New Beginnings: Life Changes
ch. 58
New Ideas
Two weeks after the wedding, the boys are discussing the upcoming end of school celebration.
"George, do you think Pa will let us go to the lake with the others next week? He's been keeping us at home and not letting us even go visit Rob and Claire ever since the wedding. I don't want to miss out, do you?"
"I hope he will, Ben. We've both been behaving and doing everything asked of us. Our schoolwork is good, or mine is I know. How about yours? Will your grade report show good marks when we get them next week? Joseph told me he thinks he has good marks in all his subjects but he has big tests all week. That's why he's not out here with us as he has to study."
"Miss. Donaldson said I had good grades when I asked yesterday. I even have a B in mathematics. I just don't like Math at all!"
You never have liked math so that's not news. Let's talk to Mama and Pa tonight about the lake trip. If we get Mama on our side, Pa won't get to say "No" easily." George replies as he finishes polishing the saddle he's been working with for twenty minutes.
"Do you think when we finish here, Mama will let us go for a ride? I feel like a ride and our horses would like the exercise."
"We'll have to have Joseph with us and he's busy studying so I doubt we can do it today, Ben. Besides, it's going to be suppertime soon. We didn't start on our barn chores as early as we sometimes do what with having to do inside chores, and we had to polish saddles today which always takes a long time."
"When Joseph and Claire were our ages, they didn't have as many "don'ts" as you and I do. They could go do things alone and we aren't allowed to do much of that. They could ride their horses into town alone and we can not."
"Ben, they were taking care of US back then. Mama let them have a lot of freedom as she needed them to help her during the performances and when she was sick. Claire told me about our time in St. Louis. It's hard for me to remember. When we came here, Joseph was almost eleven like you, and Claire was even older. From the stories they've told us, they were still taking care of us when we moved here with Pa. Claire says Pa learned how to raise children with Joseph and herself."
"Mostly with Joseph though not Claire. Claire was always the good child like you, George. It's me and Joseph that always get in trouble, not you or Claire."
"I've gotten in trouble more lately so I'm not the 'good child' Ben. Are you finished with the saddle yet?"
"Yeah, I'm done. Let's ask Mama if we can ride around the far pasture before we have to help with supper. We won't need Joseph to ride with us out there as it's close to home."
"Good plan, let's ask."
Arriving home, Ethan sees his younger boys in the pasture. Walking down to the fence, he watches as they ride.
Catching sight of him, George calls "Hi, Pa!"
"Hello, boys, exercising the horses are you?'
"Yes sir. Watch this, Pa. Kelly can bow if I ask her to." Ben says having brought his horse closer to where Ethan is standing.
"Go down, girl," Ben instructs the horse. Watching Ethan sees the animal bend its front legs with her head bowed.
"Good girl Kelly!" Ben praises, patting the horse's neck.
"You've taught her well, Ben. I see you both have been practicing riding. I see a couple of boys who a few months back, were not proficient riders but now they are. Good job, boys."
"Pa, we're ready to ride outside a pasture without supervision, don't you think so?" Ben asks hopefully.
"We'll talk about that later. Right now cool down Kelly and Lucy, put them up for the night so you can come in for supper. You need to wash up and then set the table.
As the family devours the meal she cooked that afternoon and evening, Delphie speaks her thoughts.
"Ethan? I've been thinking about some changes we could make in the house."
"OH, No boys! When a woman begins a discussion this way, we are in for trouble." Ethan states with a grin for his wife letting her know he's not serious.
"Hmmpfh, well maybe you just have to suffer without hearing my good ideas." Delphie teases back rising to get the dessert.
"I want to hear them, Mama! Please tell us. What good ideas?" Ben asks as he eyes the large cake she just sat on the table.
"Thank you, Ben. You get the first and largest piece for supporting me."
"I support you, Mama! I was finishing my disgusting broccoli and couldn't speak."
"Thank you, George. You get a large piece as well." Delphie answers choosing to ignore the 'disgusting broccoli' comment as Ethan gives his youngest son a warning look.
Looking across the table at his older brother, Ben asks "Don't you want cake, Joseph? You didn't say you support Mama's trouble ideas"
"Ben," Ethan scolds "Don't talk of your mother that way."
"I just said what you called it, Papa," Ben replies, showing one of his best innocent expressions causing his mother to chuckle.
"I'll wait to see what the ideas are, Ben. I've been on the bad side of agreeing to something before I knew what it was. I got in big trouble for it a few times." Joseph says with a look over at his Pa.
"Please tell us your ideas, dear. I've been put in my place twice by these children. Let's not give them a chance for a third time."
"I spoke to Amy yesterday and she said John Taylor is nearly ready to leave the clinic. He needs a place to stay where someone is available to assist him when he needs it. She and Claire both say he needs assistance and support to retrain his legs to move. My idea is to have him come here with us. Summer is nearly upon us and the boys will be out of school to help also. We can move him into Joseph's old room and even make a private door to the outside. He can come and go as he wishes during the day but stay with us during the night. I also think it's time to move Emerson to her own room."
"If we use Joseph's old room for John Taylor, where do you plan to put this little princess?" Ethan asks as he bounces the baby on his knee.
"In Ben and George's room, close by our room. She's not old enough to be too far from us."
Ben and George exchange a glance at this news. A baby in their room doesn't sound such a good idea at all.
"George! Emmy will cause us trouble. She wakes up at night and has to be in bed so early. We'll have to be really quiet if she's in our room to not wake her up!" Ben shares his thoughts silently.
"Don't look so worried, Ben. I don't mean to move the baby in with you two big boys. My idea is to have you and George move up to the loft now that there is extra room. Claire and Alex won't be needing to stay with us while visiting. Rob and Amelia are having them live at their big house. How does that idea sound to you boys?"
"I like that idea a lot, Mama! We'd be up with you, Joseph!" Ben answers, eyes sparkling.
"Great news, Ben," Joseph replies. His brother completely misses the sarcasm but his Pa doesn't.
"We'll set rules, Joseph. You'll still have your privacy when you need it. Delphie, I take back my joke about women and ideas. I agree with those plans. John Taylor will most likely not be in agreement as he doesn't like living with others much. We'll make the best of it. All of us will be in this together to help him. Agreed?"
"Yes, Pa." The boys answer as Delphie says "Yes, I agree."
"Joseph, I believe we should move you to Claire's side of the loft and Ben and George to where you are now. They need a little more space for two beds. Would that be agreeable to you?" Delphie asks.
"Yes, Mama. Will we be moving rooms this weekend?"
"No, we'll wait another week for you children to finish school. John Taylor is not going to be in a hurry to move in with us." Ethan answers before Delphie.
"In that case, Pa, could I take the wagon to Rob's on Saturday? I want to take the table I made to them. With all the schoolwork and work around here, I haven't had the chance to give Rob and Amelia my wedding gift."
"Yes, Joseph, you may after chores are finished.
On Saturday, Joseph has his table tied down in the wagon bed, and the team hitched to the front. His mother has added Claire's quilts, her small chest of memories, and two feather pillows to his load. She has also given Ben and George permission to ride their horses alongside Joseph.
"Mama, I was hoping to be able to go alone today." Joseph confides as he accepts the basket of food she is also sending.
"I'm sorry, Joseph. I didn't know you wanted to go alone. I've already agreed for the boys to ride Kelly and Lucy. I think they are eager to show off their riding skills. There will be other trips where you are able to go alone, alright?"
"Yes, Mama. Is there anything else you want me to take to Claire? Her bed? The kitchen table? The rocking chair?" Joseph teases.
"No, young rascal. I will keep my table and rocking chair, thank you very much. Rob has plenty of beds so they don't need that either. Your older brother is much better off than most young men just setting up a household. He has a large new home and completely furnished it as well. I hope Amelia realizes how lucky she is to have such a home as many young women do not."
"She was amazed when she discovered Rob has so much money. She is very lucky to have married Rob as he's wealthy and can buy whatever she wants."
"Money is nice, son but love is even nicer. Even if Rob was not wealthy, Amelia would have married him anyway. Don't think money is the most important thing in a relationship, it isn't. Love, faith, compromise, trust, and companionship are what matters most." Delphie remarks. "Do remember that, son. Now you boys go on but remember you're to be home by five o'clock. I wouldn't be late again as you were a few weeks ago."
"Yes, Ma'am. I will keep up with the time as Pa will have our hides if we are late again."
Greeting his brothers at the side of the house, Rob asks "Where have you three been these past two weeks? We could have used your help to put up wallpaper and rearrange the furniture. The girls have been making Alex and I move everything all around the house I have two rooms set up for guests and needed your opinions. Not only that but Joseph, you promised to help Alex and I clear the land behind the barn."
"I know, I'm sorry, Rob. Pa wouldn't let us off the ranch. When we were late leaving the last time, he was pretty mad. We nearly got our britches burned over it. As it was, he wouldn't let us come visit until now. Do help me keep up with the time today, I have my pocket watch but I often forget to check it. I do not want to be late getting home today. Pa's been in a strange mood the entire month of May and now on into June. He's very quick to scold for minor things and will punish for any little thing as well."
"I don't know why he's so grouchy lately. He almost punished me yesterday. I was only teasing Mama and told her I didn't plan to eat the rutabagas she was cooking. Mama spoke up for me and told Pa I was only playing a game with her. We'd been joking with each other over what we wouldn't eat and he came inside at the end."
"Pa doesn't understand joking very well. I know that from experience. Be cautious, George. He won't hesitate to burn your butt even if you were joking. Now, just so you know, I wasn't seriously scolding over the land, I was kidding. What is all of this in the wagon? Are you all moving in?"
"Can we?" Ben pipes up from atop Kelly.
"Ben, he's teasing again. No, we can't move in. Pa wouldn't allow it. Besides, they already have Claire and Alex living with them, I doubt they want the three of us here as well!" Joseph answers for Rob before answering the original question. "Mama sent the girls some things and I brought my wedding gift for you and Amelia."
"Is it something to eat? I'm hungry. Amelia won't feed me." Rob says loudly having noticed Amelia come out on the porch.
Joining the boys, Amelia gives her new husband a friendly soft punch on the arm. "Ignore your brother. He's been saying I won't feed him all morning. I'll have you know I made a huge breakfast for everyone this morning. Porridge, toast, sausage, ham, eggs, flapjacks and Alex made something he calls breakfast bread as well. Rob just can't go more than a few hours before wanting food again."
"It's been six hours since breakfast! A man has to eat to keep working. Joseph and the boys brought us a gift. Let's get it inside so we can find out what it is."
Once they had the table inside. Joseph unties the rope, removing the tarp over the table.
"I didn't know what size to make so it's a little small. I hope you'll like it anyway."
"You made this, Joseph? This is beautiful! I love the carvings around the top and trailing down the legs! Carving vines must be so difficult, it's so intricate. I want this in the sitting area. It's a perfect size for us! Thank you so much!"
"You're welcome, Amelia. Rob, is something wrong?" Joseph asks as his brother hasn't spoken.
"I'm amazed, Joseph. You have such talent! I knew you could carve but I had no idea you could do something like this. It's perfect and I thank you as well. Help me carry it into the sitting area."
"It fits perfectly here with the rocking chair, benches, and soft chairs I will treasure it always," Amelia tells the boy as she smothers him with a hug.
"Umm, thanks. Come, Ben, George, we need to move your horses and the wagon to the barn. We can't leave them to foul the ground by the house."
"You do it, Joseph. I want to see the house now that they've moved furniture in."
"BEN, you WILL come with me or I WILL set your butt on fire right here!"
"You're not my Pa, Joseph. Stop trying to pretend you are!" Ben replies before cooperating.
After the boys are outside, Amelia asks Rob "Do those two always bicker that way? It seems Joseph and Ben are always at odds with each other. Joseph is a bit bossy don't you think?"
"The answer to question one is, 'yes they do' and the answer to question two is 'Joseph is a bit bossy at times but he has been the boys' surrogate father since he was nine so it's a hard habit to break."
"Why was he having to be a surrogate father at such a young age?"
"I'll tell you that unpleasant story later, maybe tonight. For now, let's open this picnic basket to see what Delphie sent us. I said I was hungry, remember?"
"Umm-hmm, why do you call your Ma by her given name? I've always wondered."
"She's more my friend than my Ma. They only married nearly two years ago now. I was already grown by then. I left for the cattle drive where I met you not too long after they were married. I sometimes call her Ma or Mama though."
Coming back inside, George asks "Where are Alex and Claire?"
"Both had things to do in town today. Alex was planning to visit Mitch and Claire wanted to work in the Clinic today. Mama sent enough food for us to have lunch together. There's even pie for dessert. Come wash up in the sink and we'll get all this into our stomachs." Rob tells the group.
As they ate, Amelia mentions how she, Claire, and the guys have been asked to help with the children's end of the school term celebration.
"Miss. Donaldson has asked if we will help with the activities and chaperone. Rob and Alex have been asked to build a few things. I won't' say what as it's all supposed to be a surprise. Are you excited about the school year being finished?"
"I am as I want to go fishing, have time for fun outside instead of being stuck inside memorizing multiplication, history facts, and spelling words," Ben replies around a mouthful of fried chicken.
The children were anxiously awaiting their name to be called as Miss. Donaldson passes out the final grade reports.
"Aaron and Alyssa McGinnis, come get your reports." the boys hear.
"Congratulations Aaron, you are promoted to the next grade. You improved your work so much this term."
"Thank you, Ma'am. I'm in sixth grade now? Does that mean I will move up into Mr. Davis' class?"
"Yes, you are and no, you will continue to be my student next school year. Mr. Davis will be teaching seventh through twelfth grade students."
"Alyssa, you are also promoted to sixth grade as well. You will both be with me next year. I didn't want my sixth grade to leave me so I convinced Mr. Davis to let me keep you."
"Ben Cord, George Cord"
"Congratulations boys, you are both promoted to fifth grade. Your parents will be pleased with your grade reports. You have worked hard and done well."
Having finished passing out all twenty grade reports, Miss. Donaldson addresses the buzzing students.
"Children, listen, please. Today is our last day in the schoolroom together. Tomorrow, all of you who are able, come to the lakeshore by ten o'clock. We'll have games and enjoy a fun celebration. Please be sure to bring a lunch from home. We'll have jugs of something to drink available and maybe some snacks as well. Does everyone understand where we will meet?"
"Yes, Miss. Donaldson!"
"Alright then, I will see you tomorrow, class dismissed for summer!"
"Congratulations boys! You all did very well on your end of the year grade reports. George, Ben, both of you did well this school term. You have learned much this year. I am very pleased." Ethan praises as the family sits around the table.
"Joseph, I'm amazed. Very proud but amazed. I never thought I'd see a grade report with your name where you had no grades below a B the entire year! All A's for all subjects in the final term of the year! You have come a long way from the young boy who used to always worry if his term grade reports would have grades below C, haven't you?"
"Yes sir, I enjoy learning now. Mr. Davis makes everything much more interesting to learn."
"Yes, Mr. Davis and Miss. Donaldson are excellent teachers but it is YOU three who put in the effort to learn. Well, in honor of such great reports, I'm giving each of you younger boys a fifty cent piece to spend however you like. Joseph, for the straight A's in this term, you will have a dollar." Ethan says as he passes out the coins.
"My reward is three desserts, I have your favorite desserts made. Joseph, I know you like my sweet bread, Ben, chocolate cake and George, apple cobbler. We'll sample all three tonight starting right now with Joseph's favorite."
The next morning, Ethan drives the boys to the lakeshore. Joseph is going to help with the activities while the younger boys participate.
"Look George, I see a fishing booth! That means we'll get a prize of some kind. That sign on that other wooden booth says 'dunking booth'. I see a ladder leading up to a chair. That's strange, isn't it? I remember one at the fair a few years back."
"A dunking booth is something I don't want to do. I don't like getting dunked underwater." George answers.
"This one isn't for the students to be dunked, George. I know because I helped make it. Certain townspeople will be here and you kids get to throw balls at the target to see who can duck the person." Joseph tells his younger brother.
"I see a tug of war rope! I'm good at the tug of war game!" Ben comments before adding, "Miss. Donaldson said we'd have relay races, sack races, and that game where you throw beanbags or balls to knock over a stack of cans. She told us we'd all have a fun day of games just as at a fair. I've not been to a fair but it sounds fun."
"We've been to a fair, Ben. Remember the time we saw the hot air balloon and you boys climbed in? Remember the Ferris Wheel? That was a fair." Joseph reminds him.
"I don't remember it," Ben replies
George says "I see Miss. Donaldson with Aaron, Caleb, Alyssa, and some others by the trees. Pa, are you going to stay and watch us play the games today?"
"Not today, George. I'm on duty in town. Now, listen boys. Two main rules today, One: DO AS YOU ARE TOLD, two: STAY AWAY FROM THAT LAKE! I mean what I say boys! Ben, George, you are not to even put your feet in that lake! Am I understood?" Ethan asks meeting the boys' eyes as he speaks.
"Yes sir. I understand." both boys answer.
"Good, grab your lunches, enjoy your day with your schoolmates. Your Mama will be here to take you home. I'll see you later today. Joseph, take your job seriously and watch the children."
"Yes sir. I will do my best."
Walking behind as his younger brothers dash to find friends, Joseph greets Theo as he joins him.
"Hi, the kids are very excited. It's going to be a fun day for them. Are you going to be in charge of a booth?"
"Yes, I'm running the fishing booth. I get to be the one who picks a prize for the kids. What are you in charge of today?"
"Ben and George mostly. I am under orders from my Pa to keep them out of trouble. Miss. Donaldson has asked me to be the one who helps with the games. Alex and Claire are here. I just saw them pull up. I'm going to go talk to them. I'll see you sometime, maybe at lunch."
"Hi Joseph, are you ready for adventure? Keeping young children out of the lake is going to be an exciting adventure!" Alex greets the boy.
"Hi, Alex, Claire, I'm hoping their parents put the fear of God into them to keep them from the water! Pa gave the boys strict orders to stay away from the lake. Knowing Ben, that will just make him more determined to test that boundary though."
"Now, Joseph, Ben's not THAT difficult," Claire replies as Alex chuckles.
"Yes, he is, Claire! You just don't notice. Let's go join everyone. It looks as if they're about ready to organize into groups."
Two hours later, Ben, Aaron, Jackson, Caleb, and George are taking their turn at the dunking booth.
"Look, guys! It's Mitch up there on that seat! We have to be the ones to dunk him! He's still dry so no one has succeeded yet!" George exclaims loud enough to be heard by Mitch.
"Hey now, George! You're my best buddy, remember? You don't want to dunk ME! Besides, you five boys throw like little girls! I'm sure you can't hit that target enough to make me drop!" Mitch calls down to the boys.
Standing beside the booth, Alex laughs at Mitch's taunting of the boys. "OHHHH, boys, are you going to let him talk to you that way? Come on, get your baseball, and let's see who can make him swallow his words in the water! You want to throw as hard as you can and make this circle target move. Line up in reverse alphabetical order; Jackson, George, Caleb, Ben, and Aaron for the caboose. You each get three throws but only one turn at a time so throw, watch to see if he is dunked, and move to the back of the line. Okay?"
"How're you keeping the water in there and is it deep?" Aaron asks.
"We lined the bottom and sides with oilcloth and if you look through this low window, you'll see it's only up to his chest when he sits on the bottom. The water won't hurt him, just get him wet. Joseph, Rob, Mr. Anderson, and I designed and built this to just get the person wet not harm them. I even tried it out myself. It's kind of fun to get to sit in the water." Alex answers.
"Come on, BEN! DUNK HIM!" the other boys cheer as Ben takes his third turn.
"Aww! I missed! Your turn Aaron, you are our last hope! Throw as hard as you can!"
"I'm going to make you fall this time, Mitch!" Aaron calls as he aims and throws. To the delight of the boys, the plank Mitch was sitting on swings down and he finds himself in the water.
"YEAAAA! You did it! Great going, Aaron!" The four other boys cheer as they watch Mitch stand up dripping water.
"Aaron Anthony McGinnis! Just you wait until I tell your Pa about this! He'll see to it you don't sit for a month! Disrespecting your elders this way." Mitch calls, pretending to be angry.
"Mitch, I'm sorry! Please, you can't tell on me. It's just a game. I didn't ..." Aaron begins worriedly,
"It's alright, Aaron. You're not going to be in trouble. His scolding is all part of the game. I promise." Alex reassures the boy.
"He's telling you straight, son. I'm sorry, I worried you. I'm not mad and you aren't in any trouble. You boys go get ready for lunch while I go change clothes. It's Mr. Anerson's turn to sit here now. I see him coming, just in time, too."
"After lunch, let's see if we can have a turn in the booth. I'd like to get cooled off, I'm warm." Caleb tells the others as they walk back towards the tables where Claire, Amelia, and their teacher are setting out fruit.