Chapter One
Benjamin awoke to the rude echo of their rooster. Rolling over in his bed, he opened his eyes to focus on the room he was in and felt revolted. Ever though his father, Jesse, was a famous person in the community it didn't bring his family any more benefits than that. Poor Benjamin was typically taking care of Zee, his mother, and his little brother Cole who was two years younger. Normally his father was off trying to provide his family with the daily essentials but later he had been over at Doc's because of a back pain that had reoccurred from all the years of lifting heavy farm equipment.
Getting dressed, he put his suspenders on and walked towards the other end of the room to grab his boots. Smiling, he put them on and headed downstairs to have breakfast with his parents, brother Cole, and Jesse's other friends from the James- Younger gang. In this house Benjamin felt so at home, growing up as a seventeen- year- old boy soon to be eighteen. But the long, dark months of winter were soon to be over as the first peak of spring began to show. No one would have ever realized that a small town such as Liberty went through such a tough past every single day of their lives. As Benjamin seated himself beside his father, he cleared his throat and decided to make small conversation.
"How is everyone on this fine, February morning?" he asked, taking a glimpse at everyone at the table. For a moment, they became rather silent not allowing themselves to tell Benjamin of the recently found news. When he was eight-years-old, the tale was supposed to just be a mere joke to scare the happy people of Liberty.
Zee decided to speak up. "Oh dear boy. We didn't want to tell you this but it has been brought to our attention that the Rock Island Railroad is passing through Liberty trying to take our deeds. It seems as if the past is starting up again," his mother answered, nervously looking at her youngest son and then up at Jesse.
"Don't worry Zee, we'll take care of everything," Jesse supplied, looking at his friends. Out of the whole group of the James- Younger gang, Jesse was the youngest but only by a few years. Cole was second youngest. But Jesse knew that his friends didn't have the strength to try and defeat Rains grandson. He had to rely on his son and teach him everything he knew about fighting and protecting what was right. "Ben, Cole, come with me," Jesse's raspy voice called out. "We need to talk."
The boys eagerly left the breakfast table, excusing themselves from their mother and hurried out the door to follow their father. In all honesty, those two boys had no clue what they were going to have to do. Much of their fathers past had been kept hush-hush for the safety in having it happen again. No one really believed that the past was starting up again. Rains grandson must have had a grudge against Jesse and weren't allowing to let it go. After all, everyone who didn't like Jesse James was either trying to kill him or make him suffer. The 'real' outlaws mission was to become more popular than Jesse by brutally murdering him.
As Cole and Benjamin approached their father, who was sitting and watching the horses graze beyond the fence, they quietly sat down on the ground beside Jesse awaiting further instructions. They were willing to do anything to keep their house they had worked so hard for. That was how the brothers were brought up. To protect what was rightfully theirs. Breathing in the cold air, Jesse spoke in a soft yet comforting voice. He knew it was up to his boys to keep their home. Most likely Pinkerton was still alive and attempting to get that railroad up and running. Rains and Pinkerton had to be stopped for the future of this town. A railroad just couldn't be built.
Grabbing a small handful of dirt into his right hand, Jesse watched as it slowly sifted through his fingers. For so long of his life he had tried to keep what had happened twenty years ago from happening again. Jesse was now fourty five years old and signs of arthritis had already begun to show. It was all up to his sons. Releasing a long held breath, he spoke up. "Guys, I think its time to clue you in all about what your pa did when he was only a little younger than you two." In a kind, courteous manner, Jesse told his only two sons the tale of how he was the biggest outlaw to date and how he had stopped Thaddeus Rains from building a railroad through the town of Liberty. His sons listened in awe, as he explained the journey even mentioning how he met Zee so many fine years ago.
When Jesse finished telling his life story he turned to look his eldest son, Benjamin, face to face. If only he wouldn't have seen the hurt and disappointment on Benjamin's face. He felt bad for not telling his son(s) the whole story but it was one of those times where you have to wait for the perfect moment. All Jesse wanted was for his kids to grow up normally, leading a happy life without the fear and constant boasting that they were the flesh and blood of the famous Jesse James. He had his so-called reasons to keep things about his past from Benjamin and Cole but sometimes it felt as if he had betrayed them to an extent.
Ben shifted from his spot on the ground and wiped the dirt off of his pants as he turned to gaze at his father once more. "But why?" Ben questioned, in the tone of voice that showed Jesse that his son didn't understand why being famous was such a secret.
Jesse thought for a few moments before he spoke. When word came that Zee was pregnant and he'd have his first child, he begged everyone in town to keep the fame of 'Jesse James' to themselves. He almost was asking that they'd just forget he was a hero and treat him as though he was a normal guy. And by all means Jesse James was one of the most normal type guys in all of Missouri. He did a lot of daily activities a bit differently and had obviously showed signs of a soft side popping through. Could it be true? Was Jesse James growing soft?
"Son, I didn't think you were ready to hear what I just told you. Was it so wrong for your father to want you to lead a normal life?" Jesse asked, grabbing his son by the arm and pulling him along to show him some more history. Hesitantly, Benjamin followed his father with Cole only a few short steps behind. Approaching the back porch, Jesse called Benjamin over to his side. "Son, I need you to pull up this loose floorboard."
Benjamin nodded his head in affirmation as he yanked up the loose floorboard. "Ok," Benjamin calmly answered. "Now what."
"There is a box underneath about four inches of dirt. Dig around until you find it and pull it out," Jesse responded, sitting on the porch so he could catch his breath. Old age was starting to take toll on him. Especially since most men only lived to be about fifty if they were lucky. Clearing his throat, he closed his eyes for a few minutes as he reminisced the past twenty years of his life. Jesse was quite a lucky man to have the family and wife he did. Smiling, Benjamin dug through the dirt until he found the book and pulled it out of the whole. Then he set it beside his father and waited for further instruction.
"Go on. Open it up," Jesse urged.
Carefully, Benjamin opened the box to come face to face with his father's guns. Immediately, he went to grab one and get the feel of a gun but his father quickly pulled him back. "Ben, you aren't ready yet. You need to learn how to shoot a gun properly."
Benjamin looked at his father sadly. Here, he was at the age of eighteen years and his father wouldn't allow him to operate a gun. Mostly everyone who lived in the West knew how to operate a gun but the James boys. Most days the kids their age were interested in making Benjamin and Cole feel unworthy. But, now, they had a reason to prove everyone wrong but first they had to learn to shoot a gun. "When can we start pa?" Cole asked, speaking up for his nearly speechless brother.
"Soon, son. Very soon son." Jesse ruffled Cole's hair as he slowly got up with his hand on his back. It was no doubt in Jesse's mind that he was going to need help. He was barely capable of standing. But he didn't want to make his children go through the same thing. There was a voice in the back of Jesse's head that told him that Benjamin was a grown man and that he would soon be ready to lead a life of his own. Not wanting to accept the future, he grabbed the box of guns and headed back inside to have breakfast with Loni, Cole, Frank, and Bob.
~*~
Ben and Cole sat outside unwilling to go back to breakfast. All that was on their mind was to please their father and make him proud of his sons. They knew this task was going to be quite a difficult one. Learning to operate a gun wasn't easy when you knew absolutely nothing about one. The two brothers decided to enjoy a small conversation; maybe Ben and Cole would have a plan to stop Rains.
"Any ideas, Ben?" Cole asked his older brother as he stood up and looked out into the distance to see a bunch of guys on horses coming in their direction.
"No. But I think we should get pa for the time being. It looks like we have some intruders." Cole nodded as his older brother went running into the house to get his father. Benjamin hated to disrupt his father but they were teenage boys and their father knew best. "Pa," Ben called, breathing heavily. "Some men are- are," he took a breath as he stuttered for the rest of his sentence to come out.
"What? Boy, spit it out," his father roared, worried about what Ben was about to say.
"Some are on horses and heading for the ranch. I think it has something to do with that story you told Cole and I, pa," Ben answered hesitantly watching as the men's facial expressions turned to one of pure disgust and anger.
"Let's get out there boys. We have some new generations of Rock Island Railroads to deal with," Jesse's firm voice called out, still rather raspy from his recent cold.
All of the men nodded their heads. Ben was about to go outside when Zee grabbed him by the arm. She looked worried about what was about to happen. After all, when Ben was younger, Jesse had told him that his mother had died very cruelly. But it was never more or less than that. "Ma, are we in trouble?" Ben asked, his soft brown eyes glowing.
"No Ben. It just looks like we'll be fighting to keep the railroad away again. I guess that's why your father wants to train you. He was in the war so long ago so he should still be of great help even if he isn't in the greatest shape. And poor Doc. That man is practically on his death bed. I don't know how long my father will live," Zee answered dully.
Turning to face his mother, he pulled her into a hug. "I love you ma. Everything will be all right."
Zee smiled at her son and tightened her grip around him. "Now, you go out there and help out your father, his friends, and your little brother." Ben nodded his head and ran out to the porch as the men in very fine suits stopped their horses a mere few feet away from the house.
"It looks like I have the opportunity of meeting the famous Jesse James. Too bad you won't be able to stop the RIR (Rock Island Railroad) this time around," the man cackled.
"Really? Oh and who may I owe the pleasure of disagreeing with?" Jesse growled, gripping his hand on his gun.
"Oh the name is William Pinkerton. I'm sure you knew my father. Isn't it nice to have no way out of this, Jesse? I fear you're too old to go out with your James- Younger gang. You may want to consider in just leaving Missouri." William smiled and was about to turn around when Ben and Cole stuck up.
"Well our father may not be capable of it, but I'm sure we are," Benjamin yelled, putting a hand on Cole's right shoulder.
"Little boys, I don't think that's a good idea. Who are you anyway?"
"Benjamin and Cole James," Cole answered bitterly as his brother and himself bowed before Pinkerton.
Pinkerton snorted. "Well, boys. We'll see what happens. I'll be dropping a notice of when RIR will be building their lovely railroad through here."
"Yeah, we'll see," Ben retorted.
Pinkerton and the men on the horses turned around and took off before a fight could even begin. Everyone was hotheaded and definitely not in the mood to have to deal with this but the James boys were all Liberty had left. They would have to step up and be men about this.
"When can we practice, pa?" Cole asked.
Jesse let out a nasty cough. "Later. I'm not feeling so well," he answered clinging onto the porch banister to get up the steps. His two children sent him wary glances as he walked in the house. Their father was sick and the only way they'd learn how to operate a gun was by themselves. It was time they stopped depending on Jesse who was obviously in no state to be used and talked to. Ben and Cole took off into town meanwhile. They had to gather some of their closest friends.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This is a sample of how the chapters will look. I plan on making next chapter longer. If you enjoy, then please review because I may not update for a while. And thanks to the first review I received! It is very appreciated. Please review with your opinions, comments, criticism, and anything else you can support me with. Thanks. Crazed and Dazed
Benjamin awoke to the rude echo of their rooster. Rolling over in his bed, he opened his eyes to focus on the room he was in and felt revolted. Ever though his father, Jesse, was a famous person in the community it didn't bring his family any more benefits than that. Poor Benjamin was typically taking care of Zee, his mother, and his little brother Cole who was two years younger. Normally his father was off trying to provide his family with the daily essentials but later he had been over at Doc's because of a back pain that had reoccurred from all the years of lifting heavy farm equipment.
Getting dressed, he put his suspenders on and walked towards the other end of the room to grab his boots. Smiling, he put them on and headed downstairs to have breakfast with his parents, brother Cole, and Jesse's other friends from the James- Younger gang. In this house Benjamin felt so at home, growing up as a seventeen- year- old boy soon to be eighteen. But the long, dark months of winter were soon to be over as the first peak of spring began to show. No one would have ever realized that a small town such as Liberty went through such a tough past every single day of their lives. As Benjamin seated himself beside his father, he cleared his throat and decided to make small conversation.
"How is everyone on this fine, February morning?" he asked, taking a glimpse at everyone at the table. For a moment, they became rather silent not allowing themselves to tell Benjamin of the recently found news. When he was eight-years-old, the tale was supposed to just be a mere joke to scare the happy people of Liberty.
Zee decided to speak up. "Oh dear boy. We didn't want to tell you this but it has been brought to our attention that the Rock Island Railroad is passing through Liberty trying to take our deeds. It seems as if the past is starting up again," his mother answered, nervously looking at her youngest son and then up at Jesse.
"Don't worry Zee, we'll take care of everything," Jesse supplied, looking at his friends. Out of the whole group of the James- Younger gang, Jesse was the youngest but only by a few years. Cole was second youngest. But Jesse knew that his friends didn't have the strength to try and defeat Rains grandson. He had to rely on his son and teach him everything he knew about fighting and protecting what was right. "Ben, Cole, come with me," Jesse's raspy voice called out. "We need to talk."
The boys eagerly left the breakfast table, excusing themselves from their mother and hurried out the door to follow their father. In all honesty, those two boys had no clue what they were going to have to do. Much of their fathers past had been kept hush-hush for the safety in having it happen again. No one really believed that the past was starting up again. Rains grandson must have had a grudge against Jesse and weren't allowing to let it go. After all, everyone who didn't like Jesse James was either trying to kill him or make him suffer. The 'real' outlaws mission was to become more popular than Jesse by brutally murdering him.
As Cole and Benjamin approached their father, who was sitting and watching the horses graze beyond the fence, they quietly sat down on the ground beside Jesse awaiting further instructions. They were willing to do anything to keep their house they had worked so hard for. That was how the brothers were brought up. To protect what was rightfully theirs. Breathing in the cold air, Jesse spoke in a soft yet comforting voice. He knew it was up to his boys to keep their home. Most likely Pinkerton was still alive and attempting to get that railroad up and running. Rains and Pinkerton had to be stopped for the future of this town. A railroad just couldn't be built.
Grabbing a small handful of dirt into his right hand, Jesse watched as it slowly sifted through his fingers. For so long of his life he had tried to keep what had happened twenty years ago from happening again. Jesse was now fourty five years old and signs of arthritis had already begun to show. It was all up to his sons. Releasing a long held breath, he spoke up. "Guys, I think its time to clue you in all about what your pa did when he was only a little younger than you two." In a kind, courteous manner, Jesse told his only two sons the tale of how he was the biggest outlaw to date and how he had stopped Thaddeus Rains from building a railroad through the town of Liberty. His sons listened in awe, as he explained the journey even mentioning how he met Zee so many fine years ago.
When Jesse finished telling his life story he turned to look his eldest son, Benjamin, face to face. If only he wouldn't have seen the hurt and disappointment on Benjamin's face. He felt bad for not telling his son(s) the whole story but it was one of those times where you have to wait for the perfect moment. All Jesse wanted was for his kids to grow up normally, leading a happy life without the fear and constant boasting that they were the flesh and blood of the famous Jesse James. He had his so-called reasons to keep things about his past from Benjamin and Cole but sometimes it felt as if he had betrayed them to an extent.
Ben shifted from his spot on the ground and wiped the dirt off of his pants as he turned to gaze at his father once more. "But why?" Ben questioned, in the tone of voice that showed Jesse that his son didn't understand why being famous was such a secret.
Jesse thought for a few moments before he spoke. When word came that Zee was pregnant and he'd have his first child, he begged everyone in town to keep the fame of 'Jesse James' to themselves. He almost was asking that they'd just forget he was a hero and treat him as though he was a normal guy. And by all means Jesse James was one of the most normal type guys in all of Missouri. He did a lot of daily activities a bit differently and had obviously showed signs of a soft side popping through. Could it be true? Was Jesse James growing soft?
"Son, I didn't think you were ready to hear what I just told you. Was it so wrong for your father to want you to lead a normal life?" Jesse asked, grabbing his son by the arm and pulling him along to show him some more history. Hesitantly, Benjamin followed his father with Cole only a few short steps behind. Approaching the back porch, Jesse called Benjamin over to his side. "Son, I need you to pull up this loose floorboard."
Benjamin nodded his head in affirmation as he yanked up the loose floorboard. "Ok," Benjamin calmly answered. "Now what."
"There is a box underneath about four inches of dirt. Dig around until you find it and pull it out," Jesse responded, sitting on the porch so he could catch his breath. Old age was starting to take toll on him. Especially since most men only lived to be about fifty if they were lucky. Clearing his throat, he closed his eyes for a few minutes as he reminisced the past twenty years of his life. Jesse was quite a lucky man to have the family and wife he did. Smiling, Benjamin dug through the dirt until he found the book and pulled it out of the whole. Then he set it beside his father and waited for further instruction.
"Go on. Open it up," Jesse urged.
Carefully, Benjamin opened the box to come face to face with his father's guns. Immediately, he went to grab one and get the feel of a gun but his father quickly pulled him back. "Ben, you aren't ready yet. You need to learn how to shoot a gun properly."
Benjamin looked at his father sadly. Here, he was at the age of eighteen years and his father wouldn't allow him to operate a gun. Mostly everyone who lived in the West knew how to operate a gun but the James boys. Most days the kids their age were interested in making Benjamin and Cole feel unworthy. But, now, they had a reason to prove everyone wrong but first they had to learn to shoot a gun. "When can we start pa?" Cole asked, speaking up for his nearly speechless brother.
"Soon, son. Very soon son." Jesse ruffled Cole's hair as he slowly got up with his hand on his back. It was no doubt in Jesse's mind that he was going to need help. He was barely capable of standing. But he didn't want to make his children go through the same thing. There was a voice in the back of Jesse's head that told him that Benjamin was a grown man and that he would soon be ready to lead a life of his own. Not wanting to accept the future, he grabbed the box of guns and headed back inside to have breakfast with Loni, Cole, Frank, and Bob.
~*~
Ben and Cole sat outside unwilling to go back to breakfast. All that was on their mind was to please their father and make him proud of his sons. They knew this task was going to be quite a difficult one. Learning to operate a gun wasn't easy when you knew absolutely nothing about one. The two brothers decided to enjoy a small conversation; maybe Ben and Cole would have a plan to stop Rains.
"Any ideas, Ben?" Cole asked his older brother as he stood up and looked out into the distance to see a bunch of guys on horses coming in their direction.
"No. But I think we should get pa for the time being. It looks like we have some intruders." Cole nodded as his older brother went running into the house to get his father. Benjamin hated to disrupt his father but they were teenage boys and their father knew best. "Pa," Ben called, breathing heavily. "Some men are- are," he took a breath as he stuttered for the rest of his sentence to come out.
"What? Boy, spit it out," his father roared, worried about what Ben was about to say.
"Some are on horses and heading for the ranch. I think it has something to do with that story you told Cole and I, pa," Ben answered hesitantly watching as the men's facial expressions turned to one of pure disgust and anger.
"Let's get out there boys. We have some new generations of Rock Island Railroads to deal with," Jesse's firm voice called out, still rather raspy from his recent cold.
All of the men nodded their heads. Ben was about to go outside when Zee grabbed him by the arm. She looked worried about what was about to happen. After all, when Ben was younger, Jesse had told him that his mother had died very cruelly. But it was never more or less than that. "Ma, are we in trouble?" Ben asked, his soft brown eyes glowing.
"No Ben. It just looks like we'll be fighting to keep the railroad away again. I guess that's why your father wants to train you. He was in the war so long ago so he should still be of great help even if he isn't in the greatest shape. And poor Doc. That man is practically on his death bed. I don't know how long my father will live," Zee answered dully.
Turning to face his mother, he pulled her into a hug. "I love you ma. Everything will be all right."
Zee smiled at her son and tightened her grip around him. "Now, you go out there and help out your father, his friends, and your little brother." Ben nodded his head and ran out to the porch as the men in very fine suits stopped their horses a mere few feet away from the house.
"It looks like I have the opportunity of meeting the famous Jesse James. Too bad you won't be able to stop the RIR (Rock Island Railroad) this time around," the man cackled.
"Really? Oh and who may I owe the pleasure of disagreeing with?" Jesse growled, gripping his hand on his gun.
"Oh the name is William Pinkerton. I'm sure you knew my father. Isn't it nice to have no way out of this, Jesse? I fear you're too old to go out with your James- Younger gang. You may want to consider in just leaving Missouri." William smiled and was about to turn around when Ben and Cole stuck up.
"Well our father may not be capable of it, but I'm sure we are," Benjamin yelled, putting a hand on Cole's right shoulder.
"Little boys, I don't think that's a good idea. Who are you anyway?"
"Benjamin and Cole James," Cole answered bitterly as his brother and himself bowed before Pinkerton.
Pinkerton snorted. "Well, boys. We'll see what happens. I'll be dropping a notice of when RIR will be building their lovely railroad through here."
"Yeah, we'll see," Ben retorted.
Pinkerton and the men on the horses turned around and took off before a fight could even begin. Everyone was hotheaded and definitely not in the mood to have to deal with this but the James boys were all Liberty had left. They would have to step up and be men about this.
"When can we practice, pa?" Cole asked.
Jesse let out a nasty cough. "Later. I'm not feeling so well," he answered clinging onto the porch banister to get up the steps. His two children sent him wary glances as he walked in the house. Their father was sick and the only way they'd learn how to operate a gun was by themselves. It was time they stopped depending on Jesse who was obviously in no state to be used and talked to. Ben and Cole took off into town meanwhile. They had to gather some of their closest friends.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This is a sample of how the chapters will look. I plan on making next chapter longer. If you enjoy, then please review because I may not update for a while. And thanks to the first review I received! It is very appreciated. Please review with your opinions, comments, criticism, and anything else you can support me with. Thanks. Crazed and Dazed