New Beginnings: Life Changes
Ch. 46
Getting Older, But Not Old Enough
Having been informed by the teacher of George having trouble in school, Ethan has requested a private talk with the boy in the boy's bedroom.
Having left his brothers enjoying themselves by the warm fire, George glumly enters his bedroom. Licking his lips, he speaks before his Pa.
"Pa? I know why you want to talk to me alone. I know, as you said to Mama, you are disappointed, confused, and somewhat angry, about my school performance. It is not up to your expectations. I do have an explanation as to why my school performance is not as good as it usually is. Will you please let me talk before you punish me?"
Somewhat taken aback by his youngest son sounding so mature, Ethan nods before answering. "I am pleased to hear you accept responsibility for your actions. I will always listen to your side before deciding what or if, consequences are needed. Did you listen in on my conversation with your Mama earlier today? Is this how you have repeated exact words? You know how I feel about eavesdropping young man!"
"No sir. I didn't eavesdrop, I was in the barn doing chores." George answers. Seeing the expression of doubt in his Pa's face, he decides to try to explain.
"Pa? Do you remember how upset I was back when we took Claire back to her boarding school that time? You were angry with me then. Do you remember why I was that way? My first Mama was talking to me and telling me what was going to happen and it did happen. There was a fire and Claire was injured."
"Yes George, I do recall that time. I did not believe you when I should have. I saw a child having a fit because he couldn't have what he wanted, his sister to stay with him. I was not happy with how your behavior was making Claire hesitate to fulfill her dream of more schooling."
"You learned I was talking to Mama. You understood me then. Pa? You know that Ben and I have some kind of special connection where we can talk by thinking instead of saying the words, don't you?"
"Yes, I am aware of that ability. Are you and Ben having conversations during school? Is this why you only finished half your work and have not been listening in class?" Ethan asks sitting on the side of the bed and motioning George to do the same.
"No sir. I can sometimes block Ben if I want to." George answers, taking a big breath before continuing.
"Pa, I have something to tell you. That hearing thoughts thing with Ben? Something has changed and now I can often hear most everyone in the family. You, sometimes Mama as well, Joseph, Ben, and especially Emerson. Emerson is very strong in her thinking. I hear her at home and lately even during school. She gets very mad when she wants something and doesn't get it right when she thinks of it. I can not concentrate in school if I hear thoughts." George says before stopping, with the far-off look on his face Ethan has seen lately.
"She is about to cry right now because she woke up and has a messy diaper. I will let you change that. I don't want to change her this time. Mama was thinking she might sleep through the night and here she is already awake." George tells his frowning father just before they both hear a loud wailing coming from the big bedroom.
"Stay right here, George. I will be back after I check the baby."
"Yes sir. She wants her little bear, the one Claire sent her. It fell under the cradle when Mama put her down to sleep."
Going into his bedroom, Ethan finds Delphie beginning to check the baby.
"Our little one is awake. I was hoping to get a full night's sleep. Surely she is old enough to sleep through the night by now." Delphie says seeing him enter.
"She does like to be awake at night. Is she wet or messy?" Ethan asks noticing the toy bear on the floor where George said it would be.
"Both, unfortunately. I'll need to get her some warm water for a bath."
"I will get it but before I do let me ask, was George with you when you put the baby to bed tonight?"
"No, he was helping Joseph cook. He was in charge of the potatoes and corn. Why do you ask?"
"George says he can often know what most people in the family are thinking. His reason for poor performance in school is that the baby has strong thoughts. He can hear her in his mind, he says. I am unsure if this is possible. He informed me the baby was messy and wanted her toy bear just before she began wailing. He said it had fallen under the cradle. I come in and the bear is under the cradle and you have said she is messy. Is this hearing Emerson's thoughts possible?" Ethan asks deciding not to mention George knowing his Mama's thoughts as well.
"Let's get the baby clean and warm then we'll talk," Delphie replies.
"I'll be right back with the pitcher of warm water for the washbasin. We still have some in the kettle on the stove. I will warm milk for her also." Ethan responds before leaving the room.
As Delphie gently washes her daughter, she continues the conversation. "I have been noticing how George is very good at recognizing Emerson's needs. He tells me what she wants. I believe the two are connected the same way he and Ben are connected. You once told me some of your family had special abilities. You mentioned being told of a grandmother who people went to for her unusual knowledge of how to heal. My family has stories of my Mother's grandmother being a good seer. People of her village either came to her to seek her visions of the future or condemned her as a sorceress. With both of our families having unique abilities in our heritage, Emerson may be doubly blessed."
"Do you believe it is possible our seven-week-old daughter can talk through her mind? Delphie, that seems ridiculous!"
"It does seem unusual but Ethan, George tells the truth even if it brings punishment. Just a few weeks ago he told you the truth when you asked if he had taken his horse out alone. He accepted the spanking you administered because he knew he had earned it. He knowingly broke your rule for the boys' riding so he knew he would be punished. He did not lie to you then. If he did decide to lie now, why would he make up some difficult to believe tale about a baby when he could easily get out of trouble in a more believable way?"
"You made a good point. He does usually tell us the truth. Let me go talk with him. I left him wondering if I believed his explanation so let's continue our conversation later."
"Yes, go talk to him. Be fair if you decide to give consequences. He doesn't deserve harsh punishment. This is not something he meant to do. No wonder he can't concentrate! If I had the ability to have other people's thoughts, it would make me want to hide under the bed!"
Returning to the bedroom, Ethan finds George looking agitated walking back and forth between the two beds.
"Son? Are you alright?"
"Ben is moving my checker pieces on the board! That is cheating! He thinks I won't remember where my checkers were, but I will!"
"I will tell him it is time to put away the board. This checker match is over. You can begin a new game another time. I want you to come sit here on the bed again."
"George, you told me you can sometimes block thoughts from Ben, correct?"
"Yessir."
"Then you can also block other thoughts from your mind. I want you to practice blocking messages. When you are in school you are to be completely focused on Miss. Donaldson and your schoolwork. If you have any more of this not listening in class or half finished work, you will feel my displeasure on your backside! Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir."
"After our talk, do your evening routine for bed. After that you spend the rest of the time before bed, studying for the spelling test tomorrow. You want to do your best and try to make a good score. I know you can because you do well in school, most of the time. Isn't this true?"
"Yes, most of the time I do."
"Yes, and you will continue to do your best. Now listen carefully. From tonight forward, if you have a problem, come to me or your Mama. No matter what it is, you come to us! Hiding it will only lead you to worry and possible trouble. You are old enough to understand this, George."
"Yes Pa, I will. Am I going to get a whipping for failing those tests? I know you say we have to do our best and this was not my best."
"Under normal circumstances, if you were playing or talking in class or just not studying, I would punish you that way. In this instance, you were not deliberately misbehaving, were you?"
"No, Papa. I like school. I want to learn and Miss. Donaldson is a fun teacher. I would not cause trouble on purpose. Really, Pa!"
"I believe you, George. Go get washed and ready for bed. You are to practice your spelling list until bedtime. That will be in an hour." Ethan says having checked his pocket watch.
The following evening, after the meal, George presented his spelling and arithmetic quizzes to his father. He deliberately waited for his brothers to show their scores first.
Ethan had declared the night before he would be requiring the boys to show their weekly spelling and any other tests, on Friday evening as he had done in the past.
"Here are the two you requested, Pa. I did my best on them."
Taking the papers folded in half, Ethan looks at the scores before scanning the tests themselves, he sees the spelling test is a grade of 95, an A, and the arithmetic is a B grade of 87.
"Good job, George. You scored an A in spelling and a B in arithmetic. This is the type of work you are capable of all the time. I thought your spelling quizzes were ten words but this has twenty."
"That is our end of term quiz. We had ten extra words from lessons learned in previous weeks. No one knew which words they were. I missed chrysanthemum which is one of the extra ten words. I spelled it with an i instead of y!"
Having been listening, Joseph says "That word would be easy to remember if you say it 'cry san thuh mum" Just picture a flower crying. I learned to spell it that way, thinking of a picture."
Ben adds to the conversation by declaring "Thinking of a picture does not help me spell the word aluminum, Joseph. There are so many letter i's, m's in that word and u's also. I get it so mixed up! Is it a.l.o.o.n.i.m.u.m? Maybe a.l.o.o.m.i.u.m.u.n? I just can't get that one. Why can't we just call it tin?!"
"Because those are two different metals, Ben. That word is best learned by just writing it out over and over until you memorize how to spell it. By the way, the word aluminum does not have any letter o in it."
Seeing Ben about to argue, Ethan says "All three of you did good work on your tests. Joseph, I grant your request to spend tomorrow night at Theo's. You have worked hard these past weeks around the ranch and with Rob. You get to have all of Saturday to spend with your friends. You will come home with us after church on Sunday."
"Ben, George, you both get time to spend in town tomorrow from right after lunch until three o'clock. Your mama and I will be leaving to help your Uncle Chris with his wedding. After the ceremony, we are taking Chris and Savannah to the hotel for a wedding dinner. I need the two of you to help Rob. He and Amelia are going to babysit Emerson."
"I am nearly twelve and George is almost eleven, Papa. We are getting older and we could babysit her for you." Ben declares. George agrees with "We sure could!"
Having kept out of the boy's conversation but listened, Delphie says from the rocker, "We both know how grown up you boys are getting, Ben, George. You are getting older but not quite old enough to be alone with a young baby just yet. I think it is best if you let Rob and Amelia take care of Emerson with your help. Someday they may have a baby and they need to practice."
"Is Rob going to have a baby to play with by summertime? That is only a few weeks from now, in May and June!" George asks.
"He better not if he wants to enjoy sitting on all the furniture he is building!" Ethan growls, startling the two younger boys as Delphie exclaims "Ethan".
"Rob can't have a baby, boys. He is not a woman. Only women can have babies but men can sure help it happen. Right, Pa?" Joseph informs his brothers as he mischievously glances at his Pa."
"Joseph Adam, mind your tongue young man! That is not a topic for family discussions! You are going to be in trouble if you open up that can of worms!" Ethan scolds with a stern look at his fifteen year old.
"George?" Ben asks.
"Yeah?" George answers also silently.
"What does a can of worms for fishing have to do with Rob and Amelia getting a baby? Doctor Amy helps Mamas bring babies to families and she doesn't even like fishing so she wouldn't have worms.
"I don't know Ben but don't ask Pa. He is not in a good mood anymore!"
Saturday afternoon in town:
Having helped the children get dressed and finished dressing himself everyone is waiting for Savannah. Chris gathers the younger kids on his lap for a talk while having the twins nearby.
"Children, this afternoon is very special. Your Mama and I are going to be married and we will all become one family. I want everyone on their absolute best behavior. Reverend Davis will be helping us with the wedding. Afterward, Savannah and I are going to eat with the Cords. You children will come home to eat. We have supper already cooked. All you do is warm it which Aaron and Alyssa will do. Charlotte and Nathaniel, your job will be to help by setting the table and making sure everyone has eating utensils. Alyssa has already baked a cake for a special treat. Now, can I depend on you to be on your best behavior during our time in church?"
"Yes sir," the three oldest answer as Nathaniel says "Yes, Papa".
Arriving at the church, the new family finds Ethan, Delphie, Matthew, Linnea, Mitch, Dr. Amy, and Reverend Davis waiting inside.
"Thank you for coming, we did not know we were late." Chris greets everyone as Savannah gives final instructions to the children.
"Late to your own nuptials! What must your bride think, Chris?" Mitch teases.
"The bride was with me so if I am late, Mitch, so is she. It isn't an easy task getting four children in wedding clothes. Nathaniel cried because he did not have a tie like Aaron and myself. I found one for him, tied it, and then he proceeds to demand it be taken off. Apparently, it choked him."
"Welcome to the world of parenting children under seven," Ethan says.
As the children greet the guests, Delphie exclaims over the girl's dresses. "Your dresses are so nice, girls. I like the pink sashes around your waist and matching hair ribbons. You match your Mama's dress."
"Thank you. Mrs. Anderson told Mama and Papa, she had three white dresses she would rework just for Mama, me, and Charlotte. Mama let us choose our waist sash color. Why didn't you bring baby Emmy, Aunt Delphie? I would look after her for you."
"I know you would, dear. Babies need to stay home from weddings, Alyssa. Besides you are part of this wedding and could not have babysat. Emerson is home. Rob and Amelia are babysitting."
"Everyone? We are ready to begin. Please take your places. The couple wishes to have our lovely hymn Blest Be The Tie That Binds sung by Dr. Amy Finnegan and Mrs. Delphie Cord. Ladies, when you are ready.
The two sisters Irish lilt is heard as they sing:
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above,
Before our Father's throne,
we pour our ardent prayers,
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comfort and our cares.
"Thank you ladies, that was lovely. We gather today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony..." Reverend Davis begins with the familiar words. Keeping the ceremony short as the couple requested he ends with "I now present Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Johnston and family. Congratulations everyone!"
"Am I married now, Papa?" Nathaniel asks loud enough for all to hear while wriggling in place beside Chris.
"Your mama and I are married now and you are part of my family," Chris answers, smiling.
"Okay. Now that we are done, will you take me to the necessary, please? I need to go right now!"
"Aaron? Take him and come straight back when he finishes."
Back at the ranch, Ben and George are enjoying having Rob home. For the past week, he has slept in town after working on his property.
"Amelia? When you and Rob get married, will you have a baby like Emerson?" George asks while rocking his baby sister.
"Someday we hope to have a baby, George. I don't think the baby will be as pretty as your sister. The red hair and bright blue eyes are so beautiful. She seems very much aware of things for a baby so young."
Coming in from helping Ben finish evening chores, Rob overhears the last sentence. "Little miss was that aware just after she was born. She sure took her time examining me when I first held her. I don't know to this day if I passed inspection."
"She likes you, Rob. You just haven't taken care of her much." George comments.
"Rob? Pa says you won't sit comfortably on the furniture you are making if you get a baby by summer. I guess maybe by Christmas if you behave, you could get Santa to bring you one." Ben tells his brother.
Turning red, Rob glances at Amelia who is hiding her giggles behind her hand.
"Ben! Do not talk of us and babies! There is no baby coming anytime soon! Talk of something else!"
"Okay. Amelia, did Rob tell you of the time he and Joseph got in trouble at the Denver hotel?"
"No, Ben. You tell me. What did he do?"
"He said some rude things to the bank man who was helping set up the account for Rob to have his fortune. Pa was there to sign papers along with Rob's Uncle Vern saying he was in charge of Rob and the money. Rob's Pa found gold and Rob has lots of money. He got a whipping from Pa for backtalking and being rude at the bank. Joseph got one for fighting with Rob. Joseph says Pa was being unreasonable then."
"Rob? Is this true that you have money? Did your father have gold?" Amelia asks.
"I DIDN'T LIE!" Ben declares loudly, making the baby startle awake.
"Ben, do not shout at Amelia! Apologize right now or you snd I will have an unpleasant private talk!" Rob orders.
"I apologize." Ben dutifully obeys.
"Amelia, it is true. I will tell you the entire tale of my inheritance later. Right now we have a very angry red haired imp to deal wiith. Ben, go heat some water so we can warm her bottle.
"No wonder you were able to buy the house kit and afford your work crew, I thought it was you spending money from a loan on the bank and we would have to pay on it! My mother's husband did that with our shop. He owed money, remember?"
"Yes, I do. Shhhhh, baby. Stop crying. Ben won't shout by you again. I have you, you are safe, shhhh, stop screaming please." Rob answers Amelia and tries to comfort Emerson.
"Rob? She is frightened and wants Mama to hold her. Let me have her."
"I've got her. Delphie can not hold her if she is not here, George." Rob says as if explaining to a very young child.
"I know that but Emerson doesn't! Give her to me! I can calm her better!" George snaps at his oldest brother.
"Watch how you speak to me, George. I am in charge tonight and you are being disrespectful. You aren't too old for me to spank!"
"Alright, MR. IN CHARGE, YOU DEAL WITH EMERSON." George replies before heading for the barn.
Trying to calm the baby, Rob walks in circles.
"Let me try, Rob. Maybe I can soothe her." Amelia says as Rob completes his fifth circle of kitchen and front room.
"Okay, you take her. I will go find George."
Finding his youngest brother in the stall with his horse, Lucy, Rob says "Lucy is looking very fine now, George. You are taking good care of her. Will you come talk to me, please? I can see I upset you. Let's talk about it"
"Rob? I apologize for being rude to you. I have something happening to me and I can't stop it. Pa told me to but I can't! Everyone is getting mad at me and wants to punish me! I almost got whipped the other day. Now you threatened to spank me. If you do, Pa will as well! He told me and Ben if we caused you any trouble we would be in major trouble with him. I am going to be eleven soon. I don't like being treated like a little boy with wallopings and scoldings!"
"Well, I am sorry for having to tell you this, George. Turning eleven is not going to end you getting spanked or scolded! How old is Joseph?"
"Fifteen"
"Does he get scolded and sometimes spanked?"
"Scolded but not spanked for a while, I think. I get your point. I will still be punished. Can I tell you my secret? Pa knows about it."
"Yes, and I will try to help. Even when I scold you, I am your big brother and I want to help."
"You know how Ben and I have the special way of talking just by thinking? Joseph and Claire could do it too when they were younger. Do you remember how I sometimes know things before it happens? The fire at Claire's school? Ben needing John Taylor but we didn't know him at the time. Those things?"
"I do know and remember, why?"
"Emerson can talk to me just the way I talk to Ben. It is strong, Rob. She sounds loud and demanding. She started the night she was born. I try to stop hearing her but she can push past my blocks. I can't sleep sometimes and my schoolwork is suffering. I got in trouble at school for what people call daydreaming. It was Emerson talking to me! Do you believe me? Do you think there is something wrong with me for hearing what people think?"
"I have seen how you just know things before it happens at times. I believe you and Ben talk without speaking. If you say the baby has the same way of talking, I believe you. Since you know what she wants, come inside and tell me. I left her squalling with Amelia. I couldn't stand the high pitched wailing. I apologize for being cross with you. You were trying to help."
Closing his eyes and concentrating, George nods.
"She really wants Mama or Papa. She is afraid but doesn't know what that really is. I told her we were all here with her and will take care of her. She is hungry and needs a fresh diaper as well."
"I will pay you a dollar to change the diaper, George. We warmed a bottle. Will she let me feed it to her?
Cocking his head to one side before answering, George finally says "Emerson wants Amelia to feed her. I will change her but you don't need to pay me. I want to help my sister."
"Come with me, Emerson. I will make you all better." Amelia hears as she watches the boy take the baby. Frowning, he says "Yes of course. We will feed you after I get you clean. You can let Rob hold you. He is your big brother too. Did you forget him?" George asks walking with the baby to his parent's room
"Rob? Is it my imagination or is George actually having a conversation with the baby? It looked like he heard her but she can not talk yet, can she? I did not hear anyone but George." Amelia asks.
"It is a talent he has. He can hear certain thoughts or so he says. He and Ben have this special connection and have had it for years. They talk by thinking. I guess he has this with Emmy now as well."
"Your younger brothers are growing up, Rob. This is fascinating. We have to talk about this later too. Right now let's see what we can cook for supper. Ben says he is hungry. He went to the smokehouse to find some meat. He said there was beef."
"Alright we will talk later, but there is not much more to say about it. As to a meal, we can make stew. That is simple and I see bread to have with it." Rob replies.
AN: The story of George, Claire, and the fire mentioned above is discussed in the story The Masquerade: chapters 35 and 36.
Hymn: Blest Be The Tie That Binds was written by John Fawcett in 1782
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