New Beginnings

Chapter 40:

Unwelcome Visitor

"How could you Joseph! You know how hard I've worked on that garden! How could you be so careless?" Claire scolds, her voice nearly yelling in her anger.

"I didn't Claire! I swear it!" Joseph shouts back.

Coming out to see what all the shouting is about, Ethan sees the two combatants standing among a ruined garden.

"Claire? Joseph? What is all this? I can hear you all the way inside. You know better than to scream at each other!"

"Pa! Look what Joseph did! My garden is a mess! The lettuce is ruined and the beets too! I might be able to save the carrots."

Looking for the first time at the garden, Ethan sees smashed plants, lettuce in shreds or trampled, carrots, turnips and beets pulled up from the ground.

"Joseph?" Ethan asks. "Did you have something to do with this?"

"No Sir. I didn't do it. I came out and found it this way. She is blaming me for it though."

"You DID do it! Don't stand there and lie about it! I saw you holding the vegetables when I came out to pick beans! Why Joseph? Why'd you ruin something that is mine to enjoy?" Claire asks before dropping the ruined lettuce she is holding and running into the house.

"Claire!" Joseph calls out as his sister dashes by him sobbing.

"Joseph." The command in Ethan's voice causing the boy to lock eyes with him.

"I ask you again, Did you do this?"

The sternness is his Pa's voice causes Joseph to swallow nervously before answering. "No sir. I didn't ruin her garden. I've been in the barn since breakfast, doing the chores and polishing saddles. Besides, why would I tear her garden up? I helped plant most of this. I wouldn't hurt her, Pa."

"Alright son, I believe you. Go to the barn and get some bushel baskets. Let's pick up the vegetables that are salvageable and put them in the root cellar. I think most of this is going to be fine. The lettuce can be washed off and put in the wellhouse. It might last a few more days that way. Don't look so defeated son. Claire is just emotional right now. The thought of Alex leaving has her very upset. She'll come to realize you aren't to blame."

"Who is to blame though? Rob was out checking his corn, George was inside helping with the house chores, I was in the barn doing the barn chores. That leaves you, Claire and Ben. I can't see you doing this. Claire would not tear up her own garden and Ben's asleep." Joseph answers as he loads the basket with turnips and beets.

"You are beginning to sound like a detective in one of Rob's books, Joseph. Are you taking the case, young Sherlock?" Ethan teases the frowning boy.

"I guess so. It's up to me to prove I didn't damage Claire's garden. She won't forgive me unless I prove to her I didn't have anything to do with this mess."

Later that morning, Joseph asks George "Did you go outside at all after breakfast this morning?"

"No, Joseph. I've been inside all morning. After I helped Claire clean the kitchen, I had to sweep and dust. When Ben got up, Papa said to stay in and play with him. I had to get you to take Pepper his breakfast, remember?"

"I remember. Pepper was looking for you to come play. He followed me around with a stick in his mouth wanting to play. I told him we had to do chores and could play later. I don't believe he liked that much. In fact, he sent you a message. He said to tell you he was going to be my pup if you didn't come out soon." Joseph replies, earning a grin at his silliness, from George.

"Well he belongs to you also. We all share him, you silly!"

"Pepper believes he is your pup and that is what I say too. Come on, we have more vegetables to gather. Claire wants the string beans picked so let's do it for her. Afterwards you can play with Pepper. Pa went to town for work but he said we could play until time for supper preparations. Rob is cooking and we are to help him."

"Where's Rob now?"

"I guess he's still checking the corn crop. Ever since it got knee high, he's been out there everyday looking it over. Corn must need a lot of attention."

"Maybe it does. Just like Ben. Joseph? Do you think Pa is ever going to see how awful Ben behaves? This morning when I tried to play checkers with him, he threw the board and checkers across the room. It's hard to do anything with him when he gets mad and throws a fit if he doesn't get his way. Should I just give him his way?"

"No, George. Ben has to learn all over again that life isn't going to go his way all the time. I don't know when Pa is going to step in and stop him acting out. I do know you had better not act the way Ben does. You'll get punished if you do."

"I know. Why is it Papa would punish me or you when he won't punish Ben? If you or I had thrown food and acted the way Ben did when John Taylor came for lunch, Papa would have whipped us! Ben didn't even get scolded. It's not right Joseph. Ben does know what he's doing and doing it anyway!"

"You and I can see this but Pa and Claire don't. I don't believe Rob is fooled into believing Ben is unaware of his actions either. I've been trying to keep my patience with Ben but after three weeks of this I want to smack his backside! Especially when he defies what I tell him." Joseph replies as he closes the heavy wooden door to the root cellar. Hearing something behind them, Joseph turns to look.

"George,when you gathered eggs before breakfast did you close and latch the coop?"

"Of course, why?"

"Turn around and you'll see why."

"How'd they get out? I closed the gate. I did!" George insists after Joseph gives him a doubting look.

"Well either the chickens are getting smarter, they can now unlatch the gate or we have an unwelcome visitor around. We best get to rounding them up."

"We could do like Mr. McGillicuddy does and let them roost wherever they want." George answers, not wanting to waste free time chasing down chickens.

"Yes we could. Just understand YOU will explain to Pa why there is chicken doo and feathers everywhere."

"I think we had best get to chasing smelly chickens, Joseph." George replies, sighing.

Neither boy sees Ben grinning happily from the window, watching the chickens he let out. Trampling the garden was fun but watching his brothers chase chickens is even better!

While his brothers are chasing chickens, Rob has taken the wagon to town. He plans to pick up several feed sacks for the ranch.

"Hello there young Rob. How's your corn crop?"

"Hello, Mr. Yates. The corn is growing well. I need some feed today. Four 25 pound sacks of oats and one of chicken feed. Do you have ground corn? My crop isn't ready to harvest yet."

"I believe I have a sack, if not I can bag some up from the grain bin. How is Ben doing? I haven't seen him in town."

"He just stays home right now. He needs to get stronger before Pa lets him come to town." Rob answers, lifting the sacks of oats.

"How would you like to come work for me? I need someone strong to lift and load these sacks. I'd pay twenty dollars a week for you to work afternoons from 1:00 to 5:00 plus 8:00 to 5:00 on Saturday."

"I would like to Mr. Yates, I will have to ask my Pa though."

"You let me know by Saturday. After that I'll have to find someone else."

"Yes sir, I will."

Walking back out to the wagon, Rob bumps into a man walking along the boardwalk.

"Excuse me sir! I apologize for bumping into you, sir. I was not looking where I was walking." Rob exclaims.

"Well, aren't you the prissy one. All high and mighty now are you? I apologize for bumping into you, sir." The man mimics Rob's apology.

"What are you doing here?" Rob asks shocked to see the person in front of him.

"Now young one, is that any way to talk to your long lost uncle? I thought you were being all mannerly. Shouldn't you say 'Welcome, Uncle Seth. It's so good to see you in town.' I came to find you. Let's go to the saloon and talk."

"You aren't my uncle and I'm not going anywhere with you. I have things to do. Let me pass, please."

"We are here to discuss the money. Where is it? You tell me and I'll be out of here. You lead me on and I'll just stick around and see what this town has to offer me. Understand me Bobby?"

"My name is not Bobby. I have no idea what money you are talking about. Leave me be, Seth. Paradise is a nice town and you don't fit here. Oh, by the way, you are to check your firearm at the Sheriff's office while in town. I'm guessing you couldn't read the sign right outside of town or the ones posted here on Main street."

"Insolent pup, aren't you. I like that spunk, kid. Not so mannerly now are you? We could use a smart, good looking boy like you. I just might take you along when I finish here."

"I'm not going anywhere with you. I told you that already. I'm needed elsewhere. Leave town while you can, Seth." Rob says climbing into the wagon seat and hupping the horses.

"Whose the kid, Seth? You seemed to know him. He's a banty rooster ain't he?" The man walking up the steps asks.

"That is my half brother's kid. Will's boy. He could lead us to the bounty if we treat him right. Come on, I need a drink while we scout the place."

Back at the ranch, three hours later, Rob is busy mixing eggs, flour and a dash of sour milk starter together per Claire's directions. "Okay, when you mix all of that together let the dough sit and breathe for about fifteen minutes. You can start the biscuits after we get the chicken frying.

"Claire, I think I'd rather just make pancakes and ham with eggs. I don't want to do chicken."

"Rob, we already agreed to you learning to fry two chickens so let's get it done. Joseph? Would you bring in the small sack of flour from the root cellar? It's in the flour barrel. George, you get out the big mixing bowl for me." Claire directs her brothers.

Noticing Ben standing in the walkway between the kitchen and front room, Joseph asks "Want to come help me Ben? You can carry the bag."

Nodding, Ben follows Joseph outside and around to the door of the root cellar.

"Don't want to go down there. It's dark." Ben exclaims looking into the cellar.

"There is nothing down there but food, Ben. Come, help me with the barrel lid."

"Why's the flour down here instead of up where she can use it?" Ben asks as Joseph lifts the lid of a large wooden barrel.

"It's to keep the weevils out of it, Ben. When we tried to keep it in the pantry, the weevils would get in so we started keeping the small flour sack down here. They can't get to it in the lined barrel." Joseph answers thinking how Ben should know this already.

"What's a wee bill Joseph? Is it a bird with a small nose?" Ben asks thinking of the ducks they saw on the pond yesterday.

Fighting to keep himself from snickering, Joseph answers "We VIL not Wee Bill, there's a V in the word. Weevils are bugs, Ben. Here, I'll hold the sack, while you scoop up one more scoop of flour into it.

Just as the boys place the lid back on the barrel, the door to the root cellar bangs shut.

"PAPA! HELP ME!" Ben screams, bursting into tears.

"SHHH, Ben. I'm right here, stop crying." Joseph tells his sobbing brother.

"It's dark! I don't like it dark! PAPA, I WANT OUT!" Ben screams in between sobs.

"Come on, the door is right over here and we'll get out. Hold on to my hand and I'll help you up the steps. Now, I need my hand free to push the door open, don't move, Ben." Joseph instructs as they reach the door. Pushing upward with both hands, Joseph thrusts the door up until he has it open enough for Ben to crawl through. "Go on crawl under and go get Rob to lift the door. I can't push it all the way open."

Running into the house, Ben passes everyone in the kitchen heading straight for the W.C. Coming out a few minutes later, he just stands watching Claire and Rob until one of them notices him.

"Hello Ben. Did you get the flour?" Claire asks, briefly glancing at the boy.

"Unh Uh. Scary and too dark in there."

"Where's Joseph, Ben? I need that flour bag to dust the chicken." Rob tells the child still staring at them.

"Down there."

"Down where, Ben?" Claire asks him curiously as she continues to rub spices on the chicken pieces.

"In the dark place." Ben answers shivering.

"Claire?" George whispers coming up next to her. "Ben's shaking. Look at him."

Just as Claire looks over at Ben, there's a banging sound on the floor not far from where Ben is standing.

"AHHHHEEEE! MONSTER!" Ben screams, turning to run to his room.

"Claire, you go after him, I'll go check on Joseph. Something is going on or Joseph would be back by now." Rob says walking towards the front door.

Running after him, George asks "Rob? Why didn't you just go pull up the trapdoor in the front room and let us go down that way?"

"Remember what Pa said George. We aren't to use the trapdoor unless it's an emergency. I don't believe this is an emergency." Rob answers as they come to the closed cellar door. Reaching down and pulling it open, he sees Joseph standing at the bottom of the stairs.

"Finally! You took long enough! Were you just going to leave me here until Pa asked where I was?" Joseph snaps walking up the steps. "Here's your flour sack, Rob." he says thrusting the open bag into Rob's arms hard enough to cause a puff of flour to coat their faces.

"Joseph, Rob, you look like ghosts with the flour on your faces! Why were you shut up in the cellar, Joseph? Why didn't you just open the door?" George asks, giggling.

"I could not lift the door enough to climb out! I sent Ben inside to get Rob but I see he was too busy being a GIRL to help me. Go finish your cooking MOTHER." Joseph answers stomping towards the house.

Supper that evening is much quieter than Ethan is accustomed to. Glancing around the table, he sees Joseph and Rob scowling at each other. Ben is busy playing with his supper instead of eating it. Claire and George seem to be the only children enjoying the meal.

"Well now, Rob. This is really tasty chicken. Claire is a good teacher, I see. Your biscuits are good but a little too brown. I'd say your first real supper is a success, though I will miss the breakfast suppers." Ethan compliments.

"Thank you Pa. Claire is a good teacher. I won't stop making pancakes for supper though."

"Mother suck up." Joseph whispers toward Rob.

"What did you say, Joseph?" Ethan asks having heard exactly what he said.

"Nuthin."

"Excuse me? What was that?"

"Nothing, sir."

"Papa? Joseph is bad! He put me in the dark place. I couldn't get out. Monster down there!" Ben says as Ethan turns to him.

"What are you talking about Ben? Joseph? What does he mean by you put him in the dark place?"

"That's right, blame me! It's always somebody else's fault not the baby! Grow up, Ben! You are ten years old and acting four!" Joseph sputters angrily as he jumps up to leave the table.

"HOLD IT! Apologize to Ben. You have no reason to be hateful, Joseph." Ethan says pinning the boy in place with his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Ben." Joseph says, quickly obeying the command he hears in Ethan's voice.

"Now sit down and let's discuss what went on today. Why are you angry at Rob, Joseph? Why is Ben saying you put him in a dark place?" Ethan asks, pointing to Joseph's chair.

"Rob sent me to the cellar for flour and Ben went with me. Somehow the door closed on us. I was able to open it enough so Ben could get out. I sent him to get Rob to come open the door. I was down there a long time before he bothered to stop cooking and help me!"

"Look Joseph, I apologized already. I didn't know you were closed in down there. Ben never told us. I came as soon as you banged on the floor." Rob explains.

"Joseph? This seems to be a misunderstanding. Rob didn't deliberately keep you down in the cellar, just as you didn't deliberately hold Ben there. Let's let this be the end of the anger."

"Yes Pa." Joseph responds as he knows he is expected to do so.

"I have some news for all of you." Ethan announces over dessert of peaches and cream. "School will begin early this year. The new school term starts in three weeks. The younger students, grades one through four will be with Miss. Brandenburg, grades five through eight will be with Mr. Davis and we've arranged for upper level classes as well. Claire, you're getting your wish to study advanced subjects. Mr. Hiram is going to hold classes three times a week in the mornings for students ages sixteen to eighteen."

"Mr. Hiram from the General Store? I didn't know he was a teacher. That's wonderful news, Pa. I can't wait!" Claire exclaims.

"I sure can!" Joseph whispers as George nods in agreement.

"Have you met Miss. Brandenburg? Where's she from? Does she have a family with her?" Claire asks almost all in one breath.

"Slow down, Claire. I can't answer that quickly." Ethan laughs. "I've not met her, she's from Massachusetts. She has two daughters and is a widow. She seems as if she'll be a good teacher from letters the school board received. You'll get to meet her soon enough since they will be arriving next week."

"Claire, if you'll go through the school trunk and see what we need, we'll make a shopping trip later this week. The school board voted for all students to wear a uniform this year. Girls will wear long black skirts and white blouses, boys, white shirts, black pants and black string ties. Please check to see how many of these things we need to purchase. Don't the boys have white shirts already?"

"Yes sir, they do. Ben and George have one pair of black pants each. I'll have to see if they fit though. They'll need one more pair in case of tears, they're rough on pants. I know Ben, George and Joseph all have two white shirts each. We may not need to buy any shirts. We don't have to buy the string ties as we have those." Claire recites the list from memory.

"Thank you Claire for letting me know. Now, Rob. What about you? I know you have white dress shirts but what about black pants?"

"I only have the black suit pants. My other dress pants are gray. Why are you asking? Are we making another bank trip to Denver, Pa? I thought my accounts were handled by telegram now."

"You need school clothes also, Rob. You will be attending the advanced classes the same as Claire."

"I don't need schooling, Pa. I can read, write, cipher and besides you need me to work the ranch. I can't take time off for little boy things like school! I'm way to old for that!" Rob protests loudly, causing Ben to cover his ears.

"Lower your voice, Robert! You will attend upper level classes and that's the end of it. Three mornings a week isn't going to hamper your chores one bit."

"Excuse me." Rob announces as he thrusts his chair back and rushes outside.

"I had no idea he would take it this way. I thought he might enjoy having a chance to go to school." Ethan says, thinking out loud.

"He doesn't want to leave here, Pa. He wants to be a rancher like you." George pipes up helpfully.

"Thank you, George. No one said anything about leaving. You and Joseph clean up tonight. I'll talk to Rob while you do this. Ben, it's time for you to get ready for bed, Claire will help you. I'll come say good night after I talk to Rob."

"NOOOO! I don't wanna! I can stay up like George!"

"No you can not, young man. You still need more rest after your illness and I said it's time for bed. Go with your sister."

"NO! I won't go to bed! I'm not sleepy!" Ben yells slapping his tin cup of milk and sending it flying to bounce on the floor. Reaching for the plate to throw next, Ben is surprised to have his arm grabbed, stopping him from shoving the plate.

"No more of these tantrums young man. You are past the age to act like this. Pick up your cup and go with Claire." Ethan tells him firmly.

"NOT GOING TO! DON'T WANT TO GO TO BED! No, Papa, No!" Ben stops yelling to issue his last command quickly as Ethan has lifted him over his knee. Four quick sharp smacks to the seat of Ben's pants has him wailing.

"You do as you are told without throwing things, answering back and especially without screaming. You act out like this and I'll spank you again! Do you understand me, Benjamin?" Ethan asks the crying boy.

"Yes Papa." Ben answers through his sniffles, rubbing the sting in his backside.

Joseph and George swap a quick smile while preparing to wash the dishes. Then, as soon as everyone has left the kitchen, George whispers "I'm happy Ben finally got spanked. He can talk normally when he wants to. He's been talking to me at night just fine. He has been talking fine for weeks. The baby act is just for attention."

"I noticed he could sound his age earlier today when he forgot to be the baby. I think he got some attention this time! Pa has had enough, too. Ben's going to get more of those smacks if he doesn't straighten up." Joseph whispers back.

Out in the barn, Ethan finds Rob grooming one of the horses.

"Alright Rob, let's talk. What has you upset? I thought you would like to have the opportunity to attend classes."

Trying not to sound disrespectful, Rob answers "I don't feel I need school. I'm too old for it now."

"Rob, you are sixteen, the same as Claire. The other students will be sixteen to eighteen also. You aren't being forced to sit in class with ten year olds. I want you to attend and do your best. You have the opportunity to learn so, I want you to use it. One more thing, son. I think you ought to stop brushing the mare in the same place before she has a bald spot." Ethan replies, trying to get him to smile.

"Yes sir."

"Ben would like it if you stopped in to say good night to him. I've already sent him to bed. "

"Yes sir. I'll be in to see him in just a few minutes." Rob answers. Gathering his courage, he asks "Pa? Mr. Yates needs some help at the Feed and Seed. He asks if I could work there in the afternoons from one to five and on Saturdays. I could make twenty dollars a week and still have time for chores. Could I take the job, please?"

"I think with school beginning, plus your work here, you have enough to handle right now. Next summer, if he wishes you to help, that will be acceptable."

"Summer? That's almost a year from now! Come on, Pa. Be reasonable. You said the classes would only be three days and in the mornings. I can do the work and still have time for chores and schoolwork. Please, Pa? I want to work with Mr. Yates."

"Let me talk to him about the job and if I feel it is something that would not interfere with your schooling, I'll agree. No more arguing or I'll go back to my original decision." Ethan answers when Rob looks as if he'll protest.

"That's agreeable. Thank you, Pa."

"Don't thank me just yet. I haven't said you could take the job. I'm going to look into it and let you know."

"Yes sir. Will you talk to Mr. Yates soon? He wants me to give him an answer by Saturday."

"I'll stop in tomorrow. Now, it's time to be inside for the night. I'll put your grooming articles away while you visit Ben."

Three days later, Rob is enjoying his first day on the job. He's helped Mr. Yates fill burlap sacks of different sizes with oats, wheat, corn kernels, seed corn and sewn them shut with rawhide strips. He is now helping a customer load four fifty pound sacks into his wagon.

"Thank you, young fella. You're a strong one to lift those sacks two at a time! My old bones don't let me do as much as I used to. I appreciate the help. I'll tell your Pa what a good job you did when I settle the bill."

"Thank you sir. It's a pleasure to help you. Mr. Yates is my boss but not my Pa. I'm Rob Cord, Mr. Sammons. Billy Yates is living in Wyoming, Sir."

"Yes. Yes, I remember now. Rob Cord, eh? You're Sheriff Cord's boy then. I'll tell him about your good work when I see him."

Later that afternoon while sweeping off the loading deck in the back of the store, Rob hears "Well lookee here. My young nephew hard at work. Nice to see you again, Bobby."

"I told you, my name is not Bobby. I'm Rob. What are you doing here, Seth? I thought you were in California with your Ma."

"I blew that and headed east to come visit my old stomping grounds. Too bad my ole Pappy croaked years ago. What about Vern? How's the old buzzard these days? Still hanging on the idea of being a dumb farmer?"

"He died almost two years ago. The ranch is mine now. There's nothing here for you, Seth. You can go home to your Ma."

"Trying to get rid of me, eh? Ma croaked over two months ago. Left all my hard earnings to charity, she did. I've got a share in my Pa's place. I own it, not you. You may live there but you'll have to pay me rent. Three dollars a week. Dear departed brother Will had money so you can pay, don't try to con me." Seth tells him with an evil grin.

"I don't live there and I'm not paying you one red cent! I own the ranch. The deed is in my name. You don't have any claim to it as it wasn't in your Pa's name to start with! He put the ranch in Vern and my Pop's names when he first took ill. Your name wasn't listed. Leave me be, I have work to get done before I'm due home."

"You think you're all high and mighty don't you kid! I have ways to get what I want. I know more about you than you know! I have learned you are living with the sheriff of this lovely little hole in the wall. That could be of use to me. You are my kin and kin helps kin." Seth answers with a sneer.

"Don't get any ideas, Seth. I'm not much kin to you. Yes, I live with the sheriff. He's my adoptive Pa. I answer to him and him only. Don't cause trouble here, Seth. We're a nice town of families and kids. Just move on somewhere else to do your dirty work."

This is just the beginning kid! Me and my friends have plans for this place and YOU are part of those plans." Seth tells him jerking his horse around and riding off.

The following day has Claire, Joseph, and the boys all in town for school shopping. Meeting Ethan at the Mercantile, Claire tells him "I've picked up four extra white shirts for the boys, and I have our writing tablets, wooden pencils and slate chalk. Mr. Axelrod doesn't have any black pants in Rob's or Joseph's size though. I looked through the ready made clothes. I could make some but I didn't see any strong black material either."

"Claire, I don't want you to try to sew any pants, we'll keep..."

"Papa!" Ben calls, running up from looking at the toy corner. "Buy me a train, Papa!"

"Ben, you are interrupting. No son, you do not need a train now. Maybe for Christmas." Ethan tells him after stooping down to speak quietly to the boy.

"I want one now! Papa, get me the train. I want it!" Ben whines.

"Ben! I already said no. Now behave or you'll be sent to sit in the wagon while we finish here."

"You're being mean, Papa! I want the train!" Ben whines while stomping his feet.

"Young man, I assure you I can get a lot meaner. Keep up this behavior and you'll not only be put in the wagon but you'll have a sore backside also! Now, mind me and hush about the toy. We aren't here to buy toys today."

Lower lip stuck out, Ben walks back towards George at the toy table.

"What's wrong, Ben?"

"Papa said No. I want the train!" Ben says, lower lip trembling.

"If he said No then he means it. Don't ask or whine about it or you'll get in trouble. We have some toys at home we can play with."

"We don't have a train like this. Look, it has wheels and they turn. I want this one."

"I like it too, Ben. If I had two bits, I'd buy it. I only have five cents, not twenty five. We can't get the train. I'm going over to help pick new school things, come with me."

"Unh Uh. I'm staying with my train, George."

"Hello Ben, remember me? We used to be friends." Mr. Axelrod tells the young boy as he walks up.

"No, I don't 'member. Who're you?"

"I'm Mr. Axelrod. I own this mercantile."

"You do? I like the train." Ben asks while pointing to the wooden train.

"Well now, that is one beautiful train, I agree. My friend who sends me toys, painted this. Do you like the shiny black color? I think it looks mighty fine with the yellow wheels and red cow catcher in the front."

"Yes, I want it. Will you let me have it?" Ben pleads, giving Mr. Axelrod his best smile.

"No, young man, he will not. Be ashamed, Ben, for asking for the train! I told you twice that we were not buying a train today. We are here to purchase things for school not toys. I'm sorry Cyrus. He still isn't quite back to his former self yet. We're making progress though." Ethan answers walking up to the pair in time to hear Ben's begging.

"I WANT IT! He would let me! You're MEAN!" Ben says, glaring at Ethan.

"Ben, go to the wagon and wait there for us. George? Go with Ben to the wagon please. We'll be right there." Ethan calls to his son.

Waiting for the door to close before speaking, Cyrus asks "Will Ben eventually regain his normal age? He seems so much younger."

"His age is still ten, Cyrus. It's his thinking that isn't there yet. Dr. Amy assures me he will regain his thinking to his true age soon. He's already behaving and sounding older now. When he first awakened from the coma, he seemed around four. I'm working with him on behavior and speech. We're making some progress but as you witnessed he still has some behavior troubles."

"Ethan, he didn't know who I was. Has he forgotten everything?"

"He has seemed to forget many details since the illness, Cyrus. The high fever is what caused this, according to Dr. Americus. Ben doesn't remember being ill or what happened right before he became ill. From all we've been able to figure out he remembers pieces of his life starting at age six. He does not remember his Mother or their life in St. Louis. This is really bothering Claire and Joseph. Not the fact that he can't remember Missouri, but the fact that he seems to have no memory of their Mother."

"And young George? Does he find this upsetting?"

"George has now become the older brother looking out for the younger brother. He looks after Ben and is very good to him. If you meant does he remember their Mother, then no, he doesn't. At least not much. He was just barely five when she died and she was ill for a year before that. Claire was more his mother during the time he can remember." Ethan explains.

Walking down the boardwalk to the General Store, Ben asks "Papa? Am I gonna get spanked?"

"What makes you ask that Ben?" Ethan asks glancing down at the boy he has by the hand.

"George said I was gonna get spanked 'cause you sent me to the wagon. I don't wanna spanking. I'm sorry I was bad. I just want the train, real bad."

"Badly" Claire puts in, walking on the other side of Ben.

"Huh?"

"You say 'I want the train badly.' not real bad." Claire answers.

"I didn't know you want the train too. Papa! We need to go back. Claire wants the train too!"

Listening, but walking ahead of the others, Joseph laughs out loud at this statement. "He has a point, Pa!" Joseph calls back, teasingly.

"No advice from the front, thank you." Ethan calls back, causing George to giggle this time.

"To answer your question, Ben, No, you aren't going to be spanked this time. Let the banishment to the wagon be a lesson. If I say No, then that's final. You aren't to whine or argue when I tell you No. You may not agree with me but my word is law. Obey what I tell you and you won't be punished. Do you understand what I am telling you?"

"Yes Papa. I have to do what you say or I get spanked."

"More or less, yes that's correct. Now, while we are in the store, you are to look but not touch anything. No begging either. We are here to buy things for school in this store also, not toys. Understand me?" Ethan asks the child who is now looking down the street.

"Um hmm."

"The correct answer is Yes sir or Yes Pa, young man! Not um hmm. Now let me ask again. Do you understand what I just told you?" Ethan scolds firmly.

"Yes Papa. I understand."

"Good let's go inside. Remember what I just told you, Ben."

A/N:

As this is the last chapter before Christmas, let me borrow from one of my favorite songs "You've been so kind, you've crossed my mind, so nothing else will do... here comes a Merry Christmas straight to you!"

If you haven't read the story Paradise: The First Christmas, you can find it in the story list on my profile page. It's a story of the very first family Christmas with Ethan and the children with extra special cuteness and laughter included.