New Beginnings: Life Changes
ch. 56
Finishing Up And Going Home
Denver, Saturday afternoon
As the group exits the candy factory, George asks Ben "Which ice cream soda flavor did you like best? I liked all of them. We need to tell Mr. Axelrod to start adding ice cream to his sodas."
"Yeah, we do! Putting in the ice cream makes them taste much different than just the syrup flavor and fizzy water. I liked all of the flavors but I think the cherry flavored one was the best out of all four."
Nodding in agreement, George then asks "Rob? Didn't you say you wanted to stop at the bank today? Are we going there next?"
"I did say that, yes. I thought you two guys would rather go to that smaller toy store Ben mentioned. Joseph, you can either come with me or stay with them. Claire and Alex are going with them. Amelia and I are going to the bank. I want her name added to my account."
"I would like to come with you. I don't want anything to do with Ben and toy stores for quite some time!" Joseph replies before cautioning his younger brother "Do not cause any more trouble! You best behave in that store!'
"You don't need to tell me. I'm going to be good. We want to get something for Emerson and one thing for us to remember this trip. I may never get to leave Paradise again when Pa hears of this trip." Ben answers.
"Alex, Claire, we'll meet you back at the hotel. I'm not sure how long it will take at the bank." Rob tells his friend as he helps his young brothers climb into the buggy.
"We'll meet you there. I'll keep these two hoodlums under control." Alex answers giving Ben a jab with his elbow which gets a grin from the boy.
Having arrived at the bank, Rob approaches the teller with Amelia and Joseph following behind.
"Good afternoon, I wish to speak to Mr. Adams, please. My name is Robert Cord."
"Mr. Adams is no longer the manager, sir. Would you like to speak to our new manager, Mr. Greenwood? What may I say this concerns?"
"Yes, thank you. It concerns my account. I wish to make some changes to the information listed."
A few minutes later, a sandy-haired man about Ethan's age returns with his clerk.
"Hello, I am Daniel Greenwood, manager of Denver's finest bank. What may I do for you young people?"
"I wish to make some additions to the names on my account. This is my wife and brother." Rob answers. Having told the two of his plan to introduce Amelia as his wife ahead of their entering the bank, neither acts surprised by his comment.
"Very well, one moment while we wait for the clerk to bring your file. Let's wait in this office over to your left. I can use it since I am the manager." The man says with a wink at Joseph.
After the clerk has left and closed the door, Mr. Greenwood opens the file. Glancing through the papers, he notes the amount of money in the young man's account.
"Well, you have certainly done well for yourself at such a young age, Mr. Cord. Not many young men have such wealth accumulated at the age of eighteen. Now, what is it you wish to change? I can not take the trustee's name off as you are not of legal age yet. For identification purposes, what is your full name Mr. Cord?"
"Robert Jordan Cord or it may still have Robert William Jordan Cord. It was supposed to be changed last year but things didn't go as planned with the other manager at times."
"Well, I'm sorry you were inconvenienced. I have it as Robert Jordan Cord but I see the other name as well. You have a trustee listed. Please tell me this name as well."
"Ethan Cord or Ethan Allen Cord. I can't remember how he asked for his name to be listed." Rob answers.
Nodding, Mr. Greenwood says "I assume he is a relative?"
"Yes sir, he's our father. I wish to add the name of my wife, Amelia, to the account. I know it's not common practice to have a wife on the account but I'm not one that believes women can't be a part of business transactions. I wish for her to be able to withdraw or deposit money into OUR account."
"I am a modern thinker myself. I like your plan, Mr. Cord. Now, Mrs. Cord, may I have your full name, please? I will add it to the paper."
"My name is Amelia Louise Saw.. uh that is, Cord. Amelia Louise Cord is my full name." she replies having nearly said, "Sawyer" instead of "Cord".
"Very well, everything is in order. Now, if you will, please sign your name, if you can, on this line under where I wrote your name."
"I know how to write, sir," Amelia responds, somewhat insulted by the implication she can't write.
"Here is a fountain pen and ink for your use." Mr. Greenwood tells her as he hands everything over to her side of the table.
Having carefully signed her name, Amelia glances down at the amount of money listed. Having learned to control her emotions and responses well from living with her mother's husband, she doesn't react to the figure.
"Is there anything else you wish to do today? Make a deposit or withdrawal, perhaps? My clerk will assist you now." Mr. Greenwood tells them as he straightens the papers in the folder.
"Thank you, that is all I need as of now. I appreciate your help and kindness. I look forward to meeting with you again in the future, sir." Rob answers extending his hand to the manager.
"You are welcome. I, too, look forward to meeting with you again. Have a pleasant evening Mr. and Mrs. Cord and Joseph."
Waiting for their buggy ride, Amelia asks Rob, Where did you get that much money? Weren't you going to tell me?"
"Surprise! You are rich, Amelia." Joseph can't help but tease.
"My father, Will, I told you about him, remember?" Rob asks waiting for her to reply. At her nod, he says "He was a gold miner. He struck a good one and left the money to me. I only discovered this a few years ago myself. I didn't handle it too well but I'll tell you of that later. For now, I was going to tell you but thought showing you would be a good way to let you know as well. You will be my wife so the money is yours now too."
"This was not the best way to tell me, Rob. It's a good thing, I can control my emotions or I might have shrieked in shock at seeing eight thousand dollars! That's enough to buy one of those newfangled automobiles! Only the very wealthy have those."
"Actually, it's enough to buy eight of them, Amelia," Joseph informs his soon-to-be sister.
While Rob, Amelia, and Joseph are busy at the bank, the rest of the group is at the toy store. This storekeeper has encouraged the boys to enjoy the toys. Unlike the last one with signs posted to not touch anything, he allows the children to try out the toys and then choose what to purchase. The younger boys are enjoying their time alone with just Claire and Alex. Alex has been playing with the toys with them.
"I sure like this store! We get to play with everything before we pick out something." Ben declares. "I like this one best too! I think it's a good way to sell things. Let people play and then when they pick something, go get one from the back. Mr. Axelrod should do this in his store." George answers.
"Mr. Axelrod doesn't have enough room in the store to keep a supply of toys in the back. This is a new concept in stores. Let the front be for experimenting with the merchandise and the rest of the building be a storeroom for the products. He said he has ten of each toy in the back at all times. I see about twenty five toys to choose from. That's a lot of toys to keep in storage." Alex replies.
"Claire? You were a girl once. What girl thing can we buy for Emerson?" Ben asks his older sister.
"Ben, Claire's still a girl. She can't change to a boy, silly!" George teases.
"I know, I meant she is not a kid now. Well? What should we buy?"
"Emerson is very young yet. We have to find something that wouldn't hurt her if she played with it. How about a stuffed bear?" Claire asks.
"You gave her one already. We need something new. I have a rattle for her. I bought it at the other toy store." George says.
"I saw wooden blocks over that way," Alex tells them, pointing to another table.
"No, Joseph or Rob could make her those. We want something new, something different." George explains,
"Well, George, what about a rag doll? That's different and safe." Claire asks.
"Can you show us the rag doll? What does a doll made of rags look like?" Ben asks.
"Come over here. It's not really made of rags now but the dolls used to be. See this soft cloth doll with the stuffed body? The hair is yarn and the eyes, nose, and mouth are painted on the face. It even has a cute dress and cloth shoes. What do you think about this for Emerson?"
"Yes, I like it. What do you think, George?"
"I like it too, Ben. How much does it cost? You told us we have three dollars together. Thanks again Alex and Claire for the birthday money."
"You are welcome, George. The price on the shelf is a dollar fifty. You could each find something for seventy-five cents if you like." Alex answers.
After more discussion and price checking, Ben chooses a wind-up car that zig-zags and goes in circles. George chooses a puzzle with a city scene.
"I haven't seen a puzzle like this with one hundred pieces, before. The last one I saw was wooden with twelve pieces." George tells his sister.
Overhearing the comment, the storekeeper tells them, "I just bought these last month. I haven't had many customers asking for puzzles like this. Most want the ones with wooden, not stiff paper pieces. Here you are, boys. Thank you for shopping with me. Do come again." he tells the group as they take the paper-wrapped packages.
Meeting the other three back at the hotel, the boys eagerly show Joseph their purchases while the two couples discuss evening plans.
"We have to be at the train station tomorrow morning by eight to make sure my furniture is loaded. We'll need to allow time for breakfast and for turning in the key at the front desk. The train is scheduled to leave here at eight forty-five. We'll be home by noon." Rob reminds everyone.
"That means we need to get to bed early tonight. We want to have plenty of time to eat and pack the few things we've added since coming to Denver." Claire remarks
"There is a new restaurant on Oasis street which claims to have excellent steaks. The man at the hotel desk recommends the Buckhorn Exchange. Would you like to try it?" Rob asks the other three young adults.
"I'm in! I love a good steak." Alex replies as the two young ladies agree.
Going over to the boys, Rob tells them "We've found a good restaurant for supper. We'll wash up and then I'll hail a cab. We will ride in an automobile for our last night in the city."
Seeing the toys the two younger boys have, Rob, asks "Ben, as you gave me the rest of your money, how did you buy this toy?"
"Claire and Alex gave us birthday money to spend. I didn't steal anything, honest!"
"That's all I wanted to hear. Let's get ready to go out."
Hearing him tell the boys to wash, Claire mentions how she and Amelia would like a hot bath before going out. To the boys' horror, she then adds "I think the boys need a bath as well. We want to go home clean so tonight before dinner we'll bathe and wear clean clothes. I'll go get yours for you boys now. Alex? Would you call for the tub and water to be brought up?"
"I will be happy to call for you, Claire."
An hour later, the boys are dressed in clean pants and shirts ready for dinner.
"It's a good thing Mama asked me to buy you three new pants and shirts. She said you needed new clothes." Claire tells her three younger brothers.
"I did because my two pairs of nice pants are too short," Joseph tells her. "Mama has let out the hem all she can on both pairs. Mr. Axelrod doesn't have any ready-made pants that fit me."
"Claire? Do you always bathe and change clothes just to eat, now? Is that what people do in Boston? Do you have to be dressed for church to eat when you live there?"
"No, Ben, I don't always bathe before dinner but I sometimes do. Yes, in some families, they do bathe and dress for dinner. Alex's family is not one to insist on bathing before dinner but we always wash and wear clean clothes to the table. I seem to remember you being told by Mama to go wash and put on a clean shirt before dinner as well."
"Yes, sometimes she gets picky about what I have on. I don't see why it matters as long as my hands are clean. I don't eat with my clothes!" Ben answers disgustedly.
"Get used to it, Ben. Women are always going to insist men come to the table clean." Alex tells the boy, after a side wink to the ladies.
"Let's get going. I called for the cabs to pick us up at six-thirty and it's six twenty-five." Rob announces.
"Cabs? More than one?" George remarks.
"Yes, seven people can't all fit in one automobile as we can in a buggy, George," Claire replies, smiling.
"I want to ride with you, Claire. May I, please?"
"Yes, you come with Alex and me and Ben can go with Rob and Amelia."
"What about Joseph? Doesn't he get to come too?" George asks his sister.
"Joseph will be with Amelia and me," Rob tells the concerned child. "Let's go downstairs."
The following day, most of the group of young people are happy to see the depot in Paradise as the train pulls to a stop.
Paradise, Sunday afternoon
Determined to stay cheerful for his brother's sake, George says "Cheer up, Ben. We'll get to tell Mama and Pa all about pulling taffy, the hotel, the restaurant, the store where we got to play with the toys and show what we bought."
"Yeah, that's great, George. You enjoy telling them all about it. I'm going to keep out of sight for some time. Maybe until I'm as old as Joseph even! When Rob tells Pa about what went on, I'll be dead."
"Umm, Pa isn't going to kill you, don't be silly!"
"I'm not silly, I'm being truthful."
"Alright, if you say so, Ben. Come on, we need to catch up with the rest as they are nearly up to the doorway of the car. I have our bag of clothes, you get the bag of treasures." George answers.
Turning to check for his younger brothers, Joseph sees them standing by the seats.
"I'll catch up with you. I'm going back to hurry the boys up. Ben is procrastinating, I can tell." Joseph tells the couples.
"Ben, George, LET'S GO! We have to get off now."
"Joseph, Ben thinks Pa is going to kill him and won't come," George reports.
"Yes, I thought that might be what was bothering him. Look, Ben, you may as well come on out. Hiding in the train won't help you. If Rob tells him what went on in Denver now and you aren't out there, it will only be worse for you. He isn't going to be pleased by this behavior because he'll see it as defiance. You, refusing to do as Rob said and get off the train. I've been in trouble a lot of times. The best way to deal with this is to face up to Pa and admit you did it. Yes, you'll still be punished but the punishment is worse if you deny or try to hide what you did. Let's go catch up to the others. They need help unloading the furniture." Joseph tells his brothers and takes Ben by the hand to lead him out.
Halfway to the exit, the three boys stop as their mother boards the train. "There you three are, I was tired of waiting for my hugs so I came to find you. Amelia said you were gathering your treasures. I'm so happy to have you home. Your Pa, Emerson, and I have missed you. Now, I need my hugs." Delphie exclaims opening her arms.
"Mama, I've missed you too. We had such a good time in Denver! I can't wait to show you what I found!" George says having rushed into his Mama's open arms.
"I'm anxious to see and hear as well. Ben, come here scamp. I need my hug from you and Joseph. I missed you so much. It's way too calm without you boys." Delphie remarks pulling the other two into a smothering hug.
"mamammcnbre" Joseph mumbles into her chest.
"What was that, Joseph?" Delphie asks holding the boy out from her dress.
"I said 'Mama I can't breathe.' as you had me pushed up against your bosom," Joseph answers, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"You loved saying that last word, didn't you? You are every bit the scamp just like Ben. Come boys, your Pa is helping Rob unload his furniture. He'll wonder what's taking us so long."
"Mama? Where's Emmy? I'm not feeling her here? Isn't she with you?" George asks as they reach the exit.
"She's with Savannah over at the cottage. We'll pick her up after we get Rob's furniture to his house. I didn't want to bring her as she's been so irritable lately."
Standing near enough to hear, Claire asks "George? What did you mean you aren't "feeling" Emerson?"
"I meant I wasn't able to feel her or hear her nearby. She and I share a connection, Claire. It's kinda like what Ben and I have and you and Joseph have but she is not really talking the way Ben and I do in our heads. I just seem to know what she wants and her feelings."
"That's amazing. I had no idea you were connected to each other." Claire replies as Amelia listens.
"All of you have a connection? You can talk to each other without speaking? Can Rob do it too?" Amelia asks Claire quietly.
"No, Rob doesn't have the ability the four of us, or I should say five of us counting the baby, have. I don't understand it myself. We've always been able to communicate with each other that way. Ben and George are strong together as are Joseph and I. It must be something the Cord side of the family shares as Emmy may have it too. Does this frighten you? Do you feel we are evil for being able to do this? Some people would react that way. We've mostly kept this as a family secret. We didn't even tell our Pa until we'd lived here with him for two months."
"I'm not frightened nor do I think any of you are evil. It explains so much that I've wondered about. I've seen the younger boys look at each other and just felt they were somehow communicating. Several times during visits to your house, they would do that and then announce a decision they'd made together. I couldn't figure out how they could reach a decision when they had not even spoken. George often seemed to know before the baby cried, that she needed something."
Having finished unloading and moving the new furniture into Rob's house, the rest of the family heads back to town. With the baby nestled in her crate at Delphie's feet in the wagon, Ethan hups to the horses to take them all home.
"I was hoping Claire, Amelia, and the boys would come with us for a meal. The couples wanted to stay in town though. It will be just the six of us for dinner." Delphie remarks to a quiet Ethan.
"Yes, well we will have the young people out for a meal again sometime soon. Claire will be working in Amy's office this week so maybe she'll come out for dinner one night. She and Alex plan to stay with Mitch as she is going to be going out on night calls with Dr. Amy."
"Is something bothering you, Ethan? You seem different after you spoke with Rob back in their house. Did something happen with the furniture transactions?"
"No, nothing went wrong with his purchases. I'll tell you later."
Hearing his Pa say he had spoken to Rob and his Mama mention Ethan is acting differently, Ben sends a silent message to George.
"Do you think Pa knows of what happened at the first toy store and how I acted?"
"I'm guessing he does, Ben. He sure didn't look pleased after speaking to Rob. You'd better put on the thick winter underwear just to be safe." George sends back.
"I wish Claire had come home with us. She can talk Pa out of attacking my butt. I also wish it was time for bed so I could just say I was tired and stay in our room."
"It wouldn't help, Ben. Pa doesn't often back down when he decides to as you said "attack' your "butt". He may not do anything right away, he may let you simmer in misery."
"Thanks so much, George! I don't like the sound of 'simmer in misery' one bit." Ben replies through their connection.
Arriving home, Ethan requests Joseph's help to unhitch and settle the horses.
Brushing the long mane, Ethan looks across the horse's back to his son. Noticing how tall the boy seems to be getting, he thinks back to earlier years for a minute or so before addressing the boy.
"So how was your trip? Did you enjoy spending time with your older brother and sister?"
"I enjoyed most of the trip after the first day. The train ride was long and the first hours in Denver were not fun. I know Rob told you of how Ben behaved when we first got there. Did he also tell you I was the one who punished Ben?" Joseph answers mentally steeling himself for a scolding or worse.
"Yes, he did tell me." Then seeing the boy's expression, Ethan says "I'm not upset with you, Joseph. From what Rob told me, you were the one being a responsible young man looking after the boys. I would like to hear exactly what went on with Ben. Rob told me what he knew."
"We went to that fancy toy store we all visited before. The one where you are warned if you touch anything and it breaks you have to buy it. I reminded the boys of that rule and told them we wouldn't be playing with anything just looking until we found something to buy. Ben was out of sorts because he felt Rob wasn't paying attention to him so he misbehaved. He wouldn't cooperate and was playing with expensive toys. Then he wanted Rob's attention so he stuffed chocolate bars in his shirt. The store clerk saw him and made me pay for them. Rob had given me money. When we got back to the hotel, I used the rulers I bought on Ben's bottom! I was mad because he has known not to steal or try to steal since he was four! I acted as his parent as I used to have to do before we moved here and paddled his backside! Rob had been ignoring all Ben's little behavior so he decided to do something big to get Rob's attention. Rob punished him too. He restricted him to the hotel room while we all had supper downstairs in the restaurant. Ben had to have a cold supper of sandwiches. He also had to go to bed early while we stayed in the other room talking. Ben doesn't like missing out on things like those."
Just as Joseph finishes they both hear Ben call "Papa? Please, may I come talk?"
Going to the barn door, Ethan asks "WERE YOU EAVESDROPPING?"
"No sir, I just came. I only heard Joseph say 'things like those'. Ben answers, taking a couple of steps backward at the stern tone.
"I came out to talk to you about how I acted on the trip. I wasn't behaving well the first day. I know Rob has told you and probably Joseph but I want to tell too. Can we talk?"
"Come inside and let's talk." Then addressing Joseph he says "Go on inside, now. We'll be in later. Thank you for being honest, son."
"So, what do you have to say for yourself, young man? I've heard you were uncooperative for Rob and later, Joseph. What else went on?"
After the young boy finishes confessing all of his many misdeeds, some Ethan has not heard previously, Ethan asks "What reason do you have for behaving so abominably?"
"I wanted Rob to pay attention to me not Joseph, Amelia, Claire, and Alex. He asked me and George on the trip and didn't pay attention to me at first. I didn't like that."
"Ben, you are eleven years old and have long known how to behave. You also know the world does not revolve around what you want. Your behavior was that of a child of four or five not a big boy of eleven! Rob had other things to do besides entertain you and your wants! Of Course, he paid attention to Amelia, she's about to be his wife! What did I tell you I would do if you caused trouble on the trip?"
"You said you would double the punishment Rob gave us." Ben answers
"I did and now we are going to discuss stealing. There is absolutely no excuse for you to steal! I ought to take the strap to your behind! You know that is one of the major rules! You are to obey the law! Stealing, Ben?"
"I didn't steal. To steal you have to leave the place where the thing is and take it somewhere else. I left the candy there!" Ben says, desperately attempting to save himself. "You said you would double what Rob did. Rob didn't whip me or even spank me. I had to stay upstairs in the room while everybody else got to go eat at the hotel restaurant. I had to go to sleep while they all shared stories without me."
"That is a very lenient punishment in my opinion. For everything you told me you did, you are going to be housebound for two weeks. School, church, home, and nowhere else unless you are with your Ma or me. Since you cannot be trusted to know how to behave, you will be watched at all times. Someone will be supervising you during chores including outside. You will not be leaving your Ma's or my sight during these two weeks either here at home or if we go out. Lastly, for having to be punished by Joseph, you will receive a spanking from me as well. The only reason you aren't receiving the strap I mentioned is because you have been honest and came to tell me what you did. Go close the barn door and come back."
Feeling he was lucky to only have his Pa's extremely hard hand deliver the smacks that now have his bottom burning, Ben follows Ethan into the house. The guilt and churning stomach have now eased even if his bottom will burn for a while.