New Beginnings: Life Changes
ch. 45
Getting To Know You
Flashback scene... Saturday
Ethan has gone to the hotel to speak to and check on the teen's brother. Finding his room he knocks then enters to find a younger man in bed.
"Hello, I am Ethan Cord, sheriff of Paradise. Are you Mason?"
"Yes, Mason Cole. I would get up, but I'm ill."
"Your younger brothers are in my jail. They were caught drinking in a saloon by my deputy. I heard you were feeling ill and came to check on you. What ails you?"
"My stomach feels as if I swallowed a burning log. Pains come and go on my side." Mason replies obviously in pain.
"It seems you need a doctor. I will send our town doctor to treat you. In the meantime, I will supervise your brothers. I have two boys of similar ages. I can keep tabs on yours. I ask your permission for applying discipline if needed."
"A doctor's help? I can not pay. You have my permission to do anything you feel needed with my brothers! They took advantage of my being sick. They have been in my care for nearly three years. Our parents died of influenza. I took custody. I don't have money for a doctor yet. We are a traveling act and were to perform in Denver next week, this week? I've lost track of the days."
"All doctor's expenses will be taken care of. It is Saturday, no need to think about your performance. Rest, do not worry about anything. Paradise is a family town. We take care of our friends. Your brothers will be just fine. I will see to it."
End flashback
Sunday afternoon after arriving home from church, Ethan calls the family together in the kitchen.
"Everyone come to the table. We're going to have a family discussion."
Sliding into his place at the table, George says "I didn't do it."
"You didn't do what, exactly, son?" Ethan asks, confused.
"I did not do whatever it was that somebody did who is in trouble and you want to find out who did it. I just needed to tell you I didn't do it."
Looking around at his other three boys, Ethan asks "Is there something one of you needs to tell me? Has something happened? Ben? Joseph? Rob?"
Receiving answers of "No, Pa" from Ben, "No sir", from Joseph, and "nothing from me" from Rob, Ethan addresses the group.
"There are two young men in town with their elder brother. Mason, the eldest is very ill right now. Your Mama assisted Dr. Amy to operate to save Mason's life. He had a place in his side that was infected and needed to be removed. It made him extremely ill. Dr. Amy said he was lucky to have stopped here in Paradise where we have a doctor. His brothers are sixteen-year-old Mark and nineteen-year-old Mike. While their brother recovers from his operation which will be at least a month, these young men will be in my care. I may have them help on the ranch some days but they will mostly help you, Rob, at the homestead. You mentioned needing help pulling stumps and clearing land. We will provide lunches and they will be coming to eat supper with us during the week as well."
"Yes, I could use some help. I have the house site mostly done but the surrounding area is overgrown. I could use help on weekdays but do not plan to work on Saturday. Amelia and I try to take Saturday afternoons as our time to be together. Would five dollars a day be good pay for the work?"
"That would be a good amount for each of them. You said you only wanted to work from about ten in the morning to around four thirty. Is that still your plan?"
"Yes sir. I could get some jobs you need done here early morning and then go to the homestead. If we stop at four to four thirty we can clean up before supper." Rob replies.
"While we are discussing jobs, Ben, George, you two are old enough now to be responsible for sharing the larger animal care with Joseph. Both for the cows and the horses. You will do the evening milking as well as help feed. He will teach you how to measure the amount to feed them. It is not just Joseph's job now. You three will share the barn and other chores as well."
Seeing the spaced out look in George's eyes, Ethan assumes he is not paying attention. "George? Are you listening?"
"Yes, Pa. We are to help more with the animals now." George answers.
Ben asks "Does that mean we can now go in Lightning's stall?"
"No. You leave Lightning to myself or Joseph. That rule has not changed, young man!"
"If we are to do all the work in the barn, who is going to do the inside chores helping Mama?" George asks.
"The three of you will do anything your Mama asks for help with both inside and out. This rule has not changed either."
Noticing the far-away expression on George's face once more, Ethan calls his name sharply.
"Sir?" George answers, responding to the command in his father's voice.
"You seem to be daydreaming and not listening. Pay attention when an adult is speaking!"
"Yes sir. Pa, Emerson wants you to come to get her from the cradle. Mama is still asleep and Emerson is wet plus hungry."
"We haven't heard her. How do you know this, son?" Ethan asks just as they hear the baby begin whimpering from the big bedroom,
"I just do," George answers Ethan as his Pa stands to go get his daughter.
By Friday of the following week, Joseph and Mark have become friends. With the two coming to the ranch early for supper, Joseph has enjoyed the company of someone near his age. Rob and Mike have formed a friendship as well.
Tired of listening to Rob discuss how Amelia plans to put flowers around their home and other, in his opinion, boring talk during the meal Ben interjects with a question.
"Did you run barrels? Tell about your performing, Mark!" He commands, his words somewhat garbled around a mouthful of creamed potatoes.
"Ben! Have you forgotten your manners? Interrupting someone, speaking with your mouth full! Is this how you request something, by demanding it? Mind your manners and ask politely, please." Delphie reprimands quietly.
Embarrassed at being scolded in front of Mike and Mark, Ben feels his face become hot as he answers "I Did Ask Politely! You didn't listen!"
"Benjamin! Do as your mother tells you without answering back!" The penetrating narrow- eyed steely look Ethan is giving him plus the tone of voice, causes the boy to shift on his tingling bottom.
"Would you fellas please tell us about your performances?" Ben asks again a few seconds later after taking a drink of milk to wash down the potatoes. Rephrasing his command into a polite question, he glances at Delphie receiving a nod of approval. He doesn't dare look at his Pa as he can still sense the disapproval.
"We do some rope tricks, a few other things on horseback, and sing some songs at rodeos or outdoor events. We could demonstrate some of our routine after dinner if your parents will allow it. We need to borrow two horses and a rope." Mike answers as Mark is busy devouring his plate of sliced pork, carrots, green peas, and potatoes.
"That sounds fine. I would like to see your performance as well." Ethan replies.
Having chosen his horse and Rob's, Joseph tells Mark "This is my girl, Brown Betsy, and this one is Rob's horse, Beauty. Both are easygoing and will let you ride them. You don't plan to do anything that might harm them do you?"
"Not at all. Do you think your Ma would object to us using a chicken? No harm will come to it either unless it dies from fright. Would you have any calm chickens? Some are just downright nervous!" Mark comments.
"I know of just the one to use! I'll get her."
"Your Ma won't mind us using her chicken, will she? Seems some ladies get upset if their chickens are messed with." Mike asks having walked into the barn just after Joseph introduced the horses.
"She won't mind. George might though. He gets attached to the chickens, always has since we first moved in with Pa."
"What do you mean when you say 'first moved in' with him? Aren't you their sons? Rob mentioned he was adopted a few years back when his uncle was killed. I thought you other boys were the sheriff's sons. You and Ben look like the sheriff." Mike says.
"I am his son but not how you think. My sister Claire was thirteen, I was eleven, Ben was nearly seven, and George nearly six when we were orphaned. He came for us in Missouri and brought us here, to Paradise. By blood, he is our uncle, our mother's brother. By adoption, he is our father. The baby, Emerson, is his with our new mother, Delphie. They married last spring."
"So he was raising you five alone? That would be tough especially with two being so young! Mason has only had to care for the two of us for three years. I was sixteen when our parents died, Mark was thirteen." Mike comments.
"You mentioned an older sister. Where is she? What happened to her?" Mark asks.
"Marcus! None of your business! Use your manners and do not be so bold."
"Leave off, Michael! You aren't my boss!"
Enjoying seeing two other brothers squabble the way he and his brothers do, Joseph waits to see what happens next.
"I apologize for Mark. Mason says he has little common sense. He thinks after he speaks ...sometimes. Sometimes he never thinks at all."
"It is okay. Ben is the same way you saw tonight. I am used to that. Nothing happened to Claire. She is currently attending a nursing school in Boston." Joseph answers trying not to laugh at Mike's statement.
"I believe your brother will watch his tongue better. Your Pa took him into a back room right as I left to come out here. From the look on his face, he wasn't planning to hand Ben a present or at least not the kind most kids would want to receive!" Mike replies.
"Pa has strict rules about manners and showing respect. Ben ignored those tonight. No, he most definitely would not have been about to receive a present. He was about to receive a butt warming."
"Maybe your Pa can do the same to Mark as he needs a refresher on manners as well!" Mike adds, grinning at his younger brother.
"You are a real funny one, Mike, real funny!"
Ready to observe, the three boys sit along the corral rail as Rob and the adults stand beside, watching. Arranging the chicken on the saddle, Mike lightly winds a piece of twine around one of its legs.
"Mike? Are you going to hurt that hen? Frederica is one of our best ones. She is boss of the rest."
"Frederica will be fine, George. She will have a story to share after this." Mike answers earning a smile from Delphie.
Mark waits several feet away mounted on Brown Betsy waiting for Mike to raise his arm. At the signal, he begins to swing his thinner rope lasso over his head and urges Betsy into a gallop. Galloping past Mike he easily ropes the chicken, lifting it over onto his saddle without slowing down until past the corral. Turning Betsy, he trots with the chicken now perched on his saddle horn to where his audience is watching.
"Wow! That is good roping! How did you get her off? I thought Mike tied her down!" Ben calls from his place on the railing.
"How did you get her to ride on the horn that way? She isn't trained to do that." George asks
"Sorry guys. Performers do not give away secrets to their show. Here is your boss chicken, George. She is just fine." Mike answers walking over with the chicken.
After several other stunts, Mike tells the group "For the final trick, Mark is going to show his favorite dismount. You boys stay on the rail, please."
Riding Beauty this time, Mark gallops past the corral, spins Beauty, and sends her at a gallop back the way they came. On the return, he has both legs up in a crouch on the saddle and leaps into the air somersaulting to land on his feet in a bow right in front of Delphie, his western hat in his hand.
"My gracious Mark! Are you trying to harm yourself? Jumping from a horse that way!" Delphie exclaims.
"Just part of the thrill of the act, Ma'am." The young daredevil replies.
That evening side by side in George's bed, Ben whispers "You awake?"
"Umm, now I am. What are you doing in my bed?" George asks, also whispering.
"I can't sleep. Let's talk silently in case Pa gets up with Emerson." Ben answers using their mental connection.
"Alright, what do you want to talk about?"
"Which tricks did you like best, the roping ones or how Mark can gallop, pivot the horse in a circle and do a somersault out of the saddle to land on his feet?"
"I liked all of them. You might as well forget that idea. Pa already told us not to ever try those tricks."
"What idea?"
"You're thinking you can practice doing a flip like Mark. Pa will definitely whip you if he catches you doing something dangerous especially when he said not to! You were stinging from the smacking he gave you after supper. Do you want to have a much more sore bottom?"
"How'd you know about that? You were playing with the baby in the big bedroom."
"I know because I just know these things again. It left for a while but it came back. I just know things about the family. Also, it was obvious Pa was mad after you were rude to guests then talked back to Mama. When you were squirming on the top rail, I knew."
"Hmm, well I for one am glad our special way of talking never went away." Ben answers.
Sunday afternoon, Savannah, Chris, and all four children have taken a wagon to the shore of the lake. Having brought a picnic lunch, Savannah enlists the girl's help to spread out the blanket and the food. Chris has taken the two boys to gather dry wood for a fire. The temperature by the water is cool enough to enjoy having one.
After everyone is finished enjoying the lunch, Chris asks for attention.
"Children, please listen. Savannah and I have enjoyed our time together and our time with you children. Nathaniel and Charlotte, I have enjoyed getting to know you. Aaron and Alyssa, I know you have enjoyed having Savannah with us. We have decided to get married. We will all live in our home together."
"Yea! I get a mother! Will you teach me to bake? I can cook a few things but I want to bake cookies and pies! Charlotte can learn with me." Alyssa exclaims clapping in her excitement.
"I will do my best, dear," Savannah replies, touched by the girl's excitement.
Noticing Nathaniel looking confused, Chris lifts the little boy onto his lap then reaches out to pull Charlotte to snuggle against his side.
"Would you two do me a big favor?" He asks.
"What kind of favor?" Charlotte replies cautiously. "We are little we can't do much, especially big things."
"I hope you can do this, sweetie. Will you be my little girl and boy? If your Mama is going to get to be Mama for the twins then I should get to be Papa for you two. That is only fair. We each get to have four children."
"We get to call you Papa now?" Charlotte asks. While Nathaniel questions "You want us as your boy and girl?" While bending his head back to see Chris.
"Yes to both questions. You will be my children just as Aaron and Alyssa are and may call me Papa or Pa."
"Good. Where will I sleep? I need a bed cause I don't like the floor." The little boy asks, frowning in puzzlement.
"Do not worry little one. You will either sleep with Aaron or we will get another bed for you."
"Alright. May we have chocolate pie now, Mama?"
Chris can't help but laugh at the child's easy acceptance. "Chocolate pie is a grand idea, little one."
"Papa?" Alyssa asks as everyone is finishing dessert.
"Yes, Alyssa?"
"When is the wedding and can I have a new dress to wear? I want to carry flowers the way Claire did at Aunt Delphie's wedding. Are we having our wedding outside at the gazebo just as Uncle Ethan did?"
"We are only having a small ceremony in the church. Savannah and I are planning a quick visit with Reverend Davis and be done."
"No singing, candles, flowers, or girls in pretty dresses?" Alyssa asks, crestfallen.
Seeing the dejected look on the girl's face, Savannah asks, "Chris? Couldn't we have the children involved? We could still keep it small with just our children, a minister, and a few witnesses. We agreed to a small private wedding and this would still be one."
"Yes, let us do some more talking but I agree the children should be involved."
"Thank you, Papa," Alyssa says while ignoring the glare Aaron is giving her from his spot beside Chris. Being in a wedding means wearing dress-up clothes which is not his idea of a good time.
"We will find a way to get you and Charlotte pretty dresses. The boys can wear their church clothes." Savannah informs the girl sitting beside her.
What about your dress, Miss. Savan...um, Mama? Can I call you mama, now?" Alyssa asks.
"You go right ahead and call me Mama. I have my blue church dress to wear."
"Aren't ladies supposed to wear cream or white dresses? Blue seems a sad color for a happy time, Mama." Alyssa muses.
Across the blanket, Nathaniel suddenly throws a handful of corn straight at Alyssa. "MAMA IS MY MAMA NOT YOURS!"
Shocked at her little boy's actions and animosity, Savannah stares at him.
"Throwing food is forbidden, young man. You know better than to do such things!" Chris scolds the child.
"Don't Care! MY MAMA!" Nathaniel answers as he quickly grabs a fistful of peas and flings them at Alyssa.
"Nathaniel, I am still your mama. I can be Mama to four children just as much as two. Apologize for throwing food!"
"NO! I WON'T!"
"Very well then you will be punished!" Chris tells the boy as he stands and lifts the child. Walking back to the wagon, he places the boy in the wagon bed. You earned yourself thinking time. You do as your Mama or I tell you Nathaniel and you do not say 'no' or 'I won't'! Now, you are to stay right here until I come back. When I come back, you will go give your apologies to the family for your behavior. If you tell me 'no' or refuse to do as I say, I will spank you. You think about what you want to do. You can choose to either apologize or be punished further. I will come back to hear your choice in ten minutes."
Back with the family, Savannah asks "What did you say to him?"
Before answering Chris tells the other children "You three can go over by the water to look for stones. Stay out of the water and close enough to see us."
"Yes, Pa." Aaron responds taking Charlotte by the hand to lead her to the edge of the lake.
Watching to see the children stop before getting too close to the water, Chris turns to Savannah.
"I told Nathaniel he was to do what you or I tell him without saying 'no' or 'I won't'. I explained he was being punished by having to stay in the wagon until I came back in ten minutes. He is choosing to either come and apologize to the family or get a spanking."
"Chris! He is too young to understand his actions. He is just four and is not liking hearing Alyssa call me Mama. You should not spank him."
"Have you taught your children manners? Do they sit while eating, use silverware, chew and swallow before speaking, and never throw food?"
"Why, yes, of course, Chris. We have eaten many meals together so you would have seen the children know how to behave during a meal."
"Yes, I have. That is how I knew Nathaniel was misbehaving. He is not a baby anymore, he knows better. Do you disagree? Are you against applying a few smacks to the bottom of a misbehaving child? I don't use a spanking often but I will use it to correct a behavior that Is defiant or dangerous. This was defiant. I do not tolerate a child saying they refuse to do as they were told."
"I understand your thinking but I have not spanked them. I think talking is better. Nathaniel was mistreated by his Grandfather. The man used a switch on him several times. He first used it on him at the age of three. The boy was even switched for wetting the bed one night. That was when I decided to leave. Your or rather Aaron's, letter came the week I applied with the company. It was meant to be. I packed a few things and left in the night. My late husband's father was a tyrant."
"I thank you for telling me. You do not need to worry. The twins were in a situation similar to Nathaniel. There were times when Aaron could not sit after a session with his father. I never have and never will use such force to leave bruises, welts, or long-lasting pain. Will you trust me to be a good father to the children even if it means applying a spanking if needed?"
"Yes and thank you for letting me speak on this. Most men would not let women have a chance to talk this way. They make all the decisions in the marriage or courtship."
"I am not that way. We will make decisions together. This is the modern way." Chris replies. "Let me go hear Nathaniel's choice and spring him from his prison."
"So young fella, what is your decision? Will you choose to go tell everyone you are sorry for being rude?" Chris asks ignoring the tear-streaked face and trembling lip for now.
"I am sorry. I will be good. Don't spank me I will tell sorry to everybody."
Lifting the boy out of the wagon, Chris hugs him before setting him down. "That is the grown-up choice! I am proud of you for choosing to do what is right. Run hug your Mama and tell her you are sorry. You can apologize to everyone else afterwards."
Her heart heavy with her decision, Miss. Donaldson gathers the test papers and walks to the Sheriff's office hoping to catch him this time. Her previous attempt failed as he was not in the office. Deputy Williams was there but she didn't mention why she came.
Opening the door she finds Sheriff Cord alone in the office just as she hoped.
"Miss. Donaldson, hello. Mitch mentioned you stopped by yesterday. Come sit down. What can I do for you? Is the school stove out of coal again? It is still cool enough to need heat. Are you in need of any other supplies?" Ethan asks thinking she is here to see him as head of the school board and needs help.
"Hello, no I am not here to ask for anything. I came because of my concern for George."
"What do you mean? Is he misbehaving?"
"Not in the way you mean, no. He is very well behaved and up until a few weeks ago, my best student. I have noticed his grades are dropping. He now has a C average in arithmetic and spelling. Both of these subjects are usually not difficult for him. I have tests here to show you."
Looking at the papers, Ethan sees only half of the test finished. The papers have numbered spaces but nothing is written for half of both spelling tests. There are twelve spaces but six words. The arithmetic papers have problems written but half remain unsolved.
"On these tests, he would work diligently, and then he seemed to just lose concentration. He would stare off at a wall or down at his desk. No amount of prompting from me helped. I also kept him in at recess to get him to finish the tests. He once again would begin and fade away. I do not know what to think. I did not want to see him fail these tests but half done is not going to get full marks."
"I understand. Is this occurring only on tests?"
"No, it occurs during class discussions as well. My once reliable student who joyfully participated in discussions now has few words. I mostly hear "I don't remember, Ma'am."
"Thank you for bringing these papers and telling me about this. I will certainly be having a talk with George. You should see a change by tomorrow. Is there a spelling test tomorrow?"
"Yes, we have one every Friday. We practice the words in their level groups every day. Just so you know, Ben has been doing well. He has a B average in spelling now. Mrs. Cord's way of helping him really worked."
Later that evening after Mike and Mark have returned to town, Ethan decides it is time to have a discussion with his youngest son..
Going over to the boys all spread out around the fireplace reading, whittling, or playing checkers he says "George? I need to speak to you. Come with me. The rest of you boys continue your fun."