bit."
"What's the matter, you sick or something'? Or did dad say you had to sit upstairs?"
"No, he didn't. Stop bein so nosey and get onto your own business." Jack got of the stool and shoved Michael on his way out of the kitchen.
"Sheesh! What's with him." Michael wondered as he headed outside. He loved all the comratery at the ranch. The excitement of the men after a cattle drive, the sounds in the air of the hoots and hollers.
Michael spotted his big brother and ran to him firing one question after the other in a huff. "Hey John, did ya find the steer? Was it cattle Robbers? What did they look like? Did anyone shoot?" firing one question after the other in a huff.
John smiled, "Slow down lil' britches. Yes, no, no and NO! You're such a dreamer~" John laughed. If he was honest, John too would admit he was on the look out for Robbers and Bandits throughout his trip but he wasn't about to let his brother know that.
"Michael!" Adam called out from the barn entrance. Michael ran to his father."Have you finished your work? and where's Jack? I haven't seen him out here either. Both of you are to be cleaning that coupe."
Michael carefully answered, "No Sir, I was just gettin started." He hated when Jack caused trouble and made others mad. To Michael, it often felt like he caught the trouble too. A downside of bein a twin.
"Jack is lyin down inside. But I will get started on the coupe right away."
Adam recognized his son trying to please him and reached out to ruffle his hair affectionately. "Thank you Michael, I appreciate your enthusiasm to get your work done. You can do the coupe alone and Jack will work in the stalls today. Meanwhile, I think I will check in on Jack."
Adam walked into the quiet house climbing the stairs 2 by 2. Jack's door was slightly cracked. Adam could see his son lying on his back staring up to the ceiling. Adam gave the door a few knocks and entered in.
"Feelin okay son?"
"Yes, Sir" Jack answered softly without his eyes leaving the ceiling.
Adam pulled out the desk chair and sat down near Jack's bedside. Jack continued to ignore Adam.
"If your not ill, I'm a bit puzzled to as why your in your bed and not out completing your chores. I gave you 3 reminders...the last one being...to get outside and finish your work. Promptly." Adam waited for a reply. Slowly it came.
"Yes, Sir." Jack mumbled; eyes remaining upward.
Adam felt tested but more so an uneasiness within his Son. He decided to take another approach. "Michael is cleaning the coupe and you are to clean the stalls." Adam stood up placing the chair back at the desk. He proceeded to walk out of the room.
"Dad?" Jack quickly called out...
Adam turned and casually leaned into the door frame.
Jack sat up on his bed and looked towards his father...
"Dad, I'm really sorry. I acted like a jerk. I don't know why I said those things to Uncle Joe." Breaking his gaze, Jack looked down. "I know I said it but I really didn't mean it. I wish I could take it all back." He looked to his fathers eyes, folding his hands in his lap. His eyes filled with warm tears..."It's just I...I love you, more than anything...I'm so sorry." Jack dropped his head and began to ball. The guilt he felt of knowing that he hurt his father was more than he could bare.
Adam's heart melted. He suddenly realized how much hurt he had felt from Jack's disrespect. He wanted to stay strong and wise; as a parent should, and not take his son's behavior personally but he did just that. He allowed a 10 year olds words to cut deep into the layer of his insecurities. The parental insecurities that questioned wether his adopted children loved and respected him as their father as much as he loved and respected them as his own children. Never had he ever loved another so much and feared it not returned. Now as he looked upon his remorseful son, reality set in. Wisdom set in. A father is not equally to his child. A father must love with no conditions, love with nothing in return. A father loves with the balance that of a teacher,a disciplinarian, not of a friend. His children must know his love is constant, never wavering. He would love his children as God loves his own.
Jack needed Adam more than anything right now, not later. He needed to know that Adam's love is forgiving...he needed to be forgiven. He had asked Adam twice~without a response. 'How could I be so stupid, selfish. My son needs to face his punishment and be forgiven.'
Adam looked up to the ceiling~as it was when he first found Jack~and praised God the Father..."Thank you, father. For giving me the wisdom and Love I did not see."
Adam walked over to a bewildered Jack and embraced him fully! He held Jack tightly, rubbing his back as he hollered out his remorseful cries.
"Jack everything will be okay. I love you son.I forgive your words, I accept your apology, you are forgiven son...it's okay now. I love you , I love you , I love you. I will always love you, no matter what you say or do. Even if you stop loving me, I will always love you till the day I die. Nothing can change that Son, nothing."
Jack boohooed more as he released all his worries and sorrows. He too feared his fathers love was lost. He could not loose another father again, he could not loose Adam. Not ever.
After a long while in the comfort of Adam's arms, Jack wiped the sleeves to his face. Adam handed him his hankie and Jack blew out his nose. Adam pat his gently to guide him to stand in front of him. Leaving one hand on his shoulder the other hand to lift his head high so that they may look eye to eye.
"Jack, are you all right now?"
Jack nodded with a slight shrug of his shoulders.
"Are you ready to talk about your wrong doing? Jack tried to look down again but Adam caught his face and cupped it with two hands..."I really think we should, then we can move on with our day."
Jack sighed reluctantly, which made Adam stronger, knowing they both had enough emotional termoil. 'Now or Never, Adam thought to himself'...Adam cleared his throat, lowered his brow and placed his hands on Jacks waist firmly.
Using a firm, slightly bell atone voice, Adam plunged. "Jack Scott-Cartwright, you are being punished for disrespecting me and your family. Do you understand!"
Jack nodded with wide eyes at the sudden change of mood in the room.
"Words, please." Adam insisted.
"Yes Sir, I understand." Jack agreed.
With quick resolute, Adam patted his leg to allow Jack the opportunity to abligue. Jack leaned over his fathers knee, pulling himself all the way over to reach his hands to the floor. Adam rested a comforting hand on the small of his back and began...
*swat* Son, you will not use swear words under any circumstance...Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Sir" Jack boldly answered.
*SwaT*Swat*Swat*...Jack winced...Adam then paused...
"Um Dad, are we finished?" Jack asked hesitantly.
"Not hardly Son. Sit up for a minute please. I want to talk with you. I would like you to tell me why it is you're receiving this punishment?"
"For disrespecting you..."
"Yes, but in what way?"
OOOO''hhh this was soo hard for Jack. He tried to form his words best he could~
"I disrespected you and my family by lying outta trouble. And I hurt your feelings..."
"Yes, it is disrespectful to lie to your family and it is deceiving to trick others to keep out of trouble when you've acted wrong. Yes, I felt hurt by your words but mostly disappointed to hear my son say such things that would hurt his Character. You see Jack, It's your Character that I am concerned with. It is every bit important to me that you grow to be honest and a respectable man. A man that lies and cheats his way in life is not a respectable one, would you agree? There will be times in life you will not like me, you may not even love me and that's okay. Truly. But as your father, I will always love you and it is my job to hold you accountable to your character. I would not like myself very much if I could not do that for you. Do you understand what I'm saying Jack?"
"Yes, I believe so."
"Good, now tell me why your getting this spanking?"
Jack thought hard for a minute, squeezed and scrunched his face then replied. "I showed bad Character to Uncle Joe by saying those mean things. And I've done a lot of things I shouldn't and lied to people to stay outta trouble. Dad, do I gotta remember and tell you all those things now?"
"No son, unless you feel that you need to under special circumstances, like if it's something that could hurt someone else. But no, it is not necesary right now."
"Good, cuz I don't think I could remember all that I done that you don't know about." Jack sighed innocently.
Adam smiled, "That's a valid statement, I'll remember to pay closer attention." Jack turned up his nose and smacked himself in the forehead. "Great Cartwright!"
Adam let out a laugh, startling his young wayward son, as he pulled him quickly over his knee.
"As we were..."
Adam proceeded with a continuous rhythm of *SWAT*(ouch) after *SWAT*(ouch) after *SWAT*(ouch)... delivering a strong-handed, sound tanning, Jack would soon not forget.
It didn't take much before Jack cried out in full remorse. With pleading and promises that he would be good throughout eternity, especially if Adam would stop wailing on him. Surrender set in and so did the fire in Jacks rear. Adam knew his son had earned this tanning and would feel it for awhile and some. Adam pulled Jack in a warm embrace and held him as long as he needed.
'Whew~Jack thought...I'm glad that's over! A huge Relief set in and filled his body with peace. The tanning was in no comparison to the guilt he had felt when he saw the look of sadness, betrayal and disappointment in his fathers eyes. Never did he want to feel that again.
****Adam could only Hope Jack would keep his promise. Although the Cartwright Wisdom told him differently. One couldn't expect a 10 year old Rancher like Jack Cartwright to be as 'Good as Gold' thru eternity, but maybe a few days couldn't hurt.