Jason returned to the cabin when his brothers showed no signs of coming to town for new year's celebrations. He'd done plenty of socializing and business in the two days he was there.

He just hoped Josh had found something to help him get a perspective on this trip. Surely he should understand that if Jason was going to get new equipment, he'd want to check it out for always had. Was that so hard to understand?

He ignored the voice reminding him of other reasons for having changed his mind. He SHOULD trust his brothers. Even though they were boys, not quite men, not quite experienced. Maybe he should let Josh go out on jobs like Da had done with him. He'd learned a lot then, and maybe Josh would like to get out from under his eye. Nobody wanted to make mistakes and do all their learning where they could be seen by their elders (or youngers.)

Yes, that was something he should consider. Maybe it would pacify Joshua. Worth a try, anyway. He'd see about implementing that as soon as he got back.

He entered the cabin. It was clean and bright, the table was set (for three) and Jeremy was cooking a couple of rabbits on a spit over the fire in the fireplace.

"Where's Josh?" Jason asked.

Jeremy shrugged.

"I'm here," Josh came in behind Jason, with an armful of greens and potatoes. He rinsed them both off and began peeling the potatoes. "Was beginning to think you weren't coming."

"Funny, I came to the same conclusion about you. Do you think you have enough firewood? Looks like you've been busy."

"I had some thinking to do."

"Me, too. We can talk things out when I get back. I've had a few ideas."

"Yeah, me, too."

Jeremy snorted, which distracted the other two for a moment. Jason and Josh smiled at one another, and Josh concentrated on his cooking.

"Anything I can do?" Jason asked, feeling oddly excluded.

"Nope, we've got it. Sit down and read or something."

"Doesn't seem fair."

"Enjoy it. When are you leaving?"

"Day after tomorrow." Thank goodness Josh was being reasonable. He was usually the practical one, but sometimes he had to work through hurt feelings to get there. The problems of youth, Jason thought compassionately.

Josh put the potatoes into the waiting skillet on the stove, and started chopping the greens to add to them.

Jeremy continued turning the spit with his back to the room, occasionally stopping to check the meat.

Jason watched his brothers prepare the meal, glad to see them working together, and with no apparent hard feelings about him leaving them.

They almost didn't need him. That should be a comforting thought, but somehow wasn't. It was unsettling.

Soon the meal was ready, the plates and cups were filled, the lamp on the table lit, and they ate, talking comfortably.

Jason listened to his brothers, mostly. It was good to feel they, especially Josh, weren't still angry with him. It was always good when they talked and teased one another this way.

It was good when they teamed up. Reassuring. If he was ever – not there – for them, they could take care of themselves. It was a (disturbing) thought that had to be considered from time to time.

Jason did the dishes since the boys had done all the cooking, which gave Jeremy the giggles. Jeremy's giggling got Josh laughing, and them laughing ended with Jason joining in.

Later, they went outside to watch the new year in. It was a cold clear night with a lot of stars. Jason had brought firecrackers and gunpowder for noise and light when it was time, although any time would do, here in their own place. Until then they talked, or sang together, although Jason usually dropped out to listen to his brothers. They were special.

It was a good night, and a good beginning to a new (calendar) year.

/

They went into town the next day, all three of them, and saw Jason off the day after. The third day Joshua and Jeremy went back to the mountain.

After twelve days, Josh went to Tacoma. He timed it to coincide with a weather change, so he'd have a good excuse if he didn't come back right away, so Jeremy wouldn't worry. And he would try to let Jeremy know what he was doing, if he could figure out a way to.

Jeremy just looked at him. If he didn't come back right away, it meant he wasn't coming back right away, and that was okay with him. He didn't really care, as long as he didn't think about if Jason came back and Josh hadn't.

He was old enough, and able enough, to take care of himself, at least for a limited period. It was time for his brothers to both realize that. He had plenty of groceries and plenty of firewood, too. Josh had taken care of that!

Josh didn't want him to be splitting firewood when there wasn't going to be anyone around. Accidents could happen, and if Jeremy amputated himself and bled to death, Josh would never be able to live with himself.

If Jason would even let him try!

Jeremy thought that was fairly sensible, and didn't protest it. But he would cut firewood if he wanted to. Maybe he'd like something that would smell better or burn faster or slower. There wouldn't be anyone to stop him, would there?

The newspapers called the slavery people 'Rebels' and Jeremy thought maybe it was something in the stars, there was rebellion in the air.

He hoped on this matter the rebels would win.

He had to believe they would.

Had to.

Joshua, unknowing, was thinking the same thing, as he hurried through a downpour on the road to Tacoma, and maybe (probably) San Francisco.
A long overdue rebellion was in the air, and the rebels had to win this one.