New Beginnings: Life Changes
ch.38
Choices, Homecoming, and Halloween
After church, leaving the family to go home without him, Ethan rides over to the Palmer house. His knock is answered by Mrs. Palmer.
"Good morning, Sheriff. Come in. I have coffee and biscuits as well if you would like some."
"I would enjoy a cup, thank you. Are the children nearby?"
"I sent them to the creek to wash the clothes. I need them out from underfoot to clean the floor. Is something wrong?"
"Are you aware of Frank being involved in a fight on Thursday? He was sent home early from school and a note was sent for you to sign. I am asking because I am aware he did not attend school Friday. The fight was with my son, Joseph. I do not allow my sons to fight. Joseph was punished for his actions. He told me the reason for the fight. Frank made very disparaging remarks about Mr. Davis visiting my wife while I was away. He and I need to have a serious discussion. This behavior goes against our agreement. Do you have any qualms with me taking him in hand today?"
"No. He told me the teacher dismissed school early and was sick. He said there was no school for him Friday because of it."
"So he lied to you. I will discuss that with him as well. Have you told him of the job I told you of? I assume you will begin Monday." Ethan replies.
"How did you know? I only accepted the job, yesterday. Oh, of course. I am not thinking. You helped set it in motion! Thank you for putting in a word for me with the hotel manager. I will do a good job cleaning for him. He offered me work on weekdays and time off Saturday afternoons and on Sunday. I gave my notice to Bill yesterday as well. Frank should be happier now."
"I will send your younger children to you while I have a talk with Frank. Just so you are not misunderstanding me, I intend to apply my belt to his backside."
"It is long overdue and you still have my approval to do whatever you feel necessary. He is of the opinion he can do as he wants."
Fifteen minutes later, Ethan has listened to enough denial and deception concerning what went on at the school.
"Frank, what you fail to grasp here, is the fact you were overheard. Joseph is not lying about your words. I advise you not to ever insult someone's character, especially a woman, ever again. A man could get killed for doing such an act! Now, because you not only broke our agreement, but also insulted my wife, and Mr. Davis, plus lied to your mother and now myself, you will receive a whipping. I will use my belt on your clothed behind for a maximum of eight licks. It will make you not want to sit the rest of today but that will be gone by morning. I do not beat children. There will be no welts or bruises. Place your hands on the tree trunk, arms extended, and don't move!"
"YOU CAN'T DO THAT! You Are Not My Father!"
"Lucky for you, I'm not. If I were, I would be probably be taking a razor strop to you! Your mother has given me permission to deal with you! No more talk, hands on the tree!"
"NO! I WON'T!"
"Have it your way then." Ethan replies taking hold of the boy.
Before Frank can realize what that means, he finds himself bent over being held by the shoulder and his bottom on fire. No amount of twisting gets him out of the strong grip on his shoulder or away from the stinging smacks of a folded belt.
"Alright Frank, we are done. I expect much better behavior from you. You are to be polite, truthful, and obedient to your elders. I will not hesitate to give you another deportment lesson if needed." Ethan tells the sniffling boy as he rethreads his belt.
"Yes Sir." Frank responds before turning to leave, his face wet with tears. He doesn't get far before he is stopped by a gentle hand on his shoulder this time.
"Son, wait a second, your Ma has some good news to tell you. Listen to her. Things are going to be better now. Your punishment of working around town for the burning bag incident is over. Go to your Ma, now."
Finished with that unpleasantness, Ethan stops by the boarding house back in town.
"Hello, Ethan." Mrs. Blackstock greets him, having heard the bell over the front entrance ring.
"Hello, Amy. I stopped in to check on the other Amelia. Is she settling in alright? I didn't see her in church this morning."
"I invited her to join us but she declined. She has been melancholy today. Perhaps she is homesick. Would you like to speak to her?"
"Yes, I will wait in the parlor."
Seeing the forlorn figure enter, Ethan gestures for her to join him on the settee.
"Well now, if you are coming with me, you need to show a happier face. I came to take you to the ranch for the afternoon. We'll have lunch. My wife, Delphie, was ready to escort you from the church. She wants to meet you. My other sons, Joseph and George would like to meet you as well. You have met Mr. Incorrigible, also known as Ben, already."
"I would enjoy a visit. Let me get my wrap and I'd best fix my hair as well. Would you mind waiting just a few minutes? I promise not more than five."
"Of course not. I will be here."
"Yesterday, Joseph and I went to the town Harvest Festival. Ben is being punished and had to miss it. We have one every year. This year it was at someone's farm. I did the cakewalk and won this cake we are eating! Have you ever won a cakewalk?" George asks Amelia.
"No, I haven't. I have never been to a festival. What do you do there and how do you walk with a cake? Wouldn't it be hard to balance it on your head?" Amelia asks with a wink at the adults
Working hard to control his giggles, George drinks some of his warm cider before answering. "A cakewalk is where you walk around numbers placed on the ground as someone sings or plays an instrument. In the pauses, you stop and hope you have a number to stand next to. If your number is called, you get to choose a dessert from the table. I wanted a chocolate cake because it is Ben's favorite. I had to pick apple cake though. The chocolate cake had already been picked."
"It is a delicious cake. Joseph? What did you do at this festival?"
"We, my friends and I, entered the pumpkin carving contest. We made jack o' lanterns. They were used for decorating in the woods for the night hayride. We were each allowed to pick another pumpkin to take home. There was bobbing for apples, where you have to keep your hands behind you and catch a floating apple in a barrel using just your mouth. It is hard to do. There was a daytime hayride where we went through the woods but it was not much fun. It is better at night."
"I liked the hayride! Papa? I need to tell you, I caught a baby pig! We had a pig wrestle and I caught one. We can keep it if you say it is alright. I will take good care of it. PLEASE? Can't I keep my pig? It won't be much work as they eat scraps."
"A pig, hmmm? We will talk later about possibly keeping it, son. Now is not the time for this discussion as we have a guest."
"Yes sir." George replies.
"Would you like to meet our animals? George and I have two ponies and we have other animals too. Do you like animals?"
"Yes, Ben. I like animals very much. I would enjoy meeting them after we finish our dessert."
Entering the barn, the boys introduce their cats as they come to study the newcomer.
"This gray one is Shadow and the orange one is Ginger. They keep mice out of the barn. Our Pa lets us take them inside when we want to but they like to be outside now that they are grown." George introduces his pets.
Pepper is our dog and the cats keep curling up to sleep next to him. Some people say cats and dogs do not get along but ours do." Ben tells her.
"Your pets are very special, boys. Now, will you introduce me to the horses and the cows? Do you know how to milk? I never have done that." Amelia replies.
"Sometimes we milk but mostly it is Rob, Papa, Mama or Joseph. Our hands are not as big so it's harder for us to do. When we do milk, someone has to come afterward to strip the teats. If you leave any milk in them, the cow could get sick. The brown cow is Maple and the golden one is Honey, Mama renamed them. They had Swedish names when Pa bought them from a farmer who was selling out." George tells her.
"Pa's horse is here and is named Lightning. No one but Pa is allowed to ride him. Sometimes Rob or Joseph can feed or groom him if Pa gives permission but not ride him. You get in awful trouble if you disobey that rule! Next, we have Beauty. Beauty is Rob's horse, this is Brown Betsy, Joseph's horse. Mama does not ride so she doesn't have a horse of her own. We don't have any either except the shetland ponies we showed you." Ben explains.
"You have wonderful animals, boys. Thank you for the introductions. It was a pleasure to meet you handsome guys and lovely gals." Amelia says, addressing the barn. Laughing, the two boys take her hands and lead her to the treehouse.
Later, in bed that night, Delphie remarks "Amelia is delightful. She is very good with children. The boys really enjoyed having her here. I did as well. After you told me of her background and why you needed to rescue her, I was concerned about how she might act. I certainly understand why Rob took such a liking to her. I will introduce the idea of her helping in the school to Miss. Donaldson."
"Yes, she is a nice young lady. I would think she would like having something to do." Ethan agrees.
"Ethan, I know I have said in the past I would abide by your decisions in disciplining the boys, but I need to say what is on my mind."
"I'm listening."
"I agree Ben deserved a whipping for his behavior but to me, using a strap on an eleven-year-old is pretty harsh. Wouldn't your belt have been sufficient? Especially combined with his other punishments?"
Taking a deep breath and exhaling, Ethan answers "I knew this would be a sore point for you. First off, I needed to make a firm impression that climbing into boxcars is extremely dangerous. He and I have talked several times in the past about the dangers of playing around or in trains. I reminded him of this a couple of weeks back when he was caught playing on the tracks. His behavior put him in danger. That is one of my firm rules that receive strong punishment if disobeyed. Second, I did use the strap but he only received two licks with it. I didn't have the force to leave welts or bruises, just enough to really sting. I used my hand for six after that. He was too upset to realize this as I imagine his bottom was burning. I wanted the memory of having the strap to hopefully dissuade any further ideas to jump trains!"
"Thank you for explaining and not getting upset with my asking. I, too, hope he remembers and doesn't put himself in danger again."
Putting his hands over her stomach and feeling little kicks, Ethan says "I am praying this little one is a calm, well-mannered little redheaded girl just like her Mama. We have enough rambunctious imps. We need a sweet little girl."
"I would like a girl but if this is a boy that has wavy brown hair like his Pa, that will be fine too. I have middle names chosen. I would like to use Rose for a girl in remembrance of our wedding song or if it is a boy, Riordan after my father."
"Those sound very fine. Have you any ideas of first names?"
"I am not ready to choose yet. I haven't added any since we last went over our choices. We have time."
As the train pulls next to the familiar depot Thursday afternoon, Rob wearily gathers his small trunk from the floor in front of him. Bidding goodbye to the man beside him he exits the train. Hoisting the trunk to his shoulder he sets off up the road towards home.
Hearing footsteps on the side porch, Delphie looks out the small window Ethan recently added to the side door. Seeing her eldest son, she pulls the wooden door open, flings the screen door wide, nearly knocking him off the porch!
"Rob! You're home! Why didn't you tell us you were coming? How are you? Are you hungry? Would you like some ham and bean soup with cornbread? I have a large pot ready. How was the trip? Does Ethan know you are home?" She fires these questions rapidly after hugging him as best she can with her baby belly.
"Uhhh, Ma? May I come in? I would like to set this trunk down. I'll answer everything if I can wash up first. I feel dusty and grimy and would really like a hot bath."
"OH! Yes, of course! I will have your lunch ready when you finish. Did you stop by your Pa's office?"
"A hot meal sounds terrific as all I have eaten is sandwiches the entire week of travel. No, I came straight here." Rob answers before going upstairs to gather clean clothes for after his bath.
Having sent the three younger boys to bed after an evening of reuniting with their brother, Ethan talks with Rob about Amelia.
"Rob, I could see you were relieved to hear Amelia is now in town. What puzzles me is why you never spoke to me about her. Do you honestly believe I would not have listened? Do you think I would have refused to give advice? You should know better after the past four years of knowing me. Is there anything I need to know about your time with her in Texas?"
"No, I knew you would listen but I wanted to help her myself first. What with having two failed relationships with Emily Anderson and then Cecily Blackstock, I needed to show everyone this one was different. We feel a connection to each other so much you would think we knew each other forever. I should have talked to you before I left with Claire, I know that now. I suppose it was stubbornness on my part to keep thinking I could help her on my own."
"Have you done any connecting in any physical way, Robert? Is there any chance she could be carrying? Is this why you were not talking to Delphie or myself about her? Be truthful!"
"No Pa except for a few hugs and kisses on the cheek, I have not had physical contact. I wanted to show I could handle the problem myself. It was not my idea to send the letter you saw, to Mitch. I planned to call home and talk with you about how to help Amelia but Alex told me he had sent the letter before I could. Then I decided to come home and get your help to go to Amelia. Now I discover you secretly went down and got her for me. Thank you, Pa."
"You are welcome, son. We have more to talk about but it is late. You may have to roust Joseph out of your room as he has taken to staying up there since you left. Tomorrow will be time enough to continue talking. It is good to have you back home, Rob."
Upstairs in his attic room, Rob finds Joseph waiting for him.
"So, Pa tells me you've moved into my room. I wondered why your church clothes and extra school clothes were in my wardrobe."
"I have missed talking with you. It seems you have been away half a year with first the cattle drive and then being with Claire. Is she truly happy or did you say that to pacify the parents?"
"Pacify the parents, hmm, you sound much older than I remember. Seventeen are you?"
"Rob, just answer me. Is Claire happy?"
"Yes sir, Mr. Bossy Britches! She is very happy. She is thrilled with being back in school and in being near Alex again. She loves both, you know. Joseph, I know you want to hear more but I'm just exhausted. Could we talk more later? I won't be going anywhere. Now, I need a long sleep. It is hard to get any rest sitting upright on a train seat. I didn't have a sleeping car coming home. A week-long trip is exhausting. I'll take Claire's bed so you can sleep here. Tomorrow, I'll talk to Pa about letting us move your bed up here and Claire's things to your old room. She won't mind as it will be a while before she lives here again. It will be my birthday gift to you, just a little late."
"I would like that very much! Thanks, Rob!"
Halloween afternoon, nine days later:
"Ben, please stop moving so I can sew this last hem of your sleeve. There now! You make an excellent pirate, especially with the eye patch Amy let you have. George, you look just like a young train conductor! Rob did well designing your costume. Where are Rob and Joseph?"
"Joseph is upstairs in his new room changing into his costume. Rob is outside helping Pa do something." George tells her.
"Do me a favor, George. Please go get your Pa and brothers. I am ready to serve our early meal. I have fixed a special traditional Irish Halloween one just for your day."
"Yes, Mama. Can I bring in our jack o' lanterns for the table? Joseph and Rob carved scary faces. Please? This is our first time having real jack o' lanterns. Once we had some gourds and once we had white squash but no pumpkins. The pumpkin soup you made was really good but I liked the pumpkin bread a-lot better. I didn't like cooked pumpkin seeds though."
"I liked the pumpkin bread better as well, George. Pumpkin seeds are an acquired taste. Bring them in but we won't light them yet. Let's wait until you come home from town when it is dark. Go on now, I'm dishing it up."
"What you have here is called colcannon. It is a traditional Halloween meal from Ireland of boiled potatoes, curly kale, and onions. Boys, if you look carefully at your boiled potatoes you may find a surprise inside."
Pulling out a small wad of paper, George unwraps it to find a brand new nickel. "A nickel! Thanks, Mama!" Finding the same in his potato, Ben adds his thanks too before asking Ethan "Are we required to eat the raw onions, Papa? I can maybe eat the rest but not the onion. No one would come near us if we are smelling like an onion!"
"It is just a trick, Ben. I won't ask you to eat this onion or cabbage. I have meat and carrots to add to the potatoes." Delphie replies laughing at the boy's scrunched up face as he spoke of raw onions.
After the family has enjoyed a light meal, Delphie brings a cake to the table. "This is called barnbrack cake. It is full of pieces of fruit plus it, like the potato, has hidden treasure inside. You can find a coin, a ring, or a small piece of blue cloth. Each has a different meaning. I will explain if anyone finds a prize."
Taking his slice of the cake that resembles bread more than cake, Rob cuts a piece with his fork only to see a small paper peeking out. Unwrapping it he finds there is a toy ring. Continuing to eat he waits for a moment to see if anyone else finds something.
"Ow! I just bit something hard." Joseph exclaims, gingerly taking the thing from his mouth. It, too, was wrapped in paper. Unwrapping it, Joseph finds a dime.
When no one else finds a prize, Delphie explains "The coin is a symbol of fortune for the coming year. The ring symbolizes romance and if there had been a piece of blue rag, it symbolizes misfortune. My mother used to tell us the rag's misfortune would be much cleaning in our future. Be happy you did not find it, boys. I know how you dislike extra cleaning."
"Alright, I know you are anxious to be off." Ethan speaks drawing attention. "First, here are the rules. Ben, George, you stay with Rob and Amelia and do as you are told. Any pranks you play must not cause harm to someone or their property. For example, you may draw with soap on windows but not have any buckets of anything rigged to spill on anyone. Joseph, the no harm rule goes for you as well. You may accept treats if they are offering. Rob, bring them home by six-thirty and you can return for the dance. You may take an oil lantern back with you to use on the way home from the dance. You may be out until the dance is over at eight-thirty. I want you older boys home, inside the house, by nine o'clock. The dance begins at five that gives you plenty of time to enjoy yourselves. Does everyone hear and understand?"
"Yes sir" Ethan hears from three of the four. "Rob? Did you have a misunderstanding of the rules?"
"No. I thought you meant the boys, not me. I am turning eighteen in less than a month."
"True, but you are not yet twenty one and are under my roof. You will abide by my rules. Home by nine, understand?"
"Yeah"
At the stern look directed his way, Rob amends his answer to "Yes Sir".
"Enjoy yourselves, everyone. Joseph, your costume is very unique. A newsboy selling papers! The newspaper box you made to wear is perfect! Putting the lettering, The Paradise News, on was a good idea. People will know what you are."
Thank you, Mama. Let's get going guys."
Joseph, having gone off to meet friends leaves Rob and Amelia with the group of younger children. Alyssa, Aaron, Caleb, and Jackson Blackstock have joined Ben and George.
"Let me see what I am surrounded by. Ben is a pirate, George is a conductor, Aaron is a cowpoke, Jackson is a hobo, Caleb is a deputy sheriff and Alyssa is a fairy!" Amelia exclaims pointing to each child. "Your voices gave you away. If I didn't know you from working in your classroom, I sure wouldn't have known who you were!"
Giggling, Alyssa replies, "You helped me make my fairy wings! You would recognize them plus our faces aren't covered!"
"Amelia is a princess in her dress but what are you supposed to be Rob? A disgruntled suitor because she likes me best?" Caleb teases causing snickers from the group.
Pretending to aim and miss swatting the boy, Rob answers "If she's the princess, I am her prince. I just left my crown at home."
Having successfully gathered a small wrapped cake, a molasses popcorn ball, an apple and two pennies each, the kids come to the Sheriff's office.
"Is your Pa working tonight?" Jackson asks George.
"No, he's home. Why?"
"I know a good trick we can play. You, Alyssa and Ben soap the windows in case someone is watching. The rest of us will make a yarn web in the doorway!"
"Just a second, Jackson. I need to ask Rob if that is alright. I do not want to be punished as Pa said no harmful pranks."
"Go ask but you would be drawing on windows with the dry cake of soap. That is easy to wash off and not harmful."
Listening to George, Rob says "I don't see it as harmful. Whoever needs to get out or in can easily cut through it with a pocketknife. Do a good job! Pa said Mitch is on duty tonight."
After the boys had strung yarn around and over the doorframe, they returned to the couple waiting nearby.
"We're nearly at the Mercantile, go on and see if you can get treats." Rob urges the kids.
When Mr. Axelrod answers their persistent banging on the glass door, he glowers at the group.
"What are you children doing here at this hour? Go home before your parents punish you for interrupting people's privacy plus being out at night! You are breaking the town curfew!" He growls irritably.
"Trick or treat, Mr. Axelrod! Tonight's Halloween! You have to offer treats or we play tricks on you!" Ben explains, not at all fazed by the man.
"What sort of tricks? No buckets of wet things or something falling on me." He asks glancing up over the doorway.
"We will soap the windows and you'd have to wash them." Jackson answers somewhat shakily.
"Go right ahead and draw all you want. When you finish, come inside. I do have something to give you. No other children were brave enough to come here. Everyone just passed me by. You six will each get a small sack to fill with broken pieces from the cookie or cracker barrel and your choice of one candy stick."
"Wow! Thank You!" Aaron exclaims.
As the younger children are gathering treats, Theo is convincing Joseph to go along with his plan. "You have to get even! You can not let him get away with talking about your Ma that way."
"I punched him so he didn't get away with it!"
"That was barely any consequences besides you said he insulted Mr. Davis too! I have everything stashed on the way there. We can do it and be back at the dance in fifteen minutes. If someone misses us, we can say we were outside. Come! Be a man! Get even!"
Completing their task, the two walk back to the dance.
"I had not seen his house before. They live in a place that is falling apart! We should not have made such a mess! All those broken eggs, covered by milk and flour. Then you had to add the chicken droppings all over the top of that! The porch and the front of the house are really going to smell by morning!"
"That is the idea, Joseph! Frank is a smelly lowlife and now his family will be too! When we get to the school, we need to wash at the pump before going on to the Firebarn for the dance. You have flour in your hair and egg on your shirt, newsboy. It won't do to have Rob notice that!"
"I'll say! If our Pa's learn of what we did, we'll be cooked meat! I feel like getting some burlap bags and wiping all that up! I do not have a good feeling about this, Theo!"
"Keep quiet and we will be fine. No one was there to see us. Besides, it will still smell even if we tried to clean it up. It would just spread and get all over our clothes. You know this." Theo replies.