Chapter nine

Supper was uneventful, for the most part. Daniel had left early for his gig at the Timber Tavern, but everyone else was present. Guthrie was once again, quieter than usual. Crane, seated next to Evan, wasn't at all surprised to note the tension between his hot-headed younger brother and his baby brother. He doubted it was a surprise to anyone.

Adam had decided to put off any talk with Guthrie until after supper. That decision had obviously affected everyone's meal as Adam could tell that all of his brothers were tense. He should have dealt with it before the meal, but he hadn't had the strength. Hannah sat stoically at the head of the table. She was intently watching the youngest in their midst. Adam noted how motherly she was toward his baby brother. She was undoubtedly concerned about whether or not the boy was eating enough. It was just like her to worry about the little things. Adam wasn't much for sweating the small stuff. He didn't have the luxury of that kind of time, what with six younger brothers who were almost constantly getting into mischief.

After leaving the table, the guys all scattered to the winds. Adam knew it was time to talk with Guthrie. He figured the rest of the family sensed it and didn't want to be a witness to it. Adam knew they were all protective of their youngest and with the exception of a disgruntled Evan, no one was eager to see the wrath come down.

"Guthrie, I need to talk to you in the living room." Adam had announced as his baby brother helped Hannah clear the table.

"Alright." Guthrie answered reluctantly. He glanced quickly at a knowing, yet sympathetic Hannah. She smiled sweetly as she mussed Guthrie's hair. Her feeble attempt, Adam supposed, at showing the kid her support.

"So, you were late today. Would you mind telling me why?" Adam asked, easing himself onto the nearest couch and indicating to Guthrie to take a seat next to him.

Guthrie eased himself onto the couch and turned to face his executioner.

"I just wasn't ready to come home yet." Guthrie said, matter of factly.

Adam couldn't help but be surprised. He was expecting a lame excuse, rather than a straightforward answer. He couldn't help but notice that Guthrie seemed defiant, rather than uncomfortable.

"Excuse me?" Adam asked when he finally found his voice.

"I wasn't ready to come home." Guthrie repeated his previous answer.

"Yeah, that's what I thought you said. So, you think suddenly it's okay to just go off and do whatever you want, whenever you want? I would think that you know better than that by now, Guthrie. We have rules around here and I expect you to abide by them. Now, when I tell you to be home at a certain time, I expect you to be here at that time. Do you understand me?" Adam asked, still taken aback.

"I know. But you're not my father, Adam. You're just my big brother. I have six big brothers. I shouldn't have to mind everybody all of the time. I'm not a kid anymore and I don't want to be treated like one." Guthrie explained.

Adam couldn't hide the shock he felt. He knew it was written all over his face. It was far from the first time one of his brothers' had pulled the you're not my father card on him. But as far as Guthrie was concerned, he pretty much was his father. He was the only one of the boys to have absolutely no memory of their parents. He had always looked up to Adam and Brian, and more recently, Hannah, as his parents. He had a full understanding of Adam's guardianship of him. So, to Adam, this defiance was coming completely out of left field.

"Guthrie, I don't believe what I'm hearing! You are way out of line here. You know darned good and well that you do have to mind me. You may not be a little kid, but you are far from grown. What's gotten into you?" Adam asked, exasperated.

"I just want to be treated with some respect, Adam. I'm tired of being pushed around by everybody. It's not fair." Guthrie said, clearly getting emotional. His hands had balled into fists and he was beginning to breathe hard. His eyes were glistening with unshed tears. Guthrie struggled to keep himself in control of his emotions, but he was failing miserably. Don't let him see you cry. His inner voice was saying, over and over.

"Now look here, mister. You have to earn respect and right now, you're closer to earning a trip to the woodshed." Adam replied.

This would be a first. Adam searched his brain and couldn't remember a time that he had ever had to use corporal punishment on his baby brother. Daniel and Evan? Sure, many times. Brian had even spanked Ford once, but Guthrie had never had a whipping. He had never actually needed one. Up until today, he had been mostly compliant with the rules and when he did mess up, a scolding had always brought him back inline.

"Adam, how would you like it if you were me? Number seven, not number one? You don't have to answer to anybody. I have to answer to everybody. How would you like it?" Guthrie asked.

Adam had to stop and think for a minute. He honestly didn't have an answer for the boy. He had never thought about it, really. He could remember minding his parents, but admittedly, that was a long time ago. So the kid was sick of the rules...thought he had the right to make his own decisions. Obviously, that wasn't going to happen. Adam searched his brain for the right thing to say.

"No, Guthrie. I don't know what it's like. I guess you're trying to tell me that it stinks. I can see where you would feel that way. But come on, you know good and well that I have to set boundaries... and you have to live within those boundaries- at least until you're eighteen."

"I know, but I should count for something in this family." Guthrie said, suddenly resigned to his fate.

"Now wait a minute. You count just as much as the rest of us. Why would you think something like that?" Adam asked in astonishment.

Because that's how you all treat me! The voice inside Guthrie's head was screaming. He just couldn't say it. He was tired of trying to make his brothers understand. Especially Adam. He was ready to just end this conversation and take his punishment.
"I don't know. It doesn't matter, just go ahead and give me my punishment. I'm ready to get this over with." Guthrie said with an air of defiance that was unmistakable.

"You wanna check that attitude for me? As far as me punishing you, you did this to yourself and you can't say I didn't warn you." Adam said, clearly irritated. "But first, would you care to tell me where you were this afternoon?" Adam went on to ask.

"No." Guthrie replied.

"No?" Adam repeated. "Guthrie, I asked you where you were and I expect you to tell me."

"Ask Daniel, he can tell you." Guthrie said, the defiance returning to his voice.

"If I wanted Daniel to tell me, I'd ask him. I'm asking you!" Adam yelled, jumping up from the couch and grabbing a slightly wincing Guthrie by the collar and dragging him to his feet.

"Adam!" Hannah shouted, walking into the living room. She managed with that one word to plead with Adam to get hold of himself.

Adam slowly released the boy and Guthrie backed up a few steps, but never broke his gaze with his eldest brother. He was ready for whatever came his way.

"Guthrie, I swear!" Adam began.

"What are you gonna do, send me to my room? I don't have one, remember? Guthrie yelled.

"Guthrie!" Hannah exclaimed. She was caught completely off guard by the boys' comment.

"It's true. I'm not even important enough to have my own room." Guthrie said, tears now flowing down his cheeks.

"Is that what this is all about? You're ticked off because you don't have a room?" Adam replied.
"No! It's not that... it's... it's just..." Guthrie stammered.

"It's just what?" Adam asked, again raising his voice. "I'm sick of this family!"

"Well we're getting sick of your attitude!" Adam retaliated.

"Adam." Hannah said, she had been standing next to Guthrie, her arm draped across his shoulders. "Can I talk to you alone for a minute?" She asked as she released her hold on Guthrie and walked over to Adam. Her question was soft and gentle and as Adam looked into her eyes, he knew she was about to get her way.

Adam sunk back down on the couch, acting every bit as defeated as he felt.

"Guthrie, why don't you go lay down in our room. I want to talk to Adam, then I'll be up there in a few minutes, okay?" She asked him, hopeful that he would comply with her request without any argument. The boy shook his head and walked slowly up the stairs.

Hannah watched him leave, then turned to her husband. She felt as though she understood exactly what both of them were feeling. She was praying now that she could get through to her husband. Up until now, she thought he was going to be the challenge. But, at the moment she was more afraid of speaking with Guthrie.

"Adam, I need you to just sit there and listen to me. I think I can clear this up for you, if you'll just hear me out." Hannah said.

She knew that listening quietly was not exactly in her husbands' nature, but if he never listened to her again, she prayed he would listen to her now.

"Okay Hannah, I'm listening." Adam said, sounding every bit as defeated as he felt.