New Beginnings: Life Changes:
Ch. 74
Amazement
"Ben, I don't think that's a good idea at all! You know we aren't to be sliding on banisters! Pa told us that years ago when we were in the fancy hotel, not to play on the stair banisters. You did anyway and nearly fell off! Joseph saw you and punished you, remember?"
"No, George. I don't remember that at all. What does it matter now? We're not tiny little boys and know we could hold on better. Let's try it!" Ben declares beginning his trek upstairs.
"You do and I'll tell Claire and Amelia! That's not safe, Ben. It's too high and there's nothing beside the stairs to catch you if you slipped off! I won't let you fall and get hurt! Let's slide down the stairs on a rug! We can do that, I'm sure!" George answers his impetuous brother.
"If it wasn't raining, we could go play in Rob's barn! I like their hayloft as it's full of sweet smelling and soft hay. It's fun to make haystacks and roll off them!"
"Yeah, that was fun but it's too wet to go in the hay today. Besides, it's probably mostly gone by now. That was months ago. Today might be a stay inside day especially now that we've taken care of the animals. Come on, let's go find Amelia and ask if we can slide. She's taking care of Emmy's diaper, I believe." George replies.
Thirty minutes later two enthusiastic boys were happily racing each other in a sliding down a staircase competition.
"Wow! Amelia was correct when she said the wooden toboggan would work better than a rug! The rug wouldn't slide over the carpet runner on the stairs. The middle is the only section with enough space to slide and it didn't work. Now we can sail down so fast! I went almost to the front door!" Ben exclaims as he carries the toboggan back to the top of the staircase.
"You know what Ben? This makes me think of the candy canes we had last Christmas! It's shaped the same, but we are sitting on the part we'd hold in our hands with the curve in front! Want to go together?" George asks as he finishes his turn sliding down.
"Sure, I'd bet we could reach the door with both of us together!" Ben answers.
Half an hour later, Claire, coming in the front door, is nearly bowled over by her younger brothers as they zoom down the stairs.
"My goodness, boys! What are you doing?" Claire asks having recovered from her shock at nearly being knocked back out of the door.
"We're sliding, Claire! Watch!' Ben calls to his sister as he rushes back up to push off from the top step.
"You two sure are good at finding new games to play. I want to try that too! Can I borrow the toboggan, Ben?' Claire asks when he reaches the bottom.
Coming in from the kitchen after putting her pies in the oven, Amelia has to stop and stare at her friend and sister-in-law riding a wooden toboggan down her staircase.
"Claire? Are you sure that's a proper way for a lady to behave?"
"Oh, Amelia! No one is here but us! Let's stop being 'proper ladies' and just have some fun with the boys! I'll race you!"
Disheveled, hair out of her carefully done braid, red faced from laughter, Amelia asks some time later "What would Rob and Alex think if they were here right now watching their wives behave as children?"
"They'd join us in a sliding competition!" Claire answers through laughter at her somewhat uptight friend's look of surprise.
"Emmy is awake and calling for Mama. I'll go get her." George tells the two giggling young women.
"I'll come too, George." Ben says, wanting to get away from their two silly sisters.
Entering the room Claire and Alex have been using during their stay, Ben wrinkles his nose at the smell.
"I just realized I need to use the W.C. You get Emerson up, George. I'll meet you downstairs." Ben announces turning on his heel.
Reaching the makeshift bed, a large drawer lined with an old quilt, George moves the chairs they placed around it and reaches down.
"Whooee! Dang it, Emmy, couldn't you have waited until Claire or Amelia was around to do that? You stink! You know what? Your other brother, Ben, also stinks. Running away like that instead of staying to help! Maybe later you can get even with him and wet on him or something! Come on, up, I'll get you smelling good again." George tells the baby as he pours water from the dresser pitcher into the basin.
Reaching the kitchen, having followed the sounds of his sisters' voices, George says "Claire, it's good that you remembered to bring extra diapers and clothes. Emmy needed extra clothes after her nap. I tried rinsing the soiled ones in the bathtub so it's not clean."
Hearing his baby sister demand to be put down, he obeys, only to look up to find everyone staring at him.
"What is it? Should I not have washed her messy clothes there?" George asks.
"Emerson just spoke and in a complete sentence!" Amelia exclaims staring at the baby.
"You can hear her now? She must have connected with you."
"Everyone can hear her, George. She spoke aloud. She said 'Emmy want down, now!' "Never you mind about the clothes, it's fine." Claire informs the boy.
"Are you sure you didn't hear her in your mind as you and Joseph and Ben and I do?" George asks.
"No, George. She spoke." Claire answers before bending to her baby sister. "Emmy? Can you talk out loud again for George?"
"George say Ben stink!" the baby answers with a cackle before announcing "Emmy want pie!'
"Certainly, sweetpea! Here sit on your box and I'll get you some." Claire answers lifting the baby to the seat they'd fashioned of a box and a belt around the back of the chair for a safety strap.
Enjoying their slices of warm blackberry pie with cream, everyone keeps stealing looks at Emerson who now has blackberry pie smeared all over her face.
"Isn't eight months a little young to start speaking in whole sentences?" Amellia asks Claire.
"From what I know, it is unusual but everything about Miss. Emerson has been unusual. She's an advanced little one. Speaking through thoughts, sitting up early, and now speaking aloud. I won't be surprised if she starts walking early too."
"I want down, now!" Emerson demands looking straight at Amelia.
"Yes, dear. I'll put you down."
"Now she's using the word 'I' already!" Amelia says, looking at the baby.
"She's been speaking correctly for some time. No one could hear it but those she connected with, like me. She's been speaking correctly since she was days old." George tells his newest sister.
"I'm surrounded by amazing people who can talk with their minds." Amelia answers. "'Does your Pa have that ability as well? Can he talk without words being said aloud?"
"Yes!" Ben answers before anyone else. "Pa has a certain look he gives you and you know immediately what you are saying or doing must stop. You won't like the consequences if you don't!"
"Joseph named it "The Look!". George informs her.
"His eyes get wide, dark, and start flashing at you. His eyebrows seem much bigger, and his mouth goes into a tight straight line. If you see that, you'd best be on your best behavior and do it quickly. If you don't, you're liable to wind up with a very sore backside!" Ben continues.
"Claire? Did you ever get that look?" Amelia asks, amused at Ben's attempts at recreating "The Look".
"A couple of times, yes. That's a tale for another day. We should finish inside chores while it's raining."
An hour later, after finishing all the chores, Ben notices the rain has stopped.
"Claire? Can we go to town? It's not raining anymore. We could go get bowls of ice cream to celebrate Emerson talking out loud."
"We could celebrate, that's true. What do you two say? Do you want to wade through mud to get ice cream?" Claire asks looking at George and Amelia.
"I'm ready! We can park the buggy right next to the wooden walkway and step up from it. Please, can we go get some ice cream?" George asks.
"That's a good idea putting the buggy close to the boardwalk, George. Let's do it! Ben, go get some diapers and a knitted blanket from my room. We'll be hitching up Juniper." Claire informs her brother.
"Aww! I want to hitch up the horse! Let George get baby stuff for Emerson!" the boy protests.
"George has been taking care of Emmy all morning, changing her, playing with her, while you didn't. It's your turn to do that now. She will be riding on your lap, so I suggest you bring a rubber lined diaper cover as well!" Claire answers firmly.
Once in town, the group enters the ice cream shop and are greeted by Hannah Abbott.
"My favorite boys and their sisters! I haven't seen you in some time. Well, what would you like? We have just restocked the syrups, so I have both chocolate and strawberry plus I've made a blackberry sauce if you're ready to try something new. With the weather today, I haven't had many customers so there's plenty of ice cream."
"I hope you are doing well. Are the herbs I gave you helping with the upset stomach in the mornings?" Claire asks as the boys take their ice cream to a table. They have placed the baby between them on the wooden bench seat and are taking turns feeding her spoonfuls of ice cream.
"Good!" Emmy tells George through their connection, not quite ready to speak in front of anyone other than her family.
"I have been much better with the powder you gave me. It has stopped the issue. David is happier as well since I no longer bolt out of bed for the basin every morning. Is it common to have this go on for almost two months?"
"Yes, most women have this happen for that long. You're nearly at the end of this now. If it keeps happening past ten weeks, come by the clinic."
"I will, now what may I serve you, today? Everyone else has their bowls already but I neglected you by asking questions." Hannah asks.
"I'd like to try my ice cream with blackberry sauce. Ben sure is enjoying his so it must be tasteful. Feel free to ask any questions you wish!"
Just as the group is preparing to ride back to Rob's home, they see Aaron running towards them.
"Claire! Wait!" he yells from further down the boardwalk.
"Aaron! What's wrong? Why are you running this way?"
"Telegram from Rob. I'm delivering it. I got paid a whole quarter just to run this over to you before you drove off!" the boy huffs out between gasps for air.
"Well, thank you. I think next time you have a delivery; it might be a better idea to stay on the street. You nearly knocked Mrs. Applewood off the boardwalk when you went by her." Claire replies with a smile.
"Yes, I will. I told her I was sorry as I picked up the handbag for her. I didn't know she was going to step out of the shop right as I went by." the boy answers grinning at his friends.
"That was quite a sight, seeing Mrs. Applewood waving her arms like that. She looked like she was being attacked by a swarm of mosquitos the way she waved her arms around!" Ben declares sending all three boys into laughter.
"Rob writes that the group has had a successful trip so far. They stopped at a town, so he was able to send us word. They will most likely be home by weekend after next as he said two weeks!" Amelia informs Claire, having been reading while the rest spoke.
While Claire and Amelia are entertaining the children, Ethan and Delphie are enjoying some time without responsibilities.
Having settled into their hotel room in Denver, had time to wash the soot off from the train ride, the couple walk to the restaurant Claire recommended.
"I know you are not inclined to eat much beef; Delphie but are you ready to try a steak? Steak is one of the main meals at this restaurant. I'm not certain the menu offers venison." Ethan remarks as they near The Blue Ox.
"I'll try it because you enjoy it." Delphie replies.
"I wonder why this restaurant is named what it is, as it has an odd name." Delphie remarks as they near the place.
"There's a legend about a giant named Paul Bunyan and his faithful blue ox named Babe. I remember Joseph reading that tale to Ben and George when they were younger. The name could come from that, or someone just liked the sound of a blue ox. It is different and stands out from any other business." Ethan answers.
Having been seated and given menus, Delphie says, "Ethan, please choose for me as I don't know these choices."
"We'll both have the T bone, baked potato, and coffee." Ethan tells the waiter.
"Very well, sir. I'll bring the pot out."
"Here you are, sir. The coffee and I brought a sugar bowl and cream as well. Is there anything else I can do for you while you wait for your meal?"
"Not at this time, thank you." Ethan replies reaching for the pot to pour Delphie a cup.
Twenty minutes later, Ethan asks "What do you think of the meal?"
"Well, the meat does have a delicious flavor, they seasoned it well. The bread was very thick though. I do like the mushrooms and vegetables this way. They are soft and whatever sauce they used is excellent. I just might become a connoisseur of steak."
"I thought you might like it. Now, would you care for dessert?" Ethan asks.
"I'm afraid I can't eat any more right now. You go ahead if you wish."
"I couldn't eat another bite. We can get dessert later if we decide to do so. Are you ready to leave?"
"I could use a brisk walk after this filling meal. We could do some Christmas shopping." Delphie answers.
"Christmas shopping? In August?"
"Yes, Ethan, in August. I plan to take advantage of having many shops to look through. It's never too early to buy gifts. The boys are growing out of their clothes, all three of them and Emerson is as well. You'll just have to suffer as i shop." Delphie teases.
"Ahh, yes, the lady wishes to shop. A new place just opened last month, The Emporium just across the street but down a block has excellent choices." the couple hears beside their table.
Looking up, Ethan sees a tall young brown-haired man smiling at them. "Hello, I'm the chef. I just wanted to thank you for coming and give you your ticket. I hope all was well with the meal."
"Would your name happen to be Jonathan?" Delphie asks before Ethan can reply.
"Why, yes Ma'am, I'm Jonathan! Have we met?"
"Not officially, no. Our daughter married your friend from chef school, Alex Hale. She recommended your restaurant to us."
"Claire? Yes, I know Claire and Alex. Both are friends. Alex was my partner in our culinary training. Thank you for coming and your meal is on me!" Jonathan replies.
"What?! No, that won't be necessary, thank you. I'll pay." Ethan protests.
"No sir, Claire saved my youngest brother, Jack, from being hit by a streetcar up in Boston. They were up visiting me last spring from here in Denver. I owe her his life! She snatched him off the tracks just minutes before he would have been struck! After my Papa got through with him, I think he may have wanted to try his luck with the streetcar!"
"We have one just like that. One of her younger brothers finds trouble no matter where he is! That's most likely where Claire got her strong reflexes from!" Ethan replies.
"That must be young Ben, you speak of. She told many tales of that young rapscallion. Jack isn't quite as adventurous but he's only nine so he may get worse!" Jonathan says, laughing.
Leaving the restaurant, Ethan teasingly asks "Which shop am I to be dragged in first?"
"Let's go to the toy shop and then look through the new shop of which Jonathan spoke, The Emporium. I love looking at the toys and choosing instead of having to look at black and white drawings in a catalog."
"This set is darling; I think we should get this for Emerson. Look, Ethan! Look at the painted animals, it's Noah's Ark with six sets of animals. Do you agree?"
"I'm agreeable to letting you choose. I did see a small wooden wagon with letter blocks over on the shelf. It might be something you'd be interested in."
"Yes, I agree with you, the wagon is perfect. Now let's find a doll. She's going to need a baby to hold while we are caring for our son."
"You seem very set on the newest baby being a boy. What if it's a girl?" Ethan asks as they look over the few dolls being sold.
"Then we'll have another daughter. They seem to have only ragdolls and dolls with china heads. Emmy has a ragdoll already. I don't think a child under the age of three is ready for a breakable doll yet. Let's see what the store has for the boys." Delphie answers.
"Ben and George are growing out of the age where they enjoy these types of toys, Delphie. They're twelve and eleven now not little boys who play with spinning tops or wooden blocks. Let's see what we can find at the other shop." Ethan suggests after they have looked around.
Entering the recommended store, Delphie finds something she likes right away.
"Look at these drawing supplies, Ethan. Here are some colored drawing things made of wax. Crayola crayons is the name. You get eight colors. That's something new as well as these pencils over here. The sign says charcoal pencils and it seems you unwrap this at the end to create more of the point. We could buy some for George. I don't think the wax colors would last very long. I saw a special paper just for these pencils as well. You know how he likes to draw."
"Yes, he has been that way from early on. He and Claire are the more artistic of the four, liking music, drawing, and performing. They remind me their mother, my sister Lucy in that way. Ben and Joseph are the ones who've always thrived on adventure and anything outdoors."
"Yes, I'm aware of those traits. The boys remind me of YOU. Ben thrives on adventure, as you do. He admires you and wishes to be just like you. Joseph reminds me of you as well. His bouts of stubbornness, for example. I do think that is why you and those boys are sometimes like billy goats butting heads!"
"Thank you, dear. I've always wanted to be likened to a stubborn goat!" Ethan replies, somewhat miffed.
"'Tis true, sir. The wee lads are just like you! Most would think you are their true father."
"I feel the same and feel honored you would think so as well."
"Now, what for Ben? A book, perhaps? No, George prefers reading more than Ben." Delphie muses mostly to herself.
"Well, what of these? Ben would most likely enjoy trying his hand at making this thing, something called a box kite. I've only seen the diamond kites we make with sticks and old clothes." Ethan asks holding out one of the sets. "This even has the wood and cloth included.
"Yes, that would be good! Should we get one for George as well?"
"Here's a kit for a diamond shaped kite. The sign says it comes with special fabric to ensure better flight. We could buy this for George."
"That's perfect Ethan but we still are short a gift for Ben. We have two for George and Emerson but one for Ben."
"I've been thinking. When Joseph was twelve, I allowed him to carry a pocketknife. I suppose we could do the same for Ben. He would have to be responsible with it to be allowed to carry it, however. What do you think?"
"He would feel so special! He has been carrying Joseph's dull one for some time." At Ethan's raised eyebrow and frown, Delphie reassures him. "Only on trips to town, not school. A knife all his own would thrill him. Do you want to pick one out here or at home?"
"Let's look here." Ethan answers.
After purchasing the kites, a knife, and a soft toy bear for the new baby, Ethan asks "Are we finished shopping?"
"Well, I did want to buy all the younger children new winter coats. Could we spend just a little longer to do that? I brought my paper sleeve and length patterns to measure with. Ben and George are now the same size so that will make it easy. Emerson will need a coat a little larger than my pattern as she grows so quickly. She needs a warm hood as well."
Purchases made and feeling ready to rest, Delphie suggests they return to the hotel until suppertime.
"Excellent idea, I can think of some ways to pass the time. We are alone with no children, chores, or town responsibilities to get in our way. It's just you and me and a feather bed."
"ETHAN, we're in public!" Delphie half laughs and scolds.
"Not for long, we're not. Let's go."