New Beginnings: Life Changes
ch.53
Brothers and Sisters
Following his son into the tack room, Ethan finds the boy sitting on the floor sobbing into his knees
"Sit up here on the barrel, George. We need to talk. What is causing you to behave this way? I am not just talking about today but earlier in the week as well. You have been rude with your responses to questions, answering back to me and now you have been rude and deliberately mistreated a five year old child. I am amazed young man. You have been a kind, considerate child ever since you became my son at the age of six. What reason can you tell me for your behavior?"
"I don't know. I just feel so different. Sometimes I'm happy, then sad, then angry, then mixed up about everything. When he said that about both Mama's names I got really mad."
"We'll speak of Nathaniel later, right now tell me what is making you sad or confused."
"Everything"
"I need more of an explanation than one word, George. Talk to me. I know you are able to explain so do so. Why are you sad, angry, or confused?"
"I don't like Rob going away! I don't want him to marry Amelia and not be my brother anymore! Claire left me and came back but she won't stay! She is going to marry Alex and be his wife not my sister! John Taylor came back but he probably won't get well or if he does he'll just leave again! Everything is changing! I want it to stay how it was!" George says all in a rush while trying to control his tears.
"George, son, look at me not the floor, you have some strong feelings here. First, let's think about Rob and Claire not being your brother and sister when they get married. I got married, did I stop being your Pa?"
"No sir."
"Did you lose something or gain something when I got married?"
"I gained another Mama and a baby sister too. So when they get married will I get more brothers and sisters? More babies?"
"When Claire marries Alex, he will be your brother. When Amelia marries Rob, she will be your sister, so instead of losing, you gain both a sister and a brother."
"I like that!" George exclaims happily. "Will their babies be my brothers and sisters too? Married people have babies, you said when we got Emerson."
"Many years from now, when those couples have children, the children will be your nieces and nephews. Just as you once were to me. You were my sister's children so all of you were my nephews and niece."
"What about John Taylor? Will he get back to being like he used to be? Will he leave us again?"
"We don't know the future, George. He is getting better every day. Just yesterday he was able to sit up on the side of the bed to eat. You heard me telling everyone at breakfast how he is starting to answer questions with words more than just blinking."
Letting the boy think about what he has said, Ethan remains quiet for several minutes before becoming stern.
"Now we will discuss today's behavior! I do understand, now that we have had this talk, how your feelings are mixed up. However, that does not give you permission to be mean. You knew you were mistreating Nathaniel did you not? Deliberately saying and doing things you knew were cruel and wrong. Isn't this true?"
"Yes sir, I knew better but did it anyway. Aaron talks of how Nathaniel is aggravating to him. I wanted to be aggravating to Nathaniel for him mistreating my friend! I wanted to teach him a lesson!"
"It is not your place to teach the child how to get along with Aaron. That would be his parents' responsibility, not yours. Nathaniel has just turned five. He's in a new family, a new place to live, left everything he ever knew without warning and is still learning how to behave politely. To me, that seems very much how you and your brothers and sister came to Paradise. You should have thought of that. You are twice his age and have known the expectations for behavior a long time. By your own words, you knew your behavior today was wrong. You have earned yourself a whipping. I will not allow any of my children to deliberately mistreat someone. You have seven with my belt, when we are finished, you will get ready for bed and stay in your room the rest of the night. I will bring supper to you. Tomorrow at church, you will give both Nathaniel and Chris a sincere apology. Am I understood?"
"Yes, Pa. I truly am sorry, am I forgiven?"
"You are always forgiven, George. You are always loved as well. You know this, correct?"
"Yes sir, I just needed to hear it. I'm ready when you are. Please don't tell Claire. She'd be disappointed in me too."
"What happens between us will not be shared with your brothers or sister. Let's get this over with."
Tuesday afternoon, after the children left, Claire enters the school building to meet the boy's teachers.
"Hello, Miss. Donaldson. I'm Claire Cord, Ben and George's oldest sister. I stopped by to thank you for all you have done for Ben. He is reading and doing schoolwork so much better than last year. I was afraid he wouldn't be able to catch up to where he should be after his bout with scarlet fever a few years ago. He had to relearn so much and for a time he acted so much younger than his age. I am sure my Pa has informed you of all of this. The boys love how you teach them the lessons. I have heard of all the exciting activities they do here. I've been away at nursing school in Boston since September but my family has sent letters and we've spoken every week on the telephone."
"I have heard many things about you as well. Both Ben and George often use you and your experiences in their essays. Would you consider coming to talk to the class about life in Boston? Any day this week would be fine for me."
"I would be happy to come. Would tomorrow about one o'clock be a good time?"
"Yes, that would be a perfect time for you to talk to the class. You are welcome to come at noon to join your brothers for lunch. We have a forty five minute lunch and play period. They need a middle of the day break so we have a longer lunchtime."
"Thank you, that sounds just wonderful. I would enjoy that. It has been some time since I packed a lunch pail. I also stopped by to ask if it would be alright for the boys to miss school on Friday. My older brother would like to have all of his brothers, myself, and our intendeds to travel to Denver with him for two nights. I wanted to check with the boys' teachers before mentioning the idea to our Pa. He would have a harder time denying them the trip if their teachers have given them permission to miss school!"
"The boys would cherish a trip with their older brothers and sister! I give my whole-hearted permission. Anything missed can be made up later. You are a clever one by going around Sheriff Cord. He's a stickler for academics. I remind him the boys are young and learning by doing is academic as well."
'True! He never had much chance for formal learning so he goes overboard at times with his children. Thank you for your support, I want to go visit Mr. Davis and I have some shopping to do so I will see you tomorrow. It was a pleasure to meet you."
"Thank you for agreeing to come to talk to the children. It was very nice meeting you as well."
Climbing the stairs to the upper-level student's classroom, Claire enters to find her former teacher writing lessons on the blackboard.
"Hello, Mr. Davis. I hope I'm not disturbing your preparation time."
Turning to find his former top student, Mr. Davis puts his chalk on the chalk tray.
"You, Claire, may interrupt at any time! I saw you in church and hoped to have you stop by. How are your studies going? Are you feeling prepared for the big city classes?"
"You taught me well. I know how to prepare and how to retain information. I'm not having any trouble in any of my classes. The school even put me into the second-year level classwork as I tested into that level. I only need to finish the classwork and then finish the last six months of rotation with patients. I'm home for the summer."
"I am pleased to hear our small school prepared you enough to succeed in such a program of study."
"May I ask how Joseph is doing in his studies? He has told me he is doing well this year."
"Joseph has settled into a reliable student. I see no signs of the young boy who would try anything to get out of schoolwork. He has maintained a high grade average this year. Your Pa is very pleased as well."
"I knew Joseph could do this for a long time if he would just set his mind to doing his best. He has grown up in the past year. Would it be possible for Joseph to miss school this Friday? My brother, Rob, would like all of his brothers, myself, and our intended to travel to Denver for the weekend. If we have your approval, I may be able to talk Pa into giving permission for all the boys."
"I would be happy to give permission. Joseph is capable of catching up any work missed."
"Thank you. I will tell Pa to check with you if he needs confirmation."
The next day, Claire joined the younger children for lunch before going inside.
"Class, we have a guest today. I'm sure most of you know Ben and George's older sister, Claire. She is attending a special training school in Boston, Massachusetts to become a nurse. She agreed to come tell us all about the big city life."
"Boston is a big city and very busy. It seems there are people coming and going all the time. People travel by horse and buggy with a driver, automobile, or a bicycle. In the city, there are many shops built side by side. The buildings often touch each other, no space between them. Instead of ordering from the Sears and Roebuck catalog for something as we do here, people can most likely buy it in one of the many shops. Then there are the peddlers on the streets, men and boys who are selling things. I had one peddler try to sell me a pocketwatch. He had pocketwatches hanging from his coat on the inside liner. There are young boys who peddle newspapers. They are called Newsboys and can be as young as nine. They stand on street corners and call out to anyone "Papers! Papers! Get your paper here!" Many times the boys call out the headlines as well to attract customers. There are many different newspapers published in the city"
"We have learned about the steamships and the history of Boston Harbor. We've also learned of clams and clambakes from your brothers. It is interesting to hear about city life. Do you mind answering a few questions from the children?" Miss. Donaldson asks.
"Ask and I'll try to answer. I can't answer about how steamships are made or what they look like inside as I don't know." Claire replies.
"Yes Avery, what is your question?" the teacher recognizes the young boy.
"Are there more motorcars in the city or more horse drawn things?"
"It depends on which part of Boston you travel in. There are more horse drawn carriages, buggies and delivery wagons in the neighborhoods. There are more automobiles in the business section."
"What is a neighborhood?" The boy asks.
"A group of people's homes. It's similar to over by the gazebo here, there are many houses together. In Boston, there are several neighborhoods spread out on different sides of the city."
Ben calls out "Tell them about the milkman and iceman, Claire."
"Ben, I'll let you tell them. I need a drink of water."
"I'll get you a drink, Claire," Aaron says looking to the teacher for permission. At her nod, he leaves the building to go out to the well for water. Bringing the dipper back inside, he carefully hands it to her.
"Here, this is cold well water. It's the best!'
"Thank you, Aaron. You're right, cold Colorado water is the best."
Finishing his talk of the delivery men, Ben says "The houses have special boxes made to hold ice blocks. The families keep their dairy and other food cold in these iceboxes. Someday they may deliver ice cream to the homes. There are ice cream shops in Boston which sell ice cream in cones you can eat not paper ones like we get hot peas in sometimes."
Resuming her discussion, Claire picks up on Ben's idea and tells the children of some of the different foods such as clam chowder, pretzels, baked beans, and coneys.
"A coney is a little like a long sausage put in a split bread. They put onions, pickles, cheese, some things called sauerkraut, and even more on these. They taste very good. The pretzels look like this drawing I have here on the blackboard. These large ones are soft and served warm with butter and salt on them. There are also small crispier ones similar to crackers."
After she had answered a few questions from the children, Miss. Donaldson thanked her for coming.
Leaving the school, she walks to Rob's house. Finding him up on a ladder painting the overhang for the front entrance, she waits until he notices her.
"Well, hello! I didn't know you were planning to visit today."
"I have spoken to Mr. Davis and Miss. Donaldson. Both gave the boys permission to miss school on Friday. I came to get you to go with me to talk to Pa. If we go together as a united team, maybe he will agree to the plans. I think we should talk now rather than wait until tomorrow. They'll need time to get the boys ready."
"Yes, and I need time to get some preparations ready here as well if we are all sleeping here tomorrow night. Do you think he will agree to our plans? You do remember our Pa is a stickler for attending school, right?"
"Yes Rob, I remember. I also remember how many times you nearly pushed Pa into punishing you for arguing over going to school. He was very patient with you, for him, anyway. By the time you moved in with us, he had learned to be a better parent." Claire answers.
"Give me a minute to wash up and we'll go talk to our more patient father. You be the one to start the conversation and I'll back you up."
Having requested Ethan come with them to talk together in the very back room of the Sheriff's office. Claire, being nominated the designated speaker begins "Pa, we have an idea and we'd like to talk with you about it."
"Yes, so you said out front. I'm listening, Claire." Ethan replies with a smile.
"Rob has received word his furniture order is ready. We would like to take a couple's trip leaving Friday morning to Denver for the weekend and see his furniture loaded on the train. I'd also like to look at dress shops with Amelia."
"This sounds like a nice trip for you young people. I would approve as long as you separate for bed. Girls in one, boys in another."
"Yes sir, we would stay separate. We'd like to have Joseph, Ben, and George come along. They could be chaperones for the trip. I would love to have some special time with my brothers. I have missed being together. Could they come along, please? I spoke to Mr. Davis and Miss. Donaldson about the boys missing school Friday. Both teachers were in agreement, the boys could easily make up any assignments the class does in their absence."
"Do you not feel that would be the boy's parents' responsibility to talk this over with their teachers and not their sister's responsibility?" Ethan asks somewhat firmly.
"In most cases, yes. I was there to say hello to Mr. Davis and to meet Miss. Donaldson. I brought up the idea with them so Rob and I could know how to plan for this weekend." Claire answers.
"Pa, if you approve the boys coming along, I want all of us to stay the night at my place, Thursday night. I have tickets for the train leaving at seven AM Friday morning. We'd have a brothers and sisters sleepover. I will be responsible for the boys and keep them in line. You don't need to think I won't. With all the boys away, you and Ma can have some rare alone time all weekend." Rob contributes to the conversation.
"I will think about this and let you know tomorrow. I wish to talk to Delphie as well."
The following afternoon, having spoken to Delphie, Ethan gives his permission to Rob.
"If you are sure you want to include three boys under the age of sixteen on this trip, I will allow them to go along. I give you my full permission to handle them any way you see fit if they cause trouble. I also insist on paying for their tickets and hotel stay. Here is forty dollars for the tickets, hotel, and meals. I will give the boys some spending money as well. What is your train schedule?"
"We leave here at seven tomorrow morning and are scheduled to be back at noon on Sunday. Thank you for the money but it wasn't necessary. I could pay for them."
"Rob, I believe we have had a conversation about your money being used for the boys, before. Unless it is Christmas or their birthdays, you are keeping your money for your use. You will have a wife and home to spend money on, soon enough. Now, your Ma asks what the boys need to bring for sleeping. We are aware you do not have seven beds."
"I thought they could bunk on bedrolls. I'll have enough beds eventually but not yet. Would that be easy to do for Ma?"
"We will have bedrolls when I bring them out around five this afternoon. I need time to discuss expectations and get them prepared after school. Are you positive you want the boys along? Ben and George are eleven and ten but they can still be a handful. It has been some time since you were around them all day."
"I do want all the boys to come. Don't worry, I have Alex, Claire, and Amelia with me. Alex has younger brother and sister experience. Joseph will be along to help corral them too."
Discussing the upcoming trip with the three boys, Ethan emphasizes they are to be on their best behavior.
"I have given Rob permission to punish you however he sees fit, if necessary. He, Claire, Alex, and Amelia are in charge for the weekend and you three will listen and do as you are told. Am I understood? Ben? George? Joseph?"
Receiving "Yes Sir" from each boy, he continues. "I want you to understand I am serious. I will double whatever punishment you receive from Rob if you misbehave. This is a trip with your brothers and sisters but you consider them your parents for the weekend."
"Is Emerson going too?" Ben asks Delphie.
"No sweet, Emerson won't be old enough to be allowed away from us on a trip for quite a few years. What makes you ask?"
"Pa said 'sisters', more than one. The only sisters we have are Claire and Emerson."
Delphie gives Ethan a look as to say 'You explain" before leaving to get the boy's clothing ready.
"Ben, Amelia will soon be your sister as well. When Rob and Claire marry, Alex will be your brother, and Amelia your sister. That's what I was referring to, son."
"Pa, are you sure you don't need me to stay and help with the chores?" Joseph asks.
"I always need you son, but I want you to go and enjoy your time with everyone. I have arranged to pay twenty five cents for Aaron and Caleb to come help tomorrow. We have done the evening chores for tonight. Alright, time to get baths, and then we will head over to Rob's. He is holding a sleepover tonight."
"A bath today? It's Thursday, not Saturday. Won't we get dirty on the train?" Ben asks.
"Yes to a bath on Thursday and if you get dirty on the train, you can bathe again tomorrow." Delphie answers having returned to the kitchen.
As the younger boys take their bath, Delphie helps Joseph pack the boy's clothes.
"I have everything picked out except for your shirts. Each of you needs one extra shirt to take. I have your dress pants here."
"Mama, couldn't we take or wear our dungarees?" Joseph asks hopefully.
"No, those are not nice enough for a trip to a big city. Dress pants and nice shirts it is. Go get the boy's church shirts while I find the valise to pack everything in."
"Yes Ma'am" Joseph answers leaving his parent's room to do as she requests.
"Pa?" Joseph asks having gathered the shirts and taken a detour to find his Pa sitting by the fireplace rocking Emerson.
"Hmmm?"
"Could we wear dungarees in Denver and our boots? It's a dusty place with the dirt streets, horses, and cows everywhere. Mama has the idea we need church clothes. Our church clothes will get very dirty."
"I'll talk with her while you rock Emerson to sleep. Ben and George should be finishing up soon." Ethan replies as he passes the drowsy baby to her brother.
As the baby babbles something while looking up at him with big eyes, Joseph tells her "You be good for Mama and Papa while we are gone. It's up to you to take care of them for a few days, Little Miss Bright Eyes. We will be home Sunday so it's just one full day." As Emerson answers with more babbling, Joseph tells her "Hush, no talking now. It's time for pretty little girls to close their eyes and sleep. I'll sing to you if you close those bright eyes."
Wrapped in towels covering their underwear, Ben and George stop at the end of the hallway listening as Joseph quietly sings:
"Hush little Bright Eyes don't say a word,
Joseph's going to find you a mockingbird.
If that mockingbird won't sing,
Joseph's going to get you a pretty ring.
If that pretty ring turns brass,
Joseph's going to buy you a looking glass.
Hush little Bright Eyes, don't say a word."
**(based on the lullaby, Hush Little Baby)**
Seeing his younger brothers come into the room, Joseph whispers to Ben "Go get her blanket and bring it to me. I'll put her in the cradle here by the fire. Be quiet, I just got her to sleep."
"Delphie? I saw Joseph carrying the boys' church shirts. I believe you should know how dirty a place, Denver is in most parts. The streets are just dirt. Everything is dusty from the cattle drives and wagons. It would be better to allow the boys to wear boots and dungarees. It's your decision as you are their Ma."
"Alright, I'll put away the dress clothes. I just wanted my boys to look well brought up and well dressed."
"They can appear well brought up by their behavior. Most of the men and boys wear dungarees and boots there so they will fit right in."
Coming into the bedroom, Ben tells his parents, "Joseph sang Emmy to sleep. I came to get her blanket as he is going to put her in the front room cradle."
"I'll take the blanket, you go get dressed. Just wear your other set of school pants and a shirt. I'll tell George the same." Ethan answers as he lifts the baby's quilt from her cradle.
Having all three boys dressed, packed, and ready, Ethan tells them "I put a coin purse with six dollar coins in the valise. That will be two dollars for each of you to spend on something you might wish to buy. I've already paid Rob to cover the train and hotel costs. Say goodbye to your Ma and let's get going. Grab the bedrolls on the way out. They are by the door."
"Bye, Mama!" The boys all call as they pick up their bedroll.
"Wait just a minute, don't rush off yet. I need a hug from my big boys." Returning the hugs, she tells them "I have a flour sack with fresh bread and a pound cake for your trip. Have Claire make sandwiches for the train. You boys have fun but stay safe and behave for your brothers and sisters."
"Yes, Mama." All three chorus as they once again pick up the bedrolls.
"I'll be back soon. I'll be ready for some of your beef stew then as well." Ethan tells his wife before following the eager boys to the wagon.
Arriving at Rob's, the two younger boys scramble out of the back of the wagon ready to run only to be stopped by their Pa saying "HOLD UP!"
"Paaa! We want to go inside!" Ben huffs in annoyance.
"I realize that, Ben. You need to get your bedrolls and then walk to the door as young gentlemen would not race pell-mell like wild children."
Crossing his arms and huffing again, Ben declares "You are being a killjoy here Pa!"
"And you, young man are being rude. Do we need to have a hand to backside chat before you join your brothers and sisters?"
"No sir. I'm sorry for what I said. I'm excited!"
"I realize that as well, I only asked for you to carry your own bedroll. You've spent more time whining and arguing than it would take to pick up the bedroll and walk to the door."
Waiting at the door for Ben, Rob has witnessed this confrontation so he greets his young brother with "Hello there, trouble! Come on in and let's get this fun event started. We'll be fine, Pa."
"I take it from your dismissal, I'm not invited inside," Ethan says smiling. Well, your Ma sent fresh bread and a cake. I'm to tell you to put the cake in your icebox to keep it fresh. She advised cutting slices, wrapping them in cheesecloth to take on the train. She also suggests making cheese sandwiches for the trip."
"Thank her for us. We'll enjoy the dessert. Please reassure Ma that we have the food part taken care of and nobody will go hungry. After all, we have the Boston Chef here as well as myself, Claire, and Amelia. We all know how to cook at least one thing to eat. I won't let her boys starve."
"I'll tell her. Mothers are worriers, don't take offense. Do ride herd on the boys, Rob. Don't let them take advantage of you. Ben is already pushing his limits."
"Thank you for the warning. I promise to bring all three back in one piece and not let them turn into hoodlums. Do you want to give one last lecture to them or are they sufficiently cowed for now?"
"Rob, you are definitely Ben's older brother! I dread the days when Ben is near your age. I will leave them alone, we've talked about expectations. I'll meet you Sunday at the train station. Enjoy your time together. Is Claire here yet?"
"She said she and Alex would be here by six. She's staying with John Taylor until Dr. Amy returns from a home visit."
Later that evening, as everyone has toured the house and chosen places to sleep, Alex announces "It's time to start supper. Who wants a breakfast treat for supper? I have a new way to make pancakes I'd like to share with everyone. Claire has had the dish and loves it. We have meat and toast to go with it."
"What do you need, Alex? I may have to go buy something if I don't have it." Rob asks after everyone agrees to the meal.
"I brought everything. All I need is the use of the stove and two boys to assist me. George, please get butter, eggs, and milk for me from the icebox. Ben, I need you to mix together all of the dry ingredients I put on the table. We have flour, salt, sugar, and cinnamon."
As George and Amelia who went to help him, bring in the requested items, Alex asks George to find the vanilla and maple syrup from the crate by the wall.
Gathering all the needed ingredients, Alex adds them to a separate bowl before asking George to mix them together. Combining the two bowls, Alex asks Amelia to blend the mixture with a metal whisk until it is smooth. Heating two cast iron skillets on the stovetop, he melts butter to coat the skillet.
"Now we pour the batter into the skillet and bake it for about twenty minutes. This will puff up in the oven but then collapse. We want that to happen. This dish is called German pancakes. While these are cooking, we'll get the rest of the meal ready. Thank you, Ben, George, and Amelia."
Ben and George excitedly call for Joseph, Rob, and Claire to come see the puffed-up pancakes when the skillets are removed from the oven.
"Look at this! Our pancakes are like small hot air balloons, all puffed up!" George exclaims to the three just coming to the kitchen.
"Oops, did I cause that to happen?" he asks as the two pans collapse.
"No, remember I told you that it would fall. Now, it's ready to be cut up and eaten. Let's go enjoy our breakfast for supper." Alex replies.
"These are good, thank you, Alex! I like both ways you make us pancakes. The normal way and the fancy balloon way. Please pass the syrup, Joseph."
"You are welcome, Ben.'
"I believe your plate has enough syrup, Ben. Your bacon is nearly swimming."
His comment has the table laughing when Ben 'swims' his bacon through the syrup.
"You are quite the comedian. Let's finish so we can get to bed early. Our train leaves at seven so we need to be up by five to eat, dress, and be at the station." Rob tells the boy and the others listening.