Summary: The task of reroofing the barn brings back various memories for each of the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n
Rating: K (9,000 words)<\/p>\n
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If These Walls Could Talk<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018Joseph, bring those shingles over here please,\u2019 said Ben irritably. \u2018And watch where you\u2019re going.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe gave his father a grin and scrunched on over to him on his backside, pushing the pile of shingles in front of him. \u2018Here ya go Pa,\u2019 he said brightly. \u2018This enough?\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018For now,\u2019 said Ben. \u2018Hand me some of those nails.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018I don\u2019t see why we have to replace this whole side of the roof,\u2019 said Joe as he handed his father the requested nails. \u2018Why don\u2019t we just do that bit over there that\u2019s leaking?\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018This whole side needs repairing,\u2019 called out Adam from his side of the barn roof. \u2018If you\u2019d take a proper look, you\u2019d see that for yourself.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe examined the shingles in front of him. \u2018I suppose so,\u2019 he said. \u2018After all it\u2019s \u2026\u2019 he scratched his head as he tried to work it out. \u2018How long ago did you build it Pa?\u2019 he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019ll be twenty-two years come this September,\u2019 replied his father as he hammered. \u2018It\u2019s held up quite well, considering.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Considering what?\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben glanced over at Adam and they both laughed. \u2018Considering that we didn\u2019t have the best quality materials when we first built it,\u2019 replied his father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam sat back on his heels and wiped the sweat from his brow. \u2018I seem to remember that you were hard-pressed to get enough materials to finish the job at all,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018That\u2019s true enough,\u2019 said his father. \u2018I had to make do with what I could find initially and then build it bit by bit. These shingles were taken from the original roof and put up here later on when we extended it.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Didn\u2019t you build it all at the one time?\u2019 asked Little Joe. He couldn\u2019t remember a time when the barn hadn\u2019t been there and so it was news to him that it hadn\u2019t been built all at once.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018No,\u2019 said Adam. \u2018Pa built just one storey at first. The loft was added on later to make it two stories. So was the tack room. It really wasn\u2019t that big at first.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018How come?\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Pa just told you. He couldn\u2019t afford it.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sat up and smiled at his two sons. \u2018Are you two going to discuss this all day or are you actually going to get some work done?\u2019 he asked playfully. Adam grinned back at his father before picking up his hammer again and Joe rolled his eyes before going back to his section of the roof. Ben gave a short chuckle as he started work again. As he hammered, his thoughts went back to another time many years ago when this barn had been the focus of his world for a while.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Put some more nails in the bucket before I pull it up please son.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Adam scurried to do as his father bid him, filling the bucket up to the brim before tugging on the string. \u2018Pull er up Pa!\u2019 he called importantly and watched as the bucket ascended to the roof. He glanced over at Hoss who was busy eating some stalks of hay as he sat on the ground beside him, and frowned. He knew that he was doing an important job for Pa and that if he wasn\u2019t down here looking after Hoss while his father was hammering the shingles onto the roof, that the toddler could get into trouble, but where he really wanted to be was up there on the roof with Pa, helping. It wasn\u2019t as if it was that high after all! Instead he had to stay down here and watch Hoss, while hammering in the loose boards that Pa had started to put on the walls.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Adam stood back and looked at the structure in front of him, with a great deal of satisfaction. \u2018It\u2019s really taking shape now, Pa!\u2019 he called up to his father.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Sure is!\u2019 Ben replied. He glanced up at the sky. \u2018We\u2019ll have it done before the weather turns bad in a few weeks, I\u2019m sure.\u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Then Rusty and Alice will have somewhere nice and warm to live, won\u2019t they Pa?\u2019 said Adam, glancing over at their sole horse and cow.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018They sure will,\u2019 said Ben. He glanced up at the sky again, mentally calculating how many hours he\u2019d have to work each day to make sure that it happened in time. Winter was fast approaching and there was no way that the animals would survive it without some kind of shelter. As well as the horse and their cow, he had invested in a few chickens and now wanted to get some pigs as well \u2026 not to mention another horse if he could afford it next year. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n He looked over at the small building that the three of them called home and sighed. The barn was going to be so much bigger even than their own dwelling, but he justified it in his mind knowing that the animals were going to need the space eventually, if his dream of adding to the livestock were to become reality. There was no point building a smaller structure and having to add to it later … Ben had reasoned that he would rather have spent the extra time on it now than have to do it at a later date \u2026 but it was hard to listen to the advice of all his neighbours who thought he was plain crazy to build something so big when he had so little livestock to put into it. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n But Ben Cartwright had a vision of the future and that vision included many animals that would one day need to be sheltered. He and his boys would survive in the small cabin for a while longer. One day they would have the large house that he planned to build, but at the moment the barn had to take first priority.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n He looked down at the small dark head below him and smiled to see the concentration on Adam\u2019s face as he nailed in plank after plank of the wooden walls. He knew that the boy wanted to be up here with him on the roof \u2026 after all it was far more exciting than simply working on the walls \u2026 but Ben preferred his son to have his two feet firmly planted on the ground. He glanced over at Hoss and waved to him, smiling as he saw the toddler grin up at him and wave back. He was so lucky that the little boy was so placid and that Adam was so good at watching over his brother. He didn\u2019t know what he would have done if it weren\u2019t so.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n He knew that he\u2019d become quite obsessed with the barn lately, but he didn\u2019t really know how else he was to get the job done. Every waking moment that he didn\u2019t have to spend on other chores, or looking after the boys, was spent up here working on the building and now he was beginning to see the fruits of his labours. He nodded in satisfaction as he began to hammer the shingles again. Yes, it would be well worth the effort, for this barn would see the Cartwrights through many years to come.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s funny how I thought the original barn was so big at the time,\u2019 Ben mused as he worked. \u2018It really wasn\u2019t more than a few years before I was taking the roof off and building the loft on top of it though.\u2019 He peered down into the hole that he\u2019d made by taking out some of the broken shingles. \u2018That reminds me boys,\u2019 he said. \u2018We must get the loft cleaned out before haying season starts again.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe gave his father a sharp look. \u2018I\u2019ll do it for you Pa,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam looked up. \u2018Huh?\u2019 he said. \u2018Since when have you begun volunteering for work?\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe pouted. \u2018I\u2019m only trying to be helpful, is all,\u2019 he said. \u2018If you don\u2019t want me to do it then \u2026\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Don\u2019t pay your brother any mind, son,\u2019 interrupted his father. \u2018You may have the job of clearing out the loft with my blessing.\u2019 He thought for a moment. \u2018Now didn\u2019t you score the job last year as well, Joseph?\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe grinned at his father. \u2018Sure did,\u2019 he said. \u2018I don\u2019t mind doing it again though.\u2019 He smiled at Adam and went back to hammering, noting the dark look that his eldest brother gave him before returning to his own work. Joe breathed a sigh of relief as he hammered. He didn\u2019t know how he\u2019d got away with hiding the scorch marks for so long really, but however long he was able to do it suited him just fine. Cleaning out the loft was a small price to pay, if it meant that his father didn\u2019t find out what had happened that night a couple of years ago.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018You got it?\u2019 said Seth Pruitt eagerly as Joe climbed up to the top of the loft ladder.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Joe returned the grin that his friend gave him. \u2018Sure did,\u2019 he said, holding out a small brown bag. \u2018It was easy.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Seth grabbed it from him, but Joe quickly grabbed it back again. \u2018Hang on,\u2019 he said. \u2018I\u2019m the one who got it, so I should be allowed to have first try, don\u2019t ya think?<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018All right,\u2019 replied Seth. \u2018But hurry up, will ya? I wanna see what it\u2019s like.\u2019 He watched as Joe undid the paper bag and tipped the dark tobacco out onto the floor. \u2018You sure ya Pa won\u2019t miss it?\u2019 he asked as Joe began to dip into his pockets. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Nah!\u2019 He\u2019s got plenty of this stuff for his pipe. I\u2019ve just been taking it a little bit at a time is all \u2026 plus some from the boys in the bunkhouse too. They\u2019ll never know.\u2019 He put some small papers on the floor next to the tobacco.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Where\u2019d you get the papers?\u2019 asked Seth as he bent down to examine them.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Adam\u2019s room,\u2019 said Joe. \u2018He\u2019s got plenty.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Seth frowned. \u2018He might rat on ya.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Joe shook his head confidently. \u2018Nah! He can\u2019t without telling Pa that he smokes as well, can he? He ain\u2019t gonna be telling nobody even if he does notice.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Hurry up!\u2019 said Seth impatiently, as Joe began to roll some tobacco up in one of the papers. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Keep ya shirt on,\u2019 said Joe, his tongue poking out from between his teeth as he concentrated. \u2018It\u2019s harder than it looks.\u2019 He licked the end of the paper to hold it. \u2018Okay, there it is,\u2019 he said proudly as he held the misshapen cigarette in his hand. \u2018Now give me the matches.\u2019 He put the cigarette in his mouth and lit it, drawing a deep breath, before coughing violently. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Seth reached over and slapped his friend several times on the back. \u2018How is it?\u2019 he asked eagerly.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Great!\u2019 declared Joe, as another coughing fit overcame him. \u2018Try some.\u2019 He drew a few more breaths from the lit cigarette while he watched his friend roll his own. Before too long, both boys were lying back in the hay, blowing smoke up towards the ceiling and giggling.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018This is great, ain\u2019t it?\u2019 said Seth, giving his friend a sideways glance. He was beginning to feel a bit nauseous, but would never have let on to Joe.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Yeah!\u2019 said Joe, also trying to hide the fact that he was in danger of losing the contents of his stomach. He sat up abruptly as he heard Hoss\u2019 voice down below.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Hey Joe! Can ya hear me?\u2019 Joe motioned to Seth to be quiet and the two boys put down their cigarettes and scrunched their way over to the trapdoor to look through it. \u2018Hey Joe!\u2019 called Hoss again. When he heard no reply, he stomped out of the barn and headed towards the house.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Joe grinned at Seth. \u2018We\u2019d better get on down there,\u2019 he said. \u2018If Hoss is looking for me, then that will mean that Pa \u2026\u2019 He stopped abruptly as Seth grabbed his arm.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Joe!\u2019 he called. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Joe heard the crackling sound even before he had a chance to look over his shoulder and the acrid stench of smoke told him that they were in trouble. \u2018The cigarettes!\u2019 he gasped. He scrunched his way back towards the corner and picked up the two small papers on the floor, but it was too late. Already the tinder-dry hay had caught alight and the flames were spreading rapidly as both boys stared at them.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Quick!\u2019 called Joe. \u2018Grab a bag!\u2019 He reached for one of the calico bags that was hanging in the corner and threw one to Seth who was staring open-mouthed at the fire.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018We gotta get some water!\u2019 the boy yelled as Joe began to beat at the flames with the bag.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018No time!\u2019 called back Joe. \u2018Quick!\u2019 Both boys sprang to work, beating the flames back with great exuberance. Within minutes they had defeated them and were lying panting on the floor next to each other.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018We should see your face, Cartwright!\u2019 laughed Seth, feeling light-headed and light-hearted now that the danger was over. \u2018It\u2019s all black.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018My whole body is gonna be black with bruises when my Pa sees this,\u2019 said Joe ruefully. \u2018He\u2019s gonna kill me!\u2019 He looked around at the blackened wood in the corner of the loft and then his eyes lit up. \u2018Hey \u2026 I\u2019ve got an idea!\u2019 he said. \u2018Help me drag these barrels over in that corner, Seth. If we pile the bags on top of them, it just might hide it.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Both boys got to work and within half an hour had suitably covered the corner with the barrels, bags and considerable pile of hay. Seth stood back and looked at it. \u2018Well, it looks all right now,\u2019 he said. \u2018But as soon as someone starts moving that stuff, they\u2019ll \u2026\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Don\u2019t you worry,\u2019 said Joe confidently. \u2018I ain\u2019t gonna let no one move that stuff, ever.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe grinned to himself. He never had let either his father or his brothers near that spot since. It hadn\u2019t been easy, but volunteering to clean out the loft every time it needed it, was worth it to keep his secret. By the time Pa discovered the scorched wood in the corner Joe figured he\u2019d be too old to receive a tanning for it and with any luck would be able to blame it on one of his brothers if they weren\u2019t around any more.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018What are ya grinning about shortshanks?\u2019 called up Hoss. \u2018Didn\u2019t ya hear me call ya?\u2019 Joe looked down and saw Hoss standing with his hands on his hips, glaring up at him. \u2018Pay attention, why don\u2019t ya!\u2019 his brother called.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019m doing the best that I can!\u2019 declared Joe grumpily. \u2018You try being up here in the hot sun for hours!\u2019 He turned to his father. \u2018How come Hoss gets the easy job down there, anyways?\u2019 he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018If you think hauling them shingles up to the roof is the easy job then ya can think again!\u2019 declared Hoss from down below. \u2018Now hold onto that rope, will ya?\u2019 Joe held onto the rope while his brother pulled from down below and the pulley system that Adam had rigged up began to do its work and yet another pile of shingles began to make its way up to them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Besides,\u2019 said Adam, coming to stand beside Joe to steady the weight of the shingles as they reached the roof beside them, \u2018If Hoss were to fall from up here he\u2019d likely put a hole in the ground so big that we\u2019d never be able to use the front yard again.\u2019 He grinned down at his large brother who smirked back up at him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Very funny!\u2019 called Hoss. \u2018You two jest get back ta work and quit joshing me will ya? I\u2019ll get some more shingles.\u2019 He strode into the barn and began to sort through the stack of shingles that had been placed there, finding the best ones for his next load. From his vantage place down here he\u2019d been listening to Joe questioning his father about when the barn had been built and it had made him stop and think. He looked around at the stall that had been emptied of all the animals in case they got hurt while the Cartwrights worked and smiled as he remembered just how many nights he\u2019d spent out here without his father\u2019s knowledge. If Pa had only known \u2026.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The boy hit the ground with a loud thud and looked anxiously back over his shoulder at the house. To his relief, no one seemed to have heard him and he glanced back up at the tree branch from which he\u2019d dropped and smiled before heading over to the barn. He hated being dishonest in this way, but really he had no choice if he were going to save those animals. No matter what his Pa said about some critters being more dangerous than others, he wasn\u2019t about to let an animal in distress go without his help if he could help it.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Hoss opened the barn door quietly and shut it behind him. He heard the snuffling sound of the horses in their stalls and whispered softly to them to quiet them down. He couldn\u2019t risk Pa hearing them and coming out to see what had disturbed them. \u2018Whoa Buck,\u2019 he said softly to his father\u2019s horse, as he patted the animal on the flank. In the next stall, his brother Adam\u2019s horse looked around at him and whinnied. Hoss knew him to be an excitable animal at the best of times and so he\u2019d come prepared. He drew out a carrot from his pocket and gave it to the horse, silencing him immediately. He took a few moments to give his own horse Chubb some attention and then gave his little brother\u2019s small pony a quick glance, before climbing up on the ladder that led to the loft.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n As he got to the top of the ladder his eyes strained in the darkness and he listened carefully for any movement. Sure enough, he caught a slight sound in the corner and he smiled as he approached a pile of rags that had been placed there. \u2018Hello fellar,\u2019 he said softly as he pulled the rags away to reveal a small wolf cub. \u2018How are ya, boy?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Lovingly, the boy stroked the small animal until it had settled down again. He smiled down at it as he snuggled down next to it in the hay. \u2018It\u2019s all right now fellar,\u2019 he whispered. \u2018Ain\u2019t no need ta be lonely now. Hoss is here ta keep ya company.\u2019 He pulled the rags up around the cub again and smiled through the darkness.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss jerked as he heard his name being called and looked over his shoulder guiltily to see his brother Adam dusting himself off as he entered the barn. \u2018Have you gone deaf?\u2019 said Adam. \u2018Pa\u2019s been calling out for you.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Huh?\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam rolled his eyes. \u2018Pa?\u2019 he said sarcastically. \u2018Your father? Remember?\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss gave a small smile. \u2018What\u2019s he want?\u2019 he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018You,\u2019 replied Adam. \u2018He needs you to help him lift something.\u2019 Adam looked at the shingles. \u2018I\u2019ll continue with these until you get back.\u2019 He watched as Hoss left the barn and then bent down to pick up some shingles. He caught sight of his father\u2019s saddle in the corner and smiled to himself as the memories came flooding back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Ow! There\u2019s something sticking into my back!\u2019 The blonde girl pouted prettily as she held her hand up and rubbed between her shoulder blades.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Adam drew back from her and tried to look concerned as he felt in the space behind her. \u2018It\u2019s only a saddle you\u2019re leaning against,\u2019 he said. \u2018Stand over here away from it.\u2019 He drew her across the floor and into an empty stall, taking care to keep his hand around her waist as if to steady her, then leant against the wooden side of the stall and smiled at his young companion. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018I suppose we\u2019d better be getting back to the party,\u2019 said Martha, without much conviction in her voice.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018I suppose,\u2019 said Adam. \u2018Do you want to?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Martha shook her head. \u2018No,\u2019 she said. \u2018I\u2019d much rather stay out here with you, Adam.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Adam grinned at her. \u2018Me too,\u2019 he said, trying not to show his relief in his voice. He had spent many hours thinking about this moment and now that it was here he didn\u2019t intend for it to slip away too quickly. \u2018Do you think \u2026 I mean \u2026\u2019 He blushed and was glad that it was dark enough that his companion wouldn\u2019t have been able to see it.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018What?\u2019 asked Martha.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Well \u2026 I was wondering \u2026\u2019 Adam cleared his throat. \u2018Have you ever kissed anyone?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Martha shook her head, her ringlets bouncing as she did so. \u2018No,\u2019 she said with wide eyes. \u2018I don\u2019t think it\u2019s proper to.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Adam cleared his throat again. \u2018I see,\u2019 he said mournfully. After all the hours of planning and rehearsing, this wasn\u2019t going quite the way he\u2019d planned it too. In his fifteen year-old imagination, the girl was supposed to eagerly say yes to him straight away and he didn\u2019t quite know what to say now that she hadn\u2019t. \u2018Well\u2026\u2019 he said. \u2018Maybe we\u2019d better go back inside then. Our folks will be wondering where we are I guess.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018I guess,\u2019 said Martha, not taking her eyes off him. \u2018Um \u2026\u2019 She hesitated.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Yes?\u2019 Adam tried not to sound too eager.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018I really like you Adam,\u2019 said Martha.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018And I like you too Martha,\u2019 replied Adam, his heart beginning to beat quickly.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018So \u2026\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Yes?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018I suppose \u2026 I mean if you\u2019d like to kiss me \u2026 well, I suppose it would be all right.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Adam felt his palms begin to go sweaty and ran them down his trouser legs to dry them. \u2018You sure?\u2019 he asked softly.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Yes.\u2019 Martha closed her eyes and put her head back, pursing her lips while she waited for Adam to make the first move.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Adam swallowed and then leant forward quickly, brushing his lips against hers quickly, before stepping back from her. \u2018There,\u2019 he said. \u2018Did you like it?<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Martha opened her eyes again and looked at him. \u2018I think so,\u2019 she mused. \u2018Did you?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018Yes,\u2019 said Adam, not at all sure. \u2018Maybe we\u2019d better try it again though, just to be sure.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018All right,\u2019 said Martha. She closed her eyes again and tilted her head back a second time, while her lips were pursed. Adam looked at her and closed his own eyes, before locking his lips onto the girls. This time he let them linger for a bit longer and felt an odd sensation as his hands and toes began to tingle. They both remained in that position for a full minute, before Martha drew back and opened her eyes widely. \u2018That was much nicer,\u2019 she said with a smile. \u2018I think I\u2019m starting to like this kissing.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018So am I,\u2019 said Adam with a grin. \u2018I think we should practise it a lot more, don\u2019t you?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n