Trails End Ranch

Chapter 5 : More Than One Boy Can Take

Mary wandered up the stairs, having missed Flint and Luke as she and the others enjoyed the time to relax in the family room. She had taken great pleasure in listening to Matt read to Samantha, smiling as she noticed that Mark was caught up in the story from where he was sprawled on the floor. But, now the house was quiet with everyone gone off to bed, and still Flint had not joined her downstairs. First Mary went and peeked in on Matt and called good night. Next she checked that Samantha still slept soundly, before she opened the door to the room Mark and Luke shared. Mark slept soundly, but Luke's bed was still made with no sign of Luke.

Placing a quick kiss on Mark's forehead, Mary closed the door and headed down the hall to her own bedroom. Mary stood against the door smiling, as she stood watching father and son sleep. Though Luke's face was tear streaked, he looked content; laying as close to his dad as he could get. Flint's arm rested on his back. After quickly slipping into her night dress, Mary leaned across the bed and kissed Flint on the nose. Flint stirred and rubbed sleep from his eyes.

"Nap time was it dear," laughed Mary, climbing onto the bed and brushing Luke's blond curls from his eyes.

"Yea, well some of us have had a long day. Let me just put Luke in his bed and I'll tell you all about it."

Mary climbed under the covers and smiled as she traveled back across the miles in her mind's eye.

Flint returned and smiled as he now leaned against the door jam. He then climbed into bed next to Mary and laughed, "You look a million miles away, care to share the memory that's got you smiling so?" grinned Flint.

"I was just remembering that day on the trail, thinking back when Luke had been swatted by just about everyone on the train for one piece of mischief or another before finally getting himself plunked in the back of the wagon with orders to stay. You came riding up after being gone for a while and asked to speak to him. Next thing I knew; I find the two of you sound to sleep with Luke wrapped safe in your arms. Thank you, my love, for teaching the boys it's okay for men to have a tender side," said Mary, leaning in and giving Flint a kiss.

"That part is easy, though balancing the two can be a trick," said Flint.

"Oh?"said Mary.

"You take tonight; I could see how easily Matt could lose his temper and whack Luke, especially calling him things he shouldn't be, but I also wanted Matt to know where his boundaries were. I wanted him to put himself in his brother's place for just a few minutes. I waited until Matt thought he was in the clear, and then I gave him two quick whacks to his backside, hoping he might understand just how Luke felt getting an unexpected spanking. I think he might have gotten my point, but we will just have to wait and see. Then when I went upstairs, Luke was just so sure that I came upstairs just to tan his hide that he flopped himself bottom side up over my lap. Now Mary, I don't mind a boy accepting what he's earned, but something about all this just wasn't right and when I tried to sit him down and talk about it, I found out that he was, well let's just say; one well spanked boy," said Flint with a grimace on his face.

"Matthew, spanked him that harshly?" asked Mary with a shocked looked.

"That's what I thought at first too, dear, but after coming up with a place where Luke could be comfortable and we could talk in private, I found out that once again our boy has found himself swatted by just about everyone he talked to today. Each one of them, Luke says was justified, but to quote him; "all of them together sure can make sitting a pain."

"Seems that after I swatted him for being rude this morning, Mr. Turner caught him and Steve sneaking tobacco and matches. He gave them both a good walloping. After that, Matt added his swats that just added insult to Luke's injured pride. Then it was my turn again; he got spanked again upstairs for being rude, and back talking. So, Mary I guess with the way his day was going, he figured there was no way that I would just want to hear his side of the story," sighed Flint.

"I've been trying for days to explain to him that acting like a brat would only get him negative attention. I don't know, Flint, it was almost like he just didn't care," said a sad Mary.

"I didn't plan on whippin' the boy either time that I came up stairs. The first time, I just asked him to come downstairs and tell you he was sorry for the way he had acted at the table. He got sassy and popped off with; 'what if I don't!' Well Mary, I'm not going to let him dare me. Then this last time, there was something in his eyes when he shouted at me before flopping himself bottom side up over my lap. I couldn't have whipped him not if he hadn't earned every lick. Then Mary when he jump when his behind touched my leg, I turned him around and looked at his backside. That's when I knew it was time for a long talk , even if it took all night. Mary he told me about all of the wrongs he had done and all the punishments he had been given. He told me how he figured as how he deserved it all; you know how he always fighting for justice even if it gets him the short end of the stick. I was trying to get him to tell me what was behind all this rebellious behaviour of his, but he just kept insisting that he was fine…"

"Flint we both know better than that," pleaded Mary.

"Yes love we do, but when I looked into his eye, I could see something hidden deep; that's when I asked him if he was scared to tell me…" As tears threaten to spill, Flint continued, "He busted into waterfall of tears and begged me not to think that. Then he just cried himself to sleep. I just couldn't bear to leave him alone… but Mary I couldn't get him tell me what troubling him, either, so I just... let him stay close, let him know I'm here for him. I hope he knows that, I'm trying to..."

Mary interrupted, seeing the doubt and concern in Flints eyes, "Sweetheart you're doing just fine, we'll just have to keep trying, and maybe he will talk to you in the morning.

"I'm sure your right dear. Things will look better for all of us with a good night's sleep," answered Flint before pulling Mary tightly to him and giving her a long kiss

oOo

Now to Luke's thinking, Sunday had gone quiet well. His mom and dad had each only to ask what was on his mind once, then had let the subject drop after telling him they were there to listen if he needed. He left early for school on Monday, trying hard to think of a way to put TJ in his place. Rounding the corner of the school house fence, he suddenly felt a WHOMP, and found himself sprawled across the dirt.

"Oh, poor baby boy, let me help you up," smirked TJ grabbing the back of Luke's pants by the braces and haling him up, only to yank hard on the back of the britches causing them to rip free of the buttons and have Luke fall to his knees, as the buttons went flying.

Spurred by anger, Luke stood up, gripped his britches with one hand, and flew at T.J. with the other. A crowd of children began to gather shouting 'fight, fight, knock his block off!'

"That's right baby boy. If you can keep your diaper on, why don't you see if you can get in one swing," taunted TJ, as he grasped Luke 's shirt and tore it near off him.

Luke went sailing into the dirt, again, but came quickly, wiping blood from his lip, breathing hard and 'oozing mad' from every nerve in his body. He ducked low and came at the bully once more, hitting him around the knees; this time sending T J to the ground.

Then from out of nowhere there came a shrill shriek form a small switch welding woman. She lit into T.J.'s hide, as he rolled from side to side trying to get away from her strokes.

"You will pick on boys half your size, will you. Well, young man, let me tell you something; you had better not ever let me catch you picking on anyone again. Now get!" she shouted giving the bully one more stinging swipe of her switch across the seat of his britches, as he ran for the safety of the school house.

When the dust cleared, Luke was mortified. Grabbing a fist full of his britches, he fled for his horse, clamoured aboard and disappeared at a gallop.

And there, Mary stood stunned; mouth agape."The other boy was Luke?" she gasped.

oOo

Mary returned home just in time to catch Flint. He and Mark were just finishing the last of their pack.

"Flint, oh Flint please, I 'm afraid I have made thing far worse. Oh Flint..." ranted Mary hysterically.

"Darling calm down. Let me help you down form that buggy. Now come sit over here. Mark get you mom a cool drink," shouted Flint.

"Flint, did Luke come home?" asked a frantic Mary.

"What, he's not at school? What happened?" asked a confused Flint.

"Oh Flint, it was awful. I was just pulling up to the general store, when I seen them. All the youngin's was a gathering around shouting and a yelling. I could see this bigger boy in the middle of the ring. I don't know who he was, but he had just thrown the another smaller boy across the dirt like a rag doll. I jumped down and went stomping over and that's when I heard him taunting and a teasing the other boy. It made me mad so I grabbed me up a stick and I sailed into that big bully's hide. I'm not sure just what I yelled out, but I gave him what's for that's for sure. He went running for the school house and that's when I looked around and noticed the other boy...It was Luke! Oh Flint, the look on his face... I think I really messed up; he looked sacred, ashamed, embarrassed...Oh Flint, it was horrible I don't know how to explain it. He ran for his horse and was gone before I could ask about him or see to the blood coming from his nose and lip," finished Mary dropping her head into her hands and giving way to the tears.

Flint let out a deep sigh, as he dropped to his knees and took both her small hands in his, "Look at me Mary, Luke will be okay, he's probably just embarrassed that you broke up the fight. Twelve year old boys are like that," answered Flint, beginning to put the pieces together.

"That's just what Tom said. He said that I should come home and wait for him to calm down and come home to talk," said Mary drying her eyes and pulling herself together.

Mark had been standing nearby and stepped forward, "Dad that big bully would be TJ Nichol; he picks on the smaller boys all the time."

"Son, why haven't you told me this before?" asked Flint, standing and turning to face Mark.

"Cause dad, Luke asked me not to. He made me promise; he didn't want you thinking he couldn't fight his own battles. And he said that if Matt or I helped it would only make things worse; that TJ would be right, he would be a baby."

"Oh No, I come running to the rescue. He's bound to think I did it on purpose," gasped Mary, suddenly knowing what Luke's expression meant.

"Calm down Mary. At least, we know what the problem is, which means; we are much closer to the solution," reasoned Flint, anxious to calm the fear in his wife's beautiful blue eyes.

"Mark, unpack old Jumper; you can just stack the packs on the workbench for now. We will have to wait for you brother to get safely home before we leave. Matt, how about you ride around and see if you can find him. Remember when you find him, he's bound to be in a rotten mood to say the least, so don't fight with him. If he won't come with you, just leave him and come back and tell me where he is... And Matt be back by supper time. I don't need your mom worried about both of you," said Flint.

"Yes, Sir. I'll be nice to him no matter what," answered Matt.

oOo

Luke pushed his horse faster and faster, paying no mind to where he was going. With anger and embarrassment consuming his thoughts, he had to get away far away. He could never face any of them again; not his mom; not his classmates; not his dad. He could never face the shame and disappointment they would have knowing that he was just a cry baby and that he had to have his mommy fight his battles for him. TJ would make school a living hell...

Tears racked his small frame, as he cried out in anger. "I am just a cry baby, momma's boy shrimp just like TJ said, look at me; I'm bawling and boo-wooing, like a girl." Luke angrily slapped Lighting's rump with the end of his book strap, causing the horse to buck and run wildly of to the side of the trail. All at once Luke felt a hard smack to his forehead, just before he was knocked clean off of his horse. Striking the ground with a thud, he lay motionless and unconscious.

oOo

It was after four in the afternoon, when Matt returned and reported that there was no sign of Luke.

"Mary try not to worry," said Flint, as he prepared to go out and look for the boy. I'll find him I promise. I've tracked slipperier critters then that rascal. I'll find him."

"I'll pray every minute until you get him back home safe," said Mary giving him a quick kiss.

"Matthew, can you ride into town first thing in the morning and send a wire to Mr. Cartwright. Tell him; I will be delayed in my arrival and will understand if he must go ahead with the sale without me," asked Flint, as he turned to get his horse. " I may not be back until late, and may leave before you get up in the morning, so don't forget son; I'm counting on you."

As Flint galloped toward town, a light rain had started to fall, making any tracks there might have been impossible to follow in the dark, so he stopped to talk to Sheriff Tom Johnson before riding out to talk to Steve hoping that maybe Luke had come to hide out with his friend.

"Flint, I wish I could be of more help, but as I said; except for a torn shirt, and a few spots of blood that lead north toward Belcher Wood, I couldn't find anything. If it'll help I can send wires to all the neighboring towns to watch for the boy in case he turns up," said Tom.

"Well, it's too dark to track now, so I'm going on over to talk to Steve Turner, maybe he knows where the boy might hideout. If I don't get back to you that he's safe at home before morning, then please send the wires. Could you keep an eye on Mary and the children till I get back, cause I'll be leaving at first light to find him?" answered Flint.

"Will do friend. Hope you find him home eaten' some of Mary's apple pie, but I'll do what I can till you do get him home," said Tom tipping his hat as Flint turned to go.

TBC Chapter 6