New Beginnings: A Fresh Start

Ch. 52

Birthday Plans and Blowups


Nearly two weeks pass with no questions or comments from anyone concerning his school problems. Rob has completed the rest of the despised theme and not heard anything more about it. Relaxing somewhat during class has led to fewer reprimands from Mr. Hiram. Feeling much better now that he's not worrying about anyone discovering his cover up, Rob throws himself into his project at home. Having decided what he wants to do for Ben and George's birthday this coming weekend, he has been working on it for a week and a half with help from Joseph.

"Rob!" Ben calls standing on the other side of the high tarp.

"What?"

"Pa said he wants to see you in the house for just a moment. Can't I come see what it is you're building?"

"No, you can't. Pa said to stay out of here, didn't he?"

"Yes, but .."

"You let me catch or hear about you coming behind this wagon tarp and you will be saying something about your butt!" Rob threatens as he walks past the young boy. "Joseph, you tell me if Ben comes around the tarp!"

"I will, don't worry."


Walking into the house and seeing his future stepmother standing with his Pa, Rob's stomach drops. What if she mentioned seeing you where you went? His mind whispers.

"Ben said you wanted to see me. Is there something wrong, Pa?" Rob asks hoping he sounds unconcerned.

"We just wish to ask you if you'd be willing to help with the party, son. Delphie has an idea and we need you to carry it out. Joseph will help also, I'm sure."

"I'll be happy to help any way I can. What's the idea?"

"My Ma liked to incorporate traditions from not only her Irish ancestors but others as well. With Easter coming in two weeks I thought having an Easter party for the boys would be something different. When we kids were small, my Ma would let us color boiled eggs. Then my Da would hide them outside for us to find. We made special nests for the eggs to be put in so they'd be easier to find. I thought we'd do that for the boys. I would need your help to hide the nests and eggs."

"Yes Ma'am. I can do that. May I go now? I need to work on the project." Rob answers directing the question to Ethan.

"Go but don't forget you have school tomorrow. I want you both inside by dark. No working by lantern light tonight, son. Your school assignments come first, remember."

"Yes sir. We will be."

"What is this project the older boys keep talking about?" Delphie asks as they see Rob leap the steps to hurry to the barn.

"Something for the boy's birthday gift is all I've been told. Neither one will tell me what it is. They want to surprise us as well as Ben and George."

"Well, I better get back to my dinner preparation. Since Claire is off cooking for Mitch and Alex, I get to make our meal tonight. I enjoy sharing a meal most nights. I'm beginning to feel as if I've moved in already."

"We enjoy having you come. Just what are you creating tonight?"

"Rabbit stew with the trimmings. Ben caught six hares in his snare line. George wasn't happy about it either. I had to do some quick thinking in order for him to let us have them for a meal."

"George has a soft heart when it comes to animals. We try not to mention where the meat comes from. He refused to eat chicken for a period when he was seven because he loved those chickens so much." Ethan answers, smiling.

"Hmm, he wouldn't like raising hogs then, would he?" Delphie remarks sharing a laugh with Ethan.


That evening as the family enjoys the meal, Ethan notices George sneaking pieces of meat off the table.

"George, I told you earlier tonight not to feed those kittens from the table. Do it again and you're in your bed for the night!"

"Papa, they're hungry too! You're being mean to them!" George answers back. "Mama, you tell him we need to feed them 'cause they're only babies."

"George! You know not to answer back and you certainly don't contradict what I told you by asking someone else. I said NO and I mean it, young man!"

"Yes sir." George answers, lip trembling at the stern scolding he just received.

"George, the kittens will have their dinner after we finish. We'll fix a plate of scraps plus I saved back plenty just for them. Do as your Papa says." Delphie soothes the upset child.

Changing the subject, she asks "Ben, have you two decided on your guests for the party this Saturday?"

"Yes Mama. We are asking Aaron and Alyssa, Jack, Amalee and Lauren, Timmy, Tom, Ryan and Derek. Those are all our best friends from school."

"Ben, you've left off someone." Ethan tells his son.

At the confused look Ben gives him, he says "You forgot to mention Caleb."

"Pa, Caleb's so mean. He's not a friend."

"He's your cousin now. You have to invite him whether or not you think he's mean. Matt will come with him, I'm sure of it. He won't misbehave with his Pa here."

"Yes Papa. I'll invite him too. That's all though. I don't want all the older kids here too. Alright? Can we just have our friends this time and not Rob, Joseph and Claire's too?"

"None of my friends want to come to your little kid party anyway, Ben!"

"Joseph, that's enough out of you. Stay still young man."

"Yes Pa." Joseph answers, immediately backing down at the 'stay still' command. He knows that means the same as leave it be.

"We are NOT little kids anymore, Joseph! I'm going to be two digits now and Ben is already! So there!" George answers as Ben echos "So There!" complete with his tongue sticking out.

"Boys? Look at me." Ethan orders sternly. As four pairs of eyes snap to him, he announces "That. Is. Enough! Any more bickering and that person plus the one he is bickering with will go straight to bed, possibly with a stinging behind as well. You know better than to behave such as this! Hear me?"

"Yes sir." All three of the younger boys answer. Rob replies "I hear you, Pa." Although he's not been involved, he feels it's in his best interest to agree as well.

As the boys move to clean up chores, Ethan leads Delphie out to have a private talk on the porch.

"Well, they seem to have decided you are no longer company so company manners have been thrown to the side. I'm sorry for that display at the table tonight. I'll speak to them about using better manners."

"You leave them be, Ethan. They are growing young boys and are perfect just the way they are. You should've witnessed some of the battles my sister, brother and I got into at table. My Da would have to slam his large soup tureen spoon down to get his point heard. When that spoon dropped we hushed because the next thing would be the wooden spoon on our bum."


Friday afternoon, Ethan is alone in the office catching up on correspondence, filing, and checking wanted posters when Mr. Hiram walks in.

"Hello, what may I help you with? Are you here on store business or school business?"

"I need to speak with you concerning my contract. I recently learned my Uncle Rupert has been taken ill back in Maine. This Uncle has been helping manage my Mother's affairs for her but now can no longer continue. I have arranged for someone else to move in to help her until the second week of May. This leaves me in a bind, Sheriff. My contract is through the end of May but as I have stated, I can't continue teaching through May. I have a proposition however that could solve this problem. If you will arrange for school to be held the full five days as the other students attend, I could fulfill the days on the contract."

"I'm sorry to hear of your family troubles. I will bring it up with the rest of the board members and get back with you. I don't know if the families would want their older students attending five days. Would you be willing to accept four? We could say Monday through Thursday. That would give students Friday and Saturday for work, either at their home or elsewhere. Students such as Alex Hale have jobs. He would be needed at the hotel."

"That wouldn't fulfill my obligations though. I was to teach 145 days and that won't fulfill the required amount."

"We would waive the rest with full salary for you. It wouldn't cut into that 145 days very much, sir. There's only ten weeks left. I know because Claire is extremely excited about having a graduation ceremony. She's talked about it every day since you mentioned it last week."

"Claire is my top student. She and Alexander are the two top students with both maintaining all A's. Robert could be one as well as he has the ability just not the effort. I'm actually a little surprised you haven't come to see me, considering his recent grades."

"The last grades I saw were the report card where he scored nothing below a B. What are you referring to?" Ethan asks.

"The three failed tests you signed plus his recent below average theme he had two opportunities to successfully complete. He turned in a theme missing half of the requirements, I had him rework it but he still didn't do it as I required. For that reason, he received a score of D. You signed them all so I assumed you knew."

"Do you happen to have those at school? I would like to take a look, sir. I know I've been busy, but I believe I'd remember seeing failing grades."

"I do. I'll be happy to show them to you if you are free at this time." Mr. Hiram replies.


Returning from his visit to the school, Ethan finds Matthew waiting for him in the Sheriff's office.

"Matt."

"Ethan. You seem bothered. Should I come back at a later time? I do have something I'd like to discuss and we really should speak before tomorrow's party. Thank you, by the way, for insisting Caleb be invited. I know he's not been well behaved with the other boys but I'd like to see him given another chance. After he and I had a rather long discussion a few weeks ago, he's been much different. I've had no complaints from children or any of the townspeople as I did before."

"Family is always invited, Matt. Now, what did you wish to speak about? Is there a problem in the saloon or with Hiram's store?"

"It concerns Rob. Two days ago and once during the time you and Joseph were in Denver, I've seen him coming from The Purple Palace. I was on my way back from a delivery to the Mine both times. He isn't entering the front of the establishment as I watched. He comes and goes through the back. At one time it was a door and the second somewhere else."

"Somewhere else? Spit it out, Matthew. You've gone this far, you may as well say what else is on your mind."

"Alright, specifically one room's window. Ethan, he could be in danger if he's visiting the ladies. There are rumors of men being beaten for associating with a man's chosen lady. Some lay claim and expect to have their favorite available. I don't know what Rob may be up to, but felt I should say something."

"Thank you for telling me. If you'll excuse me, I need to discuss some things with my oldest son. I'll see you and Caleb tomorrow."

"Remember he's just a young man finding his way, Ethan. We went through that time as well." Matt reminds him after seeing the look on Ethan's face.

"He's not going to 'find his way' at a place such as The Purple Palace, Matthew! Despite what he thinks, he isn't of age yet. He is a seventeen year old not twenty one and has NO business even being on that side of town."

"Seventeen, I wonder if Caleb will be calmed down by seventeen." Matt says almost to himself, causing Ethan to shake his head in amusement.

"With Caleb, you have your hands full, my friend. He's going to buck the rules every chance he gets, he's like Ben in that way only a little wilder still."

"I have yet to tell him of the coming baby. I'm afraid of what he might say or do when he learns of it. I'm trying to make sure he feels loved and part of the family but he makes it difficult when he declares war on his schoolmates. I didn't want to have to use my belt but I felt it was needed."

"You just keep doing what you know is best and he'll come around. As with mine, there will be times when you have to rope them and tame them again but it will work out. You're a good Pa to that little guy. Now, I really need to get home. Delphie is waiting for me for a ride."


"What's bothering you so this afternoon, Ethan? You're very tense and quiet as well. Why did you not want to wait for the boys to finish their day and give them a ride?"

"I need to talk to you in private. I had a visit from Mr. Hiram and it seems Rob has been hiding the fact he isn't doing well in school. He had three failed tests and a D on a theme he had two chances to complete."

"While I was in Denver, did you see any school papers from Rob? Did he mention to you having any problems at all?"

"Ethan, that boy is about as likely to confide in me or show me anything without a direct order as these horses are of flying. I saw nothing on paper. He seemed very much on edge though, snappish with the other children, distant even more from me. I do know he had to stay late at school one day. Also, around lunchtime the day you were returning, I thought I saw Rob away from school. Amy and I were coming from the Mine, I was positive I saw Rob down Silver Mine street. I asked him about it but he refused to explain."

"What do you mean he refused to explain? He flat out didn't reply? What was he doing away from school grounds during that time?"

"I asked him if he had to run any errands for the teacher that afternoon. He said he didn't. I asked how his day went and he told me it was fine. Basically he was just attempting to maintain courtesy as he all but ran to do chores. That boy's shell is difficult to break isn't it? Even after all these months he's not comfortable with me."

"It takes time as he's not a trusting one. His background is full of people leaving him. So from what I'm hearing, he lied to you. You asked him directly and he lied when you questioned him on his being away from school."

"I never asked him if he was down Mine Street, Ethan."

"He knew what you were asking though. What he did is a lie of omission. There's more. He's had someone sign his failing papers with my name. Matt also tells me he saw Rob near the Purple Palace. I'm sorry, Delphie. I shouldn't be saying that to you. I just wasn't thinking."

"Telling me someone forged your name?"

"No, talking about the Palace. I can't get my mind to accept my seventeen year old son is visiting Ladies of the Evening, to put it politely. I'm going to have a few words for him when I get home and they may take place in the woodshed!"

"Ethan. You must calm down first. Speaking to Rob when you are angry will not do either of you any good. You have to be calm when you speak to him. Threatening and demands won't get far. Perhaps a softer approach, just calmly discussing what you have found out, would get the answers you seek. Rob is not a child any longer. You trust him with the ranch and he's engaged to be married. Do you really believe a thrashing would be effective? If you feel he deserves to be punished, use something else other than physical punishment. My Da made the mistake of trying to keep my brother in line with threats, physical punishments and shouting. It only drove him to leave home. He was near Rob's age at the time. We never saw him again."

"Perhaps you are correct. Alright, I'll calm down before I speak to him but there may be fireworks today. You may wish to leave."

"I can take care of myself. Don't worry about me, Ethan. I need to learn how to have confrontations in this family."


Arriving home, the couple see Rob working under the boy's treehouse. He's busy attaching what looks to be a bow and stern of a ship to either side of the tree.

"It's not time for the kids to be home yet is it?" Rob asks as Ethan and Delphie approach.

"Not yet, they have about thirty minutes or more before they'll be home. Is this what you've been building? Rob, this is amazing. The boys will be so excited to have this to play on."

"Yes sir. Joseph and Claire also helped. Claire braided the rope net for the ladder and sewed the pirate flag. The boys love the pirate stories and adventure tales so we knew they'd enjoy this to pretend with. It kind of got bigger than we actually planned. I didn't harm the tree. I built it to fit around the trunk and it's sitting level on the ground so it's not attached to the tree. I did it the same way you did the treehouse so the tree will still grow though the cut out sections."

"You have quite the talent with wood, Rob. I may ask you to build something for me sometime." Delphie praises.

"Thank you, Ma'am."

"Finish up here and come inside, please." Ethan tells the young man.

"Yes sir." Rob answers sensing a problem as his Pa's expression isn't all together pleasant.


Finding Claire inside, Ethan asks "Claire, will you do us a favor please? We need to have some private time with Rob this afternoon. Will you please go to town and meet the boys? I'll give you some money to take them all for treats in town. Just keep them away about two hours after they leave school."

"Yes sir. Let me change and I'll do just that. Did you see the ship Rob has been building? It's just wonderful. He put it up so the boys can show their friends tomorrow."


Coming in as Claire is leaving, Rob asks "Where are you off to? More party supplies?"

"I'm meeting the boys for treats. See you later." Claire answers rushing past her brother.

"Well, she's in a hurry isn't she?" Rob says more to himself than anyone.

"Rob, come sit down please." Ethan calls from the kitchen table where he and Delphie are currently enjoying a cup of coffee.

"What's going on? Why is Claire suddenly running out of the house to meet the kids?"

"That is a very good question. I'd like to know the answer to 'What is going on', myself." Ethan replies as Rob sits across from Delphie.

At the boy's confused look, he elaborates by saying "Rob, we need to talk. I had a visit from Mr. Hiram earlier today. He tells me you have been slacking off in your studies. Is this true?"

"I've done the work. He's just been riding me hard and not pleased with anything I turn in lately."

"Is his displeasure the reason you've failed three exams plus not completing a theme as he assigned, then?" Ethan asks, watching the boy shift uncomfortably in his chair.

"I forgot to study for one and the other two were just too hard. Mathematics or Arithmetic or whatever you want to call it is difficult when it's using symbols for numbers. He assigns too much to do. I did the theme he just didn't approve."

"I heard about the first attempt. Turning in a half completed assignment isn't going to get approval. He also gave you the opportunity to rework the theme, correct?"

"Yes sir."

"Did you rewrite it up to his original assigned specifications the second time?"

Receiving no answer to that, Ethan asks "Well? Answer me, Robert!"

"His specifications as you call it, were too hard to meet."

"So that would be 'No sir, I did not.' Correct?"

"Yes sir." Rob answers with a side glance at Delphie. Silently wishing this grilling taking place was not in front of her.

"I also saw three failed tests including the one from this past Wednesday. You were told to have those three failed tests signed by me, correct?"

"Yes sir."

"Since I never saw them and yet they were all signed by me, the question I now want an answer to is this. Did you forge my name and if not who did?" Ethan demands barely holding on to his boiling temper.

"Ethan, remember, calm." Delphie tells him as Rob replies "No sir, Charlie, a friend did it for me."

"Is this friend someone at The Purple Palace?" At Rob's wide eyed glance he answers the unspoken question. "I've heard from Delphie and Matt how you were seen at that end of town and also entering that establishment. Is that why you were seen there or should I be worried you used someone there in the bibical sense young man? You didn't have relations with anyone did you?"

At Rob's continued silence, Ethan demands "Robert, answer me right now!"

NO. I didn't have any relations with anyone. I went to visit a friend and that's all. Her name is Charlie and she's been helping me." Rob answers angrily before turning on his soon to be stepmother.

"YOU SHOULD STAY OUT OF MY BUSINESS! YOU HAD NO BUSINESS REPORTING ON ME! YOU ARE NOT NOW NOR WILL YOU EVER BE MY MOTHER SO STAY OUT OF MY LIFE!" Rob shouts at Delphie as he knocks the chair over standing so quickly.

Storming out of the house slamming the door behind him, Rob stomps across the yard ignoring Ethan's call "ROBERT JORDAN CORD, COME BACK HERE!"

"I'm sorry you had to witness this. Sometimes family life is not all roses and hugs. He will apologize to you. Excuse me while I go deal with one teenage boy who is at this moment acting younger than his newly turned ten year old brother." Ethan exclaims looking at Delphie now standing beside him in the doorway.

"Try not to lose your temper with him."

"I lost my temper about ten minutes ago, Delphie. He'll live, he'll be quite apologetic next time you see him. I'll see you tomorrow if you'd like to leave or you may stay. It's up to you."

"I'll see you tomorrow. I think I'll go join the rest of the family in town."

"Wise choice as this is going to be a long afternoon. Stall the children and don't let them come for at least an hour after you arrive please. Rob and I need to have a long father to son chat."

"Ethan..."

"Go be with the children. We'll be fine. Parenting duties are not always pleasant. He needs a firm hand right now but he'll be fine."

"My horse is in the barn. Rob may be in too foul a mood for me to get him."

"I will go get your horse. I'm surprised you didn't bring the buggy."

"Amy needed it today. I could walk and get the horse later. I think I will. Goodnight early."

"Goodnight to you as well. I am sorry you had to witness this blowup. Please don't take it personally. He does care for you."

"Stay calm with him, Ethan. I'll see you at the party tomorrow. I'll send the children back in a few hours."

Watching his intended walk down the road instead of taking her horse, Ethan scowls and turns to have a necessary talk with one hot tempered teenage boy.


Entering the barn and closing the door behind him, Ethan sees no sign of Rob. Knowing he is most likely up in the hayloft, he calls "Robert William Jordan Cord, come down here immediately!"

Hearing his complete legal name, Rob closes his eyes and lets out a long breath before obeying that command. Knowing if his Pa is using his complete name he's in for it, he reluctantly climbs down the ladder.


Standing before his irate father, Rob clasps his hands behind him in an attempt to keep from showing how nervous he is feeling.

"I don't know where to begin. I'm in need of some explanations here, Robert. With this behavior, you have not shown you are a mature seventeen year old. What explanation can you give me for all we discussed so far? The lack of effort in your schoolwork, deceitful behavior of lying and sneaking around, having someone forge my signature, going to a forbidden place more than once and now your completely disrespectful treatment of Delphie. That is quite a list of wrongdoing. I need some explanations."

"Just whip me and get it over with. I know it's coming so let's get it out of the way." Rob answers, glaring.

"If I whipped you right now, I would be using the razor strop on your bare backside. I'm not doing that. I am attempting to treat you as the young man you are supposed to be not the child you have been behaving as Robert. Now, speak to me. What is going on with you? Are you feeling insecure again over Delphie joining the family? I thought we spoke of this and were settled. Is there some other reason for your behavior? Talk to me."

"I'm a complete failure. Nothing I seem to do is right and I don't need a new mother to do for me." Rob finally answers all in a rush.

"Well, I disagree with those statements. Come sit on the hay bales and let's talk for awhile. First you are not having a 'mother to do for you' as you put it. Delphie wants to be a part of your life but realizes you are past the age for her to raise. She wants to be a confidant and friend to you and Claire. In doing so you will show her the respect she deserves. You will not raise your voice to her ever again. You will not be deceitful when answering questions as you were when you did not tell her why your were not in school as asked. An honest and trustworthy person will go far in life, son. One who follows the family and society rules is respected. You will one day be out on your own needing to have that good name and trustworthy reputation in order to work with people. Behaving as you have been with this sneaking around will not give you that reputation. Second, you are not a complete failure and do many things right. Are you referring to school?"

"Yessir. Claire is a year younger and she understands everything easily. Alex gets the mathematics without a problem. Both of them can simply sit down and write perfect essays and themes. I can't. I've tried to do as Mr. Hiram asks and it doesn't work for me. I don't understand Shakespeare or this thing he calls Algebra. I'm not able to write perfect written assignments as he expects. Every single one of my written themes come back with all kinds of corrections. I know school is a rule here but I just can't take it any more. I want to quit."

"You won't be quitting young man so discard that idea right now! You have the ability to be a top student, son. Anyone who can design and build things the way you do is capable of handling a few written assignments. I see you putting up a block to the work before you even start. You are the one deciding you aren't able to do it, not Mr. Hiram. In our discussion, he told me he has high expectations but knows you are capable of meeting them if you would just put in the effort. He rides you hard because he knows you can do it. We spoke for some time and he isn't mistreating you as he did at the beginning of the year, he's trying to get you to show improvement. Mr. Hiram said you have the potential to be 'one of his top students.' I'm quoting him. So from this day forward, you will be completing every assignment with top effort. You will be showing me all of your written work, homework, tests or other assignments daily. If I have to, I will meet with Mr. Hiram daily to ascertain you are doing your best. Anything less and you will be extremely sorry. Understand me, young man?"

"Yes sir, I do."

"Good. Now let's discuss your visiting the forbidden establishment. Rob, think of the consequences such action could cause you and I don't mean from me. Did you even think of what this might do to your name? Think about what I said earlier. A man's good name and honest reputation is what will take him far in life. You do not want a reputation as a ne'er -do- well. What would you being caught in a house of ill repute do to Cecily? You are supposedly betrothed and you are seen entering a place with Ladies of the Evening? What possessed you to do such a thing?" Ethan asks ending on a near shout.

"I... don't.. I.. didn't.. think. I met Charlie, her name's Charlotte but she goes by Charlie, at the General Store one day and she was so polite and sweet to me and the boys. I didn't know at first that she worked as a prost.. umm.. one of those ladies." Rob amends quickly at his Pa's stern look.

"Go on."

"She said she worked at the Palace and would help me with my Math. I thought maybe she worked as a bookkeeper so I went a few times. She did help me some. Then when I failed the tests, I didn't want you upset with me so I asked her to sign them."

"Robert! Forging someone's name is against the law! Did you want that young woman arrested? You going into a place such as that is also against the law! You are NOT twenty one young man and to enter a saloon or a, as some call it, Pleasure House, you must be legal age. You put your reputation at risk as well. No one who is decent will want to hire you or allow you to court a young woman if you associate with such as the women at the Palace. Rob, there are very few jobs available for women. Men don't want women to be bookkeepers at a saloon. She'd either be in the entertainment business with singing, dancing or be as she is currently a person who meets men for money."

At Rob's fierce glare and declaration "She's Nice!" Ethan says "Yes, some of the women are kind and just have had a hard life. I'm sorry son, but that's the facts whether or not you want to hear it. You are unable to be trusted at this time to do what you know is right therefore you are restricted to the ranch except for school, family times in town, and church for the next two months. You will have to decide what to tell Cecily for this restriction."

Jaw dropping and standing with his fists on his hips, Rob declares "TWO MONTHS? Don't you think that's excessive? Besides, it's just now warm enough we can go and do things in a group. Come on, Pa! Don't be unreasonable!"

"Do not take that tone of voice with me. You made the choice to break the law and the family rules. The restriction stands."

"YOU ARE BEING COMPLETELY UNFAIR! YOU DON'T LOVE ME, JUST DELPHIE! SHE TOLD YOU TO DO THIS." Rob yells as he takes a swing at his Pa.

"Alright, that Is Enough. I've tried my best to be reasonable with you, to treat you as a young man. You've just crossed the line, son. You are in need of a lesson today and there seems to be only one way to get it across to you. Delphie defended you even after your despicable behavior earlier. You were very close to earning a trip to the woodshed! She stood up for you and defended you. She asked me to be calm and talk to you. I have tried my best to do so and now you are being disrespectful to me as well. I. Have. Had. Enough! You want to act like a spoiled child, I'll treat you as one! Tack room NOW!" Ethan declares, causing the boy to scurry across to where his Pa is pointing.


Later that evening lying in bed, Rob answers the knock at the door with "Yes?".

"How are you doing? You didn't eat supper as the tray came back untouched. Would you like to talk now?" Ethan asks after closing the door and settling himself on the side of the bed.

"I'm ashamed and not very hungry. I am very sorry I acted so hatefully to you and to Miss. Delphie. I am not worthy of being called your son the way I acted today."

"Robert, do you want me to apply leather to your backside for the second time in one day?"

"No sir! Once will do it for me for a long time."

"Then I'd advise you to stop with the 'poor me' act and saying you aren't worthy of being my son. You are my son and that's final. You will also always be my son no matter what trouble you find or what troubles find you. Life is not going to always go smoothly, Rob. You should know that by now after living with this family. Just think of all we've had happen since you first stayed with us. Life is what you make it son. It's how you deal with the problems not what the problems are to begin with. I don't know if you are able to understand that at four months past turning seventeen but think about it. Now, we have a long day with the boy's party tomorrow so rest well. By the way, they are so excited over your creation, I had to go out and demand they come inside for supper. If you were trying to find a way to keep them out from underfoot, you certainly succeeded!"

"I'm just happy they like it. I'll think about what you said too."

"That you will. Now, I'm going to fix a sandwich and milk for you and I want it gone. Defy me and I'll spank you in front of your little brothers!" Ethan says with a smile and a wink for the boy.

"I'll eat. I promise. I'll need strength to keep up with all those little kids tomorrow. Hiding all those eggs will be fun though. No one ever had an egg hunt with me around before."

"Nor I, son. It will be a first for all of us."


A/N. Next up will be the birthday party and who knows what mischief might occur. (In a few weeks) Your requests have been fulfilled. Alex Jo Skyler, Jess, Miss Marvel, Flabirder and everyone else who wrote to say "more... hurry... update..." :-) I couldn't get this one out of my head so you get not only an update quickly but a loooong one. Now, maybe this will spark the muse for my other series... Hello Muse? Are you there? Hellllloooooo?