Elizabeth’s Dilemma

By Carol Wells

Elizabeth sat in the tall grass absentmindedly chewing on her finger. Thoughts of the school day running through her mind over and over, she was trying to figure out how to deliver this note from the teacher to her parents.

Why did she have to go to school anyway? After all she was going to be fourteen soon. Most of the girls she knew would be rancher’s wives and unless one planned to be a teacher you really didn’t need to finish school. Did you? Who in the world invented math anyway? Her mind was racing. She tried hard not to panic even though she felt her heart beating faster and little beads of sweat were forming under her hat. Standing, Liz pushed the hat off her head and let it fall on to her back.

Then made the proclamation; “I will just explain to my parents that I’m not going to study math! No wait, I’ll say, I am not going to learn anymore math. Oh I’ll keep on with my other studies, just not math. If they fight me on that, well, then I’ll just say, that I will quit school altogether. I will be fourteen soon and I’m an adult.” Elizabeth stared down the squirrel that contently chewed on an acorn in front of her.

As the little critter scurried up the tree, Liz laughed a humorless laugh, “Yea, I know, who am I kidding. Ma and Pa are going to read this note and my life, as I know it, will be over. How can I tell them that I’m stupid when it comes to arithmetic? Two highly educated individuals produced an idiot when it comes to one subject. I don’t understand how this could happen! I know the math part of the problem. I just don’t know what they are asking me to do. Why are there story problems? Maybe I should just run away.”

“I wouldn’t run away if I were you. Pa will just find you and then you really would be in for a tanning.” Elizabeth spun around to find her brother Benjy’s sober face.

“Were you listening to a private conversation?” Anger seized her very soul.

“A what? Did you say private conversation? With who? The trees? Come on now Sis, you were talking out loud to the wind. I wasn’t eaves dropping or evading your privacy. Ma was worried when you didn’t come home with A.J. and me, she sent me looking for you.”

He noticed the look of doubt cross her face. “ Don’t worry we didn’t tell her that you got in trouble at school today. You better get home right away though, your in enough trouble.” He really did feel sorry for his sister, this was a hard thing for her to except, failing in story problems.

Elizabeth stared at her older brother. His dark hair in bad need of a haircut, was sticking out of his hat. He looked determined, she knew he would never let her just ride out alone.

“Oh all right. I might as well get this over with. Maybe I’ll have some luck and Pa won’t be home. I can usually get Ma to see my view on things. You know what’s really bothering me?”

“I would think a lot of things are bothering you.” He answered sarcastically

Liz ignored the statement “This darn note that tells them I had to stand in the corner like a child. I’ve been in that school since I’ve been six years old, never have I had to stand in the corner before today. If I were sixteen like A.J. nobody would question my decision.” Liz swung herself up over her saddle.

“Elizabeth Rose, you told Miss Jones that you didn’t do your homework and that you were not going to participate in arithmetic in her class. You sat there with your arms crossed daring her to challenge you.” He gave her his best “older brother” frown. “If you were sixteen you wouldn’t have done what you did today, I hope. Why didn’t you just ask either A.J. or me to help you? By the way Pa is working in the study. Your luck is not running high.” Benjy looked over to his sister who was chewing on her finger again.

“First of all, I didn’t say I didn’t do my homework. I said I didn’t do my arithmetic work. I wasn’t trying to challenge her. I was stating a fact. I didn’t ask either of you boys for help because…” tears started to form in her eyes “because you don’t understand, I really don’t comprehend these story problems at all. I don’t care how much feed cost a pound. When will I ever buy feed? Or how long it takes the train to go from Virginia City to Sacramento? The train is never on time anyway.” Liz swallowed hard trying to get the lump that formed in her throat to go away.

Benjy had to look away so that his sister didn’t see the smile that wanted to make its appearance. “Lil Bit, I’m trying to understand. I could even understand you not wanting to go to Ma for help. She can make you feel like you shouldn’t be having trouble with what ever it is you’re having trouble with.” Liz gave him a quizzical look. “ Oh, you know what I mean. I just can’t understand you not asking me for help. I have problems in spelling and history right? You help me, right?”

“Yea, I just hate when I don’t understand something. It makes me feel stupid.” She dug her fingernail into the horn of her saddle. “ I wish I had asked you now. I still think the whole thing is absurd. Why mix reading with math? Either have a story or have a math problem. Doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Benjy couldn’t hold it back any longer. He laughed so hard he almost fell off his horse.

“Glad I’m so amusing, at least I could cheer one person up today. Benjy please quit laughing. I’m getting sick to my stomach. I hate Pa or Ma mad at me. I’m not even going to have one of them on my side. What do you think Pa is going to say?” Holding on to her stomach she hoped he would say that her father would understand.

“Pa is going to find out what you have to say first. Then he is going to ask you about defying Miss Jones. I don’t know what he is going to say after that.” Benjy tried to be as honest as he could. “Sis, I’m sorry I laughed.”

Elizabeth nodded her head at her brother as they trotted up to their barn. A.J. Cartwright came walking out when he heard the horses approach.

“Here I’ll take your horse. Plus you can thank me, both of you. Pa just came out here to go look for you his self. I talked him into waiting a while. I figured you two were talking.” A.J. Cartwright a spiting image of his father took the reins of his sister’s horse.

“Thanks A.J. Is Pa in a real bad mood?” Liz looked pleadingly into her oldest brother’s eyes.

“Well, little sister, I would say that you are in big trouble tonight. What kind of mood do you think he is in? Before you even start thinking I said anything. Just remember you have a little brother in that classroom that has a big mouth. When Pa came out here before he asked me if Andy told them the truth. That you had to stand in the corner for disobeying Miss Jones.” Giving her a brotherly pat on the head he walked back into the barn with Benjy shaking his head and following him.

Liz hung her head and bit her lip as she was thinking, Andrew Joseph Cartwright you just wrecked my “adult” approach. Pa is never going to think of me as an adult when he was told I had to stand in the corner. She stopped right before she entered the house. Taking a deep breath she opened the door to her family home.

“Where in the world have you been, young lady?” Katie Cartwright stood with her hands on her hips staring at her oldest daughter.

“Sorry Ma, I had to think out a few things before I came home. I didn’t mean to worry you.” Liz looked down at her feet, noticed how dusty they were and bent down to brush them off.

“ Young lady stand up and look at me when I’m talking to you.” What kinds of things did you have to think through? You know you are to come home with your brothers right after school. I was extremely worried. You better have a very sound excuse for being so late.”

Liz could feel herself getting extremely angry. She tried taking a deep breath. “I said I was sorry Mother. I’m having trouble in school. I thought I would calm down before I came home. Maybe I should have just came home and told you that I was quitting school. There I said it, I’m quitting school. I’m almost fourteen and I have no more use for the process of learning.” She lost the battle, her temper won out.

Katie’s mouth dropped open. “Your WHAT?” She screamed.

“Mother, please calm down. I don’t think…”

“That is the first sensible thing you have said. You obviously haven’t put a great deal of thought into that idea that is for sure. Telling me to calm down is only going to get you in more trouble, young lady.” Katie’s face was turning all sorts of red.

“I’m trying to have an adult conversation with you. I’m not trying to insult you Mother. I’m just stating facts.” Elizabeth knew she was trying her luck but just couldn’t stop herself.

“ELIZABETH ROSE CARTWRIGHT STOP IT RIGHT NOW!” Katie was now at the end of her rope.

“What is going on out here? I can hear both of you through the closed doors of my study. Glad you could finally make it home, young lady. I think you should go up to your room and do some more thinking before you and I have a little discussion.” Adam Cartwright knew he better intervene before his wife really lost her temper.

Liz looked at her parents in pure defiance. “Really Pa, I’m trying to have a calm discussion with Mother. I came to a decision today and I was trying to share it with her. She is just not willing to discuss it with me.”

“Elizabeth, I know I don’t have to tell you twice to go to your room.” Adam was now on his way to losing his patience.

Liz thought a moment then looking right into her father’s eyes decided that pushing the issue would not be in her favor. “Before I go, I’ll give you the note from Miss Jones. You both can discuss me all you want, just remember, I’m not changing my mind.” She then hurried past her father and ran up the stairs to her room.

Once she was in the safety of her room she fell on her bed and let the tears fall down her face. This didn’t go at all the way she planned. She calmed herself and then went to pick up an old doll from her mantle. “Suzie, I think I’ve really did it this time. You should have seen Ma’s face. When are they going to realize I’m not a little girl anymore? I didn’t mean to blurt out that I was going to quit school. Ma just made me so mad. I tried to tell her I needed time to think. She just went on and on and I’m sick of being made to feel like I’m a child that doesn’t know the way home. Now Ma and Pa are down there deciding my fate without me having a say in my own life.

Well now that I said I was going to quit school I can’t back down. Can I?

Oh, Suzie, I don’t know what to do. I hate math. I hate Miss Jones. I hate my life. Why did Ma have to make me so mad? Why couldn’t she just listen to me? No, I walk into the house and she had to start yelling right away.” Suzie the doll just stared at her with her button eyes. Elizabeth hugged her tightly.

Katie Cartwright fell into a living room chair. “Adam what is going on with our daughter? She loves school. She isn’t a disobedient child.”

“Come on Katie she is a normal child. I will talk to her. Something is bothering her and she doesn’t know how to handle the mess she got herself in.” Adam patted his wife’s knee.

Katie wasn’t really paying attention to her husband. “Miss Jones claims she refused to participate in math class. She hasn’t done her homework. What could have happened? Why is she acting so defiant? Liz never challenges you. She looked at us as if we were the enemy.” Tears were forming in Katie’s eyes.

Adam went down and hugged his grieving wife.” I don’t know, Honey, but I will find out before this night is through. I can guarantee you that. I’ll tell you another thing. That child is NOT quitting school. Don’t worry I’ll go up and have a talk with her.” Adam was just as baffled as his wife, but determined to find out answers.

As he climbed the stairs to his daughter’s room he was trying to figure out how to approach Elizabeth so that they could talk and not end up in a shouting match. When he reached her door, he took a deep cleansing breath held it for a minute and slowly let it out. He gently knocked on the door and then opened it before she had a chance to say come in.

Liz’s heart was beating a thousand beats a minute. She heard her father’s footsteps before her door opened. She could feel her blood pumping in her face and knew it was red. Why wouldn’t her floor just open and swallow her up? She quickly looked around wanting to run. Then came the rap on the door. She went to say come in but the words got caught in her throat. Then the door opened.

“Are you ready to talk?” Adam gently asked his red-faced daughter.

“Yes Sir.” She didn’t think a voice would come out, but it did.

“Let’s start with what happened in school today. Miss Jones wrote that you didn’t do your homework. Why didn’t you?”

“I didn’t do my arithmetic homework. I did all the rest.” She knew he was going to be mad.

“ You have never let homework slide before. I believe I asked you why you didn’t do the work.” Adam pinched the bridge of his nose trying to stay calm.

“I can’t do the work, Pa. I don’t understand it. It doesn’t make any sense to me. Either you have a story or you have a math problem. I don’t care about grain or trains. If I thought it would be worth doing I would do it. Better yet, maybe, I would understand it.” Those darn tears threatened to make their appearance again.

“Are you telling me this is all over story problems in math? You are having difficulty understanding math problems?” Elizabeth nodded her head.

“Elizabeth why didn’t you come to me last night? All of this heartache could have been avoided. Instead you cause a disturbance in your classroom, worried your Mother, and argued with both of your parents. I’m trying to understand but you are making it very difficult.” Adam sat staring at his beautiful daughter shaking his head.

“I hate feeling stupid. I never had trouble with anything before. Everything always comes easy to me. I just have to face the fact that I can’t do these stupid problems. I couldn’t come to you and admit that I’m an idiot. Mother would try to explain just like Miss Jones tried and failed to do. Then Mother would feel like a failure. I would have to look into her eyes and see disappointment just like I’m seeing in your eyes now.” The lump in her throat grew, as did the torrent of tears cascading down her face. She was crying so hard she thought she would never stop.

Adam held his arms out. “Come here.”

Liz ran into her father’s loving arms. She sobbed on his shoulder. “I’m s- s- sorry Papa. I- I- I just can’t d- d- do it.”

“That doesn’t sound like the Elizabeth Cartwright I know. The girl I know would never let a few story problems get the best of her. Come on Sweetheart no more tears. Calm down. Look at me. Come on I said look at your Pa.” Adam gently pulled Liz off his shoulders and looked her in the eyes. He wiped her tears with his thumb.

“Yes Sir.” Liz shuddered trying to compose herself.

“Now that we got the main problem out of the way. We need to talk about how you handled the situation. Do you have anything to say before I start to talk?”

Liz shuddered again, this time because she knew what he wanted to her to say and decided to recite;“ I should have talked to you last night. I could have asked Benjy or A.J. to try to help me figure them out. I shouldn’t have lost my temper at school or with Ma. I guess I should have come straight home from school. I do think though that if a person needs time to try to figure things out on her own she shouldn’t have to worry that she is going to get bombarded the minute she comes in the house.” Liz figured she was in trouble already she might as well say how she really feels.

Adam rubbed his forehead then took his finger and lifted his daughter’s chin, “Elizabeth I told you to look at me, looking at the buttons on my shirt is not looking at me.”

Liz slowly looked into her father’s dark brown eyes. She let her mind wander for a moment thinking how dark his eyes were compared to her bright blue ones. How it was so easy to tell he was trying to have patience even though he was still very angry with her. Wondering if he planned on punishing her or would his patience win out and just discuss things with her. She was hoping for the latter. Then his voice went up an octave and it brought her back to listening to what he was saying.

“Telling your teacher you refuse to participate in her math class is not the way to handle the problems you are having. I will not have any of my children defy their teacher. You also know the rules your Mother and I have set with you about coming home from school. I understand that you wanted to think about your behavior today before you had to face us, but refusing to follow the rules is not an acceptable solution."

Her father’s buttons became very interesting again. She could feel her heart beat faster as he talked. Why did he have to make sense when he explained all of her many oversights.

“If you want Mother and I to think and treat you as an adult you have to show us that you’re ready for that step. Right now I’m seeing a child that threw a huge temper tantrum because things didn’t go her way.”

Sense that is until he said temper tantrum, she snapped her eyes to meet his with her anger starting to boil.

He didn’t seem to notice as he kept on talking. “Instead of using all the resources available to you, all of the resources you just told me about yourself. Your brothers, mother, me and your teacher, you decided that because these problems didn’t come easy you didn’t need to do them.” Adam didn’t miss the anger in her eyes. He hoped she was listening and not just fuming.

Elizabeth Cartwright was livid. She could hear herself shouting at her father, “You didn’t hear anything that I said to you Pa. I was NOT throwing a tantrum, I might not have used my resources like you said but I was frustrated and maybe, just maybe, not thinking everything through. You make it sound like I didn’t even try doing my work. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I tried and then found out I just can’t do them. I told you they don’t make any sense. I won’t do them. You almost had me there Pa, but I know now that I am NOT going back to school” She tried to pull herself away from her father but he quickly grabbed her arm.

“I don’t know who you think you are talking to young lady. I thought you were calming down but I see a tantrum in full bloom right now.” Adam was done trying to talk to this fire- tempered daughter. He swiftly picked her up and swung her over his knee to deliver a much deserved spanking.

The shock and embarrassment of finding herself up-ended over her father’s knee was too much for Elizabeth. She instantly started to yell and squirm. Reality quickly came when the spanks were felt and pain started to replace anger. When it was all over a very remorseful little girl stood between her fathers knees and sobbed once more on his shoulder.

“I-I-I’m sorry P-P-Papa I’ll be g-g-good I promise. I l-l-love you P-P-Papa.” Liz didn’t feel so adult right now. She didn’t know what hurt more her bottom or her pride. She decided it must be her bottom because it was stinging like the dickens and she might as well face it she didn’t have any pride left.

“I love you too Elizabeth more than you will ever know. I want you to listen very carefully. Quitting school is not an option. Being disrespectful to me will get your nowhere but over my knee. That goes for any other adult. When you calm down, I want you to go downstairs, apologize to Mother and do your dinner chores. After dinner we will go over those problems and see if we can get you to understand them. Did you hear everything?”

Elizabeth who was still buried in her Papa’s shoulder nodded her head. “P-P-Papa?”

“Yes Sweetheart?”

“Can B-B-Benjy help me after dinner? Can we do my m-m- math work up here?”

“May Benjy. Yes, I think Benjy might just be the man for the job. May you study up here? Let me think about that for awhile.” Adam pulled his arms tighter around his child and held her very tight. “I love you Lil Bit.”

Ordinarily Liz hated that nick -name the family insisted on calling her. It started when she was born and her brother A.J. was three, when he would say her name it sounded like he said Lil Bit. Right now cuddled in her father’s arms that name sounded wonderful because it meant her papa forgave her.

Andy was pretending to do his chores near the stairs so he could hear what was going on up in his sister’s room.

Emma Cartwright was waving her hand in front of her brother’s face.

“Andy, I’m not fillin this wood box all my self. You are sappose ta help.”

“Shh Em, I can’t hear if your gonna be yapping in my ear. Pa sure is mad.” Andy waved Emma hand away.

“Andrew Cartwright, get away from those stairs this instant and do your chores. You’ll find out how angry your father can get if he catches you eavesdropping. Are all your chores done?”

“No Mama they aren’t all done. I’ll go do them now. I’m sorry” Andy hurried over to Emma and helped her fill the wood box. “Mama someone just rode into the yard. I’ll go see who it is.”

“No finish your chores, I’ll see who it is.” Katie looked out their bay window, “Oh, it’s your Uncle Joe.”

“Is he comin in by us Mama?” Emma loved seeing her Uncle.

“I’m sure he will unless his business is with one of your brothers. He is talking to them now.” Katie smiled at her youngest child as she straightened the curtain.

“Should I go tell Papa that Uncle Joe is here Mama?” Andy started up the stairs.

“No you should not. When Papa is done talking with your sister he will come back down. If I were you, young man, I would have all my chores done by the time dinner is ready.” Katie had to hide the smile that threatened to appear at the face her young son made.

“Come on Emma we hav ta get all these toys picked up.”

Just then the door opened and in walked Joe Cartwright, Adam’s youngest brother. Emma turned and ran into her Uncle’s waiting arms.

“Hi, Darlin have you missed me?”

“Uncle Joe! I missed you a bunch." Emma buried her head into her uncle’s neck.

“I’ve missed you too, even though it was just yesterday that I saw you.” Joe gave one of his famous smiles then looked at his sister-in-law. “Hi Katie. Where is that brother of mine?”

Andy ran over and gave a shout, “He is upstairs spanking Lil Bit.”

Elizabeth was just rounding the corner to come back down stairs when she heard Andy tell their uncle that she had gotten a spanking. She quickly turned back around horrified to go down the stairs. Her father was right behind her.

“Pa, please I can’t go down now. Please don’t make me. Andy just….”

“I heard don’t worry. Go back to your room and then come down in a little while. Ok? Don’t worry about it sweetheart, your Uncle Joe has been in your shoes more times than he would like to remember.” Adam bent over and gave Liz a kiss on the forehead.

Adam started down the stairs with his eyes zoomed in on his youngest son. Andy noticed right away and stood very nervously by his Mama. Adam walked right in front of him and lifted up his chin. “That was not very nice was it young man? I better never hear you do anything like that again. You go up and apologize to your sister.”

Andy with tears running down his face answered “Yes Papa, I’m sorry.” He hurried past his father, covering his bottom with his hands and went up to his sister.

Emma was still attached to her Uncle Joe. Joe smiled at Adam over the child’s head. “Thought I’d ask if you would go over those figures with me before we head over to Pa’s.”

“Ah I forgot about Pa’s tonight. Is today really Thursday?” Both his brother and wife nodded their heads. “ I guess I won’t be here for dinner. Come on Joe let’s look at those in the study.”

Joe gently put his young niece down and kissed the top of her head. “Gotta go darlin, I’ll give you a kiss before we leave.”

“kay Uncle Joe” Emma hurried to put her toys away.

A.J. and Benjy walked into the washroom. “I sure hope Lil Bit is all right. I bet she never sasses Jones again.” Benjy nodded his agreement as he poured fresh water into the basin.

“Hey A.J. are you going over to Grandpa’s like Uncle Joe asked you? You could maybe convince Pa and the rest of them that you’re old enough to start working with the bronc’s.”

A.J. looked over to his younger brother, “I don’t know. I was thinking about it before Lil Bit got in her trouble. I just don’t want to be next on Pa’s bad list. The reason Uncle Joe wants me to come over to Grandpa’s is, I think, to confess trying to ride a mustang. I did really good, too.”

Benjy Cartwright wiped the soap out of his eyes “WHAT? When?”

Uncle Joe caught me Saturday. He said he wouldn’t tell on me. I think he wants me to tell on me. In the mood Pa’s in, well, I just don’t know. Hand me the soap will ya?”

“Do you think Uncle Joe will rat out on you?” Benjy asked as he handed the bar over to his older brother.

“No, I don’t think so, I just don’t want Uncle Joe to be disappointed in me. Then again I really don’t want Pa or Grandpa upset with me either.”

“I can’t believe you actually rode a bronc, what was it like? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It was great! Benj you should experience how it feels. Your whole body twists and turns. You learn to just let the horse do all the work and you just become one with his every movement. I loved it. I was right in the middle of the wildest experience of my life, when all of the sudden I hear Uncle Joe yell. I lost all concentration and fell off. My heart was in my throat. He shook me, called me by my full name and told me never to do that again without Pa’s permission. What do you think I should do?” A.J. was staring into his brother’s wide eye expression.

“Wow, I would have been scared out of my mind. I think you should go tonight. You don’t have ta tell on yourself. Just say that you’re sixteen now, you think you are ready to start learning a part of the business that you are really interested in. Pa might be disappointed that it isn’t the lumber part but you have to stay strong and tell them what you want to do. If Uncle Joe gives that look, you know the one, well, just admit that you tried once and you love it. When Pa starts yelling that you did what? Just try to stay calm and admit that yes you did try and it was the most exciting thing you have ever done. You could even throw in a sorry for not asking first. Stay firm, brother. Stay strong.” Benjy said it with conviction.

“Oh sure, what do I do when Pa starts taking off his belt. Start running?” A.J. asked as he toweled himself dry.

“Yeah you’re younger than him, you should be able to outrun him.” A.J.’s brother wore that famous Cartwright grin.

“Sure, thanks for the advice. I think I’ll wait a couple of days before I tell Pa that I want to work with the horses. I think Pa needs a break from all his kids for a night.” A.J. knew he was trying to convince himself that he was doing this for his father.

Fourteen –year- old Benjy gave a laugh “Okay brother, I guess I don’t blame you. After Lil Bit he probably does need a break.”

“Exactly what I meant.” A.J. said with eyes twinkling.

Elizabeth came down the stairs with her little six- year- old brother. “Andy don’t worry I really don’t hate you. Honest! You don’t have to keep saying you’re sorry. I was mad but I’m not anymore. Come on you can help me set the table.”

Katie was just bringing in the dishes. “I thought I would give you a hand myself, Honey. Is everything all better now?”

“Yes Mama, I’m sorry for yelling at you when I first came home. I’m sorry I worried you too, honest. I’ll behave myself from now on. I promise.” Liz looked into her Mother’s eyes.

“I know you will Sweetheart. Now let’s set this table for our hungry family, by the way Sweetie, thank-you for apologizing.” Katie walked over and kissed the top of the young girl’s head.

“I’m sorry too Mama. I told Lil Bit I was sorry, she said it was okay. Is it okay now Mama? Papa won’t be mad at me no more will he?” Andy hugged his mother around her waist.

“It’s okay Pumpkin, don’t worry about it, Papa isn’t mad at you anymore.” She said squeezing his shoulders.

“Your Mama’s right son, I’m not mad anymore. Come here and give your Pa a hug. I have to go over to Grandpa’s with Uncle Joe and have a meeting with Grandpa and Uncle Hoss.”

Just as Adam crouched down to hug his son, Four-year-old Emma flew up on his back almost toppling all three of them to the floor. “Whoa there Baby Girl. I’ll give you a hug too.” Adam laughed a hardy laugh at the antics of his two youngest children.

A.J. and Benjy stood and watched as their father was playing with their younger siblings.

“Hey A.J. are you coming to Grandpa’s with your Pa and me?” Uncle Joe raised his eyebrows when asking the question.

“No not this time Uncle Joe. I have too much homework. Maybe next Thursday.” He did not look at his Uncle when answering him.

He didn’t have to look at Joe to feel the steely stare he was getting. He knew he was disappointing his Uncle but just couldn’t face his father tonight.

As Adam and Joe left for their father’s house, Katie was seating her family down for supper. Dinner was a lively event all the children describing the highlights of their day. After dinner the family settled in the living room for an evening of relaxation. Everyone but Benjy and Liz, they were at the dinning room table trying to figure out Liz’s homework. Benjy wasn’t having much luck helping his sister figure out those story problems. A.J. walked over by them to supervise.

“Benj let me try to explain. I think your getting too hot under the collar. It won’t help at all if you’re yelling at her.”

“You think you could do better? Go ahead. I’m not trying to get upset she just gets so stubborn.” Benjy left the table shaking his head.

“Come on Lil Bit, I know you know how to do the math. It’s just going to have to come down to you understanding what they are asking you to do.” A.J. felt confident he could get his sister to comprehend these problems.

“A.J. if I knew that I wouldn’t be having a problem now would I? I wish you two would quit talking about me like I wasn’t even here. I’m tired and I don’t want to think anymore. I just can’t do them. I hate these darn problems.” Liz flung her head onto the table.

“Alright calm down. Let’s take a break. Want to come out to the barn with me and settle the horses for the night?”

Liz’s head snapped up, “Yes, if Mother lets me. You ask her A.J. she will let me then, please? Liz looked her most pitiful look hoping her brother would help her.

“Quit giving me puppy dog looks, I’ll ask Ma for you.” He pushed back his chair and walked into the living room searching out his mother.

“Ok, let’s go. Benjy is already out there.” A.J. grabbed his sister’s arm and gave it a tug.

They walked arm and arm down to their barn. Benjy was brushing his horse and talking a mile a minute. “I was just trying to help her. I can’t believe she can’t understand this stuff. She makes me so mad. Then that big brother of mine thinks he can just waltz in and poof she’ll understand it. Fine. Fine. Let him do it. Big man.”

Liz and A.J. stopped when they reached the door. They heard everything their brother was telling his horse.

“Oh oh, I think we really hurt his feelings. First I was really rude to him. Not because he did anything, it’s just I was feeling stupid again. Then you thought you could help and he took it like you thought he didn’t know what he was doing.” Liz felt really bad.

“I know I guess I shouldn’t have interfered but I didn’t want you two to start fighting and Ma getting mad. I’ll apologize right away.” A.J. opened the door and went right over by his brother.

“I’m sorry Benjy, I never wanted to hurt your feelings. I should have butted out. I’m I forgiven?” A.J. peeked over the back of Blackie’s back.

Benjy tried to stay angry but seeing his brother squatting down and only peeking his eyes at him made him smile. Instead of answering A.J. he bent over and picked up a handful of hay and threw it on his brother’s head.

“So that’s the way you want it huh?” A.J. turned, picked up a handful of hay, ran over and stuffed it down his brother’s back.

Before they knew it an all out hay war was on between the three oldest Cartwright children. Time ran away with the children as they hooped and hollered, playing the night away. The door to the barn slowly opened exposing the war zone. Hay was everywhere. Adam Cartwright stood mouth open to the sight. Many emotions flooded the eldest of Ben Cartwright’s sons. First was anger at the mess the hay made of his immaculately clean stables. Second was joy at watching his teens acting like children once again. Their laughter was contagious before he realized it he was smiling. He crouched down and moved along the last corral until he got near A.J. then he grabbed him, tackled him in the mound that had grown in the middle of the floor. Benjy started laughing as his father was stuffing hay into the shirt and pants of his older brother.

“You think it’s funny? Here is some for you too Benny boy” with that he grabbed his middle boy and started stuffing him too. In the mean time Liz circled round and climbed on her father’s back in time for A.J. to move quickly and help her bring their father down into the hay for their revenge. Adam was surprised at how strong his children were. He was having the time of his life. His laughter could be heard above any of the children’s gales of laughter.

“WHAT IS GOING ON IN HERE?” Katie Cartwright was standing in the doorway shouting to be heard over all the joviality.

“Oh hello!” Adam stood picking hay out of his hair and grinned at his wife.

Doubling over in laughter she tried to talk, “You four look so funny. Adam I can imagine how you looked when you were little and got caught in the middle of trouble. You all look as though you are having a wonderful time. Look at this place. What a mess. I’m glad I don’t have to clean it up. I’m sorry I have to break up this great play- time. It is very late however and these children should all be in bed. Not to mention that Elizabeth has not finished her math.” Katie extended her arm to her daughter, “Come on Honey, let’s allow the men to clean this mess up. You have to get a bath and finish this homework so you don’t have another terrible day tomorrow.”

As his wife and daughter walked toward their home, Adam turned to his middle son. “I thought you were going to help your sister figure out those problems son?”

“I tried Pa, she really is a hopeless case. I really tried everyway I knew how to get her to understand. She just don’t get it.” Benjy shrugged his shoulders as he explained to his father.

“She doesn’t understand it.” His father corrected him.

“I know that is what I’m trying to tell you.” Benjy answered innocently.

“I hope your mother has better luck than you did. Did you two get your homework done?” Adam glanced at both of his sons.

“I’m almost done, Pa. I can finish in the morning. I just have to check the spelling of my book report.” A.J. assured his father.

“I’m all done with my homework, Pa” Benjy reported.

“Good, then let’s get this barn cleaned up and then I want the two of you to take your baths and then off to bed.”

“Yes Sir.” They both answered in unison.

It was late when Adam finished cleaning the stables. He made his way into the washroom. Katie had a hot bath all prepared for him. He smiled to himself as he thought of his beautiful wife. She just seemed to know exactly what he needed after a long day. Adam finished his bath and stopped in the kitchen to get a hot cup of coffee. Filling the carafe and putting two cups on the tray, he made his way into the living room. He found his bride sitting on the settee with her legs up on the pillows.

“Hello, you sure look comfortable. Are all of our children tucked in for the night?” His dimples showed as he stood smiling broadly at her.

“Adam, how sweet, coffee. Come sit by me, please. Yes, all of our children are sleeping soundly.” Katie sat up and padded the cushions as she spoke. “Adam put the coffee down on the table, why are you standing there grinning at me?”

“You are so beautiful. The way you look tonight reminds me of the first time I saw you. Remember? Jeff brought me home for dinner. You were sitting just like you are now, in your parent’s living room. You looked up with those clear blue eyes when we came in the room. You quickly sat up and pulled your dress down over your legs. I thought you were the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Your blonde hair flowing down your back. I knew that moment I was going to marry you some day.” He placed the tray on the table and sat down next to her. Drawing her near him he kissed her a long passionate kiss.

“Why Adam Cartwright! What ever has gotten into you this evening?”

“I just realize how very lucky I am. I have a wife that I adore, five of the most interesting children, a family any man would be envious to have, and just think it’s all mine.” Those dimples made their appearance again.

“Oh Adam, I’m the lucky one. I never told you but when you walked in my parent’s living room with my brother I knew you were going to be my husband. I fell head over heels the very first time I laid my eyes on you. I love you with all my heart and soul.” Katie buried her head into his chest. Snuggled in his arms she felt very content. Going over everything he told her, she suddenly sat up.

“What do you mean interesting children?” Katie looked her husband right in the eyes.

“What? Don’t get angry. I didn’t mean anything bad. Let’s face it. They are all different and they keep us on our toes. That’s all I meant.” Adam put his finger on his wife’s mouth to quiet her. “Talking about our children, did you get Lil Bit to understand her problems? Benjy said she is a lost case. What do you think?”

“If you would move your finger I will tell you.” Katie gave a giggle. Once the finger was removed she soberly told him “I have a confession to make. Now don’t get angry with me. I did her homework.” Adam Cartwright’s eyebrows shot up. “Adam, she really has a mental block. She is trying, but she just doesn’t understand those problems at all. So I sent her to bed and I finished them.” The scowl on her husband’s face made her cringe. “Adam please don’t look at me like that. You weren’t in here you didn’t see her. I had to finish her problems. She would have been sitting there all night. What good would that have done?”

“Katherine Cartwright you did not have to do her homework. You chose to do her homework. What is she going to do when she has a test at school, come and get her Mama? I don’t approve at all. That was cheating. What are you teaching her? I spanked her tonight because she threw a tantrum and you reward her for the same thing?” Adam’s eyes reflected his anger.

“Your right. I was wrong. I do want to set the record straight however, she didn’t throw a tantrum. Adam, she was trying to understand. I will go talk to Miss Jones maybe between the two of us we can come up with a solution to Elizabeth’s dilemma. Am I forgiven? Please don’t stay angry with me the rest of the night. It started out so wonderful. Sweetheart, look at me. I’m the same girl that you saw so many years ago. Remember?”

Adam slowly shook his head. A small smile started to make it’s way to the corners of his mouth. The anger was out of his eyes. “ Come here you.” He passionately kissed her again. “I think we better finish this discussion up in our room. Like I said I’m one lucky guy.” Adam Cartwright picked up the love of his life and carried her up to their room.

The end.

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