New Beginnings: Life Changes

ch. 61

Time To Relax

When Joseph came downstairs for chores early Saturday morning, he was surprised to find his Pa waiting in the barn.

"Good morning, son. I've already started the milking and finished your stalls for you. I'll let you take the last milker as she's your favorite."

"Thanks, Pa. Oh, Good morning to you too." Joseph replies while wondering what is going on as Ethan rarely does the boy's barn chores.

"I can see you are puzzled so let me explain. You see son, I jumped to conclusions and was way too harsh with you last night. I was put in my place by your Ma and she opened my eyes for me. I didn't realize I have been taking my frustrations with some things at work out on you boys. I apologize, Joseph. I will make you a promise. I will attempt to return to listening to you and not react until I know all the information. I'm not promising you won't receive consequences but I will attempt to listen before passing sentence. Agreed?"

"Yes sir, I agree. I will also make a promise to you. I will try not to get irritated and be disrespectful. I have grown up and I'm much better at keeping my temper. Well, at least most of the time."

At Joseph's sheepish expression, Ethan laughs. "You are so much like me that if I didn't know better I'd say you were born to me. You've always been more like me and for that reason, I suppose I've been tougher on you at times. I know from my youth how some traits can cause extreme difficulties and have tried to steer you away from those difficulties. I do not want any of you children to ever end up working on the wrong side of the law as I once did."

Deciding to use his Pa's mood to his advantage, Joseph waits until he has begun milking to ask permission.

"Pa? After all of our morning work is finished, could the boys and I go fishing?"

"Yes, that would be fine as long as your mother doesn't need your help."

"Yessir. Would it be alright to go to Rob's and fish in his pond? We could ask Amelia and Claire to come and maybe Rob and Alex could come as well. It's been a while since we've all been together enough to talk."

"Alright, you three may go and may take your horses. Remember to be home by five o'clock at the latest. This is a fishing expedition, not a swimming party. Don't go into the pond. Also, I don't want you interfering with Rob's work. If he and Alex can not go with you, be kind enough to accept the fact. Your brother is trying to get his pastures cleared and may need to work."

"Yessir, home on time and no swimming. I will accept whatever Rob says, Pa. I'll make the boys behave too." Joseph tells him.

"I need to get to town so you children enjoy your day. I want a fish dinner tonight so take good bait and baskets to put fish in as well."

"We will, Pa," Joseph replies as he strips the last drops of milk from the udders.

Riding into Rob's yard, Joseph tells his brothers "Stop at the barn and get off. We'll leave the horses in there if there's room."

"Why wouldn't there be room? It's a bigger barn than we have." Ben asks

"He's storing some equipment in there, I think. Let's go look." Joseph answers

Finding plenty of room for three horses, the boys leave hay and water and pull out their supplies.

"Here you carry the bait, George. I'll take one large basket, and Ben you take the other. Let's go say hello before we go to the pond."

"Maybe we can have a snack first also." Ben comments.

"Ben, don't ask. We ate before we left home! We came to fish, not eat!" George reminds his brother.

"We can do both. It's bad manners not to eat if offered, George." Ben replies as they climb the front steps.

Answering the knock on the door, Amelia says "Well, hello boys, we were not expecting company. Come on in though."

Walking into the main room, the boys see Rob and Alex covered in cloth bandages. Rob has one around his head, each hand, and his knee. Alex has one arm in a sling also wrapped in bandages plus he has one leg completely wrapped as well.

"My word! Were you in a wagon accident? What happened?" Joseph asks as the two younger boys are speechless.

"Amelia happened! She's been learning how to do first aid from Claire. She was practicing her bandaging skills." Alex replies with a grin.

"Care to let her practice on you, Ben?" Rob asks, knowing the boy doesn't tolerate having to be fussed over too well.

"Umm, no, but thank you anyway. I Umm, need to go to the W.C. so may I use it, Rob?" Ben asks thinking quickly of a way out of this predicament.

"Go right ahead, you know where it is."

After his young brother is out of the room, he shares a laugh with Joseph.

"I knew he would bolt as soon as I suggested he sit for bandaging! What brings you way out here and do you have permission to be here?"

"We came hoping to go fishing at your pond. Pa said we could come but we have to be home by five in time for cooking what we catch."

"Well, that sounds fun. I'd join you but Alex and I are going to be out chopping the stumps and pulling them with the team of mules I borrowed. We're still working on the second pasture."

"I'll join you if it's alright. I enjoy a relaxing time by a pond. Claire might come along. She's upstairs getting some more bandages ready." Amelia tells the boys.

"I'll go find her! I'll ask her if she'll come too." George announces before rushing for the stairs.

"George, slow down, you don't need to walk so fast. Claire isn't leaving, you know. She'll be up there unless she's learned to fly out a window." Rob calls to the boy.

Two hours later, the three boys have four fish each, Claire has three and Amelia has five.

"Amelia? Who taught you to fish? Our Pa taught us. This pond has a lot of fish to catch!" George asks as he tosses his line back in the water after putting another worm on the hook.

"Rob taught me. He was surprised I would even want to fish. He said no other girl he's met except Claire would fish with him."

"Claire is an expert. She can fish better than any of us!" George exclaims proudly.

"I'm not that good, George. Amelia has more fish than I do today. Check your line, it just went under!"

"A big one! OH! Joseph! I need help to lift it out!" George calls to his brother further down the bank with Ben.

"We'll help you, George," Claire says as Joseph doesn't seem to hear. "Take hold of George and the pole, Amelia. I'll brace you from behind as you both walk backward pulling."

"LOOK at it! It's so big! Almost as long as my arm!" George says staring at his catch. Shouting for his brothers he calls "JOSEPH! BEN! COME HERE!"

"George! You had me worried with that yelling! I thought one of you was hurt! That's a huge fish! It must be a bass or maybe even a trout! Get a stick and let's string it through the gills so it won't get away." Joseph directs having come running at the shout.

"Sorry, I was just excited and wanted you to see it. Look, Ben!"

"Good catch, George! That's bigger than any we've ever caught! It's enough to feed Pa all by itself!" Ben says before returning to his fishing spot.

"Let's take a break and just sit for a while. My legs are tired." Amelia requests.

"So, tell me a tale of your growing up years, Joseph. Claire has said you got into quite a few escapades when you were younger. Tell me about one of your adventures."

"Claire! You don't go telling all my bad deeds do you?" Joseph protests to his sister.

"I've told her a story or two, yes. I shared how we went after John Taylor that time Ben was so sick and the aftermath of that excursion as well."

"Your Pa was quite strict with you two, wasn't he? I am amazed as he seems so calm most of the time." Amelia says.

"He's very strict when you do something against his rules. One of the big rules is never ever do something to put yourself or someone else in danger. We did both."

"Tell me a story of when you were just learning to be a family. Something from the first year on the ranch, Joseph." Amelia requests.

"I know! Tell her about your first horse and learning to ride, Joseph."

"George, she won't want to hear of me being a bad kid. I'll think of something else."

"No, don't be shy, tell me that story George mentioned. I won't judge, I promise."

"Alright, Claire and me were having riding lessons from Pa, he was "Uncle Ethan" then ...

"Claire and I" Claire automatically corrects interrupting her brother

"See what I put up with all these years, Amelia? Anyway, CLAIRE AND I were learning to ride a horse. Neither of us as city kids had been taught to ride. I was eleven and very umm I'll say stubborn. Every time I got up on the horse he would wriggle around enough to make me fall off. None of my attempts to get him to walk with me in the saddle worked. I had read a book about cowboys riding and how they'd kick the horse to get it to go. I was mad and after many tries, the next time I got on, I kicked him with both heels. The horse dumped me on the ground and ran off across the pasture. Uncle Ethan helped me up, and asked me if I was alright, when I said I was, he swatted the seat of my pants several times. He has a hard hand and those swats stung! He told me if he ever even heard of me hurting an animal deliberately, I wouldn't sit comfortably for some time! Then he made me go get the horse and continue my riding lessons."

"Did you kick that horse again?"

"No, Amelia. Even at eleven, I wasn't dumb enough to test him on his threat. Especially just after he said it! By then I'd figured out not to test him because he would follow through. That is still true. If he says he will do something he will!"

"I learned later what I thought was kicking the horse was actually only pressing against their sides with your heels. Pa explained it to me when he came to tuck me in for the night. He asked me if I wanted to talk about what went on that day. He might set your butt on fire but he'll always come talk to you about what went on and listen to your side. Lately, he's gotten better at listening to our side BEFORE he hands out punishment."

"For a man who was a bachelor and never raised children before you four came, he seems to have been able to learn quickly. I'm amazed at how well all of you adapted to becoming a family. Claire has told me some about your first years in Missouri. Joseph, you and Claire were so young to be acting as parents to your two younger brothers even before you moved to Paradise. I never had brothers or sisters and I missed that at times growing up but I can't see myself being a parent figure at the age of nine or ten."

"You have brothers and two sisters now though! We are your brothers and Claire and Emerson are your sisters, Amelia. Pa told us that you were our sister and Alex is our brother. We added you two when you married our family." George tells her as he turns from watching his cork floating in the pond.

"That's true, you are. Thank you for reminding me, George." Amelia answers smiling at the young boy.

"You didn't know you were marrying a whole family, did you? Here you thought it was only Rob. Nope, you get Rob but you also get all of us to go with him." Joseph teases having enjoyed Georges' little speech. "Good luck, Amelia, you'll need it with some of us," Joseph adds nodding towards a scowling Ben as he crosses over the log to join them.

"I'm not getting any more bites and I'm thirsty. We didn't bring a water jug. I want to leave now. Let's go!" Ben says as he gets close to the group.

"Ben, you are not the only one here and don't get to decide what we do or when we do it. If you don't want to fish, sit over by that tree and cool down. You're not being very gracious right now only thinking of yourself." Joseph scolds.

"YOU are NOT my PA! DO not TELL me WHAT to DO! I'LL GO BACK BY MYSELF SINCE YOU WON'T GO!"

"Ben, calm down little one. There's no need to get so worked up and shout. We'll leave in just a few more minutes. George is still fishing."

"I'M NOT YOUR LITTLE ONE, CLAIRE. I AM NOT A BABY!"

"Ben! You know how Pa feels about being disrespectful and rude. You were both. Being inconsiderate of others is rude. You need to learn to think of others before yourself because you and your wants don't always come first. Apologize to Claire for shouting at her. Do it now! If you don't then I will be telling Pa exactly how you spoke to her and your behavior before that as well. Your choice to make." Joseph says to his young brother while keeping the boy from leaving by holding his suspenders where they cross in the back.

Recognizing the tone in his older brother's voice as I mean what I say, Ben turns to Claire. "Claire, I am sorry for yelling. I'm just mad because I had a big fish on my hook but when I pulled it up it jumped off the hook and got away. I guess he had not had a good bite of the hook. I'm sorry I was rude. Do you forgive me?"

"You are forgiven, Ben. I will try not to call you 'little one' again. I forget you are not my baby brother any longer but a big boy now."

Having stopped fishing at Ben's shout, George walks closer with his fishing pole now tied. "Joseph? I'm thirsty too and a little hungry. Can we go back to Rob's and get a drink before we have to ride home? Do we have time to do that?"

Pulling his pocketwatch out of his pocket, Joseph flips the lid and checks before saying "We have an hour before we need to start home. That's plenty of time. We'll put these fish in a bucket of water and they'll be fine until we leave. Is that alright with you, Amelia? If we come to your house for a bit of time?"

"Of course, we'll fix some cookies and milk or soft cheese and salty crackers if you'd rather. We have both. I baked yesterday and unless the guys took all the cookies we should still have some molasses and also chocolate cookies."

"Chocolate cookies? That sounds perfect to me!" Ben declares.

Later that evening, Ethan and Delphie listen to the three boys describe their afternoon and the story of Amelia practicing bandaging as they enjoy the fried fish dinner.

"You boys seem to have hit on a good spot with this pond. No one else but the family seems to know of it or everyone would be clamoring at Amelia's door asking to fish in the pond!" Delphie exclaims.

"We won't be telling about it, will we fellas?" Joseph asks his brothers.

"No, we won't." George answers as Ben shakes his head.

"Pa? I have a question about what Joseph said."

"Alright, let's have it." Ethan answers.

"Isn't that inconsiderate and putting our needs first?" Ben asks.

"Only if someone asks about it and you refuse to tell them so as to keep it a secret. Actually, son, the pond is not public property so it belongs to Rob and Amelia. Therefore no one may fish without their permission so no, it isn't inconsiderate. What makes you ask?"

"Just wondering, is all. Mama? Amelia served us chocolate cookies this afternoon. Could you ask her for the recipe, please? They were so soft and chewy."

"I'll certainly do that, son. I thought you liked my chocolate cookies, though."

"I DO, I really do, Mama! I like your crispy ones and her chewy ones and anyone's chocolate cookies. I really love chocolate cookies and cake and pie and candy too. I'd like chocolate ice cream if someone would invent it. Joseph? You need to get Mr. Abbott to invent chocolate ice cream to sell at the Ice Cream Parlor."

"I'll pass that request along Mr. Chocolate," Joseph replies.

After the younger boys and Emerson were put to bed, Ethan asks Joseph "Did something happen today as you boys were away? I'm asking because of Ben's odd question at the table tonight. Where did he come up with that, do you know?"

Having told his parents the entire tale of Ben's actions and his own scolding of the boy, Joseph asks "Did I overstep and say something I shouldn't have, Pa?"

"Absolutely not, Joseph. You handled that incident very well. The only thing is, you should tell your Mama or me about the trouble, not keep it from us. I would have not only lectured him but delivered a butt warming as well! I should do it anyway! Him shouting at Claire that way!"

"Ethan, hold in your temper. Joseph handled it well, you said. Let's let Ben prove he learned from this without hearing anything from his parents. If he is disrespectful to Claire again, then you follow through."

"Mama, Pa? Claire told me Amelia's birthday is on Saturday next week. Amelia has never ever had a birthday celebration. Claire wants us to do something special for her. We came up with having a party at the lakeshore. Amelia really likes the lake. Can we all go next Saturday and take a picnic?"

"Let's wait until tomorrow to talk about this more. Right now, it's time for you to head up to bed. We've church in the morning and you won't want to be sleepy for services."

"Goodnight Pa, goodnight Mama. I'll see you in the morning. Mama, if you wake me, I'll have a quick breakfast ready while you get Emmy fed and dressed."

"I'll fix breakfast, son. You sleep as long as you can for once." Ethan answers.

"Thank you for the offer, Joseph. Goodnight now." Delphie replies smiling.

The following Saturday, Rob has Amelia, Claire, and Alex in his wagon as they ride to the lake for a surprise birthday get-together. The group is meeting Ethan, Delphie and the children as well as Chris, Savannah, and their four children. Amelia and Savannah have developed a friendship so Rob invited them to come as well.

"Rob, I thought you and Alex were going to finish clearing the pasture today. Instead, you are taking us on a trip to the lake."

"I'm not going to work on a perfect day to visit the lake. We can wade, enjoy the sunshine, explore the lakeshore, all sorts of fun things to do."

"Claire wanted to come out and where she goes, I go. I like this lake as well. It's been a couple of years since I was last there. Rob, do you think the rowboat is still there?"

"It could be, Alex. If it is we'll test it out before taking the ladies."

"Well, look at that, there are Pa and Chris with their families!" Claire exclaims earning a side look from Amelia who is now suspicious.

"Claire, Alex, Rob, what have you planned?"

"WE planned to come to the lake, Mama planned a picnic." Claire answers.

"Hello, everyone, it's a pleasure to see all of you," Amelia responds to the greetings from the group.

"SURPRISE!" Ben, George, Aaron, and Alyssa call as they come running followed by Charlotte and Nathaniel.

"Happy Birthday dear!" Delphie says smiling at the young lady she now considers a daughter.

"Who told you?"

"Your new husband and sister of course. Sit with us and let's all have some lunch. We have fried chicken, beans, sliced ham, cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, pickles, bread, fresh fruit, and several desserts. We have water, lemonade, and Claire's fruit swizzle to drink. Help yourself, as you are first. We'll have the children go after you."

After lunch, Ben asks "Pa? Can we go wading and play in the water now? Please?"

"Chris? Do you and Savannah mind if I set limits for the children?" Ethan asks his deputy.

"No, by all means, please do. Children? You listen to Uncle Ethan and do as he tells you. Nathaniel, you and Charlotte are only allowed in the water if one of the other children is there also. You are all to stay within the boundaries set, Understand me?"

"Yes sir" All four of his children reply.

"I'll look after them, Pa," Aaron assures him.

"Look at him, with all the kids following he looks like a goose with goslings!" Claire says as she watches her Pa lead all six kids into the lake. Joseph having decided to stay with the adults, laughs at his sister's description.

"I don't think he'd like being referred to as a goose with goslings, Claire. More like a lion with cubs, I'd say. May I please have the jug with the swizzle? We haven't made any this summer yet."

"Here you are, Joseph," Claire answers handing over the clay jug.

Out in the water, Ethan points out a large rock jutting out of the water. "Does everyone see that boulder?" Hearing answers of "Yes", he continues with "That's your boundary. Anywhere in front of this rock but where you can still see your parents, it is fine to play in the water. The rule is NO GOING PAST THE ROCK. Does everyone understand? The water here can get deep quickly. It isn't safe to play past the boundary. You older children help Charlotte and Nathaniel remember. There will be consequences for disobeying. Follow the rules and enjoy time in the water or disobey and sit by a tree while everyone else plays. I want at least two of you in the water together at all times. Also when you need to visit the bushes, two of you go together. It will keep you safer that way. Enjoy yourselves and no worrying about your clothes since everyone is wearing old clothes for water play today."

Stepping out of the water onto the pebbly lakefront, Ethan turns at a shout, just in time to see Ben push Nathaniel face first into the water. About to reprimand his son, he sees the younger child stand up laughing and hears "Do it AGAIN!"

Shaking his head, Ethan returns to the quilts to join the others.

"Your Nathaniel loves to jump right into things, I see. Ben just shoved him face first into the water and he popped up asking for more! I'll tell Ben not to do that if you'd like me to."

"Nathaniel loves rough and tumble play. I have to remind him often that Alyssa and Charlotte DO NOT want to be jumped on, pushed, or required to crawl on the ground. He has taught Aaron to be more rambunctious. Aaron wasn't allowed to be a little boy at Nathaniels' age so it's good to see him relax."

"The twins have blossomed and relaxed so much in the last nearly two years they've lived with you, Chris. I see they enjoy their younger brother and sister now." Claire comments.

"We've done our best to blend them into one family. There are still times when no one gets along and they retreat into separate sides." Savannah replies as Chris replies "Thank you, I've learned much since you left for Boston. I'm a better Pa now. Before I was not sure what I was doing was right. Your Pa taught me how to parent."

Later in the afternoon, after everyone has scattered. Ethan having waited until the children are busy and the women have taken a walk together says "Rob, Alex, Joseph, there's something I need to tell you. This is not to be discussed with the women or with anyone in town. Promise me. I need your word."

Satisfied he has their promise, he continues "Chris, Mitch, and I have been receiving threatening telegrams for a few weeks now. It has something to do with the gang we helped the U.S. Marshalls find a few years ago. These telegrams state someone or more than one person is coming to Paradise to "take us out." I have been unsuccessful in finding out who is sending these as it comes from different locations each time. The last one was from Pueblo and was yesterday. The person is threatening to harm not only the three of us but our families. After this weekend, we're going to have you remain at your home to protect the family. I don't want you in town until this week is over, Joseph. You'll tell Mr. Abbott tomorrow at church that you will need to be home this next week. Rob, Alex, I'd prefer if you stayed away from town as well and close to your house. We will be prepared and there are men in town who are ready as well. I don't want the women to panic or the children to be afraid. We'll keep this close, agreed?"

"Yes sir" all three young men answer.

Glancing over Joseph's shoulder, Alex suddenly leaps to his feet and runs into the water. His abrupt departure causes the others to turn to look. They see him rushing for the boulder and past it to reach something.

"What is he getting?" Rob asks not able to see.

"He's lifting some... I think it's ... It's Nathaniel! I see the red shirt!" Joseph says as Chris runs for the water.

Meeting the young man carrying a crying and coughing child, he says "Thank You, Alex! I didn't even see him go into the water!"

"Take him, I'm going to be sick," Alex answers thrusting the boy into his Pa's arms as he rushes for a nearby bush.

Reaching the quilts, Chris wraps the shaking boy in a quilt before holding him.

"Young man you were told not to go in the water alone and not to go past the boulder! You could have drowned in the lake as you found a deep hole, didn't you?" Chris scolds hugging the boy to him.

"Yes, Papa. Papa, the water swallowed me and Alex pulled me out!"

"We will have a conversation about your reckless disobedience when we get home. You will tell Alex, you are sorry and thank him for helping you."

Turning to Rob and Ethan, Chris says "Alex was extremely pale and shaking. He said he was going to be sick. Is there something about water that affects him?"

"I'll answer that, Chris. I'm sorry for worrying you." Alex replies having come close enough to hear.

"I was nine years old and found my three year old baby sister drowned in a pond. I sometimes have that memory come back to me. This brought it back. My family lived near a pond where we went every day to gather water for washing. I was the eldest and had two younger sisters and one brother. They were seven, four, and three. My baby sister wandered away one day and either fell or went into the pond. I found her two hours later floating. My mother was not right in her mind for a long time afterward."

"What do you tell Alex, Nathaniel?"

"Sorry, and thanks for pulling me out," the little boy says not looking at Alex.

"Water is fun but you must stay safe, Nathaniel. Papas and Mamas and grown ups want you to stay safe. Always listen when they tell you how to have fun but be safe, please. I know you were listening just now to my story. Please don't be like my baby sister, be a big boy and follow the rules."

"I will, I promise. I didn't mean to go past the boulder. I was sitting on it and I fell off."

"Come on, let's go catch up with the others and find some shells," Alex replies taking the boy from his Pa after getting permission.

"I'll come too," Joseph says. "So will I," Rob joins in.

"Are you alright, Chris? You look quite shaken." Ethan asks.

"We could have lost him! He could have drowned as Alex's sister did! How dare he disobey!"

"Calm down. The little one is alright and he said he fell in. I placed the boundary way before the water was deep enough to drown unless they were unconscious. The little one just fell into the water and was afraid. I checked by the boulder and it wasn't nearly as deep as he made it sound. Alex didn't know this and just reacted on instinct. A word of advice, Chris, do talk to the boy about obeying as Alex said, also talk to him about why Alex was upset as that scared him more than he already was. You couldn't see his face but I could. Don't punish him too harshly as you want him to remember the lesson, not the punishment."

"If it were Ben who Alex rescued, you would have spanked him right here and you know it," Chris replies.

"No, not if Ben were five years old and just had a traumatizing event happen to him. I raised a five year old so I know a little of how they think. Trust me on this."

"Alright, let's talk of the boys. How are they taking the news that John Taylor has left for the Indian encampment? Weren't they looking forward to him moving in with the family?'

"The boys are under the impression he is only visiting his homeplace. They don't realize he chose to go there until he is with his heavenly spirit. We didn't tell any of them, Joseph included, how Claire and Amy believe John Taylor is not going to live much longer. Joseph will learn of it when it's time. I didn't want to ruin their summer. I had hoped he would choose to live with us as you know. We fixed a room but he flat out refused the best he could with his trouble communicating. I understood although I wish he chose differently. He wants to live the way he did in his younger days. I respect his decision."