Summary: While Ben and young Adam are making their way west, they make a brief stop in Germantown, Ohio. An unusual festival is in progress when they arrive. Set in approximately 1834 or 1835.<\/p>\n
Rating: K WC: 1419<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ben Cartwright scanned the neat and tidy businesses and residences of Germantown, Ohio as his small covered cart moved down the main street in the fading light. The town was busy with pedestrians as he pulled his cart to a stop. There was an air of frivolity amongst the townspeople that passed by.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m hungry, Pa. Are we going to eat soon?\u201d The dark-haired four year-old boy voiced his question to his father.<\/p>\n
Ben set the brake and wrapped the reins around the handle. \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re stopping. Let\u2019s go see what we can find.\u201d He pulled the collar of the boy\u2019s jacket up to shield him from the sharp February wind.<\/p>\n
The broad shouldered Ben Cartwright brushed his worn coat and straightened it before lifting his young son, Adam, from the cart. Hand in hand, father and son stepped onto the boardwalk. Tittering laughter met their ears as a lad in his teens pushed past them followed by group of young maidens.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery dance will cost you a kiss!\u201d One of the girls shouted at the disappearing boy.<\/p>\n
The girl responded to Ben\u2019s odd look. \u201cYou\u2019re not from here, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, just passing through.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s Weiberfastnacht — women\u2019s festival. Beware! Women are in charge for the day!\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben laughed. \u201cThanks for the warning.\u201d Then he looked down at Adam, \u201cGuess we\u2019d better watch our step. Weiber — fast– nacht.\u201d His tongue fumbled over the long German word.<\/p>\n
Not far down the boardwalk they found a restaurant. Ben was surprised to see that the establishment was empty of patrons when they entered. Hearing the bell on the door, a woman in her twenties with dark braids coiled on the sides of her head came out from the back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWillkommen gentlemen.\u201d The woman offered them a merry greeting and a sweet smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood evening, miss. My son and I were hoping to get some supper. Are you still serving?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYa. You can get your evening meal. There is plenty.\u201d The woman spoke with a heavy German accent. \u201cPlease have a seat anywhere. Would you like Sauerbraten or Wiener schnitzel?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s brows rose with uncertainty. \u201cI\u2019m not familiar with either. Maybe one of each. Will you accept money or will they cost us kisses like the young ladies we spoke with outside mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n
Marta Schmidt\u2019s laugh had a musical quality. Ach no! No kisses required here even if it is Weiberfastnacht. I\u2019ll be right back with your food.\u201d She turned to go into the kitchen and then paused. \u201cOh, my name is Marta. Welcome to Germantown.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you. I\u2019m Ben Cartwright and this is my son, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m pleased to meet you.\u201d Marta nodded. \u201cPlease excuse me. I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marta returned with their dinner in short order. No other guests came in, so she divided her time checking on the Cartwrights and cleaning up the kitchen.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs the food to your liking?\u201d \u00a0Marta asked when she stopped back to check on their progress.<\/p>\n
Adam\u2019s head bobbed up and down as he worked on filling his hungry belly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, thank you. It\u2019s delicious.\u201d Ben dabbed his mouth with his napkin before continuing. \u201cYou\u2019re probably in a hurry to close up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, not at all. You don\u2019t need to rush.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you\u2019re not going to the dance?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Not this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I thought the ladies were in charge. Doesn\u2019t that mean you would get to ask a gentleman to escort you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, that\u2019s true, but there\u2019s only one man —\u201d Marta paused and looked away. \u201cBut he\u2019s been gone for almost a year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Struggling with his embarrassment, Ben hesitated before speaking. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry. Please forgive my rudeness.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, but you could not have known.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just — well — it\u2019s been four years since I lost my wife. \u201d<\/p>\n
Marta took a good look at Adam and thought the boy looked about four. \u201cI\u2019m very sorry for both of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPa gets sad sometimes.\u201d Adam piped up.<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s head jerked around toward his son. \u201cAdam, that\u2019s not necess–\u201d He stopped abruptly when Marta broke in.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Mr. Cartwright. Adam is just speaking the truth and that\u2019s a good thing. \u00a0I understand, all too well.\u201d Marta\u2019s eyes were shining.<\/p>\n
Marta\u2019s perceptive understanding caused Ben to reach out and ruffle his son\u2019s hair in an attempt to make things right. \u201cWon\u2019t you sit down a moment, Mrs. –\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSchmidt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Schmidt, won\u2019t you tell us about your husband. I mean, if you have the time?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAch, but it\u2019s the two of you that don\u2019t have the time for all that. Adam is a tired boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam will be fine, and we have the time. Would you join me for a cup of coffee? Sometimes it helps to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marta bit her lip while contemplating Ben\u2019s request. \u201cAll right, but just for a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
She disappeared into the kitchen and returned carrying a tray that held a coffee pot, another cup, and a plate of Hoernchen pastries. She transferred the items to the table and set the tray aside. Marta then held out the plate of horn-shaped pastries to Adam.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou must try the Hoernchen. Nothing better to finish off your meal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, ma\u2019am.\u201d \u00a0Adam reached out and took a pastry.<\/p>\n
Marta\u2019s brows went up and she smiled at Ben. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome, Adam. You are raising a fine, \u00a0young gentleman, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d She offered the plate to Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, They look wonderful.\u201d Ben took a bite and nodded. \u201cEven better than they look.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you. I\u2019m glad you like them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marta refilled Ben\u2019s cup and poured some for herself before pulling out one of the empty chairs at the table and taking a seat. There was an awkward silence for a time as they sipped their coffee.<\/p>\n
Seeing that Marta needed a little prompting, Ben spoke first. \u201cHow long were you and your husband married?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor about a year and a half. He worked at the lumber mill — there was an accident.\u201d Marta glanced at Adam before going on. \u201cWe have a little girl — Annalise — she\u2019s with my parents while I work. She just turned one.\u201d<\/p>\n
WIth eyes full of empathy, Ben replied, \u201cI\u2019m sure she\u2019s the light of your life, and you are doing all you can for her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not easy. The owners of this place are very kind to me. They allow me to work and still have time with Annalise. \u00a0Usually I just come in to help with the baking. Today is special because of the festival and they needed more help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m happy for you that you have family to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would not be possible without them.\u201d Marta looked away for a moment. \u201cSo, tell me Mr. Cartwright. What brings you and Adam to Germantown?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben sighed heavily. \u201cWe are on our way west. We\u2019ve been traveling on and off since Adam was a little older than your daughter. It is necessary for me to stop and work at times so that we can continue. We were in Columbus for a few months and now we are moving on again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know where you will settle?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot really. I guess we will know when we get there\u2026..\u201d<\/p>\n
Time slipped away for Ben and Marta as they continued to share about their lives. They suddenly realized that Adam had curled up on the the bench by the door and fallen asleep.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so sorry to have kept you.\u201d Marta stood up quickly and reached to clear the dishes from the table.<\/p>\n
Ben placed his hand on her arm hoping to alleviate her embarrassment. \u201cNot at all. It was my pleasure.\u201d Ben\u2019s dark eyes radiated a comforting warmth. He stood and held out his hand to her. \u201cI know it\u2019s Weiberfastnacht, but may I have this dance.”<\/p>\n
Marta\u2019s head dropped. Setting down the dishes she was holding, she tentatively placed her hand in Ben\u2019s. They waltzed carefully in the opening between the tables though no music played. After a few moments, they came to a stop.<\/p>\n
Ben bowed and then looked at Marta sincerely. \u201cThank you for the dance, your company, and the wonderful food. He pulled some coins from his pocket and pressed them into her hand.<\/p>\n
Marta\u2019s blue eyes glistened with gratitude. \u201cThat\u2019s not necessary. You\u2019ve already given me more than you can ever know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben folded her fingers around the coins. \u201cAnd you to me. Goodnight, Mrs. Schmidt.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marta watched as Ben gently lifted Adam from the bench and carried him out of the restaurant.<\/p>\n
\u201cAuf Wiedersehen, Ben Cartwright. May God bless your journey.\u201d\\<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Written for the Sadie Hawkins Day challenge on Trailriders.<\/p>\n
Tags:\u00a0 Ben Cartwright,\u00a0Grief<\/p>\n