New Beginnings: Life Changes

ch. 62

Protecting Your Own

After the family picnic at the lake, Chris has taken Nathaniel to the room he shares with Aaron.

"Climb up here on your bed and let's have a talk, son."

Obeying the man he now thinks of as "Papa", the five year old does as requested having to use a step stool just to get on the bed.

"Are you still mad, Papa? Am I about to get a spanking? Are you going to beat me with a belt like Grandfather?"

"I'm not going to spank you, Nathaniel. I have never beaten anyone with a belt and won't start with you. I understand now that you didn't deliberately go past the boundary. We do need to have a talk though. I want to make sure you understand WHY following the safety rules at the water is so important. Did you understand Alex's words about his young sister?"

"Un Huh. His sister was bad and got drowned because of it. I'm not bad, Papa."

"You don't set out to be very often, that's true. Alex's sister was not much older than a baby and she didn't know not to wander away from her family. Because she did, she must have fallen into the water. It was too deep for her to touch the bottom and she couldn't swim so she drowned. People can not breathe underwater or if they get too much water in their lungs. The lungs are what you feel in your chest when you breathe in and out. Do you understand?"

"Yes, people can't be fish and breathe in water. Aaron told me that today. He said I wasn't ever to go into the water without him, you, or Mama watching. So that means I can't take a bath because you have to watch and you're busy working."

"Good try there, son. No, that's not what Aaron meant and I'm pretty sure you know he didn't mean getting in the bath. You will continue to take baths, young man. You will not go into lakes, ponds, rivers or any other body of water that is over your head without permission or someone with you in the water. My job as your Papa is to protect you from getting hurt. I make rules and decisions to help you stay safe. When you are near water such as the lake, you stay within the set boundaries and follow the safety rules. If you do not do as I say, you will be having a sore backside. Best you remember that, young man! Now tell me what you are to do when you are around water."

"I stay out of the water unless someone is with me and I don't go into parts that I am told not to. I still have to take baths too even if it is water." Nathaniel answers pouting some at the bath agony.

'Very good remembering, son. We will work on learning to swim. Alyssa and Aaron couldn't swim when they came to live with me, either. Now both can swim well. Does Charlotte know how to swim, do you know?" Chris asks as he slides the boy onto his lap for a hug.

"She can swim. Grandfather made her learn. She doesn't like water much though. Grandfather threw her into the pond and wouldn't save her so she had to paddle. It scared her. Mama got mad. He wanted to do that to me when I turned four but we ran away and came here before he could. Grandfather was scary mean. I don't wanna learn to swim like that."

"I don't throw children in the water to teach them to swim so don't be afraid. I will be right there with you and we learn it in water where you can touch the bottom." Chris reassures the child while wishing he could visit this Grandfather for a strong chat about his child-raising policies.

On Wednesday night, Joseph is feeling restless, is worried, and is experiencing trouble sleeping for the third night. His thoughts are with what he was told last weekend at the lake. Someone or more than one person is coming to town to attack his Pa and his 'uncles' Chris and Mitch for revenge. The past two days of having to stay at home and continue to try to act normally so as to not upset his younger brothers have been plain torture. Not knowing what is happening in town, if his Pa will come home, wondering if there was a shooting or if the outlaws have shown up yet all have been going through his mind. The worry eases some when his Pa does return for supper. No amount of casual questioning yields any information, however. Even going to Ethan privately gets nowhere as he is told "I've told you we are handling it. We won't discuss this at this time."

"I NEED to be there in town! I can help! I'm not a child anymore to have to stay home!" Joseph thinks as he rolls on his back to stare at the beams of the roof.

"Pa says stay home and protect the family. To get everyone into the root cellar and lock us in if there's trouble. He doesn't approve of me using a gun. I'd be defying what he told me." His conscience reminds him as does a twinge in his backside at what could happen if he defied his father.

"Talk to Mama," his mind tells him as he ponders what to do just before sleep finally claims him.

Deciding not to mention his thoughts on going to help his Pa, Joseph is going to approach his Mama with a different plan. His idea is to get Delphie to agree to let him take the family to Rob's to be with Claire the following day. They won't be going into town so as not to disobey Ethan's instructions. He can talk to Rob about Rob going in to help their father!

Waking early to get up and out before his brothers, Joseph has his part of the barn chores finished by the time his two younger brothers enter.

"Why are you out here so early today? It's not like we get to GO DO anything fun. I don't see why we are confined to the ranch yard. We haven't done anything wrong." Ben complains.

"Pa told us to stay here, close to the house and away from town. There's something going on there." George contributes to the conversation.

"Yesterday, Pa said we were to stay in the ranch yard. I asked if we could go to the fishing pond and he very nearly swatted me!" Ben tells his brothers.

"Well Ben, did you think the fishing pond is here in the ranch yard?" Joseph can't help but tease.

"No, don't be silly!"

"Well if you knew the pond is not in the yard then you were asking to go off the boundary. No wonder he got irritated. George is probably right that something is going on in town. Pa has been especially irritable for a few days. He gets that way when he's worried or very busy with work. You two finish up in here while I go make us some blueberry pancakes. I found some canned blueberries in a jar in the root cellar last night. Mama said I could use them for breakfast."

Before beginning the pancakes, Joseph approaches his mother as she's dressing Emerson for the day.

"Mama? I'd like to go to Rob's. I need to talk to him. I can hitch up the team for the wagon and we can all go together. Wouldn't that be alright? We're not going to town or through town either. I know another way to get there. We'd be all together at Rob's. Can we go?"

"Where are the boys? Are they aware of the reason for the need to stay together and close to the house?"

"In the barn doing morning chores, they don't know about any trouble. Ben was talking about it because he's not happy being confined to the ranch. I mentioned Pa gets irritable when he's worried or very busy so they accepted that as the reason for Pa being snappish with us lately."

"Let me think about your idea. I'll tell you later if I think it's a safe thing to do. Alright?"

"Yes, Mama. I promised the boys blueberry pancakes for breakfast so I'm going to begin cooking. Good morning Little Bright Eyes. You look pretty in that dark blue dress." Joseph addresses the baby who is reaching for him.

"Can I take her and settle her in her new chair while I cook?"

"Remember to tie the long cloth around her waist. I'll be out to help with breakfast in just a few moments." Delphie answers.

"Thank you Joseph for being so helpful lately. Your taking care of Emerson this way gives me a few minutes of time for myself. She's growing up and is more active than ever! This little girl wants to grow up quickly. Most little ones aren't ready to sit alone at her age. Just the other day she was up on her hands and knees. She isn't yet six months old!"

"You're welcome. It's fun to take care of her as she's a sweetheart. It's different now because I do not HAVE to be the parent. I can just be the big brother and you and Pa get to be the parents this time. Did you think about going to visit Claire and Rob?"

"I want you to answer a question and answer me honestly before I say. Are you planning to go get involved in what is going on in town? I know there's some danger as he has expressly stated all of us are to stay away from town. Now answer and tell me the truth, are you planning to be involved?"

"I am not planning to be involved," Joseph answers as he deliberately stays busy flipping the two pancakes from the pan in order not to have to meet her eyes.

"In that case, we can go for a visit after the breakfast cleanup chores."

Thirty minutes after arriving, Joseph pulls his older brother into the dining room to talk.

"We need to go to town to help the men. You and I can hide and cover a spot of road just as easily as anyone else there. Claire knows how to shoot as does Alex so they'll be here to defend if someone comes looking."

Giving his younger brother a long look, Rob answers "You know we were told in no uncertain terms to stay out of this. He said we were to protect the family. There are many men in town who will handle whatever comes. Our job is to keep the kids and women safe."

"I feel that I NEED to be there! If you don't want to go protect Pa that's fine. I guess he isn't really your Pa after all. You had an uncle to raise you and love you before you came to us so I guess Ethan Cord means nothing to YOU. To me though, he's the only father I've ever had. My so called 'father' was no Pa! He didn't care about his family. I want to keep our Pa safe and you should as well!"

"Joseph, I can see you feel strongly about this but insulting me is not the way to get my cooperation. You are not old enough to make that decision so I'm making it. You will stay here. That's final! If you disobey me, you will be extremely sorry!"

"Stuff it in your shirt, Robert! You are not the boss! I am not your child and do not have to obey you!"

"You are in my home therefore you do as I tell you to do! Forget about going!"

"No, sorry, you are wrong about that. I'm fifteen not five. I do not have to do as you say."

"YOU DO AS I SAY! I AM THE BOSS OF MY HOME."

"BIG BOSS GO SUCK AN EGG! I'M GOING TO PROTECT MY ONLY FATHER WITH THIS AND YOU CAN NOT KEEP ME FROM IT!" Joseph shouts back pulling the revolver he had tucked in the back of his pants out but pointing it at the ground without touching the trigger.

Reacting to the sight of the gun, Rob grabs the boy, spinning him around with one arm pinning him to the corner face first.

"GIVE IT TO ME! NOW!" Rob commands firmly in Joseph's ear.

His brother's voice holds a commanding and frightening tone that causes Joseph to do as told and to stop fighting.

Having checked the revolver and found it was loaded, Rob feels his temper spiraling even higher. He knows he needs to step away before he does something he'll regret. Leaning over to speak to his wayward brother once again he tells the boy,

"You stay right here in this corner. Do not move from it. I will be back to discuss this more. UNDERSTAND?"

"Yeah I understand," Joseph answers now feeling defeated.

Taking time to find Claire and Alex, Rob explains some of what is happening.

"This needs to be handled here and now. I'm going to tell Delphie and then handle it. Will you take Amelia and the boys fishing for a couple of hours, please?"

"Yes, we'll get out of here so you can teach our brother the hazards of being an impetuous idiot! I heard all the yelling! If he's lucky, you will be the only one 'handling' him over this. I know for a fact he ought to be grateful you are not Pa right now." Claire replies.

Finding his mother upstairs with his wife, he asks "Mama? Some problems with Joseph have happened. I need to talk to you. Amelia? Claire and Alex are taking the boys fishing, will you go along to help?"

"Of course, I love being with the boys," Amelia replies wondering what has made Rob's eyes so dark and angry looking.

After giving a brief explanation to Delphie, Rob waits for her reaction.

"That Boy! I felt he wasn't being truthful with his request to come here. I asked him if he was planning to go to get involved in whatever Ethan is dealing with in town and he told me he wasn't. Now you tell me he smuggled a loaded gun from our home to yours? Ethan is going to be furious."

"Mama? Will you give me the authority to punish him? This happened in my home. I can help save Pa worry and perhaps keep Joseph from experiencing his wrath. You can still fill Pa in on some of what happened but emphasize how it's been dealt with. He's on edge right now and I know from experience, that his punishment, while he's that way, can be very intense."

"Are you positive you want to take on a disciplinary role with your brother? It may change your relationship with him, Rob."

"I've disciplined all three of the boys before. They get mad and refuse to talk to me unless forced to do so but eventually we are back to normal. I am doing him a favor by taking this on instead of letting Pa take it. Someday, he will realize this."

"I'll go down with you and talk to him as well. I will let you deal with him afterward. I'll take the baby and join the fishing group for a couple of hours."

Downstairs, Joseph startles at his mother's voice commanding "TURN AND FACE ME!"

"I have heard what went on down here. I'm ashamed of your behavior towards Rob! You should be as well. You are much too bright to behave in such a way. Bringing a loaded gun as you did! You don't have the necessary skills to use it properly! It could have gone off and harmed you or one of the other children! You put yourself and others at risk today!"

Embarrassed at being scolded in front of Rob and feeling resentful for being treated as a child, Joseph has to bite his lip to not answer back to her.

"You have nothing to say? You also lied to me, Joseph! You said you weren't planning to get involved in what is going on in town. I asked you this morning, remember?"

"I remember but I didn't lie to you. You asked if I WAS PLANNING, I wasn't planning. I had it all planned already. I came here to get Rob to join me going to protect Pa. He's too soft now that he's married, and won't go. I suppose he doesn't need to protect a person who isn't his real father, he's a coward!" Joseph answers angrily.

"Young man you have no need to be cruel. Lying, carrying a loaded gun wasn't enough for you? You now add cruelty on top of everything else? Apologize to your brother NOW."

Recognizing he is in no position to disobey this suddenly stern parent, Joseph obeys.

"I'm sorry for my words."

"Rob? Have you a large wooden spoon by any chance?" Delphie asks the young man standing just outside the door.

"Yes Ma'am"

"Fetch it, please" Delphie replies keeping her firm gaze on her wayward son. She doesn't miss the scrunched nose or wince he does at the mention of the wooden spoon.

Several minutes later, Rob is returning the requested item to the kitchen sink to be washed. All the while thinking of what he just witnessed. Who would have thought a slim small woman could whack that way! No wonder Joseph yelped every time the spoon hit its target. Her targeting the backs of his thighs as well as his backside was also a surprise. He actually felt a little sympathy for the boy currently wiping tears off his face. Fifteen smacks even alternating legs and butt would be hard to take without reacting!

Talking to himself quietly he says "Self, remember never ever cross Delphie. She's fierce! Must be the red hair!"

Glumly following Rob out to his barn, Joseph feels a bit sorry for himself...

"I only wanted to go help keep Pa, Chris, and Mitch safe from the attackers! What's so wrong about that? So what that I'm not nineteen or twenty! I'm not one of the children even though my Mother thinks so! I could have hit someone with that gun if given the chance! I did well at the shooting booth at the last festival! Mr. Anderson even said so!"

As the barn door closed, he looks around for any signs of a razor strop, relieved to not find one.

"Are you planning to use your belt on me? I assume you brought me here to whip me." Joseph asks as his inner voice continues his complaining "Must make him feel all grown being about to whip me like he's a Pa!"

"No, I'm not although you deserve it for being so foolish to put a loaded gun in your pants and after the way you spoke to me! I believe Mama took care of that part and if you are very lucky you might be spared any more. I brought you here to have you do some chores while we talk. I need you to clean the horse's hooves.

"All five of them? That's a lot of horse hooves, Rob! Twenty is a lot at one time!"

"Yes, all five of them and while you do that I want you to really listen to what I have to say! I want you to think of what I'm telling you and how it relates to YOU. Will you do that?"

"Yes, do I have to sit to clean the feet? I'd rather stand if I may."

"As you wish, Joseph. Just pay attention to what I say."

Waiting for the boy to begin with the first hoof and making sure he did it correctly, Rob begins his talk.

"Think back to the time Kincaid was treating you so horribly. The time he beat you. Don't speak of it just remember the time. I was about your age, just a little older. I was furious at how he had cornered you and beaten you. I took one of the revolvers from the barrels in the barn and took it to school with me one day. I put it in a log, I didn't take it inside but after school, I went looking for the man. I'd been told to stay away from him, to let Pa and Mitch deal with him. I didn't obey that directive and went on my own. I encountered Kincaid by the livery and called him out. I wanted to shoot him! You are my brother and he hurt you badly. I was so angry. Mitch caught me before I could do anything and hauled my butt to the jail. He put me in one cell and Kincaid in the other cell. Pa came and as part of my punishment, he made me stay overnight in the jail. They treated me as a prisoner and it was horrible. The next day, Pa collected me and took me home."

"He must've been furious with you to leave you in jail. Did he whip you?" Joseph asks looking up from his chore.

"Just listen, don't talk. We'll talk after I finish. Yes, he was furious with me but also frightened. I know that now. He was frightened I could have been killed that day. My swollen head and view of myself could have caused me to be shot. Pa showed me I was not nearly as ready to be in a gun battle as I felt I was. He made me demonstrate my shooting skills. First, he had me walk off, turn, draw at his command and fire at a tree stump. I missed it completely. Next, he put a tin can on the stump, had me pace off, aim and fire. I was too far away and missed again. The last thing he had me do was shoot at a target he had drawn on a tree. When he said "NOW" I was to aim and fire. My shot was not even on the target. The second time to shoot at the target, he let me come to stand where I wanted, take my time, aim and fire. I hit it straight on easily. I stood about four feet from the tree. Do you make any conclusions from my shooting, Joseph?"

"Yes, you were not good with that gun until you had time to really aim at what your target was. I'm good at hitting the target, Rob. Remember last year at the carnival? You let me shoot and Mr. Anderson said I was good at it!"

"Do targets move, weave and duck, or shoot back, Joseph?"

"Well, no, they don't."

"Like me, you are good with a gun when the TARGET STAYS STILL AND YOU CAN AIM. PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KILL YOU DO NOT STAY STILL! YOU DO NOT HAVE TIME TO AIM CAREFULLY!"

"I got the message, you don't have to shout! I'm sorry, Rob! Truly! I was not thinking of myself and that I could be hurt. I was only thinking of protecting Pa. Forgive me?"

"Pa is a professional gunslinger, Joseph! Did you think he couldn't handle some punk trying to show off? Did you think ten armed men protecting him couldn't keep him safe? But, YOU, a fifteen year old kid with hardly any experience with a revolver could go rushing in to save the day? Life isn't a hero story in one of your books!"

"Alright, I get it. I won't be doing this again. I swear to you."

"I am only trying to protect you, Joseph. I don't want you to have to go through some of the things I did growing up. You are my brother and I will always be on your side even when I yell or punish you. Now to answer your question about Pa, YES, he lit my butt on fire that day after his shooting lessons. I'm not sure what I had applied as I couldn't see but I never want to feel it again! I also don't want to see the agony he felt at the thought of me being killed. I never want to put him in a position where he feels that way. Don't you ever do that either! You will answer to me and I will submit you to the same punishment I got from him! Got It?"

"Yes sir!" Joseph replies automatically.

A/N *** Rob's adventure is told in my story New Beginnings: A Fresh Start ch. 17