New Beginnings: Life Changes

Chapter 64

Confession, Consequences, and Confirmation

***** warning, spanking included *****

Arriving at Dr. Amy's clinic, the group of children see the chalkboard sign hanging on the door.

"She's not here. It says she had to go to the Wilson family. The time she left was one o'clock. Since it's about two something now, I'm guessing she's not going to be back for some time yet. The Wilsons live way out past Rob's." George tells the group.

"How do you know the time, George? Do you have a pocket watch?" Charlotte asks.

"No, I don't have a watch but I can tell time by where the sun is in the sky and there was a clock in the Ice Cream Parlor. We left there at one thirty."

"Aaron?" Nathaniel petitions as he tugs on his big brother's arm.

"Yes?"

"My foot is not hurting now. I can even push on it? See?" Nathaniel says as he demonstrates pushing down with his foot.

Seeing the look on the boy's face, Aaron asks "Are you sure it doesn't hurt? You have a funny look."

"I need the outhouse and fast!"

"Run! Go behind the clinic!" Aaron tells him as he points.

While the little boy was taking care of his need, Ben asks "Do you think he can walk without limping? If he can we are in the clear. Unless the girls turn snitch!" This last part is said while directing a glare at the girls.

"We're not snitches or tattle-tales, Benjamin Cord!" Alyssa snaps back.

"We don't snitch!" Charlotte declares as she stomps her foot.

"Good to know. Aaron, George, Nathaniel, and I want to sit for supper. Besides, your mama is expecting, so you don't want to make her upset so we will keep this a secret. All agreed?"

"All agreed!" The rest of the group answers as Nathaniel rejoins them.

"Everything alright?" Aaron asks the pale child.

"Hmm, kind of. My tummy hurts. It feels like something is kicking me inside."

"Probably from the cold ice cream. We're not going to say anything about visiting the tracks today. We all agreed. Do you agree to keep this a secret too? No telling Mama or Papa about hurting your foot on the tracks."

"I won't tell. I don't wanna have to stand in the corner or get a spanking either."

"Let's get home then. We've been gone a long time. We'll talk about the parlor and the ice cream only." Aaron reminds his little brother.

Arriving home from their visits, the two younger boys find Joseph busy waxing saddles. He has a sawhorse set up just outside the barn with their father's extra saddle draped over it.

"Hi, Joseph! We went to your Ice Cream Parlor but we didn't see you there."

"Hello, Ben. Of course, you didn't see me there as I was here. I've been here all day. I'll be here all day for quite a while. I have given up my job so I can help here at home more. Pa is going to get a new set of horses soon and we'll need time to gentle them. Maybe you two can even help as well. I'll ask."

"Did you get a whipping, Joseph? I know you were in trouble for something that happened at Rob's yesterday. I know Mama was upset and I'm sure she told Pa about it. The fact that she took all of us, not just Emmy today, makes me think you were in trouble with Pa. So did you?"

"Good reasoning George. Yes, I got in trouble yesterday, NO I'm not going to talk about it, Ben." Joseph answers George and fends off the questions he knows Ben is itching to ask.

"So, you did get a whipping!" Ben crows.

"No, I'm being punished but I didn't get a whipping. I'm too old for that now. That's a little kid's punishment. I have a list of chores and I'm restricted to the ranch for two weeks to do them. What did you two think of the Parlor? Was the ice cream as good as what we had in Denver, do you think?"

"I like it. I think it was as good but I wish there were other flavors as there were in Denver." Ben answers

"I like it too. I wish there were some fruit to put over it as we sometimes have here at home. Just plain vanilla isn't quite as good. Charlotte and Nathaniel really liked it though. Nathaniel had two bowlfuls and would've had more but Aaron wouldn't let him."

"Had they ever eaten ice cream before?" Joseph asks.

"I don't know if they ever had ice cream churned at their house but they had not been to a parlor before." George answers.

"I need to get back to work. I have three more saddles to polish just today." Joseph tells them.

"Mama said we were to tell you to come inside. She has something for you to do." Ben informs his older brother.

"Wonderful! I haven't even finished this chore yet and now I have new ones!" Joseph complains before putting the lid back on the wax can and following his brothers inside.

"Joseph, I see your Pa has a list of chores for you but he also left word for me to assign them as well. For your first chore, I need diapers washed. We have let two days go by without a wash and are just about out of clean diapers. Do go set the washtub up with hot water and the special soap. I'll start them soaking and you can scrub and rinse them after you finish whatever chores you were doing outside."

"Yes, Mama. I'll start the water boiling and get the tub ready." Joseph answers while groaning inwardly at the idea of scrubbing used diapers.

"Would that be the truth, Joseph? Will you be following through with your word? How will I know?" Delphie asks, startling the young man.

"Yes, Ma'am, that's the truth. I will do as I say and you'll know because you can come out and check on what I'm doing." Joseph replies trying his best to keep the irritation out of his voice.

"I will be checking because I do not feel you are a man of your word as of yet," Delphie responds not missing the hurt look in the boy's eyes.

'Stay firm. He needs to learn this lesson of always being honest with me.' she mentally reminds herself.

Later that afternoon as he finishes hanging the last diaper on the clothesline, George appears.

"Joseph? Mama sent me out to tell you to scrub the washtub with the scrub brush and scouring powder. Then she wants the tub readied for a load of wash. She wants warm, not hot water."

"Thank you, George. I'll do that right now."

"Did you finish the saddles?"

"No, not yet. It looks as if I won't be finishing waxing the saddles today. That will have to wait for another day."

"I could do some for you. I don't mind."

"Thank you, George, but no, that's not something I can agree to. Pa would NOT like that one bit as it's part of my punishment to do them. Having you do it would just get me into more trouble."

That evening after supper, Ethan asks "Joseph, did you finish the chore list I assigned today?"

"No, sir, I didn't. I did all the inside barn chores you assigned but couldn't finish waxing the saddles. I was able to wax two but I wasn't able to check for the repairs you listed.

"Young man, you were assigned the chores to finish today. Were you not aware that I wanted the list completed?" Ethan asks, his expression making the boy fidget in his seat.

"Yes sir, I was aware and I tried Pa! Mama had a list as well and she wanted her jobs done before I could finish yours. I washed, scrubbed, rinsed, and wrung out two dozen diapers, did two tubs of washing, and cleaned the inside windows. By the time all that was done, it was time to help cook supper."

"Papa? I offered to help Joseph with his chore list but he wouldn't let me. Can I help do some of those jobs too?" George asks having waited until he felt his Pa was not as upset.

"That's very kind of you to offer to help, son. Most of the time, I would say you were welcome to help but not this time. These chores are Joseph's punishment for wrongdoing and he will complete them all without assistance. You and Ben have your own chores to take care of, am I right?"

"Yes sir."

"You just get your own chores completed and help your Mother if she needs it. Joseph will do these chores by himself. Alright, boys, time for bed. Everyone upstairs and lights out in an hour. I will be up to say good night at that time."

"Good night, Mama." All three boys chorus as they leave the room. Hours later the three are asleep, one exhausted from the chores and two from their exciting visit to town.

In town, Aaron is awakened by Nathaniel sobbing over in his bed.

"What's wrong?"

"I hurt! I want my Mama!"

"What hurts?"

"I want my MAMA!"

"Fine, I'll go get her," Aaron replies not wanting the boy any more upset than he is already.

"What's wrong dear?" Savannah asks as she enters the boy's bedroom

Standing in the doorway, Aaron hopes the boy won't say anything about their afternoon adventure.

"My tummy hurts, Mama. It really does. My foot hurts too."

"Well, let me see both and we'll find out what to do," Savannah replies as she lifts the boy's nightshirt.

After pressing around on his stomach and not seeing any response, she looks at her youngest to ask "Is there anything you want to tell me, Nathaniel? Is this why your tummy hurts? I can see you have some scratches and bruises on your foot. How did those get there? I thought you children were only to go to get ice cream. I can't see how you could injure your foot on a trip to do that. What do you need to tell me?"

Listening, Aaron is hoping his younger brother is capable of weaving a good answer or they're both in trouble.

"We went for ice cream. I had two bowls of it because it was so good. Maybe that's why my tummy hurts?" Nathaniel asks hopefully getting her mind away from the second question.

"If that was what caused it I'm sure it would be soon after you finished the bowls not hours later. Now, what of these scratches? Where did you go after or before the ice cream parlor?"

"We went for a walk." The boy replies with a furtive glance towards Aaron.

"I see. Aaron? Perhaps you can help your brother with his memory. Where did you children go besides the ice cream parlor? Were you not told to go only to the parlor and back home?"

Knowing he must answer and be truthful Aaron replies "Yes, Ma'am we were. All of us boys went walking on the tracks behind the depot. Nathaniel caught his foot under one of the ties and had to be pulled out."

"Is that so, young man?! I believe we have had a conversation about NOT playing or walking on the tracks!" Aaron hears behind him.

Turning to face an angry Pa, Aaron answers "Yessir, we have. I'm sorry. Ben wanted to walk on the tracks. We know the train schedule and the train wasn't to come through again today. It came through early this morning, Pa."

"Come with me, Aaron. We'll have a more thorough discussion in our bedroom." Chris replies as he takes the boy by the arm to lead him to his awaiting fate.

Once there, Chris says "Why are you in trouble, son? Tell me."

"I let Nathaniel get hurt by going somewhere I wasn't to be. I disobeyed Mama and Aunt Delphie to go to the tracks after they said to go only to get ice cream."

"Yes, part of that's correct. Now, you listen to me. Nathaniel getting hurt is not your doing. You didn't put his foot under the tie, did you?" At the boy's 'No sir', he continues. "You did disobey and put YOURSELF in danger. It does not matter IF the train has run that day or not, Aaron. Trains come on different tracks at different times. You children are absolutely forbidden to go ON the tracks! You know this because we've discussed this exact topic before! You could be killed playing on those tracks! I aim to see you remember this and stay off the tracks."

"I love you, Aaron! YOU are not allowed to do something that could possibly make me lose you. You're my child and I will do whatever I need to do to keep you safe. I don't like using my belt but if it helps you remember to keep yourself safe, I will!" Chris tells the sobbing boy whose face is stuck to his chest."

"Just for your knowledge, I will be talking to your brother as well. Ethan will be made aware so he can talk to his sons. You are not the only one responsible here. Are you ready to go back to bed?'

"Yes, Pa."

As Aaron carefully lays on his stomach in his bed, Chris asks Savannah "How's the little one? Is his stomachache something we should take him to the clinic for?"

"I checked him over and do not think that is necessary. I think the stomach problem was more of a guilty conscience. We'll see how he is in the morning. He fell asleep just a few minutes ago." Savannah answers outside the room having motioned Chris to follow her.

"Alright, I punished Aaron for his foolishness and plan to do the same to our youngest troublemaker. We can not allow them to play on the tracks."

"Yes, I know. Do what you feel is best."

Before leaving for the Sheriff's office for his shift the next morning, Chris takes Nathaniel into his bedroom.

"Nathaniel, we need to talk. I spoke to Aaron last night and want to tell you the same. You were hurt playing on the railroad tracks, correct?"

"Well, not really, Papa. I was walking not playing."

Smothering a smile, Chris makes his voice stern. "The point, young man, is YOU were on the forbidden tracks once again, correct?"

"Yes sir"

"The railroad tracks are forbidden for children to be on, either sitting, playing, walking, eating or exploring, YOU ARE NOT TO BE ON THOSE TRACKS! Do you hear and understand me? Tell me what I just told you."

"Yessir, no going on the tracks."

"That is a rule you already know, isn't it? We've talked of this before, haven't we?"

"Yes, Papa," Nathaniel says now looking at Chris' knees, not his face.

"It's my job as your parent to keep you safe from harm. To do my job, I have to put consequences in place to help you remember what you are told. The consequence for disobeying will be a spanking. I love you and will not let you do foolish harmful things like playing on railroad tracks! You could be hit by a train! You will feel your Mama's hairbrush for two smacks. Never again go on any rail tracks or I will use the brush for the entire spanking on your bare bottom, Nathaniel! IS this understood? You will stay off those tracks!"

Tears already flowing, Nathaniel manages to choke out "Yes Papa" as he puts himself over his Pa's lap.

By lunchtime, Joseph has finished waxing all of the saddles, greased the wagon wheels, weeded the vegetable garden, and beat the dust out of the two rugs from inside the house. Famished, he cuts himself more bread to make another sandwich after having eaten two already.

"Joseph? Are you going to eat up all the bread?" Ben asks as he watches his brother nearly swallow the sandwich whole.

"I'm hungry, Ben. I've been working all morning. I've left you enough for sandwiches if that's what's bothering you."

"Do you think we could make some soup, Joseph? We've been working too and some soup would be really good. We have carrots, potatoes, and ham in the cellar. We could make ham soup." George suggests.

What if Mama is saving those for something? Maybe we should ask first. Where is she? Busy with Emerson?" Joseph asks.

"She told us to watch Emmy as she was tired and going to rest. That was two hours ago. We finally got Emmy asleep and put her in her room. We fed her and changed her first. She should sleep long enough to make and eat soup. She's calm and thinking about bunnies right now." George answers having searched his mind to check on his baby sister.

"How does she know what a bunny is? I don't remember her seeing one." Ben asks.

"I guess she's seen one as she's dreaming about them but I don't know that she really knows the name. I just see bunnies."

Shaking his head at that news, Ben says "Let's get the soup cooking. I'm still hungry. Let's have cookies afterward. Mama made molasses ones earlier."

Finishing up their soup and cookies, the boys hear a knock on the door.

"I'll get it!" Ben calls before his brothers.

Checking out the front window as he's been taught, he sees Dr. Amy.

"Hi, Aunt Amy! Come in and have some fresh cookies with us!" Ben invites having opened the door.

"Thank you, but no. I came to visit your Mama. Is she here? Hello Joseph and George."

"Hi, Aunt Amy! Mama's resting in her room but you can go see her." Joseph answers.

"Thank you, I will. You three enjoy your treat."

Entering the bedroom, she finds her sister sitting on the side of the bed, a full bedroom pot on the floor.

"Oh, I see you've been experiencing a stomach upset. I have your answer but I'm sure you already know based on that pot."

"Just tell me, Amy. What happened with the mouse when you injected it with my fluid?"

"The mouse went into heat. You're expecting again. Congratulations! Based on your symptoms and what you told me, you will most likely welcome a new life next spring. Savannah is due around the early Christmas season and you are going to follow in early spring! We'll have two new little ones in Paradise."

"I knew but I needed to have you confirm it for me. Ethan will be surprised and I hope pleased. He's been a little wary of us having two little ones so close together. He seems to think a baby would come right away and we'd have two infants. Being around Matthew's twin babies has spooked him of having two babies so close in age. I'll have to make sure to stress how far apart the babies will be when I tell him."

"You on the other hand want twins, don't you? You told me so when you were expecting the little mite squeaking in the next room. Let me get her for you."

Returning carrying a squirming baby, Amy asks "Would you like me to give her to the boys to take care of so I can examine you further?"

"Yes, tell Joseph to take her outside. She loves being taken on walks. We've rigged a carry sling she can sit in facing outward."

"I'll be back after we get Little Miss taken care of. I need to change her before I hand her over to those big brothers of hers." Amy says pointing to the wet spot on her long skirt where she had Emerson sitting.

"I'm sorry. Those knitted soakers we made are getting too small for her. They don't do their job to soak up the liquid as they used to."

Later that afternoon, having finished all the assigned tasks, Joseph has the boys with him in the corral. Using Beauty as his assistant, Joseph demonstrates the techniques of blanketing a horse.

"Joseph, we've known how to put blankets on horses for years," Ben complains after being told to watch.

"Right, but this is different. I want you to think of Beauty as a wild horse not used to touch yet. She is skittish and afraid of us. We are going to gentle her to be able to teach her to accept us being nearby. Eventually, the untamed horse will be docile enough to allow someone to ride him or her. That's the goal. To do that we start very simple with a small blanket being put on the back."

Watching as George pretends he is approaching a wild horse, Joseph grins at the boy's stealth walk. He's walking on his toes very slowly.

"That's good George. I like how you are moving slowly to keep from spooking a horse. I would walk normally though. Your feet are going to get tired of having to walk on your toes. Now carefully lay the blanket over her shoulders. Don't flip or shake it. Try to keep it from startling the horse while you just lay it over the end of the neck and the beginning of the back."

As George follows his instructions and carefully puts the short blanket over Beauty's neck, the horse whickers in contentment.

"She's happy with me, Joseph!" George calls over to his brother who is near the fence.

"That's good George. Now if she were one of the wild horses, we wouldn't talk loudly around them, alright? We have to be calm, slow moving, and not startle them. You did well. Now it's Ben's turn so bring the blanket over here."

As Joseph suspected, Ben is not as careful with his movements. He walks quickly and tosses the blanket up on Beauty's neck causing one side to flip up. His actions earn him a head turn and a long look from the horse.

"Ben, you need to slow down. Remember we are gentling this horse. We don't want to make sudden movements to startle it. Tossing the blanket that way would definitely startle a horse. Try again, please."

"Beauty gave Ben a scolding look, Joseph. Did you see?" George whispers so Ben can't hear.

"I did see. She's showing she disapproves of his actions as well." Joseph whispers back while keeping his eyes on his impetuous brother.

After his third attempt, Ben earns praise from both Joseph and Beauty.

"That was perfect, Ben! You were so quiet, I doubt Beauty was even aware you were beside her that time. You quietly and slowly put the blanket just where it was supposed to go. Good work!"

"Thanks, Joseph, Beauty liked what I did since she whickered for me this time just like she did for George."

"Yes, that's her way of saying 'I like what you did and thank you.' " Joseph replies as Ben reaches the side of the fence.

"Look, Pa's home. He's home early today or it's later than I think." George announces glancing at the sun's position to determine the time.

"It's later than we knew. We've been practicing for quite some time. I think we'd best go start on evening chores." Joseph replies.

Coming out of the barn, Ethan calls "Ben! George! Come here, now!"

Rushing to obey, the two race for the barn. It doesn't pay to stall at that tone of command.

"Pa, we're sorry we didn't start chores yet. We've been learning how to gentle horses. Joseph's been teaching us." George tells his scowling father.

"We'll discuss that later. Right now I have something else to discuss. I'm going to ask you a question and I want the straight truth, not half-truth, excuses, or anything else, just the truth. Were you two walking on the railroad tracks with Aaron and Nathaniel yesterday?"

"Yes sir, I did, I'm sorry, Pa," George answers avoiding his Pa's eyes.

"I didn't! I was off to the side." Ben replies at the exact same time.

George's expression of disbelief tells Ethan everything he suspects with this answer.

"Both of you, inside, tack room, NOW!" Ethan commands causing Ben to instantly protest.

"PA! No, Pa. We didn't..." Ben begins before being taken by the arm, turned sideways, and feeling a strong steel hand land three whacks immediately causing his backside to burn.

"I said "INSIDE!" You do as I tell you! GO! NOW!" Ethan says in a voice that makes Ben scurry into the barn.

Walking over to Joseph, Ethan says "Just leave Beauty here for now. I'll take care of putting her back inside in a while. I need to speak to the boys so you go on in and check on your Mama."

"Yes, Sir. Pa, I'm the one who suggested the boys practice gentling a horse. I had them out here teaching them about blanketing. It was my fault they didn't get started on chores."

"I'm not upset with any of you for not beginning chores, son. They were playing on the railroad tracks in town yesterday. Both of your brothers will be going to bed after I'm through with them. Please tell your Mama to fix supper trays for their room as they will not be joining us at the table."

"Yes sir, I'll tell her."

Back in the barn, Ethan has taken the strap off the nail and applied it to two squirming backsides presented to him as they lay over the shorter barrels stored there. He alternated applying one swat to each boy until he felt they'd been thoroughly chastised. Waiting for the sobbing to ease enough for them to hear him he begins his lecture.

"I will NOT allow you to put yourselves or someone else in danger! This is not the first time we have had a conversation about NOT going on the tracks! It does not matter that you know the schedule as you tried to tell me. Trains come through at all different times! There are multiple trains that use those tracks! YOU COULD BE KILLED! We have discussed this very thing before and you both gave me your word you would stay away from the tracks! Breaking your word is even worse than telling a lie. Ben, you did both so you received two extra licks. Lying and disobedience are not going to be tolerated. You must obey what adults tell you as we know more than you. We have lived longer and seen danger enough to know how to keep you safe. Am I understood? BEN? GEORGE?"

Receiving a sniffling "yessir" from both, he continues "For the rest of the night, you are confined to your room except for W.C. visits. Your supper will be eaten in your room. Tomorrow I want you to write an essay on trust and why that is important in life. Neither of you will visit town for the rest of this week. You are dismissed to the house now. Do not let me even think you played or walked on any railroad tracks again!"

As Delphie and Ethan enjoy time alone by the fire later that night, Delphie asks "What did the boys do? Joseph only told me they were in a lot of trouble and being sent to their room for the night. He helped me fix sandwiches for their supper. I do wish you'd of let them come to eat a hot meal. We had Ben's favorite of beef stew tonight. They could of eaten at the table and then gone straight to bed, Ethan."

"Neither of them would have wanted to sit on the hard chairs after what they experienced. I'm quite sure of that. Delphie, the boys, including Nathaniel and Aaron, went on a jaunt to play on the railroad tracks after their ice cream parlor visit yesterday. Chris found out from Aaron as Nathaniel had a hurt foot plus a guilty conscience and couldn't sleep. Being five, he's not as adept at subterfuge as the older boys. I have spoken to Ben and George before about playing or walking on the tracks, you remember. Both of them received a whipping and are restricted to the yard for the rest of this week. That means you'll have all three boys with you."

"I don't mind. I enjoy having them around. Will all of them be off being housebound, next week? It is Independence Day on Thursday. We could have some kind of gathering here for the family and others too if they wish to come. Amy and I were talking about it today when she came."

"That would be fun, I'm sure. The younger boys should be out of punishment unless they do something else! I might make an exception for Joseph if we attend the events in town. Having all three in trouble at once is unusual these days. It's been some time since Joseph found himself being punished. Did you and Amy have a good visit? Is there something wrong?" Ethan asks the last seeing a strange look on her face.

"She came to tell me my suspicions were correct. We're having another baby."

"Another baby so soon? Emmy is just a mite, yet! We'll have two small babies at once. That's a lot of work for you as I can't be here to help often during the day." Ethan replies, brow furrowed in concern.

"No need to worry so, Ethan. It takes almost a year to grow a baby. Emerson will be over a year old by the time our newest child arrives. We'll have a boy and a girl close in age. I see the camaraderie and love between Joseph and Claire and especially between Ben and George. Those children are very close in age. I wanted our youngest to have the same connection so I'm very happy with how this is working out. Aren't you?"

"I'm very happy, yes. Wait, how do you know it's going to be a boy? You just said we'd have a boy and a girl. There's no way to know what we might have until the baby arrives. Do you have some magical look into the future? If so can you tell me WHEN Ben will grow out of his mischievous phase?"

"No, sorry, I can't tell you that as I don't have that power," Delphie answers with a giggle. "I just want a boy this time. I declare it to be a boy so it will be a boy."

"If you say so, dear. Let's go celebrate this news in bed, what do you think?" Ethan asks.

"Sounds like a great plan, all the children are asleep so it's our special playtime now. We are going to miss this in a few months." Delphie replies having tossed her knitting in the basket and stood up.