New Beginnings: Life Changes

ch.47

Parenting, Party, and Plans

Sitting at the kitchen table, wishing he was outside with his brothers, Ben scowls at the ten remaining math problems. If only George had not finished with his homework and the math book so soon. He might have been able to only do the problems copied from the board. His excuse could have been he was unable to use their shared book. Looking back down at the despised book, he sighs. Five word problems and five long division with four numbers, his least favorite work. Reading the first word problem on the page, he reads; Betsy is making pancakes for her family. According to the recipe, each batch of pancake batter makes 12 pancakes. If she makes 2 batches and each batch uses 7/12 cups of milk, how much milk will she need?

Tapping his pencil against his mouth, Ben thinks for a few seconds before writing; Betsy decided there was not enough milk to serve pancakes. She made scrambled eggs, sausage, ham, fried potatoes, buttered toast, and biscuits with jam, instead.

Moving to the next problem, he reads, Hans is clearing land that is 48 feet long and 39 feet wide. What is the area of his land?

Ben writes next to the number 21 on his tablet paper. The property must be located in an area out of town if he is to be clearing land.

Number 22 in the book reads Marta's garden is rectangular. One side of her garden is 100 feet wide. The total area of the garden is 3,000 square feet. What is the length of the other side of her garden?

Taking his pencil, Ben writes: The other side is very long.

Having been watching Ben for several minutes, Ethan has seen the boy grin after writing each short answer. Knowing his son is not able to solve math problems that quickly, he is suspicious.

"Ben? Bring the book and your tablet to me, please."

Feeling his stomach drop at that command, Ben slowly obeys. Approaching his Pa sitting in his chair in the front room, Ben hands over the requested items.

Having looked over the problems Ben has solved, he sees the boy correctly answered the first ten. The next ten problems are half finished with the problems answered not even near to being correct. It is obvious the boy just wrote any number for those. Then he comes to the word problems. Reading the problem in the book before reading the child's answer, Ethan gives the boy a long look causing Ben to squirm.

"What did I tell you earlier tonight when you wrote every single one of your spelling words backward?"

"You said I was to stop fooling around and complete my homework correctly."

"Yes, and that was after your Mama scolded you for not paying attention while you were reading aloud. Do you believe the way you have done your math homework follows that directive, Benjamin?"

"No, sir." The use of his full first name has Ben answering very respectfully.

"Neither do I so we are in agreement. Schoolwork is not the time to be playing. These assignments are to help you learn. You and I had a talk just last week about this very thing. You not applying what you know to your home assignments. I have talked to you children about the importance of doing your best, at least once every few months since you were seven and beginning school! You are now nearly twelve and this type of response is unacceptable young man! Go wait for me in your bedroom."

Knowing what that most likely means, Ben pleads "Pa, please. I'm sorry. I will rework it and do it right."

"Yes, you certainly will, later, after our discussion."

"I don't need any discussion! You're just being mean!" Ben declares loudly, without thinking.

"Benjamin, you had a choice earlier, you were corrected twice and then chose to continue fooling around. Now you have decided to be disrespectful by raising your voice to me. We could take this discussion out to the barn. Would you rather do that?"

Shaking his head vigorously, Ben answers "No sir, I would not. I apologize for raising my voice." before walking swiftly to his room.

Having watched this exchange, Delphie asks quietly "What did he write for you to be this upset?"

"It is not just what he wrote, it is his attitude. He knows the expectation for schoolwork and even after being corrected twice, continued to play around! Here take a look."

Passing the book and tablet to his wife, Ethan follows Ben into the younger boys' bedroom.

Scanning the paper, Delphie sees the half finished work and lack of effort. Reading the boy's answers to the first word problem, she covers her mouth to hide her smile.

Several minutes later coming from checking the baby, Delphie sees Ben back at the table. The boy's tear streaked face plus his squirming tells her Ethan was quite firm with his "discussion".

Later that evening in their bedroom, Delphie says "I know the perfect job for Ben as an adult."

"What might that be?" Ethan asks as he plays with Emerson, gently blowing on her feet.

"He could be a writer. He has a great imagination and creates humorous things. His story problem answers made me laugh. Especially the one about the breakfast!"

"Somedays, I wonder if Ben won't be a con artist! He knows how to manipulate very well. He tried playing the "I was very sick and forgot things" game again. We both know he can remember how to do his assignments. It is only the memories from before age seven that he sometimes has trouble with. He tries using that excuse nearly every time he is about to be punished. He has yet to realize, despite my telling him, it only leads to more punishment. Please don't let him know you found his work funny. I have a hard enough time keeping him on the right path in school, now. If he learned his work was entertaining, he would act this way often!"

Hearing a soft cry from the baby, Ethan looks down to see her frowning at him. "Shhh Little Bright Eyes, I'm not mad at you. You are my little one, I can't be upset with you. You are going to be my good girl, right Bright Eyes?" He croons to her receiving a big smile, babbling, and her hands reaching for his finger as he tickles her tummy.

"She is practically talking already, Delphie! Emerson is a smart little thing, I can tell."

"Proud Papa is exaggerating just a bit." Delphie returns, smiling. "Amy did say she seems advanced for most babies her age. She is more alert and stronger than most nearly three month olds. Look how she is controlling her kicking and waving her arms. She is beginning to reach for things as well. This morning she tried to grab Rob's hand when he was holding her."

"Did you mention George saying he can connect with Emerson and seems to know what she is thinking?"

"No, I think we should keep that in house for now."

The following week, George helping him with his math is one reason Ben kept himself out of trouble. Both boys were eagerly awaiting the upcoming Friday.

On Friday morning the boys were greeted with "Happy birthday party day! I made a big breakfast for you." as they came to breakfast.

"Thank you, Mama," George replies with Ben echoing him.

Examining the table, Ben finds a platter of link sausages, another of fried ham, bowls of fried potatoes and scrambled eggs, a basket with both biscuits and toast plus a bowl of jam.

Remembering his silly word problem answer, he glances over at Delphie as she places plates on the table. Catching Ben's glance, she winks at the boy before going to get the milk pitcher.

"Go ahead and sit boys. I will call your brothers. Your Pa left early but he will be here when you get home." Delphie then calls out the front door, "Joseph! Rob! Breakfast!

As her two older sons sit down, she asks "Rob, will you be joining us for Sunday dinner this weekend? You and Amelia haven't come for two weeks. I may forget what you look like if you don't come home sometimes."

Grinning at her teasing, Rob answers "I know I have been away a lot lately. The foundation and basement are now done. I am prepared for the house kit to arrive. I had a telegram stating it was to arrive in the next two weeks. All I can do now is wait. The land is ready."

"Rob, what is the foundation?" Ben asks several minutes later taking a break from eating.

"The part that the house sits on Ben."

Giving last minute instructions before sending the boys to school, Delphie says "Joseph, behave yourself at the Blackstocks tonight. Your Pa said to remind you to be home by five for evening chores tomorrow."

"I will, Ma!" Joseph replies, embarrassed to be spoken to like a child with Rob listening.

"George, Ben, you two make sure you pay attention in school today. You don't want a note home, especially on your birthday weekend. After school, you may stop in at Mr. Axelrod's for two treat bags for the party. I have already paid the quarter, and Mr. Axelrod knows you will be choosing a bagful each. Your friends will be here by four o'clock, so don't stay too long."

"Yes, Mama." George answers just before Joseph says "Mama, we need to leave. We are going to be late for school! I do not want to spend recess inside!"

"Go then! Be good for your teachers!" Delphie has to raise her voice on the last command, to reach the three boys who are now racing each other out of the ranch yard.

"You have really mastered mothering. You know?" Rob asks from the doorway.

"Joseph would rather I revert back to not being a mother. He is not happy with me giving reminders. You saw that."

"I did. It isn't that he doesn't want you to be his mother. It is he thinks he is grown now therefore not needing any parenting. I went through that too. Pa and I were like two billy goats always butting heads. Well, I was a billy goat, he was the older stronger ram who put me in my place."

Laughing, Delphie says "I think that description fits very well from a few stories you have shared."

By four o'clock that afternoon Caleb, Jackson, and the boy's newer friend Liam have arrived all bringing a bedroll. Hearing shouting from outside, Ethan opens the door to find Aaron angrily yelling at little Nathaniel.

"Get away from me!" Aaron yells again.

"Aaron! What is going on? There is no reason to be rude to your new brother."

"Uncle Ethan, he keeps following me! I keep telling him he can not come and to go home. He won't."

"Do your parents know he is with you?"

"No sir. He said he climbed out a window. I was halfway here before I noticed him."

"You go on inside. I will take care of the young rascal. Tell Aunt Delphie I will be back soon." Ethan says sending Aaron inside.

Calling the little boy to him he says, "Hello Nathaniel. Would you like to ride on a horse? I did promise you a ride, remember?"

"I 'member. I wanna ride the pretty yellow horse."

"Come on then, help me saddle Lucy. We will ride back to town."

On the way, having the horse walk with Ethan leading her, he gently scolds the child.

"Your Mama and Papa will be worried. You do not leave them without their permission."

"I wanna go with Aaron. He won't play with me or let me go where he goes. He doesn't like me."

"It must seem that way. I have known Aaron for two years. I think he will be a good big brother to you."

"Mr. Sheriff?" The now sniffling boy asks.

"No, you call me 'Uncle Ethan'. Now, what can I do for you?"

"I need to go."

"Go?" Ethan asks before it registers what the boy means.

Lifting the little one off the horse, he says "Go over behind the tree."

A few minutes later Nathaniel rejoins him.

"I made it but almost didn't. My pants have too many buttons down front!"

Arriving at Chris' home, Ethan delivers a woebegone child to his Mama.

"It seems he followed Aaron without the boy knowing. Aaron told me Nathaniel said he climbed out a window."

"Nathaniel! You know better than to run off! Go to the corner by the woodbox!"

As the boy moves past her, he says "Didn't run, walked". Savannah, ignoring him says "I apologize for his wasting your time. Thank you for bringing him home."

"You are welcome. He's too young to have sent home alone. Have a good evening."

"We'll see you at church," Savannah replies.

Returning home, Ethan finds the boys all eagerly building their campfire. Having requested a "cowpoke party" the boys are setting up for cooking the food they chose. They will be roasting frankfurters, cooking beans, and warming biscuits. Delphie has the biscuits made as she did not think Ben or George could make biscuits on a campfire.

"You are doing a good job with your fire preparation boys. Be very careful not to burn yourselves while cooking. The ground is damp enough from last week's rain so there is no worry of a fire spreading but watch it anyway."

"Yes sir" all six boys chorus.

"We will have the side door unbarred for anyone wishing to sleep inside. You are welcome to come in during the night."

"Uncle Ethan, true cowpokes sleep in barns if not by the fire," Caleb informs him knowingly.

"Very well then Caleb, you all may sleep in the barn. Do not go higher than the first loft. I will check on you cowpokes later. Enjoy your supper."

At the boarding house, Theo explains the plan. "We go tell Ma that Mark has invited us to sleep at his place. I will say they are leaving soon and we want to spend time together. I also have an answer in case she tries to deny us. I will say I have to research trick riding and rodeos for a school essay."

"What if your parents ask to see the essay later, Theo?"

"I do have an essay written. Mr. Davis said we could write on any topic we wanted for extra credit. Don't you remember?"

"No, but I have a B in composition so I'm happy. As long as I have term grades of only one C, I won't catch it at home. I don't believe I have any lower than B."

"Lucky you. Now, are you ready for this adventure he told us about? We'll be fine as we'll have tomorrow to rest and such."

"Ready Freddy, Teddy!"

While plans for the evening were being made by the Cord brothers and friends, Chris is discussing Nathaniel with his new wife.

"Savannah, I understand you punished the boy but this is serious misbehavior. It isn't as if he just went out in the backyard without permission. He climbed out a window and wandered all the way out to The Circle Five ranch! There are woods on the road and a four year old is much too young to be anywhere near woods alone. What if he had gone into the woods to explore? He might have been lost and hurt. I do not even allow Aaron in the woods alone. Besides all of that, he defied us. We have set the rule, all the children must ask permission before leaving the house. You did not give him permission."

"What are you thinking of doing?"

"He deserves a spanking. I won't be harsh, just firm. He needs to learn this behavior is completely unacceptable, Savannah. Agreed?"

"Yes, you are his Pa now. You do what you feel is best."

Joining his youngest in the bedroom he shares with Aaron, Chris gathers him on his lap.

"Let's talk. Today you did something very naughty and dangerous. You are never to go anywhere without your Mama or myself giving you permission. Just because you WANT to do something doesn't mean you can or should. I believe you knew you were being naughty and sneaking off because you climbed out the window. Am I correct?"

"I wanted to go with Aaron! He could go why couldn't I go? He doesn't like me and is mean. He yelled at me."

"You did not answer my question, Nathaniel. Did you know you were being naughty when you climbed out the window to follow Aaron?"

"Mama wouldn't let me go too!" The boy replies, pouting.

"That does not answer my question. Look at me! What is your answer?"

When the child continues to look at his knees and pout without speaking, Chris tilts the boy's head up forcing eye contact.

"Nathaniel Ryan Miller, I am speaking to you and you will look at me! I want to hear an answer right now! Tell me yes sir or no sir. Did you know you were breaking a rule by climbing out the window to follow Aaron?"

"Yes sir"

"Your Mama and I make rules to keep you safe. You could have been hurt or lost today. Never do this again. You ask your Mama or me before you leave the yard! Do you hear me?" Chris asks, voice now very stern.

"I hear."

"Good! Now, remember, I punish you because I love you. I want to keep you safe. You have earned four swats." Chris flips the boy over his knee and applies the heavy swats so quickly the child has no time to protest.

"You spanked me! That hurt!" Nathaniel says through sobs after being put right side up.

"As your father, it is my job to help you learn. Sometimes those lessons will be applied to your bottom. Now tell me why you had to have a spanking tonight."

"I was a bad boy."

"What you did was bad but you yourself are not bad. What did you do?"

"I went out the window to follow Aaron without asking first." Nathaniel answers.

"Right and that was dangerous. What do you need to tell Mama?"

"I can say sorry. Can I go tell her?"

"Please do," Chris answers, relieved to have this task over.

Meeting Mark behind the hotel, Joseph asks "Is Mason aware of where you are taking us?"

"No, and I will keep that information from him just as you will from your fathers. Mason is no longer too ill to punish me."

"We will not say anything as we do not want anybody knowing. Anybody that might inform our fathers." Theo tells him.

"When we get there, use your middle names if anyone asks. If you act as if you belong no one will pay any attention to us. Understood?" Mark asks.

"Yes," Joseph and Theo agree.

"Did you bring money? They will not perform for free." Mark asks next.

"I only have four dollars." Joseph admits as Theo adds "I have three."

"Seven is all you could bring? Well, I have thirteen so maybe we can put our money together. Let's go, we want to get there and enjoy ourselves."

Back at the ranch, the six boys have enjoyed their cookout but are feeling sleepy.

"Help me cover the fire, Ben. We'll take our blankets in the barn. It is getting cold out here." George announces as the boys begin to shiver.

Fire now covered with the dirt from two buckets and completely smothered, Ben leads the way into the barn.

"Come on, let's get our beds set up. It sure is lucky to have a full moon out so we have light enough to see by." George tells the group.

"Why can't we go to that high loft?" Liam asks pointing to the second loft.

"It is where the big hay bales and hay rake are stored. Our Pa won't let anyone under the age of fourteen go up there." Ben tells him as he spreads his blanket out on the hay.

"I went up there once. It is higher than it looks. I nearly got my butt blistered for doing it. One thing about Uncle Ethan you should know Liam, do not defy him. Not if you want to sit comfortably. Aaron and Jackson already know this. Since you are new, I am telling you."

"Sheriff Cord is your uncle?"

"It's complicated but yeah, he is. Now that we have the beds ready, let's go see your horses, Ben. I haven't seen them since Christmas. They must be big now."

"This is my horse, Kelly. Tomorrow we can take turns riding her in the pasture if you want."

"Here is Lucy, I named her for my first mama. You can ride her too." George tells his friends.

At breakfast the next morning, Delphie and Ethan have made French toast, bacon, eggs, and baked apple slices as well.

"Hello, young cowpokes. How was your night? I didn't hear anyone come inside." Ethan greets the boys.

"We didn't come in. We slept fine, Pa. The hayloft was warm." George replies happily.

"That must have been fun to sleep that way. Go wash your hands please, boys. Breakfast is ready. I have a special treat, French toast." Delphie instructs.

"This is very good. I never had this toast before. Is it pancake toast? You put syrup on it like pancakes."

Before Delphie can respond, Caleb says "No Dummy! You heard it was called French Toast, not Pancake Toast!" His sleep fogged brain not fully in working order, he reverts back to his old self.

"Caleb! Apologize to Liam!" Ethan orders.

"I apologize."

"Good, now come with me, young man," Ethan says motioning to the boy.

In the big bedroom, Ethan asks "Do I need to put you over my knee to remind you of how to be mannerly? You DO NOT call names!"

"No sir, you don't. I am sorry. I did not mean it or mean to say it. Please, Uncle Ethan, don't punish me. I really did not mean to say that. I was just not awake and thinking right. I like Liam."

"Alright Caleb, I believe you. Do watch what you say."

Sliding back onto his chair, his ears burning from the scolding, Caleb finishes his breakfast in silence.

As soon as the boys finished eating, Ethan grants permission for a trip to the pond. All chores have been suspended for the boys today.

"It may be too cool to catch much but you are welcome to try. No swimming and no wading, boys. You keep out of that water."

"Yes, Pa. Yes sir."

Approaching the pond, Ben takes hold of Caleb's arm holding him back from the others.

"Wait just a minute. I want to know, did you get spanked earlier?"

"No, just scolded and warned to watch what I say."

"You got lucky. I would have been walloped. Pa doesn't take kindly to rudeness at all!"

"Mine either, Ben. You know they still treat us like little children. Scoldings and spankings. We are twelve, not six. I want to really tell my Pa that too."

"Why don't you then?"

"Ben, I am not crazy. I do not want to sleep on my stomach or stand up to eat that day."

Snickering at that, Ben says "Come with me, let's gather some grubs to go with the worms we brought for bait. We need to find two more long branches for poles. I brought the line, hook, sinker, and cork to fix two more poles."

"Did you bring a knife? How are we to cut these poles?"

"I have Joseph's knife. Pa said I could use it."

"We need six sticks to string fish on as well. Remind me later and I can show you a game to play with the knife. Caleb tells his cousin.

"What kind of game uses a knife?" Ben asks as he rolls a small log over to check for bait.

"You will find out. Now that you have more bait, let's cut poles and start fishing. We can come get more bait if we need it. I plan to go where I can fish near the big boulder. I bet there's some fish right there."

Joining the rest of the group, Ben hands over the pole he rigged to Jackson. Here, this is for you. I have one for Liam too."

"Thank you, but I have a pole. George told me I could use his." Liam says.

"Oh, okay then George can use this one." Ben decides.

"Did you get grubs?" George asks taking the new pole.

"Yep. There is a pile of them under that log just over there."

"Now we have three kinds of bait to use. Mama gave me a big wad of sourdough so we can make sourdough balls to use as well as worms and grubs."

"My grandpa uses crickets. Are there crickets here?" Liam asks.

"Only in summer. It is too cool still." Jackson tells the boy.

"You haven't been here during summer so you don't know. We have many crickets and grasshoppers too! Pa doesn't like grasshoppers because they destroy the crops. He burns cow or horse dung and that somehow keeps them away." George answers.

"Let's spread out and start fishing! It's been a long winter and I am ready to catch some fish!" Caleb declares.

Three hours later a group of happy tired fishermen trudge into the Cord's ranch yard. Hearing the boys talking, Ethan comes from the barn. Taking in the boy's bedraggled appearances, he asks "Did you all get into a battle with your fish? You look quite worn."

"We kind of did, Pa. Look at Caleb's large fish. It took three of us to pull it in. It was a fighter!" Ben tells him.

Looking at the fish on each boy's stick, Ethan is surprised by the size and number each caught.

All of these fish were hungry today. You caught these with just worms, did you?"

"I caught this big fella with sourdough." Caleb proudly tells him.

"We used grubs and sourdough balls as well as worms. The fish really like Mama's sourdough recipe!" George answers showing his five fish.

"Well boys you caught quite the mixture. Bass, Perch, Sunfish, even a couple of Bluegill. Your families will enjoy these fish. Go put your strings in the smokehouse until you leave. They will be fresher that way. Ben, George, go put your strings in too. We will have them tonight. When you finish, go wash at the pump, boys. Lunch will be served out here. I will bring out a quilt for your picnic."

Having devoured the fried chicken, bread, fruit and drank a couple of pitchers of cold water, George goes inside to ask about dessert for the group.

"Mama? We finished eating but it would be nice to have dessert. Can I take out the treat bags Ben and I got?"

"Now would be a perfect time. The bags are on the table." Delphie replies.

Returning to his friends, George hands over Ben's bag to him before saying "Ben and I have treat bags to share. I picked a bag of cookie pieces. Mr. Axelrod let me pick out the halves from the broken cookie barrel. I have chocolate, lemon, and ginger snap pieces. Here have some." He passes the bag to Aaron.

"I chose candy. I have six stick candies, a mixture of hard candy, six licorice whips, and some taffy. Everybody gets one stick candy and one licorice. We can divide up the rest. Here Jackson you take yours and pass the bag."

When it was time for their friends to leave, Ben and George thanked them for coming.

"This was the best party ever! We got candy!" Liam told George.

"We wanted something different than cake," Ben says having heard.

"If I ever have a party, I will do the same. Goodbye, thank you for inviting me. Thank you for the food Sheriff and Mrs. Cord."

"You are quite welcome Liam. Do come visit again. You are welcome to come visit anytime your parents allow it."

"Yes, Ma'am. Pa doesn't let me go much."