Chapter 5 (part 2)

Candy and Rose were making dinner and Rose found Candy to be exceptionally intelligent. Not only was she capable of helping her brother-in-law with some 'Activities of Daily Living' she also was clear minded when he would go off in one of his delusions. She was able to calm him down. Rose watched this and would try that the next time she had to deal with his delusions as well.

"So, Candy, what I have heard is that all of you ladies traveled on a mule boat?"

"Yes, Rose, looking back our reactions were just perfect, but it is kind of funny now that we are so far away from that time. We felt as if we had been duped and wanted to go back, but Jason set us straight, if we worked with him and he with us, we would have a good voyage. Oh, some of the girls were still upset, but it all worked out for the better."

Rose listened, she was a very good listener, some day she would write about her adventures as a Civil War Nurse but now she had to get a handle on how these people in Seattle thought and acted and what they did as well.

Joshua and Jeremy and Jonathan all came in at the same time. They seemed a little out of sorts, Candy noticed this as well as Rose.

"My goodness, you men seem to have something wrong?" Candy said.

"N-N-Nothing is wrong C-C-C-Candy." Jeremy said this with a forced smile.

Candy looked at him and without saying a word, stood and waited for them to explain what was happening.

"Candy, Jeremy and Jonathan and I and his father need to have a family 'talk' after dinner tonight." Josh said this looking at his brother and nephew.

"Okay, well, dinner will be ready soon." Said Candy.

"Would one of you help me to get Jason out of bed so we can bring him in to eat dinner with all of us?" Rose asked sweetly. Jonathan volunteered.

Joshua said that he had to run home to check on Karen and the baby and to see how Roland was doing as well. He would be back after dinner.

After Joshua left, Candy set the table with Jeremy's help and Jeremy started to explain to Candy what was happening.

"Jonathan was thinking or tricked into thinking that he had to fill his father's shoes and that he would need a partner to help him. So, Stemple suggested he learn the mill business and then he would have help when he needed it to run the camp!"
Candy thought about it as she set the soup on the table and then the homemade bread. Rose, sure did make some good bread, it really smelled sweet.

"So, what was the decision that Jonathan made?
"I don't know. He would not say, just said we would discuss it at dinner, or really after dinner!"

Just then Rose and Jonathan and Jason came out for dinner. After dinner and dessert, they all gathered in the living room, the men pored some whiskey, the women sat and had some tea.

Jeremy started the discussion. "Okay, Jonathan let us know what your decision was?"
Jason looked at Jonathan with a question as to why he had to decide about something.

Jonathan sat in his chair and looking at everyone, especially his father he said:

"Dad, when we found out that you were hurt, there was a decision to be made as to who would go and who would stay. I was told that I needed to stay to help keep the logging operation going. I took that to mean that I would be in charge and have to look out for everyone. I was asked by Mr. Stemple if I would like to learn a little of the mill business. So, every day, after working at the camp for 5 hours, I would take my lunch and work for Mr. Stemple at the mill. I was sort of what you would call an apprentice…"

Everyone made a noise. Jason had a scowl on his face but kept silent, giving his full attention to his only son. He nodded for Jonathan to go ahead.

"Anyway, for the past 6 months I have been learning the mill business. It is quite interesting, and it gave a me clearer understanding of what the mill workers have to deal with. Not to say that the loggers don't have hazards in their jobs either, but these hazards in the mill jobs are just as scary and deadly as topping a tree or felling a tree as well!

Mr. Stemple asked me today to sing a contract to work for him for a year. His intention was, I believe to mentor me until I learned as much of the operation of the mill as I know the operation of our logging company. When Uncle Jeremy came in, I was about to say yes to his proposal. However, Uncle Jeremy reminded me that my decision would not only affect me but also the whole town and our company as well. So, when I went back in, I told Mr. Stemple that I was going to discuss this with my family because I wanted them to back me up if I did apprentice myself to Mr. Stemple.!"

Everyone was looking at Jonathan, he had definitely matured since Jason had been away. Jonathan looked at his uncles but most especially his father. He wanted; no, he needed his father's approval for this venture.

Jason looked at all of them. He was a little more tired than he would have been 6 months ago, but he still had a sharp mind, and he was thinking how this would benefit both the company and the Bolt brothers as well as the rest of Seattle.

"So, Jonathan," He said: "Do you feel that you can do this? Do you feel that you would work as hard, if not harder for Stemple, learn all he has to teach you and bring that learning back to help improve our company?" Jason said this with a stern look on his face.

Jonathan looked his father directly in his eyes and said:

"Yes, I know that I can do this and that this is the right thing to do!"

"Jonathan," Joshua said, you do know that you will not be paid as much as we pay you? That any injuries you incur while working for him, will not be covered by him?"

Jonathan nodded.

Jeremy said: "Once you start, you will not be able to work at the logging camp until your apprenticeship is completed!"

Jason said: "One more thing, Neither I nor your uncles will be able to help you if you are having problems with Mr. Stemple or his men. This means that you will be on your own, during your work time. If you have any questions or complaints pertaining to the way Mr. Stemple treats his workers, you will have to take that up with him. Do you understand?"

Jonathan said yes. "I understand what an apprenticeship is, and I know that I will be on my own, but dad, uncles, isn't that what I am supposed to do? I am 21, it is time I made my own way in this world!"

Jason, Jeremy, and Joshua looked at each other, and Jason said:

"Jeremy, how do you vote?"
"Yes."

Joshua, how do you vote?

"Yes"

Jonathan How do you vote:

"Yes"

Jason said, well then, I vote yes too!

Just then the door opened and in walked Aaron,

"I vote yes as well!" said Aaron with a smile on his face.

Jason looked over at Aaron and said:

"Aaron, you are not part of the family!"

Aaron looked at him and said, oh yes, I am!

They all looked at Aaron and he said:

"Well, I have been helping all of you at one time or another and now, Jason, your son will be my apprentice so, I feel as if I am part of the family!"

Jason, Joshua, and Jeremy just looked, to stunned to say anything but Jonathan, who had gotten to know Aaron said:

"Well, he is sort of, it is like he is just another uncle!" Jonathan raised his glass and smiled.

The 3 brothers had no argument at the time, so they agreed to disagree with Jonathan.

Jonathan thought that somewhere down the line maybe they would all be one big family.