Chapter V

Though Simon made some progress with Adam, his son's pain lessened much less than his brothers, causing him to remain somewhat bitter toward most anyone around him.

One night Simon sat, Henry cradled in his arms after Mary cleaned him up for the night. Looking down, he sighed. "Oh, Henry, I wish you could've known your mother.", he whispered. Sighing again, he looked lovingly at his son. Gently cradling Henry in his arms, he sat content when-

"Get away from me Jeffrey!"

Gasping, he quickly laid Henry down in the rib before rushing to see what had happened.

When he reached the boys' bedroom, he was shocked to see Adam, standing over Jeffrey, his hand raised and a scowl on his face.

"What is going on here?", Simon asked as Mary came up beside him.

All six of the boys looked to their father, not one of them saying a word.

"Well?", he asked, crossing his arms as he looked at Adam. "What do you have to say?", the look on his face saying that he was not pleased at all with his son.

"Jeffrey wouldn't leave me alone."

"And, what exactly was he doing?", Simon asked, clearly tired of his son's behavior.

"He kept asking about the mine. I just wanted to be kinda . . .you know.", With that he merely shrugged.

Simon could only sigh, unable to blame his son for his feelings. He knew Adam was still getting over the initial anger when he felt when he lost his mother.

Sighing, he looked to Thomas, who stood near his other brothers. "Thomas, could you please help your Aunt get the others ready for bed? I want to have a little talk with Adam."

"Yes sir.", he replied, smiling as he lifted Gabriel into his arms.

Slightly nervous, Adam followed his father outside, somewhat afraid of what he would be told.

Sighing, Simon gave his son a sympathetic look.

"Pa . . .I . . .", Adam stuttered, giving his father a nervous look.

Nodding, Simon gave his son a slight smile. "Son, it's ok. I just want to know what's wrong."

Swallowing Adam gave his father a hardened look. "What's wrong?! You mean like me missin' ma!? Like, trying to get used to . . .you know!? Like, how I feel like my world's falling apart!?" Despite the fact that he was trying to keep a tough front, he began shaking a bit. Then, covering his eyes with his hands, he hunched over beginning to sob.

Now as Simon, looked to him with a disapointed look, he also had compassion in his eyes. Truthfully, his son was very caring, but the death of both his mother and un-named sister had affected him more than the others. Simon knew there was little he could do for his son in this case and hopped it didn't have a permanent affect on him.

A few minutes later, after Adam stopped crying, Simon looked up, hesitantly laying a hand on his son's back. "Look, I suppose you want to kill me right now or something. I understand son, I loved your mother."

His lip trembling slightly, Simon looked down as his eyes began to mist slightly. "Adam, I loved your mother and I love you boys. I can't make your Aunt Mary stay, but I promise I'll do my best."

Adam gave him a look of suspicion. "Ok.", he whispered with a sigh of resignation. Then, looking up he asked, "Pa, how will the others. . . if we don't have Ma?"

"Well son, all I can say is that we should stick together. I wish the others had more memories of her, but I know Mary will love all of you just as well as your mother did. Can you please promise me you'll at least try to be more patient with your brothers?"

Though he seemed slightly hesitant, Adam gave a nod. "I-I'll t-try.", he said, stuttering just a bit.

"That's all I ask.", he replied giving his son a pat on the back.

The next day was normal enough. Simon went off to the mine with Thomas, Adam, Jeffrey and even Billy, who had only just begun going with them. Aunt Mary had a wonderful spring day to enjoy with Walter and Gabriel. And, she now had another one to help her pick berries and such, since Henry had just turned two a couple days ago.

For Henry's birthday Aunt Mary had made a pie and given him a new jacket she made him, but that was the extent of the festivities. Simon, though he tried to enjoy the evening with his sons couldn't concentrate, remembering what had happened two years ago on the very night his son was born, the night he had lost Jane.

Henry himself seemed pretty normal with the exception of the fact that he didn't babble or attempt to talk as the others had. And, he had some trouble walking. Though, he seemed somewhat normal aside from that, for which Simon was glad.

Sighing, Aunt Mary stirred the pot, looking toward her nephews, who, she knew were hungry. Thomas, Adam, Jeffrey and Billy had come home so Simon should've been back by now. She knew it was his and Jane's anniversary, meaning he would be at the saloon having a drink to dull his pain. But, the sun was going down, meaning he should've been back already.

"Don't worry, Aunt Mary he'll be back any minute.", Jeffrey said, causing his Aunt to smile. Jeffrey had always been positive and it warmed her just a little that he was now.

Nodding, Mary, looked toward her nephew as she filled a bowl. "I know sweetie. But, I need to go ahead and feed you. Gabriel and Walter will need to go to bed very shortly. And, I'll need to lay Henry down too.", she replied.

"Ok.", Jeffrey replied when-

"I'm going to go find him!", Adam declared, slamming his fist down on the table. And with a huff, he got up, making his way to the door, stomping with each step. "And, don't try to stop me!"

And, with that, the others could only watch as he slammed the door.

The group sat silently for a moment when Thomas stood up with a sigh. "I'll go after him.", he replied walking up to his Aunt.

Nodding, she sighed. "I think you'd better. No telling what he or your father will do."

Nodding his head in agreement, Thomas gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before heading out after his brother.

Sighing, Aunt Mary could only watch as he closed the door, hopping nothing bad would happen to either her nephews or her brother.