Chapter 13

Chapter 13
 

“Well Danny we're home.” Grandma said as she pulled the bike into the driveway and saw Richard running to greet them.

Richard looked at Danny in his matching leather jacket like his mothers with a worried look on his face then looked over at Ma. “Looks like you two have had quite the trip?”

Danny not sure how to answer waited for his Grandma. “He's had a rough day today Richard, lets get him inside.” She said as she picked him up and handed him over to Richard and his pillowcase. While Ma carried in her saddlebags into the house.

 

“I think he'll feel better after he's had a warm bath and full tummy,” she replied as she rubbed his stomach, that made Danny laugh. “That's better, I knew I could make him smile,” she said as she pushed little Danny's nose.

 

Richard watched his Ma hang up his little jacket in the closest.

 

“Ma what on earth is he wearing?” He said as he laughed.

 

“Oh this?” Danny said as he looked up at Richard with his big blue eyes. “Haven't you ever seen an Indian before?” And started to dance around the kitchen and around the house whooping and hollering… Danny stopped in front of him. “Will and Robert made it for me, neat ha. We are all Indians now, EJ is too,” and danced some more.

Richard turned to his Ma with a puzzled look, she just busted out laughing. “Well Richard what can I say.” Then hung up her jacket as well, headed into the bathroom to run him a bath.

 

After she bathed him and gave him a hot meal. Grandma was right, as she watched him doze off in the middle of the floor. She carefully picked up the tired little boy and put him to bed and gently kissed him on the cheek as she wished him goodnight.

 

“Ok Richard, sit with me awhile and I'll fill you in on the details of the farm,” she said as she set a pot tea on the table. “First of all, EJ's fine.” She said after a quick sigh and dabbed a tear from her eye. Richard took a deep breath.

 

“Now what's this about him becoming an Indian and Danny?” He asked.

“I'll get to that in a moment.” She said as she sipped her tea and smiled and laughed thinking about the earlier events of the day. They talked about what happened on the Downing farm and Richard talked about the events that happened while she was gone. She sat there for minute pondering. “Richard?” She asked.

 

“Yes Ma?”

 

“Are my sisters back yet?”

 

“I believe so. Why?”

 

“I think its time we had a little get together.” Richard almost turned white right on the spot. Ma smiled and laughed. “No son, not that kind of get together.” Richard took another deep breath. “I think its time the girls came over and see their little brother and we sisters can chat awhile,” as she patted his hand. Richard feeling relieved wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, for just a moment thoughts of old Harley coming to life. “I think I'll give my sister Lizy call right now. You said they are back?” As she got up from the table and went to the phone.

 

“Now Ma?” He asked sitting there stunned.

 

“Why not Richard? You said they were back, and you know how I hate waiting around for the other shoe to drop,” she said.

 

“Yes Ma.” As he shrugged his shoulders, “I think I’ll go check on Danny.” Then got up from the table, afraid to hear what might happen and shook his head as he left the room muttering. “Indians of all things, and I was worried about the neighbors.”

 

“Hello Lizy.” Betty said as Lizy picked up the phone.

 

“Why Betty you are home already!” She replied.

 

“Yes, and I understand just in time too,” she said.

 

“Yes Richard has filled me in on everything what's been going on down here. I've got some news of my own and I think it would be a goodtime if we brought the girls down for awhile. So they can see their little brother Danny while we chat awhile.” 

 

“When?” Lizy asked.

 

“Oh I was thinking about tomorrow, would that be ok, say for lunch?”

“Good idea,” Lizy said.

“You call Mary and arrange it.”

“Yes I can do that,” Lizy said.

“And give her the details ok. Thanks Lizy alright now, will see all tomorrow. I am sure Danny will be glad to see them too. Thanks Lizy and be sure to thank Mary for me, bye now.”

 

“Oh that will be such a nice surprise for Danny to see his sisters again. What a day. I sure hope EJ is alright, poor boy. I really didn't want leave him like that, but if I didn't. I would never have found the strength.” As she wiped the tear from her eye and headed down the hall towards Danny's room. She glanced over at the sleeping child in the bed and brushed his soft hair, he stirs only a moment and mumbles “EJ” in his sleep, she bend down and kissed his forehead, knowing how it still broke her heart and wondered how?... why? Then walked to her bed and she cried softly to sleep.

 

* * *

 

“Linda, I was thinking maybe it is time we consider the possibility that we need some help.” Jim said as he turned to his wife across the room, who was staring out the window.
“Did hear what I said?” He asked as he walked closer to her.

“Sorry, I wasn't listening. Did you say something important?” She asked.

Jim took a deep breath, as he stood right next to her. “I was thinking we might need some help dear?” He said again.

“Help with what Jim?” She asked not looking at him. “You are the one who screwed up. I'm fine. It is your family that has all those bad genes. We were perfectly fine until your mother and everyone else got involved. Now you think we need help do you? ”YOU ARE THE ONE THAT NEEDS HELP JIM…DEAR!” She screamed. I never wanted him in the first place; always whining all hours of the day and night, feeding, changing them and tying me down all the time. You said it would get easier when they got older.

 

“You said the first one would always be the problem child. Three kids later, sure it got easier. Only because we knew what we did wrong and what was wrong? I ask you Jim. What was wrong? I'll tell you what wrong. BAD GENES! You said he'll grow out of it, they all will. Jim where are they now? You want help. Fine you go get help. It's your fault anyway. Maybe you can ask those nosey neighbors of yours. Since they seem to know more than you do.”  She said as she slammed the bedroom door.  “I am going to bed.”

 

* * *

 

“Pa?” Sam said tugged on his pant leg, “Pa what are you doing?” He asked.

 

Pa bent down and picked Sam up off the ground and watched him rub the sleep out of his eyes. “Sam I'm setting the table for dinner.” Pa said.

“But Pa, we’re outside,” he said.

Pa laughed. “Yes Sam, we are and where do little Indian boys like yourselves eat?” He asked.

Sam thinks a minute, “OH! Outside Pa.”

Pa laughed and rubbed his hair. “Now go wake your brothers, I need their help.” Pa replied with a soft nudge.

 

“Yes Pa,” and set little Sam back down on the ground. Sam ran over to Will and gave him a nudge, but he was sound asleep. Sam not willing to give up, he nudged Robert, still no response. 

Anna nearby watched Sam trying to wake his brothers smiled and whispered to Sam, “tickle Wills big toe,” Sam smiled. Pa watched around the corner as he sat on a nearby log next to Anna. “Shush, Pa.” She said and waited to see what Sam was going to do. Sam went over to Will crotched down like a tiger in the weeds reached and snatched Will’s foot and grabbed his big toe like a snake.  Will with a startled yell, Will came to life as he grabbed his foot with his little brother Sam attached to it then tickled him to death.

 

They rolled in dirt as they laughed so hard it woke Robert and EJ with a start. Seeing the fun, Robert started tickling Will and Sam and EJ started laughing then they started tickling him. Pa and Anna laughed so hard they fell off the log. Ma and Julie came out of the house to see what the matter was.

 

Ma looked around the farm. “What is going on?” She asked. The boys rolled in the dirt laughing to death. She ran over to EJ. “Son, are you hurt?” She asked.

 

EJ laughed. “Yes ma’am it hurts,” he said as he laughed holding his sides in before they burst.

Ma ran over to Pa. “What's the meaning of this?” She asked.

Wayne picked himself up off the ground and laughed. “Martha it just sort of hit,” he said.

 

“What did?” She asked as he came closer to her husband.

“The boys caught the tickling bug and it spread like this,” and he started to tickle his wife as she started to run for the house.

You could hear him chasing her in the house. “Wayne? You wouldn't dare?” She said as she laughed. Then all you could hear was her laughing. Julie got bit too as Anna caught her as they fell off the log again.

 

“Pa, Sam said you wanted to see us!” Will and Robert now covered from head to toe in dust and dirt.

Pa tried not to laugh. “Yes boys, I thought it would be nice if we all sat at the table tonight,” he said as he brushed the dust out the boy's hair and grinned.

“What did you have in mind Pa?” Robert asked as Pa looked over at EJ under the lean-to as he rubbed his chin.

 

“As you know it would be hard to get EJ to sit at the table because his legs are still too swollen to bend. So I was thinking of taking some platforms and put them across under the table for his legs and feet to rest on. Then we can set a pillow behind his back. I have an extra leaf for the table in the barn. That way he won't feel so crowded,” he said.

“Alright Pa,” Robert said.

“Then you better find some water and get yourselves cleaned up, you know how your Ma gets,” he said.

“Yes Pa,” Robert and Will said as they shook the dust out of their hair and laughed.

 

Will and Robert helped clean EJ up the best they could as Pa came over to the lean-to. “EJ, I think its time you started to eat with us as part of the family son. What do say?” He asked.

EJ still a little horse croaked. “I like that sir. But I don't see how, not like this,” he said.

“Why not? How about you boys?” Pa asked.

Will and Robert shook their heads. “EJ you are our brother now,” Robert said.

 

EJ nods head yes, “ok,” knowing they really do mean it.   “Alright sir, I'm ready.” Having no idea how he was going sit at the table. Pa picked up EJ brought him over to the table with some adjustments for his legs and back made sure he was comfortable. Robert and Will sat on each side of him keeping him in the middle so he wouldn’t fall out.

“Martha we're just about ready, is there anything you need from the kitchen?” Pa asked.

 

“Yes Wayne, can you grab EJ's tray for me. That way I can give it to him while we're out there without leaving the table,” she said.

“Oh dear, that won't be necessary. They have already set him at the table for you.” He replied with a grin on his face.

“You did what? How?” She asked surprised.

Wayne smiled at his wife. “I thought you would like to have nice family dinner under the stars dear,” and kissed his wife. “Now come on, the foods getting cold and knowing our Indian boys they can be savages at times,” he said.

 

Downing family sat around the family table under the stars, with lanterns and fire pit in the background for light; the tepee throwing off shadows of the family as they gathered around the table. Pa sat at one end and the Ma at the other. The girls and Sam sat on the opposite side of the three Indian brothers.

 

Ma looked at her four boys then at Pa then at girls. Ma gave Pa a slight grin. In her mind she tried to picture a family dinner. Somehow this was not what she had pictured in her mind, but was willing to make the best of it for now.  She looked at her four boys and tried to image them all in clean farmer shirts and smiles, not as four Indians boys, “Now that's better. Pa mind cutting the ham and Julie pass down the peas,” she said.

 

They talked about the events of the day and what went on in town and plans they had for the farm and how the crops are doing and when they needed to think about harvesting putting in planting of the corn and wheat and bringing in the summer hay.

“Will, Robert?” Pa asked.

 

“Yes Pa?” Passing down the rolls.

“I was thinking of a better way for you boys to carry EJ around the farm while he heals?” he said placing large portion of ham on his plate.

“Yes Pa,” they said. Robert chewing half with his mouth opened.

“When the swelling goes down in his legs he should be able to bend them, but he won't be strong enough to walk yet. I was thinking you could build him something like a chair and put sides and handles on it,” he replied.

“Pa?” Julie asked as she set down the butter and sipped her milk giving her milk mustache as she wipes it off with her cloth napkin.

“Yes Julie?” cutting up his meat into smaller bites.

“I seen pictures like that in Rome and Paris,” and giggles. “Oh what fun,” she said.

 

“Will?” Robert asked placing some more vegetables on his plate.

“Yes Robert?” Cutting up his meat into more manageable bits as he chewed and swallowed the food already in his mouth.

“I think I saw an old wicker chair in the barn loft that should work and should be sturdy enough with a little work for this little guy.” Then gabbed his head under his arm and rubs his hand with his knuckles.

“Ouch that hurts,” replied EJ.

“Sorry,” Robert said.

Ma smiling as she tried to sound cross with the boys. “Not at the table please,” she said.

“Yes Ma.” Pa chuckled while he looked at his boys.

Ma looked at Pa from across the table then looked at her family then looked at stars, “Pa you couldn't have picked a better spot I think,” she said as she yawns.

 

“Ma?”  Julie asked.

“Yes Julie?” Tearing up her roll and putting small pieces into her mouth as she chewed.

“I think me and Anna and can clear the table, why don't you and the boys go sit by the fire and toast some those marshmallows and I'll bring some these rolls over and some chocolates out for desert.”  Pa winked at Julie and Anna as they winked back with a mischievous smile.

“Wayne you are up to something,” Ma said as he rubbed his chin trying to hide a mischievous plan.

“Did you hear dear, their might be a full-moon out tonight?” Wayne asked as he went around the table and slides the chair out from behind her, stands her up and brought her chair around to the fire. Then comes back for EJ and helped him by putting him back on the stretcher and Will, Robert carried him then sat next to him around the fire.

Julie and Anna cleared the table bring the treats and joined the family around the fire.

“Will, Robert? I think it's time we start building on to the house and EJ can help too when he can. Since one of the rooms is going to be his.” Pa said as he rubbed his chin. “And he can help with your chores too when he gets stronger.”

Ma nearly fell off her chair. “Pa he can barely move,” she said.

 

“Yes I know that, but he will in a few days or so, we need to get those muscles moving again. So a little hard labor and some fresher air will be good for him; I think you boys got the right idea, crazy or not, but a solid one at that. So I'll let you keep your promise.” He said as he rubbed his chin then fires a marshmallow into the fire. Pa looked at his startled wife thinking he just lost his mind then seeing little Sam starting to doze off, he smiled, placed the marshmallow into his mouth whispered to his startled wife. As he leaned down placing a kiss on her forehead, “don't go anywhere, I'll be back,” he said.

 

Pa walked over and picked up Sam and carried him into the tepee and put him to bed, while his wife watched with a startled look and shook her head. Will and Robert picked up EJ and followed Pa and sat him gently on the bed inside tepee then closed the flap and turned out the lantern and laid on top of their sleeping bags and fell asleep.

Julie and Anna turned to Ma then kissed her on the cheek and headed into the house to their nice soft beds down the hall giggling too themselves.

 

“Wayne you mind telling me what that was all about? I was hoping you were going to put a stop to all this foolishness. Alright they were Indians for a whole day. I even let them dress that way for dinner,” she said.

“Well at least Martha you had the entire family there, including EJ. I thought that it would make you happy,” he replied as she stood placing her hands on her hips.

With a tear in her eye she softly pounded on his chest. “It did Wayne, it did? It was beautiful, the stars, the firelight, everything. Then you had to remind me them of their stupid promise, that stubborn boyish promise. What were you thinking?” She replied.

 

“Let’s go sit on the swing for awhile.” He said with twinkle in his eye, knowing that only he could melt that stubborn heart of hers... They sat in the swing and he pulled her tight into his arms she leaned close to his chest as they rocked back and forth. “Martha dear,” he said as she looked into his eyes. “Do you remember that full moon?” Not taking his eyes off hers. Martha listened to his heart as it beat in his chest and the warmth and comfort of his arms she sighed and melts. The Indians, the tepee and farm in the distant, all that remained are stars and the man in her arms... He leaned down and looked into her eyes.

“Wayne?” She says.

“Yes dear?”

“I love my Indian boy farmers.”

“I know dear.”

She sighed then looked at the tepee and put her arms around his neck for another kiss. “They just need a little work that's all.” And fell asleep in his arms and he carried her off to bed.

 

Pa put his wife to bed placed the covers over her shoulder walked down to the girl's room and whispered. “Goodnight my sweet angels,” and placed a kiss on each of their cheeks. Instead of going to the boy’s room he went out to the tepee and carefully walked around to each of his sons Will, Robert, Sam and EJ brushed their hair from their forehead gave them each a kiss as well. “Sleep my Indian sons, sleep well my farmer sons,” and walked out of their tepee.

Then climbed into bed next to his wife and put his arm around her, she nuzzled close to him and whispered. “Everything ok dear?” She asked.

“Yes dear, thank you for the meal and my house is full so is my heart,” he replied.

 

 

* * *

Reviews

[.quan.011.]

Great chapter. The family developed quite well. I really didn't find anything wrong with this chapter. Everything is very good now to more on the next chapter.

[Layla J Omorose]

Another great chapter. I can't wait to see how all the children adjust to their new lives. On to the next chapter I go