Chapter 9

White Wolf continues~

Adam and his boys rode quietly back to the Ponderosa. Lunch passed by slowly for the twins as the men continued discussing business. Instead of asking to be excused, like his brother Michael, Jack sat at the table picking at the remainder of food on his plate to listened in. He began to day dream about the White Wolf and Piute Indian. He thought about his Uncle's stories and adventures on the Nevada plains. As his mind began to spill over into fantasy, Jack imagined himself pulling back his bow and arrow preparing for a shot. As he let go of the strap on his bow, reality abruptly returned the little brave when his glass of milk shot across the table.

Jacks incident not only awakened him but all the Cartwright men sitting at the table. Interesting enough tho, no one said an immediate word. They just stared at Jack in surprise; Except Adam. He knew all to well that his mischievous son was daydreaming about the white wolf.

"Jack", Adam called out in a low monotone voice. The ten year old boy slowly turned toward his father with shock in his eyes.

"It seems to me that Hopsing has a bit of soap and towel back in the kitchen to clean that mess right up. I suggest you get started."

"Yes, Sir". Jack scrambled to find his feet all too quickly adding his dinner plate onto his lap.

"Well, Damn-Blasted In All Hell! Would ya look at my clothes and this mess. Shit!Shit!Shit!" Jack hollered and began wiping his front before realizing his statement was delivered out loud.

Jack cupped his mouth and began to whimper. "Oh' no, did I just say that out loud~I'm sorry Dad, Grandfather please forgive me. I'm just all worked up and see I didn't know that I said it out loud...you know those type of things we say in our head...well I didn't mean to shout out in all. Ehhhhh~Uncle Joe?"

Adam slid one hand down his face as if to erase all that just happened. Then he let out a deep sigh~

~~~before he had a chance to speak, Uncle Joe came to his nephews rescue.

"Jack~Ya Poor kid, your just exhausted. I told you to go to bed early last night and did you listen? No sir, Now look at ya, you're as clumsy as a bull in a china shop." Joe pulled Jack up from the table and pushed him towards the kitchen.

"Well, I'll see to this mess with ya boy."

"Hey Pa, how bout you and Ol' Adam finish that business outside in the peace and quiet. I'll help Jack with this mess and lye him down for a boy's done lost his mind and the good since God gave him.

'Nap'...'Bull in a China shop'...now Uncle Joe was goin too far. Jack's remorse and gratitude was too quickly forgotten.

"Hey, Uncle Joe! I ain't no baby and I don't take naps neither". A stubborn Jack turned back from the kitchen to fully protest the accusations.

Joe glared down at his stupid nephew and whispered in his ear..."either get yourself in that kitchen or meet your own death. I'm tryin to save your hide boy..." Jack quickly remembered his situation and walked backwards towards the kitchen with a sheepish grin.

Sometimes Jack felt as if his father could read his mind and for a brief moment thought he might be in trouble for the adventure he just imagined was a forbidden one. Let alone his outward cursing.

"Now,go on Jack, you go and get those supplies your dad mentioned." Joe pushed~

"Kids", Joe smiled hoping his deversion worked. He too ran for the kitchen.

Adam and Ben exchanged glances as both eyes twinkled with delight seeing 'those' two squirm. Funny how much Jack resembled his uncle Joe. Ben let out a laugh.

"Oh, sure Pa. You only find it funny when your not the one to deal with it."

"That may be true son, but one day you might see the humor I see in it all."

Adam smiled at his father and gave him a strong pat to the arm, "I'll be out in just a minute Pa...I need to address proper language use in this house with my dirt mouthed son."

Once alone in the kitchen, Joe delivered a slap to the back of Jack's head. "Thought you were gonna wreak yourself again boy. You gotta be on your toe's if your gonna try to slip out of 'Ol Adam's wrath. And trust you me, I've had many years with that Ol' brother of mine warmin my backside. You lucked out this time kid~what a mouth you got on you ~that's for sure"...(Joe handed Jack a cleaning bucket and gave him a disapproving look)..."yep, you lucked out this time and I' not sure I should have helped you. Just learn your leason you here."

"Thanks uncle Joe for steppin in to help~ but I could of handled it by myself tho~I had a plan. You know I'm a lot smarter than you think...ask Michael, I've outsmarted my dad and grandad so many times and know one knows the worse of it. I'm a master at tricking Mrs. Drake, she has no idea all the things I've done and gotten away with. No one does. Not even 'Ol Adam~so maybe you're not as Sly as you think...'Uncle Joe' (smiling as he taunted his uncle) Maybe you should ask for my help some time when you need it."

Joe was~ in the least~ impressed by Jack's rude behavior. But this time before Joe would get a word in someone else was waiting to step in...

The 'smart mouthed' boy smirked as he turned out with the bucket in hand heading to clean up his mess in the dinning room. His Ego and Pride soon to be shattered...BUMP...running right into an angry Adam standing within the kitchen door way. Shocked and angered with what had just came out of Jack's mouth.

"Oh' Hhh-Hi ...'Ol Adam,,, (cough-ugh)...I mean Ddd'''DADdd. Ya been standin there long?" Jack stumbeled, spilling the bucket all over the floor and soaking his feet.

Adam was pissed! His Hands gripped tightly on hips and slightly rocked back and forth on his heals...Adam's Ego had seem to be ignighted as well as his sons.

"Long enough to know that you need a few Reminders...Young Master Cartwright!"

"Reminders...? Jack asked." and before the young boy had time to conger up an excuse to get out of his troubles~Adam swiftly pulled Jack over one thigh landing a half dozen sharp swats to Jack's 'over confident' smart ass.

Jack stood up straight as a pin, turned his back to the nearest wall, held tight to his bottom and faught back his tears as best he could~ knowing his Uncle Joe was looking on. Both wondering what would happen next. Adam just heavy handed Jack a firery-Ass like no other and he wasn't ready for round two.

"Reminder number one! Disrespecting your elders will never be tolerated. Improper language will not be tolerated. 'Outsmarting' is the same as lying...not tolerated nor respected."Adam commanded, emphasizing every word. "Son, 'That' was simply a warm up and you should expect that I will continue this discussion later tonight.

"Reminder number two! Get that mess in the dinning room cleaned up before I decide to warm your bottom as I promised for the daydreaming about that wolf~inwhich caused this whole mess in the first place!

"Reminder number three! You have chores to attend to so I suggest you be quick in here and get outside to do your work."

Jack, hung his head completely ashamed of the words he boasted against his father. His pride and ego got the best of him. Not only did he catch more trouble than he needed but he most of all, he clearly saw the hurt in Adam's eyes. A hurt he had never seen or put there before.

Adam began to turn away...

Jack acted fast..."Dad, I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said to Uncle Joe, I was just shootin off at the mouth is all. Really, I didn't mean any of it."

Adam felt guarded. He loved these kids with all his heart. Never did he believe Jack took him for granted, until now it never crossed his mind. He felt like he had been takin for a fool~

Adam just shook his head at Jacks apology.

"It's not enough son, your old enough to be accountable for your actions. A man's word is his bond. If his word is not worth anything then neither is he."

Jack opened his mouth but nothing came out. Did Adam really believe he wasn't worth anything? He had never felt so low.

"Holding you accountable for your actions...We will finish that discussion later" Adam turned to look up at Joe, "Joe, I believe Pa was asking for you outside." Adam stated as he walked away. Joe and Jack stood silent until they heard the front door shut.

Joe's heart sank, somehow he felt partly responsible for his nephews candid behavior. He too felt great remorse for hurting his big brother.

"Uncle Joe, would you mind if I finish cleaning up this mess on my own. I just want to be alone right now."

"Sure, lil buddy." Joe placed his arm around Jack's shoulder. "Now don't go beatin yourself up and all. Mistakes are for learnin. Adam knows you love and respect him."

Jack just looked up at Joe and turned his head quickly to hide the fallen tears. Joe patted his nephew on the back and went on to give the young man time to work through his troubles ~alone.