Drinking....."No Not Me Pa....."
By
Moreau
Music played festive for the township's Independence Day Celebration Dance.
The Cartwright boys all had looked forward to this weekend for a month now.
Two weeks ago Pa had set out for San Francisco. He had sent a telegram a
few days ago saying he would be arriving by the 10th. This would be the
first Independence Day he missed with his boys, but it could not be helped.
Adam was left in charge and with Hop Sing's help, the last two weeks ran
fairly smoothly at the ranch. Adam believed it was mostly because the two
brothers of his wanted to come to town today without being in trouble of
any kind.
Adam had asked Pauline Draper to the dance. It took three months to get
this pretty brunette to
even say hello to him. When she agreed to go on this date, Adam was beside
himself. His younger brothers could of asked him if they could rob a bank
today and Adam would have agreed as long as they knew not to bother him
about it.
"H's bit bad Hoss. One wink from that gal and he might just faint."
Joe said giggling.
"Yep, mooneyed over that little brown eyed filly for shur baby brother.
I asked him if we could play poker and skinny dip with the reverend's daughter.
You know what he said?"
"No what did he say."
"As long as we get the barn chores done and how does his hair look
today?" Hoss said busting a gut in laughter.
"Hoss that is it. Think of it. Pa is gone for another week or so. Adam
gone on this Pauline gal. We are free my man. Free."
"Free, what are you talking about Joe. We could go to the dance, have
fun and go home. If Pa was here we would be doing the same thing."
Hoss said.
"No Hoss...we wouldn't be doing this!" Joe pulled out a big bottle
of whiskey.
"Where did you, a 15 year old kid, get a big bottle of whiskey?"
"Hoss the same place you got that bottle of brandy, remember at the
'church picnic' some years back."
"All I remember about that is the blistered backside at the end of
that day after Pa got done with me. I didn't sit, stand or sleep comfortable
for a month. Remember that Little Joe."
"You in or not." Joe said.
"Heck, I am in. But you stop when I say stop, ya hear me?"
"Sure Hoss, I'll even let you keep it with you." Joe offered knowing
damn well if Hoss is caught with it, he won't be as guilty.
"See Little Brother, you are really being mature there. Come on let's
get ready." Hoss said slapping his little brother on the back.
The dance was crowded. Adam and Pauline were dancing a slow waltz. Adam
was careful not to scare this pretty butterfly away by being bold or not
a perfect gentleman. Tonight his goal in life was to taste those sweet lips
before the evening's end. He did notice Hoss and Joe made it to the hall,
he relaxed a bit. They were late, but he knew where they were, so no worries.
The evening could not have been more perfect. "Pauline, would you like
to step outside for some fresh air?"
"Oh yes Adam it is so warm in here." Pauline said sweetly.
Adam gave her his arm, she placed a delicate hand on him, sending an electric
current right to his toes.
They stood outside for a short time. Talking about the music and books,
Adam asked if he may kiss her goodnight when their date was over.
Blushing furiously, Pauline said "No, my boyfriend would not like that."
"Your-your boyfriend. I had no idea, why didn't you tell me you had
a beau?" Adam said crushed.
"You didn't ask me and besides I wanted to go the dance. My boyfriend
Agnew is shy about being so big and all. He is almost 6'8" and was
stuck at the lumber camp..."
"Your boyfriend is Agnew McTavish?"
"Oh you know him?" Pauline said brightly.
"I hired him. Yes he is a big fellow." Adam said with a gulp.
(I am dead where I stand, time to bail out of this sinking ship)
Adam had just brought Pauline back inside when he noticed Hoss in the corner
with Joe.
"Isn't that your little brother, did you know he smoked cigarettes?"
Pauline said disapprovingly.
"Oh uh you don't approve, well we all do."Adam lied hoping to
exit.
"Excuse me Adam, I think I will go talk with some friends I see. Maybe
I will ask them for a ride home."
"Well if you insist Pauline." Adam said relieved. Now to go deal
with his brothers.
"Hey...Adams..hic Adam hey buddy..." Hoss said with a swagger.
"Come on, I don't even want to know how you got this drunk, I will
deal with that later, let's go."
Before they made it outside their evening got even more interesting as Ben
entered the hall. He had wanted to surprise them. Well, that much was true.
Three feet from his two younger sons, the distinct aroma of whiskey. DRUNK,
BOTH OF YOU."
The look on Hoss' face and then his youngest spouting of "Drunk...Not
Me PA!" was the last straw of Ben's long journey home, all the hard
work to get contract negotiations finished so he could surprise his sons
at the dance. Well, he had a few surprises of his own!
A Sore End