New Beginnings: Life Changes
Ch. 7
Failure To Communicate
By Saturday the older boys were finished with most of the tasks they'd been assigned by Ethan. The new flowerbed was tilled and ready to be planted, the henhouse was clean with new straw for the nesting boxes and had been whitewashed.
While Delphie is preparing for the upcoming picnic, the younger two boys are busy as well. Claire is working at the clinic with Dr. Amy until her Pa is finished with work at the Sheriff's office for the day.
"Mama, what dessert are we going to take? Can it be a cake? We always have pie but a cake is good to have on picnics too." Ben asks, watching his new mama work at the stove.
"What kind of cake would you be thinking of my wee lad?"
"I'm not a wee lad! I'm TEN." Ben protests shaking his head at his mama.
"Excuse me for forgetting. Now, what do you have in that scheming mind of yours? I know by now that you never ask for something without knowing what you want. Out with it as I have much to do."
"I liked those little cakes you made last weekend. The ones with the cinnamon and sugar on them. They are so good. If you make twelve we'll have one for all of us. I'll help sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar on them."
"To make those cakes, I need six eggs, brown sugar, butter, and flour just to begin. You can go gather the eggs since we need that many right away and I know you haven't done that chore yet. Also, bring in some kindling as I need to get the stove hot again. Hurry now, I need to get the cake batter made as I have to do other things as well."
"Yes, Mama."
Standing at the corral fence, George watches as Joseph begins to talk to the grey stallion. He is careful to stay hidden behind a bush to peep through the branches as he isn't supposed to be out that far. In the few days, the new horses have been with them, he's stayed away but today he's been drawn to visit. Rob has gone to town for lumber and other supplies so Joseph is alone. George feels that since Joseph is also breaking the rules by working with untried horses alone, he won't be in trouble if caught.
"Hello, handsome guy. We met the other day, remember? I'm Joseph and you are ... let's see now... who exactly are you? I know, you are Sir Lancelot! Yes, that's who you are. Well Sir Lancelot, I am here to be of service. Let's start with a nice towel to the back shall we?" Joseph says to the horse as he gently lays a towel over the middle of the horse's back. Receiving an eye roll from the horse when he lightly touches his side, Joseph watches carefully to avoid the teeth should he try to bite.
"Good boy, that's not so bad, is it? It's just a little towel not some heavy old saddle. Now, can I interest you in having a set of reins lay over your back? Hmmm?"
At the horse's snort and shake of his head in a sideways motion, George giggles to himself.
"No, you say? No reins today? Alright then, how about I let that towel stay while I talk to your buddy over here. Hello there you handsome fella. My name is Joseph and I'll be your server today. Who might you be? Yellow coat, black ears, stockings, and tail, well I'll have to think a bit for your name. I'll let you know later. Now, to start with let's do a blanket as I know you have mastered towel already. I saw Rob working with you. Let's get this blanket..." Joseph says as he reaches for the blanket on the fence slightly turning away from the horses. Before George has a chance to warn his brother, the yellow horse reaches out with his head and gives Joseph a snap on his backside.
"OWWW! You evil devil! That smarts! No biting! Fine, no blanket for you. Here Lancelot, let me take that towel. I need to leave, so you talk to him about how to be a gentleman, Lancelot. Let's go, George. I know you are behind the bush."
"Joseph, you are funny when you talk to the horses. Why did the horse, Black Stockings, bite? You didn't hurt him. You had not even touched him and he snapped at you. Did he tear your pants? You might be in trouble if he did."
Feeling behind him, Joseph answers, "No, I don't think they're torn. He's wild and doesn't like people. Is that what you want to call him? Black Stockings? I like that name. Come with me to the barn, you can help me get their feed ready."
"Is your backside okay, Joseph?"
"It's mostly okay, just really stinging right now. You'd think the thick material in dungarees would protect my backside. It didn't."
"I can go get Mama to look at it."
"NO. This stays between you and me. I'll be in more trouble if they find out I was working with the horses alone. I'm already going to have to rush to get all the rest of the extra chores done by supper. If I don't I won't get to go on the picnic after church tomorrow. Besides, you were breaking rules too as you were not supposed to be at the corral at all. Do you want to get in trouble? You heard what Pa told Mama, no one but him, Rob and me, is supposed to be near the corral for at least two weeks. Pa would be some mad at both of us!"
"No. I won't tell, I promise."
"Neither will I. Let's get the feed ready. Have you fed our horses yet?"
"You just said I wasn't to be out at the corral and now you want to know if I fed them. Make up your mind, Joseph."
"George, you are sounding too much like Ben. You know exactly what I mean. Did you feed them or not?"
"Not yet. I did get my half of the stalls cleaned but Ben hasn't even started his half yet."
"Let's go feed Betsy and the rest. Let Ben worry about his chores. You do yours and you'll be worry free. I don't suppose I could get you to help me weed the garden, could I?"
"No, I despise weeding. You pull one and turn around to pull another. When you look back there is the weed you just pulled!" George answers with a giggle.
"Yes, it seems that way, doesn't it. The weeds pop up so fast you can't get them all pulled before they come back."
"Here comes Rob with the wagon. Can I help with the painting on the flower boxes, Joseph? Please?"
"I'll get you to put on the first coat of paint and then I'll do the second. Hi, Rob. Did you get the lumber we need?"
"And the paint?" George asks peering into the back of the wagon.
"I did, Mr. Nosey. Take your nose out of my belongings young sir."
"I'm not nosey. I just wanted to make sure you didn't forget the paint. Joseph says I can paint first."
"We don't have anything to paint yet. We have to build the window boxes first." Rob answers as he begins unloading the cut boards.
"Can I help nail too? I was good at nailing when we built the connection for the porches."
"We'll see. Right now didn't you have something you were about to do? You were walking to the barn for some reason other than to ask about the project."
"I have to help Joseph feed the corral horses and feed ours too."
"Joseph said you could help feed the new horses?" Rob questions while giving Joseph a long look.
"No, I didn't. I said he could help me get the feed ready not that he could go into the corral to feed them. Stop looking at me with that reproving look on your face. You aren't my Pa so quit it! You remember Pa told you not to do that."
"I remember his words, yes. What he actually said not what you are trying to tell me he said. Let's get moving. We still have much to do if we're to finish by suppertime. We still have to do the garden, wash windows, build, paint and put up the window boxes. We'll build and paint the boxes and then do the rest while they dry. I hope they dry fast."
Later that afternoon, Rob is busy attaching the white window boxes to the house while Joseph washes the top story windows.
Hearing the hammering, Delphie comes outside to view her new boxes.
"That is just as I pictured, Rob. Thank you for doing such a good job on the boxes. Did you leave holes in the bottom boards to let the water drain out?"
"No, Ma'am. What we did was just put one slim piece across the bottom, similar to a shelf. It's open on both sides of the shelf. Your pots can sit on the center piece and the water will drain easily."
"Thank you for that. I like the sound of that much better. Where is your brother?"
Since the two younger boys are standing beside her, Rob realizes she means Joseph.
"He's washing the windows." Rob answers pointing up.
"Oh! Dear God In Heaven!" Delphie exclaims quietly as she sees her middle son high above them on a ladder. Joseph trying to balance a bucket, and stay on the ladder all at the same time has her worried. Waiting until the boy has a firm grip on the ladder after hanging the bucket over the end of the rung sticking out the side, Delphie calls "Joseph Adam Cord! Come down here!"
"I can't. I have to do my job." Joseph calls back.
"Young Man, I said Come Down!" Delphie exclaims firmly.
"What is it?" Joseph snaps as he reaches the ground, feeling irritated at having to climb all the way back to the top.
"Watch your tone, young man! I don't want you on the ladder that high. Stay down."
With a long suffering sigh, Joseph says "Mama... Look, I have to .."
"Don't tell me to LOOK. I don't want to hear what you think you have to do. I say stay off that ladder!" Delphie replies hands on hips.
"But Mama, I have to wash the windows!"
"NO, you don't. You are not to go on that ladder again. If you do, you are restricted to the ranch for three days beginning tomorrow. Understand me?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Joseph replies, fists balled and at his sides.
"Good. Ben, George, I need your help inside. Follow me."
"Whew. I've never seen her that riled up. She had fire coming from her eyes when you tried to explain the first time. If she'd been Pa, I would have braced myself for a few smacks coming my way by the look on her face. I think you are lucky she doesn't believe in smackings or you would be having one about now."
"Rob, Pa said to wash the windows! I have to do what Pa said! He'll come home and punish me for disobeying! Not doing punishment chores leads to harsher punishment. I have to go back up! Cover for me, will you?"
"It's your hide. I wouldn't if I were you."
"I have to, didn't you hear?"
"I heard Delphie, that's for sure. Our punishment is nearly over as we've completed the list except for the top windows. Just explain to Pa, you couldn't do it. I wouldn't go back up, myself."
"Yes, well I'm going to. Pa says 'Always do your job to the best of your ability and never ever leave a job half done.' I aim to do just that."
"He also says to mind Delphie. Which do you think he'll be most upset by?" Rob calls to the boy now climbing the ladder.
Walking into Claire's bedroom to put the freshly sun-dried quilt on her bed, Delphie is startled to see Joseph drying the window.
Staring at the boy for a full minute, she wheels on her heel and heads downstairs. Just as she gets outside, she sees Ethan's horse trotting into the yard. Deciding to go talk to him there at the barn instead of waiting for him to come to the house, she strides angrily across the yard.
Having a view of their meeting but unable to hear, Joseph sees his new mother waving her arms about as she talks and then points at him. Pretending to still be drying the window, he watches to see what his Pa might do.
"I told that boy not to go back up the ladder as it isn't safe. He got snappy, argued about it and then deliberately did what I said not to do as soon as I left! Ethan, I won't have him putting himself in danger that way! That window is at least fifteen feet high."
"Alright, Delphie. Just calm down. I understand your point. Let's go talk to him together." Ethan replies trying to soothe his new wife.
Reaching the bottom of the ladder, Ethan calls "Joseph, come down here. We need to talk."
Rolling his eyes and groaning to himself, Joseph descends the ladder mentally preparing himself for what's to come.
"Joseph, your Mama says you were disrespectful, were arguing with her about her instructions and then deliberately defied her orders to stay off the ladder. You can't deny being on the ladder as I saw you myself so what explanation do you have for this behavior with her?"
Hearing the sternness, Joseph decides the best plan would be to immediately apologize to his Mama. "I am sorry for disobeying you, Mama. I really am. I tried to make you understand but you wouldn't listen to me."
"I told you I didn't want you on that ladder and you turned around and went right back up it! Doing so was dangerous and I will not have you doing foolish stunts. I warned you and you disobeyed. You are restricted inside the house tomorrow after church, Monday, Tuesday and through Wednesday morning. You will be doing inside chores only. You must obey what you are told, Joseph."
"NO, MAMA! NO! I AM NOT! YOU AREN'T LISTENING TO ME! YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" Joseph declares loudly, having lost control.
"Joseph! You do not shout at people especially your parents." Ethan scolds as Delphie turns to go inside. Having seen the furious look in Ethan's eyes, she removes herself from what's to come.
"PA! Tell her she can't do that! That's not fair! I don't want to miss swimming just because SHE wants to play Mother. SHE can't punish me for what I ... OWWW! PA! YOWW! PA! Stop it, OwwwCH." Joseph howls as his bottom is being attacked by what feels like a wooden hand.
"You do not shout at your mother or speak so disrespectfully. You do as you are told to do, no backtalk, no defiance! You are not in charge, your Mother and I are and you WILL obey." Ethan lectures rapidly applying five more hard smacks as Delphie closes the door behind her.
"I was doing what I was told and I still wound up getting my backside burned! You told me to clean all the windows even the top windows! I was trying to do what you told me to do! I tried to explain this to Mama but she talked over me and ordered me to stay off the ladder!" Joseph exclaims wiping tears out of his eyes at the indignity of not only being spanked like a small child but in front of Rob as well. Even if his brother had turned his back on them, he still heard. The smacks really smart and that nip he received is stinging as well.
"I can't stay off the ladder and still clean the top windows as you said, Pa! Now I get punished for doing what you told me to do! That just isn't fair at all. No matter which one I chose to do, mind Mama or mind you I would have been in trouble either way. You told me to never leave a job half done, Pa. I was trying to finish my job." Joseph explains when he can speak around the lump in his throat.
Thinking and realizing his son is correct, Ethan puts his arm around the boy's shoulders feeling the suppressed sobs causing shaking.
"Joseph, I apologize. You are right, I did assign that chore. I'd forgotten. I should have told Delphie about it but I didn't think to do so. I caused all of this. Come with me and we'll explain to your irate Mama how it's my fault. Will you bring me some supper when I get sent to my room without it? I'll open a window and you can sneak it in that way. You aren't housebound, son. This is just a misunderstanding and failure to communicate between myself and Delphie. We're still figuring out how to work together."
"Yes, and while that is happening I get smacked. Not fair, Pa. You owe me a free pass now. You spanked me for something I was doing right not wrong. Besides that, fourteen is way too old to be spanked!"
"Not true on the age nor do I owe you a pass. I spanked you for being disrespectful. You know not to speak the way you did to Delphie. No free pass. You deserved those smacks and I will be capable of delivering more if you don't check that attitude I see forming."
"Yessir." Joseph replies, quickly losing the glare, the frown and uncrossing his arms. "Where's Claire? Wasn't she coming home with you?"
"In town. She's cooking for Mitch and Alex tonight. She'll be home later. Let's go talk to your ruffled Mama. I think she acted out of fear for your safety son, more than trying to boss you around. Remember, she's not used to ranch life so she doesn't realize how things work quite yet. I think for your sake, you should not go in the loft where the hay bales are without me along. Delphie wouldn't want to see you up so high."
"You told me I could start going up there just the other day. Now you are changing your mind?"
"Yes, I know. I don't want to create a situation where Delphie is afraid for you again. Just stay out unless I'm with you for a while longer. We need to gradually introduce your Mama to how things work here. She's new to this, remember."
Watching the boys and Sarah enjoy swinging on the rope swing and paddling in the pond, Linnea says "Those men of ours are enjoying playing as much as the children. Matt has Caleb shrieking every time he catches him from the rope. Caleb is much happier lately. It seems he was testing Matt to see how far he could push before Matt would punish him."
"I thought Matt had punished him many times before the gun incident."
"He had but to Caleb, the fact that Matt punished him the same as Ben and lectured them both seemed to prove he felt the same about him as he did the other boys. I can't exactly explain as I don't really understand boys and how they think."
"I don't either, Linnea. I've had a few go-rounds with Ben, Rob, and Joseph. Being a mother is not as easy as I thought."
"What do you mean? Have the boys been causing you trouble? Does Ethan know? I would think he would put an end to any misbehavior right quick!" Linnea asks, trying hard not to smile at the thought of being a mother as easy.
"Oh he does but I want to handle some of it myself. Besides that, Ethan is part of the problem. He tells the boys they are allowed to do something and I don't know of it. I wind up feeling like a hoof when I scold or punish after he has given permission. Now, Joseph is angry with me for trying to punish him for something he had permission to do."
"I believe you meant to say feeling like a 'heel' but I understand. I'll listen if you'd like to talk about it. Having another mother to discuss with is nice. Remember, I don't know boys well either. Caleb has been quite a challenge. I'd nearly given up until I met Matt. He's reined in Caleb much better than I ever could."
"The older boys were in an argument around the new army horses. Joseph punched Rob for bossing him around. Ethan discussed it with both and punished them with extra chores. One of Joseph's chores was to wash and dry all of the windows of the house, inside and out. I found him on a ladder trying to wash Rob's window and made him come down. He resented my intrusion and argued with me. I threatened punishment and ordered him to stay off the ladder. He didn't. I got Ethan involved and also assigned punishment. This made the boy lose control and shout at us. Ethan set his backside on fire right then and there. I didn't know until afterward that Ethan had assigned Joseph the chore of washing the windows including the addition! Now, my punishment was reversed as he had permission! You see why I feel like a hoo... heel?"
"So, Ethan didn't tell you of the chores ahead of time?"
"He left out the washing of the upper level windows. He himself forgot he'd assigned that chore until after confronting Joseph. The boy is now extremely polite with both of us and avoids talking to me unless necessary."
"Ah, yes. Failure to communicate is a problem men seem to have. I've experienced that also. I too, know of the teenage freeze and being overly polite. Yes, I know that very well. Both my girls pull that with us at times. Matt gets annoyed but I know it will pass and they'll be back to normal soon. So it will be with Joseph."
"What am I doing wrong? Rob ignores my instructions completely, Joseph is overly polite and yet angry at the same time."
"Rob is too old to need mothering and mostly sees you as Ethan's wife not his mother. He may be friendly but he most likely won't be more. If he is causing trouble, talk to Ethan. Let Ethan handle the older boys. You be there for them but let Ethan discipline them so that they don't resent you. How are the younger two adapting? I know Claire is enjoying her new freedom from the boys."
"Ben and I reached an understanding after a week long prank session. George is as sweet as always. Claire is gone more than home but when she is home we have long talks in her room. I love that time. She's extremely interested in going to nursing school but hasn't discussed it with Alex or Ethan. There is the problem of money. She says the cost is high. It's also back east and she doesn't believe Ethan will approve of her going away to live alone in Boston."
"She needs to work up the courage to present her desire to her Pa. I know Alex will be for whatever she wants to do. He's such a dear and mature for his age. At nearly eighteen he is more responsible than some young men twenty five! Mitch has done well teaching him and guiding him these past two years. He's going to be a wonderful husband for Claire. It seems so odd to say that. I can't believe Claire is going to be married next year. She's just a few years older than Elisha!"
"Where is Elisha this afternoon? I'd hoped all the young people would join us but it's not to be."
"Delphie, don't you remember that time in your life? Being old enough to be out with a beau away from adults? Claire and Rob are enjoying that time right now. Elisha is staying with Aaron and Alyssa as Chris is on duty. I asked if she wanted to bring them along but she said she wanted time away from her sister and Caleb."
"Are you feeling all right? You suddenly had a strange look on your face."
"The baby is moving around much more and that makes me need a necessary more often. Walk with me, please."
"Are you excited to have another baby?" Delphie asks as they return to the quilt they were sitting on.
Hearing the wistfulness in the question, Linnea reassures her friend. "Your time will come. It's only been a little longer than a month since the wedding. These things take time. Patience is a virtue, remember?"
"I remember. Having patience is extremely difficult however. I want another young one around. Someone else to call out 'watch me, Papa, catch me, swing me out fast, look at what I can do, Papa...' as we've heard all afternoon.
"We have two good men, Delphie. Both are good workers and great Papas as well. Just look at them."
Turning to see Ethan now on the rope swing and the children all behind him working together to pull the knot of the swing back before letting go. "WHEEEEEE! OOOOH that's quite the drop!" Ethan calls back to the group peering over the side of the bank.
"Uncle Ethan, you're heavy! Aunt Delphie is feeding you too well!" Caleb bravely calls to the man who can not reach him.
This announcement causes the rest of the kids to burst into giggles.
"Laugh at me, call me fat, throw me over the side of a bank, will you? I'm going to tan some backsides in two minutes! You all better run because here I come!" Ethan calls as he scrambles up the side of the bank.
Shrieking with laughter the kids all run in different directions calling out "Can't get me!"
Flopping down on the quilt next to Delphie, Ethan gives her a quick kiss as Matt does the same to Linnea on the other side of the quilt.
"Are you not going to chase after the children? I thought you were upset with them. They were only playing with you, Ethan."
"I know that dear. I was playing with them as well. No, I'm not going after them. Let them run and stay gone a few more minutes as we have a little adult time. Matt and I are tired and need a nap."
"Hey, speak for yourself old man, I don't do naps. I'm a young guy in good shape, unlike you." Matt answers.
"I may be old but I'm fast. I just plucked the last tea cake right out of the basket while you weren't looking. No more cakes for you!"
"Delphie! He took that cake and you were going to save it for me. He's already had three before now. Besides you can bake him more and that one was mine." Matt pretends to whine.
"You two make excellent children. No wonder the kids delight in playing with you." Delphie replies after she stops laughing.
While the adults are enjoying time alone for a few minutes, the children have scattered enjoying a game of hide and seek in the woods. Joseph and Sarah have paired off together away from the younger kids but close enough to hear if they call out.
"Sarah, you are a different kind of girl than most I know. You kind of remind me of my sister when she was younger."
"Your sister?" Sarah repeats, not liking that news.
"Well, only in the part that she liked to swim and play around just as we've been doing today. I'm not saying I think of you as my sister." Joseph quickly clarifies having seen the crestfallen expression briefly cross his friend's face.
"I like to be with you as well, Joseph. You make me laugh and feel less restricted. With Elisha, I feel I have to be the ladylike type all the time. I'm not like her, I don't want to be stiff and uptight. I want to enjoy myself. Do you think of me as a cousin? We aren't related, you know."
"I think of you as my friend first and then a cousin second. Sarah?" Joseph asks suddenly finding her face right near his.
"Have you ever kissed a girl, Joseph?"
"Nooo, it's not allowed, remember? What're you doing?" he asks as she moves closer.
"No one is here but us. I won't say anything but we need to know how to do this. Someday we'll have to show our husband or wife in your case, that we can kiss. Wanna practice? It can be our secret, okay? Parents would not agree."
"Sarah, my Pa... he'd light into me if he found out I was alone with you in the woods much less if I kissed you. I want to but.."
"No one can see. We aren't going to do anything our parents will worry about. It's just a kiss. Please, Joseph? You like me don't you? Maybe not." She says as Joseph hesitates.
"There, I did it. How was it?" Joseph asks as he pulls away from her. The hurt look in her eyes having made him lean down to touch his lips to hers very quickly.
"Really nice. Let's try it one more time. We can stay together a little longer instead of breaking apart right quick."
"Alright, ready? Steady now, don't move, mmmmhhmmm, yes nice." Joseph exclaims after a longer kiss.
"Best I've ever had. Thanks, Joseph. You are good at that. We'll keep practicing as we don't have the steps down right. I don't think we are supposed to stand so stiffly or tell each other when we're going to do it. I don't see Claire and Alex talking it out, they just do it."
"You've seen Claire and Alex kiss?"
"A couple of times. They're completely unaware anyone is near when they are looking at each other. So romantic. I hear someone coming." She says moving slightly away from Joseph.
"There you two are! We've been looking and looking!" Caleb exclaims coming out of the brush with Ben and George right behind him.
"The parents have been calling for us. They want us back with them. What were you two doing back here alone?"
"Hiding from you, of course. Let's go before we worry them." Sarah answers.
"Time to go, children. We have nighttime chores to do. Help carry the basket and quilts, boys." Ethan orders as the group arrives at the quilts.
That evening, sometime late is all Joseph can tell without lighting a lamp to see his pocket watch, he lays still wondering what woke him. It isn't long before the shooting pain and then the warmth hits him. His body feels as if he's lying on hot coals. Easing out of bed and carefully climbing the steps, he goes into Rob's room.
"Rob. Rob, wake up. I need help. ROB!"
"WHA? Joseph? What's the matter?" Rob asks having lit his lamp to look at the shaking and sweating boy.
"The devil is after me. Keep me safe. Hide me. Please, Rob.. I feel him coming... I'm so hottttt." Joseph explains just before he collapses on the floor.